THE beams of the Summer are browning the moor,
The sweet briar blooms at the neat cottage door,
And sheds on its inmates a fragrant scent,
As over their morning repast they are bent.
The milk from the pipkin they carefully drain,
The crumbs are collected, no fragments remain,
The father arising prepares to depart,

To fetch him his basket, the little ones start.
The scythe on his shoulder is carefully swung,
And when on its handle his jacket is hung,
He gives to his children a cheerful farewell,
And hies with light heart to the daisy-deck'd dell.
Brisk Willie calls Rover to come along faster,
Who paws on his waiscoat and barks to his master,
For Willie and Rover are off to the sheep,

And there through the day they must both of them keep.
The grandfather sits in the garden to read,

He teaches the young ones to pull up the weed,
And bids them to notice how industry thrives,

In the busy brown tenants that swarm from the hives;
Or warns to beware of the sting of the bee,
The sweet little girl that is placed on his knee;

Where are Patty and Peggy? They're filling their laps,

With sticks where the hedger is mending the gaps.
And each with delight will bring home in her hand
A nosegay that in the blue pitcher must stand;
And each as a tale to claim father's kind smile,
When they see him at night coming over the stile.
With shouts of loud laughter they join in the race
And contend for the first and the fondest embrace.
Poetic Manual.

JESUS IN HIS CHILDHOOD.

You would like, I know, my dear young readers, to hear something about the early years of Jesushow he behaved to his parents, and his companions; what he learned, and how his time was spent. But on this subject we are not told much in the bible. All the account of his life till he was twelve years of age, is contained in these few words: "The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him." (Luke ii. 40.) But there is more said in these few words than in a long biography. Oh, if only of every English child such a testimony could be given! In other respects, although God dwelt in him, yet he was a child like you. He felt hunger, and thirst, and fatigue. He had to learn and to arrive at knowledge by degrees; but he was obedient and attentive, and therefore everything was easier to him. Never was there seen in him self-will, or levity, or malice; for he had no sin in his heart, as we have. He had especially a great delight in the Word of God, and not only read it diligently, but thought of it much afterwards. That is evident from an event which is related by the evangelist Luke. The parents of Jesus went up every year to the passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up, according to custom, to the feast. When the days were finished, and they set off to return home, the child Jesus remained behind at

Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They supposed that he was in the company with which they were travelling. They went on a day's journey, and sought him among their relations and acquaintances; but when they did not find him, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, asking them questions, and receiving instructions from them. And all who heard him were astonished at the understanding which he showed in his questions and answers. And when his parents saw him, they were amazed; and his mother said to him, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." And he said unto them, "How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business ?" That is, I must do what my Father has given me to do. The Spirit of God had bid him to go into the temple. But they understood not the saying which he spake to them. And he went down with them to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Luke ii. 41-52.

Bible Stories, by C. L. Barth, D.D.

WILLIAM CAVE

WAS the youngest son of Mr. G. Cave, farmer and grazier, of Piddington, in the county of Northampton, he was born Feb. 10, 1832. His mother died a few months after he was born, under circumstances of a peculiarly distressing nature. Previous to her giving birth to her fifth child, she was unusually happy in Christ. Her husband, whilst kneeling with her in prayer, was often melted into tears of joy whilst listening to her fervent and affectionate supplications. Three weeks after the birth of William, the father of

Mrs. Cave died suddenly. The event being communicated to her abruptly, when in a very weak state, so shocked her feelings as to produce milk fever, which deprived her of reason. The nature of the delirium was such as to induce her husband to act upon the advice of her physician, Dr. Robinson, and have her removed to a private asylum at Hammersmith, were, after a few days, far away from her dear husband and children, she died, at the age of thirty-four years. The care of training up five children then devolved upon the father. William was an intelligent boy, with a fine mind, and very attentive to his studies when at school. He had strong convictions when a child, but, like many others, he stifled them, and apparently became indifferent to religion, though his conduct was always moral. At the age of fourteen, when at school, he was taken very ill with the complaint of which he died. His physician advised sea air and bathing. The month of September he spent at Margate. His journal, containing the events of every day, is interesting and amusing. On returning to his father's house he was much better, and continued to walk and ride out into the air so long as the weather would admit. During the last long winter he was confined to his house and gradually wasting away. His father having offered many prayers on behalf of his children, was particularly anxious to know the state of William's mind respecting spiritual religion. After questioning him very closely, he had a hope that his child lived in the habit of prayer, and loved the Saviour, but he could not satisfactorily ascertain the fact. Again and again did the father make the subject matter of earnest prayer, that as his son was evidently drawing nearer and nearer to the eternal world, he might have sufficient evidence of the safety of his state before he died. He would sometimes talk freely and express how happy he felt. In conversation with one of his sisters who attended him on a sabbath evening whilst the

family was at chapel, he also expressed the way in which he expected salvation, through the blood and righteousness of Christ, and the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. These sentiments led his father to believe that a real change of heart had taken place. On retiring to his chamber one evening, his father heard him pray in a most interesting manner. This quite satisfied him with respect to his piety, and led him cheerfully to resign his dear child into the hands of his Heavenly Father. Having been afflicted for twelve months, though never confined to his bed for any length of time, he was reduced to a mere skeleton. On sabbath morning, May 2, 1847, after his father had read and prayed with him, he said, he thought he should soon die, and requested that he might see his kind physician, Dr. Robinson, once more, and also his dear sister Ann, who resided at a distance. His request was complied with; the doctor said he could not continue long. He was now confined to his bed. On Monday evening, seeing all his sisters and his father standing round the bed, he desired the nurse to set him up, and then, with the greatest composure and affection, he addressed them separately on the importance of seeking an interest in Christ without delay, expressing how happy he felt in the prospect of eternity. Looking round with an anxious eye, he inquired where his brother was? On being told that he was from home, he shook his head, and requested that he might be sent for immediately, as he might be removed before the morning. Contrary to expectation he survived to behold another day. Between eleven and twelve o'clock, seeing his father in the room, he requested the nurse to pillow him up in the bed, and that his sisters would bring all his books and other things that belonged to him. Having them placed around him, he desired that his brother, sisters, and father, might be near him. He then, with great composure, in a strong voice which seemed almost