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declined the offer, declaring that nothing could ever to believe that the Bible was from God; he then he as a personal favour to give the book one candid Unable to refuse such a request, I read the work. ggered by the proofs and arguments in favour of y which it contained. I re-perused it, and became that I had been labouring under a gross and awful Seated in my library at the time, I rose up, went to on which my former oracle, Tom Paine's "Age of vas placed, and said, "Tom, come here, I want to speak Having pulled down the book, and looked at it with horror and indignation, I exclaimed, "I say, Tom, ar, and by your lies have brought my soul to the brink I then tore the volume in two, saying, "Tom, there's ou." I next walked to the fire-place, made the fire ; the torn volume into the flames, and, stamping it my heel, concluded my address by saying, "Good bye, ire never to have anything more to do with you to all

ow commenced "the tug of war." Long and arduous ruggle against my besetting sin. Again the "liquid d the mastery over me. As soon as I recovered my couraged by the hopes which the Bible inspired, that I quer at last, I vowed that I would never again drink rdent spirits. God enabled me to keep my vow, but again laid me prostrate. Filled with remorse, but ted by faith in the Divine promises, I renounced wine luly confiding in my power of self-control, I was y beer. Cast down, but not in despair, and looking Him who is mighty to save, I gave up malt liquors d substituted for intoxicating drinks of every kind, a safe beverage, composed of milk and water, sugar, and h you see upon the table, and called it Nectar;' and rves the name, for I drink it with feelings of heavenly from ardent gratitude to Him who has snatched me from the burning fire, has given me the victory over and produced within me a lively and well grounded that I shall ultimately be a guest at the marriage e Lamb: assuring me that there I shall drink kingdom"-a wine which never inebriates, but illunderstanding as much as it regales the heart.' ad perceiving the deep interest I took in his narraindly presented me with the very book which was the ading him to the Bible, and thereby producing such a ge in his views, feelings, and course of life. I value nd preserve it as one of my choicest mementos of nd majesty of the Word of God.

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ny word like us a fire, saith the Lord, and like a t breaketh the rock in pieces ?'-'I am not ashamed el of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation - that believeth.' Editor

RY OF LITTLE MARIA.-CONCLUDED.

THE HOME.

vhich is to be the last chapter of the history of our , we shall furnish our readers with an account of e-life; that is, we mean to tell them how she behaved ers and her little sister, and how she gained their 1 the love of her parents. We think this a very img, because there are many children who will behave on a visit, or when in the presence of strangers, but always careful of the feelings of those who live in -use. This is like the mistake of a man who fixes his me large object in the road, far ahead of him, and carnestly that he never sees a much smaller object feet, until, at the next step, he stumbles over it. is very often made; but it is a very great mistake ling. I wish all my young readers to pause a 1 consider whether they fully understand what I fear they should not, I will make it plainer by menconduct of a child who behaves in the right way. this fine boy is Frank Bolton. I perhaps, at some may say more about him; but now, I have only emark or two in reference to his conduct. Frank is urite among his father's and mother's friends. They

