ten, signed by all the children who could write, and the little ones' names were put down for them ; and this was the children's secret.

Well, at last the time came, and friends assembled ; amongst them many of the members of "The Children's Association;" some who had given the things for the tree, but not all. Then the children marched in and took their places; but the little ones opened their eyes so wide, and wondered so much at the beautiful tree, that they had to be lifted into their seats; one of them tumbled over a form ; he did not know what he was doing. Very soon Mr. Dallas came, and then the children sang a song of welcome, which had been composed for the occasion, to the tune of "Some folks like to sigh." I must put it in here for those who did not hear it—

Once we wandered far,
Father dear, father dear,
Once we wandered far,

But you have brought us here.
Join all with heart and voice,
And loud hosannas raise,
We'll swell the song,

Our Jesus' name we'll praise.

Erin's children sighed,

Long ago, long ago,

Your arms were opened wide

To shelter them from woe.
Join all with heart and voice,
And loud hosannas raise,
We'll swell the song,

Our Jesus' name we'll praise.

Erin's children love

To welcome you, to welcome you,
You've taught us how above
We'll meet the Saviour, too.
Join all with heart and voice,
And loud hosannas raise,
We'll swell the song,

Our Jesus' name we'll praise.

In the better land,

Father dear, father dear,
A glorious angel band

Will welcome you up there.

Join all with heart and voice,

And loud hosannas raise,

We'll swell the song,

Our Jesus' name we'll praise."

When this had been sung, and tea and cake

finished, the smallest child, a little boy with rosy cheeks and curly hair, was lifted up on the table beside Mr. Dallas, and he handed. him first the letter, which Mr. Dallas read aloud, and then he gave the paper parcel, and Mr. Dallas opened it and expressed his delight and his thanks. And then he took the little boy in his arms, and kissed him, and blessed him; and he told the children the kiss and the blessing was for them all; and all the children looked very much pleased; and then they answered some questions nicely; and after that the pretty things were taken from the tree, and given round to the children; and there was such joy, and such wonder, and such looking at each other's things as never was known before. And then we thought all the fun was over; but no, we were mistaken. A strange gentleman was present, and he was so interested in the little children, that he came forward and said that he had a nice magic-lantern, which he would be very glad to bring and show to the children, if he might be permitted to do so. Of course all were delighted; and so the

the

magic-lantern was

brought, and the happy day had a very happy

ending. And I think you will all agree with me in thinking that the children of The Birds' Nest had indeed, what we wish to every one

of you

A Happy Christmas !

Christmas Day.

'Tis Christmas Day-glad voices
Awake the solemn sound,
And happy voices in our home,
And healthful looks around.

Why do we thus keep Christmas morn?
It is the day when Christ was born.

With little gifts that tell our love,
With garlands on the wall,

With thankful hearts and helpful hands,
We keep a festival.

Why do we thus keep Christmas morn?
It is the day when Christ was born.

Full eighteen hundred years ago,
Christ Jesus came on earth:
He came, He rose, He died for us—
We thank God for His birth.
And therefore we keep Christmas morn,
The day our Saviour Christ was born.

Christ healed the sick, and helped the poor,
While He was here on earth.

Do what you can to be like Him,

This morning of His birth.

Help some one to keep Christmas morn,

The day our Saviour Christ was born.

CHAPTER XIII.

"THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED."-Prov. x. 7.

I HAVE told you a great deal about the history of the Nest, and now I think I ought to tell you what it is like now. Well, to begin with the outside. It is just what the picture represents a great oblong stone building, not at all like a real bird's nest; I wish it was. I should like to have had it a cozy-looking place, with all sorts of nooks about it, porched doors, and dormer windows, and little chimneys popped about the roof; and then it would have been my taste to have roses, and ivy, and creeping plants climbing up, and round about the windows and chimneys. And there should have been a nice green field round about, surrounded by a good quickset hedge. All this would have been very delightful, but would have cost a good deal of money. And do you know we