Julia received the intelligence with an exclamation of delight. The reputation of this clergyman for eloquence had reached her.

The appearance of the 'new preacher' confirmed her pleasant anticipations. The slight form, the face of an intellectual paleness, seeming but a thin veil drawn over the spirit that struggled through, the earnest, touching eyes, the humble, childlike prayer, and the fervor of his voice as he read the hymn, all prepared her for what might follow.

His subject was the ministry of Christ. He first dwelt with eloquent fervency upon the perfections of that character; its heavenly purity; its high aspirations; and then followed the contrast between the Teacher and the world he came to instruct. How must his gentle heart have bled at the want of sympathy and high spiritual communion even his chosen ones knowing him not! His motives suspected, his character traduced, his miracles imputed to unholy agencies, even his simplest instructions misunderstood! How could man have labored for those who so little understood or loved him? But his was a heart full of its great mission. He complained not of want of sympathy, but kindly and unceasingly performed his work. He separated not himself from man, but bound him to himself with cords of love!

Every word of this fell like a voice from Heaven upon the heart of Julia. It seemed to her that life's great purpose was just unfolding. She felt oppressed and bewildered by the presence of glorious thoughts, not yet fully seen. An earnest exhortation to the duty of human exertion in imitation of this divine Exemplar, closed the discourse, and thrilled her heart with emotions never before known.

It was Sabbath evening; and Julia sat alone in her chamber. All was so lonely and silent, it seemed to invite to holy thought and spiritual communion. The words of the preacher, the speaking face, the earnest thrilling look, were all before her. He complained not of the want of sympathy!' 'He cursed not ignorance, but enlightened it!' said she to herself; and alas! what am I that I should waste life in seeking for perfect communion? Even if found, what then? I should be happy; but is this all for which I was born and educated with finer feelings than others? Is it enough that I am satisfied in the interchange of sympathy?' And then, in the spirit of one seeking truth alone, went she down into the recesses of her spirit. One by one did she bring to light those selfish motives that had well nigh made ruin of her noble purposes. Her heart chilled as she thought how all duty and

kindness had withered up in that restless desire for sympathy; and in that hour there came to her the great purpose of life! The mild starlight shone in upon her rapt face; and an angel might have wept in joy as the fervent prayer went up from an humbled soul, just admitted to a vision of its duty and destiny!

'How social Julia H

has become of late,'

said Emily S. to her mother, a few weeks from the time of which we have spoken.

'Yes,' said her mother, 'I have observed it. She is interested in every thing we love. How kind in her to forget her studies, and sit with us long afternoons as she does.'

'And how sweetly she talks,' said the daughter. 'You can learn something every time she comes; and she is so modest one would never think she was instructing. But look! here she comes,' and the happy girl, snatching up a beautiful bouquet, sprang to the door.

"O, Julia, we are so glad you are come! Here are some flowers for you. Come in and talk to us as you did yesterday. You will make us all good and wise as yourself,' said she, with a playful caress.

The tear that stole down the soft cheek of Julia, told how blest she was in the honest love of this young girl. Was she not repaid?

or not.

Fair reader! do not complain of my little 'dramatic sermon.' I positively shall not tell you whether Julia was married to the 'young minister,' Of what consequence is it whether she loved one above all others? The purest of all loves was born in her soul! She was consecrated to the blessed work of doing good; and never can such a heart want for sympathy. Are not some of us wasting life in yearnings for one whom we may love and cling to in the spirit of perfect trust and appreciation? A natural longing, and one most blessed in its fruition; but too unworthy a life's labor. A sad waste of life, indeed, to go through it only seeking a friend! May our 'selfexamination' be followed by as earnest striving as hers of whom we have written.

'Serene will be our days and bright,
And happy will our nature be,
When love is an unerring light,

And joy its own security.'

A. D. M.

A HYMN OF FAITH.

BY DAY K. LEE.

CALLING for anthems, to her votive throng
FAITH waves the summons from her mount of fire.
Descend from Heaven, some minister of song!
And with thy soul this spirit dumb inspire.
O, breathe in rapturing dalliance on my lyre,
And tune its chords with thy sweet symphonies!
Lend grace
and melody to each rude wire;

To each pure thought unveil thy own fair skies;
And far as FAITH may soar, O grant my hymn to rise!

Primeval FAITH! thy beauteous visions swept
Like hastening ages o'er the Soul Divine,
Ere Earth's frail planet on her pathway leapt,
Or on old Darkness Light began to shine.
God sealed thy mysteries in his counsel-shrine,
And on thy Truth each glorious purpose hung;
Thy Word went forth with wide creation's line,
And through eternity's long eras rung,

Before the morning stars their advent-anthem sung.