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shouting "Victory, victory, through the blood of the Lamb!" Then faith is exchanged for sight!-prayer for ceaseless triumph !-the goal is gained! -the crown is won! the palm of victory is seized !-the eternal diadem is put on! May my highly-esteemed friend, the owner of this book, thus triumph in death, and be crowned with "glory everlasting." Amen.. H. Botterell.

Who can possibly tell the adoring joy of angels, when they stand and worship before the throne of God? It is manifested in their constant exclamations of "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts!" it is shown in their willing obedience to the Divine will; it is seen in their constant imitation of the Divine character. But it is to be measured by the motives that induce it; and those motives are, creation, preservation, and a bestowment of bliss. We cannot fail, then, to believe that the glorified spirits of just men made perfect, with the additional motive of redemption, will in this surpass even the angels. That the purified spirit of the owner of this album may experience all the joys of heaven, is the prayer of Matthew Andrew.

May the owner of this album continue to be a consistent and faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ; and, when death shall remove her from this world, may she find an abundant entrance ministered to her into the everlasting kingdom of Christ our Saviour. -Wm. Illingworth.

SATURDAY BEFORE EASTER.

The hurricane of wrath is passed, and still'd His honour-troubled soul. In the lone tomb He rests in death, seal'd with our sin's own doom.

That arm, ere while with strength almighty

filled

For miracles of grace; the feet, that trod The pavement of the storm-resounding deep, And the imperial countenance of God,Cold, adamantine lie in mortal sleep.

Hush'd be all worlds! The thundering

choirs above

Of cherubim are mute, while deepening fears Benumb the cruel energies of hell,

And suffering nature breathes from their dread spell.

Stern Justice rests; and radiantly, through

tears

Of joy and sympathy, smiles heavenly love. Rest on thou humble One; but, oh! 'tis thine,

To-morrow, to awake in might Divine.
J. W. ETHERIDGE.

ENNOBLING INFLUENCE OF

PRAYER.

Prayer is a conversation with God. By means of it we feel that we are brought into his presence, and we experience the sanctifying influence of a station so near the throne. Every one who is accustomed to have intercourse with the learned, the generous, the holy among men, feels the efficient influence of that intercourse upon his whole character. He becomes through it a different man from that he would otherwise be. But, if such an influence comes from intercourse with men, much more may we expect a greater and a grander from intercourse with God. And such we find, in truth, to be the influence springing from prayer. It takes men off from the lower pursuits of earth. It breaks up the influence springing from that which is mean, and low, and created. It lifts us upward, and directs our spirit heavenward. It associates us with God and the glorious spirits of the just. It draws out the higher spirit of our nature, developing and training that by which we are akin to angels and to God. It dignifies the soul, which spurns the lower for this higher intercourse and communion. We all bear the image of the earthly; but by this employment we vindicate our title to the image of the heavenly. Prayer, by its enlightened power, takes off the apparent value of earth, setting it in its proper place in our estimation and affection. It reveals to us that which has a higher and more lasting worth. Instead of leaving us to dwell satisfied among the beggarly elements of the world, and to drink happiness from its turbid streams, it sets us to dwell before the throne, and feasts us upon the rivers of pleasure which flow at God's right hand for evermore,—not fleshly, not fleeting, not dependent upon anything created, nor affected by any destruction or alternation of material elements; but pure, spiritual, sublime, eternal. Nothing but prayer can have this influence. It is commended, therefore, by its exalted and ennobling efficacy.S. F. Smith.

MYSTERIES OF THE GOSPEL.

The eloquent Saurin beautifully remarks, I freely grant, that, had I consulted my own reason only, I could not have discovered some of the mysteries

of the Gospel. Nevertheless, when I think on the grandeur of God, when I cast my eyes on that vast ocean, when I consider that vast ALL, nothing astonishes me, nothing staggers me, nothing seems to me inadmissible, how incomprehensible soever it may be. When the subject is divine, I am ready to believe all, to admit all, to receive all, provided I be convinced it is God himself who speaks to me, or any one on his part. After this, I am no longer astonished that there are three distinct persons in one Divine essence:

one

God, and yet a Father, a Son, and a Holy Spirit. Either religion must tell us nothing about God, or what it tells us must be beyond our capacities; and, in surveying the borders of this immense ocean, it must needs exhibit a vast extent in which our feeble sight is lost. But what surprises me, what staggers me, what affrights me, is to see a diminutive creature, a contemptible man, a little ray of light glimmering through a few feeble organs, argue a point with the Supreme Being; oppose that Intelligence who sitteth at the helm of the world; question what he affirms; dispute what he determines; appeal from his decisions; and, even after God has given him evidence, reject all doctrines that are above his capacity. Enter into thy nothingness, mortal creature! What madness fills thee! How dost thou dare, thou who art but a point-thou whose essence is but an atom - to

measure thyself with the Supreme Being; with him who fills heaven and earth; with him whom the heaven, even the heaven of heavens, cannot contain ? Canst thou by searching, find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

WISE SAYINGS.

