It was not such a dwarfed and stunted religion that animated God's chosen servants, whom He raised up from time to time to build his spiritual temple. Look at the great lawgiver! What more undaunted spirit ever breathed in mortal man, whether we look at him defying the sanguinary tyrant of Egypt, or curbing rebellious Israel, or even climbing the path that led him into Sinai's awful glories? Yet, was his a harsh, unloving heart? Not so. Passing by the minor touches of affection in his meeting with Aaron, and his entreaties that his fatherin-law would come and share the happiness of the promised land, listen to his heart-felt prayer when his sinful people had turned so quickly from their God, and the sword of destruction was even hanging over their heads. "Yet now if Thou wilt forgive their sin-and if not, blot me I pray Thee, out of thy Book which Thou hast written." Could ever human love surpass that? See David, the youthful shepherd, defending his flock against the lion and the bear-the youthful warrior, defying the dreaded Goliath with unshrinking courage-yet of affection so deep, that he would willingly have gone down to the grave for his worthless son. See Joseph, the firm and determined ruler of a mighty nation, yet so full of tenderness for his unkind brethren, that he must seek where to weep. See Elijah, the hero of Carmel, vindicating God's majesty before deluded Israel, and enforcing God's judgments on the apostate prophets, yet, on the first symptoms of Israel's repentance, pleading for the removal of their sufferings with an earnestness that would not be repelled. See Elisha, calling down dreadful punishment on the youthful scoffers, yet so deeply moved by the bereavement of the Shunamite, that he will lose not a moment in hastening to her relief; and gazing with tears in the face of the cruel Hazael. See Jeremiah, his face like a flint, but his heart like streams of water; denouncing the woes which he weeps to foresee. But in this, as in all other things, we have a perfect model in Him who came to be not only the sacrifice for sins, but also an example of godly life; and in Him, the Holy, Loving Saviour are mingled Power without a limit, and Love without measure. Scanning the records of his life on earth, we ever find his miracles to have been messengers of mercy. It is that his affrighted Does He still the tempest with a word? disciples may be relieved of their terrors. little store of loaves and fishes? It is because the multitude are fainting and the day far spent. Does He open the ear and unloose the tongue? Yes, but in doing so, "He sighed" for human misery, Does He raise the widow's son ? He restores him to his mother: -the Ruler's daughter? She too is delivered to her parents; and those desolate homes once more rejoice. Does He burst the tomb again and bid Lazarus " come forth ?" It is said beforehand, that Jesus loved Lazarus and his happy family; and the walk to the rocky tomb was moistened with the Saviour's tears. And, but once more, Does He, in the exercise of that holy justice which must punish if man will not repent, denounce woe after woe on the apostate and hardened leaders of the Jewish people? Yes, but even then, the echoes of that awful sentence have not died away, when the Saviour's heart yearns in pity for the fallen race; "How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings." May it be our daily prayer, and our daily effort to follow that bright and perfect example-to have the mind that was in Christ Jesus, The dew of the heavenly blessing falls richly on the prayerful heart, may it fall richly on all my readers. May they, especially as teachers, shew forth mingled Strength and Love, may they grow as the Lily, and cast forth their roots like Lebanon! J. G. F. SUGGESTIONS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS, WHEN ANY ARE GOING TO BE CONFIRMED. Subject:-Mark x. 21.—“One thing thou lackest.” 1. There was real, ardent desire in this young man, to be a partaker of eternal life. "There came one running, and kneeled to Him," &c. v. 17. 2-It is evident, that his desire was not the impulse of the moment. From a child he had laboured to win the kingdom of heaven. Master, all these have I observed from my youth." v. 20. 3.—He called Jesus, "Good Master," v. 17. This proved that he had a great respect for religion: he not only wished to do good things himself, (Matt. xix. 16.) but he had a high esteem for others, whom he thought "good." It is well to love that which is "good." 4. He was not ashamed to be seen going to Christ, and though he was "a Ruler," (Luke xviii. 18,) he knelt down before all the people, at the feet of Jesus, v. 17. But still, though he went so far, he stopped short of giving his whole heart to Christ; for when Jesus told him of the "one thing," "sad 99 the cross in this world; in which he still came short, "he went away grieved," and was at that saying!" v. 22. up Those who are confirmed must "take (v. 21) but then they will have "Treasure in Heaven." Who would not choose the Heavenly Treasure ?" One thing is needful." Luke x. 42. THANKFULNESS. "O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for his mercy endureth for ever." Such is the language of David; such has been the language of all in every age, who have reflected upon the lovingkindness of our God. Cold indeed must that heart be that is not warmed by such a thought. Oh, who can think of the goodness of God, without having his heart filled with thankfulness? Who can remember the numberless mercies he has received, and not say with David, "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever. I will praise Thee, O Lord, my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify thy name for evermore." He has called us out of nothing! We had no being-He has given us life! a never dying soul, joined to a body fearfully and wonderfully made. Every sense is capable of enjoyment-He might have made them subject only to misery. The ear, which delights in sweet music, might have heard nothing but what was horrible. The eye, which loves to gaze on