"But then, indeed," observed Mr. Hanbury, "in the winter vacation we are always sure of having my ward, Mr. Douglas, with us; and he enlivens our solitude a little, though not so much as he would do if he were not so very studious ; for we never see him till evening.

"Your ward, Sir?" replied Jane; "what, Mr. Douglas, of Trinity! is he your ward? and does he stay with you sometimes, Sir?"

"Yes, certainly; our house is his home, I may say; but what do you know of Mr. Douglas?"

"I! Nothing, Sir; only a friend of mine knows him, and-and-she says, Sir, he is a very proud young man."

"Does she? Ah! she is not the first person who has mistaken coldness and reserve of manner for pride; but suppose he is proud, what can that signify to you? To you he will not show his pride, I am sure.

"

"Would I were as sure of that!" thought Jane, who, oppressed by the

idea of her lowly fortunes, thought that a man of Mr. Douglas's pride and consequence would treat, perhaps with neglect, if not with scorn, the dependent on his guardian's bounty; and while she heard the Hanburys exult in the prospect of seeing their ward very soon, she felt the expectation of his arrival throw a cloud over the pleasure which stole through her whole frame as she seated herself by the cheerful wood fire in the wide chimney of Mr. Hanbury's comfortable study, which had been lighted to cheer a chill September evening.

"Well," said Jane to herself, "if he comes, he can only stay two or three months, and Mr. Hanbury says they never see him till evening."

Thus she consoled herself for the expected interruption to her happiness; and then, with a heart full of devout thankfulness she retired to rest, happy in the consciousness that she was once more sheltered under a paternal roof. (To be continued.)

JAN. 6.-NEW YEAR'S PETITIONS.

(Psalm xxvii.)

GOD'S PRESENCE. The Exiles. I have read (says Brooks) of a company of poor Christians who were banished into some remote part; and one standing by, seeing them pass along, said that it was a very sad condition those people were in, to be thus hurried from the society of men and made companions with the beasts of the field. "True," said another, "it were a sad condition indeed, if they were carried to a place where they should not find their God; but let them be of good cheer: God goes along with them, and will exhibit the comforts of his presence whithersoever they go. God's presence with his people is a spring that never fails."

GOD'S GUIDANCE.-The Lost Woman. -A poor woman, residing in a vil

lage in Bedfordshire, had occasion to go to another village, about three miles distant; and, as she could not return before evening, it was agreed that her husband, who was a labouring man, should meet her as she returned home. The night being extremely dark, she unfortunately missed her way, and her endeavours to find the path only led her farther from it. Bewildered and alarmed, she wandered she knew not whither. In this distressing situation she walked about for some time, until completely fatigued and exhausted. At this moment it was strongly impressed upon her mind to sit down, and wait the return of morning; this she accordingly did, and on extending her feet, in order to obtain as much relief as possible for her weary limbs, they splashed in some water. Ignorant of her real situation, and with

out one ray of light to direct her, her feelings may be more easily conceived than described; with the utmost anxiety she awaited the dawn of day, which discovered her perilous situation, on the bank of a deep river (the Ouse), into which another step would inevitably have plunged her. Being a pious woman, she first acknowledged, with unfeigned gratitude, the hand of her gracious Preserver, and then made the best of her way home.

GOD'S PROTECTION. Wesley's Escape from Fire.-Mr. Wesley, the father of the Rev. John Wesley, was roused from sleep by the cry of "Fire!" from the street; but, little imagining that the fire was in his own house, he opened his bed-room door, and found the place full of smoke, and perceived that the roof was already burnt through. Directing his wife and two girls to rise and flee for their lives, he burst open the nursery door, where the maid was sleeping with five children. She snatched up the youngest, and bade the others follow her; the three eldest did so; but John, who was then six years old, was not awakened, and in the alarm was forgotten. The rest of the family escaped-some through the windows, others by the garden-door; and Mrs. Wesley, to use her own expression, "waded through the fire." At this time, John, who had not been remembered till that moment, was heard crying in the nursery. The father ran to the stairs, but they were so nearly consumed that they could not bear his weight; and being utterly in despair, he fell upon his knees in the hall, and in agony, commended the soul of the child to God. John had been awakened by the light; and finding it impossible to escape by the door, climbed up a chest that stood near the window, and he was then seen from the yard. There was no time for procuring a ladder; but one man was hoisted on the shoulders of another, and thus he was taken out. A moment afterwards the roof fell in. When the child was carried to the house where his parents were, the

father cried out, "Come neighbours, let us kneel down; let us give thanks to God! He has given me all my eight children; let the house go, I am rich enough.' Mr. Wesley remembered this providential deliverance through life with the deepest gratitude.

