might possibly feel inclined to bear with them, does not diminish the value of that lesson, since it was founded upon the dangers which at once surrounded the sparrow when he got into suspected company. Boys, if you find that your companions are in the habit of using vile or profane language, try first of all to get them to give up the practice, for you know it is sinful, and hateful in the sight of God. If you fail in this, leave them. If you are tempted by a pretended friend to go to any place, or to do anything which is not according to the teaching of God's Holy Word, hasten away from such a person; he is your enemy. Don't stay a moment in such company. The next door will. be into darker places, which the virtuous and good do not visit,-where you may perhaps think you are safe, but where you will find death. UNCLE PAUL. NELLY'S TEMPTATION. LITTLE NELLY was five years old. Her mother had taken great pains to instil into her mind principles of right and truth. One day she stood at the door of the dining-room, looking with great earnestness at a basket of fine peaches, which was on the table. Nelly knew she should not touch them without leave, but the temptation was strong. Soon her mother, who was watching her from another room, saw her bow her head and cover her face with her little hands. "What ails you, Nelly?" she said. The child started, not knowing she was watched. "Oh, mother," she exclaimed, "I wanted so much to take one of the peaches, but first I thought I would ask God if he had any objection." Dear little Nelly, what a path of integrity and honour will be yours through life, if in all your conduct you seek to know God's will, and do no action upon which you cannot seek his approval and blessing! Monthly Notes on Passing Events. THE GREAT IRISH DEBATE.-The best speakers in the House of Commons have employed their talents upon the Irish question during the four nights of the recent discussion, but till Mr. Gladstone rose, it was only talk, however eloquent. But when the great Liberal leader, in a speech, which for point and fire he has never surpassed, declared himself the advocate of the disestablishment of the Irish Church, the time of action had clearly come. The word had at last been spoken, and the question was at once raised to the front rank of practical measures, demanding speedy realization. To his earnest and impressive declarations, the new Premier could only oppose angry invective, and gloomy predictions of the results of the downfall of the Irish Church upon the English Establishment. He could hardly have ventured on more dangerous ground. To link the fate of the Church of England with the doomed and alien Church of Ireland, is the worst possible policy.There is every reason to believe that Mr. Gladstone will offer a Resolution in the direction of his speech, which will unite the Liberal party as one man on the Irish question. Every vested life interest, every proprietary right, every legitimate claim will be respected, but the Irish Church is henceforth doomed. CHURCH RATES.-The debate in Committee on Mr. Gladstone's Church-rate Abolition Bill, took place March 11, when the first clause, embodying the principle of the measure, was carried by a very large majority. From the manner in which the Bill has passed the Commons there is good reason to believe that it will pass the Lords, and that this year there will be for the first time in England, an end of compulsory rating for christian worship. It is 35 years since Dissenters made their first formal demand for the abolition of Church-rates, and during all that time the Church has been sending out its bailiffs, fighting in vestries, distraining dissenters' goods, and casting them into prison. In Parliament, some thirty different Bills have been introduced, and abolition measures have many times been carried through the Lower House which the Lords have contemptuously rejected; but now at length the end seems to have come. Not that we are altogether pleased with the present measure. Compulsion is surrendered, which is the main point; but the machinery and form of the rate is retained, and we fear that in many rural parishes legal will only be exchanged for social oppression. Better far to have surrendered the old form altogether, leaving churchmen to do what they now do in many places-set on foot a voluntary rate or subscription for the money they require to pay the current expenses of both the fabric and worship. OXFORD AND RELIGION.-The magnates of Oxford have presented an address to the Primate of England against the dangers which, in their view, threaten Christian education in the universities. The measures that have been introduced in Parliament to open the universities to all classes are the dangers to which reference is made; and though the avowed object is the preservation of their Christian character, it is very easy to see that the real object is to maintain the old connexion between the governing bodies of Oxford and Cambridge and the Established Church. With the "overthrow of a definite creed and form of prayer" these memorialists predict the overthrow of religion, and urge that it is Christian religion which is in peril. But we may ask in return, What have the universities done for religion up to the present time? Do not Ritualism and Rationalism date from the universities? Have they been so successful in the past in stemming the tide of error by means of legal bulwarks that we should join them in securing their continuance in the future? Just the same apprehensions were expressed when the Test and Corporation Acts were repealed. Their repeal did not, however, un-Christianise the nation, and the repeal of the exclusive laws of the two universities will not do so now. PROTESTANT DISSENTING DEPUTIES. The annual meeting of this body was held Feb. 26th. Mr. Charles Reed presided. The chief subjects of discussion were Mr. Gladstone's Church Rate Bill and the Irish Church. On the latter subject, both Mr. Bright's and Lord Russell's schemes were rejected, as embodying the fatal principle of religious endowment, though in a milder form. Mr. Ellington, Mr. Glover, Mr. Carvell Williams, Mr. Turberville, and others took part in the proceedings. THE CHURCH INSTITUTION.