His character now assumed another delightful feature-a desire for the spiritual welfare of his relatives and friends. His mother was one day sit ting by his side crying, when he said, "O mother, what are you crying for?" She told him that it was because she thought that he would soon be gone. He said, "Don't cry, but pray. You must consider you will not live in this world for ever:" thus teaching in almost the same words which his Lord had

may learn that God is willing to receive and bless little ones; and to those who labour for the good of the rising racefor they are reminded that God does graciously accept the efforts of his servants, and bless their feeble instrumentality in the wondrous and glorious work of converting the soul. Nov. 12, 1846.

A short time before his death he called for his brother to his bedside, and said to him, in his artless manner, "Be a good boy to your father and mother, and pray to the Lord, or else you will not go to heaven when you die."

He also sent several messages to his friends and neighbours, in reference to their souls' eternal happiness.

There was one other trait in his character which should not be overlooked: it was gratitude to those who had endeavoured to instruct him, during his illness, in the things of God. He two or three times expressed a desire to see once more before he died the two friends who had so often visited him. Upon his mother asking him what he had to say to them, he with great simplicity and affection said, "Good bye; God bless them; and I hope I shall see them in heaven."

How soon Almighty grace can ripen piety into full assurance; and how easily God can "perfect praise," even "in the mouth of babes and sucklings!", Here is a child ten years and a half old, who but a few weeks before did not know who Jesus was, enabled to look to him for pardon, trust in him for salvation, and rejoice in the prospect of living with him for ever!

And now "the time of his departure drew nigh." On the 31st day of July, 1846, his happy spirit left this lower world, and took its place, as we rejoice in believing, before the throne of God among the ransomed there.

Much more might be said; but it is hoped that this short and simple, but faithful narrative may afford encouragement to children, for by it they

BY REV. E. N. KIRK, U. S.

THAT young ladies should desire to be beautiful, is not surprising. But a few words of advice on this subject may be useful. There are two kinds of beauty

that of feature, and that of expres sion. The one secures admiration; the other, esteem and love. The one consists in a happy arrangement of the several parts of the material frame; the other results from the qualities of the spirit which dwells within it. The one requires a peculiar and rare combination of lines and colours in the face and neck especially; the other requires mental vigour, purity and harmony, with moral healthfulness.

We hear much conversation on this subject which is quite unsatisfactory, and which tends, we are persuaded, to mischievous consequences. We hear mothers, for example, commending to their daughters certain girls as beautiful, and pretty, and charming, who have no beauty but that which is purely physical; while they express little admiration of those who have mental beauty, and in a high degree, but only that. We hear young ladies discussing the subject of dress in a way which indicates that they place too high a value on physical beauty-that they prize that which creates admiration more than that which secures love.

This operates injuriously on both those who are beautiful and those who are not. When a young girl ascertains that she is beautiful, (for the possessors of this envied quality generally discover their endowments at an early period,) and observing how it secures the admiration of others, she is strongly inclined, not only to think too highly of

herself in comparison with others, but to prize her own corporeal qualities above the faculties of her mind.

There are some effects of this false estimate of beauty quite as injurious on those who are conscious of not possessing it. The excessive fondness for dress is directly the result of this feeling. It has induced extravagance by which merchants and mechanics have been reduced to bankruptcy. It has been the ready avenue for great multitudes of the inexperienced to the paths of crime and remediless ruin. Perhaps more victims to the base arts of the destroyer have been taken by this bait than by any other.

And then, in a family of many daughters, only one of whom is a beauty, what is the effect of hearing these injudicious laudations of this beautiful girl, and of the admiration which that one has attracted? If it produce its natural result in those who hear, they will overlook all the treasures of the spirit with which God has endowed them, and all the opportunities for cultivating the sterling qualities of character; and instead of looking upon life with cheerfulness and hope, will consider themselves as doomed to a hard lot. Murmuring against their beneficent Creator, and envyings of their more favoured acquaintances, will become prominent ingredients in their dispositions. Of course this statement may fail to be realized fully in any one case, because life is subject to so many modifying influences which cannot be fully recognized, that the most you can safely say of any one influence is, such and such is its tendency.

But we feel disposed to venture a little farther into the matter of giving advice on this subject, and even to lay down a few rules for becoming beautiful. Suppress that incredulous smile-we are in earnest. There is not one of our readers whom we would not encourage to hope. It does not become us to say that they are not all as beautiful as Clara Mason; and then they may say, your rules come too late-we have reached the attainment without rule. Yes; but ye fair Claras, listen to us a moment. We mean these hints even more particularly for you.

