comes very eager to see so splendid a pearl, and one that had such powers as the pedlar described. She at once agrees to buy this precious jewel at any price, if it should be really as valuable as he had said. But how was she astonished when the old man solemnly drew from his bosom a small book, in very plain binding, and put it into her hands, with as much care as if it were a diamond worth thousands of pieces of gold, saying :—

"Here, lady fair, is the pearl of prire

May it prove as much to thee!
Nay-keep thy gold, I ask it not-

For the word of God is free!"

So it turns out that the aged pedlar is one of those Christians called the Waldenses, who, when persecuted for their love of the Bible, and obedience to its commands, had no means of doing good to such as were living in ignorance of the

Word of God, excepting by going about as travelling merchants, and giving a copy of the Scriptures, when they could do so with safety. The poem I have been quoting is a just description of many good old men who became missionaries in this way; and the Bibles they distributed were often the means of enlightening the minds of those who, though they were rich and learned, were not permitted to have the Scriptures. So it was often true, as the poem concludes, that

"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 her pride of sin

To the lowliness of truth,

And given her human heart to God

Ia its beauteous hour of youth."

And the same volume, though now offered to

every one who can read, is as truly precious now as it was when it could only be obtained secretly, and read at the risk of life. But do you prize it as more valuable than pearls or gold? Do its truths delight you more than the possession of jewels would? Let me tell you that the Bible, though it may be a small and common book, is a key to treasures that are not only too precious to be valued, but which are everlasting. It is not the mere book-the paper and the cover-that is so valuable, for it may be had for a few pence, or for nothing. But he who is well acquainted with the contents of the Bible; who makes it the rule of life; who goes to it for reproof, instruction, and comfort; who follows it as it leads to Christ, believes in him as it requires, and lives accordingly, such a person, however humble in life, or however young, has found in the Bible a treasure

above all price, for it brings him peace and joy eternal, and he will be ready to exclaim with the Psalmist "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver."

MARY had a little lamb,

Its fleece was white as snow;

And everywhere that Mary went

The lamb was sure to go.