them the inestimable benefits of this presence, by thinking of mere external blessings such as enrich merely the outward man; possessions, riches, honours, enjoyments are not God's blessings as He would freely bestow them, though they are His gracious gifts, and through a proper use may be rendered instruments of grace and glory. In this ejaculation, then, let us bear in mind how much we

really ask, the presence, the mercy and grace

of God!

The presence, then our loved ones must be safe indeed, for evil and danger cannot come where He is; the mercy which we all need to implore, feeling that of ourselves we can do no good thing; the grace which will enable us to walk rightly, humbly, and justly before God. With what confidence do we give our friends to Him, when from our hearts we say, "God bless you."

Brighton.

A. D. G.

FREDERICK AND HIS NEW WATCH.

"PAPA," said Frederick, dancing into the room, and gazing with smiling looks on something he held in his hand, "it is a watch; it is a real true watch; for hark! it ticks! Yes, it ticks! it ticks!" continued the delighted boy, applying it to his ear, and jumping still higher. "Only listen, papa," said he, climbing upon his father's knee, and holding the watch to his ear, "tick, tick, tick!. Do you hear?"

"Yes, I hear," answered papa, "but what is all this? where did you get it?"

"Pull out your own watch, papa," said Frederick, too busy to answer questions, "and let me see if they are both alike."

Out came papa's watch; and the little boy, holding one in one hand, and the other in the other hand, began to compare them. "Yes, they are both alike: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve figures in each. It is half-past eleven o'clock by yours, and it is three-quarters past eleven by mine. Look, is not that right?"

"It is, my boy."

"I can see my face in yours, and you may see your face in mine, they shine so bright! only yours is yellow, papa, and mine is white; how is that?"

"Yours is silver, and mine is gold," answered papa.

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Well, then, I am a man now. But I must tell you how I got the watch, for I am sure you must be surprised." And here Frederick strutted across the room, with all the consequence a boy feels when first he wears this favourite and useful ornament.

His papa confessed he was a little curious to learn how he became possessed of so valuable a present, and listened, with real pleasure, to the following account:

Frederick was passing a lane near his house,

when he saw a boy treating a poor loaded horse with wanton cruelty, goading his sides with a sharp stick, and beating him about the head. Frederick was shocked, and civilly entreated him to desist; but the boy, without making any reply but a sneering grin, only belabored the poor beast with greater violence. Frederick, enraged at his cruelty, raised his voice, and commanded him to leave off, or he would call his father, who should see him punished.

"You would gain nothing by that, little master," replied Tom Wilson; "for I would beat him worse another time."

This answer stung the generous Frederick to the quick. "You are a cruel boy," cried he, "and deserve to be well beaten yourself."

"Not by you," answered Tom, with a sneer; "I think I could manage such a stripling as you are."

"Stripling" repeated Frederick; and he drew himself up, as if to add to his stature; "little as you may think I am, I have a better spirit than to ill use a helpless animal."

"I should like to try your spirit," said Tom, with a provoking smile; "so, young gentleman, if you have a mind for the trial, take off your coat, and let us see who has most spirit."

Tom Wilson was a coward; but he knew himself to be much stronger than Frederick,

and therefore would willingly have fought him, secure of not being beaten; but our little friend, though not wanting in proper courage, had no desire to settle the dispute by a brutal contest, which he had been taught to despise as a low and cruel custom. Tom, whose rough nature had not been softened by care and instruction, could not believe a boy who refused to fight, possessed true courage; and, concluding the other was afraid of him, used every provoking effort to rouse the anger of Frederick; but, although his temper was a little ruffled, the prudent boy had forbearance, and did not allow Tom's insults to make him forget the commands of his parents. At this moment, the poor horse, who had been left at liberty during the debate, trotted on a few paces; a freedom that renewed his master's anger, who, running after him, raised his stick to strike him with violence; but the frightened animal quickened his steps, so as to escape the blow; and Tom, in his effort, fell at full length on the road, with his face against a sharp stone. All his courage vanished when he beheld his own blood, as it streamed over his hand, which he raised to the wound; and he shouted out with pain and terror. Frederick, kindly overlooking his late conduct, ran to assist him, and gave him his pocket-handkerchief to tie up the wound.

The cruel are always selfish, and Tom eagerly accepted this kind offer, forgetting how little he deserved it. While thus employed, a gentleman turned into the lane, who was no other than Frederick's grandpapa. He had seen the whole affair from the opposite side of the hedge; and, after commending the conduct of his grandson, he took Tom Wilson to task for the inhuman treatment of the poor horse, made him acknowledge the justice of his punishment, and promise, for the future, to treat the animal with kindness. As a reward for Frederick's behaviour on this occasion, his grandpapa gave him the real silver watch which he showed with so much pleasure to his father. - Children's Medley.

OLD FATHER MORRIS.

[From "THE MAYFLOWER," by Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe.] OLD Father Morris, a descendant of the Pilgrim Fathers, was an aged clergyman, settled over an obscure village in New England. He had a peculiar "illustrative talent,” which in his preaching he frequently used to very good purpose in the way of rebuke. "He had on his farm a fine orchard of peaches, from which some of the ten and twelve-year old gentlemen helped themselves more liberally than even the old man's kindness thought expedient.

"Accordingly, he took occasion to intro