The child's magazine [serial]

THE.q^HILD'S MAGAZINE,

Of the Sunday Sckdol Union of the Methodist Episcopal
■ Church,

Adapted to the use of children in general, and to the
Sunday School Union of the Methodist E. Church in
particular.

It is intended to embrace in this little work short
practical essays, anecdotes, narratives, accounts of the
conversion and happy deaths of children, facts illustra-
tive of the conduct of Providence, sketches of natural
history, poetry, &c. The constant aim in conducting
tliis little work, will be to lead the infant mind to the
}mowledge of God our Saviour.

It is recommended to all those who are engaged in
the instruction of children, and especially to parents and
those who devote their attention to the Sunday schools.
Our, preachers aiid other agents are affectionately re-
(jue^ted to interest themselves in its circulation.

Thp plan of this work will not at all interfere with
the Youth's Instructer and Guardian y nor is it intend-
ed, in any case, to supersede it ; being designed, as its
title intimates, for younger children. The Youth's In-
structer and Guardian may be introduced into Sunday
schools, for the benefit of larger scholars, as a reading
and reward book ; while the Child's Magazine may be
put into the hands of smaller children for the same
purposes.

TERMS.

It will be issued in monthly numbers. Each number
will contain sixteen pages, 18mo, and be ornamented
with a wood cut. Twelve numbers will make 192 pages,
Ttyhich may be bound at the end of the year in a neat
volume. The title page and frontispiece accompany
the present number.

The price, to Sunday schools and agents, who take
eight or more copies, and pay for them in advance, will
be twenty-five cents a year ; and the same to subscri-
bers who pay in advance, and call for the work at the
conference ofiice. No. 14 Crosby-street, New- York, or
at the depositories in the circuit^ and stations through-
out the country.

y-

jFrontisjJiict*

HAGAR IN THE WILDERNESS.

For she said, Let me not see the death of the child.

And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water ;
and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad
drink, Gen. xxi, 16, 19.

r

•' Read and you will know," p. 4.

I'HE CHILD'S MAGAZINE.

IVo. 1.

JULY, 1S1

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

Dear little Readers, — The editors of this Magazine
are personally unknown to you, and perhaps in this
world we may never see your faces. Yet we feel thank-
ful to God, that through the medium of the press we
can meet you once a month, and converse with you
about those things which relate to your peace and
happiness here, and to your everlasting joy and felicity
hereafter. And while we bless God for this great and.
precious privilege, let us remember that we shall one
day appear before him — the editors to giv6 an account
for every word which they put into this book, and you
for the manner in which you read, and the improve-
ment you make. Oh tlien, let us pray to God to " di-
rect us in all our doings with his most gracious favour,
and to farther us with his continual help ; that in all
our works, begun, continued, and ended in him, we
may glorify his holy name ; and finally, by his mercy,
obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

906934

We hope our young readers will make such a wise'
improvement of what they may find in these pages, that-
their parents and friends, as a reward for their dili-
gence, will by and by purchase for them the Youth's"
instructor and Guardian, and other good books, that-
will unfold to them the treasures of knowledge, and-
make them wise unto salvation.

And as we hope that all our little readers are in the--
Haily habit of praying to God, in the name of our blessed!
Kedeemer, for the forgiveness of their sins, and for the
Divine guidance and protection for themselves and all
their friends, we will ask them to remember us in their
petitions, and to pray that we may be directed to writer
and print such pieces as will be best calculated to bene-
fit our readers, and glorify God. And we will also pray*
to our heavenly Father to bless every reader of this
little Magazine, and that it may please him to grant,
that, when this short life is ended, we may meet each,
other in those blissful mansions which Christ has gone,
to prepare for all who love him.

\

MTTLE GEORGE, THE WIDOW, AM) tilZ INVALID.

