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GOOD SOLDIERS.

of the day. The sunbeams themselves, glancing merrily on bush and tree, lighting up all nature with a joyous sparkling smile, and almost blinding little Jeanie as they come in at her nursery window, and which, dimpling a sweet smile upon her cheek, make her turn and wake, are children of the day. And a happy joyous band they are, trooping all day long in bright succession to make glad the face of nature, and fill the earth with joy, and draw our hearts to God who gives the sunshine, and loves to see us give it welcome. And there are myriad insects which only come into existence for a brief hour or two, to gaily dwell in sunshine, and these are children of the day.' Brief life indeed their portion, and bright and sunny their hour of life. I often wonder wherefore they are born, and to what end they live. Perhaps, I sometimes think, it may be to show how unclouded, how glorious that life, however brief, is, which is always lived in God's sunshine.

And if we had always the sunshine of God's love in our hearts, it would not matter how brief and short our life here is, for in His bright world above, all is light and glory; and those who love Him here, will live for ever with Him in the unclouded glory above. Oh children! would you like to live there, and be for ever children of the light and of the day? Then you must love Jesus here, for He is the light of life, and all who would be children of His light must get light and glory from Him, who is the Sun of Righteousness.

There are brighter beams from that blessed Sun than ever streamed from the sun that shines on the world, and makes the daisies smile. Jesus loves the little children, and He loves to see them full of light and joy. He would have you bright and sunny, full of happy smiles to gladden dear mamma's heart, and to make little Winnie glad when she is sorrowful. Try to make others happy, and you will please the Lord Jesus, who is the children's friend. And then you must hide nothing from Him, or it will make a cloud come between you and Jesus, and you cannot be a child of the day.

Ah! if Jesus loves you, you will try to

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lisp His praise, and be glad in your heart when you hear about Him. And so the happy children will be sunbeams in the house, and the old folk will be full of joy. Did you ever read a little book called 'How to catch a sunbeam?' Now I like to catch one of those merry happy children that are sunbeams in the house. I don't like pouting, and fretting, and selfish children, these are not 'children of the day.' But you must try to be 'children of the day,' in a higher sense. There is but a short day for us all here. The true day which never ends is in Heaven. And I hope you will all ask God to make you children of that day, where it is always bright and gladsome.

Child of the light and day,

Still heavenward look;
And learn the way of life

From God's own book.

The hours of life are short,
And quickly past;
Jesus our friend shall guide
To light at last.

GOOD SOLDIERS.

SEE them, as they pass the window! One with a whistle; another, with what was once the hoop of a barrel, now straightened out and the rust rubbed off; a third, with his handkerchief fluttering in the wind, and a fourth, who has succeeded in becoming master of a gay feather, and who struts along very much as the bird does to which the feather originally belonged. It is a band of merry children, playing, as I have often myself done, at being soldiers. I cannot say that the discipline is very strict, or that the troops are very warlike, but none the less there are brave little hearts beating under their jackets, and the arm that holds the straightened hoop may yet wield a mightier blade, and strike lusty blows for the good and true; and the bandmaster of the forces, who makes just at present somewhat discordant music, may one day place to his lips a silver trumpet which will make glad echoes float far over mountain and vale, and cause men to listen to the sweetest music that earth has ever heard; and that

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A PRAYER BY A CHILD'S SICK BED.

bearer of the tiny flag may yet advance a nobler standard on which shall be written in letters of gold Liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.'

I have no objections to look on at the little troop with their mimicry of war, but as I look, I have a strong desire to draw their thoughts off war in jest, and to get them to think about war in earnest. Not, however, about battlefields strewn with the dying and the dead; not about such warriors as Bruce and Wallace, and Wellington and Napoleon, but about the noblest soldiering in which man ever engaged-the being GOOD SOLDIERS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. I could wish that the warlike ardour that throbs in the heart of the young (for I know that nothing has greater attractions for them than tales of war) should take this shape. Why even our DAYSPRING is intended to be a recruiting medium for the great army of Christ.

