that must pass before they could meet again; and it seemed to him that it would be hard work to be a good boy, now that he had no father near to warn him and to watch over him.

There was an old sailor on board the ship, who pitied the little pale child; and he would often sit and tell him stories, and explain to him the many wonderful sights of the great deep sea, over which they were voyaging; and soon Frank told the good old sailor of his trouble, and how he thought that he could never, never be happy, he feared, nor ever good again, because he had no papa to teach him. But the sailor told him that this was wrong, for if he did truly love his father he might go to him in thought, and almost fancy him near all the day long. He might do everything he had taught him, just as if he were present, never forgetting the prayer and text of Scripture morning and evening, and trying also to conquer selfish, discontented tempers. Then he might write down his thoughts, he told him. his temptations, and his trials; and when he did this, and thought of his absent papa, he would almost feel that he was with him,—not his body, indeed, but better than the body, his heart and soul.

And Frank found the sailor's words true; for sometimes during that long voyage the little boy's thoughts were so much with his father, and he lived so truly as if he were with him and saw him, that he began to enjoy what he called his heart-visits to India; and he proved that to those who really love, it is not needful to be with one another in order to

by intercourse. Thus you see how little Frank

nstantly going to his father, as truly as if he n into his open arms and nestled in his loving

so may you go to Jesus. He is not to be with your eyes; but you know that in His He is always present, and that He is in

to hear your prayer, and to watch over and ou. Read of Him in the Bible; and, as you hink of His great love to you in dying on the and let your heart go to Him; and pray that ould make you His dear child, and not only you to come to Him on earth, but take you, ever you may leave it, to His home in heaven.

THE GIANT ARMADILLO.

E armadillos come between the sloths and the waters, and are distinguished as having molar

teeth, and these only, that is, grinders. The flat head, terminating in a pointed muzzle, is of use in turning up the earth in search of roots and worms. The legs are so short, that they barely lift the body above the ground; but the claws are very good for digging and burrowing. And, so quick is the armadillo at this work, he can readily bury himsel beyond the reach of his pursuers: but, poor fell! if smoke or water be sent down into his retreat, de is forced to come up again. See, however, the low of life exemplified even in this humble instance. the armadillo has been known to leave his tail in the hands of the hunter, rather than let himself be drawn forth. He runs, also, far faster than you would imagine from his make. Yes, he would easj outstrip any of our little readers.

Most of the armadillos come out only when the sun has disappeared. Ants, it is said, are not found in their neighbourhood. Their sight is poor, their hearing quick, and their smell marvellous South America is the native home of all the known species.

The great or giant armadillo has about ninety teeth, a greater number than are found in any other mammal. He is above three feet in length. from the nose to the beginning of the tail; and the tail is nearly half as long as the rest of the body. He keeps close to the great forests of Brazil.

"I CAN'T GET MY LESSON."

"O DEAR! I shall never get my lesson! It's so hard, I'll give it up."

"Hurrah! hurrah! I've got my lesson!"

The next day Freddy's teacher looked at him with a pleasant smile at the close of a well-said lesson. That smile passed like sunlight into the boy's heart, and I believe he seldom failed after that to conquer his lesson.

THINGS SHORT AND THINGS LONG. THERE are some things which are very short, and others that are very long. God in His word tells us of both, and bids us look at and think of them.

1. Life is short. God speaks of it as a "shadow," a "weaver's shuttle," a "flower," a "hand-breadth," and a 66 vapour." If it be like these, it must be

short.

2. Time is short. It is made up of many lives, yet it is short. "The time is short," says St. Paul; and says St. John, "The world passeth away." A few years will end all.

3. The sinner's joy is short. It is "but for a moment." "The fashion of this world passeth away.' He may laugh, and dance, and be merry: but the end soon comes, and nothing is left but grief

4. The saint's sorrow is short, This, too, "is but for a moment." It may be heavy and hard to bear; but it is soon over, and leaves no sorrow behind. When it is done, there is joy for ever and ever.

1. For ever is long. It is like to God Himself, who is "the King eternal and immortal;" whose