the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it."-Isa. xxxviii. 20. Well is it for man that a certain boundless and everlasting treasure is opened to him in the word of God; well, that is, if he will seek it. Here is a deep mystery of love, which we can never fathom, the love of God in the salvation of man; here is a height of knowledge to which we can never climb; the knowledge of the most high God, "who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ."-2 Cor. v. 18. Here, in the word of God, is a fountain of joy and consolation, ever flowing, never exhausted: the Holy Spirit, "the well of water, springing up into everlasting life."-John iv. 14. None but the fool will seek to set up his rest on earth: Lord, make us "Thine," that we may be wise, and rest in Thee for ever.-REV. J. SLADE.

RULES FOR THE MORE PROPER CELEBRATION OF
PUBLIC WORSHIP.

Lately circulated in a country parish.

1. THE pious worshipper, on his way to the house of prayer, will remember the purpose of his going thither, and will allow no idle thoughts or words to distract or disturb his mind.

2. He will be early in his attendance on divine service, and, entering the door of the sanctuary with measured and quiet step, will take his seat reverently, and in the fear of God, having first, in silent prayer, asked a blessing on the means of grace.

3. While the service is proceeding, he will kneel, or stand, or sit, according to the directions given in the book of Common Prayer.

4. The worship of the Church being a social worship, a form of worship in which the people are invited to join with their minister in prayer and praise, the true churchman will repeat in audible and solemn voice the alternate verses of the psalms, and all other parts of the service appointed for the congregation.

5. When the service and sermon are ended, let there be no indecent haste to leave the house of God, like children dismissed from school, but, after a few moments spent in private supplication, let each worshipper retire,

as his turn comes, showing by his outward demeanour that he has not received God's grace in vain.

These five rules are earnestly and affectionately offered to the congregation of this church, with reference to their attendance upon the public worship of Almighty God, and are founded on the Apostolic command, that "all things be done decently and in order."-1 Cor. xiv. 40.

ON RESPONDING AT CHURCH.

Whenever the voices of the people are required by the Church, whether in the single, but very expressive, word Amen, or in larger utterance, not only the clerk, but every individual of the people, should speak audibly and distinctly, that they may give God the glory of their tongue as well as heart, while they also make those lowly bodily gestures of kneeling, bowing, or standing devoutly erect, suitable to the spirit of the service in its several intentions; that both parts of man's nature, soul and body, bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ, may join in his service. But, of all the bodily organs, the tongue is the chief instrument whereby we express the inward honour, love, and veneration of the heart. It is, therefore, in Scripture, called man's glory; a faculty distinguishing him from the inferior animals, the tribute of which is due to God; and, in offering to Him, the rule is, to give to God the best that we have; and, therefore, not a low whisper, but an audible voice. Accordingly, the Church enjoins a loud voice, as you may see in the Rubrics after the Creed, &c. &c. And what the measure of a loud voice is, we find in the Rubric, before the morning and evening prayer-" The minister shall read, with a loud voice, some one or more of these sentences." The voice may be loud, that is, distinctly heard, and yet very humble. A good clerk in every congregation is very useful, in order to lead and concentrate the voices of the rest, which should all keep time with him, in saying as well as singing. The responses so made would have a happy effect, tending to incite, enliven, and keep awake the devotion of the whole congregation; resembling what we read of the Church above, in the book of the Revelation, from which the service of the Church below is copied, after the pattern of heavenly things. Bp. Jolly.

STIRLING CASTLE.

ALL the principal ancient castles are found situated on high eminences, and for the most part on the brink of some steep precipice, the most so, at least, that could be selected in the neighbourhood where they are built. The reason of this is very obvious and plain: they were built for the purposes of war, for defence to the possessors, and for assault to their enemies; and high ground gives of course the most material possible advantage for both these objects. The steeper the ascent on which a fortification stands, the more difficult it is to assault; and at the same time, the more easy for its defenders to observe their enemies, and to baffle their attempts, by means of the various weapons they can throw down upon them when at so great a disadvantage. Before guns and cannons were in use, and gunpowder had been invented, a situation of this kind was the chief object regarded in war; and there were many castles and cities in every country considered to be impregnable, that is, not to be taken by assault. They were so well guarded by nature and art together, by steep precipices and high situation on some sides, and by strong walls on others, that a very small force indeed could hold out for years against a numerous army. The security is not now so readily obtained, since the weapons of war are become so much more powerful and destructive. The struggle of battle and siege is more violent than formerly, but it is shorter and more decisive. The castle of Stirling was celebrated as possessing one of these impregnable situations, and was on that account strongly fortified from very early times in Scottish history. It is about thirty-five miles from Edinburgh, and on the river Forth. The prospect from the castle is most delightful as well as extensive, being greatly beautified, especially on the east, by the windings of the Forth, which are so many, that though the distance by land from Stirling to Alloa is, in a straight line, not quite six miles, it is said to be twenty-four by water. The fortress contains a very large and elegant palace, in which the kings of Scotland have often resided. There is also a beautiful chapel built by James VI. It has been the

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scene of many important transactions in the history of that country. In 1746 it resisted the utmost efforts of the rebels to take it.

HELP TO PRACTICE: OR BIBLE APPLICATIONS.

Portion. JOHN xvi. 23, 24. and LUKE xi. 9-13.

Ir must be allowed by every one that it is a great advantage to have THE RIGHT THING: and therefore it must be of great importance to know THE RIGHT WAY to get it.

What is THE RIGHT THING? Do you desire to be really happy? Do you desire to be good? Do you desire to have power against evil temptations? Do you desire to have peace of conscience? Do you desire to be content with your station? Do you desire to have comfort in your heart? Do you desire to have the terror of death taken away? Do you desire to have a reasonable hope of being happy after death? Do you desire to be a real Christian? There is one thing which, if you had it, would satisfy all these desires, and give you more blessings than you can desire:-not perhaps all at once, but gradually, sooner or later, some at first and others step by step, as would best suit with your character and circumstances. This is the right thing to have—and this thing is THE HOLY SPIRIT to be in you, to teach you, guide you, help you, strengthen you, comfort you, keep you, and bless you. No person can be a real Christian who has not got the Holy Spirit within him. Any person who has the Holy Spirit within him will certainly be brought to Christ, and so made at last effectually a real Christian. This then is THE RIGHT THING. (See John iii. 5; xvi. 7—14. Acts ii. 38, 39. 1 Cor. ii. 9, 10; vi. 19. Eph. i. 13, 14.)

There is but One who can give this right thing to any person; and that is God the Father in heaven, to whom we speak when we say the Lord's Prayer. God the Father is THE RIGHT PERSON to go to; and He is not far from any one of us, being about our path and about our bed. But the difficulty is to find out how such as we are can possibly induce Him to give us so great a gift as that right thing. All depends upon going THE RIGHT WAY to work. There is a right way and a wrong way in every