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good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," Rom. v. 6-8. Infinitely does the salvation he has wrought surpass any other. How deep, then, should be the humility of all his disciples, though they give to him all they have, and all they are!

Well then may we say, as Thomas did, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."

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CLEANLINESS.

A sweep may have a dirty face,
And dirty hands and feet;
His labours make them no disgrace,
Unless, when he has left the street,
He likes to keep them so,
As if pure water were a foe.

Yet only toils like his can find
Excuse for such a skin;

To cleanness all should be inclined

Who wish respect to win :

For dirty folks, we cannot doubt,

Are wrong within, and wrong without.

ONE of the things which Uncle William cordially detests, is dirt. "And who can

like it?” he hears some shrill voice ask.

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Many," he has no hesitation in answering, "many; in all countries, of all ages, and in all situations of life; ay, and not a few

of the young are among them." I will give you an instance, where, perhaps, you would little expect it to be found; it relates to Napoleon, a nephew of the late emperor of France. It was new year's day, and he had received from an affectionate relative a large present of toys; but he seemed indifferent to them, and looked out of the window. His mamma, disappointed at not seeing him so much pleased as she expected, was anxious to know the cause, when the following conversation took place.

"Are you not grateful to your grandmamma, for having taken so much pains to procure all these pretty things?"

66 Oh! yes, mamma, I am very grateful; but you know she is always so good." "But do not all these pretty playthings amuse you ?"

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Yes, mamma, but—”

"But what?"

"I want very much-something else." "Tell me what it is; I promise it to you, my boy."

"O mamma, but you would not, I am

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"No; papa gave me that this morning, and it is already distributed-it is-"

"Come, speak out; you know how much I love you, so that you may be sure I would begin the new year with something you would like. Come, then, my dear, what is it you want ?"

"Mamma, I want to walk in that pretty mud, which I see out of the window; that would amuse me more than anything."

Strange as you may at first think this reply to be, the feeling it manifests is often shown. I have frequently seen little boys, with nice clean frocks and trousers, walking out after there has been rain, and instead of carefully avoiding the puddles, pass through them, and even return to do so again. In like manner, little girls will also run up and down wet mounds of earth and heaps of sand; and thus mamma blames them when they reach home, and says that they are not fit to be seen.

Now, all this is what ought not to be. Look around, and you will see everywhere in nature neatness and cleanliness. Leaves are so formed as to prevent the lodgment of what would soil them, while the dry dust

which is sometimes collected is washed away by the first shower. Though plants grow from the earth, and it might cling to them in various ways; yet a dirty plant is scarcely

ever seen.

Equally rare is a dirty animal. The mole and the earthworm, though living in the soil, are without a stain; and even the snail is clean. One remarkable instance of cleanliness is often before you; it appears in the domestic cat. Mark that soft-furred and sleek-looking creature, as she comes and takes her wonted place on the rug before the fire. How diligent, too, is she in cleaning the fur of the kitten, that is permitted to accompany her; and even the kitten may be observed dressing itself assiduously, as soon as it can run about!

Nestling birds show the same care. A short time after they are able to open their eyes, and before the downy covering which they wear at first is replaced by feathers, they may be seen turning round their heads, and trimming with their beaks all the bits of down and the ends of the sprouting feathers within their reach. How diligent older birds are in this respect may be easily seen.

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