immortality, at the final consummation of all things. At scenes like this the fool may sneer, or the sceptic cavil; still each germ of truth, however implanted in the youthful mind, may exercise a hallowed, a redeeming influence, in the formation of future character; at all events, every attempt to do good will be properly appreciated, and duly rewarded, when time gives place to eternity;-therefore "Let not ambition mock their useful toil, Their homely joys, nor destiny obscure, Nor grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile, The short but simple annals of the poor."-Gray One Saturday evening, after family worship had been performed with all the formalities prescribed by the "Westminster Confession of Faith, Directory, &c.," the conversation o' the cannie pair centered upon Frank, who was now the chief object of their earthly affections-the rest of the once promising children having prematurely gone the way of all flesh. At this consultation it was unanimously agreed, that, as the spared one was a boy of good manners, nor given to any illfavored tricks, it was incumbent on them to save and set apart a portion from their small income, to give him a good education, with a view to his future advancement in the world. From the particular bias of their minds, it is highly probable that they looked forward in anticipation to the happy period when Frank would figure in the pulpit of some neighboring parish, leading his affectionate flock through green pastures, onward and upward. Such day-dreams, however, made no inroads upon their peace of mind, nor infringed upon the serene joys that hallowed their lowly lot; and this was as it should be, for the best laid schemes of men go often wrong, and long before Frank's education was completed, the mortal remains of his affectionate parents were laid in the narrow house, where the weary are at rest and where the humble and the proud are upon an equality. No sculptured stone points out their last, low resting place; but they left a hallowed remembrance behind them, in many unsophisticated hearts, capable of appreciating real moral worth, and genuine piety. "The memory of the just shall be blessed." being then over seventeen years of age. The reception he met with was warm and flattering to a lad of simple habits, brought up in the quiet retirement and peaceful pursuits of a country life. But this did not elate him, nor make him vain; on the contrary, he was all gratitude and condescension; and shortly thereafter, a situation was procured for him in a respectable mercantile house, chiefly through the influence of the lady previously alluded to. His Frank was at first rather awkward in his his former habits, but after a while things new situation; this was to be expected from went on very smoothly. The lad was obedient, diligent, attentive, and obliging, and the effect of these good qualities secured for him the good will, and ultimately the respect and esteem of his employer; and thus paved the way for his future advancement. spare hours were assiduously devoted to the cultivation of his mind, and in this laudable undertaking he was assisted by the widow, with all the fervor of warm disinterested friendship. She, however, perceived, or thought she perceived in her braw lad's" conduct, the insipient symptoms of a tender passion for some absent object, and failed not to throw out some delicate hints on the subject; but as Frank was bashful and "tonguetied" about the matter, she forbore to press him further, under the impression that time, which brings about strange alterations in the world, and likewise in the mind of man, by presenting things in new phases, would in its onward course set things aright about Frank's love. 66 "Friendship, mysterious cement of the soul; Sweet'ner of life, and solder of society." Genuine friendship is a quiet, pure, and lovely thing. Having no sinister purpose to serve, no oblique motive to stimulate it to action, it pursues the even tenor of its way, seeking the chief good of another as its highest gratification. Its means are wisely chosen to effect this, and as it has learned to trust in Providence, it calmly awaits the issue. Evil treatment frequently falls to its lot, yet it bears it with philosophic patience, and has frequently realized the victory, when the sky of life appeared to common mortals to be shrouded in the deepest gloom. Plain Some time after the decease of his parents, dealing is one of the most distinguishing attriFrank Kirkland was importuned by an aged butes of genuine friendship, and as it always widow lady in Philadelphia, a devoted friend || practices this in subordination to the dictates of his mother's in early life, to shape his course of wisdom and expediency, though its efforts for that city. It was with much reluctance be oftimes unsuccessful, it always meets with that he bid adieu to the land of his nativity, the plaudits of an approving conscience. and the tombs of his ancestors; but strength-Rugged passion may raise a tumult in the ened and cheered by the counsels