Have you ever stood near a recruiting sergeant beating up for soldiers? I have; and have a distinct recollection of how the man launched forth in praise of the coмMANDER of his regiment. What a noble commander, how brave, how generous, how constantly victorious! Well, I have a good word to say for the Captain under whom I wish you to enlist. He is not only noble, but the very noblest; not only brave, but the very bravest, and the most generous of the generous, and the enemy lives not that can boast of a victory over him. I have read of a famous soldier whose power with his army lay to a great extent in the ease with which he could remember the names, and the brave deeds of his troops. It made the soldiers in the ranks so proud, when, on a review day, he would call out one and another, and address them by name and mention the battles in which they had distinguished themselves. When the next great battle took place, each man felt that he was fighting under the eye of a great captain, and accordingly he did his very best. OUR Commander never forgets. When the great Review day comes, He will be able to tell the name, the achievements, the heroic

deeds of each soldier that has served under Him, and will see to it that the bravery of His army shall not lose its reward.

Our beloved Queen has instituted an order of merit for deeds of conspicuous valour performed in the presence of the enemy. I know one man who has gained it, and I little thought, as I used to teach him when he was a boy, that he would one day wear the Victoria Cross upon his breast. But what would you say if I told you that the captain under whom I wish you to serve, will not be content with giving you a Cross, He will actually give you a CROWN. I have read of an old soldier of His who was watching for it, and who knew that it was laid up for him. He has got it long since.

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Forbid them not to stay;'

So now, O Lord, I bring my child,
Who lieth sick to-day.

I know it is a Father's hand

In love that presseth sore;
But let Thine arms be underneath,
Bless her for evermore.

Carry her through each weary hour,

Soothe her on Thine own breast; Ease every pain, and wipe her tears, Bid her lie still and rest.

And more than all, her heart renew,

There let Thy Spirit dwell;
Then come what may, in life or death,
It shall with her be 'well.'

Teach us to bear and do Thy will,
In medicine, food, in all;
Smooth by her patient, grateful love,
The cares that on us fall.

'Speak but the word,' and she shall live To bless our longing eyes;

Thou who didst once when life had flown, Say, 'Little Maiden, rise!'

L. C. P.

A VOYAGE TO THE NEW HEBRIDES.

OUR MISSIONARY PAGE.

A VOYAGE TO THE NEW HEBRIDES. [Some of our young readers may not be aware that there is a mission ship of the same name as their little magazine. The following interesting narrative from a missionary's wife, will show how useful it is to the distant South Sea Islands.]

My Dear Young Friends, Mr Kay has asked me to tell you something about the New Hebrides Mission. Now, I fancy if I could gather some of you around me I could talk a long time about the New Hebrides Islands, the Mission Ship Dayspring, the Natives, &c. Doubtless you would put many questions to me, and then I would know what would interest you most. Some of you might ask, how long does it take to go to the New Hebrides? does the Dayspring sail quickly? what are the Natives like? and many other inquiries would be made by eager little faces.

More than six years ago a number of missionaries stepped on board a large ship bound for Melbourne. After bidding good-bye to their friends, they turned into their little cabins to make them neat and comfortable, for they knew that the vessel which had just set sail was to be their home for many weeks to come. Four months came and went before they again set foot on land; but they had not reached the New Hebrides. They next got on board a large steamer which carried them to Sydney, and there they saw the Dayspring, to which many young persons contribute s0 liberally. The Dayspring had come to meet those missionaries and to take them to the poor heathen, many of whom had never heard of the Saviour. The missionaries soon got all their stores, houses, furniture, &c., on board, and took farewell with the civilized world, and the little vessel, as if in haste to take the light of the glorious Gospel to the poor benighted islanders, flew over the waves; and, after nine days of terrible sea-sickness, the missionaries beheld the beautiful Aneityum,

But

'Where every prospect pleases, And not even man is vile.' When they drew near enough they got over the side of the ship and rowed some four or five miles towards Mr Inglis' station. stop, the tide is out, and they are among the coral reefs. They must thread their way very carefully,-they can get no further. But they are not left to consider what they must do. The boat is surrounded by natives all eager to

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The first

shake hands with the missionaries. salutation over, one gets a lady in his arms, another a gentleman on his back, and off they make for the shore, as if their burdens were but feathers, and place them carefully on the beach, where Mr Inglis was waiting to receive them, and give them a hearty welcome to Aneityum and the mission field. Mr I. then conducted them to his house; but, anxious as they were to see dear Mrs Inglis and to tell her how they had come to share the heat and burden of the day, they felt they could not hasten along, there was so much to look at, so much to admire.

