the pictures would show him how the trouble was to be overcome. Every pain that he could suffer, and every difficulty that he could meet, had been met and suffered by his father before; so that by seeing what his father had done, he learned what was the best thing to do himself. For Oscar was like his father though he was but a little boy."

Of course in our selections we have attempted to justify our statement rather than give extracts which would show the acceptability of the stories to children. This we could not have done except by giving a very long passage, and even then not without loss. No, we prefer to send the curious to the volume itself; and as there are children of all ages, I think it will be found to please and to interest all, though it may be for different reasons. I think the best men and women are those who as

children have lived a long time in Fairyland; and especially those who, after they have settled down in England, or America, or elsewhere, enjoy a visit to their early home. The importance, therefore, of establishing a New Church mission in that charming country is of the greatest, and it may in competent hands be even more successful than any which are in existence at present. I am well aware that those eminent men Professor Dryasdust and Dr. Hollohart have emphatically denied the existence of Fairyland, and ridiculed those who believed in its existence. But as the one can't see anything twelve inches beyond his nose, and the other is interested in nothing softer than granite, I think their evidence on the matter is worth nothing at all. When I am told anything like that I reply, Why, some people deny the existence of heaven! And this, I always find, is completely unanswerable. The best believer in heaven is the firmest believer in Fairyland; and, with Luther, he is ever ready to exclaim, "I would not part with the tales of wonder which I have stored up from early childhood, or which have fallen in my way through life, for any gold."

WORK A SOURCE OF HAPPINESS.-If thou workest at that which is before thee, following right reason seriously, vigorously, calmly, without allowing anything else to distract thee, but keeping thy Divine part pure, as if thou shouldest be bound to give it back immediately; if thou holdest to this, expecting nothing, fearing nothing, but satisfied with thy present activity according to nature, and with heroic truth in every word thou utterest, thou wilt live happy. And there is no man who is able to prevent this.—M. Antoninus.

SOUND PRINCIPLES OF SLOW GROWTH.-It is the test of sound principles that they are received slowly, and, when established, that they endure long. It is the test of quackery that it is greedily listened to, quickly adopted, and quickly laid aside. The cause is that sound principles appeal to the reason, and false ones to the prejudices and narrow interests of mankind; and mankind are much more governed by prejudices and narrow interests than by reason. It is a pity that rulers do not take the more difficult but more honourable course of bringing reason into play.

EVERY SUBJECT HAS MANY ASPECTS.-One of the most successful literary men of the present day gives the following important advice, applicable alike to speakers and writers: "A subject of any magnitude requires to be thought over in all moods of mind; and that alone is one great reason for maintaining thoughts long in mind before expressing them in speech or writing, that they come to be considered and reconsidered under all aspects, and to be modified by the various fortunes and states of temperament of the thinker.”

How SUCCESS IS ATTAINED.-If any man possessed every qualification to succeed in life, it is probable that he would remain perfectly stationary. The consciousness of his powers would tempt him to omit opportunity after opportunity to the end of his days. Those who do succeed ordinarily owe their success to some disadvantage under which they labour. It is the struggle against a difficulty that brings facilities into play.

LOVE BEFORE MARRIAGE-is like a too short preface before a book without an end.

DEAN STANLEY ON RESISTANCE. REACHING at Westminster on All-Saints' Day,

Dean Stanley selected for his text the word "Resist" (1 Peter xv. 9). The Dean commenced by saying that in the south of France there was a large, gloomy tower, and upon the walls of one of the rooms in this place was graven deep into the wall the simple word Resist." This, he said, was the work of almost a lifetime of a female prisoner confined there. Day after day had she worked upon this one word, so that it should be deep and lasting. What a lesson that one word taught them! It taught them not only to resist temptations of all kinds, but to resist the power of a despotic king, and to even resist the arguments of over-zealous preachers. Referring to the dangers of this resistance, the preacher said that much to which the word related had passed away. They had neither to fear death nor imprisonment for their opinions. But the word "Resist" was still the sheetanchor of the world. It encouraged men to stick to great principles and carry them through. That was the stuff of which was made the brave army of saints and martyrs whom they were commemorating that day. He implored his hearers to resist the temptation, the very grave temptation, of doing things because others did them. They should also especially resist the littleness of their own passions. They should not be allowed to have weight with them. Referring indirectly to current events, the preacher said there were occasions when the most popular idea proved to be wrong, and public opinion entirely fallacious. Then surely the first duty of a man was to be firm and resist. In conclusion, he said he hoped they would all lay to heart that this must be the first condition of life-resistance.

