otherwise, however, when he reached it and wandered about its intricate ways and alleys.

It was on the second afternoon after his arrival that he chanced to go down Leadenhall-street. He stood for some time before one of the houses, watching the porters busily employed in lifting the casks and other portable things, when he suddenly asked what place it was; and was told that it was the great business house of Linkins and Harvey.

'Do they have many people to work for them?' he inquired.

'Many? I should think so!' was the answer; more than you could count, youngster, to judge by your looks.'

'Would they employ me do you think?' he asked wistfully.

'No! that I'm sure they would'nt !' was the quick reply. We're on the look-out now for an errand boy, but you would'nt do noways; and the man burst out into a laugh as he finished his speech. However, James was not to be daunted, so he marched boldly up to the entrance, pushed open the swing door, and found himself in a room where a number of young men were busily employed in writing.

'I want to see Mr. Harvey,' he said; though why he happened to mention his name he could not tell, it chanced to come first to his lips. Lucky for him that it did so; though I am inclined to think that Providence so willed it, for its was known that only Mr. Harvey was in the private room, and they naturally concluded that by asking for him alone he had a message for him particularly, which occasioned his being ushered in. A few minutes later, and Mr. Linkins would have made his appearance in the outer office, and all would have been over with him, for he would have dismissed such a ragged looking urchin at once without so much as giving him a hearing.

Mr. Linkins was a man many years younger than his partner-a tall, stately man, with a somewhat haughty look on his clear cut features; while Mr. Harvey was short and stout, a beaming smile usually resting on his florid countenance. Two more dissimilar men, both in appearance and character, you could not well meet in a day's walk; but they were exceedingly attached to each other in private as well as business relations, a thorough respect and liking being the foundation of their friendship, which was of many years standing, Mr. Harvey having been taken into partnership by his present partner's father, under circumstances which it is not necessary to mention here.

James was in Leadenhall-street next morning long before daylight broke over London, standing in front of the entrance of Linkins and Harvey waiting for the doors to be unlocked. He almost began to despair at last of their ever being so, so anxious was he to enter upon his new duties. At last he had the satisfaction of hearing sounds of bolts and bars being unfastened inside. Then the massive door was flung open, and soon after the clerks appeared, rubbing their hands with the cold and in a great bustle, just as though they had all the business in the world on their hands, and must set about doing it at once. Some took no notice of James as they went in ; others they were the younger ones-made a few remarks to him in passing, such as, 'What'll you take for your coat?' or, I say, youngster, are those boats or boots you've got on? James took all their banter in good part. He felt as if nothing could put him out then, for was he not about making a grand start in the world? Who can tell, he thought, perhaps, some day, I may become a merchant like Dick Whittington did; at any rate, I will do my duty, and my mother always said if I did that God would be with me and take care of me, so anyhow I shall be safe.'

6

What a blessing for James that he had had the benefit of a pious mother's teaching; no teaching in after life can make up for it; and even if its tenets be, as they, alas, sometimes are, unregarded for long years, yet at times their remembrance springs up; they never really die. In America there are numbers of Germans who went there when they were very young, and remained there all their lives. One who lived among them says, "That when the aged Germans were dying, they would often begin to talk in their native tongue, though they had long ceased to speak it, and when in health seemed to have forgotten it altogether.' I think that fact goes to prove that what we hear and are taught in childhood can never be forgotten. It may slumber heavy and long, but it cannot really die; the heart remembers it still, though the excitements of the world, and its wants and cares choke for a season the good seed sown, but it will one day burst through all the clods and weeds that surround it, and bring forth fruit, if it be but a few green leaves.

James was soon set to work when the great business of the day began. He looked out eagerly for Mr. Harvey, and at last saw him come bustling round the corner, muffled up almost to the eyes, and enveloped in a long cloak, called a roquelore, which

neither to the right hand nor to the left, but really fully cognisant of all that was going on, and that his subordinates knew full well, for they stood in great awe of him, much more so than of Mr. Harvey, who was always lenient in his judgment towards them.

The business of the day went on, and James soon found his place no sinecure. He was continually wanted, first for one thing and then another. Sometimes he would have to carry a note or message to another business firm, which, as he was a complete stranger to London, was not always an easy thing to do; but he was quick and observant, and listened with great attention to the directions which were given him, which he implicitly followed, and never once had to come back and say he could not find the place, as some boys would have done.

It must be confessed that he felt very lonely when the house was closed for the night and he was once more alone in the streets. He watched the clerks take their departure with a wistful look, thinking that they had homes to go to, nice comfortable homes, where they could sit beside a good fire, and talk with those they loved, while he was obliged to be out in the cold, and spend his night as best he could. He resolved that when he received his week's wages, he would find out a lodging of some sort, but at present that was not practicable, as he had only just sufficient money left-having spent the greater part of it in 'sprucing himself up'-as would suffice for his daily

wants.

(To be continued.)

Michael Faraday.

