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LITTLE JOHNNIE.

about on the angry waves,-seeking rest, yet finding it not.

Being in a bookseller's shop one day, he met with two young men,-one of whom had been at school with him,-who were rejoicing in Jesus Christ their Saviour. They entered into conversation, which speedily took a religious turn; and on his old school-fellow asking him about his soul, he replied with words of ridicule and scorn. So amazed was the young man at the unexpected answer, that almost without knowing what he did, he struck John a smart blow on the cheek with his open hand, by way of rebuke for his unholy words. So unexpected was the blow, that John remained speechless for a few seconds; and when at length he did recover himself, without a word he left the shop, full of wrath at the insult he had received.

The young man who inflicted the blow has long since gone to his reward in heaven; but he never knew the result which that blow was to have,-that it was to be a means of leading a soul to Jesus.

For a long time did the recollection of that supposed insult rankle in John's mindmaking him the more determinedly to oppose and neglect the cause of Christ, and the welfare of his precious soul.

God's time for arresting and saving this wandering sheep had now arrived; and the manner in which it was accomplished was strange and unexpected. Having occasion to visit a distant town on business, John determined to spend the first evening at the theatre, where a very celebrated actor was to perform. Whilst on his way to that scene of amusement and gaiety, he had to pass a church, into which many people were going to worship God. He stopped and hesitated. Shall I turn in here, or shall I go on? was a question which he asked himself more than once, ere he resumed his walk. No, he said at last; I shall go on and see the play. And accordingly he proceeded some distance, when he again stopped, and asked the same

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question as before. A great struggle was going on within his breast;-a mighty battle was being fought in that busy streeta battle all unknown to the many who passed him by. His father's prayers, his mother's love, the voice of conscience, and the Holy Spirit, all urged him to go back and spend his evening in the worship of God; whilst the devil, his evil heart, the thought of his ungodly companions, all urged him to go forward and enjoy himself amid the merriment and laughter of the theatre. After a stern, inward conflict, he resolved to go back; and retracing his steps, he quietly entered the (to him) strange church, took his seat, feeling almost ashamed at being there and dreading lest any of his companions should come to know of his strange adventure. But the Spirit of God was working that evening very mightily; and before the service was finished, poor John was in a state of great distress and alarm about his state as a sinner. So thoroughly was he convinced of sin, so earnestly did he long for salvation, that fearing lest if he returned home, all his good impressions would pass away, he wrote to his employers asking for a few days' leave of absence; and before these had expired, John was enabled to cast himself upon the sinner's Saviour, and was now rejoicing in Christ the Lord.

On his return to Edinburgh, he sought out one or two Christian young men with whom he had before been acquainted. He informed them of the great change that had taken place in him; and asked their help, advice, and prayers, that so he might the better be enabled to be true to his God.

Nor was it long before his old companions knew of the change. The news that Johnnie was converted, spread rapidly amongst them; and when charged with it, he boldly replied that it was true, and lovingly and earnestly spoke to them about their souls, and urged them to give their hearts to Jesus. His words, however, were invariably met with ridicule; and many were the efforts put forth to entrap him

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into evil, and get him to act in an inconsistent manner

Often and often has he gone home to his lodgings with a heavy and sad heart. Again and again has he resolved not to speak to them any more about their souls. But the fire of Christ's love burned strong within him; and so soon as a fresh opportunity was afforded him, he began to speak about Jesus, and repentance and conversion, to all who would listen. Having so long been ashamed of Christ in the past, he was resolved, by God's grace, to confess and commend Christ everywhere; and in many ways and in different places he told out the simple story of the cross; and declared, with burning tongue and glistening eye, what great things the Lord had done for him. And the Lord prospered him. One and another and another were brought to trust in Jesus through his efforts; and many of these, like him, are this day telling out to others the good news of salvation. So greatly did the Lord bless his work, that acting on the advice of several Christian friends, he entered the University, in order to be trained for the work of the ministry.

