but yesterday. But he seems to have possessed himself of a dispensation from God, or priest, or minister, as to this "Royal Law." He has, it should appear, a plenary indulgence exempting him from the Golden Rule, and allowing him in white lying over his counter. And he will put us off with a packet of adulterated goods, with an unruffled conscience and complacent courtesy; and stamp on an inferior article, produced, perhaps, within his own four walls, the name of an eminent manufacturer. Such unsound professors have need to be reminded that neither Calvinism nor any other ism in the head or on the tongue will pass muster. Churchmembership, household forms, will not prove them Christ's. "A false balance is abomination to the Lord, and they that deal truly are his delight."-"Shall I count them pure with the unjust balances, and clean with the deceitful weights?"-Sunday Magazine.

THE PARROT.

This tribe of birds is divided into three classes, distinguished mainly by their size. The largest arc called Macaws, the next size Parrots, and the smallest Paroquets. These are social birds. At certain seasons of the year they gather in large flocks, and seem to enjoy this anniversary season. They live in pairs, and are exceedingly kind and affectionate towards each other. It has been observed that the female bird usually perches on the left side of her mate, and that she seldom eats until he has set her an example; whether on the principle of etiquette or instinct, we are not informed. Certain it is, that these birds observe the proprieties of married life more accurately and faithfully than some of a higher order of creation. Mr. Bigley relates remarkable anecdotes, illustrating the affection cherished in the family relations of these birds. One case is mentioned of a couple confined together in a large cage for many years, where their mutual affection and fidelity were constantly manifested. Finally the female began to fail in strength, and became more and more infirm, until she became entirely helpless. At every stage of her decline, her anxious and devoted companion supplied her necessities and watched over her with tender care. When she was unable to come down from her perch for her food, he carried it to her and placed it in her mouth. When she fell to the bottom of the cage, he attempted to assist her in returning to the nearest perch, by lifting at her wings, or pulling at her beak. When, finally, she became unable to eat, and was about to die, he manifested the greatest anxiety and grief, and gave to her his undivided attention to the last. When the death-scene was over, he uttered most pitiful cries; and mourning in solitude a few weeks, he died also. Such cases seem almost human, and are calculated to awaken in our minds a deep sympathy and interest in behalf of the animal kingdom around us.-Vt. Chronicle.

A SON'S APPEAL TO HIS INTEMPERATE FATHER.

BY D. O. LANTZ, CONSTANTINE, MICHIGAN.

Stay, father, stay. 'Tis midnight hour,
The winds moan fearless by;

Go view the darkening clouds that lower
From out the western sky.

The earth is wrapped in one vast glare
Of vivid lightning's flash;
The rolling thunder rends the air,
Hark! hear the wild waves dash.

'Tis madness, father, thus to leave
Your weary, lonely, child;
Oh, let me to your bosom cleave,
While storms rage, fierce and wild.

Yes stay, dear father, hear my prayer,
The tempter lurketh nigh,

He seeks to drag you, father, where
The worm will never die.

Behind the curtain hear that groan,
'Tis mother's dying breath;
Dear father, leave me not alone,
In this dark hour of death.

How, oft, I've knelt in days gone by
At mother's knee for prayer;

And heard her agonizing cry:

Oh, shun the tempter's snare.

But that sad wail has ceased in death;
Those lips no longer move;

What feelings cluster in the breath,
Of mother's dying love.

But no! while in my saddest spell
He drinks the cup of death,
He drinks the gall of death and hell
That stilled my mother's breath.

My mother's dead. Her careworn soul
Is now released from pain;

My father drinks the maddening bowl,
While one more victim's slain.

MEETING AT THE TOP.

