STREET THOUGHTS.-THE BANK.

Ir was Saturday forenoon, and I stood by the Bank doors, waiting for a friend. As I saw multitudes resort to the Bank at that hour, I thought, How like this scene to that which is constantly presented at Zion's Bank, in so far as going thither for supplies is concerned. These, I presume, are resorting hither on this day and hour, for cash, not to deposit it. They are drawing out, not bringing to. But the hours here are limited; presently this, as well as all other banks, will be closed; and, however needy the applicant, or critical the circumstances under which he may approach the door, his efforts to enter-his knocking or his ringing-will be in vain. Not so Zion's Bank. Its doors are open night and day, and its Principal, too, always within, and ever accessible. I thought, too, on the varied amounts those passing from the Bank had received, and the very different uses to which what they had received would be applied. So how diversified the circumstances of those resorting to the Bank of Faith! How multitudinous their wants! By comparison, some large, and some small; yet in each and every case unable to help themselves, and compelled to resort thither for what would supply their need. But one and all are equally welcome. None-no, not the weakest or most trembling-denied or rejected.

Then, again, I saw how varied the countenance, and how different the bearing, of those who stepped into the Bank by the entrance of which I stood. Some had an air of confidence and assurance, whilst others betrayed a diffidence and a timidity. I thought, how like this was to those who go to Zion's Bank. They vary not a little both in appearance and in feeling. Now tolerably confident, then ill at ease. Now, having again and again gone, and been liberally treated, perhaps a little presuming, and too disposed to take things for granted. As yet not sufficiently versed in the judgment, the discernment, the discretion of their heavenly Banker, who will in nowise countenance pride or self-sufficiency. Such bearing meets at the Banker's hands the clearest indication that self-confidence and arrogancy cannot be tolerated. The effect, at subsequent visits, is a consciousness of the very humbling terms upon which trading is carried on at the Bank of Faith, and a corresponding humility and becoming deportment. These humbled ones-these so timid and trembling, who are disposed to hide themselves behind others, and to wait till all are served― are sure to catch the keen eye of the Banker, and to receive sympathy and kindness.

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Again, I saw a youth pass-one of the younger clerks-whose bill-case was attached to a chain, for the greater security. I thought this a wise precaution. Immediately after I saw another clerk, but his bill-case was not so secured; he merely carried it in an outer breast-pocket; but he would now and again place his hand upon the book, to be assured of its safety. I thought, I wonder if are equally anxious to know if you possess a title and a document--the token of divine pardon and divine acceptance-in regard to the importance of which the papers which your bill-book contains cannot bear the slightest comparison. There are facts connected with the heavenly Bank, and its marvellous operations, which far, far exceed-yea, infinitely so-all the proffers or professions of the most liberal of human banks.

For example. Before a person can draw from a bank, he, or some one on his behalf, must deposit money, or what represents it. Let the assets run out, and in vain you present your cheques. Not so at Zion's Bank-it is all drawing, but no depositing there. The heavenly Banker has, in the infinitude of His

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mercy, the boundlessness of His love, and the plenitude of His grace, provided inexhaustible resources for all comers, so that whatever "there may be upon this Bank-however numerous the claimants, and whatever amount they may require-all, all may be obtained. There is not the veriest fear of disappointment or denial,

"The poorer the wretch,
The welcomer here."

An insight into the system of spiritual banking was given by a simple incident. One day a dear child said to her father, "Why, I thought as long as you had a cheque-book, you might draw and draw, irrespective of any money that you might pay in." Now this is precisely how matters stand in a spiritual point of view. Let but a poor needy sinner, sensible of his own wants, and correspondingly conscious that there is that in the heavenly Bank which will meet his necessities-let such an one draw and draw and draw, his drafts will assuredly be "honoured," although he has never paid into the Bank one mite of the millions sterling which, in a spiritual sense, he has drawn thence.