Whoever has been acquainted with the Boston Fa -^
neuil Hall market, for these last twenty years, must
have noticed a hale and healthy looking woman, who.
Saily takes her stand in front of the same, with Jier
beer, apples, cakes, nuts, &c ; from the sale of which
she supports herself and family. This woman, who is
a widow, loves God, and is a worthy member of the,
church of Christ.

In August, 1825, a little boy, named George, apx
preached the widow's table, leading a poor, decrepit,
sick young man, who was indeed an object of pity, and
almost destitute of clothes. George desired the widow
to feed him with beer and cakes, for which he paid her
willingly.

" George," said she, " where did you get money to
use so freely."

"Why," said George, "this money my father gave
me to buy nuts with. But as I was coming up to your
table; I met this poor young man, and seeing him in
tears,! a^efl him what wa's ihe matter with him ; and

LITTLE GEORGE, ETC.

\

he told me he was sick and in distress ; a great manj*"-
miles from home ; and that he had nothing to eat. So
I thought I would buy something for him, and go with-
out the nuts ; for I knew my father would approve of
it ; and besides, I have been taught in the Sunday
school, to " do good unto all men," Gal. vi, 10 ; and
our blessed Saviour says, '' Whosoever shall give to
drink unto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water
only in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose his
reward." Matt, x, 42.

" Blessed child," said the widow, " and blessed is the
mother whe bare thee. May thy yoimg heart ever be
open to relieve the wants of suffering humanity ; and
may that Saviour, whose precepts you follow, always
have you In his holy care and keeping."

" But," said she, addressing herself to the poor in-
valid, " you are indeed in a wretched and forlorn con-
dition ; what can I do for you ?"

" The Lord bless you for your kindness, madam,"
said the poor young man ; " I am indeed a stranger,
and naked, and sick, and hungry. But I fare better
than my Lord and Master did when he was on this
earth. He had not where to lay his head. And more-
over he suffered a cruel death by the hands of wicked
men. But I know that he lives again in heaven, and
that he hears the prayers of all who put their trust in
him. And it is he that hath sent this little boy to bring
me food to eat."

The widow's heart was touched with pity ; and she
said within herself, " I am a lone widow, and have
nought on which to depend for support, except the
blessing of God on my own industry. But he has pro-
mised me bread and water, and hitherto it has been
sure. I will therefore relieve the sufferings of this
poor creature, who bears the impress of my Saviour's
image. And should I ever come to want, that which I
now give will he pay me again," Prov. xix, 17. She
then caused his vile raiment to be changed for decent
apparel ; and gave him a comfortable lodging, until he
was able to procure a passage home to his friends.

Now, my young readers, what do you think will be
done to little George and the good widow, if they con-
tinue in thesB acts of kindness until they die ? Wliat

READ AND YOU WILL KNOW,

will our Saviour say to them, in that great day wheJi
he shall " sit upon the throne of his glory, and before
him shall be gathered all nations," to be judged accord-
ing to the deeds done in the body ? Take your Bible,
turn to the twenty -fifth chapter of Matthew, begin at
the thirty-first verse — " read, and you will know."
June, 1827. B.

READ AND YOU WILL KNOW.

Sir William Jones was an excellent scholar, and be-
came one of the greatest and most useflil men of the
age in which he lived. When he was a little boy, he
was very inquisitive, and used to ask a great many
Questions. To these his good mother generally replied,
Read and ijou will know. When he became a man, he
Confessed that to this advice, constantly impressed upon
his mind, he owed all the knowledge that he had gotten
ffom books.

