arms came to the rescue. The kind heart and generous nature, twins were strangers in the village, his love for his widowed mother, sons of a wealthy man, who had their straitened circumstances, and but recently moved from the zity. all. And when the gentleman had But, save the fact that they were gone, the man, with a good-natured strangers to him, our brave-hearted smile to the few loungers in the Harry knew nothing about them, shop, said: nor did he care to know anything "'Twas that gent's son that Hal more than where to carry the suf- Strong helped to-day when he got fering child. Little Archie gave hurt. Shouldn't wonder, now, if directions and led the way, and he did something handsome by the presently the sick boy was lifted lad in return. Anyhow, I thought from Harry's arms by the father, I'd speak a good word for Hal." who also invited Harry to enter the Whether it was because Harry, cool, handsome parlour and rest. A continuing his acquaintance with little explanation ensued, and then little Archie and Dick, grew into Harry returned to his home and the father's favour by his good con. went to work at the wood-pile, duct and entire unconsciousness after telling his mother all that had that he had done any very unselfish happened.

or noble thing on that particular It seemed a very long and un-afternoon when he gave up his own usually tiresome afternoon to Harry, pleasure for another, or whether it although the minutes and hours was because of the shopkeeper's were all employed usefully. He “good word for Hal,” cannot be couldn't keep the feeling of disap- determined exactly; but any rate, pointment out of his heart, try as one morning, about three weeks he might; and besides all that, he after Dick's accident, Archie called wasn't by any means sure that he and begged Harry to go “just'a would have another such chance moment” to the beach with him. for a good time.

When the two reached there, what " But there's no use crying should Harry see but a beautiful after spilled milk,” quoted Hal little boat dancing up and down on to himself at last; and so his face the silvery ripples of the tide, and was bright and happy again when, ready in every particular for a race about sunset, he went to the shop over the waters so soon as the chain for his mother on an errand. There which tied her fast to shore should he found Tom and the boys, who be loosened ! had returned a few minutes before, “Oh, what a beauty!" cried Hal, and the latter gathered about Harry, delightedly. “Is she yours, Archie? eager to tell of the fun they had May I go out in her some day?" had and the fish they had caught. “Look and see whose she is," And they rallied Harry consider- replied Archie, jumping about in ably, too, about “ being such a his endeavour to keep a secret safe goose as to give up such fun for the within his little lips. sake of helping a chap he didn't So Harry went closer, and then even know !”

The too jumped up and down; for After he and his companions had there, in gold letters, was the name left the shop, a gentleman who" Harry Strong,” plain enough for had been making purchases stepped anybody to read without glasses. up to the desk and asked a few “Papa gave it to you,” explained questions concerning Harry Strong. Archie then, 6'cause he thinks The shopkeeper very willingly an- you're a noble fellow. He told swered them all, telling of Harry's mamma so I heard him; and now

you have a boat of your own, and father. The boys of Harry's acDick won't get hurt again, so you quaintance met that afternoon and won't lose another sail for us." voted thanks, in Harry's name, to

Boys are not given to kissing, the giver of the boat; and so, after else Hal would have kissed little all, out of the afternoon of disapArchie ; but he took his hand very pointment sprang much pleasure closely in his own, and together and kind feeling for all. the two ran off to find Archie's |

LONELINESS. In our keen enjoyment of the privileges of social life, we shrink from that enforced loneliness which God often assigns to His servants. But it will many times be found that God isolates men by His special providence, that they may do work for Him which otherwise they could not accomplish. In loneliness there is opportunity for meditation and for labour ; and much of the time which, if spent in pleasant social surroundings would be frittered away without result, is in lonely hours turned to far better account.

No doubt it was a great privation when John Bunyan found himself deprived of the privilege of preaching, shut away from the flocks he so loved to feed, and the saints with whom he had such hallowed communion, and confined in Bedford jail month after month, for twelve long years. Surely this was a trial of faith, and patience, and love. Many might have counselled him to yield the point at issue, relinquish his public ministry, and go forth a free man; but this be could not do; and when he said that, rather than abandon the work to which God had called him, he would stay in prison until the moss grew over his eyebrows if God should spare his life so long, he spoke in harmony with the Divine will; and what the world might call stubbornness was but a means of working out the appointments of the providence of God. Had he gone forth, relinquishing his ministry, he might have spent his life as a toiling tinker, or have entered on some other secular occupation, but his name and memory would shortly have perished from the eartb. Had he been privileged to go abroad and preach as he desired, many of the words of the preaching tinker would doubtless have vanished into empty air, and while some might have been comforted, encouraged, and strengthened by his message, yet much of the seed would have been caught away, and doubtless few of his words would ever have reached our ears. But when cruel and oppressive laws condemned him to spend so many of his years in the freshness of his manhood in imprisonment and forced retirement, then the mighty impluses of the Holy Ghost wrought effectually within his soul, and the work done during those weary hours of seclusion was the grandest work of his life—may we not almost say of any life that has been lived since the apostles finished their course? The words which he penned in Bedford jail have been read in more languages than any other words save those that were spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. From land to land and shore to shore the Pilgrim sent forth from Bedford jail has gone his way. And his journeyings are not yet ended. Thousands on thousands have traced the path he walked, and have learned to

" Revere the man whose Pilgrim marks the road,

And guides the Progress of the soul to God.” Such facts as these teach us contentment with a lowly and lonely lot. We learn in our isolation that God may have higher purposes for us than any which could be accomplished in the midst of social enjoyments and opportanities; and that, however dark or weary our path may be, there is a “need-be” for our “ heaviness through manifold temptations." The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ may burden and weigh us down; but that cross, bitter though it be when borne, yet buds and blossoms like Aaron's rod, and bears fruit precious beyond all that men have known or imagined. If, then, we be called to walk a lonely journey, and tread a tearful path, let us remember that God oar Maker still “ giveth songs in the night ;” and that he “comforteth as in all our tribulation, that we may be able also to comfort those that are in any trouble, with the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

WHY I GO TO CHURCH ON RAINY SUNDAYS.

