master of the shop was not a hard-hearted man, but had some sympathy for the sufferings of others. He inquired of the youth if he could refer to any one for a character. The poor fellow could not do this. He had wandered up to the great metropolis, with but a few shillings in his pocket, hoping to get employment, and he did not know a single person. He was friendless and forlorn. He had, therefore, to leave the shop, with an aching heart, on being told that a character must be given. The sharp pangs of hunger, and the inability to pay for proper lodgings, well nigh drove him to despair. He, however, would not beg. "I'll starve at a before I'll beg," he many times said to himself. All hope was now nearly gone. He, however, resolved to make another trial. He called again upon the shopkeeper. There was something in the anxious inquiry of the youth which, providentially, induced the inaster to give him a trial. Oh! the joy he felt when he was told to be at No. certain time. He conducted himself in his humble post so well that he gained the confidence of his employer. He sought the guidance of God in all that he did, and his way was made prosperous. His diligence, honesty, and respectful behaviour, raised him, step by step, in the house, until at length he became a partner. A few years more saw him the sole proprietor of the concern, and in the year 18- he was made THE SHERIFF OF LONDON. THERE was a little lamb, It tried to find its food Where nothing wholesome grew, And bleak upon its head The cold wind fiercely blew. Ah, foolish little lamb; But there was One who came He took it far away, To pastures fresh and green, And laid it softly down Beside a pleasant stream. Oh, happy is the lamb Whom thus the Shepherd brings, To be for ever safe Beneath His sheltering wings! J. H. SUNDAY-SCHOOL HYMN. FATHER, it is from thy kind hand Each rolling year reveals thy name, The flowers that bloom around our homes, The blue of skies above, Repeat to us in holy tones Sweet stories of thy love. Love traced the Bible's sacred page, Love brought the Saviour from the sky To dwell with men below, And meekly bear on Calvary Father, through Him thy grace impart, Bless the instruction we receive, Be with us day by day, That, taught thy doctrine to believe, We may through love obey. J. H. TEXTS TO FIND AND QUESTIONS TO 1st Week 2nd Week 3rd Week 4th Week 5th Week ANSWER. 77. "Israel hath cast off the thing that is good." 78. What did David do in the house of God, in the days of Abiathar?" 79. "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him." 80. Who forsook the counsel of the old men," and followed that of the young men ? 81. "The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever." 82. Who killed his sovereign by spreading a thick, wet cloth over his face? 83. Lead me in a plain path." 66 84. Who were the sailors who, in a storm at sea, continued fasting for fourteen days? 85. "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed." 86. "If any have a quarrel against any, what is he to do, and whom is he to imitate? ANSWERS TO TEXTS AND QUESTIONS FOR LAST MONTH. (69.) Jonathan: 1 Sam. xviii. 1, 3. (70.) Matt. vii. 7. (71.) Herodias: Mark vi. 24. (72.) Prov. viii. 17. (73.) Samuel and Jesus: 1 Sam. ii. 26, and Luke ii. 52. (74.) Matt. xvi. 16. (75.) Peter: Acts v. 19. (76.) Ps. lxxxix. 26. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. "J. H."-Many thanks for your communications. May we ask you to write your separate articles on separate pieces of paper? All Communications and Articles for insertion to be addressed to the Editor, at Messrs. SEELEYS, 54, Fleet-street; or, which is more direct, to the Rev. C. CARUS WILSON, Thanet-house, Ramsgate. Bound volumes of the CHILDREN'S FRIEND and FRIENDLY VISITOR for last year, suitable for School Prizes and Village Libraries, to be had of the Publishers, through all booksellers, price Is. 6d. each. BUSH FIRE IN AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIA is a very different country from England. The country here is covered with green fields, interspersed with luxuriant hedges, and beautiful large trees all over. In Australia there are immense tracts of flat plains, covered with high tall grass, few trees, and no hedges. In England scarcely a week M |