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all ye his angels, ye that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word;" and, in the book of Samuel, we find, that to be "as an angel of God" denoted more than human knowledge and wisdom. But while their great superiority to man is made manifest, their infinite inferiority, and subjection to God is also fully shown; and proves, that, though objects of regard and veneration, they are not fitting objects for worship. Our prayers and adorations are due alone to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to the three Persons in that one great God, who hath created all things both in heaven and earth, and to whose power the angels owe their existence. It is true they are pure and heavenly spirits, with an appearance glorious as the light of heaven, and free from all the grosser feelings, and bodily infirmities, to which men are subject; but, at the same time, they are dependent on their Creator, and are commanded to worship and obey him, and, though they assist in the government of the human race, and are often "sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" still they are the servants of Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of God, and whose throne and sceptre of righteousness shall endure for ever and ever.

The word "Michael" signifies," one who is as God;" and this angel is represented as of such extraordinary power and consequence, that some imagine Christ Himself is intended under this name. The Prophet Daniel, when visited and consoled by an angel, in his captivity, is assured of assistance from "Michael his prince;" and, in the account given in the Revelations, of the expulsion of Satan and his rebellious followers from heaven, we find that it was "Michael" who commanded the heavenly hosts, and by his might vanquished the wicked spirits, who were overcome "by the blood of the Lamb, and the power of his testimony." We learn by this that God exacts obedience from the angels; and it was sedition, and a desire of being equal to their Creator, that brought on some of them the signal punishment of being shut out for ever from the seats of the blessed, -an awful warning against all such pride and arrogance,

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ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS.

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as shall make the heart rebel against its God. This war in heaven" may also be considered as figurative of the various struggles and warfare, which the church of Christ sustained, before it was fully established; and in this light it was perhaps revealed to St. John; the Christian of the present day will be reminded, by it, of the triumph which all those, who walk in the faith of Christ, and fight under his banners, shall obtain against the world, the flesh, and the devil: those enemies who are ever leading men to sin and destruction. We are told that the blessed angels continually exercise themselves in assisting and befriending mankind, in whose welfare they are deeply interested. At the creation of the world the "morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy ;" and they have often taken a human form, and visited the earth to perform the will of God, and assist his faithful followers. Communication through them was frequently made by God to the ancient patriarchs; and they took an active part in protecting and guiding the children of Israel through a long and sorrowful period of time. In the New Testament we have also repeated mention of them; they announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds, and often attended the Saviour during his sojourn on earth. It was an angel, who appeared to Zacharias and the Virgin Mary; and it was by the hand of one of those celestial beings that St. Peter was delivered from prison. Since the days of the Apostles, this visible attendance has ceased; but we may conclude that they still exert themselves in our behalf; while their love for fallen man is so great that “there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” We have cause to believe, that there are different degrees of rank among these heavenly spirits; and that some are endowed with more power and entrusted with higher offices than others; the peace even of heaven is maintained by obedience and submission to those in authority; and Michael himself, in his contest with the great adversary, refers him to God Almighty for punishment, and says, "The Lord rebuke thee."

The church service, and religious duties appropriated to St. Michael's day, are calculated to remind us of that

world beyond the grave, which, though forcibly pressed on our minds when those we love are snatched from us by the hand of death, is but too seldom thought of, when we are engrossed by the cares and pleasures of this world. It must therefore be a most useful and important duty, to awaken at times this remembrance in our minds, and lead our contemplation towards that eternity towards which we are all hastening. The Redeemer has said, that at the resurrection the spirits of the just shall become as the angels of God-like those glorious and happy beings who know neither sin nor sorrow! Should not this thought animate our exertions to become ourselves even as the angels in heaven, and to obtain their boundless happiness? An excellent divine, in allusion to the guardianship and assistance bestowed by angels on men, says, "Do the holy angels take a decided part in our concerns? let us at length take a part in them ourselves, and not continue wholly indifferent as to what we have been, what we are, and what we shall be. Some little time surely should be spent in the enquiry. Spirits above are active to save us, spirits below are active to destroy us; and we sleep, not to be awakened till perhaps it is too late." Oh may considerations such as these rouse us from our negligence, and, in the words of the same pious author, "May our heavenly friends and guardians continue with us to the end, to comfort us in our last sorrows, and support us in our expiring agonies, that when breath shall forsake the body, the soul may be carried by angels into Abraham's bosom."

THE COLLECT.

O EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of angels and men in a wonderful order; mercifully grant, that as thy holy angels alway do thee service in heaven: so by thy appointment they may succour and defend us on earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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ON THE USE OF WOOLLEN RAGS AS A MANURE.

THE farmers of Kent think the application of rags "warms" the ground; they certainly, as they slowly putrify in the soil, afford nourishment to the crop, for wool is composed almost entirely of a peculiar animal matter, with a slight portion of phosphate of lime, or earthy matter of bones. When the Kentish hop growers bring their hops to the Borough market, they commonly load their waggons, as back carriage, with those great dark-coloured bundles of ags, which in the autumn may be seen in great numberrs travelling along the Kent roads. Every shred of an old woollen garment is useful in a garden.

ELECTRICITY.

WHY is the fire-side an unsafe place in a thunder-storm? Because the carbonaceous matter, or soot, with which the chimney is lined, acts as a conductor for the lightning.

Why is the middle of an apartment the safest place during a thunder-storm? Because, should a flash of lightning strike a building, or enter it at any of the windows, it will take its direction along the walls, without injuring the centre of the room.

ON PUBLIC WORSHIP.

LET us be very careful to observe the duties of the Sabbath; and be constant in our habit of attending public worship. We could speak of this as a great religious duty; but we rather say, let us not lose the happy opportunity thus afforded, of meeting together to worship God, and of putting up together our petitions to Him, that He would keep us under His protection; that He would support us in all dangers, and carry us safely through all temptations, that He would teach us to know ourselves, to see how we have offended Him, to show us the need we have of pardon, and to lead us to the only source from which pardon can be obtained, the satisfaction made to Divine justice by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Let us join sincerely in our prayers

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