put into the can, away the dog goes back, but so steadily

does he carry his charge, that he seldom wastes any of the milk.

Boys and girls! are you as attentive to orders, and as quick in going errands as this dog? Do not let a dog excel you in diligence and duty!-Children's Friend.

THE NOBLEST PRIZE.

To win a soul is your noblest prize; and the greater number you win, the brighter and richer will be that crown of rejoicing" which you will wear in the day of the Lord.-R. Watson.

66

MISSIONARY NEWS.
"Thy Kingdom Come.”

A Royal Welcome.

THE Rev. William Ellis, the veteran missionary of the London Missionary Society, arrived in safety on 2nd July last at Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Many of our young friends have read of the long night of persecution which the native Christians in that island have had to endure. What a change now! We give Mr. Ellis' account of his welcome:

"Thirty miles from the capital, a large number of Christians from Antananarivo met me. As we approached they commenced singing a hymn of praise to God, in which the Christians who were with me joined, till we met and halted. We travelled together till we reached Ambatomanga, twenty miles from Antananarivo.

"Here we rested for the Sunday, where we had large congregations both morning and evening. Shortly before the evening service, seven officers, one of high rank, from the palace, arrived. They said they were sent by the king to meet me, but would not enter upon any arrangements on that day, as it was the Lord's day. In about a quarter of an hour after this they came to our worship, in which they joined with earnest cheerfulness. I had spent Sunday at the same village on my way up in 1856. Then, a few Christians came by stealth, and we met for prayer at night. Now, the chief room in the largest house in the place was opened in broad day, and was thronged with simple and devout worshippers, while numbers crowded round on the outside.

"The next morning the officers delivered a letter from the King, and another from the Principal Secretary of State, bidding me welcome, and informing me of the

king's wish that I should enter Antananarivo that day. Soon after nine o'clock we set out, quite a large company, for each officer had his palanquin-bearers and attendants, and we were not less than two hundred persons. About two we reached the suburbs, and I was greeted by multitudes gathered in their courtyards, and on the walls, as I passed along, till I reached a very comfortable house, which the king had appointed for my residence, not far from the palace. The king and queen, and the nobles of the court, received me with great friendliness and pleasure at the palace the next day, and expressed themselves gratified with my communications respecting the friendship of the English, the interest taken in their welfare, and the endeavours the Society were making to aid in extending the blessings of Christianity and education, as the best means of promoting the permanent welfare of the people.

"The Prime Minister, the Commander-in-Chief, the first officer of the Palace, and other high authorities, some of them apparently most earnest Christians, were equally cordial in their welcomes, and in their conferences with me at their own residences, in which I have been their guest.

"For more than a week my house was continually thronged with Christian friends from different parts of the capital, or from Christian families from the numerous villages in the suburbs, all expressing their joy at my arrival."

A Cheap School.

ONE thing that much struck me, was the extreme cheapness of the Tinnevelly Mission, and the great deal that could be done with a little money. A schoolmaster of the commoner sort for the villages received from three to five rupees monthly (about £6 a year); so that any benevolent persons, so disposed, may easily support a school for himself, and hardly feel it. One missionary told me that he had several catechists, &c., supported in this way by friends in England.-Church Missionary Record.

BOOKS.

MY FIRST PENNIES. By Cousin Kate. Edinburgh: T. Nelson and Sons. 24mo, 16 pages. Price One Penny.

A story about a little girl, whose mother was a widow, and very poor. She was very anxious to do something to help her mother. She soon found out a way, and this little book tells how she earned her first pennies. They gave me so much pleasure," she said, "because I felt, somehow, as if I had got them straight from God. And mother says when that is the case, one penny seems worth a hundred.”

THE TEMPTATION. London: J. Nisbet and Co. 32mo, 12 pages. Price One Penny.

An interesting account of a man who, when oppressed with poverty, found in the snow a pocket-book full of banknotes. Though sorely tempted to keep them, he walked fifteen miles to restore them to the owner. The story tells how, trusting in God, he held fast his integrity, and how bountifully he was rewarded at last.

NEVER PUT OFF.

WHENE'ER a duty waits for thee,

With sober judgment view it,
And never idly wish it done,—
Begin at once, and do it.

For Sloth says falsely, "By-and-by
Is just as well to do it:"

But present strength is surest strength;
Begin at once, and do it.

And find not lions in the way,

Nor faint if thorns bestrew it;

But bravely try, and strength will come,
For God will help thee do it.

EDINBURGH: T. NELSON AND SONS.