The advice of this good mother to her inquiring son,
deserves to be remembered by children who wish to
learn what is good and useful. For knowledge of almost
every kind may be acquired by reading. For instance,
do you wish to be informed about Adam and Eve, our
first parents, their happy state and f^ll ' All this is
found in the Bible : — " Read and you will know." Do
3'^ou wish to learn about Jesus Christ, the Saviour of
the world, who v/as born in Bethlehem, and crucified
on Calvary, and who rose again from the dead ? The
history of all this is found in the New Testament : —
" Read and you will know." Do you wish to under-
stand the way by which you may obtain the forgive-
ness of sins, be made holy and happy, serve God in his
world, and live with him in the next .-' God has ex-
plained this in his holy word : — " Read and you will
know." Do you wish to learn something about the
world in which you live .' and do you inquire what kind
of men, trees, herbs, fi-uits and flowers, are found in
distant countries ; what kind of beasts graze the turf,
what kind of birds wing the air, and what kind of fishes
people the seas ? All this is to be met with in books : —
'' Read and you will know." Do you wish to be in
formed how laws are formed, people governed, and

\

SIANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE JEWS, ETC. 5

trade carried on ? — " Read and you will know." In
short, if you wish to be acquainted with the heaven,
above you, or the earth beneath, with men and things,
at home and abroad, every information is contained in
books : — therefore " Read and you will know."

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN READING MUCH AND KNOWING
MUCH.

We should always be careful to get perfectly what-
ever is set us to learn, and try to understand and
remember what we read. A person may read much,
without learning much, or being much wiser for it.
And it is great vanity to be desirous of having it to say,
that we have read a great many books. " One book,"
says Dr. Watts, " read with laborious attention, will
tend more to enrich the understanding, than skimming
over the surface of twenty authors." Two children will
read the same book ; the one will be able to tell you all
it contains, but the other will know almost as little
about it when he has done, as before he began ; and
what is the reason of this ? The one readswith attention
and strives to understand and remember what he reads;
but the other reads because it is given him to read; he
does it like a task which he is desirous to finish, but
the contents of which he is not anxious to treasure ug
in his mind.

ON THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE JEWS, AND OTH£H
NATIONS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE.

No. I.

{The reader is recommended to refer to the texts mentioned in thes'e
numbers.]

When mankind began to inhabit the earth, they did
«ot know how to build houses, and it is supposed thaft
they lived in caves. In the holy land, and many parts
of the east, there are a great number of these caves,
and they generally are dry and fit to dwell in. After-
wards, men frequently lived in tents, as the Arabs do
at the present time. Jabal, the son of Lamech, is
thought to have invented these ; and therefore he i^
called " the father of such as dwell in tents/' as yoi»
may r^d, Gen. iv, 20.

fl CHIEDHEN AT PKAYEB.

The patriarchs generally put up their tents under
the shade of some large trees. Abraham's tent was
imder a tree in the plains of Mamre, Gen. xviii, 4 ; and
Beborah the prophetess dwelt under a palm tree in
jnount Ephraim, Judg. iv, 5. From 1 Kings iv, 25, we
may conclude this was usual in the land of Judea, even
when they lived in houses ; and the trees generally
planted for this purpose were the vine and fig tree.
These trees supplied grapes and figs, which they used
for food, and those branches of the vine that did not
bear fruit served for fuel to burn, which is referred to
by Christ, John xv, 6, when he describes himself as the
vme, and his people the fruitful branches ; and those
who did not love him as the withered branches, which
were cast into the fire The tents of the Arabs now
are black, or of a very dark colour, as we read in the
Bible that the tents of Kedar were m former times. The
master of a family is often seen sitting in the door of
tiie tent in the heat of the day, as is described, Geji.
Jcviii, 1. The rich Arabs always have two tents, one foi
themselves and another for their wives, as Sarah had,
Gen. xxiv, 67. When they travel, they always, if they
can, fix their tents near some river, fountain, or welL
See 1 Sam. xxix, 1, xxx, 21.

In my next paper I will describe the houses of the
Jews. S. G.

CHILDREN AT PRAYER.

