HARVEST-TIME.

THERE is something very joyous and pleasant in the season of the year at which we have again arrived. It is true the summer has passed, the days are shortening, and here and there a leaf falls silently to warn us of our mortality, and now and then struggles with the wind which lays it low, even as we ourselves resist as long as we can the last dread enemy. Yet the fields and homesteads are laden with the fruits of a year; and the toils of many months, and the patient expectancy of many hearts, are rewarded and comforted by the signs of plenty, and the ample provision now gathered and stored to meet the future wants of ourselves and our countrymen. And surely there are but few who can behold the bounty of our Heavenly Father in these abundant supplies of our natural wants, without lifting up their hearts in grateful adoration to the Lord of the harvest for these continued proofs of his loving-kindness.

But the harvest has its suggestive teachings for us all. It is a striking instance of the blessing of heaven descending upon us in conjunction with the agency of human labour. The one produces the happy result, in connexion with the skilful and painstaking effort of the other. The early clearing of the ground, the ploughing up of all that is likely to choke the seed about to be sown, the covering in of the precious deposit,-the long interval of watching and waiting, nurturing and training, and then the simple trust to the good Providence of God to send the early and the latter rain in its season, and the summer sun to warm and ripen the ears of corn, -the fears which the damage effected by the storms and winds of several months, or the excess either of rain or sunshine, engender, and the ultimate result generally proving how groundless they all were; these are some of the thoughts which the gathered harvest awakens in our minds, and which show us the analogy which exists between spiritual and temporal things,-how similar is the process by which God brings about results in nature and in the kingdom of His grace.

For in the growth and ripening of the soul for its inheritance, is it not a parallel to the work of the husbandman? We must clear the ground by removing from our hearts all which would obstruct the entrance and the taking root there of the Word of Life; and in the early growth of the spiritual life, how tenderly we must watch and nurture the precious seed, giving "milk for babes," "here a little and there a little,"-keeping off, as far as we can, the birds of prey, the spirits of evil which would root it up or cause it to wither;

and looking upwards constantly for those showers of blessing, and those warm rays of light from heaven which alone can give it life and strength to bear fruit upward. And in the course of this process, how many fears and misgivings arise! Every worldly thought and desire which finds a place in the heart-every temptation from without to which it is exposed—the affliction which bows it down, or the success which elates it with self-confidence and pride,—all these make us tremble, lest we should have striven in vain and laboured in vain, until the end comes, the harvest is gathered, and we are permitted to reap the fruits of our labours. Great then is our joy, then are we rewarded for all our toils, and compensated for all our anxieties—then we feel that our efforts have been prospered far beyond our own deserts-and that but for the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit, his continual protection and blessing, we should in vain have risen early, or late taken rest, for it has been His hand that has guarded our treasure, His strength which has been made perfect in our weakness, and that though Paul sow, or Apollos water, it is GOD only who giveth the increase.

This is true, we think, whether we look at our own soul's individual progress, or at any efforts which we may have been led to make for the good of others. The husbandman leads a life of faith

of hopeful trust- -so does the Christian. But the husbandman dares not expect a fruitful season to visit his fields, unless he roots out the weeds from them, plants them, watches and tends them, and does all that human skill or strength can accomplish to promote the growth of the crop he has sown. So too as Christians, we shall reap as we sow, for it is written, "Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap: for he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." If we have been careless, negligent, indifferent, idle— what can there be but thorns and briers for us in the great harvestfield? But if we have been watchful, prayerful, earnest, patient, and persevering, then may we hope that in due season we shall reap, if we faint not; " and that though, because of trials and temptations we may often have to go on our way weeping, yet we may, bye and bye, return again with joy, bringing our sheaves with us.

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It must be equally true of all our labour in God's service. We cannot, as Sunday school teachers, expect to accomplish all that may be effected by this blessed means of instruction for the young in Divine things, unless, like the husbandman, we labour to remove all hindrances to the reception of "the ingrafted Word" into the souls of the children under our care; if we do not train them skilfully, tenderly, patiently, and constantly; and if we do not seek continually for the Divine blessing of the dew and the sunshine of the Saviour's

favour, to descend and rest upon our work. But we must wait with patience the harvest season to see the result, and not be deterred from perseverance because in the spring-time of our labours no fruit is seen to attend them. Many efforts have to be made-long time the seed must rest in the heart, perhaps, before it will give forth signs of life, much less spring up first the blade, then the ear, and afterward the full corn in the ear; and perchance, in our case, as in the natural world, " one may sow and another reap; we may labour, and others " may enter into our labours." But in the end, the result will be the same, and all who have striven to win souls for Christ, in faith and patience, will rejoice together. Only let us keep our eye fixed on our Master for guidance, and support; let us feel that "without Him we can do nothing"-that He alone can give the increase to us, the labourers in his vineyard, and that to be faithful and wise servants, we must be "fellow-workers with Him,” using every effort, with faith and bope and patience, in the work He has assigned us, that so in the gathering together of his servants in the end, we may win His smile and obtain His blessing.

