o' yourself, and don't go and forget all on us at home, for you'll never find no folks to treat you better nor us, and be sure as you write good long letters to your ma'." Charley laughed and promised, then bidding his sisters"good-bye," and clasping his brother's hand in a long, close pressure, he was ready to start. Harry took his father's place in the shop, that he might see Charley off, and on their way to the station the boy opened his heart to his father, and told him of his resolve to give his life up to Christ, of the peace he had found, and the love which now glowed in his heart for the Saviour; adding, "Please don't tell mother, I want to thank her myself for all she has been to me, so I shall write directly I get there." And in two days the letter came-a letter which Gertrude read and re-read with tears of grateful joy. Harold had long given them reason to believe that he had yielded up his heart to Christ, but for Charley the mother's heart had often feared, he was so impulsive, so high-spirited, and easily led; but now, with this precious letter in her hand, Gertrude felt that her cup ran over. Another joy was yet to be hers, for Mrs. Dudley came in on the same evening, and bending over her couch asked, "How are you to-day?" 'Only waiting," was the smiling answer, "God is so good to me, I have scarcely anything to wish for, excepting deeper gratitude to Him. Read my precious letter, Clara.” Mrs. Dudley took it from her, and sat down to its perusal, while Gertrude watched her with affectionate interest. Clara Dudley had changed during these ten years, and often Gertrude had hoped that God was working in her soul. Much of her old querulousness, impatience, and selfishness had vanished, and she seemed to be struggling to fulfil her life mission. late years Edwin and his wife had been far happier than they had been in the former part of their married life, and now,

Of

as Clara gave back the letter, she said, "It is strange that I, too, came to tell you something this evening, and to thank you also. I am going to profess myself a disciple of the Lord, dear Mrs. Oakley, and under Him I owe my first impressions of good to you. You have been the instrument of leading me to the cross, you have taught me by your counsels, your prayers, and your life, the blessedness of living for Christ and doing His work. I thank you for all, and Edwin joins his thanks with mine, for if it had not been for the words which you spoke to me some ten years back, we might have gone on living in misery. God bless you and repay you, for we never can." Gertrude was indeed repaid, her heart overflowed with joy, and when she told Harold they thanked God together, and in calm patience waited His further will. It seemed impossible that she could remain with him much longer, but as their parting approached, he clung to her more and more; and they had times of blessed heartcommunion, which in after days were lived over again in memory by the one who was left to tread life's pathway alone.

HOME ADORNMENTS FROM A KING'S CASKET.

NO. X.

THERE are many questions asked in the

T

Bible to which there can hardly be any answer, so plainly do they answer themselves. As when the Apostle says, "Who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good?" Or again, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" At once you reply, "No one." But in Proverbs xxxi. 10 we have a question of a different character, when Solomon inquires, "Who can find a virtuous woman, for her price is far above rubies?" We have not to say in answer, "None can,”

for in the succeeding verses we have the character drawn of such a woman, which, though it may be an imaginary portraiture, has its representatives in real live, even though they be few now, as they were in Solomon's time. The "virtuous woman" here is evidently the virtuous wife, as it has been translated, from the whole passage, it is clear that it is the mother of a family, and the female head of a household, that the writer has in his mind. Such wives are not so abundant that they do not need to be sought for, so the statement comes as a question, "Who can find," &c. There are some whose good qualities are unappreciated by the world at large, from the fact that they live and move in a narrow sphere; or it may be hinted, that he who has not yet married, but intends to do so, should look for and admire the pattern wife here shown, that he may see exhibited in her the results of that conduct which secures the happiness of home, and understand fully what should be the character of the maiden whom he might hope would prove a similar wife and mother. So valuable is this wife, that the estimate of her worth would place it far beyond the choicest natural things of earth. The sparkling ruby is beautiful as well as valuable; throwing its ruddy lustre from its golden setting for hundreds of years unchanged; yet if you cluster these together, the virtuous wife is worth far more. Some read the word in the Hebrew as meaning "pearls" as rare, or nearly as rare and choice, as the ruby, when they are large. A good wife is dearer to her husband than these also, yea, she is his pearl, a living pearl, the light and brightness of his home. It would very much weaken the force of this proverb were we to limit it to what is sometimes understood as being "virtuous"-that is to say, not immoral in speech or conduct. The excellent woman here spoken of was that—but much more besides. A wife may be outwardly virtuous, yet she may be a very use

