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"Those flowers in the midst of us," I said, "the worm is amongst them, and methinks they lack the fragrance of those eastern plants."

"You see," said the old man, thoughtfully, "it is only at noon that the glorious light shines on them. Their morning has been dark and comfortless; strengthened by no early ray, they battled with the storm, and although they are revived by the beams of the mid-day sun, we see the stain of morning blight on their leaves.

"These are they who in middle life received the first beams of Gospel Truth; the gnawing worm of earthly anxiety has preyed on their hearts; and now, in the midst of the din of life, its harassing occupations and bewildering cares, they are perplexed even in spiritual duties, and lose much of that consoling communion, the fragrance of the morning flower."

We now turned and looked at the western plants, which were wild and straggling. Only the evening sunbeams rested on these; and I perceived that some of them, during the long day, had bent down in their weakness, and thus had become so clogged by the damp earth that they could not rise to receive a parting ray from the rapidly descending sun.

The old man looked somewhat mournfully on them, and thus he spoke :

"I need not tell you that the plants in the west are the aged. Those who through a long life have, with grovelling spirits, turned towards earth; those who loved darkness rather than light, and now that they would fain catch some ray of heavenly hope to illuminate the dim valley through which they feel they must soon pass, their spirits are so encumbered by the heavy soil of worldliness, that they cannot rise above it. On some few however, those setting beams are resting. With them it has come to pass, that at eventide it has been light. At the eleventh hour they were rescued, but many of their leaves are withered. They mourn a life spent in the service of sin, and to the very portals of the heavenly land they journey in sadness of heart, for through lack of godliness in the earlier part of their day, the promise of the life that now is has been blighted, and that which, is to come is but indistinctly seen through the mists of many fears."

My friend and I parted; but I have never since looked on the lowliest flower, glittering in the sungemmed dews of morning, without remembering the comforting assurance of Israel's Shepherd "Those that seek me early shall find me."

STORIES

FROM THE

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

I.

ANGELS APPEAR TO THE DISCIPLES ON MOUNT OLIVET.—THEY RETURN TO JERUSALEM.

If you have not forgotten the "Stories on the Gospels," you will remember that the last chapter concluded with an account of our blessed Saviour's ascension into heaven. We told you how a cloud received him from the sight of his sorrowing disciples.

This parting took place on Olivet's pleasant mountain, where they had so often held sweet communion together. And, in darker hours, it was under the shelter of those mountain olives that the "Man of Sorrows" had poured out his soul to the Father, and the echo of those words,-" If it be possible, let this cup pass from me,"-seemed still to linger amidst their shadows.

Yes; on the very spot endeared to them by so many holy recollections, stands that little company,

B

and life seems sad and desolate now that their beloved Lord and Master is taken from their sight.

"Ye

Who are those bright beings clothed in white? They are angel-messengers from the heavenly world. They remonstrate with the sorrowful band. men of Galilee," they say, "why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." The disciples are comforted by this assurance, and return to Jerusalem.

And it is a consoling thought to us, when we see sin triumphing and sorrow abounding, to remember that our Redeemer shall indeed come again in power and great glory, that every eye shall see him, and that whilst those who have neglected this great salvation, call, in their wild despair, on the rocks and the mountains to fall on them and hide them from the presence of an offended God, yet that he will be admired in all them that believe-that his faithful servants will shout for joy, and the chorus of their exulting song will at length be, "Lo, this is our God! we have waited for him and he will save us! this is the Lord! we have waited for him; we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!"

And now that the Saviour is no longer with his disciples, do they forget the holy example of his sinless life, and again thoughtlessly rush into the

midst of a careless world? Oh, no! their very first act is prayer-prayer perhaps more earnest, more importunate than ever, now that their beloved Saviour no longer visibly dwells amongst them.

In a quiet street, in a lone upper room that little party assembles, and there, with one accord, they continue in prayer and supplication; and after thus seeking heavenly guidance, they choose Matthias to fill the place left vacant by the desertion of Judas, the traitor.

Happy people, thus to maintain communion with your risen Saviour! We are not surprised that you go on your way courageously, for prayer is a mighty engine, that in a moment brings the strength of the Eternal to the weakest of his creatures.

We hope, dear young friends, that you continue instant in prayer, and then all things are yours. In perplexity, you will be guided aright-in sorrow, you will be supported-in prosperity, encircled by a watchful love that never varies; and, in death, oh! who can tell the consolation and the peace that the Faithful and the True will give to the soul thus seeking him! "for every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

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