our faith his gift, our love the pale re- | pulses will come to you as you read, from flection of his own. He made us, and the ever-living, ever-quickening Spirit, who made us anew, forgiving our transgressions, interprets the written word to the heart; healing our diseases, redeeming our life and these glances, these hints and imfrom destruction, crowning us with his pulses, will exert on you a far more loving-kindnesses, satisfying us with good persuasive and compelling influence than things, renewing in us the eagle strengths the letter of the sternest law. You will of an immortal youth. But shall we not so much as think of being bound; in enforce him to produce his claims, when the gladness of conscious freedom, you will all he asks of us is that we suffer him to rejoice to keep the holy day, and to enter add yet another and a diviner benediction the holy fellowship. to guide us with his eye, instead of 6. I do not think I ought to close without ruling us with his rod-to instruct us reminding you that, if you will not be with a look, in place of holding us in with guided by God's eye, he will hold you bit and bridle? If there be any spark of in with bit and bridle. If, to use the reason in us, any tenderness of love expressive words of a certain commenif our redemption has been not in word tator, “ you will be as beasts before him, only, but in deed and in power--we shall God will deal with you as beasts”: the take this guidance, not as an enforced cold, sharp bit will be thrust between your claim, but as an undeserved, heart-melting teeth, and, haply, the lash not spared. act of grace ; we shall accept it, not as The “small cords” once sold in the temple bending to the majesty of law, but as were woven by the merciful Christ into a joyfully welcoming a boon. It will make scourge with which he drove the godless, us exceeding glad that our Father no longer profaning merchants from the sacred preengraves his will on tables of stone, cinct. And your sins in the hand of against which we may be broken, but looks Christ will become a scourge; your neg. it into our hearts, that his will becoming lects of his grace and guidance will be so our will, our obedience may have all the used by him as to chasten and correct grace and freedom of voluntary service. you. Be not afraid when the day of cor 5. Our opportunities of loving obedience, rection comes to you, as it comes to all. -" brethren, are very great. The bit and bridle Neither despise the chastenings of the of law are not imposed on us. The very Lord, nor faint before them. Wisely taken, spirit and genius of the Gospel may be they are the beginnings of all good. It is defined as “ a guiding by the eye:" our better even for a horse to be tamed with whole spiritual life is ruled and shaped bit and bridle, and bent to useful work, by love. Our one all-absorbing, all-in than to live a useless, self-indulgent life, cluding duty, is “looking unto Jesus," and at the last to rush off in wild stamthat we may find him looking on us, that pede to unknown harms. And how much We may catch, interpret, obey his glance. better is it for a man that he should Yes, even in those matters which are have all needful corrections, and be won most outward and formal-as, for in by them to a free and glad obedience, stance, the order of public worship or of than that he should be left, unchastened, Christian fellowship, we are taught not to travel on to the great darkness ? Let us by rigid laws, but by looks, by hints, by welcome even bridle and bit, if these subtle spiritual impulses and delicate in | will prepare us to enter into the fruition timations which come and go like the of the promise, “I will guide thee with -piewless wind. The New Testament con- | mine eye.” tains no verbal law, enjoining in set terms 7. This comfortable Divine assurance, in the observance of a Sabbath, or the duty | common with all others, has a special force of adding ourselves to the outward com and sweetness at this season. It is well munion of saints. If you wait for a stern, that, as the Old Year closes, and we sit as indisputable enactment, you may wait for in the midnight darkness, we should hear wer. But if you will be guided by the the cheerful bells of promise ring in the Divine eye, there are looks and guidances coming day, the New Year. It is well that enough. Gentle but most significant di as we strain our ear to catch the remoter rections will look out upon you from the sounds, we should find the whole air words and example of Christ, from the clangorous with the merry peals in whose words and examples of those who had rich harrony all : notes of sorrow, all most of his spirit; subtle, mystic im- discords of heart and life, are drowned, And if all promises are doubly welcome, most welcome to the perplexed wayfarer when they come to us as omens and on this road. Any promise of guidance is harbingers of good in some new tract of then, of all times, most welcome, when the time on which we are entering, surely wayfarer is just passing another way-side this promise has a special comfort and stone which marks one stage of the journey assurance. Life is so complex, its course | as accomplished, but also points to a new 80 obscure and involved; for us, the | untrodden track which lies before him. straight upward path of duty is so steep Let us, tired, storm-beaten wayfarers, as and wearisorne; it is crossed and recrossed we enter on the opening paths of this at every turn by so many curving, crooked New Year, listen to the glad bells of ways of error, which, at least at the outset promise, and take to ourselves all the are green and inviting, that it is often hard comfort and hope of the assurance, "I for us to discern our path, or, discerning, will guide thee with mine eye !" to walk in it. Any promise of guidance is! NEW YEAR'S MORN. BE this a Bethel hour! Review the chequered past; Trust in thy Father's care, Behind the darkest cloud Grief may life's joys entomb, Faith looks for that pure day, Then, pilgrim, travel on