TO THE READER.

"Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak; for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child; for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces; for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."-JER. i. 6-8.

NE year has rolled by, with its teaching, and trial, and tears, since

the beloved child, whose brief so

journ amongst us I have recorded, expressed to me the one desire of his heart-" I only want to live to be a minister." Very sweet it is to me that my pen should be permitted to offer this tribute of my love, and, in a

way I little dreamed of, seek to fulfil the

wish.

If the incidents recorded seem puerile to some, there are others who will trace the Spirit of God in their simplicity. To my own mind they have appeared full of instruction, too full to be confined solely to the use of children, though I believe there is little in the following pages which is beyond the comprehension of the young.

This happy child was essentially a minister the secret of that ministry was the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God"Christ in him the hope of glory.".

In the school-room or the garden sports, in the casual incidents of the day, from the time his young heart was touched with the love of God, the desire of his life was to be conformed to Jesus.

Said one aged woman, after a meeting

where Frank had been, "It was not the preaching or praying alone that did one good; it was looking at that dear child's face, and hearing the hymn from his lips."

Ah, dear friends, this is ministry!—the peace of God beaming in the face of one. whom He has sealed with His Spirit; the song of praise; a loving charge kept over the wants and happiness of others; and daily growth in grace; the seeking to attain the likeness of the perfect man, Christ Jesus: these are the witnesses we need; this is the testimony our God is asking from us. Whether it be the child of days, or the aged pilgrim, it is Christ manifest in us that shall hold up the standard against a God-denying world.

No child of God can offer the excuse, that he is so young, or so weak, or so poor, that he cannot minister. It is the spirit,

not the means, that is lacking. "He that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.”

He is waiting whose brief days I have faintly traced. Oh, let him minister! for "of such are the kingdom of heaven." I commend this memorial to the prayers of those to whom the glory of the Lord is precious, and to the consideration of parents and teachers who are too prone to fix a date when a child shall loathe the husks of the world and hunger for bread. The Saviour of little children, in this short life, speaks to those who have the care of them"Lovest thou Me?" "Feed my lambs."

In that great day, when every man's work shall be tried, may it be said of this simple record, "The child did minister unto the Lord."

August, 1865.

A. S.