Page 61 - HSLChristmasAnthology

HSL Christmas Anthology Page 61
38 THE CHRIST-CHILD
Wolfgang is sorry." A kiss and a smile
were his reward ; and he went bounding
off, with a heart full of love and joy.
Wolfgang had formed very lazy habits,
and he thought rich people were most to be
envied because they could live without work.
But the Father and Mother worked very in
dustriously, and they taught all the children
that God made everything to be useful ; that
he who did most for others was the noblest
man ; and he who made others serve him in
his laziness, was the meanest man. Thus
the boys learned to think it honourable to
labour. They worked and played alter
nately, and did both with their whole hearts.
By degrees, Wolfgang caught the spirit, and
began to like work as well as play. He
was very fond of music, and soon became
ambitious to contribute toward a piano for
the concert room. The teacher saw that he
had uncommon gifts for music. He advised
him to contrive some way of earning extra
money enough to buy a flute ; and the blind
man offered to teach him to play upon it. I
am glad Wolfgang will have a flute ; for the
sweet sounds will teach far gentler lessons,
than the cursing and swearing in that dark
alley. They will talk to him of worship and
of tenderness, till his whole soul will be filled