minds, praying at the same time to God for assistance; but at the end of that time I became quite disheartened. I felt as though I had been speaking to the wind. The little incorrigibles whistled and talked, and giggled and stared, and seemed to produce no end of playthings from their pockets, for their own and their neighbours' amusement; in short, they did everything but listen to my admonitions: so I gave in my resignation. It was evident I knew not how to secure their attention. The faithful missionary I have named unwillingly took my class off my hands; however, for the purpose of retaining my services, he said he would give me the care of a class of girls who could read. But the gentleman who was superintendent was not inclined to quit me of my troublesome charge so easily. He pressed me to give it another trial; said it was the class that stood most in need of a teacher; and at the same time kindly offered to take it himself for a night, and show me his mode of teaching.

I must say I acquiesced more to oblige than from any idea that I should ever succeed in conquering my difficulty. I listened to Mr.

and closely watched the class while he addressed them. His method of teaching was an excellent one. The boys knew little more than, to be brief, that God made them. Mr.

commenced with the story of our first parents and the tragedy of their first-born. His language was simple and easily understood; and the little he told the class he reiterated till they could readily answer any question he put as to what he had been speaking to them upon. His plan was to teach but little, and that thoroughly.

Trusting in God's help, I took heart and tried my kind friend's

method the following sabbath, taking care, before beginning with the new lesson, to question them promiscuously upon the one they had learned the previous sabbath evening. For the first time I felt some slight interest in the class; and a faint hope arose of being, after all, useful to them. The following week, at a teachers' meeting, my kind adviser, Mr., proposed that, as my class was so demonstrative, I should retire with them to the small vestry off the hall. This idea was most encouraging to me to have my young arabs in а room by themselves, with nothing to distract their attention, was a notion that had long possessed me. Accordingly the following sabbath we took possession.

The room was very small; but there was a good fire and a brilliant jet of gas. There was also a comfortable chair in the corner of which I took possession. Mr. - arranged the boys according to their ages upon the benches round the room, which was so small that only about half our number could be thus accommodated; the remainder, being the younger portion of the class, were delighted to get seated upon the floor in rows before the fire.

I think I see them before me now. What a variety of incipient character, so to express it, did their different countenances suggest! There was Joe G one of two brothers so unlike that it was long before I knew they were brothers. Joe was the youngest, and was about nine years of age. He seemed quite incapable of remaining still for one moment. His teeth and eyes, which were always gleaming in concert, made his common type of face quite bright, not so much with intelligence as with audacious mischief and robust life-joyous hearty life, which seemed to pervade all his limbs and

HENRY VAUGHAN.

THERE is no accident of human life, it may unhesitatingly be said, which creates a deeper feeling of pity and commiseration in well-ordered and Christian minds than that of some poor little heart which has to commence the battle of existence without the loving hand of parent or friend to guide it in the earlier stages of its short career. With real joy, however, comes the reflection that all children wanting in earthly parental guardianship are under the immediate protection of a mighty and merciful God. He hath expressly declared Himself to be the friend of the orphan, and often shown Himself to be so. In the law of Moses the Lord made provision that they should not be wronged. He charged the governors of Israel to defend the fatherless, to judge and plead for them; and one king and his servants He commanded to do no wrong to the fatherless, but to support and protect them. Among the solemn curses to be pronounced upon Mount Ebal this is to be found, "Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the fatherless" (Deut. Ixvii. 19), and to which all the people were to say "Amen." Awful threatenings enforced the observance of these commands: "Ye shall not afflict any fatherless children. If thou afflict them in anywise, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry, and My wrath shall wax hot" (Exod. xxii. 22). "Woe to them that decree unrighteous decrees, to rob the fatherless." And the prophet Malachi declares "I will be a swift witness against those that oppress the fatherless." Many commands in the law provided that they should be assisted and supplied; especially the gleanings of the fields, oliveyards, and vine

yards should be left for "the fatherless."

