began to ring merrily, and the tempting sight and sound sent the children bounding into the snow. But a glimpse of the sorrow-stricken Minny, with her bonnet and a thick warm shawl which our mother was wrapping about her, brought them quickly back. A moment more and a sleigh drove up, and a tall man, closely muffled in a shaggy greatcoat, stood before us.

Arrangements had been made to place her with a worthy woman who had charge of the poor, and there, under the vigilant eye and kind remonstrance of one fitted to the task, she was to receive instruction and find a home till, with restored character and renewed energy, she could return to the world and gain a livelihood. With careful admonitions and kind words our mother gave her a Bible, and as she trusted her to the care of the rough, but kindhearted Anson, charged him again and again with messages to the new protectress, to spare no exertions to reclaim the young unhappy outcast. Minny turned from us without words, but her eyes were filled with tears. Wrapped in warm skins and seated in the sleigh, they glided away from us over the smooth snow, while we stood gazing after the poor orphan girl till they disappeared beyond the hill.

Winter melted away, and the summer-time came again, finding us no less blithe than the birds. The soft, fresh breeze wafted the mellow chimes of the church-bells to us one Sabbath morning in June, and we did not resist the musical summons. We passed through the thronged streets, and as we entered the gateway of the old church, a light touch upon my arm arrested my steps. Turning, I quickly recognized the poor forsaken Minny of the by-gone holidays; and while I looked with pleased surprise upon the fresh full face, the modest bonnet and neat dress, she said hurriedly, and with trembling lips

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Tell your mother I have remembered her advice. I have a good place, and am happy now."

The crowd separated us, and I did not see her again, but I cannot forget the wan and sorrowful countenance of Minny as she was, and the subdued, but cheerful face of

Minny as she is one the result of unpitying, proud scornthe other, the effect of the magic of Christian kindness. Auburn, New York.

HOME INFLUENCE.

EACH Christian home has been likened to a central sun, around which revolves a happy and united band of warm, loving hearts, acting, thinking, rejoicing, and sorrowing together. Which member of the family group can say, “I have no influence?" What sorrow, or what happiness lies in the power of each!

"A lighted lamp," says M'Cheyne, "is a very small thing, and it burns calmly and without noise, yet it giveth light to all who are within the house." And so there is a quiet influence, which like the flame of a scented lamp, fills many a home with light and fragrance. Such an influence has been beautifully compared to "a carpet, soft and deep, which, while it diffuses a look of ample comfort, deadens many a creaking sound. Or it is like a curtain which, from many a beloved form, wards off at once the summer's glow and the winter's wind. Or it is the pillow on which sickness lays its head, and forgets half its misery." This influence falls as the refreshing dew, the invigorating sunbeam, the fertilizing shower, shining on all with the mild lustre of moonlight, and harmonizing in one soft tint many of the discordant hues of a family picture.

And now let us glance for a moment on the home influence of those who are neither kind nor gentle. It is a sad picture, truthfully painted. "Do you not know," writes the artist, "That those who are unkind bestow wretchedness instead of happiness, even upon those who are nearest and dearest to them? Do you not know that their voice is dreaded, and unwelcome as it sounds through their home? Is not their step avoided in the passage, or on the stairs, in the certainty of no kind of cheerful greeting, in the fear of angry words? Do you not observe that every subject but the most indifferent is lightly touched

upon in their presence, or concealed from their knowledge, in the vain hope of keeping away food for their excitement of temper? Deprived of confidence, [deprived of respect, their society is shunned even by the few who still love them." They pass through their homes like the easterly wind, and a chilling blight falls on the domestic scene. Their influence is a fearful one. Anger begets anger. They are aptly compared to a jar of household vinegar, wherein are dissolved the precious pearls of daily life. They are unhappy in themselves, and they make others so. They are ill-tempered, and they spoil the tempers of those with whom they associate. Harsh and unloving, they breed hard thoughts in the breasts of others. They darken the sunshine of daily life. They weaken our faith in the good and beautiful. Their home influence, instead of being a blessing, becomes a curse.

Dear reader, is any member of your family suffering from the infirmity of an irritable temper? Try what a contrary influence-try what kindness will do. From daily and continual observation you can most probably tell what things, what provocations, are the likeliest to call forth this besetting sin. Endeavour, if possible, to avoid them. Be on the watch for little opportunities of smoothing away difficulties. Remember that "a soft answer turneth away wrath;" and that kind words are as oil poured on the troubled waters. Seek to be always patient to the faults and imperfections of others; for doubtless thou hast many of thine own. How blessed is he who by good words and deeds can bring a continual sunshine into the home where he dwells. How blessed are the fruits of a cheerful and forbearing spirit, filled with love towards God and man!

The following prayer, written by an experienced Christian, is well worth learning by heart: "Be pleased, O Lord, to bless the small, feeble endeavours of thy poor child, to do her duty to others; for without thy blessing they are all ineffectual, and with thy blessing I need not doubt but they will tend to my own good, and the good of those I desire to serve-more particularly at home." Elsewhere we find the same person praying thus: "May I dwell

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nearer in spirit to my Redeemer, that increased humility, watchfulness, patience, and forbearance, may be my portion; that I may not only be saved myself, but that I may not stand in the way of the salvation of any, more particular in that of my own household and family; and that I may, if consistent with the Divine will, be made instrumental in saving others." It is a fearful thought that we may, by our influence, stand in the way of the salvation of others" especially those of our own household and family:" and we do well to pray against it, and that we may be a help, and not a hindrance, one to another.

How great is the influence of the heads of families, of masters and mistresses, parents, brothers and sisters, and even of servants and little children. How many servants have had cause to bless the day when they first entered into a pious family, and not only listened to the precepts of God's holy word, but witnessed how they were exemplified, and carried out in the daily life of those whom it was their privilege to serve! How many parents are there whose children have risen up and called them blessed! How many a brother and sister have owed their conversion, under God, to each other! How many Christian servants have been the first to introduce religion into a thoughtless and worldly family, choosing the time of sickness or sorrow, when the heart was softened and subdued, and asking God's blessing upon the humble endeavours! How many a little child has been permitted to speak a word for Jesus! Those," writes Miss Catharine Sinclair, "who neglect to promote the happiness, or seek the salvation of any with whom the providence of an all-wise Creator has connected them by the most sacred ties, betray one of their chief trusts, and lose one of the greatest felicities which the world can afford."

The influence of a dear young friend, whose home conduct was a beautiful illustration of the faith that worketh by love, is thus described by an eye-witness :— "She moved about the house like a sunbeam. I heard her singing as she passed to and fro, and her mother heard her too, and said, with a fond smile, 'It is Mary,

she is always the same, always happy. I do not know what I should do without her.' 'I do not know what any of us would do without Mary,' repeated her eldest daughter, and the rest echoed her words.

"Her youngest brother is of a violent temper, and is always quarrelling with somebody; but he never quarrels with Mary, because she will not quarrel with him, but strives to turn aside his anger by gentle words. Even her presence has an influence over him. So it has on all her brothers; and to please her they have left off taking in the Sunday newspaper, and go to church, or read good books at home. They none of them think as seriously as she does about sacred things; but they avoid making a jest of them when she is present, or saying or doing anything to hurt her feelings. And some day, Mary hopes that what they now abstain from for her sake will be abstained from out of love for God, and for fear of grieving the Holy Spirit.

"One day, Robert, the eldest brother, declined to join a party of pleasure on the following Sabbath: a friend observed that he had no idea he was so changed in his views, and recalled to remembrance the time when he had made a mockery of religion.

"Yes,' answered Robert: 'but that was before Mary taught me to love it."

"His sister, who was present, burst into tears. 'I never taught you,' said she; 'I have never said a single word on the subject. God has taught you.'

"It is true that you have never said a word, my sister; but your actions have spoken for you and for God.'

"To him be all the glory,' whispered Mary, as she kissed him.

"The brother and sister are now; constantly together; and Robert is, I think, likely to become a decided Christian. If it be so, he will always say that he owes it, under God, to her influence. And I firmly believe that there are others in the family who will feel the same ere very long. To love and wait is excellent home philosophy." What a blessing it is when religion enters a family! It