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THE SNOW.

BIBLE QUESTIONS.

A LITTLE girl sat one day at the parlour window, watching, for the first time in her life, a heavy snowfall. She was greatly delighted to see everything so beautifully white. But as the day advanced, the snowy carpet got soiled and trodden, and the child's mother found her little one crying bitterly because the beautiful snow was all dirty and spoiled. The mother hushed her child to sleep, and in an hour or two she woke up and went again to the window. She was quite happy now when she looked out, for the ground was once more pure and white. A fresh fall of snow had come while she was asleep and had covered all the grimy blackness. So it is when we get soiled and blackened by the world's ways, we can only be made white and clean by the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit, who alone can wash us in the blood of Jesus Christ, and make us whiter than the snow.

Those who live in sunny lands, where flowers bloom all the year, can have no idea of the appearance of the earth when covered with its white mantle.

In the summer of last year, a little boy came from a southern country to get his education in his native land, from which he had been taken away by his parents while only a tender babe. He had therefore no recollection of our winter scenes. His parents had often told him about the biting cold which froze the waters and made them like solid crystal, and about the beautiful snow which fell like feathers from the wintry clouds. So when the cold autumn winds stripped the trees of their leaves, and the piercing north wind nipped his delicate fingers, he thought, surely the snow will come now, I am wearying so much to see it.'

The

first time, however, that he saw it, was on the tops of the distant hills, and he did wonder when he saw them clothed in white.

At last, one day when he was coming home from school, the snow began to fall, and he was so delighted, that he took off his bonnet, filled it, and came running

home to his aunt to let her see the white snow. But alas! it did not long remain white, and all that was left was a wet cap.

Hugh soon got accustomed to the snow, and when the hard frost set in, he was much astonished at the water becoming so firm that he could run and skate upon it.

There was one passage, however, of God's Word, which Hugh now understood much better than he had ever done before. Perhaps most of our 'Dayspring' readers will know it: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'

BIBLE QUESTIONS-AWARD OF PRIZES.

MY dear young friends, -Before giving the result of your Bible competition, I may say a word or two in reference to the progress made by the 'Dayspring.' When our little magazine was started twelve months ago, the Editor and Publishers believed that among the host of periodicals for the young, room might still be found for another. That this belief was correct is proved by the fact that the monthly circulation has increased by nine thousand during the year. Quietly, but surely, we have been gaining upon the public, and feel that the success of the past year is an encouragement to continue our work of influencing the young for good.

The competition for prizes in connection with the Bible Questions has been excellently sustained. We have had during the year a class composed of one hundred and ten boys and girls, and a most interesting paper might be written for the 'Dayspring upon the answers which have been sent in month after month. One alteration which has been made will, I hope, more than double the number of competitors. The worthy Christian lady who has had this department of the 'Dayspring' under her charge, agrees with me that a Junior and Senior class will be an advantage. In the first, or Junior class, the questions will be of a simpler kind, and all may be competitors under 13 years of age. Into the Senior

FIRST TIME AT CHURCH; OR, ABLE TO SAVE.

division competitors under 18 years of age are admitted, and the questions in this division will be more difficult than those in the other. I need scarcely say how much I have been delighted with the earnestness and ability manifested by all the competitors, and how great must be the benefit which I believe they have reaped from searching the Scriptures.'

The following are the names and the number of marks of the first three, together with the names and marks of the six who stand next to them:

I. George B. Sherwood, Free Church Manse, Sheuchan, Stranraer, 535.

II. John S. Paterson, 9 South Apsley Place, Glasgow, 525.

III. George W. Cowper. Free Church Institution, Castle-Douglas, 50§.

(4) Isa Johnston and Helen Rodger, equal, 49; (5) Samuel Hewitson, 48; (6) Adam White, 48; (7) Jessie Buchanan and Tertius Buchanan, equal, 47; (8) Thomas Milne and Helen Waddel, equal, 46; (9) Jane Anna Wilson, 46.

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FIRST TIME AT CHURCH;
OR, ABLE TO SAVE.

