is come for me now. I shall soon go. I am so glad. It is so sweet:" and in a few minutes after, her sanctified and happy spirit winged its flight to its redeeming Lord, and to the bright world of glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life.

"Thou, in thy youthful prime,

Hast leap'd the bounds of time: Suddenly from earth released, Lo! we now rejoice for thee; Taken to an early rest, Caught into eternity."

R. M. W.

A King in his Old Age. WHEN a young lion reaches the age of two years he is able to strangle or pull down a horse or an ox; and so he continues to grow and increase in strength till he reaches his eighth year; and his talons, teeth, and mane are perfect, and he grows no more. For twenty years after he arrives at maturity, his fangs and talons show no signs of decay; but after that he gradually becomes feeble, his teeth fail him, and he grows "cubbish."

He is no

longer a match for the tremendous buffalo; he is overmatched even by the peaceful ox; so he prowls around the cattle-kraals, and snatches a lamb or a kid just as he did when he set out with his parents nearly thirty years before. A woman or a child at night shares the same fate. His strength and sight now decline more and more, till the mighty lion grows lean and mangy, and crawls about from place to place, eating any offal he can pick up, and despising not even so small an animal as the fieldmouse so he starves and dies, or is fallen on and slaughtered by a few cowardly hyænas; or discovered, unable to move, beneath a tree, and knocked on the head by some wandering hunter. - SouthAfrican Paper.

"Buy the Light?"

A STREET SCENE IN NAPLES.

THE colporteurs, or Bible hawkers, who now go about selling Bibles in Italy, have enlisted some juvenile helpers, who are very zealous in their efforts to promote the sale of the Holy Scriptures. A small tray, or wide basket, such as a boy can carry, is fastened by a strap over their shoulders, and is furnished with copies, and they go through some of the streets, holding up the blessed Book, and crying, "BUY THE LIGHT-THE TRUE LIGHT! The precious treasure has been withheld from the people of Italy for many centuries, but they are now buying it gladly. one year 32,000 copies were sold through

In

the agents of the British and Foreign Bible Society. David says, "The entrance of Thy Word giveth light." "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.'

A Penitent Soldier.

A YOUNG soldier, who was leading a wretchedly dissolute life, endangering body and soul, was entreated by a Christian friend to turn from his evil ways, but in vain. One day his friend gave him a Bible, and, as soon as he got it in his hands, he exclaimed, "I will cut it in pieces before your face;" and, taking his sword, he destroyed the Book. Two years after, he was brought to his death-bed, and then his disobedience and rejection of the Word of God filled him with horror; he sent for his friend, entreated him to read the Bible to him, and pray for him. It pleased God to bless the reading to the good of his soul, and he was heard to say, "O, wondrous goodness! that such a wretch as I, who once cut the Bible in pieces, should yet be permitted to hear it. It has now cut my sins in pieces, and led me to Christ my Saviour."

An Infant's Resolves.

A LITTLE girl of six years old was, not long ago, called home to God. About a year before her death she had a small writing-desk given her. After her death, her mother unlocked it, and found the following sentences written on a piece of

paper:

"The minute I wake up in the morning I will thank God.

"I will mind my father and mother always.

"I will try to have my lessons perfect. "I will try to be kind, and not get

cross.

"I want to behave like God's child." Five very precious rules for a little child to make his or her own.

SUMMARY. -In the twenty-third Psalm the LORD is represented as a Shepherd, and in the twenty-fourth as a King.

