intended for the newly converted Jews, whom he cautions against listening to false preachers, and exhorts to firmness and steadiness in maintaining the true faith.

In considering the lives of these two Saints, the subject which most forcibly engages our attention is the Christian zeal, which we are led to believe was so conspicuous in both, and which forms an important part in the character of all those who are sincerely attached to their religion. One great cause of sin is the want of true zeal; hence arises negligence and lukewarmness in seeking after the truth, or performing the duties required of those who believe and it is certain, that, without some portion of this zeal to urge men to exertion, they will neither act like faithful Christians themselves, nor encourage others in their Christian course: and even if they avoid any glaring wickedness, they spend their lives, as regards their God, in a miserably cold and heartless manner. This is indeed a very grievous state; but, at the same time, it must be recollected, that zeal without the guiding spirit of Christ will not avail. A misdirected zeal is often productive of evil, and men too frequently mistake a worldly for a spiritual feeling, and while professing zeal for the religion of Christ, are influenced by motives altogether worldly, and seeking only to defend some opinions of their own. A genuine zeal may easily be distinguished from that which is false; for it will shun all violence and hatred, all wrath and fierceness, such being ungodly feelings, and not belonging to a Christian character. St. Paul says "that a servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves ;" and he advises all Christians "to let their moderation be known unto all men." But moderation does not mean a lukewarmness, or indifference towards religion, but that meek and calm spirit, which accompanies the true disciple of Christ, in every action of his life. St. Jude, in like manner, recommends a merciful and charitable spirit, to those who would lead others into the way of truth. "And of some," he says, "have compassion, making a difference." His meaning is, doubtless, that, in our dealings with the ignorant, or with those who hold doctrines

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at variance with our own, we should express more sorrow than anger, and use all possible tenderness towards the erring and unenlightened. May it please God therefore to endue us with a full proportion of zeal to perform our duties, and to glorify His Holy Name, and, at the same time, enable us to act in all things with meekness and gentleness. St. James says, "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

THE COLLECT.

O Almighty God, who hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the head corner-stone; grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable to Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DEATH OF POLYCARP.

AFTER the crucifixion of our blessed Lord, His Divine Gospel was committed to faithful witnesses, who have handed down, from age to age, the saving truths of His word. Polycarp was one of these great fathers of the Church he was a companion of the aged Apostle St. John the Evangelist; and he sealed with his blood his testimony to the truth. These early Christians might have saved their lives, if they would have spoken a single word in denial of Christ; but they considered that to die was gain, but to speak against their Saviour would be everlasting destruction. The following account of the last days of St. Polycarp, is taken from the Sermons of the Rev. H. Blunt :

"Upon his being told that his enemies were in the house, but that there was still time and opportunity to escape, he refused, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.' After they who were sent to apprehend him had arrested him, he requested one hour for prayer; which being granted, he prayed, standing in the presence of his enemies; and, says the narrator, himself an eyewitness, so full was he of the grace of God, that he

could not cease speaking for two hours, during which time he made earnest petitions for all whom he had ever known, small and great, noble and vulgar, and for the whole Church of Christ throughout the world. Upon being brought before the tribunal, the Proconsul, respecting his dignities, for he was a Bishop of the Church, and his advanced age, for he was more than eighty, and desirous to save him, urged him, saying, 'Swear, and I will release thee: reproach Christ.' Polycarp answered, 'Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He hath never wronged me, and how can I blaspheme my King who hath saved me?" The Proconsul, judging his efforts unavailing, sent the herald to proclaim in the midst of the assembly, 'Polycarp hath professed himself a CHRISTIAN.' At that hated name, the multitude, both of Jews and Gentiles, unanimously shouted that he should be burnt alive. The business,' continues the narrator, was executed with all possible speed, for the people immediately gathered fuel from the workshops and baths, in which employment the Jews distinguished themselves with their usual malice.' A remarkable fulfilment of the prophecy before us, that those who said 'they were Jews, and were not,'all were not Israel who were of Israel,' should, as the synagogue of Satan,' take an active part in the persecutions of the Christian Church during this period. As soon as the fire was prepared, Polycarp stripped off his clothes and loosened his girdle; but when they were about to fasten him to the stake, he said, 'Let me remain as I am, for He who giveth me strength to sustain the fire, will enable me also, without your securing me with nails, to remain unmoved in the fire; upon which they bound him, without nailing him; and he, putting his hands behind him, and being bound as a distinguished ram selected from the great flock, a burnt offering acceptable to God Almighty, said, 'O Father of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have attained the knowledge of Thee; O God of angels, principalities, and of all creation, and of all the just who live in Thy sight, I bless Thee that Thou hast counted me worthy of this day, and of this hour, to receive my portion in the number of the martyrs in the cup of Christ, for the

