day; and as for you, my fellow-traveller, my brother merchant, come! oh come, ere the market close, and buy likewise! If you do, you will make the best bargain you ever made in your life before."

What effect this appeal had on the pedlar we are not told; let us hope that he went away from that Communion Service arrayed in that "fine linen" which "is the righteousness of the saints."

This incident calls up before us a grander scene, in which we see the Lord Himself condescending to act the part of a merchantman, appealing to those who manifest no readiness to appropriate what He offers. Still can we catch the tones of earnest and loving expostulation: "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see."1 May some who read this paper be led by the grace of God to the Lord Jesus Christ, and be enabled to say:

"Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness,
My beauty are my glorious dress;
Midst flaming worlds in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.

When from the dust of death I rise,
To take my mansion in the skies;
E'en then shall this be all my plea,
Jesus has lived and died for me."

Rev. iii. 17, 18.

T. M. M.

Cloudland.

A RAILWAY REVERIE.

ow a castle, now a sea, then a smiling face,

N°

Mirrored in the ether blue, in wondrous forms of grace; Rocks gigantic, mountains glorious, with their peaks of snow, Catching all the rainbow tintings of the sunset glow. Monsters of the briny ocean, sailing in the sky; Quadrupeds with mien ferocious mounted up on high; Pile o'er pile of hoary ruins-wondrous fair they be! Crumbling while with eager vision we essay to see. Islands-countless in their number-dotted here and there, Gladdened not by warbling songsters, or with gay parterre; Icebergs of the Arctic Ocean passing fleetly by,

In the airy ocean's currents of the deep blue sky.

Wondrous pictures! all unheeded! passing day by day,
As we tread the busy mazes of our life's highway;
Ever rushing, never stopping upward for to look

At our Father's beauteous paintings in His cloudland book.
Yet how much we owe unto them in this world of ours!
Garnering up the pearly dewdrops to refresh the flowers,
Filling us with food and gladness by their gentle rain,
Feeding all the rippling brooklets in the fruitful plain;
Guarding us from fervent sunbeams by their grateful shade,
Sheltering all the drooping flowerets in the forest glade;
Adding to the chequered landscape beauty not its own,
In their graceful shadows giving such a softening tone.

Life is full of clouds and shadows 'mid its sunny days,
Earnest work for earnest workers, fills its crowded ways;
Clouds of sadness, clouds of sorrow, clouds of ignorance blind;
Shades of sin, of vice, and misery, shrouding up the mind.
Yet, above the gloom, the brightness may be seen and known,
And its beauty, pure and heavenly, made at once our own;
For our Father willeth not that His light should be dim,
He would have all in brightness walk, in light that comes from Him.
Then let us in His mighty strength aim darkness to dispel,
And work for Him where'er the mists and clouds and shadows dwell;
For soon our earthly sun will set, and Heaven's own radiance beam,
Where we shall ever see His face, with "not a cloud between."

H. D. I.

The Christian Race.

HROUGH the mercy of God we are brought to the beginning of another year, and a fresh milestone on life's journey. And now, what are our orders ?

"Run with patience the race that is set before you, looking unto Jesus." The future is wisely hid from us, but we shall require much "patience" to enable us to bear the trials and roughnesses of the way. The race is sometimes weary, and often very trying, and our faith seems tried to the uttermost; but "looking unto Jesus" will help us through all. Has He not promised, "I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee."2 And again, "My grace is sufficient for thee.”3 In the 34th Psalm and the 5th verse, David said, "They looked unto Him, and were lightened." Yes, and as the eye of faith looks on Jesus as the Great Burden Bearer, and looks to Him for pardon, help, strength and guidance, the burden becomes lighter and the race smoother.

Some time ago a poor man, in a country village, became in the greatest trouble about his soul. He was brought to feel that he was a great sinner, and the burden of his sins laid heavily on him. He could not work, or sleep, or eat, and the summer nights were spent by him in tears and prayers; yet still the burden was there. At last he sent a message to a Christian friend in the parish, begging that he might speak to her. At a given hour they met at a place appointed for the interview. The poor man told the lady his fears and troubles. She then prayed with him; but when prayer was ended, the burden was still on him. Then she said to him, "It is said in the Bible, 'Ye ask and receive not; because ye ask amiss;' and you are asking God to help you, yet you will not leave the burden of your sins at His mercy-seat. Try and do so now, and believe that 'Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.' Believe that the 2 Isa. xli. 10. 3 2 Cor. xii. 9. 'John iii. 16.

1 Heb. xii. I, 2.

'Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin,' and that Jesus says to you, 'Come unto Me!"" Again they knelt in earnest prayer, and this time the poor man looked in faith to Jesus; and when prayer was

ended he rose from his "Now," he said, “I am

knees full of joy and happiness. happy, and, God helping me, I will be His soldier and servant henceforth."

Dear friends, Christ increases our faith day by day, by His Holy Spirit's influence within us; and when the race of life is over, "Christ is the Finisher of our faith," which will be rewarded when we see Him as He is, and behold His glory."

"Christian, on the Heavenly Race,

Look alone to Jesus;

Haste to quicken on thy pace,

Looking unto Jesus.

Oh! His love can nought exceed,
He has strength for all thy need-
Thou wilt find this true indeed,
Looking unto Jesus!

Dost thou want a daily friend?
Look alone to Jesus!

All thy griefs in joy shall end,
Looking unto Jesus.

Through each day He'll be thy guide,
And for all thy wants provide,

And in Him thou may'st confide

Then cling close to Jesus!"

A. L.

M

New Year's Day.

1882.

OURNERS there be, to whom the years
Come freighted with regretful tears;

Sad hearts, which deeper anguish learn
When anniversaries return.

Friendship shrinks back, appalled to see
How poor her consolations be;

But Faith uplifts her voice to pray,

To Him who trod a darker way:

"God help thee, dear, this New Year's Day!"

And some there be with hearts a-glow,
Eager to do, and dare, and know ;
With fearless and impatient feet,
Standing where past and future greet.
While we, who in their joy rejoice,
And bid God-speed with heart and voice;
Yet, knowing more of life's rough way,
Blend prayer with loving wish and say,
"God bless you all, this New Year's Day!"

And so it comes, this unknown year,
To some with smile, to some with tear;
To some in robes of rainbow-dyes,
To some in sorrow's darker guise.
Yet, not a soul to whom it brings
No message from the King of kings!
Thrice happy all who now will lay
A hand in His dear hand, and say-
"Thy will be done," this New Year's Day.

1

LUCY A. BENNETT.