to enlist him, and asked his terms. “I cannot propose them without trembling; (answered the youth ;) I am young you see my size. I am able in every respect, and willing to serve his Majesty: but an unhappy affair obliges me to stand upon terms that you will think too high: but I cannot make them less: I cannot enlist under ten guineas; and you will break my heart, if you refuse to take me on these ternis.”

"The sum is large, I own (said the officer) but I like you; and as you seem willing, I shall not stand haggling about the money-there it is. The sergeant will see you properly attested, and you must be ready to march at an hour's notice.” The youth readily signed his certificate, and was as thankful to receive the ten guineas, as if it had been given him as a present. He then begged the captain to allow him to go upon an important errand, and promised to return to his quarters without delay. The captain being curious to know what he was about, watched the way he went, and saw him run to the county gaol. His haste prevented his observing that the captain followed him.' The moment the door was opened, he said to the gaoler, “here is the debt and costs in the action, on which my father has been arrested. I put it in your hands : conduct me to

him, that I may bave the pleasure of setting him free.” The officer stopped a moment, that the youth might have time to reach his father alone; and then entered the prison. He saw the youth clasped in the arms of an old man. The officer moved to compassion, advanced to the old man, saying, “ comfort yourself-I will not take your son from you. He is free as well as you :-there is his discharge.

The father and son were quite overcome; but the latter declined the kind offer; and begged the captain to let him join the regiment, as he should only be a burden to his father, who had no further need of him. The officer could not refuse his request. The youth served the usual time, and always saved something from his pay, which he sent to his father : and when he got his discharge he returned home, and has ever since maintained the old man by his labour.

DANIEL SIXSMITH. Daniel Sixsmith, aged 5 years, had been a pupil in the infant school, Jordan Street, Liverpool, about five months ; when he was lately taken ill of the measles. While in school, he was thoughtful and serious ; and seemed to delight in singing hymns; and above all the doxology, “Glory, honour, praise, and power,

Be unto the Lamb for ever,” &c. which he had been heard, along with others of his little schoolfellows, to sing on his way from school to Toxteth Park, where his parents reside. At these times, Daniel always acted as leader.

Mr. Lewis, his master, went to see him in his illness; but found the poor little fellow speechless. His parents, who are serious people, told him, that the child had begged his father to pray for him; and being asked what he wished him to pray for, replied, " that he might go to heaven to see Jesus Christ.” On the evening before he died, he made the same request; and on his father's having prayed as he desired, he thanked him. During the night, he was heard saying to himself,

“Before the throne my surety stands,

My name is written on his hands!” Thus died this little child, to go to that Saviour, who had so early blest him with his grace. It ought to be added, that Daniel's mother thinks the good produced on her son's mind, was chiefly owing, under God, to the pious instructions he had received in the Infant school.

July 12th, 1824.

AWFUL INSTANCE OF SUDDEN DEATH.

“ Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth," said one whose words were words of wisdom. * He hath prepared – the instruments of death,” said another.

Charles, the third son of Mr. Thomas Newman, miller, of Mount Bures, Essex, a youth of fourteen years of age, arose from his bed, in all the vigour of health, partook of his breakfast as usual, and went into the mill, the sails of which were working just in front of the round-house door. He had not been in many minutes, before he saw another boy, a friend of his, coming in at a gate before the door, and he ran out to meet him. The sail, passing at the very instant, struck him behind the right ear, knocked him down with great force, and the spark of life was gone. Not even a moment's space was allowed him to utter a sentence. One single groan gave notice of the awful event; and his afflicted father, who was working in a field near at hand, on coming to the spot, found his beloved son dead.

How solemn the thought of such a sudden change! How wonderful the scene which must have opened on the astonished spirit! To find itself at once dismissed from the body-cut off from all its earthly pursuits

and hurried into eternity! Dear Reader, are you ready to meet the Judge ? Haye you seen your danger as a sinner, and fled for refuge to Christ as a Saviour ? Have you sought to be reconciled to God through his blood ? And are you daily seeking to do his will ? If so, you are ready. If not, search and see-escape for thy life, lest thou be consumed.

W. B.

INFANT SCHOOLS. “ I was much affected (says a correspon. dent) to hear the little creatures to the num. ber of 217, in Mr. Wilderspin's Infant school, repeat the prayer which follows. Their solemn, devout manner might put to blush many older congregations :

Evening Prayer for an Infant School. O God, our heavenly Father, thou art good to us. We would serve thee. We have sinned and done wrong many times. Jesus Christ died for us on the cross. For. give us our sins for Jesus' sake. May the Holy Spirit change our hearts, and make us to love God. Help us always to be good chil. dren, and to do what is right. Keep us from wicked thoughts and bad tempers. Make us try to remember all we have learnt to-day. Keep us from evil through the night. We