and present may furnish a clue to the money question. Here is a copy of the first card :

:

What a Coal-heaver did with thirty shillings per week in

1840.

He expended on Intoxicating Liquors half his weekly

earnings.

What the same man did with thirty shillings per week in

1841.

He then became a Teetotaller. He maintained his family with his weekly earnings, and put four shillings per week in the Savings' Bank.

What that man did in
1851,

With his Teetotal Savings.

He then had upwards of One Hundred Pounds.
He commenced Business for himself, and is now a
Prosperous Man.

And here is a copy of the second card:—

What a Working Man, aged 40, did in

1851,

With Fourpence Halfpenny per day.

He was then a Moderate Drinker.

He purchased two pints and one half pint of beer-and
drank it.

What the same Working Man did in

1852,

With Fourpence Halfpenny per day.

He was then a Teetotaller.

Insured his life, for his family's sake, for 120 Pounds.
Insured his goods, against loss by fire, for 115 Pounds.
Insured, in case of sickness, twenty-six shillings per week.
Which was the better course?

I need not offer any comment on these facts, but leave them to produce their own salutary impression. They show how `much may be done with a little, and how easy it is to make a safe and wise provision for the future.

THE RANSOMED CHILD.—A STORY FOR CHILDREN. The Bechuanas of South Africa are divided into many different tribes, such as the Bahurutsi, the Batlapis, the Barolongs, and others. They

are all savages, being clothed in skins, living in dirt and poverty, and almost always at war with one another.

Some fourteen or fifteen years ago there lived among the Bahurusti tribe, a poor man and his wife, of whom I am going to tell you a story. The wealth of the savages is in their cattle; but this poor man had no cattle, so that he was very poor indeed. How he and his wife lived I do not know. Perhaps it was by killing game, and coming in for a share of beasts that were taken in hunting. Poor as he was, however, he had two great treasures! These were two little boys, one about eight, and the other ten years old. But he was not to have these long. One day, as the little boys were playing in a glen a little way from their home, a party of Matabele warriors came by surprise, and seized the poor boys, and carried them far away.

These Matabele were a very fierce and powerful tribe. Moselekatse was the name of their king, but he had many titles, such as the Elephant, the Lion's Paw, the King of Kings, and the King of Heaven. He was a great warrior, and his chiefs used to rush out upon the peaceful tribes around, and burn, and kill, and lay waste all that came in their way, and return home rich in cattle and slaves.

The poor father and mother heard of what had befallen their boys; but what could they do against such a man as the tyrant Moselekatse or his warriors? They knew not with whom their poor boys were to be found, or whether they were even living; though they thought they were not dead, as the Matabele had not killed them at the time. Day after day they mourned for their sons, and thought how they might be suffering under their cruel masters. Very dull and desolate their home seemed to be now that they no longer heard the voices of their boys, and they felt as if they had nothing worth living for when their boys were lost. Thus one long year passed away.

Mr. Moffat, the missionary, did not live far from the Bahurutsi. He had protected the lives of two of Moselekatse's warriors, and he had a warm invitation to pay Moselekatse a visit. Mokatla, the chief of the Bahurutsi, was very much afraid of Moselekatse, and he thought he would go with Mr. Moffat, and try to make friends with him.

Mr. Moffat looked at Mokatla's people. They seemed well-fed and well-dressed, and in good spirits, all but one poor man. He looked so poor and so unhappy, that Mr. Moffat pitied him, and tried to find out the reason. It was the father of the boys. He had taken all he had, and followed in Mokatla's train to see if he could redeem his boys. He had no money nor cattle. He had only some beads and rings such as savages like to wear. He walked two hundred miles, and reached Moselekatse's

court.

When Mr. Moffat arrived, he found that Moselekatse had made great preparations to welcome him. Several days were spent in feasting, and dancing, and merry-making with his warriors and people, in honour of Mr. Moffat's visit. The father knew that this was not the time for him to speak, and he waited till the days of merry-making were over. He took no part in the fun. His heart was heavy and sad. How he longed

to see his dear boys I cannot tell. I daresay he slept very little at night, and that he thought these days the longest he had ever spent.

