Poetry. THE HISTORY OF MAN. WITH musings sad my spirit teems, My harp is strung to saddest themes; O mortal hear its notes complain, Nor shun a dark but faithful strain, Whose simple length, though short, shall span The mournful history of man. How oft, with dreams of pomp elate, Lo, stretch'd before his anguish'd eyes, The form he clasps resigns its breath, Again it strikes,-a second blow,- The funeral pomp, superb and slow, And when that breathless wasting clay Oh man, with heaven's own honours bright, And fall'st thou thus, thou child of light? But I on thee depend, O Lord, ROBERT GRANT. THE SILVER CORD IS LOOSED- Where hush'd beneath each lonely mound, And there a clay cold bed is made, The bitter blast of death pass'd o'er, Thou cam'st, and pleasures new and bright Thou'rt gone, and every young delight Is laid in thy dark grave. What joy I hoped should yield this day, The day is come; but thou'rt away, For ever gone, life's active spark- Those bright blue orbs are closed and dark, I've sat once by the cradle's side, And joy'd to trace, Blind fool, with all a father's pride, Say fancy form'd the good and wise, Truth's darling prop, bright honour's prize, One beauteous bud perfumed my bower- The spoiler came, in ruthless power, Time's vaunted skill no balm can give; Each speeding breath; 'Twas, when on that fair forehead stood The boding damp of death. 'Twas, when the fiend, with grasp so cold, Chill'd life's red tide. 'Twas, when that eye its last gleam roll'd, 'Twas when my poor boy died. The sigh will rise, in manhood's spite Grief round me draws her murky night Yet let my stricken heart be taught That lesson, with true wisdom fraught, There may I meet, when life is past, The Children's Gallery. A SHIPWRECK. EARLIER than the lark, on a fine morning, in the month of July, we left our home with the sun just announcing his approach by the gold and purple clouds which appeared on the dark blue waters of the deep, in the hope of spending a pleasant day on the watery element. Having some miles to travel ere we reached the port from which we were to embark, quick as we bent our way onward, quicker still rose the sun in his glory, wakening the feathered minstrels of the forest, to warble sweetly their morning song of praise, ere yet the humble inmates of the cottage awoke from the sweet rest known only to the sons of labour. Arriving at the port, we found many filled with bright anticipations of spending a happy day, and seeing the many towns, villages, and country-seats strewed along the shores, and the endless and various shapes into which the angry billows formed the rocky coast along which we had to pursue our course. But how often are our hopes of earthly pleasure disappointed! and even when enjoyed to the full how frequently do they leave a sting behind! Hardly had we embarked on board the swift courser of the deep, than a thick mist surrounded us, and hid, for the day, sun and land, and little could be seen around us but the milky foam produced by the rapid motion of the paddlewheels. Forgetful of many past and present mercies, sorrow and disappointment filled many a heart, till it became visible in the countenance. In consequence of the mist, we had to keep out to sea; onward we pursued our course, little knowing whither. The shades of evening began to gather around us; many had laid themselves down for the night in their narrow cots; for however prosperous the voyage, they could not expect to reach their destination ere another sun set. Others there were who might ere now have reached their homes or expecting friends; these, still filled with the hope of soon reaching their desired haven, paced the deck in midst of the solemn stillness of the night; when all at once, the sleeping and the waking dreamers were roused by a deep crashing sound, and the loud but vain call of the watch, "Stop her!-back her!" But there stood immovable the swift and gallant ship, with the sharp rugged rock through her iron case, and the waters rapidly rushing through, while high above our heads, appearing closer by the mist, blazed brilliantly a beacon-light to warn us of danger in our course! How suddenly changed the scene! Where peace and order reigned, now were heard the noise of the signal-gun, and cries of despair. The deck crowded with half-dressed passengers, parents seeking their children, children their parents, others their little effects, while some, regardless of all but life, sought to escape from the now fast-filling ship by the boats. I need not further describe this scene of confusion; enough to say that we were all landed safely among a kind and hospitable people, although far from the ports to which any of us were bound; I trust with many and much more grateful hearts than if the cheering anticipations of the morning had been realized. And now, my dear young friends, how like this day's journey is the voyage through life of many! With you, at present, it is the morning of life; bright hopes and