Adams, Thomas.-God does not make 80 great reckoning of this life as we do. He aims at the reformation of the heart; and the severe methods he takes to bring it about, prove the necessity of such a reformation.

Barrow, Isaac.-The Holy Spirit is the sole author and spring of all true delight, of all real content within us, of that "unspeakable joy in believing," that "gaiety of hope," that satisfaction in well-doing.

Calvin, John.-Read Demosthenes or Cicero; read Plato, Aristotle, or any others of that class; I grant that you will be attracted, delighted, moved, and enraptured by them in a surprising manner; but if, after reading them, you turn to the perusal of the Sacred Volume, whether you are willing or unwilling, it will so penetrate your heart, and impress itself so strongly on your mind, that, compared with the energetic influence, the beauties of rhetoricians and philosophers will almost entirely disappear.

Dealtry, Dr.-We shall pass with joy from these Sabbaths on earth to that Sabbath above, in which the voice of praise is never silent, but through all the courts of heaven are heard the strains of unceasing adoration, the everlasting songs and hallelujahs of the blessed!

Erskine, John.-Better to have the Spirit of Christ, without his bodily presence, than to have his bodily presence without the Spirit.

Faber, G. S.-The blessed Spirit is the bestower of every good and every perfect gift, the breath of our spiritual life, and the support of our drooping courage. Through Him we commenced our journey to heaven; and, through Him alone we are enabled to persevere unto the end.

Gerard. The reproach of the Cross is the glory of the Christian; and the rest of the humble soul consists in the

bleeding wounds of a crucified Saviour.

Haldane, J. A.-Nothing allied to unholiness or impurity can enter those blessed mansions which Christ is preparing for his people.

Innes, W.-The most advanced Christian will be found on his death-bed to rest entirely on that which first brought peace to his mind, that Christ died for the ungodly.

Jackson, Miles.-That salvation is at all attainable by man shall be the theme of praise to the Lamb that was slain, and redeemed us to God by his blood, through the ages of eternity.

Keith, Alexander. The Christian sees the rise and fall of earthly potentates and the convulsions of kingdoms testifying of Him who ruleth among the nations, and accrediting his Word.

Lavington, Samuel.-To be sanctified is to be made clean; to have the

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impurity of sin, by which even our minds and consciences are defiled, gradually overcome, and body, soul, and spirit cleansed from their respective pollutions.

Maclaurin, John.-Happy were it for us if our faith had as lively views of the Cross as our imaginations ofttimes have of incomparably less important objects; then would the pale face of our Saviour show more powerful attractions than all the brightest objects in nature besides.

Newnham, W.-When God afflicts, he has far higher designs than simply to exemplify his compassion, his faithfulness, and his power in supporting under trials; he wishes his people to wear more of his image on their hearts, and to have their affections set on heavenly things.

Orme, William.-The workings of unbelief may occasionally darken and bewilder the Christian's mind, and endanger his peace; but the word and the oath of God, confirmed by the sacrifice of his Son, when again contemplated, will restore confidence, and re-invigorate the life of godliness.

Pascal, Blaise.-Jesus Christ is a God to whom we approach without pride, and before whom we are humbled without despair.

Quesnel, Pasquier.-By means of sin, the heart has lost the life of righteousness; the understanding, the light of truth; and the senses, the assistance of the creatures which served as a way to lead us to God. All three are restored to us in Jesus Christ.

Raffles, T-Afflictions are all the appointments of a father and a friend, a God, who has engaged every attribute of his nature to promote the highest interests and everlasting happiness of the creature he afflicts.

Saurin, J.-What surprises me, what stumbles me, what frightens me, is to see a diminutive creature, a contemptible man, a little ray of light glimmering through a few feeble organs, controvert a point with the Supreme Being.