BOOK NOTICES.

The Birds of the Sacred Scripture, by L. E. Warren (Speirs, Is. 6d.), is an interesting work dealing with the natural history and the spiritual signification of the birds and fowls mentioned in the Word. It contains a useful appendix containing an explanation of all the references to birds occurring in the Scriptures. We think that children will be likely to get a good idea of the principles of correspondence from a perusal of this little book. Parents and Sunday-school teachers should remember this book when arranging for the distribution of presents and prizes.

The New Church Manual and Year-Book for 1881 (Speirs, 1d.) rather disappoints us. It contains a useful Table of the Lessons and Psalms for the year and some well-chosen extracts from Swedenborg. But readers of the New Church Almanac of past years will not generally regard the changes introduced as improvements. The Manual is too statistical even for New Church friends, and can be of no interest to outsiders. The information concerning “St. John's, Manchester," page 6, will be new to residents in that city.

Plays for Tiny Players. By R. T. Gunton. (Speirs, 4d.) This is a seasonable little book. We feel sure that many school and home parties will derive additional interest from the performance of these "plays." The triumphal return of the "Babes out of the Wood," the satisfactory exaltation of the patient "Cinderella," and the pleasant awakening and destiny of "The Sleeping Beauty' are skilfully set forth by Mr. Gunton. The stage directions, etc., are very complete.

Manual of the New Church Temperance Society has just been issued for gratuitous distribution, containing a list of the officers of the Society, its basis and objects, and the means it proposes to 'adopt. Mr. E. Braby of 15 Holland Villas Road, W., will be glad to supply copies to all applicants.

Good Words.—A well-educated gentleman may not know many But whatlanguages, may not be able to speak any but his own. ever languages he knows, he knows precisely; whatever word he pronounces, he pronounces rightly. Above all, he is learned in the peerage of words; knows the words of true descent and ancient blood at a glance from words of modern canaille.—Ruskin.

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of Morning Light.

CROTCHETS AND PRINCIPLES.

SIR, I must slightly demur to some of the definitions and conclusions in a paper in Morning Light of November 20 on the above subject, not for the sake of differing, but because it is as well to be clear on such points. Mr. Presland defines a crotchety person as one who wavers from one extreme to another and persists in all kinds of unreasonable things. I think I may safely say that wavering and persistence are scarcely compatible ideas. The one is indeed the opposite of the other, and so far as I am aware the quality of persistence is far more the characteristic of a crotchety person than wavering. I take a crotchety man to be not merely one who persists in playing one tune, but often only one note, ad nauseam ; sometimes as small as a penny trumpet; sometimes as loud as a big drum; but in each case tiresome and monotonous. that the world erroneously charges some of her best men with folly, and may make the mistake of calling some "crotchety," but I cannot call to mind any instance of the term being applied to "the noblest of reformers, the greatest of discoverers, the profoundest of philosophers, the wisest of teachers," or "even the great founder of Christianity Himself."

It is true

If I further understand Mr. Presland, the instances he finds in our everyday experience, which should teach us toleration, are of things which the world calls crotchety, and which he would class as free from such discredit, if not indeed in the other category. Now I have no objection to any old gentleman sleeping with his window open for forty years, whether he catch cold or not. If he likes it he has a right to do it. But if he insists that because it does not hurt him it will do every one else good, and is constantly preaching “fresh air" in season and out of season; if he insists that his wife, who may perhaps object, shall do as he does, I don't consider the world would be wrong in calling him crotchety. The thing he "likes to tell you" about is not a matter of principle, and nothing could raise it to that pitch; though no doubt there is a principle involved in the proper and wholesome ventilation of a sleeping-room. Highlanders, so far as I know, do not make naked feet a sine quâ non; if one did, I should think him crotchety. I believe they generally wear some foot-covering when they can get it, though they may not like tight boots any more than I do.

