in scenes like these to exclaim-"there is no paradise like Home-sweet Home?" The force of that picture you, my young friends, have, no doubt, often felt.

God has made us social beings. We are formed for society. Home is the place where, if we are wise, we may have the wisest, happiest society. Here the purest pleasures may be felt. Here the best improvement may be made. I want you, my young friends, to think of Home-its blessings, its obligations—and the means of your making it the happiest, brightest place. We often forget to think of, and be thankful for, our greatest mercies. How seldom do we thank God, as we ought, for our Homes? These blessings are common every day blessings. But our gratitude for them ought to be proportioned. It is God who gave us kind parents-kind brothers and sisters-all our pure Home joys.

Home, in England, is truly happy when compared with Home in some countries. Here we go calmly to bed at night without fear. Here the " poor man's house is his castle." How happy would English Homes be if God was loved in each of them. A wall protects us, strong as adamant, and sacred as the wall of fire that God threw around his ancient people. Our Father, who is in Heaven, showers down upon us, every day, all the blessings that are included in the word Home!

Home has its duties-its responsibilities. How easy a thing is it for one rude, wicked, unkind youth to cast a gloom over the brightest Home. You have read of the dog in the manger, that neither ate the hay itself nor allowed the ox. An unkind, disobedient boy is like that dog. It is our duty, while thankful to God for our Homes, to seek to promote the happiness of those who compose our household. That Home may be happy, the law of kindness must be written on your hearts, my young friends. You have sisters-show them, by your kind words and affectionate conduct, how you love them. You have brothers—never act towards them but in the spirit of love. You have parents-never grieve them by thoughtless, or rude, or disobedient conduct. At Home that spirit of love, of sub

ordination, of kindness, of courtesy, is to be cultivated, that will render you lovely and loved by all with whom you mix. At Home there should be no harshness-no unkindnessbut there the mantle of love should be spread. There the spirit of love should breath through all you do and say.

The happiness of your dear mother should be especially sought. No heart is so kind and gentle as a mother's heart. No one can appreciate kindness better than mothers. No earthly friends have such strong claims as mothers. Kindness to your mother will very greatly add to her happiness. It will soothe her soul in sorrow. It will help to repay her for that stream of pure gentle affection which has ever flowed from her soul towards you. It will be pleasing to God. It will produce a humanizing and purifying influence on your own nature. It will afford to you high pleasure to think thereof in after years. If the claims of mothers and sisters are felt by boys-they will grow up lovely and loved by all. At Home lessons of wisdom, kindness, and obedience, are not only to be learned, but practised. There the character is to be formed which shall secure your promotion, happiness, and influence in the world. As you are at Home, you are likely to be elsewhere. If amiable, obliging, and submissive there, you will be such elsewhere. Remember, my dear young friends, how many have no Homes. Think of their sorrows. Feel for, and pity them. Be thankful to God for his goodness to you. Improve Home privileges. Thus you will rise in the world. Home, if religion reigns there, will be a type and foretaste of our Father's House above. I must again wish you farewell. I purpose addressing you next month on Books.

I am, in the spirit of kindness, yours,

UNCLE JOSEPH.

MEMOIR OF SAMUEL FOSTER.

SOMETIMES the seed which is cast into the ground springs up, reaches maturity, and abundantly repays the husbandman for his labour. In other instances, the flower that was about to open its bud in order to display its rich colours, withers and dies, and thus disappoints our expectation.

The same may also be said of Man. He sometimes passes through the different stages of life, and, having served his God and generation, he sinks into the arms of death as a shock of corn ready for the garner of his Lord. But, in numerous instances, the young are "nipt by the wind's untimely blast," or "parched by the sun's directer ray," and the chilling hand of death is laid upon them. An evidence of this we have to record in the case of Samuel Foster, who bade farewell to this "vale of tears," July 16th, 1851, aged 18 years and 9 months.

He was born in Darlaston, in Staffordshire, October 3rd, 1832, and removed, with his parents, to Birmingham in 1843, where he for some time attended a Wesleyan Sabbath School.

About three years ago, he was brought under deep conviction of his state as a sinner, and obtained forgiveness, through believing in Christ, in Bath Street Wesleyan Association Chapel, which confidence he held without wavering to the end of his life. Having obtained mercy at the

hand of God, he endeavoured to make himself useful in the Lord's vineyard, and became a teacher in our Sabbath School, which office he diligently and punctually fulfilled until failing health compelled him to desist. He was also a Prayer Leader, and felt a very great interest in the prosperity of religion.

From a child he had a delicate constitution, and he suffered several severe attacks of illness. The last continued about six months, during the whole of which time he manifested entire resignation to the Divine Will, frequently expressing his belief that "Jesus did all things well: and that, should He please to restore him, it would be for the glory of God, and should He take him from time, it would be a removal to a better world." As he approached the end of his journey, he felt much anxiety for a beloved and only sister; and, one evening, calling her to his bedside, with earnest prayer, he entreated her to serve the Lord, and meet him in heaven; and he would not be satisfied until she promised to comply with his dying request.

The enemy of souls was not permitted to assail him. His prospect was constantly bright. "The port of bliss" appeared open to receive him; for, when conversing with the writer a few days before his departure, he said, “I was once afraid of death: but now, thank God, I can shake hands with him!" To the medical gentleman who urged Samuel to get prepared for another world—as there was no hope of his life-Samuel replied, "Thank God, I am prepared!" He also declared that his hope was in the merits of his Redeemer.

As he approached eternity, the Pole Star on which his eye of faith had been fixed, shone with increased lustre ; and his happy soul appeared to receive larger measures of Divine influence. When taking leave of his parents, he said, "I am going to glory. I have a brother and sister in heaven, and I shall soon be with them!" Such were the rapturous emotions of his believing heart, that he added, "O, father, could I tell you what I feel and know!"

To a friend, who entered during this solemn scene, and said, "Poor Samuel! he replied, "I am not poor! I

He has a crown for me, After a few struggles, he

am rich my Father is a King! and I am going to wear it!" changed mortality for life, exclaiming with his dying breath, "Glory!"

As a son, he was dutiful and affectionate to his parents. As a friend, he was constant and faithful in his attachment. As a Christian, he walked worthy of his high calling, and his death was peaceful and happy.

W. DAWSON.

MEMOIR OF JOHN JACKSON BELL.

JOHN was born at Shiney Row, near Sunderland, July the 15th, 1837. At an early age he was sent to a Sunday School at Shiney Row. He was always punctual in his attendance, and obtained the approbation of his teachers by his good behaviour and attention to their instructions. After it pleased the Lord to afflict him, he continued to attend the school whenever his bodily strength would permit. He was confined to the house previous to his death about three months; and, throughout the whole of his sufferings, he manifested great patience, and never expressed a desire to get better.

At one time, when the doctor visited him, he spoke about the importance of being prepared to die, and seemed desirous to "depart and be with Jesus."

He was frequently visited by his teacher and others, and he was always found in a happy state of mind, and gave satisfactory evidence of his acceptance with God. He used to say, that he felt resolved to wait patiently until the Lord thought good to take him; and he frequently sang that beautiful hymn. "I'll praise my Maker while I have

breath," &c.

On the Wednesday night previous to his death, John called his father and mother to his bedside, and desired them to pray with him. He requested that his father would pray first; then John said he would pray; and, after he had prayed, he desired that his mother would pray. John's father, being greatly moved, knelt down and prayed; then