Leicester, Tales and Sketches. January. THE OLD YEAR AND THE sible, leap over the tedious days in which I NEW. can only dream !” & The new year 185— came in, as many a “It is so in youth," said the old man year had come before, with noiseless step, again, but this time without a sigh. “We treading gently on the heels of the old begin life's voyage with the ardour which Our world looked very beautiful that you describe, and trample upon our days night, as the white clouds parted and the as if they, and not gold, were dross. But full round moon shone forth. It was | a time comes when, having discovered that scarcely winter yet in the nestling village this world's fame and wealth, aye, even the which had been “home” to Isaac Burns admiration of our kinsfolk and acquaintance, ever since he could remember anything; are vanity, we begin to look back with and the plants in the old man's garden regret on the time which we despised, the were as fresh and green as if it had priceless pearls which we have scattered been October instead of December and before our swine. Then is it that we hearken to the death.knell of a year with “That last stroke of twelve always solemn sadness, and, in the anguish of our sounds very solemn to me," said Isaac, as souls, weep over the grave of that which he paused in the village street to welcome even Christ, the Resurrection and the the newly-born. “I almost feel as if the Life,' shall never raise again. Our years, old year was a human creature a-dying, and once buried, are gone, for ever gone. What the hum of the clock seems just like its might have been done with them we in our last sad moan." measure know, what has been done wo “Deár grandfather,” cried a youth who know in our measure also. How sad the walked beside him, “you have strange story!" fancies. For my part, I never stop to “But such a life as yours — urged mourn over any time that is past. The Walter, as the old man ceased. thought of a new year in which to live “Such a life as mine!” interrupted the seems glorious. I inhale its breath, I grandfather, but softly. “He says such a drink its wine, I taste its fruits, and rejoice life as mine!" to run its race." “Is a good life," continued the youth, in The old man sighed. “It is 80," said a firm voice,“ very good. If I do as well, he, “in youth.” I shall be satisfied." “And why not in age ? " asked the “Hush! You are talking of what you young man. “We live for ever. Souls do not understand! The question is, do not die, dear grandfather," will God be satisfied ?". "I know, I know." “I think so," replied Walter; "and if “Then why these regrets that another you will let me speak, I will tell you why. year has gone? Is this life better than that He does not require what is impossible. of the pure heaven to which, as you love to · We cannot be perfect. If a man has been tell us, the soul of every Christian man is honest, generous, sober, faithful, à good hastening?" husband and father, and so on, he need “No, Walter, it is not worthy to be have no regrets at the close of his career.” compared to it; and yet I am often sorry “Not even if he has daily and hourly when I remember that so much of it is broken that first great law, Thou shalt gone from me, to return no more." And love the Lord thy God with all thy heart the old man repeated mournfully, “No and mind and soul and strength 'p's asked more !" the old man in sober sadness. "That is not my cage," said Walter, with The youth was silent. enthusiasm ; " for if I could spend more They had by this time reached a grey quickly the years which come between me stone house in the middle of the village, at and the prime of manhood I would do it. | the door of which, peering out into the Like the sailor who gets out on a voyage by street, stood a child with fair hair and a which he is to realize a fortune, I would lovely countenance. gladly, at a single bound, if that were pos. "A long two hours," said she, as they stooped to kiss her. "Have you waited when they rose ; " yet would I hope that, to see the new year come in, dear grand | through mercy, before I die, I may see both father?” my children at the Cross, relying on Christ “I have seen' it without waiting, dear," alone for their salvation. I have asked it said Isaac, following her to a parlour. “Did for this year, and I believe that He who you and Katherine hear the clock strike taught me the prayer will answer speedily. just now?” God bless you, my beloved ones, and make “Yes; and I wanted to read from my you his!"" book about it " Amen!" Old year! you shall not die ! The voice was Walter's, and as he spoke, 'You came to us so cheerily;' the village clock struck one. but Kathy said the Ninetieth Psalm was An hour of the new year had gone to better." its account. How much had been revealed nd so it was. You may read it again, 1 to him, how much had he felt and dig. dear Minnie, to me and Walter." covered, since the last stroke of twelve had " Lord, thou hast been our dwelling died away! Could he ever again think place in all generations. lightly of the sins of a year, a day, an hour, «. Before the mountains were brought or wish that time would bear him yet forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth | more rapidly towards eternity ? Imposand the world, even from everlasting to sible. everlasting, thou art God. .. Thou He was right: it was impossible. hast set our iniquities before thee, our From that night he put away the secret sins in the light of thy countenance.'” “childish things " which 80 ill became his “In the light of His countenance !” manhood, and sought, not fame and power, murmured Isaac. “Ay, there they are, | but God and heaven in Christ. The old revealed in all their hideous deformity. man's prayer was answered, as, thank Secret sins ! Evil thoughts, evil desires, God, such prayers are always answered. evil inclinations, all are there; and on them That new year was the happiest of Isaac's shines that light. Could I but intercept life; it was the last, too, for its closing those rays, or