THE HOME.

A Word Fitly Spoken.

Parents are frequently impatient with children because they do not understand matters, or quickly comprehend some hint or sign given at a special moment. A lady once complained of her little girl, who happened to be especially stupid at the wrong moment. An old gentleman rebuked her, saying, "If you had learned as much in every two years of your life as she has, you would be a wise woman by this time." That remark set her to thinking, and she never complained afterward because her child was not able to comprehend as quickly as she did. The child was probably as smart as its mother was at that age, and nothing more could be required. It was a word fitly spoken, and it bore good fruit.-Phrenological Journal.

A Beautiful Poem.

Here are some exquisite verses by an author whom we do not know. If the boys and girls do not appreciate them now, they will

DREAM CHILDREN.

man and woman young again. Sad, grow up into beauty in an atmos-
indeed, however stately, however phere of strife. Harsh, angry words
splendid, is the house without any are to their sensitive souls what
babies. And this the author of the frosts are to the flowers. To bring
poem
knew well.
them up in the nurture of the Lord
is to bring them up as Christ him-
self would, and surely that would
be with infinite tenderness. The
blessed influence of loving speech
day after day and month after
month, it is impossible to estimate.
It is like the falling of warm Spring
sunshine and rain on the garden.
Beauty and sweetness of character
are likely to come from such a home.

I trust in the dear Lord's wisdom,
I do not question His will;
But oft as I sit in my chamber,
In the twilight calm and still,

I long for the children's voices,
I long for the clinging arms,
As unto my ear they whisper
Their tiny griefs and alarms.
And my silent room is peopled
With forms I can almost see,
The forms of the dear dream children
Who cluster about my knee.

I can hear their merry prattle,

I feel their breath on my cheek,
And my fancy again makes real
The dear ones my heart would seek.
And so I sport with my children,

And watch their sweet, quaint ways,
Till my heart grows heavy with longing,
And my eyes are dim as I gaze.
For alas they are but shadows
That out of the darkness grows;
Only the frail dream children
That the heart alone can know.

Home Conversation.

But home conversation needs. more than love to give it its full influence. It ought to be enriched by thought. The Saviour's warning against idle words should be remembered. Every wise-hearted parent will seek to train his household to converse on subjects that will yield instruction or tend toward refinement. The table affords an excellent opportunity for this kind of education. Three times each day the family gathers there. It is a place for cheerfulness. Simply on hygienic grounds meals should not be eaten in silence. Bright, cheerful conversation is an excellent sauce and a prime aid to digestion. If it prolongs the meal and thus appears to take too much

Nothing in the home life needs when they are a few years older. to be more carefully watched and And when they are men and more diligently cultivated than the women, tired of work and lonely, conversation. It should be imbued perhaps with gray hairs beginning with the spirit of love. No bitter time out of the busy day, it will

to come in their heads, they will word should ever be spoken. The add to the years in the end by inknow all that these verses mean. language of husband and wife, in creased healthfulness and lengthSome parents make their children their intercourse together, should ened life. In any case, however, think they are nothing but a bother, always be tender. Anger in word something is due to refinement, and expense and vexation, and the ten- or even in tone should never be still more is due to the culture of der little hearts are saddened and suffered. Chiding and fault-finding one's home life. The table should made heavy daily by being made to should never be permitted to mar be made the centre of the social believe they are in the way and are the sacredness of their speech. The life of the household. There all not wanted. Such cruel parents do warmth and tenderness of their should appear at their best. Gloom not deserve to have any children. hearts should flow out in every word should be banished, conversation One of the purest, sweetest enjoy- that they speak to each other. As should be bright and sparkling. It ments in life is romping and play-parents, too, in their intercourse should consist of something besides ing with a house full of merry with the children, they should never dull threadbare commonplaces. The young ones. It drives away for the speak save in words of Christ-like idle gossip of the street is not a time the heaviest care and the gentleness. It is a fatal mistake to worthy theme for such hallowed blackest gloom. It makes the old suppose that children's lives can moments.

