THE

BIBLE CLASS MAGAZINE.

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

AN African prince who was sent on an embassy with costly presents for Queen Victoria, from an Ethiopian court, preferred a modest request, that our beloved sovereign would tell him the secret of England's greatness and glory. Her Majesty did not, like Hezekiah, show the ambassador her diamonds, and her precious jewels, and her rich ornaments, but handing him a beautifully bound copy of the Bible, said, "Tell the Prince that this is the secret of England's greatness." On the morning before her marriage-day Victoria called on a dying girl at Kensington, and presented her with a Bible as her truest comfort. It was found that her Majesty had written on the fly-leaf, "The gift of Victoria;" and it consists with our knowledge that the Bible is the Queen's favourite gift, and that every member of the royal household, from the highest to the lowest, possesses the inestimable treasure. When returning from Scotland, a few years ago, one of her Majesty's dressers, to whom the Queen was much attached, was taken ill and died. During her illness the Queen evinced much anxiety for her spiritual welfare, and when she had departed this life, her body was buried in the Rosebank Cemetery, where lie the mortal remains of Dr. Chalmers, and other great and good men: a plain, but beautifully chaste tomb-stone was erected over her grave, with the simple intimation that it was erected by Victoria. In the autumn of this year, when her Majesty was returning from Bal. moral, and staying for a day at Edinburgh, she left the Palace of Holyrood in the evening, walked quietly down to the Cemetery. Jooked thoughtfully at the grave, and seemed to drop a silent tear in remembrance of the little maid.

The first-born son of a Queen who thus values the Bible, and can express her sympathies so naturally and so well, is surely entitled to grace the pages of the Bible Class Magazine by his portrait; BIBLE CLASS MAGAZINE.] B [JANUARY, 1861.

THE FRINCE OF WALES.

nor will it be deemed presumption on our part if we add a few words about the Prince of Wales.

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, was born at Buckingham Palace on the 9th of November, 1841, and was created Earl of Chester during the same year. He is also Baron of Renfrew in Scotland, and inherits a large patrimony as Duke of Cornwall.

From infancy the Prince of Wales was a delicate child, and is still not robust; but though in his nineteenth year, he has never had a day's illness beyond the diseases common to childhood and youth. Sir James Clark, physician to the Queen, says that the royal family has been singularly free from illness of any kind, and shows how, by close attention to dress, constant exercise, and daily ablution, the children have all enjoyed vigorous health; while he commends the example of the royal mother to all the mothers of England.

The education and training of the Prince of Wales have been of a very scientific, popular, and practical character. The tutors are known to have been pious, as well as highly educated men, and the Prince Consort has taken great pains to instil into his son's mind the highest sentiments and manly independence. Thus far in the life of the Prince of Wales, his royal parents have been well repaid for all their anxious care; and it is pleasing to know, that down to the present hour the Prince has corresponded with his former tutors, and evinces towards them much affection. In the family circle he has ever been gentle and kind, and we have had good reason to know that there is not a happier or more affectionate family in England, than that of our beloved Queen. Every morning they are all committed to the care of our Heavenly Father, and although there are amusements and recreations at Court which we cannot but consider as opposed to the exalted principles of Christianity, yet, when it is considered that kings and queens are taught that they have a public character, as well as private virtues, to maintain, and that the good which predominates at the Court exists in the face of worldly enjoyments which, under any circumstances, are unfavourable to its growth, we cannot bui be thankful for the Christian virtues by which our royal family are distinguished.

The recent visit of the Prince of Wales to America has brought him into prominent notice, and the accounts of his journey afford materials for thoughtful analysis; but we forbear, and will conclude by simply quoting Longfellow's admirable adaptation of the

National Anthem, believing that every reader of our Magazine

will join in its prayer :—
"God bless our fathers' land,
Keep her in heart and hand
One with our own!
From all her foes defend,
Be her brave people's Friend,
On all her realms descend,
Protect her throne!

"Father, with loving care,
Guard Thou her kingdom's Heir,
Guide all his ways:

Thine arm his shelter be,

From him by land and sea
Bid storm and danger flee,

Prolong his days!

"Lord, let War's tempest cease,
Fold the whole earth in peace,
Under Thy wings!

Make all Thy nations one,
All hearts beneath the sun,
Till Thou shalt reign alone,
Great King of kings!"

