to know and welcome the glad tidings by your labours? How far did you keep steadily in view the evangelistic branch of your work?" I heard of a minister, not long ago, who was said rarely to preach a sermon without transplanting some wild vine or fig-tree into the vineyard of the Lord. And I heard of a layman, only the other day, who, in intercourse with friends and casual acquaintance with fellow-travellers even, and utter strangers was always bringing some wanderer or another to see and love Christ. And I felt cause for shame, I confess, as I heard. But together with some unintended rebuke, there was some instruction, I hoped, in these facts. And so I ended with this thought, "These men aim at the right mark, it is clear. These men have, because they ask for it. Why should not I attempt the same thing?"

DIFFICULTIES.

I find it anything but an easy task really to explain saving truth to sinners. We speak and speak correctly enough of the simple gospel; but it is not a simple thing to declare it. It is not a simple thing, in fact, to be simple, any more than it is an easy thing to be at ease. If we are ourselves acquainted with the truth, it is by no means difficult for us to put together an accurate form of sound words, which shall contain the very marrow of the gospel, and be perfectly clear to our minds; but to find language which shall be equally clear to those who hear us-to men whom we wish to bring out of darkness-to men who do not desire, perhaps, to understand us-" hic labor, hoc opus est." It is easy to string together a number of choice texts, for they glitter on every page of God's word; it is easy for a man of educated taste either to invent or to borrow a succession of sounding phrases and decorative expressions; it is comparatively easy to be technical, or florid, or sententious, or orthodox, or dignified, or even impressive; it is not at all difficult, for the more gifted of those I address, to produce what their unwiser hearers will compliment by that most unmeaning commendation, "What a beautiful sermon!"-but to take the living truth of God's word, and convey it to the minds and hearts of the ignorant, and to impress it there, and cause it to remain as it is impossible without help from above, so, even with that help, we cannot expect to accomplish it except by real head and heart work. I read once of a very eminent modern evangelist who frequently wept over his sermons when preparing them; and who shall say he was wrong? It reminds one of that curious but significant seventeenth-century expression, "A painful minister of God's word," meaning, of course, as in a phrase of our day, a minister who takes pains. And if he TAKES PAINS to be PLAIN, he is the right kind of man. "I long to be UNDERSTOOD"-Such is the spirit, I think, in which we should prepare our sermons, especially those sermons, or those parts of them, in which the unconverted are our mark. "I long to be

in which, it seems to me, we should deliver them when prepared. "In all labour" of this kind, I am well assured, "there is profit; but the" mere "talk of the lips tendeth only to penury."

And much the same appears true with reference to our parochial cares and duties. It is with them as with that more public ministry already referred to. To visit an unconverted sick man, to read to him a psalm or a chapter, to remark on it, "to exhort at him," as a poor woman once described the process, and to pray by his bed-these things may be done easily, if done without care; but then they lead to no fruit. The way to be blessed, is diligently to study the case before us-to examine and observe closely the morbid symptoms it exhibits to discover the particular refuge of lies which it has recourse to-to investigate and explore till we find out a way of access to the heart to follow it up when distinctly ascertained-to pursue it till our spirit, as it were, is in front of his spirit, and then to press on him the question of questions, "Will you accept the salvation which God offers you through his Son?" But to do this faithfully and kindly-to observe the pain we thus cause-to bear the cold looks, the irritated manner, the feigned excuses we thus occasion-to call again and again though refused—and to wrestle in prayer with God for that soul-are things which call for effort and patience of no common kind. But I do not dwell further upon this; nor need I dilate at all on the watchful diligence and patient perseverance required in our daily intercourse with the healthy; that is, if we would bring them to know the good tidings, and to welcome them in their hearts. In fact, wherever we endeavour to evangelize, and however we attempt the undertaking, we are trying, in the best case, to pull a dead weight up a hill; most commonly we have to struggle with a living weight that resists. No common exertion, therefore, is required, and no mere random and intermittent exertion can hope to suffice.

"FOR VERILY HE TOOK NOT ON HIM THE
NATURE OF ANGELS."
HEB. ii. 16.

