spirit and in truth." Wherever we are, at home or abroad, at school or in the fields, whether we are rich or poor, sorrowful or glad, in sickness or health, He is still the same merciful and tender Father, ready to hear and answer the feeblest prayer that we offer from our hearts, for Jesus Christ's sake.

STORY OF A NEGRO BOY.

WHEN a naval officer was inspecting one of the schools in the island of Barbadoes, containing two hundred Negro boys and girls, a sign was made by one of the children, (by holding up his hand,) intimating that he wished to speak to the master. On going up to the child, who was past eight years of age, the master inquired what was the matter. "Massa," he replied, with a look of horror and indignation, (which the officer said he should never forget, and pointing to a little boy of the same age who sat beside him,) " Massa, this boy says he does not believe in the resurrection." "That is very bad," said the master; "but do you, my little fellow," (addressing the young informer,) “do you believe in the resurrection yourself?" "Yes, Massa, I do." "But can you prove it from the Bible." "Yes, Massa: Jesus says, 'I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.' And, in another place, 'Because I live, ye shall live also."" The master added, "Can you prove it from the Old Testament also?" "Yes; for Job says, 'I know hat my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand

at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.' And David says, in one of the Psalms, I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.' "But are you sure the passages are in the Bible? Here is a Bible: point them out to us." The little boy instantly turned to all the passages, and read them aloud.

THE PINNATED GROUSE.

THIS species is famous for the fine flavour of its flesh. It is confined to certain parts of North America; open dry plains, with trees scattered about, being its haunts. In such places, they find both food and shelter. The male is remarkable for

a sort of bag, or pouch, on each side of the neck; which at certain seasons resembles a large orange. He then utters notes like the subdued blowing of a horn, meanwhile flourishing about like a turkeycock.

In severe weather, these birds approach barns and farmhouses, mix with the poultry to glean up the scattered grains of Indian corn, and seem almost domesticated. The nest, formed with little art, is placed under brushwood.

PROVIDENCE.

66 JUDGE not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace:
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face."

It was in the depth of winter, at a time when want and distress among the poor are most felt Near a certain forest there stood a little cottage, where Joseph and Ann and their eight children lived; and love and industry, and gentle pious minds, were to be found there also. The children however, did not look merry and happy as formerly, but sorrowful and pale. Their parents had been many days without work or wages; and all their industry could not procure food for their children.

One Sunday morning, Ann called her little ones together, and said, "Come and divide the last morsel of bread we have left. I know not where we shall find any more, or how we can obtain any help."

The children eagerly took the bread, and divided it, but begged that their father and mother would each take a share. "We shall feel less hungry," they said, "if you will eat some too."

Many tears were shed while the last morsels of bread were eaten only one little boy still smiled, and was too young to know anything of the distress, or have any of the fears which the others had for the future, which seemed so dark before them. Should we not all strive, like little children, to trust the future to our heavenly Father's

care?

The morning was bright and clear; and little Elizabeth, as she ate her portion, opened the door, and went out. It was bitterly cold; but she thought it pleasant, as she looked at the pure blue sky, and the trees in the forest, all white and glittering in their dress of snow. As she stood, she heard a faint chirping sound; and, looking about, she saw a little bird upon the ground. It seemed almost dead, as if with hunger, and could not move its wearied wings. It was trying in vain to free itself from the cold deep snow, which for many days had been falling heavily.

"Poor little bird!" said the little girl: "are you cold and hungry too?" She took it up, and pressed it to her face tenderly, trying to warm it. She fed it with her last crumbs of bread, and then carefully carried it into the house. "See, mother," said she, "this poor little bird must not die of hunger and cold. I found it shivering in the snow." Then a bright thought of hope, like a gleam of

light, came into her mother's heart; and, with a glad and trusting look, she said, “Not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father.' I believe the words of our Saviour. All the hairs of our heads are numbered. Shall I be so sad and anxious, since He cares for the birds? Children, let us pray to Him.”

She knelt down with her children, who all repeated her words, as she prayed that their heavenly Father would give them day by day their daily bread.

Then she rose up, and said, “Let us take comfort, and wait for help. Our Father knoweth the things we need, before we ask Him."

She had scarcely said these words when her husband came in; and, directly following him, came a rich gentleman, who lived not far distant. He was rich in lands and possessions; and rich, too, in charity.

"God comfort you," he said, as he came in: "the help of man is not sufficient. Why, Joseph, did not you tell me of such need as I see is among you? I am alone, and have abundance, which God has entrusted to me. I was coming from church, and still thinking of words I had heard there, how we ought to love and help each other: as I was passing near this cottage, I saw your little child, half naked and pale with hunger, how she cared for a little bird, and gave it her last crumb of bread; and I took it as a sign to myself what I ought to do. I hastened home, and made still greater haste to return, and overtook her father at the door, and could see how heavy his heart was