The Children's Box. THE LEATHER BOTTLE. LITTLE girls and boys, when they read the bible, must remember that bottles were formerly made of leather, not of glass, as they are now. The skins of goats and sheep were taken off the animal and sewed up so as to form a bottle. New wine was always put into new bottles, because the leather would stretch and not bend when the wine began to swell by slight fermentation. And in new bottles it would be less likely to ferment than in old ones, where fermenting matter might be lodged in the pores of the leather. Our picture shows the bottle. These bottles could be mended, as you may read in Joshua ix. 4. Let all our dear readers get to understand the manners and customs of the east, and we are sure they will find the Bible the most interesting book in the world. Above every thing let them learn the character and work of Jesus, who died to save them from sin here and suffering hereafter. THE TEACHER'S PULPIT. JOHN V. 40. 'Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.' My dear Children,-If on some bitterly cold day, you saw any one but ill-clothed, unprepared for the severity of the weather, and you could have the pleasure of telling him where warm garments were given away to any who would fetch them, and which he might find a secure shelter from the pelting of the pitiless storm; would you not feel surprised if he were unwilling to go? If you knew any one very poor and in great distress, and he were told where he might go and obtain all the money he wanted; should you not wonder if he would not go? Would you not say that he deserved to remain in poverty? If in some neighbourhood where a fever was raging, you saw a beautiful river running, and knew that whoever bathed in this stream, would instantly. become well-lose all the wasting and pain they were subject to, and instead, of sickness, be blessed with blooming health; would it not grieve you much if you could not prevail on either them or their friends to make some effort, and bathe in this health-giving stream? Or lastly, if a man were found guilty of treason, and condemned to die; yet were told, that if he would but apply earnestly to the queen, he might after all be pardoned; should you not wonder much if he kept moodily within his prison-cell, embraced the iron fetters that were on him, and preferred the death that was waiting? Yes, I am sure you would; you would think of all the blossoming hopes of life, which would soon be mowed down, and be astonished at the strange infatuation, that would not even have such a blessing, though it might be had for asking. Now my dear children, there is a great king, who has been always a kind ruler, who has done every thing for the happiness of his people, and never laid heavy burdens upon them; who ruled for the good of those under him; and yet, some of these people plotted against him; gave up caring for his laws, and turned out complete rebels, So the king would have nothing more to do with them, but sent out a sentence of death against them: a good many of them did die this death; yet, the king was very merciful, he did not wish to kill them, but only to make them obey his laws, which were all very good laws. And so he sent pardons to them as they were going to be executed, offering to receive them back if they would confess their sorrow and amend their lives. The king's son too was very kind, and had been very active in getting these pardons signed; and went indeed himself with them, but nearly all the prisoners sullenly refused, and neither thanked the son for his kindness, nor the father for his mercy. Some did accept the pardon, and became very good subjects afterwards; you may be sure they would not by any means offend so generous and gracious a king again; and as for the king's son, there' was nobody there pardoned rebels liked so well; and if ever they wanted anything from the king, they always said one to another, let us ask the king's son, you remember how kind he was about our pardon, and his father loves him so, that for his sake, we shall get what we want. So these pardoned rebels were better subjects, and happier men than ever before. But we must come back to the others who would not receive the pardon; the son had tried very hard to get this pardon for them; and then tried very hard to per suade them to take it, but it was no use, so they were obliged to be executed; and the king's son was so grieved, that he said-with tears in his eyes-now you see, that the scaffold is being erected, and in two hours you will die; and yet, 'Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.' God is that great King, Jesus Christ is the beloved and kind King's Son, and men are the sinful rebels; Christians are those who have had the pardon from Christ, and who now will do anything to please Christ, whilst all others are of those foolish and wicked rebels, who will not have the pardon. Which of these do we belong to? If we are forgiven, do we love Jesus Christ for this forgiveness, and his Father for sending him to get it and to give