cap on her head, her feline ladyship is seated at the tea-table, and with a winning simper, places her little velvet hand on the silver tea-urn, when all of a sudden, a mouse pops in and attracts the attention of her ladyship. Like sleeping gunpowder when a spark falls into it, her blood is instantly on fire, she leaps over the china, which rattles on the floor, darts towards her little victim, pounces on it, and the velvet smoothness of those pretty paws proves to be only a shield for sharp instruments of torture. And thus it is, my brethren, with the external goodness of an unrenewed sinner. Let temptation appear, and the old Adam immediately shows his true nature."

WORTHY OF ALL LOVE.

Nature is never prodigal of her gifts. Birds of gay plumage have no song, strength is denied creatures endowed with swiftness. Thus it is often said, and with justice, that as one man is generally distinguished by the predominance of one virtue, or one class of virtues, and another one by the ascendancy of a different kind of excellences, so the union of both might realize perfection. Had the peculiar gifts of John and Paul been blended, the result might have been a perfect Apostle. Were the intrepidity of Luther, the tenderness of Melancthon, and the calm intellect of Calvin, combined in one person, you would have the model of a faultless reformer. Had Whitefield possessed Wesley's tact and power of management, or Wesley, Whitefield's restless vigour, and burning influence, would there not be the type of a complete evangelist ? Out of the distinctive talents and acquirements of Burke, Bacon, and Hale, might be evolved the trial of a finished judge. And would he not be a paragon of statesmanship, who had the tongue of Chatham, the soul of Fox, and the shrewd and practical energy of Peel? But Jesus was distinguished by the rarest union of integrity and good wishes. Every grace that adorns humanity was in Him, and in Him in fullness and symmetry. No virtue jostled another out of its place. None rose into extravagances-none pined in feeble restriction. There was room for love to a mother, in a heart filled with love to the world. He felt that He was dying as a Son, while He was making atonement as a Saviour. His patriotism was not absorbed in the wide sweep of His philanthropy. What amiability in His character-what meekness and patience in the midst of unparalleled persecution! No frown was ever upon his face, and no scorn was ever upon His tongue; but His eyes were often filled with tears, and His bosom overflowed with sympathy, and His lips with consolation. His one pursuit was the good of men. For that by night He prayed, and by day He laboured. Opposition did not deter Him, and ingratitude did not sour Him. With what pains and patience He taught! With what dignity and heroism He suffered! To attain the noblest of ends, He died the most awful of deaths. He lived in the luxury of doing good, and expired in the triumphs of a perfected enterprise. There was no step for self. No unworthy taint soiled His purity, or alloyed His merit. He realized the end of humanitythe glory and the enjoyment of God. The multitude hungered, and He fed them; they erred, and He rebuked them. The disciples trembled at the storm, He arose and rebuked it. He summoned out of His bier the young man of Nain, and when he might have claimed him as a follower and an Apostle, He gave her only son back to his mother. Wine was exhausted at the marriage feast, and not to expose the poverty of the newly-wedded pair, He created a farther supply. He took the little children in His arms, and blessed them. He could not keep the weeping mourner in suspense, but said unto her "Mary." The sisters of Lazarus sobbed in sorrow, and He raised their brother. Peter denied Him thrice, and thrice He comforted and commissioned the penitent. Judas saluted him with a kiss, and in the blandness of His sorrow for the traitor, He called him, "Friend." So perfect in every relation of life-so wise in speech, and so pure in conduct-so large in compassion, and intense in beneficence-so replete with everything that charms

into attachment and love; He was the incarnation of universal loveliness. We repeat it, were He but a man, who would not love Him, and caress His memory, as an honour to His species--a man standing out from all other men in spiritual fascination and in duty. "As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons"-of richer verdure than the greenest of them, and of sweeter and more fragrant blossom than any of its blooming companions.-Rev. Dr. Eadie.

RESPIRATORY SURFACE IN HUMAN LUNGS.

The number of air-cells in the human lungs amount to no less than sir hundred millions. According to Dr. Hales, the diameter of each of these may be reckoned at the 100th of an inch; while according to the more recent researches of professor Weber, the diameters vary between the 70th and 200th of an inch. Now estimating the internal surface of a single cell as about equal to that of a hollow globule of equal internal diameter, then, by adopting the measurement of Hales, we find that 600 millions of such cells would possess collectively a surface of no less than 145 square yards; but by basing our calculations on the opinions of Weber-opinions, remember, which the scientific world receive as facts-we arrive at the still more astounding conclusion, that the human lungs possess upwards of one hundred and sixty-six square yards of respiratory surface, every single point of which is in constant and immediate contact with the atmosphere inspired. It will be useful, then, to imprint on the memory, that whether we breathe pure or putrid air, the air inspired is ever in immediate contact with an extent of vital surface ample enough for the erection of two or three large houses.

