the pit wherein is no water" (Zech. ix. 11). "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out "" (John vi. 37). "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely' (Rev. xxii. 17).

MOURNING DRESS.

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HEN or whence did it arise, that when one dies and goes to heaven, all the family should shroud themselves in deepest black, and the women be the especial victims ? Somewhere the custom must have arisen, since the days of our ancestors-the Saxons, or the Picts and Scots, whose only clothing was painted on! Is it going further, or will there be some resistance and a return to the right way? Some women spend half their lives under crape, a sort of self-imposed penance, hot, heavy, unwholesome. Men may wear a badge of mourning for a time, and then resume light clothes and yellow gloves. And very few dare to brave Mrs. Grundy, and follow out their convictions by refusing to yield to this absurd demand of custom. We think it is growing worse and worse. A family will wear crape three years, and black dresses three years more, for a mother who went straight to heaven, and who would say to them, "Mourn not for me." And so strong is the force of example that some one else must do the same, or it shows a want of feeling." Now it is no small thing to take away so much that is bright and cheerful in one's surroundings for so many years of life, and submit to a dress hot, heavy, and inconvenient. There is but one life to live. Why spoil that? The whole is a foolish, wasteful, and wicked expense, and is often a burden that can ill be borne by those who can by no means afford it, and yet dare not ignore a custom. It is for those who have money and common-sense to set the example and oppose so senseless a fashion. Some individuals have independence. Precisely what can be done by concerted action we do not see. The country is overrun now with committees, societies, organizations, clubs, and associations. We can't afford any more, if there be any other way. It is one of those cases in which individually a great many are right, and collectively they all go wrong. It is no time to get up extra moral courage under the shock of deep affliction. But one gets so weary of the mockery and semblance of woe, crape, flowers, and gay mourning. Can't men help women out of this bondage by suggesting some badge of mourning which shall say, like the band on a man's hat, "I have lost a friend"? As it is, in many cases, the dress is a greater trial than the loss. It is a mere custom; for some nations wear yellow, and some scarlet or blue, which mean just as much, and are more sensible and less burdensome.-H. Ward Beecher.

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OT a drop more down John Brown's throat," said a man, to his friend and neighbour. "Shall I tell ye how I came to say that first? It was a Sunday morning, and, for a wonder, I was sober, when a neighbour ran in, her face as white as a sheet, 'Oh Brown, isn't it awful? Old Billy Kershaw and his wife are both dead!'

"Dead!' said I, shaking all over, 'why I had a glass of ale with 'em last night at the Chequers!'

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"Yes, well they came away about midnight, the worse for beer; the night was stormy, and the road slippery; they were both found lying on the road, on their faces, in a heap of mud-smothered!' "Oh!' I cried, 'don't tell me no more, it might ha' been me!' "Well, yes,' said my neighbour, 't'was the beer as did it.' "All the morning I was like one stunned. I kept on fancying I saw the corpses lying on the road, and the words, "Twas the beer as did it,' rang in my ears. I'd no heart for anything. In the evening I lounged into a chapel, and the minister spoke of poor old Kershaw and his wife, and he said that no drunkard could enter heaven. 'Not a drop more down John Brown's throat,' I thought. But he went on to say, that many another sin, yes, even the smallest, would shut a man out of heaven; that we must have a new heart, washed in the blood of Jesus, and filled with the Spirit

of Jesus. 'Well,' I thought, 'this is just what I want.' I came to the Saviour, I asked Him to forgive me for my drunkenness, and all my sins, and He has. So, to this day, I've stuck to my promise, 'Not a drop more down John Brown's throat;' and what's better, I've found Jesus."

M

PARENTAL AUTHORITY.

UCH has been said upon the duty of parents, particulary within the last few years. Theories have been advanced, and rules given, which, if practised, would undoubtedly result in good. But, after all, that which is of the first importance-the beginning and end of a parent's duty, the very essence of all moral training, is-To secure implicit and prompt obedience. Upon this point there can scarcely be too much said. The mind, from early infancy, evinces a selfwill. That will must be subdued. Let there be ever so much instruction, reasoning, or anything else, unless this first work is accomplished, all is in vain. That child is not "trained in the way in which he should go" who is not taught to obey, promptly, cheerfully, fully-without any parleying or excuses. Mother, beware! there is a demon lurking within the bosom of your child, which, if not expelled, sooner or later will prove its ruin. The indomitable will, if unrestrained, will continually gather strength, until, like the rushing torrent, it will impetuously carry everything within its way. But let it be early controlled-let the child be made to yield uncompromisingly to the parents, and it has learned the first lesson in religion-it has "Submit to me," taken the first step in holiness, toward heaven. says the parent. The command is enforced, and an entire, continued, and willing obedience is the result. "Submit to My requirements," saith God in after-years, and that same child yields and is a humble Christian. It is the prerogative of the parent to place commands and restrictions before his children, without at all times offering a reason for so doing. Thus the Sovereign of the universe deals with His children. Although at times he walks in darkness, and sees not a reason for the course which he is called to pursue, the child of God feels that it is his duty to obey, and the will of his heavenly Father is his constant rule of action. Be then firm, Christian parent,―unyielding-never waver with regard to this plain duty. The great adversary will be sure to substitute something else in its place, and turn you away from it if possible. But God, who hath promised grace for every time of need, will most certainly aid in accomplishing a work so entirely in accordance with His own will and pleasure. Abraham "commanded his household after him," and merited the approbation of his Maker; while Eli "restrained not his sons," and the fearful result is made known to us.

GOING TO SCHOOL.

(CHILDREN'S PAGE.)

HEN mother sends me off to school,
I must not stop to play,
Or stand about to chat and laugh,
Or loiter on the way:

But I must hasten onwards,

'Tis better far to wait

A little while, than run the risk
Of ever being late.

And when at last I am in school,
And lessons have begun,
Then I must try with all my might
To do them well, each one.
When teacher is not near me,
Or turns her head away,
Then I must still sit quietly,
And must not talk or play.

I must not look about, or stare ;
Nor must I ever try

To make the others talk and laugh,
But wait till by-and-by:

I shall enjoymy playtime
If lessons are well done;

But those who will not try to work
Deserve no play or fun.

For when I do my very best,
And cheerfully obey

My parents, and my teachers too,
And try, through all the day,
"To do my duty in that state
Of life" in which I stand,

I do what God would have me do,
And follow His command.

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If ye know these things, happy

are ye if ye do them.

John xiii. 17.

HINTS FOR THE HOUSEHOLD.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

Family Friend (Partridge & Co.); Children's Treasury (Book Society); Home Visitor (Hunt & Co.); The People's Magazine (Christian Knowledge Society); The Christian (Morgan & Chase); The Cottager (Religious Tract Society); Jesus Only (Shaw & Son).