then related the story of Ananias and Sapphira out of Acts V., who were struck dead for telling a lie, and explained these things to show his little girl how God, who is "the God of truth," hates lying, and calls liars chil-"Papa, I won't tell lies any dren of the devil, who is "a liar more." He told her to pray to heart was full, and she wept again, for she felt she had been guilty of the same sin, and deserved the same punishment. This was a voluntary confession, no reference having been made to the offence she had committed during the lesson; and her father told her that, although it was naughty of her to spoil his boots, yet he would not punish her for that, because perhaps she did not think it was wrong when she did it; but that, as she knew it was wrong when she told a lie, he must punish her for that offence. They then knelt down together, and the little girl confessed her sin to God, and prayed for Jesus Christ's sake to be forgiven. Her father also prayed for her, and on leaving her gave her a book of Scripture illustrations to look at, in which was a plate representing the death of Ananias. She had often seen that plate before; but when she now looked at it, her In the evening, the little girl came to her father, and said, Jesus to help her always to speak the truth. Before retiring to rest, she prayed that God would forgive her, and belp her always to keep from telling lies; and that night she fell asleep praying that she might not again sin by departing from the truth. Many months have passed since this occurred; but this little girl does not forget all the grief and shame occasioned by her telling the first lie. Reader, have you told a lie? Don't think it is a little fault. It is a sin which God classes with idolatry and murder. The punishment is the same. He says in Rev. xxi. 8, "Murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, AND ALL LIARS, SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE THAT BURNETH WITH FIRE AND BRIM STONE." If you wish to escape hell torments, go, confess your sin to God, and earnestly pray to be forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ. Perhaps the lie you uttered was long ago; but if it is not forgiven, it will keep you out of heaven all the same; "For there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie."-Rev. xxi. 27. ON THE GIFT OF SPEECH. THE value and importance of the gift of speech should awaken the interest and engage the attention of all, as the advantages of this boon are not confined to any one class of mankind, to any one age or clime, but are enjoyed by the whole family of man, and we are individually realizing the benefits derived from the possession of so great a blessing, which, like the "light of heaven," the "common air," or the "running streams," is the "unmonopolized heritage of man," and is too much undervalued because of its commonness. our own mental treasures, and that, too, without impoverishing ourselves; bestows upon us a "multipliable existence," and exalts us to a higher order of privilege. "The endowment of speech is not only an adornment but an indispensable appendage to our comfortable and useful existence." Its important bearing on personal happiness and relative enjoyment is immediate and decided; as is also its influence on domestic comfort and social intercourse. Its beneficent power, as an agent for advancing pure morality and scriptural piety, is vast and unquestionable; and it is the glory of human speech that it was employed by the Son of God in teaching mankind the way of salvation. "He who knew what was in man" impressed peculiar value on language when he employed the human voice as the medium of communicating his will and proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation to fallen man; and lan This instrument of social intercourse appears to be indispensable in accomplishing the ends of ourearthly existence, and the advantages secured by it can scarcely be too strongly stated. It is the great bond of social life, the changuage is still the great agent emnel of intellectual and Christian ployed in regenerating men and intercourse, and a powerful lever training them for a nobler state of for good or evil, as it is wisely or being. It is a most appropriate otherwise employed. It changes medium for conveying religious us from solitary beings to com- truth to the mind, and a channel municable ones, fitted for com- of utterance for our devotional munion with our fellows and our feelings, whether in secret comCreator; vastly increases the per- munion with the Father of spirits fection of our individual nature; or in social devotional exercises enables us to enrich others with employed as the vehicle of ado ration and gratitude, of confession and supplication, when we "in spirit and in truth" worship God. On the couch of death the tongue falters forth the confiding trust of the believer in the infinite atonement of an infinite Saviour, encouraged by the sweet voice of sanctified affection, exercised in prevailing prayer; and when the "voice is lost in death" the "good and faithful servant" receives the welcome plaudit of "Well done!" from a heavenly voice. We are instructed by daily observation and experience of the sufficiency of this gift to influence the judgment and affections; for when occasionally listening to the melody of the human voice, announcing great commanding truths, the earnest and impassioned tones of the speaker have transported us with rapture and delight, and our minds have been brought into agreement with his. Listen to the discourses of an eloquent preacher, who seeks to "find out acceptable words :" with the law of love in his heart and the law of kindness on his lips, words of warning or terror, consolation. or encouragement, are poured forth with effects that eternity alone can disclose. It has been affirmed without