may be to blame for breaking the harmony of the family. If, therefore, we have brothers and sisters older than we are, we must not grumble if they are allowed more liberty than we enjoy, if they wear finer clothes, or have better playthings, or get larger presents, or are more taken notice of than we are. We must remember that all this is done, not because their parents love them better than us, but because they are older than we are; and since they are older, and therefore wiser than we are, we ought to submit to them and take their advice, except when we see that they are disobeying our parents, for we should never do wrong to please anybody. And if again we have brothers and sisters younger than we are, we must not grumble if they receive more indulgence than we do, for we were indulged in the same way ourselves when we were younger. We should rather follow the example of our parents, and humour our younger brothers and sisters; and in stead of using our superior strength as the means of compelling them to submit to us, we ought rather to give up our own inclinations and gratify theirs. Above all, as they are sure to follow our example, we should be careful not to lead them astray, and should try to shew that we are wiser than they are by our good behaviour. The same Bible which tells us that "it is a good thing for brethren to dwell in unity," has given us, in the conduct of Joseph's brethren, a warning of the dreadful consequences that may follow from family quarrels, and in the conduct of Joseph himself, an example which we ought to imitate. We may think there is no danger of our selling any of our brothers or sisters, far less of plotting to kill them, but just as little did they expect at first to be so wicked; and therefore we should be on our guard against the beginning of strife, as no man can tell to what height it may afterwards rise. It will not be easy to imitate Joseph's example, yet, like him, we should forgive any unkindness, and remember only that those who formerly offended are our brothers, and return them good for evil. Now, our brothers and sisters are all at home with us; we may all go to the same school, join in the same amusements, and sit round the same fireside, but in a few years we may be scattered in far distant parts of the country, and once separated, we may never all meet again. How pleasant will it be to know that in some remote corner of the globe, a dear sister or brother rejoices in our welfare, and sympathizes with our distress! And what deep sorrow will it occasion in our bosoms if we have to blame ourselves for want of kindness to those who should have been our dearest friends, and are now beyond the reach of our affection. THEY grew in beauty, side by side, They filled one home with glee, Their graves are sever'd, far and wide, By mount, and stream, and sea. The same fond mother bent at night One, midst the forests of the west, The Indian knows his place of rest, The sea, the blue lone sea, hath one, One sleeps where southern vines are dress'd Above the noble slain ; He wrapt his colours round his breast, And one-o'er her the myrtle showers And parted thus they rest, who played |