sadly benighted. Many of the nations whom they designate "barbarians" are really possessed of far more knowledge than the Chinese. The Christian Missionaries did, however, discover that the residents in this long street were scrupulously devout according to their own notions. In each house there was an idol; and to that idol prayer and offerings were constantly and reverently presented.

In one of the houses the Missionaries found the occupant, an aged man, burning incense before a picture suspended against the wall. They were astonished to find that the picture was a representation of Napoleon Bonaparte. Most likely some sailors, English or French, had exchanged it for some kind of produce. Now it was regarded as a god. The Missionaries inquired, "What is that?" The reply was, "That is our family god." When further questioned, the old man became perplexed. He knew not whence the picture came, nor whom it represented. When remonstrated with, he answered, "O, we worship anything."

Instruction spurned.-When wise and loving counsel is despised and disliked, there must be something wrong within the heart of him who so acts. The chief reason is that instruction, if really good, must be "reproof" to those whose chosen paths are evil. The counsel given and the road preferred are opposed to each other. Both cannot be relished at the same time. When such counsel has been hated for a lengthened period, terrible mischief is the result. We wonder, as well as sorrow, that so many, who have been brought up in godly homes, or have during years been taught in a Sabbathschool, are afterwards found amid the wretchedness and vileness of a drunkard's habitation, or suffering the punishment of felons in prison. They hated reproof, and became "brutish."

Instruction prized.-A Hottentot woman died whilst residing with a colonist in Africa. Her master unjustly claimed some sheep and oxen which the Hottentot woman had acquired, and held her little daughter, named Diana, in bondage as a slave. The girl grew up in

ignorance, and heard nothing of religion until one Sabbath, on the occasion of the baptism of her master's child, Diana had to go to the church. She then heard so much as to excite an earnest desire to know more.

In her master's house the Bible was sometimes read, but never in the presence of coloured people. Diana had, however, to wash the feet of her master's guests, and for a time succeeded in taking in the water at such an hour as to hear a little. She afterwards said: 66 Many were the tears I shed, and which fell into the water vessel, while I was thus employed." Diana's commendable cunning was, however, detected, and frustrated. She then adopted another expedient. The threshold of the door between the kitchen and the hall had been partially worn away. By applying her attentive ear to the aperture, Diana was enabled to hear some sentences of God's Word occasionally. After some time she heard a Missionary preach from the text, "Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out." She found the Saviour, and was filled with joy. Soon afterwards proofs of her right to freedom were made apparent to an upright magistrate, and Diana was liberated from slavery. Her life was henceforth both happy and useful.

Goodness before Craft.

PROV, xii. 2: "A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will He condemn."

QUEEN ELIZABETH breathed her last at the palace of Richmond, at three o'clock, on the morning of Thursday, the 24th of March, 1603. Immediately there was an earnest race, in which several men of note engaged, each desirous to be the first to convey the tidings to James, who was in Scotland. The great Queen was speedily neglected by them in order to secure the favour of her successor. There is some dispute concerning the successful competitor. But it is generally believed that Sir Robert Carey was the fortunate individual. He had a sister, Lady Scrope, who had admission to the chamber where Elizabeth Tudor was dying. The moment

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the Queen ceased to live, Lady Scrope stealthily left the room, whispered the tidings to her brother, and Sir Robert mounted his horse for the North. those days the smile of the monarch was regarded as of priceless worth, and his frown as a calamity to be averted at all cost. Infinitely more important is the approbation of Almighty God, King of kings. We here learn that real goodness will avail to secure the smile of God, but sinful craft will merely ensure His disapprobation.

Real goodness will secure the approbation of Almighty God.-We are constantly taught in Holy Scripture that Divine grace is needed in order that we may become really good. Only by God's mercy in Christ Jesus can we be pardoned; and only by the influences of God's Spirit can we be made holy. But when; by Divine grace, we have been made good, we are certain of His approbation. However poor, however ignorant, however feeble, and however despised of men, we shall have God's approval.

