hers, but with a more timid look; the neat brown silk cover was faded
and worn--she had thought of making a new one only the day before--and
the brightness was gone from the leaves, and the binding seemed rather
loose, for the book opened easily, and there were some pages, less
white than others, which looked as if they had been often read. To
Louisa's surprise, Mrs. Harding laid down her book without saying a
word, while, as soon as she took Emma's Bible into her hand, she
smiled with pleasure, although tears came into her eyes. "_This_ book
has been valued as it ought to be," said she; "it has been used with
care, but often used, so that I trust it has been found a guide and a
help to heaven. But yours, Louisa"--and she pointed to the beautiful
Bible which lay upon the table--"yours has been laid aside, like the
talent which was buried in the earth. It has been of no benefit to
your soul, for you seem hardly ever to have looked to it for
instruction; as if its real worth consisted in outside ornament, you
have been careful to keep that from injury, but have never sought or
cared for the treasure that is within. But dry your tears, my dear
Louisa," added aunt Harding kindly. "I am not angry, for I know that
your mistaken care was in some measure caused by your love for me.
I am only sorry that my parting present has not been of the use which
I intended. But it is not yet too late for you to learn that, while
your Bible should be kept with proper care--for it is the word of
God--yet it was given for our daily study, that we might read it, pray
over it, and practice it; and thus, by the divine blessing, become
'wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.'" 2 Tim.
iii, 15.

"I trust," said the kind aunt, looking at her two nieces with much
affection; "I trust that my dear Emma knows and loves her Saviour, and
takes delight in the Scriptures, because they testify of him. May you