gun, baffled for the present, but holding over and biding their time.

was most reformed,and England is the freest of European nations. On the continent, so far as each nation succeeded in quenching or frustrating the Reformation, it has been、、 able to retain the old regime in the State, and delay the progress of liberal principles. But the seeds of change and progress were then quickened over all Europe, and have never been entirely arrested. Even in Italy, under the very shadow of the Papal throne they have taken root, and are springing up and promising fruit.

That such an influence has been wielded by Christianity in the changes of modern European affairs, will be more readily admitted if we bear in mind that even a small increase of popular intelligence, a little light let in upon the darkness, is sufficient to disqualify a people for the quiet endurance of oppression, and open the career of revolution This small measure of light is indeed all that Christianity has yet been able, in many instances, to throw in on the darkness of the masses. In most nations it has accomplish-causes of events, these revolutionary tendened only an indirect and very partial work. But even so, it has sufficed to originate new hopes and aims, and put an end forever to peaceable oppression.

In a word, then, if we rightly explore the

cies of modern Europe, these commotions of kingdoms and overturnings of oppressive dynasties which are witnessed of late, are attributable, back of all present occasional And it is still more important to a correct causes, to the indirect working of Christian estimate of this question, that we consider ideas among the people-to the conceptions more truly what force Ideas are capable of of liberty which these have generated in exciting: how a Thought, a single clear and men's minds, and the aspirations which precious Truth, dropped from heaven to have thus been awakened. The necks of earth, will go down into the common mind the people have everywhere grown stiff and of the race, and have power by its silent resentful under the heel of arbitrary power. process of conviction and incitement to A force of free sentiment has grown up in work out in the end the most stupendous the bosom of every land in Christendom, not changes in the world. Christianity was full yet sufficiently strong, or sufficiently wise of these great quickening thoughts; and this in its strength, to accomplish its end in the one, the Thought of Freedom, has taken hold present achievement of liberty, but still of the earth too deeply to be eradicated.- everywhere reaching forth and pressing But to become restless under tyranny is not toward that end. And quiet will visit the of course to be qualified for the enjoyment nations no more, till the same influence that of freedom. Christian ideas have penetra- has moved the struggle shall in some good ted European Society so far that it every measure complete its work, and lift up the where resents oppression, and pants for the people to that point of virtue and intelliliberty it has yet lacked the power to win gence at which freedom becomes a possibilior the wisdom to retain. The hope, the ty and a blessing to men, Far less of the eleonly hope of rational and sober liberty for vating influence of Christianity than is needthose yearning nations, lies in larger meas-ed to fit men for the enjoyment of liberal ures of Christian light and cultivation. It institutions and popular freedom, will sufis only a deeper draught can sober them fice to set in motion these revolutionary curagain. rents which no power can arrest, and which, sweeping kingdoms and kings, people and potentates onward through the terrible vortices of Revolution, shall never rest till freedom has won its place in the earth.

As another proof in point, from the days of the Reformation religious and civil reform have gone hand in hand and almost at equal pace. The measure of practical Protestantism in each country is very nearly the measure of its advance toward freedom. England of sympathy and hope, the result of the

To one who has looked on with a heart

recent revolutionary movements in Europe will be found to be fruitless in the end.— is sad enough. So much energy and deci- Each shall test a principle, resolve a theory sive vigor and tact in execution-so much teach a lesson. Thus beacons shall bo immediate success and promise of prosper-lighted up one after another, and left burn. ous procedure-all baffled, neutralized, ap-ing along the perilous shore. Men will not parently defeated! It needs some patience forever be infatuated.

