words, "in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity", Peter does not leave Simon Magus without hope, so as to be able to escape the punishment due to his sin, for he commands him "to repent of his wicked

ness.'

What a beautiful lesson to be learned by every messenger of Christ's Gospel from the conduct of Peter toward Simon Magus! He exhorts to receive the spirit of true evangelical repentance for his sin, and then follows it with the additional word of encouragement to exercise the spirit of prayer, and by yielding obedience to these commands would follow the blessed result of obtaining forgiveness. If men still impenitent would obey Peter's counsel to Simon Magus, i. e., to exercise the genuine spirit of repentance, accompanied by earnest prayer, then the precious blessing of forgiveness of sin would be their eternal and blessed portion.

"I was a farmer boy, and I kept the New Testament in my trousers back pocket.

And the farmer lad, knowing nothing but the west and south wind in his face, and the blowing to and fro of the tasselling corn, and the growing of the corn, and reading God's Book out of doors-that is how I became matriculatd to literature and history and nature and astronomy, and the wide world and the world to come-just because I had the Bible. *** If we would read commentaries less and trust in His Word more, and use our imagination, such as we have, and dream and live over it and pray over it and hope over it, we would have more sense and better theology. that is the truth."-Bishop Quayle.

The Bible

Now,

Dr. Thomas Chalmers: "If I were to live my life over again, I would read more of the Bible and less of what people say about it." "Give any nation the Bible, and let that nation make the Bible its statute book, and every class in the community will have justice; masters will be just to their servants; servants will be just to their masters; family peace will be protected; social relations will be purified; common progress will be guaranteed. The strength of justice is the social strength of the Bible.-Joseph Parker.

Queen Victoria: "This book is the secret of England's greatness."

John Adams: "The Bible is the best book in the world."

Thomas Jefferson: "Of all the systems of morality, none appears so pure to me as that of Jesus."

John Quincy Adams: "I have for many years made it a practice to read through the Bible once every year: it is an inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue." Andrew Jackson: "That book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests."

Martin Van Buren: "The atonement of Christ is the only remedy and rest for the soul."

James K. Polk: "I have read the sacred

Scriptures a great deal and deeply reverence them as divine truth."

William H. Harrison: "I have profound reverence for the Christian religion."

Franklin Pierce: "All real progress rests upon the great truth affirmed and illustrated by divine revelation."

Abraham Lincoln: "In regard to the great book, I have only to say that it is the best gift which God has given to man."

Andrew Johnson: "I believe in Almighty God, and I believe also in the Bible.-Ex.

As an aged Scotchman was dying, a friend asked him, "Have you a glimpse of Christ now that you are dying?" The man raised himself a little, and emphatically replied, "I'll hae nane o' your glimpses now that I am dying, seein' that I have a full look at Christ these forty years gane." If there were more men and women who were getting this full look at Christ, there would be more conquerors joining the ranks of our blessed Commander.-Record of Christian Work.

On a dark, stormy evening a man lay dying and the relative watching by his side, distressed that she could send for neither doctor nor minister on such a night, offered to read to him a chapter from the Bible. But the man was in sore pain and could not listen. "Na, lassie," he assured her, "the storm's up noo, but I thatched my hoose in the calm weather." He did not need to go searching for his hope and refuge in an hour like that; it was made long ago when the pulse was even and the brain clear. They cannot die unprepared and alone who have lived with the Lord.

NAE DEATH

BY A. G. RIDDOCH, DENVER, COLO. There is nae death! It's true we fall An' shiver at the angel's call, An' close o'or een as if in sleep, While freens aboot us vainly weep.

There is nae death! We say "Guid Nicht,"
And' slip awa' tae sweeter licht,
Just as the lav' rock soars on high,
An' sings when stormy clouds are nigh.

There is nae death! O'or cheeks grow pale,
O'or een grow dim, o'or voices fail,
An' kindly watchers by the bed
Say saftly, "Yes, o'or freen is dead."

There is nae death! We slip awa'
As saft as snawflakes in a thaw,
But leave the memory o' a smile,
The hearts o' freens frae care tae wile.

There is nae death! Nae stoppin' place,
O' whilk we hae the faintest trace,
We close o'or een on objects here
Tae open them on objects there.