Ir may be wrong, and yet I would not be
An angel formed in spotless purity;

It may be strange,-with all my sins and cares
I would not change this lot of mine for theirs.
They in the light of God have ever shone,
Yet joys are mine which they have never known;
They, since he made them first, have ever been
Viewing his love, no earthly veil between.
In that from age to age they still abide,
Drink of its fulness, and are satisfied.
Yet even they bend down new depths to see,
New depths of love,-the love that rescued me.
Sweet are their songs, yet not to them is given
To sing the song of the Redeemed in heaven;

Bright are their crowns, their harps are shining gold,
Yet in their hands nor victor's palm they hold,
Nor wreaths they wear such as shall clasp the brow
Of those who pass through tribulation now.
Their robes are white, yet they shall fade beside
The robes that Jesu's blood hath purified.
They near him stand, but for his bride alone
Remains the place the nearest to the throne;
To her alone it shall be given to rest
Upon his arm and lean upon his breast.

Blest thought! Each conflict here, each bitter strife
Shall then add sweetness to the cup of life;
Each heavy stroke shall but his child prepare
To be a pillar in his temple there;

There, where the things which darkly now I see,
Shall be in perfect light revealed to me,-
Then be it so ;-a sinner though I am,
Yet will I boast and glory in the Lamb;
The vilest I;-yes, be it so, for such
Have much forgiven, and they have loved much.

REV. E. S. GOODHART, B. A.
(Grape-Gleanings of the Vintage).

HOME LESSONS AND BIBLE READINGS.

No. I.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. DURING last year we tried to assist parents to give instructions on the Life of Jesus, and were able to overtake the whole period from his birth to his death, as recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew. On this first day of the new year we begin with his resurrection from the dead. Our purpose is, to continue through this year what may be called the Life of the Risen Saviour-the work done by him through his Spirit, poured out on his Apostles and Apostolic Church, as set forth in the Book of Acts. We had intended to embrace the resurrection in last year's volume, so as to complete therein our lessons on Matthew, but space could not be found. We cannot now regret an arrangement which has the effect of bringing us into fellowship, on this first day of a new year, with the risen Saviour, and will serve, we trust, through the blessing of our Father, to impress on our hearts this glorious new-year text,-" If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."

To make our Home Lessons more generally useful, we have resolved to adopt a modification of the former plan. We will now throw together, in the first place, a few explanatory and practical remarks on each passage, and then subjoin some questions as helps for examination. We suggest to parents the following arrangement :-After prayer, let the members of your family read, verse by verse, the first section of the lesson (in the present instance, the first ten verses of the chapter); then do you read the explanatory and practical remarks on that section, and proceed to ask the questions upon it. Go on in the same manner with the other sections till the lesson be ended. If your children have already read the remarks, in preparing for the lesson, it will not be necessary for you to read them aloud. Other remarks and questions than those given here will occur to

you let them be freely brought out; for we do hope that no one will slavishly follow our paper. Many of our readers, who do not require to use the questions, may find the remarks, as now brought together, useful in their ordinary or family reading of the Bible.

MATT. xxviii.

Ver. 1-10. Jesus, Risen from the Dead, Appears to the Women. Of the Sabbath when Jesus lay in the grave, we are told that it was "an high day,"-it was the Paschal Sabbath, and there would be much outward pomp and show in its services. But how empty, how mocking must its grand services have been! What a gloomy, miserable day must it have been, especially to the disciples! The days had come when the Bridegroom was taken away, and they might well fast and weep in those days (Matt. ix. 15). To those that love Jesus, there can be no happiness while he lies buried or hid from their view. While the Sun of Righteousness shines not, it is midnight to the believer. Perhaps the gloom and misery of that day were designed to show that the Jewish Sabbath was abolished; it was no longer a day of rejoicing and gladness (Ps. cxviii. 24); the first day of the week -the Lord's Day-was to be so thereafter.

