had near and sweet fellowship with the Father and the Son, and been richly bedewed with the hallowed influence of the blessed Spirit. This day I will again join with saints on earth and in heaven in celebrating the resurrection of my Lord. With what feelings did he look around, on that glorious Sabbath morning when he arose, on a world ransomed by his blood. How did he exult in the prospect of the countless myriads who should in after ages share in his triumphs! I would sympathize with my risen Lord -to spread his praises shall fill the remnant of my days--the one grand, all-absorbing purpose of my existence shall be, that Christ may be glorified by my life and by my death. Z. CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE. Matt. v. 14-16. Far away in the regions of the glowing east, there rises a steep and lofty mountain. Its sides are craggy and precipitous; at its feet a landscape of rich but uncultivated country stretches as far as the eye can see, interspersed with mountains, lakes, and the ruins of many once magnificent cities. Eighteen hundred years ago the scene presented a very different appearance. On the side of the mountain were a vast throng of people, all eagerly bending towards one individual who stood in the midst of them. He was not comely that they should look on him, neither was his rank distinguished, nor his commands invested with earthly authority. It was the calm, simple, heart-searching words which dropped from his lips that thus enchained the attention of the surrounding multitudes as by a spell; and the beaming look of godlike benevolence and love which stilled every tongue and won every heart to a willing and reverential submission. Let us try for a few moments to bring the scene before our eyes. Immediately before us is the mountain with its hushed myriads, and Jesus standing in the midst. Above is spread the blue vault of heaven, bluer and purer and serener than we ever behold it in our less favoured latitude. In the far distance, on another lofty mountain, is situated the city of Saphet, a conspicuous object to all the country for miles around. Below lies the lake of Tiberias, surrounded by mountains, which are beautifully reflected in its clear waters. There are ships on its bosom, in which fishermen are plying their daily craft; there are palm trees too, and olive trees, rising up from its shores, giving their shelter to weary travellers, and affording a home to the countless fowls of the air who lodge in their branches. There too, embosomed amidst all that is lovely in nature, are the dwellings of man. The cities of Capernaum and Tiberias lie in the near vicinity of the mountain, and within their precincts the stir of business, the intercourse of life, the incense of devotion, the rapture of joy, and the agony of sorrow, are constantly mingling in the confused hum which marks the places where men congregate. But no sound reaches the eminence above, where the multitude are gathered around Jesus. Let us approach and listen to the words which are proceeding from the Saviour's lips and producing such a magical effect upon his hearers. He has just finished pronouncing a series of blessings which shall be the reward of those who leave worldly honours and pomps and follow the pure service of God, meekly enduring persecution and suffering for his sake. Then he goes on to counsel those who are in the possession of such hopes, to draw others to the enjoyment of them, by the right use of influence. Raising his hand and pointing upwards to the sun which was throwing his golden beams over the whole expanse of country, and then turning to the distant prospect where lay conspicuously the city Saphet, he turned to the multitude and thus appealed to them, saying, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." The disciples who were standing around him heard these words and obeyed: their writings, and their example, have been as shining lights to guide all succeeding ages and generations into the ways of truth. Jesus speaks to us also in them. He who readeth the hearts of men knows how powerfully every one of us is affected by the influence of others; and he desires therefore to turn this mighty agency into a means of good. Christian professors! Jesus appeals to you. He has passed away from the earth, and appointed you to remain as his witnesses there. In you are to shine forth the attributes of his holy character, so gracefully, so pleasingly, so attractively that men when they see you shall be constrained to admire and to imitate. You are the living representatives of the Saviour on earth. You are earthen vessels into which he puts a little of his grace, that those around may taste how sweet it is, and seek to possess it also. It is a high and noble office to which you are called, and will you pollute it by inconsistent conduct? Or will you not rather strive as far as in you lies to fulfil its holy requirements? "A city which is set on a hill cannot be hid." Mark that word "cannot." It is of striking and awful import. It signifies that whatever your character may be, it must have weight— that whatever may be your desire to annul your influence, you are without power to do so. It announces a decree from which there is no escape, no appeal. To the bad, it imparts to conscience a sharper sting. To the righteous, it is a blessed earnest that they have not lived in vain. No one is a completely isolated being. None of us liveth to himself. It is a fearful thought, and one which