Fallen Hungary shall yet rise again.Her banished heroes will not have suffered in vain. In Italy the breaking night will yet give place to day. And France-duped,

first to the race, and should have been now at the goal-she too shall return, and walk once more with dear-bought wisdom and success over the course she has once lost by frenzy, and once by fraud.

to endure this, and some reflection to understand it. Its solution must be found in this, that the contest is in that stage at which the sentiment of freedom has gained trength but lacks practical wisdom-infatuate, recreant France-she that sprang strength enough to prostrate the old fortresses of Despotism, but not the insight and constructive wisdom to rear on the ruins the structures of Liberty. The restless and struggling nations are yet in the experimental stage of reform. They see the abuse more clearly than the remedy. They succeed very well in smiting down the palpable tyrannies that torment them, but then comes a far different and higher work, which In reply, consider how inveterate despotas yet the nations know not how to manage, ic maxims and practises had become, into calm down the rushing and eager spirit wrought as they had been for Forty Centuof Revolution, and teach it to walk soberly ries with all the notions and experiences of and discreetly in the paths of Constitntional Liberty in the harness of Law.

But it may be asked why, if this be the tendency of the Christian system, why after these Eighteen Centuries, has it accomplished no more?

the race! The strong hold which absolute principles had thus gained on the world, has enabled them to make long and strenuous resistance to the new system.

And this is a problem which each people must work out for themselves, with such wisdom or folly as is in them. Alas! for Reflect, too, that changes which must the work that is made of it! That violence spring, like these which we are considering and blood should attend the struggle would from the convictions and will of the people, not be strange. But that the fair work of must of necessity be slow, experimental, and accomplished revolt and victory should lead progressive. These changes must come on to infatuation and issue in futility, is a forth in History as growths of the common pain deeper still. Freedom is often made mind. The race must go on with its culture, to blush for its champions, and the shadow till it shall work out for itself, people by is again and again turned back on the dial. people, under the promptings of ChristianiBut while there is no help for all this, there ty, the new order that it needs. is hope in it. This period of transition and experiment, with its many failures, is unavoidable. Free Institutions cannot be imported from abroad. Each people must work out a Freedom of their own, with ways and means of its own, the growth of that people's history, condition, and character. Many a vain trial may be witnessed, therefore, before a people learn how to work their freedom. And we will hope and trust that not one of these as yet fruitless attempts

Again, this civil renovation is not the primary and direct object of Christianity, but springs as a secondary and incidental result from its moral influence on men. It can make men free only as it first lifts them up out of the dust, and breathes into them higher aspirations and capacities, and thus fits them for freedom. Less than this will suffice to agitate; but Christian light and virtue must first create a people worthy and able to be free, before the boon of freedom is given.

And finally, the perversions of Christiani- us lessons of hope and joy. Alas for the world, if its Golden Age is to be looked for anywhere in the past! Iron and brazen ages have they all been to the People, the mere millions, the sunken and unpitied masses of mankind! God has better things for man, a better and brighter day of civil as well as moral deliverance, to be wrought out under Christianity. A just view of the nature and tendency of the Christian system to elevate mankind and clothe them with rights and liberties-a just view of the actual historic working of Christianity in this very direction, and of the drift and meaning of these very Revolutions which are shaking the earth, all bid us hope that a better day is yet to dawn on our world.

ty and its entangling alliances with despotic power have gone far to retard its operation and neutralize its influence. How far, alas! have these prevailed to unchristianize Chrisitianity and forbid human progress within the field of their operation! There is no deeper mystery than these corruptions and mis-aliances into which the Christian system has been permitted to fall. As a Theology, it has been assailed by every false system on earth. The whole brood of Gnostic speculations, the Platonic reveries, and all manner of Philosophies, have forced themselves into connection with its doctrines. And then in its organic form, all shapes of civil and ecclesiastical despotism have courted its alliance, and sought to borrow from its strength to prop up their weakness. In a word, Christianity was thrown forth into a world of false forms and systems to endure their contact, to annihilate them one by one in the embrace, and gradually

work itself clear and victo:ious over all encumbrances and corruptions.

