DEAR LITTLE FRIENDS, — If I were a little fly on the shoulders of readers of “My Little Friend,” I should see a great many turn to “Dot’s Corner,” and I should also see the eyes-glance down at the end of the essay, to see who was the fortunate name in print, before they read my letter; so I may as well begin at once by Saying that Harriet Ellen Howard, of Oldham, gains the publisher’s prize this month. I wish, however, while considering her essay the best that reached me in time, that she had gone a little further into it. Still I prefer a short thoughtful paper to a great waste of words; but judge for yourselves.
DEAR MR. DOT, — Solomon, the son of King David by Bathsheba, was born about B.C. 1035. He was called Solomon to mark his peaceful temper and reign, and Jedidiah to mark him the darling of the Lord. His father knowing that he was to build the temple, made great preparations for it, and trained him with great care. As his brother Adonijah thought to usurp the throne, David, by the instigation of Bathsheba and Nathan, caused Solomon to be anointed king while himself yet lived, which was done with great solemnity. After his father had directed him concerning the temple, concerning Joab and Shimei, and solemnly charged him to walk in the way of the Lord, and blessed him, he died. Solomon, who about two years before had married Naamah, the Ammonitess, and had Rehoboara by her, was now about eighteen years of age, when he entered on the sole government of the kingdom. Having put Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei to death, and confined Abiathar the high priest for their respective crimes, he married the daughter of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who seems to have become a Jewish proselyte, for Solomon’ appears not to have fallen into the idolatry of her country. The Lord offered to grant him whatever he should ask. He requested wisdom, to qualify himself for the government of so great a kingdom. His request pleased the Lord, and he granted him such wisdom, honor, and wealth, as none before or after him ever possessed. Rising from his sleep he came to Jerusalem, and offered a great number of sacrifices before the ark, and then made a feast for his family.
Yours faithfully,
HARRIET ELLEN HOWARD, aged 11.
124, Main Road, Westwood, Oldham.
It is short, but sweet, I think. Elizabeth Small wrote an excellent article on the subject; but, being thirteen years of age, was inadmissible. A group of letters from some little friends in Glanmore were also very good. I quite agree with one writer, that “if the wisest man went astray, how much we need grace to walk watchfully, lest we also should go aside”, I think for July we will go into the New Testament, and the subject shall be “Timothy.” Please let me have your papers by the 10th of July. The Editor keeps his packet open till nine o’clock that night. “The latest moment I can wait for you,, Dot,” he says. But a day or two earlier is better for your
Affectionate friend,
54, Paternoster Row. DOT.
Don’t you think the little girl in the colored picture will learn to “watch, when she finds out how sad it is to go to sleep on duty I It reminds me of a text — a beautiful one, too — “Awake, thou that steepest!” (Eph. 5:1414Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (Ephesians 5:14).)
Please to see you get your picture with this number―without extra charge.