Chirping his sweet good morning to Mary!
The sunshine is peeping straight into my eyes-
Good morning to you, Mr. Sun, for you rise
Early to wake up my birdie and me,
And make us as happy as happy can be."

2. "Happy you may be, my dear little girl," And the mother stroked softly a clustering curl; "As happy as can be-but think of the One Who awakened, this morning, both you and the sun." The little one turned her bright eyes with a nod"Mamma, may I say good morning to God?" "Yes, little darling one, surely you may

As you kneel by your bed every morning to pray."

3. Mary knelt solemnly down, with her eyes
Locking up earnestly into the skies,

And two little hands that werę folded together
Softly she laid on the lap of her mother.

"Good morning, dear Father in heaven," she said,
"I thank thee for watching my snug little bed,
For taking good care of me all the dark night,
And waking me up with the beautiful light.
O, keep me from naughtiness all the long day,
And help me to love Thee and walk in Thy way.”

exclaimed

interested opportunity

remember vegetables

WILLIE'S SELF-DENIAL.

1. "Oh, mamma!" exclaimed Willie, as he ran eagerly into the room on his return from school, "we are to have a vacation all next week; and may I go with Dennis on Monday, when he goes to get those vegetables papa has bought of Mr. Morton ?"

2. "If it is a pleasant day, I know of nothing to prevent your going; that is, if Dennis is willing to take charge of you."

3. "Oh, I know he will, mamma, and I won't trouble him in the least. Only think! it is six miles there. What a splendid long ride I shall have!"

4. The next day, as Willie walked to church with his parents, he thought of the pleasure in store for the morrow; but in the Sabbath school he was very much interested in the remarks of a stranger who addressed the school.

5. When he reached home, he said, "Mamma, that minister talked to us to-day about self-denial. He said the more we denied ourselves for the good of others, the happier we should feel; now is that really true?"

6. "It is, Willie. The Bible says, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,' and if we deny ourselves in order to do good to others we shall find it true."

7. "Then I fear I am a very selfish little boy, for I do not like to deny myself at all. I ate all those oranges myself the other day, although I knew that Johnny Maloney would have been very glad of one, for he has just got over the fever; and I remember how good they tasted when I was getting well, after I was sick last fall."

8. "I am glad, Willie, to find you have been thinking of this matter. If you wish to prove the truth of the minister's words, do some self-denying act the first opportunity you have, and see if you feel happier for it."

9. The next morning was bright and cloudless, and Willie was in high spirits all the forenoon. He scarcely knew how to employ his time until the happy hour should arrive for him to take his ride. He got tired of staying in the sitting-room, and so he thought he would pay a visit to Mrs. Maloney, who was washing in the kitchen.

1. "Oh, Master Willie," she cried, "how nice ye're looking this morning, and what a fine color ye have in yer cheeks. cheeks. Here's poor Johnny as pale as this sheet I'm washing, ever since the faver left him.

2. "The doctor says he ought to take a ride now and then, and go out in the country a bit; but the like of me, that has to wash for a living, can't do that at all."

3. A sudden thought startled Willie, and,

scarcely stopping to make any answer, he rushed out into the yard. Back and forth he paced with slow step, and a very anxious, perplexed look upon his face.

4. All at once he came to a dead halt, and planting his foot firmly upon the bricks, he exclaimed, "I'll do it ;" and then ran into the house.

5. "Mamma," he said, "Johnny Maloney is down-stairs, and he looks so pale and thin ; I think the ride into the country this afternoon will do him more good than it will me; and as there is room for only one, I will let him go in my stead, if you are willing."

6. "Most certainly I am, Willie;" and clasping the little fellow to her heart, she gave him a kiss of approval. He flew to tell Mrs. Maloney of his decision, and resolutely stood by while Johnny was lifted up on the high seat beside Dennis.

7. He watched them till they rode out of sight, with a face on which smiles and tears were striving for possession; but the smiles gained it, and he went cheerfully on an errand for his mamma, which she had kindly postponed on account of the ride.

8. After Willie's mamma had put him to