worldly parents do?  Take an example from them. They spend life in laying up this world’s goods for their children—­treasures which perish in the using.  Surely, then, you may, with great propriety, devote a few years to secure an imperishable crown of glory for your sons and daughters.  For what is the present world—­its gold of California or its gems of Golconda—­what are its honors—­its stars, coronets, crowns—­to an inheritance in the kingdom of God!

The time has not yet come when parents appreciate this subject as they will do.  Oh, no! and until they realize their duty, their privileges, the purchase which they have on the throne of God by means of faith, and their covenant interest in the blood of Jesus, there is reason to fear that many children will perish, but who need not perish—­who would not perish were their parents as faithful and energetic as parents will be in some more distant age of the world.

But why postpone what may be realized now?  Why relinquish blessings of vast and incomparable magnitude to others which you may enjoy, and which it is no benevolence to forego for others, because when they come upon the stage, there will be blessings for them in abundance and to spare?  Let the sentiment fall upon your hearts, and make its appropriate impression there—­“While God invites, how blest the day!”

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If the candle of your earthly comfort be blown out, remember it is but a little while to the break of day, when there will be no more need of candles.

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CHRISTIAN, wouldst thou have an easy death? then get a mortified heart; the surgeon’s knife is scarcely felt when it cuts off a mortified member.

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FROST.

BY MRS. JULIA NORTON.

  The beams of morn were glittering in the east,
  The hoary frost had gathered like a mist
  On every blade of grass, on plant and flower,
  And sparkling with a clear, reflected light—­
  Shot forth its radiant beams that, dazzling bright,
  Proclaimed the ruling charm in beauty’s power.

  The god of day came forth with conquering glow,
  When shrinking from his gaze the glittering show
  In vapor fled, with steady, noiseless flight—­
  But left its blasting mark where’er it pressed
  The tender plant that on earth’s peaceful breast,
  Still slept, unmindful of the fatal blight.

  Thus sin oft gilds the onward path of youth,
  Till straying far from virtue and from truth,
  Heaven’s bright, pure rays, in fearful distance gleam;
  While on the mind the blasting, clinging shade,
  With deathless power, refuses still to fade—­
  Till life’s dark close unfolds the fearful dream.

* * * * *