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POETRY.

Sometimes from school he would return,

And show his parents plain,

That as he went to school to learn,
He did not go in vain.

Once he came home and did them tell
He heard his teacher say,
That those will surely go to hell,
Who do not love to pray.

Once to a youth when in the room,
Who did the chimney sweep,
He spoke of one who, when in gloom,
Was then not heard to weep;

But sing, "The sorrows of the mind
Be banished from this place;"

Then, "Sweep," said he, "can you find time
To sing in that dark place?"

His talk did much the sweep surprise,

The tale it pleased him so;

"Though young," said he, "he still is wise,

For much he seems to know."

Sometimes he'd sing as well as pray,

Although he was so young:

I call to mind, and well I may,
The last verse that he sung.

'Twas this:-"My soul, another year
Of thy short life is past;

I cannot long continue here,
And this may be my last."

Not many days before he died,
That solemn verse he sung:
The words in him were verified,
Although he was so young.

Before three days were past and gone,
His soul this world had left;

His parents lost their little son-
They were of him bereft.

VARIETIES.

Six years on earth he had not lived,
When he was called to die;

But yet we trust Christ has received
His soul to dwell on high.

'Tis now our hope his voice will ring
In the bright world above,

And dwell with those who ever sing
Songs of redeeming love.

Dear children, all you, too, must die,
And soon this earth must leave;
Do you, then, wish to dwell on high,
And bliss above receive?

If this you wish, to Christ now live,
And trust the Saviour here;

If you do not, he'll not receive
You where his children are.

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VARIETIES.

WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?

There are treasures on earth, and treasures in heaven; when you die your earthly treasure dies with you, but at death you only enter on possession of the heavenly-therefore choose quickly.

THE NEGRO'S REQUEST.

"A poor negro," writes a missionary in Africa, "called to invite me to the sick bed of a friend. I went, and found him stretched upon a mattress on the floor; his hands folded, and his eyes shut, apparently in prayer. After the lapse of a minute or two he opened his eyes, and stretching out his hand, said, Ah, massa, you know Adam! here him lie now; me often hear you praise; once more, massa, let me hear your voice. O sing, sing de praise of Jesus once more; and den, maybe, while you sing, me steal way to Jesus.""

180

VARIETIES.

MISAFPLIED LABOUR.

Peter Bales, an Englishman, wrote the whole Bible, and put it in a large English walnut no bigger than a hen's egg. There were as many leaves in the book as the great Bible, and there was written as much on one of these little leaves as on a great leaf of the Bible. In a work called the "Curiosities of Literature," we meet with many other similar accounts, which show what pains and labour may effect, although they lead us to regret that so much industry and talent should have been so ill-disposed.

A WORD TO LITTLE GIRLS.

Who is lovely? It is the little girl who drops sweet words, kind remarks, and pleasant smiles as she passes along-who has a kind sympathy for every girl and boy she meets in trouble, and a kind hand to help her companions out of difficulty who never scolds, never contends, never teazes her mother, nor seeks in any way to diminish, but always to increase her happiness. Would it not please you to pick up a string of pearls, drops of gold, diamonds or precious stones which never can be lost? Take the hand of the friendless-smile on the dejected sympathise with those in trouble.

TRUE HONESTY.

Some years ago two aged men, near Marshalton, traded on this condition-that on that day week the one who thought he had the best bargain, should pay to the other two bushels of wheat. The day came, and as luck would have it, they met half-way between their respective homes. "Where art thou going? said one. "To thy house with the wheat," answered the other. "And whether art thou riding? 99 "Truly," replied the first, "I was taking the wheat to thy house." Each, pleased with his bargain, had thought the wheat justly due to his neighbour, and was going to pay it.

THE WORTHY MOTHER.

DEAR YOUNG READERS,-We intend this month to introduce you to the home of an industrious working-man. You will see at once that our wood-cut represents such a scene. Look at that worthy mother; see how diligently she plies her needle! She does not waste her precious time in idle gossip. No, "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praiseth her." Prov. xxxi. 27, 29. While her husband is far away labouring hard in order that his dear little ones may be clothed and fed, she does not sit with folded hands, but strives, in the midst of household cares, to instruct her children. You see that nice little girl seated by her mother's side. She has been hemming a handkerchief, and, with joyous satisfaction, is showing her work to her kind parent. There, too, is a little boy; he is leaning against the fire-place with a Bible

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THE WORTHY MOTHER.

in his hand. He has been, or is about to read, to his affectionate mother and sister, some instructive lesson from the Sacred Word. The children who have such mothers possess an inestimable blessing. Yes, dear readers, we rejoice to know that by far the greatest and best of men have been trained in humble life by the working-man's fireside, having such mothers as we have described. Perhaps some of our readers may have read of such men as Benjamin Franklin, Robert Bloomfield, James Ferguson, Alexander Wilson, John Bunyan, Benjamin West, and others, who, although they were brought up in the cottages of the hard working-man, by perseverance and industry rose to be the friends of the greatest and most learned men of their day. I have known mothers who toiled incessantly, in-doors and out, to keep their children at school; and did so, with pleasure, thinking all the while of the advantages their children would receive from their labours.

Dear young readers,-If your home has been blessed by such an one, you ought to prize her very very much. Do all you can to help her in her household work before you go and after you return from school. I knew a boy (who is now a strong man) who rose, after his father had gone out early to work, and lighted the fire, put on the kettle, and warmed all his mother's clothes ere she rose. He dressed the young children, too, and gave them their breakfast before school hours; and when he returned from school, his diligence in helping his mother was the same, so that, to this day, she retains the impression, and often speaks of his devoted kindness. Now we hope our young readers, who are the children of such worthy working parents, will do all they possibly can to help them. Never permit a disobedient thought to rise in your minds, or any angry word to escape your lips to