I. THE SHEPHERD.-Ps. xxiii.

--

-or

V. 1. My Shepherd.-This beautiful figure is often applied to God. See Ps. lxxx. 1; xev. 7; Isai. xl. 11; Ezek. xxxiv. 12-16; Micah vii. 14; Zech. xiii. 7; Heb. xiii. 20; 1 Peter ii. 25. It expresses the tender care with which He watches over His people. I shall not want,—or, "I want nothing,” "clothes, food, protection, peace," &c.-Luther. Compare Deut. ii. 7; viii. 9; Ps. xxxiv. 10. Green pastures,-pleasant places for repose. V. 2. Still waters, "waters of rest." The reference is to the shady brooks, to which shepherds led their wearied flocks on hot summer days. Such delightful rest does the Good Shepherd give His spiritual sheep, when worn out by suffering and temptation. V. 3. Restoreth my soul, when weak and sickly. The paths of righteousness, -justification, and upright and holy living. For His Name's sake,-as the Holy One. V. 4. The valley of the shadow of death,-darkness of the thickest kind, such as that of the grave. Compare Job. x. 21, 22; xxiv. 17; Ps. xliv. 19. David refers to a valley at midnight, surrounded by wood-clad hills, which are infested with beasts of prey, and therefore, full of peril to a flock of sheep. In extreme trouble and danger God's people discern His presence by faith, and are kept from fear. Thy rod and Thy staff-instruments by which shepherds guided and defended their sheep. V. 5. Preparest a table, — with all needful supplies; just as a shepherd provides fodder and water for his flock. In the presence of mine enemies,-who are unable to prevent the feast, and can do no more than look on with hate and envy. With oil,-oil was a necessary accompaniment of a festive entertain

VOL. III. NEW SERIES.-July, 1868.

ment. Compare Ps. xlv. 7; xcii. 10. V. 6. Dwell in the house of the Lord, -a figurative expression for intercourse with God.

II. THE KING. Ps. xxiv. This Psalm, it is supposed, was written to celebrate the removal of the ark from the house of Obed-Edom to Mount Zion. See 1 Chron. xv. 1-3, 25-29.

V. 1. God, as Creator, is Lord of the whole earth, its wealth and inhabitants. V. 2. God separated the land from the water, so that the former seems to rest upon the latter. V. 3-6. The hill of the LORD was Zion, which typified heaven. Only the good and true, the clean-handed and pure-hearted, are accounted worthy to appear before that awful Being. Their worship shall be accepted, and they shall obtain mercy, because they truly seek the face of the "God of Jacob." (Margin.) V. 7-10. The allusion is to the triumphal entry of a conqueror into a city. The bearers of the ark are represented as addressing, not the gates, but their keepers, and demanding admission for their King. The keepers ask, in return, who this King is, of whom they speak, that He should be permitted to come in? answer is, that He is the strong and mighty Lord. A fuller explanation is then required, as if by citizens unwilling to admit an enemy; and again the jubilant throng without reply that their King is the God of armies. This answer ends the parley, and the ark and procession are admitted. The whole passage is incomparable poetry.

The

REFLECTIONS. 1. All things are God's. The former part of the first verse, Ps. xxiv., is inscribed on the portico of the Royal Exchange, London, to remind the merchants and people of England that they owe their wealth to God.

U

In the morning. They had passed that way on the previous evening, but it was, doubtless, too dark to see what had happened to the fig-tree. Cursedst. -To curse, in this sense, is to doom to destruction. The tree, it should be remembered, had no owner; and, being incapable of fruit-bearing, it served but to mock the hunger of the weary traveller. Have faith in God, -i.e., a firm belief that nothing is difficult to Him. This important lesson was cheaply purchased by the destruction of a barren fig-tree; and the solemn words of Jesus, the speedy fulfilment of the curse, and this conversation on the subject, should have made it indelible. Verily I say, &c.-This saying about removing mountains was a proverb. It means here that he who believes in God will overcome all his difficulties. What things, &c.-This is an encouragement to prayer, founded on the power of faith.

FOR

VI. FORGIVENESS FOR THE GIVING.-V. 25, 26. When ye stand praying,―i.e., when ye pray. Standing was a usual posture in prayer, as well as kneeling. The latter seems more humble. That your Father, &c.-How can a child, who will not forgive his brother, expect his father's forgiveness?

VII. QUESTIONERS QUESTIONED. V. 27-33. By what authority doest Thou these things?-viz., (1.) accept such homage, v. 8-10; (2.) cast out the traders, v. 15-17; (3.) teach in the temple, like a priest?' I will also, &c. - His works already bore ample witness to His Sovereign authority; and had He answered, they would not have believed Him. From heaven, or of men ?-Was John sent of God, or was he a deceiver?

REFLECTIONS.-1. Christ knows all things. He knew where the colt was; and He always knows, not only where you are, but also everything about you.

How careful you should be to please Him!

