joy and delight increase more with the distance from a busy bustling town.

A morning walk is preferable to any other part of the day for purposes of health. This exercise strengthens the body as well as the mind, and prepares us for the labour of the coming day; and those persons that pass the early part of the morning in bed, are not nearly so strong and healthy as those that rise with the lark.

One hour's study in the morning is worth two at night, because, after sleeping, the mind is fresh and free from cares, and ready for the trials, and work, and difficulties of the approaching day. The morning is represented in scripture as having "eyelids," to resemble the first appearance of the sun's rising light in the eastern sky.-(Job xli. 18.)—And in Psalm cxxxix. 9th verse, it is represented as having wings to denote the quick spread of daylight. In scripture, also, we find examples of early rising in different persons. We find Abraham, on two occasions, rising up early in the morning, Genesis xix. 27-xxii. 3. And Jacob on his way to Padanaram gat up early in the morning to go on his journeyGenesis xxviii. 18; and if you turn to the 35th verse of the first chapter of Mark you will read of what ONE greater than any of these did. We ought, therefore, to follow the example of these eminent persons, and not spend in bed too many of the fleeting hours of life.

Derby.

C. H. C.

THE RISING SUNLIGHT. THE VOICES OF THE WINDS.

THE RISING SUNLIGHT.

'Tis pleasant to watch the departure of night,
When the sun first appears like a giant in might,
To bring us new light for the day;

Then flashes of sunlight around him he sends
On the dew-drops, all hanging like glistening pearls,
At the end of each leaf and each spray.

'Tis pleasant to see, in the season of spring,
How each tree, and each flower, and every green thing,
Is hasting its beauties to show;

And the daisies and buttercups peeping beneath,
While the butterflies doffing their chrysalis sheath,
Fly from one to another with joy.

'Tis pleasant to sit in the deep mossy glade,
And list to the murmuring music made

By the brook as it glides at our feet;

Or gaze up at the clouds as they float on the air,
And breathe up to heaven this most fervent prayer,
"May I for thy glory be meet."

For what are we taught by the beauties of earth?
That compared with the glories of heaven their worth
Is as nothing-unworthy our care;

But they whisper to man that if sin-blighted earth

To such forms of beauty is made to give birth,
How glorious must heaven appear!

THE VOICES OF THE WINDS.

WHAT are the breezes saying,
As they whisper in the wood;
And rustle the corn

On an Autumn morn?

They are saying-God is good.
What are the soft gales singing,
As they sweep across the skies;

M.A. K.

And whistling pass

Through the waving grass?
They are saying God is wise!

What are the wild blasts shouting,
O'er the ocean loud and late,
As they scatter the spray

Far far away?

They are shouting God is great!

Be thus like the winds of heaven,

Giving to God the praise

Obedient still

Obey his will

In all thy works and ways.

H. G. ADAMS.

CONTEMPLATION ON A FLOWER GARDEN.

SWEET is the hour of solitude to me,

When I can hold converse, my God, with thee;
And trace thy hand in all I see around,

In heaven above, or on this earthly ground.
A leaf, a bud, a flower, displays thy skill;
From all creation thou dost good distil.
At close of day I often would retire

To those retreats where I can most admire
Thy wisdom and thy goodness with delight,
And learn each time some lesson from the sight.

Here, 'midst this scene so lovely to the eye,
My thoughts are raised to thee, my God, on high;
While opening flowers, and blossoms on the tree,
In each returning season say to me,

"There is a God that careth much for thee."
Can I withdraw from this enchanting scene,
And pass the hawthorn boughs and pastures green,
And fields with rich supplies for man and beast,
And not feel thankful, O my God, at least?
Barton-under-Needwood.

J. S.

"THE THREE CALLS."

THIRD HOUR.

CALL.

O SLUMBERER arouse thee! Despise not the truth; Give, give thy Creator the days of thy youth! Why standest thou idle? The day breaketh-see! The Lord of the vineyard is waiting for thee.

RESPONSE.

Sweetest Spirit, by thy power,
Grant me yet another hour;
Earthly pleasures I would prove,
Earthly joy and earthly love:
Scarcely yet has dawned the day,
Sweetest Spirit wait, I pray.

SIXTH AND NINTH HOURS.

CALL.

O loiterer, speed thee! The morn wears apace!
Then squander no longer thy remnant of grace;
But haste while there's time! with thy Master agree,
The Lord of the vineyard stands waiting for thee.

RESPONSE.

Gentle Spirit, prithee stay,
Brightly beams the early day;
Let me linger in these bowers;
God shall have my noontide hours:
Chide me not for my delay,
Gentle Spirit, wait, I pray.

ELEVENTH HOUR.

CALL.

O sinner arouse thee! thy morning is past;

Already the shadows are lengthening fast;
Escape for thy life! from the dark mountain free;
The Lord of the vineyard yet waiteth for thee!

RESPONSE.

Spirit cease thy mournful lay;
Leave me to myself I pray;

Earth hath flung her spell around me-
Pleasure's silken chain has bound me-
When the sun his path has trod,
Spirit, then I'll turn to God.

RESULT.

Hark! borne on the wind is the bell's solemn toll;
'Tis mournfully pealing the knell of a soul-
Of a soul that despis'd the kind teaching of Truth,
And gave to the world the best hours of its youth.
The Spirit's sweet pleadings and strivings are o'er.
The Lord of the vineyard stands waiting no more!

"FOLLOW ME."

WHEN Peter heard his Master's call,
While walking by the sea,

He gladly left his little all,

Dear Lord, to follow thee.

He gave up boat, and nets, and all,
Thy messenger to be.

But, Saviour, can a little child,

With hard and sinful heart,

With passions restless, rude, and wild,

From what is wrong depart?

And may I too now follow thee,

Who meek and gentle art?

Yes! thou hast said that thou wilt give

Thy Spirit unto those

Who in thy fear would wish to live,

And on thy care repose.

O let me all thy grace receive,

And for thy glory only live.