LIGHT OF THE SABBATH.

241

child is invested. But, alas! now comes the failure; the natural talents of children are often cultivated only in accordance with fashion or family pride, or the ignorance of the parent.

The nobleman's son may have the genius of a mechanic, but his father intends him to go into Parliament-he may, perhaps, have artistic talents, but he is to be trained for the church. The tradesman's son may have a talent for business, but his father and mother are thinking of something higher for him-so he is sent to study law, with perhaps the thought of his being some great and mighty man in the vanishing point of perspective! The labourer's son has a genius for boatmaking and engineering, but what of that? his father will make no effort to help him on towards any thing better than his own species of labour-to hoe turnips and potatoes, drive the plough, or attend to the stable. We have known some young men obliged to drag along with weary steps in the path a father has marked out for them, which was altogether unsuitable to their taste and talents ; and when the father has been placed in the grave, they have gone forth to follow the dictates nature implanted, and then, in after-life, they have shone forth with a brightness which has dazzled all who knew them in early life, and we have heard those who were looking on remark, knew even the germ of such good things was there!"'—no, truly, because it had so long been buried amidst rubbish heaped upon it by the father. We believe parents often make sad mistakes of this kind, simply because they never take the trouble to ascertain the characters of the children committed to their training-but a hint to the wise is enough!

LIGHT OF THE SABBATH.

66 we never

SABBATICAL rays, from earth's fountain of light,
Stream forth and disperse every vestige of night-
Shine bright on this festival morn.

Oh! tinge with a heavenly lustre each spot,
Revive every impress of Sabbaths forgot,

With gladness all nature adorn.

242

FRAGMENTS FOR SPARE MOMENTS.

→ Sabbatical rays from Thee, fountain of light,
Great Sun of all Righteousness, now we invite,
The mist of the world to dispel.

Let nought intercept such a radiance as thine,
Shine into our spirits, oh, Saviour, now shine!
With Thee doth all happiness dwell.

Sabbatical rays, from the fountain of light,
Beam into the chamber of suffering night,

And brighten the sorrowing heart;

Illumine death's valley and Jordan's dark stream,
And through the deep shadows some comforting gleam
Bestow whilst their spirits depart.

Sabbatical rays, from the fountain of light,
Each thought and each word of the teacher indite,
Who tells of thy heavenly truth;

With a heart full of love, only longing to see
The little ones flocking, dear Saviour, to thee,
All fresh in the dew of their youth.

Sabbatical rays, from the fountain of light,
Immanuel's ambassadors' minds now ignite

With the Spirit's own heavenly flame ;
Like incense may rise from the fane of each heart
The fire of devotion-and many a dart

Strike thither whence no homage came.

Sabbatical rays, from the fountain of light,
In plenteous effusion, oh, dawn on the sight
Of the dark-minded heathen abroad!
Wherever the Gospel's bright standard's unfurled,
May multitudes flock from our perishing world,
And join in one song to our God.

P. G.

Colchester.

FRAGMENTS FOR SPARE MOMENTS.

TAKE CARE HOW YOU TALK, FATHer.

CHILDHOOD is like a mirror, catching and reflecting images from all around it. Remember, father, that an impious or profane thought, uttered by thy lips, may operate on the young hearts around thee like a careless spray of water

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

243

thrown upon polished steel, staining it with rust which no after-scouring can efface. "Idle words" are to be remembered when the pillars of the earth are knocked away!

EXISTENCE A SOLEMN TRUST.

Mother! this solemn trust is yours. Your existence must go on; and, as it proceeds, it gathers responsibility at every step; it is maturing for its eternal state. Death but confirms existence,-sets the seal, and settles the destiny. After death cometh the judgment. Is there no preparation. necessary? Are there no sins to be given up? no prayers to be offered? no Saviour to be sought? Will you give to eternity no attention? Will you make no sacrifice for holiness and heaven? What if it should be said of your dear children in the court of heaven, "The next year they shall die." Where will they spend eternity? And suppose it should be said of you? Where will you go when you leave the judgment-seat of Christ? To endless woe,or to everlasting blessedness? You may soon answer this question with the Bible in your hand;-take it and look.

HOW TO HAVE GOOD COMPANY.

The Spaniards say, "a good companion makes good company." Remember this, young friends. If you want good company, see that you provide a good companion.

If

you are always such, none but good company will wish to be with you. If you become known as a good youth, the profane and wicked will either not wish to associate with you, or they will restrain their wickedness while in Your presence.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

The History of Abraham. By ANNIE ELIZABETH. London: Ward & Co.

We should like our fellow-teachers to procure this little book. Read the PREFACE as well as the work.

J. Unwin, Gresham Steam Press, 31, Bucklersbury, London.

THE MOTHERS' FRIEND:

A Monthly Magazine,

TO AID AND ENCOURAGE THOSE MOTHERS WHO HAVE LITTLE TIME

TO READ, AND LITTLE MONEY TO SPEND ON BOOKS.

EDITED BY ANN JANE.

"Her children arise up and call her blessed."-PROVERBS OF SOLOMON.

VOL. V.

LONDON:

WARD AND CO., 27, PATERNOSTER-ROW; EDINBURGH: W. OLIPHANT AND SON; ABERDEEN: G. AND R. KING; GLASGOW: R. JACKSON; HUDDERSFIELD: THOMPSON; AND ALL BOOKSELLERS.

MDCCCLII.