It came buzzing out of the cup, to take a farther flight; but it spied the stamina full of golden farina, good for making wax, and it rolled its legs against them until they looked like yellow hose, as the bee keepers say, and then, heavily laden, flew away home. Then said I, "Thou camest seeking honey, and, finding none, hast been satisfied with wax, and hast stored it for thy house, that thy labor may not be in vain. This, likewise, shall be to me a lesson of contentment."

The night is far spent the dark night of trouble that sometimes threatened to close around us; but the day is at hand, and even in the night there are stars, and I have looked out on them and been comforted; for as one set, I could always see another rise; and each was a lamp, showing me somewhat of the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God.

THE HOMEWARD VOYAGE.

A TINY boat was launched, one morn,
Upon a blue and boundless sea,

Whose sparkling waves were pure and bright
As ocean wavelets e'er could be.

A lovely child was at the helm,
With graceful form and merry eye,
And sunny curls of golden hue,
Shading a forehead pure and high.

A joyous smile broke o'er his face,
His heart with hope was beating wild,
And angels bent from heaven above
To bless the little fairy child.

The gentle breezes fanned his brow,
Glad sunbeams nestled 'mid his hair,
Bright garlands decked his little barque,
Woven of flowerets strangely fair.

And from his rosebud mouth there broke
An infant carol wildly free;

The burden of his little lay

Was, "Life is beautiful to me."

The morn passed on, and noontide's heat
Fell from a clear and cloudless sky
Upon the youth, who swiftly sailed
With wearied frame and drooping eye.

His song had lost its merry tone,
And faintly echoed o'er the sea.
"Alas!" he said, and softly sighed,
"Life is a weariness to me."

The evening shadows darkly fell,
The bright day-god had sunk in gloom
Behind a mass of murky clouds,

And morning's rosy light was gone.

The boat had neared a glorious land,

Whose gates were pearl, whose streets were gold, Where angels bright with holy songs

Spoke volumes ne'er to mortals told.

The youth beheld the heavenly scene
With radiant eye and joyous heart,
Knowing that he had neared a shore
From whence he never should depart.

Into this peaceful port he sailed;

And now his song was full and free, As in a glad, exulting tone,

He warbled, "Heaven is won for me."

GENTLENESS.

THIS is a simple word, but full of meaning. Mildness of temper, softness of manners, kindness, tenderness, meekness, and benevolence are all blended to form true gentleness of character. But

"There are those who never knew one generous thought

Of kind endeavor, or sweet sympathy."

Alas, what a weary world would this be if gentleness were banished from it! Discord, harshness, and contention would reign triumphantly, the pleasures of society be utterly destroyed, and mankind would seek the desert or the wilderness for quiet and contentment. The affections are rooted up by harsh tones, and the spirits of the sensitive crushed by unkind words from thoughtless and uncharitable lips. How many are the bitter fruits of such elements of character! Strange that no more is done, no more is said, to rid society of such baneful influences.

On the contrary, where gentleness is the governing principle, society is lovely and attractive; or if it rule a single heart, that heart is like a fountain of living waters, sending forth healthful streams. Α society thus governed is like an oasis in the desert. of life, where the weary traveller may rest and refresh himself. Gentle words break the flinty heart in twain, and open the hidden founts of human sympathy, disarm anger, and overcome wrath. Who has not felt the power of gratitude expressed for a simple favor bestowed, and acknowledged that it is indeed "more blessed to give than to receive," when the hearty "God bless you" has come up from the overflowing bosom? Gentle tones have power to heal the broken heart, and soothe earth's sorrows. It is the gentle spirit, the contented disposition, the kind look, the cheerful answer, the unaffected interest in others' welfare, that render one a blessing to community. All these are signs of true and generous love to all mankind, and the spring of that mighty power that makes us "love our neighbor as ourself."

"Gentleness of manner does not exclude strength of character." Those who govern by gentleness alone exert a far greater power than such as rule by other means. Impatience and fretfulness injure