E. Thank you, papa! I have now a budget full of compliments for every one. I shall know what sort of wishes they will expect, and have no occasion for my brother's rounded periods, as he calls them. But why, as we should always have these wishes in our hearts, should the first day of the year, in preference to any other, be pitched upon to publish them?

Mr. V. Because our life is, as it were, a ladder, every step of which is represented by a year. It is natural that our friends should flock together, and make merry with us, when our foot has got in safety on the next step, and express their wish that we should climb the rest with equal safety. But, at the same time, we must remember to give our first thanks to God, who alone preserves us.

Are you, my dear child, rejoiced at present, when you pause and cast back a look upon the way that you have already made in life? You entered it a helpless infant, without any means of making the least provision for your wants. It was your mother who gave you your first food, and it is I who now

give you food and clothing. How do we desire you to repay us? We want nothing more than that

and happy by making you kind and obedient; giving you to know your several duties, and enabling you to discharge them. Have you, then, fulfilled these conditions? Have you first of all been grateful to God's goodness, who has given your parents the means of bringing you up? Have you always endeavoured to show us obedience and respect? Have you paid attention to the precepts of your teachers? Have you never given occasion for your brothers or your sisters to complain of envy or injustice in you? Have you always treated, the servants with kindness, and at no time claimed from them what it was their duty to refase you? In a word, have you done to others what you would they should do unto you, and which our example is at all times trying to set before you ?

E. Ah, papa, I fear I have often done wrong; but let us not look so much at what is past, but to the future. Everything that I should have done, I will pray to God to enable me to do in future; and you have taught me that he will hear and answer even the prayers of little children, if what they pray for would do them good.

Mr. V. That is well said, my dear boy. I accept your promise; and if you do as you say, my best

ears.

66

After singing and praying, the minister took his text from these words, "Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of our salvation.' My dear young friends," commenced the minister, "I know you all wish to be saved and go to heaven. Then pray to God to pardon you. Pray now-pray this day-put off not till to-morrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth. Before another sun rises you may be launched into eternity. That grim tyrant, Death, may now be watching you, to seize you for his before this night closes; and if you are not prepared, oh, how awful will be your condition! I intreat you to give your hearts to God, and let it be to-night before you close your eyes in sleep," &c., &c.

Emily whispered to her sister, and said, "Let us go out of chapel, for I have the headache very bad and feel very faint." Martha instantly complied with her sister's wish. As soon as they got out Emily burst into tears. "O Martha, Martha! what shall I do? Pray for me!" Martha did pray for her-that God would bless and pardon her. When they arrived home, Emily fell down on her knees and cried, "God be merciful to me, a sinner! Pardon me, I beseech thee, O Lord!" She wrestled and prayed for two hours, and God did hear her prayer. He burst her bonds asunder, and the once thoughtless Emily became a steady zealous Christian, and an ornament to society; and I have no doubt, if she had lived, she would have done much good, but God saw fit to take her away, and she died rejoicing in the God of her salvation." AMELIA MARSTON.

JUVENILE MISSIONARY

MEETING.

It is with great pleasure that I present the readers of the JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR with a notice of the first meeting of the Newcastle and St. Peter's Quay Juvenile Missionary Societies, held in Salem Chapel, Newcastle-uponTyne.

This meeting was held on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 5th, 1852, and commenced by singing that wellknown hymn

O'er the gloomy hills of darkness.

After prayer from Mr. Moore, Jun., of Wallshend, the Rev. T. G. Roby took the chair, and gave a short though interesting address to the meeting, interspersed with anecdotes, &c. The meeting was afterwards addressed by Messrs. Townsend, W. K. Roby, and J. Potts, Jun., &c. Pieces were also recited by the following scholarsWilliam Wells, Elizabeth Spiers, Elizabeth Hedley, and a little girl from St. Peter's; and various pieces sung at intervals with interest.

The collection amounted to 183. 3d., but was afterwards increased to 22s. 9d.; and the cards being brought in were found (though having only been out a few weeks) to be in advance of last year's. This, we think, is an excellent start.

The warm hearts and active energies of the children have been aroused by this meeting, and we may venture to say that the exertions so far put forth will be more than redoubled.

May the cause of Missions go on and prosper, bright as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners.

W. TJ.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The Editor earnestly solicits the help of all his juvenile friends to extend the circulation, and he cordially wishes them all a happy new year in the best sense-a year not only of health and happiness, but a year of holiness and usefulness. See the letters on the wrapper.

Question 1st. While we write, there is a fly on the ceiling of our room, where it can walk, rest, or sleep at pleasure. Why does it not fall to the floor?

Answer 1st, by "Tento." The fly which walks and sleeps on the walls and the ceilings of rooms has a hollow part in its foot called a sucker, from which it expels the air; and the pressure of the atmosphere on the outside of the foot holds it fast to the object on which the inside is placed. In the same way the starfish clings to the side of the rock, and the walrus climbs up the immense mountains of ice in the northern seas.

Question 2nd. Why does a woollen blanket on a cold winter's night feel warmer than a cotton sheet ?

Answer 2nd. The cotton sheet is what is called a better conductor of heat than the woollen blanket. The heat, therefore, arising from the body is conducted through the cotton sheet to the outside, and thus escapes. The woollen blanket, not being so good a conductor, the heat cannot so easily

pass through it, and is therefore confined around the body, thus producing the warmth we experience. A sheet made of brown paper is a worse conductor still, and is therefore much warmer than even a woollen blanket. To those suffering from severely cold nights, we would specially, and from experience, recommend the latter. It can be cheaply and easily applied immediately beneath the outer covering.

Question 3rd. Why does my silver pencil-case feel colder than my wooden pen-holder? Is it actually colder? State the fact, and explain the cause.

Answer 3rd. The pencil-case is not actually colder than the penholder. All substances are of the same temperature or degree of heat where the air or atmosphere is the same; but the penholder, not being a good conductor, allows the heat of the hand to remain in contact with it; whereas, the pencil-case, being a good conductor, draws or conducts the heat away from the hand, and therefore feels colder while not so in reality.

An answer to the latter ques. tion has also been received from "A Boy of 11 Years," with which we are very much pleased, and should have inserted it but for the more precise answer of "Tento."

Answers to the first three of the following questions are requested for February, and to the latter three for March. All the answers must be in the hands of the Editor before the end of the present month.

4th. Why do old books, or those kept in a damp place, turn yellow?

5th. Why do glass vessels sometimes crack when hot water is poured into them?

6th. Why is a man taller when he rises in the morning than when he retires to rest?

7th. Why is the water on the roads, on a winter's morning, sometimes frozen into beautiful net-work?

8th. Why are easterly winds so much more unhealthy than westerly ones.

9th. Why are light-coloured dresses cooler than dark-coloured ones? and those that fit tightly cooler than those that fit loosely?