double death-hope and joy extinguished in its passing. I could not, even now, describe that scene-your wild, tearless, wondering sorrow-your father's breaking heart-but you know it all, my daughter, it was engraven at once and for ever on your heart, and words indeed are vain to deepen memories like these. You were her latest care, her last earthly thought: she took that once revered rosary, and placing it with her now precious Bible in my hands, addressed me in words often interrupted and inarticulate from weakness, Father, do you remember the words that He spake, those farewell words that once came home with so much power to your heart? "Lovest thou me." "Feed my lambs.”

'She paused, and even before I could reply, my countenance must have expressed the anguish of the feelings thus recalled, for with her own angelic smile she hastened to relieve it, and struggling against her weakness, in a tone of sweet compassion murmured, 'Oh, not of the past-not of that-would I breathe one reproachful word—that cloud has vanished for us both, and nought but sunshine rests upon it now; but the future ah! it has shifted there; when I look upon my child, and strive, with eager spirit, to pierce the darkness that overshadows her onward path. Oh,' added she, raising herself with a sudden effort, and clasping her hands together, while her eyes and cheek kindled with unutterable light, I know that you love me-then feed my lamb,-provide her with an antidote against the poison which may be instilled into her mind; or if your interference is rejected, your influence cast aside, then cease not to remember her in your prayers, watch for the time when these prayers shall be answered, when her own spirit will yearn for better

teaching, and then guide her into all truth.

Show her then the deep waters through which her erring mother passed; show her those differently-cherished memorials, her heart will recognize them; for that purpose I now entrust them to your care as the only evidence my failing strength permits me to convey to future years. By them I would recal my hour of darkness— my glorious hope-explain how each participated in the evil, and the good; and as the accompaniments of many an hour, which even her childish spirit will remember, remind her that each represents the influence, those opposing principles held in turn within my soul. Oh, teach her to cast aside those delusive helps; bring her to Jesus-lead her to trust in Him alone-promise me this, and I shall depart in peace.'

I promised her solemnly, fervently, and then faith and hope and everlasting love triumphed over every fear, every care: she had sank back exhausted, and only faintly rallied once to speak her last farewells; but they scarce disturbed her spirit, for love like hers was blended easily with thoughts of heaven, it led her upwards in prayer for those beloved ones while the power to pray remained; and then casting all her care on Him who cared for her, she "entered into the joy of her Lord."

BONAR'S PROPHETICAL LANDMARKS.

"Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Then when the time of the end draws near, we might expect a more earnest heed to be given to the word of prophecy. The infidel may still mock and scorn, but surely we might expect every christian to turn eagerly to the unsealed page. In part, the expectation has been realised in the increased attention directed of late to the prophetic Scripture, but still the enemy has prevailed with many, tỏ induce them to renounce this portion of the heritage of truth, God had laid up for them, to lay aside this part of their heavenly armour, and willingly to give up the lamp kindled by God himself to guide their steps. To such, the work recently published by the Rev. H. Bonar may prove a word in season. He places the value of prophetic study in so striking a light, that we cannot forbear offering some extracts from his opening chapters.

'Man's thoughts about the future and the unseen are of little worth. They are at best but dreams: no more than the blind guesses of fancy. They approach no nearer to the truth, than do a child's conjectures regarding the history of some distant star, or as to the peopling of space beyond the outskirts of the visible creation.'

'But the thoughts of God respecting the future are precious above measure. They are truth and certainty,

whether they touch upon the far off or the near, the likely or the unlikely. They are disfigured with no miscalculations, for they are the thoughts of the great Designer regarding his own handiwork. Of however little moment it may be for us to know what man thinks about the future, it is of vast moment for us to know what GOD thinks of it. However few these revealed thoughts of God may be, yet they ought to be estimated by us as above all price. They are the thoughts of an infinite mind, and they are the thoughts of that mind upon a subject utterly inaccessible to us, yet entirely familiar to Him who sees the end from the beginning, and whose wisdom has pre-arranged the whole.'

'With what breathless interest will a company sometimes gather round a sagacious observer of the times, who has seen much and noted much of what is passing in the various circles, outer and inner, of this ever-moving world! How eagerly will they catch up and repeat his opinions as to coming events, though all is conjecture and uncertainty. But let a hint be cast in of what God has spoken, how coldly is it received: as if human uncertainties were better than divine certainties -the guesses and dreams of man more worthy of being listened to, than the sure revelation of God. When the prophet is man, all men listen; when the prophet is God, they turn heedlessly away.'

The all-important objects of prophecy are then brought before us by Mr. Bonar, as an incentive to its study.

All creation lies in ruins. The garden of the Lord has become a wilderness; and that which rose up into beauty under the blessing of Jehovah, is now withering away beneath his curse. Its falling leaves, its dying flowers, its clouded skies, its stormy deep, its

swollen rivers, its crumbling rocks-all tell us this. These are its weeds of mourning; these are the groans of its travail and bondage. But what is to be the issue of all this blight and change and death? God alone can inform us, and he has done so in his prophetic word. The destiny of the earth is written there, and he calls on us to read what he has written concerning it.

'The whole word lieth in wickedness. Righteousness has fled, and with righteousness all peace and order. Kingdoms rise and sink, like the rising and sinking surges of the ocean. There is no stability, no compactness, no coherence, either in themselves or with each other. Misrule, tumults and change are rocking them to and fro; the reins of Government lie broken upon the necks of a hundred nations, either overstrained by the ruler or wantonly cut asunder by the ruled. "The nations rage, and the people imagine a vain thing." How is this to end? Prophecy alone reveals the consummation. Let us gladly welcome so sure a light in this dark place.'

'The Church is rent and feeble, with much of earth, little of heaven to declare her high parentage and destiny. Few in numbers, with persecution as her portion, and sorrow as her heritage below. She passes the time of her sojourning here in fear, breathing an atmosphere altogether uncongenial-a lily among thorns-an Israelite in Babylon, hanging her harp upon the willows. Who shall tell what is to be the end of all this? Who shall foretel the issue of her pilgrimage, and the recompense of her sore oppression and sorrow? The Lord himself hath done it. He has forespoken the things concerning her in the latter day, and she is invited to contemplate these glorious things.'

'Israel is an exile, scattered and bleeding, without a