take the most effectual means for an eventual deliverance from their present trial. The daily work and daily experience of the Christian life, will ere long of themselves sweep away many a difficulty which defies the learning and ingenuity of the schools; The progress of Christian experience will not only diminish the number of our difficulties, but will increase our tolerance for those that remain; and in the spirit of the blind man restored to sight, who said in reply to the scribes and Pharisees, Whether Christ be a sinner or no, I know not; one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see,"-we, looking back on what we ourselves have tasted and seen of the goodness of the Lord, will be enabled, if not to explain, at least to disregard, whatever seems to present difficulties in the way of our perfect faith in Christ, saying that we are "not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ," for we have ourselves found it, in our own cases, to be "the power of God unto salvation." And what more would we have?-The Increase of Faith. Blackwood & Sons. Pp. 152-4.

CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION. I OFTEN Wonder why it is that Christians do not converse more with each other and with the unconverted about religion. It would seem that some very worthy church members consider the things of this life of more importance than those that pertain to a future state of being, if we may judge from their conversation. They attend the weekly class and prayer meetings, always taking an active part, and seeming to be all alive to the cause, and then go away feeling that they have discharged their whole duty; and the subject of religion is not again mentioned by them until the next weekly meeting. Now, is this right? It seems to me entirely wrong.

I believe that if Christians were more in earnest, more ready to converse on religious subjects, there might be an immense amount of good done in the world. I once knew a lady who started well in religion, and gave promise of becoming a bright and shining light in the church. But

after a few months, her ardour abated; she became less warmly attached to the social means of grace; her place was often vacant in the class-room, and she was numbered with that class of which there are many in our churches, lukewarm professors.

She was my friend, and I could not bear that she should become lost to the church, when there was so much need that every one should stand firmly at his post. I asked her, one day, what had happened, that her harp was no longer tuned to the songs of Zion. Said she, 66 I can hardly tell what is the matter. I know I am not as I once was, but the change has been so gradual that I have hardly realised it. Sometimes of late I have almost doubted whether religion is all I have supposed it to be; whether it is really the one thing needful.' I am young, inexperienced, and, of course, look up to those who have been long in the way, and feel quite safe to follow in their footsteps. But when I meet them day after day, and never hear them talk of those things that they profess to consider of the highest importance, I am led to think that either they are not sincere, or else there is no need of making much ado about religion."

PRESENCE OF GOD. THE habitual conviction of the presence of God is the only remedy in temptations; it supports, it consoles, it calms us. We must not be surprised that we are tempted. We are placed here to be proved by temptations. Everything is temptation to us. Crosses irritate our pride, and prosperity flatters it: our life is a continual warfare, but Jesus Christ combats with us. We must let temptations, like a tempest, beat upon our hearts, and still move on; like a traveller surprised on the way by a storm, who wraps his cloak about him and goes on his journey in spite of the opposing elements. In a certain sense, there is little to do in doing the will of God. Still, it is true that it is a great work, because it must be without any reserve. This spirit enters the secret foldings of our hearts, and even the most upright affections, and the most necessary attachments

self to the care of God. He rode slowly along, attired in his black robe. Thus he pursued his way through the gloomy woods of Poland, which scarcely a sunbeam could pierce; but there was a light in his soul, for God's Holy Spirit irradiated it.

One evening, as he thus journeyed along, holding communion with God, on reaching an opening in the thick forest, a trampling noise was heard, and he was instantly surrounded by figures, some on horseback and some on foot. Knives and swords glittered in the moonlight, and the pious man saw that he was at the mercy of a band of robbers. He alighted from his horse, and offered his property to the gang.

He gave them a purse filled with silver coins, unclasped the gold chain from his neck, took the gold lace from his cap, drew a ring from his finger, and took from his pocket his book of prayer, which was clasped with silver. Not till he had yielded all he possessed, and seen his horse led away, did Mr. Kant intercede for his life.

