his path, and a restraining influence around the struggling and wayward passions of his heart.

What is the blessing which the prayer of maternal faith and piety implores? The greatest blessing which the praying mother can ask for her child, is, that Christ would terminate the reign of evil in the soul; that he would cast out those dispositions which separate the soul from God.

And is there enough of such prayer? Is it as urgent as the case demands? Who blames the importunity of that mother, who prayed, "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." And are the workings of sin less to be deplored? Are its consequences less to be dreaded? And where is help to be found else than in Christ?

We would say a word to those who have such mothers. Think of the lively concern with which they regard your welfare, and of the affecting manner in which it is expressed. Think of the wrestling of the soul with God on your behalf. Perhaps that mother is no longer on the earth. And what was her last prayer? It was, that God might save her child. Oh, is there anything that deserves to be remembered in such a prayer? Is there anything to touch the heart? Is there anything to move the feelings? Is there anything to prompt the soul to walk in the path of duty? Then disappoint it not. When you are tempted to sin, think of it. Let it be the golden chain that binds you to heaven-the voice that bids you seek an immortal and unfading crown.

Original.

THE SHOES AND THE TWO DOLLARS.

FROM THE GERMAN OF HEBEL-BY MRS. ST. SIMON.

A YOUNG Englishman, of from eighteen to twenty years of age, who was pursuing his studies in Lausanne, walked out one day in the environs of the city, with professor Durand, who went by the name of the "student's friend."

While walking onward together, Durand endeavoring to lead the conversation to serious subjects, they saw a pair of muddy

shoes lying by the road side, belonging, as they supposed, to some peasant, laboring in an adjacent field.

The young man turned to the professor, with the words, "Let us play the man a trick! We will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind the bushes yonder, to watch him, and enjoy his embarrassment, when he finds that they are gone.

"My dear friend," replied the professor, "we should never make ourselves merry at the expense of the poor. You are wealthy, and, therefore, able to procure, both for yourself and for this poor man, a far higher pleasure. Place a dollar in each shoe, and then we will conceal ourselves. The student obeyed, and both withdrew behind the neighboring bushes, through which they could conveniently observe the movements of the man, and hear his exclamations of joy and astonishment.

The peasant had soon finished his work, and now walked across the field to the road side, where he had left his coat and his shoes. While he was drawing on his coat, he slipped his right foot into one of his shoes; he felt something hard therein, stooped down, and found the dollar. Wonder and astonishment were painted upon his face; he looked at the dollar, turned it over and over, and gazed at it again and again. He now glanced around on every side, but he saw no one. He then put the dollar in his pocket, and began to draw on the other shoe; but how great was his amazement, on finding a second dollar.

Overcome by his emotions, he fell upon his knees, raised his eyes toward heaven, and exclaimed:-"Oh, Lord, my God! it is true, then, that thou dost not forsake those who trust in thee. Thou knewest that my children had no bread, that my wife was lying sick, and that I looked around in vain for help and succor. Oh, heavenly Father, thou hast sent me this aid, by some benevolent hand, that my needs might be relieved. Ah, may my soul recognize thy merciful kindness, and may I manifest my gratitude to thee for my life long! But do thou, great Recompenser of all good deeds, bless with thy richest blessings, the instrument of thy benevolence and compassion!"

The young man stood silent, lost in deep emotion, and his eyes were filled with tears. "Well," said Durand, "Well," said Durand, "are you not

now better pleased than you would have been, if you had hidden the poor man's shoes?"

"Ah, my excellent and dear professor," replied the young man, "you have taught me a lesson which I shall never forget; and I now feel the true worth and meaning of the words, which, until this day, I have never rightly understood. To give is better than to receive.' We should never approach the poor, except

with the wish to benefit them."

Observe. It is very fortunate for young people, when they have at their side an upright friend, such as professor Durand was to the young Englishman, to warn them from that which is evil, and admonish them, on the other hand, to that which is good. But suppose, dear reader, thou hadst no visible companion with thee-lo! thy conscience will, in all cases, do thee this service, if thou will but regard its voice, and follow its counsel.

Observe.—It is a source of true gratification and delight to be able to be a helper and benefactor to the truly needy and suffering, especially when unseen and unobserved; and thus to become an instrument, in the hands of God, for the relief and happiness of our fellow-men.

Observe.-Genuine confidence in God, at prayer and labor, will never be put to shame. He often appears, before we are prepared, and showers his bounties upon us, unexpectedly. But a heart that trusts in Him, is grateful also, when it has been blessed with the divine aid, and does not act like those nine lepers, who, when cleansed of their leprosy, returned not to give glory to God, but forgot their helper and physician.

NOVEL READING.—A writer in the American Messenger makes the following just and weighty objections to novel-reading:

1. Novel-reading produces undue mental excitement. 2. Novelreading enfeebles the mental powers. 3. The novel-reader is apt to imbibe erroneous and corrupt sentiments. 4. Novel-reading tends to unfit one for a happy and useful life. 5. The practice of novel-reading unfits one for the duties of religion.

Or, is it in some sphere above,

Where sun's unclouded shine?

And will the soul forever rove,
Where orbs on orbs, reflected, move,
'Mid scenes and joys divine?

Oh! where is Heaven? I wonder not,
That man should turn his eye

Above, to that etherial spot-
So calm, so bright, without a blot-
And think it in the sky!

I wonder not, the soul oppress'd,
With earth's polluting things.

Should, like a bird who seeks her nest,
Fly to some happier, holier rest,

And upward stretch her wings.

Maulmain, India, January 19, 1850.

TO REMOVE THE SMELL OF PAINT.-In the room which is to be purified strew some hay, slightly moistened. The hay is to be sprinkled with chloride of lime, and left for some hours, taking care to keep the room closed. The decomposing action of the carbonic acid in the air causes the chlorine to exude from the chloride of lime, which being diffused in the room, destroys the smell of paint.

Original.

THE SABBATH AND THE FAMILY.

BY REV. J. N. DANFORTH.

THAT was a happy thought of one of our great American divines, to apply to the expression, Laws of Nature, that more scriptural and descriptive expression, Ordinances of Heaven. Some of these ordinances are applicable to the material, others to the moral world. Among the former may be reckoned the laws of gravitation and ascension; among the latter are comprehended all those laws or ordinances which relate to the moral being of the intelligent creatures of God. In a world composed of beings, whose nature is compounded of body and spirit, the ordinance of the family constitution is a necessary law. Equally necessary to the well-being of man is the ordinance of the SABBATH. It was "made for man." Here then we have two institutions, both necessary and beautiful, having their origin in the bosom of God; their synchronism with Creation itself; their objects parallel through all time; their period the end of all things earthly. On each of these ordinances is stamped the image of divine wisdom and benevolence; admirable means, adapted to a worthy and glorious end love endeavoring to train the soul for a higher and holier sphere. In the well-ordered, sanctified family of earth we behold a type of the "whole family in heaven," of which God is the adored Father, and all beatified saints the affectionate and adoring children-united together by the golden bond of love, and bound to the mediatorial throne by the ties of an imperishable faith. In the institution of the Sabbath, and especially in its holy observance, we contemplate a current type of the rest that remaineth for the people of God, and of the holy employments of heaven. Thus, even the sweetness, the beauty, the blessedness of the celestial state, are drawn down into the shadowy vale of our mortal existence, by the heart of faith, which loves to antedate the triumphs of glory, and honor the pledges of a covenanting God