of the soul, but when sober reason gains the asgood, who respected and loved him, he at cendancy, it will produce compunction and length set sail, and reached the abode of reformation, when the heart is accessible to his benefactress in the year of grace 181-;"the dictates of virtue and honor. new sources of refined pleasure were opened to her mind, from the happines of those whom she had contributed to make happy. For Frank Kirkland, she felt all the ardor of pure disinterested friendship, partly from the noble bias of her nature, and partly from the strength and purity of associations implanted in her bosom in the hey-day of existence, when she had pulled the daisys from the green fields o' Scotia, or wandered hand in hand wi' his "sainted mither" by the margin o' the chrystal stream, when a' within was glee and gladness, an' nature wore the garniture o' joy. Reader, the last paragraph is preliminary to thy better acquaintance with Widow Heatherton, of whom thou hast already heard somewhat laudable and praiseworthy. In the halycon days of her youth she was led to the hymenial altar by Gibbie Heatherton, the man o' her ain young heart's choice, and solemnly vowed to be his through the chequered scenes of good and ill till death dissolved the contract. With him she left the land of her nativity, endeared by a thousand tender associations, and sought and found an asylum on the shores of freedom; subject still, however, to the common "ills that flesh is heir to." All prospered that Gibbie Fortunately for Frank, nothing occurred to put his hand to, for truth to tell, he was prevent his free intercourse with this excelweel behaved, sober, industrious, and a weelient woman for four years after his arrival in favor'd man, too, as ane wad meet in a sim-America; and during that time, his course mer day's travel. An' Gibbie didna like to was onward and upward in the scale of morassociate with graceless carousing fellows, al excellence. His company was judiciously when occasion offered, but came off home selected, and though his knowledge of the duly sober, frae fair an' market; and with world, and of the devious ways of man, was, regard to his honesty an' fair dealing in a from circumstances previously stated, very business transaction, no one could say aught circumscribed, yet it was steadily and surely against him. Five as bonnie bairns as e'er a progressing. The rough caste of his mansinfu' woman carried in her arms, sprang ners had gradually given place to the easy from this union, an' grew like olive plants, bearing of a well bred citizen; and his charto grace their happy home; and the fond acter for honesty and sound moral principle, couple looked forward with joyful anticipa- was unimpeachable. In a word, the native tions through a long vista of tranquil years. goodness of his heart, and the charm of a fine person, had endeared him to the select circle with whom he associated. Thus things stood, when a letter was received by the widow, informing her of the serious indisposition of a very dear friend, who held a responsible situation in the State of Maryland. The request for her immediate presence was urgent, but as friendship is thrifty, the old lady found means to impart salutary counsel to the friend she was about to leave behind, as follows: The cup of joy, however, was soon to be dashed from their lips, and in the emphatic language of the good old book, to be like water spilled on the ground which cannot be gathered up again. The braw sprouts o' bairns were smitten by disease; like delicate flowers nipped by the rude storm, they pined and died awa, an' were laid in the cauld ground, out o' the sight o' the living. Auon Gibbie, the pride o' her youth, and the joy o' her maturer age, was also stricken, and fell beneath the shaft of the fell destroyer: an' "Tent weel the path o' your feet, and the widow was left, like the lanely dove, to dinna trust owre muckle to your ain wisdom, 'bide the brunt o' battle. Still she was bet- for on this point ane is apt to mak a wrang ter off than many, left in a similar position. estimate, unless he has received teaching She was above the pressing fear of want, and frae the unadulterated word of God, which her mind was purified and exalted, by her indeed makes ane rich, an' adds nae sorrow. clear conception of christianity. She had Acknowledge the Lord in a' your ways, an' felt, in a forcible manner, the chastisement of he will, beyond a peradventure, gie you grace the Almighty, and she felt humbled thereby; here, and glory hereafter. The ways o' reshe felt a fearful void in her heart which the ligion are pleasant an' profitable, an' the reworld could not fill, but when she read in wards o' virtue are glorious beyond concepthe “ha' bible” that the afflictions of the pre- tion, an' shall endure when mere earthly sent life work out an exceedingly abundant glory and grandeur shall fade awa', like the and eternal weight of glory, for the "meek gaudy drapery o' the western skies, when and lowly," she looked forward in patient night flings her