THE FAITHFUL DOG.

A GENTLEMAN connected with the Newfoundland fishery owned a faithful dog. On one occasion, a boat and crew in his employ were in a state of great danger just outside a line of breakers, which, owing to a change in the wind since the departure of the boat, rendered the return passage very perilous. The people on shore were quite unable to render any help to their friends afloat, though every minute added to their danger. The dog looked on for some time, as if quite aware of there being great cause for anxiety in all around him. At a spring he threw himself into the water, and swam with all haste to the boat. The crew, supposing he wished to join them, made many attempts to help him on board; but he seemed resolved to swim around, keeping, however, very near the boat. After a while one of the crew seemed to guess his meaning, and shouted, "Give him the end of a rope; that's what he wants." This was done; the dog at once made straight for the shore, to which in a few minutes, directed by the kind providence of God, the boat and its crew were brought in safety.

We may glance here at another similar fact. A gentleman was at a bathing-place, and, having one morning ventured too far into the sea, was in great danger of being drowned. His two daughters tried to send out a boat to his assistance; but the boatmen, taking advantage of the alarm of these young ladies, demanded a large amount of money. During this conversation the gentleman was in great peril, and ready to sink. Suddenly a Newfoundland dog, which

had never before seen these persons, made his appearance, sprang into the water, and succeeded in safely bringing the gentleman ashore.

The gentleman thus delivered, at once purchased the dog. He had a beautiful picture representing the scene, painted and engraved, and presented each of his friends with a copy of it.

Who, then, would not be kind to that faithful creature, the dog?

BIBLE LESSONS.

CHAPTER V.-WHAT CAN CHILDREN DO FOR GOD?

THE subject of the last lesson had been frequently talked over, and many questions were asked among little Harriet's schoolfellows as to the manner in which the Scriptures were first written and read. In books of Jewish customs, pictures of ancient rolls etc., were found, and the arrangement of the different parts of the Bible was frequently talked over. Miss Stone told the young people that it was generally supposed that Ezra had arranged the Old Testament in its present form. It was also considered that he was the writer of Psalm cxix., from which the excellent Philip Henry advised his children to learn a verse every morning by heart, and so go through the whole twice a year; "for this," he said, "will teach you to love the rest of the Scriptures."

On turning to the book of Ezra, the girls were led to observe how the intercourse between the Jews and Gentiles must have assisted in making known the

word of God to the heathen, and that three of the Persian kings are expressly named as having assisted in the rebuilding of the temple, and desired the prayers of the Jewish people. The sins of the Jews, which brought on their captivity, were next dwelt upon, particularly the case of the wicked king Jehoiakim, who burned the word of God (Jer. xxxvi.); while the pious kings of old, as well as those of later times, have always promoted its use among their subjects. One of the children was much pleased on reading 2 Chron. xvii. 9, which she justly called "the first instance of a society of Scripture readers."

But one of the most interesting of the Bible lessons at this time was commenced by the question, "What have children done in former times to promote the cause of religion ?" and the answers given served to show that their attempts were frequently useful, when made in a right spirit, in the performance of the duties of their station, (see Exod. ii. 8; 2 Kings v. 2, and Acts xxiii. 15); while other examples show the manner in which the Saviour noticed little ones when on earth, (Matt. xviii. 2, 3, 14; xxi. 15); and how they were expressly mentioned among the worshippers of the true God, (Exod. x. 9; xii. 26`; Deut. xxxi. 12; Neh. viii. 2; Acts xxi. 5). The example of Timothy was brought forward, (2 Tim. iii. 15); that of Daniel and his companions, (Dan. i. 17); Jeremiah, (Jer. i. 6,7); and John the Baptist, (Johni.); Samuel and David, (1 Sam. ii. 18, 26; iii. 1; and xvii. 34–37); then of our blessed Lord himself in early life, (Luke ii. 41-52); the contrasted characters of king Joash and Josiah, (2 Chron. xxiv. and xxxiv.); and the history of Esther,

(Esth. iv. 16), as an instance of the benefits of early instruction remembered in after life, in circumstances of danger and temptation; also that of Joseph, (Gen. xxxix. 9).

Fanny said that she "was glad there were so many histories of children in the Bible, because sometimes it seemed as if they had nothing to do with religion. Many young people say it will be time enough to think seriously when they are older."

Miss S. But that is quite a mistake; for the longer a duty is neglected, the more difficult it becomes. Besides, there are warnings for children, (Num. xvi. 27, and 2 Kings ii. 23), and both precepts and promises in Scripture, especially for the young, (Eccles. xii. 1; Jer. iii. 4; Prov. viii. 17; Mark x. 14), which I hope you will all turn to and read attentively. The children who had seen the works of the Lord in Egypt were more obedient to Moses than their fathers had been. Many faithful ministers have been most successful with the younger portion of their hearers. This was the case with Mr. Charles, in Wales, and the love of one of his scholars for the Bible was the means of leading him to mention the subject to his friends in London, at the committee of the Religious Tract Society, who united with him in forming the British and Foreign Bible Society. Afterwards a juvenile society was formed in Yorkshire, beginning with Miss Catherine Elliott and her brother, who by degrees were joined by their playfellows, and imitated by other young people. Some of you perhaps remember what you lately read, in the letters of Felix Neff, the Alpine pastor. Just get the book, and let us hear it