saving power in them; they form no plea for the favour of God." The story could scarcely be better told to young listeners.

The Story of the White Rock Cove. Pp. 224. London and Edinburgh: Nelson and Sons.-Will leave any boys who may read it vividly impressed with the wickedness and hurtfulness of envy, and the excellence of kindness.

Joy and Praise on Jordan's Brink. By JOHN DWYER. Pp. 34.-The Light in the Window. Pp. 34. London: Wes

leyan Conference Office. - Two new Reward-Books. The first is a sketch of the last days of W. G. Hewitt, of Holywood, near Belfast, and shows how genuine and advanced the piety of a youth may,

PORTFOLIO

and how blessby Divine grace, become; edly such a disciple may pass away to the Master. The second is a most touching village story "for mothers and sons." It is just such a little book as one might be glad to have at hand to give to a prodigal,-in the hope that its narrative would touch his heart; or to a mother, by way of encouraging her to pray and labour with all patience and wisdom for the salvation of rebellious children.

Biblical Helps for English Readers. No. I. The English Bible, how to Read and Study it. No. II. The Symbolic and Figurative Language of the Bible. By W. CARPENTER. Pp. 107. London: Heywood and Co. - Contain much useful advice and information, given in a small compass, and in a cheap form.

The Angel and the Hermit. A HERMIT was conducted by an angel into a wood, where he saw an old man cutting down boughs to make up a burden. When it was large, he tied it up, and attempted to lift it on his shoulders and carry it away; but, finding it very heavy, he laid it down again, cut more wood, and heaped it on, and then tried again to carry it off. This he repeated several times, always adding something to the load, after trying in vain to raise it from the ground.

In the mean time, the hermit, astonished at the old man's folly, desired the angel to "You behold,' explain what this meant. said he, "in this foolish old man, an exact representation of those who, being made sensible of the burden of their sins, resolve to repent; but soon grow weary, and, instead of lessening their burden, increase it every day. At each trial they find the task heavier than it was before, and so put it off a little longer, in the vain hope that they will by-and-by be more able to accomplish it. Thus they go on adding to their burden, till it grows too heavy to be borne; and then, in despair of God's mercy, and with their sins unrepented of, they lie down and die. Turn again, my son, and behold the end of the old man, whom thou sawest heaping up a load of boughs."

The hermit looked, and saw him in vain attempting to remove the pile, which was now accumulated far beyond his strength to raise.

His feeble limbs tottered over

their burden; the poor remains of his strength were fast ebbing away; the darkness of death was gathering around him; and, after a convulsive and impotent attempt to lift the pile, he fell down and expired.-Christian Treasury.

"Let your Light shine." JESUS bids us shine With a pure, clear light, Like a little candle Burning in the night. In the world is darkness; So we must shineYou in your small corner, And I in mine.

Jesus bids us shine,

First of all, for Him :

Well He sees and knows it,
If our light is dim.

He looks down from heaven,
To see us shine-
You in your small corner,
And me in mine.

Jesus bids us shine,

Then, for all around;
For many kinds of darkness
In the world are found:

There's sin, and want, and sorrow;
So we must shine-
You in your small corner,
And I in mine.

SUMMARY.-With a few variations, this Psalm is also found in 2 Sam. xxii; which see. It was written by David to celebrate his peaceable possession of the kingdom of Judah and Israel after the many troublous adventures, perils, and wars of his earlier life. Some think that David used it only in 'private for a time, but at length gave it "to the chief musician," for the service of the Temple, to be used as a public song of praise to God for His sovereign strength and righteousness. It is also held to be a prophecy of the Messiah.

I. DAVID'S DECLARATION.-V. 1—3. I will love," with the most passionate and ardent affection." My strength,"who hast given me power over my adversaries." V. 2 clearly alludes to those strongholds and lurking-places, steep hills and precipitous rocks, which afforded David the means of hiding and escape from Saul; and it teaches that he would not say of these, though valuable, but of the Lord, He is my Deliverer. See heading of the Psalm. Buckler,-shield, which covers my head and my heart. Horn,-emblem of dignified strength. High tower, for watch as well as ward. V. 3. "Praising, I will call," &c. So, &c.-For the voice of prayer, breathing the spirit of praise, is highly pleasing to God.

