He then was ask'd, "But what if
Should meet your uncle's scorn;
And, parentless and poor, be cast
On the wide world forlorn ?"

you

His answer might make christians blush,
And bid their fears subside ;-
"When 'reft of parents, home, and friends,
The Lord will be my guide.”

The master here forbore to speak,
And wondering turned to gaze :-

They wept together:-" Babes," thought he; "Have perfected Thy praise."

No. 76.]

[Saturday.

THE LITTLE WANDERERS (concluded.)

At night, these little wand'rers bent
Their knees to Him, who hears,
And feeds the ravens, when they cry,
And dries the orphan's tears.

The following morning they resum'd
Their journey north.-And may
The father of the fatherless,

Be with them on their way!

The gentle reader will not need
A comment on th' above:
Will not such sentiments as these
The coldest bosom move?

But let the child of sorrow learn,
Thus simply to depend

On Him, who to the fatherless,
Is Father, Guide, and Friend.

No. 77.]

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT. [Sunday. . Do not th' Almighty's awful name profane, Nor ever use that sacred sound in vain ; When grateful prayers should ever be your theme, "Tis height of madness daringly to blaspheme. For other crimes some reasons are assign'd, This without reason will debase the mind; "Twill sink the soul into the lowest hell, To suffer torment more than tongue can tell : In conversation then of such crimes beware, Where vice and folly have an equal share.

No. 78.]

66

Every one that sweareth shall be cut off."-Zec. v. 3. "Swearing is inexcusable, irrational, vulgar, and profane."

IT shocks me much to hear the blest supreme,
Rudely appeal'd to, on each trifling theme;
Maintain your rank; vulgarity despise;
To swear is neither brave, polite, nor wise.

You would not swear upon the bed of death; Reflect! your maker now could stop your breath. "Use soft words if would compose

arguments."

you

"I say unto you, swear not at all."

hard

Matt. v. 34.

[Tuesday.

"Do well, and have well."

BLESSED Redeemer, how divine!

How righteous is this rule of thine!-
'Never to deal with others worse,
Than we would have them deal with us.'

"Tis written in each mortal breast,
Where all our tend'rest wishes rest;
We draw it from our inmost veins,
Where love to sense resides and reigns.

Is reason ever at a loss?—

Call in self love to judge the cause;
And let our fondest passions shew,
How we would treat our neighbours too.

How blest would every nation prove,
Thus rul'd by equity and love!
All would be friends without a foe,

And form a Paradise below.

No. 80.]

SPRING.

[Wednesday.

WINTER is fled, the flow'rs appear,
And spring is come with milder reign;
The trees their buds and blossoms wear,
And green shines beauteous on the plain.

The wind no more with furious sweep,
Flies o'er the dreary world below;
But, like an infant when asleep,
Breathes its soft music gently low.

I'm in the days of youthful spring,
And cannot hope a crop to find,
While time moves on with rapid wing,
Unless I now improve my mind.

O Lord, implant the heavenly seeds
Of wisdom in my tender heart;
Root out my sins, those evil weeds,
And life, and growth, and fruit impart.

No. 81.]

[Thursday.

THE SPRING, THE MORNING OF LIFE; THE DEW, THE FLOWER OF HEAVEN.

SWEET is the time of Spring,

When Nature's charms appear;

The birds with ceaseless pleasure sing,

And hail the opening year.

But sweeter far the Spring,

Of wisdom and of grace,

When children bless and praise their king,
Who loves the youthful race.

Sweet is the Dawn of day,

When light just streaks the sky; When shades and darkness pass away, And morning's beams are nigh.

No. 82.]

[Friday.

THE SPRING AND DEW (continued.)

BUT sweeter far the Dawn

Of piety in youth;

When doubt and darkness are withdrawn

Before the light of Truth.

Sweet is the early Dew,

Which gilds the mountains' tops Which decks each plant and flow'er we view, With pearly glittering drops.

But sweeter far the scene,

On Zion's holy hill;

When there the "Dew of Youth"* is seen

Its freshness to distil.