of soul, cried aloud—“God be merciful to me a sinner.” It was perhaps the first real prayer he had ever uttered. Ellen heard it, and running towards him, threw her arms around his neck, and exclaimed, “Oh, my dear, dear father, · Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.'” Sne then knelt down, and with streaming eyes and clasped hands, implored that gracious Saviour, who breaketh not the bruised reed, to hear his prayer, and to pour the balm of comfort into his wounded spirit.

John Baker arose from his bed of sickness quite a new man: but conversion is not the work of a day. Conviction of sin may on a sudden strike upon the conscience; but it requires length of time to prove a man a real convert: and I am happy to say, that John Baker lived to shew that he was indeed a new creature. He became deeply humbled, truly peni. tent, and anxious to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and wished for the future to lead a holy and a useful life, and to support his family without help from the parish. As he could read and write very well, Mr. W. advised him to open a little school, and undertook to

procure him scholars. This plan answered very well. By the end of twelve months he was able to redeem great part of the furniture, which they had parted with during his illness. His own little ones were well taught and clothed, and peace and plenty cheered his humble dwelling. And was not Ellen happy? Oh! yes, she was indeed. Her young brothers and sisters grew up around her dutiful and good. She saw her beloved father's grey hairs descending to the grave in penitence and peace. And when, after a day begun and closed with family prayer, and passed in cheerful industry, he raised his eyes to heaven, laid his hand upon her head, and prayed God to bless her both here, and for ever, she would not have exchanged her heartfelt joy, for all the riches and honours, which this world can bestow.

SCHOOLS IN INDIA. There are now a great many schools in India; in which thousands of poor livile heathen boys and girls are taught to read, and know God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent to save us. These schools are doing great good ; and God is blessing the labours of those kind friends who support them. One youth, on leaving his school, went to be a servant. He stood alone as a friend of the truth as it is in Jesus; and was much hated by his family on account of his religion. But God gave him strength to make known Jesus Christ to them; and he was made the happy means of turning one of them to God. Once he was sent upon a journey; for the expense of which, eight shillings were given him. But he was content to spend a small sum of his own, that with the eight shillings he might buy a Bible in his own tongue. In this he read day and night, with the true zeal of a Missionary. One day while he was reading to himself, a poor man came up to him. This man, after hearing three chapters, said he would give all he had on earth to get a Bible. The youth asked him, if he could read. He said, no; but he had a son who could. When the good boy kindly gave him his dearly-bought, and much-loved Bible !

Another youth, from the same school, had a good place given him, with wages at the rate of three pounds, four shillings a month : but he soon gave up his place, that he might go to one where he might make known the blessed Gospel to his friends, though he had there only eight shillings a month. He felt the care of his kindred to be his first duty,

BAXTER'S SAINTS' REST. A little boy was so fond of reading Baxters' Saint's Rest, that he thought it the next book to the Bible. The thoughts of heaven, even while he was in health, seemed to swallow up all other thoughts. He made it the daily work of life to prepare to die; and looked more, like one that was ripe for glory, than one that was living in this lower world. . And when he was in the sickness of which he died, before he was twelve years old, he said, “pray let me have. Mr. Baxter's book, that I may read a little more of eternity, before I go into

NARROW ESCAPE. As two baker boys were lately going in a cart from Emberton to Olney, the waters had risen so high, even across the road, that the cart and horse were carried by the current quite to the side of the road, where was a high ditch. The horse was drowned. One boy clung to the top of the cart which was covered ; and the other climbed to the top of a tree near him, expecting every moment to sink to rise no more, as night was coming on. Many attempts were made to save them. Two gentlemen were

very active: one tried to swim towards them ; but all was in vain that night. The gentlemen stood with lights during the whole of that night, to cheer and encourage the boys : and in the morning the waters began to abate, and with much difficulty they were rescued from their danger.

One of the poor boys knew and loved the Lord ; and it was afterwards found out, that he had prayed much during the night, and urged the other to do the same: thinking that that night might be their last on earth.

HINTS TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

In going to see the poor, I have often been struck with the want of proper authority on the part of the parents, and the want of respect, duty, and kind attention on the part of children. “Honour thy father and mother," seems a command which they have never learnt. It is, however like every other part of the law of God, holy, and just, and good : and it cannot be slighted, without great mischief both here and hereafter.

That there should be due order, and mutual kindness in families, is of great importance in every rank of life; but to the poor it is of the greatest moment, that their homes