death. When men see danger coming upon them, they generally try to get away from it; and sometimes this is right and wise. But it is not always 80. If what we are doing is right, if it be our duty to do it, then we must not leave it to avoid danger; and this is the case with many things which men have to do in this life. When duty bids men go, danger and evil must be risked, and even death itself. The disciples were to preach the Gospel, and when men are sent to this work, no danger must turn them back from it. But why did they not turn back when such danger was before them ? Because the love of Jesus is stronger than the fear of death. that endureth to the end shall be saved."

"He

REVISION.-What did Jesus send His disciples to do? Why did He tell them of the dangers before them? What were the dangers? When should dangers be avoided? When should we be willing to bear them? What can best enable men to brave danger? What is stronger than the fear of death?

Jan. 28.-A Father's Blessing. GEN. xlviii. 16: "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads."

1. An old man's blessing.· Jacob had been living for some time in Egypt. His sons were there too, though this was not the home in which they had been brought up. Do you remember how they came to live there? Jacob could now often see his beloved son Joseph. It was a great happiness to see him, and to know how good and how honoured he was. It was pleasant, too, to Joseph to have his dear father again so near him, after their long separation from each other. When it was seen that Jacob was drawing nigh to death, his sons were very anxious to receive his blessing. The blessing of a good man is a great prize. Even the great king Pharaoh was glad of

Jacob's blessing. How much better is the blessing of a father, and such a father as Jacob was!

2. Joseph's sons.-Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. They were yet young, but he much wished them also to get the blessing of their grandfather. One day a message was brought to Joseph that his father was sick. He hastened to his father's house, and took his sons with him. When Jacob heard that his son had come, he "strengthened himself," and sat up to see his son. He spoke tenderly to him, telling him of the kind and good way in which God had led him through life. He told him, too, of what blessings God had in store for him and for his children in the future. Then he asked who those were that Joseph had with him. The old man's eyes were dim with age, he could scarcely see them, so Joseph placed them before him. He drew them towards him, and kissed them, and said, "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads." Who was the Angel? Surely these two boys would never forget this blessing of their grandfather!

3. How to get blessings.-Have you a father? Do you love and reverence him as Joseph did his? He "bowed down to the earth" before his father, and was anxious to get his blessing. Serve the Lord as Jacob did, and trust Him all life through, and you will ever have His blessing as your reward. Jacob praised God for this, saying it was He Who had redeemed him from all evil. If in childhood you give Him your heart, you will be sure, if you live, of a blessed old age, and of a happy death.

REVISION.-Why did Joseph wish to have his father's blessing? Whom did he take with him? What did Jacob do to his grandsons? What did he say to them? Why was Jacob's a blessed old age? How may you get the same blessing?

FLORENCE AND BIRDIE
LAVERACK.

A HAPPY home is a beautiful sight. Many homes present dark pictures; but

we will look at a bright one. Religion beautifies the scene. It is Sunday night. Florence and Birdie, children of Sergeant Laverack, of Leeds, are the two dear little ones who are listening so eagerly to their

mother, as she tells them Bible stories. With eyes fixed on the face they love so well, and with lips apart, they receive the precious truths with great delight. Their faces grow brighter. By and by they clasp their hands rejoicing. Why? They have just heard how Jesus came out of His grave, and they share in the triumph. "Tell us more about Jesus," they say, again and again; never weary of hearing of Him. That home was indeed a blessed one. The ark of God had been there. Before the Wesleyan chapel was built in the neighbourhood, the house was used for preaching and other religious services. People went there to meet with God, and they found joy and salvation. The children in that home had many "fervent prayers of the righteous" offered for them. They were dedicated to God by their pious parents, who longed intensely for their safety from sin, and had rather they should be removed from earth than live to grieve God and injure others by evil deeds. They were trained to do good as well as be good. Florence had collected several shillings for the Missions, by going with a Missionary-box to their friends, who were always pleased to see them, and would put copper in the box. These children were dearly loved by all who knew them. Who can tell how much good they did by the sweet influences of their happy childhood?

His

Few children were so lovely, very few children were so good, as they were known to be. Florence had high spirits, which sometimes called for great restraint. When subdued, she was a loving, happy child again. Birdie was always gentle, and easily controlled; a reproving look was sufficient correction for him. feelings seemed calm and deep. He was a thoughtful, sensible, yet timid child. It was very pleasant to notice the harmony in their dispositions. Hand in hand they went to and fro. For a time they had to be separated. Florence visited her grandmamma and aunt in the country. There she was a great favourite, and met with many kind friends, who tried to interest and please her. She had a very happy time in the country. Her kind aunt and uncle were so attentive, and it was so delightful to be on the farm with

the poultry and the cattle, and amongst fields and flowers. All these things she remembered to the end of life here.

