GOD'S POWER AND GOD'S PROVIDENCE. "When I consider thy heavens, what is man that thou art mindful of him?"-Psa. viii. 3, 4. "Consider the ravens . . . . God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls ?"-Luke xii. 24. We may put these two subjects of consideration over against each other; and by viewing on the one hand the greatness of God in his works of creation, and on the other hand the minuteness of his care for the least of his creatures in his ways of Providence, we shall be able the better to realize all that he can do, and is willing to do for his creature man. When we would have worthier thoughts of his mighty power, when we would know something of his majesty, let us look at the glories of those magnificent orbs which he has placed in the skies; and, adoring his greatness, let us, with David, "consider the heavens." And when we are ready to doubt if such a God can look on such a lowly being as man, and can condescend to care for him, to supply his wants, and listen to his cry, let us remember the proof to which our Lord himself points as an instance of his minute care; let us stoop from considering the heavens, and "consider the ravens." Thus the study of nature, either in its greatest or minutest forms, becomes a holy study, for it reveals its Author: "the heavens declare the glory of God;" the birds of the air and the lilies of the field tell of his condescension. "The soul that sees Him, or receives sublimèd And wheels his throne upon the rolling worlds!" LOOK ONWARD. "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb."-Rev. xxii. 1. "There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High."-Psa. xlvi. 4. Thanks be to God for revealing those glimpses of the glorious future prepared for his own! They cheer the heart of the weary pilgrim, and are meant by God to do so. The picture of the heaven above which John saw, and saw for us and our comfort, as well as for his own comfort in his exile, presents, indeed, no sharply-defined features, but is from the very vagueness of its surpassing beauty all the more attractive to the hallowed imagination of the Christian. There is the river of water of life; the distant murmur of its streams cheered the heart of David long ages before John, in holy vision, stood upon its shore; and still the weary pilgrin, faint with the burden and heat of the day, may lift his eyes from life's dreary and dusty highway, and eatch a glimpse in the far distance of the city of God, with its pearly gates and golden streets, its gushing river, and its shadowy and fruitful trees-images of glory and beauty which even at their best but feebly represent the spiritual blessings of the inheritance of the holy ones in light. Look upward, and look onward, O weary pilgrim! Read for thy comfort and encouragement the description which God has given of the promised land, and remember that "every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." "And yet as angels in some brighter dreams Call to the soul while man doth sleep, So some strange thoughts transcend our wonted themes, Poetry for the Young. THE NEW DRESS. 175 POOR herb-gatherer sat her down to rest beneath a tree; With constant stooping in the heat, weary and worn was she. "Say, is there anything you want," said Alice, drawing near. Old Maggy, with a smile replied, "A nice new dress, my dear." Perhaps it soon might fade, like one I had some years ago." "A soft black woollen ?" Alice asked. But Maggy shook her head: "You're very kind, but very like it wouldn't wear," she said. "Well, then, a silk-a rustling silk-so smooth and soft to touch?" "I've nothing fit to wear with it;" and Alice thought as much. "A plaid-a green and scarlet plaid? Come, Maggy, that will do?" "Plaids may not be in fashion long, I think, dear missdo you?" Young Alice glanced at Maggy's rags and sunburnt arms so bare: "How very strange it seems," she said, "that you for fashion care!" "Dear miss," the poor old woman said, "you did not know before, The nice new dress I want will last a thousand years or more." "Oh!" started Alice, drawing back, as if she thought her crazed, "That you should hope to live so long, it makes me quite amazed!" At Maggy, wondering, she looked, as puzzled as could be"I'll ask mamma if she can tell what dress will suit," said she. "Your mother is not rich enough to buy that dress, dear child!" "My father's rich." But Maggy shook her doubtful head, and smiled. Cried Alice, almost pettishly, "Now tell me what you 176 BLADES OF GRASS. Lord, I will follow Thee! yet do I find, Lord, I will follow Thee! though the dark night Lord, I will follow Thee! Soon shall I stand, 64 BLADES OF GRASS. E'EN the little blades of grass Over which in tenderness He exerts a watchful care. For their daily sustenance Air and light and dews he sends: On his gracious providence Every little blade depends. O how wonderful indeed, God should care for things so mean; That a tiny little weed Lifts its head up fresh and green! Then, if God so tenderly Watches o'er the slender blade; Will he not as certainly Care for us whom he has made? For our sakes he clothes the field; Makes the blades of grass to grow; How much dearer to his thought Than the grass, for which he cares, Whom for heaven his grace prepares. And if I his will shall do, (Though imperfectly, alas!) I must moulder back to earth. Though the grass shall clothe the sod C. ANSWERS TO BIBLE QUESTIONS. THE TRIBE OF DAN. 1. Gen. xlix. 16, 17: "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward." Deut. xxxiii, 22; “Of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp; he shall leap from Bashan." "Threescore and two thousand, 2. Num. i. 39: (At Sinai) and seven hundred." Num. xxvi. 42, 43: (At Moab) "Threescore and four thousand, and four hundred." 