itual young plants with increased hopes of success,
in so arduous an endeavour. May the tender blossoms reward their care,
and bring forth early and acceptable fruit!

Some, who have perhaps been accustomed to undervalue the character of
_very_ youthful religion, may hereby see that the Lord of grace and glory
is not limited in the exercise of his power by age or circumstance. It
sometimes appears in the displays of God's love to sinners, as it does in
the manifestations of his works in the heavens, that the _least_ of the
planets moves in the nearest course to the sun; and there enjoys the most
powerful influence of his light, heat, and attraction.

The story of this Young Cottager involves a clear evidence of the
freeness of the operations of divine grace on the heart of man; of the
inseparable connection between true faith and holiness of disposition;
and of the simplicity of character which a real love of Christ transfuses
into the soul.

How many of the household of faith of every age,

"Alike unknown to fortune and to fame,"

have journeyed and are now travelling to their "city of habitation,"
through the paths of modest obscurity and almost unheeded piety! It is
one of the most interesting employments of the Christian minister to
search out these spiritual lilies of the valley, whose beauty and
fragrance are nearly concealed in their shady retreats. To rear the
flower, to assist in unfolding its excellences, and bring forth its fruit
in due season, is a work that delightfully recompenses the toil of the
cultivator.

While he is occupied in this grateful task of labouring in his heavenly
Master's garden, some blight, some tempest, may chance to take away a
favourite young blossom in a premature stage of its growth.

If such a case should befall him, he will then, perhaps, as I have often
done, when standing in pensive recollection at little Jane's grave, make
an application of these lines, which are inscribed on a grave-stone
erected in the same churchyard, and say--

"This lovely bud so young and fair,
Called hence by early doom,
Just came to show how sweet a flower
In paradise would bloom."

THE COTTAGE CONVERSATION

As I journeyed late on a summer evening, meditating on the beauties of
the prospect around me, while they gradually faded from my sight, through
the approach of darkness, it grew suddenly quite gloomy, and a black
cloud hanging over my head threatened a