intellectuality as well as devotion.

It is the rapt,

seraphic utterance of a God-illumined soul; adoration of God's goodness and greatness are its leading characteristics. In the first verse there is a passing allusion to her former trials, and to the adversary in her own dwelling-"My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies ;" but instantly, as if the thought was checked in its human application as unworthy, she adds, "because I rejoice in thy salvation." The Lord has been her refuge and help, is the leading idea. The humility of this thanksgiving is another very prominent peculiarity: "Talk no more so exceeding proudly, let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed." And again, after lauding the might, majesty, and dominion of God, she recalls the nothingness of man, saying, "By strength shall no man prevail." The pre-eminent glory of this sublime prayer consists in the prophecy with which it concludes. With the exception of Jacob's dying prophecy, "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come," and Moses' statement, "A prophet like unto me shall he raise up," Hannah was undoubtedly the first to announce the coming of the Messiah. Before the illustrious band

of prophets and holy seers had told the glad tidings of the Redeemer's future coming, it was a high honour that a woman should prophesy of this grand event. These were the words of Hannah nearly twelve hundred years before the advent of the Messiah: "The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth, and he shall give strength unto his King, and exalt the horn of his Anointed." The offices of Christ, as Judge, King, and Priest, are distinctly set forth in this sentence. Thus Hannah was the first to strike that key-note of prophecy which swelled into so grand a strain in the time of the prophets.

MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS.

All hail! thou highly favoured of the Lord. Thy dignity and privileges were longed for by all the holy mothers in Israel. Yes, to be of the Messiah's line, and to have the maternal glory of bringing forth the Shiloh, excited a deep, intense emotion, which is everywhere manifested in the early Scriptures. We again give the glowing descriptions of Dr. Burchard.

Far up int he north of Galilee, imbosomed with hills,

barren of art or cultivation, was the little town of Nazareth, proverbial for its poverty and meanness. The people, for the most, were ignorant and vicious, still there were some few, even there, who, in patient hope, longed to see the day-star that was to visit them from on high.

On the side of a hill, overlooking the squalid dwellings of poverty, was a neatly-thatched cottage surrounded with fig-trees, and adorned with flowers, thus presenting an air of thrift and neatness. Here dwelt the Virgin Mary, unknown by the great world—a lovely, yet lowly, daughter of Zion.

She had, from early childhood, been one of those meek and trusting creatures, who make all light and beauty around them. Her parents had cherished her as the gift of Heaven-as the solace of their lives, and with them did she daily kneel, and worship the God of Israel. Her whole soul was full of the spirit of devotion. It raised her above earth-above sense, and imparted a heavenly serenity to all her features. She shared in the general expectation of her nation; and the hope of a speedily-coming Messiah was becoming stronger and stronger, as she drank deeper and deeper into the spirit of prophecy.

It was at the close of day, and the humble maiden, having finished her weary toil, and laid aside her distaff, had seated herself beside the open window to meditate upon the things dearest to her heart. The evening breeze played among the rich tresses that shaded her brow, as she gazed thoughtfully upon the neighbouring hills, now glowing with the retreating rays of the setting sun. There she sat, with a sad and subdued expression, as if musing upon the sorrows of her nation. Ever and anon a light would beam in her dark eye, as though kindled by a contemplation of the Divine promise. But why does the colour deepen upon her cheek, and the tear tremble in her eye? Why does her gentle bosom heave with deep emotion? Has she dwelt too long or too hopefully upon her coming happiness with the chosen of her heart? Has she pictured to herself in more glowing colours than is becoming a Jewish maiden, not yet summoned to the bridal altar, the pleasures of her future home? No; she has been thinking of the sins of her people, until she has wept in sorrow for the miseries that have come upon them.

And again her eye has kindled with hope as she dwelt upon the ancient prophecy, now hastening to its fulfillment. And as she has traced her ancestry back to

the Shepherd King, the thought has glanced across her mind, in spite of her maiden modesty, that perchance she might be the honoured and chosen one from among the thousand mothers of Israel.

Thus musing, the hours of night passed unheeded by, when suddenly her attention was arrested by the entrance of a stranger, and the room seemed bathed in a soft and heavenly light.

His voice fell upon the hushed stillness of that hour, in a tone of sweetness that filled her throbbing heart with emotions both of fear and hope-"Hail, thou that art highly favoured-the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women."

Startled at so strange a manifestation, and fearing lest some spirit had been sent to reprove her for the lofty aspirations which she had just ventured secretly to cherish, she stood trembling.

In yet sweeter accents the celestial visitant continued, "Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God; thou art chosen to be the mother of Jesus, who shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." As the voice ceased, she