fortune. Sir Charles Wilful compelled to study, and checked and his lady, not having any as he ought to have been for other children, idolized young inventing excuses to cover his Wilful; all his whims, humours, faults, he was unfortunately and fancies were complied with, suffered to contract a habit and he bade fair to be completely which gradually gained upon spoiled. The old servant who him. used to attend to him was very fond of his young charge, and many were the stories of ghosts, &c., he poured into the ears of young Wilful. So he insensibly contracted a love for the marvellous. The library which his father purchased for him consisted of such books as "Baron Munchausen,' "Valentine and Orson, ," "Arabian Nights," &c. &c.-books either frivolous, improper, or incomprehensible to children. How much better it would have been to have had the shelves graced with useful little books, such as are published at the present day, having a tendency to draw the youthful mind to meditate upon the love of Jesus, the goodness of God, and the glories of Heaven. Poor young Wilful! trained as he was by his indulgent parents, they did not perceive the pernicious tendency such idle books was having upon a mind of quick susceptibility and lively imagination. Young Charles grew apace, and it was observed that he talked with a fluency far above his years. He disliked study of all kinds, and would invent many excuses to avoid close application. The baronet would observe, with a smile, that he was a cunning little rogue, and would make a clever lawyer, and an excellent pleader; for he would twist and turn, and was as hard to run down as a fox. Thus, instead of being Well, One evening, a party of gentlemen met at the house of the baronet, when a loud ringing at the gate announced some visitors. The footmau entered and said one of his tenants wanted to see him on important business. "Business!" exclaimed the baronet, "you see I cannot be interrupted; of course you denied me?" "I came to know your pleasure first, sir.” “ I'm not at home." Young Wilful, who was present, approached his father, and, looking him full in the face, said—“ Pray, father, is not this house our home!" "Certainly, my son.' "Then why bid James say you are not at home when you are here? I can't make it out; it looks like a great fib. You found fault with me the other day when I told a little one." The baronet was silent; he felt the reproof. "You are too inquisitive, my little gentleman," said one of the visitors. "It is a common saying (I'm not at home) when a gentleman does not wish to be interrupted." "But why not say so at once?" "Oh, that would be thought rudeness." "And pray, sir," inquired young Charles, "where are you and father when you are not at home?" "Why, why,' said the gentleman, somewhat puzzled, 'we are abroad." "Abroad, why that is in foreign parts." loud laugh followed at the gentleman's expense, who exclaimed, "Your son, Sir Wilful, A who has done it, but I wont tell. Lay the blame on me, papa; it was my fault, mamma. I would rather you would blame me than poor Sally or James." Thus, young as he was, would he shift the mischief from his own shoulders, and artfully lay it upon others. Nay more, would often get rewarded for his seeming good nature, in taking it on himself. The time at length came when it was judged prudent to place him in a public academy, and Dr. Strickland was recommended, as conducting one of the first schools. Thither our young heir was sent,-strong hopes were entertained of his moral and intellectual improvement under such a master. The is a sharp little fellow!" "Aye, aye," returned the too partial parent, "let him alone, he will be a match yet for any lawyer." "Not unless he have truth on his side," said another gentleman, who followed that profession. "And is it always so with you?" said Sir Wilful, with an arch look. "Not in this case, I grant, and I must confess when that happens we are obliged to have recourse to some subterfuge, or loophole to creep out, to save our credit." This highly improper conversation passed in the hearing of young Wilful, who greedily swallowed every syllable, nor were the parties present, themselves, conscious of its baneful influence, and the pernicious effect it was certain to produce. establishment consisted of two How carefully ought parents hundred boys, of course, of vaalways to avoid any argument rious tempers and dispositions. or subject that can have the To keep in subjection such a slightest tendency to invalidate number of boys, the strictest the sacred principle of truth, discipline was enforced. the brightest gem or ornament of human nature, whose clear and effulgent radiance sheds a lustre on our actions, and confers upon the possessor respect, esteem, and honour; but, above all, secures the love and favour of God. Oh, my dear children, love and value the truth. The baronet and his lady were so blinded by their love for this their only son, that they could see no fault in him. The servants were often blamed for the mischief he had through frolic, as he called it, occasioned. It was in vain for them to say "It was master Charles." When questioned he would assume a look of innocence, and exclaim, “I do so and so! Oh dear, no; yet I do know He Our young gentleman soon won the good opinions of his teachers, by his artless mode of expression. Little doubt was entertained of his rapid progress in his studies, as idleness was not tolerated, and his capacity was soon discovered to be of the most brilliant order. was, moreover, good-natured, generous, and humane; but these excellent endowments were counterbalanced by the failing already mentioned,-added to which he was proud; he had a false estimate of his own abilities; and he was too apt to embellish and to disguise, even when there was no occasion for fabrication or concealment. In short, it was soon found his word was not to be depended ou. This was a foul and terrible behaviour in the school, and blot on so fair an escutcheon. concluded that we would remove young him into the select class, where he would be brought into contact with some seriously disposed young person. Moreover, these young persons had been encouraged to invite him to meet in class and give himself to God. But lo! before another Sabbath returned he was in eternity! On the Saturday evening he went on an errand to a house at the outskirts of the town; having to pass a stone quarry, and being unacquainted with the place, in the darkness of the night he missed his way, fell down a precipice, sixteen yards deep, into the quarry below, and was dashed to pieces. Oh, my young friends, be ye also ready. Nov. 5, 1853. Bennet St., Stalybridge. Unfortunately for Wilful, some of his schoolfellows had the same failings, but without possessing any of his good qualities. They