ment for the future. Such a very suitable season is the close of an eventful year, and the commencement of a new one. Then the mind is in a solemn, thoughtful state, impressed with the past, and concerned about what is to come. Such a period has once more elapsed; again the knell of a departed year is heard, and we pass the threshold of another. "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us," will be the language of the grateful; for to this confession they are called both by duty and by interest. Saints should raise their Ebenezer, and review the help they have received from the Lord. And what help has been received? This is a necessary, and may be a profitable, inquiry. We may limit the inquiry to the year just gone, the events of which must be fresh in memory. During this short period, however insensible many may be to the fact, all have received help from the Lord; for it is He who hath "held the soul in life." Those who would imagine God to take no part in the government of the world, may ascribe the continuance of life to natural causes, and look upon living as a thing of course; but the divinely-instructed mind acknowledges that it is in God men "live, and move, and have their being." It is by His power and watchful care that the heart beats, the lungs play, and the vital fluid circulates. Why the living have not been numbered with the dead, is not to be ascribed to their wisdom, self-protection, and power, but to the pleasure of the Lord. To an observant and grateful reviewer of the past year, the help of God will be seen in the defence of the body from danger, in the communication of strength and vigour, in the removal of sickness and restoration to health, and in an unfailing supply of food and raiment. Nor is it less visible in the comforts than in the necessaries of life. It may be, that to some individuals and families the special interposition of the hand of God has been very apparent. Clouds of darkness rested on them, their path was hedged up, and relief and deliverance appeared impossible; but God interposed, in a way altogether unexpected, but perfectly consistent with His watchful care over His saints, darkness was dispersed, difficulties disappeared, and the gladsome Ebenezer rose. Yes, in the spared life of that valued parent, that beloved child, that affectionate wife or husband, and that kind friend,-in that successful enterprise, that prosperity of business, that pecuniary aid in a day of great embarrassment, and in the prevention of that contemplated journey, or that projected speculation, even in the disappointment which was at the time so painful, there was help from the Lord; then perhaps not seen, but subsequently made manifest, as in the case of Jacob. Of such circumstances of Providence it may be said, "Whoso is wise and will observe these things, they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." But more abundantly the Lord may have helped in the order of His grace. How frequently this has been received, by comfort in the day of trouble; strength in the time of affliction; power in the hour of temptation, to resist the pleasing but dangerous lure, and withstand the fierce assault of Satan! Every duty, also, which has been acceptably performed, every conflict which has been victorious over spiritual foes, and every fruit and grace of the Holy Spirit that has appeared to sustain and adorn the Christian character, may all be traced to help from the Lord. This help has been enjoyed in private prayer, at the family-altar, or in the public sanctuary under the ministry of the word, which has often been made effectual for devotion, consolation, and warning. This help has been freely and most opportunely bestowed. How often when the heart was sad with sorrow, and the mind faint with watching, did the Lord send help from His holy habitation; help according to the day, and far beyond what was deserved, or even desired! Thus, on a review of His goodness, it must be acknowledged that in temporal and spiritual blessings, from the first to the EBENEZER. last day of the year, He has been a sufficient and very present aid, deserving the heartfelt acknowledgment, "Ebenezer, hitherto hath the Lord helped." 3 Saints should raise their Ebenezer, and contemplate the way in which help has been received from the Lord. His help is not always acknowledged, because His hand is not always seen. To natural causes it is frequently ascribed, overlooking the fact, that these are appointed and controlled by the Lord. Thus at Mizpeh the Lord helped Israel by a thunder-storm, which terrified the enemy. The infidels might ascribe this to chance, or call it a favourable accident; but the sacred historian was better taught, and states, that "the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day." In a variety of ways the Lord has helped, and continues to help, those who trust in Him, even by very unlikely instruments, showing that all agency is at His command. By His direction the ravens fed Elijah; the "great fish" preserved Jonah; the lions were the safe keepers of Daniel; and the viper, that harmlessly fastened on the hand of Paul in the island of Malta, brought him the reverence and friendship of the barbarians. The waters of the Red Sea formed a wall around Israel, but destroyed Pharaoh and his host. Fire protected the Hebrew children from the malice of their foes; and the very "stars in their courses fought against Sisera." Even the wrath of man has been overruled to His praise, and the help of His people; as when Haman's destructive designs led to the exaltation of Israel in the days of Esther the Queen. And the Lord's "arm is not shortened" now: He could still employ similar means. The Christian's companion was made to help by the wise counsel given. Some unexpected friend has been raised up to assist in the time of pressing need; and even the miser's heart was moved and melted, so that, in spite of his flinty nature, he was constrained to relieve the necessities of saints. Yes, and in that bitter cup of sorrow, in those dark days of adversity, and even in heart-rending bereavement, mysterious as it is to human reason, there might be help from the Lord. But never should it be forgotten, that He chiefly helps His saints by their own endeavours. In the Divine conduct there is no encouragement for indolence