could use would never make the lid move. At length a lucky blow drove the iron wedge a full inch under the lid; and, after a great deal of twisting and hammering, the box came open and what was in? Nothing at all!-empty-empty quite empty! With the hammer in one hand, and the wedge in the other, Peter stood staring into the box a long while, scarcely knowing where he was. At last he scrambled up out of the hold of the vessel; laid himself down upon the deck, and cried and sobbed for an hour or two. But he resolved that he would not be laughed at for his so he dried up his tears, slunk home when it grew dark, went to bed without taking his supper, and fretted till he fell asleep. But Peter Simons had now learned to exert himself; his thoughts had been actively engaged for several

disappointment,

weeks; he had felt the satisfaction of earning money by his own labour; he had broke the habit of lying in bed till breakfast time; he had become really stronger by hard work; in short he could not bear the thought of living, for the future as he had done, in wretched idleness. "Father," said he, “I should like to earn my living like other folks: I wish you'd put me to the blacksmith's to work.” Peter's wish was accomplished before he had time to repent of it; he was put to work at the blacksmith's. In due time he learned the business well; and got the character of being a clever and industrious workman. When he was in business for himself, he used to say, "I found all my good fortune in an Empty Box.”

SARAH.

"A CHILD MAY SAVE A SOUL." SOLOMON once said "A word spoken in season, oh, how good it is!" Its influences, in some instances, are to be seen in the life of the individual to whom it was spoken, while its effects call forth the wonder and admiration of angelic hosts. A single word spoken at a proper time has often prevented mischief, and removed discord and contention from many a wrangling bosom. But more than this, a single word directed to the heart of a sinner, has often, when accompanied with the blessing of God, produced that godly sorrow for sin which worketh repentance unto life that needeth not to be repented of.

William Hewitt, who was once a scholar in Zion Sabbath School, Longton, having, through the instruction he there received, had his mind enlightened on divine subjects, and his soul impressed with the importance of vital godliness, was desirous, on his death-bed, that all around him should know something of the sweets of religion. Accordingly, he exhorted his friends, that with "full purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord." Among these friends was his father, who, for upwards of forty years had been a decided servant of Satan. William was deeply impressed with the awful and dangerous state of his parent, and with all the earnestness of a soul on the confines of eternity, he determined to make an effort to snatch him as a brand from the burning, by tenderly besceching him earnestly to consider the things that

belonged to his peace. The effort was successful. It was as an arrow shot from the bow of God into his soul, which brought him to a knowledge of his state and condition, and influenced him to fly for mercy to the hope set before him in the Gospel.

William's body is now mouldering in the grave. He did not live to see the result of his piercing exhortation and warning: but others who succeed him behold in his once rebellious father, through the grace of God, an humble and devoted follower of the meek and lowly Jesus, bidding fair to meet in the skies the glorified spirit of his son, who was the instrument of turning him from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan unto

God.

What youthful reader, after becoming acquainted with the above fact, will say that he cannot be of service to those older than himself by reproving them of sin in a consistent manner? May not your reproof, if given from pure motives, like William's, be crowned with the blessing of God, and be the means of saving a soul from the error of his ways? God by this work may make you the honoured instrument of bringing many sinners to a knowledge of the truth. Remember that God has favoured you with talents which he expects you to use for the promotion of his glory and the welfare of men. And remember likewise, that a child, though poor and feeble, and unworthy, may save a soul, and hide a multitude of sins.

Longton,

E. PALMER.

EARLY on a fine morning about the middle of April, four little children set out to search for violets in a shady lane near their father's home. It was their mother's birth-day, and they wished to give her a nosegay of these sweet-scented flowers. The lane was narrow, and a clear shallow brook flowed by the side of the bank on which the violets grew. The children ran gaily along, until they drew near the spot where they had gathered nosegays the year before, and then they walked slowly, now and then stopping to talk, or to look carefully amongst the grass by the water's edge. Presently, Jane, who was the oldest of the party, and who had gone on before her companions, called aloud, .