II. HIS DANGER AND DISTRESS.-V. 4-6. Sorrows,-"cords." See Margin, v. 5; in 2 Sam. xxii. 5, the "breakers of death," a metaphor from dangerous waves. V. 5. Compassed, alluding to the custom of surrounding the prey in hunting. Floods,-numbers of wicked men. The snares of death prevented, or, "overtook," me.-"I had no more power to help myself than a dead man bound hand and foot in his grave; so suddenly was I entangled in their deadly snares," 1 Sam. xxiii. 26. V. 6. In my distress, extremity of helplessness.

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

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Called..and cried,-as one needing immediate and mighty succour. He heard, -though so infinitely above us in His heavenly palace." Into His ears, -the voice of my complaint being so strong, and His ear so ready to hearken, Isai. lvii. 15.

III. THE MAJESTY OF HIS DELIVERER.-V. 7-19. Vv. 7-14 "are, probably, a figurative representation, highly poetical, to signify that the deliverance of David was the effect of the Divine power miraculously exerted. The language and imagery are borrowed from a tremendous thunderstorm, which is considered as manifesting Jehovah's wrath. Some think such a tempest might actually have occurred during some engagement." V. 8. Smoke out of His nostrils." The ancients spoke of the seat of anger as being in the nose, or nostrils; because, when the passions are warm and violent, it discovers itself by the heated, vehement breath which proceeds from them." V. 10. Upon a cherub..yea.. upon the wings, &c. "Cherub,"-the name of an angel; but here, probably, it "is a personification of creation." Darkness. His pavilion,-" covering," or hiding-place, Deut. iv. 11; Ps. xcvii. 2. V. 12. Brightness,-lightning, the flash of which is folfowed by pealing thunder; then the thick clouds pass, discharging hail and rain. V. 14. Arrows, or forked lightnings. Discomfited, confounded, or troubled, Exod. xiv. 24. V. 15 alludes to the passing of the Israelites through the Red Sea, Exod. xiv. 21, 22; xv. 8. At the blast, &c.,-at "the fierce breath of the wind of Thine anger," V. 16. Many, or, great waters, the symbol of sudden and great calamities. V. 18. Prevented,— planned stratagems to surprise me. The Lord was my stay,-He was "too

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strong" for them, as they also were for me, v. 17. Large place, a state of liberty, repose, and security, instead of the peril and straitness of hiding-places. Delighted in me,-for the reason given in the following verses.

IV. REWARD ACCORDING TO RIGHTEOUSNESS.-V. 20-31. V. 20-24 explain why the Lord delighted in, and delivered, him. My righteousness,—i.e. cleanness of my hands,-keeping God's ways, proving faithful to Him, v. 21: respecting His decrees, not shunning His commandments, v. 22

being

honest of heart with Him, 1 Kings xiv. 8; and carefully guarding against the sin I am prone to. V. 25, 26 teach that God will deal with men according to their own disposition; that His dealings with them will correspond with their conduct; and that the righteous judgments of God will sooner or later overtake the man who is himself froward, or perverse, Lev. xxvi. 23, 24; Matt. xxv. 24. V. 27. Afflicted, humble sufferers in contrast with proud evildoers with high looks, Prov. vi. 16, 17. V. 28. For,-I am an instance of this. Thou,-"makest my lamp clear." "The shining of the lamp is an image of prosperity." V. 29. "By Thy aid I have broken through troops; through my God I have scaled ramparts."-Boothroyd. V. 30. Tried,-Margin, "refined."

V.

31. For who is God, who is a Rock, &c., -at once a foundation of hope, a fortress against evil, and a fountain of goodness and grace.

REFLECTIONS.-1. Ardent love to God naturally prompts us to pray to Him in time of need.-A loving child runs to his father or mother for safety; a Christian calls upon God his Father.

