evidence in the Scriptures, showing that angels, though not the direct subjects of his redeeming grace, sustain a very intimate relation to Christ. Man's redemption by the Saviour was once a problem, into which, as Peter informs us, they desired to look. The Angel Gabriel was sent to announce the forerunner of Christ. The an gel of the Lord informed Mary that she was to be the mother of the Saviour; and when he was born, an angel proclaimed his advent to the shepherds, soon succeeded by a multitude of the heavenly host, who sang the inaugural hymn, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men." When the life of the infant Messiah was in jeopardy, an angel directed the flight of his parents into Egypt, and then their return, after the death of Herod. When the Saviour was tempted, angels came and ministered unto him; when bearing the strange agonies of Gethsemane, and sweating, as it were, great drops of blood, then an angel was deputed to strengthen him. Angels met the disciples of Jesus at the sepulchre, and announced his resurrection; they were present when he ascended from Mount Olivet, and assured the disciples that he would come again in like manner as he had gone up into heaven. At the final consummation of our system, when the second advent shall occur, and the dead leave their graves, angels will be present: "The Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him." This is the great har vest adverted to in the parable of the Tares, in which the reapers will be the angels. Though Christ is not their Saviour, yet he is ours; and they are interested in him in whom we are interested, and thus a concord of sympathy is established between angels and men. A saint is an interesting object to an angel, as is the latter to the former. A sinner, repenting, awakens seraphic rapture. The good in heaven and the good on earth are of one mind, not only in respect to the Saviour, but also to the beneficiaries of his grace. Perhaps, yea, quite probably, angels are guardian spirits to the good when they leave this mortal scene. Look at the parable of 66 'Assuredly, if anywhere heavenly aid is needed, it is when the spirit leaves the body. If anywhere a guide is needed, it is when the soul goes up the unknown path to God. And if angels are employed on any messages of mercy to mankind, it is proper that it should be when life is closing, and the spirit is about to ascend to heaven." What a beautiful commentary upon this idea is furnished in the words of the Psalmist: "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." God be praised for the ministry of angels! Let them be the almoners of his charity to the necessities of our race. Let them be one branch of subordinate agency, through whom the great Original ministers to the heirs of salvation. We believe in their existence and their ministry, upon the authority of God. They. are not figures of speech, not poetic ornaments; they are sublime and cheering realities. Let us conclude this sketch with one more thought: angels impart dignity and glory to the future state of the righteous. The interest we have in a place depends mostly upon the beings who are there. Nearly all the charms of home are drawn from its occupants. Father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother-these are the jewels that are set in the coronet of home. Heaven, then, is the eternal home of the righteous; and who will be there? Christ will be there; the redeemed of all ages will be there; the holy angels will be there. holy angels will be there. The Apostle tells the Hebrews, that besides the Mediator of the new covenant and the spirits of just men made perfect, they will meet in the heavenly Jerusalem "an innumerable com. pany of angels." This will make a society of friendships, enriched by lofty intelligence, and sanctified by the perfection of virtue: "Worthy is the Lamb!" will be the universal shout-a song in which angels will unite, swelling and sweetening the strain. Pure and unsullied blessedness will pour its eternal stream, while those who have lived for Christ shall be "as the angels of God in heaven." A confluence of holiness from two worlds shall be formed in the skies. It is well worth one's while to live so as to be fit for the society of angels. 66 Why, father," continued Janette, "how can you say so !" and assuming one of her most witching smiles, she added, "Miss Frasier has got a new piano-forte of superior tone to her old one, besides being far more richly and beautifully finished." "Well, what then, child !" rejoined her father, with pensive gravity. "Why, I was thinking-but you will be offended I fear" "Not in the least, unless you do wrong as well as think. So you was thinking that-" "I should like a piano like Matilda's," was the half timid response of Janette. "I thought as much," continued her father; "but what is the cost of such an article, my dear ?" "Only fifteen hundred dollars, father," and Janette crouched down by his side and regarded him with a fond deprecating smile. Charles Oakely loved his daughter; his hand pushed aside the rich tresses that shaded her polished brow, and imprinting thereon a parent's kiss, he added, "Fifteen hundred dollars is a large sum for such an article, my dear, is it not?" "True, father, but are you not as well able to afford it as Mr. Frasier ?” "It may be so, but what say you, my dear?" addressing his wife, who had been a silent but not a disinterested listener. "I am anxious that Janette should prevail with you. She and Matilda are each to give a party soon, and I have a desire not to be eclipsed by her in the ornaments of the parlor." "A most commendable pride," was the equivocal response. But," continued he, "what will you do with the old or rather the present new one? You surely do not want two." 66 "O, we can sell it to Gen. Chandler! Maria was admiring it much while here yesterday, though she thought it rather high