I have since thought,—that if he lived, and saw us in distress, his heart would break; and I have felt that God had been merciful toward him in taking him away. The young girl replied not, but bowed down her head; and some tears, which she tried to conceal, fell on the work which she held in her hand.

The mother added, God, who was good toward him, has been good toward us. What have we lacked while so many others were in need of everything?

It is true we have been obliged to accustom ourselves to live on a little, and to gain that little by our labor; but is not that little sufficient for us? And have not all been condemned from the beginning to live upon their labor?

God, in his goodness, has given us daily bread. And how many have it not! He has given us a roof to shelter us, and how many know not where to lay their heads!

My daughter, He has given you to me; what then have I to complain of? At these last words, the young girl, full of emotion, fell at the knees of her mother, took her hands, kissed them, and weeping, threw herself on the bosom of her mother.

And the mother making an effort to give vigor to her voice, said, My daughter, happiness does not consist in having much, but in hoping and loving much.

Our hope is not for the things here below, neither is our love; or if it be, it is but passingly.

Next to God, you are all to me in this world; but this world vanishes like a dream, therefore my love rises with you toward another world.

When I carried you in my womb, one day I prayed with unusual ardour to the Virgin Mary; and she appeared to me during my slumber, and she seemed with a heavenly smile to present me with a little infant.

And I took the infant which she presented me; and while I held it in my arms, the Virgin Mother placed on its head a crown of white roses.

A few months after you were born, and the sweet vision was always before my eyes.

Thus having said, the grey-haired woman shuddered, and she clasped the young girl to her heart.

Some time thence a holy soul saw two luminous forms mount toward heaven, and a troop of angels accompanied them, and the air resounded with their songs of gladness.

We would not disturb the beautiful picture by comment.

ELMER CASTLE. A Roman Catholic Story of the Nineteenth Century. Sixth Edition. Houlston & Stoneman.

THIS Volume-one of a Class now sufficiently numerous-is better written than many that have preceded it. That it has reached a Sixth Edition is a witness to its merit.

We had hoped that, by this time, the subject taken up by the Author had become common ground. If, in the Nineteenth Century, it is necessary to insist on our right to read the Word of God, the work before us is to be praised for the earnestness with which the right is asserted. The Bible is the Christian's Charter, and its simple laws, its glorious privileges, its emphatic warnings are for All.

There is much to please us in the Author's manner, which has less pretension about it than we have observed for some

time. The characters, through whom the Author's purpose is evolved, are everyday people, speaking their natural languagenot mere stilted puppets, haranguing each other with puerile sentimentalities. The Author's intention is generally worked out in a spirit of kindness; the arguments are clear and cogent; and the sequence of events probable. We would quote from the book itself, but it is difficult to select a passage we can fairly separate from the context, and we look upon this closeness of style as a great merit in the work. May its Mission be to bring the brethren of every church nearer their "Common Head.”

TRUST IN THE FUTURE.

Fear not when sorrow is nearest thy heart,
For know that in life each beareth his part;
Stand though the shafts of terror are flying,
Stand though it be in the ranks of the dying!
Fear not, though none around thee or near thee
Stretch forth their hand to raise thee or cheer thee,
Dark clouds may sully thy morning of life,

Thy souls dearest feelings be riven in strife;
Yet still there exists in sorrow's worst hours

The seed which shall bear thee perennial flowers;
Remember the loveliest blossoms decay,
Fall withered and dead in the early May
Ere the fruit can burst its embryo form,
And ripen its juice in the sunbeams warm,
So must the first flowers of human trust,
Be torn from the tree and lie in the dust.
Though cold winds may usher the advent of Spring,
The Summer will come like a bird on the wing,
And the morning that rises in sadness and gloom
In sunbeams oft smiles 'ere the coming of noon.
Mortal! despair not when sorrow is near thee,
The future is nigh to strengthen and cheer thee;
The longest night has a morn which restores
Joy to the earth and light to the flowers.

CORNELIA A. H. BRRKELEY.

NECK-TIE WHICH MAY BE CONVERTED INTO A CAP.

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A KNITTING PATTERN FOR BREAD CLOTH, TOILET COVER. OR WHITE COVERING FOR A SOFA PILLOW.

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