breath and slow step; that when he took a cold he could not get over it so soon as he used to do ; and that age had set å seal opon him, which, like the red cross upon & tree marked by the steward to come down, told that he was soon to die. Yet he had in cypher a secret message from heaven, by which he knew that he was safe to live a little longer. It was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, as we are informed, that he should not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. We are not told when this revelation was made. If made in his early manhood it must have been a strange, charmed life that be led ever after. He might dash up the blazing stair to save & sleeper from the fire, but he could not die. He might leap off from & bridge to save a child from drowning, he could not die; whatever deadly air blew on bis face, be could not die ; whatever secret he might unveil and see, he could not see the great secret of all until he had seen Cbrist."

Prolonged remark on the event under notice can hardly be needful: it speaks for itself. Nevertheless, to dismiss our theme without any suggestions of a practical nature would scarcely be in anison with its scope. Thus the subject carries with it the following obvious teaching-Faith conquers fear. Peter was tranquil because he was trustful. Christ bad given him a sure prophecy, and this secured him & soft pillow—the Saviour's announcement banished the servant's alarm. And is there anything exceptional here? We trow not; rather is it but one illustration of a great principle always and everywhere at work. Both as regards things secular and things sacred, belief evermore eventuates in courage. During the performance of some scientific experiments, Dr. Lyon Playfair put the courage of the Prince of Wales to a very keen test. Pointing to a cauldron full of lead at a boiling heat, he said, “ Has your Royal Highness faith in science ?” “I have," answered the prince. " Will you, then, place your hand in the boiling metal ?” asked the scientist. It was & startling request, but royalty was equal to the occasion. “Do yon tell me to do this ? ” replied Albert Edward. “Yes.” Whereupon the prince at once plunged his hand in, and without harm, for the moisture of the skin protected it from injury. There was a notable instance of trust vanquishing timidity.

We quail before calamity and sorrow, as well we may indeed; it is but human to do so. But while we cannot fall in love with suffering, neither should we allow it to unman us. The hour of trial is the season for trust. Again and yet again, with tender and kindly reiteration, God assures us that He could neither send nor permit trial save for some ultimate and superlative good. Only lay hold of that creed, my brother, and it will give you courage in the midst of care and even agony.

Pain and persecution endear the promises. Have you ever noticed what a keen, vivid memory of Christ's words Peter displayed ? Not only the sentiment but the style of his Lord's teaching seemed to possess him. An observant perusal of the Epistles which he wrote will afford many instances of this. Not a few passages are distinct echoes of the Redeemer's voice. For example, did Christ say, “ Feed my sheep"? Peter says, “ Feed the flock of God.” Did the Master exclaim, “ Follow thou me"? The servant repeats, " Leaving as an example, that ye should follow his steps.” Jesus declared, " The last state of that man is worse than the first ;” the servant affirms that “the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” The Saviour spoke of His death as “a ransom for many;” the disciple states that we are “ redeemed ” with "the precious blood of Christ." The Son of God gave the command, * Let your loins be girded about;" the Son of man reiterates, “ Gird op the loins of your mind.” - This bappy habit stood Cephas in good stead daring his imprisonment. He recollected the prediction made on the shore of the Tiberian lake, and it enabled him to laugh at the menaces of his foes. Perhaps he had not thought of it very often until then ; it may have been deposited in a somewhat remote corner of the mind. Bat the day of adversity quickly brings it out of its obscurity, and it proves a solace invaluable. Who has not gone through a similar phase of life ? God's assurances of aid and affection are never so precious to us as when we are under the rod. Ab! neglected chapters acquire amazing significance at such a time, and texts which we had often passed over carelessly rise, in the midnight sky of our trouble, like stars bright with meaning. Tourists who descend into the catacombs at Rome are furnished by their attendants wtih lighted candles. Before they go down how thin, pale, useless the flickeriog flame looks in the rich, golden Italian sunshine ! But once let the outer world be shut out, and, as the travellers grope along the dim, dusty regions of the dead, those lights are almost priceless. It is so with “the light of life." Peril and pain enhance it well-nigh beyond compatation. Christian succeeded in getting out of Doubting Castle by using the “ key of promise.”

