HINGES ALL OVER. A CONVERTED native of the South Sea Islands was onc endeavouring to give an account of the manner in which he persuaded himself that the Bible was the word of God. "When I look at myself," he said, "I find I have got hinges all over my body. I have hinges in my legs, my jaws, my feet, my hands. If I want to lay hold of any thing, there are hinges in my hands, and even to my fingers, to do it with. If my heart thinks, and I want others to think with me, I use the hinges to my jaws, and they help me to talk. I could neither walk nor sit down if I had not hinges to my legs and feet. All this is very wonderful. None of the strange things that men have brought from England in their big ships is to be at all compared to my body. He who made my body has made all the clever people who have made the strange things which they bring in ships; and he is the God whom I worship. But I should not know much more about him than a great hinge-maker, if men in their ships had not brought the book they call the Bible. That tells me of God who made the skill and the heart of man likewise. And when I hear how the Bible tells of the old heart with its corruptness, and the new heart and a right spirit, which God alone can create and give, I feel that his work in my heart and his work in my body fit into each other exactly. I am sure, then, that the Bible which tells me these things was made by him who made the hinges to my body. And I believe the Bible to be the Word of God." THE KIND LITTLE GIRL. A VERY poor man had a very good little girl. She had a fat, chubby, sweet face, and her cheeks looked like THE KIND LITTLE GIRL. 61 peaches when they are ripe. Her hair hung in ringlets all over her head, and some rich fathers would have made her look like a fairy with nice dresses and costly trinkets. But Lulu's father was poor, and her clothes were only decent ; but she, sweet girl, was kind and good, which is better than to be rich. Riches have spoilt a great many little girls, but Lulu had no chance to be spoilt in this way. One day she saw a lame old man going by wretchedly clad, with a pack on his back. Lulu thought he must be cold or hungry, or need something to make him comfortable, so out she ran, without saying anything to her mother, and soon overtook the stranger. "Man!" said she, "my father always gives poor folks something to eat; won't you come back and get some bread." The old man turned about as if he were surprised. Perhaps he thought a bird of paradise had just dropped down there and was singing. He was unused to such soft, sweet voices as that; and then her message was so kind and good! Lulu thought the old man did not understand her, because he stood and gazed upon her in silence. So she again said "My father always gives poor folks something to eat. Won't you go back with me and get some bread ?" The old man smiled-he could not help it. If he had felt cross he could not have kept down that smile. He turned about, and Lulu took his hand and led him back to the house. What do you think her mother thought when she saw her little daughter leading in that ragged stranger? "Here, mother," said Lula, " is a poor lame man, who is hungry; won't you give him some bread ?" Her mother looked pleased, and hastened to feed the stranger, while Lulu set him a chair close to the fire, and viewed him from head to foot, as if she thought he were a Lazarus, as poor and good. We need not tell you how long he stayed, nor what he said about Lulu when he went away. We are more concerned to know what our young readers will think and say about this kind little girl. Was it not a beautifu 62 WORKING CHEAP. spirit that caused her to think of the beggar's wants? Ought not every boy and girl to be as thoughtful and kind. Remember the charming hymn "Little deeds of kindness, "Little seeds of mercy, Sown by youthful hands, may say, A REVIVAL IN SWEDEN. FOR some time past a Revival of religion has been going on in Sweden. Many are anxious about their souls, and some are rejoicing in Jesus. A young minister says, "The work here has been most wonderful and interesting. This day I have had in my little room, I scores of parishioners, all inquirers or rejoicing believers, who, a year ago, most of them, were indifferent or open scoffers. Oh, what a hopeful, heart-stirring wonder! There is a fair in this town to-day and to-morrow; but, instead of looking on the fair, they come in flocks to me and the colporteurs, and other Christian friends, to speak of the one thing needful, and to purchase good books for themselves and for their careless relations and acquaintances. Indeed, I have never enjoyed as much before in any place where I have been minister. May the good work go on and prosper, and many souls be savingly blessed by the preached and printed word now calling upon sinners in this district! The priests round about are almost furious. They do not know what to do." WORKING CHEAP. "WHAT does Satan pay you for swearing?" asked a gentleman. "He don't pay me anything," was the reply. "Well, you work cheap; to inflict so much pain on your friends, and to risk losing your own precious soul, and all for nothing. You certanly do work cheap-very cheap indeed." CLOSE OF THE JUVENILE MISSIONARY FUND FOR 1859-60. THE Fund is closed for the year, and very creditable it is to those who have assisted in the good work. We started by saying that we would require at least £250 each year. Some friends smiled when we proposed to raise this amount, and now we have the satisfaction of telling them that we have got it all, and a little more, for it amounts to 1 £250 178. 8d. We have to thank all our kind friends and readers who became collectors for this work, and pray that they may find the blessing return into their own souls. Those who laboured with us have gained, those who stood idle and did nothing have lost. This may not appear now, but it will some day. We must in fairness add that the greatest amount of assistance has, in many cases, come from those who had fewest opportunities. Our readers living in the country have done more than those in the towns. But of this we shall have more to say again. Let us thank God and take courage. THE JUVENILE REPORTER. THE Reporter feels his heart very much cheered this month by seeing a good work well and nobly done. He is free to confess that, at the beginning of the year, when he waved his hat and called out for volunteers to help the Mission Fund, he did not expect to get the whole amount. But now the treasurer sends him word that the whole £250 are raised, and 17s. 8d. more. To God be the praise! 64 SABBATH LESSONS. The Reporter is sorry to learn that the great and good missionary, Dr. Duff, has been unwell, and that poor Mr. Braidwood is so ill that he must either leave India at once or die. The Reporter's spirit is gladdened by the accounts of the progress of God's work in our own land. One Sabbath evening lately he went to a theatre-not to see a play, for he never did that in his life-but to hear a minister of Christ preach the gospel to the poor. It was a noble sight. From four to five thousand people listening so attentively to the Word of Life. Pray that the Lord may lead many who go there on Sabbath evenings to the feet of Jesus. At eight o'clock the same evening, the Reporter, when going home, had the pleasure of addressing nearly 300 poor people in a very low dark court, who came out at that hour to hear the gospel of Jesus. One evening lately the Reporter attended another meeting in St. Martin's Hall, which he will not soon forget. Nearly a thousand boys and girls from the Ragged Schools assembled to receive prizes for good conduct. Good Lord Shaftesbury was in the'chair *** but the printer has just put his hand on the Reporter's shoulder, saying, "Please sir, stop, there's no time-no room-for more,' and therefore he must submit, saying, Good-bye, till another month comes round. The Ascension. 98 & 99.-Rev. 1. 17, 18. Acts 1. 4-14. 22 May 5 Lame Man cured 101.-Isa. 6r. 1. Acts 3. 1-13. |