by an eclipse at some particular juncture, as on a day of battle. Astronomy has, to a great extent, delivered the world from these superstitious absurdities, and by enlarging the boundaries of knowledge, has promoted both social progress and the cause of religion. And here we may remark that Astronomy has particularly subserved the cause of Christianity in India, by showing the falsehood of the speculations of the Brahmins in regard to the heavenly bodies and eclipses. Science has shaken the confidence of the people in a religious system, whose sacred books and teachers had so long inculcated erroneous views.

Eclipses have been of great use in determining questions of chronology. Thus, on the night of the battle of Cremona, between the armies of Vespasian and Vitellius, there was an almost total eclipse of the moon; and as this happened the year before the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, it fixes that event in A. D. 70. So we owe to an eclipse of the moon, incidentally noticed by Josephus, shortly before the death of Herod, the determination of the true year of our Saviour's nativity.* The darkness at the crucifixion, from twelve to three o'clock, was miraculous, and not owing to a total eclipse of the sun, as some have imagined; for the longest possible duration of a total eclipse of the sun is only four minutes, and such an eclipse cannot occur at full moon, or the time of the passover, at which time the crucifixion took place. The general aid which science renders to the cause of learning and religion is exhibited forth in eclipses.

VI. An eclipse has SPIRITUAL SUGGESTIONS RELATING TO MAN'S CONDITION AND DESTINY. 1. Its shadows bring to mind his depravity. Having the understanding darkened," is one of the results of sin-a result as infallibly secured by disobedience as the hiding of the sun by the intervention of the moon. The midnight of the unregenerate is brought on through the workings of a depraved nature under the dominion of the ruler of the darkness of this world. Have you marked the gradual motions of an eclipse, the sure and steady progress of its obscuration? Thus did temptation. slowly but fatally encroach upon the mental and moral purity of our first parents; thus does temptation steal over the sphere of our own spiritual life and shut it out from the glory of the heavenly day. 2. An eclipse prefigures hope amidst prevailing gloom. Ă total eclipse rarely occurs on any one point of the earth's surface. The vast majority of eclipses are partial; and the darkness, which causes terror and gloom, soon disappears in the restored light and beauty of an inviting sky. Nature, providence, and redemption bring hope to mankind. There is hope for the sinner in all the desolation of his wo. The Sun of Righteousness shines behind the cloud of intervening judgment: and in the midst of indications of "wrath against the day of wrath," there are also invitations of pardon divinely illuminating our day of probation. 3. An eclipse

* Hales.

has a word of comfort to the children of light. Behold, brethren, the hiding of God's favour is only temporary; it soon returns to

eye of faith. Or has bereavement brought gloom into your dwellings, or adversity of any kind obscured your prospects? Then remember that sorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. As the shadow passes away from the sun, so will disciplinary providences disappear after the fulfilment of their time, and there shall be light and peace at eventide. 4. An eclipse is suited to recall to the mind the end of the world. It not only does this by the apprehension of judgment which conscience associates with unwonted displays of divine power, but by the language and imagery which Scripture employs, with at least a remote reference to the final consummation of all things. "The sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light

and the angels shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." In that great and terrible day of the Lord, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and "Time shall be no longer." 5. Finally. An eclipse suggests the glory of the heavenly state, which needs not the light of the sun or of the moon. No obscuration of divine radiance will visit the habitations of the saints. No shadow of sin, or sorrow, or death, shall intervene. There shall be no night there. The glory of God shall lighten the heavenly Jerusalem, and the Lamb shall be the light thereof. Then shall "the righteous shine forth as the sun," and rejoice for ever amidst the higher glories of the Universe and the rewards of finished Redemption.

A MAN, A WOMAN, AND A CHILD.

A FEW Christian friends were recently admiring the character of one of their acquaintances, and descanting upon his virtues and graces. One of them remarked, "I admire him for his manly firmness and independence in sustaining the cause of truth and righteousness in the community." A second friend, who acquiesced in the correctness of this estimate, added, "And I particularly admire him for his gentle courtesy of demeanor. He puts me in mind of a true, kind-hearted woman.' "Yes," immediately replied a third friend, “And I admire him, because he is guileless as a child." "Well," exclaimed a lady, who overheard the conversation, "you have made him out a remarkable character. He is a man, a woman, and a child!" And so he was in each of the characteristics named. This conversation led me to the following thoughts:

1. The best form of Christianity is that which presents the loveliest combination of its graces. Every true Christian is believed to possess the substance of every grace. Love, which is the general attribute, includes every form of virtue and goodness. But observa

tion teaches that whilst many Christians excel in particular qualities, and almost every one has something that may be admired, few possess a completeness of Christian character. This is the prevalent defect which mars the evidences of sanctification. A firm independence in bearing witness to the truth, is worthy of all imitation. But why need it be dissevered from gentleness and meekness? Why not let there be superadded, kind-hearted courtesy and guileless simplicity? How transcendently beautiful in this world of ruin is a spiritual temple, whose proportions are arranged according to the science of the Scriptures, and where each part is not only admirable in itself, but derives increased effect from the general harmony which pervades the whole? Few persons seem to possess, at the present day, that completeness of character so necessary to the full illustration of Christianity. The combination of graces springs from divine power and goodness, and is lovely alike to the eye and to the heart.

