Shook the young leaves about her ears,
And filled her with a thousand fears,
Lest the rude blast should snap the bough,
And spread her golden hopes below.
But just at eve the blowing weather,
And all her fears were hushed together.
"And now," quoth poor unthinking Ralph,
""T is over, and the brood is safe."
(For Ravens, though as birds of omen,
They teach both conjurors and old women;
To tell us what is to befal,

Can't prophesy themselves at all.)

The morning came, when neighbor Hodge,
Who long had mark'd her airy lodge,
And destined all the treasure there

A gift to his expecting fair,

Climb'd like a squirrel to his dray,
And bore the worthless prize away.

MORAL.

Safety consists not in escape,
From dangers of a frightful shape;
Fate steals along with fearful tread,
Found oftenest in what least we dread;
Frowns in the storm with angry brow,
But in the sunshine strikes the blow.

GOOD HUMOR.

GOOD humor may be defined, a habit of being pleased; a constant softness of manners, easiness of approach, and suavity of disposition. He that regards the welfare of others, should make his virtue approachable that it may be loved and copied; and he that considers the wants which every man feels, or will feel, of external assistance, must rather

wish to be surrounded by those that love him, than by those that admire his excellences, or solicit his favors; for admiration ceases with novelty, and interest gains its end, and retires. A man, whose great qualities want the ornament of superficial attraction, is like a naked mountain with mines of gold, which will be frequented only till the treasure is exhausted.

MEEKNESS.

MEEKNESS is a ready submission of the soul to the word of God, and cheerful resignation to his Providence, without fretfulness. Meekness in respect to mankind, consists in calmness of temper under provocations, keeping a strict guard upon our own spirit and language, being slow to avenge ourselves of injuries, and always ready to be reconciled when the offence is confessed.

Meekness includes, likewise, a care to avoid giving offence to others, a modesty of behaviour, and comportment to our situations and circumstances. Meekness disposes all men contentedly to submit to the duties of their stations.

AGAINST ANGER.

GUARD against the improper indulgence of anger. The evil of giving way to hasty and violent resentments is always great and sometimes irretrievable. You thereby deprive yourself for the time of the power of regulating your own conduct, while yet you must be responsible for all its consequences; for neither common sense, nor conscience, the law of God, nor the law of man, excuses a bad action, because it has been performed in a paroxysm of passion.

THE JUNIATA.

STREAM of the South! how calm thy waters rest,
Beneath that sullen cliff of green and brown,
Bearing the thunder-cloud upon its breast,
As if it were some tyrant on his throne.

And thou, fair river, bending gently there,

With trembling bosom, and with whispers sweet,
Dost seem that monarch's queen in beauty rare,
Murmuring of peace and pity at his feet.

Flow on, bright waters! through each winding delf,
And braid thy currents with the far sea waves;
Bid these wild banks a long and last farewell,
And lose thy being in dim ocean caves.

"T is thus with all that's beautiful below;

Love, hope, and youth, are speeding to the sea,
Sparkling awhile like waters in their flow,
Then lost forever in eternity!

ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUE.

In the usual course of human affairs it will be found that a plain understanding, joined with acknowledged worth, contributes more to prosperity than the brightest talents, without probity or honor. Whether science, or business, or public life be your aim, virtue still enters for a principal share into all those great departments of society.

It is connected with eminence in every liberal art; with reputation in every branch of fair and useful business; with distinction in every public station. The vigor which it gives the mind, and the weight which it adds to character; the generous sentiments which it breathes; the un

daunted spirit which it inspires; the ardor of diligence which it quickens; the freedom which it procures from pernicious and dishonorable avocations, are the foundations of all that is high in fame, or great in success among men.

THE DEATH OF THE CHRISTIAN. DEATH Suddenly presented himself before a Christian. "Welcome! thou messenger of immortality, thrice welcome!" was the salutation of the good man.

"How is this, son of sin, dost thou not fear my approach?

"No; he who is a christian indeed, may view thee undismayed."

"Canst thou behold me attended by sickness and disease; canst thou observe the cold sweat distilling from my wings, without shuddering?

"Even so," replied the believer in Jesus.

"And wherefore is it that thou tremblest not?

"Because it is by them I am assured of thy speedy approach."

"And who art thou, O mortal! that my presence hath no power to terrify?"

"I am a Christian!" smiling with benignity on his stern visitor.

Death then breathed upon him, and in an instant they both disappeared. A grave had been opened beneath their feet; and I could observe something lying therein. I wept. Suddenly the sound of celestial voices attracted my attention, and I looked towards heaven. I saw the christian in the clouds; his countenance was irradiated with the same smile as I had before observed upon it, and his hands were clasped together. Glittering angels then approached him,

shouting, and the christian shone resplendent as themselves. Again I wept. I now looked into the grave, and at once perceived what it contained; — it was the christian, having disrobed himself for his flight.

THE FOREST TREES.

A FABLE.

THE trees of the forest were holding a consultation on their flourishing state, and boasting of their verdure, and vigor, and growth. Several of these were foremost among the speakers, of which one said, proudly, "Well, I am the stateliest tree of the forest; which is so tall and straight as I?" Another said, "I am the strongest, for I defy the storm to tear me up by the roots." And a third said, “I am the brightest evergreen in the forest, and when those that boast of their stateliness and vigor are stripped in winter of all their leaves, which then looks só vigorous and beautiful as I."

While they were yet speaking, the steward of the land entered the forest, marking each of them for felling, and in a few more hours they were laid low by the axe of the wood

cutter,

THE GRAVE OF PARSONS.
GREEN as Macphelah's honored field

Where Jacob, and where Leah lie,
Where Sharon's shrubs their roses yield,
And Carmel's branches wave on high;
So honored, so adorned, so green,
Young Martyr! shall thy grave be seen.