When the days of feasting were over he sent in his humble petition to the king, to be allowed to buy back his two sons. He waited some time, and then the chief who had the boys came ont, and seated himself near Mr. Moffat's waggon. He was Moselekatse's brother. Mr. Moffat drew near, and looked on. The poor father spread his ragged mantle on the ground, and laid on it a few strings of beads and native ornaments. The proud chief would scarcely look upon these. The father sighed, and drew from his dirty skins a small bag of borrowed beads. The chief looked on them with scorn. The father took off two copper rings from his arms, and two others from his ears, and looked anxiously at the chief; but he only frowned, and angrily shook his head. The poor man took from his neck the only ornament he had left, and added that and an old knife to what he had offered for his two sons. The haughty chief would not so much as speak to the father. He went on talking carelessly to those around him, and at last he got up to go away. Mr. Moffat came near, and begged him to have pity on the unhappy father. The chief answered with a sneer, that one of the boys had died of cold the winter before, and that, what the father offered was not worth looking at. "I want oxen, he said.” “I have not even a goat,” replied the father. The chief walked off, and the poor father sat with his head leaning on his hand, and his eyes fixed on the ground, and sighed heavily. He had not known till now that one of his boys was dead. Perhaps the poor little fellow had died from cruelty or neglect. His other dear son he was not allowed so much as to see. At length, with a heavy heart, he took up his mantle to go. His last hope was gone.

He did not know that there was one eye which had been looking on him with pity all the time, and that one friend was near to help him. That friend was the missionary. As he was getting up to go Mr. Moffat spoke to him, and said, "I will try to get back your son." Ah! how he started at the voice of kindness! He threw his mantle and beads at the feet of the missionary, and said, "Take these, my father, and pity me." Mr. Moffat told him to keep them for himself. He kissed the hand of his kind friend, and departed, saying, " I shall have slumber," or peace of mind."

Next day, Mr. Moffat took an opportunity to speak on behalf of the poor man. Moselekatse listened to his request, and his brother agreed to sell the boy to Mr. Moffat. Mr. Moffat took the little boy in his waggon, and was returning to the town. I wonder what the little boy talked about whether it was about seeing his mother. They came to the foot of a hill, and Mr. Moffat saw some one rushing down the steep at such a rate as to be in danger of falling headlong. Some said, "It is the alarm of war" The waggon-driver said, "It is a ning from a lion, or to save a child." It was the mother of the little boy. and dangerous journey I do not know, but what will not a mother's love do? She could not wait till the father came back. Her heart was too

woman, either runWhom do you think it could be? How she too had come all that long

anxious, and the time seemed too long. She heard from some one the news that her son was in Mr. Moffat's waggon. She went to the top of the hill, and watched till she saw the waggon coming, and then she rushed down the steep. Mr. Moffat was afraid she would come against the waggon, and he sprang to the ground to stop her in time. She could not speak, but she seized his hands, and bathed them with her tears, and wept aloud for joy. Her boy drew near, and she rushed forward, and clasped him in her arms.

Annals of the Band of Hope Union.

A large number of ladies and gentlemen assembled, on Wednesday evening, December 17th, at Shirley's Hotel, 37, Queen Square, under the presidency of John Capell, Esq., and afterwards of George Cruikshank, Esq., to enjoy the pleasures of a social intercourse, and confer together on the operations of the Band of Hope Union. Among the company present we observed Messrs. Haynes, Shirley, M. W. Dunn, Fusedale, J. A. Horner, J. Caudwell, Wills, Oakes, R. B. Starr, Wood, Udall, G. Blaby, C. Starling, R. Nichol, Eaton, Harvey, W. Robson, Newell; and Mr. Jackson, of the United States. There were also present the Rev. Messrs. Rowe, D. Burns, and, G. W. McCree. After tea the chairman delivered an interesting address, and then called upon the Rev. G. W. McCree, who gave a second account of the present position of the Union, from which it appeared that five agents are constantly employed in London and the provinces, and that every department is in a healthy and prosperous state. Two topics for conversation were then introduced, by Mr. Wills and Mr. Oakes respectively, namely, "What defects are observable in the existing Bands of Hope?" and "How may the Band of Hope Union further assist Bands of Hope?" Most valuable suggestions were made by the various speakers, and the conference closed at ten o'clock, amid the hearty congratulations of all present. We are requested to state that the names of the Agents are Messrs. Affleck, Bell, Blaby, F. Smith, and C. Starling, and that none others are the recognised representatives of the Union.

