upon the seat, and laid his head in her lap, keeping very still all through the service, excepting twice when some one tiptoed in, in a stealthy manner, when he uttered low growls of disapprobation. Evidently he had had a religious "bringing up." Not by a Methodist, however, for they sometimes shout, and he never did. Not by a Presbyterian, for they don't growl, and he always did when he was displeased. We thought it must have been a Quaker, for he always went to "meeting," but never spoke unless "the spirit moved him.” He had some Methodist habits though, for after church he sat up on the seat, and shook hands with every one who offered that courtesy. 'Nights he slept on the mat outside of the door, and when we would hear his heavy body come down with a thud on the piazza floor, we had a wonderful sense of security. Twice he was greatly disturbed, by whom we never knew, but he stood his ground, and we were unharmed. All through those two weeks he watched over us with the most untiring devotion, taking no time for sport of any kind that would take him out of our sight. When at last the bolts were all drawn, the key turned in the last door, and we seated in the carriage that was to carry us to the railroad station, Bunch stood at the gate and "wagged" us a final good-bye, his great benevolent looking eyes seeming to say, "My mission is ended." He trotted away in an opposite direction from ours, and we never saw him again.' 'O, that was too bad. Where do you suppose he came from, auntie ?' 'Ask your cousin. She will tell you that she thinks our heavenly Father sent him to watch over us while we were alone, and I am inclined to think so myself.' 'Thank you, auntie, for the story. I always like true stories.' THE BETTER CHOICE. Ir is said that a Quaker residing in Paris was waited on by four of his workmen in order to make their compliments, and receive their usual New Year's gifts. 'Well, my friends,' said the Quaker, 'here are your gifts; choose fifteen francs, or the Bible.' 'I don't know how to read,' said the first, so I take the fifteen francs.' 'I can read,' said the second, but I have pressing wants.' He took the fifteen francs; the third also made the same choice. He now came to the fourth, a young lad of about thirteen or fourteen. The Quaker looked at him with an air of goodness and said: 'Will you, too, take these three pieces as a gift, and which you may obtain at any time by your labour and industry?' " As you say the book is good, I will take it, and read from it to my mother,' replied the boy. He took the Bible, opened it to look at it, when he found between the leaves a gold piece of forty francs. The others hung down their heads, and the Quaker told them he was sorry they had not made a better choice. This young lad had, indeed, not only made a better choice' in securing the precious Bible as a lamp to his feet and a guide to holiness, but also proved that those who are eager for the things of this world-grasping for money-may lose far greater good than they imagine. For our heavenly Father, as that good Quaker, oftentimes adds innumerable blessings to godliness; or makes one rich with a contented spirit here, and a glorious hope of eternal life hereafter. While those who alone seek for riches-the bread that perisheth-may lose all here and hereafter. A NOTED TREE. Ir is not a very great, nor yet a very beautiful tree, but it is much visited and much talked of, for beneath its spreading limbs a great and good man told the story of the cross for the last time, in those wonderful open-air meetings in England in Wesley's time. It was John Wesley himself, who, in his old age, when most men, after a life of such active service, would have felt themselves justly entitled to rest, preached to a great crowd under this tree in the churchyard of the little town of Winchelsea. It proved to be his last out-door sermon, and for this reason the tree is spoken of to this day as Wesley's Tree.' But were there not plenty of churches in England in those days? Yes, more than were filled, for great numbers of people would not visit the churches, To such Wesley and the good men whom God raised up to be his helpers, went declaring the good news of life and love through a crucified Saviour, and many who heard believed, and began living good and true lives. John Wesley loved people with something of the love that the Lord has for them. He was willing to give his life that he might show them the Lord's love. Most men think that life is not worth much without ease, rest, and worldly comforts. Mr. Wesley gladly gave these up, and many times faced death for his dear Lord's sake. In his old age, even, he made long tours of visitation, often taking his breakfast at three o'clock in the morning, and entering his carriage at four. He would say to his coachman 'Have the carriage at the door at four o'clock; I do not mean a quarter or five minutes past, but four.' During his last visit to his societies he preached eighty sermons in eight weeks, besides a vast amount of other labour ! It is no wonder that men turn aside to look upon the spots once made sacred by his presence! It is not so common a thing for a man to really leave all and follow Jesus, in a life of such unceasing service that the world can see it, and not wonder. And yet it is not the privilege of a favoured few only. The boy who reads this little sketch to-day may be just as earnest and tireless a worker for Jesus as was Mr. Wesley, if he only will! O that an army of boys might rise up to follow in his footsteps! A NEW KEY. 'AUNTY,' said a little girl, 'I believe I have found a new key to unlock people's hearts and make them so willing; for you know, aunty, God took my father and mother, and they want people to be kind to the poor little daughter.' 'What is the key?' asked aunty. 'It is only one little word--guess what!' guesser. But aunty was no "It is "please!"' said the child; aunty, it is please. If I ask one of the great girls in school, "Please show me my parsing lesson !" she says, "O yes," and helps me. If I ask uncle, "Please," he says, "Yes, puss, if I can ;" and if I say, "Please, aunty 'What does aunty do?' asked aunty herself. 'Oh, you look and smile just like my mother, and that is best of all,' cried the little girl, throwing her arms around aunty's neck with a tear in her eye. Perhaps other children would like to know about this key; and I hope they will use it also; for there is great power in the small, kind courtesies of life. A CHILD'S KISS. A SWEET little incident is related by a writer, who says, 'I asked a little child, not long ago, "Have you called your grandma to tea?" "Yes, when I went to call her she was asleep, and I didn't know how to wake her. I didn't wish to holla at grandma, nor shake her; so I kissed her on the cheek, and that woke her very softly. Then I went into the hall, and said pretty loud, "Grandma, tea is ready," and she never knew what woke her.' THE EVENING PRAYER. Thy hand has led us all the day, Wilt Thou forgive, O dearest Lord, The naughty word, or thought that stirred We want to be all pure and good, Bless mamma, papa, all we love, And while we live, dear Jesus, keep At home, abroad, awake, asleep, In Thy arms hold us still. 'IF.' By One of the Authors of 'Poems Written for a Child." Clever little creeping thing!- And would let it out again! If I were a yellow wasp Buzzing on a summer breeze, As I should not sting at all If I were a little child (As most probably I am), Always smiling, neat, and clean; And as happy as a queen! THOMAS DANKS, Printer, Crane Court, Fleet Street, London, E.C. |