willing to pass away from the waves of this troublesome world, in humble hope that through Jesus Christ he might enter into the haven of rest and peace.

And how, you will ask, did Clara bear this sad change, this sudden break up, of all her earthly hopes of happiness; for there is no surer prospect of earthly happiness than when two persons of suitable dispositions, with the same hopes here and the same glorious prospects hereafter, are about to be united in the holy bond of marriage, that tie which alone amidst the changes and chances of this mortal life is binding and lasting, and which can be broken alone by death? She grieved deeply and sincerely for Henry's death; but she did not sorrow as one without hope, she rejoiced in her conviction and belief that as Jesus died and rose again, even so those which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him; and she said with her heart as well as with her lips, "Thy will be done." Her kind mistress proposed that she should go to her parents for a time, but she declined this, saying, it would only add to their sorrow to see her before the first burst of natural grief was over; she preferred remaining in her situation, and I need not say, that all the sympathy her loss and her resignation under it so richly deserved, was given to her. She made only one request to Mrs. Long, it was, that as she had promised to give her her wedding dress, she would instead, give her weeds to wear as a widow, for him whom she had been so much attached to, and whose loss she so truly mourned.

The other instance of contentment under affliction I alluded to, was that of a poor man who is suffering intense pain from that most trying disease, cancer in his mouth and face. He is not young, but till this illness came upon him, he appeared strong, and likely to live to quite old age. His sufferings are very great, both from actual pain and from the applications ordered in the hope of affording him some relief; and even the effort of speaking, or of opening his mouth sufficiently to take nourishment, causes him great agony. Yet under all these trials he is contented, his mind is at peace, for he has been led to feel and to know that his heavenly Father doth not afflict willingly, or grieve the children

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of men; and he could say with evident sincerity to his clergyman's wife, who had called to see him," I have cause to be grateful to this illness, ma'am; for it has shown me the value of the health I have so long enjoyed, and it has shown me the kindness of many friends. My neighbours are very kind to me, and though poor, like myself, they come in to see me, and bring me a little broth or something soft for my poor mouth; and I assure you, ma'am, that I mean it when I say, God's will be done,' whether He sees fit I should go on in pain, or is pleased to take me to Himself, as I hope and trust He will, for His dear Son's sake who died for me." To all who may read these pages, I say, "Go, and think if this would be your case were you to be tried by any affliction or should it please God at any future time to send distress of body or mind upon you, are you prepared to bear it in humble reliance on Him, even as those you have just read about did?" St. Paul tells us that "godliness with contentment is great gain ;" which I take to mean, that mere worldly satisfaction is not enough to give peace to our immortal souls,-that the contentment that springs from firm religious dependence on God in Christ, is what he would have us seek after. May we all then be contented, in whatever station or circumstances in life God has placed us, and so may we hope that the sufferings of this present world shall but purify us by raising our thoughts from earthly objects, and fixing them on things above, "while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.) C.

ON THE LOVE OF CHILDREN.

"Speak gently to the little child,
Its love be sure to gain;
Instruction give in accents mild,
It may not long remain."

To Parents:-To try and shield the helplessness of infancy, and cause children to show more love towards

each other, and to induce parents to lessen the crying and to dry up the infantine tears, is the object of this paper. Can any thing be dearer to you than your tender offspring? Is not their loveliness, their innocent simplicity and artlessness, delightful to you; and are not all their fond affections like so many ties around your hearts? They are pledges of the endearment which subsists between you and your partner in this world of trouble, and they are entrusted to your care and keeping by that great Being who gave you birth, and who watches over and provides for the human family. In their infancy they require the greatest care, and can only make their wants known by cries and faint attempts at words, and are oftentimes the source of the deepest anxiety, yet they. richly repay those who are fond of them, and who strive to make them happy; oh! 'tis piteous indeed to see little children harshly treated,-to hear their cries and see the tears trickling down their cheeks, while they are unable to escape from the hands of those who ill-treat them, is enough to affect the heart of any person.

If parents knew how much crying hurts their infant offspring, spoiling their tempers and dispositions, and even laying the foundation of disease, they would try all means to prevent these evil consequences; and if they reflected for a few moments on the time when they were children, it would tend much to strengthen the bond of love towards them: they are sometimes spoken to by those who have the care of them, as harshly as if they had no feeling, yet they well know the difference between kind and harsh treatment. It is in their nature to be fond and loving, and it is a great pity when it is discouraged; remember,

"They have least the taint of earthly clod,

They are freshest from the hand of God."-CAMPBELL.

The poorest of the poor can have joy of their children. when it is frequently unknown to the wealthy; and their love of these little ones, though in the meanest hovel, is better than the carelessness and indifference of those who ought to set a good example.

It is much to be feared there are some who are taught to do evil and to hate each other, this is indeed wicked and offensive in the Almighty's sight, and the result of such teaching is sometimes seen in the miserable end of these unhappy objects; but parents who are fond of their offspring, who study their health and cleanliness, and who teach them good things-to love their brothers and sisters and all their play-fellows-will have a reward in their children's conduct, and Divine consolation, of which no stranger can deprive them. The Saviour of the world rebuked his disciples when they would have prevented those who brought children to Him, and said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of Heaven;" and He blessed them. (Mark x. 13-16.) It is the injunction of an Apostle for "children to obey their parents," and for "parents not to provoke their children to wrath." How kindly this command is given! First, it enjoins the child's obedience, and then the parents' right authority, which ought to be complied with. No doubt many of you have cares and troubles to contend with, in addition to making a provision for your families; this ought not to lessen your love, but, on the contrary, to cause it to flow more strongly and as the ivy clings around the oak tree for protection, and the tender plant around the stronger, so will your children cling around you, and be your comfort in old age. In thus loving and caring for your little ones, showing all patience and forbearance, you will perform your part towards them, and having done your duty you may rest on the promise of God, that by "training up your children in the way they should go, when they are old they will not depart from it."-Prov. xxii. 6.

H.

"THE TRIUMPHING OF THE WICKED IS SHORT."

JOB XX. 5.

THERE is, then, such a trial of our faith in the world, as to behold wickedness successful and triumphant. It is

spoken of by patient Job in the words above; it is spoken of by the holy David, as that which was "too hard" for him till he "went into the sanctuary of God, then understood he the end of these men." (Ps. lxxiii. 3-20.) Yet we are apt to forget the lesson of patience and trust, which this passage of Holy Scripture (so familiar to our ears) should have taught, and impressed upon our heart; oftentimes exclaiming, in moments of impatient peevishness and distrust, "Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency." "My brethren, these things ought not to be so;" it is only in this life that the wicked man triumphs, and therefore is it well said that his "triumphing is short." It is our earthly mind, our over estimate of this world, our unbelief, which makes us cast down when we see the ungodly "flourishing like a green bay-tree." The Christian's hope as well as his heart is in heaven; he must not seek his "exceeding great reward" here, where sin and death, clouds and storms have entrance and power. "To be in both worlds full, is more than Jesus was ;" and shall "the disciple be above his Master, the servant above his Lord?" Let us, when our heart is fretful and cast down, learn where David did, even "in the sanctuary," "the end of these men," that so we may pity and pray for those whom we have heretofore envied, perchance in the blindness and narrowness of our heart; and while we check our foolish sadness at "the triumphing of the wicked," by remembering that it is "short," let us raise our hearts to sober gladness and patience, by considering the end of the righteous. "Mark the perfect man, and consider the upright, for the end of that man is peace." P. S. L.