For several years little Johnnie has been a minister of the gospel, and has been greatly used of God in leading both young and old to Jesus.

He blesses God for a praying father and mother; and attributes his conversion to their prayers and holy life.

He often speaks of the slap on the face received in the bookseller's shop, and says that it was about the first thing that really made him think of himself as a sinner while living far from God.

Very much more might be written about Johnnie; but what has been given will, I trust, be blessed to many of the young readers of the Dayspring.'

If you have parents who love Jesus, then thank God for them; ever obey them; and seek to make their hearts glad by giving yourselves to Jesus now in the days of your youth. By so doing you shall ensure happiness to yourselves in this world, and in the world above.

J. W.

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it is Horatio Nelson. The reason I have chosen him is because he was brave, and we can learn what a good thing bravery is when turned to a proper use.

Nelson was born more than one hundred years ago, in the year 1758. It was not long before his fearless nature showed itself.

When very young, he went off one day bird-nesting with a cow-herd. Dinner-time came, and no signs of Horatio; the family got alarmed; a search was made, and after a time they found him contentedly sitting on the bank of a stream. 'I wonder,' said his grandmother, 'that fear, if not hunger, did not drive you home.'-'Fear! grandmamma,' answered the child, 'I never saw fear who is he?'

Another story shows that his courage was of the best kind, because it did not make him forgetful of others. There was a shoemaker who had a pet lamb. Nelson used to visit the shoemaker, and one day in going out he accidentally crushed the lamb with the door. His pity for the animal was very great, and he was quite unhappy till it recovered from its hurt. I would like the boys who read this to try to be like Nelson in this respect. Be gentle as well as brave, and never make your strength the cause of pain to any of God's creatures. Above all, never be such cowards as to tease blind people, or to laugh at those who are lame and helpless.

After some years, Nelson went to a boarding-school. It was during his stay there that a well known event occurred. There was a pear-tree at the school, and the boys had been accustomed to get the fruit. One day however they were told that the pears were to be kept for the master's

use.

At this the boys were very angry, and resolved that they would not be deprived of what they considered was their right. When the fruit was ripe, one night in their bed-room they discussed how they might get it. The tree was under the window, but too far below for them to reach without some one being lowered. Who was to risk the danger? All seemed afraid till Nelson offered to go. The sheets were

tied together, and with a bag for the pears, he was let down by the boys in the room. Having secured the fruit, he returned in safety. The spoil was divided, but when Nelson was offered his share he refused it. 'I only went,' he said, 'because the rest of you were afraid.' Now it was not right of the boys to take the pears. The tree did not belong to them. But the incident shows the courage of our hero. Let us imitate him in his courage, but let us also see that we put it to a proper use.

When fourteen years old, Nelson went with the expedition to the Arctic regions to try to find the north-west passage. Here he showed the same fearlessness. Along with a companion he went to try to kill a polar bear; a mist came on, and when their absence was observed in the ship, the captain became very uneasy in case they had met with an accident. By and by the mist cleared away, and Nelson was seen a short distance from the ship, standing with gun lifted ready to strike at the first chance -a bear which was on the opposite side of a narrow channel. His gun had failed to go off, so he was meaning to try what a blow on the head would do. Probably if they had come to close quarters the bear would have proved the victor; but the captain, seeing the danger, fired a gun and frightened away the animal. When Nelson returned, he was reproved for his rashness. defence was that he wanted the skin to send to his father-another proof of his thoughtfulness for others.

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Here our account of this famous boy ends. The close of his life was in keeping with its beginning: he died at Trafalgar bravely fighting for his country. It was before this battle that he made his famous signal, England expects every man to do his duty.' It was a noble motto-well fitted to nerve the men to fight. But the truth is of wider meaning than merely at a battle. Not less true is it, my readers, that England expects you, both boys and girls, to do your duty. Still more, God expects it of you. Try then to live noble lives, try to do your duty at all times, and then you will find the purest joy.

J. M'M.

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