transgressions and short-comings, and bids him stand complete in the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Can that be melancholy which promises that the Holy Spirit shall finally and effectually overcome and root out the corruption which the same Spirit has taught him to hate, and encourages him to look up and plead for the fulfilment of this promise? No, this is a message of delightful experience and joyful hope, whenever it is really welcomed and believed. It is true, that they who thus receive religion do not rejoice in what the world calls enjoyment; they rejoice not after the manner which the world calls pleasure. And why? Because they see that in this pleasure there is for the most part much of sin, which they are sure instead of raising, would damp their rejoicing, as much as it would deaden their spiritual apprehension of Christ, and of their own interest in Christ, seeing every man that is in Christ "is a new creature." (2 Cor. v. 17.) Besides which, they are called to higher glories, so that the pleasures of time seem to them scarce worth a moment's attention. But they rejoice in the Lord; they have in Christ an unspeakable subject of rejoicing; of alway eternal rejoicing; a subject of rejoicing ever new and refreshing; ever delightful and comforting; which turns earthly sorrow, persecution, pain, and bereavement "into joy; which raises them above disappointment and affliction; which shines in upon the darkest clouds, and paints thereon a bow of heavenly promise.

What is there then in Christ so unspeakably blessed? What that causes them this unceasing spring of gladness? They have in Him the discovery of the Father's everlasting love, which shone upon

them when they were yet dead in trespasses and guilt. They have in Him the graces of the Spirit, who has awakened them to a knowledge and hatred of sin, and the promise of the same Spirit, to comfort, instruct, and purify them unto a complete deliverance from it. For them did Christ stoop to a depth inconceivable, to bleed, to die, to be crucified, and to bear agonies which no man can tell; and they have thus in Him a righteousness which opens them a way to the throne of God, and furnishes them with a plea of unfailing efficacy for the attainment of all spiritual blessings. They have in Him further a title to a glorious inheritance, and a preservation unto it. Through Him the favour, peace, and presence of the adorable Godhead is given to them to be their portion for ever; the blessed first-fruits of which they enjoy here; the inconceivable fulness of which shall be opened to them in eternity. Him they love, and by Him they are loved with a love that passeth knowledge. On Him their soul layeth its burdens, sorrows, and cares, and is at rest. His glories brighten, instruct, purify, and gladden them continually. His beauties fill them with unceasing wonder and delight. His excellencies stablish their hearts. His lovingkindness elevates their affections; and they look for Him as presently coming again in the clouds of heaven to receive them unto himself, that where he is there they may be also, satisfied with the fulness of joy in the unclouded brightness of the New Jerusalem.

Unbeliever! Consider whether laying melancholy to the charge of religion be not a mere senseless cavil! Oh compare thy fleeting joys with those of him who seeth and believeth the Son! Look at thine,

eluding thy fond gray; vanishing at every turn; and leaving thee a prey to disappointment, dissatisfaction, and gloom. Look at His, brightening at every step; shining in upon the times of sorrow, bereavement, and pain; raising him above temporal things, and triumphing just when thine leaves thee for ever: and may God thus lead thee into a portion of true blessedness which shall give thee rejoicing indeed.

Believer! "Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice!" And why? Because "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose." Christ brightens them all; and He is their portion, which is more than all. Rejoice therefore in the Lord, because His love encircles and blesses thee; His presence delights and comforts thee: His righteousness clothes thee; His grace shall preserve thee; and His glory erown thee. Rejoice therefore in the Lord.--HOPEFUL.

DEATH OF A SUNDAY-SCHOOL CHILD. REV. AND DEAR SIR,

I rejoice at the existence of such a Magazine as your's, and fully expect, that, by the Divine favor, it will be made a blessing to many. I am thankful to

have it in my power to send you what I believe may be useful not only to Ministers of the Gospel, but to every one engaged in the truly delightful task' of instructing the young and ignorant in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and to all who love to hear of the triumphs of His Cross. It is, I know, with deep regret that Clergymen sometimes witness the indifference of their parishioners towards SundaySchools. They cannot always raise even the necessary means; they find difficulty in procuring willing teachers f both sexes; they observe parents do not feel the importance of having their children's minds early stored with Scripture truth; and they mourn too over the inattention und dulness of many of the scholars. Now I have strong hopes that what is to follow these remarks may, through God's mercy, rouse all such to exertion, and encourage the most timid labourer to 'go forward,' seeing that it is not by learning, or eloquence, success is obtained, but that the Holy Spirit will bless the efforts of the weakest servant, who in prayer and faith seeks the salvation of immortal souls. The following account was given last summer by an Irish Sunday-School Teacher, to a friend of mine, who had been many years before a teacher in the same school in the South of Ireland. My friend was by my bed side, aiming to comfort me in my affliction, when a letter was brought to him. I wish all teachers could have heard his expressions of thankfulness to God for so great a mercy, both to the teacher and the scholar! I will now give you an extract from the letter:-- The more particular reason of my writing at this time is to apprise you of what concerns the last hours of

Eliza H, of whose death you are aware. Her illness continued for three to four months, and terminated in a joyful entrance into the everlasting kingdom of that Saviour in whom she believed to the saving of her soul, and with whom she longed to be. Her path to this glorious kingdom was indeed the path of the just, it shone more and more unto the perfect day. It seemed as if a ray of glory shone around her dying bed. She often said,

"What is there here to court my stay,

Or keep me back from home;
While Angels beckon me away,
And Jesus bids me come!"

In the course of many conversations with her, she always attributed her conversion to the instrumentality of the instruction she received at the SundaySchool; and desired me emphatically, and more than once, to tell Mr.. she owed her first gracious impressions to his instruction and affectionate advice. When asked if she had any message to the teachers or children, she said, charge them to make religion their all. I have found Jesus a refuge and help, a hiding-place in this extremity. He is precious to my soul, and will be with me through the Jordan of death; tell them all to fly to Jesus! When asked if she had any particular request to make to God at that time, she replied with fervour-I long to be with Jesuspray that my stay may be short. She asked a friend who sat by her, if they thought her confidence too great; the reply was, whilst you rest on the Rock of Ages-solely on the foundation which God has laid in Zion-you cannot be too confident. She said, I rely on nothing else, and feel peace and joy in be