LET THE LITTLE ONES COME UNTO ME.

Lines dedicated upon a little boy who departed this life, leaving a testimony behind him for all to sing Jesus, Aged two years and two months.

LIKE a wee timid birdie flown back to its nest,
Our darling hath entered the fold of the blest,
With Christ the Good Shepherd, for ever to be,
Who said, "Let the little ones come unto Me."

O, bud of bright promise! so timelessly torn,
From the strong parent stem in thy life's dewy morn,
How fain would affection have lavished her store,
To ward off the summons she lives to deplore.

And yet all is well, for we know that in love
Our dear one is taken to mansions above,
To be with the Saviour and aid the glad throng
In swelling eternity's rapturous song.

Sweet child of two summers, we bid thee farewell!
Though grief for a season our bosoms may swell,
We hope to rejoin thee one day in the skies,
Where youth never sickens, and age never dies.

EARNEST JOE.

LISTEN, boys, and I will tell

What I learned when young as you.

Would I other boys excel,

This advice I must pursue:

Always try to do your best,

Whether in your work or play;

Earnest be, and never rest

Till you win the well-fought day.

Lazy Ned, that has no care
Whether he succeeds or no,
Never can expect to share

Honours gained by Earnest Joe.
Listless Tom, who puts no heart

Into sports upon the field,
Only knows the joys in part

Which the game to others yield.

Is a thing worth doing, boys?
Do your best and do it well;
He who all his powers employs,
Persevering, must excel.
Listless Tom will ne'er succeed,
Lazy Ned will never rise,
Earnest Joe will keep the lead,
He's the boy to take the prize.

A CHILD'S PRAYER.
LORD, teach a little child to pray;
Thy grace betimes impart,
And grant Thy Holy Spirit may
Renew my infant heart.

For Christ can all my sins forgive,
And wash away their stain,
And fit my soul with Him to live,
And in His kingdom reign.

To Him let little children come,
For He hath said they may;
His bosom then shall be their home,
Their tears He'll wipe away.

For all who early seek His face
Shall surely taste His love;
Jesus shall guide them by His grace,
To dwell with Him above.

DO RIGHT, SPEAK TRUTH.

CHILDREN who read my lay,
This much I have to say;
Each day and every day,

Do what is right;
Right things in great and small,
Then, though the sky should fall,
Sun, moon, and stars, and all,

You shall have light.

This further I would say:
Be tempted as you may,
Each day and every day,

Speak what is true;
True things in great and small,
Then, though the sky should fall,
Sun, moon, and stars, and all,
Heaven would shine through.

PRINTED BY THOMAS DANKS, CRANE COURT, FLEET STREET, LONDON.

LONDON RALPH FENWICK, 6, SUTTON STREET, COMMERCIAL ROAD, E. PRICE ONE HALF-PENNY.

THE MOURNING LETTER.

MR. MARTIN, the master of the Seminary, handed Adah the letter with some misgiving. Its broad black edges had led him to surmise it contained bad news, and the serious face with which he handed it to her, so unlike his usual cheerful look, made her almost start. "Oh, what's the matter, Mr. Martin?" she exclaimed, in quite an excited tone. "I don't know, Miss Adah," he replied, "but I was just a little afraid the letter might contain bad news. I hope my fears are groundless." By this time Adah had torn it open, and, glancing at the contents, she burst into tears, saying in tones that were choked by her sobbing, "Oh, my mamma! my sweet mamma! I shall never see her again," and she sank back on the garden-seat quite overcome with the sad news of her mother's death. The next day Adah was hurrying down from London by express train to attend the funeral.

THE FOX AND THE RABBITS.

A FABLE.

A Fox had made his escape from the huntsmen and the hounds, and determined to find for himself a safe retreat on the borders of a forest, where the underwood was so thick and tangled as to be dangerous for horsemen.

"Here," quoth Reynard, "I may live very peacefully, without having my ears disturbed by the huntsman's horn, or if I hear it, I can fly to my den, and almost defy my pursuers. How sad it is that, instead of leaving me to live in comfort, there should be a perpetual warfare going on between our race and man. However, the ill feeling shall not begin on my side; all I want to do is to make a home for myself where I shall not be disturbed."

So saying, the fox set to work, and soon made for himself a comfortable abode, having completed which he laid himself down to sleep, in order that he might get rested after his labours.

Now a little farther in the forest were some patches of fine green grass, and a tiny brook, upon whose banks grew wild thyme and clover, and the softest moss, and on the bank a large grey rabbit was sitting. He was evidently the head of a colony of rabbits, and had quite a sage and venerable air.

"Ah," said he, "what a fortunate thing it is that I have found so

quiet a spot for myself and my sons and daughters, and my innumerable grandchildren and great-grandchildren! The step of man is seldom heard in this forest, and there are no cruel hawks about, or foxes, or even owls. Dogs are unknown here, and I see no reason why the rabbits should not be kings of the forest. The song-birds delight to see us frisk about, and we love to hear their sweet songs. Why should there be a perpetual warfare between creatures of different races?"

Then the old rabbit fell to eating the clover, and before long rabbits of all sizes came out of their burrows and frisked about in the sunshine.

Whilst they were thus enjoying themselves, the fox, who had awakened refreshed by his slumber, and felt exceedingly hungry, came out to see what chance of food there was in the land in which he had taken up his residence.

Following the course of the little streamlet he came suddenly upon the colony of rabbits.

"Capital," said he, tossing his head up; "I shall be well provided with food. As fine fat young rabbits as I ever saw anywhere, and doubtless exceedingly tender."

And he stole along as noiselessly as possible, keeping well amongst the bushes. But carefully as he came, the timid rabbits pricked up their ears, and looked to see who the intruder might be. Upon catching sight of the fox they at once fled to their holes, with the exception of the old rabbit, who moved to a distance, and to a point whence he knew he could make his escape in case of need.

But the fox had no particular desire to make a meal of the ancient grandfather of the settlement when there were so many delicious young animals to be had by a little contrivance.

"Halt! let us have a parley," exclaimed he to the grey rabbit.

"Keep well away on the other side of the stream," returned the rabbit, "for I am not ashamed to say that I am a little afraid of you.”, "Wherefore so?" returned Reynard; "I came here hoping to live on terms of peace with the whole of creation. I came here to lead a quiet, pastoral life."

"Well," said the grey rabbit, "I and my family have settled here for the same purpose; we don't want to do harm to any one."

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Why then," returned the fox, "I trust that we may be neigh