BY THE LATE FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. I ATTEND church on rainy Sundays because

1. God has blessed the Lord's day, and hallowed it, making no exception for rainy Sundays. .

2. I expect my minister to be there. I should be surprised if he were to stay at home for the weather.

3. If his hand fall through weakness, I shall have great reason to blame myself, unless I sustain him by my prayers and my presence.

4. By staying away I may lose the prayers which bring God's blessing, and the sermon that would have done me great good.

5. My presence is more needful on Sundays when there are few, than on those days when the church is crowded.

6. Whatever station I hold in the church my example must influence others: if I stay away, why may not they?

7. On any important business rainy weather does not keep me at home ; and church attendance is, in God's sight, very important.

8. Among the crowds of pleasure-seekers I see that no weather keeps the delicate female from the ball, the party, or the concert.

9. Among other blessings, such weather will show me on what foundation my faith is built. It will prove how much I love Christ. True love rarely fails to meet an appointment.

10. Those who stay from church because it is too warm, or too cold, or too rainy, frequently absent themselves on fair Sundays.

11. Though my excuses satisfy myself, they still must undergo God's scrutiny; and they must be well-grounded to bear that.-See St. Luke xiv. 18.

12. There is a special promise, that where two or three meet together in God's name He will be in the midst of them.

13. An avoidable absence from church is an infallible evidence of spiritual decay. Disciples first follow Christ at a distance, and then, like Peter, do not know him.

14. My faith is to be known by my self-denying Christian life, and not by the rise and fall of the thermometer.

15. Such yielding to surmountable difficulties prepares for yielding to those merely imaginary, until thousands never enter a church, and yet think they have good reason for such neglect.

16. By a suitable arrangement on Saturday, I shall be able to attend church without exhaustion ; otherwise my late work on Saturday night might tend to unfit me for the Sunday enjoyment of Christian privileges.

17. I know not how many more Sundays God may give me; and it would be a poor preparation for my first Sunday in heaven to have slighted my last Sunday on earth.

CHISEL WORK.

'Tis the Master who holds the mallet,

And day by day
He is chipping whate'er environs

The form away;
Which, under His skilful cutting,

He means shall be
Wrought silently out to beauty

Of such degree
Of faultless and full perfection,

That angel eyes
Shall look on the finished labour

With new surprise
That even His boundless patience

Could grave His own
Features upon such fractured

And stubborn stone.

Tis the Master who holds the chisel,

He knows just where
Its edge should be driven sharpest

To fashion there
The semblance that He is carving,

Nor will He let

One delicate stroke too many,

Or few, be set
On forehead or cheek, where only

He sees how all
Is tending--and where the hardest

The blow should fall,
Which crumbles away whatever

Superfluous line
Would hinder His band from making

The work Divine.

With tools of Thy choosing, Master,

We pray Thee, then,
Strike just as Thou wilt; as often,

And where, and when,
The vehement stroke is needed.

I will not mind,
If only Thy chipping chisel

Shall leave behind
Such marks of Thy wondrous working,

And loving skill,
Clear carven on aspect, stature,

And face, as will-
When discipline's hands are over,

Have all sufficed
To mould me into the likeness

And form of Christ.

NEWS OF THE CHURCHES. NEw school buildings have been which the Rev. W. Gill is the opened in connection with the pastor.-The memorial-stone of a church in Osmaston-road, Derby, new schoolroom has been laid at of which the Rev. W. H. Tetley is Kegworth, in Derbyshire, in conthe pastor.-- The memorial stones nection with the church of which of new school buildings have been the Rev. W. A. Davies is the laid in Woodville-road, Cathays, pastor.— The chapel at Dalston Cardiff.—The chapel at Crewkerne, Junction, London, under the care Somerset, of which the Rev. J. of the Rev. W. H. Burton, has Cruikshank is the minister, has been been re-opened after enlargement. re-opened after enlargement and improvement.-A new chapel has The Rev. T. C. Manton has been been opened at Long Eaton, Derby- publicly recognised as the pastor of shire.-A new school and chapel the church in Mount - pleasant have been opened in connection with Chapel, Northampton; the Rev. the church in Hope Chapel, Canton, L. Jones, late of Haverfordwest Cardiff, of which the Rev. J. P. College, of the church at Dolau and Williams is the minister.-A new Rhayader, Radnorshire; the Rev. preaching station has been opened S. Lyne, late of the Metropolitan at Eyke, Suffolk, in connection Tabernacle College, of the church with the church at Tunstal, of|at Chenies, Bucks; the Rev. H. E.