A hundred years ago and more, a numerous body of Presbyterians who had seceded from the Established Church of Scotland, was split in two on a quarrel about a clause in the oath required of the freemen of certain Scottish boroughs, which expressed "their hearty allowance of the true religion at present professed within the realm, and authorized by the laws thereof." The party who held that the oath might be conscientiously taken by seceders were called "Burghers," and their opponents "Antiburghers." Johnnie Morton, a keen Burgher, and Andrew Gebbie, a decided Anti-burgher, both lived in the same house, but at opposite ends, and it was the bargain that each should keep his own side of the house well thatched. When the dispute about the principle of their kirks, and especially the offensive clause in the oath, grew hot, the two neighbors ceased to speak to each other.

But one day they happened to be on the roof at the same time, each repairing the thatch in the slope of the roof on his own side, and when they had worked up to the top, there they were-face to face. They could'nt flee, so at last Andrew took off his cap, and scratching his head, said, "Johnnie, you and me, I think, hae been very foolish to dispute, as we hae done, concerning Christ's will about our kirks, until we hae clean forgot His will aboot ourselves; and so we hae fought sae bitterly for what we ca' the truth, that it has ended in spite. Whatever's wrang, it's perfectly certain that it never can be right to be uncivil, unneighborly, unkind, in fac, tae hate ane anither. Na, na, that's the deevil's wark, and na God's. Noo, it strikes me that maybe it's wi' the kirk as wi' this house; ye're working on ae side and me on the t'ither, but if we only do our work weel, we will meet at the tap at last. Gie's your han,' auld neighbor!" And so they shook han,' and were the best o' freens ever after.

BENEVOLENCE OF NEANDER.-Neander's love of his fellow-men, and especially of good men, was ever active and self-sacrificing. One example may be given as a specimen. During the illness of a student, which proved to be fatal, he was unable to obtain all that was necessary in this condition. A friend went to Neander and informed him of his state. As he was entering into details Neander suddenly interrupted him, and inquired how much was needed, The friend named the sum. Neander wrung his hands in agony; he had no money at his command. He paced the room, glancing eagerly at his books. At length he stopped before a large volume, splendidly bound. one of the most valuable books in his library, and the most precious, as but few had been printed, and distributed by the author among his friends. He seized the book, put it into the hands of the student, and said, "I have no money, but take this, and try to sell it. Do it secretly, I beg; nobody must know it."

EDITOR'S DRAWER.

"

OUR CONTRIBUTORS.

The GUARDIAN is ostensibly devoted to the instruction of the young. Its articles are all written and selected with a special view to their wants. From its beginning, it has numbered among its contributors able writers, from both sexes; writers, whose sole motive was love to the young, and a tender concern for their welfare. They bestowed much care and labor upon their articles, without any remuneration. Some of its first contributors have been gathered to their fathers. Not a few are with us to this present.

The founder of this Magazine made it an object, from the start, to adapt it to the wants of both sexes. For this purpose he secured contributors from both. An article "By a Lady" appeared in the first number, issued in January, 1850. Many articles from the pen of females have graced its pages since then. We are happy to number such among our contributors still. In the present number we welcome to our list "Opal," on "Peculiar People," and hope she will often use her graceful pen for the benefit of our readers. She paints the "Review" with unsparing truthfulness.

"Is this Prof. Henry of the Smithsonian Institute?" asked a friend, after reading the article on "Colonial Coins" in the last number, by "Joseph Henry." Not exactly," we replied. Like some other contributors, he meekly toils behind the curtain of an assumed name. Another excellent article on the same subject will appear in our next. The lessons of the Past always teach wisdom. The Two Marys, "Eta Mon Kore," "T. D.," "T. K. L.," "C." "Perkiomen," and our other contributors are always welcome, and read with pleasure.

Our amiable preceptor, Prof. W. M. Nevin, has given us a smoothe and classical rendering of a few Odes of Horace. Now, we happen to have a vivid recollection of these same Odes, elsewhere scanned, analysed, declined, conjugated, and translated. And well do we remember how all the juice of poetry was pressed out by the drill of recitation. For grammatical purposes it may do well enough, but it is a poor way to see and enjoy the beauties of a poem, by tearing it asunder, limb by limb, and letting it bleed itself to death. It may be little credit to our scholarship, but we frankly own, that we see and enjoy more poetic beauty in the Professor's rendering, than we did by scanning the original in the class-room. His stanzas are as full of juice as the luscious apples and grapes, which this same Horace wrote about.

