LOOKING TO CHRIST.

35

their beads, and other foolish things, and so they are often put down as "converts " or Christians, although they have no love to Jesus, and are trusting, not in him, but in their own "works of righteousness" for salva

tion.

Very solemn and serious does the old Popish missionary appear (see Woodcut), with his hand on his beard, and a cross hanging on his breast, while he talks to the poor little girls of his mission-school; and earnestly do they look up to him as their guide and friend-one who has travelled far, over stormy seas, that he might bless and save them. But what has he brought them? Nothing worse than nothing-beads, and crosses, rosaries, and perhaps a few books, but he has not brought them that "Book of Books" which is the only true guide to heaven. Think of a missionary without a Bible!-and yet the Popish missionaries give the poor heathen no Bible. The priest is himself the Bible they give-a very unsafe and uncertain guide.

Let us praise and thank the Lord for the light and truth he has given to us, and let us strive so to "let our light shine before men, that others seeing our good works may glorify our Father which is in heaven."

LOOKING TO CHRIST.

LET this thought, that God cannot lie, keep in con scious safety the heart of every one who looketh to Jesus. They who look shall be saved. The sun in the firmament is often faintly seen through a cloud, but the spectator may be no less looking at him than when he is seen in full and undiminished effulgence. It is not to him who sees Christ brightly, that the promises are made, but to him who looks. A bright view may minister comfort, but it is looking to Christ which ministers safety. Dr. Chalmers.

THE MISSIONARIES' FAREWELL. MY DEAR SIR,-I am glad you drew attention to the departure of our missionaries, Mr. Swanson and Mr. Mackenzie, in your last number. I was present at the meeting when Mr. M. was ordained, and would not have missed it for anything. A little incident occurred which made a deep impression on my mind, and which led me to some reflections on the missionary character, which I will give you in a few words.

At the close of the meeting, an invitation was given to all present to shake hands with and say farewell to the missionaries. Of course almost every one went forward. Beside me sat two little boys who wished to go, but their mamma hesitated to make herself and them so prominent. So I took them myself; and when we reached the missionaries, one of the boys was likely to be overborne by the crowd, and to be driven past altogether, without either seeing the missionaries or shaking hands with them; but Mr. Swanson's kind eye caught a glimpse of the little fellow, and he thrust out his hand past the older people into the child's hand, and exclaimed, "Good-bye, my darling child." There was such simple sweetness and tenderness in the tones, such gentleness and affection in the manner in which the words were spoken, that they made a lasting impression on my mind, and they will be remembered whenever I hear or think of Mr. Swanson.

This was the incident, now for the reflections.

1st.-I thought what kind men missionaries must be. Many men think it beneath them to notice children. They cannot stoop to sympathise with their little thoughts, their little pleasures, or their little sorrows. They pass them by. But this missionary did not do so. Though his mind was filled with great thoughts, he could spare time to speak kindly to a little boy; though he never saw him before, his heart gushed out in tenderness towards him, and he wrung his hand as if he had been his own child.

2nd. I thought what self-denying men missionaries

THE MISSIONARIES' FAREWELL.

37

must be. If this missionary had so much affection for a boy he never saw, what must his affection be for his friends and kindred? Think of a missionary saying goodbye to a mother or a father. How he would look on the wrinkles on their brow, on their hoary locks, on their tottering gait, and say to himself, "I shall never see them any more in this world. When death shoots his arrow at them, I shall be far away in a foreign land. They would like to have me with them then, but it will not be, and we must be content to say farewell for ever in this world, trusting to meet again in that better land where partings are unknown."

3rd.-I thought on the cause of this self-denial. Why do they leave father and mother, and sisters and brothers, and friends, and houses and lands? It is for Christ's sake. They think of men, and women, and children, perishing for lack of knowledge in heathen lands, and they cannot rest until they have told them the story of Jesus and his cross. Other men live to make themselves rich, or to enjoy themselves; but missionaries live to go and tell their perishing fellow sinners the way to heaven. Having tasted the blessings of religion, they cannot be happy until they have made others as rich as they are themselves.

4th. Then I thought of the Great Missionary, who came down from heaven to seek and to save that which was lost, and of his superiority to all earthly missionaries. I thought if a man must be so good before he can be a good missionary, what must Christ be to have done what he did? I thought how sad it will be for English children if they do not know and believe in this great Missionary, with all their opportunities and privileges.

I hope a great interest will be taken throughout all our schools in Mr. Swanson's movements, and that we will `make it our delightful duty to provide for his support in China, and to uphold him by our prayers.

I remain, my dear Sir,

A SUPERINTENDENT.

THE PIOUS NEGRO.

A CERTAIN American planter had a favourite domestic negro, who always stood opposite to him when waiting at the table. His master often took the name of God in vain, when the negro immediately made a low and solemn bow. On being asked why he did so, he replied, that he never heard that great name mentioned, but it filled his whole soul with reverence and awe. Thus, without offence, he cured his master of a criminal and pernicious

custom.

"ONE BLOOD ALL

NATIONS.”

"Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart."

No! 'tis the form of deeds and thoughts

He treasures in his book;

'Tis the complexion of the heart

On which he deigns to look.

A HAPPY MAN.

Not by the tinted cheek,

That fades away so fast,

But by the colour of the soul

We shall be judged at last.

And God, the Judge, may look on me
With anger in his eyes,

If I my brother's darker brow
Should ever dare despise.

A HAPPY MAN.

39

A ZEALOUS divine, who had prayed earnestly that God would teach him the perfect way of truth, was directed to go to a certain place, where he would find an instructor. When he came to the place, he found a man in ordinary attire, to whom he wished a good morning.

"I never had a bad morning," replied the man.

"That is very singular. I wish you may always be so fortunate."

"I was never unfortunate," said he.

"I hope you will always be as happy," said the divine. "I am never unhappy," said the other.

"I wish," said the divine, "that you would explain yourself a little."

"That I will cheerfully do," said he. "I said that I never had a bad morning; for, every morning, even if I am pinched with hunger, praise God. If it rains, or snows, or hails; whether the weather be serene or tempestuous, I am still thankful to God; and therefore I never have a joyless morning. If I am miserable in outward circumstances, and despised, I still praise God. You wished that I might always be fortunate; but I cannot be unfortunate, because nothing befalls me, but according to the will of God; and I believe that his will is always good, in whatever he does or permits to be done. You wished me always happy; but I cannot be unhappy, because my will is always resigned to the will of God."