than compensate for the effort. You will be perfectly safe in the early hours even without a companion, and your eyes would not be shocked, nor your ears sullied, with improper sights and sounds. It is impossible to estimate too highly the benefits that are conferred by exercise in the open air. I remember being much amused, as a little child, by the following story.

A lad, who was of a studious turn, overworked himself at a public school. His shoulders stooped, his face was pale, his eyes sunken, his appetite uncertain, and his temper irritable. His friends were much concerned. His father sought advice for his dear son, and came home with a novel prescription.

There was a hill opposite his home of considerable height and very steep in places. The doctor's prescription was, that the lad should take a certain little lamb in his arms every morning at sunrise and carry it to the top of that hill.

The lamb was very tiny, and the boy found it not much more trouble than a kitten. He came

home slightly fatigued, but under his father's encouragement he persevered, though he thought the whole affair sheer nonsense.

Well, he soon forgot the steep places; they became of no trouble to him. Then he changed his lagging pace into a brisk trot, and then into a bound. He carried out the prescription all through the summer, and so when autumn came the lamb had grown as large as a sheep, and still the boy carried it easily.

Apply this story to your own needs for exercise.

I think one especial advantage may come from your disengaged evenings. You will be able to attend classes for self-improvement. I know many who have studied French, or learned drawing or music, with one hour's regular application every night, say from half-past eight to half-past nine. Have you no opportunities in this way?

Make inquiries about the matter, and see what you can do for yourself.

And then there are places of amusement-such places as music halls or concert rooms; and still lower down, dancing rooms, and so on. To some of these you will have no wish to go. There will be a shocked feeling in your mind respecting the company and the mixed characters you meet at most of these places, and you will be unable to find enjoyment in them.

But I know that often there is really good music and singing at some public places. Are you never to hear such? I do not say so; but do not make it a rule to seek amusement in this way. When you go at all—if you do go -let it be in the company of your father or brother, or some other proper protection. Do not go either by yourself or accompanied only by females, and never go in any company whatever to any but the very best and most select.

Try and keep your thoughts and longings pure.

As long as your greatest desire is that you may become better and holier every day of your life, you will not be able to enjoy things that are questionable. You can have no greater shield from all evil than to be one of the dear Lord's little ones. "I was very nearly killed," said a young Christian, "but the Lord's hand was over me." “And if it had not been over you?" his young sister inquired shudderingly. "Then it would have been under me, and I should just have fallen into it, and have been safe."

May the dear Lord so have you and I in His keeping.

V.

About your Inner Life.

A little ship, with sails all spread,

Went sailing o'er the sea,

She held her course with a storm o'erhead
And mid sunshine steadily-

So steadily, that those who watched
Her track with a landsman's eye,
Said, "She'll hold her own whatever comes,
Whether clear or cloudy sky."

They did not see the quivering mast,

Nor feel the fearful strain,

Nor hear the cry, as she heaved and rolled

Like a living thing in pain.

But the hearts within her felt each shock,

And saw the mischief done;

And they knew that, battered, bruised, and marred, She would reach at last her home.