should impress the soul with a deep sense of its own responsibility, that every word, every action, must have a certain influence, either beneficial or pernicious, in forming the characters of those around. One sentence carelessly uttered may seal a soul to endless misery. One sentence prayerfully uttered may with God's blessing lead a soul to the foot of the cross. Oh, how watchful ought we to be of our words, and of the thoughts from which they proceed, since each one may be laden with so tremendous a train of consequences both for time and for eternity. Reader, when you feel your temper failing, or your words becoming hasty, or your conduct inconsistent, or your prayers few, and know that your example is thus being a curse rather than a blessing to those who are exposed to it-carry your thoughts back for a little space to that calm, quiet, lovely scene which we endeavoured to bring vividly before you at the commencement of this paper. Dwell on the melancholy history of the individual who is there commissioning his disciples and the multitude to be his witnesses in the midst of a world of sin and misery. See his agony on the cross, endured for you the scorn, the sorrow, the suffering he patiently bore to save you from eternal death. Do you not feel your heart melt with love and gratitude to him? Hear then his own words: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." One of these commandments is that which we have been endeavouring to illustrate and enforce : "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." May the glorious Sun of Righteousness shine into each heart, so that his healing beams, may be abundantly reflected back upon the world lying in darkness around. F. F. "THE CROSS OF CHRIST." Calvary! soul-transporting word, whence flows pardon, peace, and joy. Calvary! sacred spot, which marks the pathway to eternal life. What rapturous feelings of love and gratitude burst forth in the soul of a believer at the very name. At Calvary we take our stand, whilst we meditate on a day big with important events to the whole world. Behold the cross, on which hangs all our hope, our confidence, our joy! Most solemn is the place! The Son of God atones for sin. Let us glance at some of the spectators of this memorable scene. Though our blessed Lord is forsaken by most of his disciples at this portentous moment, yet there is a faithful band of women, who have followed him to this place of suffering; Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the wife of Cleopas-this is the illustrious group; fear prevents not the expression of their love and zeal; their constancy is well repaid by hearing the last words of their Lord. Let us with them behold the "Lamb of God," and listen to his voice poured forth in the breathings of prayer: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." These words, the dictates of love, are the first feelings of his heart that find utterance. He thinks in mercy of his persecutors, instead of uttering the language of complaint, even when experiencing the painful agonies of THE CROSS. The compassionate character of our Lord shines sublimely forth in the conversion of the thief crucified near him, and furnishes an illustrious example of the sovereignty of his grace to a poor lost and perishing sinner. "This day shalt thou be with me in paradise," are the words of consolation that flow from the lips of a dying Saviour to a dying sinner; as if he said, "the blood I am now shedding shall prove efficacious to wash away your sins; you shall be an example to the world of the power and willingness I possess to cleanse from guilt." Oh! what a trophy of the Redeemer's conquest! what an example of his love! Then with what humble confidence may sinning rebels look up and tell him of the glories of his cross now that he wears the glories of his crown. But in turning to the other side of the cross what a picture presents itself of human depravity. We behold a sinner blaspheming and railing. How revolting to the feelings of a believer's heart is such a scene. But though some spectators are still unmoved, it is a sight on which the angels gaze in solemn silence, heaven stands amazed, all nature seems to sympathize in this awful transaction, the sun becomes dark at noon day, the veil of the temple is rent in twain, the earth quakes, the graves are opened. The dying Saviour, with the agonies of death portrayed in every feature, calls out in a loud voice: Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani-my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Had God the Father smiled upon him now, or taken the cup of trembling away, some alleviation would have taken place in the Redeemer's sufferings, but the heaviest load his soul sustained was the wrath of God-the hiding of his Father's face. 66 Why was the Son of God-the incarnate Jesus-" the brightness of the Father's glory"—the "express image of his person" -suspended on the cross? Had he merited God's displeasure? Had he broken his righteous law? No; he whose soul was spotless and pure, thus shed his precious blood for transgressors. The sacred tide that flowed from his veins is sufficient to atone for the deepest guilt. In that precious fountain glorified spirits now around the throne have washed their robes-in it we may plunge! "Nor will it lose its saving power, Till all the ransomed church of God, But to return to the transactions of Calvary and to the dignified sufferer on the cross. Once more he opens his lips, and |