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speak to her; do nothing without her advice. Everything in life can be replaced; the wife of thy early years is irreplacable. An honorable man honors his wife; a contemptible one despiseth her. The loss of a first wife is like the loss of a man's sanctuary in his lifetime. Man and wife well-matched have heaven's glory as their companion; man and woman ill-matched are encircled by a devouring fire. Rather any ache than heart-ache; rather any evil than an evil wife. A man who takes his wife for the sake of her money rears ilbehaved children."

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"You don't think she's going to die, do you, ma?" he inquired, anxiously. He was a little fellow, scarcely more than three years old, and not only very nervous, but much attached to his little sister; and his mother feared to tell him all her thoughts just as he was going to bed, lest he should be unable to sleep; so she answered evasively.

"The doctor says if she is to get well there must be a change for the better before long."

"God can make her better, can't He, ma?"

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Yes, my dear, if it is for the best." He sat down quietly in his bath, for a moment, and looked into the water in deep thought. Then as his mother lifted him up, he asked: "When I get out of my bath, may I kneel down and ask God to make sister well?”

"Yes, my son; I shall be very glad for you to do so if you wish it." But the little night gown was hardly fastened when a cry from baby called the mother from Morris, whom she hastily put in his crib, unmindful of her promise to him. Little sister was soon quiet again, and Morris called softly to his mother to remind her of the promise.

"Very well, my dear, you can pray now, if you wish. "And may I kneel down ?"

get out of my crib and

"Yes, if you will wait a moment till I can come and help you."

"Oh, don't trouble yourself, ma, to come; I think I can get out alone-I'll try;" and suiting the action to the word, he commenced letting himself down, asking, at the same time, if he might say it separate from his other little prayers," say it all by itself, and as you do when you pray with me.'

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His mother bade him say it as he wished, and then as he knelt by his crib, he prayed:

"O Father, we come to Thee to make little sister well; dear sister is so bad she can't sit up to play with me; please make her well, so she can sit up and play with me. for Christ's sake. Amen."

Then he climbed into his crib again ; and as his mother went to cover him up, he exclaimed, joyously: "There, ma! I feel glad now, for I think she'll get well," and nestling down on his pillow he was soon asleep.

Through the long hours of the night the parents watched anxiously over the little sufferer, with their hearts echoing little Morris' prayer, when just hefore dawn there appeared a decided improvement in the symptoms of the disease. Not long afterward the mother heard a rustling in the little boy's crib, and looking toward it saw Morris sitting up, looking like the picture of "Little Samuel;" and he whispered: "Is sister better yet?"

Mrs. Stanley folded her arms about him, and answered with a kiss as expressive as her words: and the little fellow exclaimed with quiet exultation : "I knew God would make her well, when I asked Him last night." Who shall say that the little fellow's faith was not true faith, or that it is not the want of such trust as this which hinders the answer to the prayers of older persons?-From "Mother's Friend."

MORALITY without religion is only a kind of dead reckoning-an endeavor to find out places on a cloudy sea by measuring the distance we have to run, but without any observation of the heavenly bodies.-Longfellow.

The Sunday-School Department.

How Nicholas became a Great

Musician.

The violin is a wonderful_instrument in the hands of a master. In its power of expression, its purity and fiueness of tone, it ranks next to the cultivated human voice. There have been many famous performers on this instrument, but Paganini stands alone the most wonderful violinist the world has ever heard. And he had won this fame before he was sixteen years old.

and he astonished his parents, and received their hearty plaudits when, in departing from the common methods, produced entirely now effects. His musical instinct seemed to have been sharpened and strengthened by the close application imposed upon him.

Soon, the musical knowledge of the elder Paganini became insufficient for the growing abilit ies of his son, and other teachers were procured.