First, they saw a cocoanut grove; then they came to a beautiful reed fence, which appeared fresh and new, with bananas enclosed; and on the background stood the church. When those good men gazed on that house of God, their whole soul was stirred within them; not because a splendid edifice stood before them, (for the church at Aname was a simple building of wood and plaster, with windows of lattice-work, and a thatched roof;) but because they knew that not so many years before, the Aneityumese were idolaters, and practised every kind of wickedness.

And

I shall only take time here to tell you of two of their evil practises. When a man died, instead of being very sympathising to the bereaved widow or widows, (for they often had several wives,) they strangled them. secondly, the dear little children, of whom we are all so fond in this country, were cruelly treated and often put to death by their wicked mothers, who did not wish to have the trouble of bringing them up. A burning desire filled these missionaries' hearts, that if it were God's will to spare them, that He would use them as humble instruments for winning many of the less favoured islanders beyond, to the knowledge of the truth, and that they too might have a house built for God's worship.

The missionaries then passed the institution where natives are trained to become teachers, and are then sent out to different villages on their own island, and many of them to the adjoining heathen islands. They then reached the gate which leads to the house, and passing under four large orange trees, they entered a neat whitewashed cottage with a verandah in front. Quickly the time passed at the mission house that evening, for the Dayspring was waiting their return, as they wished to visit the other islands before the annual meeting. The Dayspring was absent from Aneityum

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A VOYAGE TO THE NEW HEBRIDES.

on this voyage four weeks. In the meantime the John Williams, another mission ship, was seen approaching. She entered the harbour at Dr Geddie's station, but before coming to anchor she struck on a reef. Missionaries were on board that ship too, on their way to Raratonga and Samoa, but they got safely on shore, and the good Aneityumese set to work and hauled her off the reef. The injury sustained, however, was found to be serious, and when the Dayspring returned it was proposed that the two mission ships should at once return to Sydney, the John Williams for repairs, the Dayspring to render any assistance if required on the way.

But what were all those missionaries to do without their mission ships? There were three with their wives from the John Williams, and nine with their wives for the New Hebrides mission, all on that small island of Aneityum; and you know, my dear young friends, there are no shops or hotels there. They looked so many to the Aneityumese that one of them said to Mr Inglis one day, 'the missis are so many now, they are just like the sand on the shore.'

A little trading vessel was lying at anchor in the harbour, and the captain kindly offered a passage for two or three of the missionaries to Erromanga or Faté. The accommodation he said was miserable, but they were welcome to it such as it was, and it was gladly accepted by three. The distance was not great, and they thought they would reach Erromanga in two or three days, and as our friends were prepared to 'rough it,' they went quickly on board. The anchor was lifted, the sails unfurled, and soon their backs were turned on Aneityum. Night drew on, reminding our friends that they must descend to their cabins, but the sight which presented itself was more than they were prepared for. The little state rooms in which they were to pass the night were literally swarming with cockroaches, and they were flying about in all directions in the cabin. What were they to do? One of the missionaries said to his wife, 'if we have a fair wind we shall only be two nights on board, and I don't think we shall suffer by sleeping or at least sitting on deck for that time.' So up stairs they went to study astronomy by way of a change. But the wind did not prove fair, and on the third day, which was Saturday, instead of reaching their destination, they went into Port Resolution, Tanna, and remained there till Monday. Before the little vessel

dropped anchor, numbers of canoes were seen approaching, and soon crowds of Tannese were stalking about on her deck with pigs, fowls, yams, and cocoanuts, offering them for sale. It was a busy scene; a novel one to our young friends.

