people" to talk to them, although they whose words would sink the most deeply into the hearts of the little ones never venture to say anything themselves upon solemn subjects. But one thing which should be done, and probably is done at these meetings, is to make them understand that to bring their children to Jesus is the mothers' duty, as it would be their highest joy. Another want which is felt by mothers and met by these meetings is instruction in the management of children. Many are very young, not much more than children themselves, when the highest duties are laid upon them. And they feel their own inefficiency deeply. Of course they would learn wisdom by first making mistakes, as many do; but it is a grave thing to make mistakes with regard to children, for as soon as you have found out your error they are children no longer, and the time is too late. At the mothers' meetings hints may be given and valuable knowledge gained which will prevent many an error. is a good thing for the mothers to talk together about their children. Of course, the first things to settle are what to do in case of teething, measles, whooping-cough, and similar difficulties, but then come other subjects, such as what it is best to do with children smitten with the diseases of passion, sullenness, obstinacy, and disobedience. And a vast amount of good is accomplished when mothers go home to their charge strong in the knowledge of the best way to meet such emergencies. It In a few years' time, if the New Education Act does all that is required of it, girls will, perhaps, be taught common sense and needlework. But at present meetings of some kind are very necessary in order that poor women who have probably spent all the years of their girlhood in factories may learn how to make and cut out their children's clothes. And so while the school boards are meeting, and discussing and making up their minds, we wish all speed to mothers' meetings, where in the mean time earnest women are pushing on the good work. Children's Meetings. THIS is an age of meetings. People gather together in large numbers for various purposes; but there are no such meetings as those connected with children. What monster meetings they are! How large a place is needed for them, if the town in which they are held is of any size! For children are as plentiful as flowers in spring; they grow everywhere and in great profusion, and there are so many of them that they can be got together in groups with very little trouble. In many villages and towns a plan is adopted, which, for various reasons, is so good that it might be followed still farther. It is the gathering together of the children belonging to all the Sunday-schools in the district for the purpose of holding a united service. It consists largelyas of course it should do where children are concernedof a musical entertainment; but, if the assembly is not so large as to render it impossible, addresses are delivered suitable to their comprehension and circumstances. And at least two good results follow. An opportunity has been afforded for Christian labourers and the young people of the different denominations to fraternise; and the town has had the benefit of seeing a sight than which none is more beautiful--that of a large number of bright young faces. Next to mothers' meetings, children's meetings are most important. There are some who complain that the youth of our land monopolise too large a share of public attention. "What a fuss," say the grumblers, "do you make about these children! What are they, that they should so often be put first? Everybody is talking about the children; there is a deal too much made of them." Nay, that can scarcely be. Reforms which are for adults are often very partially successful. It is too late to try to bend the tree in any particular direction when it is full-grown, but while it is yet a sapling almost anything can be made of it. Besides, what have we to look to for the future but the children? If they fail, what a great failure will the coming years altogether be! If the children are not better than their fathers, what will become of our poor world? The They are wise who think much of the young. heads of households are greatly wanting in wisdom if they do not consider the tastes and needs of those who are under them. If the children are slighted, neglected, alienated, there is little hope for that home. If they are loved, trusted, cultivated, happy will be the years that are to come. If churches are wise they are very careful over the children; for they recognise in them the future men and women who shall be their members, and who will carry on the work of the Lord. They will not entrust their youth to unskilful hands, but will place over them those whose influence will be great and always for the right. They will not crowd the children away into back seats and uncomfortable places, and so give them a dislike to the house of God; but they will take pains to secure their love and good-will, that they may be turned to the best account in the future. And if the nation be wise, it, too, will look after its young with most earnest and persevering care. So, although it is true that much is thought of and much done for the children, we should rejoice that it is so. Acts of Parliament, school boards, educational societies, and Sunday-school unions, all have work to do, and there are not too many agencies. We can only hope that the blessing and the guidance of the children's Saviour may be given to all those who have anything to do with children's meetings. Of what Use are Children? PLAYFUL, idle little ones, Full of nought but pleasure, When were you of any use, But to slily please us? Playful, idle little ones, God has sent you near us, With your winning words and ways, That they all may cheer us. Not in vain your gayest laugh Or your mimic sadness; For our hours, when you were near, Have been full of gladness. Playful, idle little ones, Though the earth is crowded, Playful, idle little ones, Like the spring's fresh flowers, Seem to come in showers. Playful, idle little ones, Loved by God the Father, Safely, close, and tenderly, You beneath His sheltering wing, Bliss, and rest, and lasting youth, In the home of heaven. Kindness to Animals. A TALK WITH THE CHILDREN. WE are told that— "Evil is wrought by want of thought, This "want of thought" may perhaps lie at the foundation of much of the cruelty that the animal world has to endure at the hands of those who for two special reasons among many ought to exercise kindness and consideration towards all dumb things. One reason is that God has entrusted them to us, and so in a sense appeals to our most generous feelings; and the other is that they are helpless and dependent upon us for much of the comfort and happiness they have in the world. If a lad has given into his charge a little baby brother or sister, if he have any feelings of honour or tenderness of heart, the very fact of his being so trusted will call them forth, and he will be brave to protect and assiduous to please the little helpless one. And this feeling of chivalry is exceedingly good for the lad as well as for the babe. One hour of this happy service rendered by the strong to the feeble is worth more than whole days of mere selfish or personal gratification. If animals could appeal in the same way to the feelings of humanity and protecting kindness in our boys and girls, what a good thing it would be! We should have more manly men and more womanly women than we have at present. Our boys would be educated in their duty to think of and for all creatures that cannot think for themselves, and they would grow up to what they certainly ought to be, not their tyrants, but their protectors. And if it be true that cruelty proceeds from thoughtlessness, then children must be led to think more of what they owe to the animal creation. But surely a kind-hearted boy or girl cannot be really unkind to animals, and it must be that in at least most cases this "Evil is wrought from want of heart." Too many of our children seem to be inherently cruel, |