or intention, constant use has led to forgetfulness thereof, and to an absolute dependance on the image before the eye. Saints and angels also are made into media through which prayer is made unto God! But, let me ask, what need have we for their aid? None at all. We "have an advocate with the Father' in whom "dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily," who in glorified humanity sits upon the mercy-seat ever lending an ear to the supplications of His contrite and obedient creatures. Hence let us, in approaching God, ever look to Him, the most gentle and benevolent of beings, whose office it is to save to the uttermost all who come to God by him."

NEW TESTAMENT

SECTION ON NUMBER-7.

"Come again and greet me as a friend, fellow pilgrim upon life's highway,
Cease awhile the hot and dusty road, to loiter in the greenwood of reflection.
Come into my cool, dim grotto, that is watered by the rivulet of truth,
And over whose time-stained rock climb the fairy flowers of content;
Here, upon this mossy bank of leisure, fling thy load of cares,

Taste my simple store, and rest one soothing hour."-Martin T. Tupper.

The Gospels.

THROUGHOUT the sacred books, and in the religion of the Jews, a great number of events and mysterious circumstances are set forth by the number 7. Our blessed Lord in his incomparable sermon on the mount, as recorded by Matthew, gives us 7 beatitudes, the possessors of which are "BLESSED." In the model prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples there are 7 petitions. In that wonderful miracle of feeding the vast multitude in the wilderness, performed by our Saviour, it was with 7 small loaves and a few small fishes. The disciples at the close of this wonderful repast, took up of the fragments 7 baskets full. Impetuous Peter wanted to know, from Jesus, if he was to forgive an erring brother 7 times. Jesus told him "until 70 times 7." To confute the glorious doctrine of the resurrection, the Sadducees inquired, "if 7 heathens dying in succession had married one woman, whose wife would she be of the seven at the resurrection morning." The physician Luke tells us that Christ cast out 7 devils out of a woman, called Mary Magdalene. Jesus, when teaching his disciples to forgive one another, said, "If he trespass against thee 7 times in a day; and 7 times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him." It was the 7th hour when Jesus healed the sick child of the Nobleman. Pilate interceded with the Jews, for the release of Jesus, seven times. Whilst hanging on the cross, suffering for fallen humanity, the Saviour spoke seven times, (1) "Father forgive them for they know not what they do. (2)" To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." This was to the thief crucified with him. (3) To his Mother and John, "Woman behold thy son." "Behold thy mother." (4) To God "Eloi, Eloi lama sabacthani." (5) To those around, "I thirst." (6) To the human family, "It is finished." (7) To his father, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

The Acts and the Epistles.

In Apostolic times it was a felt difficulty to attend to both spiritual and temporal matters-therefore they chose out 7 men, as deacons, to look after the temporal wants of the people-these men, Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. 7 sons of one Sceva, a Jew, became exorcists. During Paul's journey to Macedonia, he abode at Troas 7 days, also at the city of Tyre 7 days. He purified himself when at Jerusalem 7 days. On his journey to Rome also, finding brethren at Puteoli, he tarried with them 7 days.

The Revelation of St. John the Divine.

This book alone forms a third portion of the New Testament. The author of it was that beloved disciple who leaned on Jesus' breast. He was banished to

the Isle of Patmos, during that cruel persecution of Christians, in the reign of Domitian, in the year A.D. 96. He wrote epistles to the 7 Churches of Asia. Dr. Kitto says "The Epistles include the things that are, a sketch of their actual state, and a preparation for the predications that follow." "Their symmetry is complete." From these letters we draw an inference that a new generation had arisen since the day that Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesian Church, and planted the neighbouring ones. The Revelation of John, to the 7 Churches, was typified by 7 golden candlesticks. Each Church had its minister typified by 7 angels, and seven stars. The 7 Churches were situated in 7 citiesconsecutively. (1) Ephesus, is mentioned by Strabo, as one of the best and most glorious of cities-capital of Asia proper. The candlestick has long been removed out of its place; travellers tell us, "unintelligible heaps of stones, with untenanted mud cottages," are the only remnants of the great city of the Ephesians. The plough has passed over the side of the city, and green corn may be seen growing among its ruins. (2) Smyrna, termed one of the "eyes of Asia," is still a flourishing city, one of the first in the present Turkish empire. As a criterion of its importance, a consul from every European nation resides there. Population estimated at 130,000. But the present city is not built on the site of the old one, that was found inconvenient and dangerous, as it was built on the hills, now it is built on the plains. Most of the old ruins have vanished. It was here that Polycarp was exposed to wild beasts, then committed to the flames, and finally thrust through with a sword. He is supposed to have been "the angel of the Church at Smyrna," unto whom John wrote. (3) Pergamos, the capital of Mysia, is on the river Caicus, nearly 64 miles north of Smyrna. In early days it had a library of 200,000 volumes. Galen the physician was born here. It is now declining. Under the present name of Bergamo it contains a population of 14,000. Mr. Macfarlane says the approach to the city was very impressive, as it was ancient and decaying. The town now consists of small and mean wooden houses, among which appear the remains of early Christian churches. (4) Thyatira, still remains an inhabited city, under the name of Ak-Hissar, about twenty miles north of Sardis. The ancient remains are poorer than in any other of the 7 cities. An American missionary tells us it is in the centre of an extensive plain almost completely surrounded by mountains. The streets are narrow and dirty, and the remains of the ancient church have been destroyed by the Turks. It is embossomed in poplars and cypresses. Thyatira is famous now for dyeing as it was in the days of Lydia, the seller of purple. (5) Sardis was the capital of the kingdom of

