THREE little kitties! How demure they look! And what nice pets they, make as they frolic and play, or show by their gentle purring that they appreciate the kind petting you may give them. I hope my little readers will never tease or show unkindness to their pets, whether dogs or cats, rabbits or birds, or whatever they may be. We should feel for the poor dumb animals that cannot tell us what they want, or how they feel. God has made these little creatures and it is His will that we should be kind to them.
If you will look at the heading of this little piece you will see two of the precious fruits of the Spirit— “gentleness, goodness.” And do not forget, dear children, that if this fruit is in us, we will show it towards the animals as well as towards our brothers and sisters and playmates.
But let us take a little closer look at our picture. A cup and saucer stands near the three kitties, and something that looks like a cigar is leaning on the edge of the saucer. The three kits look almost as if they were disgusted; and well they might be if we are right in our thought. I hope that the dear boys who read this paper will turn away with a feeling of disgust, also, from the use of tobacco in every form. Some boys think it makes them look manly to be seen with a cigar or cigarette in their mouth. They do not understand how sad and bad a habit it is; how it robs them of time and money, and makes them disagreeable to many people, and undermines their health, and often weakens their brain power. And it is a habit which, if once formed, is very, very difficult to break away from. I do not think that the use of tobacco is a thing that is pleasing to the Lord Jesus, and I hope that the most of my readers want to please that blessed One. Do not, then allow yourselves to be persuaded by others to use it; or if you have already began its use, ask the Lord’s help, if He is your Lord, that you may be done with it.
R.
ML 09/16/1900