At eight years of age the little Nicholas performed in the churches and at Nicholas Paganini was born at Gen- private musical parties, "upon a violin oa, Italy, February 18, 1784. When that looked nearly as large as himself." he was only four years old his father He also composed at this time, his first put a violin in his tiny hands, and made "Violin Sonata." A year afterward him practice upon it from morning till he made what was considered to be his night. Sitting at his parent's feet on a first public appearance, or debut, in the little stool, Paganini obediently scraped great theater of Genoa, at the request away, learning his scales and intervals. of two noted singers-Marchesi and He entered into the work cheerfully, Albertinotti. and took great interest in his studies, Paganini's father took him about but this did not lessen his father's rigor. this time to see the celebrated composThe slightest fault was punished severe- er, Rolla, who lived at Parma, hoping ly. Sometimes food was denied the to obtain for the boy the benefit of little fellow, in punishment for a mis- Rolla's instruction for awhile. But the take which any learner might have made.

The delicate, sensitive constitution of the child was injured beyond repair by such treatment.

composer was sick and could not see his visitors. The room in which they were seated was next to the sick man's bedchamber and so it happened that he left his violin there, together with a copy of a His mother, also ambitious for her new work he had just finished. Little son, worked upon his imagination, and Nicholas, at his father's request, took excited him to ever-renewed exertions up the violin to see what the music was by telling him that an angel had ap- like. He began at the beginning and peared to her in a vision, and had executed the entire work at sight withassured her that he should outstrip all competition as a performer on the violin.

Even at this early age the bent of Paganini's mind was toward the marvelous and extraordinary-that is he did not merely imitate those who before bis time had played the violin, but struck out new ways for himself, making his instrument a greater puzzle to the unlearned than ever it had been before;

out a single mistake, and so well that the sick composer arose from his bed that he might see what master hand had given him so agreeable a surprise. Rolla, on hearing the object of their visit, assured the father that he could add nothing to the young artist's acquirements, and recommended other noted teachers.

Nicholas and his father went about the country, through the principal cities of Lombardy, after which they returned

to Genoa, where the youthful performer was again subjected to those daily toils which had been forced upon him before with such heartless rigor; but this bondage was not to be prolonged.

At fourteen he was allowed to go on a short tour with an elder brother, and at fifteen he ran away and began to travel on his own account. Relieved from the control of his too-exacting father, his mind reacted from its long slavery, and he fell into bad ways of living. But after a while his affection for his father led him to return home. Having saved a sum of money equal to about fifteen hundred dollars, he now offered a portion of it to his parents. But his exacting father demanded the whole, and Paganini to keep peace, gave up the greater part of the hardearned money.

The young man now began another tour, visiting many parts of Italy, and everywhere meeting with unbounded success. But I am very sorry to say that he allowed his great popularity to turn his head, so that he became very arrogant, headstrong, and, in various. ways, led an unworthy life. Intemperance soon was added to his infirmities, and he was even imprisoned for a time on account of troubles caused by his wild excesses.

Paganini possessed a generous and sympathetic nature, as the following anecdote plainly proves: "One day while walking the streets of Vienna, Paganini saw a poor boy playing upon a violin, and, on entering into conversation with him learned that he maintain'ed his mother and a number of little brothers and sisters by what he picked up as a traveling musician. Paganini at once gave him all the money he had about him; and then taking the violin, began to play, and, when a great crowd had gathered, and become spell-bound by his wonderful playing, he pulled off his hat and made a collection, which he gave to the poor boy amid the acclamations of the multitude.

the harmonic sounds, and from it he brought forth the sweetest melodies.

After traveling through many countries, creating the greatest wonder and admiration wherever he went, he returned to his native land. He suffered all his life from ill health, and although he had become a very wealthy man, his last days were sad enough; for he was greatly troubled with law-suits and ill health. As one of his biographers says: "The precious flame of life was too deeply expended on a perfection that allowed nothing else to be perfected. In becoming the absolute master of his instrument he became its slave. But the success of his life's purpose was complete. He accomplished his one object, and history declares him to have been the greatest of all of all violinists, past or present. He died at Nice on the 27th of May 1840, leaving a fortune equal to nearly three-qurters of a million dollars.-Jas. H. Flint, St. Nicholas.

