That to the least of these

Me."

ye do, ye do it unto

A cup of water given in love, to servants of 40 the Lord,

So blest by Him; the giver shall ne'er fail of his reward.

1. A railroad train was rushing along at almost lightning speed. A curve A curve was just ahead, beyond which was a station, at which two trains usually met. The conductor was late, so late that the period during which the up-train was to wait had nearly elapsed; but he hoped yet to pass the curve safely. Suddenly a locomotive dashed into sight right

ahead. In an instant there was a collision. A shriek, a shock, and fifty souls were in eternity; and all because an engineer had been behind time.

Column

2. A great battle was going on. after column had been precipitated, for eight. hours, on the enemy posted on the ridge of a hill. The summer sun was sinking to the west; reinforcements for the obstinate defenders were already in sight. It was necessary

to carry the position with one final charge, or everything would be lost.

3. A powerful corps had been summoned from across the country, and if it came up in season all would yet be right. The great conqueror, confident in its arrival, formed his reserve into an attacking column, and led them down the hill. The world knows the result. Grouchy failed to appear; the Imperial Guard was beaten back; Waterloo was lost; Napoleon died a prisoner at St. Helena, because one of his marshals was behind time.

4. A leading firm in commercial circles had long struggled against bankruptcy. As it had large sums of money in California, it expected remittances by a certain day; and if they arrived, its credit, its honour, and its future prosperity would be preserved. But week after week elapsed without bringing the gold.

5. At last came the fatal day on which the firm was bound to meet bills which had been maturing to enormous amounts. The steamer was telegraphed at daybreak; but it was found, on inquiry, that she brought no funds, and the house failed. The next arrival brought nearly half a million to the insolvents, but it was too late; they were ruined because their agent, in remitting the money, had been behind time.

6. It is continually so in life. The bestlaid plans, the most important affairs, the fortunes of individuals, the weal of nations,

honour, happiness, life itself, are daily sacrificed because somebody is "behind time." There are men who always fail in whatever. they undertake, simply because they are "" behind time."

7. Five minutes, in a crisis, are worth years. It is but a little period, yet it has often saved a fortune, or redeemed a people. If there is one virtue that should be cultivated more than another, it is punctuality; if there is one error that should be avoided, it is being "behind time."

1. Shun delays, they breed remorse;
Take thy time while time is lent thee;
Creeping snails have weakest force,
Fly their fault, lest thou repent thee;
Good is best when soonest wrought,
Ling'ring labours come to nought.

2. Hoist up sail while gale doth last,
Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure!
Seek not time when time is past,
Sober speed is wisdom's leisure;
After-wits are dearly bought,

Let thy fore-wit guide thy thought.

3. Time wears all his locks before,
Take thou hold upon his forehead;

When he flees he turns no more,
And behind his scalp is naked.
Works adjourned have many stays,
Long demurs breed new delays.

UP-HILL.

1. Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end.

Will the day's journey take the whole long day?

From morn to night, my friend.

2. But is there for the night a resting-place? A roof for when the slow dark hours begin. May not the darkness hide it from my face?

You cannot miss that inn.

3. Shall I meet other wayfarers at night? Those who have gone before.

Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?

They will not keep you standing at that door.

4. Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak? Of labour you shall find the sum.

Will there be beds for me, and all who seek?

Yes, beds for all who come.

A PSALM OF LIFE.

num-bers, verse or poetry. goal, the place one is trying to reach; the end of a race

course.

dust thou art, &c., referring

to the death of the body and its decay in the grave. destined, appointed, in

tended.

muf-filed drums: to deaden

the sound, drums are sometimes covered with crape, especially at soldiers' funerals. bi-vou-ac, to pass the night on guard in the open air ready at a moment's call.

main, the ocean.

a-chiev-ing, performing our
work or task.

1. Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

2. Life is real! Life is earnest !

And the grave is not its goal;
"Dust thou art, to dust returnest,"
Was not spoken of the soul.

3. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Finds us further than to-day!

4. Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still like muffled drums are beating Funeral-marches to the grave.

5. In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!