Isaiah has a pathetic illustration of the sheep in relation to our Saviour: "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb." In its innocency it is a type of Christ, for He was holy, harmless, and undefiled. In its patience a type-for "He endured contradiction of sinners against himself." In its humility a type-for "He made himself of no reputation." In its sacrifice a type-" The precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." In its clothing a type -as our "garment of salvation and righteousness from Christ the Lamb of God."

As already suggested, the sheep is a meek, defenceless animal, and is therefore altogether dependent on its keeper for support and protection. This trait in its character is beautifully brought out by Micah in his description of the destitute Jews: "They are as a flock scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have no shepherd." Again, the disposition of these animals to wander from the fold and thus endanger themselves is often pathetically alluded to in the Bible. David said, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep," and Isaiah, when depicting the awful condition of the whole human family who had wandered from the paternal care of God the great shepherd, says, "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every man to his own way." The blessed mission of our Saviour into this world was to seek

these "lost sheep." "He is the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep," and though, formerly many of his people were as "sheep going astray," they are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls. You can read in sublime language, my dear little friends, the care the Good Shepherd takes of his flock, and the security they feel under Him, in John x. 3 to 16.

But, dear children, I want you to cull some useful lessons from the sheep. As it is so useful, you also must learn to be useful in your day and generation. As it is so obedient, you must be also obedient, and learn to follow your Shepherd. From the parable of the lost sheep learn how dangerous it is

to leave the fold and wander on the mountains of sin and folly. From Christ, the Lamb of God, learn the beauty of humility. From the grand and great atonement of Christ learn how you may have all your sins forgiven, and be a lamb in the fold of the Great Shepherd.

The patient, docile sheep has a great and powerful enemy in the wolf. These animals tear and devour great numbers of the sheep in the countries where they abound. So, dear children, you have a great and powerful enemy, more ready to allure you from the fold of Christ than the greedy wolf is to seize the poor sheep.

But, in conclusion, I want you each, individually, to ask this momentous question, Am I a lamb in the fold of Christ? and then another, Shall I at the last day take my place among the sheep or the goats? Will you join the countless throng who are before the throne clothed in shining white ? You may join them.

They sing the Lamb of God,

Once slain on earth for them;

The Lamb through whose atoning blood

Each wears his diadem.

A. E. PORTNALL.

BE READY.

"Be ye also ready," etc.-JESUS.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,-A man the other day was in good health and spirits and went to bed so, but the following morning he was found in his bed dead. Not very long since a woman whom I knew was on her way to market to buy provisions, when she was taken ill and had to be brought home in a carriage, and carried to her bed, but never more to come out again alive, but to be removed to her last resting-place. O what solemn lessons, dear young friends,

such facts teach, and how such lessons ought to produce salutary and serious thoughts on your minds; yet, alas, many do not take any heed to these solemn daily occurrences. Methinks such must indeed be held very firmly in Satan's grasp. O may you take warning ere it be too late, or you will finally perish in your sins!

Our time on earth may be very short, O how important to "be ready" to meet our blessed Lord. The longest life must have an end, therefore it is far more reasonable, when we know that we must die, to get ready. You may ask me, How can I get ready, or how shall I know when death will visit me? I answer, that you cannot get yourself ready to meet your Saviour, but I can point you to one who can and is willing to save you, even Jesus, who is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," and able to blot out all your sins and thus give you peace and pardon. We are told to be ready, for we cannot know when death will come upon us, but we know that we must all die, and appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; therefore let me urge you once more to get ready. Go at once to the footstool of Jesus, and there ask him to take away your sins and make you a new creature. May you thus live and die in Christ, and then you will soar at last to yon heavenly Canaan, to enjoy everlasting happiness. THOMAS HEATH, JUN.

Plymouth.

HOW A BOY FOUND HAPPINESS.

Ar a boys' prayer-meeting which I conducted some time ago, I requested that all who felt that they were really happy should hold up their hands. One hand only was held up. The owner of that hand was a stout, strong lad about seventeen, dressed in coarse clothes, and blackened from head to foot by the effects of his daily toil, like a chimneysweep. His appearance told rather of hard work and privation than of happiness, yet when I made my request,

without a moment's hesitation and with a bright confident smile on his face, up went his hand.

"What makes you happy ?" I said.

The answer was given in a deep steady voice, expressive of a mind entirely and satisfactorily convinced of the truth of its conclusions-" Christ." This poor uneducated lad had discovered the solution of that important problem which has puzzled so many wise heads since the creation of the world—Where is happiness to be found! He had found it in the only place in the universe where it can be foundin Christ. Sent by E. G. Lowe.

Juvenile Biography.

DOROTHY PYLE, the daughter of George and Frances Pyle, was born at Marley Hill, in the Stanley circuit, November 6th, 1860, and died at Byre Moor, on the 7th of February, 1869, at the tender age of eight years and three months. She was blessed with pious parents, her father and mother being members of our society until the last twelve months. They, with a few others, endeavoured, with God's blessing, to raise a society at Byre Moor, and left us, being about a mile distant from Marley Hill. Dorothy still remained a scholar at our school. She was a very interesting child, quick in learning, with a very retentive memory. She had been a scholar in our Sabbath-school almost ever since she could walk to it. She was one of those that excelled in reciting pieces, consequently, the last three years, she, being selected for that purpose, took a prominent part in our school anniversary. Out of a family of seven, four of them have gone to heaven, by God's blessing on their pious efforts in training their children. She had a brother who died eighteen months since, happy in

Jesus, and since that she has frequently spoken very feelingly about being prepared for the great change. One day her mother was shedding tears, she asked her mother why she wept; she told her mother it was a sin to sorrow so much for Joseph when she knew he was gone to heaven; she told her mother she'd more need to weep for those that were left. She was a great blessing to her mother in times of trouble. When her mother tried to show her the great love of Christ toward fallen man, she would exclaim with tears, "Surely the Lord is good." It was indeed her delight to be in company with followers of Jesus Christ, to sing his praises. The disease which put an end to her mortal career was scarlet fever, from which she suffered severly two weeks, very patiently bearing the pain. The third day of her illness she requested her mother to get her coffin made, as she must die, and she would like to see it. Her mother told her it was soon enough to get one when she wanted it. She made the reply to her mother that it could stand down by the bed out of the way, as she would have to get one they might as well get one and let her see if it was right. She said it would not be long before she should be with Joseph and another young man, who departed this life just a few days before her. When her mother told her that she had another brother and sister there, and that probably they would know her, then she exclaimed with great joy, "What a glorious meeting there will be with us!" Near her closing scene she said the Lord's prayer through; then she sang that beautiful hymn, "We will wait till Jesus comes." When she stretched forth her feeble arm, and asked her father, did he not see the angels coming to take her away to heaven? he asked her if she did not see Joseph? She pointed her finger, saying, "That is him in the middle;" and stretching forth her arms with all her strength, shouted, "Come away, come away, come away!" as if she could grasp them in her hands. Shortly after she sang, "Bright angels are whispering so sweet in my ear," and she beckoned the angels to