heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained, what is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou visitest him?" In no dispensation of the Almighty is this Divine condescension so strikingly apparent as in the economy of our redemption. Though countless myriads of worlds and intelligences are under his superintendence, and are incessantly celebrating his praise in the loftiest strains; and, consequently, though all the apostate inhabitants of our world might have been for ever annihilated without being missed amidst the immensity of creation, yet, amazing to relate! this joyful announcement was made to our rebellious race-" God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso ever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life.” This is the most wonderful event, and the most important message ever announced to our world. What displays of Divine love and mercy may have been made to other worlds, and other orders of beings, we are not in a situation to determine. We dare not affirm that in other regions of the Divine empire similar displays have not been made; for we have never traversed the depths of immensity to ascertain all the dispensations of the Almighty in every province of creation. But we may boldly affirm, that the mission and the death of Christ were the most wonderful events, and the most astonishing displays of mercy and love that were ever made to our sublunary world. As the Apostle of the Gentiles has declared, there is " a height and a depth, a breadth and length in the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, that passeth knowledge." When we consider the depths of misery from which it raises us, the heights of felicity to which it exalts us, the boundless nature of its operations, and the everlasting duration of all its blessings, we have reason to exclaim with the enraptured poet, O goodness infinite! goodness immense ! Come, then, expressive silence, muse his praise." CONVERSATION.-One thing that occasions our finding so few people who appear reasonable and agreeable in conversation is, that scarcely any one thinks less of what he is about to say, than of answering correctly what is said to him. The most artful and complaisant people content themselves with affecting to pay attention to what is said, whilst it is evident, from their looks and manner, that they are little attentive to it, and impatient to take up the conversation, without reflecting that they thus offend others, and fail to convince them on any point. Listening attentively, and answering to the purpose, is the perfection of conversation. CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE. Matt. v. 14-16. FAR away in the regions of the glowing east, there rises a steep and lofty mountain. Its sides are craggy and precipitous; at its feet a landscape of rich but uncultivated country stretches as far as the eye can see, interspersed with mountains, lakes, and the ruins of many once magnificent cities. Eighteen hundred years ago the scene presented a very different appearance. the side of the mountain were a vast throng of people, all eagerly bending towards one individual who stood in the midst of them. He was not comely that they should look on him, neither was his rank distinguished, nor his commands invested with early authority. It was the calm, simple, heart-searching words which dropped from his lips that thus enchained the attention of the surrounding multitudes as by a spell; and the beaming look of godlike benevolence and love which stilled every tongue and won every heart to a willing and reverential submission. Let us try for a few moments to bring the scene before our eyes. Immediately before us is the mountain with its hushed myriads, and Jesus standing in the midst. Above is spread the blue vault of heaven, bluer and purer and serener than we ever beheld it in our less favored latitude. In the far distance, on another lofty mountain, is situated the city of Saphet, a conspicuous object to all the country for miles around. Below lies the lake of Tiberias, surrounded by mountains, which are beautifully reflected in its clear waters. There are ships on its bosom, in which fishermen are plying their daily craft; there are palm trees too, and olive trees, rising up from its shores, giving their shelter to weary travellers, and affording a home to the countless fowls of the air who lodge in their branches. There, too, embosomed amidst all that is lovely in nature, are the dwellings of man. The cities of Capernaum and Tiberias lie in the near vicinity of the mountain, and within their precincts the stir of business, the intercourse of life, the incense of devotion, the rapture of joy, and the agony of sorrow, are constantly mingling in the confused hum which marks the places where men congregate. But no sound reaches the eminence above, where the multitude are gathered around Jesus. Let us approach and listen to the words which are proceeding from the Saviour's lips and producing such a magical effect upon his hearers. He has just finished pronouncing a series of blessings which shall be the reward of those who leave worldly honors and pomps and follow the pure service of God, meekly enduring persecution and suffering for his sake. Then he goes on to counsel those who are in possession of such hopes, to draw others to the enjoyment of them, by the right use of influence. Raising his hand and pointing upwards to the sun which was throwing his golden beams over the whole expanse of country, and then turning to the distant prospect where lay conspicuously the city Saphet, he turned to the multitude and thus appealed to them, saying, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." The disciples who were standing around him heard these words and obeyed: their writings, and their example, have been as