think a great deal of him, and value his kind and amiable manner, his perfect truthfulness, and his readiness to oblige others at the sacrifice of his own interests. This is his character out of doors.' The beauty of it is, that he is just as good to his father and mother, just as anxions to please them as he is to please any of their acquaintances or friends. And in the case of Frank there is another excellence to be noted. He is not only careful to have the good opinion of his father and mother, of his brothers and sisters, and all the acquaintances of the family, but he also acts conscientiously on ALL occasions. Every night, upon going to his room, he reads a few verses in the Bible, and then kneels in prayer. This is a duty which Frank's mother was careful to teach him while he was but a little child, and this duty he never neglects. It is a pleasant thing to know a boy who manfully discharges his duty, a' d is not ashamed of loving and serving his Saviour Christ. Frank has been well instructed. He often reads in his Bible of the love of the Redeemer for men's souls, and, feeling himself a sinner, he goes every morning and night to the throne of grace for strength to overcome his sins. The life of this noble boy is an example of a child who is just as good in secret as he is when in the company of friends; and we hope that what we have said about him will enable our young friends to understand what we mean by a man's staring at a distant object, and tumbling over one close by. If they do understand this, they will be able to imagine what a comfort Maria was to her parents and friends, and I hope that they will read what is said about her to some purpose; that is, that they will try to imitate her good conduct, and like her, to be good at home as well as good abroad. They must not suppose, however, that Maria was kind and good because she was never tempted to be otherwise; for this was not the case. Our little friend, like the rest of us, had her trials; and one source of trouble was a thing which every child would think of as only a source of pleasure. This was the possession of that little pony Robin, whom you will remember as standing by the gate, brushing off the flies and munching clover, at the commencement of our story. The fact is, that Robin was a great favourite with other young people beside his little mistress, and very often it happened that, on a fine day, every child in the family wanted a ride. In order to answer this demand upon the pony, it was quite certain that his mistress must give up for that day her own recreation. Her delight was to go off on a gallop for several miles, and, when a little tired with the exercise, either to stop and buy some articles in the village, or to let Robin wander slowly along through the woods. This could not be done, and at the same time provide for the gratification of the other children, and very frequently it was a hard struggle before Maria could feel willing to give up. She was often tempted to wish that she had no Robin, or that the children would learn not to want him; but, after a moment, she would have better thoughts. And here I should like to tell my readers a great secret about a plan for always having better and happier thoughts on occasions like these in the history of our friend. The plan is-and I do trust that every child will remember it-the plan is to pray to God, and he will give us better thoughts. One day Maria was sorely tempted. It chanced that all the children except Ned had taken a trot down the road, and that, as Ned did not claim his privilege, the pony's owner was about to mount, thinking that, after all, she should get to the village, where she was anxious to procure materials for some worsted work. Just at this moment, however, she heard Ned's voice. "Wait a

minute, Maria; it's my turn,' shouted Ned. 'I hav'n't had my mile yet.' Poor Maria! this was almost too much for her composure, especially as Ned was a hard rider, and, once mounted upon the pony, never seemed to have the slightest notion of ever getting off. With a sigh and a troubled countenance, Maria gave up the pony to Ned, who pompously straddled the side-saddle, and raising a tremendous cloud of dust, dashed down the road. There would be no chance for a ride that afternoon, so Maria turned away and went into the cottage.

All the while that this scene had been passing, Mr. Elwood was at the cottage window. He was pained to notice the cool selfishness of Master Ned, and greatly delighted with the forbearing temper of his little girl. He knew that Maria was naturally of a high spirit, as we call it-which means a bad spirit-and he hardly thought that she would give up, as she did, without a word. When he saw that she yielded with so much gentleness, he felt as if he could catch her in his arms, and press

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her to his heart for joy. If Maria could have known how she was loved at that moment, I am sure that she would have been quite willing to have given up a dozen ponies to Master Ned. Mr. Elwood determined to speak to his son in reference to such thoughtless indifference to his sister's comfort and enjoyment. He thought proper to make no mention of the circumstance to his daughter until some future time.

That evening Maria had a conversation with her mother, which will show us what use she made of the famous plan for having better thoughts when Satan tempts us to do evil.

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Mother,' said Maria, as she found herself alone with her kind parent; mother, does Jesus always hear us when we pray to him? Does he hear us even when we are angry, and then pray! ?'

'Yes, my dear; I do not think that any can doubt his word, and he has promised to hear us.'

'Well, mother,' said the child, as her countenance brightened into a sweet smile, I remembered what you had said about Jesus hearing us, and I prayed to him when I was really angry with Ned to-day.'

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And do you think, my daughter, that he heard your prayer?

'Yes, mother, I am sure he did; for in one minute, instead of those wicked and uncomfortable feelings of hate and rage that seemed to swell my heart-instead of these, I felt quite contented and willing to let Ned take the pony, and go where he pleased. Oh, how thankful I felt to Jesus for having taken away those uncomfortable and wicked feelings!'