UR wee Matthew went to church for the first time a few Sabbaths ago. Though he is only two years and a half old, his nurse wanted to take him with her. Papa and mamma did not refuse her wish, for they like their children to go to the house of God; and they think that to 'learn young' is the way to learn well.' Of course, wee Matthew thought it a great day, and so it surely was. He has not yet got a Testament of his own, but his bigger brother Willie lent him one that he has. Matthew indeed hardly knows a letter of the AD C; but as his nurse always takes a book to church, he thought he should have one also.

'And how did he behave?'

Very well indeed. He sat quite still. An old lady beside him was much pleased because he was so quiet; and she gave him now and then a lozenge, which he sucked without making any noise. When the rest

sang, he sang too, but softly; and though he did not know almost anything about the psalms, I am sure Jesus liked to hear his little voice. At prayer, he stood up and shut his eyes like all the grown people; and during the sermon, he looked mostly at the minister. I don't think he knew much that was said from the pulpit; but his nurse told him three words of the text over again, and he did not forget them. The text was in Hebrews, chapter seventh, verse twentyfifth: 'Wherefore He (Jesus) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.'

When the service was over, Matthew walked home with nurse, happy at heart, but making no fun. He felt that it was God's day. No sooner had he got to the house than he walked up to Willie and gave back the Testament, with a little bow, and thankful smile. Mamma called him to her, and asked, Well, Matthew, what did you see at church? '

'A great crowd, mamma, and a man in a box.'

'And did you sing, Matthew?'

O yes, mamma; Hallelujah, Amen.' 'And what was the text?'

The little fellow at once gave for answer, 'Able to save.'

I wonder if all my dear young readers behave themselves in church as well as wee Matthew. Some that I know, who are more than twice as old, are very restless, and speak out at times, or go to sleep during the sermon. I am sure that in the presence of queen Victoria there would be awe and silence. If they had come to ask a favour from her Majesty, and had set some old person to do it for them, would they not be wishing, all the time he was speaking, that their request might be granted? If it were, would they not unite in offering the queen their hearty thanks? And if her Majesty had some instructions to give, would they not hearken carefully?

After this manner, but with much holy fear, should every one behave in God's house. He is King of kings, and Lord of lords When we join in singing, our hearts

A CHILD'S MESSAGE.

should go with our hips; and sweet are our songs in the ear of our Father in heaven when thus we praise Him. When the minister prays, we should be wishing for the good things he asks, and be thanking the Lord in heart with him. And when the minister speaks in the sermon, we should listen to God's message, that we may learn to do what He bids.

'Able to save.' So much of the text wee Matthew picked up. Let us hope that as he gets older he will know more about its meaning. Scarcely any of the boys and girls that read these lines but could tell that it is Jesus who is able to save, for He is the Almighty Son of God. They could tell, too, that He gave up His precious life on the cross, in order that the lives of sinners, who look to Him as their friend, might be spared and that now He sits at the Father's right hand in glory, and secures pardon and favour for every one who bends the knee, and says, 'My Father in Jesus, forgive and bless me for the sake of Thy dear Son.'

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Will my beloved young readers think a little over some questions I am going to write now, and answer them? I do not want them to give the answer to me, but just to whisper them to God and their own hearts. The questions are these:

Do you feel you need One to save you from wrath and from sin?

Has it made you thankful to learn that Jesus is able to do it, and wishes you to let Him? Have you given yourselves to Him that He may save you?

Do you pray to Him often to keep you from wicked thoughts, and words, and deeds, and to make you for ever His own?

If you can with truth say 'Yes,' to all these questions, you have reason to be very happy The Lord Jesus will take care of you. He will make you pure in heart; and at last bring you to His Father's house above. A few hours before He died on Calvary, He was heard praying thus: Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me." (John xvii. 24.)

Who are those the Father gave to Christ? We cannot open the book of life to read their names; but we can find out who they are by this, they give themselves with all their hearts to Jesus to be saved. If my young readers have done this, I know they will love their Saviour dearly, and run to do whatever He bids. And if there should be one of them who has not yet given himself to Jesus, let me hope he will say this moment in the words of the hymn:

'Here now to Thee I all resign;
My body, soul, and all are Thine.'

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