lation to the church of the living God. In the description of the King's Daughter we trace the footsteps of the flock; we behold her in her primeval state, as she came forth in her nature's purity from the hand of her Creator; we then witness her lamentable fall, with all its attendant misery and sorrow; next we view her recovery from her ruined condition and restoration to peace and joy in and through the mediation of her blessed Bridegroom, he who espouses her otherwise hapless cause and sustains in his own person the penalties due to her. As the effect of this espousal—when ratified and made known in her conscience

we behold her walking beneath his smile, and, as she “ comes up out of the wilderness leaning upon her Beloved," we see her countenance lighted up with unutterable joy as she listens to his glorious voice, and contemplates the benignity of his character, the greatness of his condescension, and the immensity of his love. Anon, we behold her apparently alone; her Lord and Husband has withdrawn himself, she looks upon the right hand and the left, backwards and forwards, but cannot behold him her fears arise, and presently she finds herself traversing with wearied and uncertain step a barren waste; the shades of evening draw around her, and mid the wind's fierce howlings she hears the murmurings of birds and beasts of prey, and already discovers their approach. Again, we look-the shades of evening are withdrawn, midnight darkness has fled, morning has broke, and with the dawn of day we again behold her reclining upon her Beloved. At length, after various exercises, joys, and sorrows; sometimes happy, unspeakably happy, in her Lord's embrace, at other times mourning his absence, and complaining that her soul is far off from peace, we see her approaching the end of her journey. Already has she attained the summit of the hill at the foot of which Jordan rolls its briny wave- - with mingled emotions does she approach it; when she can have a Pisgah view of the promised land, then the pathway seems but narrow; but when she takes her stand upon the river's brink, and contemplates its cold waters, then the crossing appears broad and the undertaking mighty. But He who "hath loved her, and given himself for her," forsakes her not. With outstretched hand he invites her onward; and, with Bunyan's pilgrim, leaning upon his Almighty arm, "she feels the bottom that it is good." Another moment, and she enters

"Canaan's fair and happy land,
Where her possessions lie;"

and there she for ever dwells, with unknown rapture and felicity, in the sunshine of his presence, to come no more out for ever. Hallelujah! We cannot but recommend the tract that introduces such a glorious subject to our contemplation; nor do we feel less inclined to speak well of the "Bruised Reed bound up and strengthened," believing as we do, with the author, that every real desire after a knowledge of God, as manifested to the soul in and through the blood and righteousness of a dear Redeemer, comes from God; and as such, will be honoured by him, it being the work of his own Spirit in the heart. We acknowledge

that in the first buddings of grace-if we may be allowed the expression-it is difficult to anatomize or make judgment of this desire, as in its first operations it appears so much to resemble a desire merely to escape from the "wrath to come"-like that of a Balaam, a Judas, or a Saul; but as the desire which springs from the work and operations of God the Holy Ghost in a sinner's heart develops itself, it will prove, as he is graciously pleased to answer that desire, and communicate joy and peace in believing, that under his mighty operations it would have had an existence even were there no state of punishment hereafter-ay, we go further, and remark that this would be the case even were there no future inheritance.

Brethren, beloved, ye who may be classed among the weaklings of Christ's fold, may stagger at the expression; but it is the truth, and ye are witnesses of it; for say, whether when the Lord has been pleased graciously to reveal himself unto you, bearing your burden, carrying your sorrows, speaking peace and pardon to your troubled consciences, telling you that he is yours and that you are his—say, do you want any better heaven than this? Can you not at such times exclaim with the poet,

"'Tis heaven to rest in his embrace,

And nowhere else but there ?"