THE FIVE GIANTS.
BY ERNESTINA.

a nobler triumph than David's shall be ours; richer rewards await us, and sweeter songs shall welcome us to the land of our rest when the fight is over; while the loudest, sweetest, noblest song shall ever be to the Lamb that was slain, through whom alone we have con

No one can doubt the fact that we are constantly surrounded by enemies, and that life is a perpetual warfare; except, indeed, in the case of those who tamely yield to the foe, and submit to be enslaved at his pleasure. But in those stirring words of the poet, we say to each and all

WHO that loves an exciting adventure
has not pondered, with the deepest inte-
rest, the thrilling account of that unequal
combat between the ruddy shepherd boy
and the gigantic Philistine? Have we
not, one and all, many a time entered
into the spirit of the scene, and trembled
for the youthful hero, while we ap-quered.
plauded his patriotic courage, and his
zeal for the honour of Israel's God?
And when we have seen the glorious
issue of the battle, have we not been
ready to join in the shouts of victory
that rang through the length and
breadth of the land that day? All
honour to the brave youth who dared,
unaided by mortal arm, to meet such a
mighty foe? We would not detract
from his praises, sung by the Israelitish
women, but rather add to the chorus;
not forgetting, however, that Invisible
Power in whose strength he overcame,
and to whom the highest praise is ever
due. But are we ready to take our
place by his side, and fight as he fought,
opposing right against might? Can
we, in the face of enemies more mali-
cious and powerful than Goliath, boldly
make a stand, resolving never to quit
the field till the victory is won? Then

"In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle,
Be a hero in the strife."

Let us now, like skilful warriors, look well to our own position, and reconnoitre the enemy's camp. Let us see in what point we are likely to be attacked, and stand on the defensive. A great army is enlisted against us, and in the forefront stand mighty giants, ready to meet each youthful soldier, when he first enters on the conflict.

There is that bitter foe who made
B Z

the first onslaught upon the human race. Alas! that he should have conquered; for the whole family of man have shared in the direful consequences of that victory. Emboldened by success. he has, since then, broken down many a stronghold, and attacked many of our warriors, endeavouring to surprise them in an unguarded moment. Too often he has succeeded, as in the case of that prophet who fell before him, and who had to endure solitary confinement in a living sepulchre, as the result of yielding to the foe.

it may be; and then, if they are not rescued by some powerful arm, he plunges them into a deep, dark abyss of destruction.

We might picture another of these formidable adversaries as a hard featured, repulsive-looking monster; SO odious and hateful to behold, that he finds it necessary to wear a mask, that partially hides his native ugliness; and thus disguised, he has been admitted, in all ages of the world, to the bosom of many a family, working discord and wretchedness wherever he goes. It was under his influence that the relative of a venerable patriarch made choice of the richest and most fertile lands for himself, leaving the poorer and less desirable country to the share of his generous uncle.

There is yet another of the enemy's

machinations we would urge our friends to be constantly on their guard. He comes along with a sauntering gait, his looks betokening ease, indifference, and

Not far off is another, very different from the first, though nearly related to bim. His aspect is mean and servile, and he seeks to overcome by stratagem and craft, or by offering rewards to those who will come over to his standard. He it was who seduced that servant in olden times, by the glit-host, against whose devices and crafty tering bait of the Syrian captain's wealth; but the tempting spoil is scarcely housed, when a loathsome, incurable disease fastens upon the unfaithful servant, and he finds himself shut out from his fellow-carelessness; he has not sufficient energy creatures, to pine away in misery and remorseful wretchedness. Another instance of his power may be found in the early history of the Christian church; he assailed two individuals at the same time, and they, yielding, as we think too easily, were doomed to instant death. Do you ask for a description of another of these giants? You may see him, if you visit his haunts, on Sunday; on no other day is he to be found, search for him where you will. Take a walk on the promenade, or on a pleasant country road; look in at the tea-gardens, or pay a visit to the railway sta-. tion, and you will not fail to see him, leading captive a numerous body of prisoners; these he beguiles for awhile with flowers, and sunshine, and music,

to fight, even for his own captain, but he serves him none the less efficiently for that. He insinuates himself into the society of those whom he desires to enslave, and his presence works like a subtle, deadly poison, gradually undermining their strength, and destroying their power of resistance; he then leads them triumphantly to his master, who chains them, and compels them to do his work.

But these five giants are not by any means the only ones with whom we have to contend; they are but a sample of the rest of the army under the command of the Prince of the power of the air. We have brought these forward, as being among the first to attack the youthful warrior when he enters the