Saviour were eclipsed by the sympathetic sorrows of the pierced heart of Mary, the consolations of the Comforter seemed cold beside the pity of Mary, consolation of the afflicted! Thus the relations of the three persons of the Godhead towards man were transferred to her. Mary was the mother, the saving intercessor, the true comforter; and, in proportion as the belief gained ground, the worship of the Trinity itself tended towards becoming merely another idolatry of three distant and divine beings, who had no distinct and near relationship to man, or had, at least, practically very little to do with him, but reigned on high thrones far up in heaven, to be worshipped on Sundays and certain holidays, whilst Mary received the first lisping prayer of the child, the morning and evening hymn, the cry of the distressed, and the thanksgiving of the rescued. * * * The deepest depth of this Mariolatry seems to be reached, when psalms and hymns written in honour of God are actually transferred to Mary. This was, unhappily, done with some of the psalms, and, in more than one version, with the "Te Deum." Yet, melancholy as the profanity of this composition is, these isolated extravagances are of little moment compared with the blasphemy against the love of God involved in the whole worship of Mary; for what was it, or, indeed, the whole system of a propitiatory human priesthood which grew up beside it, but a return to the old, bitter blasphemy of Eden, that God is reluctant to bestow blessings on his creatures?—a blasphemy which even the cross failed to silence! This falsehood, rooted so deeply in the fallen nature of man, gathering strength from the heritage of sin to which it led, darkens many even of the best of the medieval hymns. The cross itself was shadowed by it, and seems to have been regarded too much as a costly purchase of a liberation from a severe Judge, rather than as the costly sacrifice made by the Father to save his perishing creatures. Thus the bodily torture of Calvary was dwelt on, rather than its redeeming love. Few, indeed, of these hymns rise to the full height of the gospel, and gaze with childlike confidence on the Father as the cheerful giver of all good gifts, the infinitely loving giver of the unspeakable gift; few fathom the depths of the parable of the prodigal son. Yet, although few of them rise to the conscious liberty of the redeemed, many soar unconsciously into the pure element of joy, only by gazing on the face of Jesus; and many more fly with a trembling hope from the judgment throne to the cross, taking refuge from the Judge with himself-safe, indeed, there! And how blessed to wake and find such a look on that face as the sinful woman who bathed his feet saw there, when he said, "Go in peace!" or the Magdalene at the sepulchre; or Peter in that untold interview after the resurrection, when none were present but himself and the Lord he had denied, yet loved deeply as that Lord only knew! With the apprehension of the love of God was lost the sense of his justice. Instead of the confident and most blessed assurance that God has provided a ransom for | | us, that his irrevocable law is satisfied, and his whole heart set on blessing man, crept in the faint hope that his justice might one day yield a little to his mercy, and that so a few might struggle into heaven. It was precisely at this point that the mediation of Mary was presented, and was clung to with desperate tenacity. Of her motherly tenderness, it was thought, there could be no doubt, whatever might be entertained of the love of the Father or the grace of the Saviour. Thus, in many instances, the enemy's point was gained. Again fallen Adam fled from God, and, shrinking away too far to catch even an echo of the promises which pursued him, heard only the thunders of the law saw only the flaming sword, and, fleeing further and further into the darkness, took refuge in a woman's pity, or, rather, in a shadowy vision of the night. For all the while, was not, and is not, her happy spirit in paradise with those of all the forgiven "spirits of the just made perfect,” learning ever more and more of that tender, and life-giving love which the "exiled sons of Eve" were flying from, not to her peaceful spirit, but to her empty name! This superstition grew indeed but slowly to its full height. Century after century added some stones to that altar; and it was not until the latest ages that the form, once known only as the joyful mother with the infant Saviour in her arms, or the mournful mother weeping by the cross, was altogether dissociated from him, and stood alone, as we now see it on the façade of Italian churches, a crowned queen, with her hands outstretched to bless, concentrating on her person all the glory of the Trinity above, and all the adoration of humanity below. Would, indeed, that this were only the picture of an obsolete religion, that these Marian hymns were only fossil specimens of an extinct idolatry ! Luther struck at the root of this and all