mantle o' gloom owre the hope to that blissful period when all the vir- welkin. Know thyself,' is a philosophic tuous shall be re-united in heaven, to partake maxim; an' a knowledge o' aneself is requiin that fulness of joy, and drink from those site to the right application o' salutary discirivers of pleasure, which are in reservation||pline, in order to subdue the rising passions, for the righteous. This consoled, and also an' inordinate desires, which are ever turning stimulated her to the practice of active benevolence to her fellow-creatures, and thus *Take heed. baith young an' auld frae the practice o' vir tue. "In order, however, to act justly here, it is necessary to guard against self-love, which is inherent in a' the sons o' Adam. This, if allowed to follow its natural bent, will magnify our real or supposed qualifications, and diminish our faults, till they seem 'Like straws which on the surface float.' his creator, preserver, and bountiful benefactor, and to himself as a highly distinguished yet dependent being-unfolds also his origin and destiny; what he was when he came from the hand of his Maker, and what he became when the fine gold of his nature 'grew dim,' and his state, in body, soul, and spirit, which comprises the whole man, was changed. It offers a medicine for the maladies of the mind, which changes the heart, conscience, fies the soul amidst trials, toils, and perils on earth, to a state of spotless perfection, and enduring bliss in heaven. Make it the man of thy counsel, Frank, and it will make thee wise unto salvation. The tendency of all this is to make us over-and character; and directs, guides, and fortirate our own importance in the scale of creation, to inflate and make us vain; and hence we often feel strong when weak in reality, and are capsized with a vengeance by tempt ation, when we thought that our mountain stood strong, and that we should not be moved. The proper study of mankind, is man.' Six thousand years are fled, since the subject was accessible to mankind; and many a curious development has been given, and many a strange discovery made, from the date of time up to the passing hour. Science, art, and ingenuity has been, and still are busy in ministering to the ever-varying wants and appetites of man; and learning and legislation has done much to improve his moral and social condition. Much, also, that has a contrary tendency, is apparent at every step we take on the journey of life. If we give God credit, by believing what he has said, we are deeply interested in subduing the unruly appetites, and controlling the unholy passions, that war against the eternal well-being of the immortal soul. Mankind, by the most laborious study, which the preacher says is a weariness of the flesh, cannot find out man to perfection. Actions are palpable things; and tolerably correct ideas may sometimes be formed from words, and thoughts expressed; yet still, experience teaches us how apt we are to err in our estimates of character. Circumstances exert a powerful, influence over him, and produces a change of situation, views, disposition and temper. Habits, too, which seemed at one time to be as firm as the foundations of the mountains, are given up for others, and exhibit new traits and modifications of character, in the same individual. To read the mysteries of the mind, and penetrate the mine of thought, baffles all human art and ingenuity. The broad and penetrating eye of Omniscience, to whom light and darkness are alike; He who at first created man, and formed his spirit of wonderful texture, knows what is in man, and can with ease detect the rising thought. His Book!of all books, the only one that contains pure truth, without tincture or flaw, regarding man's relation to God, the duty he owes to Him as So I'll not say men are villains a' ; Wha hae nae check but human law, says Burns, an' its e'en owre true. Man is by nature selfish, an' there are some who bear the name of human, who have by dethat perish. These can be easily guarded pravity sunk themselves below the brutes against, as they are generally known as plague spots upon humanity. But there are also wolves in sheeps' clothing,' who prowl about for prey, using smooth speeches, and soft words, to lure unwary youth from the path of virtue;-By their fruits ye shall know them.' Avoid them as thou wouldst sound philosophy, all concur in saying that an adder on the path. Reason, religion, and the truly virtuous man enjoys the greatest share of happiness that falls to mortal lot in this checquered, changing scene. But if we turn aside and seek enjoyment in muddy dubs* o' our ain delvin, we must expect sorrow an' bitterness o' heart, as our portion. Farewell, Frank; do the thing that's right, Fare thee well." my braw fellow, an' God will bless thee. THE BLIND BOY. A TALE OF REAL LIFE. light of new ideas. It was Henry who sat by Mary's bed-side in her hours of suffering, and ministered to her wants. He knew by her breathing when she slept, and remained still and silent in his darkness till she awoke. He