3. It encamped north of the tabernacle (Num. ii. 25), and led the fourth and last division of Israel in marching (Num. x. 25). And the Amorites forced the children of 4. Judges i. 34: Dan into the mountain; for they would not suffer them to come down into the valley." And they 5. See Josh, xix. 47; Judges xviii. 1, 27-29.-They called the city Dan, "after the name of Dan their father." set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.-See verse 31. 6. By Deborah. Judges v. 17: "Why did Dan remain in ships?" 7. Samson. Judges xiii. 2, 24, 25. 8. Ezek. xxvii. 19: Dan also. going to and fro occupied ... in thy fairs; bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market." Under which my body lies, Death shall yield me up to God When my Saviour bids me rise. E. B. BIBLE QUESTIONS. THE TRIBE OF GAD. 1. Give the predictions respecting this tribe. 2. What was their number at Sinai, and in the plain of Moab? 3. What place did they take in journeying and encamping? 4. Where was their inheritance? and at what time did many of the Israelites seek refuge in their land from the Philistines? 5. By what brave act did eleven men of this tribe succeed in reaching David in the wilderness? and what description is given of them as men of war? 6. After this tribe had been carried captive, by what neighWhich prophet debouring nations was their land seized? nounces God's judgments on these nations? N-abal O-thniel NO. VII. JUDGE NOTHING.-1 Cor. iv. 5. T-imothy Judges iv. 21. 2 Sam. xi. 15-17. Judges iv. 10. 2 Kings v. 20-24. 2 Kings v. 25-27. 1 Sam. xxv. 10, 11. Judges i. 12, 13. 2 Tim. iii. 15. Esther vii. 10. Gen. xxi. 14. Ruth i. 19-21. Judges vii. 19-23. SUNDAY AT HOME A Family Magazine for Sabbath Reading. CHAPTER II. Ir was a pleasant day, and Mr. Bland hoped for a "She had better be used to it then," he answered. "Don't know if the top gate isn't locked." "We can turn back if it is." John hesitated, but Mr. Bland said decidedly, "Go on-the lane way;" and away they went. 66 so far, "I have done right," he thought to himself, but I must follow it up;" and as John showed plainly that being obliged to give up had put him out of temper, he furnished an opportunity of "following up" then and there. With much tenderness, but great plainness, did his master reprove, rebuke, and exhort him, showing how unbecoming such a spirit was in a Christian-en PRICE ONE PENNY. 178 HOW TO USE AN ALMANACK. forcing what he said with Scripture, for he always took his Bible as his authority. "I am glad I have had the opportunity," he thought, "I would not have missed this occasion of speaking to him. I have been unfaithful to him in not doing it before. Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal,'—there is Scripture for me as well as for him." When they got to Norrington they found the house full of company; and, only that it was vain to do it now, Mr. Bland could have severely reproached himself for having allowed his intention of a morning visit to be so idly frustrated-"Yet I should have missed poor Wicker, and my sister-no, no, it's all right; I was wrong, but it was well overruled." Mr. Howard had just left the house with some of his visitors to stroll in the grounds, but Mrs. Howard sent in quest of him. Tom Steevens, who was the messenger, had not seen John for some time, so he stayed in the yard to transact a little business on his own account, in the way of family chat with his cousin, this delay gave Mr. Howard a considerable start, and when he did go in search of him he was out of reach of discovery. Mr. Bland waited till he feared it would be too late to call on the persons whose votes he wished to secure, and reluctantly rose to leave without having carried out his intention. He had been sitting near a lame young man, Mr. Howard's nephew and intended heir, who had been severely injured by a cricket ball. He had found him very restive under medical restraint, and tired of the sofa to which he was confined, and he had endeavoured to preach patience to him, and that in so winning a way, that the young man blushed for himself, and frankly admitted the truth of what was said. Mrs. Howard was earnest in her invitation to him to stay to dinner-the nephew urgently entreated him to do it, but he gave the true reason for being obliged to go, and was not to be persuaded. No, he subscribed this year for the first time, in favour of a child who died since-his name has not been yet put down." "And do you think I may look for his vote?" "Yes, sure, quite sure, he has not promised it." At that moment, as Mr. Bland was standing to go, Mr. Howard and his friends entered the room, the vote was promised, and