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persevering boy. About the year 1817, a humble tea-dealer's shop might have been seen in the village of Blantyre, (18 miles from Glasgow,) with the name Livingstone over the door. It was there David was born, of humble but honest parents. One of his ancestors, when dying, called his children around him, and said: 'I have searched through all the records and traditions of the Livingstones, and I have not been able to find a trace of one dishonest man in our family. If, therefore, any one of you or your children take to dishonest ways, it will not be because dishonesty runs in our blood. My dying precept, children, is this, be honest.' This advice, handed down to David by tradition, was profoundly cherished by him, and followed strictly in all his dealings with the savages of Africa.

While David was a child, his father removed to Glasgow. At ten years of age he was sent to earn his living in a cotton factory. Young though he was, he was determined to improve himself by education. His efforts in this direction are thus narrated by himself: With a part of my first week's wages, I purchased "Ruddiman's Rudiments of Latin, ," and pursued the study of the language for many years afterwards, with unabated ardour, at an evening school which met between the hours of eight and ten. The dictionary part of my labours was followed up till twelve o'clock or later, if my mother did not interfere by jumping up and snatching the book out of my hands. I had to be back in the factory by six in the morning, and continue my work, with intervals for breakfast and dinner, until eight o'clock in the evening.' Even at the factory he carried on his reading without neglecting his work. The book was placed on a portion of the spinning-jenny, so that he could catch sentence after sentence as he passed at his work.

Livingstone, however, did not get all his information from books. In company with his brothers he used to make long excursions into the country. Nor did they spend their time in these excursions

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After reading one of Dr. Dick's works, Livingstone's religious impressions were very much deepened, and he resolved to devote himself to the life of a missionary. His earnings were now large enough to enable him to attend the University in the winter, by working in the summer. walked to the University and back every day, a distance, altogether, of eighteen miles; but that enabled him to be what he always wanted-independent. He also attended Dr. Wardlaw's divinity lectures in summer. His next step was to join the London Missionary Society, and under its care his training was finished. In 1840, that society sent him as a missionary to Africa, where, as you know, he spent the rest of his life labouring in God's service, in obedience to the divine command, Preach the gospel to every

creature.'

And now, was not that a noble life? Was it not grand, the way in which he persevered, and by his own exertions fitted himself for his great work? We have reached the beginning of another year, and I would like my readers to make an earnest effort to serve God in it. None of the lives of our great men is more worthy of notice at such a time than that of Livingstone. If you want to know the secret of his life, it lies in two thingsperseverance and trust in God. If, like him, you persevere in the right, and trust in God to help you, like him you will succeed also. You may not become famous like him, but you will have something far, far better than fame-the approval of your Father in heaven, who will greet you last with the welcome, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'

J. M M.

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SILVERLOCKS AND GOLDENHAIR.

SILVERLOCKS AND GOLDENHAIR. ILVERLOCKS was one of God's tried

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servants who had seen the snows of seventy-five winters and the suns of as many summers-what a stretch of years! How great the love of our Father to hold up one of His children for so long, and for every step of the way! Think on that-the everlasting arms' of Jesus, bearing one up -far, far above the mere level of earth, superior to the saddening influence of care and trial for seventy-five years! Oh, you who are just looking out upon life, with anxious, enquiring eyes, who long to plume your untried wings for a limitless flight among the passing pleasures of this world, pause a moment and ask yourself—'Is it worth while? what do I gain by it? will it bring me nearer Jesus?' for, remember, you must come back to Him at last, if you want to live. And what a mean way of treating Him-to get wounded and soiled and sick, by contagion with the unhallowed things of earth; and then, at the last moment, to come to Him for healing and cleansing. You would not treat your merest acquaintance thus. Do you then care so little for your Saviour? God forbid! And now I will tell you my story:

The aged Silverlocks was, as I have said, a servant of God; and one Christmas time, late in the evening, he was sitting by his fire reading the good old book, when he heard low cries at the door. He put down his Bible, and carrying a lantern went out to see from whence the sounds proceeded. He found tiny creature wrapped up in a bundle of clothes on the door-step, crying with cold. He gently lifted it, for he was unused to babies, and carried it in to the warmth. It could only just lisp a few words, but it managed to say: 'G'an'pahung'y.' The words struck deep into the old man's heart tears came into his eyes; he had lived so long alone that the word 'grandpa' awakened strange emotions in his breast. The hungry little one was fed, and the question now was- What was to be done with it? who did it belong to? why had it been left to him? It was a beautiful child: soft, pink cheeks; fine

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golden hair; but it was friendless. Henceforth old Silverlocks must care for it, and he called the lovely little creature his Goldenhair.