Gresham and the Grasshopper.—Sir Thomas Gresham, who built the Royal Exchange in London, was the son of a poor woman, who, while he was an infant, abandoned him in a field. By the providence of God, however, the chirping of a grasshopper attracted a boy to the spot where the child lay; and his life was by this means preserved. After Sir Thomas had, by his unparalleled success as a merchant, risen to the pinnacle of commercial wealth and greatness, he chose a grasshopper for his crest; and becoming, under Queen Elizabeth, the founder of the Royal Exchange, his crest was placed on the walls of the building in several parts, and a vane, or weather-cock, in the figure of a grasshopper, was fixed on the summit of the tower.

The Eagle's Nest and the Child.-Sir Robert Sibbald relates, that a woman in the Orkney Islands, having left her child of about one year old in a field, while she went to some distance, an eagle passing by took up the infant by its clothes, and carried it to her nest on a neighbouring rock; this being observed by some fishermen, they instantly pursued the eagle, attacked her nest, and brought back the child unhurt.

JAN. 13.-THE WORLD PREPARED FOR MAN. (Gen. i. 1—25.)

THE POWER, WISDOM, AND KINDNESS OF GOD.-Lesson from a Leaf.-When the Rev. John Thorpe, of Masborough, in Yorkshire, had preached for about two years, he was greatly harassed with temptations to atheism, which continued, with a few intervals, many months; and his distress on this account was sometimes indescribably great. At length, however, he was happily delivered by the following occur

rence: Passing through a wood, with a design to preach in a neighbouring village, while he was surveying his hand, a leaf accidentally stuck between his fingers. He felt a powerful impression to examine the texture of the leaf. Holding it between his eye and the sun, and reflecting upon its exquisitely curious and wonderful formation, he was led into an extensive contemplation of the works of creation; and tracing these back to their first cause, he had, in a moment, such a conviction of the existence and ineffable perfections of God, that his distress was removed; and he prosecuted his journey, rejoicing in God, and admiring Him in every object that presented itself to his view. JANUARY 20.-EARLY DAYS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

YOUTH WORKING FOR GOD.-A Young Lady's Day's Labour.-A young lady commenced a tour of active duty in a street in Boston, with a view to do something for the cause of the Redeemer. She devoted a whole day to visiting the poor, and the following statistics show the result of the day's labour : "Visited forty families; found fifteen children who did not attend any Sabbath-school, and who engaged to go; seven families that would be pleased

to receive visits from the minister; and twelve families having no regular place for public worship, who promised to

attend." Reader! the field of usefulness in the city and country is extensive; the labourers are few; by active and judicious efforts you can do much to enlighten and save dying sinners; then "Go thou and do likewise."

The Pious Schoolboy's Exertions.-A little lad in one of the villages of Connecticut was converted to God while he attended school; and he began to study how he might benefit his playmates, and win their hearts to Christ. He was not satisfied with merely living like a Christian before them, watching carefully over his words and actions, and bearing with patience all their persecutions and

ridicule on account of his piety, but he determined to use some active means for their salvation. With this in view, he gave notice that there would be a prayermeeting in the school-house during the intermission. Drawn by curiosity, and to enjoy the sport they wickedly expected, the scholars assembled; but who was to conduct the meeting? Our little friend, strengthened by the Saviour, gave out his hymn, sang and prayed, and then simply, affectionately, and faithfully exhorted his companions. Some during the exercises behaved with propriety, others jeered, laughed, and attempted to break up the little service. Unmoved by these persecutions and his apparent ill success, the little hero continued the meeting on succeeding days. The master attended, to see if everything was properly conducted, and was astonished undoubtedly (for he was an unconverted man) at the confidence and calmness of the lad. He severely reprimanded those who were only present to disturb the devotions, and saved the young Christian from further persecution. Soon some of the lads became anxious, patient, and were converted. Their parents, witnessing the change, were induced to come with them at their hour of devotion, and ere long several of these were seeking for mercy among the little flock of pious, praying lambs. The ministers of the place, hearing of this wonderful movement, were aroused, and eventually took charge of the services. Other meetings were appointed, and the result was, that about sixty persons, young and old, obtained the salvation of their souls. The whole work, the importance and value of which eternity alone can show, originated, and was in a large sense carried on, by this pious, faithful, and courageous little lad! Oh, how much good young Christians may accomplish!