But it is not to be conceded that it is little that Christianity has effected for man's enfranchisement. In spite of all obstructions, it has originated and fostered among men the just Doctrines of Liberty. It has quickened the human mind, and led it forth into larger fields of thought. It has created a People in all lands whither it has gone. It has loosened the stern grasp of Despotism on the earth, and everywhere inspired new wishes and aims among men, which will sleep no more, nor suffer the world to sleep, till their end is attained.Compare the present condition of the world, as to man's social and civil position, with that which he held in any age before the Christian era, or even at any early period, within that era, and how broad is the con

trast! A great and blessed change has already come, and is still progressive in the earth. We are continually liable to mistaken and disheartening views of the world's prospeets, from a narrow contemplation of its present state. A broader view will teach

And now, if this seems to partake of the prophetic tone, we have only to confess that, as we read it, the Christian Gospel is a Gospel of Hope; of Progress; of Freedom. To us in its very essence, in all its tendencies, in all that it has done, is doing, and is now more than ever prepared to do for the world, it not only contains elements of promise, but it is itself one grand Promise and Prophecy, clear and direct, that it will yet go on to enlighten and liberate and bless mankind-that under its benign influence darkness and degradation will more and more disappear-despotic institutions will die away or be dashed in pieces with revolutionary violence-and that as far and as fast as Christianity works in the earth, it will be the herald of peace and freedom to the nations.

Keep your mind and hands employed if you would be happy. He who has most to do has least time to indulge in lowness of spirits and a thousand attendant evils. No matter how rich you are, do something.Bad thoughts have more than once run away with tolerably good people.

The rum-bottle, says Douglas Jerrold, is Satan's crucible, in which he melts down all the fine gold of man's nature.

8

DIFFICULTY.

THERE is an aim which all Nature seeks; the flower that opens from the bud-the light that breaks the cloud into a thousand forms of beauty—is calmly striving to assume the perfect glory of its power; and the child, whose proud laugh heralds the mastery of a new lesson, unconsciously develops the same life-impulse seeking to prove the er it has felt its own.

pow

own measure, and suffer veneration and doubt to overgrow and suppress the rising hope of independent thought. "I am not permitted to know this, or to do this?" is the excuse of the weak and trivial: but the question should be, “Can I know or do this?” for what is not permitted we can not do. We may not know the events of the future, or the period of a thought, or the Great First Cause, but we may hope to see and combine the atoms of things-pierce the realms of space--make the wilderness a garden-attain perfection of soul and body; and for this our end we may master all things need

ful,

This is the real goal of life shining dimly from afar; for as our fullest power was never yet attained, it is a treasure which must be sought, its extent and distance being unknown. No man can tell what he can do, There is nothing possible that faith and or suffer, until tried; his path of action striving can not do; take the road and it broadens out before him; and while a path must lead you to the goal, though strewn appears there is no power to traverse it. It with difficulties, and cast through pain and is like the fabled hill of Genius, that ever pre-shade. If each would strain his energies to sented a loftier elevation above the one at-gain what he has dared to hope for, he would tained. It is like the glory of the stars, succeed, for since that which we love and which shine by borrowed light, each seemhonor is in our nature, it is to be drawn ing source of which is tributary to one more forth, and what is not there we can not wish. distant, until the view is lost to us; yet we only know there must be a life-giving centre, and, to the steady mind, though the goal

of life be dim and distant, its light is fixed

and certain, while all lesser aims are but reflections of this glory in myriad-descending shades, which must be passed, one by one, as the steps of the ladder on which he

mounts to Heaven.

