Spirit of heav'nly peace! in thine embrace, Through faith's unfeigned, justifying power, Be seal'd and sanctified for Heav'n's bright dower Pledge of our union and our Father's love, THE LITTLE GIRL WHO COULD NOT GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE SHE HAD NOT SAID HER PRAYERS. W is one of the most beautiful as well as improving towns in the west of England, and being a wateringplace of considerable note, it is a place of great resort, especially for invalids. At the proper season, persons may be seen there from almost all parts of the kingdom, of all ages, and of all ranks of society. It was at an advanced period of the season 185—, that a friend of the writer visited W, and took up her residence in the same house as little Emily V. Emily was born in London, but being of a delicate constitution, London disagreed with her, and her anxious parents sent her to W, hoping that a residence there might fully and permanently establish her health. Emily being of a sweet disposition, kind and respectful in her manner, possessing a fine mind, and being exceedingly beautiful, soon became a great favourite of my friend, and of all who knew her. Emily, although only about four years of age, took great ' delight in learning and singing hymns, and in praying to that God who has said, "They that seek me early shall find me." And to that dear Saviour who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." But one evening, little Emily was much tired when she went to bed, and so did not say her prayers, which proved a source of great grief to her. For at a late hour, when the other members of the family retired to rest, little Emily was crying bitterly. On being asked what was the matter, she sobbed, rather than said, "Sarah put me to bed without saying my prayers, and I cannot go to sleep without saying my prayers." Having obtained permission, Emily left her bed, knelt down, and prayed as she was wont, then went to bed again, and soon fell sweetly asleep. I felt deeply interested in the case of little Emily, as I listened to the recital of my friend, and thought that it might prove both interesting and profitable to my young friends, the readers of the "Sunday-school Hive," none of whom, I hope, ever think of going to bed without first praying to God. And I also hope, if in future you are much tired, and therefore tempted to go to bed without praying to God, you will think of little Emily, and how she could not go to sleep because she had not said her prayers. I pray that we may all have a greater love for prayer, that we may pray oftener, more sincerely, more earnestly, and with as much confidence as we would ask of our earthly parents, and that we may all meet little Emily and all good children and good people in heaven. R. BRICKWOOD. VARIETIES. LONGING FOR HOLINESS. Oh, what a weariness is it to live among men, and find so few men! to live among Christians, and find so few Christians! so much talk and so little action, religion turned almost to a tune and air of words; and amidst all our pretty discourses, pusillanimous and base, and so easily dragged into the mire; self, and flesh, and pride, and passion, domineering while we speak of being in Christ and clothed with him, and believe it, because we speak it so often, and so confidently. Well, I know you are not willing to be thus gulled, and having some glances of the beauty of holiness, aim no lower than perfection, which in the end we hope to attain; and in the meanwhile the smallest advances to it / are of more worth than crowns and sceptres. THIS IS LIFE. If we die to-day, the sun will shine as brightly, and the birds sing as sweetly to-morrow. Business will not be suspended a moment, and the great mass will not bestow a thought upon our memories. Is he dead? will be the solemn inquiry of a few, as they pass to their work. But no one will miss us except our immediate connections, and in a short time they will forget us, and laugh as merrily as when we sat beside them. Thus shall we all, now active in life, pass away. Our children crowd close behind us, and they will soon be gone. In a few years not a living being can say, "I remember him!" We lived in another age, and did business with those who slumber in the tomb. This is life. How rapidly it passes! POWER OF FAITH IN AN AFRICAN. I called upon a communicant, who has for some time been unable to attend the public means of grace. I was much pleased to see him very cheerful, and rejoicing in his sufferings. When I asked him what it was that made him so rejoice, he said, " Because I see, in the Old and New Testament, that all those whom God loved, and who served him, had to suffer. Many come to me, and some in a very sly way, advising me to use some country-fashion, which soon would release me from my trouble; but I told them, Here is my Bible, which tells me that it is the will of God that I should suffer, and, therefore, I will have nothing to do with your country-fashions."— Ehemann. A BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATION. We have never met with a more instructive example of the secret influences of Divine truth upon the heart of a child, than the following, which is related of Mary Lundie Duncan. When in her fourth year, her little brother struck her in a fit of anger; she instantly turned the other cheek, and said mildly, "There, Corie." The uplifted hand was dropped; and when the child was asked who taught her to do that, she replied, that she heard papa read it one morning out of the Bible at prayer time. PRAISE. But what wonder is it that the Lord loses the revenue of his praises at the hands of the common, ungodly world, when even his own people fall so far behind it as usually they do? The dead cannot praise him; but that they who are quickened by his Spirit, should yet be so surprised with deadness and dulness as to this exercise of exalting God, this is very strange. That soul is most noble, which singly and fixedly aims at exalting God, and seeks to have this stamp on all it speaks and does, and desires, All to the greater glory of my God. -Leighton. SLANDER WITHOUT WORDS. There may be calumny in an expression of the countenance; in a hint or inuendo ; in an altered course of conduct; in not doing what you have been wont to do, staying away from a neighbour's house, or withholding some accustomed civility. You may both give pain to the heart of your brother and awaken strong prejudice against him, by a lofty air, a nod of the head, a turning out of the way, a glance of the eye, a shrug, a smile, or a frown. WHY STAND ALOOF? Why should good men stand aloof from so good a cause? Temperance makes no Atheists or Infidels, breaks up no Christian assemblies, invades not domestic peace, disrobes no minister, interferes not at the family altar, infuses no pestilential air into the moral atmosphere; it goes through the world destroying curses and scattering blessings. And why should any friend of religion stand aloof?-A. Barnes. THE COMFORTS OF BENEVOLENCE. When Cato was drawing near the close of his life, he declared to his friends that the greatest comfort of his old age, and that which gave him the highest satisfaction, was the pleasing remembrance of the benefits and friendly offices he had done to others. To see them easy and happy by his means made him truly so. THE DRUNKARD'S HOME. The drunkard's home! What words can show The scenes of misery there? What mind conceive, what heart can know, The drunkard's home, more cheerlees far Than ever convict's cell, With granite wall and iron bar, For guilty ones to dwell; Oh, better far the vaults of death, And care-worn pilgrims yield their breath, The drunkard's home! that barren waste! Without one green oasis graced, Where streams of comfort roll; And pity, weeping, stands aghast JAMES STILLMAN. WHO CHOOSES THE ROD. Remember, my friends, you and I are not to choose our own rods; no, God chooses them for us, and chooses that rod which is most suitable. THE CROWN. To win a soul is your noblest prize, and the greater number you win, the greater and richer will be that "crown of rejoicing," which you will wear in the day of the Lord. |