. but we have still much to learn and will hardly reach the perfection of our learning before the breaking in of the millennial state in the ages to come. A few years ago a lady missionary of the Presbyterian Church, or rather who had been formerly connected with Presbyterian missions in Syria, and who was now engaged in organizing lady missionary societies at home, made some strong statements relative to the condition of women in the Orient. She showed, by numerous incidents, taken from her own experience, that in Syria, as in other Asiatic countries, there is no protection, by law and public opinion, to women. These are in a state of absolute slavery to the stronger sex, and that if a husband chose to take away the life of his wife there would be no interference, because it was only a woman. And a father, having strangled his female offspring, it would oe quietly overlooked, because the victim was only a female. In our own country, and in all Christian lands, wives are murdered and helpless children abused and outrageously wronged; but in all such cases there is a common refuge for all-the law protects all alike, and public opinion is even more tender and sympathetic towards the weak and the helpless, than towards the strong. Christians, from the days of Christ and the Apostles down, have learned, though slowly, the lessons of native human equality, and have come, by the grace of God, to live and act by the light of this divine law. A man is a man then-be he Caucasian, Mongolian, black or white. As such he is entitled to the respect due to our nature. At home in his native land, or abroad in other countries, if he is not treated as a human being has a lawful right to expect to be treated, without regard to any of the mere outward circumstances of his history, then he is wronged, as we understand it, and has a right to appeal for help. Still there is one thing that must not be forgotten-every one must keep up his proper dignity. Dignity may be forfeited, it may be lost, just as the sinless purity of man was lost in the beginning by transgression. Every principle of manhood is sometimes sacrificed, by such as afterwards presume to stand on their dignity by glorying in their shame. It would not be necessary to go far to find men who live in open shame, who violate the law of common decency to such an extent that it is known and understood by the community, and who, if called to account, would answer that it was nobody's business, since every one was his own master and could do as he pleased. Such standing on one's dignity is of course a scandal, and should promptly be checked and reduced to its proper level by the outraged sense of Christian communities. It is But cases of a false perverted dignity need not be of a flagrant character. This may show itself simply in the form of bad manners. All rudeness comes under this head. Profanity in young men, and a corresponding vulgarity in young women, either on the street or in the parlor, may be followed by a chivalrous appeal to the code of honor, while all the while the absence of every sense of true honor characterizes the conduct of the parties concerned. easily seen, therefore, that to stand on one's dignity with any degree of right and legitimate success, one must have the true genius of genuine Christian manhood fully in force within his individual character. Hence the cultivation of refined and humane thoughts, feelings and habits, is one of the primary conditions of a proper training or education, and the young, who do not develop these graces in their early years, will have to pay a heavy penalty, in their later experience, for such neglect. St. Paul stood on his dignity sometimes, and that with admirable effect. When he first came over to Macedonia and preached the gospel in Philippi, he was shamefully treated contrary to law. By order of the magistrates he was publicly beaten, without being tried and convicted of any crime. And after this he was still further wronged by be ng put to prison, and that into the inner prison with his feet in the stocks. At this crisis, we are told, he was helped by an earthquake, by which, however, no harm was done to any one. The magistrates were led to see the serious mistake they had made, in their barbarous treatment of the great missionary; wherefore they sent word to the keeper of the prison that he should let Paul and Silas go. Now it was that Paul said: No-they shall not thrust us out in this private and secret way. They have wronged us publicly, and that in glaring violation of our rights as Roman citizens, and therefore let them come and lead us out in person. And those magistrates did come as they were required, knowing very well that the prisoners had rights which they were bound to respect. It is a little surprising that the Apostle did not make his appeal to his citizenship sooner, since that might have saved him from being barbarously beaten, before he had a hearing. He saved himself in that way at a later period of his history, in the city of Jerusalem. Perhaps he bore this wrong heroically, only thus to find in Europe a more effectual occasion for marked success in the service of his divine Master. It is a great thing to be under the protection of a strong government. When Paul said-I am a Roman citizen-it meant something, since the power of the empire was universally feared and respected. So we may be justly proud, because the flag of our country is honored all the world over. Still all this will avail us nothing, if we are not true and loyal citizens. The government protects us only as long as we live up to the conditions of American citizenship; and as soon as we are convicted of violating these conditions, there will be a penalty instead of protection and defense. No one can stand on the dignity of an American, either at home or abroad, who has lost the manners of our national manhood. If a citizen in any way forfeits his rights, his dignity will no longer hold and he is treated as one who has offended against the majesty of the law. If all Christians had as exalted a sense of their civil obligations and prerogatives, as those two apostolic missionaries had at Philippi, there would be a vast deal more of genuine heroism and a great deal less of that spurious self-reliance which deserves to be branded as meanness, or as unmanly pride. Citizenship in the kingdom of heaven is the very best foundation for genuine dignity. This lies in the fact that it is the grand fundamental aim of the blessed gospel, to put all men into their proper relation to God and to each other. The herald angels sang-Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will