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when we are all to play with it, and so, of
course, it's of no consequence who keeps it.'
'Jimmy Taylor has his ball with him,' re-
plied Harry, pleasantly; 'it's almost as good
as mine. You will have to finish your game
with that to-night, because I promised to play
with mine in our yard with my little brother
and sister while mamma goes down town. It
would be wrong for me to disappoint them.'

If I were a nursemaid, and as old as you are, I would not tell of it,' cried Tom angrily, 'and as for this hateful ball of yours, it has made trouble enough,' and he sent it with all his might in the direction of the shining roofs of his father's factories.

A cry of indignation went up from the little group. Harry alone remained quiet. He watched the red speck of a ball as it flew away like a bright-winged bird over the willows that grew upon the margin of the rapid river.

He turned pale, clenched his hands, shut his lips tightly for a moment, drew in his breath through his distended nostrils, and, as matters stood just then, it looked as if that Crossgrained' boy would very likely be knocked off the embankment which ran along the riverside of Prospect Street.

Tom Crossman doubtless thought of this himself, for he kept his eye steadily upon his insulted and injured playmate, and slowly backed step by step outside the circle, so as to be in good and easy position to run when Harry should make for him.

But the brave, noble boy stood in his tracks till the battle within should be decided. As soon as he could trust himself, he said, with no sign of emotion, save a little tremble in his voice, which he could not quite control

'I am sorry for you, Tom Crossman; I pity you. I could give you a sound thrashing. All the boys know it, and you know it, but I won't touch you,' and Harry, lifting his cap again to the young misses, and nodding pleasantly towards his playfellows, turned about and walked up towards his home.

Tom Crossman looked vainly in each face of the group of bright, well-bred boys and girls for some expression of sympathy, and then quickly jumped off the embankment, and skulked away down the hillside by a footpath which led through the beautiful grounds which surrounded his father's residence.

Presently hearing a shout, he glanced back to see the whole group looking up the street after Harry; and the boys were shouting lustily

Hurrah for Harry!'

Harry took it so manfully that we gave him three rousing cheers,' explained Frank Wood. 'He deserved them. You would say so had you been here,' added Jimmy Taylor.

6

'I wish I had been here,' said Fred, taking off his cap to the girls, and wiping his white forehead with a blue-bordered handkerchief. And the worst of it is,' broke in George Howe, there is no use looking for the ball. It would be like hunting for a red forget-menot down there in the marsh.'

'That is so,' said Clarence Stedman, 'and it is my opinion that the ball went into the river; if it did, it has gone over the dam by this time.'

Three or four eager voices assented to this opinion, and Frank Wood continued thoughtfully, I don't see what we can do about it. Now, if it was a common ball, such as one could buy at the shops, we could chip in and get Harry another, of course. But there never can be found one to really replace the one made by his grandmother. I saw her once. She has hair like shining snow, and soft blue eyes, and a smile like sunshine. And as true as you live, she likes boys, and is all the time doing some little thing to please them.'

'I know it,' said Jimmy Taylor. 'I, too, saw her at Harry's father's, visiting. I think it was her talk and her stories that made Harry try to keep his temper. Didn't he look splendid, though, when he stood there with his eyes blazing?'

'Didn't he, though?' echoed the rest of the boys as they went their different ways.

As soon as the lads were out of earshot, Grace Crossman said to Mary Dickinson, eagerly

Do you know, Mary dear, I think I can find that ball? I am sure I saw it when it fell. It was lost to sight for a moment in the willows, and then I saw the red speck again near the great oak just across the river. Come over the footbridge with me, please, and we will look for it,' and in a moment more the short grey jackets and sailor hats of the two pretty girls were lost to sight amid the foliage of the trees upon the hillside, as they sped away down the winding footpath.

It began to rain in the night, and the next morning, as Harry stood by the window looking out at the dripping shrubbery, thinking how the bright red leather of the fine new ball must be soaked and spoiled now, there was a ring at the door, and a note in an envelope was brought to Master Harry.

