was repulsed by those she served. She contrived, however, to hear somewhat when family prayer was going on, by standing beneath the window or behind the door. Still she wanted more, and searched for it in vain. After a time she overheard an old man praying in a wood. She thus obtained further information. Eventually she obtained access to some Missionaries, and was led to the Saviour. Then she

must learn to read in her old age. In this she succeeded, and by means of spectacles the now happy negress perused the Book of God to the close of life. Let our regard for the "Maker" of all induce us to care for the bodies and souls of the needy.

Repose or Captivity.

PROVERBS Xiv. 27: "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death."

THERE is something very mournful in looking at any living creature caught in a fatal snare. Those who often see it become used to it, but most people experience a degree of pity and regret when they see a poor rabbit which has thus been caught, and whose life is forfeited. It is a pleasanter spectacle to see a rabbit frisking about in the field until tired, and then lying down to rest among the clover. We cannot enjoy the sight of a lark caught in a soare, fluttering in terror. We would rather hear the sweet creature pouring forth its flood of music in the bright morning sunshine, or see it resting in lowly peace on the ground. We may not always blame those who have laid the snares, but may be permitted to regret that human transgression has so disordered external nature, as to render such a proceeding in any case needful.

Sin is evil

in all its forms and in all its results.

More mournful, however, incomparably more distressing, is that spectacle of human enslavement which is too often occurring among us. The captive is one of our own race; the bondage is degrading and miserable; and the results impending are calamitous beyond description. It therefore behoves us, as those whose pilgrimage is attended with such perils, to look well

to our feet. Ought we not to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise" ?

Caught in the snare.-About the year 1770, a little lad named Richard, had, though but ten years old, mastered all the difficulties of the cube root. His companions and teacher were astonished, and his kinsfolk were naturally proud of their boy. His father was a parish clerk, and had most likely thought of no higher position for his son than learning some mechanical trade. But the boy's doings attracted considerable attention among acquaintances, and aroused the latent pride of the father's heart. No one could then have guessed that the lad would become, as he actually did, the foremost scholar of his age. Richard was, however, sent to Eton, and thence to Cambridge. Eventually he became Greek professor. His editions of the Greek dramatists appeared, in the estimation of distinguished scholars, to have exhausted the subject; and with his other works will remain, so long as our language endures, monuments of extraordinary acumen and intellectual power. Those who knew him, however, believed that these do not, by far, adequately represent the marvellous gifts possessed by Richard Porson. It was evident that he had read countless volumes; and it appeared as though he forgot not a line, scarcely a word, of what he did read. His name became famous throughout Europe.

But poor Porson was caught in the toils. In the height of his fame it was well known that the profound scholar was a victim of intemperance. When a young

man he was sceptical, and as he advanced along life's pilgrimage, he neglected to hold to his feet the lamp of Divine truth. Mere human learning and science could never take the place of that heavenbestowed lamp. Amid splendours of secular knowledge, such as are possessed by a few men only in the most favoured age, unhappy Porson wandered on, stumbling farther from the fountain and more fatally among the snares. He married a lady whom he loved, and whose influence might have proved beneficial. She died, however, about half a year after their marriage, and the bereaved husband un

wisely sought to forget his grief by indulgence in wine. He sought consolation in gay society and the use of stimulants, and his wretchedness was necessarily augmented. His career became increasingly erratic and vicious. At times he would apply himself to his studies, and prepare fresh surprises for the learned world. But, at other times, he would sadly degrade himself and grieve his best friends.

The unhappy man was a favourite with many, for he was socially disposed, and generous, and possessed considerable conversational powers. A position was found for him which was regarded as very suitable. Comfortable apartments and a liberal salary were provided for him as librarian to an Institution. Sub-librarians were under his direction. His hours were, to a great extent, at his own disposal; and yet he had the satisfaction of feeling that by reason of his boundless erudition he could requite those who thus cared for him. But his intemperance had become inveterate. His subordinates had to witness scenes of the most humiliating kind, and could not easily conceal these from public knowledge. Their chief eventually, while he might have been in his prime, became a complete wreck. In the autumn of 1808, while only in his forty-ninth year, he was suddenly called hence. He fell down insensible while passing along the street, and soon after died of epilepsy. Intemperance is one of several fatal snares by which we are endangered. We ought to employ all diligence and circumspection to avoid them.

Reposing at the fountain.-An aged minister of Christ, the Rev. Corbett Cooke, had for some time suffered from dimness of sight. His medical advisers recommended that he should undergo an operation for cataract, as they believed he might thus regain the blessing of eyesight. His daughters tenderly sympathized with their venerable father, and, when one eye had been operated on, suggested that the suffering had better not be renewed until the result was ascertained. To this the father calmly replied, "I can bear it; let my friends here do what they think best." When all was over, Mr. Cooke was completely blind. He could no more see with his eye than with his hand, and knew that in this world the darkness would never be modified. Now was the time for the life-giving stream, for earth's cisterns were all fast failing. The Water of Life was sufficient. The sufferer was still

solemnly happy in God. "Draw up the blind," he said, "that the sun may shine upon me." To cheer his daughters, he playfully added, "Those birds are building their nests, but that fellow is not doing much work, he chirps too loudly. But I suppose he is cheering his mate." So for a few more months did the veteran of Christ rejoice in the Lord, and try to do good. He had escaped the "snares," and had rest of soul at the "fountain." Then he was raised near the Throne whence the streams gush forth. Blessed are those who thus fear the Lord, and are numbered among His children.

