bewitching scenery, has promised itself much pleasure; but in the midst of my fancied happiness, alas! how I have been deceived! the flags have fallen, and the waters have rushed in upon me, filling me with disappointment and sorrow. And then, again, how active has been my mind in contriving some excuse to hide my folly! Yet that excuse, though apparently plausible to an unenlightened mind, and screening me from the reproaches of the world, could not appease my conscience, whose sting was terror, and whose successive reproofs were as a sea of misery. And is not this a representation of man in general? How often does he indulge in the use of forbidden objects, promising himself much pleasure therein, in the doing of which he nourishes a serpent whose bite is deadly; and fosters in his bosom principles which-unless the mercy of God interpose in his behalf, his heart become softened by divine grace, he repent of his sins and seek mercy of his justly offended God, through the merits of his crucified Redeemerwill prove his everlasting ruin. Thus, my dear children, has one seen who was once a child, and is now arrived at manhood; and he advises you to "remember your Creator in the days of your youth." Seek him early, that you may find him. Imitate the example of Timothy, who feared and loved God in his youth, and who grew up a wise and good man. Never stop to play in the forbidden streams of sin and iniquity; but follow after the knowledge of Christ. Depart from evil, and early dedicate yourselves to God and his service; so shall you live in the enjoyment of true happiness, and your end will be peace. ALPHA. JACK, THE FARMER'S DOG. INSTINCT and reason have often appeared to me as much alike; for how very often do we find animals, especially dogs, learning wisdom from the caprice of their masters! Nor are we always satisfied in our own mind by saying that they seem to reason, when the evidence of our own senses proves the fact. Jack, the terror of all casual visiters who might enter into the farm-yard, was always very valiant in his own particular place: and indeed who is not valiant when he has nothing to fear? One day, however, whilst rambling in the fields with some one maliciously inclined, poor Jack was, in an unlucky moment, crammed into a wasps' nest. Jack kicked and yelped most vigorously, wondering what was to do with his back and legs, in which the wasps were inserting their sharp stings with such good-will, that the poor dog heartily wished himself in his own kennel again. To make his escape Jack laboured hard; and in such a hurry was he, when loose, to get away, that he had not time to thank his liberator. On the following day the farmer, his nephew, and the faithful Jack, went to examine the crops. On arriving at the scene of Jack's former exploit, his tormentor pointed to the hole. Jack no sooner saw the motion, than he scampered off with all his might, leaving the farmer in wonderment at his apparent alarm, and the mischievous nephew to apply the wisdom of Jack's reasoning powers. ASLAN. THE RATTLE-SNAKE. THIS reptile is a native of America. The head is covered with scales, similar to those of the upper surface of the body, and the tail is furnished with an appendage commonly called its rattle: it consists of a number of thin horny cells, which, being very loose, rustle against each other, and produce a distinct, whirring noise, that may be heard at a great distance. When angry or alarmed, the creature shakes these rings or cells, and gives timely warning; for it is slow to strike, and never willingly attacks man, unless trodden upon and molested. It is, indeed, mostly glad to escape, retiring with tail erect, and rapidly vibrating. Well is it that such terrible snakes are slow in their movements, indolent in their habits, and ready to give warning by their rattle of their presence. They are fond of lying coiled up in sunny spots, with the rattle elevated in the centre, vibrates the tail: the head is flattened, the throat and cheeks are distended, the jaws open, the numerous fangs are displayed, the tongue quivers, and the body alternately swells and sinks with rage, like a pair of bellows. Should its enemy now approach, the blow will be instantly struck: but if he retire, the reptile will unfold its coils, and creep away into the brushwood, as if unwilling to commence the battle.-Knight. MEMOIR. EMMA WARD. EMMA WARD, the subject of this sketch, was born November 25th, 1831, at Woodhouse-Eaves, Leicestershire. Her pious parents, almost as soon as she could speak, taught her to lisp the name of Jesus, took her to the house of God, and endeavoured to instil right principles into her opening mind. When five years of age, Emma was admitted into the Sunday-school at Middleton, where her parents had gone to reside; and by her application, regular attendance, and serious deportment, gained the approbation of her Teachers, who, on her leaving the school, presented her with a Bible. In the commencement of 1843, her family, in the order of Providence, removed to Leicester, where she again availed herself of the privileges of a |