If you look on the title page, you will see the picture
of two little children on their knees at prayer. Whaf
a beautiful sight ! No wonder that our Saviour took
^uch in his arms, and blessed them, and said, " Of such
is the kingdom of heaven." Dear little readers, do you
pray ^ We hope you do. To pray, is to tell God whafe
we want, and to thank him for what we enjoy, and to
ask for his mercy, and to seek his love through Jesus
Christ. And he says in his holy word, " They that seek
foe early shall find me," Prov. viii, 17.

" Pray without ceasing," saith the word,
And " always pray," saith Christ our Lord,
We therefore should in spirit pray
(Though not on bended knees) all day.
JThes^. Tj 17 : fcubc x\iii, J.

THE E-AGLT..

NATURAL HISTORY.

THE EAGLE.

"Tlie eagle mentioned in Scripture, is tlie sort gene-
rally called the golden eagle ; it is one of the largest
"birds that flies, and is sometimes found in England.
TMs bird is between three and four feet in length
jfipom the head to the tail; and when the wings ave
spread out it measures from seven to eight feet, firpm
the end of one to the end of the other. The eagle is a
bird of prey, and from its courage and strength is very
formidable, carrying away fawns, kids, lambs, and even
young children, and tearing them to pieces as food.f«i,
its young ones.

in Norway, some years ago, a boy about two years
old was carried away by an eagle, in the sight of his
parents, who were unable to rescue their child ! A
inoth.er, in ons .©f the Orkney islands, was deprived ai

O THE EAGLE.

her infant in the same manner ; but having observed
where the eagle had built its nest, she hastened thither ;
and, although the place was very difficult to get at, and
the eagle very fierce, she succeeded in recovering her
darling !

There are many allusions in the Bible to this fierce
and powerflil bird, which is considered the chief among^
birds, as the lion is accounted among beasts. Its aifec-
tion to its young is said to be very great, and when they
are weary or fearful, it takes them on its back, and car
ries them. This explains that beautiful passage, Exod.
six, 4, when speaking of the deliverance of the children
of Israel from Egypt, we read that the Lord " bare them
on eagles' wings 3" in like manner his care of Jacob is
spoken of, Deut. xxxii, 11, and we may remember this
extends to his people in all ages.

The eagle is a bird of great courage ; it attacks large
animals, even tigers and beasts of prey. In this respect
its swiftness and strength are of great use, as it soars
up very high in the air, and pounces down in a moment
on its prey. Thus we read, Isa. xl, 31, " They shall
mount up with wings as eagles." "■ Though thou exalt
thyself as an eagle, thence will I bring thee down, saith
the Lord," Obad. 4. In Lam. iv, 19, we read of" per-
secutors s\vifter than eagles ;" and the enemies of the
Israelites are in several places compared to eagles. Our
Lord, vv'hen he spoke of the destruction of the Jews,
3Iatt. xxiv, 28, said the eagles should be gathered to-
gether ; this is supposed to refer to the Roman armies,
who carried the figures of eagles on poles as their stand-
ards. The swiftness of its flight is also alluded to, Prov.
xxiii, 5, " Riches fly away, as an eagle towards Jiea-
ven ;" out of sight in a moment. — This strongly points
out that we should not " trust in uncertain riches, but
in the living God, who giveth us all things richly to
enjoy." Oh let us beware not to despise the riches of
grace and goodness of the Lord, which Christ offered
himself up as a sacrifice to procure for his people.

In the book of j-ob, xxxix, 28-30, there is a very
beautiful description of the eagle: " She dwelleth and
abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock and the
strong place. From thence she seeketh the prey, and
her eyes behold afar off. Her young ones also suck up

THE EAGLE. 9

tlood ; and where the slain are, there is she." The
sight of the eagle is quick and piercing, so that when
it is very high in the air it discerns its prey at a great
distance below.

Job also alludes to the swiftness of the eagle, to show
the swiftness with which the lives of men pass away :
chap, ix, 26, " My days are passed away as the eaglo
hasteth to her prey."