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IF you want knowledge, you must toil for it; if food you must toil for it; and if pleasure you must toil for it. Toil is the law. Pleasure comes through toil, and not by self-indulgence and indolence. When one gets to love work his life is a happy one.-. -Ruskin.

TRUE religion is not only a belief, but a service; not only an experience, but a work. It is a choice and a labor; it inspires thought, and impels to action. And the noblest service, the most manly and elevating, is that to which the Lord calls His disciples. If we follow Christ, we take His yoke. If we obey His call to repentance, we do not refuse His summons to the vineyard.

There are four strings on a violin, as every one knows, and ordinary players find it necesary to use them all; but Paganini astonished the world by his To rejoice in the happiness of others, performances on only one string-the is to make it our own; to produce it is fourth or largest. Upon this he could to make it more than our own.-J. A. produce three octaves, including all James.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSONS.

MARCH 6.

LESSON X.

First Sunday in Lent. Luke vii. 19-28.

THE SUBJECT.-THE WITNESS OF JESUS TO JOHN.

KEY-NOTE.-" BUT THOU, WHEN THOU FASTEST, ANOINT THY HEAD, AND WASH THY FACE."-Matt. vi. 17.

19. And John, calling unto him two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come or look we for another?

20. When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come or look we for another?

21. And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities, and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

22. Then Jesus answering, said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

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1881.

23. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

24. And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What what went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

25. But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

26. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto, and much more than a prophet.

27. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before my face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

28. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of woman, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he that is least in the kingdom of God, is greater than he.

QUESTIONS.

What Lord's Day is this? How long does Lent last? What spirit is it becoming for a Christian to cherish in this season? Who was the Great Preacher of Penitence? Where was John the Baptist now? Matthew xiv. 1-5. Where was Jesus? vers. 11-17.

VERSE 18. What things had John's disciples told him?

19. Whom did John send to Jesus? Why was John in doubt, do you suppos:? What questions were these to ask?

20. Did these two faithfully perform their mission?

21. What was Jesus engaged in, as this pair came?

22. Does Jesus say whether He is the Messiah, or not? To what does He refer John for an answer to his own question? Had the doing of such works been foretold by the Prophets, as the proof of the Messiah? Is. xxxv. 5; lxi. 1-2. Was the Baptist a close student of the Prophets? What might he then infer from the works of Jesus? Does the Gospel still afford us such wonders? Is it on the body or the soul that it operates now?

23. What does Jesus mean to guard John against? Have we all need to be thus exhorted?

24. What question did Jesus now ask the multitude? What was such a reed the symbol of? Was John a wavering character?

25. What other question did He ask? Was John thus clad? Matt. iii. 4. What was his daily food? How did the king's courtiers then differ from him?

26. What does He declare him to be? Why was he more than a Prophet? Matt. xi. 13.

27. Who had written thus of John the Baptist? Is. xl. 3; Mal. iii. 1.

28. Over whom does Jesus now exalt John? Why was he so far above the former prophets and saints? But who are still more favorably situated? Why? See Matt. xi. verse 12.

Who had roused Israel to an earnestness for the kingdom of God? How? Who were pressing into it? Do you suppose John was satisfied atter his disciples had reported to him? Are we in danger of doubting that Jesus is the true Messiah? Was Jesus likely saddened at this exhibition of doubt in John? Do we pain him by such unbelief? Of what world is Christ's kingdom not? Of what nature is it? Rom. xiv. 17.

In what famous sermon is the spirit of Christ's kingdom plainly preached?

1. Hark, ten thousand harps and voices.
Sound the note of praise above;
Jesus reigns, and heaven rejoices;
Jesus reigns the God of love.
See He sits on yonder throne !
Jesus rules the world alone;

Hallelujah, Amen.