priced," eagerly responded Janette, who was happy to remove the only barrier to the gratification of her then predominant wish. "Perhaps she too may wish a fifteen hundred dollar one! Gen. Chandler is surely able to afford one even more costly." "O, no father, she does not wish a better one than mine, she has quite a plain taste that way." "How stupid she must be, Janette, must she not?" queried Oakely. Janette's face was crimsoned at his pointed irony, but before she could frame any reply, her father rose, and as he left the house said, "Let Miss Chandler have the piano-forte at her own price." Janette's heart leaped for joy. She was not to be outdone by Matilda Frasier, and she looked forward with exultation to that | day when she could astonish her friends by such an unexpected display. Her mother shared her fond anticipations, and it was soon arranged between them that Miss Chandler should be put into speedy possession of an article they now wondered could ever have found a place in their dwelling! Charles Oakely commenced the world empty handed, nor had he accumulated much when he sought and obtained a partner to his poverty. Both were poor, and although they lived quietly together, his wife was ever sighing for the splendor of the rich. Though, in the main, a good sort of a woman, she lacked that uncommon Ja sense so requisite to contentment in the possession of little, as well as that knowledge of domestic economy, generally so important in the acquisition of more. nette, her only child, and so like herself in form and mind, was just verging to womanhood, and being heir, as was supposed, to an ample fortune, she looked forward to a splendid career in the circles of gaiety and fashion. Had she possessed in her mother a wiser counsellor, she would have been, at eighteen, a very different person. She lacked not the principles of an opposite character, but under the false training of her mother, they had been suffered to repose uncultivated, while the weeds of folly were cherished into an extensive growth. These defects of mind were the more striking, as they marked the more strongly the contrast with a pleasing-a speaking eye, and a faultless form. Her father possessed none of the frivolity of herself or mother, and owing to the sternness of his integrity, and his industrious habits, success followed his efforts till the time we have chosen for his introduction to the reader. He had been, what is called down in the world, but now he is so far up as to rank among the first in wealth in the city of his residence. But the time has arrived to drop delineations and to group them again before the reader. "Well, father, Miss Chandler is to have the piano. She will send for it this afternoon," said Janette exultingly. "At what price, my dear?" "The same it cost. When she found you had left it to her to set the price, she would not take it at less. Do you think the sale a good one "Certainly the best you ever madebeing the only one." "Here is the check for the money-a third of the cash for the new one." "So you will lose a thousand dollars after all, will you, my dear?" was the grave response of her father. "What say you," he continued, addressing his wife and daughter, "to a new carriage the present one is somewhat soiled, is it not?" "By all means," was the exclamation of both! "Let the new one be fashioned like Judge Arnold's, though not so sparingly mounted !" Oakely bowed, as if in assent, while a bitter smile played over his features for a moment, when all was calm again. The result of the conference was to sell the principal part of the furniture-all of a costly character-and replace it with that more fashionably splendid. Both mother and daughter retired to rest that evening, full of importance which their new display was about to give them among their wondering neighbors. Alas for the poor Frasiers! They were to be overwhelmed by a competition in finery, which a fifteen hundred dollar piano had provoked! A few days sufficed to clear the house of its most valuable furniture. Enough was left, however, for convenience and comfort, and when this was done, the mother and daughter were all impatience for that which was to replace what was gone. But two days remained to prepare for Janette's party. Evening came, but Oakely was yet absent, and nothing had yet arrived. He came, but much later than usual, yet he atoned partially for his delay, by the more than usual kindness of his manner. "Where can you have been, Charles, so late?" was the query of his wife, as she seated herself fondly by his side. "I have had an uncommon share of business to attend to, my dear, and I rejoice that it is done. Come, daughter, bring forward the Bible and read a portion of it for our mutual instruction." The calm seriousness with which this was uttered forbade any remark on his usual request. It so happened that Janette opened the book at the fifth chapter of Matthew, beginning, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," and by the time she had finished the first paragraph, her voice became choked; and unable to proceed, she gave way to emotion in all the violence of grief. Her mother, from sympathy or other cause, was equally affect ed, nor was Oakely free from the same emotion. When his wife and daughter had become somewhat composed, he knelt down between them with the solemnly expressed words, "Let us pray!" And he did pray in all the fervency of a broken spirit. He acknowledged his forgetfulness of God,-implored pardon for his own, and for the sins of those bound to him by the strongest of human ties-prayed that both he and his might expel from their hearts the pride so long cherished. Thanked his Creator for the gift of existence-the blessings associated with it, as also for the hopes of an immortal hereafter, inspired by the promises of the Gospel. He commended the world to the care of Him on whom all are dependent for the life