There is another text in which eagles are mentioned,
and I dare say many of my young readers remember
it : I mean Prov. xxx, 17, '* The eye that mocketh at
his father, and-despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens
of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eaglea
shall eat it." As Dr. Watts has written :

" Have you not heard vdiat dreadful plagues
Are threaten'd by the Lord,
To him that breaks his father's la\5''-
Or mocks his mother's word ?

*^*'~ What heavy guilt upon him lies,
How cursed is his name !
The ravens shall pick out his eyes,
And eagles eat the same."

It is very sad to hear little boys or girls give a saucy
or a disrespectful answer to their parents ; and it has
been observed that children Vv'^ho grow up in this habit
are sure to repent of it sooner or later. How can they
be happy, for it is breaking the fifth commandment,
and that commandment has a particular promise for all
that keep it, " Honour thy father and thy mother, that
thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy
God giveth thee." — So if children are disobedient, they
must expect to be unhappy.

This reminds me of a passage I read the other day,
in Dr. Clarke's Travels in Sweden, with which I will
conclude.

" In an open space in the forest we saw the carcass
of a Finn, who had committed murder, exposed upon
three v/heels, each of which was placed upon the top
of a tree. His head was placed upon one, his right hand
upon another, and his body, dressed according to the
habit of his nation, in a white frock with a yellow sash,
rested upon the third, between the other two. Amidst

10 •S^^CRIPTtTRE QXJESTIONS, ETC.

'the gloom and solitude of the forest, where a death-lj£e
silence prevailed, this was indeed a terrible sight. TJie
liody of a human creature thus oxposed to birds of prey ^
t>y the side of a public road, cannot fail of affecting the
;mind of every passenger, and among the people it is
<}oubtle8s productive of useflil impressions, by the ex.-
jemplary nature of the punishment. And this Finn "we
Were told had a father and a mother who watched, and
foiled, and prayed for him. But he disregarded their good
•counsels until the awful moment arrived, when the
•warning voice of Scripture was fulfilled : ' The eye that
inocketh his father, and despiseth to obey his mother,
tlie ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and yotrsG
:e.agi,ks shaljl eat jx !' " 3. •©•

_&CiaPXUBB ^UESTIOSS rOH EVEBV SIONTK IN a:HE TfjE^lR.

JSeloved Children, — It was said in praise of TimotRy>
that he had known the Holy Scriptures from a chJl^d.
^s this is the book from which all true wisdom is ^e-
xived, it is highly necessary that you should study it
•^.vith diligence, and strive to understzmd it. And to
assist you in the attainment of this desirable object, ^e
ibllowing questions are proposed, which you are re-
quested to answer to your parents, teachers, or friejuls,
by quoting texts from the word of God, raentionilig
chapter and verse, and repeating the words.

In the Methodist sabbath schools in New-York, eapli
scholar who recites four texts of Scripture in answer
to the questions given out for the month, is rewarded,
by the society with a copy of the Child's Magazine.
And this practice we would recommend to parents a»d
to sabbath schools generally.

Those scholars who have learned to write, would do
well to write down the questions and the texts that an-
swer them ; thus keeping a record of what they haye
committed to memory, which may be sometimes read
over ; a practice that will give them a better know-
ledge of the Holy Scriptures. And they should always
{)ear in mind, that they are reading the word of G^d,
•which is able to make them wise li;nto^a}va.tionjthjoirgn
/a|th iu Jesus S^hrist.

QUESTIONS, ANECDOTES, ETC. 11-

QtJESTIONS FOR JULY.

1. How can you prove that it is your duty to search
the Scriptures ?

2. How can you prove that the young have particu;-
lar encouragement to seek the favour of God ?

3. How can you prove that Christ is willing to
receive all who come to him ?

ANECDOTES.

The Bible in the memory. — In some countries, where
the Roman Catholic religion prevails, little children,
are not allowed the blessed privilege of reading the
word of God. A bigoted priest one day seeing a little
boy with a Bible in his hand, commanded him to bum
it. The boy reluctantly complied ; but at the same time
said, " I thank God, that you can't take from me the
twenty chapters that I have in my mind."

