blinded with tears, she looked up to me, and said, "Thank you, ma'am, for being so kind; my Sundayschool teacher says my 'cross has been placed upon my back;' but, oh! kind lady, when people look at me so proudly, and the boys call me ugly names, and the girls won't let me play with them, then I feel so bad, and can

not help crying. Do tell me, lady, will Jesus never take my cross away?" Years passed by, and once more, at my boarding-house, I met the child, now grown to womanhood. Her countenance was spiritually beautiful, but she still bore the burden of her childhood. Being together for some weeks, an intimacy sprang up between us; and one day, as we sat conversing, she alluded to our first meeting. "My misfortune," said she, "was long a source of grievous unhappiness; but, thank God, there at last came to me an answer to my oft-asked question, 'Shall I never cease to bear this cross?"" And going to her portfolio, she handed me the following lines, observing, "The last line has been my consolation:

در

"The tear will fall, O Father! when I see
Those curious glances fixed on me!
How long this cross, my Saviour, must I bear?
Until thine eyes can no more shed a tear.'

The flush will rise, O Father! when I hear
Those rude insulting words-the bitter jeer!
How long, O Lord, must I with trembling fear?
'Till thou these mocking words no more canst hear.'

Sad are my thoughts, O Father! well I know Ofttimes neglects are mine; for this deep woe! How long, kind Parent, must I check each sob? 'Until thy heart no more with pain can throb !'

Then all my life, O Father! teach me how
Beneath this galling cross to humbly bow!
Oh! shall I never cease to feel Thy rod ?

'All trials cease in heaven, at home with God !'"

IMPROVE YOUR TALENTS.

GOD entrusts to all

Talents few or many; None so young or small That they have not any.

Though the great and wise Have a greater number, Yet my one I prize,

And it must not slumber.

God will surely ask,

Ere I enter heaven, Have I done the task

That to me was given.

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THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST.

AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great

with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.--LUKE ii. 1-20.

UNTO us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,

ARE you called upon to exercise self-denial? Abraham looks down from heaven upon you, and tells you that he was ready to sacrifice his beloved Isaac. Are you afraid of the scoffs and jeers of a fleeting world? Noah builded an ark, Moses rejected the honours of Pharaoh's court, and underwent as many taunts and scoffs as you are likely to do. Are you called to lay down your lives for the testimony of Jesus and a good conscience? Stephen tells you a storm of stones fell upon him, and brake open the prison, and set the prisoner free; his soul escaped ; and as a bird, took wing and flew to heaven. Are you assaulted with temptations? St. Paul looks down, and tells you that he had much stronger temptations than you have, and yet he got safe to heaven.-Hopkins.

A HYMN OF PRAISE.

BY MRS. C. E. R. PARKER.

PRAISE the Father, little children,

Maker He of earth and heaven; To the Father of your spirits

Let your songs of praise be given. Pray, oh pray to God the Father,

For He formed you in His love, And He daily watches o'er you

From His throne in heaven above.

Praise the Son of God, dear children,
He, the lowly born and mild,
He, who left the Father's glory,
And became a little child.
God the Son, who died to save you,

Lamb of God on Calvary slain, God the Son, who lives to bless you, Sing His praise in joyful strain.

And to God the Holy Spirit,

Little children, give all praise;

He hath power to warn and teach you, He will guide you by His grace.

CARE FOR SPARROWS.

A LITTLE girl seeing the servant throw the crumbs into the fire, said, "Don't you know that God takes care of the sparrows?"

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"If God takes care of them," was the careless reply, we need not trouble ourselves about them." "But," said the little girl, "I had rather be like God, and help Him take care of the little birds, than scatter or waste the food that He gives us."

So she carefully collected what was left of the crumbs and threw them out of the window. In a short time several little birds flew eagerly to the spot, and picked up the crumbs she had scattered. After this she every day collected in a little basket the crumbs and bits of bread that had fallen around the table, and threw them under the window for the little birds; and during all the winter these little creatures came regularly after each meal to partake of the food thus provided for their support.