always stayed at home, sitting down between us all these long winter evenings, with her knitting or her book, when the other children were asleep."

"How did she die, my friend?"

"As a tree falls, sir, that is hewn in the forest to be floated down the stream. Every stroke weakens it, of course, but it is the last one that brings it suddenly to the ground. She complained but little, though we saw the veins grow bluer and bluer in her temples, and saw her totter when she walked; but, sir, death had never come in at my door, and some way it always seemed to me that nothing which was mine could die. A few days she was very weak, and panted for breath. She begged me to go for the young woman you married, and asked her many things about religion. Her friend asked her 'Nellie, can't you trust Christ to carry you through the dark river?' 'I can trust Him with all for now and beyond,' she said, looking up to heaven. 'I'm very ignorant, but I do know HIM, and for a long time have trusted in him.' And then she saw mother and me in tears, and said, 'Oh, don't weep; this is a happy day for me.' Oh, the smile that came to her lips then was like no other smile I ever saw. But seeing her poor mother in such grief, she beckoned her to the bed, and putting her arms about her neck, she pressed her cheek close to hers. Then tears began to flow from her faded eyes. I was afraid it would hurt her to cry so. I went to lay her back on the pillow, and, sir, she was gone! Dead, with tears for us on her cheek; but, as mother says, 'smiles for herself on her lips!'"

Oh, that unostentatious backwoods funeral! Sentimentalism threw no mantle of beauty over that stained pine coffin; romance twined no wreath of fragrant flowers above that open grave in the corner of a rocky field. Four young men carried her to the little schoolhouse upon their shoulders. After solemn services, all the little congregation took a last look of the child who had been a favourite with every one. We, too, bent over the narrow house and gazed on that fair young face. even more pure in death than it had been in life. On the cold cheek we saw a frozen tear, but on the lip the smile of faith and love. Poor, sweet child; she knew but little of points about which the wiser often wrangle; but she knew that her Redeemer liveth, and that was enough!

No hearse with nodding plumes, no sable velvet pall, was there. The coffin was placed across a rude sleigh, covered closely with a buffalo robe, and followed by real mourners to its resting-place. Who would not desire to share her glorious rising? Then shall her meek, pensive beauty be lighted by the glory around her; and she, whose dearest friends below could not touch the fine chords of her spirit, shall dwell among her own, where every heart beats in unison with His, who loved as none ever loved before.

Long years have passed since then. The mullen stalks grow tall, and the low blackberry vines tangle and

mat themselves above the bed where Nellie sleeps; but those deep blue eyes, and the expression of that sweet face, are as fresh on our mind as if it were only yesterday that we had seen them.-N. Y. Examiner.

MINISTRY.*

"The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister."

SINCE service is the highest lot,

And all are in one Body bound, In all the world the place is not

Which may not with this bliss be crowned.

The sufferer on the bed of pain

Need not be laid aside from this, But for each kindness gives again "The joy of doing kindnesses."

The poorest may enrich this feast;

Not one lives only to receive, But renders through the hands of Christ Richer returns than man can give.

The little child in trustful glee,

With love and gladness brimming o'er, Many a cup of ministry

May for the weary veteran pour.

The lonely glory of a throne

May yet this lowly joy preserve, Love may make that a stepping-stone, And raise "I reign" into "I serve."

This, by the ministries of prayer,

The loneliest life with blessings crowds, Can consecrate each petty care, Make angels' ladders out of clouds.

Nor serve we only when we gird

Our hearts for special ministry; That creature best has ministered Which is what it was meant to be.

Birds by being glad their Maker bless, By simply shining sun and star; And we, whose law is love, serve less By what we do than what we are.

Since service is the highest lot,

And angels know no higher bliss, Then with what good her cup is fraught Who was created but for this!

Introductory to a series of exquisite pieces, entitled "The Women of the Gospels," in The Three Wakings and other Poems.