2. Jesus, hail! whose glory brightens
All above, and gives it worth;
Lord of love, Thy smile enlightens,
Cheers and charms Thy saints on earth:
When we think of love like Thine,
Lord, we own it love divine.

Hallelujah, Amen.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.-St. John the Baptist had long proclaimed the kingdom of God at hand, and insisted on penitence for sin, and faith in the Messiah. The sincerity of his disciples was to manifest itself in a reformation of morals and holy fruits. The spirit of the Baptist's sermon is ever yet designed to lead men and communities back to God, on the way of Repentance. Entering now the Lenten-month, the season especially set apart for the cultivation and exercise of a penitent spirit, let us listen to the testimony which our Lord rendered to His noble Forerunner, who still cries, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

NOTES.-VERSES 18-19. And the disciples of John, who had attended the ministry of our Lord on various occasions, showed, or reported to Him all these things, i. e., the raising of the widow's son, at Nain, verses 11-17, and other miracles of Jesus. They carried accounts to John, who had now been lying for six or twelve months in the prison of Machæ rus, commonly called "the Black Castle." Why he was made a prisoner, we learn from Matt. xiv. 1-5. There, in solitude and suffering, he doubtless, wondered why Jesus had not used His great powers to advance God's kingdom, and hurl His own enemies to the dust. Hence, to become clear in his mind, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus, to learn from Himself, whether He was indeed the Messiah, or whether one still Greater must come. As some sixty characters had claimed to be the Promised One, John had some reason to be in doubt. He had, indeed, cause to feel depressed, caged as he was in a dungeon, and apparently forgotten by Jesus Himself.

VERSE 20. When the men were come unto Him, at Nain, they faithfully delivered the word of their master.

understand the significance of His answer, since Isaiah, the favorite Prophet of the Baptist, had recorded the marks by which the Messiah was to be known. Is. lxi. 1-2. These miracles, here enumerated, John's disciples had seen Jesus do. And if these were the evidences of His being the Messiah, what need had Jesus to say anything more? Let us not forget that the Gospel still accomplishes such wonders to-day. The blind soul has the eye of faith opened, and beholds the heavenly world; the lame walk, after the laws and commandments of God; the lepers have their souls wa-hed of sins; the deaf hear the voice of their Father; the dead in trespasses and sins, rise into life; and the poor fallen race of man is blessed with the Gospel of salvation in Christ.

VERSE 23. In this verse, allusion is had to John's circumstances and sore trials. Jesus would have him know, that He bears him in His heart. He pronounces him and all others blessed, who is not offended, or who does not reject Jesus and His kingdom, on account of not seeing about it, the pomp and glory which attend worldly empires; and who holds fast to his faith, in spite of fiery trials, imprisonment and death. With such a message, the substance of which is only given us, the two disciples depart. Now the heart of Jesus broke forth into a tender, lofty, and fervent eulogy on John.

VERSE 24. What went ye out into the wilderness for to see, as He stood on the banks of Jordan? Not a man, who was weak and wavering, bending this way and that, like the tall reed shaken by the wind, which you saw around you. John was no time-serving man.

VERSE 25. A man clothed in soft raiment. "Not an effeminate man, arrayed in silken garb, like the glittering courtiers at Tiberias, who eat and drink dainty things."

VERSE 26. A Prophet? "John was a Prophet of God-aye, the last and greatest of all, for he was my immediate

VERSE 21. Now it happened in the same hour, that Jesus did some of His marked wonders-infirmities had been removed by His hand; plagues, or con-herald." tagious diseases were stayed; evil spirits were driven forth; and the blind were made to see.

VERSE 22. The answer of Jesus was very appropriate. He would be judged by His works. Especially would John

VERSE 27. This is he; of whom Isaiah, chap. xi. 3, and Malachi, chap. iii. 1—

wrote.

VERSE 28. Among them that are born of women, or of all mortals, John was hegreater. 1. Because, as like of Me,

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