and many a mile has she wandered, over hill and valley, in company
with her friends. She assisted at concerts, and was universally
admired; but she had the good sense to give up these enjoyments
without a murmur, when higher claims called for her undivided care.
Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well; and the robin will
doubtless be repaid for the unwearied patience with which she performs
her unostentatious duties. Some people are inclined to think domestic
labour dishonourable, and the cares of house-keeping a burden; but our
feathered friend is wiser than they. She does with her might what she
finds to do, and she does it heartily. Every act of duty, faithfully
and cheerfully performed, is acceptable to God; and his children do
his will when they endeavour to attend to their various occupations in
such a way as he can approve. If all house-keepers felt that, in
attending to the different departments of their work as they should be
attended to, they were honouring Him who has made this care necessary
for the comfort of families, it would be a blessing to themselves, and
to who all who dwell under the same roof with them. We cannot consider
any thing which we do to please our heavenly Father of small
importance, and no favour can be degrading which he requires of us.

We may all learn a lesson from the robin who lives in the
honeysuckles, and we shall see how she was rewarded for her devotion
to the employment which Providence assigned her. The wisest of men, in
describing the character of an excellent woman, says: "The heart of
her husband doth safely trust in her." "She will do him good, and not
evil, all the days of her life." Our feathered friend's husband is
absent much of his time (as most gentlemen are obliged to be) from his
well-ordered home; but he always thinks of it with pleasure, and
hastens to it whenever he can find time to do so. Sometimes he only
stops a moment, but it is a precious moment to them both, for their