intercourse; and how far more refreshing is such an acquaintance than the casual friendships of ordinary society. With others we have parted probably for ever in this world, and some have entered into their rest. Pleasant is the thought that, if we and they are faithful unto death in our personal union with and work for Christ, we may yet meet again, and perchance find our crown of rejoicing to consist of jewels gathered in the same field of active labour.

But the social advantages of the Sunday school are not less great in the case of the children than the teachers. Left without the loving influence of Christian teaching, as distinguished from secular instruction, they would grow up, in many cases, unconscious altogether of the power of sympathy from those placed in happier circumstances than themselves, both in regard to their ignorance of divine truths, and their deprivation of many temporal blessings, but for their association with the Sunday school. There they find, not the schoolmaster or mistress, but the Christian friend, to instruct, to counsel, to persuade, to guide towards that which, when attained, will be their joy and their portion for ever; who will deal tenderly with their feelings, correct their faults without severity, implant in them right principles, and help them to bear and fulfil both the trials and duties of their station. Thus a bond of affection is formed between the scholar and the teacher, which dissipates the popular idea of the poor, that no man careth for him; and carries into the home of the labourer, the testimony that there are those ready to be kind and careful for his little ones.

The visits paid to the homes of scholars in times of suffering or privation, the kindness shown in little marks of attention, or the supply of small wants, are further links to the chain of sympathy which never fail to affect the parents of scholars with heartfelt gratitude. We know, too, by a pleasant and frequent experience, how strong the influence thus exercised becomes, how "teacher's" wishes become the standard of the scholar's efforts, and thus how imperceptibly a bond of union and respect is created between the child and its instructor, however widely they may be separated by relative rank in society.

Nor does the impression made in early childhood, by the proofs of solicitude manifested for them by their teachers, become effaced in after years, when they are no longer under their influence. The letters which pass between them, when widely separated, often prove this; and the affectionate manner in which the former Sunday scholar, in after years, refers to those who taught him, shows that he has not grown insensible to their kindness. Thus, imperceptibly, we remove the prejudices of the working classes against

It may be questioned by some whether it is given to Christians now-a-days to realise the "fulness" of this description. To which we answer, that although this prayer of the Apostle implies that it is a state the Ephesians might rather desire as a daily consummation of their wishes, than possess as a test of their conversion; yet, notwithstanding, it is certain that the touchstone of a vital interest in the salvation which is by Jesus Christ, is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Rom. viii. 9, 10, 11. The manifestation may not always be so satisfying. the PRESENCE may, as of old, ordinarily dwell in "the cloud," but it is no less certainly there than when “the train” which Isaiah describes as "the glory " and "the smoke," and which is again so described (Rev. xv. 8), diffuses itself through "the height, and depth, and length and breadth;" and though the frail earthy walls of this body may be all but unable to endure, they still "comprehend" the incomprehensible.

The Life of Flavel, as a proof of what a humble and holy man nay be given to enjoy, is well worth reading and copying. He new "the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge," and was 'filled, more than most, with all the fulness of God."

The following are a few other examples of Levitical metaphor hat occur to us as we write.

HEB, XIII. 10. “We have an altar, of which they have no right o eat who serve the tabernacle."

ROM. XV. 16. "That I should be a minister of Jesus Christ and e Gentiles, ministering as a priest in the Gospel of God, that the fering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable." (Our own trans=tion.)

ROM. XII. 1. "That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, ly, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Tenby.

G. N. S.

A PRACTICAL PAPER ON PREPARATION.

"It is easy enough when you know how to do it." “How to do it” is the object of the present paper. I have seen the columns of different Magazines published by the Church of gland Sunday School Institute, lessons which have been borately prepared (indeed so elaborate have many of them been, at I have not unfrequently felt an undefined longing in my breast

those who are more prosperous than themselves, by the proofs we give them, in our regard for their children, of our desire to do them good; and thus arises a generation who will be able, in their own experience, to refute all republican and socialist principles, by reference to the practical benefits they themselves derived from the Christian mingling of high and low, rich and poor, one with

another.

Another social benefit to the Sunday scholar is to be found in the correction of rude conduct, which association with those who are gentle and courteous will usually accomplish. It is not discipline, so much as the loving spirit of Christianity, pervading the Sunday school, which affects this. The rough, ill-mannered boy or girl is shamed into habits of propriety and courtesy, by the example of the teachers aud the better behaved scholars whom they meet there. And as it is a blessing for teachers to be led into the company of pious fellow-labourers, so, too, is it profitable for the young to be kept from the evil snares and temptations of those ignorant and depraved children who yet, unhappily, abound among us, and to be brought among those whose hearts, we trust, God has touched, and who are treading the heavenward path.

Such influences cannot be unfruitful in good, far beyond the extent to which we are able to trace it. We know not how much of the home comfort and avoidance of strife and mischief in the families of our scholars results from our Sunday school influence, nor how widely among the community is spread the restraining and beneficial spirit of the Gospel, through the efforts we have made to apply it as a sanctifying and gladdening power to the hearts of our Sunday scholars.

Whether, therefore, we contemplate our individual benefits as teachers, or the good which, by God's grace and blessing on our efforts, we are able to accomplish for our scholars, we may truthfully regard the Sunday school as incidentally the source of social advantages, greater than those which can be attained as an indirect and subordinate result of any other agency for good existing among us.

W. S.

NOT DEAD, BUT SLEEPING.

The long bright days of summer all are fled;
Their withered glories strew the sodden ground;
And through the leafless woods there is a sound
Of Winter, creeping with a stealthy tread
Across the graves of beauty. Overhead,
Dull, murky clouds the lurid sun surround
With gloomy grandeur, like a king discrowned;
All, all, is desolate, decayed, and dead.

Hush, mournful strain! The pulse of Nature's life
Beats full, tho' buried deep and soon again

She will awake to fresh victorious strife,

Bursting the bonds of winter's icy reign.

Beauty will bloom once more, through air, and earth, and sea,
And thrilling Joy peal forth, in fresh tuned harmony.

Fulfil triumphantly the glad command.

Beauty shall bloom once more, where now the spoiler reigns ;
And Heaven's high arches ring with earth's exulting strains.

I. G. F.

THE

ARTICLES OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

ARTICLE XXXII.

Of the Marriage of Priests.

Bishops, Priests, and Deacons are not commanded by God's law, either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage; therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness.