with man. When his body dies his soul still lives. Should we shortly die our souls will be still in existence. The rider on his pale horse cannot fasten his arrows on that part. The king of terrors may rule over the vast domain, but our souls are not under his jurisdiction. Earth and hell may assail, but they cannot harm us. The vast legion of devils may hurl fiery darts, but even with all their Satanic rage, their fury and their power, we can smile at their attempts, defy their power, and come off more than conqueror, through Christ who has loved us and given Himself for us."

But we must hasten on and give you a few "thoughts " on "The Sparrow." This is a little bird, frequently despised, but one we all are familiar with. It is really a domestic bird. It is a pert, bustling, and loquacious little creature, fond of society, at times found chirping and fluttering about in a crowd. They can easily be tamed, and yet allowed to remain in their native element. Should any one feed them, they know the person and also the time. Scripture references to the sparrow are not very numerous, only mentioned six times throughout the Bible. But I thought for the close of the year it was an appropriate bird to chose as an illustration of God's special providence to the human family. Jesus was very fond of choosing something from nature to illustrate some particular truth he wanted to convey to the minds of those who were listening to His matchless voice. On the occasion of his sending his disciples to do miracles and to preach, he tells them to be fearless and undaunted. "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." (Matt. x. 28, 29.) Luke's account of the same event differs a little, but brings out a new phase of God's special providence. "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? and not one of them is forgotten before God." (Luke xii. 6.) Now

if God's care be so great to these almost worthless sparrows, what must that care be for dear children? those of whom our Saviour said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The love of God to his creatures is in proportion to their value and excellence in the scale of being. Under the Levitical priesthood sparrows were among the offerings of the poor, and the sparrow is supposed to be the bird used as a sacrifice in the rite of cleansing the leper. (Leviticus xiv. 4.) Doubtless that passage in the 84th Psalm, when David was driven from his throne and the sacred temple by the rebellion of his son Absalom, refers to this bird. The Psalmist seems to long to enjoy the privilege that even the little sparrows enjoyed, and ardently envied their position. Parkhurst has given a translation of the verse which removes some of the difficulties of the usual reading. "Even (as) the sparrow findeth her house, and the dove her nest where she hath laid her young, (so shall I find) thine altars, O Jehovah of Hosts, my King and my God."

Dear children, I shall now take my leave of you in this way and manner, I shall hope, that by reading some of these "thoughts" you have been interested, and that some of the virtues noticed in each respective piece you will try to imitate, and to shun those bad traits of character introduced as warnings. I wish you all a very, very, bappy and merry Christmas-tide, and following that, a Happy New Year. May you love the Saviour in your youth, and ever gratefully remembering that you are of more value than many sparrows," live for the better world, for—

66

"Who would live always away from his God?

Away from yon heavenly and blissful abode,

Where rivers of pleasure flow bright o'er the plains,

And the noontide of bliss eternally reigns.

There saints of all ages in harmony meet,
Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet;
Where anthems of glory unceasingly roll,
And the smile of the Lord enraptures the soul.

A. E. PORTNALL.

ENIGMA XXV.

A chain of hills in Asia seek,

Where snow o'erspreads the summit's peak, Throughout the live-long year;

While all the lower parts are found

With corn, wine, fruits, and rice t' abound, The heart of man to cheer.

That beauteous island of North Wales
(Fann'd by the cooling western gales),
By ancients "Mona" called,
I next propose: here Druid sires
Oft kindled superstitious fires,

By her strong hand enthrall'd.

Now turn your eyes to Egypt's plains,
Ne'er water'd by refreshing rains,

And tell what copious stream,

Its fertilizing produce yields,
Making the gardens and the fields,
With richest plenty teem.

But contemplation hence recall,
Visit now Russia's capital,

And speak th' illustrious name
Of Howard-here, lov'd and admir'd,
That great philanthropist expir'd—
How justly earn'd his fame!

Next, to the English Channel sail;
See, where opposing tides prevail,
And dash against the rocks,
(Those formidable, which are found
A few miles off from Plymouth sound),
With oft repeated shocks.

Making the enigmatical word August.

The following correspondents have answered correctly:-J. Prosser, Blænavon; W. Clayton, Frosterly; R. Robbins, Hornton; E. M. Burt, Winchester; J. Higgins, Oswestry; S. A. Stubbs, Presteign; W. H. Dodds, Heathery Tops; T. Russell, Ludlow; C. Jones, Ludlow; J. Taylor, Wollaston; T. Fullerton, Wooler; J. Jaquis, Oldbury; C. H. Ray, Farnboro'; J. G. Robinson, Frosterly; and J. Baldwin, Ludlow.