look at the picture. It is a great serpent curled round a tree, and mén are trying to kill him. See, one man has cut off his tail with the hatchet, and is striking his body; but there is another in the boat, trying to crush his head— but he takes care of that.

Now, what is the lesson that this wisdom of the serpent teaches? Why! the importance of your taking care of your hearts. You, my dear children, have an enemy. That enemy is Satan. He wishes to destroy you. To do this he aims to corrupt your hearts. I do not mean your fleshy heart; no, but your souls. It is on this account that Solomon says, Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life."

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He

Satan strives to injure your hearts. tries to do this through the eye, the ear, and the affections of the mind. For instance, he tempts you as he did "Eve," to look at forbidden objects. He tempts you as he did “Adam," to listen to entreaties to join others in sinning. It is by such means that he seeks to corrupt your arts, entice you into sin, and to destroy your happiness.

The great lesson, then, that the serpent teaches us, in this particular, is, That you should take care of your hearts. Be careful that you do not look on forbidden objects; that you do not listen to enticements to sin; and that you do not listen to what is wrong. ye wise as serpents."

"Be

HUMAN LIFE A VOYAGE.

Events, are flowing waves that onward roll, And Providence, the tide that doth control; The ocean, life; the bark, the human soul; The word of God, the chart by which we steer; Conscience, the watch on deck where danger's

near;

The rock, traced clearly on the chart, is sin;
Hope, is the anchor cast the veil within;
The cable, the sure promises of God;

The wake, the separate path by each that's trod;
Reason, the rudder; faith, the magnet true;
And Heaven, the harbour to be kept in view.
Jesus, as pilot at the helm doth stand;
The Spirit, is the breeze that wafts to land.
The sails, to catch the breeze, the means of
grace;

;

The masts, occasions given for their embrace.
Our days to number, is the log to heave;
Our age, the rate of vessel through the wave;
Life's pulse, the line the water's depth to find
The crew, the thoughts and feelings of the mind
The freight, of holy tempers, ich supplies,
Intended for the harbour of the skies;
Death, the last billow, soon to break on shore;
Eternity, the coast where time's no more.

A BIG WORD.

A GENTLEMAN, who had to ride along a lonely road, where robbers sometimes came out, and, by holding pistols in the faces of travellers, and

telling them if they did not give up their money they would shoot them dead—had a strong and brave man-servant, and when this man was with him he was not afraid of the thieves. But the servant, strong and brave as he was, died, and his master was forced to seek another. He went to one man, and said, “I want a servant; I want one that can fight; I have to come home at night along that dreary_road, and sometimes thieves come out, and if I were alone perhaps they would kill me." The man replied, "I am no fighter, sir, but I want a

place very bad, I'll tell you what I can do. I can speak a big word." "Well," said the gentleman, "I don't care whether it be a big word,' or a 'big blow,' so that it keeps the thieves away." "Trust me, sir, 'tis sure to do that; thieves are always cowards; it does not take much to frighten them; their consciences make them afraid." "Well, then," said the gentleman, "I'll try you."

One night, some time after, as they were coming home, out came the thieves. Neither the gentleman nor his servant had a gun or pistol, but the thieves had. "What shall we do?" said the gentleman, more than half afraid. "Ride on, sir, please," said the servant, "I have a big word just ready." On they went. Just as the thieves were going to take hold of the gentleman's horse, the servant behind said, "Stop, sir-stop, sir; just get on one side; let me shoot-let me shoot!" That big word was enough; the thieves took to

their heels, and left the gentleman and his servant to ride home in peace. Now was not this servant a brave man, and the thieves owards? And why was he not afraid of the thieves? Because he knew the thieves had consciences. Now we do not say the servant was right to pretend he had a gun when he had not-no, so far he was wrong; but we see that "the wicked fleeth when no man pursueth," and they who do wrong are always afraid; they are afraid when they see anybody coming; they are afraid when they are alone. But of what are they afraid when alone? Of themselves? No-but of God. Conscience tells them God is angry, and they dread God, and wish there was no God. But will their wishing help them? Can they destroy God? Oh, no; but God can destroy them. Every time the soul shudders at the thought of death it seems to say, "There is a God-there is a judgment-there is a heaven-there is a Prepare to meet your God." Time slips away; you have just begun another year; if you do not pray to and love Jesus, begin now; and then if he forgive your sins, you will not fear God-you will love him. The apostle John says, "Perfect love casteth out fear." J. J. M.

hell." 66

PRAYER FOR A NEW HEART.

GOD of mercy! God of love!
Hear me from thy throne above;
Teach me how in truth to pray,

Take my sinful heart away.