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countenance, and slowly spoke, in pre- So they were bound in lovely yoke,
cisely the following words:
Like woodbine round an aged oak.
We never knew what words they said,
Thus banded, side by side,
But thought was o'er her features spread,
So calm and sanctified,
I fancy that the aged told
The lamb of pastures and a fold.
I fancy, in a low, kind tone,

"This, sir, is my dear friend. You gave it me. For a long time I read it much, and often thought of what it told. Last year I went to see my sister at Lake Winnipeg, where I remained about two months. When I was halfway back through the lake, I remembered that I had left my Bible behind me. I directly turned round, and was nine days by myself, tossing to and fro, before I reached the house; but I found my friend, and determined that I would not part with it again, and ever since it has been near my breast, and I thought I should have it buried with me; but I have thought since I had better give it to you when I am gone, and it may do some one else good.'

"He was often interrupted by a sepulchral cough, and sunk down exhausted. I read and prayed; the hut hardly afforded me room to be upright, even when kneeling."

MY SISTERS IN HEAVEN. "He shall gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom."-ISA. xl. 2.

ONCE they were little pilgrims here,
But they are angels now;
Their eye once glistened with the tear,
But now around their brow
Their Saviour binds a crown of light,
With jewels by his smile made bright.
I think I see them, as of yore,

So full of life and health,

When each within her sweet heart bore

A treasury of wealth;Such wealth as kind affections bless The heart of love and gentleness. The one, within her dark eye, hid Thoughts which her God had given : In everything she said or did

There was a touch of Heaven. And yet she loved the things below, As streamlets where God's mercies flow. And there was one for whom her soul Ran over with sweet love; And often from her play she stole, And, like a little dove, Would nestle in his aged breast,

And there would feel her spirit blest!

It was her grandsire;-he was old,
And she a bud of spring;
But his affections were not cold,
Nor her's a worthless thing:

He told her of that breast On which might lean the little one, When he should be at rest :

He knew not that the lamb would go,
While yet the aged stayed below!
My other sister,-she was one,
The light of summer skies had shone,
And left their purest dye.
And, but for passing shades of earth,
Her beauty spoke of seraph birth.
Thus, thus were they; and when we laid
Their coffins side by side,

On whose sweet azure eye

For what we loved no grave we made,
Bright spirits now around the throne,
Their bodies only died.

Sweet sisters,-ye are still our own!
I even think I love you more

Than when ye played with me;
Your tears are dried, your sorrows o'er,
From all but joy set free!
And you love us, e'en more, above,
In presence of a God of love.

* The foregoing piece is from "Aunt Jane's Verses for Children," by Mrs. Crewdson, just published by Gilpin,-a nice book for the children of families that can afford the expense, which, from the style of getting-up, must be considerable.

USE AND ORNAMENT.

A COAL was hid beneath the grate, ('T is often modest merit's fate)'Twas small, and so, perhaps, forgotten; While, in the room, and near in size, In a fine casket, lined with cotton, In pomp and state a diamond lies. "So, little gentleman in black,"

The brilliant spark in anger cried, "I hear, in philosophic clack,

Our families are close allied; But know, the splendour of my hue, Excell'd by nothing in existence, Should teach such little folks as you To keep a more respectful distance." At these reflections on his name The coal soon redden'd to a flame; Of his own real use aware,

He only answer'd with a sneer,

"I scorn your taunts, good Bishop Blaze,
And envy not your charms divine;
For, know, I boast a double praise,
As I can warm as well as shine."

The Cabinet.

THE INNOCENT BLOOD.

MATT. XXVii. 1-6.

THE dreadful night is now past, and the morning star of a still more awful day at length appears. At a very early hour a set of men began to assemble, to do a deed like to which nothing was ever done before, or ever can be done again, in our world. Their zeal and unanimity were wonderful; not one was absent. "All the chief priests and elders of the people" were present; there was no skulking, no shrinking from the work of death! Each seemed eager to enjoy his share of the iniquity! They but too well represented the infatuated multitude, who shortly after exclaimed, with the same unanimity, "His blood be upon us and upon our children!" It is to be observed that "all the people said" this! Cruel men! They spared neither their children nor their childrens' children; and as imitators of their fathers, they have experienced the curse to the uttermost! All being assembled, they proceeded, without loss of time, to gratify the malignity of their hearts: they ruthlessly seize the person of the Messiah, who made no resistance, and for whom chains and bands were wholly unnecessary. When bound, with joy they hand him over to the civil power, "to be crucified." Their part having been performed, they are now determined to see that the Governor shall perform his. But just as, in order to this, they were about to follow their victim, an event occurred of a character to disturb their equanimity. On their starting to leave the Temple, a man comes forward, with hasty step. and eager look, and on arriving at the spot where they stood, without breath or pause, he breaks out in a strain of inconceivable agony, with the words, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood!" So far the soul of the wretched man was disburdened of its burning, its intolerable load! His eyes are now opened, and he sees the consequences of his deed; he perceives that it was the first of a series that was conducting his innocent Master to the Cross!

