things, which ye seek to know? He that would be my disciple must be born again! Your first birth is into Satan's kingdom, which is the world as it now is in bondage; your second birth is into his kingdom, who has come to destroy Satan's and build up his own. This birth is spiritual.

Upon this Nicodemus rose and said, with a shake of the head :

"I will hear thee again, O Rabbi, of this matter touching the new birth, of which thou speakest."

When Nicodemus left him, Rabbi Amos said, "Is it indeed true, O Master, that thou art to establish a kingdom?"

"Yes, Rabbi Amos, a kingdom in which dwelleth righteousness," answered the Prophet.

“And shall all nations pay us tribute ?” "Thou knowest not what thou sayest, O Rabbi. But the vail shall be removed from thine eyes when thou seest the Son of man lifted up on his throne, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness."

Where will be thy throne, O Messias? Wilt thou expel the Romans from the city of David, and reign there?"

"Thou shalt yet behold me on my throne, O Amos, raised above the earth, and drawing all men unto me."

"Wilt thou have thy throne in the clouds of heaven, O Master, that thou shalt be raised above the earth upon it?" asked Amos.

"My throne shall be set on Mount Calvary, and the ends of the earth shall look unto me, and acknowledge my empire. But thou knowest not these things now; but hereafter thou shalt remember that I told thee of

them."

Jesus then rose, and bidding his host good night, retired to the apartment which was assigned him, and Mary remained wondering at his sayings.

that then, when they see these things fulfilled, they may remember that he told them of them and believe in him; and have confidence that other sayings and prophecies of his, yet further in the future, will come to pass.

As you desire me, dear father, to relate all that Jesus does which I know to be authentic, in order that you may fully judge of his claims to be the Christ, I will record a remarkable instance of his reading the thoughts of our hearts. Yesterday, before he left us, there came to the house one Shimei, a Levite of great influence; and pretending to believe Jesus to be the Christ, and of course a Priest, he asked him if he would come to the Temple and sacrifice that evening.

Jesus answered, and said to him, "The time is come when sacrifices shall cease, for the Lamb of God himself shall be slain once for all. But I know thy wickedness, O Priest. Thou hast seven armed men hid behind the vail of the Temple, who are instructed to rush forth and slay me on the steps of the altar; and it is in thy mind to strike the first blow, for thou fearest that I am come to take away thy altar, and subsistence thereby. Verily, thou shalt fall into the net thou hast laid for my feet!"

Upon this, Shimei rose up in great confusion, and betraying his guilt in his looks, left the presence of the Prophet, and the house. An hour afterwards, as he was sacrificing at the altar, the seven men whom he had hired, being enraged at not receiving their wages, set upon him and slew him before the altar. This circumstance has made a deep impression upon all minds; and while it has increased the confidence of the people in Jesus, it has increased the fears and hatred of the priests.

Who but God alone can know the thoughts of the heart of man, dear father? Jesus, in all that he says, in all that he does, proves that he is omniscient and omnipotent! Whatever he wills to do, he doeth. Never man had power such as dwells in him. This morning, as he was going forth from the house to depart into the country, a man lame from his birth, seated upon the threshold, caught him by his robe, saying, "Master, heal me!"

Thus, dear father, it is made certain from his own words, that Jesus is the Christ; that he is to establish a kingdom; that he will stand on "a throne high and lifted up," as saith the prophet, and all the earth shall acknowledge him. But why his throne should be on Calvary instead of Mount Zion, Rabbi Amos wonders greatly, in conversing with us "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee !" answerto-day; for Calvary is a place of skulls, and ed Jesus, and then passed on; but the Scribes of public executions, and is covered with and Pharisees who stood about, when they Roman crosses, where every week some ma-heard this, cried, "This man, be he prophet lefactor is crucified for his crimes! And yet or no, blasphemeth; for God alone can forit is more mysterious still, his saying that we give sins!" must be born again. But John remarked that there are many things which he says to him and his disciples, which Jesus plainly tells them they cannot yet understand, but will by and by remember; and that he tells them now

Jesus stopped, and turning to them, said:

"Which is easier, to say to this man, who has not walked for twelve years, and whose legs and arms are withered, as you see, 'Thy sins be forgiven thee,' or 'Rise and walk?

VOL. IX.NO. 11.*

If I can bid him rise and walk as aforetime, and he does so before your eyes, is it not proof to you that I have power to forgive his sins also for who could make him to rise and walk but the power of God alone, who also forgiveth men's sins? But that ye may know that the Son of God hath power on earth to forgive sins, behold!"

The Prophet then said in a loud voice to the lame man," Arise, take up thy bed, and go to thine house!"

Immediately the man rose to his feet, leaping and praising God, and taking up the mattress upon which they had brought him to the door, he ran swiftly away to show himself to his kinsfolk, while all the people shouted and praised God!

sistance. My hour is not yet come. They can do me no harm till my hour arrives. Ì am not yet given by my Father into their hands! Take my blessing, and one day thou shalt know to whom thou hast offered the aid of thy troop!"