66

Have you given us all?" cried the robber chief, threateningly. "Have you no more money?"

In his alarm, the trembling doctor answered that he had given them every coin in his possession; and, on receiving this assurance, he was allowed to proceed on his journey.

He hastened onward, rejoicing at his escape, when suddenly his hand felt something hard in the hem of his robe. It was his gold, which, having been stitched within the lining of his dress, had thus escaped discovery. The good man, in his alarm, had forgotten this secret store. His heart, therefore, again beat with joy, for the money would bear him home to his friends and kindred, and he saw rest and shelter in prospect, instead of a long and painful wandering, with the necessity of begging his way. But his conscience was a tender one, and he stopped to listen to its voice. It cried, in disturbing tones, "Tell not a lie! Tell not a lie!" These words burned in his heart. Joy, kindred, and home were forgotten. Mr. Kant did not stop to reason. He retraced his steps, and entering into the midst of the robbers, said, meekly, "I have

told you what is not true; but it was unintentionally; fear and anxiety confused me; therefore, pardon me.' With these words, he held forth the gold; but, to his surprise, not one of the robbers would take it. A strange feeling was at work in their hearts. They could not laugh at the pious man. "Thou shalt not steal," said a voice within them. All were deeply moved. Then, as if seized by a sudden impulse, one went and brought him back his purse, another restored the book of prayer, while still another led his horse towards him, and helped him to remount it. They then unitedly entreated his blessing; and, solemnly giving it, the good man continued his way, lifting up his heart in gratitude to God, who brought him in safety to the end of his journey.— Abd. from the British Workman.

FAITH INCREASED BY OBEDIENCE. It is not impossible for a man who sees difficulties in Scripture which tend to interfere with his faith, yet practically to believe in and submit himself to Christ. He can believe and obey the Gospel to the extent of his present light and convictions. Nor is this only possible; it is such a man's unquestionable duty. He has no right to remain at a distance from the Saviour, as far as the Saviour is known to him, or to disobey the truth, as far as he knows it, merely because he does not know the whole. His duty is to act up to his present light at once; waiting for more light, but waiting not from without, but from within the church. But still further, it is not only possible, and also obligatory,-a bounden duty-to obey the Gospel even in the midst of darkness, but this is the surest means of reaching the light. those who find in Scripture "things hard to be understood," persevere notwithstanding in living up to the light which they have received, and giving practical effect to the convictions which they have attained to, dim and imperfect though these convictions and that light may be; and in so doing they will not only fulfil what is their undoubted though difficult duty in such circumstances, but they will

Let

SHILLOOK COUNTRY AND VILLAGES, CENTRAL AFRICA. VERILY it is a pleasant voyage (ascending the Nile); disgusting naked savages, everlasting marshes teeming with mosquitoes, and the

entire country devoid of anything of either common interest or beauty. Course west the whole day; saw giraffes and one ostrich on the east bank. On the west bank there is a regular line of villages throughout the day's voyage within half a mile of each other; the country very thickly populated. The huts are of mud, thatched, having a very small entrance; they resemble button mushrooms. The Shillooks are wealthy, immense herds of cattle swarm throughout their country. The natives navigate the river in two kinds of canoes-one of which is a curious combination of raft and canoe, formed of the ambatch wood, which is so light, that the whole affair is portable. The ambatch (Anemone mirabilis), is seldom larger than a man's waist, and as it tapers naturally to a point, the canoe rafts are quickly formed by lathing the branches parallel to each other, and tying the narrow ends, together.-Baker's Explorations, vol. i. p. 45.

LIFE.

