HRISTOPHER COLUMBUS is supposed to

have been born at or near Genoa, in the year 1436, or, as others say, 1446. Though the greatest man of his era there is little definite information about his early life. But we know he was the son of a woolcomber; that he attended the great school of learning in Pavia, where he showed a taste for astronomy and cosmography; and that he early went to sea, and made several voyages in the Mediterranean. Settling in Lisbon in 1470, and spending his time in constructing maps and charts for his liveli hood, Columbus first appears to have imbibed that idea of land to the westward which he was destined to establish as fact. At this time Columbus made several voyages to the Azores, the Canaries, and the coast of Guinea. Not until about 1482 or 1483 did he lay his scheme before John II. of Portugal, who referred it to a company of nautical and scientific men, who decided against it. In 1484 Columbus left Lisbon, and found his way to Genoa, where the Republic, before whom he unfolded his scheme, treated it with scorn. Disappointed, but not despairing, Columbus turned his steps towards Spain. Stopping at a convent on his way, his ideas made a favourable impression on the Superior, who used all his influence to procure him the

favourable consideration of the King and Queen. It was not, however, until seven more years' disappointments had passed over that Columbus found himself in command of three small vessels, with 120 men, ready to start on his adventurous enterprise. After about three months' sailing over unknown seas his perseverance was rewarded by the sight of land, which proved to be one of the Bahama Islands. Having discovered several other of the West India Islands, Columbus returned to Spain, and was received with every demonstration of joy and admiration, as well by the people as the court. In the same year he set sail from Cadiz on a similar expedition, and two years later he set out on a third voyage. On returning from this expedition he found that the King had been prejudiced against him; an officer, Bovadilla, had been appointed to supersede him as governor, and by this person Columbus was sent home in chains. In spite of the King's opposition he, in 1502, set out once more to seek a passage uniting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but on account of the mutiny of his crew he was obliged to return in 1504, without accomplishing his object. Ferdinand, the King, proved basely ungrateful, and the noblest navigator the world has seen died in poverty at Valladolid, in 1506.

F.

REASURY DIALOGUES. By G. W. ARMSTRONG. Tweedie & Co., Strand. This is a little book that is likely to be useful to those who have to prepare children for Band of Hope and similar meetings. Much time is often lost in looking up stray leaves,

and the scarcity of suitable recitations is fre quently complained of. Here, however, are thirty-five pieces of prose and poetry on different subjects ready to hand, and we recommend those friends who are engaged in this good work to procure the book.

HE travellers duly arrived at Pilnington. The arrangements for the "coming of age" party were made, and a few select friends invited.

Mr. John Dawson received the warmest congratulations of all those assembled, and expressions of hope for his future prosperity were meted out to him in no stinted measure. He was "the lion" of the evening, and he bore the honours with grace and ease. This expression of goodwill on the part of his employer and his family was not expected, although deserved. John felt himself fully rewarded for his services in having been initiated into the principles of business. Special merit he did not claim, as he considered that it was only common honesty for everyone to do their duty, and that in the best possible way, and his feelings were more than gratified that his employer should acknowledge his five years' apprenticeship in the way he had, by making his house into a house of feasting, and thus one of joy.

The evening was being spent very pleasantly when a request from the host summoned the guests to the dining-room, where seats had been provided for each one of them. When all was in order, Mr. Sinclair rose and made a brief address to his friends, which was as follows:

when he did not know it, I must express my heartiest approval. He is an honour to his parents, and a credit to all with whom he is in any way connected. I have felt that my interests were quite as safe in his hands as in my own. I hope and pray that he may be long spared, and have a full share of health and strength, and every blessing this life can afford. I have had a document prepared by my lawyer which sets forth that John Dawson becomes my partner, the details of which deed I need not tell. It is for Mr. John to peruse it at leisure. I can only say I hope nothing may arise to prevent him accepting the position, and that the good, kindly, and friendly feeling that now exists may never be severed."

As Mr. Sinclair resumed his seat he handed the "partnership deed" to John, who, in accepting it, said, "He was so moved by the circumstance that he could not express himself without difficulty, but the feelings of his innermost heart were those of grateful thanks. The reward was greater than his deserts, but he would seek to serve the interests of the business as faithfully in the future as he had tried to do in the past."

