been truly born of God. that country, and be beauty.

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THE ROCKS OF THE BIBLE. THROUGHOUT Scripture the various objects of nature are made use of to render more clear to our limited intelligence the mysteries of revelation, or the supreme heights of Divine majesty. Among the splendid and sublime natural features thus introduced, perhaps, rocks are the most prominent and magnificent. Palestine, one of the most beautiful of earth's many lands, is diversified by all the varied splendour of wood and plain, rock and valley, field and flood; and the Hebrew poets and historians who wrote, under the direction of God, the canon of Holy Scripture, drank deeply of that poetic spirit, which the grandeur of their native land tended so

powerfully to instil. Whenever they wished to picture, in "breathing words" and undying impression, the guardian care of Deity, they likened His sustaining grace to "the shadow of a great Rock in a weary land." When they wished to inspire the fainting

souls of the men of Israel with fresh courage, they reminded them in stirring, yet majestic words, that "the Lord Jehovah is the Rock of Ages." Wherever in the Bible there are found the sublime characteristics of the ancient Hebrew poetry, great affluence and grandeur of illustration are also present; a method, indeed, which adds beauty and force to the style, and simplifies the meaning of the inspired word by reference to the various parts of creation. For it is true, in the deepest and best sense, that

"These are Thy glorious works, Parent of Good,

Almighty! Thine this universal frame."*

* Milton. "Paradise Lost," b. v.

Rocks are frequently mentioned in the Old-Testament history as affording necessary supplies to the Israelites. It was at the rock of the waters of Meribah that the faith of Moses failed: whilst forcing the crystal water from the fissured crag, he gave not to God the glory due to Him in the presence of all the people. The Lord, who brought them up out of Egypt, did not forsake them in their need, but "made them to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;" and when almost dying of thirst, and murmuring against their Divine Protector, "The Rock of Israel" distilled for them the living stream.

But let us endeavour to take a short

glimpse of the Eastern deserts. See, along the dim line that bounds the sandy plain before us, we can just discern the headmost camel of an Arab band quickly approaching. The fiery sun is declining towards the west, hastening to lave his burning orb

amidst the waves which wash the purple isles of ocean, and darting his ardent beams upon the way-worn travellers. Panting, and with sinking steps, they toil along, when look! that ridge of cave-cleft rocks, rising sheer from the arid waste of sand, meets their enraptured view; and now, with new strength and energy, they press onward, till safe from the fiery sun and burning earth, they rest under the great rock's shadow, and drink of the cool transparent fount which wells up through its flinty clefts. As this rock is to the Eastern traveller, the means of giving him fresh life and renewed vigour, when almost overpowered by the fatigues of the way, so Christ is to the Christian, his powerful support in every temptation, his shield in every danger; at once

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a Fountain of life, and a Rock of deliverance.

Again: Before modern science developed the art of fortification, natural defences were more important, and more generally resorted to than they are now. Whenever an irruption of the warlike Philistines scared the idolatrous Israelites from their fields and homes, they betook themselves to the rocks and caves, which were so numerous in their native land: into these fastnesses their enemies could never penetrate. When intestine strife rent the commonwealth of Israel, and the other tribes went up to fight against impious Benjamin, the remnant of that unhappy race found a last and trusty refuge in the rock of Rimmon.

But rocks are used in the figurative passages, as well as the historical details, of the Bible. If we are told in the graphic words of the old Hebrew scribe, how the five Kings were killed by victorious Joshua, at the cave of the rock Adullam, and how that historic hold in after times afforded refuge and shelter to David and his men, though "the Rock of Divisions" and Etam, the abode of Samson, are famous in inspired story, -yet those rocks are the most nearly present to the imagination which are incidentally mentioned in the hymnic and prophetic parts of the sacred writings. The magnificent prophecy of Balaam was thundered from the rocks of Pisgah; when on the craggy heights of Zophim the curse intended for the people of God was turned into a blessing, and gifted with a glimpse adown the dim vista of futurity," from the top of the rocks" the unhappy seer beheld the chosen seed of God, and longed to die "the death of the righteous," that he at last might rise to heaven. But he could not lay hold on that firm support so dear to the royal Psalmist: "The Lord is my Rock, and my Deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust,"

The natural character of the Israelites was fickle and changeful. Time after time did they relapse into idolatry, and forget the Rock of their deliverance; and as often did the Lord pardon their iniquities, and restore to them their forfeited privileges. When blessed with a good King, or a firm and prudent judge, they walked contentedly the flowery paths of virtue, and found security, delight, and glory in the "Rock of Israel." But when a Manasseh sat upon the throne, or when there was no judge in the land, then they strayed after the gods of the neighbouring nations, and forgot Him who had been to them a delight and a benefactor, a "Rock of Defence" from all their foes.

