UNDER A CLOUD. WE often live under a cloud; and it is well for us that we should do so. Uninterrupted sunshine would parch our hearts; we want shade and rain to cool and refresh them. Only it behoves us to take care, that, whatever cloud may be spread over us, it should be a cloud of witnesses. And every cloud may be such, if we can only look through to the sunshine that broods behind it.-Hare. THE PSALMIST. THE royal psalm-singer had just sung to his Deliverer one of his most beautiful hymns, and still the holy breath was stirring in his harp-strings, as Satan stood up to tempt him-to incline his heart to pride, on account of his goodly songs. "Hast thou, O Almighty!" he said, among all thy creatures one who can praise thee more sweetly than I?” 66 Then in through the open window, before which he had spread forth his hands, there flew a tiny grasshopper and settled on the hem of his robe, and began to raise its clear, shrill morning song. A multitude of grasshoppers forthwith assembled around. The nightingale came flying to join them, and, in a little while, all the nightingales were concerting with one another, in the praise of the Creator. And the ear of the king was opened, and he understood the song of the birds, the voice of the grasshpopers, and of all living, the murmur of the brooks, the rustling of the groves, the music of the morning star, the ravishing strain of the rising sun. Lost in the high harmony of the voices which, unceasing and unwearied, praise the Creator, he was silent, and found that, with all his lofty minstrelsy, he must stand behind the grasshopper, which sat chirping on the hem of his garment. Humbly he seized his harp and sang, "Bless the Lord, all ye His works, in all places of His dominions : bless the Lord, O my soul!"-(Excelsior from the German.) THE UNSEEN. CAN I see the wind on a stormy day? I cannot. But I can see the effects of its force and power. When I see the clouds driven before it, and the trees bending under it,-when I hear it whistling through doors and windows, or howling round the old chimney-tops, I do not for a moment doubt its existence. I say, "There is a wind." Just so it is with the presence of the Spirit in the soul. Can I see the dew of heaven as it falls on a summer evening? I cannot. It comes down softly and gently, noiseless and imperceptible. But when I go forth in the morning after a cloudless night, and see every leaf sparkling with moisture, and feel every blade of grass damp and wet, I say at once, "There has been a dew." Just so it is with the presence of the Spirit in the soul. Can I see the hand of the sower when I walk through the corn-fields in the month of July? I cannot. I see nothing but millions of ears rich with grain, and bending to the ground with ripeness. But do I suppose that harvest came by chance, and grew of itself? I suppose nothing of the kind. I know when I see those corn-fields, that the plough and the harrow were at work one day, and that a hand has been there which sowed the seed. Just so it is with the work of the Spirit in the soul. Can I see the magnetic fluid in the compass-needle. I cannot. It acts in a hidden mysterious way. But when I see that little piece of iron always turning to the north, I know at once that it is under the secret influence of magnetic power. Just so it is with the work of the Spirit in the soul. Can I see the mainspring of my watch when I look upon its face? I cannot. But when I see the fingers going round, and telling the hours and minutes of the day in regular succession, I do not doubt the mainspring's existence. Just so is it with the work of the Spirit. Can I see the steersman of the homeward-bound ship when she comes first into sight, and her sails whiten the horizon? I cannot. But when I stand on the pier-head, and see that ship working her course over the sea towards the harbour's mouth, like a thing of life, I know well there is one at the helm who guides her movements. Just so is it with the work of the Spirit.-Ryle. MISSIONARY TIDINGS. SALONICA A COMMUNION TABLE. Nor long ago Mr. Marcussohn reports from this interesting place, that he had dispensed the Lord's Supper to the little church that has been formed around him. There were members of five different nations sat down at the same table, and the services were in as many mingled languagesEnglish, French, Jewish, Greek, German. What a holy bond of unity is the love of Christ, that can so blend in one the hearts of many names and kindreds! (Galatians iii. 28.) We regret to say that Mr. Marcussohn's state of health has compelled him to seek a season's absence at the baths of Germany; but in his room at Salonica, Mr. Crosbie, who lately left this country, has arrived. The mission is daily growing in interest. NOVA SCOTIA-LABOURERS FEW. The zealous Convener of the Colonial Scheme stated to the General Assembly that no fewer than twenty-two ordained ministers had in last year been provided for the colonies. Eleven had been sent to Nova Scotia alone. Yet in a letter we have seen from one of our missionaries at Halifax, he describes the wants of the Gaelic population as still very saddening. Many of the districts are like our Highland glens over again-the same simple manners, rugged but kindly tongue, old precious traditions, and above all, deep attachment to the Church and faith of our fathers. But in a population of ten thousand souls only two Gaelic ministers are labouring-one very aged, another about to retire in weak health. These poor but earnest-hearted people send over to us very touching prayers for help. "Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness to fill so great a multitude?" Even the little children can give their small loaves-their prayers and their words of interest -and these shall so be multiplied in the hands of Jesus that the time must come when the whole multitude will be filled. BOMBAY A NEW CONVERT. In a long and interesting letter, Mr. Sheriff gives an account of the conversion of another native youth, named Nanjee Gokal. He had been deeply and gradually impressed with the faith of the Gospel, and at last had fled to the mission-house, from family and friends. Every effort short of violence was made by his caste and kinsmen to reclaim him, but he steadily resisted: tears, entreaties, threats, arguments, contempt-all were alike vain. At last the excitement around the mission grew so great and alarming, that to prevent the place being literally stormed by the mob, the aid of a mounted police force had to be obtained. The poor persecuted youth is safe now; every other tie has been to him as nothing, that he may sit and be taught at the feet of Jesus. Mr. Sheriff speaks of others being drawn towards them, but the work and anxieties are overwhelming, and a fervid appeal is made to us at home for fresh help and fresh labourers, and greater and warmer interest than we have ever yet put forth, in behalf of India. HYMN. When this passing world is done, When I hear the wicked call When I stand before the throne, When the praise of heaven I hear, Chosen not for good in me, Teach me, Lord, on earth to show, Oft I walk beneath the cloud, R. M. M'CHEYNE. W THE OLD TEMPLE. HILE we were beating out of the fiord of Fiskernaes, I had an opportunity of visiting Lichtenfels, the ancient seat of the Greenland congregations, and one of the three Moravian settlements. I had read much of the history of its founders; and it was with feelings almost of devotion, that I drew near the scene their labours had consecrated. As we rowed into the shadow of its rock-embayed cove, everything was so desolate and still, that we might have fancied ourselves outside the world of life; even the dogs -those querulous, never-sleeping sentinels of the rest of the coast-gave no signal of our approach. Presently, a sudden turn around a projecting cliff brought into view a quaint old Silesian mansion, bristling with irregularly disposed chimneys, its black overhanging roof studded with dormer windows, and crowned with an antique belfry. We were met, as we landed, by a couple of grave ancient men in sable jackets and close velvet skull-caps, VOL. VI. No. VIII. August 1857. |