"You are a reader, then, as well as a worker. You women have the best of it when you lead such restful lives, with old friends about you, and books and flowers, and this peaceful country," he sighed.

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she replied, blushing, as she cast a glance from her mirthful eyes neither encouraging nor repellant. "Thank you sincerely for your hospitality to a stranger," he said, rising, and presenting the tray. "You are kindly welcome," she replied, coming

Rushy was strictly truthful, and after the word workers, she paused, remembering Mark; then paused again, suddenly recollecting that she was talking to an entire stranger.

"Pray forgive me," he said, hastily, "I had no intention of being inquisitive, but sometimes one asks questions for idleness, or just to prolong a conversation. I hope you will excuse me."

Certainly; it is I who am wrong to be so glib,"

Their eyes met, and in spite of so short an acquaintance there was a regretful expression in them. It is ever sad to part from one with whom you have exchanged a kindness, or conversed agreeably. So thought Jerusha, as the stranger took up his valise, stroked Surfy, and departed with a Good-bye," and another" Thank you."

She and Surfy watched him down the slepe and on the bridge. Standing there a moment, he turned, and seeing her, took off his hat. She hurried into the house, ashamed of being caught looking after a strange young man. Still she glanced out of the window, whence the bridge was visible. She started back, however, at sight of another figure approaching the house.

"Good afternoon, Jerusha," said a solemn voice. She retreated, sat down, and burst out laughing, exclaiming "Cousin Solomon! what on earth shall I do with him?"

(To be continued.)

R

VIII.-"REMEMBER."

EMEMBER! Strange and wonderful how memory treasures up every act of our lives! Child's memory begins from very earliest infancy to treasure up sensations and experiences. Sometimes been present at some scene which at time greatly impressed you, but years have passed away, and all seems forgotten. A stray word, a look, and all comes up vividly as if only yesterday. (Illustrate by any event of importance in which children have taken a part). Seems as though memory is the book in which God records all the actions of our lives, and in the day when the secrets of all men shall be judged, He will, as it were, apply the key to the storehouse, and show us at one glance the whole of our past life. Persons who have been in imminent danger of losing their lives have seen in one moment all their past. The Word of God often uses the word "remember," and to some of the places we will turn to-day.

Genesis xl. 23.-Relate incidents briefly. Here was ingratitude. It is too often we forget those who have helped us. How often we forget to "requite our parents" for all they have done for us. And do we remember what Jesus has done for us?

Luke xxiii. 42.-Did Jesus forget? And will he not remember us if we ask him? Pray with David (Psalm xxv. 7).

Luke xvii. 32.-Relate incidents. God would have us flee from all that is sinful. No lingering or longing for sin, no looking back.

4th Commandment.-You always remember the Sabbath day; that is, you never forget that Sunday is come round once more. But God says, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." To keep it holy by attendance at His house to worship, by putting away your week-day amusements, by avoiding every kind of work that is unnecessary, &c.

Ecclesiastes xii. 1.-(a) Thy Creator, His goodness, His love in all around; the bountiful provision He has made for all creatures; His love for children in gathering them into families, into schools, &c. (b) "In the days of thy youth." Now is the time God would have you remember Him. See His gracious promise (Prov. viii. 17). By "remember" God means trust Him, love Him, obey His commands.

Luke xvi. 25.-How fearful-"Son, remember! How much better to be poor like Lazarus trusting in God, than like the rich man who forgot God. Rich

man did nothing very wrong, but he had no thoughts of God, and when he died he left all happiness behind him with his riches. We read in Psalm ix. 17, all the wicked, and all those who forget God, shall be turned into hell. If we do not remember God now, how sad to remember with misery and despair all the lessons, the warnings from parents, teachers, we have received.

These some of most important places in which the Bible says "Remember." Let us always remember this great truth-God will never forget us if we trust Him. He tells us, in Malachi iii. 16, that He has a "book of remembrance" before Him for

them that fear Him and think upon His name. And though we have done many wrong things, often | grieved Him by disobedience, by untruthfulness, &c., yet He has said He will not remember our sins against us, but will blot them out in the blood of Jesus Christ (Heb. viii. 12). And if we want help in affliction, in sickness, guidance at some difficult part of our journey through life, strength to resist temptation, whatever we want we may be sure He will not forget us, any more than He forgets the flowers, insects, birds, &c., around us. As we read in Psalm cxii. 6, "the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance."

PART II. AMMA, mamma," said Constance, rushing into the drawing-room, "don't be angry, for I'm in such trouble, I can't think what to do! I wish I had told you before! I've been so unhappy all day because I let the boy in. Was it very wrong?" "What boy, my dear?" asked her mother, looking much puzzled.

"Bert! And, mamma, he has a little sister, Cissy, and the woman she's with is angry when she's not well enough to go out. Only think of that, and you're always so good to me when the least thing is the matter."

"Who are you talking about, Constance ?"

"I don't like to tell you of the snowdrops, because I know that was so wrong; but it all came so suddeɛly I had not time to think what I ought to do." Then followed the story of how she had opened the gate for the little boy who was stealing snowdrops, to save him from old John's anger.

"I suppose you acted from a kind impulse, Constance, but I hope it will not encourage him in dishonesty."

"Oh, I'm sure it won't, mamma, for I told him how God saw him! and I can't think he'll do it again, especially when I give him some snowdrops to take home to Cissy."

Accordingly, after a little more consultation, Constance threw open the door leading to the garden, and called loudly to Bert to come in.

forgive you for stealing her flowers, and let you out at the front door, but, remember, you have done very wrong, and I hope you will never do so again. I promised you snowdrops for Cissy, but it is too dark to gather them now. If you will tell me where she lives, mamma and I will go and see her to-morrow, and bring some.

Bert gave the required address, and ran joyfully off, glad to get so well out of a dangerous scrape, to tell his adventures to his little sister, and prepare her for the promised visit.

"Oh, Bert," she said, "you must never go there to take any more, when they were so good to you; and I'd like to see that nice young lady. I wonder if 'tis true what she told you, about God seeing everything; may-be it is; but I suppose He doesn't trouble himself to care for poor boys and girls like

us ?"

"I don't know; you can ask her all that to

morrow."

They did not tell old Marthy of the expected visitors; and the following morning she went out by herself, grumbling and scolding because Cissy was not able to accompany her.

"You may go off with your brother where you like," she said, "for you're not worth half your keep to me now."

Cissy cried bitterly for a long time, and wished she were strong enough to go about with Bert, and help him; but how could he provide for her too, when she was so useless, and he, poor boy, often enough hungry himself, and with no shelter at night except any place he could find to creep into.

The boy peeped cautiously from his place of concealment, and seeing Constance standing at the door alone, came timidly towards her.