“ Peter was sleeping ;" his hour of doom had not yet come; but even though it had, we might still have said most truthfully, “ Peter was sleeping." That is what death is, especially to the good man, a calm, undisturbed slumber. Shelley, with the instinct of genius, spoke of “ Death, and bis brother, Sleep." As to the world-famed, world-favourite passage in Shakespeare, it is so beautiful that our admiration deepens each time we hear or read it :

" To die-to sleep-
No more; and, by a sleep, to say we end
The heart-ache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to—'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished.”

Nevertheless, as the great bard reminds us, " in that sleep of death what dreams may come !" Yes, the dream of guilt, the nightmare of remorse may visit us. May ? Rather will, if we leave the world unpardoned and unholy. How is it with you, good reader? Forgiven, or unreconciled to God which is yours? If the latter, receive the love of the Most High, and under its benign power, live, die, and rise again.

ELENORE'S REVENGE.

FOR THE YOUNG. "I THINK she's just as mean as small and beautifully less with she can be. I hate her, and always each passing term ; but," she did.”

added, “ I am going to have my reElenore Dupont was the tallest venge on Miss Holland." of quite a large group of girls “How !” “ When !” “ Where!" gathered on the doorstep of her eagerly cried the girls; for Lady father's costly country residence. Elenore's revenges were by no She was a handsome but proud- means pleasant things to encounter. looking girl of seventeen years. “You know," began that young Early deprived of the guidance of a lady, coolly, “ that Miss Holland is fond mother, and left to the care of exceedingly cowardly in the dark?” a busy, indulgent father, she had and she paused a moment while the grown to be a haughty, imperious girls answered girl, whose proud manners and “Yes, oh yes, we do." imperative way had secured for her " Then you know," continued the title of “ Lady Elenore" among Elenore, « that she goes every the scholars of the select school of evening after dark to the post-office which she was a member.

for her letters? It is but a short " Oh no, Elenore, you don't mean distance, but there is a cross street that! You hate Miss Holland !” between, and I propose that we exclaimed pretty Susie Grey, the girls hide in there and jump out at pet and peacemaker of the whole her as she passes by," and Elenore school.

looked about the group to see the “Yes, I do mean just that, Mid-effect of her words. get," interrupted Elenore. “I do! “O Elenore ! it will frighten her hate her, and there's no denying it. dreadfully,” cried timid Lula EstaEven you had to take it to-day" brook, as Elenore stopped.

“Yes," answered Susie, “but I " That is what I want, of course," deserved it, for I was careless with retorted Elenore, pettishly. my lesson."

"O won't it be fun, though!” * Well, it was mean of her to chorussed several of the more keep me after school to write an thoughtless girls. essay. She knows I can't do it, Pretty Susie Grey had been standand I won't,” said Elenore wrath-ing a little to one side, with alterfully.

nate fushing and paling cheeks, “Why, Elenore, you can write during this animated conversation ; really good essays when you want but at this point she could no longer to," exclaimed Minnie Hale. contain her growing indignation.

"Well, if I only wrote when I want “Girls, I am ashamed of you," to," retorted Elenore angrily," the she cried; " and I think -" productions of my pen would grow! “ Well, Midget," said Elenore, calling her by her pet name, as she desk at night, and perhaps see her saw Susie's eyes filled with tears as when she opens it. Oh, won't it be she turned away, “I suppose that nice !” and Susie's eyes glowed with you think we are a wicked set, and excitement. I presume we are; but, Susie dar- “O you little saint !” exclaimed ling, if you don't like my revenge, Elenore, “who would have thought you must tell me what we can do, of that but you ?" for to do something I am deter But Susie had her own way, and mined.”

the next morning the dress was "O Elenore ! may I, really ?” | bought, trimmings and all, and exclaimed Susie, lifting her tearful with joyous hearts the girls walked face, over which a bright smile now homeward, planning how best to shone, making, as the girls said, a surprise Miss Holland. It was perfect rainbow in her eyes. strange how changed they felt to.