A man may hate to dance in "crowded, close rooms," or "not do any sort of justice" to your supper; he may break the ice to bathe, or dislike tobacco; he may abstain from fermented liquors, be a homoeopath or an anti-vaccinationist; he may be a vegetarian or anything else he likes if he thinks it right, or finds himself the better for it, without being chargeable as crotchety. But if on the strength of either or all of these accomplishments-and they are often combined in one individual--he sets up as a public reformer, and preaches them as the needs of the world, I should certainly join with the rest of the world and call him crotchety.

My own definition of a crotchety man would not be governed by the mere fact that his view was in itself right or not, but by his way of advocating it. Fragmentary truths and splinters of great principles may be made into the veriest of crotchets by a crotchety person; and more real harm is done to principle by such persistence than can well be estimated. The man who really is principled in great truths, whose mind is truly balanced, will never spend his energies in the persistent urging of some microscopic excellence as a panacea for evil.

The grand truths of Christianity summed in the two great commandments include all lesser principles, and if we seek to do them in heart and life these will follow. But, alas! there are many who contract their horizon so much that a molehill may hide even the sunrise from them. They devote their whole energies to some of these lesser matters, and leave the greater ones to take care of themselves.

Before concluding let me venture to offer my definitions, as I presume I should not object without so doing. To act from principle, then, is to apply the broad truths of Christianity to every lesser moral, or religious principle, and to every act in public or private life.

To be crotchety is to take any lesser matter-right or wrongand treat it as a main or ruling principle of life.-I am, sir, yours faithfully, SAJEM.

NEWS OF THE NEW CHURCH. BOLTON.-The fourth lecture in connection with the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society was delivered on Thursday evening, November 25, by the Rev. T. Mackereth, F.R.A.S. The subject was "The Tides." The lecture throughout was clear and lucid, and was listened to with deep attention by a numerous audience, among whom were many strangers.

CARLETON, near SKIPTON.-The Craven Pioneer of November

20 had the following item: "On Sunday afternoon the first inter ment under the new Burials Act took place in the churchyard of Carleton, the funeral being that of Edith Wilson, the infant daughter of Mr. Joseph Wilson, late of Embsay. The father being a New Churchman, or what is commonly termed a Swedenborgian, was desirous that the Rev. Edward Jones, the minister of that denomi nation in the neighbouring village of Embsay, should conduct the service. When Mr. Wilson applied to the clergyman, the Rev. T. E. Morris, for permission to have the funeral on the Sunday, he was met with the utmost courtesy and kindness, and assisted in the filling up of the formal notice. The anxiety of the good clergyman that there should be no demonstration was altogether needless. The Rev. E. Jones conducted the greater part of the simple and solemn service of the New Church in the dwelling-house. Mr. Jones dwelt upon the fact that when man passes from this natural world into the spiritual he takes with him all that belongs to him as a man, and that while we, in the obscurity of our natural state, mourn over the loss and departure of a loving child, the angels of heaven, who attended on the resurrection of every translated spirit, are welcoming its arrival in the mansions of eternity. When the funeral cortège came to the churchyard they found it filled with a great part of the people of the village, who, midst a heavy downpour of rain, quietly watched the proceedings. For the first time in many years the sexton omitted the tolling of the bell, a matter, however, which did not trouble the mourners much, as they consider such tolling a remnant of Papal superstition. The mortal remains of the little one were committed to the earth quietly and solemnly, and after the usual prayer for consolation and comfort to the bereaved ones, without any reference to the fact that the service was the first of the kind under the new Act, the mourners were dismissed with the benediction."

