persons, two sisters and one brother. They were Jesus's friends, and he loved them. When he was absent from them he knew that Lazarus sickened and died, and he determined to go to Bethany. And when Martha, one of Lazarus's sisters, heard that Jesus was coming, she went out and met him, and afterward came her sister Mary, too. And both, knowing how many sick that no one else could cure, Jesus had cured, said to him, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died;' and, though Lazarus had been four days in the grave, Martha had faith to believe that Jesus could restore him to life; for she said, Even now, whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give it thee.''

"Could he raise him from the dead-did he ?" asked Anny, eagerly.

"You shall hear. They went to the grave, and, while Jesus stood there, he wept."

"And why did he so? Sure I would not fret if I could raise up Judy."

"Because you think only of yourself, Anny. Jesus thought of all the world. His heart was full of compassion, and he remembered those, who, like you and me, had to be separated from those they best love, and with bitter tears, lie down on their graves."

"Have you buried in the ground all your people?" "All my own family, Anny."

"And yet ye said never a word of that, but spake the kind word to me,'

"That is one of the lessons, Anny, God teaches us by taking away our friends, how to feel for others, and how to speak the kind word they need. Jesus loved Lazarus as friend loves friend, and he felt how much those must suffer, who are separated from their friends. But he had something to do as well as feel; so have we all, Anny. His work was to show forth the power of God; as the Bible says, to bring life and immortality to light;' to show, by raising Lazarus, to you, Anny, and to many, many who, like you, ask, 'how the dead can come alive out of the ground again,' that all things are possible to the power of God. His power is his glory, because it is used for the good of his creatures. Jesus says he had promised to show them the glory of God. When he had said that, he commanded Lazarus to come forth. And he came-the brother rose and stood before his sistersthe dead man was a living man again among his friends.

R

If Jesus stood here now, and told you he could raise your sister from the dead, would you believe it?" "Sure would I."

"And do you not believe what he has told us, that all that are in their graves shall rise again?"

"Yes, I do believe it."

"Then, Anny, when those are taken from us that we love, we should lay to heart this great truth, that we shall live again. Instead of giving ourselves up to sorrow, we must try to use well every minute of this life, that we feel to be so very short. We must try to make sisters and brothers of strangers, as Christ did, by loving them, and doing good to them. We must study the Bible, the Word of God, and endeavour to feel and to do as that teaches us. If we do all this, it will be good for us that we have been afflicted."

After a pause of a few moments, Anny said, while the tears ran down her cheeks, "Sure I feel better now while I'm thinking it's God's truth we shall all meet again; and I'll do all my endeavours to mind all ye've said to me-but-but

"But what, Anny?"

"Och I fear I'll be after forgetting this same when there's none to mind me of it; none to spake the good word to me, and many bad words is it I hear every day." "Are not the people you live with good people, Anny ?"

"Troth they are; but not the like of you, miss. God forgive me that I should say so, for did'nt Katy O'Neill nurse my mother, and Bobby, and Judy? and does she not give me bread from the same loaf with her own childer?"

She must be very good and kind in her way, then, Anny, though she may not know how to teach you just as I do. But, after all, the best teaching is good actions. The Bible says, Anny, be kind to one another;' but, if I were to repeat these words a hundred times, they would not sink so deep into your heart as Mrs. O'Neill's kindness to you."

"That's truth, but I love to hear ye spake the words; and, if I could live with the like of you, I would not wish to be buried up in the grave wi' Judy."

Emma's heart was touched. She felt a great interest in the forlorn little stranger. When Emma had done one service to any person, she always felt a desire to do

more. She thought of a plan for her; but, as it depended on others besides herself, she deemed it more prudent not to excite any expectations, and she merely said, "You and I belong to one family. We are both orphans, and orphans are God's peculiar family. Come, now, I will walk down to Mrs. O'Neill's with you, and next Sunday afternoon we will try to meet at Judy's grave again."

Anny once more kissed the sods, and shed a fresh flood of tears; she then wiped her eyes, and, taking Emma's offered hand, returned to the shanty with a far less lonely feeling than she had come from it.

Thus, when, by his creative power,

The Almighty doth impart The heavenly gift of poesy To any human heart;

He orders that in joy or woe,

In sunshine or in shade,

In praise, or blame, or cold neglect,
That gift shall be displayed.

What then, though humble bards should ne'er

To fame or splendour rise;

Though worldly pride and worldly pomp,
Their noble toil despise ;

Yet know they, that they well fulfil
The Almighty's high behest,

By pouring forth their heaven-taught lays,
With truth and love impressed.

"Tis not for human praise, the stars
Light up their lamps of gold;
'Tis not for praise the wild bird sings-
The flowers their leaves unfold:

Ah no! the stars, the birds, the flowers,
The bard's impassioned song,
With all things good, and true, and fair,
To God alone belong.

He rules the world of stars and flowers,

He rules our spirits too;

And thanks for every human joy,

To him alone are due.

Then ask not why the poet wastes,
In thankless toil, his hours;
He but obeys His high behest,
From whom are all his powers.

A PASTORAL LETTER.

BY A UNITARIAN MINISTER.

(From the Second Series of American Tracts.) BRETHREN, my prayer to God for you is, that you may be saved,-saved from delusion, error, sin and misery; that you may be wise to see and shun your dangers; strong to resist your temptations; ready to every good and pious work; and ready to give an answer to every one that shall ask a reason of the hope that is in you. It will be my greatest joy to know, that you are walking in the truth as it is in Jesus, as heirs of the grace of life; and that your souls are in health and prosperity.

As your pastor, I write unto you; sending you Christian salutations, and wishing you joy in the Lord Jesus, and praying that grace, mercy, and peace may be in all your families, and in all your hearts.

Though I hope, by leave of Providence, often to enter your dwellings and converse with you, and also to meet you in the temple of our God, and break to you the bread of life; yet wishing to give you another testimony of my concern for your spiritual welfare; and that you may know how earnestly I desire your edification and steadfastness in the Lord, I send to each one of my flock, my views of religion, together with some reflexions, counsels, and exhortations.

Beloved, see that you walk circumspectly, redeeming the time, for the days are evil. You have need of patience, prudence, and wisdom. I have told you often and openly, and you knew it before, that our faith is spoken against.

It is partly known to you, how earnest those, who are self-styled Orthodox, are to prevent the spread of our views of religion,—what various ways they take to oppose us, and to alarm and draw away our hearers. Since you have chosen me to be your pastor, who am a professed Unitarian Christian, you will undoubtedly be subjected to many trials of your faith and constancy. Others may try to shake your confidence in me, and persuade you to listen to and follow them. Though they may never have heard me preach, yet they may endeavour to excite your suspicions and doubts, and to destroy the influence of my instructions on your hearts. It may be, that many of you have already heard such reproofs, counsels, and warnings. If you have not, the time may