pray Thee to assist me during all the labours of my life, 'till I attain the happy period when all my labour shall cease, my repose be no more interrupted, and when I shall enter into the eternal kingdom of joy and peace.

STURM.

EPITAPHS.

On a Man who died at the age of thirty years.

IN youth's gay prime a thousand joys I sought,
But Heaven and my immortal soul forgot;
In manhood's dawn a kind and friendly rod,
Which chastened long, taught me to know my God:
I blessed the change with my expiring breath,
And life ascribed to that which wrought my death.

On a Lady aged 40.

RELIGION'S paths she early trod,
Endear'd to friends, belov'd of God;
The life consistent, heart sincere,
Her piety was rooted there:
Though call'd to bear a heavy load
No murmurs felt against her God;
Conscious of His paternal care,
Her mind compos'd, her prospects clear;
In hope of bliss above the skies,
Both grateful, and resign'd she dies.

HYMN ON THE NEW YEAR.

REMARK, my soul, the narrow bounds
Of the returning year;

How swift the weeks complete their rounds,
How short the months appear!

So fast Eternity comes on,

And that important day,

When all that mortal life has done,
God's judgment shall survey.

Yet like an idle tale we pass

The swift advancing year;
And study artful ways t' increase.
The speed of its career.

Waken, O God, this trifling heart,
It's great concern to see;

That I may act the Christian's part,
And give the year to Thee.

So shall their course more grateful roll,

If future years arise;

Or this shall bear my happy soul,

To joy that never dies.

Dr. Doddridge.

A HYMN FOR THE NEW YEAR.

REMARK, my soul, the narrow bounds

Of the revolving year;

How swift the weeks complete their rounds,
How short the months appear!

Much of my fleeting life is done,

Nor will return again;

And swift my passing moments run,

The few which yet remain.

So fast Eternity comes on,
And that important day,

When all that mortal life has done,

God's judgment will survey.

Awake my soul; with utmost care,

Thy true condition learn;

What are thy hopes, how sure, how fair?
And what thy chief concern?

Devoutly yield thyself to GOD,

And on his care depend;

With zeal pursue the heavenly road,

Nor doubt a happy end.

Sent by C. H. N.

A LITTLE girl, deaf and dumb, between 11 and 12 years of age, on receiving a description of the blind asylum in London, wrote with eagerness on her slate" I hope God will let them see in Heaven." Another of the same age, lately, on being asked why she wished to go to Heaven? immediately answered "Because in Heaven no cross-no cry-friends never die see God always."-First Report of the West of England Institution for the Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Children.

But oh, if otherwise it prove-
Transplanted to the realms above,
May this beloved bud expand!
Yes-it shall bloom for ever there,
And ever fragrant, ever fair,
Flourish in that celestial land.

From the Life of Sarah Blackburn.

MANNERS OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

"THE natives (of New Zealand) drink no other liquor than water, and enjoy perfect and uninterrupted health. When hurt in battle, the wound heals in a

very short time, without the application of medicine; and the very old people carry no other marks of decay about them than the loss of their hair and teeth, and a failure of their muscular strength; but enjoy an equal share of health and cheerfulness with the youngest. Their usual food is a root which serves them for bread, besides albetrosses, penguins, and some other birds. Whatever they eat is either roasted or baked, as they have no vessel in which water can be boiled."-Captain Cook.

REFLECTIONS ON THE WONDERS
OF PROVIDENCE.

"WHO hath divided a water-course for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder. To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;-To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?"-Job xxxviii. 25, 26, 27. This passage in the Book of Job, which so beautifully draws our attention to some of the wonderful Providences of

Advice to a God-Son.

31

God, reminds me of an instance little known, but very striking. In these happy climates, (where, however we may sometimes allow ourselves to complain of the weather, we are never exposed to violent extremes of heat or cold, rain or drought,) we accept the blessings which surround us, perhaps too often, without observation or reflection. In parts of Africa it scarcely ever rains; yet in the parched deserts there are some plants which can thrive, and afford sustenance to such creatures as the Almighty has formed to inhabit them. One of these plants of which I have seen the seed, but do not know the name, is of most wonderful construction. Were the seed to fall on the ground when it is dry, it could not grow, and the rain is very rare. Providence has therefore so ordered it, that the seed is contained in a vessel like a little box, which, when the rain falls upon it, and at the same time prepares the ground for its reception, opens, and allows the seed to drop-otherwise it remains closed. O Lord! how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all!—Bowdler.

ADVICE TO A GOD-SON.

YOUR love to God is seen in serving him: and let that be your daily study and practice. Let no evil examples, which your age may meet, corrupt you; but follow goodness. And, for your direction in that, continue your daily readings of God's word, beside what you hear of it in public; make it your rule, and act nothing contrary. To all, add prayer on all occasions, so shall you prosper in all things.-Remember good Josiah, who, when he was yet young, began to seek after the God of his father David. (2 Chron. xxxiv. 3.) Be diligent in your studies, which will fit you for every calling, whatsoever God