humble homestead-enveloped in mist and shade. Even so does history, which, enabling us to discern the great events and characters that have marked and varied the progress and affairs of nations, gives us little or no help in discovering what was taking. place, at the same time, in the hearts and dwellings of individuals in the private walks of life. And yet, to the majority of human beings, glimpses into the homes of the past, similar to their own, we may be pretty sure would be far more interesting, glimpses. which might reveal, more or less, the reigning motives, the regulating impulses, colouring their life's pictures of various moods, grave and gay, and divers scenes, now bright with sunny happiness, now dark with sorrow's clouds-chequered, as ail life's pictures ever have been, and ever will be. But let us see if we cannot get some beneficial hints for ourselves from the glimpses we may all take into some very ancient homes, with which, too, we may all become very easily better acquainted. I allude to those mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament-sketched with few, but masterly and suggestive outlines.

In one we have the vision of a Roman officer, as a kind master, who wanted his servant to be healed, his messengers, friends, and neighbours perhaps, so pleasantly saying, "that he was worthy for whom he should do this." In another, we see a loving couple,. Zacharias and Elizabeth, who were "both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless." And in another, we see Zaccheus, the little man who, in his fervent earnestness to behold our Lord, climbed up a tree to see him as he passed: we may be sure that that man would do all things heartily as unto the Lord; and it was of his home that our Saviour said, "This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham." Of one Nathaniel, too, our Lord said, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile"! What a home must his have been, of transparent light, shining in all good works! And now I come to one which we have reason to suppose was particularly interesting to our Saviour,-the abode of Lazarus. and his sisters, in the beautiful little village of Bethany, not far from Jerusalem, and situated on the east side of the Mount of Olives, the village near which tradition points to a spot whence Jesus ascended into Heaven. From all we read, this dwelling must have been the abode of piety, peace, love, and content: Jesus himself sets the seal to that, for are we not told, "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." Glimpses might be taken into other homes more or less interesting; but enough have been mentioned to lead you to seek the rest for yourselves.

Let us each one of us now ask, if our abodes are such as our Lord would have frequently and willingly visited? Were we to hear his step, or knock, or gentle lifting of the latch now, should we dread a sad admonitory eye, or might we gladly hail him as the beloved friend and teacher? However it might be, it is certainly in the power of most to make their homes such as he would approve. To look at the retired dwelling in Bethany which he loved to visit, from a material point of view, we have no reason to suppose that Lazarus and his sisters were wealthy; neither have we any reason, certainly, to suppose that they were poor. They could be hospitable, and provide plentifully for their guests, but we find no traces of any cost or display in a number of attendants: it was still Martha who served; and when she wanted help, she appears to have had no one to give it to her but her sister. Their chief sources of goodness and happiness, then, were within themselves. From all we read of the sisters, on the occasion of their brother's sickness and death, there must have been mutual affection; and that good management, prudence, and industry, governed the home, we may be sure from what we read of the careful Martha; and that it was under the influence of a serious, religious spirit, we may infer from what is said of Mary

as

sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to his word." In short, that each of them possessed, more or less, estimable and amiable qualities, we may be sure, because we are told that Jesus "loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." The worldly condition, no doubt, has some influence on the comfort and happiness of a home, but with a very moderate worldly provision there may be a high degree of pure and rational enjoyment when there are kind affections, cheerful obliging tempers, and tastes for simple intellectual pleasures in the various inmates of a dwelling; with, above all, the sacred link of fervent love to God, and a looking forward to a glorious immortality. Our home may be poor even in worldly possessions, it may not be in our power to collect around us costly works of art or man's ingenuity, and we may not be in circumstances to mix in the gay and festive crowds of the brilliant and the wealthy. But what riches may be ours if we can only take delight in the glorious beauties of God's world of nature, open at all times, alike to the lowest as to the highest, and therein we may easily search for and find, works of beauty, skill, and ingenuity, far surpassing anything which man can do. And for society, all, or nearly so, may readily assemble around them Historians, Poets, Philosophers, and Divines, in a select number of well chosen books, a goodly company of Wisdom, Genius, Philanthropy, and Piety. And if such society as this be denied, the very humblest home may at least hold com

munion with the Spirit of God himself, in the teachings, promises. and consolations of his holy word; and, with minds strengthened. and improved, and hearts subdued to peaceful, kindly influences, its inmates may take sweet counsel together, and carry on at once. instruction and a delightful interchange of thought.

I am here reminded of the poorest, humblest home I think I ever knew, which was thus lighted up by the sacred flame of the chastened holy spirit of an aged woman, bedridden and bowed together with a painful mortal disease; who yet, between the frequent paroxysms of her great suffering, took the sweetest joy in converse with her Heavenly Father, and hailed with delight the near prospect of an entrance into the gates of heaven; and often have I seen her pallid, though striking countenance, illuminated. with a heavenly radiance, the fountain of which there was no mistaking; and this alone was that aged woman's one deep mine of wealth, for the very necessaries of life were sometimes wanting in that dark drear abode. In strange painful contrast to this, was another home I knew also-where one of the inmates was a young, child, headstrong, disobedient, passionate, a knife was once caught. up and flung at the mother--yet, of children has it been written"of such is the kingdom of God:" but alas! for that poor child, it was more sinned against than sinning, for he who should have been the head ruler and guide, the father of that abode, was a drunkard, heeding little his child, and the poor half-broken-hearted mother-not wanting in sense at all-but with crushed and wounded affections, needed the necessary energy of will and firmness of purpose to govern her poor child, and teach it to curb its fearful passions. "Train up a child in the way it should go, and it will not depart from it."

