Prime, n. the best part; the spring of life; the dawn; the first part: a. early.; first, original; principal, chief; first-rate, excellent: v. to put powder in the pan of a gun; to lay the first color in painting. Prof it, n. gain, advantage; advance in price: v. to gain or give advantage; to benefit.

Pr88, n. complete and full evidence; test, trial, experiment; a sheet of printing for examination and correction: a. able to resist; impenetrable.

Pro tec tor (pro têk' tûr), n. one who protects, a defender, a supporter; a guardian.

Rec ol lec tions (`rêk öl lêk shûnz), n. plu. of Recollection, a recalling to, or a recovery or a revival of memory. [left. Re main (rẻ måne'), v. to endure, to continue; to be Rev er ence (rêv' êr ênse), n. veneration, respect; courtesy; bow: v. to regard with great respect. Rich es (ritsh' iz), n. plu. wealth, money, affluence, opulence.

Sail or (såle år), n. a seaman, a mariner.

Sèèm' ing, part. a. appearing, resembling: par. of Seem, to appear; to have resemblance.

Sen ses (sen' siz), n. plu. of Sense, faculty or power of perceiving; understanding, apprehension; meaning. [ful; formal, marked with sanctity and pomp. Solemn (sål'ém), a. religiously grave; serious; awSto len (sto' In), per. par. of Steal, to take by theft; to take without right or liberty; to pass or withdraw privily. [vie; to labor, to emulate. Strive, v. to make efforts, to struggle; to contend, to Suc ceed ing (sûk sèèd' ing), part. a. following in

order: par. of Succeed, to follow in order; to be subsequent to; to prosper, to make successful. Tri als (tri' álz), n. plu. of Trial, temptation; test, experiment; a legal examination.

True (tr88), a. not false, certain, faithful; genuine, real; exact, honest.

Trust, n. confidence; reliance; credit; care, charge: v. to confide in; to rely on; to believe; to sell on credit.

Un stain ed (ûn stånd'), a. not disgraced; not stained. Vi cious (vish' ûs), a. devoted to vice, bad, sinful; immoral, wicked, corrupt.

Vi låte, v. to break, to infringe; to injure. World ly (wûrld' lẻ), a. relating to this world, or to this life; devoted to this world or to its enjoyments.

READING LESSON XXXI.

The Dying Father's Advice to his Children. 1. Mr. Thomas Halyard lived on a small farm in the state of New Jersey. He had been a sailor when he was young, and had been three times cast away, barely escaping with his life. He left the sea, because he did not like to be so long away from his wife and children, and suffer so great hardships for so little profit.

2. Mrs. Halyard was a woman of good sense, and took the best care of her family. Charles was their oldest child, and Jack was the second. Their two little girls were younger than the boys. Their names were Mary and Betsy.

3. Year after year, this agreeable family had lived, enjoying the delights of their virtue and affection. Each succeeding season returned to shed its blessing upon them. The parents were kind and the children dutiful.

4. But there is no lasting happiness here below A sad change was to take place in this little company, and the tie of love that so united them, was, for the first time, to be broken. Mr. Halyard was

taken extremely sick with a fever. Although he was very weak, yet he had not lost his reason, and his mind was composed. He perceived that the physician had no hope of his living.

5. Mr. Halyard said, that while he was able to speak, he wanted his children to be called, that he might talk to them. Having been raised up in his bed, he waited a short time, and then said, My dear children, I see you are much grieved to think that your father must die, and leave you; but, such are the ways of God, and even in this seeming evil, there is some wise design for your good.

6. "He who made us, is all-powerful, wise, and just. It is His law that all things here shall pass away. All the people in the world must die. Their bodies turn to dust: but our souls will never die. Our souls will go to another world, to be punished if we have been wicked; and, if we have been good, to enjoy everlasting bliss. You will not stay long in this world. It is only to try you, and to prepare you for a better one.

7. "It seems but a short time, my dear Jack, since my father gave me his dying farewell, and when I was a little boy like you. You see, I am not afraid to die. My trust is in Him, who is able

to save.

8. "He is a kind parent, and has said, He will not forsake those who put their trust in Him. His word is true. Of this He has given me proof, in the trying scenes through which I have passed; and, you know, my children, I have great reason to be thankful."

9. Here Mr. Halyard was obliged to stop speak

ing, for he was very weak: and they gave him some drink in a glass to wet his mouth. The bright sun was just shining into the room. "So," said this good man, "the sun of my life is going down, and no rising sun will shine again on me, till the last morning shall beam on the world.

10. "It is true I am yet in the prime of manhood, and it is hard parting from you, my dear children, and from your dear mother: from my good friends; from all the tender recollections and endearments of life; but it is God's will.

11. "God is kind, and knows the best. He will be your mother's protector; He will be your father. While you are young, remember this great God. Never speak His name but with reverence. Strive to do His will. Remember that His eye is always upon you, and that no evil deed can be concealed from Him. Think what He has done for me, and what He will do for all, who love and obey Him.

12. "Strive to improve your minds in every kind of useful knowledge. Behave with good order in your school. Respect your teachers, who labor to make you wise and happy. Be diligent in every good work. Be honest, and most honest where no human eye can watch you; for, the ever present God, and your accusing conscience, will be there. Be faithful to your word; never violate a trust; never betray your friend. Be kind to all, and love each other.

13. "What your fortune is to be in the world, or whether your lives are to be spared, nobody can tell. I have but little to leave you, except a name unstained, and a father's blessing. If you do well

there will be sufficient for you. If you are idle, and ignorant, and vicious, all the riches in the world could not raise you to true respect.

14. "If you had houses, they might be burnt. Money may be stolen. All worldly goods may be lost; and, if they do not leave us, we must die and leave them; but, if you have learning, and virtue, and firmness of character, though your condition be low, you will always find friends, and command respect.

15. "These are the best riches. You may carry them with you wherever you go, and fortune can not take them from you, while life and reason remain. Remember what was said long ago, by a wise and aged man; 'I have been young, and now I am old; yet have I never seen the righteous forsaken.'

16. "And now, my dear children, I beseech you to honor your mother, cherish and comfort her. May the God of all goodness bless you, and guide you by his wisdom, through all the trials which await you, to eternal rest beyond the grave."

17. The next morning, about daybreak, having his senses to the last moment, he prayed his great Maker to receive his soul; and, with a look at once pleasant and solemn, he said to those about him, "Farewell, good friends," and died as calmly as if he had been going to sleep.

QUESTIONS.-What is this story about? Where did Mr. Halyard reside? What business did he pursue, when young? What happened to him? Why did he leave the sea, and cultivate a farm? What was Mrs. Halyard, and what did she do? How many children had they? What were their names? How did they live? What did each succeeding season do? How were the parents? How were the children? What is there not in this world? What change took place in this family? Who