Taylor, Bishop.-God is especially present in the hearts of his people by his Holy Spirit; and, indeed, the hearts of holy men are temples in the truth of things, and in type and shadow they are heaven itself.

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Bible-Classes and Sunday-schools.

ALPHABETICAL LECTURE ON CHARLEMAGNE.

Alcium, a learned Englishman, was the counsellor and friend of Charlemagne.
Arabs in Spain subdued by Charlemagne at Saragossa, in the year 778.

Banquets were rarely given by Charlemagne, who held drunkenness in great horror.
Barrier raised by Charlemagne against any further inroads from the hordes of barbarians.
Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, son of Pepin, A.D. 772, aged 27, sole King of the Franks.
Clovis, born 467, monarch of the Franks, first raised them to an important position.
Daughter of Desiderius espoused and divorced by Charlemagne, by command of the Pope.
Daughters of Charlemagne were employed in holding the distaff and spindle to spin wool.
Death of Charlemagne, Jan. 28, 813, at Aix-la-Chapelle, was peaceful, aged seventy-two.
Dominions of C., when 27, extended over France, and eastward through Germany.
Eginhardt was the secretary, friend, and perhaps the son-in-law, of Charlemagne.
Erection of images in churches, the Virgin, saints, angels,-opposed by Charlemagne.
Foreign costumes held in contempt by Charlemagne, wore plain dress of his country.
Franks or Freemen, were tribes who inhabited the marshes of the lower Rhine.
Governors appointed by C., in various districts, who were willing to swear allegiance to him.
Great was the parental tenderness, which surprised barbarians, of this distinguished warrior.
Height of Charlemagne considerably above 6 feet, and his person a model of manly beauty.
Huns, Avars, Saxons, and Danes exposed to thirty-one expeditions of Charlemagne.
In 30 years, by a series of campaigns, C. subjugated nearly the whole of central Europe.
Intercourse between his own subjects and distant nations sought by Charlemagne.
Interment of C. at the cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle, sitting in a chair of ivory and gold.
Jews protected by Charlemagne, who had privileges consistent with welfare of his state.
Judicious, wise, just, and successful was the general commercial legislation of Charlemagne.
Knowledge of Charlemagne in arithmetic, astronomy, logic and rhetoric very considerable.
Listen did the Emperor, with his children and grandchildren, to the instructions of Alcium.
Lombards attacked by Charlemagne, different times, from A.D. 773 to 801, and conquered.
Ministry of the Gospel required by Charlemagne to be educated; preaching to be plain.
Monks employed by C. to make elegant and faithful copies of the books then possessed.
No mendicants allowed by Charlemagne to beg, but the subjects maintain their own poor.
Nov. 24, 800, Charlemagne at Rome, assembles lords, bishops, archbishops, and abbots.
Ordained by Charlemagne that God may be prayed to, and was heard in every language.
Pen employed by Charlemagne, not in defence of the Papacy, but in opposition to it.
Penal laws rendered more uniform by Charlemagne, and their severity greatly mitigated.
Pope Leo crowned Charlemagne Emperor of Rome, in Peter's Church, Christmas-day, 800.
Quatuor Libri Carolini, a treatise against images, said to have been composed by Charlemagne.
Question whether Charlemagne gave to the Pope extensive estates round Rome disputed.
Reign of Charlemagne over the Franks 47 years, the Lombards 43, Emperor of the West, 14.
Required by Charlemagne that priests should not engage in war, but keep to duties of office.
Rome first entered by Charlemagne, April, 774, when the judges and senators welcome him.
Saxons were at war with Charlemagne for three years, but were at last subdued.
Schools established by Charlemagne for instruction in learning and in the Scriptures.
Seven expeditions of Charlemagne against the Bretons, Aquitani, and Greeks.
Twelve expeditions against the Mohammedans in Spain, Italy, and the Mediterranean.
Two armies led by C. across Pyrenees in 778, and the country north of Ebro conquered.
Unitarian tendencies of the Spanish churches attempted to be repressed by Charlemagne.
Victories of Charlemagne compelled various barbarian tribes to cultivate the arts of peace.
Worship of demons renounced by Saxons, Christianity embraced, when conquered by C.
Youths brought up in the school of the palace by Charlemagne, employed in his service.

OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS.