Lydia. It was a great city under the Persian and Roman governments, but now it is little better than a heap of ruins. It is situated 60 miles N.N.W. from Ephesus, on the Pactolus, so famous for its golden sands. The Rev. J. Hartleys tells us that the ruins are, with one exception, gone to decay. No Christians reside on the spot, and a solitude reigned over all, indescribable. The most striking object of Sardis is the temple of Cybele, which appears to have been built while Solomon's temple was standing. Two stupendous columns of this edifice were standing in 1828. (6) Philadelphia, 25 miles south of Sardis, stands in the plain of Hermes, and still exists as a town under Turkish rule, called "Allah Sheln," a city of God. It has suffered much from earthquakes. When the American missionaries visited it in 1828, the Archbishop Gabriel informed them that there were in it 3000 houses, and pointed out to them a mosque, in which the Primitive Christians assembled to worship, to whom John wrote his letter. One remarkable ruin was a column of great beauty, appertaining to a modern building, forcibly illustrating that part of the letter contained in the 12th verse of 3rd chapter. (7) Laodicea became the principal town of Phrygia, in Asia minor. It has suffered more from earthquakes than any of the other 7 cities, yet from its ruins an impression may be gathered of its ancient magnificence. These ruins cover three or four small hills. The principle are those of the theatre, an aqueduct, and other public buildings. It is 40 miles E. of Ephesus.

Many portions of the Apostolic visions are represented by 7. When John saw the throne of God in heaven, "There were 7 lamps of fire," "which are the 7 spirits of God." In the right hand of the occupier of the throne was a book sealed with 7 seals. "In the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb, as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the 7 spirits of God sent forth to all the earth." When the "7th seal was opened there was silence in heaven," there then stood 7 angels before God; "and to them were given 7 trumpets." "Another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud," "he had in his hand a little book open;" When "he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left on the earth" and cried with a loud voice, “7 thunders attend their voices." When the 7th angel sounded, great voices in heaven said, "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." Another wonder John saw, was "a great red dragon, having 7 heads and 10 horns, and 7 crowns upon his heads." This dragon was ready to swallow or devour the child of the "womon clothed with the sun; and the moon under her feet." John next saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having 7 heads and 10 horns," to whom the dragon gave his power. "Another sign in heaven great and marvellous," was "7 angels having the 7 last plagues; in them is filled up the wrath of God." These "7 angels came out of the temple, and one of the four beasts gave unto them "7 golden vials full of the wrath of God." The temple was then filled with smoke, and no one was able to enter into it "till the 7 plagues of the 7 angels were fulfilled." A voice came from the temple commanding the 7 angels to go their ways, and pour out of these 7 vials the wrath of God upon the earth. They obeyed. The first poured his "upon the earth," the second "upon the sea," the third "upon the rivers and fountains of waters," the fourth "upon the sun," the fifth "upon the seat of the beast," the sixth "upon the great river Euphrates," the seventh "poured out his vial

into the air," and there then "came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying "It is done." Following this grand manifestation of power, "one of the 7 angels which had the 7 vials," came, "and talked with" John, saying, "come hither, I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore; she was arrayed in purple and scarlet, had in her hand a golden cup; on her head a tiara, with this inscription, "Mystery, Babylon the great, the Mother of Harlots and abominations of the earth," she was drunken with the "blood of the saints," and "martyrs of Jesus;" sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast, “having 7 heads and 10 horns." John" wondered with great admiration." The angel then told him the mystery of all. The beast "was and is not," he was to ascend from the "bottomless pit, and go into perdition." Those who dwell on earth should wonder that their names are not written in the book of life. The 7 heads were “7 mountains on which the woman sitteth," "" And there" were "7 Kings; five" were "fallen, and one is and the other" was "not yet come; when he did come he would continue only a short time. The last sight that one of these 7 angels, who had the 7 vials, with the 7 lasts plagues, shewed John, was "the Bride, the Lamb's wife." John was carried by the angel "to a great and high mountain," and saw, "the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God." What a rapturous scene for John! We shall not see the other parts of John's vision, but alleluia, we may this-through the victory of our Jesus-and faith in his great atonement. May reader and writer see it, "Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus." Brinkworth.

