only wants to help me to be an honourable man. She knows as well as I do that I am in mischief when I stay out after she is in bed. What should I do without her?" For the first time for months his lips uttered a heartfelt prayer: "God be merciful to me a sinner.” A new life began in his soul that night. When he followed his grandmother to the grave, with his mother leaning upon his arm, a few days later, he made resolutions in Christ's strength, which he kept while life lasted. His brothers and sister grew up all that could be desired under his correct example.

Jake Hurd never knew why his acquaintance with Edward ceased from the night he left him gazing at the darkened window. He soon found new victims, who will be dragged down to destruction unless God in mercy appear for their deliverance. Young man, fret not at your praying mother's watch and prayer. You cannot be your own master; for once freed from home restraints, a fierce, relentless master awaits you. Do not shake off her tender hand as it stays your wayward steps. Yield to her love, and a blissful eternity is yours.

The Prince of Peace."

IN this world of contention and strife, how soothing is the thought of peace, and how welcome is the name, "Prince of Peace," by which our Saviour was to be called.

At His birth, angels heralded Him, saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men." Satan had sowed discord, and anger, and strife, from the time that our first parents having sinned, blamed each other, and Cain killed Abel, to the present time, when evilspeaking, lying, and slander too often lead to divisions and quarrels.

The gospel is well called the "Gospel of Peace;" for it *From "Bright Rays for Dark Days," just published in very large type.

makes peace between God and man.

Satan had carried man captive; and, tempted by Satan, he rebelled against God, broke His holy laws, and became the servant of sin. Jesus Christ, the "Prince of Peace," conquered Satan, and paid the ransom for our recovery with His blood. We had incurred ruin and death by our sins. The Saviour for us was crucified, dead, and buried: He suffered to bring us back to God; and He rose from the dead to show that His work was completed, His payment accepted; and then He ascended into heaven, where "He ever liveth to make intercession for us." Thus, "He is our Peace." But not till all His enemies are put under His feet shall we know the full blessedness of the reign of peace. As long as wickedness exists, there will be strife.

The Prince of Peace himself warned His disciples that the establishment of His reign would often cause discord. "Think not," He said, "that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." How often, when one member of a family has yielded his heart to the Saviour, persecution has followed from those who were still living "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." The heart of the parent has been turned against the child; the love of the brother has been turned to hatred. He who was persecuted to the death for our sakes says to those of His followers who thus suffer: "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household ?"+ For all this we must be prepared, and not be afraid to confess Christ from fear of the difficulties *Matt. x. 34-36. Matt. x. 24, 25.

and dangers in which it will involve us; nor let us murmur and repine because our Lord's warning proves true. We must take up our cross, and follow Christ wherever He leads us, whatever the cost to ourselves.

Yet, even in circumstances such as these, does Christ prove Himself to be the Prince of Peace. He gives an inward peace amidst all outward storm and tempest. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, can keep the heart and mind. Just as in winter time, when the storm is raging without, we can retire into our peaceful chamber, and enjoy sweet communion with those we love, so the believer, persecuted for righteousness' sake, can retire into himself, and enjoy peaceful, happy fellowship with the Prince of Peace. Amidst all the troubles and sorrows of earth, Christ fulfils His promise: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you." Happy a thousand times, he who knows and feels this peace. In the world he may have tribulation; but this inward blessing more than makes up, even on earth, for the outward trial; and in the heavenly kingdom of the Prince of Peace there are reserved fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore.

"We have peace with God, through Jesus Christ our Lord;" for "He made peace through the blood of His cross." The great Captain of our salvation has "slain the enmity," which is sin, and has made peace for us. We have peace in our hearts and minds; for conscience is at ease, knowing that "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." The heart is at peace, for angry and rebellious passions are controlled; and the mind is at peace, not being disturbed by doubts and fears; for where the Prince of Peace reigns supreme, His word silences every fretful and anxious thought; while every earnest inquirer is assured that, if he will do the Lord's will, he shall know the doctrine. Thus the faithful subject and soldier of the Prince of Peace may go on his way rejoicing in the precious words, "My peace I give unto you... let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

The perfect peace of the Christian, whose mind is stayed on God, is a faint emblem of the everlasting peace which will be one blessed characteristic of the New Jerusalem. Let us welcome the Prince of Peace as our Ruler now; let us pray the Holy Spirit to write his laws in our hearts, that we may be taught by happy experience the blessings of His kingdom, and be prepared on earth, by the power of God, for the glories of heaven. "The fruits of righteousness are sown in peace of them that make peace." The God of peace gives "Peace always by all means;" and while He perfects us in holiness, He fills us with such joy and peace in believing, that the kingdom of peace is recommended, and glory is given to the Prince of Peace, when men observe the effects of His rule; for they exclaim, in admiration, "See how these Christians live!"

D

The Sunday Excursion.

EAR me, how hot it is! I feel amost melted; and the sun pouring down upon the pavement makes the stones as hot as an oven."

"Yes; it is very warm," said Mrs. Collins, looking up from her work of darning stockings, and handing her neighbour a chair.

"I've just run in to ask if you'll join us in a little outing next Sunday," said Mrs. Ryder, sitting down and untying her bonnet as she spoke. "We see nothing but the brick walls and pavement for months together here in London, and my husband says a day in the country will do the children good, and so he's made up his mind to take 'em, and said I might as well come in to-day and ask you to go with us."

Mrs. Collins looked out of the window into the close, hot street, and thought of the cool shady lanes and pleasant green meadows she had been used to play in when a girl. "Yes; it would do the children good if they could have a

day in the country," she sighed; "but I do not think my husband will agree to us going out on Sunday."

"Why not?" asked Mrs. Ryder, quickly; "surely he can't think there's any harm in taking the children a quiet walk in the fields ?"

"Not if we could walk to them and be quiet when we got there," said Mrs. Collins; "but I can't say that I think it's right to turn Sunday into a day for pleasure-taking and excursions."

" I'm

"But why not?" said Mrs. Ryder, a little crossly; sure so good and merciful as God is, He would not be angry with us for stopping away from church or chapel once now and then to enjoy ourselves."

"Well, Mrs. Ryder, I look at it this way: God is so good and merciful that He has taught us to call Him 'our Father;' but the next words are, 'hallowed be thy name."

"Which means that we are not to swear, or call ill-names, or take His name in vain," interrupted Mrs. Ryder.

66

"Yes; that's it; take His name in vain," replied Mrs. Collins. Now, you and I call ourselves Christians—that is, Christ's followers; and we must not take His name in vain; we must show by our actions that we are His servants; we must hallow the name by which we are called; that the world may see and know that the God we serve is a holy God."

"I'm not

Mrs. Ryder looked vexed, but not convinced. thinking of myself, I'm sure, in this excursion," she said; "it's for the children's sake I'm going;" and she sighed. At this moment the door opened, and a pleasant, intelligentlooking man entered the room.

"Good evening, Mrs. Ryder," he said; "don't run away because I've come in. Where's the children ?" he said, looking round the room and turning towards his wife.

"Mary's taken them out for a walk as far as the square to see the flowers in the garden."

"I wish they could go sometimes to a country lane and see the children's own flowers--buttercups and daisies—as I did when I was a boy."