it? But if we have not been forgiven, are we not more sinful and foolish than those who would not escape the death of the body, since we do not care about escaping the death of our souls? Will you not then come to Jesus Christ that you may have life? How many other things there are which we try for, but cannot get; whilst this, which is better than all, we may be quite sure of having, if we will but go to Jesus Christ. It will be too late in another world, he will not then be wanting to give pardon and life; but to welcome the pardoned into his Father's palace, and drive the unpardoned away into eternal banishment; nor can we then complain of our misery, for these words would come to our ears, 'Ye would not come to me, that ye might have life.' I offered you pardon, but ye would not have it. Let us then take it now-earnestly pray to him for it-then serve him thankfully and joyfully all our life on earth, till he calls us into the eternal life of heaven. Let us take it now, that then we may Accustomed at a very early age to see God honoured at the family altar, and taught that the Bible was the medium by which we learn to know his will, she prized its blessed contents above every other book. When only three years old, her greatest delight was to hear of Christ; and, in glowing terms, she would often speak of his love in coming to save sinful mortals, in a manner that surprised those much older in years. Soon after this, she was admitted into St. Stephen's sabbath school, Salford. Often, after the labours of the day, she would return to me full of what she had heard, enumerating, to the delight of her parents, the subjects on which the teacher had spoken. Her memory was remarkably retentive, which afterwards, when placed in more trying circumstances, proved a great mercy. Years passed on; but with Sarah Jane it was not as we fear it too often is with many of our dear Sunday scholars. Her impressions, instead of wearing off, appeared to deepen ; and the privilege of attending she prized exceedingly, often saying, nothing but sickness could keep her away from the dear Sunday school, quoting the lines of good Dr. Watts 'I have been there, and still would go, 'Tis like a little heaven below.' As might well be expected, a piety so unaffected as hers was not selfish in its character. She was in the habit of hoarding her little savings, and contributing to the necessities of the poor which came under her immediate notice. In one or two cases, when her dear parents were almost involved in those pecuniary trials to which even the righteous are sometimes subject, she would insist upon a contribution from her own store, and when her kind aid was refused, she would reply, 'Oh, no, dear father, "I have a never-failing bank, A more than golden store." In the year 1845, collections were made in the church she attended for new school houses, when she cheerfully gave up the contents of her little 'bank,' amounting to ten shillings, saying, 'This, with God's blessing, will do some good. I wish I could give more.' On one occasion, a friend, during an illness, gave her sixpence for the purchase of oranges, her favourite fruit; after thanking him, when he had left, she said, 'Father, I would much rather give my sixpence towards the Irish School Society.' She did so, with an earnest prayer that her mite should be blessed. But the grass withereth, and the flower fadeth,-so with this dear child of God. Her attainments in piety appeared to have been far beyond her years, and the great Lord of the vineyard saw fit to give her spirit notice to quit its earthly tenement. She was attacked with a disease that occasioned her intense suffering, and baffled the skill of her medical advisers. To be deprived of attending, and taking her usual seat among the Sunday scholars, was a great trouble, and the last time her little figure was seen in that school-room she was carried out ill, never more to return. Her meek resignation was most exemplary. 'It is the Lord who afflicts in mercy,' she would say, 'let Him do what seemeth Him good.' Her mind was much engaged in secret devotion, and often her fond parents were delighted to overhear her fervent ejaculations at midnight, when she knew not that any ear was nigh, save His who never slumbers nor sleeps. At this period, she found the comfort and benefit of having committed to memory, when in good health, many psalms and hymns, from which now she would quote those suitable to her When told by the surgeon that her recovery was very doubtful, though she might linger long in pain, she meekly replied, 'well, I am in the hands of a merciful Father, who never willingly afflicts -it is for our profit, and if it is the Lord's will, I wish to be ready at any time to obey the call.' case. It was one day remarked to her, that the grave is a dark, cold place. 