September 1.-The Lord's Prayer. LUKE xi. 1: "One of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray."

1. How Jesus prayed.-The Lord Jesus prayed often, in many different places, and at different times. Once He went up into a mountain, and prayed there alone; at other times in the busy streets of cities; at other times in the wilderness and solitary places. He prayed when in bitter sorrow in the garden, on the Mount of

Olives, and He prayed when dying upon the Cross. He prayed for Himself, and for His disciples, and for the people of Jerusalem, and for all who should at any time be His people. He spoke much of prayer, of the need there is for it, and urged men to pray, and "as He was praying in a certain place," when He had finished, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray." So Jesus taught them,

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2. The Lord's Prayer. No such prayer as this was ever, before or since, taught to man. No other prayer has been so often uttered, or in so many different times or places, or by so many different persons. No other single prayer so exactly does for all the various times of life, and for all its needs. It is a prayer for little children such as you, and for such, too, as have lived long. The words are easy, and much knowledge is not needed to find their meaning, yet they are such that the wisest may find in them enough for a lifetime of thought. And we need not wonder at this, for it is "The Lord's Prayer." He taught it, from Whom all wisdom comes, Who knew what was in man, what man wants, and what God has to supply the want. If we get what that prayer asks, we shall have all we need for happiness in this life, and for happiness in the life to come. It gives praise to Our Father in heaven; it asks for what is needed by the body as well as the soul; and by it we pray for others, even for the world, as well as for ourselves. Can you say the Lord's prayer? Do you pray when you use those blessed words? Let them go forth from your lips, and from your heart, day by day, and all life through.

REVISION.-How did Jesus pray? Where and when did He pray? Why did He pray? What is "The Lord's Prayer?" Why is it so called? How came Jesus to teach it? To whom did He teach it! When should we use it ? What does it ask for? How should we use this prayer?

September 8.-How to be truly
Blessed.

LUKE xi. 28: "Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it."

1. A woman's thoughts of Jesus. Jesus was once speaking wise and gracious words, as He often did. Many stood and eagerly listened to all He said. Some believed it, and wished to do as He bade them; some scoffed, and mocked at Him. Even when He did in their presence great and mighty miracles, their wicked hearts led them to try and find evil in them, and they said that He got His power from Satan! But the Lord answered them with power and wisdom so great, that the poor and unlearned saw how great and good and wise He was. And "as He

spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice," and cried out that the mother of such a Son as He was indeed most blessed. This good woman was so full of gladness at what she heard Jesus say, and thought so much of it, that it seemed to her there could be no blessing on earth greater than to be His mother. Perhaps many thought the same, and it might be that some wished they might have had Him for a brother or a son. Would you wish for such a blessing? Do you grieve that this cannot be ? Hear now what Jesus says is,—

2. The best blessing.. "He said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." We cannot belong to the same family as Jesus, but here is something which He says is better, and which we may have. It is a blessed thing to hear the Word of God. Some never hear it. They live in lands which the Word of God has never yet reached. How sad is

their state! The Word of God has never gone to them. Some live where the Word of God is freely within reach, but they will not go to it. The state of these is sadder still. Yet some who hear the Word are not blessed. Why is this? The words of Jesus teach us they only are truly blessed who hear the Word, and keep it. What does this mean? Some hear the Word, and then forget it; they let it slip from their minds, and do not keep it. Some hear and remember the Word, but do not heed it: they keep it in their mind, but not in their life. These cannot be blessed either in this life or in the life to come. There may be much pleasure for a time, while health and life go on aright, but when sickness, or trouble, or death draw nigh, or thoughts of death come, nothing can bring happiness but the blessing which comes to You us through the Word of God. hear the Word of God. This is good, but it is not enough. What more is needed? How can you keep it? Where must you go for help?

REVISION.-What did the woman say about Jesus? Why did she speak thus? What did others think of Jesus? What did they say of Him? How did Jesus answer her? What is it to hear the Word? What is it to keep it! Why do not all hear the Word? How may we keep it?

September 15.-How to use the Light.

LUKE Xi. 34: "The light of the body is the eye."

1. The light of the body.-How precious is the eye! By it we see the faces of those we love; the sky and earth, and the pleasant things with which these are filled. We could not see to play, or to work, or to do or to enjoy any of the many things which depend on sight, but for the eye. How sad and even dreary it seems to us the life must be, if the eye be dimmed with blindness. "The light of the body is the eye." It would be to each one of us as though the light were taken from the world, if the eye were darkened for ever. Very much of our power and very much of our pleasure depends on the eye. If the eye be right, the whole body is full of light; if the eye be evil, or hurt in any way, the body is full of darkness.

