THE

ROBIN AND THE SPARROW.

Whether, O Lord, we gaze around

On earth, or air, or sea;

Some proof of love may still be found,
To lead our hearts to thee.

MANY years ago, a robin built her nest among the pipes in the middle of an organ, in the orchestra of a public garden. The organ was played upon many hours in the course of each day by different persons who visited the gardens, as well as on public nights, but the little trembler deserted not her nest. I saw her repeatedly, with distended breast, sitting over her eggs when the full power of the organ was called forth, joined with the voices of public singers; but, faithful to her trust, she maintained her position, and the clamour was ineffectual to drive her from her charge.

Is there nothing, Christian, to be learned from this poor bird? Hast not thou, also, something committed to thy care, which it behoves thee never to forsake? If God has been gracious to

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THE ROBIN AND THE SPARROW.

thee if thou hast the hope of eternal life through the merits of thy Redeemer-does it not become thee to hold fast thy profession in godly sincerity; to bear the clamour and resist the temptations of the world, and to endure to the end? Let the red-breasted bird remind thee of thy mercies, and strengthen thy desire to retain them.

A sparrow built her nest inside a pump, that stood in my father's garden: the iron rod communicating with the bucket passed through the centre of the nest. Some of the eggs were broken before the nest was discovered, the others were hatched. It was a novel sight, when the top of the pump was removed, to see the little prisoners huddled together in their gloomy abode. One or two of the young ones were crushed by the working of the pump-rod; the remainder, surrounded by difficulty, danger, and death, were not abandoned by the parent bird, but, at last, winged their way to fairer prospects.

Have not Christians, also, a Parent, a heavenly Parent, who will not forsake them in tribulation, danger, and death? God is faithful to his people, and what he has promised he is able

to perform, Rom. iv. 21.

"Fear ye not, there

fore, ye are of more value than many sparrows," Matt. x. 31.

THE SWALLOWED BIBLE.

In the days of my boyhood, my father told me that he knew an old man who had swallowed a Bible. This greatly excited my astonishment, and I wondered how it could be. My father, who had an object in view in keeping me in ignorance of what he meant, never explained the matter to me; but went with me, some time afterwards, to call upon the old man. Many a thoughtless prodigal has been cut off since then, and many a pardoned sinner entered into the rest that remaineth for the people of God; yet do I remember it as well as though it happened but yesterday. Oh, how graciously did texts of Divine truth fall from the lips of that aged servant of Christ; for the Holy Scriptures dwelt in him richly in all wisdom; his Bible seemed to be a mine of illimitable value, a storehouse of precious things, and he drew them forth liberally, like one who draws water from a well that he believes to be inexhaustible.

As we came away, my father said to me, "Well, and what do you think of this man having swal

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lowed a Bible?"

Think, father!" said I, "why I think that he has indeed swallowed a Bible; for the word of God seems like meat and drink to him."

Oh that the blessed book of truth were meat and drink to us all! Oh that we had all swallowed a Bible, for then we should find it, not bitter like the little book eaten by John in the Revelation, but sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

AN ENEMY.

WHETHER you are a poor man, or a poor woman, getting your bread by the sweat of your brow, or aged and infirm, living in a cottage, let me remind you that you have AN ENEMY!

Be upon your guard; for unless you are so every moment of your time, depend upon it, he will do you an injury.

This enemy is not in another country, nor at a distance from you; he does not live in one place while you dwell in another. He is in the same dwelling, occupies the same chamber, and is indeed your most intimate acquaintance.

If he would attack you openly, you might resist him in many ways—you might ask others to assist you, or you might get out of his way; but these things you cannot do; for, though he is such an enemy, he contrives to persuade you that he is your best friend! He has abused the confidence you have put in him. He has led you into evil, he has deceived you, he has robbed you, and placed poison in your basket and in your store.