There is nae death! Then dry y'er tears.
An' drive far off yer doots an' fears;
The sting o' death is ta'en awa',
And there is naught tae fear at a'.

The author, Charles Wolfe, was born in Dublin, December 14, 1791. He was educated at the Winchester School and at Dublin University, where he was distinguished as a classical scholar, and for his ability as a poet. In 1817 he entered into holy orders, and after obtaining an obscure parish in Tyrone county, he subsequently became curate of Castle Caulfield. In 1820 symptoms of consumption made their appearance, and in search of a cure he visited a distinguished physician in Scotland. He then tried the milder climates of Devonshire and Bordeaux, finally retiring to the Cove of Cork, where he died on the 21st of February, 1821. During his life he published many poems of considerable. merit, some of them worth quoting, such as "Oh, My Love Has An Eye of the Softest Blue," "Oh! Say Not That My Love Is Cold," "If I Had Thought Thou Couldst Have Died," but the one gem in his crown, his one claim to immortality, was published anonymously. It was attributed in turn to nearly every eminent poet of the day, and was a subject of much controversy, until nearly twenty years after his death, an article in the Dublin University Magazine for December, 1842, gave conclusive proof of Wolfe's authorship.

It is recorded that Wolfe founded his ode on the following passage in the Edinburgh Annual Register (1808): "Sir John Moore had often said that if he was killed in battle he wished to be buried where he fell. The body was removed at midnight to the citadel of Corunna. A grave was dug for him on the ramparts there by a body of the Ninth Regiment, the aides-decamp attending by turns. No coffin could be procured, and the officers of his staff rapped the body, dressed as it was, in a military cloak and blankets. The interment was hastened, for about eight in the morning some firing was heard, and the officers feared that if a serious attack were made they should be ordered away, and not suffered to pay him this last duty. The officers of his family bore him to the

grave; the funeral service was read by the chaplain, and the corpse was covered with earth.

R. T. Paine, Jr., the son of one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence, wrote a sketch of the life of Sir John Moore, with an original monody on his death, which was published

in Boston, 1811.

Sir John Moore was the eldest son of Dr. John Moore, the author of Zelucco and so many other works that at the present time they cover twelve index cards of the Boston Public Library. Dr. Moore was born at Stirling, Scotland, in the year 1729. In his nineteenth year he accompanied the Duke of Argyle's regiment abroad, and attended the military hospitals at Maestricht, in the capacity of surgeon's mate. Afterward he practised his profession for many years with great success, in Glasgow, where his distinguished son was born. In 1772 he accompanied the young Duke of Hamilton to the Continent, where they resided five years, in France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy. In 1792 he accompanied the Earl of Lauderdale to Paris and witnessed some of the early successes of the French Revolution.

Dr. Moore died at Richmond on the 21st of January, 1802. His novel of Zelucco published in 1786, was the most popular of all his writings, and an extract from this work is peculiarly fitting at the present time.

Duncan Targe, a hot Highlander, and George Buchanan, a Lowland Scot, both serving-men in Italy, meet and dine together during the absence of their masters. They toast their country and talk on many topics, but when the Union is mentioned, Targe gets excited. "You must acknowledge," he says, "that by the Union Scotland has lost her existence as an independent state; her name is swallowed up in that of England! Only read the English newspapers. They mention England as if it were the name of the whole island. They talk of the English army, the English fleet, the English everything."

Further on the two Scotsmen get into a heated dispute regarding the character of Mary Queen of Scots. This ended in a duel, and Targe, who fiercely defended the good name of the unhappy queen, severely wounded Buchanan, who upheld his namesake, George Buchanan, the historian, in

his estimate of the much maligned lady.

Robert Burns, in a letter to Dr. Moore at London, dated Ellisland, February 27, 1791, writes: "Thanking you for all your goodness to the rustic bard"—and proceeds "I have just read over once more of many times, your Zelucco. I marked with my pencil as I went along, every passage that pleased me above the rest. By the way, how much is every honest heart, which has a tincture of Caledonian prejudice, obliged to you for your glorious story of Buchanan and Targe. 'Twas an unequivocal proof of your loyal gallantry of soul giving Targe the victory. I should have been mortified to the ground if you had not."

