peace, is said to have consisted of about 50,000 persons. In consequence of the war, and the danger there is of an attack upon Cronstadt, many of the former inhabitants, no doubt, have left, and the place is filled with troops. In the winter time, for from four to six months, the Gulf of Finland is frozen over, and no vessel can enter or depart from Cronstadt. As near to Petersburgh the water is too shallow to allow large merchant ships to approach the city, in peaceful times the port of Cronstadt is frequented by merchant vessels, and their cargoes are discharged there, and conveyed to Petersburgh in small vessels, that will float in shallow water. Sometimes more than 1000 English ships have visited the port of Cronstadt in one summer. Two thirds of the foreign trade of Russia is transacted through this port. The war has put an entire stoppage to commerce at Cronstadt. The French and English men of war will not allow any vessel, of any nation, to enter Cronstadt. So also as to the other Russian ports they are blockaded by the French and English ships of war, so that no vessels are permitted to trade with those ports.

Already many thousand lives have been destroyed by the present war, and unless it be soon brought to an end, we fear that a much greater number of human beings will be slain. How awful it is, that multitudes of human beings should be compelled by their rulers to strive to kill each other. The word of God teaches, that we should be peaceful—that it is our duty to "follow peace with all men," "that we should do good to our enemies." It is the wickedness that is in the hearts of men, that causes them to quarrel, fight, and kill one another. We ought to pray that God may incline the hearts of those who have it in their power to restore peace to the nations, to desist from war, and to establish upon righteous principles, a lasting peace.

We ought to be very thankful to the Almighty, that we have not a foreign foe invading our land; that we dwell safely in our own habitations. What alarm and dread would be felt, throughout this country, if a large number of hostile ships of war were cruising near the Port of Liverpool, and in the river Thames, and the commanders of our ships of

that had the ten commandments in it, and another was about lying he looked them all over, and could tell what each was about. When Saturday afternoon came, his mother thought he might forget it, for his brothers loved play, and always wanted Eben to go with them; but no, Eben took no interest in bat and ball upon the common; he had another plan, which he liked better; so he packed his little books into a basket and set forth.

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Good-bye, Mr. Colporteur," exclaimed Jane. His mother took a tender interest in all his proceedings; she did not hinder him, for she thought haply the Lord had sent him; and when she watched him go forth so serious and so earnest, she bade him God-speed in her heart, and prayed that the gracious Saviour might please to bless these humble doings.

Eben was gone a long while, and when at last he came back, he had many things to tell his mother. Why, mother," said he, "all the mothers were as glad as could be; and some of the little children that could not read, I read to them. There was one big boy who swore, mother," said the child, fixing his large eyes upon her; "I told him about the third commandment. I told him, God would punish swearers; I told him, I would bring him a book about it."

Was not the mission of this child-colporteur a beautiful one? I have thought how many nurseries and book-cases there are in Christian homes piled up with books, read and re-read for the last time, laid away and cast aside, which are not yet too old to be useful, and which might be threading their way to the alleys of ignorance and sin; and I have wondered if children, dear Christian children, in their simplicity and earnestness, might not go forth to the poor, ragged, vicious children of their neighbourhoods, and carry to them the bread and water of life.

Ah! children, do you not often abuse books? Is not a cover gone from one, and have you not torn up the stray leaf of another, without thinking, minding, or caring about it? Stop a moment, and think if these good little books may not be of use still; you have read and loved, them

are there not many, many others who would love to read them too? On some bright Wednesday afternoon, can you not forsake your play, your dolls, or your balls, and gather up a little store of neglected books for the destitute corners and alleys of your neighbourhood-as destitute as the cottage or the streets that Ebenezer visited? Can you not become a child-colporteur? Oh! it would be a beautiful and blessed mission.

A BRIEF MEMOIR OF GEORGE WALTON.

GEORGE, son of James and Anne Walton, was born at Triangle, near Halifax, Yorkshire, on the 26th of February, 1834. At an early age he began to attend a Sabbath School. About eight years since his parents removed to Manchester, and ever since that period he has been a scholar in the London Road District Wesleyan Association School, in the Grosvenor Street Circuit, Manchester. His attachment to this school was very great, he frequently praised it to his friends in the country. His disposition was kind and affectionate, he was much respected by his fellow scholars and the friends in the school. Such was his unwillingness to deceive any one, that his mother says she does not remember that he ever told her a lie, but if he had committed a fauit, he would come immediately to

her and tell the whole truth, although he might be to blame, promising at the same time to behave better in future,

The disease which occasioned his death was Diabetes, its first symptoms were noticed about twelve months before his death, and up to this period he did not show any great concern for the salvation of his soul. The disease was not very rapid in its progress, for he was able to follow his employment until August 1853, when he appeared to be getting much worse. His parents were very anxious to get him every assistance that lay in their power, and for this purpose engaged the services of several medical men. In consequence of the establishment at which the family were employed removing to Houghton Dale Works, near Denton, George had occasionally to ' come to Manchester to see his medical adviser, and in doing this he would frequently go out of his way in order to take a glance at the school, and on one occasion, after he had returned, he seemed in great distress, and when his mother enquired the cause of his grief, said he had been round to look at the school. "Poor Old School, It does my eyes good to look at it, but I shall never see it again." He was, however, permitted to attend our Christmas tea party and recital, but he seemed very low spirited and unwilling to be noticed; but when the recital commenced and his school-fellows, with whom he had often stood up to recite, began to say their pieces-he said this was too much for him to bear, he could not stand this-and he was obliged to retire. These circumstances had such an effect upon him that he was confined to his bed for several days after. From this time he gradually became worse, and very soon after this the doctor pronounced him incurable, and very kindly sent a minister from a church in the neighbourhood to visit him. Upon the arrival of the minister, Mrs. Walton went up stairs to ask George whether the church minister should come up to see him? to which he replied, "Oh, Yes mother, send them all up that come, for although they may differ in name, we are all aiming at getting to the same place."

About three weeks before his death he was visited by one of the conductors of Houghton Green Sunday School, who says, "I found him in a very low and desponding state of mind I endeavoured to show him that he was a sinner, and pointed him to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world." But after conversing with him awhile, he said, "I am not ignorant of these things for I have been warned time after time by the teachers and conductors of the school, with which I am connected, but, if I had my time to go over again, I would lead a different life."

On another occasion he was visited by four of his companions, and in speaking to them made use of the following language "Twelve months ago I was full of life and vigour and was as strong as any of you, I could run as fast or walk as far; but look at me now; and see what affliction has done for me. Now I advise you, while in health and strength, to lead a different life. I used to think my teachers and conductors were very strict, and too severe, but now I see it was all for my own good; and if I had but two or three years to live, Oh, how I would labour to repay them for the trouble they have had with me.”

About a fortnight before his death he was visited by two of the teachers, and after talking with him some time, they found that he still clung to the world. He, depending upon the medical treatment he was undergoing, acknowledged that up to this time he had hopes of getting better, but now he said, "They have all given me up and I don't think I shall get better!" The teachers strove to convince him of the folly of placing his affections on the things of this world, while he was to all appearances fast hastening to another. After they had left, he said to his mother, that it had been the happiest hour he had spent since he began to be unwell. He expressed great thankfulness to his teachers for visiting him; and spoke very highly of his mother, saying she was as good as any minister in giving him religious instruction. He was always glad to see any of the friends belonging to the school. He frequently enquired "Is my teacher come?"