to wait to send your message while the others are attended to; for your message can go with thousands of others, without any interruption or hindrance.'

'So that is an improvement,' said George, for we had to wait a long time, you know.' 'And

in the next place,' continued his , father, there is no need of wires, or electricity, or any machinery, to aid the mode of communication of which I speak: and what is more wonderful than all is the fact, that you need not even express the nature of your communication, as, before you do so, your answer may be returned, though it is quite necessary that you truly and sincerely desire a favourable reception for your request. Besides all this, the plan of communication of which I speak is superior to all others, from the fact that you need not resort to any particular place to send your request.

In the lonely deserton the trackless ocean-in the crowded city-on the mountain top-by night or by day-in sickness and health, and especially in trouble and affliction, the way of communication is open to all. And the applicants can never be So numerous that the simplest desire of the feeblest child, properly presented, shall not meet with immediate attention.'

'Is there any account published of this wonderful manner of communicating your wishes?' inquired Thomas.

Yes, there is, my son; it is to be found in the Bible.'

'In the Bible, father!' exclaimed both the boys. 'Certainly, my sons, and if you will both get your Bibles, I will tell you where to find the passages.'

The children opened theirBibles, and found, as their father directed them, the 24th verse of the sixtyfifth chapter of Isaiah, which Thomas read as follows: And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I WILL ANSWER; and

while they are yet speaking, I will HEAR.' Next, George found and read the 9th verse of the fiftyeighth chapter of Isaiah: 'Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer: thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.'

'Now turn,' said their father, 'to Daniel, 9th chapter, verses 20, 21, 22, 23. And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God;' 'yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel,'

being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee, etc.'

'I see, father, from these pas. sages,' said Thomas, 'that you refer to prayer.' 'And I am sure you will both agree with me that this mode of communication with heaven is more wonderful than any other; for by this means our desires can be immediately known to our heavenly Father, and we receive an answer.'

POPULAR EDUCATION.-Had we a silver trumpet, whose note of warning could be made to reach the ear of all, we would send, ringing through the land in tones that might almost wake the dead-educate-EDUCATE THE MASSES OF THE PEOPLE! Cost what it may; let the sacrifice be what it will; though the expense were half the nation's wealth, let every American be taught to read and understand the constitution of his country, and the Book Divine. Every motive of philanthropy, self-preservation, benevolence impels to it. Monarchies may exist and thrive

and

ing to the official returns of the French ministry of instruction, it appears that ten millions of francs are expended annually by this ministry in the means of instruction, and yet 17,000,000 of the people can neither read nor write; 7,000,000 can read but imperfectly, but cannot write; 7,000,000 can read and write but imperfectly, and only 3,000,000 are perfectly or completely educated.

A Republic could scarce exist for a day with such a population. And just in proportion as our condition approximates to that of the old world is there danger of dissolution. What American does not blush when he reviews the census, or when colporteurs report thousands of families who cannot read? Who wants to see statements like the following going the rounds of the papers: The Secretary of the State of Ohio, says there are 50.000 persons in that state who can neither read nor write.' O, for schoolmasters, books, Bibles, colporteurs, missionaries-everything to educate the people, and to save souls !— American correspondent.

POPERY.-The progress of Romanism in New York, during the past year, has more than kept pace with the progress of the population. While the latter has increased in the ratio of about thirty-four per cent. the former has progressed at the rate of a hundred per cent.

LESSONS FOR THOSE WHO LIKE THEM.-Be not always speaking of yourself. Be not forward. Listen when spoken to. Avoid old sayings and vulgarisms. Be choice in your compliments. Command your temper and countenance. Never see an affront, if you can help it. Doubt him who swears to the truth of a thing. Dare to be singular in a right cause; and be not ashamed to refuse. Never be in a hurry. Neglect not an old acquaintance. Make no one in company feel his inferiority. Avoid punning and mimicry. Talk not long at a time. Tell no stories. Hold no one by the button when talking. Punch no one in conversation. Forestall not a slow speaker. Say not all you think. Give not your advice unasked. Renew no disagreeable matters. Praise not another at the expense of the present company. Few jokes will bear repeating. Take the peacemaker's part in debating. Learn the character of the company before you say much.

THE BIBLE THE WORD OF GOD. The scholars in a sabbath school in Boston were requested to bring proofs that the Bible is the word of God. Among others were the following by a young female.

1st. If the Bible had been written by wicked men, they would not have condemned their own conduct, and uttered such imprecations against themselves.

2nd. The Bible contains an account of the creation of mankind, of which, certainly no one but the Creator himself could inform us, and it were not possible for human mind to invent it.

3rd. That the Bible has been preserved for so many ages, while other books have been destroyed.

4th. That it has triumphed over all other books, though published in ages and places celebrated for learning and elegance.

