“O, yes, and remains a consistent follower of Jesus; he is now twelve years old.”

“This is a very remarkable case,” continued my friend; “very rare precocity.  I have never met with any thing of the kind in my life.”

“Yet, I have known several such instances in my short life, one more of which I must detain you to relate.”

TO BE CONTINUED.

* * * * *

Original.

REPORT OF THE MATERNAL ASSOCIATION, PUTNAM, OHIO.

Time, in its rapid flight, my dear sisters, has again brought us to another anniversary of our Association.  It seems but yesterday since we held our last annual meeting, but while we have been busy here and there, the fugitive moments have hurried us along almost with the celerity of thought through another year.  Were it not an established usage of our society, that something like a report be rendered of the past, the pen of your secretary would have remained silent.  The thought has often arisen, what foundation have I for giving that which will be of any interest to those who may come together?  It is true that each month has witnessed the quiet assembling of a little band in this consecrated place, but how small the number!  Have we all been here, with united hearts, glowing with love for the souls of our children, and feeling that we had power with God, that we had in our possession that key which is said to unlock heaven, and bring down precious blessings upon those committed to our charge?  Have not family cares been suffered, too often, to detain some from the place of meeting? and their absence has thrown the chill air of despondency over those who were here.  The average attendance during the year has been but five, while fourteen names are upon the record as members.  Are we manifesting that interest in this important cause which those did who were the original founders of this society?  Almost all of those are now absent, several have removed to other places; two, we trust, have long since been joining in the praises, and participating in the enjoyments, of heaven; and others, by reason of illness or the infirmities of age, are usually detained from the place of prayer.  But we trust their hearts are with us; and shall we not endeavor to be faithful representatives of those whose places we now occupy?  Have we not motives sufficient to stimulate us to a more diligent discharge of duty?  God has given to us jewels of rare beauty, no gem from mountain or mine, no coral from the ocean’s flow, can compare with them.  And they are of priceless value too; Christ’s blood alone could purchase them, and this He gave, gave freely too, that they might be fitted to deck His diadem of glory.  He has encased these gems in caskets of exquisite workmanship, and given them to us, that we may keep them safely, and return them to Him when He shall ask them of us.  Shall we be negligent of this trust?  Shall we be busy, here and there, and suffer the adversary