other superstitions, when he proclaimed that God is revealed to us in the Bible, not as an exactor of vengeance, but as a Saviour and a forgiver of sins. And in proportion as we keep a firm grasp on this truth-which Luther said it is so easy to preach and so hard to hold, when th enemy assails the soul with his old lie-shall we be kept from all gloomy parodies of the true religion, and enabled to walk in light and liberty. The only true message from heaven is a gospel, the only safe way is the way of peace. Nothing but the full conviction of this free love of God, giving "his Son," "himself," for us, will ever make us faithful servants, contented sufferers, and cheerful givers. Nothing but this is the antidote to selfishness, and the secret of a life of communion with God. Nothing but this will make our prayers and praises what the services of the temple where the Son of God is the high priest should be; no longer the agonizing cry of doubt, or solitary "spiritual exercises," or the complacent self-congratulations of the Fharisee, but the submissive asking from a Father of blessings he delights to give, the joyful lifting up of hearts, whose praises, offered in Him who is their source and theme, are fragrant incense in heaven. MISS PRIMROSE; OR, THE NEW CHAPTER. THE snow drifted, or rather whirled, so densely round the carriage which conveyed Miss Primrose to the Grove, that she tried in vain to form some idea of the beautiful region she was passing through. At last the horses stopped before a small public-house, and she could see that they had come to a fishing-village, which, in spite of its sheltering hills, and the deep blue sea that washed the pebbly shores of the bay, and the pure snow that now covered its cottages, contrived to have a squalid and miserable appearance. In another half hour they were ascending the steep avenue of the Grove. Mrs. Bentley, having been suddenly called abroad by the illness of her husband, had invited Miss Primrose to come and take charge of the Grove and her children during the year that she was likely to be from home, and, with a willing, loving heart, she had accepted the charge. When she arrived that November evening, she found tea prepared for her, and the three children still at play in the drawing-room. Anna and Tommy were twins of ten years old, but the plump, little Fanny was only six. They scarcely seemed to hear the kind words of their new friend, and, one by one, slipped away into an anteroom, leaving the door ajar. At first their little voices did not rise above a whisper. At last Tommy said quite loud out, "I shall never call her anything but Miss Prim!" at which his sisters laughed merrily. 66 How ugly she is!" remarked Anna. | "I hear," she said, "that Widow Blake's grandchild has met with a severe accident, and I am going to see if I can be of any use." "I wonder you can go to that wretched place!" said Anna; "why not send Jane?" "It is better to go myself," said Miss Primrose; SO now be good children until my return." When she returned, many eager questions were asked about the accident; and when she simply described the distress of the poor people, and the patience of the little girl, Tommy said, "Why, this is as good as a story!" and Fanny said, "I will send her my doll!" so she rejoiced to see that her lessons of love had not been quite in vain. "How terribly dark the road must have been!" said Anna. "Were you not very glad when you saw the lamp at the lodge, Miss Primrose ?" Indeed, I was," she replied; then added, "Shall I tell you what I thought when I saw the great lamp?" "Yes, do," said all the children. "I thought," she said, "what a long way this lamp lighted up that dark road; how I wish there were three little lamps of love' shining in the Grove to brighten such dark homes as those I have been visiting!" "You mean us," said Anna; "but I think we are all affectionate to one another, and I do not see what we have to do with the homes of the poor." "Would the sun, and moon, and stars do as much good if they hung low down near the earth?" asked Miss Primrose. "No," said Tommy. "If a light is high up it is seen "All old people are," said Tommy; " and you will be further off." so too, Miss Anna, when you are old." "Yes," she said; "and rich people, even little chil "How can you be so rude?" retorted his sister; "she | dren, are set by God in high places, and are meant to must always have been a fright." lighten the darker homes of earth by their words and deeds of loving sympathy." "I will love her," said Fanny, in a sturdy voice, and Miss Primrose blessed the little one for the kind words of welcome. We do not know that Tommy ever once carried his threat into execution; and it is certain that, before many days were over, he and Anna warmly returred the love which Miss Primrose had brought all ready in her heart for them. 99.66 99.66 99 66 The day following this conversation Anna and Tommy were walking along the road to meet Miss Primrose, when they saw a very poorly-clad boy