"SUSAN! ARE YOU READY?"

who was but a year younger, to such deep convictions of her own lost and sinful state, and her need of a Saviour, that she soon afterwards became completely altered. Then her sisters and young companions, won by her example, were constrained to admit that religion is something more than a name, and acknowledged its power and reality in the changed character of Susan Williams. It would be well if all believers were as careful as Susan became, to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things, and so bring glory to his name who has redeemed us to God by his blood.

Her little earnings now, instead of being spent upon her own personal adornment, were laid out, in the first instance, upon the purchase of a new gown for her mother, whose only excuse for not attending worship was the want of a decent dress in which to appear. A pleased and happy mother was Mrs. Williams when she put it on for the first time, but not nearly so happy as Susan. After this, many little comforts gradually found their way into the cottage. The last of which we heard was a large family Bible, with so good a print that her mother can see to read it aloud to her children on the Sabbath-day, even without her spectacles, aye, and on week-days also, ever since Susan, who is so handy with her needle, has taken to the mending, after she comes home at night. How true it is that a willing mind can find time for anything.-Ann's cheerful call, "Susan! Susan! are you ready?" frequently finds her in the midst of cleaning up the cottage, watering the little garden, or hearing the children repeat their lessons. But her hands are washed, and her bonnet tied on in a moment, and she joins her with the happy smile of one conscious of well-doing.

Not very long ago, Susan Williams had a severe illness which brought her to the brink of the grave. Death knocked at the door, and called out, "Susan!

Susan! are you ready?" and, trusting in her Saviour the young girl could answer, "Yes," without fear. Nay, she could even exclaim in joyful triumph, "Come, Lord Jesus! come quickly! O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" Young reader are you ready!

THE HAPPY LITTLE GIRL.

FEW years since, there was living in the quiet, beautiful city of Hartford, America, a little girl named Mary Hawes. She had parents who loved her most tenderly, and were doing all in their power to make her both good and happy. She had a little brother to love and to play with, and many other pleasant companions. There were delightful grounds around her father's house, where she could range in the pleasant season, and enjoy the fruits and flowers; and within were pretty toys and choice books to amuse and instruct her. Added to all this, Mary had a sweet disposition; she made all happy around her, and enjoyed their smiles in return. You will conclude that Mary was a happy little girl. Well, she was happy as earthly things could make her; but she had not yet found the true source of happiness. When she was about ten years old she began to read the Bible with new interest, aud to feel that her heavenly Father required her to give him her heart. Her parents observedher for some time to be sober and thoughtful.

One evening, she asked permission to retire very early. At a late hour her mother heard a voice which seemed to proceed from Mary's room, and she opened the door to inquire if she needed anything,

ACCOMPANYING A BIRTHDAY PRESENT.

and found the little girl about retiring to rest, and singing forth her thoughts in a low sweet voice. Her countenance was beaming with heavenly light, as she turned toward her mother, and exclaimed, "Oh, I am so happy mother! I have found God.” Her mother

stood in silence, She felt so grateful and so happy that she could not speak. Mary thought her mother was wishing her to explain why she had been sitting up so long, and she said, " Mother, I have been praying a long time, and it made me so happy I could not leave off. While I was speaking, God seemed near to me. It seemed as if he heard me, and I felt that I was speaking to a dear friend, and that he was as near as when I speak to dear father. Oh mother, I am so happy! I can pray now. I have found God," she again exclaimed; and her shining countenance bore testimony that, although she had not seen God face to face, yet that he had met her and blessed her. Little Mary had now become a christian. She had indeed "found God" to be her Saviour, her Redeemer, and her everlasting Friend.

ACCOMPANYING A BIRTHDAY PRESENT.
Ellen, on this thy seventh natal day,
Life's youthful morning lit with golden ray.
Let one who loves thee wish that thou may'st share,
E ach gift that flows from Heaven's paternal care.
Now, while the path of toil is yet untrod,

Beloved Ellen, give thy heart to God:
As years revolve, and birthdays come and go,
Grace, peace, and safety he will then bestow.

N e'er may the storm-cloud gather o'er thy head,
A round may hope-buds bloom, joy-flowers be spread!
Long mays't thou live-lov'd, holy, useful, blest,
Leave earth in peace for heaven's pure realms of rest.
Melbourn, Derbyshire.

J. H. W.

[From a Memorial of the Rev. Eliel Davis, baptist minister, St. Ives, Hunts., who died very suddenly, March 29, 1849, leaving a wife and nine fatherless children.]

I HAVE seen the young blossoms of opening spring
Smiling in lovely array:

And I've seen those young blossoms lie withering,
Struck down in one bleak wintry day!

And so have I seen the fair human bud
Laid low by the cold hand of death,
Chilling the genial warmth of its blood,
And checking its infantine breath!

I have seen the first beams of the early dawn
Spreading their brightness abroad:

And I've seen all that brightness while yet it was morn,
Veiled by a dense gathering cloud!

And so have I seen life's earliest light,

With the sweet cheering promise it gave, Obscured by the shades of a premature night, And lost in the gloom of the grave!

And when I've seen this, my heart has grown sad,

And I've wondered why such things should be— That the beautiful flower should so soon droop its head, And the bright morning ray so soon flee:

Till I've thought that the scene shall be changed again,
The blossoms again shall appear;

And the beams of the morning again shall be seen,
When the sky shall be cloudless and clear.

And so have I wept when an infant has died,

And its race has so quickly been run;

And I've asked 'why its course should be thus turn'd aside, While its day has yet scarcely begun ?'

But again I've remember'd-and then from my eyes The tears I have wiped all away

That the bud nipp'd on earth, blooms again in the skies, And the brief morn of life, that so speedily flies,

Beams more brightly in heaven's pure day!