disheartened; 'brighter days will come.' You will not be long besieged, if you are found, as I trust you will, impregnable; and the Rock which seems to have been in poor -'s last thoughts must, and I pray may be, in all yours. You see God had graciously provided for you a kind friend in Mrs. Hto whom offer my kindest regards, with many thanks for her attention to you. You will soon get more settled, and as to acquaintances, be in no haste to form. them; those best worth knowing will be cautious, as I wish you to be; and therefore, if [one of John's companions] is worth knowing, you will find him out, and he you, gradually. I am glad you have seen [the master

alluded to in John's letter, whose kindness had been consoling to him,] and though he will be of course in much affliction and trouble just now, (the old

wound of his father's death being unhealed,) yet I am sure of him that he will be your kind adviser. You cannot be comfortable until you get into habits of study, and know what you will have to do, and have got into your study; but in the meantime do not be disheartened. Just now your boat is among breakers, but the shore is in sight, and you are, it seems, pilot and steersman both.

"I can easily sympathise with you in the discomforts of your present state, contrasted with the late luxury of your own bedroom, study, the garden, and the absence of all kinds of teasing, and supply of all kinds of wants; but the grace of God will soon enable you to reconcile yourself to all and any trials that may befal you in the path of duty; and you can always feel, that though your own dear father is a long way off, yet your heavenly Father and Saviour

is ever at hand, and that with him you may converse often and always. Besides, you feel now that in England you have relatives who love, and think, and are anxious about you; and near enough to be with you in a very brief time, if the occasion should require There must have been Я beginning, and in beginnings there is always something that is strange and awkward."

it..

From a Friend.

"I foresaw that you would have many unpleasant things to encounter, but I rejoice beyond measure that you have had courage to avow your principles; keep to this, dear Johnny, and you will be sure to command the respect of others at last. I hope and trust that what is unpleasant in your position

may soon mend. Every boy, on first going to a public school, has to endure a good deal. You must take good heart. I expect soon to hear of your having made friends, and found pleasant companions; in so large a number of boys there must surely be some of a kindred mind to yourself, and the best friends are not often the ones we discover the earliest. I pray God to bless you and to keep you from all evil. Remember, there is nothing in my power I would not do for you, both for your dear papa's sake and for your own. If your path is a little rough just now, it will become smoother before long; and provided you work hard, and keep true to God and yourself, I have no fear of your doing well. Write when you have time to do so, but do not let your work be interfered with for this purpose. Let [one of John's school

fellows] seek you out rather than you him."

Another correspondent writes :—“ You need not fear while looking to God for wisdom, grace, and strength. When you hardly know whether you are doing right or not, remember the promise, James i. 5. When you feel your need of Divine grace, hear the word of Christ, 'My grace is sufficient for thee;' and when your strength fails, remember that consoling promise, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness,' Isa. xli. 10. See also Isa. xl. 29-31."

The following practical hints are of peculiar value, especially as coming from one who had himself been educated at a public school:-"I think I warned