old testament times were anticipated incarnations of the true Son of God, as there appears to be good reason for believing.

Balaam.

Will the Editor of the Youth's Magazine kindly reply to the following question in his next number?

Of what nation was Balaam? He did not belong to the Israelites, and belonging to the idolatrous nations around, how could he have been a prophet; or how could his blessing or curse have been of any avail ?

MARY CONSTANCE.

Some particulars of Balaam's native country are given in Numbers xxii. 5. and xxiii. 7.

It is not part of our business to enquire "how he could have been a prophet ;" if the fact itself be clear, as we think it is.

Nor are we aware that the blessing or curse of any prophet, Jewish or gentile, is in itself, fraught with good or evil.

Our correspondent seems also to forget that Balak, who hired Balaam, was a heathen, believing witchcraft and divination to be more potent than the favor or displeasure of the Most High, of whom he knew but little.

Example of Sarai.

SIR,-Will you favor me by explaining in your next publication, i. Peter iii. 6. "Even as Sarai obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord: whose daughters ye are so long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."

The meaning seems to be this-that the example of Sarai is only to be imitated in those things wherein she did well. Through fear and sudden amazement, she denied having laughed when charged with that act of unbelief and folly by the angel who announced the birth of Isaac. (Gen. xvii. 10-15.) She was, in fact, surprised into sin, as every one must be who is not daily and hourly watchful and prayerful: and is therefore exhibited as a pattern only in those parts of her character which are unblameable.

POETRY.

TO A YOUNG LADY.

(On her Birthday.)

I saw, at earliest dawn of day,

A streak of rosy light;

And watch'd it as it chased away

The dusky shades of night;

And thought that earth could nought display
So beauteous or so bright.

It spread and soon a thousand rays,
Each lovely as before,
Display'd to my admiring gaze,

A thousand glories more;
All nature woke to life, and praise

Of her Creator's power.

The sun shot down his fervid beam,

A monarch in his pride;

Now glancing o'er the sparkling stream,
Or sporting with the tide :

Methought that, surely, nought could seem
So beautiful beside.

But when he gained his western throne,

These glories seemed surpass'd;

Behold, across a crimson zone,

A veil of amber cast;

And I each scene was forced to own

More lovely than the last.

Thus may thy path be ever found,

As days and seasons fly;

As still thy rapid years roll round,
To bear thee to the sky;

And heavenly grace thy path surround,

With blessings from on high.

Then swift may roll the wheels of time,
For each succeeding year

Of maiden bloom or matron prime,
Still brighter shall appear;

'Till thou to yonder world shalt climb,

Beyond this lower sphere.

L. W.

FIRST FLOWERS OF SPRING.

THE roses and lilies and myrtles too

Are the children of summer hours,

They only bloom round us when skies are fair,
They are fragrant, but fickle, flowers;

While the crocus and snowdrop spring from the ground,
Though dreary and dark is the aspect round.

You may say, perchance, that the cold north gale
Comes scentless from the field,

But have you forgotten the violet's breath-
The perfume it can yield?

Oh the brightest flowers that poets sing,

Give not richer sweets than this gem of the spring.

'Tis only in sunny seasons fair

The delicate harebell blows;

Whilst our floral friend of sterner hours

The beautiful monthly rose,

Blooms brightly on though the weather be drear,
A constant companion throughout the year.

And ere the branch of the forest tree
Is tinged with its blush of green,
The primrose tuft with its myriad stars,
On every bank is seen ;

Loveliest and fairest of all wild flowers,

Adorning our rustic and woodland bowers.

The welcome spring is coming again,

In its brilliant emerald dress;

God sends his heralds on before,

To illumine the wilderness;

And they are--the first flowers that meet our eyes
In the green forest glen 'neath April skies.

Farnham.

ANNIE WHITE.

SABBATH EVE.

MILD eve will quickly o'er thee cast
Her darken'd robe, blest Sabbath day!
Soon shall thine hours be with the past,
And thou for ever wilt away.

Soon shall the song of spring-tide bird
Be hush'd amidst the dews of night,
And when again its voice is heard

A week-day sun shall spread its light.

Father of Mercies! through thy love
This day to weary man was giv'n,
That we with all the saints above
Might glorify thee-King of Heav'n.

O condescend, thou Holy One,

To grant the prayers we've offered thee;
Accept the service we have done,

Albeit done imperfectly.

Great God, our sinfulness forgive,
Unhallowed deed, or word, or thought;

May we to thee in future live

Kind Father! as thy children ought.

And now, may this sweet sabbath's close
On pastor's and their people's hearts,
Be like to heav'n's calm repose,
Whose blissful sabbath ne'er departs.

Homerton.

S. J. EDMESTON.

THE WINGED WORSHIPPERS.

Gay, guiltless pair,

What seek ye from the fields of heaven?
Ye have no need of prayer,

Ye have no sins to be forgiven.

Why rest ye here,

Where mortals to their Maker bend?

Can your pure spirits fear The God ye never could offend?

Ye never knew

The crimes for which we come to weep.
Penance is not for you,

Blest wanderers of the upper deep.

To you 'tis given

To wake sweet nature's untaught lays;
Beneath the arch of heaven

To chirp away a life of praise.

Then spread each wing,

Far, far above, o'er lakes and lands,
And join the choirs that sing

In yon blue dome not reared with hands.

Above the crowd,

On upward wings could I but fly,

I'd bathe in yon bright cloud,
And seek the stars that gem the sky.

"Twere heaven indeed,

Through fields of trackless light to soar,

On nature's charms to feed,

And nature's own great God adore.

Sprague.