they may have been amusing themselves by trying to spell backwards the name of the vessel that was painted on the stern.' The entire volume deserves the earnest perusal of all teachers whether churchmen or dissenters. The works of Mrs. Best are too well known to need comment. Three of her last volumes lie before us-The Casket Rifled-History of a Family Bible-and Bible Exercises.* The two first will no doubt prove acceptable to the class for which they are intended, and both have a religious purpose. "Bible Exercises" contains a series of sixty charades, the plan of which is ingenious, interesting, and instructive. Certain characters or objects mentioned in Scripture are named, the initial letters of which compose the answer sought; and the necessity for finding out these induces a careful acquaintance with Bible History. We give an example "One who was sorrowful, honorable, prayerful, and successful.". Few persons who know anything of Old Testament history would hesitate long as to who was intended by this prayerful individual. But the exercise does not end here, and the reader is compelled to find out the names of each of the five characters referred to, and connect them, with the description given, by a reference to appropriate texts of Scripture. In the present iustance they are, 1. Jonathan, (1 Sam. xx. 17.) 2. Araunah, (2 Sam. xxiv. 22.) Boaz, (Ruth ii. 1, 15, 16.) Epaphroditus, (Phil. ii. 25.) Zelophehad, (Num. xxxvi. 10.) · London. J. F. Shaw. THE clock strikes twelve, the dear Old Year is passing now away, And merrily the bells ring out, to welcome New Year's day: But, though they sound so musical, those chimes I sadly hear; The Past is gone-the Future comes - my hopes are tinged with fear. What varied scenes the year beheld as he urged his journey fleet; He saw the nations of the earth in our loved island meet; Not harnessed for the battle, but in harmony and peace A blest foreshadowing of the time when wrath and wars shall cease. He saw glad scenes of happiness-sad ones of grief and painThe young and healthy were laid low, the sick raised up again; The mourner has been taught to bend in faith beneath the rod; And many have been called this year to the presence of their God. Unnumbered mercies he has seen each day on us conferred; And when he first commenced his course, what solemn vows he heard. The means of grace have been bestowed, but are we fruitful found ? We have been spared another year-why cumber we the ground? With penitent and contrite hearts, let us the past recal, And seek forgiveness through His name, whose death atones for all. We know not what the year will bring, but, Lord! we trust in Thee, For we know thy promise-"As thy day, thy strength shall also be." Then not with dark foreboding fears, would we our course pursue, But looking to The Strong for help, let us our sins subdue. O! Lord! do Thou our journey guide, each day, each hour be near; Then this, whatever may occur, will prove A Happy Year. KATE. NO DEATH. "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death."-Proverbs xii. 28. "THERE is no death"-then why, O'er earth's frail idols slumbering in decay! "There is no death"-strange sound; It falls in cruel mockery on the ear, For where, oh where is found The eye unmoistened by the mourner's tear? Is there "no death?"-oh gaze On that pale darling; mark its mother's loss; For help and strength to bow beneath the cross. Is there "no death?"-yet see, A Saviour weeping o'er his Lazarus dead; Yes, "Jesus wept " for that loved spirit, fled. Is there "no death ?" Oh where Where is that path, where loved ones know not night? Is that, in which the spoiler has no might? There is a deathless road, And we may find that path of life and light, Mars the sweet opening of the future bright. "Tis found in holiness, In purity of mind; and we must part With all our righteousness, And look to Jesus, who can cleanse the heart. It will but be the yielding up our breath, For in that holy path "there is no death." "DRAW BACK THE CURTAIN." "Draw back the curtain!" Ay, 'tis fallen now, Ye may not lift its shadowy folds from off The pale calm brow, That ye have laid so silently to rest, Pillowed, aye pillowed on the green earth's breast. Tis fallen round the form, How fondly loved! And if by word or thought of yours, that veil Might be removed, Oh! would ye speak it, would ye call again "Draw back the curtain!" Oh! it matters not, Whether the sunlight or the darkness falls No earthly sound of pain or grief may light, There may be sorrow Sorrow for a while, And tears perchance of agony to part, Yet pause and smile, Smile through your tears to know that in the tomb, No pain, no trouble, and no tears may come. We copy these beautiful lines from Fulcher's Ladies' Memorandum Book for 1852, a work which has obtained more than local distinction as one of the best Pocket Books extant. The verses derive a melancholy interest from the decease of their gifted authoress, Mrs. Pratt, at the early age of 25. "Draw back the curtain!" Gently draw it back, And earnestly, and with the eye of faith, Upwards, far upwards, till life seem to be, What know we of the bliss Beyond controul, That cometh in a full and gushing tide To wrap the soul, That midst the glorious radiance of Heaven, Casts off the chain the hand of death hath riven? There is strange brightness In that spirit home, And may we not when sadly on the heart Life's shadows come, "Draw back the curtain," till we feel its light THE CROSS ON THE WALL. [During Divine Service, on the 26th October last, a bright ray of light broke through a small window in the roof of one of our suburban churches, and threw a sunny spot, in the form of a trefoil, on the wall, but as it moved with the declining sun, the cross beam of the roof partially intercepted the ray, throwing its shadow across it, and transferring the Christian symbol prominently to the wall.] HAIL! beauteous beam of light! A golden leaf wert thou On the tree of life till now? |