'Oh, what is it? what is it?' the brother and sister asked eagerly; and hastily opening

"Three cheers for Harry Bedford, the bravest the envelope, Harry readboy in Brightriver!'

CHAPTER II.

'What is going on?' asked Fred Perkins, who came running down the hill just as the ringing chorus of the excited boys died away.

Oh, Tom Crossman threw away Harry Bedford's new ball just now, out of spite, and

'Master Harry is cordially invited to an impromptu Rainy Day entertainment, begining at 3 o'clock this afternoon, and also to take tea with his classmate, 'May 27.

GRACE CROSSMAN.'

Harry was a good deal excited over the proposed entertainment, as a matter of course. 'It's just like Gracie,' he said, 'to get up

something like this for a rainy day, and just like her mother to allow it.'

At just three o'clock he was ushered into Mrs Crossman's parlour; and at the same moment Tom Crossman was ushered in by a door on the opposite side of the large, elegantly furnished room. It was an odd situation for the two lads, to stand there confronting each other. Both glanced around, but there was no one else present, and they hardly knew what to do or say first.

There was not time for much show of embarrassment, however. Harry had just bowed politely to Tom, when the folding-doors rolled back, disclosing a miniature stage, upon which stood, in dainty fancy costumes, all the boys who were present at the game of ball the evening before, and an equal number of girls, including Grace, the young hostess, and her friend, Mary Dickinson.

An invisible piano immediately struck up a lively air, and Grace began singing and nodding to Frank Wood, who stood facing her, a comical parody upon The Muffin Man,' which she had learned on a recent visit, but which was quite new to the company

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'Did you know a ball was lost, Ball was lost,

Ball was lost,

Did you know a ball was lost,

Last night on Prospect Street?'

chorus, and all the huge handkerchiefs were discarded. At the close, as they sang

'All of us know a ball was found,' they swung their handkerchiefs, and danced merrily to the strains of the piano.

Then taking the ball in a dainty silver basket wreathed with flowers, Grace advanced and presented it to Harry, who arose from an arm-chair, where he had been so thoroughly enjoying the performance as to have forgotten how closely he was identified with it. The performers quickly gathered around him, shouting,

'Hurrah for Harry! Hurrah for Harry Bedford!'

The hidden piano struck up a march, the folding-doors at the rear of the back parlour suddenly opened, disclosing a table set with a delicious supper. The boys and girls arranged themselves, Grace took Harry's arm and beckoned her guests to follow to the table. Tom Crossman was left standing awkwardly by himself, an interested if not an edified spectator of the pretty and gracefully carried-out scene.

He

Tom loved dainties dearly. He knew from experience the delicacy and richness of his aunt's cakes and tarts and ice-creams. wanted to go to the table, and he did not know what to do. In a moment, however, for it would have been cruel to prolong Tom's punishment, deserved though it was, Gracie's

And Frank, taking up the air, and nodding in older sister Lizzie came fluttering out from

turn, replied

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Ball was lost,

Ball was lost,

Two of us know a ball was lost,
Last night on Prospect Street!'

And now Frank sung the query to the girl next him, and she in turn joined in the chorus, singing

• Three of us know a ball was lost,' &c.

This was kept up until the whole group of boys and girls were nodding their heads, swaying their bodies, and holding their hand kerchiefs to their eyes, when they sung

'All of us know a ball was lost,

Ball was lost,' &c.

behind the Japanese screen, which hid the piano, and taking the poor boy's arm, said very sweetly

'Please wait upon me to the table, Cousin Tommy?'

'Thank you, Lizzie,' said Tom with unusual politeness; 'but of course I can't sit down with them without offering an apology for my rudeness yesterday.'

'Certainly not,' replied Lizzie, in a cheerful, matter-of-fact way, certainly not, and I am glad you thought of it without a suggestion from me.'

