giver of heaven and earth; and we rejoice to know that thy laws are all righteous; that they are formed by infinite wisdom, and designed to secure the highest happiness of the whole world. We bless thee that they are impartial and just, and calculated to equalize the condition of society, and bind thy children together by the strongest ties which can link heart to heart. We praise thee for their perfect adaptation to our state and wants, and give thee most hearty thanks for their power to guard from sin, and secure to individuals, families and nations, the greatest blessings which can be enjoyed on earth. We thank thee for their restraining power; that they warn us of danger, and unfold the fearful consequences of sin. We also thank thee for the liberty which they give; and that, while they require a uniform obedience, they secure a freedom which lifts us far above everything calculated to enslave. We rejoice, O God, that thou art not an arbitrary and unrighteous Ruler, imposing duties that are irksome and useless. We rejoice that thy laws. are all wise and good; that they are the security and happiness of all who yield to them a cheerful obedience.

Grant, indulgent Father, that we may obey thee in all things. May rulers and all in authority acknowledge thee in all their ways, and ever remember that they are accountable to thee. Guard all and guide all in the way of peace, and enable all to keep thy laws.

Remember in much mercy these children, and write thy laws deeply upon their hearts.

Accept our thanksgivings, in the name of Jesus

Christ, and finally admit us to thyself in heaven. Amen.

THE FAITHFULNESS OF JESUS.

REFLECTIONS adapted to Luke xv. John x. 1-18. John xviii. 1-14.-The faithfulness with which the Saviour fulfilled the office of his mission, is one of the most endearing traits in his character. His numerous instances of devotion are affecting beyond expression; his tears of sympathy at the grave of Lazarus, and on his entrance into Jerusalem, display, in lively colors, the tenderness of his heart; his perpetual acts of selfsacrifice exemplify the ardor of his love and the riches of his grace; but his untiring faithfulness is an excellency which displays the perfection of his character more fully, perhaps, than any other trait. It may be considered, in a measure, the union of all others. His Father's work-the work which was given him to do -the end for which he came into the world, never for a moment ceased to occupy his mind. "I have a work to do," he says, "which the world knows not of." And the desire, which prevailed over all others, was, that this work might be faithfully performed. If assailed by temptations, by the seductions of power, ambition, and universal dominion, he turns from them, with calm contempt. If "despised and rejected of men,' ," doomed to unparalleled hardships and sufferings, "to be the jest of the Pharisee, the derision of the scribe," and the victim of malignity, he bears the whole with cheerful submission, and pursues, without murmuring, the great end he was sent to accomplish. Confident of consummating the dispensations of the Most High, and delivering up his kingdom with joy and not with grief, he never tires in his work, he never falters by the way; but he moves on with unwearying faithfulness, till the last duty is performed, and the last pang is suffered, when, in the final moment of expiring

life, he exclaims, "It is finished," and "bows his head" in death.

To this faithfulness frequent reference is made in the Bible. Isaiah says "He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth, and the isles shall wait for his law." St. Paul says-" He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet." He also says-Christ" was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." He is called " faithful High Priest," and "the faithful witness." He represents himself as going after the lost until he finds them. What a reason for confidence and hope! Fear not, Christian; Jesus will accomplish the great work for which he was set apart; he will restore all sinners; he will purify all hearts; he will destroy death, and raise all from the grave, to a state of endless life and infinite joy. Be entreated, not only to confide in him, but to imitate his example. Be faithful in all the relations you sustain-faithful to God-faithful to his religion-faithful to all your friends; and you shall realize that the "Lord preserveth the faithful," and that a "faithful man shall abound with blessings."

PRAYER.

SUPREMELY great and ever blessed Father, we would humble ourselves before thee in prayer, and tender to thee the grateful acknowledgments of our hearts, for the many mercies of thy hand. Thou hast ever been gracious and kind, and when we were ignorant and vile, and bound in the chains of a cruel servitude, thou didst send thy only begotten Son, to give himself a ransom for our sins. Glory be to thy great name for this unspeakable gift. Thou hast laid help on one able and mighty to save; one clothed with all the wisdom and power requisite to accomplish the holy object of his mission. We rejoice, O Lord,

in our Redeemer; in his love, which was stronger than death; in his benevolence, which no ingratitude could weary; in his mercy, which extended to all men; in his humility, which made him one with the lowly and poor; and in his fidelity, which led him forward amid every discouragement. Especially do we rejoice, that he will never tire in the work of redemption; that he will fail not nor be discouraged, till he has set judgment in the earth; till he has restored the last wanderer, wiped the tears from every eye, conquered death, and exalted all to a state of endless glory. Thanks, merciful Father, to thy glorious name, for the rich blessings procured by the ministry and death of thy Son, and for the bright prospects unfolded by his doctrine and resurrec

tion.

In our Redeemer, indulgent Lord, we find whatever can soothe, quicken and comfort us. Through him we have light in our darkness, strength in our weakness, fortitude in our afflictions, and hope in death. He has brought to us those great truths which lead us to thee, purify our hearts, and translate us from the regions of wo to the kingdom of joy. He has opened the way which leads to heaven, and, by his own death and resurrection, removed from our hearts all painful apprehensions, and given us a confidence which death cannot destroy.

Grant, O holy Father, that the image of our suffering and gracious Lord may be ever with us, inciting us to higher and still higher attainments, and stimulating us to untiring faithfulness in the discharge of all our duties.

May his grace win the hearts of our children,

and attract them away from all the vanities of earth. May they love and follow him through life.

Hear us, O God, and give us abundant answers of peace; and to thee, through our crucified and risen Master, shall be rendered unceasing praise. Amen.

THE WAY TO SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

REFLECTIONS adapted to John iii. Acts viii. 26-40. Ps. cxxix. 33-48.-At the time of our Saviour's ministry, the Jews boasted of the flourishing state of theological learning among them. There were members of their Sanhedrim whom they called the beauties of their wisdom and the glory of their law. Jesus, instead of reproaching them for this knowledge, encouraged the study of the Scriptures. His language was— Search the Scriptures. This is a command binding upon all men, and what cannot be neglected without a violation of God's law. But how should the Scriptures be searched? We answer,

1. They should be searched diligently. The command of the Saviour implies something more than a casual and hasty reading of them. The word rendered search signifies to search diligently. Homer, it has been said, applies it to a lion deprived of his whelps, who scours the plain, and searches for the footsteps of the man that has robbed him. St. Chrysostom, speaking of the word search, says, "It is a metaphor taken from those who dig deep and search for metals in the bowels of the earth. They look for the bed where the metal lies, and break every clod, and sift and examine the whole, in order to discover the ore." The Scriptures, therefore, should be searched assiduously. We must compare passage with passage; we must ascertain the scope of the subject, and the design of the