I am very glad,' said her mother in reply, that my dear child has already learned to trust the Saviour's promise, Ask, and ye shall receive. To do this fully and entirely--to expect God's help in answer to our prayer, just as a child expects its parent to comply with any proper request is to have faith, even that bright jewel, a holy child-like faith. I think,' said Mrs. Elwood, that one reason why children so often glorify God on their death-beds is, that they ask strength and grace with the full expectation of receiving it, or, as the Apostle says, nothing doubting.'

It was quite delightful to Maria to feel, after this conversation, that she had a secret in her possession of so great worth, and that she had already made trial of its value. She did not wish to keep it a secret, but often told other children how graciously God had assisted her endeavours to correct the sins of a hasty temper. Our young friends will please remember this secret, and I hope to hear that some one of them has been enabled, by its use, to set a good example, and to show to others the great beauty and excellence of true religion. There is no use in having the secret unless it is made of use.

There was one other point in Maria's behaviour which was worthy of admiration, and which gained the approval of her friends-her earthly friends-and that unseen One who is the best of all friends her Father in heaven. This was her regular and prompt attendance at church, together with her serious and reverent behaviour during every part of the service. She seemed to feel that the holy Sabbath was God's own day, and that it was a great pleasure to keep it sacred. After the morning service, she would return home with a light and cheerful step, and having had dinner, was again seen on her way to the church, in order to give her attention to the Sunday-school. With her books under her arm, and her lessons all well prepared, she would enter the school-room, and never found it tiresome to sit listening to her faithful teacher, while, on several occasions, the absence of an instructor gave her employment in taking charge of some youthful class. Her experience at the village-school fitted her for this work, and her interest in the children won for her the pleasing reward of her pastor's affectionate regard. In such occupations our young. friend passed her time, gaining the approval of her own conscience, the love of her parents and friends, and ever striving diligently for the favour of Him who had pardoned her sins and provided all the mercies which she enjoyed. No wonder, then, that her home in that pleasant cottage was so happy and cheerful; no wonder that her companions loved her, and strove to show that they valued her as a friend. We trust that, in this respect, many of our readers will, as we say, take a leaf out of Maria's book, and endeavour in the course of the year, to find what progress they can make in winning affection and esteem.

MERCY, THE HIGHEST STYLE OF GOODNESS is the glorious characteristic of God's na is the glory of his Goodness; the forgiveness and rebellious man is the glory of his Mercy. I besee Moses, show me thy glory;' and He said, 'I will goodness pass before thee.' And the Lord passed b and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord God, merciful long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, k for thousands, and forgiving iniquity, transgression a

In redeeming lost man, and conferring upon hi eternal life, God displays all his Goodness, and t reveals his glory. God being thus chiefly magnified in the character of the most merciful Sovereign, th passionate Father of mankind, he who strives to Divine glory will first put his own trust in the Lord through whom God's Mercy is dispensed, and then peto do the same; thus pleasing and honouring God by own complete felicity, and by adopting the most effect promoting the salvation and happiness of his neighbo

ARARAT.

THIS celebrated mountain was the resting-place of No viii. 4). It is situated in the Greater Armenia, is height, and covered with perpetual snow. Both th Armenians reverence it as the haven of the great sh served Noah from the waters of the Deluge. It rises tinct tops, resembling the lesser Sugar Loaf Mountai Wicklow. Neither of these summits has ever been tre foot of man, since the days of Noah; nor, perhaps, ev it is presumed that the ark rested in the space between and not on the top of either. The distance from pea about 12,000 yards. The form of the greater is simila the less, only broader and rounder at the top, and shows. west, a broken and abrupt front, opening about half w a stupendous chasm, deep, rocky and black.

