whereon he sat, and Dermid the faithful, and Conin, the son of Brenda, followed him up the hill, wondering greatly. And, behold, as they were come to the top, the holy man turned round, and stretching forth his hand, he cried, "Look forth, my sons, across the country, and see the sign which you have demanded." Then they said, "There is nothing but the field which we have sown, and which is even now white unto the harvest." "And is not this a miracle ?" quoth St. Columba. "Hast thou forgotten when in the early spring-time we put the dry seed into the cold hard earth? Who could then think, that these should bud and blossom as thou seest them this day? Didst thou then desire, that this staff should bring forth the ears of corn? Nay, thou didst place them rather in the earth, in the sure and certain hope of a joyful harvest time. In thee was faith, thou didst the appointed work, and with God was power, and thou art now about

to reap the fruits thereof.

Thus is it

ever year by year, seed-time and harvest they do not fail, but think not, my sons, this is only to supply man with bread, it is also appointed for a memorial, as long as the earth shall last, that thus must we work, and trust, with the good corn of God's truth, And, behold, also, how one man soweth, and another reapeth. If another man should reap thy field, hast thou therefore sown for nought? Or if thou reapest that whereon thou hast bestowed no labour, does it show thee to be the better husbandman? The weight of the sheaves is truly not always a sign that thou hast laboured well, neither is the leanness of the ear to be held forth as the likeness of thy work. Also, my sons, in respect to the wonder whereof thou speakest; forasmuch as once in the course of this world it hath pleased God to make the dry rod to put forth almond blossoms, is not this a sign, that though it be not the way in which he causeth the green leaves

and flowers of the spring-tide to appear, yet can He, if He so will, bring all this fair and wondrous change to pass, without man's hand? But who can say what ages may go by, ere He shall thus work again? We have no promise thereof, but we know, that summer and winter, seed-time and harvest shall not fail. Wherefore, my children, this word also is sure and steadfast, "He that goeth forth bearing precious seed, though it may be sown with weeping, shall, without fail, come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Then Conin the son of Brenda, and Dermid the faithful answered no more, but they followed the holy man, St. Columba, into the house, for it was the time of even-song.

SEPTEMBER.

THE ADVENTURES OF MR. PIQUANT, WHO NEVER QUARRELLED WITH ANYBODY.

"Ir is a quarrelsome world indeed," was the observation of Mr. Piquant, a wasp, as he thrust himself into a bunch of purple grapes, that hung among the green vine leaves against the back of a house." Why upon earth those cousins of mine, the humble bees, should have taken offence, now I cannot imagine, but it is of no use troubling oneself about them, if they will be so absurd. It is a fact, which no one can deny, that their houses are poor miserable little holes in the bank, and why then should they be angry with me for only telling them the truth? They have known all their life-time that my family is very differently circumstanced from theirs, and

ever,

that, therefore, of course, our dwelling is in every respect superior; there is no reason then why they should quarrel with me for saying so. But people are so unreasonable, and so anxious to deceive themselves, and ready to take offence with any one who speaks the truth; howI can do nothing now. They began the dispute, and therefore it rests with them to make an apology;" so saying, this Mr. Piquant dismissed his humble relatives from his meditations, and began to feast himself upon the rich grapes, humming a tune to himself as he did so. He had scarcely commenced his song before two blue-bottle flies, who were friends of his, joined him, and taking up their parts, the song became a trio.

"Do you know, I never like to hear you sing that song," remarked Mr. Piquant to his friends, directly the performance was concluded. "Why not ?" inquired one of the flies? Because,'

replied the wasp, "it requires a voice of