THE NORTH OF ENGLAND AUXILIARY.

During the month our Agent, Mr. W. B. Affleck, has been fully engaged. He has delivered two lectures at Hartlepool, two at Kirkoswald, and one each at Great Salkeld, Ainstable, Lazonby, Seaton Carew, Ellingstring, Tanfield, and Fearbyland, held four Band of Hope meetings at Bishop Auckland, three at Hurworth, and one each at Masham and West Hartlepool. He has also preached six sermons during the month in aid of benevolent objects. The public meetings have, without exception, been crowded, and in one week, in Cumberland, Mr. Affleck took upwards of 100 signatures. The secretary of the Temperance Society at Lazonby, in a letter to Mr. Joseph Carr, says, "We rejoice to congratuyou on Mr. Affleck's successful advocacy of teetotalism, and urgently request you to let us have his services again. Much good has resulted

late

from his labours in this district, but especially at Lazonby, when we enrolled fifty additional members after his able lecture. But what is still better, some very good impressions have been made on many minds concerning the salvation of their souls. We believe another visit from Mr. Affleck would be a great blessing to this place." The Rev. J. G. Rowe, M.A., Incumbent of West Hartlepool, writes a similar encouraging and congratulatory letter.

LABOURS OF MR. W. BELL,

Sunday, Nov. 30th. I met the united sunday school children in the Temperance Hall, Cirencester, at half-past two o'clock in the afternoon, and gave them an address, urging them to seek the Saviour while they they were young. It was a pleasing sight to see so many dear children and their teachers listening to the simple truths of the Gospel of peace. In the evening, at half-past seven o'clock, I preached in the same place, which was crowded. The Master was with us; we had a precious time, while I tried to point them to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.

Monday Dec. 1st. I spent the day in visiting from house to house, and in the evening went to Ashton Rayars, and lectured in the Independent Chapel, to a large and attentive audience; H. Alexander, Esq. in the chair. The Rev. T. Edwards gave us a short speech. At the close of the meeting 34 signed the pledge.

Tuesday, Dec. 2nd. Visiting at Cirencester, and in the evening I went to Fairford, lectured in the Town Hall, which was very much crowded. Rev. Mr. Reynolds in the chair. Mr. Cole gave us a very good speech. At the close, 17 signed the pledge. I urged them to form a Band of Hope here, as they have not got one.

Wednesday, Dec. 3rd. I met the Band of Hope in the Temperace Hall, Cirencester, and lectured to them at six o'clock in the evening, and gave a lecture to adults in the same place at half-past seven; H. Alexander, Esq. in the chair. Mr. Cowley and Mr. Bird took part in the meeting. At the close of the two meetings they took 30 names to the pledge. Dec. 4th and 5th. Not well. Saturday, Dec. 6th. Spent the day in visiting. Sunday, Dec. 7th. I again met the sunday school children in the Temperance Hall, and preached in the evening, at half-past seven o'clock, to a large and attentive congregation; there were many poor people who never enter a place of worship. I hope the word of truth will bring forth in them the fruits of good living. It was pleasing to see tears roll down the cheeks of many stout men, while we talked to them of the love of God in sending his Son to die for a guilty world.

Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 8th & 9th. Visiting. Wednesday, visiting again, and in the evening went to Siddington; we had not a large meeting here, on account of there being a lecture in the church at the same hour. But at the close of the meeting 10 signed the pledge.

Thursday, Dec. 11th. Visiting during the day, and met the Band of Hope in the Temperance Hall in the evening; we had a very large gathering, and took 70 fresh names to the pledge. At half-past seven, gave a lecture to parents in the same place; eight signed the pledge at the close.

ER