There is another blessed peculiarity about Zion's Bank. Not only are the banking-hours here below limited, but the banker, or the director, or the governor, can only see one person or one party at a time. The principal or principals sit with closed doors, and all matters of importance are treated with the utmost privacy. Jehovah-Jesus, Zion's glorious Banker, attends to ten thousand applicants at once; and never tires, nor subjects Himself to the shadow of confusion, perplexity, or disorder. He enters into every case, however critical or complicated, with the wisdom, the goodness, the kindness, the condescension, the compassion of a God! In saying this, what can be said more? It comprehends infinitude; and what finite mind can grasp infinity? Suffice it, Jehovah has thus sat in council, and been bestowing mercy, love, and grace upon the helpless, guilty creature, man, for wellnigh six thousand years; nor, in lieu thereof, has He received at creature's hand one tittle! Oceans of love, seas of tenderness, mines of mercy has He given, but not the semblance of obligation, claim, or merit, in return or as a price, had He! All, all was free gift-sovereign, rich, and gracious.

Again, in regard to earthly banking, before business can be commenced, or an account opened, there must be an "introduction." One customer or friend introduces another; and this with a view to secure confidence towards the party thus introduced, so that negotiations may be carried on without suspicion. Documents may be lodged with the banker, or bills of so many months to run be discounted; the respectability of the men thus about to transact business must be guaranteed.

No such introduction-much less securities are required at Zion's Bank. In fact, it is the most one-sided matter of which it is possible to conceive. The benefit is all on the side of the applicant. It is the sinner has the advantage. The credit the glory-the praise is all that the heavenly Banker has in

return.

Reader, do you bank at the Bank of Faith?

D.

THE Christian can no more pray in a spiritual manner without "the Spirit of grace and of supplication," than a vessel can sink without water, or than a man can breathe without life.

Pilgrim Papers.

THE BOW IN THE CLOUD.

"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God."-ISAIAH 1. 10.

THIS is a gracious, soothing, soul-comforting promise; but is it for Israel after the flesh only? So say some who regard spiritual darkness as a sin, and tell us we dishonour God when we are not always rejoicing, cannot realize His divine presence, and are mourning sore like doves in the valley. But are these sweet words, already quoted, for the few alone? "Oh no," says the poor soul merging from a darkness so thick as to be felt; "it is for me-even me. I see from afar a little cloud no bigger than a man's hand, but it comes towards me and increases. Now I feel a drop of rain, and now a shower. The early rain was withholden, 'tis true, but the latter rain is come, and my parched soul drinks it in, and revives as the corn, and will be again like a well-watered garden." It is only a thirsty soul that knows the value of water (as the Arab in the wilderness will tell us); and he who has long been obscured by darkness can best enter into the depth of that divine word, Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun."

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But the words of the prophet contain deep things. To walk in darkness, literally, is to grope our way as the blind, and be at the mercy of every stumbling-stone-nay, of pitfalls and unknown perils; but, as if darkness were not enough, it is added, "and hath no light." Oh, if there were but a ray of light to direct the step and cheer the heart! but there is none, until that command is given, as upon the world's first day, "Let there be light." But what follows the Lord's question to His people walking in darkness? Is it reproof, or chiding, or upbraiding, as some would reprove us in our soul-sorrow? Oh no, gracious, tender encouragement. Let him trust in the name of the Lord," the covenant Jehovah, who created darkness as well as light, and who walks with His people all through it, as much as the Son of God" walked with the three children through the burning fiery furnace. Let him " stay upon his God." Then he is to rest, and stop from walking on (for the Hebrew word denotes leaning-resting, as on the hand of any one, or anything). And upon whatupon whom is he to stay for support? His God-his, notwithstanding it all. His God, who had come down into the very darkness to be a rest and support to His poor benighted child. It is like Israel saying, on another occasion, "My God hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me." Ah, beloved Christian reader, if you and I can say my Lord and my God, it is very clear that it is our weak faith only which makes us feel we are forsaken.

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The disciples" feared as they entered into the cloud," although Jesus was there. We love not the cloud, but very surely the sun will break its way through the thick darkness at last. Let us then cheer, and not chide each other, on our heaven-bound course, albeit often a dark and dreary one. It is the way all God's saints have gone before us, and the Lord Himself was their Forerunner, as He is ours; for His words on the cross, My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" breathe comfort and blessing to His sorrowing people, and the precious Saviour sympathizes as much with us in our soulsorrow as any other to which we are exposed on our journey homeward to Him. He is the light of our souls, the light of life; "in His light we shall see

light, and in Him is no darkness at all." But for a wise reason, of which He gives us no account here, His children are permitted in this their day of discipline often to walk in darkness and have no sensible light. While in the midst of that desolate season He supports them, though they know it not; and they stay upon Him all through it, until He brings them out again to bask in the beams of Himself, the Sun of Righteousness. H.