shining lights to guide all succeeding ages and generations into the ways of truth. Jesus speaks to us also in them. He who readeth the hearts of men knows how powerfully every one of us is affected by the influence of others; and he desires, therefore, to turn this mighty agency into a means of good. Christian professor! Jesus appeals to you. He has passed away from the earth, and appointed you to remain as his witness there. In you are to shine forth the attributes of his holy character, so gracefully, so pleasingly, so attractively, that men when they see you shall be constrained to admire and to imitate. You are the living representatives of the Saviour on earth. You are earthen vessels into which he puts a little of his grace, that those around may taste how sweet it is, and seek to possess it also. It is a high and noble office to which you are called, and will you pollute it by inconsistent conduct? Or will you not rather strive as far as in you lies to fulfil its holy requirements? "A city which is set on a hill cannot be hid." Mark that word "cannot." It is of striking and awful import. It signifies that whatever your character may be, it must have weight-that whatever may be your desire to annul your influence, you are without power to do so. It announces a decree from which there is no escape, no appeal. To the bad, it imparts to conscience a sharper sting. To the righteous, it is a blessed earnest that they have not lived in vain. No one is a completely isolated being. None of us liveth to himself. It is a fearful thought, and one which should impress the soul with a deep sense of its own responsibility, that every word, every action, must have a certain influence, either beneficial or pernicious, in forming the characters of those around. One sentence prayerfully uttered may, with God's blessing, lead a soul to the foot of the cross. Oh, how watchful ought we to be of our words, and of the thoughts from which they proceed, since each one may be laden with so tremendous a train of consequences both for time and for eternity! Reader, when you feel your temper failing, or your words becoming hasty, or your conduct inconsistent, or your prayers few, and know that your example is thus being a curse rather than a blessing to those who are exposed to it-carry your thoughts back for a little space to that calm, quiet, lovely scene which we endeavored to bring vividly before you at the commencement of this paper. Dwell on the melancholy history of the individual who is there commissioning his disciples and the multitude to be his witnesses in the midst of a world of sin and misery. See his agony on the cross, endured for you the scorn, the sorrow, the suffering he patiently bore to save you from eternal death. Do you not feel your heart melt with love and gratitude to him? Hear then his own words: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." One of these commandments is that which we have been endeavoring to illustrate and enforce: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." May the glorious Sun of Righteousness shine into each heart, so that his healing beams may be abundantly reflected back upon the world lying in darkness around. F. F. SEMINARIES OF ANGELS. BY RUFUS DAWES. THE Sceptic wonders why those myriad orbs Were formed-and while he thinks of this small earth, Were made for that alone. Know, then, the truth: Love divine Is but a temporary school, to train Is free to choose or not, and as the choice, So is the lot of each. Who then can gaze On this delightful nursery of angels, Our beauteous earth, with all its lovely forms- To learn the way to Heaven? As for me, I've learned to look on man with bitter thoughts, O'er his infatuation, and despair Of his democracy, knowing it to be false: And while I grieve at the dark drapery, hanging Between his spiritual and natural being, Amidst the sudden ruin of the system In which he lives; but in a gradual progress Their schools and seminaries. Would that men Their evil loves as sins against high Heaven, Rush on their hearts; then would the word appear Man would stand shadowless. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. BY DR. CROLY. FRANCE, from the commencement of the Papal supremacy, had been the chief champion of the popedom; so early as the ninth century, had given it temporal dominion; and continued through all ages fully to merit the title of "Eldest Son of the Church." But France had received in turn the fatal legacy of persecution. From the time of the Albigenses, through the wars of the League, and the struggles of the Protestant Church during the seventeenth century, closing with its ruin by the revolution of the ediets of Nantes, in 1685, the history of France was written in every page with blood of the Reformed. Frequently contesting the personal claims of the popes to authority, but submissively bowing down to the doctrines, ceremonial, and principles of Rome, France was the most eager, restless, and ruthless of all the ministers of Papal vengeance. In a moment all this submission was changed into the direst hostility. At the exact close of the prophetic period, in 1793, the 1260th year from the birth of the Papal supremacy, a power, new to all eyes, suddenly started up among nations: an Infidel Democracy! France, rending away her ancient robes of loyalty and laws, stood before mankind a spectacle of naked crime. And, as if to strike the lesson of ruin deeper into the minds of all, on the very eve of this overthrow the French monarchy had been the most flourishing of continental Europe; the acknowledged leader in manners, arts, and arms; unrivalled in the brilliant frivolities which fill so large a space in the hearts of mankind ; its language universal, its influence boundless, its polity the centre round which the European sovereignties perpetually re |