Address from the Author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," to the Children of England and America.DEAR CHILDREN OF ENGLAND AND AMERICA. A kind friend has prepared for you this little book, from "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and has requested of the author to say a few words, by way of preface. Well, then, let her tell you how this story came into the world. Long before it was ever written down at all, it was told to a circle of children, and then, as fast as it was told to them, it was written down; and there was a great deal of laughing and crying among these children, you may be sure, and a great deal of hurrying that it might be got through with. So you see the story belongs to children very properly. In the dear little Eva, you have before you the picture of a Christian child. Learn of her, dear children, to be as thoughtful, as kind to every creature, however poor and lowly, as she was; learn always to speak and act kindly and gently to every one, whatever their condition in life may be, and to try to do all the little good that lies in a child's power. Do you think Eva very lovely? But there was on earth once a Child lovelier than Eva. That Divine Saviour, whom we all adore, was once a little child, and had all a child's simple nature and innocent feelings, but without one spot or stain of sin. Now He sits at the right hand of the Father, but still He remembers that He was once a little child, and says to you all, "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." By His love and teachings may we all become gentle, pure, and good, like him. [signed] H. B. Stowe. |