have seen that the decree was levelled at him.

ANNE.

I think so too, and how admirable was his conduct! Before its publication, we have an interesting account of his piety, which never allowed the cares and business which devolved upon him, as one of the principal persons in a great empire, to prevent his offering prayers and giving thanks to God three times every day; nor did the dread of the threatened punishment effect any change in such praiseworthy conduct.

FRANCES.

Do you think then, Anne, that we ought to pray three times every day, as Daniel did?

ANNE.

Nay, my dear; how often the seasons of devout retirement should return, must depend on the circumstances and situations in which Divine Providence has seen fit to place us. It would not be possible for all persons to spend the same time in religious exercises which others ought to do, and, I am persuaded, really do, with great advantage to

themselves and others. Yet there are few, I believe, who might not redeem some portion of time from every day that passes, which should be set apart for good works and serious reflection.

FREDERICK.

Anne, do you know papa says his grandmother used to go regularly to Chapel, two or three miles off, after she was eighty years old, and could not hear at all! Was not that very curious?

ANNE.

I dare say you think so now, but when you grow older you will understand her reasons for so doing. She had been many years a widow, and resided on an estate which was the distance you mention from a place of worship; she therefore went as an inducement to her servants and work-people to do the same, and although she could not hear the word of God (being deaf), that was no obstacle to her reading it, and joining her silent offerings of praise and thanksgiving for the blessings she still had, with those of her humble followers.

FRANCES.

The last bell is ringing, and I see the charity-children on their way to Church. Had not we better make haste?

ANNE.

Our conversation has accidentally inclined to public worship, though Daniel, from his being a captive Jew in the midst of idolaters, was entirely deprived of that privilege; private devotion, however, is in the highest degree necessary, even to fit us to join in the public profession of our faith. In the morning, when we are entering on the business of the day, with all its uncertain events before us, how desirable is it that we should commit ourselves to the Divine guidance and blessing! And in the evening, when another portion of life is past, how powerfully are we impelled to express our gratitude for the mercies we have received, to beg forgiveness for the faults we have committed, and to resign ourselves to the protection of that good Providence, upon whom depends our safety during the silent hours of the night!

ON THE DESTRUCTION OF

JERUSALEM.

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be."

MATTHEW, xxiv, 21.

HARRIETTE.

ANNE, I am very glad you are come home again; last Sunday we did not very well know how to do without you. Frances and Lydia are such great girls, they could read and entertain themselves, but we little ones did not know where to find anything we should understand, and we had not anybody to explain the difficult parts to us.

ANNE.

Did you not read at all, then?

HARRIETTE.

Oh, yes. Ellen and I read some chapters in the Bible, but we could not quite make out what they meant, so I put a mark in the place, that I might ask you about them when you came home.

ANNE.

Well, let me see them, and try if I can explain them to you.

HARRIETTE.

Here is the first chapter we read. It is the 24th chapter of St. Matthew.

ANNE.

Read it, and I will look over you, and as soon as you come to any thing you don't understand, stop.

HARRIETTE. (reading.)

"And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple, and his disciples came to him, to show him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily, I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." How, Anne? Why? What was he thinking of?

ANNE.

Our Saviour was thinking, my dear, of the destruction of Jerusalem, which afterwards came to pass, exactly in the manner he here foretells. Go on with the passage, and I will explain it to you.