[Illustration: SUNDAY EVENING]




CONTENTMENT.

* * * * *

John Davis and his wife were very poor people, but as they worked very
hard, they could just get a living for themselves. John worked for a
farmer in the parish, and his wife took in needle-work.

They did pretty well, when John had work; but for nearly two years
John's master could not employ him always, and he was brought almost to
distress. But his wife always used to keep up his spirits by saying, "Be
content, and thank God if you can but live; brighter hours will come."

Sometimes John was quite spirit-broken, and said he should leave home
and try to get work somewhere else. He was forced to sell some of his
goods to buy food, and did not know which way to turn. But his wife
never failed to wear a cheerful face, and used to be always saying to
him, "Do your best, and be content to take what God appoints."

John loved his wife very much; but he was sometimes half vexed because
she was never sad like he was. He would tell her that it was a very good
thing to be cheerful and happy when they could get a good living. She
then used to say to him, that there was no virtue in being content when
all was going on well; and that the proper time to try to be cheerful