the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls;" it was the prophet's resolution, even under such discouragement, to rejoice in the Lord, and to joy in the God of his salvation.

We have heard the holy law read, which David called his delight; we have seen the blood sprinkled -the blood of an unblemished Lamb,—and, all praise be to God! we have felt the peace which arises from the sprinkling of that blood upon our consciences. We have eaten a hurried repast, in the garb of travellers, with our loins girded, and our staves in our hands, in token of our readiness to leave this vain world, and to advance towards a city which hath foundations.

And now, on our return, having passed the gates of the city, and proceeded through the deep valley of Jehoshaphat, as we are about to enter the plain country to the north, we descry two travellers, so interesting in their bearing as to engage our liveliest attention. An Israelite, of the tribe of Judah, and his wife. They have passed the season of youth, they appear worn with fatigue, and in their countenances bear the stamp of anxiety and sorrow. His habiliments display neither rank nor riches, yet he possesses that dignity of deportment, which often arises from frequent communion with God. But she! there is a loveliness in her look which fixes the eye. High thought and deep reflection belong to that lofty forehead; but it is purity which gives a peculiar character to her beauty, as if her soul were the very temple of holiness.

As we more nearly approach, she becomes a still

greater object of sympathetic regard. Hark! she is speaking of the scriptures, as one divinely instructed. She is speaking of her child, as of one predicted in the scriptures, as the Saviour of the world. She has lost that child. It would seem, that neither her features or her voice are unknown to me. Surely she is the virgin mother of the babe of Bethlehem. Time hath rudely done its work on both travellers; they appear older than the number of revolving years would sanction, yet my memory cannot err-it is the mother of our Lord in sorrow and distress.

Her son left her company, while she and Joseph were returning from the temple, and she has in vain sought Jesus among her kinsfolks and acquaintance, and she is now returning to Jerusalem in quest of him. To have dwelt in the presence, and experienced the love of Jesus, and thus to be bereaved of him, is a bitter trial. Great is the perplexity of Mary; perhaps self-reproach for neglecting her treasure, adds to her grief; perhaps she fears that some of those who were sent to destroy "the young child," have now seized upon him; her sorrow is natural and just, and like the church, she goes about the streets of the city, saying, "Have you seen him whom my soul loveth?"

Retracing our steps with the desolate pair, we join in the search of Him who is also our light and life,that thy mother will find thee, O blessed Lord, and that we shall again behold thee, is certain. No one ever sought thee, Lord, sincerely, and in vain. But hitherto we have not acted with wisdom; we have sought him in the crowded streets and marts of the city-in the resorts of business and amusement, but he was not there. The third day is almost past, since

Jesus was seen by his parents, and we repair to the temple as our last hope: we pass through the golden1 vine, that emblem of Him whom we are seeking; we enter one of the watch-towers of the Levites, which has been converted into a court of divine philosophy, and there earnest search receives its reward.

How venerable the assembly, and how important its functions! The doctors, in this their council-room, met to instruct the youth, seated in benches underneath, who are destined for the future service of God.

Our entrance was unnoticed by the conclave, who with the most intent regard, were listening to a youth of very tender years, who spoke as never youth spake before; he answered all inquiries proposed by the doctors, respecting the ceremonial law, so as clearly to evolve its figurative and prophetic nature; and in turn he proposed questions, which no doubt led to the opening of the law of God to the assembled youth, and to the removing of difficulties from the minds of the most enlightened of the masters in Israel. Before their eyes stands a feeble boy, from whose lips proceed the words of heavenly wisdom! No wonder that they are astonished at his understanding and answers!

And now his mother's sorrow is turned into joy; yet she cannot refrain from an allusion to the suffering which his absence had occasioned her: but when he reminds her that he had been about his Father's

1 This exquisite piece of workmanship was the produce of the offerings of the first fruits of the vintage, and was a work of Herod's. Its branches ran up the cedar pillars of that entrance, whose lintels were the height of the temple; and the massy golden clusters hung from that amazing height.

business, her slight murmur of disappointment is stilled.

And now that the object of his visit to the temple was obtained, the Lord of life dutifully returns with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth, where he continues subject unto them.

H. V. H.

CHARITY.

X.

"And though I..... understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains; and have not charity, I am nothing."-1 Cor. xiii. 2.

IT was natural that a train of reflection should follow on the facts so calculated to abase our pride, and confirm the truth, that we are nothing; and in reverting to the last remark, that it should lead to further meditations, and fix them on one holy object, in conformity to the sacred counsel, "Looking unto Jesus;" giving a serious turn to all the thoughts as they passed through the mind, and affording some small measure of evidence of the sanctifying effect of holding such a view before us, in the power which it had to bring the thoughts into subjection to Him! The delightful intercourse which thus seemed to be maintained between the soul and the Saviour, attracted my attention, and took me off from the wide range of meditation to a more confined and definite point:-the mystery of that secret communion into which the Holy Ghost sometimes brings the soul;-the wonderful intelligence that instructs the spirit of man in the invisible kingdom, even without the visible tokens which surround us on