2. And the word of the Lord came to him, and said, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul? His dominion will soon end. Therefore go to the sons of Jesse, and choose one who is worthy to be a shepherd of the people."

3. And Samuel came to Bethlehem, and saw the sons of Jesse, and would have chosen Eliab; for Eliab was of a beautiful form, and his stature was high. But the spirit of the Lord prevented him, and said, "Man looketh on the outward appearance; but the Lord looketh on the heart."

4. Then Samuel was perplexed, and would have examined the hearts of the sons of Jesse, that he might choose the best. And he asked Jesse: "Are here all thy children?" And he said, "There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep on the mountain !"

5. And Samuel thought, "I will search into his nature and his heart before he comes, that I may provide a good leader for the people." And he went on the mountain, and concealed himself in a cave. But David watched his flocks before him.

6. Behold, there came a lion and a bear down the mountain. And the lion took a sheep from the flock. But the youth sprang up, seized the lion by his beard, and rescued the sheep from his jaws, and slew him. And he killed the bear likewise.

7. Samuel was astonished at the strength

of the youth, and wondered; but he lingered still and doubted in his heart, and said, "I have indeed witnessed the strength and courageous spirit of the youth. But the Lord looketh on the heart!" And he continued his investigation.

8. Behold, the youthful shepherd seated himself on the hill, and took his pipe out of his scrip, and played many tunes to his flock. His dog rested near him, the breezes sported with his locks, and the lambs crowded round their shepherd.

9. Thus he sat in their midst and played. And when he was silent, the sheep pressed upon him, licked his hand and the shepherd's staff, and lay down at his feet.

10. Then Samuel doubted no longer, but exclaimed, "I have indeed found a man, chosen as the shepherd of the people! For he possesseth strength and gentleness." And the word of the Lord came to Samuel, and said, Arise, and anoint him: this is he!"

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QUESTIONS.-1. What was said about Samuel in lesson XL? 2. What had he now become? 3. Why was he troubled about Saul? 4. What did the Lord direct him to do? 5. Why would Samuel have chosen Eliab ? 6. What did the spirit of the Lord say to Samuel? 7. What did Samuel then ask of jesse? 8. Where did he find his youngest son? 9. What was Samuel's object in concealing himself in a cave? 10. What did David do to the lion and bear that came down upon the flock? 11. What effect did the conduct of David have on Samuel ? 12. Why did Samuel finally conclude to choose David to be the shepherd

of the people? 13. How was Samuel confirmed in his choice?

LESSON LIII.

Spell and Define-1. PRO PEL' LING, driving forward. 2. PAT' RI MO NY, an estate inherited from one's ancestors. 3. COR RES POND' ENCE, intercourse by letters sent and received. 4. PRO TECT' ING, securing from injury. 5. IMAG IN A TION, conception; the faculty of the mind to conceive. 6. Ex PLOITS', heroic deeds. 7. Ex AG' GER A TED,

8. CIV' IL I Zed,

enlarged in description beyond the truth. reclaimed from savage life; enlightened. 9. FLEET, a company of ships. 10. RE POSE', quiet; rest. CLAIM', to speak an oration.

11. DE

THE PRIVILEGES I ENJOY IN MY OWN COUNTRY.

1. In this country, a man of but small fortune, may with truth adopt the following language: I am lodged in a house that affords me many conveniences, which, some centuries ago, even a king could not command. There are ships crossing the seas, in every possible direction, to bring what is useful to me from all parts of the earth.

2. In China, men are gathering the tea-leaf for me; in our own soil, they are planting cotton for me; in the West India Islands, they are preparing my sugar and my coffee; in Italy, they are feeding the silk-worm for me; in Saxony, they are shearing sheep to make my clothing; at home, powerful steam engines are spinning and weaving and making clothes for me, and propelling vessels and rail cars, to convey me, with speed, from one place to another.

3. My patrimony, though small, yet pro

cures for me many conveniences. I have coaches running night and day to carry my correspondence.

4. I have roads, canals, and bridges to bear the coal for my winter fires; nay, I have protecting fleets to secure my enjoyment and repose. Then, I have editors and printers who daily send me an account of what is going on in the world, among all nations and people.

5. In my library, I have books, by which I can bring to my mind all the great men of past ages; and my imagination can make them act over again all their exploits; the orators declaim for me; the historians relate; the poets sing; in a word, from the equator to the pole, and from the beginning of time until now, I can be where I please.

6. This picture is not exaggerated, but might be extended; such being the goodness of God, that each individual of the civilized millions covering the earth, may have, by very simple means, nearly the same enjoyments, as if he were lord of all.

QUESTIONS.-1. Can you tell me what conveniences are mentioned in the first paragraph? 2. What are men doing in China for us? 3. In our own Country? 4. In the West Indies ? 5. In Italy? 6. In Saxony? 7. What are steam engines doing for us at home? 8. What benefit do we derive from coaches, roads, canals, fleets, &c.? 9. How do editors and printers contribute to our enjoyment? 10. What advantages do you derive from your library? 11. What may each individual of the civilized world possess by these privileges?

LESSON LIV.

2. SYM BOLS,

Spell and Define-1. BULB, a round root. types or emblems. . 3. EM' BRY 0, the rudiments of a plant or animal. 4. EN TREAT' Y, an earnest request. 5. DAM'SEL, a young maiden; a girl. 6. DE PRIVE', to take from; bereave. 7. CON SIGN', to give; to intrust. 8. EN LI'VEN, to animate; to cheer. 9. MUR MUR ED, muttered; grumbled. 10. IM PLORE', to beseech. 11. LA' MENT, to mourn. 12. SA LUTE', to greet; to hail. 13. CHO RUS, a number of persons singing in concert.

THE MAIDEN AND THE TULIP BULB.-A FABLE.

1. ONE fine morning in March, a young maiden took from her drawer a tulip bulb, which she had received from her brother who delighted in the symbols which nature affords

us.

2. She went into the garden to plant it in the earth. For a while she examined the pretty roundness of its shape, then digged a hole in the soft earth, to receive the embryo plant and flower.

3. But suddenly the bulb exclaimed, with manifest terror and entreaty in its tones; Lovely maiden, bury me not, I implore thee, in the dark, cold, damp ground, where I shall lie in sorrow and sadness, with no companions, but the moles that will devour me! Rather let me remain for ever with you; there I can see the light, and feel the warmth. Do not bury me so cruelly in the ground."

4

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Pretty bulb," said the damsel, as she paused and stayed her hand, "lament not that deprive you of the kindly shelter you have