2. Often prayer is our only refuge. -There are many afflictions in which the help of man is vain. In such instances how blessed it is to have confidence that God will hear us when we call.

3. Strong confidence in God is itself a tower of strength to us in the day of calamity.

4. How glorious must God Himself be when His manifestations in nature and providence are so grand and terrible.

5. We should have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.' -Then, when men persecute, God will protect us.

QUESTIONS. On what occasion was this Psalm written? What did David say the Lord was to Him? What else? To what did he allude in using these terms? What did he blend with his prayer? Was the distress of David great? How does he describe it? How did God come to his help? What does the description remind you of? Why did God thus deliver His servant? v. 20. ness described? generally? v. 25. hardly of Him?

How is David's righteous. How does God deal with men Why do the wicked think

to the complaint of Moses, ch. v. 22, 23. Now, have patience and confidence in My sovereign power. What

I will do,-even al I have resolved to do, ch. iii. 19-22. Shall he drive them out, so terribly will I scourge him, that he shall be glad to be rid of them, ch. xi. 1; xii. 31-33, 39. V. 2, 3. The Lord, -"JEHOVAH," the most lofty name of God: the Jews held it so sacred, that they would never pronounce it; but called it the unspeakable name of four letters. It means Existence, and teaches that the BEING of God is Absolute, Independent, Selfexistent, Supreme. God Almighty.The Hebrew name is EL-SHADDAI, Gen. xvii. 1. Was I not known. -The name JEHOVAH was used by God to Abraham, Gen. xv. 6, 7; but was not known in its full force and significance; especially in relation to this covenant with Abraham and his seed He had only proved Himself to be God Almighty, or All-sufficient to perform its promises. Now the time for fulfilment had come, and He would attach a sublime significance to the name JEHOVAH by giving BEING to, or accomplishing, His promises. To know God by His name JEHOVAH was to witness such a display of His power and glory as should be a practical illustration of its meaning. V. 4. Established,-by repeatedly declaring My purposes. Of their pilgrimage,-Gen. xvii. 8; xxviii. 4. V. 5. Remembered, that it is to the children of Israel, as being the seed of Abraham. V. 6. Wherefore say, &c.-"I will now show that I am what this name imports." I will bring you out, &c., as the first actual proof to you that I am Jehovah. Great judgments, -by inflicting punishment according to Gen. xv. 14. V. 7. I will take you, &c.-The second declaration, by an act, of what Jehovah is, Gen. xvii. 6, 7. V. 8. Bring you in unto the land, &c.-The third practical illustration of the power and glory of Jehovah, Gen. xvii. 8. Thus each part of the promise is particularly repeated, and to each is affixed the seal of His Being, Faithfulness, and Power: I AM JEHOVAH. V. 8. Swear, (Margin, "lift up My hand,") -the ancient method of taking an oath.

II. DISCOURAGEMENT THROUGH OPPRESSION.-V. 9-13. Spake so,-told them all God had told him. Anguish,

-"shortness" of breath: they had no heart to listen, or hope, for the coming of Moses had made their afflictions heavier, ch. v. 6-9, 19. V. 12. Moses

spake, in reply to the command, v. 11. Those whom I have come to deliver will not hearken; is it likely their oppressor will? Uncircumcised lips.-See Illustration. V. 13. Gave them a charge,a strict and solemn injunction to go and do what He had commanded, leaving results to Him.

REFLECTIONS.-1. In God's instructions to Moses what an instance we have of His condescension and long-suffering! -See the last two verses of the preceding chapter, and v. 1. He does not chide Moses, or the people, but simply says to Moses, "Now shalt thou see what I will do ! So God deals with them that fear Him, Ps. ciii. 13.

2. Neither the lapse nor the changes of time affect God's purpose or promises.It would seem a long time to Moses and the Israelites since God declared His will to Abraham; and, probably, their view of the promise would be dim, and their faith in its execution feeble; but the time which seemed so long to them was as nothing to God, 2 Peter iii. 8, 9.