AMONGST THE GRAVES.

ONE beautiful evening in early spring, when everything in nature seemed rejoicing at the return of that joyous season, occasion took me to the cemetery of C—— On entering the grounds, everything around was calm and lovely, speaking peace to the memory of the dead." Solemn, yet sweet reflections came o'er me, as the remembrance of my dear and sainted mother arose to my view, and of my venerable father, who three short months since I had followed to this last resting-place. Bitter, indeed, would have been my grief had I not felt a blessed assurance that they had "entered into that rest that remaineth to the people of God." Truly the "memory of the just is blessed." Many and anxious cares, loss of health and worldly prosperity, had been their share, but, amidst all the changing scenes of life, they had been able, by the grace of that God whom they had humbly endeavoured to serve, to say, "Thy will be done." By the hand of that almighty Being who doeth all things well, they had been graciously and marvellously supported through their many and bitter afflictions, yet, with the Psalmist, they would acknowledge "it is good for me that I have been afflicted."

Who will wonder that thoughts of these dear ones should create in me feelings, though sad yet joyful, of thankfulness more than I could ever express, of gratitude unbounded that, through the merits of a pardoning and loving Saviour, I might hope ere long to join those beloved parents, never more to be separated from them?

"Friend after friend departs

Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts,
That knows not here an end."

No, we are ever losing our dearest and best friends, yet let us not sorrow as those who have no hope. Submitting in all things to the will of God; saying "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord." "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus as the Author and Finisher of faith." "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." And do we not know that though "no chastening for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous;" yet "it is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good?"

But, to return to my subject, I had visited the grave of my parents. I was returning, when my attention was arrested by some one in the deepest distress. At a short distance I discerned a man seated on a newly-made grave, rocking himself backwards and forwards in an agony of grief. Gladly would I have gone to him and told him of his Saviour's love, of His gracious invitation, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest;" but his grief was too bitter for a stranger to intrude upon, and I could only breathe a prayer to the Giver of all good that He would send His Holy Spirit

the Comforter; that He would, moreover, be pleased to show the disconsolate the way of life: for surely, thought I, can that poor man know that the chastisement is sent in love, and not in anger? Silently I prayed that he might by his trial be brought to feel that though an earthly friend had left him, yet that he had

"A Friend unseen, yet ever near."

Many times since my thoughts have dwelt upon that lone and disconsolate

mourner.

Oh, my friend, whether you be young or old, in sorrow or in joy, may you be enabled to put your whole trust in the Lord-He will sustain you. He will give you strength to bear whatever trials He may, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, see fit to send you. Be assured "He will not tempt you above that you are able to bear; but will with the temptation make a way for you to escape." Have we not the joyful assurance that "all things (without any exception) work together for good to them that love God?" Ah! then, "Be not faithless, but believing." Is it not true that

"Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face ?"

Yes, truly, clouds may spring up around us, and all appear dark and gloomy, yet

"The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break

In blessings on your head."

Again, I would remind you, dear friends, that " God's ways are not your ways, neither are His thoughts your thoughts;" therefore "wait on the Lord, and keep His ways," for "the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble;" and He will "give His angels charge over thee."

God's hand may now be heavy upon you; you perhaps have been called upon to part with one you fondly loved, and in the bitterness of your heart you feel that you cannot help saying, "Hath God forgotten to be gracious?" No, dear friend, you cannot say that, for you can recall so many instances of His love; yet this trial does seem so very bitter, that you feel inclined to wonder why it came upon you. But did not Jesus Himself say, "Blessed are they that mourn ?" And did He not add, "for they shall be comforted?" And was He not Himself "a man of sorrows," bearing our griefs, and carrying our sorrows"wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, that by His stripes we might be healed?" Amazing, surpassing love, beyond the power of our weak minds to conceive. The Lamb of God, spotless and pure, dying in the stead of sinners most vile, that through Him they might obtain forgiveness of their sins. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Then, knowing as we all must know, that " God is love," be it ours to submit to His decrees; may we be "not slothful," but with faith and patience quietly bearing and doing the will of our Father, then shall we in His own good time "inherit the promise" even of everlasting life, of an eternity of rest in the presence of our dear Saviour, who died for us, who loves us so tenderly; and then, too, we shall be united to those dear ones who have gone before, not for a time, the duration of which is uncertain, but for eternity!

ISABELLA.