THE BEAUTY OF LIFE.

LIFE is beautiful, its duties

Cluster round each passing day,
While their sweet and solemn voices
Warn to work, to watch, to pray.
They alone such blessings forfeit,
Who through sloth their spirits cheat;
Or, in selfish stupor sitting,

See the rust their armour eat.

Life is beautiful! affections

Thrill with joy its golden strings;
In its opening blossoms nestle,
Bud-like 'mid its branches sing ;-
Smiling rock its cradle slumbers,
Guard with pride its youthful bloom;
Fondly kiss its snow-white temples,
Dew the turf that decks its tomb.

Life is beautiful! with promise

Of a crown that cannot fade;
Life is fearful! with the threatening
Of an everlasting shade.

May no thoughtless worldling scorn it,
Wandering wide in folly's range;

Duty, love and hope adorn it;
Let its latest breath be praise.

L. H. S.

A MISSIONARY MEETING.

It was a lovely summer's noon; the air
Was balmy, and the rippling waves
In gentle music rolled; o'er the blue sky
Lingered the darkened cloud (like the deep shade
Which dims the pure ethereal mind of man)

And gave a pensive interest to the scene.

In calm and thoughtful mood, my steps I bent
To a large, noble edifice. The room

Was filled with listeners, and each gentle heart
Beat with a high and holy sympathy.

Dear was the cause to every noble mind,
Whose advocacy there was pleaded; Erin's isle-
Its claims-its superstitions, which enthralled
The soul in more than adamantine chain—
The Holy Book, whose sacred light was poured
In a rich stream on that benighted land,
Chasing the mists of popery and sin—
This was the lofty and inspiring theme.

The breath of prayer, like fragrant incense, rose

To heaven's bright, radiant throne; and then there came

The simple eloquence and ardent tones

Of one whose name is linked with praise and love;

Whose faithful and unwearied labours long

Have been approved. High the rank he bears

In England's ministry, yet still his mien

Is marked by beautiful simplicity—

As the unbending oak that stands alone,

And asks no meretricious ornament.

Frank were his manners; and his warm appeal
Was made with almost youthful energy.

In few and simple words, that well exprest
The deep impressions of his truthful mind,
Another spoke ;-and then, with thoughtful tone,
A third his tribute gave, whose graphic style,
And sober earnestness, befitted well

The true and touching anecdotes he told.

Then the last speaker rose. Upon his brow
Genius had stamped its impress-his dark eye
Beamed with poetic fire, and graceful ease
Each movement marked, while his deep-toned voice
Fell like rich music on the listening ear.
Unwonted silence reigned, as forth he poured
His brilliant thoughts in language most sublime.

Fearless and bold the protest which he made
Against Rome's deadly system, till he thrilled
Our spirits into union with his own.

With notes of praise the happy meeting closed-
And I with grateful heart my steps retraced,
Breathing a prayer that o'er the Emerald Isle
The sacred Scriptures of eternal truth
Might gain a mighty and resistless sway;
And by their magic influence gently soothe
The sorrows of that mournful land, and shed
Repose and peacefulness on all around.

Brighton.

H. M. W.

CHANGING OF THE SPIRIT OF JUDAISM.

[The following remarks are by Mr. Schwartz, Jewish Missionary in Breslau, whose opportunities for observation enable him to form an accurate judgment.-ED.]

No one who has paid careful attention to the present state of the mind of the Jew, will deny that there is something peculiar in his behaviour towards the religion of Christ. He does not now stand, as formerly, the bitter opponent, but rather as one who is ashamed of the enmity of his forefathers; and looks upon Christianity with respect and gratitude, for its beneficial effect upon mankind in general; and acknowledges that to its mild influence he owes his elevation from a state of degradation and misery.

And this is not all: there is not only an outward acknowledgment of its benefits, but a deep conviction in the minds of many, of its Divine origin; and if we look at the decay of the system of Judaism, and its total neglect on the part of the Jews of almost every shade and party, I cannot but believe that the Lord is thus gradually removing every impediment, and

preparing the way for a decisive movement; when those who once scorned and blasphemed the name of Jesus, will hail Him as their Messiah and Redeemer.

In my own sphere I have had many examples which illustrate the above; and some within the last month. Recently the Jewish festivals occurred, and it was on The Day of Atonement, the most solemn among all Jewish feasts, that an individual called upon me, wishing to speak on the subject of religion. I was at first a little surprised to find a Jew call upon me on that day; and I asked him how it was that he did not go to the synagogue, to which he did not reply directly, but merely said, "Have you forgotten R.?" I could not at first recollect him; but after a little interval I was enabled to call to mind the following particulars.

So far back as the middle of May last, when walking in the street, I accosted a Jew; and after a few general remarks, our conversation took a religious turn, and of course I endeavoured to direct his attention chiefly to my immediate message, and in a very little time he became exceedingly interested in the subject. Among other things I reminded him of the inefficacy of prayer alone to remove sin, since God expressly declares that "blood only should make an atonement for souls ;" and showed him further how erroneous and perverted the common notion among the Jews is, that the Day of Atonement has any virtue in itself to atone for sin, since the passage in Lev. xvi. 30, does not say, as the Rabbis misrepresent it, that the day should forgive sins, but it says, "For on that day shall he (viz. the high priest, who is spoken of in the preceding verses, and who was to enter the holy of holies, and sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat) make an atonement for you, to cleanse you that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord."

I generally endeavour when an opportunity presents itself to impress the mind of the Jew with this

important truth, since it by no means is uncommon to find numbers of them who, the whole year round, never enter a place of worship, and by whom the Jewish Sabbath is desecrated, and who yet think that if they only pretend to a repentance, and spend a few shillings for the poor on the Day of Atonement, they are sure to receive pardon for the wickedness of a whole year.

The individual in question was just such an one, but was not devoid of all reverence for the Revelation of God, and therefore the subject to which I directed his attention at that time, made, it appears, a deep impression upon his mind. The New Testament which I gave him became his sole companion in his leisure hours; and by degrees, no doubt under the influence of the Spirit of God, his mind became more enlightened, and he began to have just notions with regard to the great truths of the Gospel. Often when alone, his conscience would be awakened to a sense of his guilt and folly, and in such moments he often prostrated himself, and, though still burdened with doubts, invoked the Lord Jesus to reveal himself unto him, and by His all-sufficient atonement take away his sins. His prayer was not in vain, for he feels his burdened mind eased from the load of guilt, and is enabled to look up to Jesus as his Saviour and Redeemer, upon whose atonement he fully relies.

I spent nearly the whole day with him in reading and expounding such passages to him as would strengthen his faith, and encourage him to go on in the ways of the Lord. It was indeed delightful to see what just conceptions he had of the spirituality of the Christian religion, and what firm belief he manifested in the Saviour. Of his sincerity there cannot be even the shadow of a doubt, as there is nothing that could have induced him to take such a step; much less is that criterion applicable here by which an uncharitable world judges, viz., gain-for he has enough of this world's goods and to spare.