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Beyond the reach of Jordan's wave, Above the shining dome,

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Oh sing to me of Heaven; the name
Round which such glories throng,
As well may win the widest fame
And grace the noblest song!
Faith sees afar the shining goal,
Hope plumes her drooping wing,
And all the graces of the soul
Are quickened while ye sing.
Oh glorious land of light,

Still hid from mortal view,
Fain would I wing an eager flight
To you, my home, to you!

Oh sing to me of Heaven! for there
The Father reigns alone,

With Son and Spirit blest, who share
The glories of His Throne.

There thousands strike their harps of gold
In one celestial song ;

Paisley: J. AND R. PARLANE.]

For love, and peace, and joy untold

Fills all the Heavenly Throne.

Oh glorious land of light,

We seek, yet cannot see,

Still through the shadows of the night

Our souls go forth to Thee!

Oh sing to me of Heaven! and say
That soon I must be gone,

The distance lessening day by day,
Brings all the glory on.

Why should the heart with pain or care,
Be troubled or distrest,

While yonder mansions, shining fair,
Await the welcome guest.

Oh glorious land of light,
Still hid to mortal view,

Through all the sorrows of the night
I onward haste to you!

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98

LEARNING TO READ.

WITHOUT CAUSE.

Do you see that little girl in the picture? She is six years old, and is learning to read. Her papa has bought her a nice large-print New Testament, as a birth-day present, and she wishes to be able to read it very soon. She can read a few verses of the first chapter of John already, and has read them so often that she can almost repeat them without the book. Her parents are very anxious to have the truths contained in that wonderful chapter written on their little daughter's heart, and so they are teaching her to read from it. The child is now spelling out the words, 'BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD,' and she knows the meaning of them.

If you were to ask little Annie why John Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God, she could tell you. Her parents have often told her the story of the paschal lamb, whose blood, sprinkled on the door-posts, made the destroying angel pass over the houses of the Israelites, and explained to her that the lamb was a type of Jesus, whose blood saves every one who trusts in Him. Little Annie has learned to sing

'I lay my sins on Jesus,

The spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all and frees us
From the accursed load.'

And we hope she does not sing them with her lips only, but with her whole heart.

What a sad thing it would be for any of us to sing, I lay my sins on Jesus,' while wishing to go on in sin. May none of us be guilty of thus taking the name of Jesus in vain, but may we and all our readers be like the two diciples, who, when they heard John Baptist say, 'BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD,' followed Jesus.

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The other replied:

'I have not got one; and if I had—'

On this weighty cause they went to war. After they had exhausted their armies and resources, and laid waste their kingdoms, they began to wish to make peace; but, before this could be done, it was necessary that the insulting language that led to the trouble should be explained.

'What could you mean, asked the second king of the first, by saying, "Send me a blue pig with a black tail, or else-?"

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Why, said the other, 'I meant a blue pig with a black tail, or else some other colour. But what could you mean by saying, "I have not got one, and if I had-"?'

'Why, of course, if I had, I should have sent it."

The explanation was satisfactory, and peace was accordingly concluded.

'I think these kings should have got the explanation first, and not have gone to war at all.' Willie remarked, when grandpapa had finished reading this story.

'That would certainly have been a much wiser plan, but I am afraid it is more usual to act like these kings. Many a quarrel begins as foolishly as the war about the blue pig with the black tail, and then it goes on and on, getting worse and worse. By what comparison does Solomon describe the beginning of a quarrel?' (Pro. xvii 14.)

""The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.'

'Don't begin strife or you may not be able to stop it. STRIVE NOT WITH A MAN

WITHOUT CAUSE IF HE HAVE DONE THEE NO

HARM. (Pro. iii. 30.) It is far better to say "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, for we be brethren."

"That is what Abraham said to Lot, when their servants were quarrelling about pasture for the flocks and herds.'

'Abraham's conduct in this matter gives us a fine example of obedience to the precept, STRIVE NOT WITH A MAN WITHOUT CAUSE. To make peace he gave Lot his choice of the land, saying, “Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take

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100

CAPTAIN ALLEN GARDINER.

eastward, and westward, would be given to him and his children. God was pleased with Abraham, for, "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men." Read Pro. xvi. 32.'

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He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."

'Abraham pleased God by ruling his own spirit, and not getting soon angry.'

6

Is it ever right to quarrel, grandpapa?' 'Sometimes it is, but we must be very sure that we have good cause. Abraham

would not strive with Lot to get the best of the land, but when he heard that Lot had been taken captive, what did he do?'

He armed his servants and went with them to battle, and brought him back, and all his goods.'

'Abraham had the love of God in his heart, and this made him strong to rule his own spirit, and to fight enemies when called to do so. Though Lot had not treated him courteously, yet he went to help him in his trouble. Now tell me what the precept, Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm, requires of us?' 'It means that we should never begin quarrels, but always try to avoid them.'

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A gentleman once speaking at a Bible Society meeting, stated that when visiting a Sunday school in Southwark, the teacher of one of the classes took him aside, and said, 'Sir, Lucy whom you have just noticed, is one of the most extraordinary children I ever knew.' 'How so?' said he. Why, sir, she is remarkably diligent, gentle, and above all, remarkably humble. She is very forgiving to those who have injured her; and there never is a quarrel in the school but she reconciles the parties. I am almost afraid of loving her too much.' After school the gentleman addressed her: Lucy, I am pleased to hear you give satisfaction to your teacher. What is it makes you so desirous to oblige your schoolfellows, and settle their disputes?' She blushed, and hesitated some time; and at last said, in a meek voice, 'Sir, I hope it is because our Saviour said, "Blessed are the peacemakers."

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CAPTAIN ALLEN GARDINER, THE

THE

PATAGONIAN PIONEER.

HE romantic story of the pioneers of the Patagonian mission, and the sad fate that overtook them, has thrilled and saddened many a christian heart, and will be interesting to our young readers.

Captain Allen Gardiner, the leader of this devoted band, was born at Basildon, Berkshire, on the 25th of June, 1794. He was educated for the navy, and entered that service in 1810. He was the son of christian parents, who had many fears on his account, and followed him with earnest prayers, that he might be kept from yielding to the great temptations by which he was surrounded. For some time, amongst gay careless companions, he lived as they lived, without God and without hope. But when he was about twenty-eight years old, a letter from his father, and another from a christian lady, were the means of arousing him to think of his soul. The first thing he did was to buy a Bible. This greatly tried his courage. He walked up and down before a bookshop for some time, and watched an opportunity, when there were no customers in the shop, to make his bargain. This was the grand turning point in Captain Gardiner's life. He was now thoroughly in earnest, and wrote home from China, to tell his father the glad tidings of his conversion.

He next went to South America, where he saw the sad effects of war; and from thence to Tahiti, where he saw the wonderful effects of the gospel, in changing that once savage island. He was laid aside from active work by ill health at Sydney, and sailed for home in 1823.

A week after his arrival in England, he offered to go to South America, if the London Missionary Society would establish a station there. But the way was not then opened, and after his marriage he again entered the naval service, and in 1827 was made commander. In 1834 his wife died, and at her dying bed he solemnly resolved 'to seek out openings for the introduction of the gospel in any region where no attempt had been made.' This resolution was from that

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