DERBY.—On Monday, November 15, in connection with the Mutual Improvement Society, the Rev. W. O'Mant of Nottingham delivered a lecture in the schoolroom of the church on "Spiritualism." In the unavoidable absence of the Rev. W. Wilkinson the chair was worthily occupied by Mr. Councillor Keys. The lecturer, after defining his position as being a broad and independent one, stated that there were two distinct branches of the subject which it would be desirable to notice, viz. appearances which were invoked and appearances which were not invoked. The latter, he was inclined to believe, were of God's Providence, while the former were only of His permission, a distinction upon which he laid much stress. He considered that the facts of spiritualism were as well attested as any facts of history, and spoke to the question of credibility and evidence, and denominated it as most illogical to reject well-authenticated facts. As far as the historical view of the subject extended there was no period without the evidences of spiritualism. It was well known by the Egyptians, Grecians, and Romans, and the Bible, condemning its practice, admitted it as a fact. He described itwhether we liked it or not-as making more rapid strides than any movement with which he was acquainted. The eighteenth century was a period when materialism set its heel upon the supernatural of all kinds, while at the present day there appeared to be a recoil taking place, and there was danger of rushing to the other extreme. lle proceeded to show that in the teachings of Swedenborg was to be found the antidote to this state of things, that in those teachings the whole phenomena were traced to their cause, and the unquestionable danger which attended the modern séance pointed out. Its redeeming feature was that it would tend to break down some of the strongholds of materialism, and on this ground he was inclined to believe it was permitted by the Divine Being. The lecture was eloquently given, and elicited frequent applause. After a few remarks by the Rev. J. Ashby, Messrs. Fairweather, Ward, and Applebee, and votes of thanks to the lecturer and the chairman, the proceedings terminated.

EDINBURGH.-The Rev. W. C. Barlow, M. A., gave a lecture at the recreation meeting on Thursday, November 11, and preached in the forenoon of the following Sunday. The lecture on Thursday evening, which was given impromptu in the absence of the essayist for that evening, dealt with Shakespeare's great human power, as shown in the allegorical representations of human life and experience in his works.

FAILSWORTH.-On Saturday, November 13, one of the largest temperance meetings ever held in Failsworth took place in connec tion with the New Jerusalem Band of Hope, Wickentree Lane. Previous to the meeting and entertainment about 400 persons sat down to tea, after which the large room, capable of holding 700 persons, was crowded almost to suffocation. The chair was taken by the president of the Society, Mr. S. Henshall of Manchester. A glee party, under the leadership of Mr. Byron Dewhurst, sang during the evening the glees "Awake, Eolian lyre," and "Softly fall the shades of evening," in a most accomplished style. Four presentations, consisting of valuable books, were made to boys named Thomas Tetlow, Walter Collinson, Rowland Clough, and

Noah Collinson for having during the past year distributed temperance periodicals. The presentations were made by Mr. Rowland Adcock of Loughborough, who spoke to the boys on the use and advantage of work. The secretary, Mr. Schofield, next read the annual report, which showed the number of members to be 248, being an increase of 34 over last year. During the year upwards of 900 monthly periodicals had been sold to the members. The report next alluded to meetings in connection with the Band of Hope, and, adverting to the last General Election, stated that some of the best workers in that contest were young men trained in the Bands of Hope, who were determined to elect a Parliament that would give them a voice in saying whether public-houses should exist around them or not. The report concluded by stating that the temperance movement throughout the country was never in a better position. Addresses were also given by the chairman and Mr. Adcock. Songs were afterwards given to the accompaniment of the Failsworth string band, followed by a representation of the drama "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which was cleverly rendered.

was

Mr. Rowland Adcock also preached in the chapel on the following Sunday morning and evening. The morning sermon addressed to the younger portion of the congregation, and was on the subject of Work. The subject of the evening sermon was "The Barren Fig-tree" (Mark xi. 13). The congregations were numerous and appreciative, and bore testimony to the esteem in which the preacher is still held by the Failsworth Society.

GLASGOW. At the second meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society Mr. J. B. Binks read an interesting paper on the "Chemistry of Water." He illustrated his remarks by experiments showing the composition of water and the properties of oxygen and hydrogen. At the close of his paper one or two gentlemen made some additional remarks on the subject.