The Bible.

my poverty." It has been sinners lecture-room.

They do not conConsider how sweet is the tone that have saved the church. Souls sider that it is because of their that have felt weighed down to- temper, that it is because they are ward perdition, and have stretched disputatious, or because they are and murmurous. out imploring hands to God, using discontented

of the Word of God. Consider the life of Jesus; his childhood; his relations to his mother; the beauty of his affections; his simplicity and humility.

Now to take this benign life, this exquisite history, this affiliation of the Divine with universal human want, this nature that formed heart-loves, and loved in the name of the Father of all, and brought the Spirit of heaven to earth, shedding gracious influences among men as clouds shed rain upon the fields, every drop being a bounty-to take

the Bible, have kept that book in These states are incompatible with
practical power, while theologues the higher feelings. Where these
were weaving systems out of it, states exist the higher feelings can-
and pulling it asunder, and making not blossom.
it pugnacious. It has been pre-
served in being used by the great
heart of humanity that needed it
for food, and for medicine, balm,
cordial, to assuage sorrow and grief.
When you tell me that the church
has preserved the Bible, I tell you
that the Bible has preserved the

church ten thousand times over.

Be Kind.

"Polhemus, you look like a ghost. Have you had a spell of sickness?" "No, Magruder, there's nothing the matter with me but my microscope."

"Your microscope? What do you mean?"

"I was a happy man, Magruder, until my last birthday. My wife made me a present of a microscope, and in an evil hour I took it and food we eat and drink. Magruder, began examining the articles of

this and tear it into texts, and ram it into your guns, and fire them into Calvinists, high or low, or into Unitarians and Universalists; or to How many of us sit down and make every text a sword or spear account with ourselves, and say, or arrow with which to attack those "Because I am a Christian I must I've lived for two weeks on diswho chance to differ from you- carry myself in such a way that my tilled water. It's the only thing how it is to discredit the Bible, and life shall be made agreeable and that isn't full of nameless horrors." to set aside every proper use for profitable to those who are round -Chicago Tribune. which it was created! And yet about me?" I think that one who there be multitudes who think makes children happy, who makes THE juvenile mind of Saratoga they know a great deal about the servants who wait upon him more develops itself as follows on the Bible because they have chewed it self-respectful and joyous, who has current politics of the day: The into pellets, and made heaps of a pleasant word for the expressman little daughter of the Democratic them, so as to be ready at any who comes to bring him a package, candidate for a local office in that time to get at their opponents on and for the drayman that brings a county was told to run and tell her any doctrine, any experience, or load to his house, recognizing their aunt that "Mr. Young has got the any ethical question. The Bible manhood, so that the next time he nomination," and the little one cried has been cut up into weapons of meets them they turn their head out, "Oh, mamma, do they ever war; and men think they are using almost expecting that he will bow die of it?" the Bible properly when they are to them, because he has been so using these. So it has come to kind and gentle to them-I think pass that under the dominion of that a person who carries himself theologues for whole ages the only thus carries himself in a way that is use of the Bible has been to find profitable. missiles; whole ages have passed away without nutrition from this source. The church would have

Temper.

Many people wonder why they swamped and gone down if it had have not more faith, more moral not been for the poor widows; if it intuitions, and more spiritual joy. had not been for Bible readers They wonder why the Bible does who read from the heart; if it had not open up to them as it does to not been for the suffering and some other people. They wonder needy who cried, "O God! com- why they have not such experifort me in mine affliction and in ences as they hear of in the class or

'Tis not what man does which exalts him, but what man would do!-Browning.

GOD denies a Christian nothing but with a design to give him something better.-Cecil.

fulness to mirth. The latter I conI HAVE always preferred cheersider as an act, the former as a habit of the mind.-Addison.

"Life is wasted if we spend it
Idly dreaming how to die;
Study how to use, not end, it;
Work to finish, not to fly."

TEMPERANCE.

What It Contains.

