amongst those who do, numbers are Christians only in name, and by their conduct frequently dishonour their calling. Who that is at all acquainted with the progress of our holy faith in past ages could expect it to be otherwise? The directors of missions are not such enthusiasts as to look for miracles.

BENEVOLENCE.

IF we hope to instruct others, we should familiarise our own minds to some fixed and determinate principles of action. The world is a vast labyrinth, in which almost every one is running a different way, and almost every one manifesting hatred to those who do not run the same way. A few indeed stand motionless, and, not seeking to lead themselves or others out of the maze, laugh at the failures of their brethren, yet with little reason; for more grossly than the most bewildered wanderer does he err who never aims to go right. It is more honourable to the head, as well as to the heart, to be misled by our eagerness in the pursuit of truth, than to be safe from blundering by contempt of it. The happiness of mankind is the end of virtue, and truth is the. knowledge of the means; which he will never seriously attempt to discover who has not habitually interested himself in the welfare of others. The searcher after truth must love and be beloved, for general benevolence is a necessary motive to constancy of pursuit; and this general benevolence is begotten and rendered permanent by social and domestic affections. Let us beware of

that proud philosophy which affects to inculcate philanthropy while it denounces every home-born feeling by which it is produced and nurtured. The paternal and filial duties discipline the heart, and prepare it for the love of all mankind. The intensity of private attachments encourages, not prevents, universal benevolence. The nearer we approach the sun, the more intense his heat; yet what corner of the system does he not cheer and vivify ?-S. T. Coleridge.

POETRY.

VERSES

COMPOSED BY JAMES MONTGOMERY, ESQ. Expressly for the occasion, and sung at Stepney, March 1st, 1843, at the meeting convened for the purpose of presenting the Portrait of Mr. Henry Althans, as a mark of esteem to that gentleman from the teachers and friends of the East London Auxiliary Sunday School Union, for his untiring exertions in the cause of scriptural education.-The Right Honourable Sir Stephen Lushington, D.C.L. in the Chair.

Work while it is to-day!

This was our Saviour's rule;
With docile minds let us obey,
As learners in his school.

We as he did should do,

Who practised what he taught;

By precept and example too,

Our Master spake and wrought.

To work the works of God,
Was his divine employ ;

And we must tread the path he trod,
Or enter not his joy.

Lord Christ! we humbly ask

Of thee the power and will;

With fear and meekness every task
Of duty to fulfil.

Our own salvation be

Our first and constant aim; Then far and wide on land and sea,

Glad tidings to proclaim.

At home by word and deed,
Adorn redeeming grace;
And sow abroad the precious seed
Of truth in every place.

That thus the wilderness

May blossom like the rose;
And trees spring up of righteousness,
Where'er Life's river flows.

Lord Jesus Christ, the children's friend,
On us lift up thy gracious hands;
And from thy holy temple send
Blessings on their united bands.

How precious in thy Father's sight
Were children's souls, when he gave

His only Son, his heart's delight,

From hell to heaven those souls to save!

What love to them, what love was thine, Meek Lamb of God! when thou didst give Thy soul-a sacrifice Divine

Dying thyself, that they might live!

Nor less the Holy Spirit's grace,
When by his light he thee reveals;
As though they saw thee face to face,
And them as heirs of glory seals.

Are children's souls of such high price?
With grief and gladness may we see

How sad their loss in Paradise

How great their gain on Calvary !

Their own no longer, thine they are;
In mercy bind them to thy cross :
Safe only from the tempter there-
From second death and final loss.

THE EMBLEMS OF DEATH.
BY BISHOP HORNE.
SEE the leaves around us falling
Dry and wither'd, to the ground;
Thus to thoughtless mortals calling,
In a sad and solemn sound.
Youth on length of days presuming,
Who the paths of pleasure tread,
View us, late in beauty blooming,
Number'd now among the dead.
Yearly in our course returning,
Messengers of shortest stay,
Thus we preach this truth concerning,
Heaven and earth shall pass away.

On the tree of life eternal,

O let all our hopes be laid!

This alone for ever vernal,

Bears a leaf that shall not fade.

SONNET.

TWIN CHILDREN.

Two buds with life from the same root supplied;
From the same crystal fount two singing streams;
Two stars, that kiss each other with their beams;
Two snowy swans that in the sunshine glide :
Two turtle-doves, that nestle side by side;
Two butterflies, when earth with beauty teems;
Two lambs one mother bare; two silver gleams,
When the moon's face is mirrored in the tide ;
Two rosy doves without one wounding dart;
Two shrines of bliss, that deck one holy spot
Two earthly beings, with one human heart;
Two heirs of sorrow, with one common lot;
Two mortal bodies in corruption sown;

Two angels, harping near one golden throne !