On waste. — " Oh ! Charlotte," said a little child, On>
seeing his nurse maid shake the table cloth into the firp
place, " don't you know that God takes care of spar-
K>WB .'' The Bible says so : and will he not be displeased
at your wasting so many crumbs, which would have
served the sparrows for breakfast ?"

Temptation resisted. — As a boy was going to his
Sunday school, he saw three of his companions, who
endeavoured to persuade him to play the truant ; but-
he resolutely resisted the temptation, and went to
school. When the circumstance came to be known by
his teachers, and the boy was asked why he did not
comply with the urgent entreaties of his companions,
he answered, " Because I have read in my Bible, ' My
son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.'" Let-
every boy think of this story, when he is tempted to do
any thing which he knows to be wrong ; and like the
Simday scholar, recollect the precepts'of the word oC
God.

FILIAL DUTY.

There is no virtue that adds so noble a charm to the
finest traits of beauty, as that which exerts itself in
watching over the tranquillity of an aged parent. There
axe no tears that give so noble a lustre to the cheefe of
innocence, as the tears of filial sorrew.

12 EARLY PIETY.

EARLY PIETY EXEMPLIFIED.

Miss Ursula Mill ward was born at Pool, Dorsetshire,
(Eng.) January 1, 1801. She was affectionate, dutiful
to her parents, kind to the poor, and noted for her dili-
gence, teachableness, and modesty. There is reason.
to believe that these dispositions were produced in her
by the grace of God, for at a very early period she
showed a great concern about her soul.

When she was between six and seven years of age,
her good desires greatly increased ; and one morning,
while reading of the good Samaritan, in St. Luke's gos-
pel, the Lord set her soul at liberty, and filled her with
peace and joy. In 1814 she entered deeper into com-
munion with God.

We see that young people die, as well as the aged,
but true religion takes away the fear of death, and pre-
pares the soul for heaven It was in the autumn of
1815, that Miss Millward was taken so ill, that no hopes
were entertained of her recovery, and then it appeared
how much comfort she derived from the presence of
God in her last affliction. On asking her mother this
question, " Mother, do you think I shall die ?" her mo-
ther answered, ^' Yes, my dear child, the doctor says he
can do no more for you, and I think so too, and I am
come to give you back to God ; you are no longer mine,
but the Lord's." " Well," said she, " I am not afraid
of death ; the Lord is taking me from the evil to come."
^* Then," said her mother, " you have a clear title to
heaven." She replied, " Yes, I have." " Then," added
her mother, " let us kneel down and pray." During
prayer the power of God came down upon her in a re-
markable manner, and she broke out in these words.
" I shall behold his face,
I shalhhis power adore,
And sing the wonders of his grace
For evermore."

She then exclaimed, " Oh how happy I am ! Oh how
beautiful is heaven !" And afterwards said, " I had al-
ways a dread of death till now ; but oh, how happy I
am ! Is this dying ? Oh death, where i* thy sting .?"
And again, " Oh mother, I anj going to heaven, and
wish you were going with me ; but you will not be lon^

HAPPI-VES?^5'|gS^*'' J, 1^3

after me. I shall see Mr. Wesley, Mr. Fletcher, St.
Paul, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the prophets, apostles,
and martjrs." " And Jescs, our mediator," said her
mother. She clasped her hands, and replied, " Oh yes,
and I love him."

The Holy Scriptures teach us, that there are good
angels which attend upon the people of God, and take
care of them ; and certainly it is very pleasing to think,
that perhaps our own relations who have died in the
Lord, may be permitted to accompany our ministering
spirits, and take a part, though we cannot see them, m
all our sorrow and joy. Her father calling her his little
angel, Miss M. replied, " Yes, father, I shall be an angel,
I know I shall ; and I will attend you, and be your
guardian angel, and mother's too, if God will permit."
Then filled with a sense of God's goodness, she added,
** I am unworthy of all that is nov/ given me. Father,
I shall praise God for ever and ever. We all must die,
and why not at fourteen as well as at eighty or ninety 7
What a happy life has mine been ! and oh, what a
mercy, that so short a life should be crowned with so
glorious an end !"