The zeal of the women-" the last at the cross, the first at the sepulchre "-is very instructive. Their first care in the morning was to seek Jesus-to show their regard for him; ours should be the same: "O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee" (Ps. lxiii. 1). Observe what terror the appearance of the angel at the tomb struck even into the valiant Roman soldiers, and think, if even an angel can inspire such terror, how will the wicked feel when they see the Lord himself! Observe, too, how kindly the angels spoke to the feeble, trembling women, and on what ground they bid them fear not. "Ye seek Jesus which was crucified." Those that in spirit are seeking a crucified Saviour have no cause to fear the wrath of God. The last are here first, and the first last; the soldiers overcome, the women fearless. The same difference shall be seen on the great day of resurrection:-"The Lord reigneth, let the people tremble; the Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice." Let us ask, In which of these classes shall we be found?

The angels told the women that Christ had risen, and bade them look into his empty tomb. It is often very useful for Christians to look into the empty tomb of Jesus-it teaches them, 1. That they need not be afraid to lie where he lay. 2. As he conquered and rose again, so shall they, as members of him. 3. They should rise to newness of life and holiness of conversation. As soon as the women heard the good news, they went to share it with others (ver. 8); let each of us do the same : "Let him that heareth say, Cone." Observe the beautiful resurrection-greetings of Jesus (ver. 9, 10). These words show us how joyful an event it was to his people. As often as we think of it on a Sabbath morning, let the ear of faith hear him repeating his greetings—“ All hail: be not afraid!"

Ver. 11-15. The Guards Bribed to Deny the Resurrection. -We cannot but be horrified at the conduct of the priests. It bears out all that Christ had said against them. Nothing can be more revolting than the outrage offered to the law in its weighty matters-justice, mercy, and truth, and the scrupulous homage paid it in its outward forms. When once men begin to leave integrity, they usually become fearful liars. The priests' contempt of truth was apparent in the

whole circumstances of Christ's trial. May we remember that the God with whom we have to do requireth truth in the inward parts, and that the homage of the hypocrite is abomination in his sight!

- Ver. 16-20. Missionary Charge of Jesus to the Disciples. -Other appearances of the Risen Saviour are recorded by the other evangelists. Matthew notices only the one where Christ gave his missionary charge to the disciples. Observe the statement regarding himself by which that charge was prefaced (ver. 18). It is because all power in heaven and on earth is given to Christ that success in his work is not only possible, but certain. Notice the connection marked by the word therefore (ver. 19): Because I have all power, go ye, humble fishermen of Galilee, to convert the world-my strength will be made perfect in your weakness. Observe the three things he sent them to do: 1. To teach all nationsto make disciples of them. This assumes that the truths of the gospel are adapted to all nations, however widely different in intellect, habits, spirit. It shows, too, that the first step in making men Christians is instruction;-the plan of baptizing them wholesale when uninstructed, said to have been practised by Romish missionaries, is antichristian. 2. To baptize all nations. A public profession of Christ was to be made they were not to be Christians secretly, but openly. 3. To teach them to observe all that Christ had commanded. This is the duty of ministers towards those converted-to edify Christ's body-to give them line upon line and precept upon precept. And mark the glorious encouragement" Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." At all times, in all places, the name of our Master is Immanuel!

For

How would the disciples feel on the day when Christ lay in the tomb? What is said respecting that Sabbath? When are believers naturally most gloomy in their minds? What truth may the gloom of that day be regarded as having shadowed forth? what purpose did the women come to the sepulchre? Mark xvi. 1. What lesson does their coming so early suggest to us? How did the appearance of the angel impress the guards? And the women? What, on the day of judgment, will correspond to this? they who need fear nothing? What lessons may we draw from the resurrection of Christ? What lesson does the conduct of the women, on hearing the good news, teach us? What were Christ's resurrection-greetings? What do we learn from the use of words so cheering?

Who are

Was it a hasty device-this lie of the priests? see ver. 15. Whether is a crime greatest when done hastily or deliberately? What does this conduct of the priests confirm? What sin do men commonly fall deeply into when once they leave integrity?

