become the beauties of nature that claim his willing admiration. Before passing to other subjects, however, we may draw the reader's attention particularly to the charming view of the surrounding scenery from the height near the chapel.

The visitor cannot fail to be struck with the great number and luxuriance of the strawberry-beds at Roslin. Enormous quantities of strawberries are here cultivated for the Edinburgh market, and are supplied at the Roslin inns, with excellent cream, at a moderate price.

GERTIE AND HER GRANDFATHER.

IN one of old England's lovely villages, many years ago, an old man might have been seen wending his way with slow and faltering footsteps, on fine summer evenings, to a rustic seat 'neath the shade of a spreading oak, which, like himself, had braved many a winter's blast. Accompanying him was a little girl, sometimes nestling close to his side, and sometimes bounding on before to remove any obstacle that might probably obstruct him in his path. A stranger might soon recognise it was his little grand-daughter that thus delighted to be his ministering child.

Children's voices were heard sounding from the villagegreen; but that little girl was not allured thither; she had begun to feel a joy in her heart, which those who live only for the gratification of self are total strangers to. In that secluded spot the old man would repeat to her, in gentle accents, the sweet story of a Saviour's love, which to his youthful listener was fraught with increasing interest. There he would remind her that the Good Shepherd was longing to fold her in his arms, and shelter her from all danger.

Over that sacred spot angels lingered and rejoiced, for there that little one's artless prayers ascended up on high, and there the first tear of penitence was shed. One evening they lingered longer than usual in their secluded spot; the setting sun was shedding his departing rays around; the cool and refreshing breeze ruffled the grey locks of the old man, and his face beamed with a joy too pure to be earth-born. His youthful companion was seated at his feet, reading that precious portion of Holy Writ which had sounded in his ears so many times before, and which to him was more and more resplendent with beauty, "In my Father's house are many mansions," &c.

"some

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&e. "Read it again, my child," said the old man ; thing within tells me my spirit will soon be disburdened of its clay, and soar to the house of many mansions.” “Oh, grandfather," said the little one, "you are not going to leave me," and tears choked her utterance. Dear, dear grandfather, you must not, you shall not go.' 66 Hush, my child," said the old man; "I am only going to my Saviour, who is waiting to receive and welcome me to the New Jerusalem; there I shall wait to welcome you. I am only going a little before; you must strive to work for the Good Shepherd, in bringing lambs into His fold; then, when your work on earth is finished, we shall meet to part no more." Much more was said, much earnest advice given, and then they retraced their steps homeward.

True it was, the old man's time on earth was well nigh ended, the victory almost won. Before the sun again was setting, the messenger had come, the old man was not, for God took him. Death did not come for him as a grim messenger, but as a kind friend to conduct him to his home of many mansions; and peacefully as a child sinks to rest on the bosom of its mother, the old man resigned his spirit into the hands of his merciful Redeemer. Little Gertie was for a time inconsolable when she ascertained that her grandfather was really dead, and as she gazed on his clay-cold face, which even in death looked serene and beautiful, with tearful eyes and bended knees, she made the solemn resolve that, through the Saviour's strength, she would fulfil his last request and seek to bring others into the fold of the Good Shepherd.

Years have rolled by; Gertie is now grown up to womanhood; but the seeds sown in that young heart have been bringing forth much fruit. She is seeking to bring those within her influence to the Cross, and the Lord is blessing her humble endeavours.

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Should this simple narrative come under the notice of a humble disciple of our blessed Lord and Master who feels his talents are too small to be consecrated to the service of the Redeemer, I would say to him, in affectionate appeal, Speak to the little ones of a Saviour's love; seek to allure them into his fold; and if your endeavours are united with faith and prayer, they shall be owned and blessed by Him who says His Word shall not return unto him void. Those children shall rise up and call you blessed, when your dust has long since mingled with its mother earth.' E. STONE.

THE CHILD JESUS.

THE birth of any infant is a far greater event than the production of the sun. The sun is only a lump of senseless matter; it sees not its own light; it feels not its own heat; and with all its grandeur it will cease to be; but the infant, beginning to breathe only yesterday, is possessed of reason-has within it a principle far superior to all matter-and will live for ever. But this child is all prodigy. He is miraculously conceived; and born of a virgin. His coming "shakes the heaven and the earth." For what other child did ever the heavens assume a new star, or wise men come out of the East, or angels descend from glory? What are other children at twelve years of age? The mind is only beginning to open; the ideas are few and trifling. But behold this child, when twelve years old, doing his Heavenly "Father's" business; sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing and asking them questions, while all that hear him are astonished at his understanding and answers. Nor did his manhood disappoint the promise of his childhood. When he appeared in public, he spake as never man spake." He healed the sick; He raised the dead; He cast out devils; "He went about doing good;" He died for our sins; He "rose for our justification," and He "entered into His glory, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Such was the child Jesus!