hide those iniquities, how month witnessed his death. gladly would I toil for a thousand years ! He heard no more the knell of a departe But to do this without Christ is impos ing year, the last solemn stroke of twelve; sible!” the welcome angel of release appeared, and He turned towards his grandson as he time with him was ended. The face of the spoke, with a look that seemed to ask, old clock looks down upon Isaac's grave; Do you understand fall this? And at that the bands that never tire still show how moment, for the first time in his life, the the moments which stand between death young man, feeling that he, too, was a and resurrection are passing away; but the sinner, began to wish for pardon through sleeping dust gives no sign, nor shall it Jesus Christ. until the voice of the archangel shall bid it The little girl watched them gravely for rise. a few moments, and, at last, finding that “Let me die the death of the righteous, neither broke the silence, continued her and let my last end be like his !' reading. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. ....o satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad ONLY A YEAR! all our days. . . . Let thy work appear SHE only lived a year, unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their Our tiny, darling pet; children.'" The child we loved so tenderly, “Thy glory unto my children !” said The child we can't forget. the grandfather. “Let us pray!” The earliest month--the time *They knelt beside him, the fair child and Of snowdrops purely whitethe stalwart youth, and heard him plead Was that in which she came to change the promise of God in Christ, until their Our dark to morning light. hearts gave way, and warm tears fell upon To teach us how to love, the hands which clasped their own. Our little babe was given; “Few and evil have the days of the And when the lesson had been learned. years of my life been,'” said the old man, 1. She passed away to heaven. That year! our hearts grow still | light to show the land, the great ships Within us when we say, that sail on the sea might be cast ou trio “Our darling with its snowdrops came, shore and broken to pieces. And died on Christmas Day.” Many ships have been saved by the She was a frail wee thing: lights that were kept in this lighthouse The flush upon her cheek built on the long strip that ran out into Was always far too beautiful the sea. Sand-bars lay all along the shore For one so small and weak. on both sides. It was a bad place for ships The laughter of her eyes to come near, and if no light had been Was like the gaze of flowers; there, many a ship would have gone to pieces More fit for Eden than a world All stained with sin like ours. on the sandbanks. An old man and his wife lived in the We clasped her in our arms, lighthouse, and kept the light with great And, clasping. boped to save care. By day they would put in a new Our blossom from decay and death, The white shroud, and the grave. wick and fill it with oil; and all the long night, when the clock struck the hours, But all in vain the strife, they would take turns and go up the steep She might not, could not stay : Our child, who with the snowdrops came, iron steps to trim the lamp and keep its Went home on Christmas Day. lights from going out. Here they had lived a long time. Two or three little huts On mother's knees she died, on the shore near by were all the houses Our tiny, darling pet; The child we loved so tenderly, that were anywhere in sight. It was a The child we can't forget. lone place; but the old folks loved their work, and so they lived here quite content. And as she thus returned There was no child in the house. Long, To Christ's expectant heart, We felt that he, the Holiest One, long years ago, they had laid away in the Was of ourselves a part. cold ground the dead body of their only He in our babe, and she child, a noble boy, and since that they had In him, yet ours, our own! lived alone. No, not ever since that. We parents, she our child, and yet About six years before my story begins, The sharer of his throne ! there was a great storm in that part of the So God revealed his grace sea, and a fine ship went to pieces. Many To souls that else were blind ; dead bodies came ashore, but of all that So learned we to adore and trust, sailed in that noble ship only one was left With heart, and strength, and mind. alive, and that one was a child not more She only lived a year, than two or three years old. Our tiny, darling pet; She was found in the arms of a dead The child we loved so tenderly, woman who was tied to a plank and washed The child we can't forget. ashore. It was thought this woman must To teach us how to love, have been her mother, but there was no Our little babe was given ; name on her clothes, and they only kept a And when the lesson had been learned, tress of her long hair, and her dead body She passed away to heaven. was laid in a grave under the willows. And still, though years have flown, The child was very like the mother. She We whisper when we say, had blue eyes and fair hair, but there was “Our darling with the snowdrops came, no mark on her clothes, save on her white And died on Christmas Day.' dress a little vine was wrought in the shape of the letter W. But the child could not tell them her name; and that was all they LITTLE WAIF. could learn of the past of her life-tbat FOR THE YOUNG. letter W. The lighthouse stood on a strip of land And the old man and bis wife loved the that ran out into the sea. Do you know child dearly, because they had none of what a lighthouse is for ? Did you ever their own; and because she looked so see one ? No, it may be not. It is a tall bright in their plain rooms, they kept her stone tower built near the sea. In the top' for their own. of it a light is kept, which may be seen For a long time they could not think » afar off. In the dark night, when the what to call her. The child seemed to : storm is out on the sea, and there is no | forget its own name, and that was strange |