Such is the account which travellers have given of of Ararat, where righteous Noah and his household resting-place, after the waters had prevailed so exceed earth that every living substance was destroyed, wh the face of the ground, both man and cattle, and the cre and the fowl of the heaven (Gen. vii. 23). There the pi rable patriarch obtained the mighty deliverance which b told, and experienced that the Lord's promise is faitht And who can tell what pleasure the holy man enjoyed when the ark first rested on the dry land? What feelings of love, and joy, and thankfulness must have s awakened within him? The faithfulness of his God so evinced; his mercy so richly displayed; and his own s ciously secured! And how justly did these mingled f fest themselves immediately afterwards; for no soon come out of the Ark than he built an altar to the Lo 20). In all this, may we not see, as in a glass, darkly,' in the Lord Jesus Christ. When the troubled water sorrow, and danger, and sickness may, perhaps, have bee ing the child of God, who can conceive of his happiness, first touches the peaceful happy shore, and he finds himse ing of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the I

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THE SPIDER.

THE accuracy with which spiders construct thei excited general admiration. The common HOUSE SPIL Domestica,) possesses an apparatus, called the spinnere of four papillæ, at the lower part of its body, each pierced by foramina, or holes, so extremely minute, tha microscope will discover, not fewer than a thousan These constitute the machinery by which the insect passes through every one of these four thousand apertu almost inconceivably fine. The thousand of each papil as soon as formed, and at about the tenth of an inch origin, the products of all four unite, so that the sin which the net is composed consists of more than for different threads.

The GARDEN SPIDER, (Epeira), usually fixes it perpendicular direction, or nearly so. The making the

is its first care. It spares no pains to render them strong, composing each line of five or six or even more threads. It then attaches a thread to one of these main lines, and holding it up with one of its hind feet, that it may not touch any part and be thus prematurely

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glued, it walks round to the opposite side, and there fixes the thread. then fastens a cord to the centre of this cross thread, and attaches the other end of it to the outer lines. In like manner, two or three more of these radii, or cords from the centre to the circumference, are introduced. During these primary operations, the spider sometimes rests, as though its plan required consideration; but having proceeded thus far, the remaining radii are added so rapidly, that the eye can scarcely keep pace with the spinner. The spider then goes to the centre, pulls cach diagonal or cross thread with its feet, to prove its strength, and substitutes other threads for any that break or are defective. It then fills in the smaller circles, and constructs a little cell, under some leaf close by, to which it may repair in case of danger or bad weather. It finally takes its | station with its head toward the ground, in the centre of the snare it has prepared, ready to dart instantly on its prey, and in any direction. The moment the unfortunate fly or other thoughtless insect touches the net, the spider rushes forward, seizes it with its fangs, carries it to its cell, sucks its juices, and throws the empty carcase away. THOMPSON describes the cell as

Where gloomily retired

The villain spider lives, cunning and fierce,
Mixture abhorred! amid a mangled heap
Of carcases, in eager watch he sits,
O'erlooking all his waving snares around.
Near the dire cell, the dreadless wanderer oft
Passes,-as oft the ruffian shows his front;

The prey at length ensnared, he dreadful darts

THE SPIDER.

THE DYING

SOME years ago, 1 was invited by a pious lady to visit her dying son, who was an avowed atheist. On approaching the couch on which he was reclining the following, conversation substantially took place

'Pray, sir, what is your object in visiting me?'

'To see, my young friend, if I can say any thing that can comfort you in your affliction.'

'If you wish to do me a kindness, sir, take me up and dash my brains out against the wall.'

'Allow me, I pray you, to put to you the important question, Are you quite ready to leave this world, and prepared for all that awaits you in the next?'

'O, I suppose you think that I shall then be punished for my sins. But first of all, I do not believe that there is a God; and then admitting that there were, I cannot think that it would be just for him to punish me, as I have only acted in accordance with the faculties and the disposition which I received from him; and consequently am no more responsible for my conduct than a piece of mechanism is for the manner in which it acts.'

'As to your disbelief in the being of a God, why your own existence is explicable only on the ground that there is an uncreated Great First Cause. And as to man not being responsible for his conduct, I have no doubt that you yourself deem it right to punish others for their crimes. Should vou, for instance, meet a

With rapid glide along the leaning line;
And fixing in the wretch his cruel fangs,
Strikes backward, grimly pleased; the flutt'ring wing,
And shriller sound, declare extreme distress,
And ask the helping hospitable hand.

to her brood is so great preserve theirs.

