THE

RED BERRIES.

HENRY WILSON was an only child, very dear to his papa and mamma, who took great pleasure in teaching him all that a little boy of seven years old could be expected to learn. They were careful to instruct him, as soon as he was able to understand their words, that we are all sinners in the sight of God, and must certainly be shut out from heaven, and sent to dwell after death in the place of torment, among bad spirits, if Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who is himself God, one with the Father, had not mercifully taken our nature upon Him, and suffered for our sins, that we might be delivered from the wrath to come. Little Henry was likewise taught, that we must not only believe in the

blessed Lord Jesus as our Saviour, but also obey him as our King, doing whatsoever He, in the Bible, commands us to observe and do, and avoiding what He has forbidden. But, as we are all inclined, by our evil nature, to break God's laws; and as Satan, the great enemy of our souls, is always at hand to tempt us to do wrong, Henry was also informed that God the Holy Ghost, who likewise is one with the Father and the Son, condescends to dwell in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus Christ, enabling them to strive against sin, and love and obey the Lord. Henry was taught to pray every day for the aid of this Holy Spirit, without whom he could do nothing pleasing to God; for it was said by our Lord Jesus Christ, "Except a man be born again, of water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Henry had an uncle, who was a clergyman; his name was Morgan: he lived in a very pretty house, near his church, and had a nice garden. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson took little Henry with them to pay a visit, late in the autumn, when the leaves were beginning to fall from the trees -a sight fitted to remind us how soon we also

must wither and be mingled with the dust of the earth. When a dry yellow leaf was blown across the path where they walked, and borne out of their sight by the rough breeze, Henry recollected the words of the prophet Isaiah, "We all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind have carried us away."

The day after they arrived, Henry asked permission to walk by himself in the pretty garden, and his mamma said he might do so when his lessons were finished: his papa also consented, but said, “Be sure, Henry, you do not eat any thing that you find there."

Henry promised, and having said his lessons, away he ran quite delighted, into the garden. There were a few flowers still in bloom: the China-rose hung its delicate head, and, by bending down so readily, avoided having its soft pink leaves scattered by the wind that would have torn a stronger blossom in pieces; and, when the sun shone warm again, this rose looked up, as fresh and as sweet as ever. Like the pious soul, which meekly bows beneath the afflictions that God is pleased to send, and, humbling itself under His mighty hand, is exalted in due time; while the

proud, rebellious heart, that thinks to brave His wrath, is broken and destroyed.

Several flowers, such as the Michaelmas-daisy, the dark China-aster, and others of such plain and sober appearance, that they would not have been regarded among the gay colours of summer, appeared quite valuable, now that no brighter remained. So it is with the ordinary comforts, that we are ready to overlook while our cup overflows with a variety of blessings, but which we learn to prize when other enjoyments are gone, and they too, likely to depart. But the cheerful-looking little flower, the Heart's-ease, was smiling in every place; and Henry knew it might continue all the winter under the sheltering shrubs of evergreen. Neither storms nor losses can destroy that blessed contentment which blooms in the heart of the Christian, who knows that the protecting arm of his Saviour is still spread over him, to defend and to deliver.

There was very little fruit in the garden: here and there, a bunch of grapes hung on the vine, some winter apples remained on the trees, and a few currants, that ripened very late upon a north wall, were peeping from among the cobwebs and

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yellow leaves: but nothing pleased little Henry so much as a bush, covered with berries of deep scarlet, soft to the touch, and bright to the eye. He looked long at them, then ran round and round the neat gravel walks, but still returned and stopped opposite the bush. Henry said to himself, "If papa had not forbidden me to eat any fruit, I should like to pull a few of those delightful berries. How sweet they must be !"

came up,

While he was playing about, Mr. Morgan and asked him how he liked the garden. "Very much indeed, uncle," replied Henry. They walked a little while together. Presently they passed the bush which bore the beautiful red berries, and Mr. Morgan, seeing how his nephew looked at it, said, "You must be sure not to eat any of those berries, Henry." "Oh no, uncle," answered Henry, "papa desired me not to gather any thing."

Mr. Morgan said, "I know it, my dear; and you will always find it your happiness, as well as duty, to obey your parents." After dinner

there was fruit on the table; apples and pears, nuts and currants; but Henry was

grapes, and