Although from what has been said it will be inferred that the outward circumstances hold a subordinate place to the internak qualifications necessary to the well-being and comfort of a home, still every one should make the best of his worldly condition, and not be slothful in business, but, with a diligent hand and a cheerful spirit, do heartily as unto the Lord whatever belongs to his. particular calling, only remembering at the same time to so govern. his disposition, temper, tastes, and habits, and cultivate his heart. and understanding, that in his home the fruit of the spirit may ripen into love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,. and faith. Let.the highest aim of each with regard to home, be to make it so that it should be fit for the reception and entertainment of such a guest as Jesus. It was one of his promises to his disciples, that hereafter they should dwell for ever with the Lord, and surely

those will be most fitted to do so who have been most in subjection to his authority, and in union with his spirit here. Oh! let us ever fervently endeavour to walk in our homes as elsewhere, worthy of God who hath called us unto his kingdom and glory, for Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

THOUGHTS FOR THE REFLECTIVE.

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"I THINK it is a very great pity, father," said Henry Mintford, to his excellent parent, a retired merchant, that there should be so much talk about war, in our accustomed daily intercourses."

He spoke languidly and sorrowfully, for he was in a delicate state of health, and deep thoughtfulness was marked on his pale and pensive, but serene countenance. He was approaching at this time to the age of twenty, tall and rather thin; but he had never been engaged in any mercantile, or any other pursuits of the world, or any of the learned professions, since he had finished his education, which had been terminated somewhat abruptly by sickness. His whole appearance strikingly indicated, that the sojourner of time was not destined for any long period to tread this terrestrial scene, as he drew nearer to the heavenly, his whole thoughts and feelings became more heavenly. He was the companion, and the justly-beloved of his father, who had pursued an honourable mercantile career, and by industry and probity had acquired a handsome independence.

and

"It is a pity," repeated the son, "that so much should be said on such a subject."

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It is so, Henry," replied the father; "it is indeed a pity; but it is a far greater pity that there should be so much to give rise to that conversation. And woe be unto those at whose door the cause of all this lies! The topic, however, is at present an all-absorbing one; and it forces itself as it were upon us; it concerns every individual in the social community; that is, it has influence upon all; yes, even upon those who are most opposed to it. It seems hard to banish it from our thoughts, and as difficult not to notice it in our remarks one with another, in the reciprocal interchanges of the courtesies of society. Besides, Henry, I think it right, and it may be good, to converse on this topic, within reasonable bounds, under proper Christian feelings, proper Christian views, and pure heavenly aspirations and desires. Prove all things: hold fast that which is good,' is an excellent apostolic maxim, which de

serves the consideration of all good Christians, and of all who are searchers after truth, and would pursue the good and the right

way.

"Perhaps," replied the son, "I shall express my meaning more correctly, if I say, it is a pity that we should converse upon this subject in the manner in which we do, or as too many do. It is, I fear, a topic of interest with most. They enjoy it as a novel, or any work of fiction, which in a high degree fascinates the imagination. Its horrors are lost sight of, and its sinfulness is forgotten. Its direful strifes of life and death, and its conquests and victories, are scenes of heroic bravery, and trophies of valour and renown. Under such circumstances, I cannot but think there is much danger to the social and moral affections; and how the Christian spirit can be preserved in its purity in such an atmosphere, I feel myself utterly at a loss to imagine. We know what the poet says, about vice being a monster of a frightful mien at the first view, but becoming, as it were, an angel of light as our familiarity with it increases. And in this way, in our social circles, the war-spirit may be formed within us, until it shall finally gain a complete ascendancy over us. *Your remarks, Henry," replied the father, "are, I fear, but too correct. And often have I been shocked and pained, when I have witnessed Christian professors acting in such a manner. seemed to me to be little in unison with their holy religion; and on such occasions the words of the Saviour naturally arise in our minds: 'out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.' I have at such times felt myself sadly humiliated for the Christian name. When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Well, indeed, may we ask the question, when we see what we do see on this subject."

"

It

"Yes; especially, father," said Henry, "when we are obliged to include in this category, many Christian ministers. With what consistency they can advocate war, and preach the gospel of peace, and under such a spirit can offer up the devotions of a Christian congregation, addressed to the God of peace, I cannot imagine. To their own Master they stand or fall. But, certainly, I have hardly ever been able to think of it, without experiencing a shock to my faith. And others, I cannot but imagine, must have experienced the same thing."

"What a dangerous delusion!" added the father. "And what a sad example, where we should look for the best! Nothing is wanted to put an end to war, and bring in the reign of universal righteousness and peace, but faithfulness on the part of Christian ministers, to declare the whole counsel of God, in Christ their Lord."