JOSEPH FORSTER, son of James | laden with coals. This duty, and Ann Forster, was born though light, was solitary and December 2nd, 1849, and died monotonous. On one occasion, at Castle Eden, January 7th, Joseph's mind being occupied 1864, aged fourteen years. From with the formation of a small toy his birth he manifested a mild with a piece of wood and a knife and amiable disposition, and as which he intended for his infant he grew in years he was remark- brother, did not hear the approach ably thoughtful and serious. He of a miner, and, of course, the attended the Sabbath school door remained shut. For this regularly, though nothing is known of him during this time beyond the fact of his being a quiet and orderly scholar; but at a subsequent period in his short life it was evident he had imbibed correct views of the Saviour of mankind; the seeds of Divine truth had been sown in the Sabbath school, and the results were glorious. trifling neglect of duty the miner very wickedly and cruelly illused poor Joseph, and amongst other things kicked him in the bowels. From that kick he never rallied, though he survived about eighteen months in pain and suffering. From that time until two months before his death he said nothing to his parents about religion. But he gradually It was not his lot to have grew worse in health, so that he parents who obeyed the royal was confined within doors. One mandate to "train up a child in day, his mother and he being the way he should go," as they alone, he said, "Mother, I'll not were ignorant of the " blood that get well again, I shall die. bought their pardon on the tree." Bat," he added with great They were quiet, inoffensive emphasis, "I shall go to be people, but religion was a subject with Jesus." Often during the they knew little about. Under first month of his last illthese circumstances, Joseph was left to follow his own inclination; the result of this neglect was, he was seldom seen at a place of worship. When about twelve years of age he was sent to work in a coal pit; his occupation being to attend to what is called a trap-door. His duty was to open it on the approach of any miners or tubs ness he would implore his mother to promise to meet him in heaven. "Mother," he would say, "I am going to heaven, and it's all through Jesus; and he died for you, too, mother. Heaven is for you as well as me. O, mother, I am happy, happy! I cannot tell you how happy I am!" He then began to sing "On Jordan's stormy banks I stand," &c. repeating several verses of the hymn. At another time, when in great pain, he commenced singing "Here we suffer grief and pain, O that will be joyful! At another time he broke forth with the following "Then let your songs abound, And every tear be dry; We are marching through Immanuel's ground, To fairer worlds on high." On one occasion a young man in the kitchen uttered a very unbecoming word, which he overheard. He instantly requested him not to repeat it, telling him the consequences of sinning against God, and strongly advising him to repent. The young man was greatly moved, and wept much. On Sunday, January 3rd, he fully expected to go home to his heavenly Father. He watched the clock all the day, repeatedly saying, "I should like to go home to Jesus to-day." I visited him that evening and asked him if he was happy. He looked at me earnestly, while a radiant smile overspread his pallid features as he readily answered, "Yes." "What makes you happy ?" -"Jesus." Are you not afraid to die?" -"No." "Would you not like to get better, and grow up to be a man?" He gave me an earnest look, and after a moment's hesitation answered "No" decisively. "Why?"—"Because I want to be with Jesus, which is far better." "Do you love your mother?" At this question the look of tender affection he gave her was unutterable, as he answered, "I do love my mother." This scene was beyond comparison the most affecting I ever witnessed. Almost choking with emotion, I asked, "How is it, then, Joseph, that you love your mother so well, yet you want to leave her?" With joy beaming in his countenance he answered, "I love my mother, but I love Jesus better; and my mother has promised to meet me in heaven." To all persons who visited him he preached Jesus, urging on all his relations to promise to meet him in heaven. He often begged of his father to pray. At one time he said, "O, father, go down on your knees by the bed-side, and pray to God to have mercy on your poor soul." His father lay across the bed weeping, and said, "My dear, I cannot pray." "I'll teach you, father," cried the dying child. "O, father, will you, will you, will you meet me in heaven ?" Calling his mother also to him, he said, "O, father, mother; perhaps the Lord is keeping me here a few days longer in pain until you promise me that you will meet me in heaven." The mother had already given him that promise, the father could no longer keep back the promise. He did promise. Several persons were in the room. He, addressing them, said, "Now, you all hear my father's promise. Now all of you tell him of this promise after I am gone, if he be likely to forget it." At another time he called his mother to his bed, and said, Mother, I love everybody." A short time before his death, seeing his relations weeping, he said, "I won't cry, I am going to heaven soon. As his dissolution drew near his sufferings were exceedingly severe, and his mother overheard him praying: "O Lord Jesus, give me patience to bear this, and to suffer thy will; and oh when thou pleasest take me to thyself." After a while he lay still, stretched himself, and said, "I'll soon be with Jesus; yes, I will." These were his last words. A few minutes after his happy spirit took its flight to that Jesus whom he loved so dearly. O that my last end may be like his ! R. H. FAWCETT. Sabbath Scholars' Department. THE HARVEST MOUSE. THE harvest mouse is the smallest of British quadrupeds (or fourfooted animals), being only two inches and a quarter from the nose to the tail, and two only weigh as heavy as a halfpenny, so that it would take six to weigh to standing corn or a similar substance. It lines it with soft articles, such as wool and grass. The size of the nest is about the same as that of a cricket ball, and it is very compact and neat. It is said that a nest was once found, in the month of October, having about forty grains of maize or Indian corn in the lin an ounce. It builds its nest of grass about eighteen inches ing; they had been arranged above the ground, and fastens it with great care and regularity, and each gain had had the cerule | dently to prevent it from growor growing part eaten out, evi- ing. EDITOR. Anniversary Services. all felt it to be a good time. We believe that our society has been made useful in the hand of God in supplying our minds with knowledge, and preparing us for religious usefulness. The col BOARDMAN STREET, OLDHAM.The missionary auxiliary or juvenile band held its annual missionary services on the 8th of November, when a sermon was delivered in the morning by the Rev. Enoch Stubbs, of Bury.lections during the day were in In the evening addresses were delivered by members of various auxiliaries and by Mr. Stubbs, and they seemed to give general satisfaction, and we think that advance of the two or three preceding years; the sum realized amounted to £4 4s., which we think you will agree with us was good. Out of his sum has already been sent to the mis- | Bowen. The children had la sionary treasurer £3 10s. J. BUNTING. J. CHEETHAM. SHREWSBURY JUVENILE MISSIONARY MEETING.-Dear Editor, At the close of a tea meeting which was held on Christmas day in the school room, a very interesting juvenile missionary meeting was held in the chapel, efficiently presided over by Mr. J. Davies, superintendent of the school. Several delightful pieces, which were recited by the children, gave great satisfaction to the numerous assembly. Suitable addresses were also delivered at intervals by Messrs. S. Deakin, R. Askin, J. Higley, T. Pritchard, C. Temperton, and Miss E. boured indefatigably in behalf of the Australian fund, and suc-| ceeded in obtaining the following sums-viz., by collecting cards, £4 12s. 2d. ; school boxes, £1 2s. 6d.; missionary meeting collection, £1 9s. 8d.; Total£7 4s. 4d.; all of which, with the circuit missionary money. was sent to the general treasurer. The new school room being now open and greater accommodation provided for the children, the teachers anticipate a larger school, and their numbers already are on the increase. May heaven's blessing continue to descend on this and every school in the connexion. Poetry. CHARLES TEMPERTON. TIME, MISSION, AND DESTINY: "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will Then said I, Here am I, send me."-ISAIAH VI. 8. go for us? My endless destiny Depends on life's short years, Its hopes, its joys, its fears; Long as its deathless years may last, Into the lap of life are cast. Within this trembling hand, 'Tis like those vap'rous clouds that soar Is running fast-and soon will come A little while-and all is o'er. O God, how blest is time, How precious every day! No tongue can tell its boundless worth, The trembling hour of awful doom. Great God, why do I stil But that I should fulfil Some high and holy work should do, |