made immortal in his present state of human weakness, would himself pray for release as the best boon that could be granted him. And when the sting of Death is removed by the agency of a Divine Helper, and the hope of living again in a future state, where there will be a mutual recognition of friends departed, and a perfect personal consummation and bliss both in body and soul, lightens the darkness of the tomb, then may the rider on the pale white horse be welcomed as a friend and deliverer rather than be feared as a King of Terrors.

And have I been complaining, then, so long?—
Complaining of His favours, pain and death?
Who without pain's advice would e'er be good?
Who without death but would be good in vain?
Pain is to save from pain; all punishment
To make for peace; and death to save from death.

And taught by these, confess th' Almighty just;
And where you can't unriddle, learn to trust.

THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS.

AN Old Man had several Sons, who were constantly quarrelling with each other. When the Father had exerted his authority, and used all possible means to reconcile them, to no purpose, he at last had recourse to this expedient. He ordered his Sons to be called before him, and a bundle of sticks to be brought; and then commanded them, one by one, to try if, with all their might and strength, they could any of them break it. They all tried, but to no purpose; for the sticks being closely and compactly bound up together, it was impossible for the force of man to break them. After this, the Father ordered the bundle

to be untied, and gave a single stick to each of his Sons, at the same time bidding him try to break it; which, when each did with all imaginable ease, the Father addressed himself to them to this effect: "O my Sons, behold the power of unity! For if you, in like manner, would but keep yourselves strictly united in the bonds of friendship, it would not be in the power of any mortal to hurt you; but, when once the ties of brotherly affection are broken, and you are divided by quarrels, you will fall a prey to your enemies, and deprive yourself of the success which mutual help would give you.”

MORAL. Quarrelsome dogs come halting home.

APPLICATION. It is a common observation, that the children of large families succeed the best in life. The secret of their well-doing may lie in the assistance one brother is enabled to render to another. However this may be, the design of the fable cannot be mistaken. It is intended to show the evils of family disunion. Quarrels are at all times odious: how much more so when they take place among those bound by the ties of blood, duty, nature, relationship, and selfinterest to be the allies and protectors of each other!

If social comforts be thy care,

Learn this short lesson: "Bear-forbear."

A STAG, grown old and mischievous, was, according to custom, stamping with his foot, butting with his head, and bellowing so terribly, that the whole herd quaked for fear of him; when one of the little Fawns, coming up, addressed him to this purpose: "Pray, what is the reason that you, who are so stout and formidable at all other times, if you do but hear the cry of the hounds, are ready to fly out of your skin for fear?"" What you observe is true," replied the Stag, "though I know not how to account for it; I am indeed vigorous, and able enough, I think, to

L

THE Camel presented a petition to Jupiter, complaining of the hardships of his case, in not having, like bulls and other creatures, horns, or any weapons of defence to protect himself from the attacks of his enemies; and prayed that relief might be given him in such manner as might be thought most expedient. Jupiter rejected the petition, and told him that, so far from granting his unreasonable request, henceforward he would take care his ears should be shortened, as a punishment for his presumptuous importunity.