The sentiments of both the "partners" were received with much warmth by those who heard them uttered, and all said such results must be gratifying to all concerned.

Mrs. Sinclair then presented Mr. John with a beautiful gold watch, suitably inscribed, and Annie and Polly also gave their gifts, the latter being a copy of "Robertson's Sermons," as she thought John was fond of "theology."

Mr. and Mrs. Dawson and Katie were

all shedding tears of joy. This was the proudest, if not the happiest, day in their lives.

Testimonials and presentations were sent from the Church and Sunday-school expressing the esteem in which he was held, and praying for his temporal and spiritual welfare.

John having met with such unlooked-for prosperity showed his gratitude to God by sending round to all his aged and poor friends an extra donation to increase their comfort. "Blessed is he that considereth the poor," and the blessings of the poor were showered upon him.

When the meeting at Mr. Sinclair's broke

up the friends were asked to join in prayer, so that the events of the day might have the Divine blessing attached to them. This was the first " prayer-meeting ever held in Mr. Sinclair's house, but he had resolved to "arise and go to his Father," and that Father, whom he had so long forgotten, extended His loving arms, brought him into the household of faith, and made him "heir to an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

Thus, while the Sinclairs had given temporal good to the Dawsons, the Dawsons were the instruments, in God's hands, of bestowing upon the Sinclairs the "true riches."

WHEN the Dawsons arrived at home they assembled for prayer and thanksgiving for the mercies God had bestowed upon them, after which the partnership deed was opened and read. The contents set forth that John was to be a partner, and that his share of the profits was to be to the extent of one-third; at the end of nine years, or when John entered upon his thirtieth year, he was to become a partner on equal terms with Mr. Sinclair, and receive one-half the net profits of the busi

ness.

66

66 Father,” said John, “I cannot believe it; if I were not conscious of being awake I should surely think I was dreaming. I shall remain in doubt of its reality until I have it fully confirmed to my senses by the light of day. We had better go to rest; we must all be quite exhausted; at least I am." And so they retired.

The next morning John found the matter was not a dream, but a sober fact. But though his senses were convinced his feelings were not composed; he still felt that his reward was out of all proportion to

his deserts. This thought agitated him considerably, and he seriously hesitated whether he ought not to decline the offer, at least for the present. With these thoughts in his mind he, in company with his father, left home to pay a visit to Mr. Sinclair, at the office.

Mr. Sinclair was there before them. The greeting was cordial.

"So you have come with your son to witness the signatures, Mr. Dawson?" said Mr. Sinclair.

"Oh no, sir," said John; "father has come with me because we both think your kindness is greatly in excess of my merit, and we wish to suggest that the signing of the document should be delayed."

"Five years ago, Mr. Sinclair, I was in this office," remarked Mr. Dawson. "I little thought then what would be the nature of my next visit; but you must excuse me saying I think your offer to my son ought to be modified."

"Mr. Dawson," said Mr. Sinclair, "if I were not persuaded that John merited the position, I should not have given it to him.

tent before God, he cried for mercy. That cry was heard; through the power of faith he was able to rejoice in a sense of sin forgiven. At once he joined the Church, and until the day of his death continued one of its devoted and consistent members. Fruit of his conversion soon appeared; he became an anxious inquirer after truth, kept a Bible at the workshop, and when he had a few leisure moments he searched the sacred volume, and treasured up its sayings in his heart. He was a bud of promise, and if his life had been spared he would doubtless have risen up to great usefulness, but it pleased the Lord to call him while young.

His faithful and much-loved Sunday. school teacher writes: "John Howard was a scholar in my class; he paid great attention to what was read and said by his teacher, and took in the spirit of the word."

enjoyments before him; but he met my question with brave, manly, and Christian fortitude, and said he had settled that matter on the Thursday (this being on the Saturday); he had put his life and times in the Lord's hands, and whatever He saw best, whether getting better or not, he could say, "Thy will be done." I certainly felt that he was resigned, because the Lord's presence was there, and I thought if the infidel could feel what I felt, then he would have known whether religion was a cunningingly devised fable; whether there was any hereafter or not, or death was an eternal sleep. His sufferings were intense, but he said the Lord was very near to him. I told him the Lord, his helper, neither slumbered nor slept, and He would hear his cries in the night as well as in the day, and would send him help. He said, "Teacher, there is a Bible there, and if you