A faithful friend is hard to find.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

COMPANIONSHIP.

VERY young man is the better for cherishing strong friendships with the wise and good; and he whose soul is knit to one or more chosen associates, with whom he can sympathise in right aims and feelings, is thereby the better armed against temptation and confirmed in paths of virtue.

But there is a trait that is far more exalted than the love of one's friends, and that is love to an enemy. The best of men are liable, by their very virtues, to provoke the hostility of the envious and malicious; and from the time of which it is significantly written, "Saul eyed David from that day forward," he was hunted by this degenerate king with a ruthless and a relentless hate; yet, after enduring an almost unparalleled series of persecutions from him, no sooner does he find Saul than he makes it an occasion for the display of a forbearance that is yet more unparalleled. Twice does he thus spare the life that is spent in hot pursuit of his own blood; and when Saul dies under other hands, he not only mourns him in touching elegy, but sternly avenges his death upon his murderer.

How different is this from that standard of worldly honour which calls resentment manly, and brands

Do good to them that hate you.

Be slow in choosing friends; slower in changing them.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.

A little leaven, leavens a great mass.

with cowardice the lofty heart that, instead of meanly
crushing its enemy, dares to conquer itself, and there-
by achieves the greater victory over its foe!

He who cherishes this spirit of kindheartedness
and magnanimity, governed by Christian principle,
cannot fail to become a worthy, useful, and beloved
member of society. He has in his possession the key
that will unlock all hearts, though they be barred
against him; and the means not only of his own
temporal advancement, but what is better still, of dis-
charging with fidelity his weighty responsibilities to
others.
COLLYER.

DOING GOOD.

OW often do we sigh for opportunities of doing good, whilst we neglect the openings of Providence in little things, which would frequently lead to the accomplishment of most important usefulness! Dr. Johnson used to say "He who waits to do a great deal of good at once, will never do any." Good is done by degrees. However small in proportion the benefit which follows individual attempts to do good, a great deal may thus be accomplished by perseverance, even in the midst of discouragements and disappointments.

A wise man is strong.

CRABBE.

In multitude of counsellors there is safety.

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life.

The glory of the law is justice.

SIR M. HALE'S RESOLUTIONS.

HE character of Sir Matthew Hale as a judge was splendidly pre-eminent. His learning was profound; his patience unconquerable; his integrity stainless. In the words of one who wrote with no friendly feeling towards

him, "his voice was oracular, and his person little less than adored." The temper of mind with which he entered upon the duties of the bench is best exemplified in the following resolutions, which appear to have been composed on his being raised to the dignity of Chief Baron, at the Restoration:

"Things necessary to be continually had in remembrance:

"1. That in the administration of justice I am entrusted for God, the king, and country; and therefore,

"2. That it be done, 1. Uprightly; 2. Deliberately; 3. Resolutely.

"3. That I rest not upon my own understanding or strength, but implore and rest upon the direction and strength of God.

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4. That in the execution of justice I carefully lay aside my own passions, and not give way to them, however provoked.

"5. That I be wholly intent upon the business

Law-makers should not be law-breakers.

A man of understanding holdeth his peace.

The virtue of silence is a great piece of knowledge.

Righteousness tendeth to life.

I am about, remitting all other cares and thoughts as
unseasonable and interruptions.

“6. That I suffer not myself to be prepossessed
with any judgment at all, till the whole business and
both parties be heard.

“7. That I never engage myself in the beginning of any cause, but reserve myself unprejudiced till the

whole be heard.

"8. That in business capital, though my nature prompt me to pity, yet to consider there is a pity also due to the country.

"9. That I be not too rigid in matters purely conscientious, where all the harm is diversity of judgment. "10. That I be not biassed with compassion to the poor, or favour to the rich, in point of justice.

"II. That popular or court applause or distaste have no influence in anything I do, in point of distribution of justice.

12. Not to be solicitous what men will say or think, so long as I keep myself exactly according to the rule of justice.

"13. If in criminals it be a measuring cast, to incline to mercy and acquittal.

"14. In criminals that consist merely in words, where no more harm ensues, moderation is no injustice.

"15. In criminals of blood, if the fact be evident, severity is justice.

The desire of the righteous is only good.

The Lord layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous.

The righteous shall flourish as a branch.

A righteous man hateth lying.

"16. To abhor all private solicitations, of what kind soever, and by whomsoever, in matters depending.

"17. To charge my servants, I. Not to interpose in any matter whatsoever; 2. Not to take more than their known fees; 3. Not to give any undue precedence to causes; 4. Not to recommend counsel.

"18. To be short and sparing at meals, that I may be the fitter for business."

R

MAKE A BEGINNING.

EMEMBER in all things that if you do not begin you will never come to an end. The first weed pulled up in the garden, the first seed put in the ground, the first shilling put in the savings-bank, and the first mile travelled on a journey are all very important things. They make a beginning, and thereby a hope, a promise, a pledge, an assurance that you are in earnest with what you have undertaken.

How many a poor, idle, erring, hesitating outcast is now creeping and crawling his way through the world, who might have held up his head and prospered if, instead of putting off his resolutions of amendment and industry, he had only made a beginning!

A good beginning makes a good ending.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.