the little bee. When we look upon these, and all his works, we feel that, though they speak not in words, they yet seem silently to declare to every one, "God made us: he is almighty in goodness, in wisdom, and in power!"

O Thou, to whom all creatures bow
Within this earthly frame,

Through all the world how great art thou!
How glorious is thy name!

CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN HEATHEN LANDS.

THE widow of a missionary in China has given the following account:-"A poor little Chinese girl, about six years of age, was lately brought for admittance into our school. She had been sold by her mother, according to a practice common among heathen parents, to one of her own countrymen; who, after two months had passed, again sold her to another, who, with his wife, used her very cruelly. These unfeeling people often put upon her tasks which would have been heavy to many older and stronger persons, and it seems as if they even denied her proper food. She was, in short, 'ready to perish,' when she was rescued from danger and death by a Christian_gentleman, who offered to purchase her. Her master readily agreed to sell her for ten dollars, or about twenty-two shillings. These the gentleman paid, and not knowing what to do with the poor child, he sent her to me, knowing that 1 had a school for little girls."

"Some months afterwards, I heard a loud

knocking under my windows, and looked out. I saw several Chinese females and an elderly man, with a poor little blind girl, standing below. As soon as they saw me, they cried out aloud, begging me to purchase the child, with whom they wished to part. She is blind,' they said, and just six years old; will you not buy her?' The price they asked was ten dollars. I told them that I had no wish to deprive them of their child, and without losing much time on them, drew back my head, thinking on the great difference between Christian and heathen parents. In our own country, how tenderly are children treated! If sickness befals them, how lovingly will a mother watch over them! Should she be obliged for a short time to leave their bedside, does she not hasten back to them? But what is the lot of little Chinese children? Generally, they have no kind parents; no one to care for their wants; they may sicken or die, but who is there to nurse or watch them? And should they be blind, or lame, or in any way unfit for labour, their friends will sell them for a small sum of money, and see them no more. Surely, the favoured children of Christian lands should pity the many millions in China, and strive to give to them the true light of the word of God, which teaches the husband to regard his wife as a companion, not as a slave; and which leads parents to consider their children as gifts from God, to be trained for his glory."

There are indeed some among the heathen who are not wanting in love to their children; but, alas! even these cannot point out to them the only way to heaven.-From the German.

SING, BROTHER, SING!

Such was the request of a young Hindoo Christian to his friend a few hours before he died. Rejoicing in the love of Christ, he called for help in praising the Lamb that was slain, and who had washed him from his sins in his own blood.

This young Brahmin had been truly converted through the labours of faithful missionaries in India. He had given abundant proofs of love to the name and service of Jesus Christ. His godly life, however, was not of long continuance, for it pleased his heavenly Father to call him early to himself. That dreadful disease, the cholera, was the means whereby he was removed to a better world. A short time before his death, another young native Christian came to see and comfort him; and as he laid his languishing head upon the bosom of his young friend, he broke out in an ecstasy of joy, saying, in his native tongue, "Sing, brother, sing!" "And what shall I sing ?" asked his friend. "Sing salvation, salvation through the death of Jesus! salvation through Jesus Christ!" And so he died.

And it was well to die with such words of triumph on his tongue, and such songs of praise in his ear. A sinner, a heathen sinner, hears of Jesus, and believes in his name. He feels the joy of pardoned sin, and, trusting in the righteousness of Christ for salvation, he looks upward with gladness in his dying hour, ripe for the joys of heaven, fully prepared to join in the songs of the redeemed.

VAIN NEW YEAR'S WISHES.

"I WISH," said little Lucy Gray,
As fast as she could speak,
"That balls and parties I could have
This whole year, once a week.
I wish to go to every ball,

And dance the year away;
And bid good-bye to school and books,
And all my childish play."

"I wish," said Isabella May,
"A splendid coach and four
Would every sunny morning
Come driving to my door;
That we might ride far, far away,
By river, wood, and hill,
And listen to the merry birds,
And rippling of the rill."

"My wish is for a splendid house,"
Said proud Augusta Lee,

"With gardens, lawns, and parks outspread
As far as eye can see.
Money and servants at command,
No trouble I should fear;

But be as happy as a queen,

All through the live-long year."

"I wish that every day this year," Said giddy Fanny Green,

"I could just have a sweet new dress

Of silk or balzorine.

New hat and flowers once every week,

And shawls and scarfs so gay,

And dress up, in my best, and go
A shopping every day."

"I wish," said Clara Meredith,
"That I could always do

Just what I please, skip, hop, and jump,
From now, this whole year through.
I want to roam about the fields
All the long summer-day,

And gather flowers and berries bright,
And never tire of play."

CONTRAST.

Sweet Amy Hubert gently sighed,
The rose-tint flushed her cheek,
Her voice was very low, but clear,
Her look most mild and meek.
"I wish," she said, "that God would love,
And bless me with his care,

And fill my heart with holiness,

And humble, grateful prayer;

That a new heart, on this new year,

He'd give his erring child,

And clothe me with the righteousness
Of Christ the undefiled."

A PRAYER.

As every day God's mercy spares
Must bring its trials and its cares,
My Saviour, till my life shall end,
Be thou my Guardian and my Friend;
Teach me thy precepts, all divine,
And be thy great example mine.