perfect; and things which He has made, which ro created being can make better, are perfect. People say of others, who are well acquainted with a subject, "they understand it perfectly." This is not correct. Very few things can be known perfectly; more and more may be learned every day, leven by those who know a great deal upon any subject.

Excellent. To excel is to surpass-to be better or greater. A man has more strength than a child. The man excels the child in strength. You understand why God is more excellent than all which he has made.

The word Geography signifies a discription of the earth. A good knowledge of this science will gratify your curiosity. It will add to your respectability, by causing you to be regarded as a person

of information. It will enable you, when a man, to do many things to advance your own interest, and promote that of your fellow beings.

For instance, should you be a farmer, you might introduce improvements upon your farm, by knowing what are the vegetables and animals raised in other countries of a similar climate; and as your improved methods would be imitated by your neighbors, they, as well as you, would be benefited by them.

Should you be a merchant, and wish to send your ships abroad to foreign countries, to carry the commodities which can be spared here, geography will teach you where there is a demand for them, and also, where to send for such as are needed here.

Should you be a statesman, it would be your business to manage the public affairs of your country to the best advantage. Many of our most interesting national concerns, relate to foreign countries, and it would be impossible for you to proceed with your duties without knowing the geography of those countries; and still more impossible to suç, ceed without an intimate acquaintance with the geographical situation of your own.

Besides the advantages of the study as regards the gratification of a laudable curiousity, your rep utation as a man of information, your success in business,and your usefulness to your fellow beings, there is another very important consideration. The study of geography may lead your mind to pious reflections, by bringing to your view the power, wisdom, and goodness of God. The immense countries of which geography will inform you, with all their products of men, animals, and vegetables

the lofty mountains, whose tops rise above the clouds, the great rivers which flow down their sides, and after passing through extensive countries, mingle with the vast ocean-all these are the workmanship of his hands, whose creatures we are. When we consider the power which he has displayed in their creation, the wisdom with which he has fitted them to their various uses, and the goodness with which he has adapted them to the wants of his living creatures, while we contemplate them, we shall learn to adore Him.

THE HONEST LITTLE BOY.

The honest little boy is fair and upright in all his words and actions. He is not so mean as to impose upon any one by a falsehood. He never speaks ill, or slanders any one. He is above practising a cheat in word or deed: if tempted to do it, he gets out of the way as soon as he can.

In his conversation he will not go beyond the bounds of truth to make his story more plausible He always tells it just as it is. He keeps his word on all occasions, and performs whatever he promises.

Truth ne values more than money, neither bribes nor threats can make him depart from it. He never steals, nor robs orchards nor gardens of their fruit. If he wants some fruit, he always goes and asks for it.

He would not tell a lie, were he sure of gaining a purse of gold by it; for he is certain that what had been so gained, would do him no good. One of his school-mates was once charged with a faut

which he had been guilty.-What do you

think he did?-Before all the school, he went to the preceptor and confessed the whole affair.

His preceptor rebuked him gently for the fault, but for declaring the truth, highly commended him. Well done my honest little boy, said he;-go on in this way, and always remember to be as true and just through all your life, and a good conscience will attend you at last.

No body ever thought of suspecting him; all who knew him would trust him on any occasion. His open look, his honest air, his faithful tongue, won the hearts of all.

TO THE YOUNG.

Thy morn of life, fond youth, is bright
And beautiful as summer's day;
Thy sun of hope sheds cheering light
Without a cloud to dim its ray.

Sweet flowers are blooming on thy path,
Rich fruits are blushing on each bough;
And every breeze that passes, hath
A freshness and a fragrance now.

Life spreads before thee bright and clear,
Life dreams of innocence and mirth;
And pleasure, like an atmosphere,
Floats softly o'er the laughing earth.

But life's fair morn shall pass away

In darkness and in tempests soon;
Earth's richest beauty shall decay,

And hope's bright sun go down at noon,

The flowers and fruits that tempt thine eye,
Shall perish like a passing thought;

And odorous breezes cease to fly,
Or flying thou shalt heed them not.
The world shall all be clouded deep
In shades of gloominess and woe;
And vain shall be thy toil to reap
A harvest of pure joy below.

O, then look up to that bright land,
Where everlasting pleasures roll;
Where trees of life and knowledge stand,
Whose fruit can cheer and bless the soul!
See o'er the sapphire wall of heaven
Hang golden clusters, all divine;-
O seize the boon so freely given,
And make the bright reversion thine!