The first point of obedience is to do nothing which your father or mother forbids, whether it be great or small. Nothing is more plain, than that the prohibition of a parent binds every conscientious child; that is, except the thing prohibited is clearly enjoined of God. Nor indeed is this all the matter may be carried a little farther still. A tender parent may

totally disapprove what he does not care flatly to forbid. What is the duty of a child in this case? How far is that disapprobation to be regarded? Whether it would be equivalent to a prohibition or not, a person who would have a conscience void of offence, should, undoubtedly, keep on the safe side, and avoid perhaps what may be evil.-Wesley.

TWO CHILDREN IN THE SNOW. A few years ago, a peasant in Switzerland left his native village, in winter, for the purpose of making some purchases in the chief towns of the district. He was accompanied by his two sons, one of whom was five years old, and the other younger. Finding that he would be compelled to wait longer than he had expected, he sent the two boys on, that they might reach home before it was night, as it was the month of November, when the heavy falls of snow generally took place. The storm overtook them on their way. The snow fell in great flakes, and the wind blew it in their faces, blinding them and impeding their progress. The tempest howled fitfully through the ravines of the mountains, and the tall pines creaked ominously. The desolation of the whole scene was appalling; and the road at last disappeared beneath its white covering, and their progress became slow and fatiguing. The younger of the two lost courage, and began to sink fast. The elder encouraged him as much as he could, and at last he took him on his shoulders, and thus staggered on a little farther. Had he not come so far, he would have returned to the town; but, believing himself not more than half a league from home, he determined to make a struggle and reach it. At length, unable to go on, he laid his little brother on the snow, and, finding he could not save him, he determined to perish with him. "What are you about, Nicholas" said the little hero; "Go on, and try and get help from the village; and then you will be saved yourself, and maybe save me too." His brother then perceiving a sort of cavern in the rock, on the other side of the road, carried him over, and placed him in it; and, to mark the spot, he placed in the snow beside it a young cherry-tree, which his father had that day purchased in the market, to plant in his garden. He then set forward in quest of assistance. The father, becoming alarmed on seeing the storm, hastened homeward. His anxiety increased as he proceeded, and, judging from the difficulty which he himself experienced in making his way, he shuddered to think of what his children must have been suffering. He kept a close watch on each side of the road as he passed on, fearing lest they might have taken refuge under some tree, and that he might pass without seeing them. At length he reached the cherry-tree which still raised its head above the snow, beside the place in which the child was lying, already buried deeply. He snatched it up with the liveliest joy, feeling confident that they were not far off, and had cast aside the plant that they might walk with greater

ease.

He placed it on his shoulder, and

had gone on a few hundred yards, when the thought struck him that it was a signal of distress, and that they were both lying close at hand. Retracing his steps, he tore away the snow, and there was the child; but cold and insensible. Frantic with grief, he continued to search, still believing that the other could not be far distant. At length, wearied and disconsolate, he took the inanimate body in his arms, and proceeded homewards. He had not reached half way, when he was met by some of his neighbours, carrying the other boy on their shoulders, whom they had brought back, though unable to walk, to point out to them the resting-place of his brother. To describe the meeting and the explanation, would need the pencil of a Wilkie. Their sorrow was, however, soon turned to complete rejoicing, by the restoration of the younger child.

OBLIGATION OF PUPILS.

Never be led away by that foolish vanity of modern times which exclaims exult

a

ingly, "that the child in the nursery is now acquainted with secrets and mysteries of science which were hid from a Bacon, and into which a Newton vainly endeavoured to penetrate." This kind of boasting reminds one of the saying, that " dwarf upon a giant's shoulders can see further than the giant;" but, put the tiny creature on his own legs, and how far will he see then? Many a mere dabbler in the shallows of science talks of the giants and patriarchs of intellect as if these, who have opened to us the great roads and highways of mind upon which we all now journey with ease, were inferior to the lounging travellers who pass along without a thought of the pioneers, who, unguided and alone, hewed their way through the mountain and the wilderness, leaving the print of their labours as an inheritance to future generations.

A FATHER WHO COULD NOT PRAY.

Mr. G― was in easy circumstances of property, and held a respectable station in life. His character for probity and honour was high, and few men have enjoyed more fully the confidence of all. In his domestic relations he was courteous, kind, and dignified; but all his high morality was of this world, and not of the Gospel. Except when visited by the minister of a neighbouring church, or some other pious friend, his house knew not the sound of prayer. Religious conversation was almost as rare; though usually on the Sabbath he would read the Bible or some religious work, the merits of which would call forth a casual remark. At the time to which the history

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