who reads these poor imperfect thoughts?-lift thine heart in earnest prayer that that day of joy may speedily come. Let me give you one little story to show that God is at work amongst them. A youth was struck with a tract or book given by a Mission-" ary; he became an inquirer; he was taught by the Missionaries. Every night he was absent at a certain time. No one knew why. At last he was followed. He went to a large room where the merchants and others, after the toils of the day, were wont to meet and sip tea together (much like our coffee-houses): it was customary for some poet or author to ascend a kind of pulpit, and read his last poem or novel. The Missionary saw the youth enter here with some forebodings that he might be going to read some novel. He did ascend this pulpit. He began to read-but what? It was a New Testament! He was listened to quietly and attentively by these merchants and others. Think of this. O, that the Holy Spirit may apply these words!

THE TRAP AND THE YOUNG MOUSE.

A FABLE:

BY Y. C.

IN a crack near the cupboard, with dainties provided,
A certain young mouse with her mother resided:
So securely they lived in that snug quiet spot,
Any mouse in the land might have envied their lot.

But one day, the young mouse, who was given to roam,
Having made an excursion some way from her home,

dden return'd with such joy in her eyes,

er grave, sedate parent express'd some surprise.

ther!" said she, "the good folks of this house, vinced, have not any ill-will to a mouse; ose tales can't be true you always are telling, y've been at such pains to construct us a dwell

oor is of wood, and the walls are of wires, y the size that one's comfort requires;

m sure that we there should have nothing to fear, cats, with their kittens, at once should appear.

then they have made such nice holes in the wall, uld slip in and out with no trouble at all; -cing one through such rough crannies as these, s gives one's poor ribs a most terrible squeeze.

the best of all is, they've provided us well large piece of cheese, of most exquisite smell: so nice, I had put in my head to go through, I thought it my duty to come and fetch you."

child," said the mother, "believe, I entreat, the cage and the cheese are a terrible cheat: t-think all that trouble they take for our good; would catch us, and kill us all there, if they could,

hey've caught and kill'd scores; and I never could

earn

a mouse who once enter'd did ever return!

ne young people mind what the old people say; when danger is near them, keep out of the way.

THE COMMON BERNICLE.

THIS very odd picture represents shells fixed to a long soft stem or stalk, often found attached to floating timber. Would you believe it, that learned men were once known who believed that these, when dropped into the sea, turned directly into birds? Hence the bernicle was ridiculously called the tree-goose!

All this is a fable. Neither birds nor other living creatures spring up in any such strange way. The researches of exact science confirm our belief in the order of nature, established by God, who is the Author of all life and happiness.

MEMOIR.

TTLE SAMUEL GRAINGER.

AMUEL GRAINGER was born at Mickle2d, 1846. His parents are among that able but pious poor which adorns so agricultural and manufacturing villages. s name being Hannah, like Hannah of lved, with the full concurrence of her ce the Lord had given them " a man he should be dedicated, or set apart, ence they called him Samuel; which d for of God.

d.

earliest infancy he was a sweet and and soon gave evidence that his gentle graciously influenced by the Holy

ittle more than five years old, he was Sabbath-school. His attendance was ; and he was so attentive to the inf his teacher, that he soon learned the nd began to form the letters into d little words. From this time he loved d was anxious for improvement. His knowledge became so strong, that his I frequently to call him from his books

3.

of punctuality induced him always to be time for the opening. He never failed be there in good time; and that mistake oned by an alteration in the clock, of as not aware. Tickets were given for lance and good behaviour at the school,

both morning and afternoon; and, with the exception referred to, he never failed to take in each little hand a reward-ticket: and, on entering the house, with a sweet smile on his face, he would exhibit them to his parents, saying, "I have got two more good behaviours, father."

His attention to the address at the Sabbath-school, and to the preaching in the chapel, was so eremplary, that, since his death, the Superintendents and others have frequently referred the scholars to his good example.

He was very fond of a little sister, about two years younger than himself, and was seldom known to go out without her. Once they were going in company to another part of the village, to see an aged grandmother: when, on their way, a rude boy met them, and threatened to beat the little girl. To this proposal the little guardian brother objected, saying, "If you beat either, let it be me." This remark so affected the assailant, that he went away without molesting either of them.

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He loved prayer. On one occasion, a stranger being in the house, his father, being rather bashful, was about to leave home without per forming the usual family-devotions, when Samuel said, Father, we have not kneeled down for prayer." The father felt reproved, and, calling the family together, commended them to God, and sought His blessing upon them, in the usual way. On another occasion, he asked his father, who had just engaged in prayer in the village-chapel, “May not I pray, father?" During his last illness, which