DO THE NEXT THING.

the next thing." It is a word of wisdom. I thought so when first I heard it as a Christian rule; and I think so more and more, the more I dwell upon it.

Let us see what it means; for to my mind it means a great deal. It seems to me, as I go on thinking of the word, to open upon me in deeper and higher wisdom. Do the next thing. First, then, do the first duty that comes before you. Take up the first cross that lies in your path. Speak the first word that God would have you speak. Do the next thing, because it is the next in the order of God's providence, the next step which the Lord would have you take in his narrow way. It may not be your choice, yet do it because it is his choice. It may cost a sacrifice, yet do it because he asks it. Look up to him, and act, relying upon the help of the Holy Spirit, which is promised to all who ask him.

66

Now, does not such a rule lead to the habit of mind most blessed in our Saviour's sight? "Rise, he calleth thee" (Mark x. 49). 'Speak, Lord; thy servant heareth" (1 Sam. iii. 9). Does it not lead in its fulness to that highest state of which man is capable on earth, the walking with God?

Do the next thing. Then I must be always, every hour, practically asking with St. Paul, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts ix. 6.) And this is the beginning of walking with God. Then I must be habitually and consciously giving up my will to his will, my pleasure to his pleasure, and yielding to him who is the Master of my time and of my heart. And what is this but walking with God?

There is, perhaps, some yet unpractised and stricter service brought home to my conscience; it may be more frequent communion, it may be some practice of selfdenial and discipline. I do not doubt the duty. I hear in my conscience God's own call; but I shrink, for how know I but my strength may fail? how know I that if I begin I shall be able to go on? How know I what this first step may involve, what it may cost me, what responsibility bring on me? How know I that by putting my hand to the plough, and looking back, I may not bring on myself a curse instead of a blessing? Yet do the next thing. In faith do the next thing; obey the call within thy soul, and trust God with the issue.

There is some duty put strongly before me, from which my feelings turn away, some duty which accords little with my disposition or habits. It may be to put myself forward in the cause of truth and godliness, it may be to speak some word which shall expose me to scorn and laughter, it may be to offer counsel where I know not how it will be received. My heart cries, "Anything but this. I will do that duty, and that, and that only let me be spared here." But no. Do the next thing. It is this, and nothing but this, that

God now asks of thee. Do this next thing, and offer thy reluctance as a sacrifice to God.

"Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,

Lead Thou me on!

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene, one step enough for me!"

Again, do the next thing. There is, then, a next thing. There is, there should be, order in duty. There is a right moment for all things; and our wisdom is to take advantage of it, not to miss it, to be ready for it. How often golden opportunities are lost, while we hang in doubt as to what we have to do! There is precedence in duties, and it becomes us to give to each its due place, that there be no confusion, nothing inconsistent and out of proportion, if we may so speak, in our work. Well-ordered and sure is the Christian way.

Do the next thing. Then I must weigh beforehand, and consider my course. I must in God's sight make sure what my next thing is. I must order my ways before him, calmly and deliberately lay out my plan of duty.

There is nothing more hopeful in the Christian course than this well-ordered way: it prevents excitement; it takes away doubt and perplexity; it enables us to walk straight on, without losing time in anxious questionings. We know what we have to do, and when, and how to do it. "Order my steps in thy word: and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me" (Ps. cxix. 133).

But again, do the next thing. Take an onward step another, and another, and another. There is always a next thing, always something more before us. The point gained to-day is but a stepping-stone to the attainment of to-morrow.

Through God's grace I have overcome my pride today. Now I have to exercise humility, now closer and closer still to press in the steps of my lowly Redeemer; each step as it opens before me, each opportunity of following his meekness, is my next thing. Through God's grace I have triumphed over sloth to-day. To-morrow's sun must witness another victory. No pause: The next thing rises day by day in occasions of exertion, of active service; and I must up and be doing.

