came to kiss her. Walter bounded his ball upon the carpet, and began to whistle, thinking, I suppose, to drown the still small voice that would repeat the self-accusation. As his mother stooped to kiss Harry, she whispered, "Go out and play, my little boy your brother will soon see and confess his selfishness."

When they were left alone, the mother called her wilful child to her.

"Walter," said his mother, "you know that Harry would not treat you in this manner. I am pained to witness such an act of injustice. Do you know that a disposition like this, if suffered to strengthen with your strength, would make you a mean-spirited and a dishonest man? I have often told you that Harry was more ready to do right than you; and you have sometimes said you could never be as good as he is."

'Harry was always a better boy than I," said Walter, meekly.

"It is no sin, Walter," his mother replied, “that you are beset with selfishness. The sin lies in the indulgence of that feeling. It costs you a greater struggle to be a good boy than it does Harry; but remember, my child, whose eye marks all your efforts, and that Christ said, 'There is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.'

Walter's heart was reached : he leaned his head lovingly for a moment upon his mother, and then ran out to seek his brother. The pleasant sound of

came up to the window, and the mother at one more seed had fallen on good taken root.

THE PEARL-OYSTER.

size of the ornaments made of mothere may have some notion of the size remarkable shell attains. The drops, or led pearls, are most highly valued, and een regarded, in the East especially, as nts of Kings.

of Persia, the west coast of Ceylon, and f Coromandel, are noted pearl-stations. eighbourhood of St. Margarita, or Pearl

Island, and various parts along the coast of Columbia. But the pearls from the East are the finest in shape, and beauty, and colour, and fabric.

THE GOLDEN RULE.

To do to others as I would
That they should do to me,
Will make me honest, kind, and good,
As children ought to be.

I know I should not steal nor use
The smallest thing I see,
Which I should never like to lose,
If it belong'd to me.

And this plain rule forbids me quite
To strike an angry blow,
Because I should not think it right

If others served me so.

But any kindness they may need
I'll do, whate'er it be ;
As I am very glad, indeed,

When they are kind to me.

TRUTH.

I WITNESSED, (says one,) in one of our courts in North America, a beautiful illustration of the simplicity and power of truth. A little girl, nine years of age, was offered as a witness against a prisoner who was on trial for a felony committed in her father's house. "Now, Emily," said the

he prisoner, upon her being offered as I desire to know if you understand the oath?" "I don't know what you the simple answer. "There, your aid the counsel, addressing the Court, g further necessary to demonstrate the my objection? This witness should be he does not comprehend the nature of

"

ee," said the Judge. "Come here, my red by the kind tone and manner of the child stepped toward him, and looked up in his face, with a calm, clear eye, nner so artless and frank, that went he heart. "Did you ever take an oath? e Judge. The little girl stepped back of horror, and the red blood mantled in ver her face and neck, as she answered, She thought he intended to inquire if T blasphemed.

She looked

the Bible."

t mean that," said the Judge, who saw e: "I mean, were you ever a witness 'No, Sir; I never was in Court before," swer. He handed her the Bible open. now that book, my girl?" answered, "Yes, Sir: it is ever read it?" he asked. tell me what the Bible is?" inquired the It is the word of the great God," she "Well, place your hand upon this Bible, to what I say," and he repeated slowly nly the oath usually administered to

"Yes, Sir."

witnesses. "Now," said the Judge, "you have sworn as a witness: will you tell me what will befa you if you do not tell the truth?" "I shall b shut up in prison," answered the child. “Anything else?" asked the Judge. "I shall never go to heaven," she replied.

"How do you know this?" asked the Judge again. The child took the Bible, and turning rapidly to the chapter containing the Commandments, pointed to the injunction, "Thou shalt n bear false witness against thy neighbour." learned that before I could read." "Has any talked with you about your being a witness in Cout! here against this man?" inquired the Judge. "Y Sir," she replied. My mother heard they wante me to be a witness; and last night she called me her room, and asked me to tell her the Ten Com mandments; and then we kneeled down togethe and she prayed that I might understand how wicke it was to bear false witness against my neighbou and that God would help me a little child to the truth as it was before Him. And when I camșt up here with father, she kissed me, and told me remember the ninth commandment, and that Ge would hear every word that I said." "Do you believe this?" asked the Judge, while a tear glistened in his eye. "Yes, Sir," said the child, with a voice and manner that showed her conviction of its tru was perfect. "God bless you, my child," said Judge: "you have a good mother. This witness competent," he continued. "Were I on trial fer my life, and innocent of the charge against me, i