This habit of the mind is so strong and has such a powerful influence over the feelings, that travellers in foreign countries where the flowers are far larger brighter and more splendid than our's have said that they would have gladly exchanged them all for a common daisy or buttercup, such as grew beside their own homes in dear dear old England.

Flowers however have many associations, and most beautiful and pleasing ones they are, which they do not take so much from our feelings, as from something in their own appearance which calls a kindred thought into the mind. Thus we can scarcely see a violet, muffled up among its thick leaves, or a sweet pure lily of the valley folded in its cool green sheath, without thinking of humility and modest worth, and being reminded of the meek and lowly of heart, of whom our Saviour has said that they are "blessed." Flowers, whose nature like that of the woodbine, is to cling and twine around some other tree and plant, have often been compared to affection, and those which give forth their fragrance towards the evening have been likened to FAITH, most sweet to the Spirit when all without is gloom, so that it will be well for us now that the Spring time is coming and bringing so many flowers along with it, to look at them and to love them not only for their beauty, but for the gentle thoughts they can awaken, and thus in our blessed Saviour's words, to "Consider the Lilies how they grow.', -(To be continued.) DORA GREENWELL.

WITHOUT & conflict there is no conquest, and without a conquest no crown.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RECOLLECTIONS.-No. VIII.

I COMMENCED my labours as a Sunday School Teacher about ten years ago, and since that time having continued, till very lately constantly so engaged, have had many opportunities of observing the various fluctuations, both among the Scholars and Teachers in the School. At one time all would be order, attention and regularity when suddenly and without any apparent cause the reverse would in a great measure ensue, the most active would become listless or even their places vacated. From the experience of others also learnt, that this was by no means a peculiar case; most Schools experiencing this more or less alike, but how to account for this was not so easy as to ascertain the fact. No doubt it may be attributed to a variety of causes, yet there is one which seemed to go a great way towards explaining the difficulty, and on this a few words in this paper.

On one occasion, when this sudden depression in the School had been very great, I resolved to mark how many of the number on the next Sunday (Easter Day,) were obedient to the call which the Church then peculiarly makes in her Master's Name to obey His last Command, and out of twelve there were but two who were found at that most heavenly feast. No wonder they cared so little for His little ones, who loved not their Master more than that. No wonder they had not wherewithal to feed His lambs, who starved their own souls. No wonder they were so easily turned away from the School when so little would turn them from the Altar. I was no longer surprised that in time of temptation they should fall away, for one who values not his own soul, is sure to value his neighbour's soul as little.

Reader, are you engaged in this work and neglecting the food which must sustain the seed of spiritual life within you? Recollect you are living in habitual neglect of your Master's last Command. You continually turn your back upon Him, shewing that you do not love Him, and by example teach others so. What right have you to expect that you can train up others in a path of which you are ignorant? What right to expect a blessing which you will not seek? You are not fit, and never will be, till you go to Him Who alone can make you go in the way He has appointed. If you be not fit to meet Him at His mercy seat on earth, how do you expect to meet Him when He comes on His seat of Justice from Heaven? Let me beg of you to ask yourselves these questions; weigh and ponder them well, and if you cannot quiet your conscience alone, go and seek advice from those whom God has ordained to give it, but specially ask Him to teach you wisdom, Who giveth liberally and upbraideth not. That apathy in this great duty does in some

measure ac

count for the heavy drag sometimes felt on our work,— the advantage gotten by the devil,—will be apparent to all who consider the conduct of those who do go to this Fountain of Life for strength.

I could point out those whose places are never vacant in the School, but they are those whose places at the Altar are likewise filled. Nay, I could point out those who grudge not to forego their bodily food that they may obtain the bread of life more abundantly for others. Would that all who put their hands to this good work, would

"Go and do likewise."

M. C. C.

ASCENSION DAY.

"THIS same Jesus which is taken from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven." In studying the Divine Truths contained in the Bible, and in keeping the days set apart by the Church for our special observance, there are two things to be considered, my dear children. The remembrance they bring to us of past events, and the reference they bear to the future.

The Ascension of our Blessed Lord, is an article of our Christian faith, and not only are we taught to believe this most fully and firmly, but furthermore that He shall come again "to judge both the quick and the dead." Our Lord had by repeated warnings prepared his disciples to witness His departure from them, He had even said, "it is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send Him unto you."

But I don't suppose you have ever doubted the fact of our Lord's Ascension and it may be because you know it so well, and have heard it so often that you have ceased to give it any very serious thought and consideration. This should not be so, for if thus you think lightly of, or dwell seldom upon your Saviour's departure, you may alogether forget the following article of your Christian faith, "From thence He shall come to judge both the quick and the dead." If an earthly friend had left you, giving you at the same time, something to do in return for

incalculable benefits he had bestowed on you, would you let that friend return, after a long absence, and find the small proof you could have given of your gratitude, neglected or forgotten? You would not. Then never let a day pass, without thinking of the preparation you have to make for the coming of the Saviour. Think night and morning at least, of what that Saviour has done for you. He lived as your example, He died as the atonement for your sins. He rose again to prove to you beyond all doubt that when your bodies are laid in the grave it is only for a time, that the corruptible shall "put on incorruption." He ascended into Heaven to teach you that when you rise again, you shall, if you obey the truth" thither ascend." He is gone there to prepare a place for you. Will you not then, my dear children, do your utmost to prepare yourselves for that place? Never let Ascension Day come round, without spending much of it in the study of the solemn truths it brings before you. The events of it should be of every-day interest to He who will in future be your Judge, is now the constant witness of your words, and thoughts, and deeds; look then continually into the coming of that great and just Judge, for as St. Paul reminds the Hebrews, "unto them that look for Him, shall He appear the second time, without sin unto Salvation."

you.

Love operates stronger than fear in producing uniform obedience.