The Levites and their hired murderers now pressed forward and broke through the cohort to reach Jesus, uttering wild and fearful cries; but Æmilius charging them, routed them, and put several to the sword. He then rode to the side of the Prophet, offering him the best horse in his company. This accommodation Jesus refused, but walked by the Roman soldier, who insisted on escorting him, affably conversing with him, and teaching him wonderful things touching the kingdom. of God.

Æmilius, who informed me of these things, conducted him as far as Ephraim, and then was about to leave him to return to the city, when four lepers came from the cemetery of the tombs, near the village, and crying out afar off, said:

"Thou blessed Christ, have mercy on us!" Jesus stopped, though his disciple Peter would have bidden the lepers to hold their peace, as it was late, and his Master was weary; but Jesus, who never wearies doing good, called to the lepers to approach. As they did so, the whole company of people, as well as the Roman soldiers, drew back to a distance, in horror at the sight of these deadliving men. They came timidly within twenty paces of Jesus, and stood still, tremblingly!

Thus did Jesus publicly show men that he could forgive sins, if he could heal, as the power to do both came equally from God. Does not this prove that he is the Son of God? You should have seen him, dear father, as he left our house, to go away into Galilee. Mary and I fell at his feet and bathed them with our tears. Rabbi Amos, and even Nicodemus, kneeled before him, with many others, asking his blessing; mothers came with their infants, that he might lay his hands on them; and the sick and impotent were placed by their friends in his path, that his shadow in passing by might heal them. Hundreds brought handkerchiefs, amulets, and sprigs of cypress torn from the booths, in order that they might bring them in contact with his garments. The street was lined with all the afflicted of Jerusalem; and as he moved on betwen the rows of wretched sufferers, whose hollow eyes and shrivelled arms were turned imploringly towards him, he healed by words addressed to them, as he moved on, so that where he found disease before him, stretched on beds, he left behind him health and empty couches. We all wept at his departure, and followed him to the Damascus gate. Here When Æmilius saw this miracle, he disthere were assembled a large company of Le-mounted from his horse, and falling at Jesus' vites and Priests, among whom were mingled some of the most desperate characters in Jerusalem. Knowledge of this fact reached Rabbi Amos, who at once sent a message to Emilius, our Roman friend, informing him that he apprehended that there would be an attempt made to assassinate Jesus at the going out of the gate, and asking his aid.

"Fear not," said he, "I will make you whole !"

He then advanced towards them, and laying his hand upon each of them, they all, at the touch, were instantly changed to well men, with the buoyant form, clear eye, and rich bloom of health!

feet, cried, worshiping him:

"Thou art Mercury or Jupiter, O mighty God! Give me wisdom and power from the skies!"

"Rise, young man," answered Jesus, sadly, looking upon him; "thou shalt have wisdom and grace, but not from thy gods; there is but one God, even the Father; worship him and he will reward thee !"

Æmilius said to me that his heart thrilled at these words, with others he had spoken in the way, and he promised me that he would henceforth "cast aside his gods and believe in the God of Israel, and in Jesus, his holy Prophet." "Lo! he pro

Is not this blessed news?

claims," as saith the prophet, "liberty to the sacrifice will cease, the temple fall to ruins, Gentiles." and the faith of Israel depart, if Jesus be Now, my dear father, I have thus far faith-suffered to live and preach, and do these fully written all that I have heard and wit- mighty signs and wonders among the people. nessed respecting Jesus, as you desire. You But all this establishes his claims! Did not must see that he is more than a prophet, and David prophesy of Messias, that when he is the very Christ, the son of the Blessed. should come, "The kings of the earth would Withhold, oh, withhold not, your belief long-set themselves, and the rulers take council toer. Thousands believe in him, love and re-gether against the Lord and against his anointverence him, as Messias. Daily his power ed. But he that sitteth in the heavens shall over the hearts and minds of men is increas- laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." ing. The common people worship the very Thus, dear father, all things more and more dust of his sandals. The Priests believe and go to prove Jesus of Nazareth to be the tremble; but, like Herod, when he was an in-Christ of God. fant in Bethlehem, would destroy him, lest he should supplant them. They say the daily

Your daughter,

ADINA.

THE MINNESOTA MISSION.

"Think on th' eternal home

The Saviour left for you;

Think on the Lord most holy, come

To dwell with bearts untrue.

So shall ye tread untired His pastoral ways,

And in the darkness sing your carol of high praise."

Christian Year.