Through God's grace I have turned my back upon the world, and my face towards heaven; then upward, still upward; onward, still onward. Resist every wile to lure thee back. This is thy next thing. Pray through the midst of discouragement, though the heaven on which thou gazest seem closed to thee; pray, and faint not. This is the next thing. whatever it may cost thee. Go on,-on unto perfection.

Hold fast by the cross, This is thy next thing.

Again, do the next thing. Do at once the duty of the hour. Act at once on the call of conscience. It is good for our spiritual life to be under rule, and there is no better rule than this to train the inner man. None would believe who have not tried it, how much of discipline there is in the firm resolve faithfully carried out to go thus from duty to duty.

There is ever a tendency in the human heart to put off duty, to turn away from exertion, to play as it were with time, and suffer delay to eat out the very heart of our deings.

It is the appointed moment for some active duty abroad, and I am sitting at my ease in warmth and comfort, and I shrink from setting forth. I do not refuse to go, I intend it soon; but I must prepare my mind for it, I must think about it, I must take in a little more indulgence before I go on my way.

Or it is the time for prayer, for serious reading, for some spiritual exercise; and I am buried in a favourite study, in an engrossing pursuit, in interesting discourse. My conscience sounds forth, “Arise and go;" but my heart seems incapable of breaking the chain that holds it. Now, meet the temptation. Do the next thing. Thy seat of warmth and comfort might be thy fitting place in the hour gone by, but it is not thy place now that acknowledged duty summons thee hence. Thy study, thy pursuits, thy discourse, might be thy duty before, but their time is gone by.

I will then arise; I will force myself to instant effort, though it seem without a heart; I will be up and doing. I will break off my pursuit, I will close my book, I will go on to my present duty, in despite of the grumbling of the flesh and the shrinking of the spirit.

So to do the next thing surely brings the inner man by each repeated conflict into greater subjection.

Once more, do the next thing. Waste not time and thought in planning distant doings, in longing after duties to which thou art not called. "Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not, saith the Lord" (Jer. xlv. 5).

Do the next thing, though it seem so trivial a duty as to be hardly worth thy thought, though it seem to thee quite unworthy thy high aspirings. Do it in obedience, in humility, in faith. Do it, trusting God's hand thus to lead thee on in the way of his choosing, not of thine-the best way, because his way.

I feel within a zeal that lifts me out of myself. I long for some great work in the Lord's vineyard. I long to spend and be spent in his service, to go forth to gather fruit.

It may be, this zeal of thine, this heavenly ambition, will one day be called into action. It may be so, if he see it good for thee; but now this is not thy calling, this is not thy next thing. Thy next thing, perhaps, may be to train those of thine own house; or to teach a few poor, ignorant children, who seem little to value thy pains; or to do small deeds of charity, and speak homely words of counsel. Or, perhaps, thy next thing is to learn in patience to sit still, in patience to see others employed and thyself laid by; or, perhaps, thy next thing is to exercise the lessons that a sick-bed teaches, there, in quiet submission,

"To watch, with firm, unshrinking eye,
Thy darling visions as they fly,
Till all bright hopes and hues of day
Have faded into twilight gray."

In any case, do the next thing, meekly, heartily, waiting His good time who best knoweth what is thy fitness, and what he requireth of thee.

It is difficult, this reining in of the aspiring spirit, this yielding up of glorious dreams to tasteless work, or to seemingly useless rest. It is difficult, but yet do it ; do the next thing, and a blessing will come more surely on thy humble path, than if zeal had carried thee, uncalled, into ways of thine own choosing. If thou dost follow Christ, relying upon the help of his Spirit, thou wilt find his yoke easy, and his burden light. Thou wilt be led on, and prepared as thou goest, it may be, for the very service, the very post of usefulness, which kindled thy early desires.

Now I think it is plain, that this Christian rule, acted on in ways like these, is full of the highest wisdom. It brings us, in our poor measure, into conformity with Him whose meat and drink it was to do his Father's will. It cements that union with him on which depends our life of grace, our hope of glory.

