in distress; and he immediately ordered the steamer to make all possible dispatch towards the boat, and made every necessary preparation to render assistance. On nearing the boat, a little boy was plainly seen, using an almost expiring effort to keep it in the direction of the steamer, which was soon upon the boat. A rope was immediately thrown out, which the lad seized with a convulsive effort, the boat being at the same time held on by a seaman. To describe the scene when the boat was alongside the steamer, is impossible-it was most heartrending. There sat a little boy, twelve years of age, the boat having in it six inches depth of water, and the youth almost in a state of nudity, without shoes or stockings, cold and emaciatedindeed, all but dead. When on board the steamer, he was immediately conveyed to bed, and Mr. Sigston, surgeon, who was a passenger, took him under his especial care. When the vessel arrived at Douglas, the little fellow was given into the charge of the town surgeon, and has since been doing well. It turned out that the lad, whose name is Barney Smith, had, along with several other lads about his own age, got into the boat on Saturday evening, when it was anchored on the Douglas sands, when the other lads leaped out of the boat, took up the anchor, and pushed poor Barney off to sea. They at once discovered the mischief they had done; and, being afraid of the consequences,

ran away and did not mention the circumstance. Poor Barney was consequently drifted out to sea, and had remained afloat from the Saturday till the time when he was providentially taken up by the steamer, at four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, a space of three days and three nights. He had a small quantity of meal, and a little bread in a bag, of which he states he did not eat, as his thirst was so intolerable, and his mouth so dry and parched, that he could not swallow it. He had only had salt water to drink, which increased his thirst, and he fancies that he slept one whole night and day. There can be no doubt that he had a most miraculous deliverance, as, early on Sunday morning, and during Monday, he would have to encounter a very severe gale, and consequent heavy sea.-Carlisle Patriot.

CHISTIAN SELF DEVOTION.

WE scarcely ever heard of a more noble instance of self devotion than the following, of a poor miner in Cornwall. He appears to have been a humble Christian. Blessed Religion! which prepares its subjects for death, in its most sudden and awful forms. Alike prepared for life or death, the humble believer in Jesus can "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Can the reader of this say so?

say,

A few weeks ago, two miners, Verran and

Roberts, were at work in South Caradon new shaft. The present depth is about ten fathoms, and they had prepared a hole for blasting, the fuse inserted, tamped up, and all ready for firing. On these occasions the men are drawn up by a windlass, and as there are only three in a corp, there is only one man at the brace, and he can only draw up one at a time; consequently, after the whole is ready, one man is drawn up, and the kibble lowered to receive the last man, who has to put fire to the fuse, and then both men at the windlass draw him up with the utmost speed, in order that all may get out of the way when the explosion takes place, which is sometimes so violent that large stones are thrown up at the top, carrying with them part of the roller and windlass to a considerable height. It unfortunately happened that, as the safety fuse with which the hole was charged was longer than was necessary, they inconsiderately took a sharp stone to cut a piece of it off, and ignition instantaneously commenced ! They both flew to the kibble, and cried out to the man at the brace to "wind up;" but alas! after trying with all his might, he could not start them. At this awful moment (while the furious hissing of the fuse assured them that their destruction was within half a minute's march of them) Verran sprang out of the kibble, exclaiming to his comrade, Roberts, "Go on, brother, I shall be in heaven in a minute !"—

consequently, Roberts was drawn up, and Verran threw himself down, and placed his poor devoted head under a piece of plank in one corner of the shaft, awaiting the moment when he should be blown to atoms. Just as Roberts got to the brace, and was looking down with trembling apprehension on the fate of poor Verran, the whole went off with a tremendous explosion, and a small stone struck Roberts severely on the forehead as he was looking down the shaft. To the inexpressible surprise and joy of the men at the brace, they heard Verran cry out, "Don't be afraid, I am not hurt!" Roberts immediately descended, and found that the great burden of the blast was thrown in every part of the shaft except the corner where poor Verran was coiled up! This extraordinary circumstance has produced a considerable sensation throughout the district. Not only do they view the escape as a miraculous interposition of Divine Providence, but the conduct of Verran as a noble instance of what a real Christian will do in the moment of extremity.-Mining Journal.

THE SNOW.

MARY.

COME Henry, look at yonder snow,
So white o'er all the ground,
And see how many thousand flakes
Are falling all around!

HENRY.

Yes, Mary, and how nice it looks,
I often wish 'twas sweet;

I've very often tasted it,

But 'tis not good to eat.

MARY.

To eat! God gave it, you should know,
To cheer and warm the ground;
And when you're looking at the snow,
Just call his word to mind.

"O come," saith the great God," to me, And let us reason now;

And though your sins as scarlet be,
They shall be white as snow."

HENRY.

Yes, sister, but pray will you state
How we talk with the Lord?

MARY.

Why, you must read, and meditate
On his most holy word.

There you will find that Jesus' blood
Can cleanse their souls from sin,
Who, by his Spirit and his word,

Believe and trust therein.