2. The light of the soul.-There is an evil greater than the loss of the body's light. It is to lose the light of the soul. When wisdom comes with its light into the soul, what should be done with it? Should it be hid? Should light be hid or used? Should the eye be kept shut, or kept open? A candle is put on the candlestick to give light to all that are in the house. If we have light in the soul, any wisdom, or knowledge of good, if we know and see and love what is right, let us show it, and use it, for our own good, and for the good of others. The way to put out the light is to hide it, and cover it up. The way to lose the good we have, is to hide it, not to show it in our words or ways, but to live as though we had it not. Seek the light of God's Word, and of His Spirit. Seek also the wisdom and grace by which to use it well.

REVISION.-Why is the eye so precious? What evil is greater than to lose the eye? What is the light of the soul? What is the right thing to do with light? What is the right thing to do with wisdom? Where can we get it? How should we use it? What if we have it not?

September 22.-The People's Vow. EXODUS XXIV. 7: "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient."

1. Mount Sinai.-When the children of Israel, in their journey to Canaan,

got to Mount Sinai, they stayed there a long time. It was there that God came down to speak to Moses, and to give the Ten Commandments, and to show him what he must teach the Israelites to do. And there they saw great and terrible sights. The mountain was covered with a cloud, so that no eye could see through it, nor tell Who or what was there. Yet out of its thick darkness came thunderings and lightnings great and terrible to hear and to see; the earth quaked, the mountain itself shook, and all the people feared greatly. They saw something of the great power of God, and they stood in awe of Him.

2. Moses on the Mount.-The Lord called Moses up to the Mount, and the people stood below in wonder and in fear, while he went up to speak to God. Then God gave him a message to the people, and the Commandments, and Moses came down from the Mount. After a time, God called him a second time, and again he went up to the presence of the Lord. When he came down again, and told the people "all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments," they listened with reverence. They knew much of His great power, for He had brought them out of Egypt "with a mighty hand," and they could see before them some signs of His terrible majesty. When, therefore, Moses had given his message, "they answered with one voice." Hear now,

3. The people's promise.-They said, "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." This was a right answer to give.

This was the

way in which to receive the message from the Lord. This is how we should receive and answer the message of God. Where do we find His message? By Whom does He send it? Let us listen in awe. Let us promise to do all that He has said, and to be obedient to His voice. But did the people of Israel keep their promise? For a time they did. But soon they forgat His word, and broke His law, and were not obedient, but rebelled. How was this? Sin got power over their hearts. They loved their own way. While in presence of the Mount on which God had come down, with the thick cloud before them, which covered it, they sinned grievously against Him, and

September 29.-A Lesson from
Sparrows.

LUKE xii. 7: "Ye are of more value than many sparrows."

1. About sparrows.-Every child has seen a sparrow, and knows it well. How many there are! How their chirping wakes us in the morning as they twitter about the roof and the windows! In the summer, when the songs of many other birds fill the air; in the winter, when few birds are to be seen; in the gardens, and fields of the country, in the busy crowded street of the city, in all parts of the land, at all times of the year, the sparrows are about us, busy, pert, familiar. Who takes care of the sparrows? Who feeds them all? They seem to belong to no one. If one is hurt or dies, none seem to weep or to care for it. Yet there is an Eye that watches them all;

"not one of them is forgotten before God." The same Heavenly Father who watches over you and cares for you, cares also for them.

2. The lesson.-It was the same in Palestine as in England with the sparrows; and it was the same with the people there as with us. They had the same care and the same sorrows and wants, and needed the same lessons as we. Jesus was once teaching them to trust in God for all they needed, and He spoke of the sparrows which were flitting over them, as we see them do. He told them that God Who cared for these sparrows, and fed them day by day, would surely care for such as trusted in Him, for "Ye are of more value than many sparrows." The birds of the air, the flowers and the grass of the field, and all things else, are in the keeping of God. Is there a little child who thinks himself forgotten? Look, neglected little one, upon the sparrow as it hops at your side, upon the grass which you tread beneath your feet, and remember that He Who made and preserves these, is your Father in heaven. Fear Him, but fear naught else; trust Him, give Him your heart and your love, and He will keep you by night and by day, all life through, and will take you to His home above when life shall have passed away.

REVISION.-Where are the sparrows seen? How are they fed? By whose care are they kept? What did Jesus say about them? What may we learn from them? Why may we be sure that God cares for us?

BOOKS.

ELFE TAYLER. Revised and enlarged edition, with views of the Five Orphan Houses. London: Morgan and Chase. This is a most opportune publication, for these days of weak faith, aggressive unbelief, and contemptuous denial of the Providence of God and the effectiveness of prayer. As a history this little work is charming in its simplicity and abundance of incident. As a chapter in the rich chronicle of Christian charity it claims an important place in religious literature. No earnest, thoughtful Christian can peruse it without having his faith