it was by conquest) twice a day they offered up sacrifices for the safety of the Emperor.' And this was very agreeable to what God had commanded that people by his prophet in a much like case, when the Jews were conquered by the king of Babylon and carried away captives, Jer. xxix. 7, "Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace." And surely the reason is much stronger why we should pray for our natural Princes and Governors.'

The reason of this duty,-"That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life," &c. The business and happiness of man below are summed up in these words; "a quiet and peaceable life" in his own conduct to his fellow men-a "study to be quiet and to mind his own business," and protection from those of his fellow men who would interrupt that quiet. And a life of "godliness and honesty," "exercising himself to have a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men ;" and being protected in that course from those that would hinder him from the enjoyment of those privileges. Now government is an appointed means for the attainment of that end. All governments, even heathen governments, have by their laws, in the main, been "not a terror to good works, but to evil;" even the persecutions which the Christians endured under the heathen government of Rome were far more tolerable than if the unrestrained and ungoverned fury of a mob had been let loose upon them. But since the quiet and peaceable life" of the subjects of any government will depend so much upon the character of "Kings and all in authority," we see the

vast importance of prayer for them, and especially of national public prayer. The first Christians felt it so. In the times when the Apostle was moved to write these words of our text all the rulers of the earth were against them; yet in their public services were prayers continually offered for the Roman Emperors; and who, except the man that denies the over-ruling government of him who hath all hearts in his hand, or refuses to believe that he is a God that heareth prayer, shall deny that an answer to their prayers was given in the conversion of Constantine into a nursing-father of the infant and struggling Christian Church? And as the primitive Church, so our own hath provided well for carrying into effect the exhortation of our text. How full of “supplications, prayers, intercessions, for kings, and all in autho

rity" are the services of our Church: and the great day of account alone shall tell how much of “ the quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty " we have been and still are privileged to lead in answer to those prayers! Who shall say that the warding off the fatal bullet that aimed to take our Sovereign Lady QUEEN VICTORIA from our head was not an answer to prayer-prayers which from twelve thousand congregations often as the Sabbath returns, or the doors of the house of prayer are opened, ascend to heaven in her behalf. And if we would shew the true feeling of thanksgiving to him who hath yet spared us from this awful blow-a blow how awful none can tell in days like these, when we know too well that there are hundreds and thousands in this land who would too gladly welcome such a day in this land as once was in Israel, when there was no king

there, and " every man did that which was right in his own eyes," let me beseech you to enter with heart, and soul, and voice into the prayers by which our Church teaches you to call down the blessing of God, to avert his righteous wrath, to supplicate his pardoning mercy, to give him thanks for blessings received. Let me beseech you to look upon united prayer as the strength of our hopes for our Church, our Sovereign, and our country: strengthen our hands, brethren beloved in the Lord, in this matter; weaken not our cause by increasing our unhappy divisions.'

"ALL FOR THE BEST."

No man can have lived long in the world without having observed how frequently it happens that events which, at the time they happened, were the source of bitter disappointment, have eventually proved very blessings to us; and that many of those things which have been most anxiously desired, but which it has pleased God to withhold from us, would have proved, if granted, the origin of endless evil.

The recollection of such circumstances in our own individual case, while it renders us deeply grateful to Divine Providence for the past, should make us trust with perfect confidence to the same Infinite Wisdom for the future.

It would be difficult perhaps to find an anecdote bearing more strongly on what we have just observed, than one which is mentioned in the life of BERNARD GILPIN, that great and good man, whose pious labours in the counties of Westmoreland, Cumberland, Nor

thumberland and York, at the period of the Reformation, procured for him the title by which he is still remembered in those parts, as The Apostle of the North. It appears that it was a frequent saying of his, when exposed to losses or troubles- Ah, well; God's will be done; nothing happens which is not intended for our good: it is all for the best!'

Towards the close of Queen Mary's reign, BERNARD GILPIN was accused of heresy before the merciless Bishop Bonner. He was speedily apprehended, and he left his quiet home nothing doubting,' as he said, "but that it was all for the best," though he was well aware of the fate that might await him.

While on his way to London, by some accident, he had a fall and broke his leg, which put a stop for some time to his journey. The persons in whose custody he was, took occasion thence maliciously to retort upon him his habitual remark. What,' said they, is this all for the best;-you say, Master, that nothing happens which is not for our good; think you your broken leg is so intended?'-'Sirs, I make no ques tion but it is," was the meek reply: and so in very truth it proved; for before he was able to travel, Queen Mary died, the persecution ceased, and he was restored to his liberty and friends.

THE BRIDAL CONGRATULATION.

It was a beautiful remark lately made by a Minister of Christ, after a Bridal to the friends of the married pair, May they be so happy as is good for them to be.' And those few and simple words, stran

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ger as he was to me, told, in language not to be misunderstood, that this proceeded from the heart of one devoted to God; none but one of God's own dear children would have so sweetly, so considerately, so piously tempered the congratulations on this occasion. And truly that is a sweet frame of mind to be in, when, sitting loose to earth, we can I cast all our care upon him who careth for us;" when, in humble hope and implicit confidence on a Saviour's love for us, our wishes for happiness here are limited by that heaven-born feeling; and we would go no further even in happiness than 'as it may be good for us.' "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." If it is for your soul's good that you be happy behold the cup of bliss overflowing in blessing around you. Are you to be drawn nearer heaven by trials-he takes away the gourd you have delighted in, and sorrow surrounds you like the mist of the morning: but "fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." "Fear not," even if he give it you in tears here still he will give it you; and rest on that glorious promise, "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy." O what a bright refulgent day of glory will that be, when we shall no more see through a glass darkly, but face to face;" "when we shall know even as also we are known."

May the wish of this dear child of God be fulfilled as regards my dear relatives, and for himself: may he go on, as he has begun, "looking unto Jesus ;" and in the strength of the Lord God, "make mention of his righteousness only ;" and may many seals be added unto his Ministry, so that when the chief Shepherd