In many strange and delightful phrases God hath expressly declared Himself the friend and guardian of the fatherless. David says, 66 He relieveth the widow and the fatherless; the poor committeth himself to Thee, Thou art the helper of the fatherless ;" and He is their refuge when human help faileth, and likewise their judge: "Lord, Thou wilt judge the fatherless and the oppressed." He is also their Redeemer: "enter not into the fields of the fatherless," to plunder or remove the landmarks: for "their Redeemer is mighty: He shall plead their cause with thee" (Prov. xxiii. 10). But the most delightful and comprehensive promise of all is recorded by the psalmist : a father of the fatherless is God in His holy habitation." He is father of all men; but He is theirs in a peculiar sense, to provide, protect, and guide, and to do everything for them which their earthly parents could have done, and infinitely more.

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In the providence of the Lord, how often have we seen His mercy to the fatherless! He has taken care of them, and raised up friends whose tenderness equalled that of their departed parents. Some of the most learned, useful, and holy ministers have been those early left fatherless

or orphans, who were supported and educated by the kindness of their friends. With David, many of the Lord's aged servants can testify, "I have been young and now am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." We have proofs all around us of this truth. Many of our readers are themselves the evidences of it, and thankfully set to their

seals that in God the fatherless findeth mercy.

How amiable a view do these truths give us of our heavenly Father, and of His wonderful condescension! Among our fellow-men there is not a more lovely character than the man who showeth mercy to the fatherless. What a desirable character is he! and all admire him. Job was most honourable for wealth, dignity, power, and piety, and excelled all the men of the east: indeed, the Lord Himself hath said, there was 66 'none like him upon the earth;" and this was one of his excellencies," I delivered the fatherless when there was none to help him, and caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I have not eaten my morsel alone, but the fatherless hath eaten thereof; and from my youth he was brought up with me as with a father" (Job xix. 12, 13). Delightful expressions! and how glorious and good then must the Lord be, who is the "father of the fatherless!" Let our souls admire Him, "the Lord, merciful and gracious, who is full of compassion and of great kindness ;" and let those particularly adore Him, who, cast upon His providence from infancy or childhood, have been "fed by Him all their lives long to this day, and redeemed from evil."

Let us try to imitate our heavenly Father in showing mercy to the fatherless. In this respect let us "be followers of God as His children, and be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful." Such kindness will be especially acceptable to them, and God will abundantly reward it. In short, we should do for them what we believe their parents would have done, as far as it is in our power. Have you children of your own? Pity and relieve the destitute offspring of others. Have you orphans in your families or charge? Show them particular tenderness; for "if ye in wise afflict a fatherless child, saith the Lord, your wives shall be widows and your children fatherless" (Exod. xxii.

any

24). Do not plead, as an excuse from such acts of kindness, that you have children of your own. Have faith in the promises of God, and by kindness to orphans you will be laying up merciful portions for your own children. In short, all our pretensions to true religion are vain while we neglect this duty; for thus saith the apostle, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction " (Jas. i. 27). The word "visit" signifies to oversee and take care of them. This is pure and undefiled religion, with which God is well pleased.

In the encouragement to commit their children to God's gracious care, parents should hold fast. Many can leave their children but little; but let it be your leading desire and concern to train them up for God and the Church; and especially labour to create in them a relish for spiritual and Divine pleasures. If you can lay up nothing else, lay up a stock of prayers for your children. They are the children of His covenant; and He both engaged to be their guardian and a "God to you and your seed after you."

Finally, the fatherless and orphans should seek mercy from God, and humbly commit themselves to Him; and this mercy you may obtain, if earnestly sought. He was your father's God, and will not disown the relation to you if faithful to Him. Some say, "I have lost the best of fathers, or the best of mothers." But without the Lord your parents could have done nothing for you; and if He take you under His gracions care, you will want for nothing that is truly good. But remember, if you forsake God, He will cast you off for ever." See then that you honour and love Him; and humility, diligence, and contentment, with thankfulness, will recommend you to the favour of good men and entitle you to the blessings of

heaven.

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