Tom's face was very red, but at Lizzie's lead he advanced to the foot of the table, where there were two vacant chairs, and said quite bravely

'It wasn't a moment before I was sorry for throwing away the ball. I think I will follow Harry's example after this and control my hasty temper. I beg pardon of all of you, and of Harry in particular.'

The young people all thought Tom had done remarkably well for him, and pricked up their ears to hear what Harry would say in response. And this is what he said—

'I forgive you with all my heart, Tom. But if Miss Grace is going to make the settlement

Grace stepped forward again, and wiping her of our little differences the occasions for such eyes, sang to merrier music

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delightful entertainments, I don't know but we shall be tempted to keep them up.'

They all laughed at that, and bowed to Grace, who blushed very prettily, and said— 'Please to pour the water, Cousin Tommy.' Then he knew he was forgiven.- Boston

This was continued till all had joined in the Watchman.

MARCH 12.

A Daily Portion.

'I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM THAT SENT ME, WHILE IT IS DAY.'-John ix. 4.

The less space a man hath allowed for his business, the more he should ply it. The fewer days the fruitfuller lessons. Near to His end, Christ washed the disciples' feet; preached sermon upon sermon, of humility, charity, fervency; revealed many things before secreted; I told you not these things from the beginning. Jacob gave his best blessing in his last will. Moses made the best sermon to Israel near his end. David gave the best counsel to Solomon on his death-bed. Peter plies his preaching and writing when he knows there follows instant silence. The devil hath great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.' As he is never idle, so then most busy when he perceives his term of rage expiring. Therefore let not God's ministers be negligent, for they have but their time, and that is short. May we all spend it to the peace of our consciences, the good of the Church, and the honour of our Maker.T. Adams.

MARCH 13.

'FOR LOVE'S SAKE I RATHER BESEECH THEE, BEING SUCH AN ONE AS PAUL THE AGED.' -Philemon 9.

The words of dying men have been most emphatical, most effectual. We remember what our fathers or friends spake last, because we hear them not speak again. The last words of good men are best; as the last glimpse of the candle is the most bright, the last glare of the sun going down most clear, the last speech of a dear friend parting with his friends, and departing out of the world, is usually most compassionate and pathetical. An admonition uttered by such a teacher, and at such a time, and to such an auditory, challengeth good attention, great devotion. For love's sake I beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged.' This was his adjuration of Philemon to grant his request for Onesimus. He is a preacher of Christ, hear him; an Apostle, hear him; a dying Apostle, O now or never hear him. We preach to-day, perhaps may not be able to-morrow; this sermon may be the last sermon; therefore hear while you may, lest you desire it when you may not.-T. Adams.

MARCH 14.

'I THE LORD, WHICH SANCTIFY YOU.'-
Lev. xxi. 8.

Sanctification is a supernatural thing; it is divinely infused. We are naturally polluted; and to cleanse, God takes to be His prerogative. I am the Lord which sanctifieth you. Weeds grow of themselves. Flowers are planted. Sanctification is a flower of the Spirit's planting, therefore it is called the sanctification of the Spirit.-T. Watson.

MARCH 15.

"THE VERY GOD OF PEACE SANCTIFY YOU WHOLLY.'-1 Thess. v. 23.

As original corruption hath depraved all the faculties, the whole head is sick, the whole heart faint, no part sound, as if the whole mass of blood were corrupted; so sanctification goes over the whole soul. After the Fall, there was ignorance in the mind; now, in sanctification, we are light in the Lord. After the Fall, the will was depraved; there was not only impotency to good, but obstinacy; now, in sanctification, there is a blessed pliableness in the will; it doth symbolise and comport with the will of God. After the Fall, the affections were misplaced on wrong objects; in sanctification, they are turned into a sweet order and harmony, the grief placed on sin, the love on God, the joy on heaven.-T. Watson.

MARCH 16.

'AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW MAN.'-
Col. iii. 10.