On Friday, November 19, the first of the social meetings was held. Mr. E. M. Pulsford of Alloa read a most interesting and instructive paper on "The Tongue; its Use and Abuse." He spoke first of the structure of the tongue, and showed how wonderfully everything about it was adapted to its use; then he considered the tongue in relation to taste, and pointed out its use and abuse; next he considered it as the organ of speech, and showed that in this respect the tongue had power of doing great good or great evil. In the last place Mr. Pulsford considered the correspondence of the tongue. His paper was very complete, and was much enjoyed. In the discussion that followed some humorous remarks were made on the abuse of the tongue in speech; and the usual hit at the tongue of the fair sex was indignantly refuted. Mr. Potts spoke very well on the correspondence of the tongue. He had been reminded, he said, while Mr. Pulsford was describing the softness and delicate perception of the tongue that Swedenborg told us that the tongue corresponded to the celestial angels. This was a most beautiful and suggestive correspondence. The stomach corresponded to the world of spirits; and just as the tongue received all food and tested it in the softest manner, but yet with a perfect perception of its quality, so the celestial angels were the first to receive those going from the earth into the world of spirits. Their kind treatment and gentleness and their delicate perception of truth and good were well represented by the softness and sensitiveness of the tongue. The hall of the church was comfortably filled, about 100 persons being present. At the next meeting Mr. Potts is to read a paper on Degrees."

KEIGHLEY.-On Tuesday and Wednesday, November 2nd and 3rd, we were favoured with a visit from Rev. R. R. Rodgers of Birmingham for the purpose of delivering two lectures. On Tuesday evening the subject of the lecture was "Redemption and Salvationwhat are they and how are they effected?" In a remarkably clear, comprehensive, and graphic manner he detailed the circumstances in human life which gave rise to the need of redemption, especially emphasizing the loss of freedom to the human will, and showed from Scripture and reason that redemption was not a deliverance from the wrath of God, nor a restoration of man to the Divine favour, nor was it effected by the death of Christ upon the cross, but in overcoming the enemies of mankind and restoring to the human will the power of free and unbiassed choice. He then dwelt upon the value of the Lord's sufferings and death, pointed out the true nature of the apostolic references to the blood of Christ, and showed that salvation was through faith working by love in keeping the Divine commandments.-The subject of the Wednesday evening's lecture was Ark and the Flood-are they a literal History or an Allegory?" The lecturer commenced by pointing out that although he was about to express views which might be contrary to those held by some present, yet he did so not in the spirit of pride, but with the sole purpose of giving information without offence. In directing their attention to the method of interpreting Scripture spiritually, not literally, it was because it was the best with which he was acquainted, and until a better one was presented he must perforce adhere to it. He then dwelt on the scientific difficulties which stood in the way of a literal interpretation of the Ark and the Flood, and

"The

showed from a striking and clear array of arguments that such an interpretation was impossible. He then recounted the method of explaining the Scriptures spiritually; showed how the Word and why the Word had been given to man; pointed out that various Churches had commenced, flourished for a time, and had finally perished to give place to others; and that wherever a Church came to an end it was spiritually understood to be effected by a deluge. He then dwelt upon the provision made by the Lord for a new Church, represented by the ark, and concluded an interesting and useful lecture by showing that the Church was always an ark of safety to mankind. The attendance was good, especially on the second night, including many strangers, who have since expressed the pleasure they experienced in listening to such able expositions of New Church truths, and the members also share these grateful recognitions of Mr. Rodgers' services.

LONGTON.-On Sunday evening, November 14, a special address was delivered in the New Church Mission-Room by Mr. G. T. Platt of Burslem, the subject of the discourse being "Saving Faith not Simple Trust." The fallacy of preaching "only believe as the all of religion and its productiveness of mere lip profession was pointed out, and the necessity was strongly urged of a union of truth and love as the basis of "the compound living principle Faith, formed partly of truth received in proportion as it was understood, and partly of the affection in which the truth was received," and which could only be imparted in proportion as the commandments were obeyed. Such was the living faith which always ultimated itself in good works, and had, therefore, nothing in common with the modern blind belief which professed to be independent of evidence and denied the right to exercise the intellectual faculties.

On Sunday, November 21, Mr. Samuel Henshall of Manchester visited the New Church Society worshipping in Wharf Street Mission-Room, and delivered two excellent discourses to attentive and appreciative congregations-subjects, "The Lord's Temptation' and "The Ascension.'

