eply.

This little boy has recently removed, with his parents, to the city.
He does not like it as he did the green grass and shaded fields of the
country. He feels lonely without the companionship of the trees and
the birds, and he wishes that "God would take him right up to heaven
to play with Charley."

How is it with you, my dear child? Are you ready to be taken "right up
to heaven?" Do you love your Saviour? Do you obey your parents? Are
you truthful and conscientious? Do you study your Bible to learn all
you can about God, and what he would have you be and do? Do you pray
to him daily for His blessing, and ask Him to keep you from sin? Do
you seek His forgiveness for all you have done that is wrong?

So live, that when the angel of death comes for you, he may carry you
where Charley is, into the blessed home prepared for all who love God.
_When_ He will come, you cannot know. Be always ready, and then He
will not find you unprepared.

[Illustration]

DARLING WILLIE.

Willie was an active little boy, just large enough to be dressed in
frock and pantaloons. He was very affectionate, and everybody who knew
him loved him.

When he left the green fields in the country, to come with his parents
to the city, he did not feel so happy as in his pleasant home by the
river side, where the wild birds sung to him, and where he could watch
the branches of the old elm swaying in the breeze.

It was autumn when he came to town, and there were no flowers in the
yard attached to his city home. The grass was brown and frost-bitten,
and soon the white snow came and covered it. The stone walks were
swept, and when it was not too cold, Willie could ride around the
little square, seated on his velocipede. In his mother's parlour, he
could make houses with his blocks, or stables for his tin horses, and
often he went out to walk or drive with his mother, who always enjoyed
taking him with her.

The winter passed away, and every month the strong cords of love were
binding him still more closely to the hearts of his friends. Spring
came--the fresh grass sprung up, and the dandelions opened their
blossoms in Willie's playground. How he loved to look at them! Those
blades of grass, and the yellow flowers, filled his heart with
gladness. His eyes sparkled, and he could scarcely stand still as he
talked about them.

Willie was, one day, sitting with his grandmother by the open window.
The sun had just sunk below the horizo