Sanctification spreads itself as far as original corruption; it goes over the whole soul; the God of peace sanctify you wholly. He is not a sanctified person who is good only in some part, but who is all over sanctified; therefore, in Scripture, grace is called a new man, not a new eye or a new tongue, but a new man. A good Christian, though he be sanctified but in part, yet in every part.-T. Watson.

MARCH 17.

'THY PEOPLE SHALL BE WILLING IN THE DAY OF THY POWER, IN THE BEAUTIES OF HOLINESS.'-Ps. cx. 3.

As the sun is to the world, so is sanctification to the soul, beautifying and bespangling it in God's eyes. That which makes God glorious must needs make us so. Holiness is the most sparkling jewel in the Godhead. Glorious in holiness. Sanctification is the first fruit of the Spirit; it is heaven begun in the soul; sanctification and glory differ only in degree; sanctification is glory in the seed, and glory is sanctification in the flower. Happiness is the quintessence of holiness.-T. Watson.

MARCH 18.

'PURIFYING THEIR HEARTS BY FAITH.'-
Acts xv. 9.

She, in the gospel, that touched the hem of Christ's garment was healed; a touch of faith purifies. Nothing can have a greater force upon the heart, to sanctify it, than faith; if I believe Christ and His merits are mine, how can I sin against Him? Justifying faith doth that in a spiritual sense which miraculous faith doth, it removes mountains-the mountains of pride, lust, envy. Faith and the love of sin are inconsistent.-T. Watson.

HOW TO BE STRON G.

BY THE REV. JAMES HASTIE, LINDSAY, ONTARIO.

'He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.'-JOB Xvii. 8.

HERE are two things all boys want when they are small. One is, they want to be big. When the time comes to put off their little petticoats and frock, and get their first little coat and trousers, how proud they are, for they now think they are getting big.

The other thing they want is to be strong. Sometimes they want to be strong so that they can harness the horse and drive it themselves. Sometimes they want to be strong so that they can earn something, and so help mother. Sometimes a boy wants to be strong because he wants to beat that boy at school who is always challenging him to a wrestle, and always manages to throw him down. When I was a little fellow going to school, there was a boy about my own age, but stronger, who was always challenging me to wrestle, and who always got me down. I had often heard it said that fat pork would make one strong, and that no one could be strong who did not eat it; so for some days I ate fat pork for supper and fat pork for breakfast, expecting that by noon I would have the benefit of it in the way of making me strong enough to throw that other boy down. By-and-by I got such a dislike to fat pork that for years I could not bear it, and scarcely can yet. That was my plan to get strong. But the text recommends another way yet, it is by getting' clean hands.' But how can clean hands make you strong? you ask.

'Harry,' said his brother John, 'what has made you take this wonderful clean fit all of a sudden? This is the seventh time I have seen you go to the pump and wash your hands to-day.'

'I don't believe it does,' said John.

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'I am sure it does, though,' retorted Harry, positively. 'Papa read it at prayers this morning, "He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger," and Harry waved his arm in the air as if to see whether six or seven washings had really made him any stronger.

'Well, you don't suppose that means really clean hands,' said John. 'You are a silly little boy, you have had all this trouble for nothing.'

'No, I haven't. I'll ask papa to-night if the Bible doesn't mean what it says.'

So, after tea, Harry said, 'Papa, doesn't the Bible say that if you have "clean hands" you'll be strong?'

'Certainly, my boy,' said Mr Williams, smiling, 'I am glad to see that you remember so well what we read this morning, how Job said, "The righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.'

'There,' said Harry, 'I knew I was right; and washing your hands will make you strong, won't it?'

'It is very good for little boys to wash their hands,' said Mr Williams, and it helps to make them strong and healthy if they keep clean. But there are some stains we can't wash off with soap and water, and these are the stains that this verse means. The other day I saw a little boy lift his hands to strike his sister; and doing this made his hands far dirtier than if he had been making mud pies for a whole day.'

