searcheth the deep things and the hidden things, was not given by measure. Then shall we come into the secret place of the Mighty Architect. Then creation, seen in all its just proportions, will seem harmonious, and the Good alone appear the Beautiful. The most ornate building is no temple without its shrine; so there is no temple in nature which has in it no altar to the Son of Mary, the "One Offering which hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified," and on which altar love to Him has not kindled a perennial fire of holy duty. There may be many weary nights through which, in painful watching, we shall have to chant our low-breathed vigils; there may be many troublous days through which, with trembling hearts, we shall have to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear; but the Lord whom we serve will suddenly come to his temple, and lead the meetened soul up higher.

Then, through the corridors of the time-made fabric, shall be heard the pensive voice of the Angel of Hope, saying, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; and from the skies shall fall the solemn response of the euphonious eternities, "Even so, for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." Bearsted.

S. G. J.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

PRIZE them inestimably. Covet them earnestly. Seek for them diligently. Ponder them frequently. Wait for them patiently. Expect them hopefully. Receive them joyfully. Enjoy them thankfully. Improve them carefully. Retain them watchfully. Plead for them manfully. Hold them dependently. Grasp them eternally.

THE SOVEREIGN ANTIDOTE.

"Let not your heart be troubled."

How sweet the thought to every troubled heart,
When sorrows dark and sad the mind depress,
That faith in the Redeemer can impart

A sovereign antidote for all distress.

When the requirements of God's holy laws,
And sin in all its hatefulness is seen,
We shudder at the picture conscience draws,
But trust in Him, who has our ransom been.

And when temptations fierce our souls assail,
When Satan tempts us in the trying hour,
With bitter tears our weakness we bewail,

And trust in Him, who proved the tempter's power.

When grief and sadness on the spirit press,
When parted from the friends we fondly love,
Though oceans roll between, in our distress

We trust that Friend who lives and reigns above.

And in the deepest sorrow man can know—

When for some dear one sounds the funeral knellThe wounded heart must bleed; yet, in our woe, We trust in Him, who "hath done all things well.”

When fierce disease the sinking form invades,

And the bright hue of health is seen no more;
When pain each weary, restless hour pervades,
We trust in Him, who all our sorrows bore.

And when the last dread foe is drawing near,
When life is ebbing, what can comfort bring?
Oh, what can give us peace, and calm each fear,
But faith in Him, who took from death its sting?

A. L. R.

THE PATH OF LIFE.

A PICTURE by some German artist, drawn
With taste and skill, was put into mine hand;
It sketched a child, fair as the opening morn,
As a meek pilgrim in a stranger land.

Her way was narrow; and on either side

Were dangers veiled by some insidious charm; Closed were her eyes; while an angelic guide Led on her footsteps, safe from every harm.

And such, I thought, is life! unnumbered snares
Attend each transit through this world of ours;
And fair the aspect which temptation wears,
Like precipices hidden by sweet flowers.

The only path we may with safety tread

Is steep and narrow; toil brings weariness;
And heavy clouds will sometimes overspread
The soft blue sky; yet onwards we must press.

But are there none our steps to aid ? to cheer
Our fainting hearts with words of love and truth?
Oh, heavenly Father! Thou art always near,
Our hope to strengthen, and to guide our youth.

Thy Word, thy providence, thine angels—each
Are sent to help us on our heaven-ward way;
And if that glorious home we fain would reach,
Nor from the path of thy commandments stray,

Oh, we must walk by faith! must cling to Thee
With child-like confidence, and fervent love;
Yield to thy gentlest touch, and cheerfully
The way pursue that leads to rest above.

H. M. W

MINNIE

SUTHERLAND.

BY ALICE HAWTHORNE.

Chapter V-Widow Leslie.

MINNIE arose the next morning with her mind full of new plans for the amusement of her cousin, and pleasant anticipations of the enjoyment which she should derive from her society. Two or three hours were spent by both in study, for Minnie's education was carried on at home with the aid of masters, under her father's superintendence, and Edith was glad of the opportunity of perfecting her acquaintance with some branches of knowledge, and gaining an introduction to others. Minnie had lately commenced German, and was delighted at Edith's eagerness to join her in its acquisition; it would be such an incentive to improvement, she said, to have a companion. Not that Minnie really needed any incentive, for she was so fond of learning that she rather required restraint than impetus; and her cousin was surprised at the general proficiency which she had attained. Hard at work they sat for some time, and then when the allotted occupations were finished, Minnie jumped up, and had a merry game round the room with her pet cat, who, although he looked so demure and dignified, liked a little romp now and then as well as his young mistress. The door opened, and Claude looked in. "Very fine, young ladies!" he said, "this is what you call study!" No," ," said Minnie, "this is what I call recreation.

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We have been as busy as bees I can tell you, till just this minute, and now I am 'unbending the bow,' as papa says. Why the great and learned Dr. Chalmers used to play at marbles with his children."

"There is a little difference between children and cats!"

"Certainly," said Minnie, laughing, "but the principle is the same.

"The principle! how grandly you talk, Minnie! There is no chance for a plain person like me, so I may as well depart. I suppose you will speak nothing but Greek soon.

As Claude closed the door, Minnie turned to her cousin and said, "Now for a walk, a nice long walk; that is, if you please, dear Edith. Grandma wants us to call and pay Mrs. Leslie for making papa's shirts, and to explain to her about the needlework which was sent on Saturday. She is a widow, such a nice delightful person, and so very religious; you will be quite charmed with her, I am sure you will."

After sundry messages for Mrs. Leslie with which they were entrusted by Mrs. Sutherland - - which Minnie said they might possibly manage to remember between them-and a half-pound of tea for a present, carefully deposited in Minnie's pocket, as she "hated carrying a parcel," they began their walk, and Minnie was soon very busy in giving her cousin a little outline of Mrs. Leslie's history. I do believe that one chief reason why Minnie was so glad to have Edith reside with them was because she could chatter to her as long and as freely as she liked. Her papa and brother were generally out, or engaged with their own affairs; and her grandmother, although a very patient listener when she was not engrossed with the domestic concerns or reading, could not exactly enter into all Minnie's enthusiastic feelings, or sympathise with all her opinions. But Edith was neither old nor old-fashioned, and was as willing to hear as Minnie was to be heard, so she suited admirably.

"You will not find Mrs. Leslie at all a common person," said Minnie, as they walked slowly on," she was brought up very respectably, and her husband, when she married him, had a large and flourishing business. For a few years she had every comfort she needed, and