Burns and Dr. Moore corresponded for several years, and it was to Dr. Moore that Burns sent the Autobiographical Letter that is so frequently quoted by Burns' editors. Gebbie's Philadelphia edition of Burns' works quotes in full several of Dr. Moore's letters to Burns, showing his great appreciation of the poet's genius.

Burns' copy of Zelucco, with his many annotations in the margin, is still in existence, with an inscription in his handwriting, "To my friend, Mrs. Dunlop of Dunlop," and a descendant of this lady is the present possessor.

Sir John Moore was born at Glasgow, November 13, 1761. From his earliest years he intended to become a soldier, and by the Duke of Hamilton's influence he obtained an ensigncy in the 51st Foot at the age of fifteen years. In 1778 he was appointed captain-lieutenant in a new regiment raised for service in the American Moore remained in America till the peace of 1783, after which the Hamilton regiment was disbanded.

war.

In 1784 he was elected Member of Parliament for the united boroughs of Lanark, Selkirk, Peebles and Linlithgow. It was at this time he won the friendship of Pitt and the respect of Burke.

In 1787, Moore became major for the 60th, afterwards King's Royal Rifles, and in 1792 sailed with his corps to the Mediterranean. Afterward he was sent to the West Indies in the local rank of brigadiergeneral. Here he came under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby, whose most valued adviser and subordinate Moore soon became. In 1798 he accompanied Abercromby to Ireland as major

general, and during the rebellion defeated a large force of the Irish, and saved Wexford from destruction after the battle of Vinegar Hill (June 21). Later he was sent to Holland, and at the action of Egmontop-Zee, October 2, 1799, he was wounded for the fourth time, on this occasion severely. In March, 1801, he landed at Aboukir Bay, in Egypt, and at the battle of Alexandria both Abercromby and Moore were wounded, Abercromby fatally, and Moore seriously.

After peace was signed with France, March 2, 1802, Moore was appointed to command the force at Shooncliffe camp, and when Pitt became Prime Minister of England for the second time, he caused Moore to be made Knight of the Bath, and when Fox succeeded to office he sent him to the Mediterranean as second in command to his brother, General H. E. Fox. When Fox went home on account of ill health, Moore became commander-in-chief of the British Army employed in the Mediterranean.

In 1808 Moore was ordered to the Baltic to assist Gustavus IV, King of Sweden, against Russia, France and Denmark; but the conduct of the King did not please Sir John, and he returned home. He was at once ordered to proceed to Portugal, and was soon in command of the largest British army that had been employed since the commencement of the war. The Spaniards summoned Sir John to assist them against the advance of Napoleon, and the troops were marched into Spain, Salmanaca being the rendezvous.

By an official letter, dated September 25, 1808, Moore was informed that Sir David Baird, with 15,000 men, was to join him by way of Corunna, but the Junta there refused to allow Baird to land, and by the time they did so, the whole military situation had changed. Napoleon had smashed the Spanish armies which were to support Moore, who then formed the magnificent resolution of marching northward against the French line of retreat.

Moore's advance paralyzed the Emperor's victorious armies. Napoleon himself turned against the British army, which was soon in grave danger, but Spain was saved. Under these circumstances took place the famous retreat on Corunna.

On the first of January, 1809, Sir John Moore's rear-guard quit Astorga. On the

The

By January 6, the British rear-guard, having thrice checked the French pursuit, rejoined the main body at Lugo. troops got to Betanzos, January 10th, and by a forced march next day they reached Corunna. To their dismay, they found no sign of their fleet, and nothing remained for Moore but to prepare for a last stand. Happily for them, the French were slow in coming up. At last, on January 14th, the British squadron hove in sight off Corunna. Then Marshal Soult woke up and made a determined effort to prevent the British from embarking. All day long, on January 16, the battle raged; but the British held all their positions. Their two commanding generals, Moore and Baird, were struck down in battle. That night the whole British army embarked to the last man. Next morning they put to sea.

A Parliamentary inquiry was called for, and severe strictures were passed on the conduct of the campaign. Moore's character was vindicated, even by his enemies. His immediate foe, Marshal Soult, said: "Sir John Moore took every advantage that the country afforded to oppose an active and vigorous resistance. He finished by dying in a combat that must do credit to his memory." Napoleon, in late years, both at Elba and at St. Helena, affirmed that Moore's talents and firmness alone had saved the British army from destruction.

