reading.-Reading is a profitable as well as a pleasant employment. History and miscellaneous works demand a share of your attention; but no description of reading is more necessary and important, than the reading of the holy Scriptures-because in them is revealed the character of that God with whom we have to do. My dear young readers-are you ignorant of the character of the only living and true God? are you ignorant of the character of him who is your Creator-your preserver-your king-and who will ultimately be your judge?-O consider what evil and misery, ignorance of the character of God has produced; for to ignorance of his character have been ascribed the most abominable crimes which have ever been committed in the world of depravity. Did the inhabitants of the old world despise the preaching of Noah, and perish in the flood, it was because of their ignorance of God, "for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." Did Pharaoh, King of Egypt, refuse to let the people of Israel go, and bring destruction upon himself, and his host in the Red Sea-it was because of his ignorance of God. "Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go, I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go." Was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, driven from among men to have his dwelling with the beasts of the field. It was "that he might know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men." Did the people, chosen of God in preference to all other nations endure much suffering in their journies up through the wilderness, and did they frequently expose themselves to the displeasure and wrath of God, it was on account of their ignorance of his character, and disobedience consequent upon

that ignorance. Exodus xxxii. 7, 10. Were their children many years afterwards delivered up, and carried captives to Babylon; it was because of their ignorance of God, and their departure from him. The prophet Hosea, referring to this subject, says, my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee that thou shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." Hos. iv. 6. And Isaiah seems to refer to the same thing when he says, 66 my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge." Isa. v. 13. And are not the Jews' at this moment a people scattered and partedthe hissing and bye-word of all nations, because of their ignorance of God the Messiah-to whom the scriptures bear testimony. But we are not left to go back to other ages merely, for examples of the danger and evil consequent upon ignorance of the character of God. Why is it that so much misery is endured by families-by nations and individuals in the present day? is it not because of their ignorance of God, and of those things which belong to their peace. My dear young friends, let me urge you as a friendlet me exhort you as a father-let me entreat you as a brother, to read the scriptures, to search them as one who seeketh for hidden treasures. O, how intimately is your happiness connected with a knowledge of the true character of God, which is only to be found in his own blessed and holy word. Soon-soon you must leave this vain world. If you wish to enjoy happiness while in it, let the word of God be your council,and it will prove a lamp to your feet and a

tunto your path. Do not think that poring

over God's word is a heartless melancholy task. When that word is carried home with power by the Spirit of Jehovah, it communicates a peace which passeth all understanding-a joy which the world cannot give, and which it cannot take away. May that joy be yours and mine for ever.

ALIQUIS.

NATURAL HISTORY.
THE PEACOCK.

THIS remarkable bird is one of the most beautiful of the feathered creation. It is usually about three feet in height from the ground to the top of its head. The feathers of its tail frequently measure four feet. Its legs are roug and its feet appear ugly. The head, neck, an breast are of a beautiful blue colour; on the top of its head is a plume of greenish feathers; above and below the eyes are white streaks; the back and upper part of the wings are light ash

mixed with black stripes; its wide spreading train is unparalleled for its beauty, the feathers of which have a mixture of shining green, blue, and gold colour, ornamented with regular dark spots surrounded with green, and having the appearance of numerous eyes. The train thus variegated has a most splendid effect when displayed against the rays of the sun, and then it exhibits a most interesting variety of colours. The Peahen is a smaller bird, and not near so beautiful in its appearance.

The Peacock, though possessed of so much dazzling finery, is both cruel and stupid; and its loud screaming is very disagreeable, and a sure sign of approaching bad weather.

In the early ages of the world the elegance of the Peacock attracted admiration, and we find that the ships of Solomon, which traded once in three years to Tarshish, brought, among other curious things, Peacocks to grace the establishment of that renowned monarch.-1 Kings x. 22.

The Almighty, in presenting to Job a review of some of the most magnificent works of creation, with a view to shew the incapacity of vain man, urges the enquiry, "Gavest thou goodly wings unto the Peacocks?"-Job xxxix. 13. This refers to the nature of their plumage, especially the train which grows out of their backs and spreads above the tail, and displays in a striking manner the wondrous power of God, who could bestow upon a creature such an assemblage of brilliant coloured feathers.

The Peacock is a just emblem of those persons who, with the most showy outside appearce, possess not the more valuable qualities of

the mind. It struts about to shew its fine feathers, yet other birds do not envy the Peacock its gaudy colours, neither should we be envious of other persons because they may have finer clothes than we can afford to wear. God

bestows his gifts variously, and it often occurs that those gifts which make the finest shew are not the most valuable and useful. Let us hence learn the importance of contentment and humility, "for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."-1 Peter v. 5.

A FEW HINTS CONCERNING JOSIAH KING OF JUDAH.

JOSIAH's great-grand-father was good king Hezekiah, to whose days God added fifteen years his grandfather was king Manasseh who during the first part of his reign was extremely wicked, and who led his subjects into much sin, which brought down divine judgment upon himself and them. God blessed his sufferings to him so that he humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed earnestly for forgiveness. God heard his prayer, and restored him to his kingdom and throne. Ammon, the father of Josiah, was also a wicked king, but in mercy to the Jews, God made his reign very short, for at the end of the second year he was slain, and Josiah his son, only eight years of age, succeeded to the throne. It proved a mercy to him that he was so early delivered from the evil example and influence of his abandoned father.

It is probable that Josiah was committed to the tuition of worthy men who endeavoured to