to men. That happened when the gospel first came in, but now the history of its growth in the world, during eighteen centuries, stands as a perpetual testimony to the truth of the heavenly message. Gradually the number of believers has increased, until now it has risen to hundreds of millions. And these millions have infinitely more power, in this age, than that of religion and morals merely. All the physical and intellectual resources of the civilized world are at their service. Of all the kingdoms of this world, there is not one so grand and so world-comprehensive as this is proving itself to be. Rome had almost universal empire one day, and other kingdoms had a wide dominion, but none of these ever had the power to rule the world with essentially one order of ideas. And indeed, to be in the full tide of a civilization, like the people of Europe and of this country are, which looks to a complete and speedy conquest of all the nations in all parts of the world, is one of the most inspiring ideas that can possibly take hold of the human mind. Any one may feel proud and grateful to God, that he lives in this age and that he can take part in hastening the final triumph of the Christian faith. Those who begin young and spend a long life in this great and blessed work, may glory all the more because of their well-sustained dignity in the cause of Christian manhood. But some presume to stand on their dignity in quite the opposite way. On account of faults and defects, real or imaginary, among those who are members of the church, these stand aloof and take no direct part at least in the great work, pretending to get along quite as well if not better without church membership. If these persons are right in maintaining that kind of independence, then the Lord Jesus and His inspired Apostles are not only convicted of a radical error, but organization for social purposes in every sense is shown to be of no account. But not many would be willing to push their notions of personal independence as far as that. Men live and develop best in company with others, and so do Christians. Those who imagine that they can stand by themselves and need not the companionship of others, ought to do as Christ did, sacrifice their ease and vanity by doing good to such as need their help, and soon they would learn better how to maintain a proper personal dignity. wither; but the amaranth of the an- Toward either throne they bow, and to the The church needs workers, because the cause of a common humanity needs them. These must be trained for the work, and this is best done where practice goes along constantly with religious and benevolent training. In Christian families, in Sunday-schools, in the churches, where offerings and prayers are wont to be made, the workers inust be educated and given their places And blessed are they who have a share, This crown, which is elsewhere repreboth in the training aud in being sented as a crown of righteousness, a trained. They will have something real crown of life, and an incorruptible to boast of, when once their labors are crown, the Scriptures promise to those finished and complete. If they stand who remain faithful until the Chief on their dignity, it will be the dignity Shepherd shall appear. It cannot be of genuine Christian worth, and men otherwise than encouraging, as we jourwill honor them for this, as the magis-ney along, footsore and travel stained to trates honored Paul and Silas, if not behold through faith's telescope, the from personal regard, then at least by constraint of the law, or of public opinion. Readers of THE GUARDIAN, are you in the work? THE AMARANTHINE CROWN. BY THE EDITOR. There is a beautiful promise in the first epistle of Peter, which reads: "When the Chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." grand and glorious prize which is laid up for those who love Christ's appearing. It is the hope of reward that urges us onward, that infuses new life into our veins, and makes us exert our utmost energies to reach the prize. There are people, we know, who have no hesitation in saying: "We would serve God for what religion affords us even in this present time if it brought us no promise of a life beyond the grave." Such statements may be made with excellent intentions, without the least consciousness of insincerity, but for all that they are fallacious and deceptive. The supposition is absurd and impossible, for Christianity without the promise of eternal life would be without an aim. "It would be a light-house with no flame kindled on its summit-there would be no radiance for life's troubled sea." How different was the opinion of St. Paul: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." When a man says, "I would be a Christian even though there were no promise of eternal life," he reThere is a flower which we call ama-minds us of a merchant entering into a rauth, because it does not readily business in which he was certain that Some translators, strictly following the original, render the latter clause of the passage: "Ye shall receive an amaranthine crown of glory.". Though the ordinary version is to be preferred for popular use, as there are thousands of good people who do not know what is meant by an amaranthine crown, the original has a certain poetic beauty which is lost in the translation. he would not make a cent; or, of a laborer out of work getting into a treadmill, in order that he might enjoy the sweets of labor. A Christian life has its pleasures. There are many clear fountains bubbling forth by the wayside to slake the traveller's thirst; but all these compensating delights derive all their value from the hope which urges us onward to gain the prize. And this prize, how grand it is! Not merely a garland, or a chaplet, or the victor's wreath; but the crown of royalty it self. There are probably few of us who have ever seriously reflected whether we would like to wear a crown. The object is so remote- in fact, so utterly beyond our reach-that it becomes a matter to be thought of only in dreams, when, perhaps, we "Press the monarch's throne-a king! As wild our thoughts and gay of wing, As Eden's garden bird." It is certain, however, that wherever crowns are attainable, there is no possession which is more coveted, and, O, how often have the steps which lead to the throne been marked with blood and no hopeless sorrow. Ah! that is the saddest tale in all modern history! When we think of such things, we may surely rejoice that we are not of royal blood. If we had been born on the steps of the throne, it is possible that all its attendant miseries would not enable us to reject the