he wanders into sunken labyrinths, and finally loses himself amid the darkness of night.

tification, and redemption." Where shines the Sun of Truth? In the person of Jesus Christ. He who wisely uses the light of the Scriptures, will be led to contemplate Him who is the

This emblem represents the moral world. The sun designates the Sun of Truth. The travelers denote, first," Light of the world," "the Sun of those who follow the light; their path Righteousness," "the Splendid Glory shines brighter and brighter unto the of Jehovah," "the Way, the Life, and perfect day; their souls become en- the Truth.” lightened, vivified, and purified; dark- The Christian, following the light ness disappears, and heavenly light of the glorious Sun of Truth, discovers shines on their souls forever. Sec- ever-opening mines of richest knowl ondly, it signifies those who turn their edge. Fountains of living waters roll backs on the light, and who, as they their treasures at his feet. Trees of journey, wander further and further Life overhang his pathway, and drop from his bright beams; their path be-into his lap their golden stores, till at comes darker and darker; their shad-length he beholds the opening gates ow lengthens as they proceed, until, of the New Jerusalem, having forsaken altogether the way of truth, they lose themselves among the wilds of error, and perish in the darkness of everlasting night.

Where Light and Truth, their mystic powers

combine,

And o'er the realms of Love forever shine.

The infidel, turning his back upon

Where shines the Sun of Truth? In the Holy Bible. The Scriptures are a "light" to the weary traveler, the light, walks in the vain shadow illuminating all his goings, pointing out his proper path, and showing where the mountains of error lift up their desolating heads. This Sun of Truth shines on the traveler himself. It discovers his ignorance, guilt, danger, helplessness, and, at the same time, his immortality. Again it shines, and he beholds Calvary, with all its weeping tragedies. It reveals to him now his "wisdom, justification, sanc

of his own opinions. Darker, and yet more dark, the shadow grows; he waxes worse and worse; one truth after another is given up, one lie after another is embraced; further and further he wanders from God and bliss, and finally he takes his fearful "leap in the dark," and finds himself, contrary to his expectations, in outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and woe.

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness. Ps. cxü: 4.-
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil, for thou art with me.

THE faithful Christian walks in darkest gloom,
As though inclosed in some monastic tomb;
And clouds of darkest night surround his head;
A pall, like that which canopies the dead;
His path lies through the palpable obscure,
Nor can he yet discern an open door;

The engraving represents a Christian walking through a dark and shadowy vale, wherein is no light; the mantel of darkness encircles him, the pall of the grave has enfolded itself around him. Nevertheless, his path runs directly through it; he knows not what dangers may lie in the midst; he knows not when or

Ps. xxiii: 4.

Yet he's resolved to penetrate his way,
Nor doubts but darkness will be turned to day:
To Christ he prays, the light of mortals here;
And Christ, the light of mortals, shines out clear,
Full on his path, pours down the heavenly light,
And on he goes with vigor and delight.

where the end may be. No chink, outlet, or open door presents itself to him, yet he is determined to persevere; it is the path of duty.

Addressing himself to his work, he addresses himself also to his Master; he calls on Christ, whose he is, and whom he serves; the Savior shows his bright and glorious countenance;

the light of his glory falls full upon the traveler; the reflection irradiates his pathway, all is light. He goes on his way rejoicing in the Lord.

upright in heart. The light of knowl edge, the light of consolation, the light of holiness, and the light of eternal glory are the Christian's inheritance, Every Christian must at times pass in and through Christ Jesus. Withthrough the valley of tribulation. Men-out Christ all is darkness, wretched

ness, and death. With Him all is Light, Life, Love, and Peace.

Stephen was a good man, yet he had to pass through the valley of tribulation. Perhaps he was more highlj favored than any other man in similar

tal anxiety, sickness, loss of friends, poverty, persecution and death, with many other things, make the materials of the valley of tribulation. The blessed Savior has said that all who live godly must pass through this valley. And again, through much trib-circumstances; probably this was on ulation ye must enter into the kingdom of God. And John the beloved, looking with wonder at the glory of some who were seen before the throne of God, was informed by the angel that they were those who had come out of great tribulation.

But Christ is the light of the world, the Sun of Righteousness, the source from which all intellectual and spiritual light is derived. Wherefore God our heavenly Father says to us, Awake thou that sleepest, arouse from the dead thou that dwellest among the tombs, and Christ shall give thee light. But to the Christian passing through the dark valley of trouble, he says: Arise, shine, thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen on thee. To the disciple of Jesus this light indeed. belongs, and much he needs it in his pilgrimage. To him it is given by promise. To the upright there ariseth light in darkness; light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the

account of his being the first Christian martyr-the model for all succeeding martyrs. He looked up through the clouds of persecution that surrounded him, and saw "the glory of God and Jesus;" he could not keep silent; "Behold," he cried, "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." The glorious light shone in him, and through him, and around him; he looked as an angel of the Lord.

In darkest shades, if he appear,
My dawning is begun!
He is my soul's sweet morning star,
And he my rising sun.

The opening heavens around me shine
With beams of sacred bliss,
While Jesus shows his heart is mine,
And whispers, I am his!

My soul would leave this heavy clay,
At that transporting word,

Run up with joy the shining way,

To embrace my dearest Lord.— Watts

He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. Ps. xxxix: 6.A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. xix: 23.

wealth according to the will of God, he gives them up to the love of it, and they become fools, intoxicated with the alcohol of mammon. The world

is a poor man; although he has a great deal of that hard shining dust you see lying there, he is craving after more; he is in want, therefore he is poor; he is a miser, therefore he is miserable.ling lives in the world as though he The poor man is altogether beside himself.

The bright lovely one bearing a starry crown is Religion, daughter of the skies; she has many attendants, who are concealed at present; she has come a long way to meet the poor man; she looks upon him with compassion; she sees his miserable condition, she knows his great folly. Addressing him, she says: "Poor soul, why labor you for the dust which perisheth? Why do you spend your strength for naught? Hearken unto ine and I will give you riches, more abundantly than earth can give, and lasting as eternity. Look up, poor man; behold this crown, beautiful and glorious; it contains the riches of a million of such worlds as this, and the happiness of ages upon ages; throw by your rake and be happy." Worldling, for that is the name of the infatuated mortal, takes no notice whatever. He still continues at his task; there is no voice nor any that regard. And Religion, after waiting a long time, departs and leaves him to his folly.

was never to quit it. Bound for eternity, he makes no preparation for the voyage-going to the judgment, and before a holy God-and continues unrepentant and polluted. He is treasuring up what? Gold. What else? Wrath against the day of wrath. The love of money, an evil disease, has taken hold upon him; the more he adds, the more he feeds the disease; like persons with the dropsy, who drink and are still dry. When Garrick, the actor, showed Dr. Johnson an estate he had lately purchased, Johnson remarked: "Ah! it is these things that make death dreadful." But the love of money makes life miserable. The Roman citizen, Apicius, after spending some 800,000 pounds, and finding he was worth only 83,000 pounds, fearing want, ended his life by poison.

But the worldling heapeth up riches, and knows not who will gather them. Cupidus, with great labor, accumulated a great estate, and dying, left his wealth to his two sons, Stultus and Effusio. Stultus had in a little time to be placed under guardians, They that will be rich-though by who spent his money for their own means ever so fair-fall into tempta- pleasures. Effusio squandered his tation and a snare, which drown men patrimony in riotous living, and died in perdition. Youth, beware! when a most miserable death in a men neglect to employ the talent of asylum.

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