LESSON 10.

The dying Father's Advice to his Children.

Mr. Thomas Halyard lived on a small farm in the state of New-Jersey. He had been a sailor when he was young, and had been three times cast away, barely escaping with his life. He left the sea, because he did not like to be so long away from his wife and children, and suffer so great hardships for so little profit.

Mrs. Halyard was a woman of good sense, and took the best care of her family. Charles was her oldest son, and Jack was the second. Her two little girls were younger than the boys. Their names were Mary and Betsey. Year after year, this agreeable family had lived, enjoying the delights of their virtue and affection. Each succeeding season returned to shed its blessings upon them. The parents were kind and the children dutiful.

But there is no lasting happiness here below. A sad change was to take place in this little company, and the tie of love that t so united them, was, for the first time, to be broken. Mr. Halyard was taken extremely sick with a fever. Although he was very weak, yet he had not lost his reason, and his mind was composed. He perceived that the doctor had no hope of his living.

Mr. Halyard said that while he was able to speak, he wanted his children to be called, that he might talk to them. Having been raised up in his bed, he waited a short time, and then said, "My dear children, I see you are much grieved to think your father must die, and leave you; but such are the ways of God, that even in this seeming evil, there is some wise design for your good.

"He who made us, is all-powerful, wise, and just. It is his law that all things here shall pass

away. All the people in the world must die. Their bodies turn to dust: but our souls will never die. Our souls will go to another world, to be punished if we have been wicked, and if we have been good, to enjoy everlasting bliss. You will not stay long in this world. It is only to try you and to prepare you for a better one.

You see,

"It seems but a short time, my dear Jack, since my father gave me his dying farewell, and when I was a little boy like you. I am not afraid to die. My trust is in him, who is able to save. He is a kind parent, and has said, he will not forsake those who put their trust in him. His word is true. Of this he has given me proof, in the trying scenes, through which I have passed; and you know my children, I have great reason to be thankful."

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Here Mr. Halyard was obliged to stop speaking; for he was very weak; and they gave him some drink in a glass to wet his mouth. The bright sun was just shining into the room. So," said this good man, "the sun of my life is going down, and no rising sun will shine again on me, till the last morning shall beam on the world. It is true I am yet in the prime of manhood, and it is hard parting from you, my dear children, and from your dear mother; from my good friends; from all the tender recollections and endearments of life; but it is God's will.

"God is kind, and knows the best. He will be your mother's protector; he will be your father. While you are young, remember this great God. Never speak his name but with reverence. Strive to do his will. Remember that his eye is always upon you, and that no evil deed can be concealed from him. Think what he has done for me, and what he will do for all, who love and obey him.

"Strive to improve your minds in every kind of useful knowledge. Behave with good order in your

school. Respect your teachers, who labor to make you wise and happy. Be diligent in every good work. Be honest, and most honest where no human eye can watch you; for the ever present God, and your accusing conscience will be there. Be faithful to your word; never violate a trust; never betray your friend, Be kind to all, and love each

other.

"What your fortune is to be in the world, or whether your lives are to be spared, nobody can tell. I have but little to leave you, except a name unstained and a father's blessing. If you do well, these will be sufficient for you. If you are idle, and ignorant and vicious, all the riches in the world could not raise you to true respect.

"If you had houses, they might be burned. Money may be stolen. All worldly goods may be lost; and if they do not leave us, we must die and leave them; but if you have learning, and virtue, and firmness of character, though your condition be humble, you will always find friends and command respect.

"These are the best riches. You may carry them with you wherever you go, and fortune cannot take them from you, while life and reason remain. Remember what was said long ago, by a wise and aged man, 'I have been young and now am old; yet have I never seen the righteous forsaken.' And now my dear children, I beseech you to honor your mother, cherish and comfort her. May the God of all goodness bless you, and guide you by his wisdom, through all the trials which await you, to eternal rest beyond the grave.

The next morning, about day-break, having his senses to the last moment, he prayed his great Maker to receive his soul; and with a look at once pleasant and solemn, he said to those about him, "Farewell, good friends," and died as calmly as if he had been going to sleep.

Death of the Righteous.

Who shall weep, when the righteous die?
Who shall mourn when the good depart?
When the soul of the godly shall fly away,
Who shall lay the loss to heart?

He has gone in peace-he has laid him down
To sleep till the dawn of a brighter day;
And he shall wake on, that holy morn
When sorrow and sighing shall flee away

LESSON 11.

Thy Will be done.

How sweet to be allowed to pray
To God the holy One,
With filial love and trust to say,
"Father, thy will be done."

We in these sacred words oan find

A cure for every ill;

They calm and soothe the troubled mind,
And bid all care be still.

Oh let that will that gave me breath,

And an immortal soul,

In joy or grief, in life or death,
My every wish control.

Oh could my heart thus ever pray,
With joy life's course would run.
Teach me, O God, with truth to say,
"Thy will, not mine, be done."

LESSON 12.

Jack Halyard in the City of New-York.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Halyard and her children removed to the city of New-York. One of their neighbours was a constable, by the name of Bailey. The constable was much pleased with Jack's learning and good sense; and he invited him to go and see some of the curiosities of the city.

One of the places they visited was the police office. This office is to detect rogues, that they may be brought to justice. It is kept in one of the rooms of the great City Hall, where most of the public business is done. Jack had never been

in

any sort of a court before. He saw three judges, sitting on a high bench, and a clerk, at a desk on their left hand, to write down their proceedings. There were many officers, with long staves, to attend on the judges, and to bring up the criminals from every part of the city.

Jack staid at the police about two hours, and in that time, he saw a number of very bad sights. There was a boy only twelve years old, brought there for stealing a pocket-book. The boy trembled all over, and could hardly stand up without being held by the arms. His mother was there, and seemed as if her heart would break. She followed her son, when the officers took him. His father was dead. Jack Halyard thought about himself. His father was dead too. He had now come to live in the same great city, and he began to think what if he should make his mother feel as badly as that poor woman did. He could not help shedding tears.

Jack told the constable that the poor boy's father was dead; his mother was in great distress,

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