Mr. Merwin came out of the house, and seeing what his boys were doing, said, "Boys, you must not throw any more there is great danger of breaking the windows, and also of breaking your own heads. Let them alone for a few days, and the burs will open, and the chestnuts will drop out of themselves, and you will have nothing to do but pick them up."

He then passed on, and was soon out of sight. The boys stood eyeing the tempting fruit. At length Matthew, who was next to the oldest, said, "Let us have one more throw a-piece."

"Father told us not," said Abel, who was the youngest.

"He didn't say we shouldn't throw once more," said Matthew.

"He said we must not throw any more," said Abel.

"Well, he didn't mean that we shouldn't throw once more."

"I don't know what he meant, I know

what he said."

66

Well, I'm going to throw once more, anyhow. Are you not going to, Robert?"

66

No, I think not: he told us to stop,"

said Robert.

66

"Only once more-don't be afraid, if Abel is," said Matthew.

"I don't see what being afraid has to do with it," said Abel; "if it is right to throw, throw if not, let it alone."

:

"That is the true philosophy of the matter," said a gentleman who had called to inquire for Mr. Merwin just as he had passed out of sight, and who had lingered a moment to view the prospect, and in consequence overheard the conversation of the boys. Keep to that rule," continued he," and you will make a man. In regard to everything you think of doing, if it is right, do it: if it is not right, let it alone."

66

Matthew lowered his club, which he had raised to his shoulder to throw, and waited for the gentleman to retire. He did so immediately, but overheard, as he went, the unmannerly remark of Matthew, in a low voice, "Who are you?" When he was out of sight, Matthew prepared to have his throw. Robert stood by, willing to let him throw, but not quite willing to do so himself.

"You had much better not," said Abel to Matthew.

66

Why? Do you mean to tell father?” "Not unless he asks me," said Abel. "Oh, if you do!" said Matthew, and he made a gesture indicative of what he would do if Abel should tell his father, which gesture we cannot well represent on paper.

Matthew sought to find where he could give the most effective blow, as he was only to give one more. He then planted his feet firmly, and brought back his club

over his shoulder preparatory to hurling it with all his strength, when his arm was arrested by a strong hand. Turning round, he saw that it was his father's hand.

"I did not mean to throw," said he, in great confusion.

"Stop!" said his father; "do not give me any further cause for punishing you. I know what you meant to do. Go into the house."

"Have you been throwing since I left?" said he to Robert.

"No, sir," said Robert, in a tone that was meant to indicate that all thought and desire of disobeying his father was far removed from him.

"Has Matthew been throwing?" said Mr. Merwin to Abel.

"No, sir."

Mr. Merwin did not deem it necessary to ask Abel if he had thrown.

disobeyed his parents.

He never

Mr. Merwin went into the house and flogged Matthew soundly, first for disobedience and next for lying.

Will any one say that he did not disobey because he did not throw? It is true that he did not throw the club, but then he disobeyed his father just as much as if he had thrown it; he was just as guilty as if he had thrown it. He fully intended to throw it, but was prevented. The guilt of an action is in the intention. You may thus be guilty of crimes which you may never actually commit. If you form the purpose of doing a wrong action

if you fully intend to do it, and are

prevented by some unforeseen circumstance-you are just as guilty in the sight of God as if you had performed the action.

Was Robert guilty of disobedience also? Let us see. He desired to throw. There was no disobedience in that desire, if he resolved not to yield to it.