After a long period of bondage and slavery, their indulgent Protector again remembered His mercy to them, and "the Rock of Israel," the "Lion of the tribe of Judah," broke the fetters of the people's shame, scourged their enemies with devastating slaughter, and the star of Jacob once more shone with undiminished lustre. But it was only when he made his dwelling in that Rock, when he drank alone of that perennial fount which flowed from its fissured side, that Israel's bow" abode in strength," and his enemies were driven out before him. In the second chapter of Isaiah the Prophet speaks in majestic language of that day when idolatry shall cease, when the clear shining of the Sun of Righteousness shall melt the frosted snow of ignorance and superstition, and shall kindle that blaze of glory, which will usher in the golden millennium. The time will come when the demon-idols of Africa, and the debased deities of the islands of the sea, shall fly "to the clefts of the rocks, and to the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth." The time will come when the saints and martyrs, whose intercession the Church of

Rome has substituted for that of Christ, shall give place in human hearts to the sovereign claims of the Redeemer; and antichrist, now throned amidst the palaces of the seven-hilled eity, shall be trampled beneath the feet of the victorious Saviour.

As under the New Testament dispensation Christ is the Rock, whose genial streams refresh and heal His people; so He is the "munition of Rocks," which defends and guards them from every danger. As He is the Rock on which the church is founded, and fixed in whose eternal strength she shall for ever stand; so He is the strong Rock and fortress which confers upon her grace and glory, and affords her shelter from all her foes. The Lord is also further described as a "Rock of habitation," and of refuge to Eis distressed and fainting people.

He is the Rock

higher than they; at once their pride and strength, their defence and their support, in whose craggy clefts shall be their everlasting abode.

The greatest and most famous rock in Old-Testament history, is that on which, for so long a time, rested the cloud which encompassed Deity, and where the leader of the hosts of Israel remained for forty days .and forty nights in converse with Jehovah. The tribes had wandered for several long weary years among the solitudes of the wilderness; often had they murmured, often had they longed for the luxuries of the land they had left behind them; but, by the forbearance and mercy of their Almighty Guide, they had at length reached that spot which was to be the scene at once of the constitution of their wonderful polity, and of the blackest idolatry they ever committed. Continually through their journeyings,

"along their dreadful road, Blazed broad and fierce the brandish'd torch of God;"*

* Heber.-"Passage of the Red Sea."

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Till at last its luminous presence hallowed the cloudy heights of Sinai. Never since the ark rested on the rocky crown of Ararat had any mountain been the scene of deeds so full of import, so fraught with destiny, as those which Sinai was soon to see. If on Ararat began a new era of the world's history, and from its summit spread, in different directions, the family which was to people the whole earth, it was from the craggy rocks of Sinai that the awful voice of the Most High uttered the words which gave laws to His chosen people, elevated them above all other nations, and rendered their destiny peculiarly high and holy. But it was the severe dispensation of the law which was thus so majestically inaugurated; all those rites and ceremonies were then ordained, "which," says St. Paul, "neither we nor our fathers were able to bear;" and it is to be remembered, that whilst "the knowledge of sin" is by the law, "grace and truth" were brought into the world by Jesus Christ. What Mount Sinai was to the followers of Moses,-linked with memories of the origin of their laws and national existence; inseparably associated with the foundation of that greatness which arose with the fabric of the Tabernacle, and culminated in the gorgeous splendour of the first temple,-the hill of Calvary is to the disciples of the Saviour. "The stone which the builders rejected," though a "rock of offence " to the wise and learned sophisters of earth, "is become the head of the corner to those who believe. The rock on which the fierce Hebrew zealots, true descendants of those who had killed the prophets, erected the ever-glorious cross of the Redeemer, is indeed sacred to all time: it will never be named, but in indissoluble connexion with the dearest hopes of humanity, and as the cliff-point of earth from whence the soul ascends to heaven. That rock on which the

CONSTANCY IN GIVING. AFTER contributing a small sum for several years, to a Jewish Mission, a good woman said, when the application was renewed, "Are the Jews not converted yet?" So it is with not a few. They wonder when this giving will come to an end. The reply is, Never! If Christ be true, and if His word be true, "it is more blessed to give than to receive," and constant giving is a Christian duty and privilege.

1. Christ's cause demands constant giving. Sinners are constantly dying, and souls are daily perishing for ever. The heathen are leaping by thousands every day into eternity, without God, and without Christ! The Missionary is unremitting in his toil in the high places of the field where you have placed him. Like good Dr. Carey, he has gone down into the pit, and will you let go the rope? While there is one land to be evangelized, one tribe to be taught the truth as it is in Jesus, one soul to be saved, we who have "freely received," must "freely give.”