A BARREL OF WHISKY.

A drayman rolled forth from his cart to the street

A red-headed barrel, well bound and com
plete;

And on it red letters, like forked tongues
of flame,
Emblazoned the grade, number, quality,
fame,

Of this world renowned whisky from some-
body's still,

Who arrested the grain on its way to the mill.

So there stood the barrel delivered, but I
Could see that a shadow was hovering nigh;
A sulphurous shadow that grew, as I gazed,
To the form of Mephisto. Though sorely
amazed,

I ventured to question this imp of the

realm,

Where Vice is the Pilot, with Crime at the

helm;

And asked him politely his mission to
name,

And if he was licensed to retail the same
Identical barrel of whisky which he
Was fondly surveying with devilish glee?

“O, I never handle the stuff," he replied,
"My partners mortal are trusted and tried;
Mayhap, peradventure you might wish to

look

A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moans;
A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass
From the bead on the liquor that glows in
the glass.

My barrel! My treasure! I bid thee fare

well.

Sow ye the foul seed, I will reap it in hell!"

The Saloons and Young Men.

of these places this evening (and you will not think this too large an estimate), the number would be Is it not an apsixty thousand.

palling thought? Sixty thousand young men subjected to such influences to the vile contamination of these body and soul destroying

Joshua L. Bailey, in an address agencies. Great numbers of these before the Philadelphia Young young men come from the rural Men's Christian Association, reportions of our State. They have left driving the cows and following ferred to the saloon peril for young men in that city as follows: the plow to seek the more stirring. "Go with me along these streets life of the city. They have here and see other young men's associ- no settled homes; no paternal roof ation buildings. I do not think to shelter them; no fireside as they had up yonder, with its cheerful buildings. I will not invite you welcome, where mother and sisters.

they

to enter, but as you pass by you gathered and helped to while away may see through their many win- the evening hours. So they go out dows the mirrored walls and the upon the street for society, for enfrescoed ceilings and the crystal-tertainment, for companionship ; spangled chandeliers, almost everyand too soon they are entrapped by thing that art can suggest to allure these merciless vampires, who are and attract. See how the young ever lying in wait for them. Felare thronging those broad low-citizens, hundreds of such men doorways. are on our streets at this 'And many there be that go in thereat,' to the destruc- "Up yonder, among the hills, I tion of their bodies and the ruin of see a quiet cottage; there is a light their souls. in the window, and the glow from "Almost under the shadow of the open fire rests upon tha faces this building, as though in mockery of each member of that family You will find that this barrel contains of our work, may be found these group. Evening prayer has just vestibules of the pit, fitted up in been offered, in which the absent the most costly manner, with cut one was not forgotten, and as the and stained glass windows and pic- last words are spoken I see rising tured walls and other artistic decorations, to allure the steps of the passers-by. In the name of art and architecture, I protest against the perversion of these valuable instrumentalities to the sole use of Satan and his instruments.

A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;

A barrel of tears from a work-weary wife;

A barrel of sorrow, a barrel of strife;
A barrel of all unavailing regret;
A barrel of cares and a barrel of debt;
A barrel of crime and a barrel of pain;
A barrel of hopes ever blasted and vain;
A barrel of falsehood, a barrel of cries
That fall from the maniac's lips as he dies;
A barrel of agony, heavy and dull;
A barrel of poison-of this nearly full;
A barrel of liquid damnation that fires

from her seat in the corner one whose thoughts have carried her to the far-off city. Her eyes are suffused with tears, and her heart is beating with emotions she can suppress no longer, as with clasped hands she cries, 'Where, oh! where, is my boy to-night?'"

"That mother's cry comes to you and me. We cannot answer it

"One word more : While we sit here in this hall to-night, considering what can be done to save young men, there are six thousand with the question: Am I my open saloons in this city, besides brother's keeper?' But we can an

The brain of the fool who believes it hundreds of other immoral places swer it by assuming the responsi

inspires;

A barrel of poverty, ruin and blight;

of resort, each throwing out its A barrel of terrors that grow with the night; enticements. Supposing ten to be A barrel of hunger, a barrel of groans;

the average number entering each

bility which God has placed upon us, and going forth in the strength which He gives to lend a hand.' "

YOUNG PEOPLE.