Florence's return home was a joyful one. Birdie ran to meet her; they threw their little arms round each other, and their hearts were full of gladness. "They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided."

They attended the Wesleyan dayschool. One day, when the Superintendent Minister visited the school, he went into the class-room where the infants were taught, and asked them, "Who loves Jesus?" Only Florence stood up and spoke. She said, very decidedly, "I do, Sir." The Minister replied he believed she did. Some time afterwards, in the month of April, the two children took severe colds. They rapidly became worse. Florence said God could make her better, and He did it in His own way. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

They suffered greatly from bronchitis. Birdie's appetite failed, and he sank rapidly. After a night of weariness and pain, he wished his Papa to take him up in his arms and nurse him. very patient all the night.

He had been

In the morn

ing his Papa asked him if he should say his prayers for him, as he was too ill to say them himself. Mr. L-commenced,

"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild," etc.

Birdie repeated the verse, and then, remembering that his little hands were unclasped, he put them together, and looked upward intelligently, as if he knew that God was there listening to him.

He prayed, "Suffer me to come to Thee." Jesus heard him, and soon called the dear child home. On the morning of the day on which he died, he spoke of the green fields, and wished to be there. His Mamma told him of the greener fields in heaven, where he was going, and he seemed quite satisfied with the prospect. Once he asked for his new Sunday boots to go to heaven in. These were placed beside him. He asked for his sister's boots to be brought, for" she must go too." During the last night on earth and

the following morning he talked about heaven, and said, "There's a golden harp for me." "" When Florence was told that Birdie was going away to live with Jesus, she was very thoughtful, and after a time said, "Mamma, I think I'd better go, too; for it will be a long time before you and Papa come." The loving sister wanted to take Birdie's hand, and care for him as she always had done.

On the Saturday, Birdie became insensible, and was soon with Jesus; Florence lingered till the next Wednesday. She had often spoken of loving Jesus, and wishing to follow Birdie. Her aunt told her when she got better she "should go to Barmby." Florence talked of the pleasant things in the country, and said, "Heaven's nicer than Barmby." A short time before her death she was very sensible, but her cough, and the exhaustion following it, prevented her talking as much as she evidently wished to do. When a friend was speaking to her about losing her cough and joining Birdie, and living together with Jesus, her eyes shone with more than earthly brightness. After some conversation, she said, "I don't want my dolls now; Jesus has got a nicer one for me." The last struggle came; when it was just ending, she called out, "Papa, Mamma, Aunty, I'm going; I'm going."

These dear children had borne their sufferings very patiently. Florence struggled bravely with her cough. Before her illness she had struggled with herself well, and tried to submit,-seemed anxious to please her parents, and showed great attention to the baby-sister. Thus she was preparing for heaven. She was only four years of age, and her brother was two years and four months old.

O, how simple and powerful is the religion which makes infants conscious of the things beyond this life, and shows to them the love of Jesus! Who can solve the mysteries of love!

It is very good and pleasing to God when children show love to their parents, and obey them with a willing, cheerful mind. God has said He will bless such children, and that it shall be well with

them. Sometimes He causes them to live long on the earth, but when He sees it would be a greater blessing to have less of this life and more of heaven, He takes them to Himself; so it was with dear Florence Elizabeth, and John Alfred Bird, children of Sergeant Laverack. Florence was such a merry, pretty little girl, with blue eyes and fair curly hair, I am sure you would like to have known her; she was so kind to her little brother, whom she loved so dearly. Their father and mother both loved God, and trained these dear children to love and serve Him also. You would be surprised to hear how much they knew of God and heaven, although they were so young. You know Florence was not always a good girl. Sometimes she would get out of temper, and would not do as she was bid directly but about three or four months before she was taken ill, she was always trying to please her father and mother, and would run to rock the little baby without being told, when she heard it cry, and knew her mother was busy; and if sometimes she did things or said things that grieved her kind parents, she used to be so sorry, and say, "I will try to be a better girl, dear Mamma."

:

Florence said to a lady, with great earnestness, "Jesus has called, and my Birdie has gone, and I am going too." A little more suffering, and her spirit had fled,

"And the hand that was grasp'd,

And so fondly clasp'd,

Now lifeless and cold,

Had relax'd its hold."

She died the 11th of May, 1871.

