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God in His mercy has made me better, and allowed me to see another beautiful spring and summer, but I don't feel as if it would be for very long: there is no cure for consumption, and the doctor said. my lungs would never get well again.' And then she went on-'I think Confirmation is a great help to leading a Christian life, Tom dear. We declare ourselves openly to be on the Lord's side, and by the help of God's Holy Spirit we feel that we are really God's soldiers and servants. And then afterwards, the going to the Holy Communion gives such comfort and strength.'

Tom listened to all his sister said. He did not himself say anything, but her words made an impression on him, and he recollected them again and again. The sister and brother went to church again in the evening, and on that occasion persuaded their mother and Richard to go, too; and thus ended one of the happiest Sundays that Rhoda had ever spent.

Early next morning Tom said good-bye, and went off cheerfully to his work, promising to come back again as soon as he could, and, before long, to write them a letter himself.

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Grant seemed to be cowed by this rebuke, and for some time he left off going with his companions and their dogs on Sunday mornings. But by degrees he took to his bad courses again: at first very cautiously; but, as time went on without discovery, he became less careful.

To Rhoda's horror a hare was brought in one Sunday, and she gathered from her father's conversation with Richard that it was no uncommon thing among their set to kill game, which the other men contrived to smuggle away and sell, handing Grant part of the dishonest profits. hare was dressed and eaten, for Mrs. Grant, though she knew better, was too much afraid of her husband to refuse to cook it; but the whole affair was a bitter sorrow to poor Rhoda.

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Her father now began to take down his gun to look at it, and one day, in spite of her earnest entreaties and tears, he carried it out with him. He used it one Sunday without discovery; but the second time he took it out the shots were heard, and he and his two comrades were taken up and sent to prison for poaching. Richard, who had seen the whole thing from a distance, came back and told his poor mother and sister, on whom it fell like a blow, though they had expected and feared it.

And then followed a time of great trouble to the family, as without the father's wages they were left in a state of extreme poverty. They had only Richard's wages to depend on; and, even with the kindness of the clergyman and other friends, they had a hard struggle to live.

(To be continued.)

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in life, clever, and sharp-spoken, this Aunt Prudencia was perhaps as much feared as loved by those belonging to her. Only one person dared, I think, to love her; and to outward appearance that one seemed, perhaps, to offend her oftenest. It was her godchild and eldest great-niece, Prudence, or Prue Maskery, who at this moment had brought a stern look to the old lady's face by declining to sit down to the tea-table. Prue was housemaid at the lawyer's in Bartley, the nearest town, and she had already got her shawl and bonnet on, ready to return to her duties.

'I knew I couldn't stay, Aunt Prudencia,' she was saying; but a walk always does me good after church, and I wanted just to have a peep at you.'

'Very pretty talk!' said the old lady, tartly; but I think, if you really cared aught about me, Miss Prue, you could manage to take a cup of tea with me. I'm not one for young people gadding about, specially on the Sunday; but in your own mother's house, and at your aunt's request, who's seventy-nine come Christmas Day,'and the old lady paused for want of breath.

Prue was what you would call an eventempered girl, so she answered gently,

I should like to stay very much, aunty, but you see I never told my mistress; and though I'm not bound to be in at six, she likes some one to be in the house while the family are at church, and specially since she lost old nurse; and there is only Maria to look to the two children.'

'Very well; please yourself, miss,' said Aunt Prudencia; 'you always were a headstrong one.'

'Can't you stay, Prue?' whispered her mother: see, you are vexing her.'

Mrs. Lennox won't scold you much,' added Martha, the younger daughter; 'and

besides, you can be back before she comes out of church.'

'Oh, never mind!' said Aunt Prudencia in a still sharper tone; if Prue doesn't care to please me, it won't hurt any one but herself.'

Terrible words, involving to poor Mrs. Maskery's mind a dark threat of future loss to her eldest daughter. For was she not, in spite of differences now and then, the acknowledged heiress and special darling of Aunt Prudencia? Only Prue was so careless, Mrs. Maskery would have told you, and would go her own way without considering how her aunt liked it. The fact was, Prue's way lay along the path of duty, and it was very seldom she could be drawn out of it to please any one. She was not perverse, not headstrong, but she had a simple way of thinking what was right and doing it.

This evening she was sure she ought to go back to Bartley, though she was sorry to vex poor old Aunt Prudencia; something seemed to say strongly within her,

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Go home, your mistress counts on your helping to look after her children this evening.'

So she said pleasantly, 'I'll try and get a holiday to-morrow, mother, and come over. Will that do? I.really must go now.'

But the old aunt answered promptly, 'I'm leaving by the early train, Prudence, and it must be now or never to see me.'

Poor Prudence! matters had never reached such a pitch before with the irritable old lady, and do what she could, no softening seemed possible without taking off her things and giving in to her aunt's demands. This she actually once thought of doing, her own peace-loving nature, her mother's beseeching glances, and Mattie's outspoken entreaties impelling her thereto; but the voice within was stronger, and it

ended in her leaving the party, her mother half in tears, Aunt Prudencia either seriously angry or affecting it.

'You'll be sorry one day for this,' was Aunt Prudencia's last word.

Prue would not reply, but she said to herself as she ran down the lane, 'Oh, I hope not! I do so hate to vex aunty, poor old thing! and it isn't really the money I think of.'

(Concluded in our next.)

THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST

IN THE TEMPLE.

CCORDING to a law of the old dispensation, the first-born son of Jewish parents was presented in the Temple in infancy, at the same time that the mother made a thank-offering to God for his birth. So Jesus Christ was presented in His human nature to God the Father, and dedicated to His service, so as to become our great High Priest, Who in due time should make an atonement for our fallen world.

It was on this occasion that the aged Simeon, filled with the Spirit, uttered that song which we sing so often in our service: 'Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace.'*

Every Christian child is dedicated to God in holy Baptism, and owes Him a loving service. Perhaps there would be fewer quarrels among children, and less selfishness, if they thought often of their Baptism, and remembered that they are given to God to do His pleasure. To please God rather than ourselves is the surest way of being happy.

* See Luke, ii. 22-32.

What an honour to have been dedicated to the great God when a little helpless infant! And then, what a bright day for a child to look forward to, when in Confirmation he shall present himself afresh with a pure heart, and brave, as a true soldier of the King of kings!

'At our posts beneath His banner
We must watch, and strive, and pray;
By the grace of God within us,
Growing better every day.'

Hymns for Little Children.
E. L.

AN OBEDIENT EAR.

OHN WESLEY, having to travel some distance in a stage-coach, met with a pleasant-tempered, well-informed officer. His conversation was sprightly and entertaining, but mingled with oaths.

When they were about to begin the last stage Mr. Wesley took the officer apart, and after expressing the pleasure he had enjoyed in his company, told him he was thereby encouraged to ask of him a very great favour. 'I would have a pleasure in obliging you,' said the officer; and I am sure you will not make an unreasonable request.' Then,' said Mr. Wesley, as we have to travel together some time, I beg that if I should so far forget myself as to swear you will kindly reprove me.' The officer immediately saw the motive, felt the force of the request, and, with a smile, thanked Mr. Wesley, and checked himself whenever he was inclined to use profane words.

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