to rise, that soon began to affect the health of both husband and wife. Richard's health suffered the least; for as a farm labourer he was much in the fresh, pure air; but even he soon began to feel a strange reluctance to go to his early labour, and less inclined to toss and dance his baby, or till his small garden when he returned home; nor did he so much enjoy his nicely cooked, but plain supper; and the toil, formerly so light to his strong young arm, now fatigued him. But Lucy, who almost constantly breathed the loathsome, poisonous air, drooped more rapidly. A dull headache frequently oppressed her, and sometimes affected her memory. Her light and pleasant household duties, her needle-work, and even singing to and playing with the baby, became daily a greater trouble to her. Both of them felt a strange depression of spirits; and not knowing that this is one of the consequences of breathing unwholesome air, they feared it might be a sinful ingratitude for their manifold blessings. They were not then aware that a fatal influence was undermining the very springs of life and cheerfulness-that by unconsciously breaking one of the laws of our nature, they were injuring both health and mind. The authorities of the town, also, were not aware that pure air, and plenty of pure water, were the first necessaries of healthful life. The laws of nature, physical laws, as they are generally called, to avoid the too frequent mention of the most holy name in common conversation, were then little known, or thought about,a proof this, of how lamentable is any kind of ignorance as to what may affect health, and through it our minds. The dwellers in the lanes, courts, and alleys, where ventilation and drainage were most neglected, and where the dwellings were small and crowded, began to complain of inflamed eyes, and sore throats; and soon scarlatina and typhus fever claimed their victims. At first children only suffered; but soon the daily tolling of the bell for deaths or funerals proclaimed that the work of death was begun; and people, in low serious voices, talked of the mysterious dispensation that was fast depopulating the town; little thinking that these many domestic trials and sorrows might have been pre vented, had learned men wasted less time in idle arguments, falsely called scientific, and studied that true science, the nature of the human frame, the laws that regulate it, and how it is connected with that world in which Wisdom has placed us. Richard and Lucy Clark had the pain of seeing their darling, well-nursed babe, whose sturdy limbs could make the circuit of their little room, and who could run to meet his father, crying" Dada," droop and fade, like poor Lucy's now neglected flowers; and soon a little coffin was carried from their house, as from those of many neighbours. Not long after this, Richard, on returning from his work, found his wife lying back in her chair, and muttering some low unconscious lament. Typhus fever had slowly, but too surely seized her. Richard knew that it was in vain to ask assistance, for all his neighbours' households were suffering in a similar manner, or even worse; as smaller means, larger families, and less scrupulous neatness, rendered the inmates more liable to the influence of the pestilential vapours or gases from the choked-up drains, and the too near and over-crowded churchyards. So he ran at once for a doctor, and began to perform the duties of a nurse. With all the care and tenderness of a woman, he watched the sufferer; and strove to soothe the delirious fancies of the unconscious Lucy. As soon as he saw her in a quiet sleep, he ran to his master's house, for Richard Clark was not a man to neglect any duty, and begged to be excused from work until his wife was better. And now the esteem his integrity and industry had won, became apparent. The master told him to make himself quite easy about his work. He then consulted with his wife, and Richard had not long again taken his place by the bedside of his poor wife, when a large basket and bundle of comforts were brought to his door; doubly welcome, as a token of regard for faithful service, and not an alms. The unselfish Richard would not send to either of the two mothers, from whom they were now more distant, lest they should take the fever; but they soon heard of Lucy's illness, and agreed to take the office of nurse alternately, that John might return to his labour in the healthy fresh air; and soon all the three had the satisfaction of seeing every day some little, but continued improvement in their patient. At last Richard, one evening on his return, had the joy of seeing Lucy sitting up in bed, and able to hold out her thin hand, and thank him with a faint smile for all his loving kindness to her; and his mother told him that on the next Sunday evening, the two nurses and himself were to have a general tea-drinking with Lucy, in her room. When the wished-for Sunday came, there did not, in the whole town, in any of God's houses, kneel a more grateful worshipper than Richard Clark; for he felt that his heavenly Father had again given to him his good Lucy; doubly dear to him now because he had experienced her worth, and because he had nursed and tended her in illness; for we love those best for whom we have suffered, and to whom we have shown selfdenying kindness. And then came the promised treat, the tea-drinking. Though it was a silent one, lest the invalid should be fatigued, yet it did not want for the eloquence of grateful smiles, and of affectionate looks; and when she was left to repose, she asked that her door might be left open, that she might hear the murmnr of their voices as they arose in prayer and thanksgiving. By this time the heavy autumn rains had washed away the accumulated rubbish from the closed-up drain, and the strong fierce November gales had purified the air. Wise and good men, too, had been to the town delivering lectures, which awakened the authorities of the town and the people to the mischief they had ignorantly permitted to befall themselves and their neighbours. Sadder did they become as they became wiser, and at once set heartily, and with knowledge, to work, to remedy their past mistakes. Men now no longer talked of a mysterious dispensation killing men, women, and children in crowds. They acknowledged that the pestilence which had thinned their town, and brought distress into so many families, was but the consequence of a cause, which might have been prevented, had the laws of nature been sooner and better known. J. A. STANZAS. BY THE REV. JAMES KNAPTON. "For nature's God hath left no spot unbless'd With founts of beauty for the eye of love."-Mrs. Hemans. When silently I gaze on thee, thou ever glorious earth, And think of Him whose sovereign power hath called thee into birth; Whose wisdom, vast and infinite, with an unsparing hand, Hath robed in beauty, rich and rare, thy oceans, seas, and land; To guide, through all thy devious tracks, his erring steps aright; And whisper mine must ever be a heritage of woe: But give me health, a strong right arm, a purpose pure, divine, And storms may rage, but dauntlessly I'll cling to thee and thine. Oft have I sought with eager feet thy dark and frowning brow,Or roam'd, in transports deep and wild, thy peaceful vales below, Or linger'd thoughtfully along the quiet path that leads To summer skies and brighter climes, beyond thy wide, wide sea : And O, when all the subtle sands of this short life are run, Though clothed in garb of earthly mould this soul no longer be, ECHO HYMN. MUST we all try to love both God and man- "Both friend and foe." If other children tease, or treat us ill, If they are angry, and should strike us then, If they should use bad words, tell lies, and fight, "Love them to the end." Amen, with all our hearts then be it so, "Directly go." THE TIME FOR PRAYER. WHEN is the time for prayer? With the first beams that light the morning sky, Ere for the toils of day thou dost prepare, Lift up thy thoughts on high Commend the loved ones to His watchful care : And in the noontide hour, If worn by toil, or by sad cares deprest, Then unto God thy spirit's sorrow pour, And He will give thee rest: Thy voice shall reach Him through the field of air: Noon is the time for prayer! When the bright sun hath set Whilst yet eve's glowing colours deck the skiesWhen with the loved, at home again thou'st met, Then let thy prayer arise For those who in thy joys and sorrows share- And when the stars come forth When to the trusting heart sweet hopes are given, And the deep stillness of hour gives birth To pure bright bright dreams of heaven: Kneel to thy God, ask strength life's ills to bear, Night is the time for prayer. When is the time for prayer? In every hour, while life is spared to thee, In crowds or solitude, in joy or care, Thy thoughts should heavenward flee: At home, at morn and eve, with loved ones there, |