ANNIE E. PORTNALL.

SPIRITUAL MURDERERS.

"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer."-1 John, iii. 15. INDEED! Then there are other murderers in the world besides those who take human life. Every one who hates his brother is a murderer-a spiritual murderer. Then, judging from the back-biting, scandalizing use some people make of their tongues, this class of murderers is pretty numerous, both in the church and out of it. It is true such murderers do not take human life, but they take, or try to take, what may be almost as precious as life to the hated brother-namely, character. If they do not succeed in destroying their brother's "good name," it is not for want of trying to do so, but because his good character is proof against their malicious attacks. And this fact in some instances seems only to increase their hatred; just as the hatred of Cain was kindled up and strengthened into a murderous desire at the sight of the acceptance of his brother's offering. In fact, the very spirit that dwelt in Cain, and that prompted him to take his brother's life, dwells in the breasts of those who hate their brother. The law of the land and the fear of death may prevent their taking the natural life of their brother, but the spirit is the same, and they are murderers. For God judges a man by his thoughts, desires, and motives, as well as by his words and actions.

And what is worse, their hatred is not a temporary sort of thing of mushroom growth; but it is deeply rooted; a sort of chronic hatred-an every day and life-long sort of thing. They hate when the sun is up, and they hate when the sun is down; and carry on their murderous work from the first day of January.

till the last day of December. Their hatred is deep and strong. They make it their business to hate. Their life is a life of hatred. Perhaps the poor hated one has unintentionally given some slight offence, and notwithstanding any atonement he might make, this is enough to secure for him the everlasting hatred of certain spiritual murderers. Instead of letting the fire of their hate die out, they constantly watch the sayings and doings of their brother, and out of these they gather up fresh fuel for the flames of their wrath. They take care to put the worst construction possible on all his words and actions. They twist and extort his best motives so as to make them appear evil. They seem to have thrown the New Testament aside altogether, or to have read it backwards. For so far from forgiving as they wish to be forgiven, they never forgive at all. They bate with a perfect hatred, and act and talk as if the Bible commanded them to curse their enemies; smite him on the one cheek and harder on the other; speak evil of their brother every day, and put on anger, wrath and malice as a garment; and keep the fire of hate constantly burning. And in most cases these spiritual murderers are not satisfied with hating their brother themselves, but they do all they can to get others to hate him Instead of binding up the slight wound that might have been given them, and let it heal, they run about pulling it open and showing it to their acquaintances, that they may enlist their sympathy for themselves and their hatred for the offending brother. And sometimes they unhappily succeed. For a puff of scandal will as easily turn some people as a puff of wind will turn a weathercock. These persons then, in their turn, take up the reproach against their neighbour, and become the packmen, or scandal-mongers for those who hate him; and in due time these scandal hawkers may be got to hate him also.

But now let all such as hate their brother remember that the "Old Serpent, the Devil, was a murderer from the beginning," and his children ye are, notwithstanding your religious profession, as long as ye do his works. "All murderers," says St. John, "shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone." Think of that, spiritual murderer; and all ye who carry the Devil's mail-bag, think of it! "No murderer hath eternal life abiding in him," and, "he that hateth his brother is a murderer.”

INTERESTING STATISTICS.

J. V.

THE number of languages spoken in the world amounts to about 3,064. The inhabitants of the globe profess more than 1,000 different religions. The number of men is about equal to the number of women. The average of human life is about 33 years. One quarter die previous to the age of 7 years; and one half before reaching 17; and those who pass this age enjoy a felicity refused to one-half the human species. To every 1,000 persons only one reaches 100 years of life; to every 100 only 6 reach the age of 65; and not more than 1 in 500 lives to 80 years of age. There are on earth 1,000,000,000 inhabitants; and of these 33,333,333 die every year, 91,824 every day, 3,730 every hour, and 60 every minute, or 1 every second. These losses are about balanced by an equal number of births. The married are longer lived than the single, and, above all, those that are sober and industrious. Tall men live longer than short ones. Women have more chances of life in their favour previous to being CO years of age than men have, but fewer afterwards.

HENRY GEORGE HIRD.