how He quiets my anxious cares for you by the unfailing promises of His word, 'Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them.' I do leave you to Him, in humble trust that He will preserve you from evil, and bring you to life eternal. And O, my children, God may be answering my prayers by taking me from you; it may be one of His means of drawing you to Himself, and leading you to find in Him Father, mother, friend, Saviour."

"Mother," interrupted Louis, "you must not talk of death; you are not very ill, and you will be with us a long time yet."

Julie had not spoken or raised her head from the cushion where she had hidden her face.

"Louis, my dear boy, I would not causelessly alarm you; I may be spared a little longer, but my time will be' short, and before I go hence I want you to make me a promise."

"Anything you ask, mother."

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'Louis, I know that if you give your word to me you will keep it, because you have not once failed in obedience hitherto, and I also know that you continue the habit of reading the Word of God every day, and I believe you will never neglect to do so; but the request I am about to make may not at first scem quite agreeable to you, and to comply with it may involve some selfdenial on your part. You are young, ardent, and generously disposed, qualities which, if not controlled and directed by discretion, may lead you into difficulties that might be productive of a life-long regret. Will you, then, promise me to let Julie take my place in your confidence when I am no longer here to counsel? She is so much your elder, she has a sound judgment, and loves you so truly, that she would not prove a hard task-mistress, Louis."

"O no, mother, Julie would be very good to me; but, you see, a fellow does not like to be controlled by a girl!"

"Why, Louis, you never objected to be guided by me."

"No, mother, but that is so different; you are my own dear mother, Julie is only my sister, although I do love her dearly."

"But, Louis, you forget that I said I wished Julie to be to you as a mother, to take my place."

"That she never can."

"Perhaps not in all things; but it would add greatly to my comfort, if my Louis would promise me that he will consult his sister in all his difficulties and perplexities until he is twenty-one, then he can act for himself."

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And Madame Henrie knew that he would fulfil his promise, however repugnant to his youthful wishes. She then spoke to her daughter, Julie, to your care I trust the welfare of Louis. You will watch over him, as you know I should do were I present with you; and, my child, God will help you to do right."

"But, mother, Louis will soon go to Paris; how can I then look after him, when I shall be so far from him?" asked Julie.

"My child, Louis will not need your care in little things. He will not forget his mother's wishes, and in great matters he will write to you, and consult you, and abide by your advice, because you will be acting for me. Will you not, my boy?"

"Yes, mother, have I not promised you?"

"And God will bless you for your obedience; and, Julie, remember that you have my full sanction to go to England to the L-s while Louis is in Paris, should you prefer it to staying here alone."

"Mother, why are you making all these arrangements to-night? there will be plenty of time before Louis goes to Paris next month; then I hope you will be spared to me all the time

The Good Root, and Specimen

Branch.

PROVERBS xv. 33: "The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."

THE spies who were sent by Moses into the land of Canaan to bring a report of the country to the Israelites, brought with them on their return a cluster of grapes as a specimen of the fruit of the land. May we not safely conclude that this was done at the suggestion of Joshua or Caleb, and that as two men were required to carry the huge cluster on a staff, these two would generally carry it? We can scarcely think that such unbelieving grumblers as the other ten proved to be, would either have thought of taking the fruit for the people to see, however much they might themselves eat, or have been willing to incommode themselves by carrying any burden far where there were no roads, and a man would need all his strength to get comfortably along. We do not read that any one brought the vineroots, or that even Joshua or Caleb suggested that they should do so. Those would have been a useless burden. They would not have grown in the sterile wilderness, and had they done so, the people would not have had the opportunity of plucking the fruit; as, long before that was ripe, they would be far distant. In considering this proverb, we are more like Caleb when, in future years, the fertile valley of the Eshcol was all his own, and he had time to cultivate the vines, nourishing the roots, training the branches, and partaking of the grapes. In this text, however, we have only one branch placed within sight, in addition to the root itself. The space

is limited, and if all must be represented the picture would be indistinct, because each feature thereof would necessarily be minute. Let us look at what is shown to us here, a good root, and a specimen branch.

