able to Him for what he says, and does, and thinks. Hence the good old book says, Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee." It is a sad thing when God Almighty has to complain that men are worse than animals. He said once, and he may say now of some men, 'Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." "Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD."

Never let the Lord have to complain of you that you are worse than the birds and the beasts. Hear his voice when he says, "My son, give me thine heart"-"I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me."

A FATAL SERPENT BITE.

ALTHOUGH a serpent's bite is very deadly, yet the Indians have found cures for it in many cases. In the year 1850, there was an Indian of the Arawaak tribe, who was brought under the sound of the gospel and became an anxious inquirer after salvation. Though about twenty-five years of age he joined the Sunday school, being unable to read, and

soon learned to read the Bible for himself. One Monday, in company with a near relation, he went to work at wood cutting, at a place called Loo Creek. At about eleven o'clock he was suddenly bitten by a deadly snake called the Labaria. He had been bitten several times before, but he at once exclaimed, "I feel the sting of this bite more than at any other time;" and then he seized his gun and shot it. Unfortunately he had none of the usual remedies with him, and he immediately attempted to return to the river to his boat and hasten home, but he was overcome with the pain and swelling. The young man who was with him lifted him on to his shoulders and carried him to the boat and paddled away as fast as he could. On the way they met another Indian in a boat who had one of the snake bite remedies called Aramantha juice, but the pain was unyielding and became dreadful. It was six o'clock before they could reach home, and by that time his leg had swelled till it was thirty inches round and he fell as if dead. All the applications of his wife failed to relieve him, and not till next morning was the pain any easier. He then sent for the missionary, who found him in great agony. On seeing him James said, "Oh! I am in great pain, but I want you to speak to me about the good word." The xxiii. Psalm was read, and he said at the close, "Yes, I am in the valley of the shadow of death now, but my Lord is with me; his rod and his staff they comfort me." His friends prayed and read to him, and he died full of love and hope about a week after he was first bitten.

THE BLIND FATHER AND HIS BOY.

WHEN earthly visions bright

Are closed to mortal eye,

The soul rests in the peaceful light

Of heaven's unclouded sky.

And yet I feel the spell

That binds to earthly things:

Sweet nature's joys! I know them well,
With their ten thousand springs.

I know earth's robe of green,
Now rank with genial rain;
I know the sunlight's golden sheen
Rests on its face again.

I hear the voice of birds,

That carol in their bowers;

I list the sound of fountains stirred,

And scent the opening flowers.

I feel the balmy air,

As from an angel's plume,

Play round my cheek and forehead bare,

Steeped in its rich perfume.

And my own prattling boy,

I hear his footsteps fall;

With merry romp and shout of joy
He trips along the hall.

His arms are round me thrown-
His kiss is on my cheek;

"Look, father, see; your darling own"-
Ah me! I feel I'm weak.

Then for a moment I

My sightless eye-balls strainGive, O my Father, give, I cry,

Give back my sight again!

THE SCOTTISH SAILOR BOY.

IN Scotland, children and youth are accustomed from their earliest days to attend places of worship, and go to the parish school. Here is a pleasing tale of a boy, from the Scottish Teacher's Magazine :

It was my lot for a few years to conduct a country school at the southern base of the Grampian Hills, and in view of the German Ocean. Among a number of boys placed under my charge was one D- M. Before he was a week at school, he entwined himself about my heart. There was in his heart a friendly desire to oblige and be helpful, that made him quick to discern what one wanted, and to do it for one before there was time to make a request, so that it was impossible for me not to admire and love him. As for the acquisition of lessons, it cost him, such was his quickness, little or no trouble. So eager was his desire for knowledge, that he read every book he could find. Like all boys, especially those brought up near a seaport, he was intensely fond of books on voyages and travels. But a boy of lively feelings, he was often in mischief, and complaints were made about his wild, though not malignant, conduct.

Having lost his father and mother, he went one day to the harbour, and hired himself for the sea. The minister gave him a bible, and I gave him some memorial, and after a solemn and tender parting he set out. Soon after, I left the place for another employment. Years passed away. Amid the changes of life, and far removed from these incidents of youthful association, I had not heard of him, and