All was confusion among the boys; but George, more self-possessed than the others, hurried to the shore, and, shouting cheerily, "Hold on, Jamie! I'll help you out," broke off the limb of a tree, as large and long as he could handle, brought it on, and tried, by carefully creeping towards James, to put it within his reach. But the current was strong; the water was bitterly cold; and James, who had been urging his friend to make haste, now began to lose his strength and become benumbed, and before the limb came within his grasp, he said, faintly, "Oh, George, I can't hold on any longer! Ask father--to forgive----" and went down with the tide. An hour later, the men at the mill below, who had broken the ice above the barred outlet of the dam, and were watching and waiting in expectation of their mournful work, lifted James's body out of the water, and tenderly carried it to his home. Boys, I have seldom told you a more sad story. Oh, that I could now impress upon your young hearts the lesson of obedience to parents so deeply that it shall never be forgotten! If you are ever tempted to disregard a kind father's commands, or his advice, even though it be "only once," may you have strength to resist the temptation. Remember Jamie. It is true that disobedience to parents is not always--nor indeed often--followed so speedily by such sad consequences, but we know that the smile of God for this life will rest upon those children who obey their parents. "Honour thy father and mother" is the first commandment with promise. LINES ON THE NEW YEAR. In some simple words of rhyme Read, and mark the flight of time; Seasons come and disappear, As we pass from year to year. All things ever on the move, Whether them we hate or love; 'Tis a changing scene below-- This we own, for this we know. Blest are they--and only they-- Who are in the "narrow way"; Seeking Jesus' blessed face; Longing much to know His grace. Mourning over inward sin; Panting only Him to win Who for sin and sinners died, When on Calvary crucified. Do I, who these lines now read, Of redemption feel my need? Do I really long to know That His blood for me did flow? Do my heart and mouth confess I am all unrighteousness? Do I pray indeed to see Christ my Righteousness to be? Do I feel I cannot die Till He does His blood apply? And my doubting soul assure I shall to the end endure? If 'tis so, I know full well I shall surely with Him dwell, And shall, in His house on high, Shout His praise beyond the sky. A. HAMMOND. SUPPOSING all the great points of atheism were formed into a kind of creed, I would fain ask whether it would not require an infinitely greater measure of faith than any set of articles which they so violently oppose?--_Addison._ THE CHARCOAL BURNER'S STAR.