Man has an unfortunate predilection to pervert whatever God throws in his way to aid him, and thus turn good to evil. The minor hopes which spur to action are mistaken for the final one; and we often look no higher than some mean wish, allowing that to rule us which should have been our servant. From this false view rises little exertion, for it is impossible for a man to believe in something better and be content with worse. We all aim at self-control and independence while in the shadow of a power which controls us, whispering innerly, "Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther," but how apt is self indulgence to suit this limit to its

Our greatest drawback is, not that we expect too much, but that we do too little: we set our worship low, and let our higher powers lie dormant; thus we are never masters but blind men stumbling in each other's way. As maturity means self-controlling and must submit, infant-like, to be controlpower, so he who gains not this is childish, led by others. This guidance we must feel check; but as we have each a work to do we in our upward course, and be grateful for the must look beyond help to independence. The school-boy receives aid in learning that he may one day strive with his own power, for if he always depends on help he can never be a useful man.

merely follows where others have been be He who seeks for himself no path, but fore, covering his own want with another's industry, may find the road not long or thickly set, but he does and gains nothing. He who bows to difficulty, settling at the foot of the hill instead of struggling to its top, may get a sheltered place-a snug retreat, but the world in its glory he can nev、

er see, and the pestilence from the low mind content with one accomplishment is ground he must imbibe. We may rest in childish, and its weakness renders it incapaperfect comfort, but the health that comes of ble of applying that-"From him that hath labor will fade away. The trees of the for- not shall be taken away even that he hath;" est were not planted that man might pass his one talent shall rise up to him as a round and live between them, but that he shame. A little sphere insures but little might cut them down and use them. The happiness. savage has little toil before him, but the civilized man has greater power of happiness.

Would a man be powerful, and bid his genius rule his fellow-men? he must toil to gain means; while his thought reads the hearts that he would sway, he must be led into temptation, and must pass through pain and danger, ere he can know what another may endure. Would he pour golden truth upon the page of life? he must seek it from every source, weigh the relations of life, and concede to its taste, that he may best apply it, for the proverb must be written in fair round hand, that common men may read it. Would he picture the life of man or nature? he must go forth with the heart and eye alive, nor turn from the coarsest notes of hu

There is a time of youth for all; but youth has a sphere of hope that, embracing the whole aim which man must work for, gives unbounded happiness. Thus God would equalize the lot of all where necessity would create a difference; it is only when states are forced unnaturally that misery ensues. When those who would seem to be men are children in endeavor, we see that God's will is not done, but a falsehood.

The greatest of us have asked and taken guidance in their rising course, and owned inferiority without shame; but his is a poor heart that looks to be inferior ever; and shameful indeed it is, when those who are thus poor imagine or assume a right to respect as self-supporting men. How painful.

man woe, or the coarsest tones of vice; hely ridiculous to see a lazy man look down on must watch the finest ray of light, and mark the falling of the last withered leaf. Would he be actively benevolent? winter cold, nor summer lassitude must not appal him; in season and out of season he must be ready; injured pride, wounded feeling must not unstring his energy, while stooping to learn from the simplest lips the nature of those wants to which he would minister.

In all accomplishment there is difficulty; the greater the work, the greater the pains. There is no such thing as sudden inspiration or grace, for the steps of life are slow, and what is not thus attained is nothing worth. In darkness the eyes must be accustomed to the gloom when objects appear, one by one, until the most distant is perceived; but, in a sudden light the eyes are pained, and blinded, and left weak,

his struggling wife as the "weaker vessel,” or the idle sinecurist hold contempt for the tradesman who is working his way to higher wealth by honest toil. Were the aims of living truly seen, no man would be dishonored because useful. But wait awhile: the world is drawing near the real point, and we shall find that the self-denying, fearless energy, that works its will in spite of pettiness, must gain its end, and become richest; that the man who begins with a penny in the hope of thousands will grow wealthier than his aimless brother of the snug annuity; for while the largest wealth that is not earned is limited, the result of ceaseless toil is incalculable, since the progress of the soul is infinite!

True courage is the result of reasoning. A At school, we found that when one diffi- brave mind is impregnable. Resolution lies culty was surmounted another was present- more in the head than in the veins, and a ed; mastering "Addition" would not do-just sense of honor and of infamy, of duty we must learn "Subtraction;" so it is in and religion, will carry us farther than all life. A finished work is a glory won, but a the force of mechanism.