although there was no time for considering the plan of the almshouses, the nephew, who had caught the idea, as Mr. Bland was hurriedly outlining it to his uncle, said, "Uncle, at the corner of the park-that's the place; it will be quite an ornament, if they are well built. Mr. Bland has been putting me up to seek some employment that has not my self for its end, by way of getting patience; let me plan out the houses." Mr. Howard and Mr. Bland smiled at his warmth, but it promised well for the work, and our friend left Norrington highly pleased with what his visit had brought forth. He was so late, that in his calls on the other voters, he found them at dinner, and hardly knew how to intrude, as he was not on intimate terms with any of them, and was quite unknown to one. "Let us go to Mr. Sowerby's first, John." John, without objecting that it was out of the way, turned the pony's head in that direction. Mr. Sowerby, on receiving Mr. Bland's card, on | which he had written in pencil, "On special business," left the table, and received him in his own room, with a very stiff bow. Mr. Bland made his request, apologising for the hour of his call. Mr. Sowerby said the interruption was of no importance, but that he had refused his vote to a friend already. "Perhaps I may hope if this poor child should not get in this time, you would help with your vote at the next election." Mr. Sowerby answered with impatience, that he didn't know what might happen before the next election. "How true!" said Mr. Bland. "I that plead, and you to whom I plead, where may we be then?" Mr. Bland was tired-he had had a bustling day, and it was past his time for dinner, and he had taken a frugal and hasty lunch-therefore he looked wan and weary as he said this. Mr. Sowerby was touched, but he said nothing. "God grant that whatever happens, we may be in his safe and gracious keeping, whether in this world or the next!" said Mr. Bland, in his own kind way and voice. Mr. Sowerby bowed, and followed him to the hall door. "Now don't-pray don't; I am keeping you from your dinner; and I am a hungry man myself, and know how to feel for you!" Mr. Sowerby smiled, and heartily shook the hand Mr. Bland extended. "I really think I might have done more with him, if he hadn't been hungry, poor man; it's a bad thing to stop an Englishman's dinner," he said to himself, as John drove him to the next voter. He found this gentleman at dinner also, and received the promise of a vote immediately, with much urbanity. "So sorry to take you from table," said Mr. Bland. "Glad to escape, I assure you. I have a large party and a bad headache, and what with the heat and the light, I was getting quite out of sorts; so the fresh air is delightful. "Then I came at the right time!" said Mr. Bland, laughing. "On errands like this you can scarcely come wrong." "Oh, I am glad to find you of that mind," said Mr. Bland. And further remarks followed, the hurried conversation ending in the gentleman's accepting an invitation to dine with Mr. Bland the following week, and go with him to a missionary meeting. "Come; that's well done," he said, as he once more got into his little carriage. "And now for the Elms, John, and then to my sister's place, where we shall get some dinner, I hope." "The Elms" was a vain visit so far as the vote was concerned, but the lodgekeeper's wife, who told him the family were in town, had so sad a face, that it was not possible for our friend to leave her unquestioned. Very little questioning was enough; she had lost a child from water on the brain, and another now showed decided symptoms of the disease. "Let me see him," said Mr. Bland; not that he knew anything of medicine, but he hoped to pour balm on the mother's heart, if he could not help her child. The husband was within. "I tell my wife it's no good fretting; and it's re HOW TO USE AN ALMANACK. Lellious-like," he said; and he looked very cross and uncomfortable, Mr. Bland thought. 66 "It is true, friend, that fretting will not cure the poor child, but there may sorrow without rebellion. Remember who said, 'No chastening is for the present joyous, but grievous.' He chastens those he loves, and knows they must grieve under it. Nay!" he said, turning to the woman; "in all our afflictions he was afflicted; and we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities." The man felt as if Mr. Bland meant to rebuke him, and said, "Of course one must feel it; it's fretted me, only I don't give up as she does." Friend, you are a father, but only He that made us knows the love of a mother, except the mother herself. Can a woman forget her sucking child?' and remember too-if you are stronger-you that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak." He then ascertained that, owing to the absence of the family, no efficient help had been obtained, and bidding the man come to his house in the morning, he promised to obtain for him a good medical opinion, and to furnish him with whatever might be requisite in food and medicine. The gratitude of the mother was overwhelming, the man was also much struck by such unexpected help. "Serve the Lord, and thank him who has sent you aid by my hand," he replied. And now they took the way