tian graces brightened, and their classes would then become interesting. Then the Sabbath school would indeed become what it ought to be, the garden of the Lord.

J.

LETTER IV. TO THE CHILDREN IN THE EAST PARISH SABBATH SCHOOL, BOSCAWEN, N. H. Dear Children,—It is now four weeks since you received my last letter. During this time you have said a great many things. And have you, among other things, said any thing that was not true? I hope not. I suppose I am writing to those who tell the truth; and I write to persuade you never to say anything that you do not know to be true. You recollect I have told you two things about Charles : -that he told lies; and that it made him very unhappy. Do you wish to hear anything more about him? Well, I will tell you in this letter, one thing more that was wrong. It gives me pain to think that a little boy so young as Charles was, only three years and a half old,-should have done so many things that are wicked. And I should pass by them in writing to you, and tell you only what was lovely in his character, but I wish you to know all about him, and learn to avoid what was wicked, and imitate what was lovely.

Charles was not only unhappy, but he was angry with God, when he thought he would punish wicked children.

One night he waked up his aunt, by saying with great earnestness, 'You must not put the wicked boys in the fire? You shall not put the wicked boys in the fire!' His aunt asked him what he was saying? He replied; 'God will put the wicked boys in the great fire.' She told him, the boys must love God and be good, and then he would not put them in the fire, but would take them to live with him in heaven. But,' he replied, "if they be wicked, he will put them in the wicked place.'

Now, you know I suppose, that it must be very wrong to feel angry towards God; and can you think why Charles should feel so. I will tell you. He felt very much as I am afraid children sometimes feel toward their parents when they have disobeyed them. Instead of coming to their parents, with grief that they have disobeyed them, confess

ing their offence, and resolving never to disobey again, they feel angry with their parents, because they know they will punish them.-What would you think of the little boy that should disobey his mother who had always loved him and been kind to him; and then should get angry with her because she should try to make him a good boy by punishing him? You would think that he did not love his mother, but did love to disobey her. You would think he was a very wicked boy. Well, so it was with Charles. He had disobeyed God, his heavenly Father, who had always been kind to him. Had he loved God, he would have been sorry for his offence; and instead of being angry because God had threatened to punish him, he would have asked him to forgive him, and make him good. But at this time he loved to tell lies, better then he loved God.

THINGS FOR YOU TO REMEMBER.

And now, before I close this letter, I will tell you a few things which I wish you to remember. I have said something of the disobedient child; and I wish you to remember,

1. When you disobey your parents you disobey God. You recollect the command: Honor thy father and thy mother. Now when you disobey your father and mother, you dishonor them, and thus disobey God.

2. You should not be angry with your parents when they punish you for disobeying them, or for doing anything wrong. They have two reasons for punishing you, if they are Christian parents: (1) Because they love you; and (2) because they love God. They do not love to inflict pain upon you, but they wish to have you good children. Do you recollect what the wise man said, and said too, as he was moved by the Holy Ghost? It is this. He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him, chasteneth him betimes. So when your parents punish you for doing wrong, it is because they love you. And if they love God as they ought, they cannot see you disobey him, by disobeying them, without using every means to pre

vent it.

3. You should not feel angry with God when you read how he will punish the wicked. God has threatened this dreadful punishment, because he loves you. He has done

it to warn you against sin, and prevent your being wicked. You should therefore,

4. Repent of sin;-of all that you have done or said that is wrong, and go to him in prayer and ask him to forgive you. Learn to love God, and be good children; and then you need not fear punishment, either from your parents or from God. If any of you are so young as not to know what repentance means, you can ask your teacher or your parents. In another letter I will tell you how Charles repented. Your friend,

C. B. K.

CONFESSION BRINGS PEACE OF MIND.

As the scholars were retiring from school, some three or four little boys rushed to the Library and were about changing their books. This is contrary to the rules of the school. The Librarian forbid it, and gave them the reason. Being sensible of their error, they all immediately retired with cheerfulness, excepting a little, white-headed boy, who, by the sad expression of his countenance, and the peculiarly unhappy screw of his mouth, as he looked at his friend, gave evidence of a heart that was not right.

As the bell was calling the worshipers to the Sanctuary, John, standing on the threshold of that holy place, was heard to say, I will change my book.' He undoubtedly had forgotten that the eye of God was fixed intently on him; and that the recording angel was writing in the great book of remembrance, his words, thoughts, and feelings. Alas! he did not think of God!

It was with feelings of deep regret the Librarian thought on what had passed. On the next Sabbath mention of it was made to his affectionate father. Undoubtedly a father's feelings yearned over his little son. Could he forget it? Could he let this little affair pass by unnoticed? It was in the door of the Sanctuary that I caught the happy, sparkling eye of little John. He looked earnestly in my face and said, 'will you forgive me?' I well knew what he meant. I replied, yes. Our hearts were one. That angry look had flown, a happy smile played on his countenance, and peace of mind beamed from his eye.

Now who can tell the infinite good probably accomplish

ed, by this act of confession and manly resistance against sin. For aught we know, it may be the saving of his soul. Though perhaps prompted to do it by his parents, yet, this act of overcoming sin, this upper hand of a wicked action, may have been the foundation of a good work, which eternity alone can fully develope!

It is here that parents are often the destroyers of the souls of their children; simply by overlooking sinful acts, and passing by unheeded, the developments of unholy propensities in their offspring.

May God make this incident a blessing to every scholar. Know, dear children, that your disposition and temper are formed in tender years-cultivate then, while young, the spirit of the meek and lowly Savior. If overtaken in a fault, confess and forsake it, and seek forgiveness. Sincere confession always brings peace of mind. A LIBRARIAN.

WHO MAKES US TO DIFFER?

ONE of the Secretaries, at the missionary Rooms, has kindly favored us with two July Nos. of the Plilanthropist, a paper published at Calcutta, from which we make the following extract.

'In consequence of the great distress to which multitudes of families have been reduced by famine, in some of the upper Provinces, the sale and purchase of children has been carried on to a great extent. Parents have sold their children where they could find purchasers, at from two to four Rs. each. Many have been carried into the kingdom of Oude and sold there; and in Bundulkund thousands have been sold within the last few months, and hundreds eaten by their starving parents!'

A FACT FOR MATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS. THE Maternal Association in P- has been organized six or eight years, during which time 6 or 8 children of these mothers who have passed the age of infancy, have died. All of them have left their bereaved parents the unspeakable alleviation to their sorrows, that they died in the Lord. The connection which that Association may have had with the piety and happy deaths of these children, may never be known in this

world; but this fact should encourage and comfort those mothers who are thus associated in laboring for the salvation of their offspring.

FACTS IN THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF FIFTY THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS.

A friend has recently furnished us with the subjoined interesting facts connected with the religious history of the members of Bangor Theological Seminary. Cannot a communication of equal interest be furnished from Andover?

Of fifty students connected with this seminary, Twenty-two had pious Fathers.

Thirty-two had pious Mothers.

Thirty-eight were hopefully converted in Sabbath schools.

Thirty-seven

Two were sceptics.

Forty-eight were nominal Believers.

66

One became hopefully pious at the age of

in Revivals.

14.

Since this was prepared for the press, we have seen the same facts in the Ch. Mirror.-Ed.

GOLDEN SENTENCES.

THE Scriptures were written, not to gratify our curiosity and make us astronomers, but to lead us to God and make us saints.

The Bible is the king's best copy, the magistrate's best rule, the housewife's best guide, the servant's best directory, and the young man's best companion.