Our first rule is,-take a judicious care of your health. The signs of sickness or debility are never in themselves agreeable. We may, indeed, become reconciled to them; but their original design is to awaken unpleasant emotions. And we mean by sickness, not merely such a stage of disease as demands the physician's aid. Scarcely a fibre or tissue of the body can be out of order without affecting the countenance. If our health or strength is impaired without our neglect or imprudence, no one can censure us. to bear in our appearance the marks of disorders which we can avoid. For instance; if you are not sufficiently out in the open air, you will prevent the healthful action of your body, and some disagreeable sign of it will be hung out upon the face. If you do not take sufficient exercise, or if you eat improper food, or sleep too late or too much, you will not have that share of agreeableness in your appearance which a beneficent Creator designed for you.

But we ought not

Another rule is,-cultivate the intellect. This secures, in many cases, the beauty of expression where that of features and complexion is wanting. And where the features are too obstinately ugly to admit of that, there is still a compensation in the fact, that the attention of others is turned away from the body to the mind. Compare the silly prattling of a merely beautiful girl, who has neither mind nor heart, wit nor sentiment, with that of a plainfaced woman who has thought, and observed, and read to profit; who has clear and large views of men and things, the past and the present; who can help you to form correct views of characters and events; whose memory carries the honey of many hives to sweeten every feast of friendship. Compare these two. The one gratifies the eye; but no one cares to look at the prettiest object for a long time. The gratification of the eye is too limited for permanence, unless there be variety and succession. The other satisfies the mind through the sense of hearing. Choose, young friends -choose the latter.

Suppress selfishness, for it controls the countenance. Where a person lives for

himself, the countenance lacks all winning and animating expression. Some people make a sunshine wherever they go; but they are not beauties. Their light is a bonfire, a rocket, a meteor; it blazes, rushes, crackles, turns all eyes upon itself, but cheers and satisfies no one. There are some persons whose very entrance to a sick chamber is a medicine to the soul. Everybody loves to see them come in, and no one cares to know why. The secret is, their countenances and manner say, Can I contribute to your happiness? Young ladies, spend hours and months in becoming thus beautiful. But your labour for this must not be on the skin nor the hair, on silks nor mousseline de laine. Eradicate selfishness.

But there is a higher rule,-love God and love all mankind. In fact, you cannot truly annihilate excessive self-love but by substituting the love of God and your neighbour. Here is beauty, angelic beauty. It is the only beauty that will be recognized in heaven. Cherish it.

THE DREAM.

LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS, THIS IS FOR

YOU.

"OH, what a sweet dream!-oh, what a lovely dream! Oh, mamma, you don't know what a charming sight these eyes saw but a short time ago!" These simple words were from the lips of a dying child to her mother. The child was ill in a little cot in the bed

room of her mother, who was anxiously watching her child with all the love of a parent's heart; and, delighted once more to hear the voice of her dear little one, she replied, "What, my dear child -what sight has my Lucy seen ?" "Oh, mamma-mamma!" said the charmed girl, "such a sight! I thought I was in heaven, and on my head was such a lovely crown of sweet flowers; a golden harp was in my hand, and when I just touched one of its chords, such sweet sounds came, like most delightful music; and I sang to it with all my power. There was dear little Reuben-yes, darling brother Reuben, that used to be so kind and make me

little boats to sail on the water; and he looked so happy: he didn't cry, mamma, like he did before he died and was buried in the cemetery. There was dear little baby, too-poor Mary, that was so pretty, with white hair, and such beautiful blue eyes. But, oh, mother, I can't tell you about it, it was so wonderful! Don't cry, mamma; for doesn't the Bible say, if you're good, both you, papa, and brother William, shall go? I shall soon go to help them to sing; and you'll stop to comfort them, mamma, when they cry because I'm gone, won't you, mamma? Dry your tears; for then all of us will be together, so happily, in heaven."

The beautiful simplicity of her innocent child deeply impressed the parent. Alas! soon Lucy died; but her mamma had a great comfort. She knew Lucy was with baby and Reuben, in heaven! T. R. S.

THE FATHER AND HIS CHILD. "PAPA, I've often heard you talk Of that bright world on high, Where those who have the Saviour sought

Are carried when they die. "I feel so very ill to-day,

Dear Pa, you cannot tell;
Oh tell me of that place, I pray,
Where I, too, hope to dwell.
"Oh tell me if our Saviour there
Will look on one like me,
Will listen to my humble prayer,
And bid my pains to flee?"