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to profess the doctrines of God their Saviour.

It happened one morning, as Charles was busily engaged in arranging the books in his uncle's library, that he met with a Bible in rich but antiquated binding, and on carefully unclosing its silver clasps, he found that it had been the gift of his mother to Mr. Hamilton; and he looked with deep interest on the small, neat handwriting, and the simple expressions of love which marked the first page. How valued are the most trifling memorials of a loved and departed friend!

"What have you found so attractive there, Charles?" inquired Mr. Hamilton, who was reading by the opposite window: 66 pray tell me the title of that

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volume, which has absorbed your attention for the last five minutes. Surely," added he playfully, "it can

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not be one of my ancient volumes,' which you said looked as if they were printed before the deluge?"

"Oh no, uncle!" replied Charles, smiling; "those venerable productions possess no charms for me." And then, in a graver tone, he said, as he passed the book to his uncle, "It is a Bible, uncle; a Bible with my mother's writing in it."

"Ah!" exclaimed Mr. Hamilton, as the glow of a bright train of recollections lighted up his features, "this was a birthday gift from my dear sister. We were both young then; but I was giddy, careless, and self-willed, while Lucy

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was mild, amiable and thoughtful, and
always striving to make those around
her happy. The Bible was bought
with her long-hoarded pocket-money;
and I can remember the sweet smile
with which she gave it to me, and the
tones of affectionate persuasion which
she used to induce me to study its
hallowed pages.
"You will read a
verse or two every day, will you not,
dear Charles?" she said. "Promise that
you will for my sake." And I did pro-
mise; for the splendid exterior of the
volume, and the gentle pleadings of my
sister, made me willing at that moment
to do what she asked; and every right
principle and feeling which I now
possess, may be gratefully traced to the
perusal of her valued present. I read

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