In this happy state she continued till a little before
her death, when the enemy made an attempt to rob her
of her comfort ; for a time her conflict was great, but
the promises of God's word were applied to her mind,
and she recovered her former peace. The day before
her departure she often repeated, '' Oh death, where is
thy sting I Oh grave, where is thy victory !" and on
the 5th of October, 1815, she breathed out her spirit
without a struggle or a groan, famishing a proof how
happy those children die who die in the Lord ; and
showing how necessary it is to remember our Creator
in our youth.

HAPPIUESS IN DEATH.

There is a world above,

Where parting is unknown ;
A long eternity of love,
Form'd for the good alone.
And faith beholds the dying he*e.
Translated to that glorious sphere !

George Wheeler embraced religion about the year
1819. Soon after, he became a member of the Asbury

14 HAr.- IN DEATH.

Sunday school society, and waS remarkable for his de-
votion to the duties of a Sunday schQol^teacher, although
for about eighteen months his system had to contend
with a pulmonary consumption, which at last forced
him to decline duties so pleasing to himself. He anti'
\cipated his death for months previous to it ; but his
confidence in God, resting on the merits of his Re-
deemer, was so strong, as not only to banish all doubts^
Tjut to fill him with holy joy.

At his class, he would speak of his expected depart-
ure with so much delight, that the members were fire-
quently affected even to tears. The evening on which
he died, he left the store of his employer, went home,
in a better state of health apparently than usual ; and
observed to the family, if he was as well in the mom*
ing, he would take a long walk. — But oh ! how uncer-
tain is life ! In the course of the night he was seized
with violent pains in his breast He had the family
called, and told Mr. C (his employer) that he believed
himself dying ; but supposing him unnecessarily alarm-
ed, they attempted to persuade him that he was not.
" You can see me, but I cannot see you. I know where
I am going. I can see into heaven. I can see the an-
gels of God." Thus the natural and earthly vision
ceased, and the heavenly and spiritual vision opened
the glories of eternity to his ravished sight. Soon after,
his spirit took its flight to the bosom of God.

John G. Bell was born at Elgin, April 30, 1816.
His affectionate disposition, obedience to his parents,
attention to good advice, strict regard to truth, dili-
gence in learning his book, and progress therein, when
but four years of age, made him greatly beloved. This
little boy met his death by a painful accident ; for going
into the kitchen, one evening, undressed, his night
gown caught fire, and he was burned in a very dreadfiil
manner. During the three remaining weeks of his life
he suffered much ; the pain occasioned by dressing his
poor scorched flesh was extreme. Yet, even when this
was most severe, he seldom said more than, " Oh mo-
ther, don't hurt your dear boy." He delighted in hear-
ing the Bible read; when restless and uneasy, this
seemed to soothe him. The day on which he died, his
mother being much affected at peeing him so ill, be eft-*

^

POTEXRiV 15'

treated her not to cry; and requested her to read some
of his favourite hymns, especially that which begins
with, "'My God, the spring of all ray joys." He re-
marked afterwards, " I like to hear about the joy and
sfdning way ;" and, in a few minutes, his happy soUl
entered paradise, aged six years and three months.

James Brown, a little boy, belonging to the High
4'^elling Sunday school, near Newcastle, who met his
end by an accident in the coal pit, when asked by his
teacher if he thought he should die, replied " Yes."
''And where do you hope to go to .?" " To heaven,"^
was his answer. " And why ?" Here he called his mo-
ther, and the rest of the family, and said, " I love you,
mother, and you, father, and my brothers and sisters,
and my teacher, hut I love Jesus Christ above all I
and I am going to heaven, that bonny (beautiful) place.*'
-H,ere he ceased, his voice failed, and his happy spirit
took its flight to the realms of eternal bliss. And thither
will the spirits of all good children go, when their bodies,
are laid in the grave.

