The tempting prophet hastened to the scene where this surprising event occurred, and he found the carcass cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcass: the lion had not eaten the carcass, nor torn the ass. He then took the dead body,-buried it in his own grave,—and mourned over it, saying, "Alas my brother!" We would fain hope that he saw his own sin, as well as his brother's punishment, in this awful event.

There are a few lessons which the young should draw from this incident of sacred writ. 1st. Let them cleave closely to God's plain commands, whoever may attempt to lead them aside. 2nd. The justice of God requires that sin should be punished. We must either suffer in our own persons the penalty of his righteous laws, or embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ his Son, by whom the law is magnified, and salvation secured to every believer. 3rd. When we are employed in the service of God we may expect temptations, and should prepare to resist them. It becomes all of us to be continually watchful and prayerful, and especially those young persons who are employed in doing good: they should be doubly careful lest these efforts be made any excuse for their own neglect of the great salvation. The more we abound in active usefulness, the more diligent we should be in the private means of grace; for Satan will particularly level his arrows at those who aim to destroy his kingdom. Yet, looking to Jesus, we are safe, and though he may suffer us to be tempted, in due time he who yet sympathizes with us, will appear for our deliverance. F.

JUVENILE CHARACTERS.

EXTRAVAGANCE,

Exemplified in the History of Harry Wilmot.

"A little is enough for all the necessities, for all the innocent recreations of life; but without economy, how large soever an estate is, there will still be a deficiency."

It was the unhappiness of the subject of these memoranda, to have been an indulged child. His parents were too fond of "their darling boy” to control him; and he had during his infancy all that he cried for, and when the days of infancy

were passed, all that he coveted. The house, from the nursery to the kitchen, was full of toys and baubles, which although they charmed at first, soon lost their power to please. The wooden horse was soon deprived of its head, the ship was soon dismasted, the wheels of the "Lord Mayor's Coach" soon came off, and the elegant fragments were transferred to the nurse's child, or thrown into the kitchen fire when the cook had neglected to supply it with timely fuel. It needs not be added, that Harry's temper was overbearing, that frequent feuds and quarrels agitated the peace of the house, and that many a servant lost her place by his misrepresentations.

The parents of Harry, at length discovered that they had committed a great error, but as he had now reached the age of fourteen, he was above their control, and his word was the law of the house. It was hoped that education would produce a reform, and that the firm and rigid discipline of his tutor would teach him obedience; but although his conduct was restrained during the time he spent at school, it was no better in the sequel, and when he entered upon his apprenticeship, he carried with him habits of extravagance, and a disposition of self-will that finally rendered his removal from his master's house necessary, and he was returned to his parents as unmanageable, and incurable!

In this mortified character he appeared for some time, till by great exertion, and the aid of some powerful interest, a situation was procured for him in one of the public offices. Had he improved by past experience, he might in the course of a few years have arisen to affluence and honor; but although his salary was liberal, it was inadequate to meet his extravagant propensities. The creatures, I will not call them men, who love good eating and drinking, resorted to him, like flies around the bowl. His habits, from being expensive, became vicious, and after many admonitions and reproofs from the head of the department, it was judged most adviseable, to prevent his being dismissed, that he should tender his resignation. What could he now do? He applied to his former friendsthe persons whom he had feasted-who had drank wine at his table, to the full, but they were as needy as himself-and when he ceased to entertain them, like hungry animals, they disappeared!