Be it our watchword day by day, and, surely, with his blessing who calleth us, our souls will prosper.*

HOME LESSONS AND BIBLE READINGS.

No. II.

THE EARLY CHURCH PREPARED FOR HER WORK. ACTS OF THE APOSTLES i. 1-11.

THE Book of Acts was written by the evangelist Luke, and is inscribed to the same person as his Gospel. Very little is known of Luke. He seems to have been a Gentile, being

distinguished from those "of the circumcision" in Col. iv. 11, 14. By profession he was a physician. Tradition represents him as having been also a painter, but that is not trustworthy. He joined Paul at Troas in his second missionary journey (Acts xvi. 10), and travelled with him to Rome, when he appealed to Cæsar. He was remarkably accurate and careful in gathering materials for his books. He seems to have written the Acts while Paul was imprisoned at Rome, and to have published it immediately after his release.

In the Gospels the prominent figure is Christ, the Bridegroom; in the Acts, it is the Church, the Bride, the Lamb's wife. She is seen in her beautiful garments, "looking forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." She is the lily among thorns, the green oasis in the desert, the lighthouse shedding forth its calm bright beam athwart gloom and tempest. She is especially beautiful in her missionary activity. She does not occupy a mere passive attitude, however beautiful; she is not merely a flower blooming in the desert; she is not a hermit, shrinking from all contact with mankind. She is active, loving, working, conquering the world to Christ. The Holy Spirit that made her so is the same Spirit still. He can make us what he made her. If we honour him as

* Abridged from a tract under this title, issued by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

she honoured him, he will do this. How fervently then, should we pray for his glorious power!

Ver. 1-11. Introduction. Beginning of the Church's Preparation for her Work.-It will be observed that at the very commencement of this book (ver. 2) the HOLY GHOST is prominently mentioned, and in the course of this single chapter his name occurs three other times. We see from this how much the mind of the early Church was directed to the Holy Ghost, as the great agent by whose power the world was to be converted. In times of spiritual deadness very little is said or thought about the Spirit. There may even be persons who hardly know whether there be any Holy Ghost. It is a sign of reviving when the importance of his work and the glory of his person are deeply felt. Let no one, then, think lightly of the Holy Spirit, or be content to remain ignorant of his work, or opposed to his operations.

Notice particularly in these verses how the minds of the early Christians were prepared for their great work. We find six things referred to in this inspired introduction to the Acts, by means of which the handful of Christians at Jerusalem were emboldened and enabled to undertake the spiritual conquest of the world.

1. The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead (ver. 3).They had the plainest evidence of this. It was a convincing proof of the divinity of their religion, of the truth of Christ's claims, and the reality of his promises. Jesus really is the anointed Saviour; he is truly the Fountain of pardon, life, holiness, and every other blessing. Whoever believes on him hath everlasting life. There can be no doubt of it. He is risen! Let Christians feast on this truth; and as it refreshes and quickens their own hearts, let them be moved to try to bring others under its blessed power.

2. Christ's own words respecting his Kingdom (ver. 3).— They were reminded by himself that he was to have a kingdom in this world, though not of this world. At first they misunderstood him (ver. 6), but afterwards they would understand and be encouraged by his words. Let us, too, remember that Christ is bent on having a kingdom in this world, -a ,-a kingdom which is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost;" let us see that we belong to it; and let us labour as well as pray, that this kingdom may come.

3. The Promise of the Holy Ghost (ver. 5 and 8).-These promises showed the apostles what kind of kingdom Christ wished to be set up, and by what power it was to be done. They showed that Christ's rule was to be mainly over the spirits of men; to get their wills brought into harmony with God's; to get men to know, love, obey, and trust him; to get the whole stream of their thoughts, affections, and desires directed to God, was the object of Christ's sceptre. Now, the Holy Ghost holds the key of man's heart. He can quicken, renew, warm, purify, and elevate it as he will; he can turn it as easily as a key turns a lock, or as steam turns the great bars and wheels of an engine. In the gift of the Holy Spirit ample power was provided for all that needed to be done. The disciples were to wait for this power, to pray for it, so that the Spirit should come in contact with them and with the world; and then the work would be done. It is impossible for us to over-estimate the importance of this lesson, or of the obligation that it lays on us to prize, depend on, and pray for, the Holy Ghost.