'Oh,' she replied, 'Jesus has been there, and the lamp of His love will guide me through the gloom :' besides, she added with lively animation, 'The graves of all his saints he blessed, She had a sweet infant brother whom she dearly loved. On one occasion she said, 'Mother, I sometimes think I should like to be able to assist you in nursing, but then you know I am going to heaven, where I shall meet two other little brothers and a sister,* and see Jesus with an innumer able company of angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect; and though I shall never return to you, dear parents, yet in God's due time you will come to me; 'Oh, that will be joyful, When we meet to part no more.' On being asked if she had much In allusion to those of the same family who had died in infancy. pain, she replied, "O yes; but great peace and consolation. Sufferings are the result of sin, and what are mine compared with my Redeemer's agony. Her dear minister, after praying with her, as was his custom, departed, when she remarked, 'That prayer on my behalf has been answered.' Such was the character of an illness which continued from October 1845 to April 1847; gradually becoming weaker in body, yet appearing all the while to ripen fast for glory. She took great delight in prayer. A very short time before her spirit was released, when sleep was driven from her couch, her father heard her earnest petitions at midnight, when she particularly mentioned the ministers, superintendents, and teachers of her favourite school, along with the different members of her family. After this her agony was great. It was evident a change was nigh. Her troubled father said, 'My love, your sufferings are nearly over.' 'Yes,' she replied, 'but I feel my Saviour with me to support and console me even in this trying hour.' A little while afterwards, she said, 'Ah, I am going to the saints' everlasting rest; my flesh shall rest in hope.' 'Yes,' her dear parent rejoined, and the time will soon come when we shall, through grace, meet in love will be completed.' She did glory, and the work of redeeming not answer, for the cold hand of death had evidently touched ber mortal tabernacle, and she had Like a flower she was cut down sweetly fallen asleep in Jesus. at the early age of little more than ten years. her mortal remains might be deShe had expressed a wish that posited near the church and school where she had derived so much benefit and profitable instruction. Accordingly it was done. She was carried by the young to the grave about which she had often spoken. Amid the grief of those she has left on earth, we feel assured that she is now an inhabitant of those glorious realms where sin and sorrow never enter. Many were the lessons which more advanced Christians, in visiting, derived from her spiritual conversations. God grant that our latter end may be like hers. Let these simple facts encourage the fainting hearts of Sunday school teachers. Cast your bread upon the waters, remembering the promise of unerring truth, 'Ye shall find it after many days.' Manchester. M. B. SUNDAY ANECDOTES. II PETER ii. 21.-It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.' Sep. 5.-A society of infidels used to meet together to ridicule religion, and to encourage each other in all manner of wickedness. They had lately initiated a young man into their awful mysteries, who had been brought up under great religious advantages, and seemed to promise well. By previous agreement they met to burn their Bibles; soon after which, the young man, who had thrown his Bible into the flames, and had promised never to go into a place of religious worship again, was taken ill. He was visited by a serious man, who found him in the agonies of a disturbed mind. He spoke to him of his past ways. The dying man said, "It all did well enough while in health, and while I could keep off the thoughts of death.' The Redeemer was mentioned-he hastily exclaimed, 'What's the use of talking to me about mercy?" When urged to look to Christ, he said, 'I tell you it's of no use now; 'tis too late, PROV. XX. 22. Say not thou, I will recompense evil.' Sep. 12. A gentleman once sent his servant to John Brown, esq. of Stapleton, forbidding him ever to set a foot upon his ground; to whom he sent this truly Christian reply:-'If it please your master to walk upon my grounds, he shall be very welcome, but if he will please to come to my house, he shall be still more welcome.' By this meek reply, the gentleman was softened into kindness, and became his friend ever after. Jesus, lover of mankind Thou our Guide and Rule shall be, We in thine example find Boundless love and sympathy: While we thy compassion share, Let us more thy image bear. PSALM xli. 2.-The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive.? Sep. 19.-During the awful massacre at Paris, by which so many Christians were removed from the present world, the celebrated Moulin crept into an oven, over the mouth of which a spider instantly wove its web; so that when the enemies of theChristians inspected the premises, they passed by the oven, with the remark that no one could have been there for some days. So easily can the blessed God devise means for the safety of his servants! God can his saints in safety keep, |