THE WIDOW'S PROTECTOR.

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the bed-chamber. This alarmed her still more, as they had no dog of their own.

She immediately arose, and going to her maid's room, awoke her, and they went down together. They first peeped into the room where they had heard the dog. It was moonlight, at least partially so, for the night was cloudy; still it was light enough to distinguish objects, although but faintly. They saw an immense black dog scratching and gnawing furiously at the door leading into the kitchen, whence she thought that the noise she first heard had proceeded. She requested the servant to open the door which the dog was attacking so violently. The girl was a determined and reso lute creature, devoid of fear, and she did so without hesitation; when the dog rushed out, and the widow saw through the open door two men at the kitchen window, which was open. The men instantly retreated, and the dog leaped through the window after them. A violent scuffle ensued, and it was evident from the occasional yelping of the noble animal, that he sometimes had the worst of it. The noise of the contest, however, gradually receded, till Mrs M- could hear only now and then a faint and distant bark. The robbers, or perhaps murderers, had taken out a pane of glass, which had enabled them to undo the fastening of the window, when, but for the dog, they would doubtless have accomplished their purpose. The mistress and maid got a light, and secured the window as well as they could.

They then dressed themselves, for to think of sleeping any more that night was out of the question. They had not, however, got down stairs the second time, before they heard their protector scratching at the outer door for admittance. They immediately opened it, when he came in wagging his bushy tail, and fawning upon each of them in turn, to be patted and praised for his prowess. He then stretched his huge bulk at full length beside the warm stove, closed his eyes, and went to sleep. The next morning they gave him a breakfast any dog might have envied; after which nothing could induce him to prolong his visit. He stood whining impatiently at the door till it was opened, when he

galloped off in a great hurry, and they never saw him afterward. They had never seen the dog before, nor did they ever know to whom he belonged.

SABBATH SCHOOLS.

SCHOOL MEETING IN BRIGHTON STREET
CHAPEL, EDINBURGH.

OUR readers will expect some notice of the progress of Sabbath-schools according to our promise in the proposal of the Dew-Drop. We give then the only one that is yet within our reach. It is most truly important for children themselves as well as their teachers, to be interested in the progress of the schools, and we hope that our notices of their progress from time to time will do much to deepen this interest in our young readers.

It is just about a year since the Sabbath-school was opened in the chapel mentioned above. A number of those who love little children, being very desirous of doing them good, in teaching them to know Jesus, proposed to commence the school, and on the first night they got about fifty scholars. These came together, no doubt, with many desires; some came because others were coming-others again came out of curiosity to see the new school-and some, we have reason to believe, came to hear of the Saviour. Next Sabbath evening the number was a little increased, and many of the teachers were glad to see that they had the attention and interest of their classes, so as to make it a pleasant thing to teach them of the love of their God. Some time ago a young girl belonging to one of the classes, who was quite well on one Sabbath evening, had died before the next. But the teacher of that class, and the kind superintendent of the school, took occasion from that death to urge the scholars to be reconciled to their God at once. This was blessed of the Lord to awaken a good many of the scholars, and several of them since that have come to know the Saviour, and to be

CHILDREN OF THE HEATHEN.

15

happy in his love. Since that time the school has greatly prospered. It was resolved on Tuesday, the 22nd of February, to hold a fruit soiree for the children, and also for their parents and any friends who might wish to come. About four hundred, old and young, assembled, and had a most happy evening. One of the teachers addressed the children. The pastor of the church did so likewise. The superintendent addressed the parents, and the secretary had the happiness to inform the meeting that the number of scholars had increased till there were now three for one that they had at first. It was also stated that several young persons had joined the church who had come to know and love Jesus in the school. A number of the favourite hymns of the children were sung, and altogether it was one of the happiest nights we have enjoyed for a long time. Since then, the prosperity of the school has been continuing. We hope not a few among our juvenile readers will pray for this school, and that we will be able to tell them of many others through the pages of our little magazine.

MISSIONS.

CHILDREN OF THE HEATHEN. ONE Sabbath evening, a missionary was walking up and down in the porch before his house, in one of the South Sea islands. The sun was setting behind the waves of the ocean, and the labours of the day were over. In that cool, quiet hour, the missionary was lifting up his heart to God, and asking a blessing on his people, his schools, and himself. All was peaceful and still, except a little rustling in the leaves of a tree called a mimosa tree. He thought a breeze was springing up, and continued his walk. Again he heard the rustling of the leaves, and then again. He now felt sure that it could not be the wind: so he pushed aside the long leafy branches of the trees, and passed beneath. And what did he find there? Three little boys! Two were fast asleep in each other's arms, but the third was awake.

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A HAPPY FAMILY.

"What are you doing there, my children?" asked the missionary. "We have come to sleep here, teacher," said the boy. Why do you sleep here? have you no home?" "Oh yes; but, if we sleep here, we are sure to be quite ready when the first school-bell rings in the morning." "Do your parents know about it?" "Mine do: but these little boys have no parents; they are orphans."

Now the nights in the South Sea Islands are not cold and damp, like ours; but, as the kind missionary thought a heavy rain would fall in the night, he roused the orphans, and led the three little ones into the large porch of his house, where they might rest in safety. His heart was now full of joy to find that there were some of his scholars who loved their teacher and their schools.

Suppose these little islanders could look, from their distant homes, into some of the Sabbath-schools, what would they think of the many late-comers, who walk idly into their places an hour or more after the school has begun? Let us show, by our conduct, that we know how to take a hint, even from the children of the heathen.-Child's Companion.

PEACE.

A HAPPY FAMILY.

AMONG the novel sights which throng the streets of the City of London, for the cheap entertainment of the people, none of them has made a more pleasant impression on my own mind, than a family circle of different animals and birds, whose deportment is truly an admirable illustration of the reign of peace. The proprietor of this novel menagerie calls it, very appropriately, "The Happy Family." A cage would be too harsh a name for their place of residence, which is almost simple enough to be of their own construction. It is rather a large square hen-coop, placed on a low hand-cart, which the man draws about from one street to another, and gets a few pence a-day from those who

stop to look at the domestic felicity of his singular family circle. Perhaps the first thing that strikes the eye, is a large cat, "washing her face," with a dozen large rats nestling under her like so many kittens, whilst others are climbing up her back, and playing with her whiskers. In another corner of the room, a dove and hawk are sitting on the head of the dog, which is resting across the neck of a rabbit. The floor is covered with the oddest social circles imaginable. Here weasels and Guinea pigs, and funny, peeping chickens are puting their noses together, caressingly. The perches above are covered with birds whose natural antipathies have been subdued into mutual affection by the law of kindness. For instance, a grave old owl is sitting upright, and meditating in the sun, with a twittering, keen-sighted sparrow perched between his cat ears, and trying to open the eyes of the old sage with its sharp bill.

I never pass this establishment without stopping to look at the scene it presents. Its teachings are more eloquent than a hundred lectures on peace and universal brotherhood. I love to see the children stop to look at it, for I know they will carry away a lesson which will do them good; they will think of it on their way to school, and at home too, I hope, when any thing crosses their will in the family circle or playground. I could not but wish that this "Happy Family" might be exhibited every morning to all the unhappy human families in the land. ELIHU BURRITT.

A CONVINCING ARGUMENT,

To a young infidel who was scoffing at Christianity, because of the misconduct of its professors, the late Dr Mason said, "Did you ever know an uproar to be made because an infidel had went astray from the paths of morality? The infidel admitted that he had not. "Then don't you see," said Dr M., "that by expecting the professor of Christianity to be holy, you admit it to be a holy religion, and thus pay it the highest compliment in your power?" The young man was silent.