studying the pages of the revealed word? Self-examination on this point, may not then be unprofitable, even to those who profess the gospel. Depend upon it, the book shows the man. If you will look over your reading for a year, you will be aided in discerning who and what you are. What do you read ?

MEMORY.-Genius would soon starve and pine away, unless fed by memory. The most beautiful passages in poetry are frequently embellished recollections of early productions. It is difficult to suppose that even Homerthe fountain of imagery to later writers, had no reservoir of learning to draw from, no mysterious lake of knowledge (to borrow an expression of Sir William Temple) into which he could throw a bucket. The art of borrowing is one of the chief faculties of genius, which Johnson defined to consist in knowing the use of tools. "They who say," is the pleasant observation of Pope, "that our thoughts are not our own, because they resemble the ancients, might as well say our faces are not our own, because they are like our fathers." Whatever jewel Pope borrowed, he set in gold.

HEAVENLY RICHES.-How ineffably great must they be, and how far beyond the imagination! The most splendid earthly illustrations can but faintly adumbrate them--and the reality alone will be sufficient to unfold their riches.

HUMAN LIFE.

LIFE is a changing April day-
Now sun, now clouds, then clear away-
Now gloom and darkness: then the rain-
And lo! the sky is bright again.
Life is a sea, o'er which we sail:

Now smooth--and now the storms prevail;
Our fragile bark is toss'd and driven
By tempests wild-by lightning riven.
Yet still above the swelling waves
Our trembling bark the tempest braves-
Its destined port it keeps in view,
While to its CHART and COMPASS true.

Life is a night of starless gloom,
Dark, drear, and lonely, to the tomb :
O STAR OF TRUTH! thou hast the power
Alone to cheer night's gloomy hour.
Life is a dream-its visions dark
As Abram's horrors, ere the spark
Of hope illum'd the pilgrim's breast-
To light him to the land of rest.

So oft our fancy has its flight
From visions dark to visions bright,
If sorrows o'er our pathway prest,
We hope a happier day of rest.

Life is a Winter-cold and drear,
Where frosts and snows and winds appear;
Our whiten❜d locks proclaim its power
To blight our youth and nip its flower.

Come gentle Spring, when life shall be
From Winter's grasp for ever free;
Night changed into eternal day,
And visions dark shall pass away.

He who upon Gennesaret stood,
Hush'd its wild winds and still'd its flood.
Shall bid life's raging billows cease—
And calm ensue-ETERNAL PEACE.

CONCLUSION OF VOLUME XV.

WE now close the labours, anxieties, and

responsibilities connected with another volume. The year has been one of trial and conflict; and there is yet more to be feared from some who are professedly within, than from those who are without, the precincts of Christianity. But the Saviour, his truth, and his institutions are the same; they cannot be moved. He is the Christ, the Son of the living God; and on this rock his church is built, against which the gates cf hell shall never prevail.

Much light and truth, on various topics, have been diffused during the last year. The volume will repay a second reading. Investigation is the order of the day. There are great strivings among the people, and marvellously rapid changes are constantly occurring. Yet, if we mistake not, still greater changes may be expected. In the midst of these, the shifting scenes of this transitory state, the disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus have to accomplish their important work, persevering in it until the thundering voice and its echo are heard through the universe," Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigns! Let us rejoice, exult, and give glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has prepared herself!"

Our respected brethren, friends, and subscribers, may, if the Lord will, expect to meet with us again on the 1st of January, 1851, another volume being contemplated. If possible, not a word, sentence, or paragraph, that would be offensive to the Lord, were he personally present with us, shall appear in our pages. This is the standard we hope to attain. "To err is human." Let us put forth our best endeavours-an angel can do no more.