or presumption. It must not be said, "All things are possible to God," therefore we leave our concerns entirely to Him. No, Samuel prays; Israel fights; and then the Lord thunders. And now His people must prudently and diligently act, and then God will bless. Saints should raise their Ebenezer, and gratefully record the help they receive from the Lord. That the special kindness of God to Israel should be remembered, was the design of Samuel in setting up the stone; that when Israel saw it, they might be reminded of the Lord's goodness to them, and that their children also, on seeing the same, and inquiring, "Why this stone?" might be taught the kindness of God to their fathers. The knowledge of the fact would be encouraging to them and theirs, and through successive generations embolden them to confide in the same gracious and powerful God. For this purpose, also, their pious rulers raised altars, instituted feasts, and gave expressive names to children. Thus Moses called his firstborn Gershom, a stranger there," to remind him of the Lord's favour to him in a strange land. So Hannah called her son Samuel, "heard of God," saying, "I asked him of the Lord." Thus his name brought the Lord to her remembrance, as the answerer of prayer. It was a wise resolve of the Psalmist that made him declare, "I will remember Thy works from days of old." And as, now, the recollection of the past would be equally profitable for the future; the helped should raise their altars of reflection, of gratitude, of love, and of devotion, and would do well for themselves and others by recording the dealings of the Lord with them and to them. In this way the past year might greatly profit in the year now begun. It may have similar trials, temptations, and troubles; 66 similar duties, dangers, and difficulties; similar sufferings, and sorrows, and sacrifices required. And the thought that there is the same throne of grace to go to, the same promises to plead, and the same heavenly Father and Friend to address now, which were found so accessible, so true, and so ready to help last year, cannot fail to strengthen faith, inspire confidence, and aid the saints of God to go on their way rejoicing. It is when the past help of the Lord is forgotten, that we yield to fear, become unbelieving in prayer, faint in our mind, and are silent from praise. The consideration that God is now what God has been, my never-failing Friend, my sure refuge and great salvation, will dissipate doubt, enliven hope, warrant trust, and furnish matter for songs of holy joy. Then, Christian reader, raise thy thankful Ebenezer. Hitherto, to this very day, the Lord has helped thee with His all-sufficient grace and providential bounty. He has blessed thee with all spiritual blessings in Christ, and thy bread has been given, and thy water has been sure. He will help thee until the varied scenes of life are past; for He hath said to His faithful ones, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Chelsea. N. LIZARD LIGHTS. How many a British mariner for generations past has hailed with joy the appearance of the far-famed "Lizard Lights!" Struggling with wave and tempest in the dreary darkness of night, weary with watching, ignorant of his position on the treacherous brine, and apprehensive of rocks and a lee-shore, the hardy, intelligent seaman has descried in the distance the friendly eyes of "Lizard Lights."* At once they are recognised, and the anxious sailor knows where he is, and feels comparative security, because he is now admonished whither to run for "the desired haven." And yet how much more welcome the light of "the Star of Bethlehem" to the spiritual navigator! After having wearied his longing eyes, looking out for salvation, at the sight of "the Star of Bethlehem," he rejoices with exceeding great joy. Relieved at once from fear and from tears, he now knows how to shun the destructive rocks of the broken law, with the raging, roaring billows of Divine wrath dashing on them; and also how to steer for the harbour of grace, and cast his anchor securely "within the veil." Lizard-Point, on the rising ground of which the lights are placed, a few hundred yards from the water's edge, is included in the small parish of Landewednack, and juts out into the ocean that rolls in the British Channel, several miles further southward than any other part of the island. Till a recent period the lights stood entirely separated from each other, and the keepers who attended them had to expose themselves to the inclemency of the weather, going from light to light during the night. The lights, too, These lights are two, similar, and some fifty yards apart. Before they were fixed on this extreme point of land, it was a place of great peril and disaster to the English seaman. Near the extremity is a reef of rocks, visible at low water, called by the people of the vicinity "the man-of-war rocks." At a remote period, before the lighthouses were erected, a large English ship-of-war, ignorant of her position, ran on this reef in the night. Of the hundreds of souls on board, few only escaped. Buried on the spot, a little above high watermark, their numerous graves yet heave the soil; and in the fretting and diggings of the cliff, their whitened bones are ever visible. A striking emblem of the awful results of privation of Gospel light. "Ye are the light of the world." "Let your light shine before "Where there is no vision, the people perish." men." were kept up by a large fire made of coal; to convey which to the top of each lighthouse was attended with great toil. Now they are eligibly connected by a continuous substantial building, and are lighted by oil with bright reflectors. The present light-keepers are two God-fearing, religious men: one is an Independent, and the other a member of the Wesleyan-Methodist church. This is just as it should be; that men whose office it is to enlighten others, should themselves be "burning and shining lights." Nor is the work done any the worse because the Methodist unites with the Independent in upholding light and salvation amidst the perils of the sea and the perils of the land. As light-keepers, both are still greatly needed on the shores of Britain. Men of God, of different communions, unite, and let your light so shine in this yet benighted world, that your good works