how greatly the happiness of mankind would be increased.—But there would indeed be such consideration, if the religion of Christ did really influence the hearts of us all. And why do we call ourselves Christians, if we do not seek to have the dispositions of Christians?-Will the mere name avail us?-A true Christian looks for salvation to the sacrifice of his Saviour: to this he trusts. But he knows that a preparation of heart is necessary before he can be admitted into heaven,-and, indeed, before he could enjoy it. Love towards God, and devotion to Him, make a great part of this preparation,-and so does a spirit of kindness and affection to our fellow-creatures ;-and we may, indeed, believe that we are placed upon earth, amidst the society of men, that we may have an opportunity of exercising this disposition.-A mere man of the world only asks how any particular circumstances may benefit himself:-a Christian asks, what will be its effects on others: and this disposition of love to God and man, we are, through the influence of the Divine Spirit, to seek to cultivate. This, firmly grafted in our hearts, would supply us with an answer at once "to the various doubts that may be suggested under the various circumstances into which we may be brought." And this disposition is not confined to those among whom we live, but it extends to those whom we never knew, and have never seen. It not only influences the conduct of parents and children, of masters and servants, but it would answer all the arguments that are brought in defence of the dreadful traffic in slaves, and it would lead all parties to consider calmly the best means of putting an end to it. A man would not ask how much he gained by it,-but whether it was consistent with his condition as a Christian ;-whether he was doing as he would be done by.

The same spirit would prevent that ferocious savage disposition which delights in fights and blood

shed, and would also lead us to be very careful not to hurt needlessly the smallest animal that breathes.

"Take not away the life you cannot give,

For all things have an equal right to live."

V.

FABLE OF THE BOY AND THE FROGS.

THE task was o'er; thrown by the book,
The careless school-boy sought the brook,
To pass the time away:

Some gay and harmless frogs he found,
(Abundant upon marshy ground,)
Which round the margin lay.

With showers of pebbles, stones, and sticks,
The boy began his wanton tricks,
To make them dive and swim;
So long as he was entertain❜d,
It matter'd not how they were pain'd;
'Twas all alike to him.

A frog, escap'd beyond his reach,
To aid his brethren made a speech,
And thus the lad address'd:
"Ah! thoughtless boy, to use us so !
Let calm reflection gently glow
Within thy youthful breast.

"Oh, think how easy 'tis to find
Diversion to relieve the mind,
In innocent employ:

No longer then this sport pursue,
'Tis death to us, though sport to you,
Unthinking, cruel boy!"

Select Fables of Esop, in Verse.

PUNCTUALITY.

We have often spoken of the importance of being exact and punctual. An idling, dawdling sort of habit, which some people have, and which makes them always a little too late at every appointment,

hower trifling it may appear, is often the cause of their ruin; for the habit goes along with them in every thing they do. And, moreover, the loss of time, and the plague which it causes to others, makes this habit injurious to our friends, and neighbours, and dependants, as well as to ourselves. A -very useful piece of advice was once given by an experienced person to a young friend," Always be in time; and, that you may be always so, take care to be ready before the time." This allows for interruptions. You may easily find employment for the spare minutes. Some good managers say, when you have a journey, or any such thing, on hand, make preparations that you may be ready half an hour before the time. When a man is in a hurry at the last moment, every thing is confused and wrong; he tears his stockings, he breaks his boot-strap or his shoe-string, or he gets some string or other in a knot, and all from being in a hurry; and these trifles take up time just as much as more weighty matters. King George the Third, it is said, was never a minute beyond his time at any of his appointments. He was ready beforehand. Lord Nelson said that he owed all his success in life to being always ready a quarter of an hour too soon. The following anecdote is taken from a London newspaper :

"A Quarter Before."-Industry is of little avail without punctuality-a habit of very easy acquirement: on this jewel the whole machinery of successful industry may be said to turn. When Lord Nelson was leaving London on his last but glorious expedition against the enemy, a quantity of cabin furniture was ordered to be sent on board his ship. He had a farewell dinner party at his house; and the upholsterer having waited upon his lordship with an account of the completion of the goods, he was brought into the dining-room, in a corner of which his lordship spoke with him. The upholsterer

Hymn from Dr. Watts.

403

stated to his noble employer, that every thing was finished, and packed, and would go in the waggon from a certain inn, at six o'clock. "And you go to the inn, Mr. A., and see them off." "I shall, my lord; I shall be there punctually at six." "A quarter before six, Mr. A.," returned Lord Nelson:"be there a quarter before: to that quarter of an hour I owe every thing in life."

V.

I, II.

QUESTION. Why do dogs and other animals quarrel and fight?

Answer. Because it is their nature to do so. Q. Did God give this nature to them originally? A. No; for we read that "God saw every thing that he had made, and behold it was very good." Q. How then came their nature to undergo this change?

A. Through the sin of man.

Q. Should not this thought lead us to be very kind and tender to poor dumb animals?

A. Yes.

Q. What then are those persons who torment and misuse them; and those, more especially, who take pleasure in bull-baiting, cock-fighting, and such barbarous sports?

A. Very cruel and very wicked.

Q. What does Solomon tell us is one feature in the character of a righteous man?

A. Prov. xii. part of verse 11. "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast."

III.

Q. What should be seen in all our words and actions?

A. Christian love.

Q. Whom should we take as our example in this respect?

A. Our Lord Jesus Christ.

IV.

Q. What is he compared to in Scripture?
A. A lamb.

and

Q. Where does he teach us to imitate him? A. Matt. xi. 29. " Take my yoke upon you, learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."