what a happy one she spent! Her companions celebrated the birthday of Jesus on earth, but she is in His presence, where there is "fulness of joy."

Breast the Wave, Christian.

"Breast the wave, Christian,
When it is strongest ;
Watch for day, Christian,
When the night's longest.
Onward and upward still
Be thine endeavour;
The rest that remaineth
Will be for ever.

Fight the fight, Christian,
Jesus is o'er thee;
Run the race, Christian,
Heaven is before thee.
He who hath promised

Faltereth never;
The love of Eternity

Flows on for ever.

Lift the eye, Christian,

Just as it closeth;
Raise the heart, Christian,

Ere it reposeth.

Thee, from the love of Christ,

Nothing can sever;

Mount when thy work is done,

Praise Him for ever."

CHAPTER XII.

"IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE."

Now I think I must tell you something about Christmas time in the Birds' Nest; and how the real Holly and Ivy, and the real time of joy, comes to the poor Birdies. If I give you the history of Christmas, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, it will do for a specimen. Well, there is a kind gentleman who lives near the Nest, and who very often watches the procession of one hundred and fifty boys and girls going to church on Sundays, and sees their good behaviour there.

About a fortnight before Christmas time, a very kind thought came into his head and heart. It was this:-I will give those dear children a real Christmas dinner beef and plum-pudding. He asked a lady to manage it for him, and he would pay the money. This

lady had a kind heart and a wise head, and so she sat down to make her calculations. There were raisins, and currants, and sugar, and suet, and flour, and bread, and beef, and potatoes to be bought; and the first question was-how much of each would be wanted? and the second was-how such a great dinner should be cooked? Both these questions required consultation and calculation, but at last the plans were all laid, and the children were told what their kind friend was going to do for them. There was a great clapping of hands, and a great shout of joy at the news. And from that time till Christmas-day, there was as much pleasure in the hearts of the poor little children in the Nest, as there is in the hearts of the little children who live in happy homes, and have kind papas, and mammas, and elder brothers and sisters, who they knew are preparing joyful surprises for Christmas-day.

At length the Christmas-eve came, and on that day the preparations were to be made. Early in the morning, three carts, loaded with ivy, and holly with red berries, arrived at the gate. And the boys were sent to carry it all in, which they accomplished in a wonderfully