its banks, and James and John got so pleased with the sight that they forgot almost everything else, till they fell in with some of their schoolfellows who were going to take a boat after the match was over, and sail a little way up the stream.

"Oh! James," said one of these, "come with us, it will be so nice ;" and then turning to John Wise, he said, "I suppose you wont go-your're so particular about going on the water."

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Now John's father had given him very strict orders never to go on the river without first asking him, and John therefore answered at onee, "You know Father doesn't like me to go, and so I can't." "Oh," said another of the lads, "it can't do you any harm." "No," said John, "but I'd rather not go. "Ah! you're afraid," said another; "I wouldn't be such a coward." "No," said John again, I'm not afraid, but I don't like to do what my father wishes me not to do." "What a baby," said one of the lads, "I wouldn't be always under my father's thumb." "No," said another," my father has told me not to do a good many things, but I do them all the same." Well, it's very illnatured of you, John," said James Green at last, you might as well go for once-your father wont know it, and we shall be back in good time." Poor John! he stood hesitating whether to please his companions or his father-he thought he should like the sail as well as any of them-he should be home too before his father missed him, and very likely after all he would never know of it. And so, rather than say "no" again, he stept into the boat with the rest.

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They had a very pleasant sail, and although John at first felt unhappy at the thought of having been tempted to disobey his father-he soon began to enjoy it, and felt almost sorry when the party landed safe and sound, that he had been " so par

ticular" before as never to have been on the water; and as his father said nothing to him, he supposed he knew nothing of his trip, and therefore he soon forgot how disobedient he had been.

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The following Sunday, John was going to chapel, when he fell in with some of the party who had been in the boat-they told him they were going again that afternoon, and asked him to join with them. Now John knew that such a way of spending Sunday was not right, and he said, "No, he couldn't go with them that day." Oh, you're so particular about Sunday," said one of the company, "as well as about other things, but you know you're no better than the rest; you disobeyed your father the other day, and why can't you come with us now: it will do you no harm: we shall be back by the time chapel is over, and you can go home just as if you had been there." "No," said John, "I'd rather not go." "Oh, you're a methodist," answered another, always chapel, chapel-I would not be so disagreeable." Poor John! hę went this time, rather than be thought so particular," and each time he was asked afterwards, till he got to be quite indifferent about displeasing his father. And how many thousands are ruined, because they don't like to be thought too particular; when tempted to do that which is wrong in the sight of God, instead of resisting the temptation they try to think whether they can't please the tempter, and at the same time obey their Heavenly Father, which is impossible. Instead of doing as Jesus Christ did when he was tempted, they forget the words of God which he used as a shield from the temptations of Satan-or they turn it to their own purpose, as Satan did with Jesus.

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Let every one who is tempted take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," that he may be able therewith to defend himself from the

tempter-whether the temptation come from Satan himself in our evil hearts, or from any of our fellow creatures.

THE SOUTH-AMERICAN INDIANS.

SOUTH America is not only of vast size, but is full of wonders. It contains some of the largest plains in the world. One of these extends over a surface of 2,340,000 square miles; and 719,000 miles of it are covered with forests, many of the trees in which are 180 feet high, 22 feet round, and at least 1000 years old.

It is famous too for lofty mountains, and immense rivers; the largest of these is the Amazon, which surpasses all others.

There are wild beasts of every description, and prodigious herds of horses and cattle. The birds are numerous and beautiful; and there is an abundance of fish of all sorts in the lakes and streams.

There is also an enormous quantity of noxious insects: among them, the mosquito and the centipede-with dangerous reptiles, serpents, and alligators the boa and the rattlesnake.

There are mines from which have been dug the richest treasures of the earth-gold, silver, copper, tin, and lead.

The only country of South America in which the British have any possessions is Guiana, in which there are dense forests. To these several tribes of Indians resort. The natives of various portions of South America are very different in their persons and their condition. Upon some of them it is impossible to look without feeling disgust as well as pity. Those who live in Guiana are not so savage and barbarous as the rest; and their several tribes much resemble each other in their habits of life.

They live in small villages, composed of a few huts thatched with palm leaves. They clear away the trees which are near to their huts, in order that they may plant such fruits and vegetables as they require. They also engage in hunting and shooting; and their skill in using their bows and arrows is very great. They generally take a sure aim; and, by poisoning their arrows, cause the death of their prey in a very short time. Arrow root is so called because the Indians employ it to cure the wounds made by poisoned arrows.

The picture represents one of the Indians of Guiana, which is situated in the northern part of South America. He is a fine-looking man, and his countenance is not so disagreeable as that of most savages. But the dreadful club in his hand is a sad sign of the danger to which those must be exposed who have the misfortune to offend him.

COMPANIONSHIP.

"A MAN is known by the company he keeps," is an old saying and it is generally true. So it is of boys and girls. The boy who chooses good companions is likely to become a good boy-while he that chooses bad ones is pretty sure to become like them. How many instances have we of this! Sometimes we see a wild and rude boy leading those into mischief who would not have thought of it if left to themselves; at other times a boy who is disobedient to his parents, will, by his example, make others so, who before were dutiful children. Again, we find a boy who loves not and cares not for God or religious things, will make his schoolfellows equally bad with himself, who before were willing to learn about their Great Creator, and seemed desirous to serve him. Oh! how much