were artful, hypocritical, covetous, and designing. You may be sure such society was not likely to improve a mind and disposition already given to him. The pocket-money our young heir was supplied with was far beyond the usual allowance granted to boys at school,here was ample room for extravagance, but that was not a failing of his; nor was he niggardly or penurious. His good qualities shone forth when he had money, and many a poor person was indebted to his purse. Those bad boys we have mentioned would blame him for his liberality, saying they were impostors. Then one would borrow sixpence, another MAN'S DAUGHTER. a shilling, another half-crown, and so on,-till his purse was The hero of Trafalgar, after emptied. His companions used a life occupied in scenes of earthen to urge him to write to nage, or unblushing dissolutehis parents and draw a freshness, dies amid the roar of battle remittance. and the groans of his victims. As he sinks from the strife, borne below, he exclaims, "They have done for me at last!" Later in the day, "Well, Hardy, how goes the day?" The sad effects of this habit of deceit and falsehood will be stated in our next number, when our juvenile readers will find that the young liar came to an awful end. A SOLEMN WARNING. ON Sunday, October 23, my colleague in the Sabbath-school and I had our attention drawn to a youth in one of the Bible classes, about sixteen years of age. We had noticed his orderly conduct and respectful J. R. NELSON AND THE DAIRY "Fifteen of the enemy's ships have surrendered!" is the reply. "That is very well, but I bar gained for twenty;" "thank God, I have done my duty," and so expires. Contrast this with the death scene of the youthful, moral he roine, in a wretched chamber, under the roof of a poor thatched cottage: "My child, are you resigned to die?" says a kind pastor. "Quite." A NOBLE BOY. A BOY was once tempted by some of his companions to pluck ripe cherries from a tree which his father had forbidden him to touch. "Where is your hope?". Lifting up her finger and pointing to heaven," Christ there;" then pointing downward, to her own heart, "Christ here;" "You need not be afraid," "I wish, sir, when I am gone, said one of his companions, you would tell the other children "for if your father should find of the parish how good the Lord out that you had them, he is so has been to me, a poor sinner-kind that he would not hurt tell them, that they who seek you." him early will find him-tell them, that the ways of sin and ignorance are the ways to ruin and hell-and pray, tell them, sir, from me, that Christ is indeed the way, the truth, and the life he will in no wise cast out any that come. Tell them that I, a poor girlAgain recovered from her exhaustion, she adds: "You, sir, have been my best friend on earth-you have taught me the way to heaven, and I love and thank you for it-you have borne with my weakness and my ignorance-you have spoken to me of the love of Christ, and he has made me feel it in my heart-I shall see him face to face he will never leave me nor forsake me-he is the same, and changes not. Dear sir, God bless you!" "God bless and reward you! give thanks for me to him. My soul is saved -Christ is everything to me. Sir, we shall meet in heaven, shall we not? O yes, yes-then all will be peace peace peace." She sunk back on the bed, and spoke no more-fetched a deep sigh-smiled and died. "Hail, glorious gospel! heavenly "That is the very reason," replied the boy, "why I should not touch them. It is true my father would not hurt me, yet my disobedience would hurt my father, and that would be worse than anything else." Three times was Christ spoken to, while he was here upon earth, by voices from Heaven, and all these three found him praying. For all the several gems in virtue, vice has counterfeit stones. TURKISH PROVERBS. "He that speaks truth must have one foot in the stirrup." "The friend looks at the head, the enemy at the foot," the one to admire the projector, the other to detect his failures. "He that falls into the sea takes hold of the serpent to be saved." "To him of good judgment the sound of a gnat snffices, to him who lacks it the noise of an orchestra availeth not." "The kettle calleth the saucepan smutty." "The teeth of a horse of which a present has been made are not observed." "The nest of a blind bird is made by God." "After the carriage has been broken, many offer themselves to show the road." "Although the tongue has no bones, it breaks bones." "A foolish friend does more harm than a wise enemy." "More flies are caught with a drop of honey that by a hogshead of vinegar." "Do good and throw it into the sea; if the fishes don't know it, God will." THE KIND-HEARTED LITTLE GIRL. IN one of the cities on the Hudson lived a little girl, who was always most happy when she was in some way contributing to the happiness of others. When an infant, she was presented with a dollar, which was carefully preserved until she was about five years old, and when her mother informed her that she possessed a dollar which she could use as she pleased, her little heart beat in sympathy with the poor children whom she saw destitute of shoes and stockings, and she commenced, at once, to plan how she might dispose of her dollar to the best advantage. She would often tell her mother that when she "got big," she would feed the hungry and buy them clothes. But little Sarah did not live to do what she desired. She early learned that she was a sinner, and at the age of seven years gave her heart to the Saviour, who soon took her to himself, leaving her parents and only sister to mourn her loss. During her sickness, she would often repeat the language of Him who, when on earth, said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." Perhaps some who may read the story of little Sarah, and who are spending their money for sweetmeats or other luxuries, may be induced to follow her example, and learn by experience that "It is more blessed to give than to receive." HOW TO MAKE BOYS EARLY RISERS. A gentleman of Leicester left a portion of his property to his nephews, on condition that they should prove to the satisfaction of his executors that for several years they had got out of bed in the morning, and had either employed themselves in business or taken exercise in the open air from five till eight o'clock every morning from April 5th to October 10th, and from seven till nine from October 10th to April 5th. THE EDITOR'S Desk. question: QUERIES AND ANSWERS. QUERY 1.-ON THE RESPONSI- following BILITIES OF THE HEATHEN. REV. SIR,-Will you or any of your able correspondents favour me with an answer to the "Will that portion of our humanity (the heathen), who have not received a knowledge of the will of God, as revealed in the Bible, be punished equally with those |