Take Care.

BY ALICE CARY.

Little children, you must seek
Rather to be good than wise;
For the thoughts you do not speak
Shine out in your cheeks and eyes.
If you think that you can be
Cross or cruel, and look fair,
Let me tell you how to see

You are quite mistaken there.
Go and stand before the glass,
And some ugly thought contrive,
And my word will come to pass

Just as sure as you're alive!
What you have and what you lack,
All the same as what you wear,

You will see reflected back;
So, my little folks, take care.

And not only in the glass

Will your secrets come to view;
All beholders, as they pass,

Will perceive and know them, too.
Out of sight, my boys and girls,
Every root of beauty starts;

So think less about your curls,
More about your minds and hearts.

ing for ourselves. If children don't that some one must always be the
like to say much about good things, first to give in, and meeting his serv-
I guess they all like to have the ant more than half way with forgive-
minister remember them. I always ness and peace. What heart could
watch and see if they pray for young withstand
such a step toward
folks; if they don't I think they reconciliation. Truly has it been
won't have much in the sermon said of forgiveness that this is a
either. Then, of course, I don't bridge over which we all need to
listen as well as I should if I pass. Let us not break it down.
thought there was something for
me."-Selected.

How to Find Out a Person's Age.

A glimmer of light and comfort
came to Martin Luther when the
old monk by his bedside read aloud
the solemn words, "I believe in
The following figures may be the forgiveness of sins." Which
made a source of considerable of us could stand before the God of
amusement and wonder, in this all, did He not blot out our failures
manner: Have the person whose and dismiss our trespasses? If we
age is to be found, state in what are feeling concerning any fellow-
columns the figures representing creature, "I have sustained a wrong
his age appear.
I cannot forget or pardon," let us

1

3

12337

The figures at the top of the col- take the first right step by naming
umns thus indicated added together the name we dislike at the Mercy
will represent the number of years seat. In the time of Washington
the person is old.
a Christian man journeyed to the
general to beseech the life of a
neighbor sentenced to death. He
was told his "unfortunate friend"
must perish. "He is my worst
enemy," said the intercessor. “And
have you," asked Washington,
"walked sixty miles for your ene-
my's sake? I grant you his par-
don." What a revenge was this.-
Quiver.

4

8

5

17

Cherish what is good, and drive

6

18

34

7

7

19

Evil thoughts and feelings far;

20

21

22

15

15

15

53

"Will you ask my pardon?" said
"Yes, and I prayed as hard as I a master to his servant with whom
could that I might be. When we he had disputed. The answer was
hear people praying for us it makes a surly negative. "Then I will
us think it is about time to be pray- ask yours," said his master, knowing

"How does it happen that there
are so many old maids among the
school teachers?" asked a reporter
of a school teacher the other day.
"Because school teachers are, as a
rule, women of sense; and no wo-
man will give up a sixty-dollar
position for a ten-dollar man,"
was the reply.

A young miss of this city, who
recently began the study of geog-
raphy in a private school, was ask-
ed by her father what she knew
about New York Bay.

"Oh, I don't know anything
about that," was the reply, "but
can tell you all about Asia."

THE YOUNGER PEOPLE.

The Squirrel's Lesson.

Two little squirrels, out in the sun;
One gathered nuts, the other had none.

"Time enough yet," his constant refrain;

Summer is still only just on the wane.'

Listen my child, while I tell you his fate;
He roused him at last, but he roused him

too late.

Down fell the snow from a pitiless cloud,

And gave little squirrel a spotless white shroud.

Two little boys in a school-room were placed,

One always perfect, the other disgraced; Time enough yet for my learning,' he said,

"I will climb by and by from the foot to the head."

