for the head of the family must insist on its observance by all in his house.

The Christian cannot want employment on this day. To go to the house of God, and find the presence of Jesus there; to study to understand his beautiful Liturgy more fully; to acquire fresh knowledge of some portion of God's word through the teaching of His appointed minister, and by private, prayerful reading of the Bible; to teach the ignorant, visit the afflicted, instruct his children and servants; these and many other delightful duties will suggest themselves; and to those who thus employ this day it will be a delight. It is much to be desired that children should be brought up to love the Lord's day, and this can only be done by making it a busy day. The weariness of want of suitable employment must never be felt by the young, and it is easy to direct them to work suited for and appropriated solely to the Sabbath day.

Let us examine ourselves on this matter.

Have we made it a happy day to our children? do we love it ourselves? Do we really enjoy its privileges and duties? If we find the day too long for private devotion, and public worship, let us seek some sick one to visit, or some servant or child to instruct. Rest from the world and work for God is the secret of a happy Sabbath.

"Blest day of God! how calm, how bright,
A day of joy and praise;

The labourer's rest, the saint's delight,
The first and best of days!

"My Saviour's face did make thee shine,
His rising, thee did raise;
This made thee heavenly and divine
Beyond the common days.

"This day I must for God appear,
For, Lord, the day is Thine;
But spent and hallowed in Thy fear,
Its blessing shall be mine.

"As the first-fruits an earnest prove
Of all the sheaves behind,

So they who do the Sabbath love,
A happy week shall find."

[46TH SUNDAY.

"Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

NEXT to God our parents have the first This is a law which God

claim upon us. has implanted in our nature. The light of nature teaches it, but much more clearly that of revelation. It runs through the Bible. Before the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, the dutiful Shem and Japhet, the obedient Isaac, the affectionate Joseph, and the loving and unselfish Ruth, received the blessing connected with its observance; while Ham entailed on himself and his posterity the curse of God. On Mount Sinai the voice of God pronounced the touching words, "Honour thy father and thy mother." Our blessed Lord set us a beautiful example of rever

ence, submission and obedience to parents during life; in His teaching He enforced its binding and unchanging nature (see Matt. xv.), and on the cross His last words to His beloved disciple were about the care of His mother.

Have we kept this commandment? have we followed the Saviour's example in this? can we say we have always reverenced, obeyed, and loved our parents to the utmost ever since we were born? and after their death, have we nothing in our feelings or conduct towards them to wish undone? None can stand this searching enquiry; but the Lord Jesus has obeyed this command for us; His righteousness is our's. Let us thankfully accept it; but at the same time let us mourn over our shortcomings. Lord, have mercy upon our past neglect of this most sacred, most affecting, and delightful duty, and incline our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit to tread more carefully in the steps of our Master and only Saviour, Jesus Christ.

L

"To honour those who gave us birth,

To cheer their age, to feel their worth, Is God's command to human kind,

And own'd by every grateful mind.

"Trace then the tender scenes of old,
And all our infant days unfold;
Yield back to sight the mother's breast,
Watchful to lull her child to rest.

"Survey her toil, her anxious care,
To form the lisping lips to prayer;
To win for God the yielding soul,

And all its ardent thoughts control.

"Nor hold from memory's glad review,

The fears which all the father knew; The joy that mark'd his thankful gaze When virtue crown'd maturer days.

"When press'd by sickness, pain, or grief,
How anxious they to give relief;

Our dearest wish they held their own;
Till our's returned, their peace was flown.

"God of our life, each parent guard,

And death's sad hour, O! long retard; Be theirs each joy that gilds the past, And heaven our mutual home at last!"