to Madame Muffinger's. When he arrived there, at half-past six o'clock, Mr. Bland found her in deep affliction. He was so tired that he begged he might have some dinner before anything was said or done; and it was a fact that though so scrupulously polite on all occasions, he nodded once or twice in his chair before it was announced, while Madame Muffinger dwelt on the calamities of the deceased Cash. Dinner restored him considerably, and well awake, he heard the story, listened gravely to all the suspicions, and then made it plain that there had been no foul play in the case, but that Cash had died purely because it was utterly impossible for him to live any longer with such a diet as that he was accustomed to. Madame Muffinger was satisfied-but Brother Bland had not finished-he enlarged considerably on the case, and put her in possession of his mind concerning her, entreating her to forego such unworthy objects, and to try and raise her affections to things more becoming one on the brink of eternity. The conversation became serious; he had never spoken in such a manner to her before. She was greatly offended; he expected it; but having broken the ice and made a beginning, he knew the next time would be easier, and he hoped more effective. She listened sullenly when he took out his little pocket Bible and read to her a practice he determined to continue at every future meeting-" And I will see her frequently," he thought. When he got home that night, he went up to his almanac-he was almost too sleepy to read the text, even with his glasses-but he always did read it at night to see if it had influenced him in the day; and sometimes, as he said, felt very shamefaced as he stood before it. "Well," he said, after a cup of coffee had brightened him up, "God has been very gracious to me this day, and turned every hindrance to seed-sowing to good account; and when one way was blocked up, another was opened." And heartily did he offer up his evening sacrifice of praise for the mercy that 179 had been round his path, closing his eyes with the words, "I will lay me down in peace and sleep, for it is thou, Lord, only that makest me to dwell in safety." THE RUSSIAN ADMIRAL GREIG, AND HIS DAUGHTER MRS. PATERSON. I. ADMIRAL SAMUEL GREIG, was one of those distinguished foreigners whom the wisdom of the Empress Catherine introduced into Russia, to increase the power and resources of her vast, but only half civilized empire. He was a Scotchman; and, like many of his countrymen, could reckon among his ancestors not a few who were eminent for their piety. His mother was a truly Christian woman, who carefully watched over the religious education of her children. At an early period of his life, her son Samuel entered the British navy, and acquired great nautical skill. In 1763, at the end of the Seven Years' War, which Chatham had conducted with such splendid success, he with many other officers was honourably discharged; and the offer of an important situation on board of a Russian man-of-war being presented to him, he accepted it. He soon gained the confidence of his new sovereign, who promoted him to the highest offices. By his improvements and judicious arrangements, he came to be considered in some measure the father of the Russian navy. His superior skill in his profession is sufficiently evinced by the achievements of that navy at the period referred to; when, in the language of Gibbon, a Russian fleet sailed from the Baltic, circumnavigated the continent of Europe, entered the Mediterranean by the Straits of Gibraltar, and carried terror to the gates of Constantinople. The excellence of Admiral Greig's personal character placed him high in the esteem of those who knew him. Upon the establishment of peace advantageous for Russia, when his active services could for a time be dispensed with, he requested permission to visit Scotland, the place of his birth. The Empress Catherine readily granted his request, and appointed him a vessel to convey him to his native shores, in a manner suitable to the rank he held in her service. It may be readily conceived with what joy his affectionate and pious mother received him. The apartment which he had been accustomed to occupy during his boyish days was assigned him. On the morning after his arrival, whilst at the family breakfasttable, he remarked that it was with peculiar feelings of pleasure, and grateful remembrance of past days, he had occupied his own well-recollected room; Eut, my dear mother," said he, "I have been looking in vain for one article of furniture which used always to be there-the Bible." His mother frankly told him her fears, that his exposure to many temptations amid the lustre and parade of the world, might have made him indifferent to the precious volume. Her joy was intense, when he assured her, that it was with gratitude to God he was able to declare that not one day had elapsed during the years he had been absent, in which the Word of God had not been consulted by him. His daughter, many years after, continued to regard this declaration with a degree of pleasure which no earthly acquisition of wealth or greatness could have bestowed. Admiral Greig returned to Russia, where he married |