fear of successful contradiction, that " greater exploits have been achieved by the tongue than the sword, and by the use of language than by the power of armies." How deeply, then, should our deepest sympathies be excited, and our most profound regret roused, when we reflect how frequently this mighty instrument of thought and will is wielded by the hand of weakness and wickedness-of profanity and malignity! This reflection impresses us with the singular appropriateness of the figures used by the apostle James, ch. iii., where the tongue is compared to a fire"-" a world of iniquity" "-"an unruly evil full of deadly poison." The pages of history, too, proclaim numerous instances of the exciting and subduing If, then, the value of this impower of wise and eloquent dis-portant faculty be so great, our course. The power of opinion responsibility for its proper use is most influential in its opera- or abuse is correspondingly great, tion on character, especially when, and our reward or punishment aided by the powers of eloquence, will be commensurate. Avoiding the sentiment is conveyed with a "vain and frivolous conversagraceful utterance in "thoughts tion," let us "set a watch before that breathe and words that the door of our lips;" for our burn." "Great Teacher" has declared, By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." "And I say unto you, that for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account. When we remember that one object of language is to express our thoughts and feelings, and another is to produce certain thoughts and feelings in the minds of those addressed, how practically important is it that our own conversation should be pervaded by correct moral sentiment, that the impartation of our own opinions and sentiments should be with a view to benefit and enrich others, and that our design in producing impression and eliciting thought in others should be virtuous, wise, and benevolent! All deviation from this is a direct perversion of the original purpose of so noble a gift, which God reserved for man alone, and was "the last seal of dignity impressed by Deity upon his most favoured earthly creature, by which a perfect interchange of thought is accomplished, and mind enabled to commune with mind, with reference to all that embraces the interests of time and eternity." This view of the subject appears reasonable and just, and it is hoped that a conviction of its importance and truthfulness will produce a suitable effect, and induce us to obey the injunctions of the apostles on this point:"Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ""Be ye holy in all manner of conversation"-"Be an example of believers in conversation;" remembering that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for correction and instruction in righteousness." Our life is a dreamOur time as a stream Glides swiftly away; And the fugitive moment refuses to stay. The tic-tac of " my watch" assures me that the wheels are all in motion; the tic-tac, or the remonstrances of "my conscience," impel me to activity and works of benevolence, bidding me not to stand still till the Master appear, and will excuse or accuse, acquit or condemn. To maintain the constant revelutions of "my watch," I must regulate and wind up every night. My conscience," regulated under divine teaching, and wound up daily with the key of self-exami- ! 66 nation, will, like a powerful lever, direct the understanding and the heart to the attainment of all necessary truth. My watch" speaks truthfully when the moving organ is rightly balanced. "My conscience," enlightened and purified, will present a faithful response to the Spirit within, which ever prompts me to duty, and aids me in fulfilling that duty. I may give "my watch" (this useful monitor) to a friend, and then I hear its voice no longer; but I cannot give away my conscience." No; its monitions will abide with me so long as the mechanism of my mind continues unimpaired. Then, my young friends, hear and believe, receive and obey, the voice of conscience. 66 MRS. WATERHOUSE. THE LAMP. DEAR CHILDREN,-I am not going to write you a sermon, but I am going to talk to you with my mind and pen a little. I wish to tell you something about a very beautiful lamp. Will those of you who have your Bibles at hand look for the 119th Psalm and 105th verse, and you will there read these words: Thy word is a lamp unto my eet, and a light unto my path." You know it was King David who vrote and sang those words; the ame David who, when he was a Joy, took care of his father's heep, and, while he watched the heep, used to sing to his Father n heaven, and thank him for his Foodness and mercy. David ound throughout his life that the Word of God was indeed as a right lamp unto his feet; and whenever he was guided by its To such of you as have not given your hearts to God, his word says, "My son, give me thine heart." Prov. xxiii. 26. That sentence is a quick, bright ray from God's lamp; and it shows you that, if you would be a child of God, you must give him your heart. Should any of you say, But I am so very young, how can I find God? In his word it is written, They that seek me early shall find me." Prov. viii. 17. That is a ray of light from the "lamp" to assure you it will be your own, and not God's fault, if you do not find him. If you say, I know not the way; then will "the lamp" send its bright light across your path, and show you Jesus standing near, saying, "I am the way." And you need not fear losing your way, if you come to him; for he goes on to say, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me." John xiv. 6. Do you earnestly inquire how you can be saved? The faithful lamp is there, and clearly shines forth the words, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts xvi. 31. If you fearfully say, But my sins are so very |