ask themselves, Upon whom is the deepest humiliation cast by this way of salvation? Christ or themselves? On one side they would see God Almighty condescending to take their nature upon Him, yea, taking upon Him that nature in the form of a servant,-spit upon, reviled, and at last put to death in the most disgraceful manner between two thieves; and for what? why to bear the punishment of a world of sinners. Now then on their side what is to be seen but sin in every shape, calling upon God to punish each of their wilful breaches of his commandments, committed every day. In short, hell daily deserved, and yet a gracious free pardon offered to them if they will simply look upon their dying Emmanuel, God made man for them; yea, an unconditional pardon is offered them, as far as their works are concerned; for all and every part of their salvation is begun and finished by this same gracious God and man, who not only dies for them, but gives them his very Spirit to cause them to believe that He hath done every thing for them which they could not have done for themselves. Oh, my dear friends, look at the doctrine of the cross thus, and you will not be found among the murmurers at the degradation of being saved by Christ crucified; but you will, by the grace of your God and Saviour, become astonished adorers of the God whose love for you was so great that He would even humble Himself to die as a very thief upon the gallows to save you from just punishment.-A Layman.

SHORT REFLECTIONS ON THE THIRD CHAPTER OF THE EPISTLE GENERAL OF ST. JAMES.

WE are here warned against the sin and danger of a contentious and malicious disposition. Evil-speaking also is a fault which is strongly reproved in this chapter; for malice and envy generally lead to calumny and falsehood. We are therefore enjoined, not only to be careful not to offend in deeds, but also to weigh our words, that we may run no risk of falling into this too common fault. The difficulty of governing the tongue is well shown by

the comparison of bridling a fierce horse. And as a large ship is governed and directed by a very small rudder, so a little matter may do much harm. A spark of fire will often kindle and destroy an immense quantity of property, and a spark of malice from the tongue may cause much unhappiness. This "world of iniquity," as St. James justly calls it, is excited by the devil; he insinuates all the evil thoughts and lies which rise in the heart, and in due time brings them forth by means of the tongue. No man has ever conquered this evil propensity by himself; he may have vanquished kingdoms, and gained great riches and worldly power, but without God's help he can never attain to the ornament of a "meek and quiet spirit," which is of such great price in the sight of our Heavenly Father. How much better is it to restrain our evil passions than to strive in the career of ambition! "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

The inconsistency of man is depicted in the ninth and tenth verses of the chapter we are considering: "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God." If we love and bless God, we ought also to love one another. It is contrary to nature that salt and fresh water should both flow from the same fountain, or that fruittrees should bear other fruits than those natural to them; therefore, if we have any love for our Heavenly Father, we must not speak evil of his children. It is melancholy to think how much we have fallen off from the spirit of the early Christians; they were everywhere distinguished by their love to the brethren, their kindness, and charity; so that the heathen said among themselves, "See how these Christians love one another!" Alas! the contrary is now too often the case; and the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus are so occupied with vain wranglings and disputes, that they have no time to cultivate and bring forth those heavenly graces which are far before the mere ceremonial questions and arguments which agitate them.

Therefore, if we are wise, let us avoid these dissen

sions, and pray for an increase of that heavenly wisdom which cometh from above. Let us use our tongues, not in malice and evil-speaking, trying to find out all our neighbours' petty faults and failings, but in endeavouring, as far as in us lies, to bring them to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. And we ought also to try and make peace between those who have quarrelled; which enmity, it is to be feared, has often been brought about by this very malice of which we speak. Let us be impartial also, not favourable to one party more than to another, but calmly and fairly doing our best to unite those who are divided. We know that though our kind offices may be ungratefully received, and even despised in this world, yet in the next a blessing will attend us, if we emulate His example who went about doing good; for He has said, "Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God."

Let us also recollect that envious feelings and evilspeaking often lead to lying; and in the description of that glorious city, the heavenly Jerusalem, it is expressly mentioned that there shall in no wise enter into it anything that "maketh a lie." Bear this in mind, then, my brethren, when you are tempted to slander and calumniate your neighbours; and also remember that "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make X. Y. Z.

peace.

יי

"The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked."-Prov. x. 11.

In a dry season we find out what a good thing a well is, giving fresh and cool water from the deep springs that fail not. Our Lord Jesus Christ has taken advantage of our experience of the excellence of this good thing, to explain to us how good, and how refreshing to the soul, is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in a man's heart, and producing holy thoughts and wise words, which are drawn forth by the circumstances around us. Refer to the following passages of Scripture, and you will find our

Lord Jesus Christ has done this: John iv. 10-14; vii. 37-39; Isaiah lv. 1; Rev. xxi. 6; xxii. 17; Matt. xiii. 52. It is when the Spirit of Life is in a man's heart, that his mouth is a well of life. The righteousness of Christ has been applied to him before God; and for Christ's sake he is "a righteous man." The righteousness of the Spirit of Christ flows to his heart from the everlasting spring that dwells in Christ for men, and washes his own thoughts and affections till they are clean, and pure, and right. Talk to such a man, and out of his mouth will come words of wisdom, refreshing to hear, and leading to life if they be followed. They are described in Proverbs xvii. 4.

Have you ever seen a dead well in a dry land? a foul and a deep place it is, overgrown with briars and thorns; so that oftentimes it seems covered up, and one passing by may fall therein. An angry man will not let the Spirit of Christ flow into his heart. He is like one who digs up a bank against the running stream that passes by his land; and if the power of Christ's love has ever overflowed the bank and dropped into his heart, he loves not such an intrusion, he grieves and quenches the Spirit. Talk to such a man, his mouth will be a well too; not one that yields refreshing water, but a deep and a dry well. Do but speak of something that excites his temper, and you will find yourself like one who has put his feet amidst the bushes that covered a dead well. The talk of such a man will ensnare you to a fall; and you will find it to be as true that "violence covereth the mouth of the wicked," as it is certain that "the mouth of a righteous man is a well of life." REV. A. D.

WORMS.

WORMS is an ancient, large, and famous city of Germany. It is seated on the western bank of the Rhine, and contains a handsome cathedral, which is represented in the print. This city must ever be interesting to the Christian from its connection with the history of the great Reformer Luther, and the noble defence of the