that now is, as well as that which is to come; and so deeply did the spirit of his petitions affect his wife and daughter, that they joined with him in that most solemnly expressive phrase, AMEN. That night a new spirit reigned in the breasts of the Oakely family. And when what they had been half led to believe, was confirmed,-when they were assured that the wealth so long idolized was theirs no longer-scarcely a regret or murmur escaped the lips of mother or daughter, but both seemed anxious to forget that misfortune had fallen on them. A situation more befitting their means was procured, and thither they repaired to enjoy far more real pleasure than when rioting in what seemed an exhaustless abundance. The party, the carriage, the piano, and costly furniture were forgotten. Economy and industry took the place of fashionable folly, and they were now prosperous and happy. Mrs. Oakely lost her pride, but found contentment. Janette lost the same, as also a foppish beau who had an eye to her fortune, but she had found her own good qualities, and has applied herself to their improvement, as well as the worth of a young man who sighed for her when rich, and who adores her now, while comparatively poor, and whom she will doubtless reward er long, by surrendering herself to his care and keeping. Such is a sample of the "UPS AND DOWNS" of life, and happy would it be if all who toppled from the pinnacle of fortune could gain as much by the descent as did the Oakely family. PROMISES are blossoms; deeds are fruit. SABBATH EVENING HYMN. BY MRS. SIGOURNEY. WE thank thee, Father, for the day, That, robed in twilight sweet, Doth linger ere it pass away, And lead us to thy feet. We thank thee for its healing rest Its praise within thy temple blest- We thank thee for its living bread, Forgive us, if our thoughts were slow Forgive us, if these precepts pure, That should our sins control, And aid us meekly to endure, Grew languid in the soul. Forgive us, if with spirit cold, We breathed the murmurer's moan; Or failed to grasp the chain of gold, That links us to thy throne. O grant, that when this span of life Tend to their long repose; We, for the sake of Him who died, BEAUTIFUL EXTRACT. H, if there is one law above the rest God hath made nothing worthy of contempt; GENERAL SYNOD.-The sessions of the Eighteenth Convention of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the United States commenced at Reading, Pa., in St. James's Church, Rev. Mr. BROWN's, on Thursday morning, May 14, and continued until Wednesday evening following, when the body finally adjourned. The Synodical Sermon was preached by the former President, Rev. A. H. Lochman, of York, Pa. The following officers were chosen: President, Rev. Simeon W. Harkey; Treasurer, Hon. Peter S. Michler; Secretary, Prof. M. L. Stoever. The different societies celebrated their anniversaries, and were addressed, with much force and eloquence, by numerous speakers. Among the important business transacted, was that of forming an official connection with the Lutheran Board of Publication, on terms equally satisfactory to both parties. The next General Synod is to meet in the city of Pittsburg, on the third Thursday of May, 1859. H. LUTHERAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION OFFICIALLY CONNECTED WITH GENERAL SYNOD.We are gratified to have it in our power to state that the Lutheran Board of Publication has been officially recognized by General Synod, held at Reading, in a manner highly satisfactory alike to the Synod and Board. The Rev. G. F. Krotel and Rev. Charles A. Hay were elected by Synod to represent that body in the Publishing Committee, to whom all manuscripts designed for publication are first to be submitted. This arrangement will give, both to the Board and Synod, a controlling voice in the issue of books, and insure the united confidence of all sections of the Church in their publications. With the sanction and indorsement of General Synod, we predict for the Board an eminent career of usefulness, and trust the sanguine expectations thus awakened will be fully realized. Every occasion of dissatisfaction being now happily removed, let us all pray and labor that the Publication Society may be abundantly blessed of God. H. CHURCH EXTENSION.-This organization of the Lutheran Church was supposed by many to have resulted in a lamentable failure, but the report read at Reading has shown a more gratifying state of things. Nearly $10,000 have been actually received by the Treasurer, W. M. Heyl, and there are still considerable sums in the hands of sub-treasurers, which separate organizations will doubtless now be abandoned. The greater part of the fund has been loaned, in sums varying from $300 to $500, to congregations in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, and Wisconsin, in which localities a number of churches have been erected through this fund, which would not otherwise have been built. C. A. Morris, Esq., of York, was re-elected President of the Soeiety; Rev. C. A. Hay, Recording Secretary; Rev. E. W. Hutter, Corresponding Secretary; A. T. Chur, A. G. Reichert, Martin Bueller, Isaac Sulger, Dr. M. C. Kreitzer, Executive Committee. The Church Extension Society of the Lutheran Church is not a failure. God be praised, it has already proved a rich blessing to the Church. H. JEWISH MISSION. -- A Christian lady of Amsterdam has offered the Free Church of Scotland a new building in that city, worth £2000, and the sum of £2000 as a partial endowment, for a school to raise up evangelists and colporteurs among the Jews in Holland and throughout Europe. The General Assembly accepted the offer, and appointed Rev. Robert Smith, one of the missionaries recently expelled from Hungary, to superintend the proposed enterprise. METHODIST PERIODICALS.--The following is an official statement of the names and circulation of the various current Methodist periodicals: |