(John xvi. 28.) His sole concern was to be about his Father's work, without troubling himself about other matters, for which he did not come into the world. And even as during the short space of his public life, he frequently tore himself from the people, to pray in secret, and often passed whole nights in solitude and in prayer to God, so it is easy to suppose, that in his long concealed life at Nazareth, this was no less his dearest, and most constant, and chief employment. David and Peter tell us, that the Saviour exercised himself continually in walking before God, and inwardly rejoicing in him, his heavenly Father.

Thus they introduce him, as saying, "I have set the Lord always before me; he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth, &c." (Acts ii. 25, 26.) And his Father did not leave him alone, because he made it his business to direct his eyes to him, and always do that which was pleasing in his sight, whilst constantly resigning his will to the will of his Father, and willingly and joyfully taking the most painful duties upon himself from love to it.

He left, likewise, the Scribes and the Pharisees to dispute about their particular opinions, and to drag along, under the burden of their outward devotions and human ordinances, teaching them, on the contrary, by word and conduct, the one thing needful, of which they were all still destitute. And even as he did not mix in the useless controversies of the learned of that day, neither did he interfere in other things for which he was not sent. Who made me a judge and a divider?" (Luke xii. 14.) was his answer, when they sought to draw him into other matters; yet he went about, doing good to all. (Acts x. 38.)

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He loved those that were simple, poor, and despised, and associated with them gladly, when they had a desire after God; he was also impartial in his love. The Samaritan woman was as dear to him as

Nicodemus, who was learned in the law; and not less so, those, who at the same time were not yet become his followers. (Luke ix. 49, 50.) He even rebuked his desciples for being wroth against those who acted improperly; (Luke ix. 54.) nor would he condemn the greatest public sinner. (John viii. 11.) The one work for which he came, he meditated upon, and practised day and night with unwearied diligence; of that his heart and mind was so full, that what he saw or heard of outward things, served only to lead Him to those that were spiritual, so that he immediately took occasion to speak from them. (John iv. 10.)

His doctrine corresponded with his life. It was, that we should watch and pray always, without ceasing -that we should follow him by self denial, and taking up our daily cross, without troubling ourselves much about others. One thing alone was needful; besides which, it would avail a man nothing, if he gained the whole world.

May Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd of our souls, who not only has redeemed us from the earth, and purchased us with his precious blood, but also, in having suffered for us, has left us an example that we should follow his steps, so work upon us by his Spirit, that the same mind may be in us, which was in him; that is, to empty ourselves by thorough mortification from all love to self, and to the creature, that we may pass the few days of our pilgrimage in true absence from all transitory enjoyment, become dead to sin, estranged from the world ourselves, but become acquainted and familiar with him and a peaceful eternity; and that we may follow him boldly, as strangers and pilgrims; and calmly go forward with him through the wilderness of this world, till we reach our true and eternal home!

Yea, Lord Jesus, do thou turn us, lost and wandering sheep, to thee again, and we shall return unto thee! Amen.

THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS.

A VISION.

A thick darkness was spread over the earth, and as I stood on the top of a lofty mountain, the only object that I could see was the sun, which had risen in the far east with a wonderful glory. It was as a ball of clear fire; and yetsosoft and chastenedwas its ray, that while I gazed, my eye was not dazzled, and I felt I should love to look upon it for ever. Presently, as it shone upon the mists which rested on the earth, they became tremulous with light and in a moment they floated by, and a scene of life and beauty was opened to my view.

I saw a spot of ground, so rich and fertile, that it might well be called a garden; the sweetest flowers were growing wild in the fields, and the very pathways appeared to sparkle with rubies and emeralds; there were, too, the most luxuriant orchards, and cool groves of orange trees and myrtles, and the breeze of the morning was playing among their branches. Now, as I watched the butterflies that fluttered over the flowers, and the lambs sporting on the smooth grass, and as I listened to the song of the nightingales in the woods, I fancied it was some scene of enchantment which I saw, it was so very full of happiness and life. Everywhere, at the extremity of the view, my eye rested on a clear narrow stream: I could trace neither mountain from which it rose, nor ocean into which it fell; but it glided round and round in an endless circular course, forming as it were a border of silver to that lovely garden on which the sun was shining. The morning light ever kept adding fresh beauty to each tree and flower on which it fell, but the brightest and clearest rays were those which were reflected by this narrow stream; and at this I wondered the rather, because, on the other side of the ring of water, all was still wrapt in a thick and gloomy fog, and though I gazed long and earnestly, I saw nothing.