3. God reveals His character to us by His works. The greatest of these is Redemption, and in this His glorious nature is most richly displayed. In their deliverance from Egyptian bondage the Israelites read the wonders of the "ineffable name "Jehovah as the Patriarchs had never done; and in our redemption from sin we see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ as they never saw it, 2 Cor. iv. 6.

4. Simple obedience to God is our duty, whatever difficulty may lie in the way.It was natural that the Israelites should feel distressed, and for Moses to be discouraged; yet Moses should have more fully considered the sovereign power of JEHOVAH, then he would have rendered more prompt obedience. When God speaks, it is not for us to reason about difficulties, but to do what He bids.

QUESTIONS.-How did God say Pharaoh would let the people go? By what name was God known to Abraham? By what name was He now to be known to Israel? What is the meaning of the word "Jehovah?" In what way was He about to reveal the glory of

Jehovah to the people? What was to be the first display of this glory? What the second? What the third? How did the Israelites

now listen to Moses? Why was this? Why did Moses now hesitate to go to Pharaoh? What did God give him?

THE

MULTITUDE FED.

SUMMARY.-The Apostles return from their labours, and tell Jesus of their success. He takes them apart to rest awhile; but the people see them going, and reach the same place by another way. Jesus instructs them; at eventide the disciples wish to send them away, but Christ feeds them there. Afterwards the disciples put to sea, and Jesus remains alone. A storm arises, during which He walks on the sea, and then stills the tempest. He heals many in the land of Gennesaret.

I. RETREAT AND PURSUIT.-V. 3033. Gathered together, those whom He had sent out "two and two," v. 7. What they had done,-v. 13. Had taught, v. 12; Luke ix. 6. A desert place, across the Sea of Galilee from Capernaum, where they might hope to be free from interruption, for there were, &c. V. 32. By ship,-across a corner of the sea. Privately-hoping that their departure, or, at least, their course, would not be noticed. V. 33. Ran afoot,-round the sea-coast. All cities,-on that side of the sca. Outwent,-arrived at the place before them, knowing it to be one to which Jesus resorted.

II. HUMAN WANT AND DIVINE SUPPLY. V. 34-44. Came out,-of the ship. With compassion,- seeing the eagerness of the people to be taught, and knowing the incompetency of their professed teachers. Many things, concerning Himself and kingdom, Luke ix. 11. V. 35. Far spent.It was late in the evening, see Matt. xiv. 15. A desert. It was on the north-east coast of the Sea of Galilee, near to Bethsaida, Luke ix. 10. V. 37. Shall we go? &c.-They were

- Mark vi. 30-56.

amazed at the idea of feeding all that multitude in such a place, for they were but ill-provided for themselves, v. 38. Two hundred pennyworth.—See Margin. About the value of six pounds five shillings of our money; more than they could raise among them. V. 38. Have ye ?-Can ye furnish on the spot? Five, and two fishes.See John vi. 8, 9. Commanded them,

the disciples. In ranks, &c.-"In squares, behind one another, like the beds of a garden, as the word signifies, by hundreds, and by fifties; so that they could be thus most conveniently served, and accurately counted."-R. Watson. V. 41. And blessed, or gave thanks to God, John vi. 11. This was not merely in observance of a pious custom, but in devout recognition of His Almighty Father who had given Him these works to do: He did the same at the grave of Lazarus, John xi. 41, 42. Gave to His disciples,-who were thus made the dispensers of His bounty; a type of the duty awaiting them as His Apostles. They did all eat,-"the marvellous multiplication taking place, as many affirm, first in the Saviour's own hands, next in those of the Apostles, and lastly in the hands of the eaters. This may

have been so; at all events, it was in such a manner that they were filled." -Trench. V. 43. Twelve baskets,"commonly used on journeys for carrying provisions;" these, probably, belonged to the Apostles. Full of the fragments, or broken pieces, which must have immensely exceeded in bulk and quantity the original stock." V. 44. Five thousand men,-fed to the full with five loaves and two fishes!

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