2. How valuable is the example of Christ as the standard of a perfect religious experience! Law and precept impart knowledge, but life and example reduce requirement to practice, supply hope, and win to imitation. Every virtue was blended with a divine radiance in the perfect character of our Lord. Though a Reformer among men, the fixedness of purpose involved in his great mission was seen in union with the most expressive condescension and the most tender simplicity. Christian! with such an example before you, well may you be in spirit a man, a woman, and a child, harmonizing sex and age, and exemplifying human nature in its Christlike, most perfect, and sweetest aspect. Oh, my Lord, I thank thee for thy divine example, and pray for thy grace to change me into thine image from glory to glory!

3. Human nature is very perverse.-Not only does religion develope itself imperfectly, but alas, how slowly does the spiritual overcome the carnal. Look at the character of the aged believer, who has had a life time of prayer and privilege, and yet how much remains undone! The explanation of defective development in Christian character and of slow growth in any of its graces, is to be found alone in the human heart, which "is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked."

4. The change from corruption to incorruption, from this mortal to immortality, is the glorious end of a Christian's hope. No excellence of attainment here below is perfect. Our best services, our most vigorous graces cannot endure the test of the all scrutinizing eye of a holy God. The loveliest combination of Christian virtues is tainted with the earthly. As the daguerreotype fails in its execution in countries where the atmosphere interrupts the free action of light and produces its triumphs of art only in climates congenial to its transparent aims, so the believer's resemblance to his Lord is pale and sickly in appearance, until "all that is in part is done away" in the light and presence of the Lamb. "Oh," said a dying saint, "I long to be more like my Lord." In Heaven the imperfect

resemblance will be finished with the crown of glory, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to all them that love his appearing. Then will every true believer be a man, a woman, and a child, in the universal qualities which adorn the redeemed for ever amidst the praises and the work of eternity.

"Then shall I see, and hear and know,

All I desired or wished below;
And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy."

Bousehold Choughts.

TRUST YOUR CHILDREN WITH CHRIST.

A FEW years ago I had charge of a missionary parish in the suburbs of one of our large cities. My labours extended over quite a large space thickly settled, but composed almost entirely of the labouring classes. There were but few Christians and few churchgoers.

One day as I was visiting a sick man, the physician happened to be present, and he told me that he had just been visiting a poor woman, whom he thought was rapidly approaching her end, and from her conversation he thought she would be glad to see a minister. He pointed me out the house, and I went immediately.

I was shown up three pair of stairs into a small room, where the sick woman was lying, evidently in the last stages of consumption. The room was neat and clean, although the marks of poverty were every where. But what pleased me more than all, was a small Bible which I saw lying upon the bed, and which had evidently been just laid down. I told her that I rejoiced to see that she drew her consolation from such a source. She said that was now her only solace, that the world was fast receding from her. I inquired into her state of mind; and such a deep, spiritual knowledge of Bible truth I have seldom heard before. I was amazed, and sat delighted and instructed, listening to her apt quotation of promises suited to her peculiar situation.

I asked her if she was willing to die? She was silent for a moment, and then in tears said, "as for myself I am ready and anxious to go and be with my Saviour; but O, how can I leave my little girl, (a little babe about a year old) in this sinful, heartless world." I asked her if her husband was a pious man. She said, "O Sir, if

I ever prayed to God for any thing in my life, it was that God might give me a godly husband, and he has done it. I have every thing to comfort me in him."

I then directed her to the wonderful promises of the Saviour, especially to the children of believers, and urged her to lay her child in the bosom of her Saviour, and he would be more than father and mother to it. She said she knew the truth but lacked the faith. I prayed with her and left her.

I saw her several times afterwards. She had resigned her babe to the keeping of Jesus, and was waiting cheerfully for her depar

ture.

I was called away at this juncture to attend one of the judicatories of the Church, and when I returned she was dead. She died believing.

Now, I have related this incident to direct attention to a temptation which believing mothers are more or less subject to in their dying hours-the fear of leaving their children alone in the world. I feel convinced that the only way to avoid this evil is, to consecrate their children more entirely to the Saviour while they are in life and health. It is a duty and a privilege too little attended to, even by the best of mothers. There should be more Hannahs in the Church. Lend your children to the Lord as long as they live. This would remove the bitterest dregs from the cup which the dying mother drinks; and if the child should be taken first, what a strong consolation would it be, that the Lord had but taken his own to be with him in glory.

This is the very essence of Baptism, but how do we turn the holy ordinance into a mere form!

D.

A LETTER FROM THE SOUTH.

DEATH OF A SERVANT.

THE relation of master and servant does not necessarily consist in ties of selfish interest, but from it ofttimes springs the sincerest bonds of affection. It is one of close alliance, of mutual dependence, and of tender sympathy. The following extract of a letter, from a near relative, may illustrate these feelings. It reveals a sad scene in domestic life, and is drawn only for the eye of those who, though distant, mingle their grief and tears with those of the writer, over her long valued friend and servant. M. J.

"A few days after I wrote you, we were called to part with our poor CShe had improved so much under under Dr. T.'s treatment, (who had been called in with Dr. D.,) that, although we did not expect her to recover, we had no idea that she was so near her end. On Monday morning when I asked how she felt, she said she had a bad night, and felt weak. We were with her all the morning. She told us to look at her feet-the swelling was all gone. I thought this a bad sign. About half past 1 o'olock I went in to see her, aud VOL. I.-No. 10.

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