Now, my dear young readers, does not this narrative _prove_ that God thinks of children, and loves them, and cares for them? He is busy with the affairs of the universe, and yet He can turn from them to provide for a heathen mute. He dwells in the high and holy place, and yet He can stoop to be a friend to the fatherless African boy. Who is a God like unto Him? Oh, give your heart to Him, that _you_, too, may have His wing spread over you, and be able to confide in Him for whatever you want. May "little Wa's" Almighty protector and all-loving provider be yours!--_The Family Treasury._ THE AFRICAN SERVANT. During a residence of some years' continuance in the neighborhood of the sea, an officer in the navy called upon me and stated that he had just taken a lodging in the parish for his wife and children, and that he had an African whom he had kept three years in his service. "Does he know anything," I asked, "of the principles of the Christian religion?" "Oh, yes, I am sure he does," answered the captain; "for he talks a great deal about it in the kitchen, and often gets laughed at for his pains; but he takes it all very patiently." "Does he behave well as your servant?" "Yes, that he does: he is as honest and civil a fellow as ever came aboard a ship or lived in a house." "Was he always so well-behaved?" "No," said the officer; "when I first had him he was often very unruly and deceitful; but for the last two years he has been quite like another creature." "Well, sir, I shall be very glad to see him, and think it probable I shall wish to go through a course of instruction and examination. Can he read?" "Yes," replied his master; "he has been taking great pains to learn to read for some time past, and can make out a chapter in the Bible pretty well, as my maid-servant informs me. He speaks English better than many of his countrymen, but you will find it a little broken. When will it be convenient that I should send him over to you?" "To-morrow afternoon, sir, if you please." "He shall come to you about four o'clock, and you shall see what you can make of him." With this promise he took his leave. I felt glad to see him the next day, and asked: "Where were you born?" "In Africa. I was very little boy when I was made slave by the white men." "How was that?" "I left father and mother one day at home to go to get shells by the sea-shore; and, as I was stooping down to gather them up, some white sailors came out of a boat and took me away. I never see father nor mother again." "And what became of you then?" "I was put into ship and brought to Jamaica, and sold to a massa, who keep me in his house to serve him some years; when about three years ago, Captain W----, my massa that spoke to you, bought me to be his servant on board his ship. And he be good massa; and I live with him ever since." "And what thoughts had you about your soul all that time before you went to America?" I asked him.