in, and I was upon watch, when suddenly there was a cry of "A man overboard!" To go out in a boat was most dangerous. I could hardly make up my mind to command the hands to expose themselves. I offered to go myself, if two others would go with me. Two generous fellows came forward, and in a moment the boat was lowered, and we were tossed upon a frightful sea. As we rose upon a mountain-wave, we saw the man upon a distant billow. We heard his cry, and called out, "Coming." As we descended into the trough of the sea, we lost sight of the man, and heard nothing but the roar of the ocean. As we rose on the next wave, we again saw him, and distinctly heard his call. We gave him another cheer, and pulled with all our strength. At the top of each successive wave we saw and heard him, and our hearts were filled with hope; as often, in the trough of the sea, we Р The time almost despaired of success. seemed long, and the struggle was such as man never made but for life. We reached him just as he was ready to sink. When we had drawn him into the boat, he was helpless and speechless. Our minds now turned towards the ship. She had rounded to; but, spent as we were, the distance between us and the vessel was frightful. One false movement would have filled our boat, and consigned us all to a watery grave. Yet we reached the vessel, and were drawn safely upon the deck. We were all exhausted, but the saved man could neither speak nor walk; yet he had a full sense of his condition. He clasped our feet, and began to kiss them. brace. We drew ourselves from his em He then crawled after us, and as we stepped back to avoid him, he followed us, looking up at one moment with smiles and tears, and then patting our wet footprints with his hand, he kissed them with an eager fondness. I never witnessed such a scene in my life. I suppose if he had been our greatest enemy, he would have been perfectly subdued by our kindness. The man was a passenger. During the whole remaining part of the voyage he showed the deepest gratitude, and when we reached the port he loaded us with presents. But, my young friend, Christ has seen you exposed to a more fearful peril, and has made an infinitely greater sacrifice for your rescue. He saw you sinking in the billows of eternal death. He did not merely venture into extreme danger to save you: he has actually suffered for you the most cruel death. Have you ever fallen down at his feet, and asked him, in grateful love, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Oh, how many fail to do this! Jesus, the great Deliverer, is despised and rejected of men! What a proof it is of the evil of our hearts, that we can be so grateful to our earthly deliverer, and yet forget Him who delivers us from going down into the pit of hell! A BIRD'S REPROOF TO A BOY. WHEN quite young, in my boyish days, I had watched some sparrows carrying materials to build their nests (in the usual season), under the eaves of a cottage adjoining our own; and although strict orders had been issued that none of us should climb up to the roofs of the houses, yet the birds' eggs formed a temptation too powerful to be resisted, and self-gratification was considered rather than obedience. A favourable opportunity presenting itself, the roof of the house was ascended, and not only was the nest pillaged, but seized and carried away. It was soon stripped of its unnecessary appendages, that it might appear as neat as possible. Among the externals thus removed was a piece of paper, which had been a page of one of Dr. Watts's hymn-books, and which, thrown away, had been taken by the poor bird for the purpose of strengthening the nest or increasing the warmth. A word or two caught my eye, and I unfolded the paper. Need I say that, boy as I was, I read these verses with, to say the least, curious feelings? 66 Why should I deprive my neighbour Guide my heart, O God of heaven, Lest I covet what's not mine; Lest I take what is not given, Guide my hands and heart from sin." Had the bird been able to read and reason, it could not have selected a text |