their treasures, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The best they had they thought not too good for Jesus. It was not the refuse, that which they could do very well without, they offered to him, as we would give the scraps to a beggar, that we could make no use of ourselves. No, it was their treasures. If these wise men went from Arabia, which it is probable they did, they brought the best their country could afford. And what is a Christian called upon to offer? who is it that saith, "My son, give me thine heart?" Remember the entreaty of the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of Paul, in (Rom. xii. 1,) "I beseech you, therefore, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice to God, which is your reasonable service." And he says in another place, as if to prove that this dedication is no more than a reasonable service, "Ye e are not your own, therefore glorify God with your bodies and your spirits which are his." And the Christian could not dare to offer less than this, though he feels and acknowledges his all is nothing worth.

Let each one that reads these few remarks ask themselves, are they acting in these four particulars like these wise men ; for this narrative, recorded as it is by the Holy Ghost, is like all other Scripture, "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." These wise men are among the cloud of witnesses who surround us, and whose example we are to follow. The Lord grant us grace so to do. Amen.

RULES FOR A CHRISTIAN'S DAILY WALK. (Colossians iii. 1, 2, 23, 24.)

1. I will, by the grace of God, without which I can do nothing, commit my soul and body into his special keeping, as soon as I open my eyes in the morning, before I

have committed actual sin-And I will try to rise early, that I may by earnest prayer clothe myself with the whole armour of God, and thus furnished, go forth to my personal, relative, and social duties, in the strength of the Lord. I will avoid speaking of myself. I will kindly speak of the absent if possible, if not I will keep silence. I will conscientiously refrain from finding fault with God's ministers and people, unless compelled by circumstances. I will make conscience of my thoughts, and I will keep my heart with all diligence. At meal times I will always invite the presence as well as the blessing of God my Saviour; that so my undeserved abundance may fill my heart with gratitude to Him, and active compassion towards my fellow-creatures. (1 Cor. x. 31.)

2. I will carefully gather up the fragments of time, by always having some work in hand, which I will not be deterred from pursuing by the presence of strangers. I will arm myself with the same mind which was in Christ Jesus, and not give way to impatience when vexations or disappointments arise, or when my time is invaded by visitors; but, darting up a prayer to my God, I will go cheerfully to meet every cross, and study to transform it into a blessing. (Mark x. 27; Phil. i. 27.)

3. When I feel irritable, cross, or fretful, either from thoughts within, indisposition of body, noise of children, negligence or stupidity of servants, I will pray that some passage of Scripture may gently steal over my mind like a heavenly visitor calming the ruffled waves, and saying, "Peace be still;" and I will honestly endeavour to encourage, not quench, this good spirit.-(Rom. vii. 26-28.) When I enter the House of God, I will keep in mind the object of my visit there; I will call in wandering thoughts; I will make a covenant with mine eyes and all my senses; I will fix my attention on what God will speak to me by the public ordinances of his grace; I will expect help from his sanctuary, assurances of pardoning love, and answers to the prayer of faith. (Ps. xx.)

4. I will prayerfully endeavour to keep to the plainest simplicity of dress consistent with my station, ever ready to give up fashionable superfluities and amusements, in order to increase my means for ministering to the wants of others; and all I give away shall be given with a glad heart, in the name of the Lord Jesus, looking for the fulfilment of his promise at his glorious appearing. (Matt xxv. 31—40; Luke xvii. 10.)

5. If I am engaged in business, or trade of whatsoever nature, I will pray and try, while my hands, and attention, are diligently employed in it, my spirit may often soar upward, and hold communion with God; (1 Thes. iv. 1—6.) or if my pursuits be sedentary, I will remember to seek earnestly such a blessing upon my labours, that my attainments may turn to the advantage of others, and my mind be not puffed up with self-conceit. (Prov. iii. 5, 6; xxiii. 12-25.)

