* A sister who nursed me in a hospital told me, that the patients would sometimes_express their love and gratitude to her by simply saying these two words when she came near. 'Sister, dear!-no, nothing ails me; I want nought but here to lie: Only, as you pass to others Throw on me your gentle eye.' Soul and body sore have suffered, Soul and body she hath cured; She brought me to this house of healing, And to His feet Who all endured; All endured in soul and body, For this earthly, sinful race. All thanks, my Lord, Who through this sister Brought me to Thy throne of grace. J. E. C. F. HOW TO SPEAK TO CHILDREN. OST people try to manage children either by bodily punishments or by rewards and prizes. There is one other means of government, the power and importance of which is little regarded. I mean the human voicethe soft, gentle, soothing tones of the human voice; and this seems to be the more excellent way. A blow may be inflicted on a child, accompanied with words so uttered as to counteract entirely its effect; or the parent may use language in the correction of a child, not wrong in itself, yet spoken in a tone which defeats its influence. Let any one endeavour to recall the image of a fond mother long since at rest in Heaven. Her sweet smile and loving eye are brought vividly to recollection; so, also, is her voice -the tones of her voice; and blessed is that parent who is gifted with a pleasing utterance. A sweet voice is a great moral power if it be employed wisely. What is it which lulls the infant to repose? It is not an array of mere words. There is no charm to the untaught one in mere letters, syllables, and words. It is the sound striking the little ear that soothes and composes it to sleep. A few notes, however unskil fully arranged, if uttered in a soft tone, are found to possess a magic influence, to quiet and prepare for repose. And this influence is not confined to the cradle. No, it is diffused over every age, and ceases not while the child remains under the parental roof. Is the boy growing rude in manner and boisterous in speech? I know of no instrument so sure to control these tendencies as the gentle tones of a mother's voice. She who speaks to her son harshly, does but give to his evil conduct the sanction of her own example. She pours oil on the already raging flame. In the pressure of duty we are liable to speak harshly to our children. Perhaps a threat is expressed in a loud and irritating tone. Instead of allaying the passions of the child, it serves directly to increase them. Every fretful expression awakens in him the same spirit which produced it, and so does a pleasant voice call up agreeable feelings. Whatever disposition, therefore, we would encourage in a child, the same we should manifest in the tone in which we address it. Anger, severity of reproof, harsh words, excite evil passions, lead to resistance, and become the stimulants of disobedience and evil conduct. Speak gently to every one, but especially to children. Praping Hwapsa HOW JOHN ROSS BEGAN TO 'KNEEL DOWN.' (Concluded from p. 39.) EANWHILE the father, sitting alone beside the hearth, mused over the little sermon which his child had, all unconsciously, been preaching. He would never forget that sermon while he lived, for it had awakened hopes and fears that had been sleeping within his breast for a long season. Ah, how many years had gone by since he, John Ross, knelt down! and how long had he found his chief pleasure in a 'home' in which prayer was never made, and in which he had wasted, night after night, the time and money which belonged of right to wife and child! Sweet little Ally! could any society be more refreshing than thine when the day's work is over, and thy father rests. beside his own cosy hearth? Could any face gleam more brightly, could any smile be more beautiful, than that which thou dost turn upon the beloved one in whom thou trustest? And the mother, was she not worthy of his care and love? Could she not listen while he read to her of the great events which were passing on the solemn stage of Time? Had he a right to regard her as a mere food-preparing and clothes-mending machine, or as servant-of-all-work to John Ross, Esq., Lord of Creation? Surely, NO! She was his help-meet, not his slave; his friend, not his hired servant; and it became him to do his part towards making her life bright and joyous. 'I have been strangely blind,' he began to say within himself that night; but It might be absurd, but it was very natural, he thought, that at this moment he should remember a time-long ago, it seemed when, having a hurt foot, he had spent a whole evening at home; and when Ally, standing on a high stool at his elbow, had brushed his hair till he fell asleep, and he woke to find her laughing on his knee. How firmly, as he then thought, he had determined to spend at least four nights aweek at his own ever-bright fireside, and how miserably he had failed to keep his resolve! Truly, John Ross had small reason to trust himself! Nearly a year has gone by, and still John Ross spends his evenings at home. The paleness has left his wife's face, and little Ally is making wonderful progress in arithmetic. If you could look in upon them to-night, you would see them all busy in making a child's scrap-book, and you would hear a sound of ringing laughter, and a manly voice making funny speeches, and you would see the mother's pretended chiding as the mirth delays the work,' and you would know at once that they were happy. Happy they are; for the peace of God, which passes all understanding, dwells with them in their home; and being united to each other and to God, they fear no evil. My good reader, do you think it would |