On especial difficulty, and pre-eminent earnestness, and marked success, was announced. The whole scene was exceedingly impressive. Such a reward given to effort amid difficulties could not be without its influence. The proceedings of that night were not likely to be soon forgotten by any person who was present, and certainly not by those who were so distinguished. All this was well. Union among the various classes of society, without confusion, is exceedingly desirable. Within these walls there were some of all grades. that platform there were those who had been in frequent and confidential intercourse with the mightiest of earthly Sovereigns, and also lads who had never been to a school in their lives, because their parents were too poor to afford the pence to the teacher, or give up the shilling which a child may earn. The hand of such a statesman and the hand of such a lad were repeatedly clasped. This was pleasing. The grasp which was witnessed and applauded might well serve to represent that union of classes on which much of the welfare and greatness of our much-loved country depends. Then, during the evening, some hours were spent in giving and receiving counsel. Much of this was to the effect that the early portion of life was to be regarded as preparatory to the later. In youth, it was said, we sow the seed. In old age we reap accordingly. Much was * said, and well said, which was calculated to lead those who listened to look forward to future years of the present life. This was well. We do of en reap, when old, what we have sown when young. But, when the whole was over, one defect was painfully felt by some. So far as could be recollected, during the entire proceedings of that long evening there had been no reference to the Supreme Being, to the immortality of our nature, or to the eternal world. Education had been the theme. This caused the speakers to allude to progress. We were to move onward, upward, and higher. If, however, after the struggle of a few months, sickness and death were our lot, we dropped from sight. Those who survived were to continue the struggle, each one hoping that he would be spared, and strengthened, and favoured to climb so high as to escape the drudgery of the mill, or shop, or kitchen; and so high as to be observed by his fellows. Beyond that, there was nothing.-Fix your minds and hearts on the glorious happiness to be enjoyed on Mount Zion, the hill of the Lord; and then you may bravely climb. Then, whether you be spared for many years, or only for a few days, all will be well. So climb that your effort may for ever increase your blessedness. Our greatest achievements, if they have secured for us nothing but what belongs to time, will soon be of no service to us. Our lowliest efforts, if they have augmented our heavenly treasure, will never be in vain. During the year 1858 many were the conjectures expressed concerning "the Great Eastern," or, as she was then designated, "the Leviathan." Many were ready to sneer at the whole enterprise, when it was discovered that there was such difficulty in enticing the gigantic creature into the element for which she had been formed. Persons of capacity incomparably inferior to those who had planned the erection of the ship, and had successfully superintended it, could now merrily criticise the affair, and pronounce it a manifestation of folly. In the summer of 1859, however, the wondrous vessel floated. But even after she had been fairly launched, one disaster after another followed. From among those who expected to have the honour of assisting in navigating the Great Eastern in her first voyage, some were called away into another world, without any warning, by the bursting of a small portion of her engine-apparatus. Brunel, the man whose mind had taken the lead in the formation of the splendid ship, was removed by disease before she had reached the open sea. Then Captain Harrison, who had been selected from hundreds as the suitable commander for such a vessel, and whose whole heart was in his task, was drowned within a short distance of his charge, and within a few minutes after leaving the villa where he had breakfasted with his wife. Advancement will be made in our ocean-navigation; but to those whom we have just named it is as nothing now. All that concerns them at this moment is, whether, amid their other climbing, they made sure of that holiness without which none can ascend the hill of the Lord. Unless they secured the salvation of the Gospel, none of their achievements will ensure their everlasting welfare. If we are made partakers of the forgiving and renewing grace of God, we may be laying up treasure continually which will abide for ever. Whilst striving to make a coat, or a shoe, or a chair; or whilst trying, after a day's work has been done, to improve his knowledge of arithmetic, or to comprehend what he once committed to memory in grammar, or to master the elements of Latin, an apprentice-lad may be, approving himself to the Lord, and so ensuring eternal reward. Climb! Climb, where anything really desirable may be secured! Climb especially where the everlasting joys of heaven are to be gained! CHAPTER II. HOW TO CLIMB. "FOR the structure that we raise, Our to-days and yesterdays Are the blocks with which we build. "In the elder days of art, Builders wrought with greatest care Each minute and unseen part; For the gods see everywhere. "Let us do our work as well, Both the unseen and the seen; "Else our lives are incomplete, Standing in these walls of time, "Build To-day, then, strong and sure, And ascending and secure Shall To-morrow find its place." WE are informed that the highest inhabited spot on the Andes is the farm of Antisana, at an altitude of |