6. If I am a servant, I will remember that no vexation or trial can overtake me without the permission of God; that I cannot take any situation in life where there will be no cross; neither is there any place without its comforts, if I do my duty, submit myself cheerfully to those above me, and do all the good in my power to those around me, I will therefore bear patiently with the tempers of my fellow-servants. I will try not to give back hasty words. I will do any good turn for them when I can, though it should not be exactly my place, and thus by my example in public, and my prayers for them in private, I will seek to be a blessing to every household I enter. I will be modest in my dress and looks, and diligent in every duty. (1 Pet. ii. 18-25.)

7. If I have to earn my bread by the sweat of my brow, I will often lift up my heart to God in gratitude for my health and inclination to follow my calling. It is he who makes me strong to labour, therefore I will not be high-minded as though by my own power or wisdom

I was able to be active, and sober. I will watch against any feeling of discontent at my lot, and consider what the Lord says to me, "that godliness with contentment is great gain," therefore I will strive in whatever station he has placed me, therewith to be content; and I will carefully avoid those persons, and places, which might lead me to drunkenness, swearing, sabbath-breaking, or forgetfulness of God, my wife, and family. (Is. xli 10-13.)

8. If I am a wife or mother, if a husband or father, I will consider my deep responsibility in these relations; I will keep in continual remembrance that my children have souls, as well as bodies, for which I am to give account; my chief concern and prayer, therefore, shall be, how to educate and train them for another world, as well as this. If aged parents or poor relations depend on me for help, I will cheerfully assist them: does not my Saviour know claims? Is he not able as well as wilmy wants and my ling to afford me the aid he has promised? And when he comes again in glory, has he not engaged to be, Himself, my exceeding great reward? (Gen. xv. 1; Deut. xxxiii. 25; Phil. iv. 6, 7, 13, 19.)

9. If I am a widow or an orphan, if I am poor or old, sick or sorrowful, diseased or distressed in any way, not knowing where to look for food or raiment, I will continue instant in prayer, till I can cast my care upon Him who careth for me, and not only submit to what I cannot help, but cheerfully conform to the will of my God, and find myself enabled to take hold of, and apply to my special case, some of those precious promises contained in his word. (Job v. 17, 18, 19, 27; Heb. xii. 1–14; Ps. i. 15, 23; 2 Cor. iv. 15–18; Is. liv. 4-14; 1 Cor. xv. 57, 58.)

10. But if I am careless and unconcerned about my soul, loving this world, and hating the things of God; if I am an ungodly parent, or an undutiful child; if a youthful offender, a hardened transgressor, or an aged

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sinner; if the pleasures, or even the lawful occupations of life, quench every godly feeling in my heart, then what have I to expect? The Scriptures inform me without any compromise; there I read my own case distinctly in 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10; Eph, v. 6,7; Rev. xxii. 18, 19, 20. There I discover the end of my present path. O! may the God of mercy hear those who pray for me, may he change my present ways, and opinions, by the operation of that Spirit, and the merits of that Saviour, for whom I now care so little. (Is. lv. 6-7.) Amen.

ANECDOTE OF MARTIN LUTHER.

The following incident in the life of Luther is related by writers of the age in which he lived, though it is not generally known. It serves to illustrate various features in the character of this great reformer, and particularly his amiable cheerfulness in social life.

On the 3rd March, A. D. 1522, Luther rose with the determination of quitting the Wartburg for ever. He bade adieu to its old towers and gloomy forests, passed the walls within which he had been safe from the excommunications of Pope Leo X., and from the sword of the Emperor Charles V., and descended the mountain. That world which lay at his feet, and in the midst of which he was about to re-appear, would soon perhaps clamour for his death. It mattered not; he went on with good cheer, for in the name of the Lord he was about to return among

men.

Luther had been two days on his way to Wittemburg, when in the evening a tremendous storm burst and flooded the roads. Two young Swiss, who were journeying in the same direction, hastened to reach a shelter in the city of Jena. They had studied at Basle, and the great reputation of Wittemburg was attracting them to that univer