what may not be very pleasant to you may yet confer great good on others of our race. You may expect greater disappointments to cross your pathway, if spared many years, and my prayer is that the little Gleaners may, if God's holy will, have their hearts changed by divine grace; then shall that grace enable them to bear sorrows and disappointments becomingly, while the hope of sharing in thät change of which Willie read in Rev. xxi, shall sustain their spirit. God alone can do this great work for you, and prepare you to stand before His face with joy in that solemn day when this world and all that is therein shall pass away. May He grant you this blessing for Jesus' sake!

GOSSIP.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,—I have from time to time seen one or two good pieces in your valuable little book entitled THE LITTLE GLEANER on " Gossip." Having now by me a few verses on the same subject, I thought possibly, if sent to you, you might think them worthy of insertion in the next number.

It is now several months since you have given us a similar piece.

I am very sorry to say that, where I live, I do not see that former hints have had much effect, if any. I think one is prone to read such pieces with others in view, while reading: but how well it would be if each reader would put the question to him or herself, Do I answer to this description?—I remain, yours sincerely, A READER. MISCHIEF-MAKERS AND GOSSIPERS. OH, could there in this world be found Some little spot of happy ground Where village pleasures might go round Without the village tattling!

How doubly blest that place would be
Where all might dwell in liberty,
Free from the bitter misery

Of gossips' endless prattling !
If such a place were really known,
Dame Peace might claim it as her own,
And in it she might fix her throne

For ever and for ever,

Where, like a queen, might reign and live,
While every one would soon forgive
The little slights they might receive,
And be offended never.

'Tis mischief-makers that remove
Far from our hearts the warmth of love,
And lead our hearts to disapprove
What gives another pleasure.
They seem to take one's part-but when
They 've heard our cares, unkindly then
They soon retail them all again,

Mixed with their poisonous measure.
And then they've such a cunning way
Of telling ill-meant tales: they say,
Don't mention what I've said, I pray;
I would not tell another.

Straight to your neighbour's house they go,
Narrating every thing they know,
And break the peace of high and low-
Wife, husband, friend, and brother.

Oh, that the mischief-making crew
Were all reduced to one or two,
And they were painted red or blue,

That every one might know them
Then would our villagers forget
To rage and quarrel, fume and fret,
Or fall into an angry pet

With things so much below them.

For 'tis a sad degrading part
To make another's bosom smart,
And plant a dagger in the heart

We ought to love and cherish.
Then let us evermore be found
In quietness with all around,
While friendship's joys and peace abound,
And angry feelings perish.

A REMARKABLE ROYAL SPEECH. AT a recent meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society, His Highness the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh (heir to the throne of the Punjaub) delivered the following remarkable speech :

"I was a king, but my possessions were taken from me by your government. In early life, when I was but a little boy, the son of a Brahmin, himself a priest, was my tutor. In the course of his instruction I inquired of him what was the religion of the English: In answer to my inquiry he produced a Bible, and said, 'I will show you.' He then read Genesis i. and Matthew xxvii.. I was but a child, and I cried at the recital of the crucifixion. The impression then made upon my heart was, I believe, from the Spirit of God. I now stand before you as a Christian. In my case the truth of the Scriptures has been confirmed, that one shall be taken, and the other left'; for my tutor is still a heathen. I fear that many of you I see around me are neglecting that Bible you are seeking to send to others; but I hope that in future you will read it your selves."

CHARLOTTE GIFFORD AGED 17, YEARS. CHARLOTTE GIFFORD was born in the parish of Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex, September 30th, 1855. As she grew in childhood she evidenced a quiet, thoughtful disposition, and was a dutiful, obedient child,

ever ready to render help to her dear mother. She attended both the day and Sunday-schools connected with the Baptist Chapel here, was a diligent attendant, and upon the whole well-behaved, although no signs of grace appeared in her young heart. Being of a delicate constitution, it soon became apparent she was likely to fall a victim to that insidious disease, consumption, which was made manifest about two years since, when medical treatment was resorted to, and she became better for a time, but was quite laid aside early in May of the present year. Soon after this she became concerned about her soul. I regularly visited her from that time, and was pleased to see how the Holy Spirit appeared to be leading her on. Her love for the Divine Word was marked, and she would often say "Although I cannot enjoy it, yet I do love it." When alone her delight was to search the Word, particularly those portions which speak of the love of Jesus. And how eagerly she would watch for the approach of those who could tell her of Him; although not satisfied with hearing of Him merely, but anxious on every occasion that prayer should be offered to Him on her behalf. Her honesty too was visible to those of the Lord's people who visited her, fearing to say a word more than she felt, still being the subject of deep anxiety, which became more intense. But it was not until a few weeks before her death that she expressed herself as having a hope. On one occasion she said, "I have a hope, and have felt the promises a little sweet, but I do not feel certain. Oh, I want to feel certain that I am saved!" I replied, "I feel sure the Lord will manifest Himself to you." She answered, "That is not enough; I want to know it myself." I said, "You are not satisfied because others have confidence respecting your safety; but you want a word from the Lord, you want Him to

speak comfort to you." She responded emphatically, 66 Yes, oh yes, that is what I want." It having been suggested to her mother to procure some medicine to lull the pain and produce sleep, Charlotte refused, saying she would not like to take anything that would prevent her thinking about her soul, but would prefer to bear her pain and weakness.

On Lord's day afternoon, Oct. 13th, she appeared as usual in mind, but much weaker in body. During the evening great darkness came over her spirit; all hope seemed shut out, yea, she was almost in despair. The Word of God had been read, and prayer offered in her room, but as the conflict became sharper, prayer was again offered, but still deliverance was delayed. Having expressed a wish to see me, a messenger was accordingly sent, when just at that time the Lord poured into her wounded spirit the balm of consolation, by applying that precious portion of His own truth," The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Her terror fled, the heavy cloud vanished, and she exclaimed," I have the witness, I am happy now," &c. &c, Those present said they never beheld such a sudden change in so short a time, for her countenance, which just before had been so full of grief and sorrow, now became radiant with joy, and her weak frame seemed to possess new vigour. As soon as I entered the room, she gave me such a look as I shall not, I hope, soon forget. Her mother said, "Charlotte has some good news for you." I replied, "I see she has." Charlotte exclaimed," Yes, I am happy now, I have the witness, I have found Jesus, I know now I am going to heaven," her hitherto pale and emaciated countenance looking beautiful, and seeming to sparkle under the Divine rays of the Sun of Righteousness. She continued to enjoy much of the Lord's presence, and it was