gathering sticks. Tommy thought this a good opportunity of following up some resolution he had made the night before; so he tossed a shilling to the boy, saying, in a patronising tone, "There is something for you, little boy!" The boy slowly rose and picked up the shilling, then rolling up a mass of snow, he stood for a moment as if he meant to throw it at Tommy's retreating figure, but his better nature prevailed, and he turned again to his bundle of sticks. When the children met Miss Primrose, it began to snow heavily, so that they sought shelter in a farmhouse near at hand. As Mrs. Bertram led them past the kitchen to her parlour, they saw a blind man sitting at the fireside. Yet there were many things that grieved her about these dear children. Pride had got a most unlovely possession of Anna's young heart, and when Tommy got into a passion, every good feeling seemed to leave him ; and although not selfish in their behaviour to one another, she saw with sorrow that they had not a thought beyond our parents," our friends," our house," our garden," &c. &c. The villagers, so near them, were quite overlooked; and when she first spoke to them of " affection to the poor," the idea seemed only to amuse them. One evening shortly after her arrival, she told the children that she must leave them for some hours, and begged they would learn their lessons quietly during her absence. Miss Primrose begged that they might not interrupt "Where are you going, Miss Primrose ?" asked Anna. the farm work, so they were soon left alone. Presently "That is an old harper," she said, "who is resting here a couple of nights. His boy is out getting sticks for me." they heard the house door open, and something thrown down. "Is that thee, Philip?" asked the old man. “Ay, daddy, and precious cold I be," answered a younger voice. "But what's this? Where did thee get a whole shilling, boy?" O father, father," said the boy, "didn't I love you to pick up that there shilling that a young master threw at me, as though it be'd a bone to a dog? I'd have died before I took'd it for myself, that I would. O father, father, it's very hard to be poor!" "Never fear, Phil, my own lad," said the old man soothingly; "doesn't thee remember it is the good God makes the rich and the poor, and isn't it better to be a poor and honest lad like my Philip than a rich boy with a hard heart?" Their conversation was here interrupted, and Miss Primrose, who had watched the angry, flushed countenances of Tommy and Anna, was at no loss to guess the meaning of it all. As they walked home almost in silence, she heard Tommy muttering to his sister, "That is all the thanks one gets for being kind to the poor!" "Tommy, my dear child," she said, "don't speak that way. It was right and kind of you to give your shilling to the boy, but you have learned a useful lesson to-day, and the next time that you offer help you will manage better." Tommy really seemed to improve for a short while after this walk; but, alas! the year ended badly with him after all. Early on the morning of the 31st of December, Miss Primrose was startled by a loud, angry voice, and the quick, sharp, whining of a dog. Hastening down stairs, she found Tommy in a storm of passion, and beating his little dog Barker most cruelly. Her voice arrested his arm in a moment, while Barker slunk limping away. "Tom! Tom!" she said, "are you not ashamed of yourself? How could you be so cruel? "Don't call me cruel," said Tommy passionately. "You know I'm not cruel, but that wicked dog threw down the bottle of ink over the nice long letter I had written to mamma, and I thought I would teach him not to do that again." "And I," said Miss Primrose, "shall see that you do not again treat a poor dumb animal so wickedly ;" and ringing the bell, she desired John to carry Barker back to the gamekeeper from whom Tommy had received him only a few weeks before. Tommy's passionate words and cries had no effect, excepting to make poor Fanny weep for sympathy; and to quiet the gentle child, Miss Primrose promised that whenever Tommy was one whole month without losing his temper, Barker should be sent for again. "A story, dear Miss Primrose, a story," said Anna that last night of the year, as they all gathered round the fire after tea. "Yes, a story-do tell us a story," said Tommy, quite forgetting that he had been in disgrace all day. "I shall tell you a story," said Miss Primrose, "but perhaps you may not like it; and I can only tell you the first part, for the end is not written yet. It is called, 'The True History of the Girl who had Lost her Ornaments, and the Boy who had Dropped his Sceptre.” "What a long name," said Fanny; "what does it mean?" "You shall hear," said Miss Primrose. "Ten years ago," she began, "God sent a twin brother and sister into this world where his large and far-scattered family dwell. They came to a beautiful home, where wood, and hill, and wave rejoiced every beholder; and little children, as they passed, said, 'How happy the