indeed for the healing of the nations, but not sufficient for their immortal sustenance,-pass over the fruit of holiness and grace, as though no tears had been shed, no blood been poured, to quench the flaming sword of the Cherubim ?

"Children of the earth, exiles from Eden's bowers, listen to the song of Christmas!

"Is it such a feast that I have chosen: a day for a man to forget his soul? is it to choke up his gratitude with self-indulgence, and to shackle his religion with worldly bonds? Wilt thou call this a feast, and an acceptable day unto the Lord? Is not this the feast that I have chosen-to break off the yoke of sin; to crush the head of evil habits; to lay up comfort against the evil hour, and gather blessing and gladness that fade not away? To give with both hands liberally; to love with the whole heart fervently; to press onward, onward still, in the pathway of joyful obedience, bringing heart and soul and strength and intellect as offerings to the Bridegroom's table; and drinking here on earth of the cup of felicity, that shall crown the marriage supper of the Lamb?

"O Star of the glorious east-bright harbinger of salvation! first missionary of Gospel truth to the dark Gentile world; thou before whose meteor radiance the Persian's deity paled its ineffectual fire;-shine forth among us again, but for one passing hour, to teach us by what mysterious eloquence thou didst

reach the heart of man! Did the spheres lend thee music? all new-born as thou wast, and unknown to the Chaldean's records, did Heaven gift thee with a preacher's voice to call the heathen to their God: so that when night unto night sheweth knowledge, it might shew it with an angel's tongue? How didst thou pierce those triple folds of pride, superstition and indolence, that girt each learned Magian breast as with an adamantine shield, bidding them cease their sidereal visions, and quench their devotional and perverted fire; and gather up their gold and frankincense and myrrh, to bear over the hills and plains, to the homeless cradle of a new-born child? Speak but thus once more! not to Heathens, but to Christians, not to those who never heard the Saviour's name, but to those who in that name are sealed: for hard are their hearts and dull are their ears, as though that name had never sounded at all!

"Children of the earth, wild olives of the Gentile : listen to the song of Christmas!

"Yes, there are hearts that love Him, and find their joy in His favour: a joy wherewith no stranger intermeddleth, and which no stranger can understand. Who are they that wake the Nativity morning with the loudest and sweetest carols: that fill the Lord's courts with beaming faces, and bring the brightest smile and the happiest laugh for the meeting of affection at home? Who but they to whom my annual

return is a pledge of their purchased security, and who feel as each year glides away beneath my wing, that they are only so much nearer to heaven? Who but they that go from house to house, where the poor man is too desolate to smile; lighting up the empty hearth and covering the starving board, and giving the naked clothing, and finding the destitute a home : that every suffering member of the great redeemed family may be glad on the birthday of their Brother? Yes, to you I turn, ye sowers and reapers of mercy : your mirth shall not turn to heaviness, nor your sacrifice be counted a mockery; for the joy of the Lord is your shield and strength, and the God of the poor man is a guest at your feast of love!

"Children of the earth, heirs of immortality: listen to the song of Christmas!"

T was late before Mrs. Crawford and her party returned home that night: and sadly did Miss Martin, to whom late hours were a penance, rue the assumed honours that inflicted them. The dinner was long and heavy; she felt completely out of her element, and not having Margaret at hand to prompt or encourage her, her spirits grew depressed, and she was altogether very uncomfortable. People would talk to her, and try to draw her out: would ask her to sing and play, and show her a hundred civilities she did not know what to do with: and Miss Martin resolved in her secret soul that come what might, she would talk to her young lady seriously, and deliver herself from her awkward position. The carriage was half through Welfield, when the gentle duenna was woke

up from a doze by a sudden jolt, and a sharp cry, echoed by all the party.

It ap

The carriage stopped, and the footman jumping down, discovered they had run over a man. peared he was lying in the middle of the road, and it being now very dark, the coachman was not in fault; but Mr. C. as gentlemen, will do when they are frightened, scolded him just the same.

"For goodness' sake, sir, don't speak so loud," interrupted Ferdinand, springing down from the box, and throwing away the cigar that had cheered his cold drive, "pray, sir, consider! you will alarm Miss Armadale."

"Oh Mr. Ferdinand!" cried Miss Martin, much relieved by his appearance, "is the poor man much

hurt?"

"Oh dear no," said he, "pray do not agitate yourself: shut up the window, or you will take cold. Thomas will see after him."

"Oh pray, Mr. Ferdinand, pray see to him yourself!" implored Miss Martin, "take him to the inn, and send for a doctor: I am afraid he is terribly hurt; do not leave him, I entreat you!"

"It is quite sufficient that you desire it—I will not leave him," said Ferdinand; "only let me beg you not to be agitated; I will see that he is properly attended to❞—and taking one of the carriage lamps he stooped over the sufferer, and was horrified by his appearance. Too surely, but for the accident, his ca