TRAVELLERS' WONDERS.



The Persians used to send their children from home until they were grown up, that they might not spoil them by improper indulgence; but the Christian parent is commanded to teach his children to remember their Creator in the days of their youth: and children who are thus taught, should obey their parents in all things.



The ostrich is often hunted for its feathers, and runs so swift that a man on horseback cannot always overtake it; but it is so simple, that if it sees a little bush, it will hide its head in it, thinking the hunters cannot then see it. How often little boys and girls do something wrong, and forget that God sees them at all times, by night and by day.



In Egypt there are some people who have found a method to tame serpents, and make them do as they direct. This reminds me of what the Bible says: "Every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind; but the tongue can no man tame: it is an unruly evil." Try earnestly to govern this unruly member, for it leads to all sorts of mischief.



In the South Seas there are said to be large islands which are all made of coral, and coral is made by insects so small that they cannot be seen without a glass. This shows us that great things may be performed by small means. The longest life is made up of little moments, and very young children, if they use all their efforts, can do much good.



The sensitive plant folds up its leaves as soon as any body touches it roughly, as if it was frightened. In like manner, your little brothers and sisters, and other companions, will turn away from you, if you speak to them rudely, or treat them with unkindness. We ought always to be gentle and kind. Christ was so, and he will make you so, if you love him, and pray to him.



The great silver mines of Potosi were discovered by a boy, who in passing over a mountain picked up a piece of silver. Many others had gone that way carelessly before, but had found nothing. A great many persons read the Bible, but they do it heedlessly, and do not discover the treasure it contains. "Search the Scriptures," for in them are the words of "eternal life."



Among heathen nations, in some parts of the world, they sometimes take children, as soon as they are born, and put them into a basket, and throw them into a river, for a sacrifice to one of their idols. Are you not thankful that God was pleased to suffer you to be born in a Christian land, where such things do not take place?



A traveller may pass through a great many countries, and visit many wonderful places, and yet, if he is a Christian, no part of the globe will interest him so much as Palestine; for there our Lord and Saviour was pleased to appear when he came down from heaven, and became man, and died upon the cross to save us from eternal misery.



The Banian-tree of the East Indies is a very large tree, and its boughs bend down to the earth, where they take root again, so that a great many trees grow out of one; but this large tree produces only a very small fruit. Children cannot do great things, but still they may try to live to the glory of God; and although they are little, they will not be forgotten by him.



In some countries there are a great many wild asses, and the people try to catch them and tame them; but it is very hard to do so. I think I have heard of little boys who were like them; and perhaps you remember that Job spoke of man being "born like a wild ass's colt." It is only divine grace can tame him.



In some hot countries, where water is very scarce, travellers obtain a supply from the palm-tree. When a branch is cut, a sweet drink flows from it; but this tree is not common. I have sometimes known boys and girls who were good, though they lived among wicked companions; but it is not often the case, and it is only by the power of divine grace that they are thus kept from what is evil.



In India the cocoa-nut tree is very useful indeed: from the body, they make a boat; from the boughs and top, they can make a mast and paddles: the leaves are very large, and when joined together, make a sail; from the bark, they make ropes and a cable; and when the boat is finished, they can put the fruit on board for provision. One person can often be useful in a great many ways.



At Ceylon, in the East Indies, they find pearls in the shell of a sort of oyster. Men go down into the sea and bring up these shells, and some of them can stay under water some minutes without being drowned. The Bible tells us about something very valuable, which is called "The pearl of great price." Do you not know what it means? Read the 13th of St. Matthew.



There is a very curious flower called the Fly-trap. If an insect settles upon it, the flower closes together, and it can not get away unless the flower is opened by some one. This puts me in mind of sinful pleasures, which appear very tempting, and young persons think they may just try them a little; but when they have once done so, they are so entangled that they cannot escape unless freed by divine grace.



How doth thy word my heart engage,

How well employ my tongue!

And in my tiresome pilgrimage,

Yields me a heavenly song.

Am I a stranger, or at home,

'T is my perpetual feast;

Not honey, dropping from the comb.

So much delights my taste.