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delvers are worth more than all the idle people in the world put together. Where the sluggard and slothful live weeds will grow, but it is quite another thing where industry resides.

If ever you should go through Tibberton, be sure that you make a call on John Freeth; for he will show you his garden and his cottage, and do you good by his pleasant conversation. There was a time when John Freeth was idle and careless, and neglected his Bible, and then he was gloomy and always complaining; but ever since it pleased God to open his eyes and impress his heart with the truth of his holy word, he has been quite another man. With a civil tongue, a kind heart, and a hand ready to labour, he is now all cheerfulness and thanksgiving, and his language is," My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." Luke i. 46, 47.

CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

HEATHEN FESTIVAL IN CEYLON.

By a Missionary.

My young friends, that you may know about the miseries of the heathen, I will give you some account of the last day of a festival which was held in April, at the heathen temple near the church where I labour. The mission church has a tower sixty feet in height, and from its belfry a person may overlook the temple, and see into its compound or yard, and witness much that is done there. The account was mainly written while in the belfry, and while looking down upon the vast crowd who were

engaged in these follies. You may suppose that we have been giving away tracts near the temple, and that you are now by my side in the belfry, seeing all that is done with your own eyes.

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The great car, about thirty feet in height, is now in the street in front of the church, having been drawn around from the back of the temple. It stops on its way, to allow incense to be offered and other ceremonies performed before the idol. Three men are now breaking cocoa-nuts before the car, in honour of the god. A little before them is lying a large pile of one thousand of these nuts. A blacksmith, who has been in the habit for several years of performing this task, has just now commenced breaking this pile of one thousand, having first carried one of the nuts to the car

and offered it to the idol, at the same time receiving from a Brahmin, or priest, some sacred ashes, made of burnt cow-manure, with which he rubbed his forehead, neck, and shoulders. He is a man who has worked a great deal for the missionaries, and knows well that this ceremony is all folly. He has often promised the missionaries that he would never do it again; yet, when the festival comes, with its idle pomp and show, he breaks his promise, and again commits this folly and sin. He has eaten but little food for two or three days, and has already this morning been rolling in the temple, so that his labour is very exhausting and a great trial of strength. Fifteen minutes have passed, and five hundred of the nuts are now broken. There are several natives in the tower with us, who are counting as he breaks them. The blacksmith uses only his left hand, standing nearly still, while one or two persons hand him the nuts. Some of the broken pieces have to be removed, so as to keep the rock clear upon which he breaks them.

Hark! what a noise. What crowding and confusion among the dark throng who are assembled. The idol is nearly hidden from view in the car, by the curtains which surround it. On the car, which is drawn by long ropes, are several persons, some to steady the idol, some to fan it, and some to sprinkle the incense. Behind the car are more than one hundred persons, lying in the dust, ready to roll forward as soon as the car starts. What a sad sight!

Now all the nuts are broken. Behold what a scramble of the crowd, boys and men, to pick up the pieces of the cocoa-nuts. Some are fill

ing their cloths, (a part of their clothes,) unwinding them from their waists; while others are filling baskets, and carrying them off upon their heads. Look there; some thievish persons are stealing from the baskets of others to put into their own. The blacksmith, streaming with heat and the water which has spirted upon him from the broken nuts, has gone to a tank near by to bathe himself.

The pieces are now all gathered up, and now the car rolls on, and a mass of men, made in God's image, and destined to live for ever, roll after it. As they roll through the mud which has been made by the cocoa-nut water, their nearly naked bodies become plastered with filth, and they scarcely seem to belong to the human race. Women, too, are following the car; not rolling, but measuring their way upon their knees, bowing down every few steps, and putting their faces in the dust. Some of them have their little children with them, teaching them to worship the unsightly idol.

And now the car has reached its stoppingplace, having completed the circuit outside of the temple compound. The great business of the day is over, and the crowds are beginning to disperse; so we will descend, having seen enough to make any Christian weep at the miseries of idolatry, and to lead him to long for that time of which holy men have prophesied, and which is hastening on apace, when

"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun

Does his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more."

And now, dear young friends, let me ask you

what you will do for these worshippers of false gods, and for those children who walk beside their mothers after the great idol car? The souls of these poor children are just as precious as yours, and they can never be saved and reach heaven without being washed in the blood of Christ. Will you think of these children, and of their unhappy parents? Will you pray for them? Will you give your money to teach them? And more, will you give your hearts to Jesus Christ, so that when you grow to be men and women, you may feel more interest in their welfare, and be ready to do whatever God shall call you to do on their behalf? May the blessed Saviour aid you to answer these questions wisely, and as you will wish you had done when you are called to die.

THE HIVE AND ITS WONDERS.

No. 3.

THE YOUNG BEE-DRONES-HONEY.

"Look now abroad. All creatures see,
How they are fill'd with life and glee!
The little bees among the flowers

Have laboured since the morning hours."

THE little bee seems to enjoy the life which the Creator has given it. As soon as it can use its wings, it appears to know what its duties and labours are to be for the rest of its life. For a day or two after it comes from its cell, the young bee is pale in colour, feeble, and unable to fly. But it soon gains strength, walks about upon the comb, seeks for the door of the hive, and prepares to go abroad, and to be useful. From that hour the worker bee is never

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