John the Baptist or Baptizer.

HIS John was commissioned to prepare the people of Palestine for the coming of the Lord Jesus. He was a plain and selfdenying man, and a faithful preacher of strict morality. His ministry was powerful and popular, so that multitudes listened to his appeals, were convinced of their sins, and renounced them. These were baptized of John in the river Jordan. We think that there is no proof that they were dipped or immersed; this would be a long and exhausting performance. We think that many were baptized who came to listen to John, who had no expectation of a plunge in the river. Of course they had not a bathing dress with them. We think that they would not be dipped with their clothes on; this would be uncomfortable; and we think that the men and women did not put them off; for this would not be very proper. In a word, we think that John sprinkled them, or perhaps poured a little water on their heads. John's baptism with water was only a sign of the purifying influences of the Holy Spirit,- -an outward and a visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. "I baptize you with water," said John, "but there cometh one after me who shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." Baptizing by plunging would be impossible in sandy deserts, and in all countries it would often be dangerous in the case of the sick and dying. We think that sprinkling is quite sufficient; thus the Lord has said, "I will sprinkle many nations," referring to the descent of the Holy Spirit, a measure of which is given to every man to profit withal. This baptism can save; no other can, though done by a bishop.

T. B.

UST I have apple-pie for luncheon today, mamma? I am tired of applepie," whined Bessie Grantly. "Ella Milnes had plum-cake yesterday."

"Plum-cake is too rich for little girls to eat," said Mrs. Grantly, packing the pretty luncheon-basket. "I have put in a nice sandwich, some crackers, a rosy-cheeked apple, and a piece of pie."

"I don't like sandwiches, and I am tired of pie."

"When you are hungry, you will find your luncheon tastes very nice, dear," was the cheerful reply.

"I can't find my hat," was the next fretful cry. dear! where is my hat?"

"Did you hang it in its place last night, Bessie?"

"I don't know. Oh! here it is, under the lounge. I am sure not to know that geography lesson, and I studied it till my eyes ached. Such little horrid maps as we have would bother anybody." And so the whining voice continued its string of lamentations till Bessie was fairly out of hearing.

Mrs. Grantly took up her sewing with a very grave face, and was stitching silently when the door opened, and a face peeped in that was bright as a sunbeam.

"All alone, mamma? Where's Bessie?" "Gone to school. Where's the baby?"

"Nellie captured him in the entry. George has gone to town for the day, so baby and I have come to torment you."

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"You never torment me, Nannie. Your sunny face is always welcome. I wish Bessie had your cheerful temper," and Mrs. Grantly sighed.

She was a widow with only two children: Nannie, who was married, and lived quite at the other end of the village, and Bessie, just ten years old. Excepting Nellie, the servant, Mrs. Grantly and Bessie lived quite alone.

"Bessie will whine herself sick," said Nannie. "I wonder you are so patient with her. The habit increases every day. If she has a new dress, it is too light or too dark, too thick or too thin, trimmed too much or too little. Her meals never suit her. The weather never pleases her. She lives in a continual fret, and her pretty little face is getting all puckered up with frowns. She is too comfortable; that is the trouble. She ought to go to Aunt Jane's for a month or two."

"I believe I will send her. Thank you for the hint."

A week later, Bessie, after a short railway-ride, found herself in her new home, visiting her father's aunt, who was to keep her for a few weeks, the little girl herself thinking she was only having a pleasure-trip.

She had been too well instructed in politeness to speak her dismay when she first saw her bedroom, but as soon as she was alone, the whine broke forth:

"What a miserable little bed, and what coarse sheets and blankets! No washstand-only a basin on a chair! No carpet, and it is nearly winter! O dear! I wish I had my own pretty room."

A timid little knock at the door interrupted her.

"Come in," she said, and into the room came a little girl nearly her own age, bare-footed, poorly dressed, but with the brightest little face imaginable. Her smiling eyes and lips quite won Bessie.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"I am Patty. I come every day to work for Miss Grantly."

"Work? What can you do? You are not as tall as I

am."

"I can scrub, and clean, and wash dishes, and work in

the garden, and sweep. Oh! I can do anything."

"But you must hate it."

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Hate it!" and a bright little rippling laugh broke from the little girl's lips. "No, indeed. I get a shilling a week

for mother."

"Who is your

"" mother?

"Mother is the woman who lost her right arm in the cloth-mill last winter. We all keep her now, except the baby. He's only a year old; but Freddy-he's threepicks up chips in the wood-yard; and Franky-he's fivecarries them round to the folks in the village for fire-wood. Janey is in the cloth-mill, and I'm here. Everybody is good to us, because everybody was so sorry for mamma. Papa was killed the same day as she lost her arm. It was a trouble in the machinery; ever so many were killed and hurt."

"But a'n't

No, indeed? Janey gets four shillings a week, and the boys get lots of pennies for the chips. Mr. Mason-that's the man that owns the yard-says he's glad to get rid of them, and he often gives Freddy a great handful of sticks, and Janey and I use them to make kites. Mother can do lots now with her left hand; and oh! we've got the darlingest baby-Willie ! "

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'But," persisted Bessie, "you have no shoes, and your dress is all in rags."

"Well, I couldn't work in a fine dress. I've got a beautiful calico for Sundays, and Mrs. Mason gave me a pair of her little girl's old shoes. I'm saving them for cold weather,"

"A'n't this a mean little room!" said Bessie, with her old whine.

Patty opened her eyes wide in surprise.

"I think it is a nice room,” she said; "better than ours."

"You should see mine then. I have a whole set of cot