In all seasons of trial, whether from sickness, fatigue, unkindness, or _ennui_, there is one bright _oasis_. It is ----"the hope of return to the mother, whose smile Could dissipate sadness and sorrow beguile; To the father, whose glance we've exultingly met-- And no meed half so proud hath awaited us yet; To the sister whose tenderness, breathing a charm, No distance could lessen, no danger disarm; To the friends, whose remembrances time cannot chill, And whose home in the heart not the stranger can fill." This hope is invaluable; for it, "like the ivy round the oak, Clings closer in the storm." Alas! that there are those to whom this hope comes not! those whose affections go out, like Noah's dove, in search of a resting place; and return without the olive-leaf. "Death is in the world," and it has made hundreds of our factory girls orphans. Misfortunes are abroad, and they have left as many destitute of homes. This is a melancholy fact, and one that calls loudly for the sympathy and kind offices of the more fortunate of the class. It is not a light thing to be alone in the world. It is not a light thing to meet only neglect and selfishness, when one longs for disinterestedness and love. Oh, then, let us "Deal gently with the stranger's heart," especially if the stranger be a destitute orphan. Her garb may be homely, and her manners awkward; but we will take her to our heart, and call her sister. Some glaring faults may be hers; but we will remember "who it is that maketh us to differ," and if possible, by our kindness and forbearance, win her to virtue and peace. There are many reasons why we should do this. It is a part of "pure and undefiled religion" to "visit the fatherless in their afflictions." And "mercy is twice blest; blest in him that gives, and him that takes." In the beautiful language of the simple Scotch girl, "When the hour o' trouble comes, that comes to mind and body, and when the hour o' death comes, that comes to high and low, oh, my leddy, then it is na' what we ha' done for ourselves, but what we ha' done for others, that we think on maist pleasantly." E. ELDER ISAAC TOWNSEND. Elder Townsend was a truly meek and pious man. He was not what is called _learned_, being bred a farmer, and never having had an opportunity of attending school but very little--for school privileges were very limited when Elder Townsend was young. His chief knowledge was what he had acquired by studying the Bible (which had been his constant companion from early childhood,) and a study of human nature, as he had seen it exemplified in the lives of those with whom he held intercourse.