Harry blushed, for he felt his father meant him; and then his papa went on

'When I was a little boy I was taught that it was my duty to keep my hands from pick

'Because I want to be strong,' replied ing and stealing; picking, you know, means Harry.

taking little things that don't belong to you;

'Well, but washing your hands won't make like lumps of sugar out of mamma's cupboard, you strong.'

'Yes, it will, the Bible says so.'

or picking fruit off the young trees that I tell you not to touch.'

'Well,' said John, 'Eve must have had dirty hands, for she stole fruit in the garden.' 'Now, John,' said Mr Williams, 'can you remember the name of a man who "stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church," a thing that made his hands very dirty indeed?'

'That was Herod, papa, when he killed James and put Peter in prison.'

'Yes; and do you know who it was who tried to clear himself of a terrible crime by washing his hands?'

Both boys were silent, and Mr Williams asked again: 'Who took water and washed his hands, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person?""

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There, my young friends, you have the meaning of the text. Doing wrong makes you have, in God's sight, dirty hands. Doing right makes you have, in God's sight, clean hands. And when you have clean hands in this sense, you are strong in heart and mind and soul to resist temptation and to work for God. Now, I will give you two texts about being strong and being clean, and you will see how they agree with what I have been saying. The first text is 1 John ii. 14: 'I write unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and have overcome the wicked one.' And why were they strong? Because 'the word of

'Oh, that was Pilate, when he let the people God abideth with you'-i.e., you do what crucify Jesus,' said Harry. God's word commands, and you are strong in doing good.

'Yes;' said their father, 'but the stain of the sin was just as much on his soul after he had washed his hands as before; and it is the same with our sins, whether we call them little or great; we cannot get rid of them or their consequences, however we try to clear ourselves. No washing of our own will do it. So what must we do, Harry? When you make your hands dirty with doing wrong, how can they be made clean?'

'God can wash them, papa. That is what you mean ain't it? Because David said,

The other text tells that without clean hands no one will be allowed to enter heaven-Psalm xxiv. 3, 4: Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord (heaven)? Who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart.'

Now, young friends, you will remember the text-'He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger,' in all that is good, till by-and-by you shall be like Christ Himself, always doing right, never doing wrong.

SOME NEW BOOK S.

chasms in the history, the references to Egyptian customs, and the adoption of Egyptian words and rites.

This is an excellent and timely book.* The author in the introduction gives a very satisfactory account of Kuenen's 'Religion of Israel.' In the body of the work he con- Occasionally the author lays rather undue siders the theory so much in vogue at the stress upon a point, but as a whole his book present day, that Deuteronomy, and indeed is conclusive. It is written in a popular the greater part of the Pentateuch, was written style, and avoids everything which an intelliafter the Captivity. First, he treats of the ex-gent reader would have difficulty in compreternal evidences, tracing the indications of the existence of the Law in successive stages from Christ to Malachi, from Malachi to the Captivity, from the Captivity to David, and from David to Moses. We are sure that many who have been bewildered by the positive assertions of Rationalistic writers will be surprised to see how much can be said and proved on the other side. The author next turns his attention to the internal evidences, and sets forth a number of considerations of great pith and moment-such as the antiquity of the style of the Pentateuch, its contents as marking a progress in revelation such as no forger would think of, the undesigned coincidences between its various parts, the amazing minuteness of its details in certain portions, the

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hending, but the method is logical and the tone is candid. We heartily recommend the work. Dr Stebbins is Professor of Theology in the Meadville School (Unitarian); but here he is on ground common to all Christians who hold the divine authority of the Bible, and has produced a volume which, bating a few sentences, all evangelical believers can accept. There is no popular book that we know of that presents the matter here contained in a manner so methodical, and clear, and convincing. The book deserves, and we trust will receive, a wide circulation,

[We are indebted for the foregoing notice to the New York Christian Intelligencer for December 28. The book has not reached us; but the notice will explain some references in the admirable article on a preceding page (p. 123) by Professor Lincoln.-Editor of Christian Treasury.]

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