On Monday evening Mr. Henshall delivered an entertaining and instructive lecture in the same room-subject, "Madame Guyon, or the most remarkable Woman of the Seventeenth Century." The subject of the lecture, he said, was one of the most pious women the world had in all probability ever known, and from her childhood upwards she was almost entirely devoted to religious work. Had the Catholic Church, of which she was a member, but imitated her spiritual life and work, that Church would have become thoroughly reformed. Proceeding, the lecturer traced the early career of the lady from her birth in 1648, pointing out her strong religious sympathies at a very early age, her obedience to her parents, and also the founding of her character upon lessons drawn from a copy of the Bible which she fell in with apparently by chance at an educational establishment to which her parents had sent her. The troubles of her married life having been referred to, her great reasoning powers, and her literary ability as the author of no less than forty volumes, theological and poetical, were dwelt upon at some length. Her opinions startled the whole Catholic Church, and she was branded as a heretic by some of the dignitaries of the Church, being at last imprisoned for five years by Louis XIV., during which time she penned a magnificent poem on her captivity. By this time her fame had spread all over France; and the clergy as a body being much opposed to her advanced views, she was banished on her release from prison to a small town on the borders of France, where she died at the age of sixty-nine years. After her death her voluminous works were published and passed through many editions, causing much controversy amongst some of the best critics of that time. At the conclusion of the discourse, on the motion of Mr. G. T. Platt, seconded by Mr. J. Brough, and supported by Mr. Brookhouse, a very cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Henshall for his able lecture.

RAMSBOTTOM.-The Society at this place held a social meeting on Wednesday evening, November 24, to which were invited all who had in any capacity assisted at their bazaar. About 150 persons partook of tea, and then took their places to witness an entertainment consisting of songs, glees, and short addresses. After devotional exercises Mr. John Ashworth, who, as chairman of the bazaar committee, presided on this occasion, called upon the Rev. S. Pilkington, secretary, to read the bazaar accounts. Mr. Pilkington said that the success of their undertaking had been such that many in the neighbourhood thought it incredible, but he would tell those present all about the money realized-when it came, whence it came, and how it came. He then proceeded to read through the items of income, giving in each case the date (commencing January 5, 1880), the source, and the sum, and concluded this part of his statement

by announcing, amidst much applause, that the total up to that day amounted to £850, os. 94d. He then read over the items of expenditure, which (including £40 that had been spent in crockery, etc.) amounted to £121, 2s. 11d., leaving a balance of £728, 17s. Iold. The accounts were then stated in another form to show how much had been realized by each stall, the results in each case being greeted by hearty applause. About £60 worth of goods remained for future disposal. The choir having given the glee "Hail to Victoria," the chairman said the next duty he had to perform was one which gave him the sincerest pleasure, as it would to all present, and that was to ask Mr. and Mrs. Pilkington to accept the pair of excellent portraits of themselves that were then placed on the platform. He stated that no one could imagine the amount of work that had been done by Mr. and Mrs. Pilkington in connection with the bazaar except those who had been acting with them; and though the present was small in comparison with their deserts, yet they were offered with the sincerest love and esteem of the Society for their pastor and his wife. In reply Mr. Pilkington said that he and his wife very thankfully accepted the portraits, and fully reciprocated all the feelings of affection and esteem which had been expressed by the chairman, and which he had no doubt came from the warm and sympathizing hearts of the members and the congregation. He had acted as secretary not only for the committee and his wife's stall, but also for the mothers' stall. The mothers had found him plenty of work, but the pleasure he found by attending their weekly meetings took away the sense of toil, and he should never forget the happy evenings he had spent with them during the year. They

owed much of their success to the goodwill of the general public. They had had the countenance and the substantial help of people in the town of almost every shade of religion and politics, and this fact gladdened his heart. In conclusion, he remarked that he had felt very worldly of late, having spent a good deal of time and energy in begging and selling. Now that they had got nearly to the end of this work, he hoped that they might now give more time for instructing their minds and preparing their souls for heaven. Votes of thanks to the friends from the Sunday schools at Accrington and Heywood, by whose efforts £100 was realized from their stalls, were passed amid much cheering. The members of the choir sustained the reputation they have gained here by their effective rendering of several glees. Songs were given by Miss E. H. Pickup, Miss C. Hanson, Miss G. Balshaw, and all were well received. Mr. T. Wolstenholme presided at the piano, and was accompanied by others on the violin, the cornet, and the piccolo. Dancing took up the remainder of the evening, which was one that for many reasons will not be soon forgotten by those present at the meeting.

