those who are “the excellent of the earth,” and whose intercession availeth much.  It is a blessing to be under influences adapted to counteract the power of an evil heart and an evil world, and thus be made meet for the glories of Christ’s kingdom.  And though the baptized may be, in fact often are, insensible to these benefits, they do in themselves constitute their choicest mercies.  If valued and improved, they will become effectual for their salvation.  And should they be brought ultimately to share in the blessings of this covenant, they will praise God for the agency it exerted, and adore the wisdom and beneficence of its arrangements.

* * * * *

Original.

THE WASTED GIFT; OR, “JUST A MINUTE.”

     “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy
     might.”—­ECCLESIASTES 9:10.

“Dear mother,” said little Emily Manvers, as she turned over the leaves of an elegant annual which she had just received, “Is not uncle Albert very kind to send me this beautiful book?  I wonder sometimes that he gives me such costly presents, but I suppose it is because he sees me so careful of my gifts.”

Mrs. Manvers smiled.  “That speech sounds rather egotistic, my dear.  Do you really think you are such a very careful little girl?”

“I am sure, mother,” replied Emily, coloring slightly, “that I take more care of my things than many other girls I know.  There is my wax doll, I have had three years, and she is not even soiled; and that handsome paint-box uncle gave me a year ago this Christmas, is in as good order as ever, though I have used it a great deal; there is not one paint lost or broken, and the brushes and crayons are all safe and perfect.”

“That is as it should be, my daughter,” returned Mrs. Manvers, “for even in small things, we should use our gifts as not abusing them; but what will you say when I tell you that you possess a treasure of inestimable value, which you often misuse sadly, and neglect most heedlessly,—­a gift that properly employed will procure wonderful privileges, but which I sometimes fear you will never learn to value until you are about to lose it forever.”

“Why, mother, what can you mean!” exclaimed Emily, in astonishment.  “It can’t be that costly fan cousin Henry sent me from India, that was broken when I laid it down just a minute, instead of putting it immediately away, or do you mean my pet dove that I sometimes have not a minute’s time to feed in the morning; you cannot surely think that I will let it starve.”

“No, Emily,” answered the mother, “it is something far more precious than either, although by your own admission you have two gifts of which you are not at all careful.  But I fear that if I tell you what the treasure is, I shall fail in making you see clearly how much you misuse it; I will therefore keep a little memorandum of your neglect and ill-usage of it for one week, and that I hope will make you more careful in future.  I will begin on Monday, as to-morrow, being the Sabbath, I have this gift of yours more under my immediate care.”