Yet her error is a very common one. Young persons often fancy that they could do a great deal more good, if they were placed in almost any position than that which has been assigned them; and they sigh for a more extensive sphere of usefulness, while the present is left unoccupied.

But is it wrong, then, to desire to be a missionary? Certainly not. Neither would we check the noble enthusiasm which aspires after a life of unwearied zeal and self-forgetfulness, in order that the blessings of the gospel may be diffused throughout the world. Many and beautiful are the instances of youthful devotion to the cause of missions. Home and friends have been willingly relinquished for a perilous enterprise,

and, perhaps, an early grave; but their reward has been more than commen

surate with their labours, and "their works do follow them." And even to

those whose ardent zeal has never been permitted to realize its bright imaginings, the gracious sentence of approval is given, "Thou didst well that it was in thine heart."

That religion which is destitute of enthusiasm, wants an important proof of its heavenly origin. The dweller in some ice-bound region may pass his wintry days in the coldness of a frigid insensibility, but he whose home is cast beneath the genial beams of a cloudless sun must have caught its glowing influence. The gospel of Jesus Christ, wherever it meets with a cordial recep

tion, arouses every dormant energy of the mind into life and activity, and brings its noblest powers into healthful exercise. The brightest talents are consecrated in unreserved devotion to the service of God; and the deep tide of love which rises in the heart of a Christian, bears him fearless on through many a toilsome undertaking. In moments of weariness and difficulty, when all outward stimulus has failed, he is sustained by the never-failing principle which regulates all his actions. Our faithfulness with regard to present duties, is a fair test of our preparedness for a loftier station. The same principles which would enable us to adorn the latter, are equally requisite for our right discharge of the former; and if

these be wanting, we should anxiously inquire how far we are fulfilling the great purposes of our existence.

Let it be your constant endeavour, young friends, to evidence the sincerity of your desire to be useful, by a diligent use of all the means which are now placed within your reach; and let principle, not excitement, be your constraining motive. And may the consecration and the improvement of your talents be such as to win for you the kind commendation of your Saviour, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

YOUTHFUL HOPES.

It is in the lovely spring-time of life, that hope casts its brightest radiance over future hours. Many a fair bud of promise springs forth as the earnest of coming fragrance and beauty, and the youthful heart is rich in its anticipations of joy and prosperity. The long vista of approaching years, seems but the cloudless avenue to peace and happiness; and sorrow, if presented at all to the imagination, appears too distant to be ever realized. Or if, perchance, a passing cloud disturb for a while the tranquillity of the azure sky, yet hope