FRANKNESS.

IT is very hard to persuade children that they really gain a great deal by being perfectly open and sincere. Indeed, I do not think there are many, who know what it is to be frank. I know one little girl, who, I am sure, does not. Her name is Sarah. Sarah thinks that if she is careful not to tell any direct falsehoods, and not to deceive any one, in the worst sense of the word, that she is quite frank enough. When she has done any thing wrong and is asked if she did it, she always acknowledges it, but she never goes to her father or mother, or teacher, and tells of it herself, unless some inquiry has been made.

There is another way in which Sarah shows a want of frankness, when she is reproved for any thing. She always tries not to show that she is sorry. She feels sorry, and she resolves not to do so again, but takes

great care that no one shall know it. Now, there is no use in taking all this trouble. Her friends would all love - her better, if she would not try so hard to conceal her feelings. Perhaps she is ashamed to seem sorry, but here she makes a great mistake; when she has done wrong, she ought to be very much ashamed of herself, if she is not sorry for it.

But I began by saying that little children would gain a great deal by being frank. Just think about it a moment, and see if they would not. When Sarah says, "I did not do it," or "I did do it," she is believed; but I know another little girl, whose parents, if they find that any mischief has been done, never even ask her if she did it. They say, "Now, if Mary had done this, she would have told me of it immediately, so she cannot have been to blame; it must have been some one else."

Now, do not you think that Mary, possessing the entire confidence of her parents, must be happier than Sarah?

I should like very much to point out to you some other respects in which those who are frank and sincere in every thing, make themselves happier than those who

are not so. But I want to say a few words to Sarah, and I advise you to think of the subject, and decide about it for yourselves. The habit of thinking for yourselves is very useful, and the sooner you begin to form it, the better.

My advice to Sarah is this;-do not be satisfied with never telling a falsehood; all children avoid that, unless they are very wicked; but try to cultivate a frank, open disposition, and you will find that all your friends will love you the better for it. It is well to have an example before you; so look at Mary, and see how happy this very disposition makes her, as well as all her friends. When you have done wrong, do not wait to be asked about it, but go and acknowledge it immediately. Your parents will not certainly blame you more for it; probably, not so much. But, however that may be, the quiet happiness which results from doing right, you will be sure to feel.

WORTHY OF IMITATION.

SOME weeks past, in looking over a drawer which had not been unlocked for many months, I was surprised to find nearly the enclosed amount of five dollars, in five, six, and ten cent pieces, which I wish given to the missionary society. It should have been sent sooner, but my feelings would not permit me to look at, much less count it, knowing that it had been deposited by our two youngest daughters, who we trust are now in heaven. The pieces were given them by their father, for diligence in learning their lessons. They were taught at home by a sister, who was an active member of the missionary society, and by whose example and advice they were influenced to buy no more candy or useless toys, but to save all their money for the missionaries, to help them to go and teach the heathen children to worship the true God. I have seen them shed tears at the recital of their

condition, the idea of their worshipping gods of wood was so painful to them.

They were extraordinary children and bid fair to be ornaments in the church of Christ, and the comfort and solace of our declining years. But alas! in little more than one short year they were both cut down as flowers of the field: still I trust we can say in sincerity, "Not our will, O Lord, but thine be done."

Yours in the bonds of Christian affection,

A BEREAVED MOTHER.