this sort from Sheffield to Hull. Great care, however, is required on such occasions. How often do we hear the exclamation, "What would our fathers say if they could see our railroads!" What indeed! They could scarcely, as the saying is, believe their own eyes. : Well everything of this kind which is calculated to promote the comfort, and order, and happiness of the people at large is a blessing. How much better is it to spend thousands, and even millions of money in constructing railroads, than in war-bloody, cruel, ruinous, war! What millions of money have been spent in warwhat millions of lives have been lost in war! and for what? to please the fierce spirit of some proud and haughty despot! We have We have had a long peace. peace now. Men have had time to cultivate the arts. They are finding out the advantages of peace over war. Let us hope they will grow wiser, and as they grow wiser, we may hope they will grow better. BY GEORGE WILSON M'C CREE. THIS is a favourite expression with restless and discontented people. And what a dark, cheerless, desponding expression it is. But is it true? I think not. That there is much misery in the world I readily admit; but is there no happiness? O yes; the earth is full of joy. Look at the green fields, the running brooks, the waving corn, the gushing fountain, the leafy groves, the blooming flowers, and say if there is no happiness for man in this life. Why, the songs of the birds, the anthem of the winds, the fragrance of the flowers, the shining of the sun, the brilliance of the stars, and the fruits of the earth-all, all tell of ample joy. Look at that flower. It revels in an atmosphere of light. The sun shines upon it, and the soft wind refreshes it. See how graceful and lively it is. Look at it. Does God care more for that flower than for you? -more for a perishable plant than for an immortal being? Learn a lesson of wisdom from that lovely flower. "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" God does not send his creatures into the world to waste out a miserable existence. He has made the most munificent provision for our happiness, and is anxious, yes, anxious to make us blessed. "God is love." He is good, and his mercy endureth for ever. It is his will that the sons of men should obtain and enjoy his gracious benediction; and consequently it is the high, inestimable, and glorious privilege of man to be happy. True religion knows nothing of gloom-virtue knows nothing of melancholy. The im moral, the covetous, the selfish, the ambitious, the faithless, and the wicked, may be wretched, and doubtless they are; but their wretchedness is the result of their own misdeeds. The wise, the virtuous, the useful, the generous,-in one word-believers in Jesus, enjoy full happiness, and find “good in everything"-obtain peace for evermore; light beams around them, joy sits enthroned in their hearts, religion sheds her peerless glory on their path, safety attends their steps, and their names shall be had in everlasting remembrance! Be active, useful, affectionate, aud religious, and you shall rejoice all your days. THE STAY-AT-HOME TRAVELLERS. WINTER is coming again! Cold and dark winter. Yet even winter has its uses, and it has its charms too. In winter the ground rests, which has been bringing forth its numerous productions all the year; and the frosts destroy the swarms of insects or flies, or drive them into their hiding places; and which, but for the frosts, would increase and multiply so as to be quite troublesome, as is the case in some very hot countries. Winter has its charms too. The ground and trees covered with pure white snow, and the clear ice and brilliant icicles are all beautiful sights: and though it soon gets dark, almost before little folks leave school in the afternoon, yet the long winter nights afford delightful opportunities for amusement and instruction. In Chambers's Journal there is an interesting account of the manner in which families in Germany amuse themselves on winter evenings. We give an extract or two. "One amusement might be tried, and I think with success, which is called The Traveller. Suppose the children and parents, all gathered together; one is chosen as the master of the house, and one as the traveller, who goes out of the room, and enters it knocking for admission. The master of the house demands "Who is there? What do you wish for?" "I am a traveller," he replies, "and want a lodging for the night." "Come in," says the master of the house; "but give us a pledge of your good conduct." The traveller having done so, is invited to take his place at table, and to give an account of his travels. He commences by tracing out his tour, and by naming the principal cities, rivers, and mountains, in regular order, which he has seen; he then mentions the productions, customs, and peculiarities of the country, and permits any question to be asked regarding them. If any mistake be made-if, for |