4. The Office or Function of the Church (ver. 8.)"Witnesses unto me." The Church's great work is to be a witness to Christ-to testify of him and for him. Of his love, his grace, his spotless excellence, his complete salvation; for his right to be welcomed, trusted, obeyed, exalted, honoured, and adored by all. Where is this testimony to be borne? Everywhere! In Jerusalem, where he had been crucified; in all Judea, that swarmed with his foes and calumniators; in Samaria, that had been steeled for ages against all Jews; and in the uttermost parts of the earth. Wherever there are souls groaning under the curse of the first Adam, there the Church is to proclaim the glorious salvation of the second.

5. The Ascension of Christ (ver. 9).-Jesus went up before their eyes to the seat of highest honour and heavenly power. They were thus impressively reminded, that while working for him, they were associated with infinite might. As long as Jesus is on high, his Church must prosper; the gates of hell cannot prevail against her.

6. Christ's Second Coming (ver. 11).-They were reminded that he had not lost his interest in the Church. "Yet a little while and ye shall not see me, and again, a little while and ye shall see me." I am coming again! Be watchful, be diligent. I shall demand an account of your stewardship. When I come, my reward is with me, and I will not leave the slightest service without its reward.

Observe the name given by the angels to the disciples. "Ye men of Galilee." It was given to repress the longing to be immediately in glory with Christ, which was doubtless working in their hearts. It was not time for that. As yet they had not done their work. Their names were as yet connected only with their native province. They must return to labour on earth. It would only be time for them to be taken up when they had been witnesses for Jesus both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. But there will come a time of glorious re-union!

Who was the writer of the Acts? What other book did he write? Do we know much of his history? Was he a Jew or a Gentile? What was his profession? What else is he said to have been? When did he join l'aul? On what remarkable voyage did he accompany him? When did he probably write this book? Who is the prominent figure in the Gospels? And in the Acts? What sort of appearance does the Church present here? What special work is she engaged in? How may the Church now become like the Church then?

What person of the Godhead is very often mentioned in this chapter? How often? Where? What does this teach us? In what condition of the Church, and of individual Christians, is the Holy Spirit most esteemed?

What is the

What are the six things referred to in these verses, that prepared the Church for her work. What is the first? (ver. 3). What does the word "* passion mean here? [Suffering.] Of what is the resurrection of Jesus a convincing proof? second? (ver. 3). What error did they fall into about the kingdom? (ver. 6). What is the nature of Christ's kingdom? What is the third thing? (ver. 5-8). Wherein does the Holy Spirit exert his powers? What great duty does this teach us? What is the fourth thing? (ver. 8). What is the Church to testify of Christ? And what for him? And where? What is the fifth thing? (ver. 9). How is this fitted to encourage the Church? And what is the sixth thing? (ver. 11). What great duty did Christ himself impress on his Church in connection with this? (See Matt. xxiv., xxv.)

How did the angels address the apostles? What was implied in this? Would it be right in the Christian to be so desirous of being with Christ as not to care for his work in this world? What was Paul's feeling regarding this? (Phil. i. 23, 24). Read the account which he gives of the Christian's spirit and expectations (Phil. iv. 17-21). Find some texts setting forth the second coming of the Lord.

CHILDREN'S TREASURY.

A THREEFOLD CORD. No. II.

Precept.-Now God commandeth all men everywhere to repent. Acts xvii. 30.

Promise. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isa. i. 18.

Prayer. God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke xviii. 13.