less person in the world; she can even be the cause of much mischief and harm, though she keep within the bounds of ordinary propriety of conduct. Virtuous, is here a comprehensive term, embracing within it those things which make the wife deserving of our admiration and respect. She is distinguished for her usefulness and piety as well as for purity. She possesses and employs, for the benefit of others, many gifts of body and mind; probably, however, one of the leading ideas of the word here is strength, or courage, in which sense we have "virtue" occurring several times in the Old and New Testaments. In this is not implied anything masculine or unsuited to the gracefulness and gentleness which should adorn woman ; it is a courageous determination to be and to do right-an aptness for duty and a readiness for emergencies. This model wife was a vigorous character; she had none of the unhealthy listlessness which affects so many women, both single and married; and it was in what is termed the "domestic circle," that her powers had full play. There it has been well said,—"Woman may be a queen, and by her quick perception, her instinctive decision, her tender sensibilities, she may accomplish vastly more for the well-being of others than if she be thrust into posts her Creator never intended her to fulfil." With all her courage, she is still feminine, and of her strength she is not proud, for she knows whence it is derived, and why it is granted. Have we many wives in our day who are thus virtuous? A certain kind of boldness,

of self-assertion, is common, too common; but this is not the courage the Bible commends. We find in the account here given of the life of the virtuous wife in the family and in the world, that her strength is employed wisely, not used for display or for her own gratification. Her husband's heart rejoiced in her, and he could say of her as was said by Boaz of an ancestor of king Solomon, the excellent Ruth,-" All the city of my people shall know that thou art a virtuous woman."

THE ROSE-BUD.
GLAD young thing lay gently prest

Its soft round cheek was fresh and fair,
And a golden tinge had its silken hair:
And ever 'twould smile with a dimpled grace,
As it turned to that fondly beaming face.
With a loly smile, the mother prest
That smiling babe to the yearning breast.
A few short hours and the conqueror, Death,
Had withered the bud with his icy breath:
And the mother's heart grew wild with grief,
That her darling's life should be so brief.
But a holy voice in that trying hour
Came to her spirit with soothing power.
It spoke of a brighter world above,

Of a cherub band and a God of love.

E. V. S.

PAGE FOR OUR YOUNG FRIENDS.

"CH

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

YHRISTMAS is coming!" The thought recurred pleasantly to Mr. Forrest, as he sat in his office, with the snow beating against the windows, and the fierce wind rattling the casements, for his mind reverted to his quiet little home, a few streets off where the night before he had sat up till late with his wife and children making wreaths and garlands of evergreens, so as to decorate the house in genuine oldfashioned Christmas style. This was the first Christmas that Mr. Forrest had really felt himself able to keep as those of his own boyhood had been kept-with all the delicious mystery of presents and stockinghangings, gifts and toys. He was not rich, it had always been necessary for him to economise; but this year, by dint of extra work and extra exertions, he had laid aside a little sum of money which he intended should be spent in presents for his three rosy, healthy children, and a very pleasant| perplexing piece of work it was to decide what they should be. "Let me see, soliloquised Mr. Forrest to himself; "it is really time the matter was decided on-the day after to-morrow is the eventful day, and

there isn't a moment to be lost in making the selections." He poised his heels thoughtfully on the fender, and gazed reflectively into the glowing fire, pondering on the respective merits of all the holiday-attired windows he had passed that morning on his way to the office. “On the whole,” he said to himself, “I believe Charlie would like a handsome pair of skates best—he is just the age when hearty out-door exercise is the most beneficial, and I know he has wanted some for a long time, only he has thought I could not afford it. A good boy is Charlie, and he shall have the skates. I think I shall add some drawing-cards and pencils, he is so fond of drawing, and it will make his evenings pass pleasantly at home. George shall have one of those fine stereoscopes, and a good serviceable sled ; and as for little Mary, a rosewood work-box, fitted with silver thimble, scissors, and all the little etceteras, will be the very thing for her, with half-a-dozen children's books." And Mr. Forrest rubbed his hands exultingly, as he thought of the happy faces there would be at home when Santa Claus should have safely deposited all these various budgets. At this moment Eddy Brown, the little office-boy, came in with the coalscuttle to replenish the grate. He was a quick, bright-looking little fellow of about twelve, who had always been very diligent and steady; and Mr. Forrest, in the benevolent fulness of his heart, bethought himself of extending the Christmas influences even to this fatherless boy. So he put his hand in his pocket, saying, "Eddy, my boy!" "Sir!" "Here is a Christmas present for you, Eddy. You have always been a very good boy, and I think you deserve it." "Thank you, sir,” said Eddy, with a pleased and gratified look, as he took the piece of money from his employer's hand. It was a great sum for him, and he felt very grateful for Mr. Forrest's kindness, but, nevertheless, the smile did not linger long on his face. He wore a sad