THE TRUE RICHES.



A LITTLE girl stood at the window watching the purple twilight as it settled on the distant hills, and was softly saying to herself, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

"Where did you learn that verse, Bertha?" said her mother.

"Why, don't you know? Papa read it in the Bible this morning."

It was observed that the child had been unusually thoughtful during the day, and now she asked if a certain Mr. Brown was a rich man. Being answered in the affirmative, she said, "Then Mr. Brown cannot go to Heaven, can he, mamma? I am glad that we are not rich, so we can go to Heaven."

Then mamma took Bertha in her arms, and told her of the true riches, which are the fruits of good works, deeds of love and kindness, obedience to God and to parents, etc. These duties well performed would secure her a rich treasure in the kingdom of Heaven, even a shining crown and an harp of gold. 




MRS. M. B. POWELL.




A WONDERFUL CITY.



DOUBTLESS many of the children who read this have never lived in a large city, and some, perhaps, have never even seen one. They may have read of them, or heard older ones talk about them until they have a great desire to see one for themselves.

Well, there are many interesting and beautiful things to be seen in our large cities; it would take a great many days to see them all. There are lovely parks and fountains, walks and drives, elegant buildings both public and private, and very many other things to attract the eye.

There are also many things not so pleasant, things of a very different nature. 

There are dens of vice and iniquity, almost without number; there are also many places of amusement, which draw the mind away from all that is good. In some cities, on almost every corner, poor, half clad, and half-starved children constantly remind one of the poverty and wretchedness everywhere existing.

Sometimes great fires ruin whole cities, or earthquakes swallow them up; and often in a tornado the wind will destroy what has required years of patient labor to build up. 

In these cities thieves and all kinds of wicked men gather, and so watchmen are stationed in every part of the city to guard it by day and by night. Notwithstanding their watchfulness, many terrible crimes are committed every day.

But the city that we want to tell you about is not like any of these. There is a man who has seen it, and that was the apostle John when exiled on the island of Patmos. (Ask your parents to show you where that is on the map.) He there saw the new heavens and the new earth, and this city coming down from Heaven. He describes it as being of pure gold. Only think of it! A golden city many hundred miles around, surrounded by a great and high wall of jasper, its foundations adorned with all manner of precious stones, its streets of gold, and its gates made each of pearl.

This beautiful city is the one, which Jesus promised to prepare for those who love him. 

And when he comes to earth again to dwell with his people, this heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, will be the capital of the entire earth.

There will be no lack there of food and clothing, for all will be clothed in new and beautiful garments, and will be permitted to eat freely of the fruit of the tree of life. 

There will be no need there of watchmen to guard the city, for although the gates will not be shut by night, there will be nothing to molest or make afraid. Neither will there be any need of the sun, for the light of the glory of the Lord will be so much greater than the light of the sun that it will pale into insignificance. No fires will ever rage there, no storms destroy it, for it is the great eternal city that is never to be destroyed.

Who of us can afford to miss having a home in this beautiful city, and joining our voices in that "song of the redeemed which will echo and re-echo through the length and breadth of the whole earth"? 

Our Saviour is soon to come. Who will be prepared to enter through those pearly gates into the city?




 M. K. W.