effect, read a letter she had just received from a missionary friend in India, describing the attention with which the little native children received instruction; adding, however, that deceit and many evil practices were but too common among them at other times, and that when she read to them accounts from English books bearing on their faults, they seemed hardly to understand that white children had the same natures and temptations to contend with as themselves. "Yet,” she added, “all are alike born in sin, sprung from Adam, the first man who sinned against God; nor can any be renewed except through the second Adam, the Lord from heaven" (1 Cor. xv). Perhaps some who now seem far from God may be among those from the east and west who shall hereafter sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God, when others are cast out. The word, whether preached or written, will not profit any who may constantly hear it, unless it be mixed with faith in them; but if truly received, even the smallest portion may become the means of saving souls. "I have heard," said Miss Stone, "of a little boy who was out with other children picking berries, and, having no basket to put them in, he tore a leaf from one of his books, and chose for that purpose his Bible, because, as the largest, he thought he should best be able to spare a leaf out of it. When his playfellows had left him, he walked home by himself, eating his fruit slowly till he came to the last berry, which stuck to the paper just as he was going to throw the leaf away. A stain was left upon it, near to that passage in Isaiah liii. 5: He was wounded for our transgres sions,' and his attention being arrested, he read through the chapter, and the child was much touched by the account of the sufferings of Christ. He returned home sorrowful, and told his sister, after some time, what he had done, and asked her if God would forgive him for his sin in attempting to destroy a part of the Holy Bible. His sister comforted him by the invitations and promises contained in Isaiah lv., especially verse 7: Let the wicked forsake his way,' etc., and prayed with and for her brother, who afterwards became a faithful minister." We should never despair of any, even the most thoughtless; but how happy are those who early begin to work in the vineyard of the Lord. Look at Matt. v. 19. There is one mistake, however, that I must warn you against, respecting two texts, James i. 27; 1 Pet. iv. 8. The covering of sins here referred to, means the deliverance of the converted sinner from the guilt and power of sin, not the setting a sort of balance in our own favour. We must lay down al our works, whatever they be, at the foot of the cross: for our best righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we should cease from placing any dependence on them. Let Christ be the beginning and end of our faith. As all are sinners before God, all are invited to come to the Saviour. Wherever the influence of the gospel is felt there will be a happy change produced, however the outward circumstances may differ. Africaner and other heathen chiefs, from being cruel and oppressive, became mild and peaceable. Thus, "Lions and beasts of savage name Put on the nature of the lamb." May each of you ask and receive the same grace, subduing all your evil tempers and desires, and making you followers of God, as dear children, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven. A young woman of colour in North America was anxious to make a public profession of religion, but for some time the white Christians of the same congregation were unwilling that she should be with them at the Lord's table. When the minister was aware of this, he took her by the hand before them all, repeating these texts: "Whosoever will do the will of my Father in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother;" "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;" "There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." (Matt. xii: 50; 2 Cor. v. 17; Col. iii. 11). After these verses had been heard, no objection could be made, and the young negress lived to be an active and useful member of that church, and was the first sabbath-school teacher of the poor in that city. But the word of God is to some "" a savour of death unto death, to others of life unto life." (2 Cor. ii. 15.) It is compared to the rain (Deut. xxxii. 2), which, as Jewish writers say, includes the storm and driving tempest, as well as gentle refreshing showers. My dear children, in which of these ways do you desire to receive it ? The word of God means the way in which he makes himself known to us, especially the messages which holy men of old were inspired (or taught) to write (2 Pet. i. 21). This is the lamp (or lantern) to direct our paths, without which we must be left to walk in darkness. St. John uses the 'same expression, "the Word," to mean our Lord Jesus Christ, the messenger of his heavenly Father (John i. 14; 1 John v.7); but you will not find this the case with the other evangelists. "The word" spoken of by them means the doctrine which Christ spake, but always as something of the highest importance, which will not pass away, but will judge us at the last day. How solemn is the warning to those who are ashamed of avowing Christ and his words before men (Luke ix. 26). Not that you are to be forward in judging or condemning others, but seek to have your own principles firmly fixed on the true doctrines of Christ, and then yours is a joy which none can take from you, nor can the world ever offer anything to supply its place. And those who reject the Bible have no way of salvation provided for them; they sin against the remedy (Luke xvi. 31; Acts iv. 11). THE HAPPY BOY. A LITTLE boy, with rosy face, Whose heart had been renewed by grace, Was asked one day if he could tell "How great God was? Where he did dwell ?" Quick he replied, "Not all the sky, Nor all the shining worlds on high, |