THE PRODIGAL SON.

1. A CERTAIN man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me." And he divided unto them his living.

2. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country: and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.

3. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

4. And he fain would have been filled with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. But when he came to himself he said, "How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish from hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and say unto him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.'

5. And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

6. And the son said unto him, "Father, I have

sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son."

7. But the father said to his servants, "Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and make merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." And they began to be merry.

8. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. And he said unto him, " Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound."

9. But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated. But he answered and said to his father, "Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but when this thy son came, which hath devoured thy living, thou killedst for him the fatted calf."

But it was

10. And he said unto him, "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine. meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; was lost, and is found."

New Testament.

CONTENTED JOHN.

I. ONE honest John Tomkins, a hedger and ditcher, Although he was poor did not want to be richer; For all such vain wishes in him were prevented By a fortunate habit of being contented.

2. Though cold was the weather, or dear was the food,

John never was found in a murmuring mood;
For this he was constantly heard to declare,
What he could not prevent he would cheerfully
bear.

3. "For why should I grumble and murmur?" he said;

"If I cannot get meat, I can surely get bread; And though fretting may make my calamities deeper,

It never can cause bread and cheese to be cheaper."

4. If John was afflicted with sickness or pain,
He wished himself better, but did not complain,
Nor lie down and fret in despondence and sorrow,
But said that he hoped to be better to-morrow.

5. If any one wronged him or treated him ill,

Why, John was good-natured and sociable still;

For he said that revenging the injury done Would be making two rogues when there need be but one.

6. And thus honest John, though his station was humble,

Passed through this sad world without even a grumble;

And I wish that some folks, who are greater
and richer,

Would copy John Tomkins, the hedger and
Jane Taylor.

ditcher.

TURNING THE GRINDSTONE.

1. WHEN I was a little boy, I remember, one cold winter's morning, I was accosted by a smiling man with an ax on his shoulder. "My pretty boy," said he, “has your father a grindstone?”

"Yes, sir," said I. "You are a fine little fellow," said he. "Will you let me grind my ax on it?" Pleased with the compliment of " fine little fellow," "Oh yes, sir," I answered. It is down in the shop." "And will you, my man," said he, patting me on the head, "get me little hot water?" How could I refuse? I ran, and soon brought a kettleful. "How old are you, and what's your name?" continued he, without waiting for a reply; "I am sure you are one of the finest lads that ever I have seen. Will you just turn a few minutes for me?”

2. Tickled with the flattery, like a little fool, I went to work, and bitterly did I rue the day. It was a new ax, and I toiled and tugged till I was almost tired to death. The school-bell rang, and I could not get away; my hands were blistered, and the ax was not half ground. At length, however, it was sharpened; and the man turned to me with, "Now, you little rascal, you've played truant; scud to the school, or you'll rue it!" "Alas!" thought I, "it was hard enough to turn a grindstone this cold day, but now to be called a little rascal is too much."

Benjamin Franklin.

THE O'LINCOLN FAMILY.

1. A FLOCK of merry singing-birds were sporting in the grove;

Some were warbling cheerily, some were making love;

There were Bobolincoln, Wadolincoln, Winterseeble, Conquedle,

A livelier set was never led by tabor, pipe, or
fiddle,-

Crying, "Phew, shew, Wadolincoln, see, see,
Bobolincoln

Down among the tickletops, hiding in the butter

cups!

I know the saucy chap, I see his shining cap Bobbing on the clover there,-see, see, see!"