and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.-St. Matthew xix.

EPISTLE OF THE DAY, REV. xiv. 1.

I looked, and lo a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders; and no man could learn that song, but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins: these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth: these were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God, and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.

TE DEUM.

"To thee Cherubin, and Seraphin: continually do cry.

"Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth."

BENEDICITE.

"O ye Spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever."

HISTORICAL NOTICE.-DR. SPARKE.

These were (as saith St. Augustine sweetly) "Primitiæ Martyrum" (as it were) the Primroses of Martyrdom, early witnesses to the Lamb: not by speaking, but by dying.

Massacres, are a base and desperate perfidiousness of the actors towards some, permitted by themselves to dwell among them, without provocation," shedding the blood of war in Peace," (1 Kings ii. 5,) a barbarous surprize of unarmed sufferers.- -Such were those of the Sicilian Vespers, who live in the infamy of being the inventors of cruelty! Such the inhumanities of the Spaniards in the West Indies, that even rendered Christianity abominable, and caused the name of God to be blasphemed! Such also were those Parisian Vespers, when they made the streets of Paris run with human blood! and that of the reformed party, that were peaceful in the land, and some of them eminent in the service of their wars, as Chatillon and others. This is commonly the practice of an unchristian and heretical religion!

LITANY.

That it may please thee to preserve all young

children.

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to defend and provide for the fatherless children.

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

"Leave thy fatherless children, I will préserve them alive.”—Jeremiah xlix.

A PARENT'S PRAYER.

O Lord, I thank Thee for the children which Thou hast given me. Of Thy bounteous goodness Thou hast made them to be Thine as well as mine: Do Thou continue Thy grace toward them; and if it be Thy good pleasure to take me from them, enable me in full faith to leave them with Thee, knowing that Thou carest for them. Grant this, O Heavenly Father, for Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

AN ORPHAN CHILD.

(From "Thoughts in Past Years.")
Half hidden in its stony tower,

A woodland strawberry bloom'd alone,
And bore to Heav'n its little dower

Unseen, unknown.

An orphan bird on a lone tree
Sat singing to the star of even :
Its song it seem'd so cheerfully

Of one in Heaven.

'Neath clouds that wrapt its early morning,
I saw a gentle blue-eyed child,

With hopes of Heav'n its nest adorning

It sweetly smiled.

AN ORPHAN'S PRAYER.

O merciful God, who hast seen fit to afflict me by taking my earthly Parents from me; to whom shall I come for succour but to Thee? Thou art still my Father in heaven, for Thou art reconciled unto me for my Redeemer's sake. Do Thou take care of me, and let Thine angels watch over me: Give me Thy Holy Spirit, that I may trust in Thee, and have strength as Thine own child to be patient and to do Thy will; that so I may again join my Parents in Thy kingdom, and that we may together live with Thee for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OF A SICK CHILD.

O Blessed Jesus, grant me to remember always what the Innocent children suffered for Thee at the hands of Herod: and enable me to bear patiently whatever grief or suffering Thou art pleased to send me; that so for Thy sake I may live with Thee, where there shall be neither sorrow nor crying, nor any more pain, and where all these things shall have passed away. Amen.

Lo, children and the fruit of the womb are an heritage and gift that cometh from the Lord. Psalm cxxvii.

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.Job i.

LETTER FROM BP. TAYLOR TO MR. EVELYN.

-I cannot tell all my own sorrows without adding to yours; and the causes of my real sadness in your loss are so just and so reasonable, that I can no otherwise comfort you, but by telling you, that you have very great cause to mourn; so certain is it that grief does propagate, as fire does. You have enkindled my funeral torch, and by joining mine to yours, I do but increase the flame. But sir, I cannot chuse but I must hold another and a brighter flame to you-it is already burning in your breast ; and if I can but remove the darker side of the lanthorn, you have enough within you to warm yourself, and to shine to others. Remember, sir, your two boys are two bright stars, and their innocence is secured, and you shall never hear evil of them again. Their state is safe, and heaven is given them upon very easy terms, nothing but to be born and die. It will cost you more trouble to get