children must be who live there!' And so they were, these two fair and much-loved babes; but as they advanced beyond the years of early, unconscious childhood a dimness seemed to come over their joy, for sin had raised the voice of strife and dispeace. These children had wakened up to life, but they knew neither its true meaning nor its true joy. They had not learned the two great commandments-they did not love God with all their heart, neither did they love their neighbour as themselves. Born in a Christian land, they had early heard the blessed story of the Saviour's dying love, but it was no more to them than a too oftrepeated tale, and left no mark upon their lives. "God had given to them this world's wealth, that their little hands might have the joy of giving to their poor brothers and sisters; but they spent it on themselves. God had given them health and strength to work for the poor, but they used it all in play. God had given them rank and power that they might help to raise their little fallen brothers; but they used it all for their own glory. "Thus these children grew up, keeping back the portion of the poor, and gathering no treasures of love for themselves. None blessed them as they passed. "Nor was this all, the very appearance of these children changed as they grew older. The little girl was always followed by two evil attendants,-the one called Pride, and the other Self-love. There is a very beautiful jewel that all children should wear, and which a friendly voice would often beg this little maiden to seek for; but her wicked servants easily persuaded her that this was no proper ornament for her, so she was content to go without it. Dressed out by Pride, Self-love would lead her to a false mirror where the tinselled gewgaws they had given her seemed to sparkle like true diamonds in the sun. thus, in this most unchildlike attire, she would go forth, sometimes to the church, and sometimes to the dwellings of the poor, and people when they saw her said, 'Alas, alas! that poor child has lost her ornaments.' And "As to her brother, he was not in much better condition, for his chosen guides were two deformed brothers called Passion and Self-will. A small kingdom had been entrusted to his care, but he soon tired of trying to govern there and cast his sceptre quite away. Thus, as he ran about, the willing slave of Passion and Self-will, people shook their heads, and said, 'Alas, alas! that poor boy has lost his sceptre.' "Yet there was hope for these children, for a faithful monitor called Conscience still remained to them. How often he told the little girl of the beautiful jewel she needed so much, and how she would know it by its inscription: The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price!' ́ And how often he pointed her little brother to his fallen sceptre, on which was written, He that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city.' "They seldom listened to his voice, but sometimes, when sickness or sorrow visited their home, it was heard, just as the ticking of the clock sounds loudest in the silence of the night; and so their friends still hope that the day will come when this little maiden will arise and seek for her forgotten ornaments, and this dear boy, bursting from the vile fetters of Passion and Self-will, will grasp again the sceptre that is his own." She paused; and when she saw the silent tears that were rolling down Anna's cheeks and Tommy's averted face, she added, "My dear children, this has been a sad story for me to tell, but remember it is but the beginning of a story that shall never end. Whether the history of your earthly lives be long or short, the life that has once begun can never have an end, and must go on, in joy or woe, through all eternity. May the year that begins to-morrow be the beginning of a holier and happier chapter to you both, one which tells that you are turning your eyes from earth to heaven, forsaking sin and serving God." "Wait," was precisely what their Master had prescribed. said he, "for the promise of the Father." "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" (ver. 14). (3.) They showed a most remarkable reverence for the Scrip. tures, as the revealed record of their Master's will. Gathering from the Bible that it was his will that the office of Judas should be filled up (ver, 16, 20), they took steps accordingly; and, after fixing on two that possessed the requisite qualifications, they were most earnest in seeking light from above, to enable them to make the proper choice between them. This was recognising the Lord Jesus as their only Head. It was honouring his word as their great statute-book and directory, and honouring himself as the great Counsellor and Guide of his Church. It is this spirit that should animate the office-bearers of the Christian Church in all their official actings, as well as the members of the Church in their every thought, and word, and deed. The promise of Christ is then fulfilled-" If ye abide in me, and my word abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Let us observe very specially how much they were engaged in prayer (ver. 14). The word "prayer" may denote devotional exercises generally; "supplication" is more specific and emphatic,-it denotes eager entreaty, begging, wrestling, imploring. Prayer was not a formal service, an aimless, pointless exercise. It was the means employed by men who had a point to carry, for carrying that point. What was the object of their so vehement desires? It was "the promise of the Father"-the outpouring of the Spirit the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Without that they could not go one step forward; without that they could not do one stroke of successful work; that was the sole moving power of their machinery; their whole hearts were bent on gaining that. Mark also that all the apostles seem to have taken part in prayer,-earnestness in the cause overcame “We will try,” said Anna. I do not wish to be proud bashfulness, loosed their tongues, and warmed their hearts. and vain any more." "And," said Tommy, "I never mean to be heartless and passionate; but somehow I cannot help it." "You must ask help," said Miss Primrose. "Can my little Fanny not tell us what we must do when we need anything very much?" The women and other adherents swelled, with their earnest feelings, the stream of supplication; it ascended with singular harmony,-" all were with one accord." Earnestness and harmony of feeling give amazing strength to a prayermeeting if even two of us are agreed together as touching anything we shall ask, the promise is, that it shall be given. We must carefully connect these two things with the "Yes," said the child; "I don't forget. Tommy, amazing success the apostles had in their work: the honour we must say, 'For Jesus' sake."" Edinburgh. HOME LESSONS AND BIBLE READINGS. No. III. THE UPPER CHAMBER AT JERUSALEM. Ver. 12-14. Return of Apostles to Jerusalem.-The first thing to be noticed here is-that the spirit of the disciples was that of ready and entire submission in everything to the will of their Master. This appears chiefly from three things: (1.) They all returned to Jerusalem-the place where their bitterest enemies were, and where their lives were in the utmost danger. It would have been much more agreeable to go back to Galilee, but Christ had "commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem" (ver. 4), and not one of them left it. (2.) Their employment at Jerusalem they gave to Christ, bowing in everything to his will; and the honour they gave to the Spirit, depending for everything on his power. The same spirit now as then will be followed by the same results. Ver. 15-22. Peter's address on a successor to Judas.Observe (ver. 15) that the total number of disciples present in Jerusalem was only 120. They were men of humble station, yet princes,-princes of God (Gen. xxxii. 28). They met in an upper chamber; yet at no cabinet of royal ministers, at no congress of princes, was ever such a revolution prepared. Emperors have met, and parcelled out countries and continents according to their imperial will; but the real destinies of mankind-the real interests of the world are ruled far more by the fervent prayers of earnest Christians, than by the lordly dictation of kings. Would that all Christians knew their power and exercised it! How sinfully slow are they to recognise the office which God himself has given them! "I have set watchmen on thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night, ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." It is worthy of our notice that Mary, the mother of Jesus, occupied no special position of glory in the early Church. No incense of flattery was offered to her; no knee bent in prayer; no request made to the "holy mother" to plead with her son for the Church. No doubt she was regarded with peculiar affection and reverence, both on account of her personal holiness and her relation to Jesus; but it was reserved for Antichrist to make her a god-to "hail Mary, lady and mistress of the world, to whom all power has been given in heaven and earth." There is no Popish error more utterly unscriptural than the worship of the Virgin. In Peter's address observe three things. 1. The use made of the Scriptures. From them he showed (a) that the apostasy of Judas was to have been expected (ver. 16); (b) that his place was to be supplied (ver. 20). Probably, in applying these texts to Judas, he went on this ground: the texts refer to Christ's enemies; among them Judas was pre-eminent, therefore they are pre-eminently applicable to him. The whole Book of Acts will show us how constantly in Church matters light should be sought and may be got from the Bible, if we are careful to apply for u. 2. The account of the death of Judas (ver. 18, 19). This, however, should be in a parenthesis. It was not part of Peter s address, but an explanation inserted by the historian Luke. It seems likely, that in attempting to hang himself, Judas fell from a height, and eitner from natural causes, or by God's judgment, "burst asunder." When it is said that he purchased a field, the meaning is, gave occasion to its being purchased. 