judgment every foible that presents itself, and bring the proper rules of discipline to bear upon it. At the same time, let them ask that assistance from on high, without which, counsels, however wisely administered, will never be productive of salutary results; nor the good seed sown in the heart, yield its full increase, however carefully watched, and watered even with tears.

"A pebble in the streamlet scant,

Has turn'd the course of many a river

A dew-drop on the baby plant,

Virginia.

Has warpt the giant oak for ever!"

THE FOUNTAIN PURIFIED.

BY THE REV. J. H. CLINCH.

2 Kings, ii. 20, 21.

DEEP in a pleasant vale

Where Jordan's waters flow,

And many a palm tree lifts its head,

Stood ancient Jericho.

Spread out in long array

Were fields and vineyards seen, Fanned by the summer's gentle breath, Though now no longer green;

For on the streams around

Had fallen a curse from Heaven;To quench the burning pang of thirst To them no power was given.

Their brackish waters gave

No verdure to the plain—

The tall palm drooped-the vineyard failed

The fig-tree bloomed in vain.

Fainting with heat and thirst

The suffering thousands came Seeking the prophet of the LORD, JEHOVAH'S power to claim.

The man of GOD went forth,

And traced the bitter tide Far up to its remotest source, And there relief applied.

Strong in the power of faith
The healing salt he took,
And, in devotion bending low,
He cast it in the brook.

And o'er his aged face

A holy calmness played,

As turning to the wondering crowds In accents sweet he said:

"Thus saith the mighty LORD, These waters I have healed, Henceforth nor death nor barrenness From them shall curse the field."

Then turning from their gaze,
To Bethel passed he on-

And soon the fields were green again,
The waters' curse was gone.

And may we not receive

Instruction from the tale,

Recorded not alone to show

How faith and prayer avail?

Is not that salt the type
Of soul-preserving grace?
May not those bitter waves reveal

The sinful human race?

And if we seek to heal

The blighting power of Sin,
O where but at the fountain head,
Should our attempts begin?

Ye, then, who o'er the young
Exert a watchful care,

Go, like the prophet, to the source,
And "cast the salt in there."

Youth is the fountain spring-
Youth is the source of life-
Let that from error's taint be healed,
From Sin's unbridled strife.

That infant fount, uncleansed
From guilt's polluting stain,

May to a river swell at last,
Too mighty to restrain.

Go in the SAVIOR'S name

The SAVIOR'S message bear-
Go to the fountain head of life,
And "cast the salt in there."

Dorchester, (Mass.)