THE SERMON.

THE other day, after walking some time in the fields, I found myself, before I was aware, in the very middle of an animated sermon, preached to myself from the text, "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" Acts xxvi. 8. "Look around, my soul," said I, "and believe nothing, or else believe every thing that God has spoken. Look around on the wonders of creation, and hearken again to the inquiry, 'Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?"" Why?

The sun was blazing in the firmament of heaven, the birds were warbling in the air, and the flowers and green trees were blooming on the earth; but they gave me no reply. There was no answer either from creation, or my own heart. I felt at that moment that I did believe in the resurrection-ay, as truly as if I had put my fingers into the nail prints of my Redeemer's hands, and thrust my hand into his side; and I cried out aloud in the fulness of my faith and joy, "My Lord and my God!" John xx. 25.

FAITH AND PATIENCE.

Он, how I love to look through the telescope, for it brings distant things so very near, and makes them appear so very plain! Think not that I am speaking of the wooden tube and glasses sold by the optician. No! I am speaking of the telescope of faith given in mercy by the King of kings; for faith is the gift of God, Eph. ii. 8. How nimbly we walk! How strong we feel! How cheerfully we smile when looking through this telescope! Simeon looked through it, and cried out in transport, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation," Luke ii. 30. Stephen looked through it even when the stones were flying about him, and feared nothing, for he saw "the glory of God!" Acts vii. 55. Those who look through this telescope often feel alive, yea, have their hearts filled with joy, while others are fast asleep or quaking with fear. It is otherwise when the telescope is put down; things are farther off.

It

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is then-"I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh," Num. xxiv. 17. Still we must be patient; for it is through faith and patience that the promises are to be obtained. See Heb. vi. 12.

When we look through this telescope, God's arrangements appear to be exceedingly wise and good. It is indeed a wonderful and delightful arrangement, that while the Father of mercies changes not, but remains "the same yesterday, today, and for ever," everything is changing around us in nature, providence, and grace. We are often for hurrying things forwards, wanting the fruit before the blossom, and the blossom before the leaves; but it is of no use; we must be patient. "He that believeth shall not make haste." God is sometimes slow in his movements; but they are at length found to be grand, harmonious, and glorious movements for all that.

THE STORK WITH THE

BROKEN BILL.

"Without me ye can do nothing,” John xv. 5.

I WELL remember seeing, some years ago, at the Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park, a stork with a broken bill: a portion, at least, of two inches of the lower mandible had, by some accident, been broken off, so that it was impossible for the poor bird to pick up a particle of food. Many of the visitors, especially the younger part of them, threw fruit, and pieces of cake and gingerbread into the aviary, some of which fell on the ground, and some in the water; but though the other birds freely partook of such food as suited their taste, the stork with the broken bill could not partake of the repast.

It was a distressing sight to see the poor bird pushing the food about with his upper mandible, and opening his bill time after time, with the desire and expectation of laying hold of the tempting piece before him. For half an hour I stood

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watching him; and though never successful, the forlorn creature still went on vainly endeavouring to satisfy his craving appetite. The keeper who had the care of him told me that the bill would be mended, by adding a piece of wood, in the shape of a bill, to the broken part; but whether this was ever done I cannot say.

How often, since that time, when vainly endeavouring to pick up consolation and profit from God's holy word, have I been reminded of the poor stork. With the bread of heaven before us, we may suffer hunger, but for Him who careth for us. He can accompany the reading of the word with the influence of his Holy Spirit. He who feedeth the ravens must feed us, or we die with famine; for we cannot feed ourselves.