-This organisation, which is set for the defence of Protestantism in the English Church, is about to establish a guarantee-fund of £50,000, to contest the validity of the Romanising practices of the Ritualists; and when the law of the question is decided, it proposes to ask Parliament to render its operation more certain and extensive. This leaning on Parliamentary support is the fatal weakness of the Evangelical party; their strength would lie in a manly disavowal of such dependence, even though it cost them, like the Free Church of Scotland, the loss of their legal status as State churchmen. THE "SACRAMENT" RESERVED.-The natural issue of Ritualistic ideas of the "sacrament" has been mooted at last. Convocation recently debated seriously whether or not it was right to reserve a portion of the consecrated bread and wine for the use of sick and dying persons. Instead of scouting the idea as flat Popery, some of the bishops wished that it were possible to consider the question, but thought it, just now, inexpedient. spectacle of street-processions by clergymen in white surplices, carrying the "consecrated elements" to private houses, which is so common on the Continent, is a little too strong at present for prudent Ritualists. The DR. MILLER.-This distinguished Evangelical has been rejected as a candidate for the Committee of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. But why did he not content himself with the Church Missionary Society, instead of seeking a place in a society supported by High Churchmen exclusively? We cannot regret the incident, which serves clearly to show the uselessness of any attempt to unite High and Low Church together. DR. TIDMAN, the senior secretary of the London Missionary Society, has passed away, at an advanced age. His funeral, at Abney Park, on March 16th, was attended by deputations from all the leading Missionary Societies, and many ministers of all denominations. Mr. Binney delivered the funeral address. ECCE HOMO.-Mr. Aldis, of Reading, has been addressing some earnest letters of remonstrance to the Freeman, on account of its partial, though dubious approbation rendered to that mystical book, and seeking to expose both its inconsistency and dangerous tendency. Whom I have learnt to love-from whom so long And sin; but to whose dear and bleeding feet, To stay and rest for ever; fain would I Lift up to thee the voice of gratitude, And sing thy matchless worth, whose glorious praise With solemn, sweet, and ceaseless harmony! Thy name is 'Wonderful'-Thy Person is The mystery of mysteries-the Word Of God incarnate." CHRIST! What a multiplicity of thoughts crowd into the mind concerning Him! Can we indeed say ? "Thou art the sea of love, Where all my passions roll; The circle where my passions move, Divinity is stamped upon his brow. Holiness-goodness-love-mercy-justicepower-eternity-are the jewels of his crown. He is Jehovah-jireh, our providing God; Jehovah-nissi, our defending God; Jehovah-tsidkenu, our justifying God; Jehovahshammah, our ever-present God; Jehovah-shalom, our peace-speaking God. This world he now governs was made by him, and when his purposes are accomplished, at his bidding it will pass away. He is the Alpha and Omega-the beginning and the ending. We look back to the beginning, and see this Great Person arrayed in the robes of Sonship. The decree went forth, and the wondrous union was formed that lays the foundation of our holy faith. Christ was constituted and set up as the Head of the Church. Among his titles we read " Firstborn of every creature." Thus we understand the language of Proverbs viii. 22-31: "The Lord possessed ME in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I WAS BROUGHT FORTH; when there were no fountains abounding with water. When he prepared the heavens I WAS THERE.' Jesus Christ was seen by the ancients. There werestled A MAN with Jacob until the break of day. Jacob called the name of that place Peniel; "for," said he- "I HAVE SEEN GOD face to face and my life is preserved." His preserved life proves that the Person he saw was the God-Man Christ Jesus. Joshua saw him. "There stood A MAN over against him with his sword drawn." "AS PRINCE of the hosts of the LORD I now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship. That worship was accepted, proving that the man he saw was the mighty God. In these two natures he reigns A PRINCE in the house of Israel. It was Christ who appeared unto Manoah and his wife. "A MAN of God came unto me." "We shall surely dic, because we have SEEN GOD." His name was truly Wonderful. I hear the Prophet's voice-the inspired Micah proclaim, "But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Seven hundred years pass away. On Bethlehem's plains the shepherds are watching their flocks. Suddenly the glory of God is seen, an angel form appears, and proclaims the joyful news, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord." The Son given, is now the child born. The soul enters the body prepared, and the world contains the Messiah! "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth." "The We are now priveleged to behold the clear evidences of his true humanity. Brother born for adversity." "The near kinsman who had a right to redeem." His life was the developement of his character. How holy! How kind! How loving! How compasionate! How humble! How unselfish! How truthful! This is the Christ of God! At Calvary we see him offering up himself the sacrifice for sin. "It is finished." He slept in the grave until the morning of the third day, when he came forth, having swallowed up death in victory! Having established beyond all doubt the fact of his resurrection, he ascended “up where he was before!" He was filled again with heaven's riches, and glorified with the glory that he had with his Father before the world was! In the Isle of Patmos, the risen, ascended Saviour drew back the curtain, and the glory of heaven burst upon the astonished soul of John. "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold! I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." At the close of the gospel dispensation he will come again. He will come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will come to fetch his bride home, that the marriage may be consumated. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS.” "Sun of righteousness! Rise, oh, for ever rise! for ever shine Brighter and brighter! from all weeping eyes Of all eternity, pour out the light, Pour out the sea of glory, the full sea Pour out for ever and for evermore; And o'er the earth renewed, and azure heaven Laxfield. ROBERT EDWARD SEARS. CHRIST IN HIS OFFICES-THE DAILY FOOD OF THE SOUL. No. 6.-A KING. WHILE, in consideration of the many requirements of his people, the Lord has been pleased to favour them with "promise upon promise," with a due regard to his own, he has also given them "precept upon precept; "and he whose heart is right with God will welcome the one as heartily as the other; for while he could not dispense with Christ as a Surety, a Shepherd, or a Priest, he would not be without him as a crowned Head and Lord. On the contrary, he feels ever desirous, by an unwavering obedience to all his commands, to testify in some humble measure his appreciation of, and gratitude for, the innumerable blessings conveyed to him through Jesus Christ. Our series of papers, therefore, should not close without some reference to the fact that Christ is KING in his spiritual Zion. "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God,” and as such is of universal authority and power. He is God over all, blessed for evermore, able to save and to destroy, upholding all things by the word of his power, working all things after the counsel of his own will: "He performeth his will in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and there is none can stay his hand or say unto him, What doest thou?" Not only so, he is also the head of nature and creation. He was before all things, he created all things, and by him all things consist. The first-born of every creature, and the first-begotten from the deadin all things he has the pre-eminence. But it is not as the Divine Ruler, nor as the Head of nature, that he reigns among his saints. Not because he is divine, not because he is the Creator, and will be the final Judge of all, does he sway the sceptre in Zion, but because he is the chosen federal and representative Head of his redeemed Church-that Church which is declared to be "his body"-the fulness of him who filleth all in all. He has every title to his mediatorial crown. In the first place, his right is founded in the appointment of him who "gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church." The same hand that gave the Church to Christ gave Christ to the Church, and invested him with royal dignity in and over it: "Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion." Secondly, Christ has the right of conquest. Many crowns have been won in this way, and Christ also has an acquired as well as a delegated right to his throne. Sin is an invader, Satan is an usurper, and Christ came into the world to deliver his Church from this hateful bondage. After a sharp and severe contest, in which he trod the winepress alone-and of the people none were with him-he returned victorious from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah (red with the blood of his enemies), travelling in the greatness of his strength-mighty to save. Sin was made an end of, death deprived of its sting, Satan vanquished, and the gates of hell for ever closed against the believer. Dying, we are told, "he destroyed death and him that had the power over it; that is, the devil." Thus David supposes him returning in triumph and demanding admittance at the gates of heaven (Psalm xxiv.): "Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, the Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory." A third title which the Lord Jesus can show to his throne and his kingdom is, the unanimous choice of his subjects. The living in Jerusalem with one heart and one voice declare for the government of King Jesus. Rejoicing in his exaltation, the Church exclaims, "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder." And in that world where there shall be no rival to dispute the throne or momentarily to seduce the believer from his allegiance, they shall cast their crowns at his feet saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power." The members of a body must be one in nature with their head, and the kingdom of Christ being spiritual, his subjects must be spiritual persons. There is a mysterious, and yet no less real, connection between the Person of Christ and every individual member of his Church, so that Christ not only reigns over his people, but in them; not only commands them what to do, but constrains them to obey. The nature and extent of the kingdom of Christ is governed by his relationship: as he is Head over all things to the Church, none but the Church can be his spiritual subjects; as he acquired his crown by the conquest of sin and death, so only those whose sins he expiated and whose curse he removed can ever come under his spiritual rule. But as certainly as the position of a king supposes the existence of subjects, so as certainly the relationship of king and subject supposes the existence of laws and obligations in connection with it. It has often been said, and never disputed, that relationship and obligation go together. Relationship to the law as a covenant of works, arising out of the federal headship of Adam, proclaims its obligations. To every natural man, as such, that covenant is in full force now-its obligations are in no sense altered or abrogated. But while it cannot cease to demand just what it demanded from Adam, it cannot, on the other hand, produce any new obligations not included in the |