The Lord cares for His people during the present life. God does not always

avert from His servants that which we deem evil; but He will ever avert that which is really evil. God often denies to His children that which they ask for, believing it to be good; but He never denies to them that which is really good. A Missionary, named Henry, was engaged in superintending the cutting of timber for the building of a vessel for the use of those engaged in preaching God's Word. He was at the foot of a mountain, and had been, for some time, hard at work. He had become very thirsty; and, as there was a brook of water flowing at no great distance, he repaired thither. High overhead men had been at work felling an immense tree. It was just yielding to their efforts. They know nothing of the situation of the Missionary. Just at the moment he purposes to stoop, the tree will come thundering down the mountain-side, and strike the very place he has selected. Then he must die, it may be said, for the laws of nature are never, in our days, suspended. Doubtless, many a good man has been allowed thus to die when at his post of duty. But in each case it has been

because the Lord judged that best, on the whole. God's favour was in no case withdrawn, or impotent. In this case the Lord deems it best for His devoted follower to live, and so he does live. No need for gravitation to be suspended. The Lord has access to the mind of His servant. An unaccountable impulse leads him to change his purpose, and quench his thirst a few yards distant. Thus is he delivered from death.

The Lord cares for His people at the close of the present life. "I die in peace; I die in the Lord. I have known what it is to live in the Lord; and now I know what it is to die in the Lord. Give my love to all good people. I die in peace." So said the Rev. Joseph Gostick as he finished his course.

Selfish craft incurs the displeasure of Almighty God." Wicked devices" may succeed for a time; and, in some rare instances, even to the close of life; but the frown of God rests on the evildoer. In all cases, when this life has terminated, and generally at an earlier period, the Lord's displeasure will be made apparent. The triumph of the wicked is short.

Titus Oates was, for a season, during the reign of Charles II., the idol of many Protestants in England. Wherever he appeared, men uncovered their heads. The lives of the most powerful seemed at his mercy. A Clergyman of the Church of England, and, professedly, a determined opponent of the Papacy, his oath was credited, and many were condemned to imprisonment, confiscation, or death. Without doubt the wretch occasioned the execution of several innocent persons, and the grievous punishment of many. But an hour of retribution arrived, His cruel devices were detected, and the miserable man's punishment was terrible. He was sentenced to be stripped of his clerical habit, to stand in the pillory in various places, to be whipped from Aldgate to Newgate, and two days after to be whipped from Newgate to Tyburn. He was then to be imprisoned for life, being placed in the pillory five times every year. The dreadful sentence was carried into effect; except that, after a long period, he obtained his liberty, an impoverished, maimed, and despised man.

January 2.-A Lesson for Idlers. PROV, vi. 6: "Go to the ant, thou sluggard."

1. The sluggard.-Did you ever see a sluggard at his work? How often he stops, though the time he wastes is not his own. How slowly he moves. He does not put forth his strength, or work with a will. If sent on an errand, he loiters, and cares not, though he cause much trouble to others. If he has to learn a lesson, or to work at home, all is done in the same way; it is ill done, or not done at the right time, or not done at all. Hear what the Bible teaches about the sluggard: His " way is as an hedge of thorns: " he always has troubles about him, and will not strive enough to get through them. His garden has "thorns" instead of fruit trees, and "nettles" instead of flowers. He says "there is a lion in the way;" he is frightened without danger. "The slothful" man is "under tribute;" he will not rise to be a master, but must ever be ruled and driven by others.

2. His teacher." Go to the ant, thou sluggard." The ant is a small teacher, but he may give a good lesson. It is a pretty sight in summer to watch them at their work. Each one has something to do; they work with all their might. How busy all are! How fast they run! What a lesson for sluggards! They have no guide to direct them, no overseer to see that all are at work, no ruler to order them; yet there is no idler to hinder or trouble the rest. The summer is their time of labour, and "they provide their meat" in due season, and gather their food in harvest. It is not so with the sluggard; he sleeps away his time, till poverty comes upon him. "He will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing."

3. The lessons.-Let us all learn the evil of sloth. All should work. There is work for all, even for little ones. None can be happy without it. For the good of ourselves and the good of others we should work. Then, too, "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." If not, the time will pass in which alone it can be done.

In this way only can we please God, and fill up well the time of our life.

REVISION.-What is a sluggard? Why is sloth wrong? What does the Bible teach about the sluggard? What may we learn from the ant? What evils are likely to come upon the sluggard? Why should we work! How should we work?