Young and lovely children were continually crossing the narrow stream; there was no other way of escaping from the land of darkness to the land of light. Their garments became white as snow by their passage through the water, and sparkled with a dazzling brightness as the sun first shone upon them; I observed

too, that each child, as he entered the garden, held a little cross in his hand. Now, when I reflected how many millions might still be wandering in the dark and gloomy region beyond, on whom the glorious sun would never shed its cheering warmth, I could not help thinking how happy the children were to have found thus early the narrow stream, and I said in my heart, Surely this lovely garden was made for them, and they will live in it for ever. While I was musing thus, it seemed that, in answer, a still soft Voice came floating on the breeze, and said, "It is indeed for such children as these that the sun is shining, and for them that the mists have been cleared away, but none of the beautiful things in the garden belong to them; they are waiting here as strangers till their Father shall summon them home; and when they go hence, they can take nothing away with them but the little crosses in their hands, and the white garments which they wear. ""Who, then, are these children ?" I asked, " and what is the name of the garden? and when they are taken from it, whither will they go?" And the Voice said, "The children are sons of a mighty King, and the garden is called the Garden of THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS; but no one can tell whither each child will go when he is taken away-it will depend on how far he escapes the dangers of the garden. If they carelessly lose their crosses, or so stain their beautiful garments, that they can be made white no more, they will be thought unworthy of the presence of the great King, and will be hid in an outer darkness, more thick and terrible than that which they have just left. But if, when they go away, the crosses are still in their hands, and they so far keep themselves clean that the King may recognise them for His own children, then will their garments be washed until they become more shining white than snow, and they will be taken to a brighter and happier land: in which they will live with their Father for ever."

But I understood not what the Voice meant by the dangers of the garden, and I wondered, too, that it should speak to me of a brighter and happier land; for I thought within myself, that no land could be more beautiful than that on which I gazed, and no sun more glorious than that which was shining there. And the Voice again answered my thoughts, and said, "It is indeed true, that no sun surpasseth in glory that which is shining on the land encircled by the silver stream; but were it not for the

light so resting upon it, there is nothing to be desired in the garden itself. At one time every thing, not only here but in the country around, was very good-there was no mist or darkness then; but now an enemy of the King has corrupted all. The very air the children breathe is wont to sully their white garments, and each delight of the garden is full of hidden danger and deceit. While every thing appears to the eye so beautiful and innocent, there is, in truth, a poison lurking in each fruit and flower; cunning serpents are hiding in the grass; snares and stumbling-blocks innumerable are placed in the broad ways that look so bright and smooth; and even in the groves of myrtle roaring lions are wandering abont, anxious to tear the children that come thither, and to stain their white garments with blood." And when I heard this, I wept bitterly for the poor children, whom I had thought so happy before, and I said, "Oh wretched children, thus to be placed in a garden so full of dangers, and to be tempted by fruits and flowers which you dare not gather! Surely there is not one of you who will not at last imbibe some secret poison or fall into some dreadful snare, or be stung by a serpent, or torn by a lion; and so you will be prevented from entering that better country which your Father has prepared for you." And the Voice said, "There is not one of the King's children which may not dwell in peace and happiness in the garden. Not only is their Father Himself ever present with them, though they cannot see Him, but He has given to each a talisman, which will enable them to live here in security, and even to enjoy the fruits and flowers, until it is His good pleasure to call them to himself. You see that the sun is shining brightly and gloriously in the east; you see, too, that each little one has been provided with a cross; so long then as the cross is so held that the rays of the sun fall upon it, and cast a shadow on the surrounding objects, they will remain safe and happy in their garden; for every fruit on which the mark of the cross is seen may be tasted of without fear, and each path may be trodden in safety on which its shadow rests."

"But will not," I asked, "the hands of the children become wearied by holding the cross, and their eyes grow dim while they watch the shadows?" And the Voice replied, "Their hands would indeed soon become weary, and their eyes grow dim, if their sight or their strength were their own; but these are among