LIFE is beautifully compared to a fountain fed by a thousand streams, that perish if one be dried. It is a silver cord twisted with a thousand strings, that part asunder if one be broken. Frail and thoughtless mortals are surrounded by innumerable dangers, which make it much more strange that they escape so long, than that they almost all perish suddenly at last. We are encompassed with accidents every day to crush the mouldering tenements we inhabit. The seeds of disease are planted in our constitution by nature. The earth and atmosphere whence we draw the breath of life are impregnated with death; the food that nourishes it contains the elements of decay; the soul that animates it, by vivifying first, tends to wear it out by its own action. Death lurks in ambush along the path. Notwithstanding this is the truth so palpably confirmed by the daily examples before our eyes, how little do

we lay it to heart! We see our friends and neighbours die among us! but how seldom does it occur to our thoughts that our knell shall perhaps give the next fruitless warning to the world!

CHEERFUL PEOPLE.

God bless the cheerful person!-man, woman, or child, old or young, illiterate or educated, handsome or homely. Over and above every other social trait stands cheerfulness. What the sun is to nature-what God is to the stricken heart which knows how to lean upon Him, are cheerful persons in the house and by the wayside. They go unobtrusively, unconsciously, about their silent mission, brightening up society around them with the happiness beaming from their faces. We love to sit near them; we love the glance of their eye, the tone of their voice. Little children find them out, O! so quickly, amid the densest crowd, and, passing by the knotted brow and compressed lip, glide near, and, laying a confiding little hand on their knee, lift their clear young eyes to those loving faces.

PEOPLE WE DO NOT LIKE. THERE are people whom we do not like, though we may have known them long, and have no fault to find with them, except that their appearance is so much against them: That is not all, if we could find it out. There is, generally, a reason for this prejudice, for nature is true to itself. They may be very good sort of people, too, in their way, but still something is the matter. There is a coldness, a selfishness, a levity, an insincerity, which we cannot fix upon any particular phrase or action, but we see it in their whole persons and deportments. One reason that we do not see it in any other way may be, that they are all the time trying to conceal this defect by every means in their power.

MRS. FRY'S ADVICE TO HER SONS. BE not double-minded in any degree, but faithfully maintain, not only the upright principle on religious grounds, but also the brightest honour, according even to the maxims of the

world. I mourn to say I have seen the want of this bright honour;-and my belief is, that it cannot be too strictly maintained, or too early begun; I like to see it in small things, and in great; for it marks the upright man. I may say that I abhor any thing like being under-handed or double-dealing; but let us go on the right and noble principle, of doing unto others as we would have others do to us; therefore in all transactions, small or great, maintain strictly the correct, upright, and most honourable practice.-Memoir of Elizabeth Fry.

BUSINESS A MEANS OF GRACE. INSTEAD of business becoming a feeder to covetousness under the promptings of nature, it must become a stimulus to benevolence under the promptings of grace. Dr. Hawes, in his biography of Normand Smith, a merchant in his congregation, says he never grew in grace more rapidly, or shone brighter as a Christian, than during the last six or seven years of his life, when he had the greatest amount of business on his hands. From the time when he devoted all to God, and resolved to pursue his business as a part of his religion, he found no tendency in his worldly engagements to chill his piety or enchain his affections to earth. His business became to him a means of grace, and helped him forward in the divine life, just as truly as the reading the Scriptures and prayer.American Paper.

"EAT YOUR BROWN BREAD FIRST." Ir is a plain but faithful saying, "Eat your brown bread first; nor is there a better rule for a young man's outset in the world. While you continue single, you may live within as narrow limits as you please; and it is then you must begin to save, in order to be provided for the more enlarged expenses of your future family. Besides, a plain, frugal life is then supported most cheerfully; it is your own choice, and it is to be justified on the best and most honest principles in the world, and you have nobody's pride to struggle with, or appetites to master, but your own. As you advance in life and success, it will be expected you should give yourself greater in

dulgence; and you may then be allowed to do it both reasonably and safely.

HASTE IS NOT WISDOM.-Hasty conclusions are the mark of a fool: a wise man doubteth-a fool rageth and is confident; the novice saith, “I am sure it is so;" the learned answers, "Peradventure it may be so, but I prithee inquire." It is a little learning, and but a little, which makes men conclude hastily. Experience and humility teach modesty and fear.