We are all commanded to repent, for we are all sinners before God. He tells us that "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. iii. 10). The sins of children are different from those of older persons, but they also are sinners and need a Saviour. And if we do not feel that we need Jesus we will not go to him for salvation. Let us pray to our Father in heaven to give us more true sorrow for sin, and then we shall have more love to Christ, and joy in hearing the "glad tidings " of his great love for us.

Let us each often say with the publican, "God be merciful to me a sinner." How short and simple that prayer seems; yet when we offer it in the name of Jesus, we may be sure our God will hear, and answer, and bless us.

TITLES AND OFFICES OF "THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. No. II.

"They shall call his name Emmanuel; which, being interpretated, is, God with us."-MATT. i. 23.

THIS is one of the most glorious names of our Lord. It was given to him by the prophet Isaiah (Isa. vii. 14), and in Matthew we have the meaning along with it-God with us. Not God in heaven, so great, so glorious, that our poor weak minds and hearts fail and are overwhelmed when we try to think of what he is; but God with us, or, as the Apostle Paul says, "God manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim. iii. 16), appearing as one of ourselves. How wonderful, how comforting!

And how did the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, become Emmanuel? You have all read or heard that already. dear children. By being born into our world as a little child, and so living and dying as a man, to obey the law of his Father, which sinners had broken, and bear the punishment which they had deserved to bear for ever. We may well say with Paul, Great is the mystery," so great and wonderful that we dared not have imagined it, or believed it, if God had not told us so in his own word. But now we may rejoice and give thanks when we think of what a Saviour we have in our Emmanuel, God and man together, able and willing to save all who put their trust in him.

And though we do not see him now, as his disciples did, we know that he is still "God with us,' a Shepherd, and Friend, and Guide, and Guard, to all his believing people, always ready to hear them and to help them. He is ready to be your friend now. He will not despise the youngest or weakest who come to him. He will welcome you and bless you, as he did the little children who were brought to him when he was upon earth. "I love them," he says, "who love me, and they who seek me early shall find me."

Prayer. O blessed Saviour, how can we thank thee enough for thy great and wondrous love, in leaving thy glory in heaven to become our Emmanuel, God with us? We thank and praise thee, heavenly Father, for having so loved the world as to send thy Son to save us. Oh, do thou send thy Holy Spirit now into our hearts, to give us true faith in Jesus. Let us never forget that he is still with us, seeing and hearing all we do or say. Make us know him as our dear Saviour and Friend. Give us true repentance. Forgive all our sins, and hear our prayers, for his sake. Amen.

Why, sometimes it is so rough and hard, it seems as if I couldn't walk in it. Yesterday, Abby Wallace was vexed, because I wouldn't tell in the class, and told Miss Alice a falsehood about me. I couldn't help feeling angry about it, and so wouldn't speak to her all day."

"Was that the plain path, Nettie?"

"No, and I knew it wasn't all the time. But it seemed very hard to treat her kindly when she had been so unkind to me."

"Did you forget, my sister, how much your Saviour has done for you, a poor sinful child-forgiven you, as you hope, and made you one of his flock, all through his own blood?"

"No," said Nettie, tearfully, "I hope I never shall forget that. I could not be his child, if I did."

"But when he has forgiven you so much, and done so much for you, even before you asked, can you not treat kindly a poor little girl like Abby, who has had so little instruction, even though she has wronged you?"

"I did do very wrong," said Nettie, "and I mean in future to ask God, not only to show me a plain path, but to help me to walk in it too."

Monday came, and Nettie did not forget to pray for strength to walk in the plain path.

Oh, how cold it was that morning, as Nettie lightly tripped to school, in her warm clothing and over-shoes. The snow was nothing to her, and that happy face, peeping out from her blue hood, bid defiance to Jack Frost.

But there was another, not quite so happy, going in the same direction. No nice over-shoes or warm mittens to make her comfortable, only an old worn hood and shawl.

"Why, Abby, how cold you look!" said Nettie, as they met at the school-room door. "Let me warm your hands for you." And, so throwing down her satchel, she took the chilled hands between her own, and held and rubbed them till they were quite warm again.