next thing in order is to group the guests carefully. There should be a probability that they will be congenial, that if already acquainted they may like each other's company, and that if strangers, they will have enough in common to make the week they will pass under one roof a pleasurable event to remember. "School or college friends form desirable elements for a successful house party." We will suppose these young people to live in town, and their invitation is from a friend who has a home in the country. They are asked for a definite number of days, the train or boat they are expected to take is mentioned, and any information as to a change of conveyances en route is given with clearness and precision. On arrival at their destination, their host meets and escort them to the house which is to be their home and the background of their varied pleasures during their visit. While guests, well-bred young people will, as a matter of course, be considerate and polite in their manner toward the elders of the household in which they are received. To ignore a friend's parents is to show a marked deficiency in one's own training. The guests will notice and conform to the routine of the house about meals, prayers, etc., and will take pains to give pleasure as well as to get it. The host or hostess will have arranged beforehand for whatever forms of entertainment will be most likely to fill up the measure of the party's enjoyment. There may be boating, tennis, or golf. Picnics will be in order. Charades and tableaux and music will have their turn in the evenings. Whatever happens in the way of disappointment or reversal of plans, everybody concerned will accept gaily and without complaint. In a house party everybody must be cheery; nobody must sulk; each must contribute something to the general account. If an evening of story-telling be proposed, each must do the best in his power by way of enlivening the whole. A house party, perhaps more than any other social opportunity, enables the youthful disciple to show his love and loyalty to the Master. Not by preaching or even by talking, but by the daily walk, by the habit of conscientious reference of all things to Christ, by the style of the Sabbath-keeping, by the daily Biblereading, and by what the manner of the life is before one's friends, and in Jesus' sight. When to Do Right. Away with this idea that we would do right if people, surroundings and influences were different. Ah! do we not know, have we not yet learned, that to do right just where we are, and just as we are, is the important matter for us? What we should do is very plainly laid down for us in the Holy Word. Now we are entreated, enjoined to be patient. Not to be patient with the patient only, but with all, and with all circumstances as well. We are told to be thankful. No time specified for the exhibition of this grace. We can be thankful if all goes well. Yes, but we are to be thankful in adverse circumstances. are to overcome the obstacles to thankfulness. We If a dear one from sickness or other cause, good or bad, be fretful or trying, we are to overcome impatience and not give way to it. It is easy to do right where there is no temptation to do wrong—“ easy to keep a fortress that is never stormed;" but when are we wholly without temptation? If we are waiting for an easy time to do right, that time will never come. Life is not soft, but hard," says one good minister. It is indeed time; the word is, "fight." Fight what? Our own inclination to wrong. This day, just where we are, just with whom we are, just in what state mentally and physically, our duty is to do right. How often do we when alone with God resolve to be all we should be to our dear ones; but when we come out from our place of prayer and good resolvings we find the dear ones with the same individuality as usual, and perhaps some of the traits of this individuality don't exactly dove-tail in with our ideas and feelings; and then, alas! we forget and sin by impatience, or censure, or by frowns and unpleasant demeanor. If we could only remember that we cannot make other people over, it would help us greatly. The task of remodeling may be successful if the work is spent on self. It is not other people's fault that we sin by word or deed. No, it is ours. It is not that they provoked us, but it is that we were provoked where we should have borne. Prayer and watchfulness are of use because we are liable to temptation. Oh! to remember to do right, to speak right, to think right. We have, with pain of heart, noted Paul's declaration concerning himself: "As touching the righteousness which is of the law, blameless." Our dear maternal parent often exclaims, "It is a great thing to do right!" And we from the heart echo, "A great thing to do right." Singing in the Rain. Hear my happy little bird Singing through the rain Singing while the fitful showers Dash against the pane. "Blue sky somewhere," carols he, From his fearless heart, Though the clouds are gathering thick, And the chill winds start. Sweet and shrill the silver notes Weave a wordless strain; "Bly sky somewhere," in my thought, Always sunshine just beyond, Brief the present ill, Trouble never long to last, Is their meaning still. What though all my way be hedged, Love shall ope a door For the feet that follow fain His that went before. What though trials test my faith, Peace shall yet maintain Right to rule in one who walks Singing in the rain. More than I can count of good Blessings marking every day, To the latest one, Therefore, with undaunted front, Trusting in my King, Shall I face whatever foe In the path may spring. Dancing in the Street. The wind was piercing and bitter, And a poor old organ-grinder, As out of the narrow alleys And tumbling down the stairs, 239 |