scending branches of towering cedars.

For the time being, the edifice was as much mine for all purposes of enjoyment, as if it had descended to me in a straight line of ancestry from the days of William the Conqueror; and as I may yet go again and again to that goodly fortress, hardly shall I make a false entry by putting down my facilities of visiting it, as an additional item to the sum of my possessions.

I have thus attempted to show that a sunny spirit gilds all things around it, and that content and thankfulness, which are God's gifts, enable us in a thousand ways to get good and to defend ourselves from evil. The castle and the estate of the squire, the park and the picture gallery, are only specimens of unnumbered instances in which I find myself a gainer. I feel that I have a vested interest in all things that increase my comfort and my pleasure. The busy scenes of the city, and ruralities of the country, the beauties of the land, and the sublimity of the mighty deep, are all open to me, and all, therefore, form a part of my worldly store. If, then, I put my spiritual mercies to my temporal blessings, not forgetting the Bible, the house of God, a throne of grace, and the hope of glory through the abundant merits and mercy of Jesus Christ, well may I say with emotions of thank

fulness and joy, I really know not how much I am worth; I cannot tell the amount of my possessions.

Christian reader, if God has given you a measure of content and thankfulness, you may approve my remarks; but if otherwise, I fear you will regard them as fanciful and foolish. Consider, however, how different the same landscape is when seen on a sunshiny day, to what it appears in gloomy weather. Depend upon it, bright as the sun is, and gloriously as he lights up the earth and the heavens, he is not more influential than content and thankfulness are in gilding the gifts of our heavenly Father. A quick-sightedness to perceive, and a grateful heart to feel and acknowledge Divine favours, are beyond price. Oh, pray for a grateful heart.

Open

He that sees neither the flowers of earth beneath his feet, nor the stars of heaven above his head with joy, is in a pitiable case. your eye and your heart, or rather ask God to open them, that you may see him as he is, the friend of sinners, and the bountiful bestower of all things; then praise will have its way, breaking forth from the lip in the language of the psalmist," Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless

the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits," Psa. ciii. 1, 2. "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men,” Psa. cvii. 15.

Take heed to this my closing remark. If once you are enabled rightly to regard every earthly gift as the gift of God, and obtain only a glimpse of the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus, you will neither know how rich you are, nor be able to express, even to your own heart, one half the amount of your possessions.

ANTICIPATION OF HEAVEN.

I SEE within a temple bright
The shining ones appear.
In sparkling robes of living light,
And crystal raiment clear:
And some upon the threshold stand,
With looks of love and outstretch'd hand.

They seem as when on earth awhile,
Except their shining dress,

And then they wear a beaming smile
Of heavenly tenderness.

Their love-lit eyes are plain to view,
Their eager hands are stretch'd to you.

As yet you may not wing your way
To that eternal zone;

Your trials are not yet complete,
Your duties are not done:
Perform your Saviour's kind commands,
Lie patient in his holy hands.

Wait but awhile, and you shall soar
To that celestial crowd,
With songs in your Redeemer's praise,
And hallelujahs loud;

And meet where sorrows never pain,

With Christ and with his saints to reign.

THE BLACKBERRY GATHERER; OR, THE UNEXPECTED FEAST.

NEVER, surely, was man more fond of a blackberry than I am. With all its thorns, the bramble is a favourite with me; it first gives me pleasure with its purple stem, green leaves and white flowers, and then regales me with its delicious fruit.

It was autumn; more than half September had rolled away, and I had not plucked a single blackberry. I set off to a hedge which had often furnished me with a sumptuous feast. There the spiky thorn formed a barrier which cattle could not pass, and there the bramble flourished in all its glory. Alas! I was disappointed of my treat, for not a ripe berry

could I find.

"Well," thought I, "though I reckoned on my entertainment, I must not take the matter to heart. True it is that I am thirsty, and very grateful would the juicy fruit have been to me, but I can do without it.

that I am not a toilworn

Let me be thankful pilgrim in the hot