5th. That the accomplishment of several prophecies recorded in the Bible, such as the destruction of Jerusalem, and coming of Christ, etc. having been literally fulfilled, confirm its truth and Divine origin.

6th. That in the writings of the different evangelists there is no contradiction whatever.

7th. That it has met with so favourable a reception in the world, as evidently proves that its first publishers could produce sufficient evidence of its truth.

8th, The Bible is infinitely superior to every production of the human mind; therefore its author must have been Divine.

Lastly. The fact that it has for many years been the solace of the wretched and dying, and guided the steps of millions in the way to heaven, shows that there is truth in its words.

IRON SCHOOL ROOMS.-The friends of Church-street Sunday school, Spitalfields, London, have determined to erect an iron schoolhouse, forty-five feet by thirty, and nineteen feet high. It will cost £350, being about £200 less than if of brick, &c. It may be easily removed, in case of any

THE HOLY LAND. WHERE is the True, the Holy Land? Is it on mountains of Palestine? Is it where Mecca's minarets shine? Is it where Ganges flows divine? Not there, not there, that sacred strand; Not there the True, the Holy Land! Where, then, the True, the Holy Land? Is it where Delphian laurels glow ?. Is it where Rome's fair mytles blow? Is it where Erin's shamrocks grow?" Not there alone on any strandNot there alone the Holy Land!

of the land, etc.

TIME LOST.-One of the sands in the hour-glass of time is, beyond comparison, more precious than gold. In nothing is waste more ruinous, or more sure to bring unavailing regrets. Better to throw away money than moments; for time is much more than money. As we lose our days, we incur an increasing risk of losing our souls. The life-blood of the soul runs out in wasted time.' The years which have winged their flight have gone to be recording angels; and what is the 'report they have borne to heaven?' Will the record testify for us or against

Where love is law, and freedom right; Where truth is day, and error night; Where man is brave, and woman

bright;

'Tis there, 'tis there, that sacred strand, 'Tis there the True, the Holy Land! That is the True, the Holy Land,

Where Mary doth the better partWhere Mary resteth in Christ's heart, Where, Mary, thou with Jesus art; Oh, there! oh, there! on any strandOh! there the True, the Holy Land!

Oh! there the True, the Holy Land, Where men and women. hand in hand, As God the work divine hath planned, Walk forth a free, a glorious band! Oh, there! oh, there! the sacred strand, Oh! there the True, the Holy Land !

Yes! there the True, the Holy Land! Where sovereign reigns fraternityWhere good is God and love is freeWhere sisters, brothers, all shall be; There is the land, where'er the strand, Which is the True, the Holy Land!

TEACHER IN THE COUNTRY.

LESSONS BY THE WAY.

his youthful charge-his diligent hand hath made him rich. While absent, and seemingly bent on personal advantage only, he has conjoined with that the lasting

A very considerable number of the brethren - sabbath school teachers-in various towns and places, must lately have completed their annual excursions. Let them all see to it then, that they make up for their absence. Let them see to it, that the class share in the benefil. Are we not urged to be 'instant in season, and out of season,' so that no opportunity be lost of either receiving or imparting good? Is the Teacher on a journey? his heart being in the right place, his eye single, how many varied and valuable ideas must necessarily suggest themselves to his mind, in most intimate connexion with, and illustration of, the Bible lesson and other departments of the exercises at home! God's works in nature spread out in all their freshness and magnificence before him,-speak in a voice more powerful than any mere verbal or written description can ever attain to. In proportion to the shortness of his time, assiduity in storing up treasures for future use is increased; all around him is laid under tribute, and made to minister to his benefit, and to yield a thousand sweets. He comes home betimes-he meets

The Gospel narratives, the Epistles, and, generally speaking, the Sacred Scriptures throughout, being more or less so easily illustrated and made intelligible to the youthful mind by a vivid delinealion of country scenes, and employments, one cannot too highly appreciate any opportunity of becoming, so far as circumstances allow, somewhat conversant with them, while even the short walk through the fields of half an hour in the week-and some teachers we know have scarcely time-may be, and often is, a most useful auxiliary for securing a profitable meeting on sabbath night.

Alas! that to any, earth, air, sea, and sky, should combine in vain, and with trumpet tongue proclaim their lessons! and yet, with the indolent, the slothful, and the faithless, this is constantly the case. The seasons may revolve in all their grand magnifi cence-winter, seed time, and harvest, may successively lift up the voice, and display their wonders all in vain. Teachers and scholars are both alike asleep. The same monstrous dull round goes on. Who would live thus ? It is not life at all-'tis only a living death. So lived not the monarch who once said, 'Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints.' 'I will speak of the glorious honour of thy Majesty, and of thy wondrous works.'