may be seen, and lead others to escape the dangers of sin, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Lizard and its lights are becoming landward objects of growing interest and notice. An excursion to the Lizard for recreation and pleasure is now more popular than aforetime. The late visit of the Queen to Mount's-Bay, and the landing of Prince Albert at Kynance Cove, have conspired to render the neighbourhood more noted especially as the famous serpentine rock is found there, the working of which into various ornaments, Her Majesty was pleased extensively to patronise, her attention having been drawn to it, from the beautifully wrought specimens that were shown to her. Kynance is not far from the Lights, and commands attention for its sublime romantic rock-scenery, as well as for the interesting serpentine specimens wrought and exposed for sale there. Indeed the market for serpentine ornaments is of late so improved, that, beside the increased quantity of the stone taken off to be wrought elsewhere, there is quite a competition for the sale of articles on the spot. A neat little straw cottage by the road-side, on the common, has recently sprung up, where the various beauties of the serpentine marble, in ornaments, are displayed to excursionists in rather an attractive style, while the ornaments themselves are not unworthy to grace the apartments of the genteelest visiters. Were there a few better houses in the village of Lizard-town,-from its rocky cliff and ocean-scenery, its healthy, open situation, and other attractions, it might not be unworthy of becoming a watering-place for health-seeking invalids. But there is yet another view of "Lizard Lights" far more interesting, to the writer, at least. Showers of blessing have recently fallen on this extreme locality. Lizard has become the scene of a revival of religion. God has poured out His Spirit on villagers and light-keepers; and a large proportion of the whole inhabitants of the place have become, more or less, the subjects of a saving work of grace in the heart. "Blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke," many shine as "lights in the world." The Lizard lights in the church beneath have been "multiplied;" and the specimens of precious stones, quarried and polished, and meet to adorn the temple of God in the New Jerusalem above, have been brought out "before men" in greater number. We have had here a small Society belonging to the Helstone Circuit some fifty years. Forty years ago the present chapel was built; but, being more than ten miles distant from the Circuit-town, all the excellence of our system, combined with effort and sacrifice, have been required to furnish Preachers on Sundays. The number in communion at the beginning of the year was twenty-five. For a full year past there have been indications that God was working with "the word preached." The chapel stands in a bleak, exposed situation, distant from the villages; but throughout the winter, even on dark and tempestuous week-nights, the attendance of the people had been remarkably good, and called forth commendations from the Ministers. Soon after the Christmas of 1851 the word became "quick and powerful." They that heard were "pricked in the heart," and earnestly inquired, "Men and brethren, what must we do?" Both Ministers and Local Preachers were astonished at the mighty power of God. On some occasions it was indeed “The o'erwhelming power of saving grace.” The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, and the congregation was bowed before it. "The Priests could not stand to minister, because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord." Hearts were melted, and many offered unto God the acceptable sacrifices of a broken and a contrite spirit. "Made willing in the day of His power," many said to the little flock, "We'll go with you; for God is with you, of a truth." The Society was increased three-fold: twenty-five became more than seventy-five. It is true some were "little ones," even young children; but an unusual proportion were persons in staid life, and many others, in the prime of maturity, consecrated their service unto the Lord. One pleasing feature of the work is, it has produced some active young men, who go from house to house among their neighbours, where they can find an open door, and hold at stated seasons meetings for prayer and praise. In one of the cottages which they have made "an house of prayer," there is an afflicted person, who has been confined to her bed for ten years. Her sister, who assiduously attended on her, had been converted. In their first love the young converts entered the chamber of her affliction, and in faith gathered round the poor paralytic. Eliza had borne the long winter-nights and the long summer-days throughout a decade of her life, in poverty and in pain, without religion, without God, without hope. Though humble her apartment, everything was beautifully clean and neat around her; but the heart was not clean, and her oppressed spirit was unsupported by the consolations of Christ. She saw others rejoicing. They had found the Lord in His house. Thither she could not go. Would Jesus come to her? Would the Son of God be with her in the furnace? Would He walk with her in the fire, and assist her to sing His praises there? Would "our Lord Jesus Christ Himself" come and say to her, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction?" Prayer was made for her. She prayed earnestly for herself. God was entreated, heaven drew near, and salvation came to this house. Poor Eliza! What a change! Her heart was relieved; her sins were pardoned; her countenance was changed, and betokened that the joy of the Lord had become her strength. Still helpless and suffering, often in agony, yet her tongue is now unloosed to praise her God day and night for His mercies. Her "cup runneth over." Here are the "sisters in affliction," and Jesus with them to comfort them. "Father, in the Name I pray Of Thy incarnate Love; My suffering strength may prove : We are still "Travelling Preachers" in this Circuit, and move about much in the old manner, being, in our turn, out from home several days and nights in succession. I happened to be at "Lizard" a few days ago. My kind host, our old and tried friend, Mr. Lawrence, had been confined to his house |