one beautiful morning into the harvest fields to meet his father and the reapers, just when the sun had arisen in the heavens in all its splendour and glory. He had not been there long before its scorching beams fell upon that lovely brow. See, he turns pale, and is fainting, and a young man carries him home to his mother. In vain did he cry to his anxious father-" my head, my head!" Imagine the feelings of those beloved parents, when probably but one short hour before they beheld their darling child in the full enjoyment of health, beauty, and happiness; now, like a crushed and faded flower, he lies in a dying state! The surviving mother held her dear one on her knees, and watched over him and prayed for him until noon, when he died.

You will find this affecting narrative in the 4 chap. of the 2nd. Book of Kings, and how the prophet Elisha raised the child to life again, but there is no power given to man on earth in these days by which the dead can be raised.

Knowing, then, that you may die, and at a time when you think not, let me entreat you to "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.' "Prepare to meet your God," for "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ." Seek the Saviour now. He loves to receive children. Now, then, while you are in health, pray that the Lord Jesus Christ may receive you as one of the lambs of his flock.

"Twill save you from a thousand snares,

To mind religion young;

Grace will preserve your following years,

And make your virtues strong."

E. J. W.

THE HOLY ANGELS.

OUR Lord, in speaking of the everlasting felicity of the righteous, likens them to the holy angels-"Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Just as the existence of the souls of men depends on the will of the Creator, so does the existence of angels. They, too, are dependent on HIM who made them, for the perpetuity of their being. In HIм they must for ever live and move.

We know that they are beings of great intelligence. They were created with faculties in perfect maturity, and superior to those of man, when in his best or unfallen state. Their original capacities have been expanding and strengthening in vigour and activity ever since. They have resided in a world where there is no night; where the perceptions of the mind are clear; where truth reigns without any admixture of error; where moral evil exerts no obscuring influence; where the plans of Providence are unfolded, and the Divine perfections are disclosed; where, in worship, in studies, or in ministries of love, their activity has known no cessation. For millions of years they have surveyed the works of creation in their vastness and variety, and they are beings of vast intelligence. But their knowledge is limited and progressive; it is not that which extends to the secrets of men's hearts, which is a prerogative alone of Deity; it must be infinitely short of the knowledge of the Divine Mind.

They are perfectly holy beings. They were created holy;

and, from the first moment of their existence, they have been employed in admiring the holiness of God and rendering obedience to His will. They cover their faces with their wings, and cry HOLY, HOLY, HOLY! They fly swift as the morning light, to execute His commands; and every emotion of their minds is in perfect harmony with His will. They are in the presence of Jehovah, and "see HIS face." They belong to the number of those who are "pure in heart," and who " see God." They are confirmed in this state of holiness for ever. They can never sin even as they can never die. They shall never be excluded from the blissful presence. While they have always been holy, it does not appear they have always been in this confirmed, everlasting, state of holiness. As some of their associates sinned and fell, we are left to infer that they, too, were once upon trial, and might have sinned.; but they resisted the temptation of the Prince of Darkness, and as a reward of their steadfastness, are now placed beyond the reach of temptation, or the possibility of sinning. Sin can never invade or approach

the purity of their souls. He who made them, and to whom they have maintained a faithful allegiance, has purposed to keep them for ever. They are His "elect angels,” and have been admitted to the beautific vision.

The same heaven to which redeemed men are admitted is their everlasting home. They are our Father's children, and are in our "Father's house."

It is their interest in the work of our redemption, which will constitute the unfailing bond of union and sympathy between them and the spirits of just men made perfect.

Holy angels and redeemed saints, while it is impossible that they should stand in precisely the same relation to Christ, will, nevertheless, form one united society. They have, and can have, no discordant or rival interests. They adore the same glorious Jehovah; and while the angels cannot, in precisely the same sense as men, sing the song-" Now unto HIM that washed us in His own blood," they have the same joys; and, doubtless engage in many of the same employments. Indeed, Scripture seems to intimate that the angels are indebted for the stability of their state of holiness to the Son of God, the same being to whom they are indebted for their creation, and to whom ransomed sinners are indebted for their redemption. "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

"Adoring saints around him stand,

And thrones and powers before him fall;
The God shines gracious through the man,
And sheds sweet glories on them all!

O what amazing joys they feel,
While to their golden harps they sing;
And sit on every heavenly hill,

And spread the triumphs of their King!
When shall the day, dear Lord, appear,
That I shall mount to dwell above,
And stand, and bow amongst them there,
And view thy face, and sing thy love?"

A MORNING WALK IN THE GARDEN. Ir was a lovely morning in July. The sun was rising in his strength, but his rays were only pleasantly warm. For these young friends had risen early, that they might enjoy the morning air and gather health and appetite before breakfast. It was but a few minutes after six when they commenced their walk along the smooth gravel walks of that beautiful garden. The dew was wet on the flowers, for the sun's rays had not yet absorbed them. And of all the hours