Whatever distinctions may prevail in the various denominations of Protestants, we surely all agree in this, that we are looking for salvation simply and entirely through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Compared with this, the points on which we differ are few and unimportant, affecting principally what we may call our outside life-belonging to the "wood, hay, stubble" that attaches to the present imperfect state of things, and which, if not at last burned with fire, will, at least, be lost sight of, when, instead of seeing through a glass darkly, the mind grasps the astonishing and overwhelming meaning of being saved to the uttermost.

A voice from the enemy's camp has reached us, that their great hopes of success rest upon the disunion among the ranks of Protestants. God grant that these hopes may be disappointed! In times of national calamity, when homes and hearths are threatened by the invasion of a foreign foe, the people are exhorted to let no private consideration, no respect for individual property, nothing in fact, prevent their rising as with the heart of one man, to fight manfully for the defence

of their homes and their country. Let us, it would be said, only expel this common foe, and mere personal matters can be arranged afterwards.

And now that the foe is bearing down with such a threatening aspect upon the interests. of our Master's kingdom, is it still to be said -"The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light?” Is it too much to expect that we should work for Him, who died for us?

LETTERS.

"Speak kindly, speak kindly; ye know not the power

Of a soft and gentle word,

As its tones, in a sad and troubled hour,

By the weary heart are heard.

Ye know not how often it comes to bless

The stranger amid his weariness;

How many a blessing is round thee thrown

By the magic spell of a soft low tone.

Speak kindly, then, kindly; there's nothing lost

By gentle words-to the heart and ear
Of the sad and lonely they're dear, how dear!
And they nothing cost."

WEBSTER.

HOWEVER desirous may be the presiding officer of a mothers' society to be constantly at her post, it must be obvious to all that occasional absence cannot be avoided. No assumed duties, however important, must for a moment supersede the first claims of home and kindred. Some have thought thother, one must necessarily interfere with to be atand, consequently, both ought not that the tempted; but experience proves rather faculties, from daily use, become

brightened than worn, and can accomplish more than when merely called up on especial occasions. The "much" will be entrusted to those who are faithful in that which is "least, and not to those who stand all the day idle. The Master for whom we work does not employ us as the Egyptians did the Israelites, demanding the tale of bricks, and yet saying— "Let them go and gather straw for themselves."

We acknowledge the hand of God perhaps less in the supply of our mental, than in either our temporal or spiritual wants, and this often makes us unwilling to attempt work to which, in the prospect, we feel ourselves unequal. Who does not know the fear and trembling with which new undertakings are usually commenced. Like Mary going to the sepulchre, we think only of the stone at the entrance, and say, who shall roll it away.

I once heard a lady say that, to accommodate a friend, she had promised to undertake the management of a Bible class for a few weeks; but as the time for its commencement drew on, she found herself so completely unnerved by her anxious fears and distrust of herself, that she was obliged to send a message to say

she could not possibly meet the class. She has since learned a different kind of preparation; and were she again placed in similar circumstances, she would go, as we all must, like Solomon, to the fountain of wisdom and say "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. Give, therefore, thy servant an understanding heart."

It is not necessary to have entire confidence in ourselves before we begin an important work, especially work through which we hope to influence others; but the poor mind, conscious of innumerable weaknesses and defects, must stay itself somewhere; it cannot carry its burden alone without fainting under the load. Our heavenly Father knows this, and says to us-" Do not try to carry it. Cast thy burden upon me; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." How well that it should be so! This at once places both us and our work in the right position-glorify me, not yourselves. We do not think of the tool that has chiseled out the beautiful sculpture, but of the hand that has wielded and directed that instrument.

I remember one evening, when entering the room where our meeting was held, feeling