Mr. Harding listened calmly, and when Mr. Gray ceased speaking, said

"Perhaps you are right, Mr. Gray; and just now it seems to me that you are right, although I never could see it so before. Certain it is that I have not prospered; for everything is gloomy with me now. And gloomier still I much fear it will be."

"Do not give way to despondency," Mr. Gray said, trying to encourage him. "You know that it is said, the darkest hour is just before the break of day. I have found it so, and I trust that you will also."

Then, after a pause, he asked

"Have you decided yet, Mr. Harding, into what business you will go

“No, Mr. Gray, I have not. And, indeed, to tell the truth, nearly everything has been swept from me. What I shall do to support my family is really more than I can tell."

Mr. Gray had not supposed that things were so bad as that with his old employer, and he felt much concerned for him. After thinking for a few moments, he said, looking into Mr. Harding's face with a kind expression,

"If nothing better should offer, and the situation would be agreeable to you, I could give you employment. My business has increased a good deal of late, and, also, my wife's domestic cares, so that I can receive but little assistance from her. The offer is made in kindness, Mr. Harding, and you are free to accept it or not, as seems to yourself best."

"Most cheerfully will I accept your kind offer; for I cannot do better, I am sure," he replied, taking Mr. Gray's hand and pressing it warmly.

"Then come as soon as you choose." And the two parted. On the next day Mr. Harding became an assistant to the man whom ten years before he had discharged from his employment, and persecuted afterwards, because he would not break one of the commandments. But the change

proved to be a salutary one. It humbled his heart, and made him feel that in the hands of Him who ordained the Sabbath he was perfect weakness. The troubles which had come upon him taught him reflection; and now that he began to respect Mr. Gray and his principles, he began to think about these principles as rules of action for himself. Such thoughts are never fruitless. Like good seed in good ground, their germinating principles become active. From seeing and then approving what was right in another, he came to love that good as something desirable for himself. This led him on to the practise of what was just, and honourable, and kind, from a sincere desire to be the character that had at first won his admiration. As he began to act out what he saw to be good, light broke in upon him, and he experienced the life-giving, delightful warmth that ever pervades the bosom of him who reveres those laws which enjoin obedience to God, and good-will to our neighbour. In keeping them he realized that there was a great reward. Finally, external blessings were again restored. But now he could use them in a right spirit. He never afterward forgot the lesson he had learned.

THE JEW AND HIS DAUGHTER.

MINISTER, in the western part of Virginia, was preaching to his people, when he saw a man enter, having every mark of a Jew in his face. He was well dressed, and his looks seemed to tell that he had been in great sorrow. He took a seat and listened, in a serious and devout manner, while a tear was often seen to wet his manly check.

After the service the minister went up to him and said,—

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Sir, do I not address myself to one of the children of Abraham ?" "You do,” he replied. "But how is it that I meet a Jew in a Christian church?" The substance of his account was as follows:-He had been well educated, had come from London, and with his books, his riches, and a lovely daughter of seventeen, had found a charming retreat on the fruitful banks of the Ohio. He had buried his wife before he left Europe, and he knew no pleasure but in the company of his beloved child. She was indeed worthy of a parent's love. Her mind was well informed, her disposition amiable; she could read and speak with ease various languages; and her manners pleased all who saw her. No wonder, then, that a doting father, whose head had now become sprinkled with gray, should place his whole affection on this lovely child. Being a strict Jew, he brought her up in the strictest principles of his religion.

It was not long since his daughter had been taken sick. The rose faded from her cheek, her eye lost its fire, her strength decayed, and it was soon too certain that death was creeping upon her frame. The father hung over her bed with a heart ready to burst with anguish. He often tried to talk with her, but could seldom speak except by the language of his tears. He spared no expense or trouble in getting medical aid, but no human skill could extract the arrow of death now fixed in her heart.

The father was walking in a wood near his house, when he was sent for by the dying daughter.

With a heavy heart he entered the door of her chamber. He was now to take a last farewell of his dying child; and his religion gave him but a feeble hope as to a meeting hereafter.

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The child grasped the hand of the parent with a deathcold hand. My father, do you love me?" My child, you know that I love you; that you are more dear to me than all the world beside." "But, my father, do you love me?"

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'Why, my child, do you give me pain? Have I

never given you any proof of my love?" est father, do you love me?"

"But my dear

The father could not answer. The child added, "I know, my dear father, you have ever loved me; you have been the kindest of parents, and I tenderly love you; will you grant me one request? Oh! my father, it is the dying request of your daughter! will you grant it ?" " "My dearest child, ask what you will, though it is every cent of my property; whatever it may be, it shall be granted; I will grant it.” "My dear father, I beg you-never again to speak against Jesus of Nazareth."

The father was dumb with surprise.

'I know," added the young girl, I know but little about this Jesus, for I was never taught; but I know that He is a Saviour, for He has made Himself known to me since I have been sick, even for the salvation of my soul. I believe He will save me, though I have never before loved Him. I feel that I am going to Him, that I shall ever be with Him. And now, my dear father, do not deny me; I beg that you will never again speak against Jesus of Nazareth. I entreat you to obtain a Testament that tells of Him; and I pray that you may know Him; and that when I am no more, you may bestow on Him the love that was formerly mine." The labour of speaking here overcame her feeble body; she stopped, looked up, pointing above her face with her fore-finger, and in this manner her soul took its flight, as I trust, to that Saviour whom she loved and honoured.

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The first thing the parent did after he had buried his child was to procure a New Testament. This he read; and taught by the Spirit from above, is now numbered among the meek and happy followers of Christ. Episcopal Recorder.

BRAVE BOYS.

AM sure that of all the boys who read these tales-and I hope they are a great many in number-there is not one but wishes to be a brave boy. You do not like being called ill names at all; but one of the worst which would perhaps vex you most is that of coward. That is a bad name which I hope none of you will deserve. Two boys, Frank and John, were once talking about bravery, and what kinds of bravery they liked best.

"If I was a man I should never be afraid," said Frank. "Of course not," said John; "you must never mind staying in the house when it is quite dark and you are all alone."

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"No," said Frank, blushing a little as he remembered that he was a little afraid one night; men must not be afraid of anything."

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"What brave men soldiers ought to be!" said John. "Yes," replied Frank; "but some of them are cowards, and run away just when the danger comes."

"Ah! but brave men never do that. They are not afraid to risk their lives. I have read of one who was fighting. near his Emperor; he saw that the king would be killed, and he threw himself in front of him and received the shot in his own breast instead."

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Ah," said Frank, "that was brave. Have you ever heard about Arnold Von Winkelried ?"

"No."

"Well, he was a Swiss soldier. The Swiss were having a great struggle with the Austrians, whose numbers were much greater than theirs, and this brave man opened a way through the Austrian ranks for his own people by clasping a