"Lord, teach us this and every day,
To live more nearly as we pray."

When the Litany is not used, the prayer for the Queen follows. Surely, if ever the burden of responsibility weigh upon the heart of our beloved Sovereign, it must be consoling to her to remember, how in 10,000 parishes, the prayers of faithful hearts are rising for one, in whose welfare all are interested. Prayer is thus the sacred link which binds the pauper in the workhouse, to the sovereign upon the throne. Her royal dignity may be shown in the pompous procession or festal banquet, but if there be one moment more than another, when she appears really as the 'sovereign of her people,' it is on the Sabbath-day, when her name is remembered in every village through the land, and her prosperity owned to be a blessing to all her subjects. Mark how suitable are the titles here given to God, "high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes." When we pray for those in high stations, for the great ones of the earth, we are reminded there is one more high and mighty still. They may be above the reach of human law, but to his law they are still subject, and the best boon we can seek for them is, that they may incline to His will and walk in His way. The prayer, like all the other prayers of our church, is remarkably condensed and full: Endue her plenteously with heavenly gifts.' One who has such solemn responsibilities, the anointed of the Lord, needs to be specially endued with power from on high. Grant her, in health and wealth, long to live; strengthen her, that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies.' Here is all she needs for this life. 'And finally, after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity.' This is the prayer of affectionate loyalty; the love of the

nation will rest satisfied with no transitory blessing for its monarch; but, enlarging its desires, seeks for her, everlasting joy and felicity. The prayer for the royal family is similar in character. Both present a beautiful ideal of a Christian nation. The sovereign ruling in the fear of God, and ever enriched with fresh stores of grace in answer to the prayers of a loving people, looking forward with them to one inheritance of everlasting joy and felicity. The highest rank of society no object of envy, but endued with the Holy Spirit, enriched with heavenly grace, a blessing to all below them, whose prayer is that they may be prospered with all happiness. These are our prayers, what are our hopes? Are we looking for even a measure of this blessing?

We cannot forbear transcribing a paraphrase of the next prayer for the clergy and people, from a Key to the Prayer-Book, recently published by the Rev. R. Whytehead.

The prayer for the clergy is very excellent and instructive and brief, as it abounds with truth both practical and experimental. The church seems to call to mind the wonders which God wrought for her in the day of her youth; the season of Pentecostal influence, when Christ's people were made willing in the day of his power, and arrayed in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning. And looking at the vast field which still lies open before her, and considering the weakness of the instruments, and the amount of labour required for its cultivation, she bursts into the sublime and solemn invocation : 'Almighty and everlasting God, who alone workest great marvels.' And then, in the spirit of Him who said "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers

into his harvest," and in obedience to the Apostolic injunction, she proceeds to supplicate for all Bishops and Curates, (i. e. Ministers having the cure or charge of souls,) and all congregations committed to them, the ' healthful spirit of Divine grace!' that plentiful effusion of the Holy Spirit, which, like a refreshing rain, may confirm God's inheritance when weary of drought. And as neither ministers nor their flocks can please God in their several stations without His constant support and assistance, we pray that he would be pleased to pour upon them the continual dew of his blessing; which, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass, may revive the energies of the soul, and make the church like a watered garden; so that the wilderness and the solitary place may be glad for them, and the desert may rejoice and blossom as the rose.' Nor is the close of this Evangelical prayer less worthy of our attention ; in which we ascribe all the honour arising from ministerial success to God alone, for whose glory we plead, and for the increase of his kingdom, who is our only Mediator and Advocate who presents our imperfect petitions with acceptance to the Father, and perfumes our unworthy offerings with the incense of his prevailing intercession.

6

THE CHILD AND THE INFIDEL.

It is related of the infidel Hone, that one day on passing a cottage door, he saw a child reading the Bible. The ardour with which she seemed to peruse it arrested his attention, and was, through wondrous mercy, the means of his conversion. This is the ground-work of the following lines.

MATTHEW XXI. 16.

A CHILD sat at a cottage door, one lovely summer's day; The sun was shining brightly, but she heeded not its

ray;

For her eyes were fixed upon the book that rested on her knee,

And she seemed within its pages a brighter light to see! The birds were making melody amongst the shadowy trees;

The perfumed breath of summer flowers came floating on the breeze :

Yet she heeded not the scented gale, heard not the song-bird's lay

That little one was hearkening to sweeter things than they.

For she was searching earnestly, in truth's most precious mine:

O happy little cottage girl! the pearl of price was thine.

A traveller journeyed, on that day, beneath the sultry

beam;

Weary and thirsty, he had sought in vain for some cool stream:

He paused before that cottage door, and gazed on that sweet child;

Marvelling much what fairy tale her heart and soul beguiled.

His voice aroused her, as he asked for a refreshing draught,

And when the cooling beverage that weary one had quaffed,

He said, "My step you did not hear, my form you did

not see:

"Tell me, my love, what charmed you so, what volume may that be?"

"The best of books," the child replied, "the book that God hath given,

"To tell us of a better home, and guide us safe to Heaven."

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Why," he rejoined, in strange surprise, "Why have you left your play,

"To sit and read your Bible here, this lovely summer's day?"

"Because I love it," said the child, "most dearly love it too,

"Sure all, who read that Holy Book, must love it as I do!"

The stranger travelled on, and left that cottage far behind,

Yet still these few and simple words kept echoing in his mind;