JUVENILE JOY.

"I jump for joy," said little Isaac, as he one day capered round the parlour, full of mirth and glee. He knew no sorrow, and at the time was as happy as happy could be. He was a particularly lively interesting little fellow, fast approaching to three years of age, and the picture of health and happiness. It was on a Wednesday afternoon that he was thus sporting and singing-"I jump for joy I jump for joy!" Parents are naturally delighted to see their children healthy and happy; and so were the parents of little Isaac. They rejoiced with him, and at times were ready to say within themselves— "This same shall comfort us concerning our work, and toil of our hands." But, alas! little did they then think that this same lovely, prattling, little Isaac, would, in less than four days, be sleeping the sleep of death. Yet so it proved. That same Wednesday evening, little Isaac went to bed as usual; in the night he was perceived to be disturbed by a cough, and for the three days following he was troubled with it; but he appeared nearly as lively as

ever.

On the Saturday afternoon, he had been prattling much to his papa, and amusing himself with a favourite book, in which were some pretty pictures. His fond mamma put him to bed at the accustomed time, and his little bundle of Sunday clothes were folded up, and taken up with him, ready to put on in the morning. But they were not put on. And there they lie folded up still; and little Isaac will never want them more; for before that Sabbath morning's sun arose, his spirit had taken its flight to paradise, being clothed in the garments of immortality; and his body was lying in his little crib bed, cold and white as marble. His little feet were un

able to jump for joy any more his tongue had ceased to prattle, and his eyes, once so bright and sparkling, were dim and closed in death.

Oh, that was a mournful night indeed to the parents of little Isaac. They sought for help, and every means were resorted to that could be devised, that, if possible, the dreaded enemy might be kept off from their darling boy. But vain were all these efforts and desires! The enemy rapidly advanced, and kept steady to his purpose, till he had finished his work.

The surrender of this Isaac was required by that same Almighty Being who, in ancient time, commanded the patriarch to offer up "his son, his only son, Isaac, whom he loved." The parents perceiving this to be the case, knelt down by the side of their dying child, and endeavoured, though in broken accents, and with many sobs and tears, to commit his departing spirit to God who gave it. This done, the little sufferer almost instantly expired.

On the Friday following, his loved remains were deposited in a little brick grave, on the left hand side of the chapel in which they usually worship. And as they committed him to the dust they sung

"See Israel's gentle Shepherd stands,

With all-engaging charms;

Hark, how he calls the tender lambs,
And folds them in his arms!"

It was the well-grounded hope that the good Shepherd had folded this lamb in his arms-that comforted them as they were weeping over his dust. And now, though their eyes no more behold their lovely child on earth, yet faith enables them to take a view of him singing aloud for joy in his Father's house above.

This little incident, so affecting in itself, yet one of such common occurrence, speaks forcibly both to children and parents.

To children and young people it says" Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." It teaches them the importance of coming to Jesus without delay, that, being interested in his love

"They may thus

Be prepared for longer days,
Or fit for early death."

To parents it speaks, and admonishes them to moderate their hopes and expectations, with regard to their offspring, and to hold with a slender hand" the dear delights they here enjoy and fondly call their own." Since, however dear-however lovely-however desirable those objects may be, yet how uncertain-how frail and fleeting are they! "In the morning they may come forth as a flower," in all its beauty and fragrance; "but, in the evening they may be cut down and withered;" and we seek a "burying-place, that we may bury them out of our sight." It therefore says, to one and all "Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth."

JESUS IN THE SHIP.

THE sun was descending below the western horizon, and shedding a rich crimson glow upon every object; the songsters of the grove were pouring forth their richest melody, as if vieing with each other in their last adieus to the setting sun; and all nature seemed to be hushed, and silent, and calm, as the dews that had already began to descend upon Mount Hermon.

The sea was gently rolling its tiny billows upon the beach, in which they broke in low soothing murmurs, such as fill the soul with melancholy musing, and fit the mind for holding converse with the shades of departed loved ones. Upon that seashore stood a multitude gazing in wonder and astonishment upon one who seemed to have rivetted and fixed their attention immovably. And at a little distance from the shore, a small ship, with her single mast and loosely-reefed sails, was gently riding upon the playful waters that washed along her side. Even the sailors seemed to have relaxed their accustomed vigilance, and were standing in groups upon the deck, in the attitude of rapt attention, bending forward, as if anxious to catch the words which fell from the lips of the personage whom we have before mentioned. Upon the shore, amongst the multitude that pressed and thronged around, might occasionally be seen one, whose wild rolling eyes bespoke the utter desolation of all within. Guided by the hand of affection, his steps were directed toward the spot where the speaker stood; but no sooner did the wild wondering gaze of the lunatic fall upon the calm and placid features of the stranger, than the eye at once became fixed and calm, as if reason had again asserted her empire over the mind. The multitude gazed on in utter astonishment, while, in a voice that seemed to breathe joy and peace into the very soul, the speaker bid the lunatic depart in peace. And he who but now had roared and foamed as a madman, was seen passing through the crowd, with calm and measured step. Upon his brow sat deep thought and meditation, and every thing about him proclaimed his perfect cure. now the stranger turned and bent his course toward a little boat lying at shore, and belonging to the ship we have before mentioned. He was followed by several persons who seemed to regard him with the most profound esteem and veneration. They all

But

entered the boat, which immediately put off for the ship, leaving the multitude upon the shore gazing after them until they ascended the sides of the vessel, and were lost to their view. Then, turning hastily away, each individual sought some place to pass the approaching night. But a change now came over the sky, which put every person belonging to that ship into action at once. The sun had hardly dipped his broad disc beneath the western waves, before a long narrow strip of cloud was seen hanging upon the verge of the horizon, and by the time the persons before mentioned had reached the places assigned to them for passing the night, this little cloud began to pass, leaving in its place above the horizon a long narrow belt of crimson red. The breeze, which had been falling in fitful puffs upon the sails, now began to blow steadily, but gently, from the shore.

In obedience to the commands of the officers, the anchor was soon a-peak, and sail after sail was spread to the wind, which continued to freshen until the bark was seen dashing on her course like some living thing proud of her own internal power.

The cloud we have before mentioned, as hanging in the west, continued to spread and become more dark and portentous every moment: small masses of the vapour were seen to detach themselves from the main body of the cloud, and to whirl and drive along in various directions.

An officer, who was pacing the deck with hasty strides, and whose countenance was deeply marked with thought, paused in his promenade, and seemed to scan the threatening heavens with an uneasy eye. Just at that moment a low muttering sound came slowly upon the ear, like the first hollow sounds of an approaching earthquake. The gaze of the seaman was long and ardent, until doubt seemed to give place to certainty, and he then proceeded without loss of time to get his vessel ready for the storm,