one to send a thing like that to an exhibition? What

a wretched production!

siders himself an artist!

And yet, no doubt he con

What a pity that some folk should be so blind to their own deficiencies!"

The friend who held the catalogue in his hand drew back a little, and rolling it up in the form of a telescope, looked through it at one special point in the picture; and, the more closely he examined it, the more he discerned the evidence of real genius. He said to his friend, handing him the rolled up catalogue, "Just stand here, and look through this at that one spot." He did so; and after a while exclaimed, "Well, that is beautiful; after all, he is an artist."

Now, this little incident conveys a most valuable lesson to us all, and one much needed in our intercourse with the Lord's people. It is a grand point, in looking at the character of any one with whom we may have to do, to look out for some redeeming feature, some good point, and dwell upon that. Too often, alas! we do just the opposite. We take a hasty view of a person, or our eye rests upon some flaw, some defect in the temper, disposition, or conduct, and we keep perpetually dwelling and harping on that, and lose sight of some most excellent trait in the character.

This is a most serious mistake, and one into which some of us are sadly prone to fall. There are few of us who have not some weak point, some drawback, some little inconsistency, something or other which calls for patience and forbearance on the part of those with whom we come in contact in daily life. Let us all remember this, and be on the look out, not for the weak point, but for some redeeming feature. Let us, when

looking at others, "just roll up the catalogue," and concentrate our vision upon some christian virtue, some good quality, some amiable feature. Let us dwell upon that, and speak of that, and nothing else; and we shall have to exclaim, Well, after all, he is a Christian." This will help us marvellously to get on with people; and it will minister to our own happiness in a way we have little idea of.

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For example, there is a person who is naturally of a close miserly disposition. He likes to drive a hard bargain; he would dispute with a cabman about a few pence; he can hardly ever make a purchase without trying to get a reduction in the price. This is very miserable indeed, very sad, very humiliating, greatly to be deplored. But, "just let us roll up the catalogue," and look closely at this person's character, and we shall find him most liberal in the Lord's cause, and in helping the poor. Perhaps on the very day on which he bargained with the cabman about sixpence, he gave a sovereign to a poor family. Let us think and speak of his liberality, and draw the curtain of silence over his niggardliness.

This is Christlike. Let us cultivate this lovely habit. It is very terrible to allow ourselves the habit of dwelling upon the weak points in our brethren. It is really of Satan, and we must earnestly watch against it, and pray against it. Let us "lay aside all evil speaking." How deplorable to find ourselves indulging in the unworthy practice of exposing the foibles and infirmities of the Lord's people, or turning them into ridicule! May the Lord deliver us from all this! May we judge it in ourselves, and then we shall have moral power to discoun

tenance it in others. Whenever we hear any one speaking disparagingly of another, let us gently suggest to him to "roll up the catalogue," and fix his eye on what is of Christ in the person, and lose sight of all beside.

C. J. D., remembered by R. and M.

SONG OF THE SPARROW.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before GOD ?"

"Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.' LUKE XII. 6, 7.

I'm only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree;

My life is of little value,

But the dear Lord cares for me.

He gives me a coat of feathers—
It is very plain, I know;
Without a speck of crimson;
For it was not made for show.

But it keeps me warm in winter,
And it shields me from the rain;
Were it bordered with gold and purple,
Perhaps it would make me vain.

And now that the spring-time cometh,
I will build me a little nest,

With many a chirp of pleasure-
In the spot I like the best.

I have no barn or storehouse,
I neither sow nor reap;
GOD gives me a sparrow's portion,
And never a seed to keep.

If my meat is sometimes scanty,
Close pecking makes it sweet;
I have always enough to feed me,
And life is more than meat.

I know there are many sparrows ;-
All over the world they are found
But our Heavenly Father knoweth
When one of us falls to the ground.

Though small, we are never forgotten,
Though weak, we are never afraid;
For we know that the dear Lord keepeth
The life of the creatures He made.

I fly through the thickest forest,
I alight on many a spray;
I have no chart nor compass,
But I never lose my way.

I just fold my wings at nightfall,
Wherever I happen to be;
For the Father is always watching,
And no harm can happen to me.

I am only a little sparrow,

A bird of low degree;

But I know that the Father loves me,

DOST THOU KNOW HIS LOVE FOR THEE?

CORRESPONDENCE.

10. "J. C.," Cirencester. We should consider it quite wrong to take such a step.

11. "D. W." Old Cumnock. The idea of departed spirits being in an unconscious state is as absurd as it is unscriptural. Has Paul been unconscious for the last eighteen hundred years? If there were any truth in this notion, could he have said, "To die is gain ?" Would it be gain to be unconscious? Would it be "far better" than to enjoy Christ here, and serve Him in the gospel and in the assembly? When the Lord said to the dying thief, "To-day, shalt thou be with me in paradise," did He mean that he was to be unconscious? Why say, "with me, in paradise ?" If he was to be unconscious, what difference could it make where he was to be? When the blessed apostle says, "Absent from the body, present with the Lord," does he mean a state of unconsciousness? Had Stephen nothing but a state of unconsciousness before him, when he said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit?" It is really most de plorable to find any calling themselves Christians, holding such a miserable theory. Excuse our strong language. It is hard to speak in measured terms of such a baseless absurdity as a ransomed spirit asleep in the presence of Christ! May the Lord deliver His people from all vain and foolish notions!

12. "G. B.," Lewisham. We agree We agree with you, in the main; but we need to exercise patience and forbearance in such matters.

13. “ F. A. F. G.," Christchurch. The inspired apostle tells us that "every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.' But, on the other hand, he says again, "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." Here we have the two sides of this practical question.