Quarterly Missionary Notices.

JANUARY, 1857.

DURING the last few weeks several items of Intelligence have been received from our Missionaries and others in Ireland, Hamburgh, and Australia. We have taken the earliest opportunity of making them public for the gratification of the friends and supporters of our Missions.

The following relates to the state of the –

Dear and respected Sir,*

HAMBURGH MISSION.

Bethel, St. Paul's, October 27th, 1856.

Doubtless you are aware, that the labours of the missionary in Hamburgh are almost exclusively confined to the spiritual welfare of seamen. And it is worthy of remark, that the cause here is as unsectarian as it is possible for a cause to be.

Nominally we are Wesleyans, the services are conducted in the Wesleyan form, and the doctrines of Wesley are preached, but the object aimed at by the minister is, not to bring into prominence the little sectarian squabbles, which divide Christendom, but to proclaim the great truths of the Gospel of Christ, with a view to the salvation of all, who come under the influence of the Word preached. And this, dear sir, you will see is the more necessary, because our congregations ashore are made up of men of various denominations. Often have we had in the same service, Presbyterians, Baptists, Independents, Conference Wesleyans, Primitive Wesleyans, Association Wesleyans, and Reform Wesleyans. The unsectarian and disinterested aspect of the Hamburgh Mission will enable you to stand on the missionary platform with a very good grace, and claim the sympathies and support, not only of your own people, but also that of all Christian denominations, and especially that of the friends of Missions. We have just held our annual tea-meeting here, said by the people to have been the best that has been held, in connexion with our cause, ever since its establishment. With it, closed our secretary's year. The annual report, read at the meeting, gave encouraging evidence that the past year has been one of the most successful years of the Mission's existence, so far as regards the conversion of sinners. It cited several instances of the Gospel taking immediate effect on the hearts of sailors, while being preached. One instance occurred on board a ship from your own port.

It is now several weeks ago, that we held service on board the V-, Capt. G―, of South Shields. The cabin was full; the sailors listened in breathless silence while I preached to them Jesus. It was evident that a powerful and impressive influence was at work. When the service had closed, the mate, a fine intelligent looking young man, came ashore with me, and without any hesitancy or equivocation whatever, said, "Well, my dear sir, this has been one of the happiest evenings I have spent in my life." "Indeed," was the reply, "I am happy to hear you say so; I hope it will be the beginning of good days with you.' He said, "I hope it will. I feel it is much better to spend an evening thus than to go ashore and spend a lot of money in drink." Another interesting circumstance took place, not long ago, on board another ship from

*This communication was addressed to Mr. John Armstrong of South Shields, who has kindly consented to its publication in this form.

South Shields. We were holding service on board the P. At the commencement we were much annoyed by two drunken sailors, who had come to the meeting. One of them belonged to the ship. This man, for a while, amused himself and annoyed us, by making all kinds of noises, and groans, peculiar to drunken men. The other, who was from a ship close by, was adding ludicrousness to the service, by giving a sanctimonious nod of the head, as if assenting to all that was said. You may easily conceive, how difficult it would be to preach with such a congregation. It seemed as if all hell had been stirred up to oppose us that night. I could scarcely plod on, and more than once had almost stuck fast in the discourse. But I persevered, and Jesus triumphed. I selected for my text these words,—“ Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee." When the sermon had proceeded a little, the drunken men became quieter, and when it was concluded, one of them came and shook me by the hand, and said, evidently with considerable feeling, that he had come to the meeting, solely for the purpose of opposing me, but could not do so, and further, that he had felt deeply the power of the truths which had been spoken, and by the help of God, he would be a different man henceforth. I have not seen the man since. I may just refer to one more circumstance, which took place on board a Hull steamer. We have had meetings in this ship frequently. For several meetings successively, one of the men declared he would never go to another, for the minister preached to nobody but him all the time, and he could not bear it. He was however prevailed on to attend again, and at last he became soundly converted to God.

A great deal of the good that is done by this Mission, never comes to our knowledge. Now and then we hear of one who has been benefited by our labours, but these are only as solitary roses on an illimitable desert, and we may well exclaim, "What are these among so many!

y!"