Does it not make "the crooked things straight, and the rough places plain?" Is not every bitter made sweet, and though your path a few moments before seemed hedged up with sorrow and calamity, and you knew not where to look for relief, say, now your Lord shines upon you, would you have anything different? Is it not all right? But we know that the anticipation of an uninterrupted continuance of this blessedness, where no enemy within or without shall interrupt your enjoyment, nor Jesus even for a moment ever veil his face; this glorious anticipation, we repeat, cannot but enhance your happiness. But to contemplate heaven as a mere place of ease or security, is taking altogether anatural and improper view of it. Heaven is that glorious abode where God unveils his lovely face, and the Sun of Righteousness for ever shines; where the mystery of a Holy Trinity is explained; where faith is lost in sight, inasmuch as those things of which we now know but in part, and prophesy but in part, are fully unfolded to our astonished view; where angels and archangels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, even to a number that no man can number, out of every nation, tongue, and people, dwell, and for ever sing in untiring melody the praises of God and the Lamb.

The Changes of Ephraim; or, the Backslider's Warning. By the Rev. JOHN MACGOWAN. Second Edition. Brighton: Published for the Poor Man's Spiritual Book Society, by J. Tyler, 83, North Street. A very excellent little tract, written upon Rev. xiv. 14. "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways." We wish it were in the hands of every poor sensible sinner in the kingdom.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

In the course of the present month will be published a new work, entitled "Dreams and Dreaming, Philosophically and Scripturally Considered." By Mrs. BLAIR. "Stories of the Animal World," arranged so as to form a Systematic Introduction to the Study of Zoology. By the Rev. B. H. Draper.

"An Account of the Ordination of Mr. Thomas Bayfield, to the Pastoral Office over the Independent Church assembling in Union Chapel, Chelsea, October 29th, 1840."

"The Great Attainment; or, Desires after Christ the Fruit of Union to Christ;" the substance of a Sermon, delivered at Willow Street Chapel, Plymouth. By the Rev. D. DENHAM.

Early in January will be published, under the title of "Nymphas," a Paraphrastic Exposition of the Song of Solomon in Blank Verse. By the Rev. JOSEPH IRONS.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

TO MY FATHER IN HEAVEN.

I WOULD not wish thee back again,
My sainted father-no!

Thou wilt not come again to us,
But we to thee shall go;

If we believe, like thee, in him,
Who bled for us and died,
We shall with thee for ever dwell,
In glory at thy side.

I would not take away from thee
Thy garments, pure and white;
I would not rob thee of that crown,
So radiant and so bright;

I would not make thee walk by faith
Instead of sight again;

I would not fetch thee back into
A world of sin and pain.

We shall sing with thee his praises who
Redeemed thee with his blood,

Who made thee meet in heaven to dwell

For ever near thy God;

We shall walk with thee in robes of white,

In those celestial plains,

And dwell with thee around his throne

Who ever lives and reigns.

Then since we're passing onward to
That glorious rest above,

And since we hope to meet again

In that fair world of love;

And though thou wilt not come to us,
Yet we to thee shall go;

I would not wish thee back again-
My sainted father-no!

E. R. S.

BEFORE PRAYER.

JEHOVAH Jesus, condescend
To listen to my prayer;
Do thou before the mercy-seat,
My faint petitions hear.

No glittering language would I use,
When I approach to thee;

The language of the heart alone,
Best speaks its agony.

Yes, though the lips be sealed with guilt,
And sins benumb the frame;

If but the heart in sobs and sighs,

Can breathe the Saviour's name

Far more acceptable that sigh,
More eloquent that groan;
Than all the oratory used
Before the mercy-throne.

To thee petition then I bring,
Lord, lend a listening ear;
Oh, shed the light of life within!
Ah, melt my soul in prayer!

L. R.

"THE GARDEN OF THE LORD."

ISAIAH, li. 3.

ZION, the garden of the Lord,
Planted and cultured by his word,
Presents a banquet, rich and fair-
The produce of his tender care.

There all the flowers of grace combine
To mingle beauties most divine;
There they unveil their lovely forms-
A thousand complicated charms.

There faith, and love, and patience, grow,
The sweetest buds we have below;
Their lovely hues and charming scents-
A cluster of embellishments.

They all reflect a Saviour's face,
In the pure mirror of his grace;
They all reflect a Saviour's love-
Fount of felicity above.

Oh! in this garden may we stand,
Planted by God the Father's hand;
Beneath the sunbeams of his face
May we produce the fruits of grace.

H. P. H.

City Press, Long Lane: Doudney and Scrymgour.