The scythe lies glittering in the dewy wreath Of tedded grass, mingled with faded flowers That yestermorn bloomed waving in the breeze.

Sounds the most faint attract the ear;the hum

Of early bee, the trickling of the dew, The distant bleating, midway up the hill. Calmness sits throned on yon unmoving cloud.

To him who wanders o'er the upland leas The blackbird's note comes mellower from the dale,

And sweeter from the sky the gleesome lark

Warbles his heaven-tuned song; the lulling brook

Murmurs more gently down the deep-worn glen;

While from yon lowly roof, whose curling

smoke

O'ermounts the mist, is heard at intervals The voice of psalms, the simple song of praise.

With dove-like wings peace o'er yon village broods;

The dizzying mill-wheel rests; the anvil's din

Hath ceased; all, all around is quietness. Less fearful on this day, the limping hare Stops, and looks back, and stops, and looks

on man,

Her deadliest foe. The toil-worn horse, set

free,

Unheedful of the pasture, roams at large; And as his stiff, unwieldy bulk he rolls,

THE STAFF AND THE LANTERN.

AN ALLEGORY.

T was a strange country that I saw, everything seemed different from our own. One thing puzzled me very much, and it was that every little child had to pass through a stream, and as they passed through a kind-looking Man, with a grave countenance, gave each of these children a stout little staff to walk with. I asked a person who stood by, why these children needed a stick to lean upon, and he told me, that although they were young children, they all had a long journey to go; that whenever they leaned upon this staff they were rested, but as soon as they tried to go alone they grew tired and cared very little about the journey before them. I saw also the kindlooking Man give each of the children at the same time a lighted lantern, which was to guide them through all the dark places of their journey. I looked earnestly at the good Man, and saw that great marks were in His hands as if nails had been driven through, and His feet were pierced also. I could also see great scars upon His forehead and round His head, as if sharp thorns had been run into the flesh. The stranger told me that there was a deep spear-wound in His side, and long marks down His back, as if He had been most cruelly beaten.

When I inquired why He had suffered so much, I was told that it was all out of love to these little children. If He had not been treated so cruelly, the little sticks would never have been made for the children, and no lantern would be given them to guide them on the way. He was a King indeed, but became a Servant for

6

their sakes. There was some writing upon each stick. I strained my eyes to make it out, and by the help of the lantern I saw this sentence, The Word of God.' Each lantern also had this inscription upon itThe Spirit of God.' I saw also that each staff had upon it other writing, but no one could make it out without the use of the lantern.

Now when these children had the staff and lantern given them they were told that, whenever they were in difficulty, they were to hold the staff to the lantern and read, and what they read would guide them and show them what to do. They were also told, that during their journey to the beautiful country which was to be their home, they were never to put away the staff or the lantern for any purpose whatever. Without the lantern they could never find the road, and without the staff they would not be able to walk.

Now I am not going to tell you how all the children fared that came out of the stream, but we will follow one or two on their journey. We will notice those who came through the water at the same time. This little boy whom you see just standing on the bank, taking his staff and lantern, is Amana; the meaning of this name is Firmness and Truth: this little girl, Bithiah, or Daughter of the Lord; this little boy, Iva, or Perverseness; and another little girl, named Clauda, which name means Lame, or Mournful.

As they stand upon the bank all clothed in white, with their staves and lanterns in their hands, and with the bright sun shining upon their happy faces, you would think them all the sweetest little children you

ever saw.

Now they all start together upon

their journey, as merry and active, as happy and joyous, as children could be. Looking at them now, we should expect them all to

keep together, and arrive at the beautiful home at the same time. But now come and stand with me, and we will watch.

'Amana,' says Iva, I wonder why the good Man who stood by the side of the stream gave us these straight sticks and these lanterns? I can walk without a stick, and what is the use of the lantern in broad daylight?'

'Iva,' replied his companion, 'do not stop to question so soon the use of these gifts; be satisfied to use them. Look yonder, a thick fog is coming upon us; we shall need the lantern soon enough: and do not despise the staff, for we walk most easily with it, and we cannot tell how we should do without it.'

The fog,' said Iva, is a long way off yet, and I am sure we do not require a light so I shall sling mine upon my back, for I do not like the trouble of carrying it. Besides, the shape does not please me, and I see already the light it would give would not be much."

Now, during this conversation, the light in the lantern that Iva held began to grow dim, and was not nearly so bright as the lamps of the other children. Presently, however, the fog came upon them before they expected, and they were soon in darkness. Now the three children held out their lamps and looked at their little staves, and read this inscription,- Thy word is a lantern unto my feet and a light unto my path,' and they walked on safely. The path was as clear to them as if they were travelling in the brightest sunshine. Iva refused to look at his staff, for he said his lamp was so dim that he could not see if he did. Now, whilst they were in this part of their journey, they heard a voice cry out, Who will exchange old lamps for new ones?' The three held their lamps as tightly as possible. Yet Clauda looked

But

down upon hers and wondered whether the new lamp was prettier than the one she had got; and then her lamp became a little dim, and her foot knocked against a stone, which made her cry out with pain. Now she felt the great value of her staff, for as she rested upon it her pain grew less; but she walked a little lame. She then held her lantern to her staff and read, When I said my foot slipped, Thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.'

'Poor Clauda!' said Bithiah; 'cheer up; never mind a little pain: better hurt your foot than lose your lantern.' And Clauda pressed the lantern firmly to her breast and held tightly her little staff. Then I saw the lantern get brighter, but Clauda's foot pained her still.

By this time Iva was some distance behind, and they heard him call out,' Here, my good man, let me look at your new lamp.' Then I saw Iva's lamp get quite dim, but there was just enough light left to show these words on the staff, 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you;' but not enough light to show the man's face. much: what Iva did see of it by the light of his own lamp made him shudder all over, for the man was the most horrible creature he ever saw. He looked at the staff again and read these words, The old serpent the devil... he was a deceiver from the beginning.' Now if Iva had walked quickly on then, there was yet just enough light left in his lantern to guide him; but he still waited, and said, 'Let me look at your face by the light of your lantern, mine is so dim I can hardly see you;' and before Iva's lamp went quite out he just read the words on his staff, Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.'

(To be continued.)