3. The qualifications of a successor to an apostle. It was necessary that he be one who had been with Jesus from his baptism to his ascension, and who could especially bear witness to his resurrection. It appears also, from what took place afterwards, that he behoved to have a direct call to the office from God. It is plain from these things that the apostles, as such, could have no permanent successors in the Church. Judas was the only apostle who had a successor; and the claims of the Romish pope and his prelates to be successors of Peter and the other apostles, are utterly unscriptural. Paul, who was a real apostle, became one by the direct call of Christ, and had a supernatural vision of the risen and ascended Lord. Ver. 23-26. Election of Matthias.-The mode of appointing an apostle was peculiar, because the office was peculiar. As far as Christian discretion could guide the Church, they humbly but faithfully followed its guidance, looking out those that possessed the essential requisites; but as the direct warrant of God was required for the office, they solemnly and prayerfully appealed to him by lot. This was a common mode of making an appeal to God in Old Testament times, but as we nowhere read of its having been resorted to in electing the ordinary office-bearers of the Church, we may conclude that it was not designed as a precedent to be ordinarily followed. Their prayer was to Jesus. They call him "Lord." They acknowledge his omniscience, especially his knowledge of the heart (see Rev. ii. 18, 23). How important is it to remember this at all times, both as regards ourselves, and those whom we may name to be over us in the Lord! The little army that is to conquer the world is now in full armour and in battle-array. The Lord has but to give the word. Kings of armies shall flee apace. Never did Satan look with such dread on an army as on that little band! Ver. 12-14.-What is to be specially remarked as to the spirit of the apostles? In what ways did their submissiveness appear? What might have made them unwilling to return to Jerusalem ? How did they comply with Christ's command as to employment there? What sort of feeling did they show towards the Scriptures? (see ver. 16 and 20). How did they recognise Christ as the head of the Church? What did they regard the Bible as? Who was their guide and counsellor in Church matters? What is denoted by the word "prayer?" (ver 14). And by "supplication?" In what spirit did they pray? What did they count quite indispensable for their work? Was it only one person that prayed? Who then? What are some of the promises to believing, united prayer? With what exercises at this time are we to connect the great success that afterwards was granted to the apostles? Ver. 15-22.-How many did the Church consist of? Does the strength and glory of a Church consist in numbers, wealth, and station? In what, then? What effect had this prayer-meeting on the destinies of the world? What does this teach as to prayer. meetings? What may we remark as to the position of our Lord's mother? What gross error of the Church of Rome does this reprove and overturn? In Peter's address, what use did he make of the Scriptures? On what ground did he apply Psalm Ixix. and cix. to Judas? How is this account of the death of Judas to be reconciled with that of the Gospels? What were the qualifications of a successor of the apostles? How was Paul qualified for his apostleship? Ver. 23-26.-How did the brethren proceed with the appointment of Judas' successor? Mention some instances of the employment of the lot in the Old Testament. What proofs of Christ's divinity have we here? What should we learn from the heart-searching power so specially claimed for Christ? THE CHILDREN'S TREASURY. A THREEFOLD CORD. No. III. Precept.-Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Acts xvi. 31. Promise. He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John vi. 47. Prayer. Lord increase our faith. Luke xvii. 8. Faith means not only belief but trust, and the faith in Jesus which saves our souls is not only believing that what we read of him in the Bible is true, but putting our trust in him as our own Saviour. Many believe in him with the understanding, but not with the heart; and an old Christian as well as a little child has always much need to pray like the disciples, Lord, increase my faith. Jesus is able and willing to do this for you, and for all who ask him. TITLES AND OFFICES OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. No. III. "And thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins."-Matt. i. 21. THE name Jesus means a Saviour or deliverer. It is the same name as Joshua had who brought the children of Israel into Canaan. And of him and others whom God raised up to deliver them, Nehemiah says: "According to thy manifold |