of six strokes that I complain, nor of sixty, but of millions."

"Very good," replied the dial; "but recollect that though you may think of a million strokes in an instant, you are required to execute but one; and that, however often you may hereafter have to swing, a moment will always be given you to swing in."

"That consideration staggers me, I confess," said the pendulum." Then I hope," resumed the dial-plate, we shall all immediately return to our duty; for the maids will lie in bed till noon, if we stand idling thus."

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Upon this, the weights, who had never been accused of light conduct, used all their influence in urging him to proceed when, as with one consent, the wheels began to turn, the hands began to move, the pendulum began to swing, and, to its credit, ticked as loud as ever; while a red beam of the rising sun that streamed through a hole in the kitchen shutter, shining full upon the dial plate, it brightened up as if nothing had been the matter.

When the farmer came down to breakfast that morning, upon looking at the clock he declared that his watch had gained half an hour in the night.

MORAL.

A celebrated modern writer says, "Take care of the minutes, and the hours will take care of themselves." This is an admirable remark, and might be very seasonably recollected when we begin to be "weary in

well-doing," from the thought of having much to do. The present moment is all we have to do with in any sense; the past is irrecoverable; the future is uncertain; nor is it fair to burden one moment with the weight of the next. Sufficient unto the moment is the trouble thereof. If we had to walk a hundred miles, we should still have to set but one step at a time, and this process continued would infallibly bring us to our journey's end. Fatigue generally begins, and is always increased, by calculating in a minute the exertion of hours.

Thus, in looking forward to future life, let us recollect that we have not to sustain all its toil, to endure all its sufferings, or encounter all its crosses at once. One moment comes laden with its own little burdens, then flies, and is succeeded by another no heavier than the last; if one could be borne, so can another and another.

Even in looking forward to a single day, the spirit may sometimes faint from an anticipation of the duties, the labours, the trials to temper and patience that may be expected. Now this is unjustly laying the burden of many thousand moments upon one. Let any one resolve always to do right now, leaving then to do as it can; and if he were to live to the age of Methuselah, he would never do wrong. But the common error is to resolve to act right after breakfast, or after dinner, or to-morrow morning, or next time; but now, just now this once, we must go on the same as ever.

It is easy, for instance, for the most ill-tempered person to resolve that the next time he is provoked he

will not let his temper overcome him; but the victory would be to subdue temper on the present provocation. If, without taking up the burden of the future, we would always make the single effort at the present moment, while there would, at any one time, be very little to do, yet, by this simple process continued, every thing would at last be done.

It seems easier to do right to-morrow than to-day, merely because we forget that when to-morrow comes, then will be now. Thus life passes with many, in resolutions for the future which the present never fulfils.

It is not thus with those, who "by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, honour, and immortality:"-day by day, minute by minute, they execute the appointed task to which the requisite measure of time and strength is proportioned: and thus, having worked while it was called day, they at length rest from their labours, and their "works follow them."

Let us then, "whatever our hands find to do, do it with all our might," recollecting that now is the proper and "accepted time."

MISS JANE TAYLOR.

THE VAUDOIS TEACHER,

The manner in which the Waldenses disseminated their principles among the Catholics, was by carrying with them a box of trinkets or articles of dress. Having entered the houses of the gentry, and disposed of some of their goods, they intimated that they had inestimable jewels, and would then present their purchasers with a Bible or Testament.

OH Lady fair, these silks of mine are beautiful and

rare

The richest web of the Indian loom, which beauty's queen might wear;

And my pearls are as pure as thine own fair neck, with whose radiant light they vie,

I have brought them with me a weary way,-will my gentle lady buy?

And the lady smiled on the worn old man, through the dark and clustering curls,

Which veiled her brow, as she bent to view his silks and glittering pearls;

And she placed their price in the old man's hand, and lightly turn'd away,

But she paused at the Wanderer's earnest call-" My gentle lady stay!"

"Oh lady fair, I have yet a gem, which a purer lustre

flings,

Than the diamond flash of the jewelled crown on the lofty brow of kings

R

A wonderful pearl, of exceeding price, whose virtue shall not decay,

Whose light shall be as a spell to thee, and a blessing on thy way!"

The lady glanced at the mirroring steel, where her form of grace was seen,

Where her eye shone clear, and her dark locks waved their clasping pearls between ;

"Bring forth the pearl of exceeding worth, thou traveller grey and old

And name the price of thy precious gem, and my page shall count the gold."

The cloud went off from the pilgrim's brow, as a small and meagre book

Unchased with gold or gem of cost, from his folding robe he took!

"Here, lady fair, is the pearl of price, may it prove as

such to thee!

Nay-Keep thy gold-I ask it not, the Word of God is free!"

The hoary traveller went his way, but the gift he left

behind

Hath had its pure and perfect work on that high-born maiden's mind,

And she hath turned from the pride of sin to the lowliness of truth,

And given her human heart to God in its beautiful hour of youth!