the London and Birmingham Railway, with £1,500 ayear, was a mechanic in Glasgow; and, perhaps, the very richest iron-founder in England was a working-man in Moray. Sir James Clark, the Queen's physician, was a druggist in Banff. Joseph Hume was a sailor first, then a labourer at the mortar and pestle in Montrose; M'Gregor, the late member of Parliament for Glasgow, was a poor boy in Ross-shire; Wilson, the late member for Westbury, was a ploughman in Haddington; and Anderson, the member from Orkney, earned his bread by the sweat of his brow in the Ultima Thule. These men, however, spent their leisure hours in acquiring useful knowledge. With resolution, economy of time, perseverance, a Christian character, and an upright life, no young man need despair of success.

DENYING SELF.

MR. CECIL, we are told in his memoirs, possessed a remarkable decision of character. When he went to Cambridge, he had made a resolution of restricting himself to a quarter of an hour daily in playing on the violin-on which instrument he greatly excelled, and of which he was extravagantly fond; but he found it impracticable to adhere to his determination; and had so frequently to lament the loss of time in this fascinating amusement, that, with the noble spirit which characterised him through life, he cut the strings, and never afterwards replaced them. He had studied for a painter; and after he had changed his object, retained a fondness and a taste for the art. He was once called to visit a sick lady, in whose room there was a painting which so strongly attracted his notice, that he found his attention diverted from the sick person and absorbed by the painting; from that moment he formed the resolution of mortifying a taste which he found so intrusive, and so obstructive to him in his nobler pursuits, and determined never afterward to frequent the Exhibition.-Old Jonathan.

THE ROBIN REDBREASTS.

A FABLE.

Two Robin redbreasts built their nests
Within a hollow tree;

The hen sat quietly at home,

The male sang merrily;

And all the little Robins said,

"Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee."

One day-the sun was warm and bright,
And shining in the sky-

Cock Robin said, "My little dears,
'Tis time you learned to fly ;"
And all the little young ones said,
"I'll try, I'll try, I'll try."

I know a child, and who she is
I'll tell you by and by,
"Do this" or

When mamma says,

that,"

She says, "What for?" and "Why?"
She'd be a better child, by far,

If she would say, "I'll try."

LIFE AND DEATH.

LIFE is but death's vestibule; and our pilgrimage on earth is but a journey to the grave. The pulse that preserves our being beats our death-march, and the blood which circulates our life is floating it onward to the deeps of death. To-day we see our friends in health, to-morrow we hear of their decease. We clasped the hand of the strong man but yesterday, and to-day we close his eyes. We rode in the chariot of comfort but an hour ago, and in a few more hours the last black chariot must convey us to the home of all living. O, how closely allied is death to life!

THE JUVENILE REPORTER.

GOT to the end of a cold, stormy month. It has been a trying month to many-a sad month to not a few who have stood over deathbeds and open graves. If these sorrows have not fallen to your lot, reader, give God the praise, and get ready, for, be assured, your day is coming.

But this has been a very blessed month to many-not only to those who have gone to heaven, but those also who are still here on earth. God has been working in many hearts, and leading souls to the Saviour. The Reporter was in a children's prayer-meeting one evening lately, which seemed to do his heart good. The children were all very poor, and many of them very ragged. Amongst those who knelt, some eight or nine rough boys were sobbing and weeping for their sins, and other little boys-who had previously sought and found Jesus-were standing up, and, with their hands clasped and tears in their eyes, prayed aloud that God would save their weeping, penitent comrades.

Writing this, reminds the Reporter of another prayermeeting. One day, not long ago, three or four little girls in a ragged day-school came to their teacher and asked her if she would form them into a little prayermeeting, and help them to seek salvation for their souls. The teacher was but too glad to comply. On the following Friday the little girl who spoke for the others to the teacher was taken ill with fever. A few days afterwards all hope of recovery was given up, and she was told she must soon die. But she was not afraid. She found Jesus, and had committed her soul to him without fear. Very earnestly did she plead with her godless mother to give up swearing, lead a new life, and try to meet her in heaven.

48

SABBATH LESSONS.

The wicked mother sobbed and wept, and said she would try. After thus speaking to her mother one day, this dear little child laid down her head upon the hard pillow, and, raising her eyes to the dark ceiling, she said, in a distinct voice:

"With thoughts of Christ and things divine,
Fill this foolish heart of mine;'
up

and again she slowly repeated the last line

"Fill-up-this-foolish-heart-of-mine ;"

and then, without a sigh or a groan, she closed her eyes and died. Dear child! how soon your prayer was answered -you are now with Christ and satisfied.

Al etter just received from Mr. Charteris, at Corfu, tells us of a good work still going on among the soldiers there. Prayer-meetings well attended, very many Bibles purchased, and, what is better, many are earnestly seeking Jesus.

Do not forget to pray for our dear missionaries now at sea, on their way to China.

** All the collecting cards must be in by the 15th of March.

ALL ABOUT THE SHIPS.

WHATEVER should we do if we had no ships? Railways cannot run on the sea-although they have sometimes talked about trying to make them run under it; and were it not for the ships there would be no getting from one country to another. If you could make out a list of all APRIL, 1860.

E