In 1804, when Sir John Moore was stationed near Walmer Castle, he first met Lady Hester Lucy Stanhope, a daughter of the third Earl Stanhope, and a niece of William Pitt, the famous Prime Minister. They soon became deeply attached to each other. Lady Hester was the head of her uncle's household for several years, and assisted him in doing the honors to his guests. She was a daughter of the gods, divinely tall, with fine figure, and the air and manner of a queen; skin of dazzling fairness, bright eyes, her face brilliant vith animated intellect, reflecting each varying mood as it came, lighting up at every passing fancy, every sprightly sally, every indignant outburst, every delightful joke. Born in 1776, she was at twenty

seven years of age at the zenith of her glory when Mr. Pitt became Prime Minister for the second time. She had not much respect for the political coadjutors of her uncle. Lord Castlereagh, Lord Liverpool, the Prince of Wales, Cabinet Ministers and M. P.'s were her constant companions, not always agreeable, she she was cognizant of many momentous affairs of state.

The particulars regarding her first meeting with Sir John Moore are lacking, but visitors remarked that she always spoke of him with admiration, and said Mr. Pitt had alike admiration for Sir John, that he never received even a common note from him at Deal without referring to its composition and pointing out the grace and felicity of the expression.

Pitt died in 1806, and in accordance with his dying request, Parliament granted a pension of £1,200 a year to Lady Hester, and she took a house in Montague Square, to make a home for her two younger brothers. About this time her engagement to Sir John Moore was announced.

Several of Moore's letters to Lady Hester have been preserved, in one of which, written at Salmanaca, November 23, 1808, he writes: "We are in a scrape, but I hope we shall have spirit to get out of it. You must, however, be prepared to hear very sad news," and concludes: "Farewell, my dear Lady Hester. If I extricate my army and those with me from our present difficulties, and if I can beat the French, I shall return to you with satisfaction, but if not, it will be better I shall never quit Spain. I remain always very faithfully and sincerely yours, John Moore."

He only lived long enough to have his dearest wish fulfilled. Less than two months after this was written he had saved his army, beaten the French and was lying buried

"From the field of his fame, fresh and gory,"

on the glacis of the ramparts of Corunna. His last thoughts were, however, of Lady Hester, and his last spoken words were to her brother, James Stanhope, who was one of his aides-de-camp-"Stanhope! remember me to your sister." When he was being carried off the field, after receiving his death wound, two surgeons, hastily despatched by Sir David Baird, came hurrying to meet him; but he bade them return to the soldiers: "You can be of no service

to me; to them you may be useful."

Lady Hester mourned him with an overwhelming sense of love. She never forgot him. Almost the only trinkets she retained to the end of her long life were some sleeve-links containing his hair, and there is a tradition at Djon of a blood-stained glove that she kept carefully locked up, and would often take out to look at.

Almost her first thought on receiving the fatal news was that her hero's memory should be duly honored, and she wrote to the Prime Minister, Lord Grenville, on the subject. She mentioned the unlimited confidence Mr. Pitt had placed in Sir John Moore's judgment and exertions, and the ill-treatment he had received from Mr. Pitt's successor. Later her passionate grief was exasperated and embittered by the wrong done the memory of Moore by the unfavorable comments in Parliament on his campaign. his campaign. She was chiefly indignant with "that vile Castlereagh," with Canning and with Chatham.

On February 10, 1810, Lady Hester and her retinue left England, intending to spend a year or two in traveling, and she visited Gibraltar, Malta, Greece, where they met Lord Byron frequently, and Constantinople. In 1812 she took up her residence on Mount Lebanon, near Damascus, at a disused convent, Mar Elias, placed at her disposal by the Patriarch of the Greek Catholics. She adopted Oriental dress, which she never afterward discarded. Wishing to visit Damascus, she had written to announce her coming to the Pacha. He sent one of his sons with a courteous invitation in reply, but informed her she must wear a veil, as the scandal of seeing a woman in man's clothing, and unveiled, would be very great, and she would certainly be insulted. But any suggestion as to what she should or shouldn't do invar iably aroused Lady Hester's opposition. She decided to enter Damascus in broad daylight, dressed as she was, and unveiled, and she did. Far from being attacked or insulted, she was treated with extraordinary deference. Crowds attended her, and she was everywhere saluted as "Melike" (the queen).