with which our readers are already acquainted; but putting on them a colouring such as a person not favourably disposed to religion might give to them.

Mr. Morris listened attentively till Carnforth had finished. He saw plainly that Watson's zeal had, in some cases, outrun his discretion; but at the same time he saw, even in the somewhat coloured report given him by Carnforth, very much to admire. One thing was quite plain, the young man was not ashamed of his religion.

"You have watched Watson pretty closely, I suppose," he inquired, "so closely that if there had been anything very bad about him you would have at least got some idea of it by this time?"

"I dare say we have," replied Carnforth.

"And what have you seen? anything to make you believe that his religion is a mere pretence? have you found him neglecting his work; or, in some unguarded time, talking in a foolish or bad sort of way; or secretly indulging in pleasures which he has condemned ?"

"I can't say we have," said Carnforth.

"And have you any reason at all to think that he is not sincere ?"

Carnforth would have liked very well to say he had; but he could not honestly, and he admitted as much.

66

66 Then," said Mr. Morris, you have no right to accuse him of cant. But now I should like to ask you a question or two. Do you think a man ought to be religious? I mean

do

you think he should read his Bible, and believe in Jesus, and pray, and try to do what the Bible tells him?" 66 I suppose he ought, some time or other."

"And if a man is religious," asked Mr. Morris again, "do you think he ought to be ashamed of it? You were a tolerably warm politician last election, and you did not make any secret of your opinions, although you hardly believed your party would win. Do you think a religious man should be any more ashamed of his religion than you of your politics ?"

66

Perhaps not, when one thinks about it," said Carnforth; "but then you see he would not let us alone; he wanted us all to be religious like him."

"And was there anything very wrong in that ?" asked Mr. Morris. "Does not every man who has a strong opinion on any subject want everybody else to think like him? To go to politics again: did you never try to convince people who supported the other side that yours was the right one?" "Of course I did."

"And do you think Watson so very much to blame that he wanted you to believe, and to do as he did? Why, James, it is simply every Christian's duty to try to make every man he meets with a Christian too; and if Watson has tried to persuade you or anybody else to be a Christian, he has only been doing his duty. Ah, James, I am afraid it was not cant which you hated, but true religion."

And Carnforth felt that that was true, although as yet he was scarcely willing to say so.

Watson held on his way; and before very long Carnforth was one of his fastest friends; and, what was still better, he had every reason to believe that he shared his brightest

nopes.

The Poverty and Riches of Christ.

HE God-Man." His birth was mean
on earth
below;
but it was celebrated with hallelujahs
by the heavenly host in the air above he had

a poor lodging; but a star lighted visitants to

it from distant countries. Never prince had such visitants, so conducted. He had not the magnificent equipage that other kings have, but he was attended with multitudes of patients, seeking, and obtaining healing of soul and body; that was more true greatness than if he had been attended with crowds of princes. He made the dumb that attended him sing his praises, and the lame to leap for joy, the deaf

to hear his wonders, and the blind to see his glory. He had no guard of soldiers, nor magnificent retinue of servants; but, as the centurion that had both acknowledged, health and sickness, life and death, took orders from him. Even the winds and storms, which no earthly power can control, obeyed him; and death and the grave durst not refuse to deliver up their prey when he demanded it. He did not walk upon tapestry; but when he walked on the sea, the waters supported him. All parts of the creation, excepting sinful men, honoured him as their Creator. He kept no treasure: but when he had occasion for money, the sea sent it to him in the mouth of a fish. He had no barns, nor corn-fields; but when he inclined to make a feast, a few loaves covered a sufficient table for many thousands. None of all the monarchs of the world ever gave such entertainment. By these and many such things, the Redeemer's glory shone through his meanness, in the several parts of his life. Nor was it wholly clouded at his death. He had not indeed that fantastic equipage of sorrow that other great persons have on such occasions. But the frame of nature solemnized the death of its Author: heaven and earth were mourners: the sun was clad in black; and if the inhabitants of the earth were unmoved, the earth itself trembled under the awful load. There were few to pay the Jewish compliment of rending their garments; but the rocks were not so insensible; they rent their bowels. He had not a grave of his own, but other men's graves opened to him. Death and the grave might be proud of such a tenant in their territories; but he came not there as a subject, but as an invader, a conqueror. It was then the king of terrors lost his sting; and on the third day the Prince of Life triumphed over him, spoiling death and the grave.

"ALL riches are His native right,
Yet He sustain'd amazing loss:

To Him ascribe eternal might,

Who left his weakness on the cross.'

Maclaurin.

I

HAVE a Friend, a precious Friend; unchanging, wise, and true; The chief among ten thousand friends! I wish you knew him

too.

When all the woes that compass me relax each feeble limb,

I know who hastes to welcome me.

Have you a friend like him?

how can I then repine?

He comforts me; he strengthens me;
He loveth me; in life and death, this faithful Friend is mine.

I have a Father, fond and true. He cares for all my needs.
His patience bore my faithless thoughts, my mad and sinful deeds.
To me he sends sweet messages; he waiteth but to bless.
Have you a Father like to mine, in such deep tenderness?
For me a kingdom he doth keep; for me a crown is won.
I was a rebel once, but now, he calls the rebel, son.

I have a wise unerring Guide, whose love I often grieve;
He brings me strength and succour, too, my weakness to relieve;
He leadeth me, and cheereth me, and doth for me provide.

For days of toil and watchful nights, have you so sure a Guide? Quench not the whispered bidding call, the heavenly Dove doth bring;

He seeks, in love, to shelter you beneath his fostering wing.

I have a Home, a city fair; its riches none can know;
Its wondrous beauties far surpass all ever seen below.

Its streets are gold, its gates are pearls: a light divinely bright
For ever shines upon that home; for there they have no night.
And there, unfailing fountains flow, and pleasures without end.
Who makes that Home so glorious? It is my loving Friend.

My Friend, my Father, and my Guide, and this our radiant Home, Are offered you; turn not away; to-day, I pray you, "Come." My Father yearns to welcome you, his heart, his house to share. My Friend is yours, my Home is yours; my Guide will lead you there.

Behold one altogether fair-the faithful and the true!

He pleadeth with you for your love; He gave his life for you.

Oh, leave the worthless things you seek; they perish in a day;
Serve now the true and living God; from idols turn away.
Watch for the Lord, who comes to reign; enter the open door;
Give him thy heart-thy broken heart-thou'lt ask it back no more.
Trust him for grace and strength and love, and all thy troubles end
Oh, come to Jesus, and you'll find in him a loving Friend.