y in well-doing."

[Illustration]

WHAT MADE WILLIE HAPPY.

Willie was looking at the slippers which his mother had wrought for
him, and admiring the freshness of the colours. They were a Christmas
present to him, and had afforded him much pleasure.

"You were very happy the evening they were given to you," said his
mother.

"But no happier than I was last evening," he replied.

I will tell you what made him so happy on the evening to which he
alluded. At Christmas, two little books had been added to his library,
and another had been lent him by one of his companions. When he had
read these books, he was very desirous to get still another. He began
to inquire how he could earn money enough to buy it, for he thought he
should like to purchase it himself. He could think of nothing which
could be done in the house, by which he could replenish his purse; so
his mother told him, if he would control his temper for a week, she
would get the book for him. If he did get out of patience, and
immediately checked himself, he was to receive it.

Every evening Willie came to his mother, and told her how he had
succeeded through the day. She observed him very carefully, and she
knew that he really tried to conquer himself. She encouraged him in
his efforts, and Willie was very happy--happy because he was
succeeding in correcting what was wrong--and happy in the anticipation
of the reward promised him.

The last day of the week came, and passed away. Willie's father
returned from the city. He brought with him a parcel done up in soft
white paper, and tied with a small red and white twine. His mother
opened it, and there was the book for which she had sent. She wrote
Willie's name in it, with the day of the month, and then wrote "A
Reward of Merit." She thought those few words would remind him of the
way in which he earned the book, and would encourage him to persevere
in overcoming any bad or sinful habit.

All these things together made Willie quite as happy as on "Merry
Christmas." It always makes people happy to endeavour to subdue what
is wrong in themselves,--such efforts being their own reward. The
consciousness of the approval of our heavenly Father must always
occasion the truest pleasure.

DO YOU INTEND TO BE A GENTLEMAN?

(A QUESTION FOR BOYS.)

As I sat at the table a few evenings since, a gentleman called. He was
invited to take a seat with us. As he had already supped, he declined.
This per