commemorating a person, who has been the instrument of conveying to us so valuable a document, we are admonished of the proper manner of commemorating him and testifying our gratitude for the benefit, as in the case likewise of the other Evangelists, namely, by studying the Gospels thus bestowed upon us, and applying them to the confirmation of our Christian faith. For, whatever gifts were given by our Lord, when having ascended up to heaven he "gave gifts unto men" by that Holy Spirit whom he sent to supply his place with his followers, they were given "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Of these gifts there are none more important to us, than such as were employed in committing to writing, for the use of all future generations, the narratives of our Lord's life and ministry. And most surely does it behove us to study these narratives with all the powers of our understanding, and the full devotion of our hearts till, as we read in the Epistle of the day, whence the sentiment in the Collect is taken, "we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; that we be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about

with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love"."

Collects.

“O ALMIGHTY God, who hast intructed thy holy Church with the heavenly doctrine of thy Evangelist Saint Mark; Give us grace, that, being not like children carried away with every blast of vain doctrine, we may be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

"BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that by patience, and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen."

h

Eph. iv. 13, &c.

second Sunday in Advent.

i For the day.

* For the

"ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in thee; increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us evermore. Give thy holy Spirit to us thy servants, that being in baptism born again, and being made heirs of everlasting salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, we may continue thy servants, and attain thy promises; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen."

'Ministration of Baptism.

IF praise be theirs, who living told
The Saviour's life in days of old,

'Tis theirs, who, though themselves be dead,
Still wide the saving knowledge spread.
MARK, in thy faithful page we read
Each holy word, each wondrous deed;
Distinct our Saviour's form we see,
And this the debt we owe to thee.

Had no recording pen defin'd,

And clear before his followers' mind
The Saviour's life and doctrine brought,
Told what he did and what he taught:

What spots might mar the Christian's Creed,
What devious tracks his steps mislead,
With grief of heart and burning brow
Let ROME, deluded ROME, avow.

Then praise, Historians blest, to you,
Harmonious, simple, clear, and true:
But more than praise to Him be paid,
Whose Spirit taught what you conveyed!
May He illume our darkling sight,
To read, with single heart, aright
The treasures in his volume stor❜d,
And find Him in his written word!

ST. PHILIP AND ST. JAMES.

Philip.....and James the son of Alphæus.
MARK iii. 18.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF ST. PHILIP.

THE Church on this day commemorates two of the Apostles, St. Philip, and St. James the son of Alphæus: probably because it is supposed to be the anniversary of the martyrdom or death of each. We will consider them one after the other, in the order wherein they are mentioned, being that in which they stand in the catalogue of the Apostles, as reported by the three first Evangelists: by whom however they are not associated together, Philip having Bartholomew for his companion, and James being followed by Thaddeus in the two first Gospels, and by Simon Zelotes in that of St. Luke.

Philip was a native of Bethsaida, on the sea of Galilee, which has been already noticed as "the city of Andrew and Peter." Of his

S