.

THE TABLE OF SHOWBREAD.

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from the rock of Horeb, are all emblematic of the Divine dealings with his redeemed church. CHRIST was the bread of life, and that rock was CHRIST (John vi. 33-38; 1 Cor. x. 3, 4; Rev. xxii. 17). The brazen serpent with its healing virtue represented CHRIST (John iii. 14); all the sacrifices and ceremonial observances pointed to the great truth, "the blood of CHRIST cleanseth from all sin;" and the Canaan, to which their longings were directed, was the type of that "rest which remaineth for the people of GOD." "Blessed are the people that are in such a case, yea, blessed are the people who have the LORD for their GOD!"

Ar the time of the conquest of Spain by the Arabs, the Moslem general, Taric, found near Toledo, a rich precious table, adorned with hyacinths and emeralds. Gelit Aledris, in his description of Spain, calls this remarkable piece of antiquity, "THE TABLE OF SOLOMON, SON OF DAVID." This table is supposed to have been saved by the Jews, with other precious and sacred vessels, from the pillage of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar, and brought with those fugitives who found their way to Spain. Indeed, some writers do not hesitate to assert, that there is little doubt of this having been the original "TABLE OF SHOWBREAD," made by Solomon, spoken of in the BOOK OF KINGS, and by Josephus; and which, with the candlestick and the altar of incense, constituted the three wonders of the temple.

That table which Titus brought with him in his triumphal return to Rome, was clearly not the same: for when the city and temple, after the first destruction, were rebuilt by the order of Cyrus, the sacred vessels were made anew; similar, indeed, to the old, but of inferior excellence.

DEATH OF ABEL.

To the broad earth's farthest verge,
Me the ALMIGHTY's curse has driven;
My crime pursues me everywhere,

And "Vengeance! vengeance!" cries to Heaven.

Wo is me! my brother's blood
Echoes through the wild seashore;
It murmurs in the hollow blast-

It thunders in the torrent's roar.

WHITEHOUSE.

To the contemplative mind, it must needs be a source of pleasure to survey the earth when newly created by Almighty power. It was designed by infinite wisdom, intended to illustrate the divine benevolence, and was built for the residence of man, one of the noblest works of JEHOVAH. It presented beauty and glory; its completion was celebrated by the songs of angels; and its great CREATOR pronounced his work "all very good." Man, in a peculiar and complete sense, was happy. The earth and its diversified scenery charmed his sight; the various sounds of its inhabitants were melody in his ears; and its fruits were pleasant to his palate. The companion whom God had created for him, was all he could wish her to be, and, what was better than all this, he was on terms of friendship with his MAKER, and held constant communion with him.

But, alas! while we indulge ourselves in the contemplation of this delightful scenery, we are reminded of the awful change that has taken place. Man has offended GOD by rebelling against his laws; and, now the divine favor is withheld, angels look at us with pity, and devils with triumph; the earth is cursed for the sin of man, while its various inhabitants rise up in opposition to him, and man himself is awfully degraded, the energies of his mind are contracted, and his prospects of future glory are obscured. Unless a MEDIATOR is found, to reconcile him to GOD, he must perish without hope; and except his soul undergoes a new creation, he cannot dwell in the future paradise of bliss.

The awful consequences of the fall of Adam were soon seen in the barrenness of the earth, the wildness of the brute creation, and the bad passions, the diseased bodies, and the dying frames, of the human race. The firstborn of our parents is introduced to our notice as a sinner and a murderer. Let us enter on the short and affecting history, and be concerned to derive improvement from it.

It is perfectly natural, when parents are blest with children, to entertain the highest hopes of their future excellence and happi ness. When our first parents had sinned, JEHOVAH graciously promised a deliverer; and when her firstborn entered the world, Eve imagined that he was the promised MESSIAH. It showed her faith in the promise of GOD; but she did not then know that, be

ADAM DISCOVERING THE DEAD BODY OF ABEL.-ANDREA SACCHI.

fore the SAVIOUR appeared, it was necessary that the awful nature of sin should be made fully evident and that the providential arrangements of JEHOVAH Would take four thousand years to accomplish his designs, and bring "the fulness of time" for the appearance of CHRIST. She could not suppose that her beloved child had brought into the world a depraved heart, which would lead him to rebel against GOD, distress his parents, and murder his brother. Well might the wise man check inordinate joy at the birth of a child, and ask—“Who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool?"

There can be little doubt but that Cain and his brother Abel were both instructed in the knowledge of GOD, so far as their parents themselves knew him. But, valuable as is a religious education, and powerful as are its restraints, it does not always preserve its possessors from the most awful crimes. Depravity is deeprooted and inveterate; and when all may appear amiable and promising without, dispositions of the most sinful nature may be rankling within the heart. Cain presented an offering to the LORD. He did not slight the forms of religion; but, alas! that offering was not composed of the proper materials, nor was it accompanied with suitable feelings. Hence, while the offering of Abel of the firstlings of his flock, presented in humble expectation of, and dependance on, the promised MESSIAH, was accepted, the sacrifice of Cain was rejected by that jealous BEING, who not only requires us to pay him homage, but expects it to be done in the way of his own appointment.

Persecution, or opposition, to those who serve God in an acceptable manner, seems inherent in the human heart. As men, since the fall, are naturally haters of their CREATOR, they must dislike those who enjoy his favor, and are concerned for his honor. When the fire from Heaven descended, and showed the divine acceptance of Abel's offering, and the same token was withheld from Cain, it called into exercise all his strong feelings of jealousy and hatred toward his brother. The affection he owed him by nature seemed to have fled, and revenge, however unreasonable, to have taken its place; and as he could not show his opposition to GOD in any other way than injuring his brother, he selected the most hateful methods in which to manifest the malice that reigned in his bosom.

It has often been remarked, that religious disputes rise higher than any other; and we see it exemplified here. True, Abel has imbibed much of the spirit of that world to which he is rapidly hasting, and he shows the meekness and affection which adorn the saintly character; but this spirit increases the rage of Cain, who is only influenced by Satan. His anger knows no bounds, and he is careless as to the consequences of showing that disposition. Wearing the mask of friendship, he invites Abel to the field, where they had probably often held brotherly intercourse; and there, his smothered rage bursting forth, and strengthened by its apparent suspension, he deprives him of his life.