Our labours are much enfeebled, and our success greatly limited by the temptations of which Hamburgh is prolific. Sir, if our Mission had not been instrumental in the conversion of a single soul, it would still have accomplished a great good, for it offers a place of refuge, on the Sabbath-day, from the blasting, withering influence of ungodliness, and infidelity, with which this place is infested. Alas! many have awfully fallen in this theatre of iniquity. Hamburgh literally teems with dissipation, and is rank with prostitution. Many, very many are the victims who fall prostrate under the potency of these diabolical influences. The Sabbath-day is most awfully profaned, they seem to have no other idea of it, than to regard it as a day of pleasure. Sorry I am to say, that our poor countrymen who come out here, do not show them a better example. Far from doing so, many of them abet and encourage every species of vice. My heart is wrung with sorrow, while I candidly confess, that I am often ashamed of my fellow-countrymen, to see them staggering with drunkenness, a disgusting spectacle for the gaze of the more cautious, and more sober Germans. It is a sight with which we have become familiar, to see English sailors returning to their ships, on the Sabbath afternoon, one staggering with intoxication, assisted to keep his erect position, assisted by two others, scarcely less drunk than himself, a second bearing in his hands a new pair of boots, a third with a long brush, and a fourth with a couple of bottles of grog. English sailors do here, what they would not for shame do at home.

It must be plain to you, sir, from these statements, that a Mission such as ours, contemplating the evangelization of seamen, is a matter of stern necessity, and one which lays claim to the support of the religious public. In labouring for the spiritual welfare of seamen, we are encouraged by the example of our blessed Lord, and assured that our labours shall not be in vain. For the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto Thee. Praying that you may have a good meeting,

The next communication is from Brother Alsop, and relates to,—

Rev. and Dear Sir,

COLLINGWOOD, AUSTRALIA.

Notwithstanding the distance which intervenes between us and yourself, and our apparent isolation from our friends in England, it is under a conviction that the providential dealings of Almighty God, with us, as an integral section of his militant church, will not only prove interesting, but tend to strengthen that bond of sympathy by which we are knit together, in one body, one spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling, one hope, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, that I am induced to furnish for insertion in our Magazine, a brief account of the erection and opening of our New Chapel.

The discomfort of our Old Chapel placed us under great disadvantages; we were debarred from expenditure in completing its interior form. The daily liability we were under, (by act of Council, passed immediately after its erection,) to receive notice of the requirement of the site for street improvements. In March, 1855, we received the long expected notice, and on the 2nd. of December last, we worshipped for the last time in the old building; on the following day, Monday the 3rd Dec., we formally commenced the erection of our present elegant chapel, by laying the foundation stone. According to previous arrangements, we proceeded from the old chapel, in procession to the new site. The Rev. M. Bradney gave out the 747th Hymn, and engaged in prayer; J. P. Fawlkner, Esq., M.L.C., (the oldest Victorian colonist, a venerable and tried friend of civil and religious liberty,) after a suitable address, read the following, engrossed on parchment :

"Wesleyan Methodist Association Chapel, George Street, Collingwood. This Stone was Laid by John Pason Fawlkner, Esq., M.L.C., on Monday, the third day of December, One thousand, eight hundred, and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria. Rev. Jos. Townsend, Minister.

J. R. Burns, Esq., Architect.

Sir Charles Hotham, K.C.B., Governor of Victoria." "This Society purchase their land, erect their chapels, and support their ministry by the free-will offerings of the people."

66

May the temple, thereon to be erected, long stand as a landmark to inspire the Christian pilgrim, with renewed vigour, in the prosecution of his journey to his Father's house; a swift witness against sin, and a refuge for the poor wandering outcast sinner."

This document, with a coin of the realm, and a copy of that day's "Argus' paper, was deposited in the stone, which was lowered to its resting-place. The Rev. J. Townsend closed the impressive ceremony, by an appropriate address, setting forth our origin, church polity, and doctrinal views. We then adjourned to partake of the good things bountifully and gratuitously furnished by the ladies, in the old chapel, where about three hundred sat down to tea. a public meeting followed, and a collection was made, which with the amount realized on the Sunday, proved the hearty co-operation of our friends, in the great work we had undertaken.

We have witnessed the demolition of the temple wherein we have worshipped for upwards of two years, and where many received the word of God, not as the word of man, but as it is in truth the word of God; also under the divine blessing, without accident of any description, the erection of the new temple, and it was with feelings of deep gratitude to the Great Head of the Church, that on Sunday the 6th of April last, we opened it. Our beloved pastor occupied the pulpit on the conspicuous occasion, and preached in the morning from the first seven verses of the 6th chapter of Isaiah; in the evening the Rev, John Reid, Presbyterian, preached from the 34th to 38th verses of 22nd chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. On the following Sunday the Rev, Mr. Toore, Independent, late of Salford, preached in the morning, from the 4th verse of the 84th psalm; in the evening the Rev. James Ballantyne preached from the 56th verse of the 6th chapter of St. Mark's Gospel. The weather was most propitious, and the congregations excellent. On the evening following we were enabled, by the liberality of our ladies, to