limits, and whose sovereignty all nature acknowledges. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without his notice. And will he then be unmindful of his servants? It cannot be. His eye watched over Noah with unremitting assiduity, his omnipotent arm encircled and protected him, and in his own due time, after the waters had prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days, he caused them to assuage, and the ark rested on firm ground, on Mount Ararat. Shortly after this, Noah, desirous to know if the waters were gone, sent forth a raven, which did not return, but went forth to and fro till the waters were abated from off the earth, probably supporting itself on the bodies of the various animals destroyed by the flood. He likewise sent forth a dove, which quickly returned, for she could find no rest for the sole of her foot, the waters being still upon the face of the earth. Seven days after this he sent out the dove again, and it returned, bearing in its mouth an olive leaf; a welcome token to Noah, for it plainly indicated to him an abatement of the waters. When seven days more had elapsed, he again sent forth the dove, and it came back to the ark no more, so that Noah was then assured the waters were nearly gone. When the waters of the flood

had subsided, God commanded Noah to come out of the ark with all the creatures that were with him. He heard the word of the Almighty, and joyfully obedient, immediately acted as he was commanded. And when he was come forth, with a heart overflowing with thankfulness, he erected an altar, and offered to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving for his mercy, in having so miraculously preserved him and his family from death. Pleased with this pious expression of his gratitude, the Lord blessed him, and graciously promised that he would never again destroy the world by a flood, and that while the earth remained, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, should not cease, appointing the rainbow as a sign by which mankind might ever after remember his promise.

In this beautiful phenomenon, we have a striking memorial of the mercy of God. May we ever view it in its true light—may we not look at it as intended merely to please the eye, and call forth the admiration of the spectator on account of its beauty; but whenever we behold this radiant arch spanning the vault of heaven in all its splendour and magnificence, may it put us in remembrance of this gracious covenant

of the Lord with his servant Noah, and excite in our minds the liveliest emotions of gratitude and praise for his loving-kindness and goodness to the children of men.

In considering the various circumstances connected with this awful display of the divine justice, we see what a determined hatred God has to sin. Oh! my dear young friends, think of this. Does God hate sin, and will you not hate it too? Remember, whoever loves sin, and lives and dies impenitent, must inevitably suffer a far more dreadful punishment than this we have been contemplating. Oh! then, let not sin have dominion over you-let it have no place in your affections, but ever strive and watch against it, and fly from it as from the face of a serpent. Go, cast yourselves at the foot of the cross, seeking for pardon through a crucified Saviour. And may you never relax your efforts till you are assured of your interest in the great salvation. Then, and not till then, will you be happy in the life that now is, and when you shall have done with all things here, it will be your blissful portion to spend a happy eternity in the bright mansions of glory,

Where we shall see his face,

And never, never sin;

But from the rivers of his grace,
Drink endless pleasures in.

BY S. W. MARERIDGE.

WITH dark foreboding thoughts opprest,
I wandered forth one summer day,
Hoping abroad to ease my breast,
And grief allay.

Deep in a lone and green retreat
I laid me down with many a sigh,
When lo, a daisy at my feet
Allured my eye.

Methought with sympathetic smile
It seemed to pity and reprove,
And thus my bitter care beguile
With words of love:-

'Sad mortal, cease these anxious sighs;
Why sit you thus in sorrow here ?
Does not each leaf that meets thine eyes
Reprove thy fear?

'Although a mean unheeded flower,
My daily wants are all supplied;
And He who brought me to this hour
Will still provide.

'The light and dew, the sun and rain,
Are hourly sent to foster me,
And fearest thou God will not deign
To think on thee?'

Ashamed I rose, rebuked my care,
And blessed the teacher of the sod,
Resolved to chase away despair,

And trust in God.

From Chambers.

ENGLISH boys and girls have often been told that they should pity the heathen, and do what they can to send them Bibles and Missionaries, that they may be taught the knowledge of God. Some children might excuse themselves by saying, "How do we know we should do any good?" This is not right. We are sure to do good, sooner or later, if we try. But Bibles and Missionaries are doing good-great good. In India, the people are idolatrous. They do