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passed by, however poor, was invited to partake of the meal, we were waited upon by two of my host's rons, the elder about forty years of age. As they had been fasting during the whole of the day, and had as yet only taken a draught of water, I begged the father to allow them to sit down and eat with us. He immediately told them that they might do so; but they declined. The mothers generally enjoy, in a greater degree than the fathers, the affection of their children, but do not receive from them the same outward marks of respect. I have often known servants to hoard their wages for their mothers, though seldom for their fathers.

"GOD IS NOT MOCKED."

GAL. vi. 7.

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T. G., who lived in the parish of having lost a considerable sum at cock-fighting, to which practice he was notoriously addicted, swore, in a most horrible manner, that he would never fight another cock, frequently calling upon God to damn his soul to all eternity if he did; and with dreadful imprecations wishing the devil might fetch him if he ever made another bet. His resolution, thus impiously formed, was for a while observed; but, about two years afterwards, Satan, whose willing slave he continued to be, inspired him with a strong desire to attend a cock-fight, at ; and he complied with the invitation. He there stood up, and cried, "I hold four to three on such a cock." "Four what?" said one of his companions in iniquity. "Four shillings,” replied he; upon which his wager was confirmed; and he, putting his hand into his pocket for the money, instantly fell a ghastly corpse on the ground.

A VERY YOUNG MARTYR.

A LITTLE negro, only ten years old, went to hear the gospel preached by a missionary, and became a convert to the Christian religion. His master (a great enemy to missions) hearing of it, commanded him never to go again, and even declared he would have him whipped to death if he did. The poor little fellow was very sad. He could scarcely refrain from going, yet knew he must die if he did. In his trouble, he sought wisdom and help at the throne of grace; and, after doing so, he felt that it was his duty still to attend, but always to mind that this should never interfere with his master's business. For the rest, he felt he must leave himself in the hands of God. He accordingly went; and, on his return, was summoned into his master's presence. After much harsh language, he received five-and-twenty lashes. Then, with blasphemous ridicule, his tyrant cried out, "What can Jesus Christ do for you now?" "He enables me to bear it patiently," said the poor child.

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"Give him five-and-twenty lashes more," claimed the cruel wretch. He was obeyed. "And what can Jesus Christ do for you now?" asked the

monster.

"He helps me to look forward to a future reward," replied the little sufferer. "Give him five-and-twenty lashes more," " added the unrelenting oppressor, in a transport of rage, They complied; and while listening with savage joy to the groans of his dying victim, he again demanded, "What can Jesus Christ do for you now?"

The youthful martyr, with the last effort of expiring nature, meekly answered, "He enables me to

pray for you, massa;" and immediately breathed his

last.

"Poor little negro! O, what eye

Can read thy tale, and still be dry?

Thy pangs were great; but thou art blest,
Resting in peace on Jesu's breast."

THINGS WORTH KNOWING.

VALUE OF LABOUR.-It has been estimated that cast-iron, worth in its unworked state £1 sterling, is worth when converted by labour into ordinary machinery, £4; larger ornamented work, £45; buckles and Berlin work, £660; neck-chains, £1,386; shirt buttons, £5,896. Bar-iron, worth £1 sterling, when made into knives is worth £36; needles, £71; penknife blades, £957; balance-springs of watches, £5,000.

THE EARTH'S JOURNEY.-In winter we are nearest the sun, and in summer furthest from it; for the difference in the seasons is not occasioned by the greater or less distance of the earth from the sun, but by the more or less oblique direction of the sun's rays. The length of the path travelled over by the earth is estimated at 567,019,740 miles; and as this immense distance is passed over in a year, the earth must move seventeen miles a second.

HASTY people drink the wine of life scalding hot. -Where hard work kills ten men, idleness kills a hundred.-Folly and pride walk side by side.-True friends and photographs never flatter.

THE CHILD'S INQUIRY.

"I LOVE the little stars, mamma,
That shine so clear and bright,
And long for night to come, to see
Their pretty twinkling light.

But when at school the other day
I heard the master tell

That each one is a world like this,
Where men and women dwell;

That there are trees and flowers and fields,
Mountains and rivers too;

I wished so he would tell us more,
Then thought I would ask you.''
"My darling child, I cannot tell,
For none can truly know;
Let us be thankful that we dwell
Here in this world below.

'Twas to this world the Saviour came,

For sinful man to die;

'Twas here they dared, with scorn and shame, God's Son to crucify.

'Twas here they little children brought,

And Jesus said with love

'Forbid them not, for such as these

For ever dwell above.'

The stars are beautiful to see;

If they are worlds or not,
We care not, for we know this is
The highly-favoured spot.

And oh to think what joy is ours,
When gazing on the sky,

If we've a hope that we shall dwell
Beyond them when we die."

PHOEBE M.

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BRIEF MEMOIR OF SARAH WEST. SARAH WEST was born November 9, 1851, and at the age of two years was placed as a scholar in the day-school that stands in connection with the Sundayschool assembling at Zoar Chapel, in the village of Milton, in Oxfordshire.

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