Spiders are remarkable for their quarrelsome as well as carniverous disposition. Two of them rarely meet without a battle, which usually terminates in the death of one of the combatants. This is more particularly the case with the female, who will fight and destroy her own partner, one moment showing him affection, and the next attacking him with such violence that nothing but a hasty flight can save him from death, and prevent his furnishing a meal to his unnatural mate. DR. GEER says, he has been filled with indignation and horror at witnessing this very scene: a male spider, (of inferior strength), without any provocation, suddenly seized by his ferocious companion, enveloped in a web, and forthwith devoured. The female has, however, one redeeming virtue; her attachment that she will sacrifice her own life to

The power of spiders to live for a long period unfed is great. VAILLANT had a spider that lived nearly a year without receiving any nourishment. Its strength was even unimpaired by such protracted abstinence, for it immediately attacked and killed another spider put into its cage, equally large and vigorous with itself, but not so hungry.

It is desirable that undue prejudice should not be indulged against the spider. Its beauty when carefully examined, is in many instances exquisite. Its skill in procuring its necessary food is marvellous, and rivals that of man; it is useful in checking the multiplication of smaller insects, and its instincts and powers proclaim and illustrate the boundless intelligence of its DIVINE MAKER.

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ATHEIST.

man who, like Burke the assassin, cares not what pain he inflicts on others, so that he may attain his own selfish ends, you would turn your back upon him and have no connexion with him, and thus show your disapprobation, if not your abhorrence, of his conduct; and in so acting you in effect would punish him. And yet he could vindicate his innocency on the very ground taken by yourself, namely, that he acted only in accordance with the faculties and disposition which were given him.'

'Yes, what you say is true, but how light the punishment that I should thus inflict in comparison with that which Chris

tians say will be awarded to unpardoned sinners in the future world.'

'Granted. But the question, returns, why should Burke, if, according to your principles, he was entirely innocent, and in no degree answerable for his conduct, be punished at all? Upon your principles, you ought to regard Burke, the murderer, and Howard, the philanthropist, as perfectly on a par, and be as friendly to the oue as to the other.'

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The youth at once perceived that the ground on which he had been resting was quite untenable. made no reply, but listened to Christian truth and counsel, and to a prayer offered on his behalf.

A few days after, he died, calling on God for mercy in the name of Jesus Christ. EDITOR.

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HORACE GREELEY.

HORACE was born in the year 1811, under difficulties, it is said, "as he was black as a coal." Twenty minutes elapsed after his birth, before it was quite certain whether he was to live or not; at the end of that time, he lay a smiling infant in his mother's arms. In his fifth and sixth years it was his custom to lie on his face under a tree reading; hour after hour would thus be passed, completely absorbed in his book. This absorbing, passionate delight in books was the reason of determining him to become a printer. We are assured that at this period there Iwas not one readable book within seven miles of his father's house which he had not read. He was, in fact, never without a book.

About his eleventh year, Horace thought it time to do something towards being that which he had always resolved to be a printer. He one morning trudged to Whitehall, a town about nine miles distant, to make inquiries. The only printer in the place told him he was too young.

Time wore on when, in his thirteenth year, Horace saw an advertisement in the "Northern Spectator," for an apprentice on the paper. He

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sought the proprietor, and ultimately arrived at the object of his ambition by having a place assigned him in the office.

After being employed in various offices, he determined to try his fortune in New York, where he arrived on the 18th of August, 1831, being then. in his 20th year. On the morning of his entrance into the great city he was worth ten dollars and seventy-five cents! He worked in several offices for about fourteen months, and then began business, in partnership with Mr. Francis Story, with a capital of only 150 dollars. After several failures in endeavouring to establish a newspaper, he ultimately started the "New York Tribune," the annual profits of which are now computed at £6,000.

In 1848 Greeley became a member of Congress, beating his opponent, Gen. Taylor, at the election by 3177 votes. On the opening of the Great Exhibition he visited London, and served as a member of the jury on hardware. On his return to New York, he displayed his usual energy by rushing to the Office of the "Tribune," and setting up with his own hands the chief news brought by the boat; thus forestalling all his contempo raries.

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