characterise them. Perhaps our best insect instrument performer is the "katydid." Each wing contains a little tamborine, and, by the opening and shutting of the wings, these are rubbed against each other, and produce the sound of "katydid-she-did," which can be heard at such a long distance, and gives the insect its name. These sounds are supposed to be useful in enabling insects to find their mates; or they may indulge in them for their own gratification, and to add to the general harmony of nature. "PA, WILL YOU MEET ME IN HEAVEN ?"" So said a little angel girl a few minutes before her spirit fled to be with Jesus. Her pa could not answer her simple question, for he cared not for heaven. He never went to the house of God, though his pastor with tears besought him to come. He never read his Bible, never prayed. He spent his Sabbaths in visiting ungodly friends, in idleness, or else in sleep. He did not like to see any of God's people; he tried to avoid the pastor when he called upon the family; and if the minister prayed with the family he would not kneel before God in prayer. The sweet little girl asked again : "Dear pa, won't you meet your little Kate in heaven? Won't Jesus let you in?" The father, with choking words and blinding tears, replied: "No dear, I don't expect to go to heaven." Then the little child, raising her eyes in amazement, and with a wild expression of fear upon her face, said: "Must little Kate be in heaven alone with ma and Julia and Rose, and pa will not be there?" and holding up her thin white hand, clasped his hand, and said, Good-by, pa, dear pa: I shall never, never see you again!" and her sweet angel spirit fled to be with Jesus. 66 Dear children, ask your pa to meet you in heaven.Child's Paper. BY THE RIVER. As I watched the river flowing, Thought I, thus my life is flowing While my life goes ever onward Is it then an aimless purpose? No, I said, in quiet nature Life can never aimless be. A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF GOD. They say that God lives very high! But if you look above the pines You cannot see our God. And why? And if you dig down in the mines, God is so good, He wears a fold Of heaven and earth across His face Like secrets kept, for love untold. But still I feel that His embrace Slides down by thrills, through all things made, As if my tender mother laid On my shut lids her kisses' pressure, Half waking me at night, and said: "Who kissed you through the dark, dear guesser?" -Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Beating the Dium before the Palære of the Emperor of China. HINA is a large and populous country in Asia. It is calculated that it contains four hundred millions of inhabitants. These alas! are nearly all idolators. The Chinese are remarkable for pride and love of display. They are also much given to lying, deceit, and cruelty. They speak of China as the Celestial Empire, ard of their monarch as the Celestial Emperor. He has sometimes been called the Brother of the Sun and Moon, and the Lord of ten thousand worlds. In the narrative of the expedition of Lord Macartney as Ambassador to China, we are told,"That no guns are fired in China, by way of signals, but circular rimmed plates of copper mixed with tin or zinc, are struck with wooden mallets, causing a noise almost deafening to those who are near it, and which is heard at a considerable distance. In like manner, two pieces of wood struck against each other, producing a sound like that of a great rattle, serves to give notice of official announcements, especially among the troops of the army. Drums do not seem to be used among the soldiers, but they form a part of religious music in the temples," perhaps as harmoniums and organs are used in Christian sanctuaries, but certainly we should prefer these to big drums, in our devotions. Recently there has been bitter persecution of the missions in various parts of China, but we have been told that clouds and storms have now passed away, the heavens are again calm and clear, and the husbandmen are again going forth bearing precious seed. May they succeed more and more until Gcd's way of salvation shall be known |