here? Once a beloved son, and nourished in affluence, how came I here, amid this filth and refuse, a keeper of swine?

Then, in the anguish of his heart, he burst into tears, as for the first time he sees the misery of his sinful state. "And when he came to himself, he said— I will arise and go to my Father." Slowly he turns away from the place of his shame, and seeks once more the old homestead. His tattered garments scarce cover his wasted body, worn down as it is by sinful dissipation. His cheek, that was flushed with the ruddy hue of health, when he left his father's warm embrace, now exhibits, alas! too plainly the change wrought in

him.

Methinks I hear his sad soliloquy,-" Will my Fa ther recognize in this sad wreck, the son he once so tenderly loved? or if he does, will injured love suffer him to receive the wanderer home?" He now draws near the paternal roof, his aged sire is on the watch; day after day he has looked for the wanderer's return, and now behold he comes! The distance the altered appearance of his son-neither deceive him; "It is my son !" he cries, and, as fast as his waning strength would permit, he runs and falls on the neck of his long-lost boy, and gives vent to a bursting heart in a flood of tears.

The prodigal repeats his prayer, but his father interrupting him, orders fine garments to be brought, and a banquet to be prepared to celebrate his return; that night, within the walls of his father's mansion, was rejoicing, music, and mirth.

From this touching story may be drawn several important considerations. First. The development of a depraved heart. His primal sin was selfish ingratitude. The wholsome restraints of home were too irksome, and he said within his heart, "I will not have this man to rule over me," and, steeling his heart against paternal love, he forsakes his home.

Have you not, reader, thus treated God? He says, "I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me; oh, Ephraim, how shall I give thee up?"

Who, after reading this affecting narrative, can doubt that "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.”

Secondly. Notice the unsatisfying nature of sin. When this young man first broke away from parental restraint, he felt free and unfettered as the mountain bird, and foolishly thought that his gay dream of delight would never end. From one excess he rushed to another; satiated, perhaps, with the dizzy dance, he tried to find enjoyment in the wine-cup, but every unhallowed pleasure left a sting behind. He was ever craving delight, yet never gratified. Often in house of wanton revelry, did thoughts of the last bitter hour, chill his spirit and interrupt all his joy.

So will the votary of pleasure at length realize that the wages of sin is death, and if he obeys the syren's voice, she will beguile his footsteps to the brink of the bottomless abyss of wo, from which there is no rescue, never! no never!

Lastly. This parable teaches the only way of obtain

ing God's reconciled favor. The successive steps are, conviction of sin, immediate repentance and forsaking of iniquity, and true faith in Christ.

"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart." The prodigal first saw his pitiful condition, and then began to loathe himself; so real repentance is always preceded by an intelligent conviction of sin. Then faith leads us to Jesus; for all our prayers and tears, and groanings, will never avail without Him.. Come then, hardened sinner, come to Christ, and see how freely he'll forgive. "None but Jesus can do helpless sinners good."

"Not all the blood of beasts

BOSTON, 1853.

On Jewish altars slain,

Could give the guilty conscience peace,

Or wash away the stain.

But Christ, the Heavenly Lamb,

Takes all our sins away,

A sacrifice of nobler name,
Of richer blood than they.

My faith would lay her hand
On that dear head of thine,
While like a penitent I stand,
And there confess my sins."

YOUTHFUL PIETY.

My young friends, this essay is for you; its object is to present to your minds some persuasions to early piety. You will also have some interesting instances exhibited of those who loved their Saviour while young, and it is my earnest desire that you will emulate their virtues and follow in their path.

Were you to-morrow to set sail on a long voyage to some foreign port, you would be anxious to secure a companion, who not only was acquainted with the way, but who was able to defend you from every danger.

Now you have already embarked on the boisterous sea of life, dangers beset your way; hidden reefs and quick-sands may prove your ruin. Your only guide is Religion. If you secure it in youth, then as Solomon says, "thou shalt walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble; when thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid; yea, thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet. When thou goest, it shall lead thee, when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee, and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Now I will give you a few reasons for your becoming pious now. First; it is comparatively easy for you now to devote yourselves to Christ. Your mind is free from the

prejudices that blind the heart, and render it insensible to truth; your feelings are now buoyant, your hopes ardent, and your sensiblities are easily wrought upon. Delay repentance till advanced life, and you will be surrounded by a thousand difficulties, of which you know nothing now. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil."

Secondly. It is honorable in you to devote to your Saviour the vigor and freshness of your youthful affec

tions.

It is highly dishonorable for you to neglect Religion and the claims of Christ till the close of life, and presume then on the forbearance of God; to waste the seed time, and then hope for a harvest. How ungrateful thus to treat your Heavenly Father, who has, from the first moment of your existence, watched over you with ceaseless love; endowed you with talents which may make you a blessing to your companions and friends; encircled you with countless mercies; given you the privileges of education and Sabbath School instruction, and placed in your hands that priceless legacy, the Bible, which is a lamp unto your feet and light unto your path to conduct you to your heavenly home. And can you return ingratitude for such love? No, rather say, "my Father, be thou the guide of my youth." Then will you lead a happy life and be ready for a happy death.

Far away amid "Afric's sunny fountains," there lived, several years ago, a little girl named Katarēna. She joined the mission school at an early age, and