Some years passed-these two hearts, so very strangely brought together, were very closely knit to each other; the baby had become the useful girl; the old man could not do without her. When she was about six years old he fell ill, and the devotion of Goldenhair was of a most loving and consoling character. But they were poor, and the cupboard was nearly empty on Christmas eve. Goldenhair was but a small child, but she made up her mind to put something on the shelf for grandfather Silverlocks, for Christmas day-his appetite was very fitful. So she left Bray's court to see what she could do. She peeped longingly into the windows of the confectioner's shop, thinking that when she could, she would buy the very best cake they sold for dear old Silverlocks. On the opposite side of the street, she saw a little lady waiting to be led across, her mamma being perplexed with a number of packages: Goldenhair immediately saw a chance of earning something. an omnibus coming along, she would rush acrossSilverlocks must have his treat, and he was so hungry. A thought-a rush from the kreb-stone, and Goldenhair was under the horses' feet-under the omnibus wheelson the road to heaven.

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When Silverlocks was told the sad story about his darling, he just quietly said: And I shall soon be with her, my little angel! She was asking Jesus before she went out to send us a gift, and now He has taken her to Himself!' And before long, for he passed away on the first day of the New-Year, old Silverlocks was again with his Goldenhair.

The substance of this story-told by one who knew the facts-is true. You will see, dear reader, how Goldenhair gave her life for Silverlocks-does it remind you of Him who gave His life for you? Will you think, in this coming year, of the sacrifice of Jesus? Will you just yield your whole life to Him, as a New-Year's gifit to the

PATIENCE IN SUFFERING.

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THE story of little Annie Grant illustrates

how God can make his children happy in the midst of the greatest outward suffering and misery; and that sometimes a bright, redeemed soul is to be found in a poor, deformed, diseased body.

When very young, Annie's spine was seriously injured, but nothing was thought of it at the time, and she went into one of the public works in Dundee soon after, where she wrought on in increasing weakness for a year or two. She gradually however became quite deformed, and her whole internal organism was displaced and diseased, and her sufferings were consequently very great. Though thus deformed in body, her face was remarkably sweet and gentle and interesting.

The first time I was asked to visit Annie, I was told she was very anxious about her soul's salvation. The Spirit of God sometimes works without any special outward means, and such had been the case with her. She was not under any religious influence, but quite the reverse. Thoughts of God and Eternity however, were coming into her mind, and she felt she was a sinner unsaved, and was very anxious and unhappy. From the first I found her quite open in speaking of the state of her mind. She felt her need of salvation, but could not see how she could be saved. God's way of salvation was very simply explained to her, and the Spirit opened her eyes to see it. The passage of Scripture in which she was first enabled to trust was in Ezekiel xxxvi. from the 25th verse. She was shewn how Jesus had finished the work for sinners upon the cross, where He died instead of them; and how He comes in the Gospel to every sinner with the offering of cleansing and pardon, and all we have to do is to trust Him and take Him at His word. This she was enabled simply to do,

and thus entered into rest. From this time she became a new creature in Christ Jesus. Her love for God's word was very great. All her comfort was derived from it. Jesus was everything to her; her life, her strength, and her hope. Her sufferings increased very much; she had to sit by the fireside almost constantly night and day, but she was wonderfully patient and uncomplaining. On calling to see her one day, she said, 'I'm very happy.' On being asked how she felt so happy, she said, 'Ye see, I've naething on my mind.' She meant that all her sins and fears were away, and she had no anxiety either about the past or the future. There was nothing between her soul and God. The light of His countenance was shining upon her, and filled her with joy. She was asked if there was any special word of God upon which she was resting so quietly. She said,

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Yes, that one, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." In the midst of poverty and suffering, she was unspeakably happier than many of those who have a full cup of worldly prosperity, but are destitute of the peace of God.

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Her distress was very protracted, but at length the time came, when her happy ransomed soul was to be set free. had been lifted out of bed and was lying on her mother's knee, her end being apparently very near. It was not expected that her voice would be heard again on earth, when she suddenly looked up with a radiant smile, and said, 'IIe's come, Jesus is here oh, they're all coming.' It was as if

some vision of glory were opened to her view, such as none of those around her could behold.

In a little while her mother asked if she would like Miss M-. to be sent for (a young lady who had often visited her and sang hymns with her and to whom she was much attached), but she was absorbed with a higher presence; and whilst her mother was speaking, with a tone mingled with awe and gladness, she said, 'stop, He's here.'

She still lingered for some hours, but at length the silver cord was loosed, and her happy spirit was at home with the Lord.

C. I.

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