"I LIVE TỎ LOVE.”

"I LIVE to love," said a laughing girl,
And she playfully tossed each flaxen curl;
And she climbed on her loving father's knee,
And snatched a kiss in her childish glee.

"I live to love," said a maiden fair,

And she twined a wreath for her sister's hair;
They were bound by the cords of love together,
And death alone could those sisters sever.

"I live to love," said a gay young bride,
Her loved one standing at her side;

Her life told again what her lips had spoken,
And ne'er was the link of affection broken.

"I live to love," said a mother kind,

"I would live a guide to thy youthful mind; Her precepts and examples given

Guided her children home to heaven.

"I live to love," said a fading form,

And her eyes were bright, and her cheeks grew warm
As she thought of the blissful world on high
Where she'd live to love, and never die!

And ever thus, in this lower world,
Should the banner of love be wide unfurl'd;
And when we meet in the world above,
May we love to live, and live to love!

WELCOME, Christmas, welcome here,
Happiest season of the year:
Fires are blazing thee to greet,
Familics together meet:
Brothers, sisters, circle round,
Loud is gladness' festive sound;
For old England loves to see
All her children welcome thee.

Welcome, Christmas, for thy voice
Calls upon us to rejoice

Not with foolish, idle mirth,
Born and perishing on earth;
Far be such ungrateful thought :
Ours are blessings dearly bought,
Dearly bought, but freely given
By the Lord of earth and heaven.

Fix we then on Christ our eye;
May we feel the Saviour nigh:
May we meet around the board,
All rejoicing in the Lord :

Be the Babe of Bethlehem near;
May his love the season cheer,
And each gladdened heart and tongue
Join the angels' Christmas song.

THE FESTIVAL OF THE GODDESS KALI.

WHAT a frightful picture! You may well say so; but what must it be, think you, to see what this picture represents? He who pens you these explanatory lines has often witnessed the sad and mournful sight of Kali's Festival. It takes place yearly in the vicinity of Calcutta, continues for fifteen days, and has been the occasion of much cruelty and wretchedness. The numbers who attend this festival are now greatly diminished.

You may not know that the city of Calcutta derives its name from this cruel goddess of the Hindoos. Before Calcutta was built, the temple of Kali existed in the neighbourhood. It was called in the Bengali language Kali Cotta, and this, abbreviated, became Calcutta Kali or Cali, the goddess, and Cotta, her residence or temple. The Hindoos to this day pronounce Calcutta, not as we do, but, "Cali Cotta."

Kali is the goddess of cruelty; the poor ignorant Hindoos thus endeavouring to personify all things sad, sorrowful, and wicked. They that make such gods are like to them. Ah, if they knew the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent to save and instruct them, and to deliver them from all evil both here and hereafter, how differently would they think and act! It is delightful to know that many of them have been brought under the gracious influence of the Gospel, and are now members of the Church of Jesus Christ. The writer of this paper has baptized many of them, and rejoiced over them as humble and true-hearted followers of the Saviour, and he hopes to meet them with joy before the great white throne.

Dear young friends, pray that whilst the heathen are forsaking their cruel and dumb idols that they may find pardon, purity, and peace through the blood of the Lamb, you may each be prompted to say, "He is my Saviour and my Guide; I will love him because he is both gracious and good; and my earnest aim shall be to obey all his commandments."