Poetry.

BABY IS KING.

A ROSE-CURTAINED cradle, where, nestled within

Soft cambric and flannel, lie pounds seventeen,

Is the throne of a tyrant-that pink little thing

Is an autocrat august, for Baby is King. Good, solemn grandfather dares hardly to speak

Or walk, lest the sleeper should hear his boots creak,

Grandma is a martyr, in habits and cap, Which the monarch unsettles, as well as her nap.

Papa, wise and mighty, just home from the House,

Grows meek on the threshold, and moves like

Then, failing to conquer, with passionate cry, He quivers his lips, keeps a tear in his eye; And so wins the battle, this wise little thing, He knows the world over that Baby is King.

ERATO.

Phenomena of the Months.

MAY.

THE increase of temperature during this month is, on the average of fifty years, greater than that of any of the spring and summer months. March and April have each an increase of five degrees; May, seven degrees; June, only four; July, only a variation of two. There is thus a certain average increase of heat during the year, up to the middle of July. In May the average rises from 50 degrees on the 1st, to 56 and 57 degrees on the last two days; there being nine days at 51 degrees; seven days at 52 degrees; two at 52; three at 54; four at 55; four at 56; and one at 57 degrees. There was less rain in May last year by four-fifths of an inch than the average of the previous seven years.

Daylight increases during the month one hour and twenty-five minutes, that is, forty-three minutes in the morning, and forty-two minutes in the evening. The sun rises on the 1st at thirty-five minutes after four, and sets at nineteen minutes after seven; on the 15th it rises at twelve minutes after four, and sets at nineteen minutes before eight; and on the 31st it rises at eight minutes before four, and sets at one minute past eight.

The moon is new on the 11th at seven minutes after four in the afternoon, and full on the 25th at twentythree minutes after three in the afternoon. On the first Sunday it does not rise until after midnight; on the second Sunday it sets at five in the afternoon; on the third Sunday it sets a little after midnight; on the fourth Sunday it rises at ten minutes after five in the afternoon, and sets at a quarter past three in the morning; and on the fifth Sunday it does not rise until midnight.

The moon is near to Jupiter on the 10th; to Venus on the 11th; to Mercury on the 12th; to Uranus on the 15th; to Regulus and Mars on the 18th; and to Saturn on the 26th.

The spectacle of the moon passing Mars and Regulus on the 18th from 9.45 to 10.45 in the evening will be exceedingly interesting. Regulus will be occulted for a few minutes after ten o'clock.

Mercury rises in daylight, and is an evening star, On the 26th it sets two hours and nine minutes after the sun-the greatest interval between their times of setting that occurs during the present year. Mercury may be favourably observed on fine evenings between the 19th and 31st.

Venus becomes an evening star after the 11th, and sets thirty-three minutes after the sun on the 31st.

Mars continues to set after midnight, and is near to Regulus all the month.

Jupiter is a morning star, and sets in daylight.

Saturn rises a few minutes after ten o'clock in the evening of the 1st, and as the sun sets on the 31st.

Passing Events.

THE great event of the month, politically, and perhaps religiously, has taken place. This country, by its representatives, has declared, by a majority of 120, that the Irish Church shall be disendowed and disestablished. There is the fact. What obstructions the bill may meet with in committee remains to be seen. What may be its fate in the House of Lords cannot be predicted with any certainty. The Christian, however, can afford to wait, with the assurance that "The Lord reigneth."

Though much less in importance, yet the Chancellor's budget shows a breadth of view which we cannot but regard with pleasure. Any thing done which may teach the working man to exercise prudent forethought would remove half the misery which now he suffers. Heretofore, if a man wished to insure his furniture and effects against the risk of fire, he was met with a government duty heavier than the expense of the risk. Mr. Lowe proposes the remission of this duty altogether, and we thank him for it. We hope that our fellow working men will insure their property without any unnecessary delay.