Did all

Where did Jesus give this charge to his disciples? believe in his resurrection? ver. 17. Is doubting a happy or a right state of mind? What statement did Christ make respecting his power? What is the exact import of the word therefore? ver. What were the three things he sent them to do? What promise did he make? What name of Christ's corresponded to this promise? Does it apply to any besides the apostles? Why should Christ's people never shrink from trial, difficulty, or exertion in his cause?

19.

CHILDREN'S TREASURY.

A THREEFOLD CORD. No. I.

W. G. B.

Precept.-Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark x. 14.

Promise.-Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John vi. 37.

Prayer. Draw us, we will run after thee. Song of Sol. i. 4.

When God gives us a precept, or command, in his word, we will always find that he gives us a promise also, to encourage us to obey. And we shall often find a prayer, just suited to the precept and promise. Try to take these threefold cords together, dear children, and so, when you have to obey any precept, you will be able to remember the promise, and ask for help in the prayer.

Will not you obey this call of our dear Saviour to-day? "Suffer the little children to come unto me." Will not you begin this New Year by coming to him, and asking him to make you his holy and happy children? Then you may be comforted by his sure promise, that he will not cast you out. I think there is no verse in all the Bible more comforting than this one. The oldest Christians have depended upon it to the last, and the youngest child may trust in it also.

Ask the Lord, by his Holy Spirit, to draw you to himself, and help you to keep always near him in the narrow way. And do not go alone, but try to bring others with you. "Draw me, we will run after thee."

TITLES AND OFFICES OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

No. I.

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."-REV. xxii. 13.

OUR blessed Saviour, in his holy word, calls himself by a number of different names and titles, in order to help us to understand more easily both what he is in himself, and what he is willing to do for all who trust in him. It will be pleasant and useful for us to think a little about the meaning of some of these names.

Here is a very remarkable one by which our Lord calls himself, when he is showing the visions of heavenly things to the beloved apostle John,-"I am Alpha and Omega." These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, in which language the New Testament was written, like our A and Z. So the meaning of the title is given in the words that follow, "The beginning and the end, the first and the last."

It seems to me very comforting to think of this title of our Lord to-day, when we are put in mind of how all earthly things have a beginning and an end. We ended one year yesterday; we have begun a new one to-day. If we live, we shall soon see this one also ended and another begun. So one year follows another, and very soon the number God gives to each of us will be finished. We who have lived many years feel this more strongly than you, dear children, can do.

But Jesus is the beginning and the end. He lived in eternity, before the sun, or moon, or earth were created, and he will live in eternity when they have all passed away. He created them all at first by the word of his power, and for the end of his own glory. Who but God himself could say this? Yes, Jesus Christ is God. The dear Saviour who died for us is also the God who made us, and who keeps us in life every day. We cannot understand this just now, for we are weak and ignorant, but we can rejoice to believe

it. And it is this glorious truth which gives us full confidence in coming to him for our salvation. "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Prayer. O Lord Jesus, help us, thy poor sinful children, to understand and believe in the great and glorious things thou hast told us of thyself in thy holy word. Give us true faith to believe in thee, and love thee, and obey thee more than we have ever done. Heavenly Father, we thank thee for all thy goodness to us in the year that is gone, and in sparing us to begin a new one to-day. Oh, may this year, if we live through it all, be more holy than any we have yet spent, and then we know it will be more happy also. Forgive all our past sins, and help us to be more obedient, and gentle, and dutiful to our parents and friends, and may we have more pleasure in reading, and prayer, and all our duties to thee our God. And so prepare us to live with thee in heaven, when our years on earth are ended. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

WISDOM MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES.

[From "Sorrow on the Sea;" a striking New Year's address to children, by the Rev. John Edmond-founded on the recent disastrous wreck of the Royal Charter.]