T is the evening of Christ- drawn from this holy season. Having blessmas Day, that blessed festi-ed God for all the privileges and hopes of this val which brings to us the day-let us inquire what he expects of us in assurance of life and immor- return. Let us look abroad on those to whom tality. We have just been this occasion brought no tidings of great joy— permitted to unite in the so- whom no Church-going bell gathered within lemn and appropriate ser- consecrated walls, to hear the story of Revices, appointed by the Church for deeming love-who, scattered far and wide this joyful occasion. We have lis-over the waste places of our extended countened to the glorious announcement try, think not, care not, for Him, who was of the Heavenly messenger, and the born, and lived, and died, to redeem them. glad sounds, as repeated by the peal- Many are the paths which open before the ing organ, yet linger on our ear: view of Christian benevolence-many opporGlory to God in the highest, and on earth tunities graciously afforded us by our heavenpeace, good will to men," and in the retire-ly Father, of working with Him, for the good ment of the Christian home arises still from of His Church. But there is one to which many devout hearts, the song of praise : we would now desire, in an especial manner, "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable to call the attention of Christian people-of gift." "So may it ever be consecrated by our young countrymen and women, so emithe presence of Christ, may it be an ever-nently demanding their serious consideration, growing feast of love!"

Yet in the midst of this universal rejoicing, may we be permitted to pause, and inquire what are some of the practical lessons to be

and opening before them the widest prospects of usefulness. We allude to the Mission whose name we have placed at the head of this article. We would hope that there are

We have spoken of an appeal to our young countrywomen, also. We anticipate the ready response, "what can we do?" Let the noble-hearted Missionary, whose work we have been contemplating, answer this question. In a recent communication, after details of his own labors and their results, he alludes to a large educational establishment of the Romish Church, with its Bishops, and strong band of clergy working by his side, and then inquires, "Why has the Bishop gone so soon to St. Louis-it is for sisters to teach the schools they have established-for whom?for Protestant children-the children of the Church." Then he asks, with peculiar im

not many readers of the Evergreen who are field of labor more important, and promising wholly unacquainted with this noble effort, more glorious results? Do any shrink from nor with the American Apostle to the far the toil, the privation, such a course imposes? West-the self-denying Breck, as he has Hear the voice of Him, whose they profess been styled by some of our English friends. to be "If any man be my disciple, let him But we believe there are few, very few, even deny himself, and take up his cross and folof the members of our own Church, who are low me." And what was it to follow Him? aware of the amount of labor, of endurance, {See him enduring weariness, hunger, thirst, and of severe privation, which this Mission houseless, homeless, not having where to lay involves. Ten years ago, this heroic man, his head. Is it not strange, passing strange, with two associates, turned his steps towards that the professed disciples, yea, the minisWisconsin, then an almost pathless wilder-ters of such a Master, should be found seekness, to plant the standard of the cross, and ing their own, not Jesus Christ's; coveting deliver to all who would receive it, the mes- the distinctions and pleasures of this world, sage of peace and forgiveness, through a cru- places of profit, of power, of display, while cified Saviour. After laying broad and deep, those for whom he died stretch out their not only the foundations of the only ark of hands in vain, for that bread of life he brought safety, God's Church, but also the School of down from heaven? the Prophets, from whence were to issue laborers in the vineyard, he committed the work, thus auspiciously commenced, into faithful hands, and once more turned his face towards the wilderness. Behold him once more traversing on foot the pathless desert, often for miles without being cheered by the sight of a single white man-making vocal with the praises of God the solitary places, which but lately resounded with the song of the red man. A brief year has passed away, and see what has been wrought by the prayer of faith and labor of love. Twelve stations have been established, at convenient distances, to convey to them the tidings of great joy, and often for the first time was this salvation pro-pressiveness and propriety, when will the claimed in eager and believing ears. Con- daughters of the Church thus come forward gregations were gathered, Churches erecting, and do their own peculiar work, at the call of schools commenced-all the work of one duty, relinquishing the pleasures of home, of master mind, aided by two like-minded asso- kindred, of wealth and refinement, to seek, ciates. There is a moral sublimity in all this, and if possible, save, by judicious Christian which we should think would touch the heart training, the souls for which Christ died. of the most undevout. The field of labor is When will our people be willing to learn lesso vast-the work to be done so all-impor-sons of self-denial from our Romanist friends? tant-the means and laborers seemingly so No field of duty, however difficult or laboinadequate, yet commenced and continued rious, can be presented to them, even to dewith such a simple and undoubting faith; such licately-nurtured females, on which they are a reliance, not on man, but on the faithful-not ready to enter. "Some of these devoted ness and promises of God-with a spirit of self-sacrifice worthy the best ages of the Church-all this, and much more which might be mentioned, imparts to this Mission a deep and thrilling interest. And now we would ask, in the view of all that has been done, and still more, all that remains to be accomplished in this great work, what is the duty of those who are without towards it? Is it to remain in ease and self-indulgence: or it may be, dole out a small pittance, as though that were the whole of duty to this great object? We would appeal to those who are about to devote themselves to the ministry of reconciliation, whether they can enter on a

women,' says Mr. Breck," passed through St. Paul in an ox team, on a journey of three or four hundred miles, to the place of their appointment." What an example to those who profess a purer faith, and should exhibit a more devoted obedience !

We are indebted to the "E vangelical Catholic," a paper which we believe is destined to work most important changes in the Church, for a deeply interesting account of an institution, little known among us, that of Deaconesses. We cannot but hope that this article will be extensively read, together with the let Įter from the Principal of the American branch, located at Pittsburgh, that the members of