"AND FORBID THEM NOT."

BY REV. WM. WARREN.

WHо are they that hinder little children from coming to Christ? I answer, first, those who have no confidence in their conversion; who speak lightly of their religious exercises and experience. Children look for encouragement and sympathy from their superiors, and are disappointed and stumbled if they do not receive it. It is for want of the countenance and coöperation of older persons "that the goodness of children seems so often like the morning cloud and the early dew."

Is it said that little children are not old enough to become Christians? If they are old enough to sin, they are old enough to repent of sin. If they can distinguish the rule of right, they can accept the remedy of unrighteousness. If they can confide in earthly parents, can they not in a heavenly Friend?

In childhood, the heart is more easily impressed than in later years, when confirmed habits and long delay have tended to harden them in unbelief. And what impressions are more lasting than early ones, formed before the mind had become preoccupied with error and crime? Can we doubt, then, the genuineness of these juvenile exercises? May not the Spirit move in the mind even before conscience wakes to its work? But as soon as conscience does discriminate, and reason decide, then conviction may be awakened, and the Spirit guide to the cross.

But children under religious concern need assistance; they need nursing. For if they meet with no countenance nor encouragement from parents and superiors, how chilling! It is as when the early blossoms feel the north wind, instead of the warm sunbeams. We should read the history of Joseph, of Samuel, Daniel, Josiah and Timothy, and pause upon those precious promises that encourage parental faithfulness. And the words of Christ to those who forbade little children to come to him, should rebuke our scepticism as to early conversions, and encourage our exertions for the spiritual good of the young. Why should not parents seek to extend this endearing relation of parent to the spiritual nature of their offspring? Why not strive to become spiritual parents to their dear children? It is then that they become parents indeed. And how strong the tie

that holds parents and children together in the double relation of natural and spiritual oneness! Then is a relation established that death cannot dissolve, but really ripens and perfects. What motives have parents and guardians to seek the salvation of those committed to their trust! And when we come to see the natural parent aspire to hold the higher relation of spiritual parent, and look with expectation and confidence towards the conversion of their offspring; and when children, under religious awakening, shall come to receive that attention and prayerful interest that are bestowed upon older persons, when they shall come to be watched over and aided and shielded with half that care which their early years, their small experience, and tender, susceptible minds ought to awaken, then may we hope that our households and Sabbath schools will become as the gardens of God. There is absent from juvenile experiences the leaven of insincerity, the alloy of lurking scepticism, and the leaden weights of confirmed habits, in hardening the heart against God and his word. How great, then, should be our encouragement to labor for the conversion of the young! All neglect that grows out of distrust, or unbelief, in reference to their conversion, tends only to hinder them from coming to Christ. And what can be more grateful to childhood, in a state of religious concern, than sympathy, — the hand of help and warmth, a Christian greeting and welcome? But all who look doubtingly upon early experiences, and shun the tender disciple with distrust, hinder their progress, extinguish their hope, and forbid them to come to him who has welcomed them. believe that early conversions take place about in proportion to the faith, prayers and faithfulness of the church. And how unnatural to forbid, by neglect, those tender lambs, whom the Saviour would gather in his arms, and carry in his bosom, to come to his fold! Has he not commanded his disciples to "feed" them, and shall those to whom he has committed them, leave them to starve and perish?

I

MOURNFULLY BEAUTIFUL.

"T is ever thus; 't is ever thus with all that's best below,
The dearest, noblest, loveliest, are always first to go;

The bird that sings the sweetest, the vine that crowns the rock,
The glory of the garden, the flower of the flock.

FATHER.

BY WM. GUILD, ESQ.

WHAT a charm in the word, father! Dear reader, are you honored by sustaining this endearing appellation? It may be that a thrill of inexpressible delight has warmed your heart and enlivened your eye, as the little prattler by your side has smiled in your face, and affectionately uttered the words, "My father. Dear father." You have felt ready to say, "Ask for anything, and it shall be given."

