Queen forgets not that she is a mother, and that she is to bring up those children whom God has given her, 'in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;' she daily meets them to give them lessons in religion, and sets an example worthy of the imitation of all who bear the name of parent. Well may a nation rejoice when the throne is thus based upon righteousness, for that is its true security; and our Queen seems to be raised up, in these latter days, to shine forth as a beacon to the nations, and to show to all the kingdoms of the earth the capability of uniting the sovereign with the Christian; the indefatigable ruler, with the conscientious parent."

"That is a beautiful expression," remarked Mrs. Basil, "the Lord opened Lydia's heart; there is much comprehended in it."

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"Yes," replied Mr. C- ; "it sets before us the great Author of salvation: Lydia attended the ministry of Paul, and admired it; but it was the Lord, by his Spirit, who opened her heart, enlightened her understanding, inclined her to receive the Gospel, and taught her the full meaning of those gospel truths which the Apostle preached; and, as it was then, so it must be now. would proclaim to you the same precious truths that Paul did; I would preach to you Jesus Christ and him crucified, as the way, the truth, and the life; I would urge upon you that there is salvation in none other, and that He is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.' (1 Cor. i. 30.) I repeat, I may never cease to remind you of these truths; but I can do no more; the Lord the Spirit must open your hearts to receive them, and then you will listen with profit, and obey with delight.

"Lydia gave evidence by her subsequent conduct of the sincerity of her faith; she said to the Apostle, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.' It is then added, 'And she constrained us.' She pressed Paul and his companions to stay with her, for she felt the happiness and privilege of having such visitors under her roof. Love to God is shown in love to the brethren, for true faith and sincerity in declaring ourselves followers of Jesus Christ are always connected with kindly feeling towards his people. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,' said Jesus. May this sacred bond unite us more and more, for it will manifest to the

world the reality of our profession! In the early days of Christianity it was so remarkable, so unlike the conduct of the Heathen, that they used to say, 'See how these Christians love one another!' What a glorious singularity-worthy of the disciples of Him who is revealed in the Scripture as the God of Love. Oh, may you know him as such, for every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God!' (1 John iv. 7.)"

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL

THE

NEW TESTAMENT HISTORIES.

"WE were compelled to divide our chapter when last we met," said Mr. C to his friends, when they again assembled at M- Court; "it was too interesting for us only briefly to notice it, and contained truths much too important lightly to be passed over."

"Yes," said Hyford, "I have several times thought of the affecting invitation of the men of Macedonia, 'Come over into Macedonia, and help us.'

:

"If, my good friend," said Mr. Lawrence, "you had travelled in foreign lands, and beheld, as I have done, the religious destitution of the great mass of mankind, you would indeed feel how applicable is the cry even in our own times what a call it is upon us to whom the word of salvation has been sent, to endeavour, by every means in our power, to support the cause of missions, and by our prayers and exertions seek to render our ignorant fellow-creatures_ partakers of our good things. The greater part of Europe is under the dominion of Popery, the great Western Antichrist, that fearful apostacy from the simplicity of the truth as it is in Jesus, and which the Bible proves to be false, both in its precept and its practice. Asia is darkened by the rule of Mahometanism, the great Eastern Antichrist, together with Paganism in all its forms; while upon Africa the light of truth has scarcely shone at all, and North and South America seem a mixture of good and bad. Such is the religious state of mankind; and surely its call may be heard in this land of Bibles, Come over and help us.' May we answer the demand; and may we be duly sensible of the high honour put upon us, that to us God hath committed the word of life and hope, that we may not hide it as in a

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napkin, but may freely dispense to others large portions of that great gift so liberally bestowed on ourselves."

"It is a pleasant sight," said Mr. Basil, "to look upon that corner of the Crystal Palace occupied by God's word; there the Word of Life stands open in one hundred and thirty-eight different languages, inviting each foreigner as he passes along to read the truths it proclaims. It is no closed book, like the gaudy missals, set forth to display their splendid covers and beautiful workmanship. No; it is the copy of glory drawn for human use, and laid bare to the notice of the tens of thousands that flock to that wondrous spot. There the various nations of the earth may see the book which has brought them together under that transparent roof; the papist, the Mahometan, the idolater, the worshipper of Zoroaster, the follower of Confucius, may there discover the path of life, and read in his own tongue the wonderful works of God. Compared with that corner, what becomes of the gold and silver, the diamonds and the pearls, and all the assemblages of this world's wealth?--they shall perish, and wax old as a garment; the moth shall corrupt, the worm shall destroy, the gold and the silver shall be cankered, but the word of our God shall endure for ever, and its precious truths shall stand when time shall be no more."

Mr. Basil seemed carried away by his emotions; he stopped, and looked confused. "I am not used thus warmly to express myself," he said, "but the subject.

led me on.

All felt the truth of what he had said: Hyford seemed in a fidget; at last he said, "Sir, I must ask you one thing. What do you mean by saying, that the Bible has brought over the foreign people here? I cannot see how that can be."

Mr. Basil smiled. "The doctrines of peace and goodwill set forth in the Bible, and by which I firmly believe our good Queen and her excellent husband desire to be guided, no doubt suggested the idea of the Exhibition in the first instance," he replied; "they desired to bring the various nations peacefully together, and teach them that all are members of one great family, whereof God himself is the gracious Father. What a lesson must the Mahometan and Pagan idolaters learn, when, on the Sabbath, they enter our houses of prayer, which from curiosity, no doubt, many of them do, and see no idols, no incense, no visible object for them to worship. Many