pleasant prospects of future happiness fill your hearts; you have already embarked on the ocean of time; dark clouds may soon encom. pass you,-nay, and the bright anticipations of to-day may never be realized. Set your affections on things above, on the place where Jesus says "there are many mansions," and on himself, the "Friend that sticketh closer than a brother;" and then, although surrounded with dark clouds and dangerous rocks, you shall have peace and safety. But has not some reader already left the right path, and filled with some dreamy hope of safety, is on wardly pursuing a course which leads to destruction, regardless of every admonition to stop and turn, and commit yourself to the charge of a Pilot, able, ready, and willing to land you safely in Immanuel's land, among the redeemed of the Lord?-or, may not you, dear reader, be heedlessly pursuing your course, never looking upwards to the light, or for the light spoken of as "the Light that shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehends it not?" Often, in the pages of this little Magazine, have you been warned of the dangers to which you are exposed, or may be exposed, in your voyage through life;-often pointed to Him who came o seek and save such as you;-often invited to come and put your trust in Him who is a hiding-place from the storm, and a covert from the tempest, ere your frail bark strikes on some hid den rock, and you be constrained to MOTHER'S CLAIMS. "Behold thy mother."-JOHN XIX. 27. BELOVED youth !—If you will attend, I will explain to you the words of Jesus hanging on the cross, "BEHOLD THY MOTHER!" The Jews and Romans stood round about. The great city of Jerusalem poured out its inhabitants by thonsands. The great men and the mighty were there at Golgotha: "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." Thus, children, you see that Jesus loved his mother. When he was on the cross, mocked by the wicked, when hanging by the nails in his hands and feet, when loaded down with our sins, seeing his weeping mother, he took time to provide for her. John was his beloved disciple. Jesus, knowing his kindness, gave up his mother into his care. So Mary had a good home as long as she lived. If you are kind to your mother, you will be like Jesus in that respect. When time, in the midst of his sufferings, to he saw tears in Mary's eyes, he took comfort her. So should you do. When she is sick, walk softly; go often to her drink or medicine to her. If she wants bedside and offer to help her. Bring breath, fan her. When your sick mother is quiet, be ready to read for her. Is your mother poor? She is your mother still. You are her riches. Has she no jewels like the rich? Love her, obey her, be kind to her, and you will be your mother's jewels. Has she no lambs to skip and play on the hill-side like others? Then be yourselves her lambe. Is she blind? Be eyes for her have seen children almost disagree, one with the other, each one wanting his mother to live with him. I saw an old lady who was deranged and poor; she might have easily been thrown upon the parish for support. But her daughters, who were also poor, took care of her. That woman is gone, but her daughters yet live and prosper. May their days be long! Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."-"Ye shall fear every man, his mother and his father." The day will come that you must part with your mother. What a comfort it will be to you, dear children, when you come to see her in the coffin, where you can do no more for her, if you can then recollect that you have always been kind and affectionate to her. and lead her. Is she lame? Be her staff. Who is it that took care of you when helpless babes ? Who prepares your food and fits your clothes for you? And when you are sick, who does most for you? Who is wakeful all night to tend you and give you drink? And if you should die, who would mourn most deeply for you? "Behold thy mother!" But are you larger children? And do you think yourselves too old to mind your mother? Think of King Solomon. In all his sayings or doings he never appears to me more lovely and dignified than he does when Bathsheba, his mother, went in to speak to him for Adonijah. "When he saw her, the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand. Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother; for I will not say thee nay." In seven or eight particulars Solomon's politeness appears. When his mother was And while she lives to care for you, coming into his palace-chamber, the "Behold thy mother." Then, when king arose and stood up. He went to she comes to lie on her death-bed, bemeet her. He bowed to her. He or- hold her. And when in yonder world dered her a seat. He seated his mother of joy, among the shining throng, may on his right hand. He said, My mother. she there be able to point to you as He had so much confidence and love her jewels. And when you are called for her, even before he knew her re- to follow her, may you be there to quest, he promised to grant it. "I adorn her crown to all eternity! will not say thee nay." Children, these are apples of gold in pictures of silver. Do you say you are too old to mind your mother? Think of Jesus. He was the King of kings and Lord of lords. And yet it is said, "He was subject to his parents." The storks are birds very much venerated in the East on account of their love for their parents. These birds are said to take care of their parents when they become old and lose their feathers, 80 that they cannot fly. They hover over them when exposed to cooling damps, drive off all their enemies, bring food for thern, and when, on the wing, their aged mother tires, they bear her on their own back. Let those "pious birds," as they are called, shame those children who treat their parents with neglect. When your mother grows old, take care of her. I Now, my dear children, when you have read this, I hope you will lend it to others of your age. Carry it to school, and ask your teacher to read it to her scholars. A LITTLE GIRL'S USEFULNESS. IN the city of New York, a little girl went to Sunday-school, whose parents were unconverted. The father was intemperate, and the mother was unconcerned about religion. The little girl became anxious for their salvation, and took various means for manifesting her desire, but for a time with little or no effect. One Sunday the mother had prepared some favourite dish for dinner, and like an affectionate wife, became very anxious that her husband should come home to share it. But as it often happened in similar circumstances, the intemperate husband did not return as he had promised on going away. One o'clock came, and no husband appeared; two o'clock followed, and three o'clock, but still he did not come. At length 66 There, miss, what do you say to that?" said the boy. "And the feather," exclaimed a bird, perched upon a tree, "was stolen from, or cast off by one of my race." 66 "What do you say to that, miss?" repeated the boy. Well, my clothes were neither worn by birds nor worms." "True," said a sheep, grazing close by, "but they were worn on the back of some of my family before they were yours; and, as for your hat, I know that the beavers have supplied the fur for that article; and my friends, the calves and oxen, in that field, were killed not merely to get their flesh to eat, but also to get their skins to make your shoes." the daughter exclaimed, "Mother, you | they were put upon you. Why that are often disappointed by father, why silk hat first wrapped up such a worm don't you seek Jesus? he will never as I am." disappoint you." This word reached the mother's heart-she sought and found the Saviour. The daughter was now much encouraged, and she tried from time to time to induce her poor father to seek the Lord. But he would repulse her rudely, and send her away. She now resorted to prayer. Often when the father came staggering home in a state of intoxication, he would hear her in some secret place offering up fervent petitions in his behalf. Sometimes he would call out to her hastily, and tell her he did not want her to pray for him. One day when he returned, she was reading in the Testament about the agony of the Redeemer in the garden of Gethsemane. On see ing her father her heart overflowed with love, and running to him, she exclaimed, "O! father, Jesus has suffered all this for you. Do read it, and see." He happened to be in a milder frame than usual, and through the influence of the Spirit, the word pierced his heart. He yielded to its strivings, became converted, and now is superintendent of the very Sabbath-school in which his child is a scholar. PRIDE IN DRESS.-A FABLE. A LITTLE boy and girl were once seated on a flowery bank, and talking proudly about their dress. "See," said the boy, "what a beautiful new hat I have got; what a fine blue jacket and trousers; and what a nice pair of shoes; it is not every one who is dressed so finely as I am!" "Indeed, sir," said the little girl, "I think I am dressed finer than you, for I have on a silk hat and pelisse, and a fine feather in my hat; I know that my dress cost a great deal of money." "Not so much as mine," said the boy, "I know." "Hold your peace," said a caterpillar, crawling near the hedge; "you have neither of you any reason to be so proud of your clothes, for they are only second-hand, and have all been worn by some creature or other, of which you think but meanly, before See the folly of being proud of our clothes, since we are indebted to the meanest creatures for them! and even then we could not use them, if God did not give us the wisdom to contrive the best way of making them fit to wear, and the means of procuring them for our comfort.-I. Cobbin. HONOUR YOUR PARENTS. "My boy," said a boatman, "will you do an errand for me?" "O yes, sir," replied a lad of ten years of age, as he jumped from the lock of the canal, where he had been standing to watch the boats as they passed. |