beauty, might have seen nothing but what was terrific or disgusting. The taste, which is so often indulged to excess, might have known nothing but what was bitter as gall. Every nerve might have been racked with ceaseless pain, every sense have been an increase to our wretchedness! Is it so? No. God is love. He has, on the contrary, given us all things richly to enjoy, and those pleasures which are the purest, he has placed within the reach of all. The glorious sun, that bright emblem of his goodness, the mild lustre of the rising moon, and the sparkling stars which deck the firmament of heaven, shine upon all alike. The pure refreshing breeze, the balmy fragrance of the new mown hay, the brilliant colours of the rainbow, and the lovely tints of nature's fairest flowers, are free to all. Reason, which raises us above the brutes, and enables us to enjoy the bounty of our GodSpeech, by which we interchange our thoughts-The society of friends, in whom we delight; these, and many more, are blessings freely bestowed on all, and should teach us, even if we had nothing else bestowed upon us, to be thankful. But there is another blessing also in the reach of all, so great that, in comparison with it, the rest are as nothing,-Eternal Life. "God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth on Him might have everlasting life." "Whosoever "there is no limit. "Whosoever believeth; "-only believe, and this blessing is yours. 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." It is plain and easy, so that a child may know it. Believe and you will be saved. Is not this something to be thankful for? O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, sing unto Him, talk of all his wondrous works, and say with David, "Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name." N. H. RESULTS. "I HAVE been a Sunday school teacher for so many years; I have been trying to teach little children, large children, and almost grown up children. I have seen some of my pupils pass on to youth, I have never seen any decidedly good results; I have never Stop teacher, stop-Why this complaint? "I have been disappointed, for by some of my pupils I have been almost insulted, by the greater number neglected, and have witnessed others turn out the worst characters in the parish." Softly, teacher, softly; would you in your impatience call down fire from heaven upon their heads? "I have surely 'spent my strength for nought,' and 'laboured in vain." " Ah teacher, I see what you ask for; you would be like the child sowing seeds in his little garden to day, and raking them up to morrow to see why they have not come to perfection while he slept. "The very hymns I have taught, I have heard sung in profane ridicule through the streets, or turned into a ballad. The lessons I have so diligently tried to impress, in what seemed pliant hearts, are now only used for hypocrisy. The texts-" Teacher, listen; you have been doing God's work, you have been fighting the good fight;-God has not told you to secure the harvest of your toil, that would be taking to yourself his perogative. Had you refused to labour because you could not ripen the plant as well as plant it; or should you now stop for such a reason, you would be contending against God; you would be not gathering with Christ, and therefore would be scattering abroad. Be not discouraged; wait for the end, and then you will discover, that having undertaken this task in the fear of the Lord, with earnest, prayerful desire to be fellowworkers with Him in his design of mercy; you will not be held responsible for failure, anymore than the husbandman, having farmed his land to the best of his ability, would be answerable for the deluge, or the hailstorm, or the drought. Remember that a Sunday school teacher is, if I may so speak, in miniature, a minister of the Gospel; and did not one of the greatest ministers that ever lived, check the pride of those who expected to see a crown upon every effort by saying that he himself might plant, and his eloquent and mighty coadjutors water, but God alone could give the increase? and may not God withhold all increase if it so please Him? But again, be not impatient, nor dissatisfied, except from a consciousness of short-coming on your own part, for have you not taught the name of Jesus where otherwise it would be the same thing as unknown, and will not He honour his own work? Go by and bye to ungrateful pupils, when they shall be drawing near to eternity, when they shall be prostrate on a bed of sorrow and sickness, and then see whether you and all your instructions are forgotten and despised; depend upon it, in the greater number of instances, you will then meet with a heart-felt welcome, and soon perceive, as you touch string after string of the Gospel chord, there will be a quick and ready response, and your early teachings will be brought back to mind with the freshness of yesterday. This may not be your happiness, but it may be of many another instructor, who will then be "building on another man's foundation." Even your ministers, in their bed-side visits, know this well. They go to the aged whose childhood passed away neglected, who never knew the care and anxiety of a Sabbath teacher, and what do they find? Blank ignorance; so that they have to begin the work of teaching; alas! generally with how little success! On the other hand, they go to others whose early years were carefully tutored, and though a life of carelessness, and perhaps wickedness has intervened, they find oftentimes, the desire to receive further instruction; or at all events, the desire to make applicable and effectual the knowledge imparted long ago. We have read of seeds brought from Egypt, which after thousands of years, when put into the ground, have sprung up and borne fruit. Shall it not be so often with the precious seed of Gospel truth? But suppose you should by and bye be called to see one coming to the end in darkness and ignorance, who was once, so to speak, in your power, that you might have taught those elements and first principles |