Jan. 9.-A Prayer Refused. DEUT. iii. 25: “I pray Thee, let me go over."

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1. The end of the journey.-The long journey of the Israelites was at last over. They had wandered in the desert forty years, and had passed through many dangers on their way. All who had come out of Egypt, save three men, had died; for God had said that, for their sin and want of faith in Him, none should enter the good land of Canaan. were weary with their travels, and were glad to be so near their place of rest. They had heard much about the beauty and richness of the "promised land;" of its green meadows, and clear streams, and rich cornfields and vineyards, and they eagerly longed to enter this goodly land, and dwell there, and be at rest.

2. Moses' prayer. He was anxious, like the rest, to enter Canaan, and dwell there. To him the long journey had been full of trouble and toil, and he looked forward with hope and joy to the time when he should go in, and be at rest. He knew the promise God had given that Israel should possess this land; and now, as he stood on the slopes of the hill, looking over the river Jordan, he said, "I pray Thee, let me go over, and see the good land." But God was "wroth" with him, and said he should not go into the land. How was this? Had Moses displeased God by sin? Yes, when the people murmured for water, God told him to speak to the rock, and water should flow from it. Moses struck the rock, in anger, with his rod, and spoke sharp words to the people. For this God was angry with him, and said he should not enter the land to which he was leading the people. Instead of this, God told him to go to the top of the mountain, and from there he should see the land in all its beauty, but should die without entering.

3. A warning.-God has promised to us a better land than Canaan. What land is that? Will all enter heaven? Why not? Because none can enter there who die in their sins. How were the Israelites kept out of Canaan? They would not believe, and trust in God. "Let us therefore fear," lest we should come short of our promised home. How may we enter there? Only through our Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood can cleanse from every stain.

REVISION.-What was the "promised land?” Why were the Israelites so anxious to enter it? Repeat Moses' prayer. Why did God refuse it! What promise has God given us? What does our Lesson teach us about it? Who are they that will be shut out of heaven? How may we enter heaven?

Jan. 16.-A Refuge from Danger. GEN, vii. 1: "Come thou and all thy house into the ark."

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1. The sin.-Our Lesson tells of a time, long ago, when the people of the earth were very wicked. All had forgotten God, or cared not for His worship: "The wickedness of man was great," every thought of his heart was only evil," and that "continually." Men everywhere had, day by day, much goodness from God; but they thought not of Him from whom it came. "God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt," and full of" violence;" in no dwelling was there the worship of God; no little ones were taught to pray to Him, save only in the dwelling and family of Noah: this was the one only bright spot amidst "the darkness " of sin which covered

"the

people." The anger of God was great, and He said He would bring a flood of waters upon the earth by which everything that was in the earth should die.

2. The ark. - Noah had not sinned as the rest. Would God forget him then, or leave him to perish with the rest? No; He told him what He was about to do, and bade him " prepare an ark to the saving of his house." But how was Noah to do this? God told him all he needed to do, exactly as He wished; the kind of wood he was to use, the size and shape, and all about it. When all was ready, God caused some living creatures of all kinds to enter the ark, that they might be saved: beasts of the earth, fowls of the air, and creeping things. When

this strange company had gone in, God said to Noah, "Come thou and all thy house into the ark." And Noah went into the ark, and his wife, and his sons, and his sons' wives. No harm could now come to them, for "God shut them in."

3. The flood.-Now, "the windows of heaven were opened," "the fountains of the great deep were broken up,' the rain came down for "forty days and forty nights;" such rain as has never since fallen, such as never again will fall. The water filled the valleys, and rose up the hill-sides, until "all the high hills were covered" with the water. But what became of Noah and all in the ark? They were safe, "for it was lift up above the earth," and "the ark went upon the face of the waters." But what of those outside? "All flesh died that moved upon the earth," fowl and cattle, and beast and creeping thing, "and every man." Noah had often warned them of their danger; but they heeded him not, and so perished in their sin and unbelief.

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4. Another Refuge. There is another danger, and another rescue. Sin still abounds in the earth. Does God see it? and know it all? Is He still angry because of sin? Yet He has promised that He will not again destroy the earth by a flood. Is there, then, no punishment for sin ? Yes; "the wicked shall be turned into hell." Is there any escape from this? Yes; the Lord Jesus Christ is the Ark of our refuge. Do you fear because of your sin? Flee to Him; He will save you now, and for

ever.

