and pages of reading, and then lay it aside, and then perhaps murmur that another number is not ready. So it is with many of the blessings of life, such as the grass of the meadow, the wild flowers of the wood, the fruit of the orchard, and the pure breezes of summer. They become such a "matter of course" with a healthful child who has never been debarred their enjoyment, that the source of so much good is apt to be forgotten. Let us just see, for a few moments, how this monthly supply of food for mind and heart is prepared.

Even before the work of the editors commences, the paper must be manufactured and purchased. Then, many hours of busy thought are spent by the writers in thinking what to say, and how to say, that which will at the same time please and teach the young. When this is done, the editors send the "copy" or what has been written, to the printer. Soon the typesetters are picking up each little metal letter until all the "matter," or the copy put into type, is set, and arranged in pages. Then a mould of each of the pages is taken in plaster-of-paris, or in a kind of pulp; next liquid metal is poured into the mould, and a stereotype plate is thus formed. Another stage is to lay it on the printing machine, and the machine men and boys take their places. And rapidly go round the straps and wheels, and copy after copy, at the rate of 1000 in an hour, is printed.

Then men take the printed sheets, and pass them through a process of drying and pressing. When this is done, they are carried to the folders, who fold each sheet into the form of a little book, round which they stitch the printed yellow cover. Soon they pass to Pater

noster Row, from which place they are distributed all over the land. As each copy of the magazine is handled many times before it is completed, and as more than one hundred thousand copies are printed every month, you need not be told that many men, women, and boys are busy from morning till night working for you.

"But you have said nothing about the pictures," we hear a young reader say. We could fill many pages, should we tell you all about this matter. First, there is an artist, who sketches with a pencil the scene he wishes to give you, upon a block of box-wood, which wood is brought from a foreign country for the express purpose. Then an engraver sits hour after hour looking through a magnifying glass, and cutting out parts of the picture with a small instrument, until he has made it as perfect as he can, when it is ready for printing. These engravings cost a large sum of money.

All this work, and far more, which we have no time to tell you of, and which you could hardly understand, is spent in preparing this magazine for your hands. Forty years ago, and there was no such magazine, nor anything like to it, no not one, for young people. Forget not, then, when you read its instructions and enjoy its illustrations, to thank God for putting it into the hearts of men to give you such a great blessing. Remember, too, how many men, women, and boys are spending their time, talent, and bodily strength in trying to make you happy and good. Let the lesson taught be well heeded; "for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."

LITTLE GIRLS IN SYRIA.

A LADY in Syria thus writes home to children.

My dear little Sisters,-We are now living in a mud house in a village, on Mount Lebanon, in Syria. The people here belong to the Greek church, and call themselves Christians, and say they love the Saviour.

Yet they do not really know the Saviour; they worship the virgin Mary, and St. George, and many other saints. The children are taught by the priests, that the virgin Mary can intercede with God, and so they pray to her. And when they go to sleep at night, they do not pray, "Our Father, which art in heaven," but they say: "Oh! virgin Mary, save me! Oh, mother of God, have mercy on me!"

The little girls in this land of Syria are not so happy as you are, for their fathers and mothers do not love them as they do their sons. When your little sister was born, did your mother weep and curse her; and did your father become very angry because God had sent a baby daughter to the family? No! Your mother took care of the tender child, and your father always gently kissed her and loved her. In this country, people wail and mourn if a little daughter is sent to them; but if a son be born they greatly rejoice. The little girls are very badly treated here. They are not taught to read; they are beaten and cursed by their parents and brothers, and made to carry burdens, and do many hard things. In a country where the people are true Christians, they do not despise women and girls. How much do we owe to the Gospel! Will you not do all you can to give the word of God to these poor Syrian girls?

THE PICTURE GALLERY.*

A PICTURE gallery is a room filled with paintings, which have cost large sums of money, and are preserved with great care. Perhaps you would like to visit such a place. Well, if you cannot do that at this time, we invite you to look into a little picture gallery of your own. You will find in it some pictures full of sunshine; though there may be others which are gloomy and dark, and which will only awaken sad thoughts in your mind.

Let us first look on one of a cheerful kind. It is evening, and the setting sun casts its golden light through a parlour window. In that room a little child is asleep in its cot. By the side is a mother, with her eyes fixed on her dear boy, and her hands clasped as if in prayer. Yes, she is praying that Jesus, the good Shepherd, would make her child one of his own dear lambs, and guard and guide him safely to heaven. As she looks on him, the warm tears fall on his face, and as he wakes he hears the soft words of his mother's prayer.

If you

Have you seen such a picture as this? have, let it hang in the gallery. It is of more value than the best painting in the world. Keep it as long as life shall last. Never forget your mother's love.

A little girl is seated by her father's side in a garden. Sweet roses hang in clusters on the trees,

From "LEAFLETS FOR THE YOUNG," just published by the Religious Tract Society.