Sent by J. P. S.

HEAVENLY HENRY'S RULES.

THE title by which Philip Henry was commonly known was the "Heavenly Henry." Why should not many of our young friends have the same beautiful and ever-to-bedesired appellation awarded to them? Philip Henry, when a boy, had no superior advantages over thousands of our young readers. It is true he had a very excellent and truly pious mother, who catechised and daily prayed with him; but before he attained the age of fourteen she was torn from him by the ruthless hand of death. Nevertheless, without a mother to instruct or guide him, he grew up to be so amiable, pious, and holy, that he is called "Heavenly Henry." His rules were in character with his title.

In our converse with men he would have us observe the following four rules :- "Have communion with few be familiar with one: deal justly by all: speak evil of none."

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He said there were four things which for the world he would not have against him :- The Word of God: his own conscience: the prayers of the poor: and the account of Godly ministers.'

He used to say, "He that hath a blind conscience, which sees nothing, a dead conscience, which feels nothing, and a dumb conscience, which says nothing, is in as miserable a condition as a man can be on this side of hell." J. HAWKINS.

RELIGION MORE IMPORTANT THAN

LEARNING.

THE love of learning, though truly commendable, must never be gratified beyond a certain limit. It must not be indulged in to the injury of your health, nor to the hindrance of your virtue. What will the fame derived from the most profound learning avail you, if you have not learned to be pious, and humble, and temperate, and charitable? If the condition of your parents is such as enables them to give you a learned education, it will be a shame for you to disappoint their hopes by idleness and profligacy; but you must not suffer the praises you hear bestowed on learning to induce you to believe that there is nothing more excellent as a qualification; for piety is more excellent; so is benevolence; so is sobriety; 80 is every virtue which adorns a Christian. If there were to be an end of all when there is an end of life, you would be in some measure at liberty to make your choice between virtue and vice; and though you would make a bad choice in preferring impiety, injustice, and excess, before the fear of God, honesty, and sobriety; yet, as the effects of your bad choice would terminate with your life, your folly might admit of some excuse. But this is not the case; the end of this mortal life is the beginning of one which will have no end; you must lead an eternal life in another world, whether you desire to do it or not. Have you ever seriously thought how long that future life will last? Yes, you will tell me, you know it will last for ever. You answer rightly; but have you weighed the importance of the word-ever? It is a little word, and soon passes the lips; but the largest capacity cannot fully comprehend its meaning.

Compare it with a thousand, or with ten thousand, or with ten times ten hundred thousand years, and you will find the longest period you can imagine to be so greatly exceeded by it as to be absolutely no part of it at all. A grain of sand is a part of the earth, a drop of water is a part of the ocean, but the greatest number of years is no part of eternity. This consideration is wonderful in itself; but it becomes inexpressibly interesting, when you know that nothing less than this eternity will be the measure of the length of your future life! How would you wish to spend this future life-this endless life? There is no doubt you will say, happily. God is very good to you; he has provided for you means of happiness in the other world far exceeding any thought you can form of them in this; but this happiness will not become yours till you have stood your trial; and the issue of that trial may be, not happiness, but misery-misery unspeakable both in degree and duration !

"Soon as from earth I go,

What will become of me?

Eternal happiness or woe
Must then my portion be."

Sent by J. P. S.

THE DILIGENT EMPLOYMENT OF TIME. ALFRED THE GREAT was one of the wisest monarchs that ever swayed the sceptre of this realm. Every hour of his life had its peculiar business assigned it. He divided the day and night into three portions of eight hours each; and though much afflicted with a very painful disorder, assigned only eight hours to sleep, meals, and exercise, devoting the remaining sixteen, one half to reading, writing, and prayer, and the other half to public business. So sensible was this great man that time was not a trifle to be dissipated, but a rich talent entrusted to him, for which he was accountable to the Great Dispenser of it. Let us, dear reader, use well the time we have bestowed on us, and not procrastinate. Let us love the Lord with all our hearts, and whatsoever we do let us do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord we shall receive our reward; for it is written, "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or bad." Sent by J. P. S.