our home, and peculiar corner of the vineyard; but there is missionary work in more favoured climates for those who desire such, and feel called to take it upon them. In the words of our poetThe world is all before them where to choose,'

at least for those who are free to do so. With many, the plain duty is to go no further than the near circle; it may be their own parish, or perhaps only the home fireside, where their example and influence, if rightly used, may be as much missionary work as if they went to the further end of the globe."

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'Yes," answered Mr Hervey; "and I have been struck by some remarks which bear upon the subject in the very book I have in my hand. The writer is speaking of the scenes and conversations which accompanied our blessed Lord's ascension; and after quoting His last words, And ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost ends of the earth," he comments on them thus:In these words Christ traces the circles in which Christian sympathy and activity should ever run: first, Jerusalem, their native city; next, Judea, their native land; then Samaria, a neighbouring country, inhabited by a race nationally detested by their countrymen; and finally, the uttermost parts of the earth;' they were neither to seek distant spheres first, nor to confine themselves always *Acts i. 7, 8.

at home; but to carry the gospel into all the world, as each country could be reached.' And again he says, 'To the uttermost parts of the earth' are the last words on His lips, a startling word for His peasant auditors, accustomed to limit their range of thought within the Holy Land. But he had already said that all power was given to Him in heaven and in earth.' Did not the faith of some disciples reel under the weight of these words ?”* "The remarks are much to the point," observed Mr Harcourt. "In this as in all other courses in life, we need the spirit of a sound mind' to help us to decide; and to pray that to each it may be granted to have a right judgment in all things.""

"I have often wondered," said Adela, who had hitherto been silent, "whether the collects and prayer-book services were written by old men. There is such an unspeakable beauty about them; a chastened and subdued spirit, such as one thinks could only come with the age of a sanctified life; and of which one never feels the force till one knows something at least of such a spirit one's self." At all events they were no children in grace," answered Mr Hervey. "Taken as a whole, nothing short of inspiration can exceed the simple grandeur of our liturgy; the compilers indeed drank deeply of the 'spiritual rock,' and that 'rock was Christ.' As though with lips touched with a living coal from the heavenly altar, our church * "The Tongue of Fire," pp. 9, 10, by William Arthur, M.A.

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leads her people to the throne of grace; or with the psalmist sings of mercy and judgment:' a song, as I once heard well observed, 'peculiar to this earth, for in heaven will be no judgment, in hell no mercy.' 'The king's daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is of wrought gold.' We shall hear no higher strains till the praises of time shall be exchanged for the hosannas of eternity."

"Till the day," added Mr Harcourt, "when every branch of the church militant now on earth shall be brought together, no more many, but one; when every nation, and kindred, and language shall join in the cry, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb,' and we shall realize, though now so often from our weakness, our jealousies, our faithlessness, unable to grasp its fulness, the truth, that 'the holy church throughout all the world doth worship God.''

CHAPTER XXIII.

Christmas, and what the New Year brings.

AN

"Give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity."

ND so Christmas came to the dwellers at Redleigh beautiful Christmas, with its gracious memories, its glorious hopes, its loving-kindnesses, its tender mercies, its forgiveness of sins.

What is a country without a Christmas? Those born in a Christian land, who dwell at home with their own people, cannot know. We cannot fancy what England would be without this, our high festival.

What it would be to have no angel's song, no glory in heaven, no peace on earth, no day-star from on high to lighten the darkness and the shadow of death.

We do not know. For with each returning season, through the length and breadth of the land go forth the rejoicing words, "Unto us a

child is born, unto us a Son is given;" and, oh hear it, ye captives, ye heavy laden, "He shall save His people from their sins."

Beside all the wailing and weeping of sorrow, the tumult and the discord of the world, there rises ever this wonderful strain, "Unto you is born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Then the feast is set, and the Master saith, "Come." Then stand the gates of heaven open, and are not yet shut, that all who will may enter in.

And keeping this her Christmas memory of the day when her Lord came in mercy and in great humility, the church looks on yet a little while, to the time when He shall come again, for judgment, in great glory.

To the midnight, when she shall raise the cry, "The bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet Him!” When she shall no more say, "Unto us a child is born," but, "Behold, the King is come!"

Soul, take thou heed. Earthly Christmases shall one day cease; will they leave thee with the hope, yea, the certainty of a place, even among the lowest of the royal train?

It was true Christmas at Redleigh.

True Christmas on the earth with its mantle of snow, and the holly-trees loaded with berries.

True Christmas in the church, where the "firtree, and the pine-tree, and the box-tree, together beautified the place of the sanctuary."