books are placed in their hands in which those are praised who not only delighted in those foolish sports by which they tormented little animals, but frequently spent their whole lives in disturbing the peace of their fellow-creatures, and spreading war and bloodshed in every direc tion. But these characters, Henry, have had their day, and their glory is passing away; and I hope the time is coming when little children will be taught that it is better to be holy, harmless, and undefiled, like the Son of God when on earth, than to be great, and rich, and daring, and powerful. It is this consideration, my dear Henry," continued Mr. Dalben," which induces me to take such pains (with the divine help) to render you tender and compassionate towards other creatures, and ready to give up your own pleasures and satisfactions for their sakes; and it was for this reason that I felt sorry to see you indulging yourself with so little moderation in the pleasure of flying your kite, and at the same time neglecting your little rabbit. I wish you to acquire that very rare quality of being steady and persevering when you do an act of kindness; and when you have begun to serve any poor creature, to carry on your kindness as long as that creature requires it, though it be to your own cost and damage. Ah, Henry, my boy! if our heavenly Father were as fickle and changeable in his works of love as we are with respect to our fellow-creatures, what would be our case? How could we be supported? Or how should we ever enjoy one moment's peace or confidence ?"

Mr. Dalben then spoke to Henry, in lan

guage as plain as he could devise, of the unchangeable nature of God. "The Almighty God, Henry," said Mr. Dalben, "is incapable of changing or altering his opinions as we are. For it is written, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.' Isaiah lv. 9.

6

"I remember the time, my dear boy, when you loved to play all day with little bits of deal brought from the carpenter's shop, and you knew no greater pleasure at that period. After that your chief delight was to drag a little wooden cart about the garden full of stones and earth. You then became fond of snailshells, as Mrs. Kitty can witness, and filled every corner of the house with them. Afterwards the rabbit had his turn, and then the paper poor kite; and in measure, as you took up one favourite, you dropped and forgot the others. But now think, my dear Henry, if the Almighty God were like you, how could the worlds and all the creatures which are therein be supported? and how could poor, sinful, silly, little children, be kept from sin, and brought on step by step, from grace to grace, till they are fit for glory? It is a great comfort, my dear boy, for us poor creatures to know that we have a friend who never changes."

Mr. Dalben then repeated this beautiful

verse:

66

Hark, my soul," &c.

CHAPTER XVI.

Containing an Account of the little Community called Bees; with a serious Lesson, which Mr. Dalben drew from their Example.

Ir happened one day, that Mr. Dalben having some business at the mill above mentioned, he breakfasted early, and allowing Henry to accompany him, walked down to the river. It was a

cool morning for the time of year, which was the heat of summer, the sun being, for the most part, under clouds, and a late shower having settled the dust and refreshed the trees and herbs. When they arrived at the mill, Mr. Dalben having speedily finished his business, and wishing to proceed a little way up the river, in order to administer some relief to an old man, who was lying sick in a cottage situated about a mile and a half, or two miles above, in a wood which is thereabouts, asked Henry if he could promise him to sit quite still if he took him with him in a boat, as the miller was so kind as to offer him one for the occasion, and a man to manage it. Henry promised very fairly, and accordingly followed his uncle and the man across a field at the back of the mill, where they found a little boat moored under the deep shade of certain lofty willow trees, whose roots were bathed by the stream. The man presently unfastened this

boat, and getting in himself, directed Mr. Dalben and Henry to step in after him. Mr. Dalben accordingly was going to lift Henry into the boat; but the little boy, hearing the roar of an adjacent weir, and that of the mill-wheel not far off, began to utter loud shrieks, and to draw back, saying, "O! uncle, uncle, I shall be drowned, I am sure that I shall be drowned."

Mr. Dalben was angry, and said, "Henry, cannot you trust in me? Have I ever brought you into danger yet? If it was a little boy like yourself, who wished to tempt you into a boat, you would do well to draw back and be afraid; but when it is your friend and father who is leading and directing you, you are proving want of confidence and respect, by seeming to be afraid." Henry was ashamed, and ceasing to cry, he allowed Mr. Dalben to lift him into the boat, where placing him on a seat right before him, and directing him to sit quite still, and not to move if the boat rocked a little, Mr. Dalben placed himself at the helm, and the boatman began to shove off from the shore. In a few minutes they were come out from under the shade of the trees, and were crossing into the main stream at the head of the weir, whose noise had terrified Henry so greatly over this weir the water was rushing with considerable violence, foaming, and dashing down beneath them into the lower part of the river. Henry began again to evidence fear, and to move about; on which Mr. Dalben spoke to him with some harshness: whereupon the little boy settled himself again on his seat, and remained trembling, till the boat entered into smooth water,

between two shores, scattered over with beautiful trees, and bushy underwood. The roar of the weir, as also the rush of the mill-wheel, were now heard less distinctly, and the water resembled a polished mirror.

Henry recovering himself, began to try to laugh off his late fears. "Uncle," he said, "this is very pleasant. I am not the least afraid now; indeed, I was not much afraid before, only that weir made such a noise. I could not hear any thing that was said."

"You were not desired to hear what was said," returned Mr. Dalben; "you were only required to sit still; but we want no excuses, Henry: you have behaved like a very silly boy; and it is better for you to be sensible of your folly than to pretend to make excuses which nobody believes."

Henry blushed, and held down his head. "And now, Henry," said Mr. Dalben, “I am going to speak to you upon a subject which every little boy should understand; the subject on which I am speaking is courage: do you know what courage is, Henry?" asked Mr. Dalben.

"Yes, uncle; courage is not being afraid."

"I do not think that explanation will quite do," said Mr. Dalben; "because then a poor idiot, whom I once knew, who never could be taught that fire would burn, or water drown, and who laughed heartily at a violent storm of thunder and lightning, might be called the most courageous person in the world; because he would take a lighted stick and dance about his