Learn the impotence of earthly riches.-There was a great deal of gold in that ship-gold coins carefully treasured-bars of gold. But of what use was it all in the hour of danger? Men cannot swim ashore on golden ingots; and waves and rocks cannot be bribed with money. In the accounts given at the time of the destruction of another Australian vessel freighted with riches, I remember reading how some of the passengers opened their stores and scattered their sovereigns on the cabin floor, in very scorn of their worthlessness in the hour of doom. There is something, to my mind, most melancholy in what is now going on in yonder bay of wreck. They have sent divers to the spot, and with much labour they are recovering bars of copper; among the rocks on the beach they have been picking up scattered coins; and as bodies are washed on shore, gold is found secured in various ways about their clothing; but the life is fled, and no labour can bring up from the depths one rekindled spark of animation. The sea might seem to be saying, Take your metals and your moneys, I have the lives. One almost wishes he could get hold of every sovereign that may be recovered from the deep, or coined from the restored bullion, and with a die stamp upon it the words Royal Charter-that, hereafter, when the coins should circulate from hand to hand they might be preachers risen, Jonah-like, from the sea, saying to every holder, We could not save our former owners from death, we cannot save you. Yet it is needless to indulge such a wish, for if men hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though oue rose from the dead.

But now, think how if gold cannot save from death, it can still less save from perdition. To die out of Jesus rich, is to die with more to be accounted for, and to increase deserved punishment. Worldly men hasting to be rich, are acting like the sailor, who, wishing to swim ashore from a sinking ship, loaded his person with gold till it sunk him. The more a godless man gains, the more he loses. Earthly possessions only sink us if we seek our portion in them.

Believe it, dear young friends. Get soul wealth. It cannot be lost. It raises its possessor. They that have it mount up with wings as eagles. "Wisdom is more precious than rubies, and all the things that thou canst desire are not to be compared with her." "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding."

THE SHIPWRECK.

HARK! as in your thoughts you stand upon the shore of that bay, in which, with relentless fury, the tempest is driving the unhappy ship, what is that voice which catches your ear? What is it which, amid the noise of waves, the thunder of winds, and the sounds of sorrow and alarm, arrests your attention, rising through the tumult! What is it that more engages your interest than the roar of the tempest, or the cries and shrieks of fear? It is the voice of prayer. We are relieved to read, in the midst of harrowing details, how a minister on board conducted the prayers of one group, and how others, apart, betook themselves to the same refuge. Unnoticed and in silence souls besides were then commending themselves to God. These things open a sublime avenue to light in the dark cloud of death overhanging hundreds. For as certainly as there was prayer in the ship, the Hearer of prayer was there. Those who had sought him before-of whom some might be mentioned by name-found him not afar off now. Perhaps some were brave enough and blest enough to sing in their hearts the old psalm-"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof." Perhaps softly, amid the howlings of the death-storm, there rose some melody of faith and prayer like this

"Jesus! lover of my soul,

Let me to thy bosom fly,
While the raging billows roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life is past,
Safe into the haven guide

Oh, receive my soul at last."

And pleasant it is to think no such prayer could rise in vain. Glorious it is to know that prayer could defeat the billows -fly above the storm. The rockets sent up in the ship's distress-that showed the land near, but alas, not safetybrought no human deliverance. But prayer brought angels down, and I like to think how chariots of salvation, bearing souls to glory, rose from the stormy deep. Even their bodies cannot be lost. Few of the dead have been yielded as yet to the shore; but what of that they are retained only to be given back at a later day.

"Keep them, thou angry sea!

Beneath thy rolling brine;

Shroud them in thy dank weeds; their graves
Make in thy dark and slimy caves;

Safe keep them-for they all must be
Rendered hereafter faithfully;

They are not thine.

The God that measured thee
In hollow of his palm;

Who bids thy raging swell and cease;
Whom the storm heard commanding peace

Abroad on billowy Galilee,

And wind and wave confessed 'twas He, Sinking to calm

He comes to speak once more,

O sea, thy dead resign!

And, heaved to depths from thousand decks,
Or sunk in surge from thousand wrecks,

From all thy floods round every shore
Thou shalt thy captive throngs restore;
They are not thine."