MANY of the greatest philosophers have been true Christians. While exploring the mysteries of the universe, and making the most wonderful discoveries, they have remained humble disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, and have thought it the highest of all honours to sit at His feet. Among these nobleminded men, Michael Faraday deserves an honourable place. Michael belonged to poor parents, and when very young he had to work for his living as an errand boy. But he was a good lad, and very much given to reading and making curious experiments of a scientific nature. So much did he improve himself, and so rapid were his advances in knowledge, that before quitting his teens he had become quite an expert in some of the natural sciences. Through the kindness of Sir David Brewster, he secured a post in the Royal Institution when about 24 years of age,

and here he had opportunities for prosecuting his favourite studies, such as he could not otherwise have had. Before long Faraday's scientific discoveriesparticularly in chemistry and electricity-began to attract the attention of learned men, and he eventually became one of the most distinguished philosophers of his day. All, or nearly all, the republics of science throughout the world conspired to do him honour; for many years he was consulted by the different departments of our own Government on questions regarding the good of others; and even the grandest folks in the world, including kings and princes of many royal houses, held him in admiration, and sought his friendship. And yet, amidst all this honour and adulation, he remained a humble Christian, read his Bible, said his prayers, loved his Saviour, and delighted in the company of God-fearing people, however poor or lowly their lot. It is also an interesting fact that for many years he acted as a sort of local preacher, ministering to a small congregation of Christian people, Sunday after Sunday, without receiving any stipend. Faraday took a great interest in children, and sometimes gave them scientific lectures, which were at once so simple and so beautifully illustrated with experiments, that he held the attention of his young friends riveted from beginning to end. In the picture over-leaf we have a very good representation of Faraday lecturing to the children.

The Homeless Singer.

On a cold, dark night, when the wind was blowing hard, Conrad, a worthy citizen of a little town in Germany, sat playing his flute, while Ursula, his wife, was preparing supper. They heard a sweet voice singing outside

'Foxes to their holes have gone,
Every bird into its nest;
But I wander here alone,

And for me there is no rest.'

Tears filled the good man's eyes, as he said, 'What a fine, sweet voice! What a pity it should be spoiled by being tried in such weather!'

'I think it is the voice of a child. Let us open the door and see,' said his wife, who had lost a little boy not long before, and whose heart was opened to take pity on the little wanderer.

Conrad opened the door, and saw a ragged child, who said, 'Charity, good sir, for Christ's sake.'

'Come in, my little one,' said he; 'you shall rest with me for the night.'

The boy said, 'Thank God !' and entered. The heat of the room made him faint, but Ursula's kind care soon revived him. They gave him some supper, and then he told them that he was the son of a poor miner, and wanted to be a priest. He wandered about and sang, and lived on the money people gave him. His kind friends would not let him talk much, but sent him to bed. When he was asleep, they looked in upon him, and were so pleased with his pleasant countenance that they determined to keep him, if he was willing. In the morning they found that he was only too glad to remain.

They sent him to school, and afterwards he entered a monastery. There he found the Bible, which he read, and from which he learned the way of life. The sweet voice of the little singer learned to preach the good news, 'Justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Conrad and Ursula, when they took that little street singer into their house, little thought that they were nourishing the great champion of the Reformation. The poor child was Martin Luther.

What the Sunday-school did
for him.

A LITTLE boy was hurt at a spinning-mill in Dundee, and after being taken home he lingered for some time, and then died.

I was in the mill when his mother came to tell that her little boy was gone. I asked her how he died.

'He was singing all the time,' she said.
'Tell me what he was singing?' I asked.
'He was singing:

"O the Lamb, the bleeding Lamb,

The Lamb upon Calvary !

The Lamb that was slain has risen again,
And intercedes for me.'

'You might have heard him from the street singing
with all his might,' she said, with tears in her eyes.
'Had you a minister to see him?' I asked.
'No.'

'Had you no one to pray with him?' 'No.'

'Why was that?' I inquired.

'O, we have not gone to Church for several years,' she replied, holding down her head. 'But you know he attended the Sunday-school, and learned hymns there, and he sang them to the last.'

Poor little fellow he could believe in Jesus, and love Him through these precious hymns, and die resting 'safe on His gentle breast' for ever.

What Boys should Aim at.

WHY seek ye to be great, boys?
Seek rather to be good;

Be noble, kind, and brave, boys;
Scorn the spirit of a slave, boys,

And fear not man, but God.

Hate falsehood and deceit, boys,
They cannot bring but ill;
Keep a tender heart within, boys,
And a conscience free from sin, boys,
And a self-controlled will.

Bear with you into life, boys,

Through all the coming years,
The innocence of youth, boys,
Its frankness and its truth, boys,
Its joys and hopes and fears.

At times it may be hard, boys,

To keep the rule of right, But He who gave the word, boys, Your Saviour and your Lord, boys, Will help you in the fight.

Thus on your side shall be, boys, Almighty strength and love, Your life be bright and fair, boys, Your death without despair, boys, And after, rest above.

Fast Friends.

23

MOST unlikely friendships are sometimes formed among men and women. Persons unlike each other in almost every respect are somehow drawn together, and become fast friends, we don't know how. Beforehand we should have said it could not be; but it happens, nevertheless. Friendships still more unlikely are also sometimes formed between different sorts of animals. Dogs and cats, we know, have a natural dislike of each other, and if left to the impulse of their nature, they fly furiously at each other, and are always snarling and fighting; and yet, in rare instances, they have been known to become very kind and friendly. I have seen a cat fast asleep between the paws of a mastiff, while he with evident pleasure kept watch over his sleeping friend. A horse and a cat are not very likely animals to form a friendship; and yet the picture over-leaf is the representation of a real fact. Mistress Pussey was in the habit of resorting to the stable when Joliffe was in the stall, and whilst she purred about his crib and rubbed her glossy skin against his face, he caressed her in the gentlest and most affectionate manner.