glittering bait; but, as it is, we surely have no reason to regret that we live in a land where none can wear the crown. But let us reflect a moment. If it were possible to possess royal dignity and power without their attendant danger and uncertainty; if, in other words, it were possible to wear an amaranthine crown, uncoveted and unfading; who is there that would refuse to wear it? And yet this is exactly what is promised by Him on whose head are many crowns, to all who remain faithful to the end. An amaranthine crown, pure, holy, spiritual, that will constantly increase does not feel that the bright anticipain glory. What Christian is there who tion of the hour when the Saviour shall place it upon his brow, atones for many gloomy days and sleepless nights. We cannot, of course, pretend to declare the full significance of the ama anthine crown. Not till we receive it will we be able to tell the number of its jewels. desolation! Ambition can reach higher than royalty, except when it is lured to destruction by the vain phantom of universal dominion. A king We may be sure, however, that it is occupies a position in which everything ministers to the vanity of the a crown of victory. The battle will be possessor -unlimited wealth, immense power, will have conquered. Elevated far over, the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the homage of multitudesthese are but a few of the accompani- earth, delivered from the troublings of above the dangers and temptations of ments of the monarch's crown. Is it surprising, then, with what we know of the wicked, in the full enjoyment of the reward of victory, surely there is no human nature, that crowns should be chaplet of triumph that can be comcoveted, and that wicked men should have frequently employed the most dis-pared with this. "The laurel and the reputable means in order to attain ivy leaf," says a Greek writer, "must perish," and the royal fillet of diamonds and pearls will turn to dust; but them? "Un "The starry crown And yet a wise man has said, easy lies the head that wears a crown," and recent events have abundantly That glitters through the skies" illustrated the truth of his saying. will never glitter less, but will shine, Think of the poor blind king of Hano- with the beauty of the morning-star ver, dethroned in his old age. Think forever. Heed, therefore, the admoniof Amadeus, driven from Spain by po- tion which Jesus Himself has uttered, litical opponents, who had not a word and "hold fast that which thou hast, to say against his personal character. that no man take thy crown." And, Think of poor Maximilian, shot down" think it not strange concerning the like a dog, and his gentle wife, Carlotta, pleading and weeping at every court in Europe, until at last insanity hid her fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you," for," blessed is the man that endureth temptation;" and, "when he is tried -tested, proved," he shall receive the crown of life-the amaranthine crown of glory." The promised crown also involves dignity and honor. The Scriptures tell us we shall be kings and priests-we shall possess the diguity of royalty conjoined with the reverence which is due to the priests of the most high God The Saviour says, "If any man serve me him will my Father honor," and we have every reason to accept our Saviour's promise in its literal significance and to believe that when He confesses the names of His faithful disciples before His Father and the holy angels, unnumbered multitudes of created intelligences-cherubim, sera phim, thrones, dominions, and powers, -will join in acknowledging the royal dignity of those who wear the amaranthine crown. Nor is this all. We have every reason to apprehend that the possession of this celestial royalty will be accompanied by commensurate power. A king without authority would be the most pitible of creatures, and unless the wearer of the amaranthine crown were actually invested with royal power the promise would surely fail in one of its most important particulars. And, indeed, many eminent commentators, prominent among whom is Dean Trench, argue with great force that the Lord will actually exalt His suffering servants to dominion and supernatural power. Of the extent of such dominion we can, of course, form no conception; but who can say that in His universe there are not kingdoms enough and to spare for all those who have been faithful over a few things and are now deemed worthy of being placed over many things? There is one word in this passage which includes all the privileges and blessings that accompany the wearing of the amaranthine crown. It is the single word glory-a word which in its spiritual meaning, suggests the full effulgence of celestial light "Beyond the night and darkness of the grave the yearning heart with prophetic in stinct, looks and longs for the breaking of a cloudless day. And the thicker the darkness gathers around life's pathway, the more intense and constant the sighing of the soul for the splendors of] that immortal morn," when the undimmed rays of the sun of righteousness shall shine forever upon our amaranthine crown. No human tongue can venture to describe the glory of God's saints. "In that day shall the Lord Himself be for a crown of glory and for a diadem of beauty"-that is He will exert His highest powers for the satisfaction of His chosen ones- He will even grant to them the glory which is His own special prerogative, and they shall reign with Him forever. Surely, when the word of God assures us that such jewels sparkle in the amaranthine crown we should not fail in doing our utmost to obtain it. All labor is sweet on the way to the crown. No temptation can lure us from the path that leads to the shining prize. Therefore "Hold fast that thou hast that no man take thy crown." Let us anticipate with joy the time of receiving the crown. No prince ever looked forward with sorrow to the day of his royal coronation. Why then should we, "the children of a king, go mourning all our days?" Look upward and rejoice, for the day approaches when we shall share the crown of Christ's Kingdom. "Then in Thy presence, heavenly King, Let not any one say that he cannot govern his passions, nor hinder them from breaking out and carrying him to action; for what he can do before a prince or a great man, he can do alone or in the presence of God if he will.— Locke. -An advertisement in a New York newspaper that widow will dispose of her late husband's medical diploma gives strength to the assertion that doctors may come and the doctors may go but the parchments go on forever. Is there anything that money will not buy? |