rant of God and Jesus Christ. In addition to this, they are starving; and therefore they must either beg, or steal, or die. Many of them live by begging-many of them by stealing; and not a few of them die from the effects of the hardships which they suffer. It is the duty of those whom God has blessed with enough and to spare, to aid in saving these poor children. This can only be done by giving them food and the Gospel. Without these they must die, and be for ever miserable.

Read

You were asked to love these children because they are your neighbours. God has commanded us to "love our neighbour as ourselves." Do you love Jesus Christ? If you do, you will keep his commandments. You will love your neighbour. It is possible you may ask, as a lawyer asked Christ, "Who is my neighbour ?" Luke, chapter x. from the 25th to the 39th verse. There you will learn that the good Samaritan was not content with having compassion on the wounded traveller, but he helped him; nay, farther, he provided for him until he should be recovered of his wounds. In doing this he imitated Jesus Christ, who was not content with having compassion upon you, but left the bosom of his Father, came down to this world, and, by the sacrifice of himself, purchased salvation for you, and for all who will accept of it. Take Christ as your example.

The youngest of my believing readers will be able to understand that if we love these ragged children as the Bible tells us we ought to love them, we shall get a reward. The reward is a great one-it consists in a pleasure that will last as long as we live, and in a happiness that will endure throughout eternity. There is a high, there is an ennobling pleasure in doing good. Even unbelievers experience this; but he who does good in the spirit of the Gospel precept will reap a greater reward than this elevating enjoyment, for such an one having been faithful, will enter into the joy of his Lord. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." The only proof that any person can give that he believes in Christ, is "his doing the things that he says." A true believer cannot help doing good to his neighbour. Although this is the case, it is a very melancholy fact, that a person may do good to his neighbour, and still not be a true disciple of the Cross. But there is much reason to hope, that he who does justly, and

loves mercy, will in the end walk humbly with God; for in him who practises justice, the love of mercy is produced and grows; and of the merciful Jesus Christ said that he is blessed, for "he will obtain mercy." Look at the cross of Christ, and behold the evidence of his mercy towards sinners. Assist the helpless-instruct the ignorant-seek to snatch brands from the burning; and thus you will give evidence that you love your neighbour, and likewise that you love your God.-Yours truly, G. B.

CHINESE SPORTS.

Few nations possess a more unhappy infatuation for the vice of gambling than the Chinese. Building with a certainty but too secure upon the evil propensities of our nature, quail and cricket fighters, mora players, and gamblers of every description, congregate in this wide empire, exercising their demoralizing callings to the ruin of thousands, who become the easy dupes of their villany. There are, however, other and more innocent amusements, which are pursued with an almost incredible zest and interest. Kite-flying constitutes a most favourite one, and few have ever succeeded, possibly none have ever aspired, to elevate their simple structures to such a height as the Chinese. In this sport there is much emulation; and not only boys but adults put forth their best energies in flying kites to the greatest height, and in endeavouring to bring down their antagonists by dividing the string.

The sport of shuttlecock, certainly a healthy recreation, is prosecuted with a degree of enthusiasm which

seldom known in the western world. There it is strictly limited to the youth of both sexes; but in China the most muscular men amongst the labouring classes seem to feel inexpressible delight in the sensations it produces.

No battledores are employed, nor are the hands

generally of any service in the game, save to balance the player's body during its rapid movements: the shuttlecock is struck with the soles of the feet, sometimes unprotected by any covering. Five, generally six persons, form themselves into a circle for the purpose of playing this active game, and the least successful players fall out of the ring in turn, until the number is gradually reduced to one, who is of course considered the conqueror.

“A Present from Age to Youth."

EDITED BY REV. DR INNES.

THE venerable editor of this little work has in many ways earned a title to the gratitude and respect of the friends of the truth. We have been particularly delighted with the "Present from Age to Youth." It contains a variety of striking narratives and anecdotes, blended with weighty Christian counsels, and is well fitted to benefit the young especially, to whom we recommend it most cordially.

We give a specimen, with the remarks of our respected friend:

"The following account cannot fail to interest every young reader. It furnishes a fine example of the power of Divine grace in one who, it will be seen, possessed naturally a most violent and impetuous temper.

"Mr Thomas Bradbury, a Dissenting minister, happened to dine one day at the house of Mrs Tooley, in London; a lady eminent in her day for her love to Christ and his people, her house and table being open to them all. Mr Timothy Rogers, who wrote a work on Religious Melancholy, and was himself for many years afflicted with that malady, happened to dine there the same day; and after dinner entertained Mrs Tooley and Mr Bradbury by relating stories of his father, who was one of the ministers ejected from the Church of England for non

*32mo. p.p 126. William Innes: Edinburgh,