How do these men receive his exculpatory testimony? As men of blood might be expected to receive it. They scorn his testimony, and despise himself, contemptuously replying, "What is that to us?

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countenance, and slowly spoke, in precisely the following words:

So they were bound in lovely yoke,
Like woodbine round an aged oak.
We never knew what words they said,
Thus banded, side by side,
But thought was o'er her features spre
So calm and sanctified,
I fancy that the aged told
The lamb of pastures and a fold.
I fancy, in a low, kind tone,

"This, sir, is my dear friend. You gave it me. For a long time I read it much, and often thought of what it told. Last year I went to see my sister at Lake Winnipeg, where I remained about two months. When I was halfway back through the lake, I remembered that I had left my Bible behind me. I directly turned round, and was nine days by myself, tossing to and fro, before I reached the house; but I found my friend, and determined that I would not part with it again, and ever since it has been near my breast, and I thought I should have it buried with me; but I have thought since I had better give it to you when I am gone, and it may do some one else good.'

"He was often interrupted by a sepulchral cough, and sunk down exhausted. I read and prayed; the hut hardly afforded me room to be upright, even when kneeling."

He told her of that breast On which might lean the little one, When he should be at rest: He knew not that the lamb would While yet the aged stayed below! My other sister,-she was one, The light of summer skies had sho And left their purest dye. And, but for passing shades of eart Her beauty spoke of seraph birth. Thus, thus were they; and when

MY SISTERS IN HEAVEN. "He shall gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom."-ISA. xl. 2.

ONCE they were little pilgrims here,

But they are angels now;
Their eye once glistened with the tear,
But now around their brow
Their Saviour binds a crown of light,
With jewels by his smile made bright.
I think I see them, as of yore,

So full of life and health,
When each within her sweet heart bore
A treasury of wealth;-
Such wealth as kind affections bless
The heart of love and gentleness.
The one, within her dark eye, hid
Thoughts which her God had given :
In everything she said or did

On whose sweet azure eye

Their coffins side by side, For what we loved no grave we m Bright spirits now around the thr Their bodies only died. Sweet sisters,-ye are still our ov I even think I love you more

Than when ye played with me Your tears are dried, your sorrov From all but joy set free! And you love us, e'en more, abo In presence of a God of love.

There was a touch of Heaven. And yet she loved the things below, As streamlets where God's mercies flow. And there was one for whom her soul Ran over with sweet love; And often from her play she stole, And, like a little dove, Would nestle in his aged breast, And there would feel her spirit blest! It was her grandsire;-he was old, And she a bud of spring; But his affections were not cold, Nor her's a worthless thing:

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see thou to that!" You should have thought of that before: we have fulfilled our contract. You must take the consequences.

Such were the consolations in reserve for him, and will be for all who, like him, shall minister to the purposes of iniquity. The weak, the simple, the unsuspecting, the ready-made dupes of the designing and the wicked, will ever find it thus.

The precise object of Judas it is difficult to determine, but it was clearly of a strongly penitential character, although it was a repentance that required to be repented of,-"the sorrow of the world," that "worketh death." There was vexation, disgust, desperation; but there is no evidence of true humiliation-godly sorrow, united with faith, hope, and love. Anguish and terror take hold upon him, and as a first step towards obtaining some relief, he rushed forward to undo what he had done. No man knew better than he the true character of his Master, which he had had the means of observing so intimately and so long. It is not improbable, likewise, that at this time, the hour of temptation having passed away, the true state of the case became more manifest, and that he saw his Divine character as the Messiah, as evidenced by miracles, and adorned by wisdom, condescension, and love, together with the manifold kindnesses he had bestowed upon himself, as he had never done before. Neither is it improbable that he thought that, by the confession he was now to make, he might prevent the consequences to which his conduct had led, and arrest the progress of destruction. Such a supposition was, of course, foolish; but in the confusion and distraction of the moment, it was not unnatural to entertain it. The Wicked One clearly knew his weak side, and the chief point on which he might be most successfully tempted. Through life, his infirmity had been the love of the world; and the position he occupied as treasurer among the Apostles but too readily supplied the means of gratifying his lust of lucre. But his election to that office showed the otherwise respectable character he bore; for it will be found amongst men at the present hour, that election of individuals for treasurership is uniformly a tribute, and frequently a high tribute, to certain attributes of character, such as stability, trustworthiness, prudence, and general respectability. He was intent upon money, and the betrayal of his Lord seemed, although upon a most insiguificant scale, as a means whereby he could add a few mites to his illgotten gain. It is very probable that he had no idea of things taking the turn they did, and, in fact, like men generally under very strong temptation, when the mind is blinded, and the passions are

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