himself if he had taken to drinking, as his fellow-clerks did? No; he would have died a drunkard as they did, and his name would have been forgotten, his good deeds undone, and his soul lost. Boys, which will you do-court these enemies or fight them? AUNT JULIA. STAND UP FOR JESUS. A GIRL in Ireland having been taught to love Jesus, was cruelly beaten by her father because she would no longer pray to the Virgin Mary. The poor child, though half dead with pain, bore her ill-treatment quietly, saying "Father, if you were to cut me in pieces, I could not worship the Virgin Mary. She is a creature. God is a jealous God, and will not give his glory to another. I cannot and will not worship the Virgin Mary.” The girl said these brave words so meekly and solemnly, that her father, angry as he was, felt that no common power could give her such courage as this. What can that power be?" he asked himself. Thinking to find it out, he went to hear the preacher who had led his child to Jesus. The word of God pierced his heart. He, too, left off praying to the Virgin. His wife soon joined him. Next his wicked brother, who often tried to burn Christians in their beds, became pious. Then the brave little girl was glad that she stood up for Jesus, and her home of peace, love, and joy. Don't you honour that brave little Irish girl? I know you do. If I had you altogether on a prairie, and were to ask you, I think you would give three cheers for her. That would be good. It will be better, however, if you show your approval of her courage by bravely standing up for Jesus yourselves. TOO MUCH TROUBLE. "I HAVE wished I was a Christian a good many times," said Harry to his mother, as he laid down his book. "I should be one, if there were not so many things to do. I never could do them all. I have tried a good many times." "What is there to do, my son, but to give up what is wrong and do what is right? You wish to do that?" "Yes, mother; but that is what I cannot do. It is too much trouble." "It was not too much trouble for the Saviour to leave heaven, suffer, and die for you," said his mother. "I know I ought to please him," said Harry, with his eyes fixed on the floor. "But I am doing wrong all the while. I pray, and that does not stop me." Your heart is wrong, my dear child. It loves sin. You can never love God till your heart is washed in the blood of Christ. Pray for a new heart, then you will delight in doing God's will. If you keep praying, he will answer and bless you." A LOVELY PLANT. Two little girls, Bridget and Walburger, went to the neighbouring town, each carrying on her head a heavy basket of fruit, to sell for money enough to buy the family a dinner. Bridget complained and fretted all the way; but Walburger only joked and laughed. At last Bridget got vexed, and said, angrily "How can you go on laughing POETRY. Then your labour bringing Hear thy Master saying Work, for time is flying; IF I WERE A SUNBEAM." "If I were a sunbeam, I know what I would do; Raised its drooping head. Dark with want and woe. Till sad hearts looked upward, I would shine and shine; Then they'd think of heaven, Their sweet home and mine." Art thou not a sunbeam, Child, whose life is glad For there is no sunbeam Child at one. 1 Our Youths' Department. NATURAL HISTORY. THE ALBATROSS. SOMETIMES, when in childhood-perhaps like some of our young friends now we have been attracted by the scream of wild birds as they have passed over our heads far up in the air. We have looked at them as they appeared like little specks in the clouds, observing the constant motion of their wings, and the regular order of their flight, until they disappeared in the distance. Then we have wondered whence they have come, and whither they were going; what object they had in flying thus, or if they had any object at all. These and many other thoughts of a far more fanciful kind were suggested by the flight of birds. We one time talked with a negro, who had escaped from slavery in the Southern States of America, whose thoughts were very different when he saw the wild birds flying over his head. In reply to a certain question, he said when he was a slave, all he knew about freedom for a long time was, that there was a country far away toward the rising of the sun, and if he could but manage to get there he would be free. He used to see flocks of birds flying in that direction, and thinking they were going to that land of liberty, he clapped his hands and longed for wings, that he might accompany them. Poor man! the birds were free, but he was a slave, and the sight of their liberty made him long to be free likewise. By-andby God granted to him his wish; he escaped from his master, and reached England in safety, where no one can be a slave. The wish of this poor negro for wings, that he might fly away from slavery, makes us think of David, who wished for wings, that he might fly away from trouble. Let our young friends read Psalm lv. It is supposed that David wrote it when his son Absalom rebelled against him, and his friend Ahithophel treacherously gave evil counsel against him. David, perhaps, seeing a dove flying to its nest, and longing for refuge and rest, exclaimed, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." But to return to the wild birds, with which we started. No doubt those which attracted our notice in youth were ocean birds, which had been driven to land by the force of some tempest, or were then migrating to some suitable spot where they might lay and hatch their eggs; for all birds which frequent the sea have to come to land at certain seasons for these purposes. The largest of ocean birds is the albatross, which is said to be larger than the swan, and its wings, when extended, from tip to tip, measure from ten to sixteen feet. These birds never visit the seas around this country; but those of our friends who have gone to Australia, after crossing the line, have frequent opportunities of seeing them, for within the tropics and in more southern regions they abound. The length and strength of their wings fit them for long flights. They are seen sweeping round the heavens in wide circles with outstretched wings, which they seldom move, as if floating with the greatest ease on the bosom of the air. One was known to follow a ship, which was sailing two hundred miles a day, for forty-eight hours; and, from its irregular flight, it must have passed over three or four times the distance. They often follow ships, that they may gather up the refuse left in the course of the vessels; sometimes they are so hungry as to snatch at a piece of meat attached to the end of a cord, and by this means they are caught. One was caught and taken on board the "Blanche Moore," the ship in which Mr. Maughan sailed to Australia. We give you the account of it in his own words :-" An albatross caught to-day; it measured 10 feet 6 inches from the tip of one wing to that of the other. It had a finely-formed head, with a beautiful dark eye, and a mild but plaintive expression. It looked sadly bewildered as it sat helpless on the deck in the midst of a gazing crowd, and savagely gnashed with its mandibles on those who happened to be within its reach. Its wings were curiously gathered in double folds along its back. After having been for some time the observed of all observers,' a parchment label was affixed to its neck containing the name of the master, the date of the capture, &c., and it was thrown over the stern of the vessel." No doubt it was very happy to be set at liberty. These birds are said to be very voracious, devouring dead carcases of animals floating on the water, fish, and even smaller birds. When hungry, they will swallow a salmon of four or five pounds weight; and then, being half-choked, and consequently unable to move, are easily caught and destroyed by their enemies. This, you see, is one bad effect of eating too much. No doubt, our youthful readers think the albatross very foolish for being so intemperate, and thus exposing itself to destruction; but we think we have seen |