"Hold on," cried papa; "Wait till change took place. The donkeys

I come!' He had shut his red had their heads turned homeward. sun umbrella, and was beating his That meant supper, a night's lodg donkey with it. Soon he came up ing, and no burdens to carry. to the children. You see, it was When they felt the two sticks and papa who had treated the little ones the red umbrella, and thoughts of to a donkey ride. Usually some their cozy stable crowded in on small boys run behind these ani- their gentle minds, they just took mals and encourage them to go with the bits in their teeth and started a club. Papa had said that he off like mad, at full gallop. You thought his youngsters could man- never in your life saw two children age the donkeys, and Frankie had and one father so much astonished. backed him up in this assertion. There was no thought of stopping. But even one mule can upset many Frankie and Alice held on hard, and calculations. Here they all were, shouted, "Fire! Help! Papa! over a mile from their hotel, and Amen!" with all their might. the donkeys would not stir an inch. Poor papa was left far behind. Frankie alighted and cut a thick | His congregation suddenly left him. stick for himself and a lean stick for He could render no assistance. His Alice. He gave his sister her stick, donkey flapped his ears, and the and then he yelled out: "Halloo ! red umbrella waved in the air. But Whoa there! Get up! Go ahead! he could not keep up. Very soon I'll give it to you!" This was the children vanished from his Frankie all over, and papa and sight. When the procession scamAlice burst out laughing. The pered into into Asbury Park, and Living uncared for, dying unknown-lad's donkey was pulling hard at the stopped suddenly at their accusend of the bridle. He would not tomed place on the beach, the donlet his valiant rider get on. The more Frankie pulled and shouted, the more the donkey backed away. The unruly beast seemed to understand perfectly that he had only a boy to deal with. It was indeed a comical sight. When papa finished laughing he caught Frankie's beast. Then he formed the children and

Listen my darling, their locks are turned
gray;

One as a governor sitteth to day;
The other, a pauper, looks out at the door
Of the almshouse, and idles his days as

of yore.

Two kind of people we meet every day;

One is at work, the other at play,

The busiest hive hath ever a drone.

Tell me, my child, if the squirrels have

taught

The lesson I longed to implant in your

thought!

Answer me this and my story is done,-
Which of the two would you be little

one ?

a

key boys laughed until they rolled over in the grass. The two children never laughed at all. They couldn't see the fun. When papa arrived, leading his stubborn steed, and whispering exhortations in his -Kindergarten. ear, the three wended their way to "WHY, he won't go a bit! What the hotel, not very jolly, but somein the world can be the matter with what wiser than at the beginning of their donkey trip. Since that day him?" It was little Alice who donkeys into a procession. Alice Alice and Frankie have had many said this. She was sitting on was first. Then came Frankie, a ride, in stages and buggies and donkey in the middle of a road, be- whose duty it was to punch Alice's wagons-in fact, in all sorts of tween Asbury Park and Long donkey with his stick. Papa vehicles, but never have they dared Branch. The donkey was so small brought up the rear, flourishing his to undertake another donkey ride, that Alice's straw hat seemed like umbrella and saying quite a number an Ocean Grove tent over him. of large, learned words, which no A little child three years old lay "I wonder if big donkeys have any creature but a donkey could ever dying. Suddenly the dear child more won't-go in them than the interpret or understand. After gazes around him, places one little hand in his mother's, and stretches little ones," shouted Frankie, awhile papa shouted: "All aboard! the other out as if clasping another. Alice's younger brother, and there Punch, Frankie, punch with care, His lips move, and these are the was a roguish look in his eyes as he and the train will start!" And so precious words he utters: "One started hand in mamma's and one in glanced at his papa, who was just the train did start. behind them on another donkey. quickly. It moved off as though the care of his two best friends, he Jesus'," and thus protected with Frankie's beast seemed to be stuck getting somewhere was the one sin- takes the step from one to the aim in life. For a sudden other. in the road, as if he grew there. gle aim in life.

It

"Sunshine."