STOCKPORT.-The friends here held their anniversary on Sunday, November 14, when the sermons were preached by the Rev. C. H. Wilkins of Manchester. The afternoon subject was "After Death -what next?" and in the evening "How do Angels minister to Men?" The discourses were listened to with very close attention by appreciative audiences, both services being very well attended notwithstanding a most inclement day. Collections were made at the close of each service, which yielded satisfactory results.

December 12, Morning.-Exod. xv. 23-27. After the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea they journeyed three days in the wilderness of Shur without finding water. No doubt they were in extreme need of water, and therefore on finding indications of its presence at Marah (recognised as the fountain of Hawarah) they were delighted beyond measure, only on tasting it to be more deeply disappointed. Hence their murmuring against Moses and exclamation, What shall we drink? On Moses crying to the Lord he was shown some wood, as tree would be more correctly rendered, which when thrown into the waters made them sweet and palatable. Then follows an exhortation to hearken to the Lord's voice, do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and the Lord would not put upon them the plagues which had befallen the Egyptians. Immediately thereafter they come to Elim, not far removed from Marah, indeed only two and a half hours' journey from it, and find twelve wells of water and many palm-trees. SPIRITUAL LESSON-After passing safely through the trial represented by the Red Sea they encounter another form of privation, and wander on through a three days' journey, a full state of trial. They have overcome the falsities which have attacked them, and they now desire to have truth. When found it is distasteful to them. It shows their faults, it indicates unpleasant duties, it tells them plainly that they are very far from good. The means by which Moses can make it sweet is by joining goodness to it. The Word directs us to apply the bitter truth to our daily life, and when conjoined to duty done the truth is found to be no longer unpalatable, but sweet and pleasant. Hence the exhortation appropriately follows to hearken diligently to the Lord and do what is right. Finally we are brought to Elim (identified as Wady Ghurundel) with not only every kind of truth (twelve wells of water), but also threescore and ten palm-trees (all the forms of goodness thence derived). Elim is not far from Marah, because the highest state is closely connected with the deepest trial. When the devil leaveth a man angels come and minister unto him, as they did to the

Lord Himself. The name Elim signifies palm-trees, and Marah bitter.

MURMURING.

December 12, Afternoon.-Exod. xvi. 1-3. As the children of Israel were only an external people, a representative of a Church, kept in connection with the spiritual world by the representatives in their worship, which however had for them no internal, they were led by every unpleasantness connected with their history to turn not only against Moses, but against God. This distrust of course could not be completely removed, for trust of a genuine and lasting character must be spiritual. Murmuring is a frequent feature with them, notwithstanding the miraculous guidance which they had up to that time experienced, because it is a spiritual quality attending most trials which we encounter in the path of regeneration. Journeying from Elim they enter the wilderness of Sin (the modern plain of Elka'a), which is between Elim and Sinai. This they reached on the fifteenth day of the second month; and as they ate the passover on the fourteenth of the first month, and were departed from Egypt the following day, it shows they had been a month on the journey thus far. The second month is called in Hebrew Ziph, and fell partly in our April, partly in May. The murmuring is now for the fleshpots and the bread of Egypt, for a share of this world's enjoyments and pleasures. This is not sinful in itself. It is only sinful when it usurps the main place in a man's regards, and when its gratification is not controlled by God's own appointment. All man's legitimate wants both for this world and the next can be provided for without sin; and when man thinks they cannot he murmurs, and would prefer to indulge his worldly desires alone, as he had done in time past in Egypt, without regarding the needs and desires of his soul. But, as we shall see in future lessons, the Lord is both able and willing to provide for both. Sin, the wilderness in which they wandered, signifies a cliff or place.

Printed by MUIR, PATERSON AND BRODIE, 12 Clyde Street, Edinburgh, and published by JAMES SPEIRS, 36 Bloomsbury Street, London.