so we, children of a larger size, but in many instances not knowing what is good for ourselves, frequently desire, with most eagerness, what would be most for our hurt, and perversely repine even at those providential restraints and trials which are the effects of a merciful purpose.

"During the violence of a storm," says a German fable, "a traveller offered up his supplications, and he sought Heaven to assuage the tempest. But the storm continued with unabating fury; and while he was drenched with the flood, fatigued with his journey, and exposed without shelter, he became peevish, and even complained aloud of the ways of providence. Approaching at length the borders of a forest, he said to himself, “Here I shall find protection, notwithstanding Heaven has neglected me, and turned a deaf ear to my prayers." But as he went forward a robber sprang out suddenly from behind a bush, and the traveller, affrighted at the prospect of instant death, fled out of the forest, exposing himself again to the tempest, of which he had so grievously complained. The robber, in the mean time, fitting an arrow to his bow, took exact aim; but the bowstring being relaxed by the moisture of the weather, the arrow fell short of its mark, and the traveller escaped unhurt. As he continued his journey a voice proceeded awful from the clouds: "Cease, mortal, to repine at the divine dispensations; and learn to acknowledge the goodness of God in refusing as well as in granting your petitions. The storm which you complained of so bitterly has been the means of your preservation. Had not the bow-string of your enemy been rendered useless by rain, you had fallen a victim to his violence."

THE END.