LINES WRITTEN ON THE DEATH OF
FLORENCE AND BIRDIE LAVERACK.

THEY sunk like drops of morning dew,
Into the green and quiet earth,
Until the sun their radiance drew

Back to the heaven that gave it birth. There, bright in rainbow hues they shine, Lovelier than earth's most lovely flowers;

There, with a radiance more Divine,

They glisten through celestial bowers.
JULIA WILLOUGABY.

Revival in the R- Sunday-school, Glamorganshire.

To the Editor.

SIR,-IN the hope that the following account of a revival with which we have been blessed in our Sunday-school may be the means of encouraging the friends who labour for God in this way, I send it, if you think it worthy, for insertion in your Sunday-School Magazine.

In the month of April, 1871, one Sunday evening, after the usual prayer-meeting, some five of the elder girls connected with the Sunday-school were observed to be lingering behind the congregation as they were leaving the school-room, where our public worship was at that time held, and

on being spoken to, it was found that they were all in deep concern about their souls. Some of the friends, who were also teachers in the school, remained with them for prayer for about an hour, and as they did not any of them find peace with God then, they were counselled to go to their homes, and continue in prayer to God for the blessing they were seeking. A special prayer-meeting was arranged for the next evening, to which they were invited, and the same friends engaged to meet them. At the time appointed, the young people were punctual, and brought with them some ten or twelve other senior scholars, both male and female. Before the commencement of the meeting, it was found that one of the girls had

found peace while wrestling in prayer at home, and as soon as the service was begun it was evident that the converting power of God was present, and the result of the first evening's meeting was that some eight young people professed to have found peace with God.

These special prayer-meetings were continued for about three weeks, the school-room being usually well filled by the scholars and teachers of the school, the latter being assisted by the Minister more especially connected with the Society. The number of conversions at the end of that time amounted to about fifty. They were divided into three Society classes, under the leadership of one of the Superintendents and two of the teachers, and these classes continue with undiminished numbers to this day. Three of the junior female teachers of the school also experienced the converting grace of God in connection with these prayer-meetings, and the Society generally was quickened into renewed spiritual life.

Some of the circumstances connected with the conversion of these young people and children (for there were converts from the age of eighteen down to six years) are intensely interesting, as showing the earnestness and simplicity of that faith in Jesus Christ which saves the soul. One girl of about sixteen years of age, had been in deep distress for some time, and as she appeared almost exhausted with weeping and kneeling, a friend desired her to sit on the form, and while encouraging her to continue in supplication, and listening to her account of what she felt, he said, "I believe you will find peace with God before you sleep." She replied, "I am sure I shall, Sir, for I do not intend to sleep until I do." Need it be said that very soon after this young girl stept into the glorious liberty wherewith God makes His children free? Another, while kneeling, and apparently in deep distress, was pointed to the blood of Christ which cleanseth from all sin. She replied, "But I am so wicked." "Then you are exactly the person Jesus Christ came to save," was the answer. After a few minutes' pause, she again asked, "But what must I do?" "Are you sorry for your past sins?" "Yes."

"Well, that is repentance. Do you believe that Jesus Christ came to save you-as if there were no other sinner on earth but yourself?" After a slight pause she said, "Yes" "Well, you can do no more than that, Jesus Christ has done all else for you. Only believe on Him and trust Him to save you." "Is that all?" she said; and after a few moments' silent prayer, she again lifted her head, saying, "O, Sir, I am so happy!' One little girl, relating to her father how she had found peace with God, said, "I went to God, father, and asked Him to forgive me, just as I come and ask you to give me anything."

In nearly every case similar accounts might be given, but it is hoped that the foregoing may serve to show that it does not require a matured intellect to embrace the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ, but that now, as in olden time, out of the mouths of babes God does perfect praise; and to convince some who are slow to believe in the conversion of children, that the change of heart may be as real, and the trust in Christ as perfect in them as in older persons.

Fellow-labourers in Sabbath-schools, take courage. The promise is to us and to our children. Labour on, and pray on, and though sometimes our hands hang down, and we say, "Who hath believed our report?" let us "not be weary in well doing," for in due season we shall "reap" if we "faint not."

DEAR SIR,-HAVING laboured in one of our country places near Manchester in an infant-class, and found it a hard task for a beginner, I beg to offer a few remarks which might be of use. In our school we have a small room separate from the large school-room. We open our class with a short prayer, and then we sing a hymn of a simple kind; and next put up an alphabet card, and call one of our scholars out, and ask him to point to the first letter of his or her Christian name; J for John, or M for Mary. While the boy or girl is pointing out the letter,