God has given them a kind of understanding, which we call instinct, that teaches them the best way of protecting themselves. We have already seen some instances of this in the houses caterpillars make themselves. Even in the curled-up leaf which defends a little worm, we may see God does not forget the least of the things He has made. Another thing which I think all this shows us, is, that every thing in the world, however small, has work to do, and even a little insect does it as well as it possibly can. Do you not think there is a lesson for us in this? "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

SETMA, THE TURKISH GIRL.

A TRUE HISTORY.

WHERE the Turkish empire is bounded by the Austrian, and where the Save flows into the Danube, lies the city and fortress of Belgrade. It has 30,000 inhabitants, and a hundred Turkish mosques (as the Mahometans call their houses of prayer) stand within its walls. A great part of the inhabitants are Servians, yet many are Turks, for the city is within the Turkish dominions. In the year 1671, the little girl was born in Belgrade, whose history is now to be related. She was named Setma-not in Baptism, for her parents were of the Mahometan religion. Her father was a Turkish merchant, named Osman. He was rich, and much respected by his fellow

citizens. But now it is Setma herself who will tell the story of her life.

"I was brought up in great retirement, for my father was grave and stern, and my mother died when I was scarcely three years old. A careful female slave had the charge of me, and the management of the house. All that I was taught was to do some kinds of work, and to repeat a few prayers and sentences in common use amongst the Mahometans. My father had a German slave from Bohemia, and from him, by way of pastime, I learned to speak a little German. Who would then have thought that the time would come when it would be so useful to me? But the ways of God with men are wonderful, and often He prepares them long beforehand for what they are to do. Before the weaver begins his web, he makes ready his threads of different colours, but no one can know but himself how they will come in, and what pattern they are to make.

"I had one companion of my own age, called Guly, who came every day to see me, and to whom I was greatly attached. We amused ourselves with childish sports, but our greatest pleasure was, when my nurse had time to tell us all sorts of stories and fables. They were not indeed like Christian stories, but sometimes there was much in them that was good and instructive, and to this day I recall them with pleasure. And so we lived on, in a kind of thoughtless happiness, till I was in my eleventh year, and then first trial came. my My father became very ill, and I was inconsolable; for though he had alwas been stern, yet I loved him sincerely,

and could not bear to think of being parted from him. I knelt by his couch and wept; but he was quite calm, and said, 'My appointed hour is come, and I do not fear it. I hope to go to Paradise. God is great!' seventh day of his sickness.

He died on the

came to the know

"When I afterwards first ledge of Christian truth, I was often greatly troubled about him; but God in His great mercy brought peace to my mind, and enabled me to leave even this in His hands, whose mercies are beyond all our thoughts.

"After my father's death, my brother continued to manage his business, and all things went on as before. Guly visited me every day, and we spent almost all our time together. A year after this there was a war. A Turkish army besieged Vienna, but was beaten, and had to make a hasty retreat to Belgrade. Then many thousand Christian captives passed also through the town, and by their miserable condition moved many a Turkish heart to pity. But all this passed by, and to children of my age it was more an interesting sight, than a cause for any serious reflections. And now one day passed like another. I had everything I could wish for, and nothing to complain of but feeling dull sometimes, and my only fear was that of being separated from my dear Guly, whom I loved as a sister.

"This is all that I can tell of myself till I reached my seventeenth year. At this time my brother, who was in the place of a father to me, betrothed me to a friend of his, a commissary in the Turkish army. I did not know him, and

had no choice given me in the matter. My chief trouble in the thought of this change, was the fear that I must live without Guly as my constant companion. But how different everything proved to our expectation!

"My brother had resolved, before my marriage should take place, to take a long journey on business to Tiflis and Ispahan, and he set out in June, in the year 1688. I took leave of him, little thinking that we had seen each other for the last time. But soon it was said that Belgrade was to be besieged, and in the beginning of August, the Germans, led by the brave prince Maximilian, of Bavaria, came against the city. At first the Turks felt little fear, and believed it almost impossible that the city could be taken, and therefore no one had prepared to fly from it. But on the 10th of August it became plain that the besiegers were in earnest, and the inhabitants began to provide for their safety. Many persons took their most valued possessions on board ships, and sailed down the Danube. The streets were full of people, hastening to save their lives and their goods from the hands of the Christians. But not half of those who were taking flight had gone on board the vessels, when a violent storm arose, obliging the rest to return to their houses and wait till the next day, for during the storm it was impossible to load the ships or to set sail. I was amongst those who were thus obliged to return. I had left my

father's house with three servants, taking nothing with me but a little box full of pieces of gold and my casket of jewels. I was too late at the harbour to go in one of the first vessels, and just

as I had arranged for our passage with the captain of another ship, came the storm which drove us all back again. It was an anxious night, and I never slept. The storm raged till after midnight, when it became calm, and I felt fresh hope and courage. The moments seemed like hours till the day broke, and I could leave the house to hasten to the harbour again. First I went to the house of my friend Guly, whose family, as I had heard late at night, had at length resolved to fly. But then I heard what filled every one with terror and distress, that the city was entirely surrounded and inclosed by the Germans; no way for flight was left open; and every one must now make up his mind to await whatever might be expected by the dwellers in a besieged and taken city.

"O unhappy tidings! There I stood, cast down from all my hopes, and with the certainty of soon falling into the hands of victorious Christians, who would certainly revenge themselves for all the cruelties they had suffered from the Turks. I threw myself into Guly's arms, and we wept together. Oh how short-sighted and unhappy are men, giving themselves so many needless cares! Oh how much more unhappy are they if they know not the true God, in whom they may trust, and therefore fall into despair as soon as things look dark around them! So it was then with me. It was the loving mercy of God, which made my flight impossible. He had prepared a better lot for me, while I was full of distress and dismay. I was dreading chains and captivity, and He was going to make me free indeed. Even then He held me fast with