"MOTHER, I am very happy; I have prayed to my Heavenly Father." So said a dear little sick boy. Willie was once a fine lively child, jumping and running about, full of spirits as any of you may be ; but one day he was knocked down by a carriage, and he never overcame the injury he then received. Through a long illness he was a sweet, patient sufferer, lying for hours, week after week, on a couch made up for him beside the fire, while his mother was engaged in caring for the wants of her family, never murmuring, but so gentle, and so grateful. "If you please," and "Thank you," were never forgotten when anything was offered him. In the warm summer weather Willie gained a little strength, and his baby sister was delighted to see him able to walk across the room again. It was very pretty to see his loving, smile

on her when we might have thought, in his weak state, he would have been teased by her caresses. His brightest time was of an evening, when he could sit up with his dear parents to talk to them or hear them read.

Willie had a favourite rabbit, with a little family around her, which was a source of pleasure and amusement to him; and great was his grief when, by eating improper food, she was poisoned; and soon the little ones all died, for want of a mother's care. Dear children who have kind mothers to care for you, be thankful, and try not to do anything to trouble or vex them. The loss of his pets was a sad trial to the dear boy, and he could not be persuaded to have another rabbit instead, though he thought it would be a pleasure to him still to have his old one to look at ; so his father kindly had it stuffed for him. Willie did not fret long about it, for he loved his Heavenly Father, and, resting in his Saviour's love, as he became more weak and ill he would talk to his dear mother of his happiness. He did not wish to live, he said, and she must not grieve for him, he was going to heaven; his Heavenly Father was preparing a place for him, and would take him to Himself. His fine dark eyes sparkled with holy joy as he told her of the beautiful visions he had of this happy home.

Although Willie did not grieve long for his pretty rabbit, he did grieve over anything he felt to be sinful. He was very sorry if he thought his dear brothers did wrong at any time; and, when he was able, he talked to them about preparing to go to him in heaven. He always kept his little hymn-book near him when too weak to read much; and regularly read his evening hymn and offered up his prayer to God before going to rest at night. When he was very ill and weak, his parents heard his voice before they rose in the morning, singing praises to his Heavenly Father, and he told them holy angels had been around his bed and watching over him all the night, and he was so happy. Willie was very grateful for everything done for him, so sweetly saying to his friends, "I hope the Lord will bless you for all your kindness to me." On a Sabbath evening he was taken to the place prepared in heaven for him. He asked to have his hymn-book, and his father knelt beside his little bed while he read his hymn and offered up his prayer; and, very soon after, he said, Mother, will you take me in your arms-I am going to heaven" and presently the happy spirit was gone, and he breathed no more.

JESUS THE KING.

THEN led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death : That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself,

or did others tell it thee of me?

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.-JOHN Xviii. 28-40.

THE GOLDEN TEXT.

"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre."-Ps. xlv. 6.

PRAY ARIGHT.

"MIDDLETON, I have this morning received a letter from Mr. Harcourt."

"Have you, papa?" replied a bright-eyed, curly

looking as if that letter could contain no pleasant news for him.

"Yes," continued Mr. Fitzherbert, "the school reopens, he tells me, on the 24th." "Oh, papa!"

"Well, my boy."

"And I was invited to the Conways on the 29th Could I not remain

"Middleton, you forget surely it is one of the few things I am most particular about, that of your returning to school on the day it re-opens."

"But, papa, this once?"

"I am sorry for your disappointment, my son, but it cannot be; try to bear it bravely, and forget the party; it would at most be only a few hours' enjoyment."

All day

Middleton was silent. A deep gloom settled on his brow, as he sat balancing his spoon on the edge of his cup, and disconsolate and repining thoughts filled his mind. These, instead of trying to drive away, hei cherished, until the desire to remain at home for the Conways' party grew stronger and stronger. long he was devising plans whereby he might accomplish his object. No wonder that at night he should shrink from seeing his father, against whom he had been nourishing so many angry feelings. When he reached his own little room, as was his wont, he threw open the window and looked out. It was a calm, lovely evening; not a breath of air agitated the branches of the trees, and scarcely was there a sound to be heard, save the low rippling of a neighbouring brook; overhead the moon shone brightly, and the sky was studded with starry gems, brighter than any earth can boast of. But the peaceful scene ill accorded with the wild tumult then raging in Middleton's breast; he closed the window hastily, and knelt to say his prayers; but he sought not forgiveness for his unconquered passions, nor prayed for grace to subdue them; and the angel hovering near, covered his face with his wings, and turned sorrowfully away, as the boy uttered these strange words, “O God, let something happen to prevent my returning to school; please grant this my request." After this, the little boy went to bed; but it was long before sleep visited his eyelids, and even then he was disturbed by frightful dreams.

The following morning when he awoke, he felt ill and wretched, but he managed to rise and dress. That afternoon, as Mr. Fitzherbert was leaving the dining-room, his wife detained him. "I feel very anxious about Middleton," she said; "he appears very unwell, and I have sent him to lie down ; he is very feverish, and complains of a sore throat. Do you not think we had better send for Dr. Turner?"

Certainly, by all means. I perceived at breakfast