The "Humble Bee," in the last number, pleasingly recalls the face of a familiar "great old clumsy, blubbering fellow," with which we fought many a brave boyish battle. Often may he dash his back against the Professor's "pane," to remind him with what unmingled pleasure his poems are read; and that we should be very much pleased if possible to have one for every number of the GUARDIAN. Our worthy predecessor needs stirring up. His silence has caused universal regret among our readers.

GOOD EMPLOYMENT.

A certain young man of our acquaintance connected with the Church last Spring. By prayer and earnest study of the Scripture, he prepared himself for

this solemn step. He was in earnest, as his life since then has shown. Not content by simply working for his own salvation, he does all he can for his young companions. To aid them in improving their minds, he has succeeded in circuleting quite a number of GUARDIANS among them. In this way he makes himself useful to others, and adorns his Christian profession.

AN ORPHAN'S HOME.

Few things appeal so touchingly to our sympathy as a fatherless child-a little being sent adrift on the broad, bleak sea of human life. The Scripture abounds in curses against the oppressor of the fatherless, and in blessings upon those who take pity on them. In a very peculiar sense, orphans have Christ for their father. What we do to them, we do to Him.

Within the last ten years, more Orphan's Homes have been founded in this country, than during the previous fifty. The most of them are under the fostering care of different Churches, as they ought to be. For no institution of this kind can fulfil its mission outside the living current of the Christian religion; and this flows through the Church of Christ. Charity is essentially Christian. One of these Homes has been in existence for three years at Bridesburg, Philadelphia. It had a small beginning, on a small scale, and in a small building. The number of orphans increased. The building was enlarged. But room was still wanting. The location was not a good one for such a purpose. The only alternative was to remove to a more suitable place. But where shall we go? For over a year members of the Board have vainly searched in all directions. They held many meetings, but always only to be disappointed. Finally a kind Providence led them to buy Mandenbach Springs, in Berks Co., Pa. This combines all the rare qualities needful for such an institution. It consists of a large substantial brick building, 120 feet in length, with all the necessary baking, cooking, and bathing arrangements, with room enough for at least 200 orphans. The celebrated South Mountain Springs, famous already in the days of the red man, 150 years ago, with health-inspiring water; a natural forest around three sides of the building; the lofty Alp-like South Mountain rising majestically above it, fanning it with its pure breath,-these and many more characteristics make it a charming spot. Although but a few squares from the Railroad Station at Womelsdorf, its surroundings are as wild and romantic as many an Alpine scene. We know that our readers will rejoice with us in the prospect of locating this Home in such a desirable place.

CHURCH FAIRS.

"

It is hard to stem the tide of public opinion-of so-called religious public opinion. There is no arguing against a popular enterprize. And almost any enterprize now-a-days is popular, provided it pays. We have repeatedly spoken, written, and spoken against Church Fairs. Good people have hinted to us for pastoral encouragement to hold them. "Get thee behind me, Satan," was the invariable encouragement given. But our arguments seem useless. You are in the minority," we are told. An old Fogy. A cynic. And it has even been whispered that any man opposed to such a good enterprize, shows a sad want of piety is unconverted. Now, to deny you the possession of piety, puts an end to argument. We are told, "do not converted people hold these fairs, who believe in a change of heart, and in not putting their light under a bushel?”— 'Don't you see? They are live people, who go in for getting money for religious objects." We cannot allow ourselves to enlarge on these heathenish enterprises, lest we should wound the feelings of good people.

Not a hundred miles from where we are writing, there is a large wealthy church. The aggregate wealth of its members must be at least $100,000. To pay off a debt of a few thousand dollars, they have started a Gift Enterprize. A certain number of tickets are offered for sale, for which Government Bonds,