and strength. Never be afraid of asking Christ to heal you: He surely will, if He sees it to be the best for you.

There are some children Jesus loves so well, that He does not mean to cure them. He sees they might grow foolish and wicked, and He means them to be wise and good; and He shuts them out from the world; and in their room of sickness He takes up His abode, and teaches them faith and patience, and speaks so gently to their hearts, that they had rather be with Him, and apart from the busy world.

And there are some precious ones on whom His heart is set; and He intends to call them early to His own bright and beautiful home in heaven, where they shall never feel another pain, or shed another tear.

We pray you to be glad and rejoice, little sufferers, who love Christ, and ask Him to make this the happiest and best year of your lives.

Prince, and the people were prepared to love him for his good and brave father's sake. His uncles ruled the kingdom for him; but they did not please the nation, and an unjust tax was imposed, which nearly caused a civil war. It was a poll-tax of a shilling each, levied on all who were above fifteen years old.

One of the collectors quarrelled with a tyler, and was killed. Wat Tyler, as he was called, stirred up the people to free themselves from the yoke of bondage, and an immense mob joined him. The King, then sixteen years old, had to take refuge in the Tower. The rebels sent a request that they might see him, and persuade him to alter many things which his uncles had imposed. Those uncles were then absent from the kingdom. The King agreed; but when he and his noblemen perceived the thousands of people assembled on the banks of the Thames, in a wild and riotous state of excitement, they returned in their barge to the Tower. Dreadful scenes of slaughter followed. The King showed great courage, and met the assembled mob the next day. The people demanded their freedom, and the King commanded charters to be written out, and given to all

Lord Mayor drew his sword and killed him. This is the scene depicted in the picture. A panic seized his followers, and the King, with wonderful presence of mind, proclaimed himself their leader; and they were so taken by surprise, that they implored pardon, which he granted, and no more was heard of the affair.

It would have been happy indeed if the King had acted as well and wisely after. But he became weak and foolish, and very gay, and would not attend to business. He married a very excellent princess, Anne of Bohemia; but he would not take her advice. The people grew more and more dissatisfied, and they began to wish to dethrone him. He had no son, and his good Queen was dead.

Richard behaved very ill to his uncles; he ordered one to be put to death, and when John of Gaunt died, he seized on his money and lands, and took them from Henry of Hereford, his son. Henry asserted his rights, and the people were so indignant with the King, that they agreed to dethrone him, and chose his cousin Henry as his successor.

It is believed that the King was murdered in Pontefract Castle. One very good man lived in

"Shall it be a true tale, Miriam ?"

"Yes, please, aunty; I love true tales best. Many of my books are very pretty, but then they are not true; and I often wish the little boys and girls did live and did say all that is put down."

"I am afraid, Miriam, that what boys and girls do say would not make many pretty books; still, you are quite right to like true stories best. The most wonderful stories are in that book of truth, written for our learning; and every word there is quite true. But I am not going to tell you a Bible story now, but a very true one,-"The Story of Ada.' We will go and sit on the verandah, where the roses and creepers will shade us from the sun. You may put a chair and stool by my side. What a pretty home God has given you, Miriam ! Look at the lawn and flowers, and far

"Not many months ago, Miriam, while walking to the Sunday-school, I overtook one of our lady teachers. A little stranger was with her, and the lady said, 'This is my little friend Ada, and she has asked to come with me to the school.' "How old was she, aunty ?" "About eight years old, dear; and she had a merry yet gentle look. Ada came and sat down in my class, and read verses in turn with the children. She did not look idly about, but she seemed like one who was really digging for the gold hid in that precious book. I think she had found some, and so was longing, like the miner, to dig deeper and deeper for more. When you are quite sure the gold is there, Miriam, it is worth while to dig; and the child who finds Jesus in the Bible secures the best riches."

"And do you think, aunty, that Ada had found Jesus ?"

"Yes, Miriam; for everyone saw that she was trying to be like Jesus: she was obedient

and gentle, and very much loved her Bible, and would find any reference very quickly. For many Sundays Ada came with her little Bible to my class; and then she said, 'Good-bye,' and we saw her no more.

"Her parents lived far away, and she went to spend a few months with a kind aunt, till her dear mamma was better. When this visit was over, Ada was to go home in a steamer. She was not the least afraid to go alone, having before found it a very pleasant journey. Indeed, if you were to look over those splendid vessels, and see the cozy little beds, and the saloon, with its pictures and mirrors, and its velvet seats, I think you would like to go too.

"It was Monday afternoon, in the month of June, that her aunt took Ada to the steam-ship, and put her under the care of the stewardess, who promised to be very kind and watchful over her.

"Some of the passengers, too, looked kindly on the fair child; and one lady said, 'She will be a sweet little companion for me, for I have just left my own dear girls: I will not leave her till she meets her dear papa.'

"The good-byes were all said, the last looks met, and the steamer passed swiftly on through

the waters. It was a sunny evening; even the wild, restless waves seemed hushed to rest, and the sea-breeze was only as a gentle whisper. Many happy groups were walking up and down the decks, or sitting on the camp-stools. There were parents and brothers and sisters, and many a wondering child who had never been on the sea before. There were strangelooking foreigners, too, going to see the wild mountains and lochs, and they talked of the beauties in their own more sunny climes. Ada quite enjoyed looking at the sea, and the wild birds flitting by. Soon the setting sun touched the waters, and they seemed golden pathway to the thronelike clouds of purple far away." "What did Ada do next, aunty?"

a

"The stewardess came for her, and she went down to the ladies' cabin. It was rather crowded; but there was a snug berth for Ada. There were many children undressing, too, and it was a very merry scene; but amid all those strangers Ada was not ashamed of Jesus. She knelt down and prayed, which many are ashamed to do; but she was in that place as a little light.

"It soon became quite dark,

past midnight, when suddenly there was a fearful crash, and sea-water came rushing into the cabin. Terrible cries wildly told, We are on the rocks! she must sink!' Ada soon awoke; and O, what a fearful scene of agony and confusion met her sight! Fathers crying out, and mothers trying to dress the frightened little ones, and all rushing up the stairs.

"Poor Ada! she had no papa or mamma near to care for her; to try to save her, or even tell her what to do. But, in the midst of all that terror, Ada calmly knelt again, and prayed to her heavenly Father; and when the faithful stewardess came to see for her little charge, she found her on her knees. Happy Ada! she knew under whose care there were shelter and safety; and now she found the Lord Jesus was very near His trusting child.