2. The Lord has need of our service.— He has no necessities, such as we have ; but His work in the world is to be carried on by human instrumentality. He has made the coming of His kingdom depend largely upon the prayers, and labours, and liberality of His people. Come "to the help of the Lord!" See Judges v. 23.

3. They who love Jesus do not begrudge Him their property.-The man to whom the colt belonged, as soon as he knew the Master's "need," gave it to Him. What does He ask of you? Whatever it is, if you withhold it you do not love Him.

4. Christ's followers must be humble.They are frequently poor; but the poor are often vain, self-willed, and proud. We cannot be His disciples unless, like Him, we are "meek and lowly." He did not disdain, while about His Father's business, to ride upon an ass; and we must cheerfully engage in any service, however humble, if thereby we can do good and promote His glory.

5. Fig-trees are worthless if not fruitful.- All men may be regarded as God's fig-trees. Many are covered only with the "leaves" of a fair profession; and very many more have not even leaves, but stand utterly and always bare, as fig-trees are in winter. All these may yet bear fruit; and if they do not, they will be "cursed." Barrenness is punished (1.) with exposure, v. 20; (2.) with burning. See

Matt. iii. 10.

QUESTIONS.-What did Jesus "need?" How did He obtain it? What did He do with it? What What prophecy was thus fulfilled? did the people cry? What did they mean? What did Jesus do in the temple? Why was the fig-tree "cursed?" What passed between Peter and Jesus about it? How should we pray? Why did not Jesus answer "the chief priests?"&c.

2. All mankind are God's.-If you are not serving Him, you are robbing Him.

3. God should be glorified in men's daily business.

4. "Blessed are the pure in heart.”

QUESTIONS.-To whom is the Lord a Shepherd? What does David infer from this? What is the Lord's? why? What right has He to you? What is meant by "the hill of the Lord?" "clean hands!" "a pure heart?" How are acceptable worshippers blessed?

I. THE LORD'S "NEED."-V. 1—6. Bethphage and Bethany,-villages only a little way apart, in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem. This order was probably given where the boundaries of the two places met. A colt," the foal of an ass." Its dam was also there, but only the colt was wanted. See Zech. ix. 9. Never man sat.-Beasts never yet worked, were used for sacred purposes. See Num. xix. 2; Deut. xxi. 3; 1 Sam. vi. 7. There were not many horses in ancient Palestine; asses, mules, oxen, and camels being most used. The ass was an emblem of peace; the horse, of war. The kingdom of the "Prince of Peace," therefore, was signified by the colt He rode.

II. "HOSANNA!"- V. 7-10. Cast their garments on him. Compare 2 Kings ix. 13. Cut down branchesfrom the palm-trees, which were carried as a symbol of victory. See John xii. 13; and compare Rev. vii. 9, 10. Hosanna,-literally, "Save, we pray!" They were convinced, by His "mighty works," (Luke xix. 37,) that Jesus was Messiah, their promised King; and believed He had come to restore the kingdom of their father David in all its ancient glory; they, therefore, would have Him begin to reign, and deliver them at once from the dominion of Rome. Hosanna in the highest.-"Save or,

to the uttermost; " Save now, O Thou Most High!"

Mark xi.

III. NOTHING BUT LEAVES.". V. 11-14. Had looked round,— had observed the condition of the temple, and what was being done in it. Unto Bethany,-to spend the night. Was hungry, for He was man as well as God. A fig-tree,-on the road, and therefore public property. See Matt. xxi. 19. Having leaves.-The fig-tree puts forth its fruit before it leafs itself; and when the foliage is full, the fruit is eatable. The time of figs was not yet. -Figs were gathered after the Passover, and this event occurred five days before that festival. The original, however, is, "The season was not of figs; or it may, perhaps, mean that it was not a good year for figs.

IV. "A DEN OF THIEVES."— V. 15-19. Into the temple,-i.e., into the court of the Gentiles. Money-changers, -persons who exchanged Jewish for foreign coins, or foreign for Jewish, as required. Doves.-These, as offerings for the poor, would be in great demand for the Passover. See Lev. xiv. 21, 22; Luke ii. 24. Any vessel, -baskets, &c., brought to carry away their purchases. Shall be called, &c.The reading in the Margin is better: