more shall your heavenly Father give his holy Spirit, to them that ask him." Luke xi. 11, 12, 13. We may be sure that a wise and kind parent would not deny his child what was necessary for its support, or put it off with a mere semblance of what it needed, or give it what was hurtful rather than beneficial: we may be infinitely more sure, that our heavenly Father will never withhold from the children of his love the spiritual supplies they need-will never bestow upon them worse then they ask.

11. Fish are mentioned in connexion with several miracles of our blessed Lord. Five of the twelve chosen disciples were fishermen; they resided on the borders of the lake of Galilee, or Gennesaret, which abounded with fish, and there pursued their calling.

It was in that neighbourhood that Jesus first introduced himself to their acquaintance, John i. 37–45. After some time of occasional intercourse, Simon Peter, and Andrew, were called to a more stated attendance on their Lord. This call took place on occasion of Christ having entered Peter's ship, and thence taught the people from the shore, and afterwards causing a miraculous draught of fishes to reward the efforts of the disciples, made at his command, and also as emblematical of their success in the Christian ministry. "Launch out into the deep," said Jesus," and let down your nets for a draught. Peter mournfully answered," Master, we have toiled all the night, and taken nothing; nevertheless, at thy

command, I will let down the net: and when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes. And Jesus said unto them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Compare Matt. iv. 18-22. Mark i. 16-20. Luke v. 1—11.

On two occasions, the tender-hearted Saviour, having compassion on the multitudes who had followed him into the wilderness to hear the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth, miraculously multiplied, for their subsistence, a very few loaves and fishes ; so that thousands partook of what would scarcely have sufficed a few persons; and there was gathered up of fragments far more than the original stock of provision. On one of these occasions, our Lord delivered one of his most instructive discourses, leading the minds of his hearers from the temporal supply which had nourished their bodies, to the Bread of life, the supply for their spiritual necessities, without which they must perish, but of which a man should eat, and live for ever: Matt xiv. 15–21. xv. 32--38. Mark vi. 35-44. viii. 1–9. Luke ix. 10-17. John vi.

Once, while our Lord and his disciples abode in Galilee, the gatherers of tribute called upon Peter for payment. Peter, being unprovided with the needful sum, came into the house to his Lord, who anticipated his object, and said to him, "What thinkest thou, Simon: Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute,-of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers; Jesus

N. H.

saith unto him, Then are the children free: notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast in a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up, and, when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money; that take, and give unto them for me and thee." Matt. xvii. 24-27. How strikingly does this incident display the majesty of a God, and the amiableness of a man ! Our Lord asserted his divinity, and his right of exemption from the tribute, as the Son of the great Monarch of the skies. He proved it by discovering his omniscience, and bringing under tribute the seas and fishes. His poverty and humility were displayed, in that he and his attendant had not about them so small a sum as a shekel, about (half-a-crown of our money ;--his peaceable spirit, in that, though he might have pleaded an exemption from the claim, he rather wrought a miracle to satisfy it;-his sympathy, in that he furnished what was required for his servant, as well as for himself. Happy are they who have such a Master,—such a pattern, such a friend!

Another interesting scene took place on the sea of Galilee, or Tiberias. After the resurrection of our Lord, the disciples, not being aware of their Lord's intentions concerning them, had, it appears, quietly returned to their former occupation as fishermen ; and having laboured all night without success, in the morning they saw a stranger standing on the shore, who courteously inquired if they had obtained any meat? On being answered in the negative, he told them

to cast the net on the right side of the ship, and they should find. The mild and majestic manner in which he spoke, at once convinced them that it was their Lord, whose dominion the obedient seas and fishes had often owned in their presence. An interview the most tender and affecting ensued; and the gracious Visitant, not content with supplying to them the means of traffic, provided for their immediate sustenance, for they found on the shore a fire miraculously prepared, and bread! At the command of Jesus they prepared some of the fish they had just caught, and he himself blessed and distributed the meal. It was on this occasion that Jesus conversed so affectingly with Peter, challenging his love, renewing his commission, giving him an especial charge as to the duties of his sacred office, and a remarkable prophecy as to the time and manner of his death, John xxi.

In one of the parables, our Lord compares the kingdom of God, or the preaching of the gospel, to a net, which gathers in fishes of every kind. The great Teacher sent from God, manifested his wisdom in rendering the scenes of nature, and the daily occupations of his hearers, illustrative of the truths he designed to convey; thus the Husbandman, the Shepherd, the Vinedresser, the Fisherman, could not fail to understand and to remember His instructions. As the net draws much to shore, some that is good, and some that is worthless, which even the fisherman cannot discern and distinguish, until he brings it to the shore, but which he then separates, storing

what is valuable, and throwing away the refuse; so the preaching of the gospel attracts hearers of all sorts; the visible church receives both sincere believers and hypocrites, between whom, as long as they walk outwardly correct, ministers and churches cannot discern; but there is a time coming, when a total and final separation shall be made, and the wicked severed from among the just. Then, may it be our happiness to be found approved and gathered in, as that which is worth preserving!

Whales.

The only fish expressly mentioned by name in scripture is the whale. It is the largest of fishes known, and there are several different species. Many are found in the northern oceans of Europe, and form an important article of traffic. In these cold climates the length of the whale is from fifty to eighty feet; but in hot climates they are sometimes found twice as long. The whale is a heavy bulky animal, its head alone making one-third of its bulk. In a whale of the moderate size, the fins are from five to eight feet in length, composed of bones and muscles, and sufficiently strong to give speed and activity to the amazing mass of body which they move. The tail is about twenty-four feet broad; and when the fish lies on one side, its blow is tremendous. The skin is smooth and black, and in some places marbled with