REVISION.-Why did God send the flood? Who was saved at that time? Why was Noah saved? how? What danger are we in? How may we be saved?

Jan. 23.-A Warning against Sin. JOEL i. 7:"He hath laid my vine waste."

1. About the vine.-In the land of Israel were many vineyards, as the vine was one of their most precious trees. It was beautiful to look at, covering the hill-sides with its long trailing stems, its pretty leaves, and its rich clusters of grapes. The grapes were large and fine, and in that hot land were much prized. From them, too, they made wine. So the vine was a

2. A time of sorrow. When the enemies of Israel came into their land, they tried to destroy the vines, and break down the vineyards. This was a great loss and injury, and was much mourned by the people. Our verse

"He

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tells of such a time of sorrow. hath laid my vine waste." was this enemy that "wasted" the vine ? They are called "a nation," "strong," and "without number." Who were they? Not an army of fierce warriors from another people. They were a part of God's great army. Our last Lesson told of the flood sent by God, and why it came. And now His people had sinned long and sadly, and God sent the locusts among them, which had wrought this great waste. The locust is something like a very large grasshopper; they have wings, and can fly a great distance; they have long legs too, and at times march in great numbers across the land. There is grief and terror when they come, for they eat up every green thing as they pass; the grass of the field, the leaves of the trees, the fruits of the garden; nothing is left. God had sent this great scourge as a punishment for sin.

3. The lesson for us.-To teach us the evil of sin, its danger, its sure punishment. It is written for this very thing. The punishment was to make them "consider,"-think over their evil ways, and repent, and cry to God for mercy. Then, too, they were to "tell their children" that they might know in all time how sad a thing it is to sin against God, and that men might fear the Lord.

REVISION.-What is a vine? Why was it so much prized in Canaan? What did the enemies of the land do to it? Who had laid the vine waste? What are locusts? Why were they sent? What does this teach us?

Jan. 30.-Of the one who tried to flee from God.

JONAH i. 6: 66 Arise, call upon thy God," 1. Fleeing from duty.-The prophet Jonah was told by God to take a message to the great city Nineveh. He was to "cry against it," for the wickedness of the people had "", come up before" God. But Jonah feared to do this. He forgot that God could keep him from harm, and he "rose up to flee

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from the presence of the Lord." this right? Was it wise? Can any get away from the sight of God?

2. God's message in the storm.-Jonah thought the best way would be to get away to a far-distant land. He went to the sea-side, and found a ship there just about to sail across the great sea. "So he paid the fare," and went into the ship, and it sailed off upon the waters. Jonah now seems to have

thought himself safe. But God saw it all, and soon sent out a messenger after him. Whom did God send? Not an angel, nor another prophet, but " α great wind!" so that "there was a mighty tempest," and the ship was in danger. How wonderful are the ways of God! The sailors did all they could for the safety of their ship, but still the storm went on. What could they do? These poor seamen were heathens; they knew not the true God, the Lord of heaven and earth, whom Jonah knew, but they worshipped idols. So "they cried every man unto his god." But where was Jonah in all this? "Gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay" there "fast asleep." Soon the shipmaster came to him, and was vexed that any should sleep while they were in such danger. So he awoke him, saying, "Arise, call upon thy God!"

3. Jonah found out. He saw the danger, and knew why it had come. He told the shipmen who he was, and where he was going, and why the storm had come. They feared greatly at this, and knew not what to do. Jonah told them they must cast him out of the ship into the sea. They were sorry to do this, yet it seemed the only way of safety. "So they took up Jonah; and cast him forth into the sea," and it was at once calm.

4. Jonah a prisoner.-What became of him? Did he perish in the waters? No. God caused a large fish to catch him in its mouth, as he fell into the sea, and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for "three days and three nights." Here was another wonder! God's ways are past finding out." We are

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ever in His sight. None can escape from His presence, or from His power.

REVISION.-Why did Jonah try to flee from God? Where did he go? How did God stop him? What became of Jonah? What does this teach us about God?