W. S.

"HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP."

Lie down and rest. What tho' the night be wild
And storm-clouds gather where the sun had smiled,
Thy Father watches o'er His weary child,
And giveth his beloved sleep.

Lie down and rest. Was the day sad and drear?
Disturbed by trials, chilled by rising fear?
Cast off the weight, Thy Father's love is near:
He giveth his beloved sleep.

Lie down and rest. Perchance the day was bright-
Uncheckered pleasures, and unclouded light:
Praise Him whose mercies crown both day and night,
Who giveth his beloved sleep.

Lie down and rest. Does self-accusing thought

Recall dark memories of evil wrought?

Oh rest on Him whose blood thy peace has bought.
He giveth his beloved sleep.

Lie down and rest. Do pain and failing breath
Weigh down thy spirit with the fear of death?
The everlasting arms are underneath.

He giveth his beloved sleep.

Lie down and rest. Thy summons comes at last;
The cares, the toil, the sins of life are past!
Then close thine eyes in peace, He holds thee fast,
And giveth his beloved sleep.

J. 6. F.

THE POWER OF KINDNESS.

THREE different means are employed to control the wills of others, namely, brute force, the influence of superior intellect, and the power of kindness. The first is usually resisted; the second would meet with opposition, were the object on which it is exercised but capable of following the bent of its own inclinations; but the last acts like the loadstone on steel, it neither compels nor convinces, but positively draws beneath its sway all within reach.

Blessed are those who possess that power, and happy are those on whom it is exercised! It is the one talent none need lack, for it is the reflection of that heavenly love shed so abundantly on all. What alone tames the fiercest beast? What induces the timid fawn to feed from the hand of a child? The power of kindness.

Kindness is not only prompted by affection, but is one of the many offspring of that pitying love which reigns in the hearts of God's children, (see 1 Cor. xiii. 4). Dear fellow-teachers, God has not denied us this gift, but we must cherish and use it for his glory, not our own; it would be well for us from time to time, to ask our consciences, whether we are as desirous to lead the hearts of the children to Jesus, as we are to draw them to ourselves—if not, we show but selfish kindness, which for a while may bring its lookedfor reward, but most surely will end in disappointment. Some people have naturally gentle and loving dispositions, and their fault is generally want of sufficient firmness, while in others, pitying love (the essence of true charity) is the result of a change of heart, producing such a sense of their own need, as to prompt forbearance and kindness to others. No one is fitted for the office of a Sunday School teacher who does not possess and cultivate this talent, for to make religion a mere matter of business, by instructing the understanding without endeavouring to reach the heart, is like the harsh outlines of a drawing, before the softening effects of light and shade are introduced; the subject is there, but the grace and sweetness are wanting. Great is the privilege of those whom the Lord has appointed in

struments, to set before his little ones the beautiful picture of infinite love. But how are we, some would ask, to divest religion of that formality and gloom, which frequently appear to cast a veil between God's children and the world? Simply by showing more warmth of heart, more sympathy with the joys and sorrows of others, more kindness. Break down the icy barrier formed by difference of rank and age, between yourselves and your scholars; speak to them as friends; use no levity, permit no contemptuous familiarity, but unbend while speaking of Jesus; let them see how every word touches your own hearts, and that you lay down for them no precepts which you do not follow yourselves; let your whole demeanour and actions, your daily life, correspond with the words you utter, and above all, let harshness be unknown. In assailing their young hearts, severity and rigid discipline will not answer; if they yield at all, it will be to the power of kindness.

So totally distinct do I consider Sunday lessons from those of week days, that though I would not allow an imperfectly read lesson to pass, I never oblige a child to learn a hymn against her inclination; I endeavour to make it first an easy and a pleasant task, by explaining all the difficult words, and by pointing out all the beauties it contains. I then tell her how much it would please me to hear it nicely repeated; until the child, from making the effort for my sake, goes on to delight herself in such lessons. I have had reason in several cases, to rejoice at the success of this gentle treatment, of which the following is an instance. There was, a while ago, a little girl among my scholars, whose dislike to learning by heart was at first very great, partly from natural stupidity, and partly from idleness-that same child, now in service, begs me from time to time to select hymns and passages of Scripture, that she may learn them in her leisure moments, and when we meet, she repeats them to me. She is a maid-of-all-work, and still very young. On my asking her how she manages to find time for learning, and whether it is ever irksome to her, she replied, “Oh no, I like it; I have a little time in the evenings to myself, and it rests me." She is of a cheerful, happy disposition, and this self-imposed task was prompted by no suggestion of mine.

Superintendents run a great risk when they remove from a teacher's care, any child over whom he or she may have gained an influence. If the right cord in the young one's heart has been touched, the way is begun to be made straight for Jesus to enter there, and untimely separation may check, and perhaps altogether put a stop to the good work which is, by the grace of God, commenced. Beware of placing stumbling-blocks in the way of Christ's little ones.