brothers. And no one can fail in observing and rejoicing in that benign and powerful influence which many sisters exert over their reckless and wayward brothers. Sometimes the only earthly hope of a young man is in the genial and plastic influence of an affectionate sister. For her sake, and under her influences, he will abstain from vices, which, but for that auspicious influence and regard, would disgrace her and ruin himself, and would do things for his own advantage, which, were it not for her example, satisfaction, and gentle persuasions, he would never do.

She can entertain him and make him happy at home, or induce him to accompany her to the abodes of salutary and refined society; in default of which, the haunts of infamy, the abodes of profligacy, and the resorts of dissipation, would be visited for recreation and indulgence.

She can gently and insensibly instil into his mind the doctrines and precepts of religion; compel him to admire virtue and piety by a loving and winning exemplification of their heavenly grace in her own character, conversation, and life; and she may prevail on him to accompany her to the house of God, where he may hear the words of eternal life; when, but for her, he would slide into infidelity, learn to despise and scoff at religion, and spend the Lord's-day in idleness, dissipation, and revelry.

This is not a mere picture of imagination, unattainable in experience. It has often been exemplified in real life; and ought to be so common as to be familiar to all. Many sisters are more than guardian angels to their brothers, and will be ascertained to have been such in a better world. One sister, too, may exert an influence equally benign and salutary over another, and may prove to her more valuable than all the rubies in the world.

This holy influence over both brothers and sisters ought to be the aim of all who bear this appellation and sustain this sacred relation. It ought to be acquired at the earliest period possible; and the easiest and surest way to establish it, is for the sister to be herself virtuous, pious, and intelligent, affectionate, amiable, and agreeable. Being so, her influence may be almost omnipotent.-S. S. Treasury.

A LOST CHILD FOUND BY A DOG.

The youthful but eloquent Francis Dighton, minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, who left the shores of earth for the joys of the blessed, some years ago when lost in the forest was singularly found and borne home by his grandfather's dog. The following narrative, written by the Rev. Mr. Lowry, and indited by the grandmother of Francis, with whom he lived at the time, gives the reader an idea of the occurrence:

"When about four years old, he wandered from the house of his grandmother, with the desire and intention, no doubt, of going to the sugar camp, where his uncle was employed in making sugar. In this adventure he diverged from the path, and got lost in the woods. Some hours after Francis left the house, his grandmother went to the camp, with the confident expectation of finding him there, as he was in the habit of making that tour frequently. But on arriving at the sugar camp, and not seeing the child, she inquired, 'Where is Francis?' The uncle, James Kent, replied, 'I do not know, he has not been here.' His grandmother exclaimed, 'He is lost! Go you in one direction and I will in another, in pursuit of him.' The uncle proposed to go in search of him, and requested his mother to stay at the camp and take care of things in his absence. His mother insisted she must go in pursuit of Francis, but James Kent persuaded her to tarry. But soon after he had left, she grew weary, and almost frantic, exclaimed, "I will go." During the whole of this distressing scene, the dog, belonging to the family, and that had, no doubt, contracted an attachment by familiarity for the child, was present, and followed the grandmother a short distance, but hesitated, by his motions showing that he wished his mistress to go in another direction. Mrs. Kent resolving not to take the dog as her guide, exclaimed, 'I will go,' whereupon the dog left her and took another route. And it is a remarkable fact, that while the uncle and grandmother were unsuccessful in their anxious search, the friendly and vigor

ous dog found Francis, and bore him to the camp on his back.

"The Rev. Francis Dighton recollected this providential rescue, through the mediation of his canine friend, and sometimes interested his friends in describing how he threw his little arms around the dog's neck, and rode over hill, and through glen, amid logs and brush, in triumph to the sugar camp."-Western Christian Advocate.

THE ONE THING NEEDFUL.

SEVERUS, who had been raised from a humble station, to the sovereignty of the Roman world, declared, "I have been all things, and it amounts to nothing." Philip III. of Spain, as he approached the close of life, desired as his last act, to see and bless his children. He told particularly the Prince, his successor, that he had sent for him, "that he might learn the vanity of crowns and tiaras, and learn to prepare for eternity.'

Taking leave of his friends, Sir Philip Sidney said, "Behold in me the end of this world and all its vanities.' Sir John Mason said to those standing round his bed, "I have seen the most remarkable things in foreign parts, and been present at most state transactions for thirty years together; and have learned this, after so many years' experience, that seriousness is the greatest wisdom, temperance the best physic, and a good conscience the best estate; and were I to live again, I would change the court for a cloister, my private councillor's bustle for hermit's retirement, and the whole life I have lived in the palace, for one hour's enjoyment of God in the chapel. All things forsake me but my God, my duty, and my prayers."

How many are arrested by death in the midst of unfinished undertakings! Thus was it with Mohammed II., a Sultan of the Turks; and the inscription on his tomb reads: "I proposed to myself the conquest of Rhodes and proud Italy." Joseph II. of Austria, exclaimed in bitterness of soul, on his death-bed, that his epitaph should be, "Here lies Joseph, who was unsuccessful in all his undertakings!" Behold," said Cuvier, on his death-bed, to a friend," behold a very different person to the man of Tuesday-of Saturday. Nevertheless, I had great things to do. All was ready in my head after years of labour and research, there remained but to write: and now the hands fail, and carry with them the head."

THE CONTENTED COTTAGER BOY. THOUGH father is dead, and dear mother is poor, And left all alone on this furze-blossom'd moor, And though I'm obliged to work hard all the day, Yet still there is a reason to smile and look gay. Our clothing is shabby, and homely our lot,

But when the bright sun-beams encircle our cot, And spring-tide or harvest is smiling around, I think that a sweeter can scarcely be found. At the brink of the streamlet that glides by the hill, Betimes in the morning my pitcher I fill, Then crossing the heath for some fuel I roam, And lighten my toil by the prospect of home.

I covet not riches, nor envy the great,

With all their appendage, their homage, and state; I rest as serene in my hard little bed,

Without any curtains to draw round my head.

And when I am ill, and no doctor is near,

To soften my anguish, and wipe off the tear, I think with composure there's One who can see, There's One who takes care of such children as me. We wish not vain pleasures—the Bible's our choice, In this my dear mother and I can rejoice, And while one is working, the other can read, We're contented and thankful, and happy indeed. And when the week's over, and all are at rest, Sweet Sunday returns, of all seasons the best, For then we can hear that rich gospel of love, Which sweetly comforts with hope of glory above. 'Tis but a few years and our labour will cease, And then we shall join in the anthem of peace, And follow the angels, who gladly invite

To a world without winter, a day without night. Thongh cottagers now, and remote from renown, We've a kingdom in glory-we are heirs to a crown, And soon shall we find in our Saviour's embrace, That nothing can equal the treasures of grace.

ELEPHANT AND HOWDAH.

ELEPHANTS are animals remarkable for their immense size, strength, and sagacity. They are natives of part of Asia, and of Africa. The general colour of the skin is a dark brown, approaching to black. The forehead is large and prominent; the eyes small, quick, and piercing; the ears large and long; the legs are very strong, having toes; the trunk long and flexible; the back arched, and the tail slender Elephants, when full grown, are, generally, from seven to twelve feet in height. Some are said to be as much as fourteen feet high.

The tusks of the elephant are very powerful; with these he can defend himself, and gore to death the objects of his rage. The tusks consist of ivory, and are very valuable. The elephant can move his trunk in every direction, and can use it in a most surprising manner