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.

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 self-interest 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 withstand every enemy, and often resolve with myself

that nothing shall ever dismay my courage for the future; but, alas! I no sooner hear the cry of the hounds, but all my spirits fail me, and I cannot help making off as fast as ever my legs can carry me."

MORAL. Nature is stronger than art.

APPLICATION. Habits long persevered in prevail with the force of a second nature. As the Stag in this story retained his cowardice even to his old age, so it is to be feared the majority of mankind retain to their later days the dispositions and habits of their youth. Hence so many examples are to be found of the ruling passion strong in death, of which the following anecdote will furnish a good example. A rich usurer in Spain being at the point of death, his confessor placed before him a massive silver crucifix, and was about to begin his exhortations, when the dying man, fixing his eyes on the silver image, faltered out, "Sir, I cannot lend you much on that." Most men, at some time or other, make good resolutions, and yet, after all,—

Resolve, and re-resolve, then die the same.

Try what we can, do what we will,

Yet nature will be nature still.

L