On Sabbath the missionaries went on shore, in order if possible to have a meeting in the Aneityumese teacher's house; but these darkhearted Tannese did not know, and what is more, did not wish to know the God who made them. On Monday the missionaries with their wives again went on shore; the former took a stroll up the river, while the latter sat on the beach admiring the beautiful scenery. Presently a number of women gathered round them. Never more than at that moment did our friends wish that they had the gift of tongues, for they longed to tell their dark sisters of a Saviour's dying love; but they could only shake hands and smile to them. At length a stout little woman with a great many beads round her neck commenced to sing, and our friends at once recognised the tune of 'The Happy Land.' The natives were delighted to see that they were so far understood, and repeated Misi Paton, Misi Paton.' But the missionaries must return to the ship. The anchor lifted, the captain steered out of Port Resolution and headed for Erromanga. It was almost a dead calm; Monday night, Tuesday, Wednesday passed on board this uncomfortable little ship, and during that time the missionaries suffered great inconvenience, for they had several tropical showers which wet everything on deck as well as themselves, and they were beginning to feel rather exhausted. Thursday morning however brought them to Erromanga, and grateful were they when they found themselves on its blood-stained shores. Of the three missionaries who sailed in that ship on the little trip of which I have just told you, two are now with Jesus, which is 'far better.'

Now, my dear young friends, I have related this voyage, as I understand many young persons are collecting for the Dayspring, and I wish them to know how much the mission ship adds to the comfort of the missionaries as well as being a blessing to the islanders. I hope they are not content with putting their pence into the mission-box, but that they pray very earnestly for the poor natives who have been brought up in heathen darkness, and also for God's messengers who seek to lead them from darkness into light.

M.

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MORNING SONG.

Wake! little boy, awake!

The sun is shining bright,
And primrose pale and daisy buds
Are opening to the light:

The wavelets clear are sparkling
As on the shore they break;

The sheep have climbed the mountain;
Wake! little boy, awake!

Awake! and sing to Jesus

Who, through each long dark hour, Has kept you safe from danger, By His Almighty power. Awake! and pray to Jesus, That all the coming day You may, like holy angels,

His sweet commands obey. Awake! with words so gentle, And smiles so full of joy, That every one around you May love you, darling boy. With little feet so ready

Kind errands swift to run;
With little hands untiring

Till all their work is done.
Awake! to busy lessons!
Awake to merry play!
Till evening shadows softly
Close on a happy day.
Then in your cot soft sleeping,
You shall not need to fear,
For through the silent nightfall
Your Saviour will be near.

JENNETTE THRELFALL.

TH

BIBLE QUESTIONS.

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HREE Prizes are offered for the largest number of correct answers, to be awarded in December 1872.

The following are the conditions.

1. Competitors not to be above fifteen years of age. 2. The answers honestly to be the work of the young persons competing from month to month.

3. All answers to be addressed, not later than the 18th of the month, to the REV. JOHN KAY, Greenbank Cottage, Coatbridge.

21. In two clauses of one verse from the Old Testament, describe the blessing a dutiful child is to an aged parent?

22. Give an expression, three times employed, to describe the bitter grief the undutiful conduct of a child causes a parent?

23. Name four occasions on which, either by example or precept, Jesus taught the duty of children to their parents?

24. Where do we find the ejaculatory prayer of a father for spiritual blessings on his child?

25. Where do we find four verses in one chapter in Proverbs, and one in an epistle, which point out the chief joy of a godly parent?

ANSWERS TO BIBLE QUESTIONS IN THE APRIL NUMBER OF THE DAYSPRING.'

(16) Pro. xii. 18; xv. 4.

(17) Pro. x. 11, 20; xvi. 24; xxv. 11, 12; xxvii. 9.

(18) Gen. xl. 7, 8. 2 Kings v. 3. (19) Ruth ii. 8-13.

(20) Gen. xxiv. 14-21.

All communications for the Editor of the 'Dayspring,' to be addressed to REV. JOHN KAY, Greenbank Cottage, Coatbridge.

All business communications to be addressed to Messrs J. & R. PARLANE, Publishers, Paisley.

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