What, mother, is an orphan boy?

I sometimes did reply,

And then she'd sob, and weep so much, I fear'd lest she should die.

Full many a month she mourn'd away,
By every sorrow tried;

Till quite worn out, she gently groan'd,
And said-Poor boy! and died.

Ah! how I wept upon her face,
And call'd her name in vain,
My childish heart could scarce believe
She would not speak again.

And now I think of that sad day,

My grief is running o'er;

I seem to see my mother die,

And weep her death once more.

Perhaps you bear a parent's name,
And call your child your joy;
Oh, never may that child become,
A wretched orphan boy!

Perhaps the woes that fill my breast,
Are partly felt by thine;

You had a father-mother-who

Are dead as well as mine.

Then while I mourn my hapless lot,

O, let your pity flow!

The heart that is itself distress'd,

Should feel another's woe!

THE Scriptures, then, are a divinely authorized record of religious truth. If I am told that there is much in the Bible, which even the learned cannot understand, and some things, perhaps, which the wicked have perverted to evil purposes, I would observe, in reply, that in this respect, there is an obvious analogy between the written word and the works of God; for there is much also in the science of nature itself which the wise cannot comprehend, and which the vicious have misapplied to evil. And I would further remark, that the Scriptures are not intended to gratify the curiosity, or to illuminate the speculations, of worldly wisdom, but to instruct the humble and devotional reader, and to teach the simple and the meek the way to heaven. To such as these, whatever be their condition in life, or their measure of mental cultivation, the Bible, as to every main doctrine, and every practical principle, is explicit and întelligible. While the divine law is so accordant with the conclusions of profound reasoning, that the most enlightened philosophers have yielded to it their willing homage; it is also so plain, that when it is received with simplicity and godly sincerity, "the wayfaring man, though a fool, cannot err therein."

J. J. Gurney's Letter.

WHAT then could be the mighty and equivalent purpose for which this infinitely glorious person, the Son of God, who is one with the Father, and is therefore himself the everlasting Jehovah, should so marvellously condescend, and humble himself, as to take our nature upon him, in that nature to undergo every species of contumely and contradiction of sinners, and, finally, to die on the cross a cruel and shameful death?

No doubt, to reveal the truth, was one of the offices of our blessed Saviour, that chief of prophets, nor are we to forget that it was another of his offices, by his holy and merciful life and conversation on earth, to institute that perfect pattern, after which the conduct of his disciples, in all future ages, was to be formed and regulated. But important and salutary as these offices were, the peculiar circumstances of the case are such as inevitably lead us to believe that, in humbling himself from the height of his divine glory, in assuming our frail and suffering nature, and in subjecting himself even to the death of the cross, the Son of God had yet higher, nobler, and more comprehensive purposes in his view. When we consider the infinite dignity and absolute omnipotence of our heavenly visitor, and the marvellous love which he has displayed in visiting us, we cannot fail to conclude that such a dispensation of divine mercy towards us was intended to supply all our spiritual need. Now, were we, through the means of that dispensation, to receive nothing but information, precept, and example, our need would be far indeed from being supplied. Powerless and corrupt as we

are, we should still be left to perish in our sins, and the light thus communicated to us would only aggravate our woe, and render our destruction more terrible. Where is the individual who understands the plague of his own heart, who is not aware that he stands in need of not only information but of reconciliation with God; not only of light, but of life; not only of precept and example, but of power to obey the one and to follow the other? Yes, my dear friend, the gospel of our Lord and Saviour is no message of glad tidings to us, unless it proclaims to us indemnity and cure. Thus, and thus only, will it supply all our spiritual need. J. J. Gurney's Letter.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.

Go when the morning shineth;
Go when the noon is bright;

Go when the eve declineth;
Go in the hush of night.

Go with pure mind and feeling;
Fling earthly thoughts away;
And, in thy chamber kneeling,
Do thou in secret pray.

Remember all who love thee,

All who are loved by thee;
Forgiving those who hate thee,
If any such there be.

FF

Then, for thyself in meekness,
A blessing humbly claim,
And link with each petition,
Thy great Redeemer's name.

Or if 'tis ere denied thee,
In solitude to pray,

Should holy thoughts come o'er thee,
When friends are round thy way;

E'en then, the silent breathing,
Of thy spirit raised above,
Will reach his throne of glory,
Who is mercy, truth, and love.

Oh say what joy or blessing,
Can we, with this compare,
The power that Jesus gives us,
To pour our souls in prayer.

Whene'er thou pines in sadness,
Before his footstool fall,
And remember in thy gladness,
His grace who gave thee all.

THE FIRST BORN.

ON looking down below upon a favourite view, we saw a flag flying upon the top of the village tower. Every thing denoted some unusual occasion of joyful