The root of all true blessedness.-In order that we may secure and retain

that heavenly wisdom which is valuable beyond all comparison or computation, we must have "the fear of the Lord." We must be animated constantly by a loving, reverent solicitude to please God. No admixture of terror need be in this fear. It is desirable there should be none. But the fear is indispensable. Something like wisdom may, indeed, for a time and in favourable circumstances, appear where such fear of the Lord does not exist. But, sooner or later, the cheat is discovered. The blossom may be very plentiful and exceedingly beautiful, but the fruit will be bitter and hurtful. Well would it be if that fruit were merely like the crab-apples which lads sometimes eat and try to think nice. But the fruit which springs from roots which have excluded "the fear of the Lord," prove fatal as well as nauseous. "Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James i. 15.)

Where there is "the fear of the Lord' in vigour and completeness, like a strong root striking deep and far into the earth, there will be constant and rapid growth in true excellence, for there is "the instruction of wisdom." It is marvellous how apt some have become in receiving and doing good, who have never enjoyed even ordinary natural advantages. The home of their childhood was not adapted for the extensive development of the intellectual faculties, and neither they, nor anybody else, ever imagined that they discerned within them the fires of genius, whatever such fires may be. But these people had happily obtained true religion, and that abundantly; and therefore they made daily progress in the best of schooling. The living root was there, and was vigorous, and so there was abundance of pleasant and life-giving fruit. They will never, in this life, become conspicuous like cedars of Lebanon. They are more like dwarf apple-trees of a superior kind. Perhaps they are of such lowly growth that a child may pluck the fruit from the topmost bough. Rooks, and those who

view things as rooks do, may despise these dwarfish trees. The chattering bird may say, "I like to sit as high as the weather-vane on the church steeple; and I look down with contempt on those shrub-like apple-trees." But the fruit on the trees is both pleasant and nutritious. Little children delight to be near, and to have leave to taste. In our schools, and families, and neighbourhoods, there are some such dwarf appletrees bearing fruit all the year round. Somehow they receive and impart much wisdom.

One branch as a specimen of all.—The branch which has been selected is that nearest to the ground. It is designated "humility." Though nearest the ground, it bears fruit suitable for those who occupy the loftiest positions. Sometimes this fruit is much desired by such. More frequently, they seek after a worthless counterfeit, to their own hurt and that of others. The genuine fruit of this lowly branch is very good.

The humility must be genuine. Cardinal Peretti, of Montalto, was exceedingly desirous to succeed Gregory XIII., as Pope. It seemed probable that the

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opposing factions might select some very infirm cardinal, each party hoping, before the death of such person, to be in a position to secure the election of one of their own party. Peretti for some considerable time was regarded as exceeding ill. When seen in public, he appeared unable to stand erect. After his election, however, he became young again, and full of vigour. Some of his friends expressed their surprise, and inquired what had been the occasion of his previous stooping. "I was looking for the keys of St. Peter," was his reply. He had, as Sixtus V., such honour as appertains to the Popedom, and the additional credit of extirpating, to some extent, the armed robbers who prowled around Rome. But he was only five years in the papal chair, and then went to render up his account to God. More that is praiseworthy is indicated in that recorded saying of "Sammy Hick:" "I have but one talent; but I am resolved so to use it, that no man shall get it from me to make his ten into eleven.' The humble village blacksmith inherits glory beyond that of the ambitious cardinal.

POETRY.

He has strength to help your weakness,
He has wisdom for you, too;
Food He has in rich abundance,
Pastures green to show to you.
There your soul you may replenish,
Fill with wisdom, love, and praise;
You may slake your thirsty spirit

At the streams of heavenly grace.
"Feed My lambs," is His injunction
Who has even died for thee;
And He says, to give thee courage,

"As thy days thy strength shall be." Can you, then, deny to render

Service to so good a King? Nay, but rather, time and talents, Willingly to Jesus bring.

Lay them at His feet in meekness,

Never fearing lest His love Should refuse to take and bless them, Whilst they your devotion prove. Bedford. M. A. S.