Perhaps on board the Royal Charter there were some who prayed in their uttermost need, who had never in truth prayed before. Nor dare we say that God would refuse a cry for mercy sent up then for the first time. You know there once was a man whom his crimes brought to a cross, who yet found on that cross an opened gate into paradise. Perhaps the storm of that dreadful night was sent to be the outward means of waking some soul to a sense of sin and need of Christ, and to drive it into the harbour of pardoning love. To such a one, as truth long resisted and neglected came back with power from the Spirit, how would there seem coming on him a more terrible storm than that which vexed the boiling ocean! Little would it matter to him that there opened no way of safety for the body, if to his eye of faith there stretched out before him the harbour of rest in Jesus. He did not lose his life that night so truly as he gained it. If there mingled with the "sorrow on the sea" the grief of a heart broken for sin, then first beholding a pierced Saviour, the winds might sing dirge, but the harps of angels woke to joy. . . . . And oh, how emphatically

does the dark close of the lives of all those who feared not God-sinking into a deeper, dreader abyss than the yawning waves-proclaim the need and value of a heavenly refuge! With the thunder-voice of hurricane that sorrow on the sea" is crying out to all "Prepare to meet thy God."Ibid.

WILLIE AND AMOS.

THERE was once a half-witted young man named Amos. The gentleman for whom he worked had a little boy named Willie. Poor Amos was feeble-minded, and could not think much for himself; yet he was tender-hearted, obliging, and affectionate. No matter how tired he might be, he was always ready to help any one who wanted help. His temper was so cheerful that a few pleasant words would make him happy, and it took but little kindness to win his love.

And yet, because he was weak-minded, some wicked boys would make fun of him, tease him, and frighten him. Willie did so. He played a great many provoking tricks upon Amos. Among the rest, he would sometimes frighten him by slyly creeping under his bed at night, moving it, and making strange sounds. This would alarm Amos so, that he would moan, and cry, and pray, in his own way, most pitifully.

watched faithfully by his side; and when the little invalid was restless and weary of his couch, he would take him carefully in his strong arms, and walk up and down with him, and soothe his weariness.

But the most touching thing of all was to hear Amos pray for him. When he thought he was alone with Willie, he would kneel down and pour out his heart to God for him. He had never been taught to pray; but though his words were incorrect, he could express his reverence for the great Being whom he addressed, and tell him his wants. In the most solemn and earnest tones he said, "O Holy Spirit! please don't let Willie die! please don't! Make him good first. Oh, please! for sake."

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Willie's heart was softened by the tenderness and devotion of Amos; but most of all by this imperfect yet heartfelt prayer from one whom he had looked upon with contempt, whom he had ridiculed and ill-treated. Oh," thought he, "how could I have been so bad! I'll never ridicule and abuse this kind, good fellow again! for me! Poor thing, he thinks I need prayer; he is afraid to have me die! And sure enough I've need to be afraid to die." And roused to his danger and sin, he prayed fervently for himself.

How earnestly he prays

One night, when Amos had brought him a cool, refreshing drink, Willie drew him towards him, and putting his arms around his neck, kissed him. "O Amos," he said, "your prayer has saved me. I have prayed too, and God has given me a heart to hate sin. I'm very sorry that I've been so bad to you. I'll never frighten you again, and I won't trouble you any more."

Poor Amos knew not what to say, but he wept, and kissed Willie, and prayed again more fervently than ever, "Don't let Willie die!"

Willie did not die; and when he grew better he said to Amos, "You taught me to pray with my heart, though I knew the words before. I shall always love to hear you pray. Let us pray together," said Willie to Amos; and what a contrast was the scene when they bowed together in love, to that in which Willie had acted as the cruel tormentor, and Amcs as the patient sufferer! What a change had been wrought! and all by the love and tenderness of that poor youth as the instrument.

What a lesson! "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

THE EARLIER THE EASIER.

AN old man one day took a child on his knee, and talked to him about Jesus, and told him to seek the Saviour now, and pray to him and love him. The child knew that the old man was not himself a Christian, and felt surprised. Then he looked up into the old man's face and said, "But why don't you seek God?"

The old man was affected by the question, and replied, "Ah, my dear child! I neglected to do so when I was young, and now my heart is so hard that I fear I never shall be able."

Ah, my reader! believe him. "To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." It will be more difficult to hear to-morrow. And weeks, and months, and years hence, even could you be sure of them, how high and strong a barrier will gradually be rising between you and Christ! They that seek me early shall find me."

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