"Dear sir," he said, in native tongue, "I do so want to know, If something for the house of God You'd kindly let me do." "What can you do, my little boy?" The missionary said, And as he spoke he laid his hand Upon the youthful head. Then bashfully, as if afraid His secret wish to tell, The boy in eager accents said, "Oh, let me ring the bell! "Oh, please to let me ring the bell For our dear house of prayer; I'm sure I'll ring it loud and well, And I'll be always there!" The missionary kindly looked Upon that upturned face, Where hope, and fear, and wistfulness United, left their trace. And gladly did he grant the boon: The boy had pleaded well, And to the eager child he said, "Yes, you shall ring the bell!" Oh, what a pleased and happy heart He carried to his home, And how impatiently he longed For the Sabbath-day to come! He rang the bell, he went to school, The Bible learned to read, And in his youthful heart they sowed The gospel's precious seed. And now to other heathen lands He's gone, of Christ to tell; And yet his first young mission was To ring the Sabbath bell. THE FLIGHT OF A SLAVE. James ---- was born a slave in the State of Maryland. He was so useful as a blacksmith that his value was at least one thousand dollars. He was brought up in total ignorance of letters or of religion, but he always aimed to be trustworthy. He sought to distinguish himself in the finer branches of the business, by invention and finish, making fancy hammers, hatchets, etc. One day his master thought James was watching him improperly, and fell into a panic of rage. "He came down upon me with his cane," said James, "and laid over my shoulders, arms, and legs about a dozen severe blows, so that my flesh was sore for several weeks." He felt the disgrace of the beating so acutely that he determined to abscond, and if possible reach the free soil of Pennsylvania. One Sunday night, in November, he stole away into the woods, with only half a pound of Indian corn-bread to sustain him on his journey, which would take several days. At three o'clock in the morning his strength began to fail, his scanty supply of food afforded poor nourishment, and the only shelter he could find, without risking travelling by daylight, was a corn-shock but a few hundred yards from the road, and there he passed his first day out. As night came on he pursued his journey; it was cloudy, and he could not see the north star, which was his only guide to freedom. His bread was all eaten, he felt his strength failing, and his mind was filled with melancholy.