88 POETRY-THE SAVIOUR'S CALL. Bible; while not a few bring questions in which they have just been instructwhich Gabriel could not answer. Often, after lying down to sleep in the Zayat, I hear the younger teachers inquiring of their seniors the signification of various passages, and asking information on numerous topics ed. In this way the knowledge communicated to one is passed on to tens, twenties, and thirties, and my school of theology is as wide as the province, and its pupils as numerous as the students within its borders." Poetry. THE SAVIOUR'S CALL. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 'TWAS long ago, when Jesus dwelt Upon this earth of ours, He walk'd amid its waving fields, And then those gentle words he spake "Let all the heavy laden ones, And weary, come to me!" Some heard the call, and came to him Uncomforted depart ; One touch'd his garment in the crowd, One came, all trembling and afraid She oft had sinu'd before; But when she fear'd his frown, he said, And in the ages that have pass'd And now, although we may not see Come, then, in life's fair morning time, O, do not wait till years have flown But now, in these your earliest hours -Presbyterian. Price 6d. per doz. or 3s. 6d. per 100; 20 copies sent free by post for 10d., paid in advance. Published by GALL & INGLIS, 6 George Street, Edinburgh. HOULSTON & WRIGHT, London. in these waters) come up on the ice to lie in the sun, and the natives then take their sledges, to which instead of horses they harness dogs, and go out on the ice-field to hunt. One bright spring morning an Esquimaux, named David, started upon the ice with his dog-sledge to hunt seals. He caught one, but while he was killing it, the water under the field of ice rose and broke the ice away from the shore, and carried it with David and his dogs away out to sea. No Think what a dreadful condition he was in! He could not reach the land, for the water was too cold for him to swim; he had nothing to eat or drink, for the sea-water is not fit to drink, and he knew that at any moment the ice-field might break in pieces and let him fall into the sea. Night and day for five days he was tossed about upon the waves. ship ever came in sight. Sometimes an iceberg, which is a mountain of ice many times higher than a house, would pass quite near him, looking as if it was about to fall and crush him. But none of them fell, and David was still alive, though weak with hunger and almost frozen by the cold. How do you suppose he spent these long, lonely days? David had been taught by the missionaries, and he knew that though he could do nothing to help himself, God was able to save him, and he always listens to the prayers of those who call upon him in faith, that is, believing that God for Christ's sake would grant their prayers. So every day, and many times a day, David prayed that the Lord would either spare his life, and restore him to his home, or pardon his sins and take him to heaven. The last day the ice-field had become so broken that there was only a small piece for David and his sledge to stand upon, and this piece would sink so far beneath the water that the sledge was entirely covered by it. I do not know what had become of the poor dogs, but I think that by this time they must have all died of cold and hunger. Still David trusted in God. He stood upon the sledge and prayed constantly. God heard him, and caused the ice on which he was, to drift toward the shore, and on the sixth day he came to firm ice, and was able to reach the land, and once more see his family and friends who had given him up for lost. You see, my dear children, how gracious God is in answering the prayers of those who call upon him A GOOD NAME. 91 will always be able to trust in Him, and know that whatever he does is for your good. - Child's Story in faith. If you pray to him for A GOOD NAME. MR STORE, the captain of a fine vessel, was one day leisurely wandering on the beach at Portsmouth. His hands were in his pockets, and he was anxiously watching the direction of the wind. Ever and anon he turned his gaze at the beautiful vessel before him, and remembered with no small pleasure, that through his own industry and exertions he had attained in it the rank of captain. Mr Store was an honest, kind-hearted man, and I believe one who embraced and loved the truth as it is in Jesus. He was just engaged in the above contemplations, when he was touched by some one on the arm. He turned round, and saw a bright rosy-faced little boy, of about ten years of age, standing beside him. Please, sir," began the child, before Mr Store had time to speak, "don't you want a cabin-boy?" "Yes, my little fellow, I do; can you tell me of one?" "Why, sir, I was going to ask if you would take me; I should be very glad, for I want a place." "What is your name, my boy? and where do you live?" "Please, sir, my name's Bill Jones, and I lives in Lonnon." "Well," said Mr Store, laughing, "that is a very plain answer, certainly. London is a large place, my little man, and Jones not a very uncommon name, so I am afraid I should be a long time in finding out where you live when I go to learn your character." "Please, sir, I aint got no character." "No character! oh, you are in a bad case, then." But feeling interested in the child, he beckoned for him to sit by his side on the beach, and kindly asked him what his father 92 THE MISSIONARY'S SURPRISE. sisters? and why did you come so far to seek employment?" "No, sir, there's only me; and I comed here, 'cause I always wanted to go to sea." "But, my boy, what do you mean by saying you have no character?" "Why, aunt can't write, and so she said she could not give me any, and my schoolmaster was out, or else he would have given me one." "Oh! I understand; you mean you have no written character; though I suppose if I go and see your schoolmaster, I can learn what sort of a boy you are; but I am afraid I have no time now, for as soon as the wind changes I am off. What have you got there?" (pointing to a book he held in his hand). "Please, sir, that's my prize." Mr Store took it from him, and saw written on the title-page, "William Jones, a reward for industry and good conduct, at St B- school, London." "Well," said Mr Store, "that's capital! I see you have got a good name at school;" and, pleased with the boy's open, frank countenance, and simple manners, he said, “That, I at all events, is a good character. have half a mind to take you with me, for I certainly must have some one, and I have not much time to seek for a lad, and I am not going a long voyage this time." The boy was delighted, and promised to do his best to merit this kindness; and he afterwards fully proved that he deserved the character the schoolmaster had given him, for by his steady good conduct he was eventually raised to the rank only next below the captain himself, thus proving the worth of a good name. Oh! none can tell the inestimable advantage in this world of a good name. Get it, my little friend; do all you can to get it. It will serve you well one of these days, as it did Bill Jones. It is true God looks at the heart, and judges of us by this. But other people cannot see our hearts, and judge of us by what we say and do. You may try and get the approval of good people, as well as of God. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; and loving favour rather than silver and gold."-Sabbath-School Visitor. THE MISSIONARY'S SURPRISE. ONE fine evening, when the heat of rout, in Burmah. An American misthe day was passing off, and a pleasant sionary, named Mr Kincaid, and two breeze was springing up, a little vessel native evangelists, were on board. cast anchor near the town of Thay- These three men were obeying that |