knew by the very tones of her voice when she was better and when she was worse, and though he stole about the room with the bent head and outstretched hand of the blind, he seldom missed finding any thing that Mary wanted. And it was Mary that gave Henry that knowledge of the Being who made him, which was a bright light to his mind, and shed over his spirit a hope more gladdening than the sunshine which cheered all outward Seven children gathered round the board of William Halleck; and though poverty lay like a dark mist on his prospects, and sometimes pressed heavily on his heart, yet the hardy pious farmer toiled patiently along the thorny path he found marked out for him.Death had never entered his door; but sickness had come often, with fatigue, expense, anxiety, and sorrow in her train; and beneath his roof dwelt one being, at once a living joy and a living sorrow. His fourth child was a bright and beautiful boy; but God had shut out from his mind the perception of all visi-things. ble loveliness. Henry was born blind. The hearts of the parents were troubled when the terrible suspicion first came upon their minds that the fair infant on whom they gazed lay in a world of darkness. Many and various were the experiments they tried to ascertain the truth, and it was long after every friend and neighbor that looked upon the child had expressed his melancholy conviction, ere the father and mother would shut their hearts against all hope. But the boy grew and strengthened; his little limbs became active; he stood by his mother's knee; he grasped her hand, and walked tottering by her side; language came in due season to his tongue, and his artless prattle and happy laugh were the loudest and liveliest in the house. Yet vision was still wanting, and the earth and all it contained, even the faces of those he best loved, were shut from his gaze. He was born to be a poor, useless, helpless, blind boy; and the hearts of his parents sometimes ached to the core as they looked on his blooming cheek and sightless eyes, and thought of the future. As soon as the pain ceased to rack her joints, and strength was in a measure restored to her limbs, Mary was wont to arise and return thankfully to those employments in which she alone was permitted to assist in the toils of her family. The first warm days of spring were to Henry days of rejoicing. As soon as he felt their breath, he used to hasten into the house, crying with a glad voice, "Summer is coming and Mary will get well!" To him the first note of the robin told not of the verdure and blossoms which were soon to cover the face of nature with beauty; but it announced that she whom he loved would be freed from her pain, and come out with him into the pure air, and go into the fields and woods, gathering fragrant wild flowers, listening to the music of the winds, waters, birds, and talking to him cheerfully and usefully. Mary was entering upon her seventeenth spring; and before the April snows had melted from the fields, she was already so well that she sat up as she was accustomed, in her little window, plying her needle with a busy and skilful hand. There came a heavy storm But the voice of complaint was a sound of rain with warm south winds, and in one unknown beneath the roof of William Hal-night the snowy mantle of the earth had vanleck, and the hymn of thanksgiving ascended ished, and the fields lay bare and brown the every evening from the lips of his family cir-|| next day, beneath a clear sky and a warm sun. cle, ere the deep sleep of the weary came on their eyelids. It was a beautiful morning, and unseen influences were busy in the trees that stretched Three winters in succession had a rheu- their arms silently to the gentle breeze, and matic fever laid one of the daughters of Wil- the very sods that basked in the sunshine.— liam Halleck on the bed of sickness; yet she, The leaf was preparing to put forth, the green too, like the rest of that humble household, blade to sprout, and the pulses of man beat was industrious, contented and pious. She lightly and happily under the spell of the seawas two years older than Henry; and a mu- son. Henry felt the soft west wind on his tual sense of infirmity had knit the bonds of cheek and heard the first notes of the spring a brother's and sister's love most closely be- birds. As soon as the sun rode high in the tween them. When the invalid_first_rose||heavens, he went to summon Mary from her from the weary bed of pain, and went forth toils, to walk with him as far as the Great under the blue sky of spring, it was the Oak, a spot which she loved, because it comstrengthening arm of Henry that supported manded a wide and beautiful prospect, and her; and when the blind boy asked of things which was dear to him because she loved it, that were shut up from none but him, it was and because it was always the end of their the soft voice of Mary that answered his first walk in spring. Mary hesitated, for she questions, and poured into his mind the de-"feared the dampness of the ground; but Henry |