Susie Grey was a lovely girl, but wards her now that they wished to her chief charm did not consist in please her. her soft, blue eyes, the delicate On the morning of her birthday complexion, or the profusion of Miss Holland awoke weary and dissunny curls. These were only the spirited. outward adornments; but hers was “Must I go to those girls again ?”. the ornament of a meek and she sighed. “ Were it not for Christian spirit, for Susie Grey Elenore I might manage them. loved Christ, and was never so Hers is a ruling spirit, and I can do happy as when doing Him a service. nothing with her.” And so she

No one over thought of being wearily commenced her toilet. angry with Susie Grey, and now, Going to her closet for her old as she lifted her sunny face, all the alpaca dress she started back, exgirls crowded eagerly round to claiming, as her eye rested on a hear “ Susie's revenge.”

beautiful black cashmere, “What "I am afraid you won't like my in the world is this? How came plan, but I will tell you, any way.” it here?” and with trembling hands

“And I will grant it to half my drew it forth, admiring much the kingdom,” interrupted Lady Ele- dainty garment, with its delicate, nore, loftily.

filmy lace in sleeves and neck. "I don't intend to intrude upon “What can it mean?” pondered your domains so far as that,” | Miss Holland. "Oh, maybe this laughed Susie, “but this is my will explain!” and she drew forth plan. You all know how perfectly from the pocket a little note and shabby Miss Holland's dress is.” read:

" Yes," cried Lula Estabrook, “Dear Miss Holland-Many returns of shrugging her shoulders; “ it looks your birthday. Please come and spend as if it had come out of the ark.” it at Mrs. Grey's with your “Well, girls, she wears the same

“NAUGHTY GIRLS.” on Sundays and week-days too,” | Tears came into her eyes as she continued Susie. " Next Wednes- read the little note. “ Yes, I will day is her birthday. I know, for I go,” she said ; and a few hours later told her it was my own, and she found her at Mrs. Grey's. said, "O Susie ! our birthdays Such a sight! There were her come together. Now, girls, I pro- delinquent pupils, every one as pose that we all club together and merry as butterflies. get a handsome black cashmere. “O Miss Holland ! here you They are very reasonable now. are! I am so glad!” exclaimed And then we can leave it on her | impulsive Susie, kissing her.

“But why weren't you at school, then, and afterwards a happy, Susie ?” asked Miss Holland ;“ and happy afternoon and evening were you, and you, and you,” she con- spent together, the girls declaring tinued, trying to look grave, and that they did not know Miss Holmaking a total failure.

land was so pleasant, and each “Now, don't scold, Miss Hol- understanding the other better than land,” cried Lula Estabrook; “ we ever before. only wanted to surprise you."

Nor did the girls forget that it “And was this beautiful dress was Susie's birthday, and she was part of it?" asked Miss Holland. made the recipient of a beautiful

Lula hesitated, but Kate Bartlett gold ring, on the inside of which said, in a low tone, which, however, were engrossed the words which she did not escape Miss Holland's ear, had evidently taken as her motto “No, that was Elenore's revenge." in life : “It is more blessed to give

She had to make an explanation than to receive."

HOME-PREACHING.

BY THE REV. THEODORE L. CUYLER, D.D. For four-and-thirty years I have been preaching the good tidings of the Word, and would not change places with a king; bat I doubt if I ever would have been drawn to the service of Christ Jesus but for the faithfulness of that home-preacher who rocked my cradle. At the starting point of nearly every minister's life stands a Christian mother. Dr. Potts requested all of us students in Princeton Theological Seminary who had praying mothers to rise up, and in an instant nearly the whole one hundred and fifty were on their feet. There we stood a living witness of the power of a mother's prayers, and a mother's sbaping influence and example. .

We pastors must not take on airs. There is a ministry that is older and deeper and more potent than ours; it is that ministry which presides over the crib, and puts the first touches of gospel influence upon the infant soul. Before the pulpit begins, before even the Sunday-school begins, the mother has already begun, and has been moulding the plastic wax of character for weal or woe, for heaven or hell. A tremendous power this-it is the same power which sent Samuel out of the home of godly Hannah, and wicked Ahaziah out of the home of godless Jezebel. Both of them “ walked in the way of his mother."

I would not underrate the responsibility of fathers in the moral guidance of the family. An irreligious father may be a terrible blight, and a faithful Christian father a priceless blessing in the home. But still the fact remains that it is mainly the mother who controls that home, and imparts to it its prevailing atmosphere. There is her throne; there her influence; there she can make or mar the destiny of the immortal soul beyond any one this side of the throne of God. Susannah Wesley's hand rings all the Methodist church-bells around