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resurrection to eternal life, both of soul and body; among whom may I be presented before Thee this day as a sacrifice well savoured and acceptable, which Thou, the faithful and true God, hast prepared, promised beforehand, and fulfilled accordingly. Wherefore, I praise Thee for all these things; I bless Thee, I glorify Thee by the eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, Thy well-beloved Son, through whom, with Him in the Holy Scriptures, be glory to Thee both now and for ever.""

REMARKS OF A SYRIAN CHRISTIAN ON GIN-DRINKING.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,

I SEND you the concluding part of a speech lately delivered at Stamford by the interesting Syrian Christian Yagoube Asaad Y'Khajat.

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He had been urging his hearers to send out missionaries to every part of the world, "But," said he, "you have a large mission wanting in your own country. I have been in many countries, and I tell you, I have not found one evil so great as your gin-drinking, and your gin-shops, which are abominations to all Mahommedans, who say, with all our ignorance you tell us about, we have not one evil so vile.' (Loud applause.) I entreat you to set your face against it, to pray, to speak, to write against it. It is a disgrace to Britain, with her army, and her navy, and her institutions, which are the protection of her kingdom. To you it is familiar, because you see it every day; but it is not familiar to me. I have seen people on the Sabbath, on that blessed day, in the city of London, adoring in the temple of their idols-for there are more idols and temples than those of India, and Thebes, and Babylon. I have seen them lying like beasts in the dirt. It is a disgrace to you, and you should pray against it, as the cause of all other vices. I will tell you a case that happened to me :-a Moollah, or Mahommedan doctor once asked me what of all things was to me the most interesting sight? and I answered that it was a beautiful figure. I then asked him, in return, what was the most disgusting object to him; and he said, passing his hand over his beard-so-You will not be angry if

I tell you, (for I was at that time an extravagant liver and drinker) the most disgusting sight to me is a drunken person.' Such is the doctrine of the Mahommedan Moollah; and I ask you, if that is the opinion of an unbeliever, what should a Christian think?" O. D.

GOSPEL PEACE.

ONE of the great blessings of the Gospel is, that it brings peace, "peace on earth, and good-will towards men;" it brings "peace" to the conscience too, for it brings the message of pardon and salvation to those who are willing to receive the message, and accept the offer. No one can stand at the judgment-seat of Christ expecting salvation by his own merits and deservings; for no one can believe himself blameless in the sight of God, and therefore no one can hope to be saved by his obedience to that law, which requires unsinning and perfect compliance in thought, word, and deed. If there were no other dispensation, no one could be at peace in his mind, because no one can say that he has loved God with all his heart, and mind, and soul, and his neighbour as himself. And this is the law; and a curse is held out to every one who hath not obeyed it in all things. It is the forgiving mercy of the Gospel which alone can afford peace; and the faithful believer in Christ has the consolation of knowing that the atonement which his Saviour made on the cross is an all-perfect sacrifice which will be accepted of the Father, and of which the faithful servants of Christ will have the full benefit. And this reflection brings peace to the conscience, and enables the follower of Christ to serve God, as one of our prayers expresses it, "with a quiet mind." This peace of mind is quite different from that sort of carelessness, and indifference, and fatal security which cries, "Peace, peace, when there is no peace;" it is a peace of mind which acts as an encouragement to duty, and only belongs to those who are earnest in their duty and their service to God. The Collect for the fifth Sunday after Trinity, describes the sort of peace which belongs to God's faithful people; and in this we offer up our prayer that all who belong to the Church of Christ, may have