Eph. ii.

(g)

James iv. 4. John ii. 15, 16, 17. 1 Tim. v. 6. 2, 3. (f) Matth. xviii. 3. Acts iii. 19; viii. 18 to 24. Luke xiv. 33; xviii. 28 to 33. (h) Luke ix. 23 to 28; xiv. 27. (i) Matth. xix. 28, 29. (k) Acts viii. 18 to 24. (1)

2 Cor. i. 22.

Eph. i. 13. 14.; iv. 33.

Eph. iv. 30.

(m) Rev. vii. 3.

ADVANTAGES OF EARLY RISING.

THE habit of early rising is of unspeakable benefit. Those only who have formed this habit can fully conceive its pleasures and advantages. To them early rising is not a hardship, but a luxury. As we feel more refreshed and cheerful after a temperate meal than after eating and drinking to excess, so after a moderate quantity of sleep we are more refreshed than when we protract our slumbers. It is true that until the habit is formed, it requires a very determined and somewhat painful effort to rise early. But, if resolute, the struggle is only for a moment. As soon almost as the effort is made, and we find ourselves away from the enfeebling couch, we experience satisfaction and delight. The practice of early rising, like all others, is much easier, and more likely to be continued, if it be commenced in early life. But if it be neglected through youth there is reason to fear that, in the majority of instances, the habit will never be acquired. Then let all the readers of the "Juvenile Companion" determine, by the help of God, to acquire the habit of early rising. It should be an incentive to this, that too much sleep or lying too long in bed is injurious to the body, and that, on the contrary, early rising promotes health. Both reason and experience testify that excess in sleep enervates the frame, absorbs the animal spirits, and actually induces or predisposes the body to disease. The late Rev. John Mason says, "Never allow yourself above six hours sleep. Physicians will tell you that nature demands no more-for the proper recruit of health and spirits. All beyond this is luxury; no less

'The gay remembrance of a life well spent.'

Wherever he went he diffused a portion of his own felicity. While the grave and serious were charmed with his wisdom, his sportive sallies of innocent mirth delighted even the young and thoughtless; and both saw in his uninterrupted cheerfulness the excellency of true religion."

Early rising affords a delightful opportunity of contemplating the works of God. "A single dew-drop, however small, furnishes in turn gems of all imaginable colours. In one light it is a sapphire; shifting the eye a little, it becomes an emerald; next a topaz; then a ruby; and, lastly, when viewed so as to reflect the light without refracting it, it has all the splendour of a diamond. But to obtain this beautiful display of natural colours, it is necessary to take advantage of the morning, when the beams of the newly-risen sun are nearly level with the surface of the earth; and this is the time when the morning birds are in their finest song, and when the air and the earth are in their greatest freshness, and when all nature mingles in one common morning song of gratitude."

Early rising is advantageous for the acquirement of knowledge. The sweet and quiet morning is certainly the best time for reading and meditation. To study at night is very injurious to health, as, alas, many have proved. What a large amount of knowledge may be obtained in the course of a few years, by devoting two or three hours to its pursuit every morning; and there is reason to believe that there are multitudes who could very well do this, inasmuch as they spend as much or more time than this every morning extravagantly in sleep. To the habit of early rising some authors have been greatly indebted. Indeed some of the most admired and useful works extant would never have been given to the world, if their authors had not acquired the habit of early rising. This habit secures sufficient time for morning devotions. These should never be omitted or performed hurriedly. Colonel Gardiner "used constantly to rise at four in the morning, and to spend his time till six, in the secret exercises of devotion,

reading, meditation, and prayer. If at any time he was obliged to go out before six in the morning, he rose proportionably sooner; so that when a journey or a march has required him to be on horseback by four, he would be at his devotions at furthest by two." King David said "my voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." (Psa. v. 3.) Our blessed Saviour himself hath set us the example. "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." (Mark i. 35.)

CHARLES R. HOPPER.

THE LITTLE JEW MERCHANT

BY MARY HOWITT.

"FOR want of a thimble," said Mrs Graham to her visitors, "I cannot finish my work. So giving the embroidery-frame into the hands of her attendant, who had entered the moment before the remark which commences our story was made, ordered him to take it back to her dressing-room. The footman observed that a little Jewmerchant, with a box of thimbles and other articles, had just left the gate. He was instantly ordered to summon back the little pedlar- -but before we introduce him to the drawing-room, we will say a few words, on both his character, and that of Mrs. Graham.

She was a lady in the decline of life, of honourable family, and immense wealth; she rose early, walked much, and was, when sitting at home, constantly employed. A book, or some kind of needle-work, was always in her hands.

Mrs. Graham, beside the peculiarities we have mentioned, was a woman of most energetic benevolence; her kindness was never satisfied with good wishes only. She gave her money freely, and her advice with the most winning sweetness. At the same time she often assumed towards strangers, and particularly towards those whose sincerity she