THE child's prayer..

Lord, teach a little child to pray,

My heart with love inflame ;
That ev'ry night and ev'ry day

I may adore thy name.
My Bible says that Jesus died

For sinners old and young ;
I am a sinner, though a child,

But babes thy praise have suno";
SPhy gospel may I love to hear,

And love to read thy word ;
That I may early know thy fear.

And do thy will, oh Lord !
My teachers. Lord, are kind to me,

They tell me of thy love ;
Oh ! may they all be dear to thee

And thy great goodness prove.
Bless'd Jesus ! when I've run ray race,

Grant me a place on high ;
I'm not too young to seek thy fate',

I'm n"D,t t^o young to die.

IG

THE LITTLE BEGGAR.

A poor little indigent beggar one daj,

With crutches came up to my door ;
With pitying accents, I ask'd her to stay;

She was so distressingly poor.

'• And why do you wander so sadly about ?

And have you no friends, to take care ?"
'' My mother is dead — and my father is out ;

And I'm almost reduced to despair."

•'•' But why," with compassion, I tenderly ask'd,

" Why don't you to Sunday school go ?"
" Oh no," she replied, '' I have never been there ',
For no one would teach me, I know."

" Not teach you ! Oh yes, I am certain they will,
The teachers are feeling and kind ;
Though poor and disgraced, they would succour you
still ;
Though lame, they would love you, you'll find."

'^ But look at my poor tatter'd garments," she cried,
*' They are torn, they are ragged and spoil'd :"

'• Well, never mind that," I said, as she sigh'd,
" Only be but a diligent child."

The tears in succession then roll'd down her face ;

They were tears— both of sorrow and joy:
I told her of heaven — I told her of grace —

I told her that sin would destroy.

She promised to go, and I gave her a book :

She court'sied, and bid me good bye.
She would not forget it, I saw by her look,

For she knew that the sabbath was niffh.

She went ! and the blessings of heavenly love

Descended in streams on her soul :
Her hopes and her joys were soon fix'd abovfe,

And her poor wounded spirit was whole.

\
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YOUTH'S INSTRUCTER AND GUARDIAN,

Published by JV. Bangs and J. Emory ^ for the Methodist-
Episcopal Church.

' This monthly publication, neatly printed in 13mo,
(price one dollar in numbers, or one dollar and twenty-
five cents, half bound in calf,) is designed for the
instruction and entertainment of the rising generation.
Its plan comprehends Scripture Biography ; Memoirs
of Young Persons ; Juvenile Obituaries ; Familiar Es-
says ; Dialogues, or Narratives, on Religious Moral,
and Miscellaneous subjects ; Anecdotes ; brief Histori-
cal Compilations ; Extracts from interesting Books of
Travels, &c ; Articles of Natural History and Philoso-
phy ; Juvenile Letters ; and Poetry, original and
selected.

Contents of the number for June, — Observations on
the Anglo-Saxon Language — Last Hours of I^uther—
On Evil Speaking — No Religion but that of the Heart
— Joseph Wolff's Appeal to his Brethren, the Jews of
Great Britain— Description cf Canton— The Worth of
a Dollar— On the Cultivation of Taste— Sketch of a
Storm at Sea— -The Kevival— Sunday School Facts-
Eternity— The little Sweep— The Study of History-
Remarkable Deliverance — Poetry : Heaven— Night
Scene in a Calm'.

This work is earnestly recommended to the notice
of Heads of Families, Conductors of Schools in
general, and Teachers of Sunday Schools in particu-
lar, as one which may be safely and beneficially put
;nto the hands of intelligent children and young people.

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