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made up. The simplicity of youthful conversion was illustrated in the case of a child thirteen years old, who resided in New York. "Mother," said this girl, can you know whether or not I am a Christian by my feelings?" "My dear," replied her mother, "I must first know what your feelings are." The daughter smiled, and said, "Well, then, you know, when you have been angry with a person, and it is all made up, how happy you feel? Now I have been a long time angry with God, and it is all made up, and I feel so happy." Thus she expressed a sense of reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ.

leaf frightened me; terrified by I knew not what, fleeing when no man pursued, I gallopped home as fast as my horse could carry me. Now, if I go to visit a poor dying man, or if I have been enjoying the Word of Life, I come home in a calm and peaceful frame of mind. I find that the Lord is present with me; and as I walk my horse gently along, I look up and see the bright stars above my head, and am happy in the assurance that the God who made them all is mine in Christ. Oh, what a mercy!the loneliness of the wood, the rustling of the leaves, the stillness of night, no longer alarm me. I am, I trust, reconciled to my God, and at peace with him and my own conscience, through the death of his Son. He that fills the heavens with his glory, and the earth with his mercies, condescends to dwell in and to comfort my poor sinful heart."

The Texts will always be found in the First or

JANUARY 1.

The Circumcision of Christ.

SUBJECT:-THE UNRIVALLED IMPORT OF THE SAVIOUR'S NAME.

LUKE ii. 21.-" His name was called Jesus. Names in ancient times were generally significant; but the name of Jesus is possessed of a significance all and for ever its own-" His name shall be called Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins."

This is the name by which, chiefly, the Saviour is designated throughout the Gospels; when He was known as the Messiah, He was called Christ; but when He was exalted, and bestowed the abundant gifts which enriched the early Church, He was called Lord-the Lord Jesus Christ.

A most interesting and conclusive proof is thus afforded of the early date of the Gospels, which is fully amplified by Dr. O. Dobbin in an able pamphlet on the subject.

I. THIS NAME WAS THE SUBJECT OF ANCIENT PROPHECY.

ISAIAH ix. 6.-" For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful."

VI. THIS NAME IS THE CHRISTIAN'S PROFESSION. 1 COR. i. 2.-"With all that in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

VII. THIS NAME IS ENTITLED TO UNIVERSAL DOMINION.

PHIL. ii. 9, 10, 11.-"Wherefore God also hath highly eralted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

All hail! the power of Jesus' name.

Jesus, the name high over all,
In hell, or earth, or sky;
Angels and men before it fall,

And devils fear and fly.
Jesus, the name to sinners dear,

The name to sinners given;
It scatters all their guilty fear,
And turns their hell to heaven.
JANUARY 6.

The Epiphany.

SUBJECT: THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST TO THE GENTILES.

EPHESIANS iii. 3, 5, 6.—“ He made known unto me the mystery which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel."

L. THIS WAS A PART OF THE DIVINE PURPOSE. According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

IL IT WAS A MYSTERY — A

THING HIDDEN.

Which from the beginning of the world had been hid in God.

III. IT WAS AFTERWARDS REVEALED. It is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

IV. IT WAS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE PREACHING OF CHRIST. That I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

V. IT WAS FOR THE DIVINE GLORY. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God. (NOTE.-This outline would serve for a Missionary Sermon.)

JANUARY 13.

First Sunday after Epiphany.

SUBJECT:-THE LIVING SACRIFICE. ROMANS xii. 1, 2.-"I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present

That ye may

3. It is reasonable on our part. II. THE END TO BE SOUGHT IN IT. prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

1. Personal religion is the good and perfect will of God.

2. Personal religion is capable of individual proof, that ye may prove, &c.

III. THE MOTIVE BY WHICH THIS PRESENTATION IS TO BE MADE. I beseech you, therefore, brethren by the mercies of God.

1. This is a motive which should be felt by all. 2. This motive is sufficient to accomplish the end desired.

JANUARY 20.

Second Sunday after Epiphany.

SUBJECT: THE VARIETY OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE. ROMANS Xii. 6.-" Having . . . gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us."

When Christ ascended up on high, He received gifts for men: these were shed abundantly on the Church by the agency of the Holy Ghost. "He divideth to every man severally as He will."

The new converts were subject to being puffed up with the gifts which had been bestowed: it was necessary, therefore, to give instructions as to the right exercise of them. This the apostle does in the passage before us.

I. THE VARIETY OF THE GIFTS. "Gifts differing."

1. Extraordinary. Those which belonged to the apostolic age.

2. Ordinary. Those which are continued in the Church down to the present time. There is still great diversity in the nature of the gifts which God bestows upon Christian men for service in His Church and in the world.

II. THE SPECIALITY OF THE SERVICE WHICH IS ENJOINED IN CONSEQUENCE OF THEM. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us," we are to exercise them accordingly.

1. This will keep every man in his own sphere to his proper work.

2. Prevent confusion in the co-operation required of the Church.

3. Every one's work will be better done by his giving special attention to it.