In the incidents recited from this man's history, we not only see the importance of nipping vice in the bud, but we also see illustrations of two cardinal doctrines of the Bible, namely, that human nature is prone to sin as the sparks are to fly upwards, and that God exerts a mighty influence over the human mind to counteract its evil tendencies.

There are multitudes of mankind, who, for not crushing the viper, sin, in the egg, find their hearts become a den of venomous reptiles, which are not easily restrained or destroyed. How many have regretted, on a dying bed, that they had not conquered their vicious inclinations when they first discovered themselves! That vast army of murderers, and pirates, and robbers, and whoremongers, and prostitutes, and gamblers, and Sabbath-breakers, and swearers, and those who were disobedient to parents, and drunkards, and covetous persons, and liars, and thieves, who will not be admitted within the gates of the New Jerusalem, will look back to the beginning of their vicious courses, and deeply regret that they had not destroyed the giant, vice, at its birth. They will trace their eternal ruin to their cherishing and encouraging a depraved inclination, instead of resisting it, and looking to God for grace to overcome it.

A. N. Y.

Original.

NURSERY LESSONS.

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 285)

MAMMA called to Edward one day, who was playing in an adjoining room, and told him to bring her a bottle which was lying on the dressing table in her room. Edward obeyed immediately, and very soon after, his little footsteps were heard rapidly returning down the stairs-at the same instant, a loud crash made mamma start from her scat. Ed

ward was standing on the stairs looking very much disconcerted; the Cologne bottle had been precipitated to the bottom, broken in pieces, and the contents spilled on the floor.

“Mamma, it was an accident," said the frightened little

boy.

"Yes, I am sure it was," said his mother, "and you know I never punish for accidents; but let me see, have you got anything in your hand?"

The color rose to poor Edward's cheeks as he held out his hands, in one of which was his top, and his lash firmly grasped in the other.

Edward had been often told to lay aside his play-toys when he was sent of a message, and he was quite conscious that this accident had been caused by his neglecting to do so; but as he seemed sorry, Mamma forgave him.

Edward was not the only person who felt sorry and humbled by this little circumstance. Alas, how many times have we to reproach ourselves for negligence far more deplorable! How frequently do we make what concerns the glory of God subservient to our own childish cares and engagements! An occasion presents itself for doing something for our Heavenly Master a visit of charity-a message of mercy to be conveyed to a dying fellow-sinner; we obey, but our hands are so full, our thoughts are pre-occupied, we have not laid aside our worldly cares and anxieties before entering upon duties which ought to have our whole thoughts-our undivided attention; and as might be expected, we fail, not only in communicating benefit to others, but in receiving it ourselves.

One of my little boys came to my room one day where I was confined by illness, in an unusual state of excitement. He stood before me with his tiny hand stretched out in the attitude of an orator, but for some time seemed incapable of giving utterance to what he was most anxious to communi

I felt alarmed, and begged he would tell me what had happened; at length, with cheeks glowing with holy indignation, he told me of an attempt having been made by some

person to draw a picture of Jesus. His nurse had sent him a book in which this picture was, and had told him who it was intended to represent.

I was not surprised at the impression made upon the mind of my child, as this had been the first time he had ever seen one of those profane pictures; they had hitherto been carefully excluded from our nursery, as I had always held such things in much abhorrence.

We tell our children, as soon as they are able to understand us, of that Saviour, Jesus-with whom we endeavor to associate in their minds everything that is lovely, everything that is engaging, everything that would call forth their tenderest regard and highest admiration; and shall we suffer those early impressions to be effaced by placing before them such gross misrepresentations as are constantly to be seen in books which are expressly intended for their perusal?

The finest portrait that the art of man could produce must fail to give us any just idea of the "fairest among ten thousand, the altogether lovely"-even the attempt to do so I have always considered as presumptuous, if not sinful.

The pictures that the youthful imagination forms are always pleasing. With them, worth and excellence are associated with beauty and loveliness; and could we expect it to be otherwise? I once showed to one of my children a likeness of a dear friend of whom he had often heard me speak in the most exalted terms. I evidently saw he was much disappointed; after remaining for some time silent, he said, "Mamma, I thought —was prettier." I was sorry I had shown it to him; but the effect it produced assisted to establish me in the opinion I had already formed.

I would humbly suggest this subject to mothers as one not unworthy of their attention. They can recollect the erroneous impressions made upon their own minds by the Bible pictures of ignorant and unskilful artists-and shall they allow their children to suffer from an evil which it is in their power to remedy?

Two dear little boys were once told by their mamma that

"He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord." They heard this for the first time with much surprise and pleasure. They had each a penny, and their mamma reminded them that on the following Sunday they would have an opportunity of giving, them if they were so disposed, for a very useful object. The dear children both took out their pennies and with that beautiful simplicity so frequently manifested in young children, began to brighten them with much ardor, frequently appealing to their mamma, "If they were bright enough to give to God." God loveth a cheerful giver. We have, in this little story, a beautiful exemplification of it. Even when we give of our abundance are our offerings made in this way? A MOTHER.

Original.

THE MAD DOGS.

"It is time to go to school," said a mother to her only son, a little lad of about ten years of age. But he remained sitting, until she again observed, "Eight o'clock, my child, and you have not started;" and domestic cares, as before, engaged her attention. Some time had elapsed, and she had not noticed that her child was yet at home; when she saw that he still remained, and at the same time detected anxious care marked upon his brow, "Alexander," said she, "why is it that you seem to hesitate about going, this fine morning, so delightful and pleasant? What can be the occasion of such delay?" The boy then explained the mystery by saying, "Mother, the scholars tell of so many mad dogs being in the place that I am afraid to go."

And now, in turn, the mother sat with deep and anxious thoughts respecting the apparent danger. The subject was soon considered, however, and she observed to her attentive auditor that such reports were often, if not always, much

exaggerated; and that if there had been mad dogs in the place they usually did not remain; and even if they were so disposed, they would have been pursued and killed.

"I have heard uncle H," she proceeds, "say that his brother-in-law was playing around the hearth, amidst the family circle, when his little pet dog came running into the room, and he, in the act of caressing his favorite, was bitten. His father soon discovered that the dog was mad; and in a short time their awful apprehensions were realized by seeing the poor sufferer expire in all the agonies of hydrophobia. Now I think that such a case as this should teach us that without the protecting care of Providence we are not safe in any place; and that if we try to learn and to do His will, who made us, and put our trust in Him, as. He is everywhere present, we may feel as safe when walking the turnpike road to school as sitting by our fireside."

After hearing this, the countenance of the boy assumed its wonted cheerfulness, and rising up he took his hat, and having bade his mother an affectionate good morning, in his usual manner, walked away to school.

And there was not a word heard concerning the mad dogs for many years. The boy had become an adult and nearly obtained his profession, so that he was looking abroad in the wide world for a location in which to settle himself. Addressing his sister upon this subject, several places were named, to all of which there appeared to be many objections; at length said he, "Perhaps a situation in one of the Southern States would afford an opportunity to become useful and happy. Mr. F., my classmate, is there, and has an extensive practice; he is highly approved and is doing well.”

The mother, in the next room, heard the discourse with comparative indifference until mention was made of the "Southern States." She then entered the room, and with all the eloquence that a mother's heart could dictate, she spoke of the impropriety of leaving " grand-papa and sisters," who all leaned on him for company, comfort and counsel. "Besides," she said, "if you go to the South by land, the Dismal