The attractions of home are greatly augmented by the presence and enlivening influence of a child. A dutiful, affectionate son or daughter, how lovely! It should cause anxious solicitude to know how to perpetuate and increase the beauty of these pleasant buds of promise. It is not enough that a hedge be placed around them, to guard against the rude attacks of what is worse than beasts of prey. An enemy is already within, sowing the seeds of anger, strife, revenge, disobedience, and the like, which will soon germinate, and grow luxuriantly, unless carefully watched by the parental eye, and a tender hand applied with firmness to pluck up, as far as possible, the tender blade of evil passions. This must be done, not only by suitable instructions day by day, but by example, the most effectual mode of teaching.

Would you see your child amiable, kind and affectionate? Then be so yourself, not only toward the child, but toward the wife and mother. Every intonation of your voice, and the ever-varying expression of your countenance, are noticed by the little observer, and a faithful impression is made upon that delicate mind. Perhaps the father's deportment toward the wife may do more toward training the child than any other circumstance.

If, in relation to her, he is at all times affectionate and kind, so the child is likely to be. Should he speak harshly, and appear regardless of her feelings and wishes, so, in most instances, will the child do. Whatever may have been the vexations of the wife, the husband always expects a pleasant greeting and gentle words; and ought not the wife to receive the same in return, not only for her own sake, but for the mutual influence on parents and children? Let the father be ever watchful to cherish affectionate feelings toward

Is it

the wife, as well as toward the child, if he would have a happy home and train his children to "honor their father and mother." not a time when all who have access to the throne of grace should pray that the hearts of fathers may be turned to the children, and the hearts of children to the fathers?

THE BETRAYAL.

BY MRS. ADALIZA CUTTER PHELPS.

SCARCE were those words by the Redeemer spoken,
To his disciples slumbering on the ground,
Ere the deep stillness of the night was broken,
And they awakened by the fearful sound
Of hurrying feet, and steel of armed men,
Which woke the echoes of that quiet glen,

And by the glare of torches gleaming round!

Then broke a band of soldiers to their view,

With Judas at their head, who near the Saviour drew.

Hail, Master, hail! said the betrayer, meeting

His kind Redeemer in that sacred place,

And then he gave, in seeming kindness greeting,
The fatal kiss, the treacherous embrace!

"Friend, wherefore art thou come, and whom seek ye?"
"Jesus, we seek." Said Jesus, "I am he."

O'erawed, the soldiers fell upon their face!

In his pure presence well with shame they cower,

Well sink upon the earth 'neath guilt's o'erwhelming power!

With fiery ardor Peter drew his sword,

And smote a soldier who was standing near.
Upon the flowery turf the swift blood poured
In crimson gushes from his wounded ear.
"Put up thy sword, — shall I refuse to drink
The cup my Father gives me? Shall I shrink

Away from death, with trembling and with fear?
Think'st thou my heavenly Father cannot send
Legions of angels now, his loved one to defend ?"

And then with murderous looks they gathered round him,
With swords and staves, and laid their guilty hand
Upon the Saviour, while with thongs they bound him,
And led him forth before his judge to stand.
Calmly he followed where they led the way,
Nor angry thought, or look, or word betray,

But gazed undaunted on that soldier band.

He knew his doom was sealed, yet brow and eye
Beamed like soft sunset hues on summer-evening sky.

THIS engraving represents a pear-tree now standing in an old orchard in the town of Danvers, Mass., which was set there by Governor Endicott as early as the year 1633, and is, therefore, two hundred and eighteen years old. It bore a considerable quantity of fruit last year. The pears are of a good size and quality, round, smooth, and fair. They are called the "Bon Chretien." Several years ago, the late Capt. John Endicott presented specimens of them at the cattle-show in Haverhill, where they were regarded as a great curiosity.

A pear-tree, more celebrated in the annals of New England, in some respects, than any other, was recently destroyed by a severe gale. It was brought from England by Governor Prince, and set in his orchard in the town of Eastham, about the year 1645. The fruit was small, but of an excellent quality for preserves. This tree was remarkable for its abundant fruitfulness, having produced, for the space of two centuries, fifteen bushels of pears per year on an average, amounting in all to three thousand bushels.