2. Constant giving is not peculiar to Christ's cause.-Are you not always giving to self? Daily wants and cravings are regularly met. Is not constant supply needed for your family and friends? Do you, or your children, mean to starve to-morrow, because you have feasted to-day? Every department of life, whether secular or sacred, needs daily ministration! Why should the cause

of Christ and Christian benevolence be made an exception? Why should it be thought the only cause which needs not daily giving?

3. Constant giving is no hardship.Hardship! why, it is a great blessing; a source of happiness, if you have the means to give. Some few Christians feel thus; and for every opportunity presented to them, instead of grudging, they say, "Thank you for calling on

me."

Constant giving is no hardship, because it elevates the Christian affections; it fosters the joy of Christian benevolence; it makes men fellowworkers with God.

4. Constant giving should follow constant getting.-Christians are ever receiving, and why should they not be always giving? What have we that we have not received? Daily God loadeth us with benefits, daily He causeth His sun to shine upon us, daily our bread is given, and our water made sure.

Do you ever weary of getting, my brother? Why then weary of giving out a portion of what you daily get?

'Freely ye have received, freely give." The world, the Church, the souls of men, have claims on you which must be met and discharged.

5. Constant giving secures a great reward.-"Be not weary in well doing, for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not." Why stop? Why imperil the issue by a temporary or occasional suspension of Christian effort? If the racer suspends his care in the stable, and his skill and exertion on the racecourse, he loses the prize. If the merchant suspends his business ever and anon, and gives himself up to selfindulgence, he soon becomes a bankrupt! "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." "Giving is living, to deny is to die." We must go on living for Christ, toiling for Christ,

giving for Christ, until every city has become a Jerusalem, every village a Bethlehem, and every house a Bethel: until the sanctuary of the living God shall beautify the face of every landscape, and the voice of prayer and praise ascend to heaven from every quarter of the habitable globe.

A MOTHER'S PRAYERS.

A CHILD of five years old knelt at the family altar, where the prayer that availeth much was offered, and although so young in years, yet the boy wept as though his heart would break when he thought of the wrath of God, revealed against all ungodliness and sin: that sin unforgiven would separate parents and children, God and the sinner, for ever. The child prayed as he wept, that God would pardon his sins for his Saviour's sake. Whose prayer was it that broke up the depths of this young child's heart? — A mother's.

A youth of sixteen was on his knees, in an open field, on a fine summer's night, seeking the Lord with strong cries and tears. Some half-dozen of his class-mates knelt beside him, and joined their prayers with his; and "The Angel," with much incense, joined His all-prevalent intercessions with theirs before the Great Father's throne. The youth and the friends taking hold of the strength of God, said as they wrestled, with holy, humble confidence, "We will not let Thee go:" the prayer of faith prevailed; and the youth could say, like Thomas, "My Lord, and my God." But, on that still night, in the closet alone with God, there wrestled another pleader, with a full heart's affection, and a firm faith like the Syro-phenician for her child, crying after Jesus, "Lord, help me." Whose lone pleading was that? and whose all-conquering love and faith was there ?-A mother's.

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A young man of twenty-one lay to all appearance on the bed of death. The doctor said, "I can do no more; the case seems hopeless: you must prepare for the worst; this relapse will likely prove fatal." Who had watched over him with love stronger than death, during those months of suffering, and when his fevered brain was wild? And who pleaded for his life, which she had early devoted to his God, and refused to believe but that yet he would be employed in that glorious work of preaching Christ, to which God and the church had lately called him?-His mother.

A Minister, in the prime of life, stands up to preach the tidings of great joy, which for twenty years had been his heaven to proclaim. An old disciple sits in the corner pew, at the foot of the pulpit-stairs. As was the Minister's wont, before he left his home, he kissed that old disciple's cheek; who bade him "Go, and be strong in the name of the Lord." The power of the highest attended His own word that Sabbath morn, and many said, like the chosen three on Olivet, "Lord, it is good for us to be here." Who was that old disciple ? and whose held up prayers his hands while he proclaimed his Master's will?-His mother's.

The child-the youth-the manthe Minister. Who made him what he was, and is, and saved him from what he might have been? The grace of God, and his mother. H.

A MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.

NEARLY eighty years ago, two

Moravian Missionaries stationed in Labrador, at a place called Nain, set out on a journey in a sledge, over the ice, to one of their settlements situated further north.

They started early in the morning. The weather was all that could be wished to favour their journey. In