secret prayer, and all the means of grace which are calculated to strengthen the weary pilgrim for the proper discharge of all those duties which devolve upon him.

I will now notice in a cursory way, the object, foundation and effect of this hope. Its object is supremely good. Not the honors, pomp nor show of this vain world, neither the enjoyment of sensual gratification, but the pure, exalted felicities of the heavenly worldthose pleasures which are at God's right hand, "reserved for those who serve him." Such being the object, it bears up the heart when sick of this world, and plainly teaches that it has not yet appeared what the faithful servant will be, but that it will be "ready to be revealed in the last time." Death may seem terrible to the natural man, but to the "spiritually minded" this hope will be "an anchor to the soul." Often does it enable the believer to say with the apostle, "we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." And O, who can describe the pleasure now so dear, then fully realized! Who can form any idea of the blessedness of that enjoyment, when hope will be "swallowed up in victory!" Surely it is something great to be delivered from pain and sorrow, to "have all tears wiped from our eyes," to live where there will be "no more death:" but it must be unspeakably greater and far more glorious to be "before the throne of God and the Lamb"-infinitely more delightful to be with Christ-to be "forever with the Lord." This was St. Paul's highest idea of happiness, and even our blessed and adorable Redeemer, when he "lifted up his eyes to heaven," and poured forth that most sublime prayer in behalf of his faithful followers, said, "Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be where I am; that they may behold my glory." In view of that blessed day, the Christian's heart swells with joy and gratitude, and looking around and beholding poor, deluded men, wrapt up amid the cares and vanities of this world, he exclaims:

"Mortals, awake, with angels join

And chant the solemn lay;

Joy, love, and gratitude, combine

To hail th' auspicious day.

Hark! the cherubic armies shout,

And glory leads the song;

Good will and peace are heard throughout

Th' harmonious heav'nly throng."

When such a pure stream of pleasure and enjoyment gushes forth from the fountain of the soul, why may not the humble believer say

"Let every element rejoice;

Ye thunders, burst with awful voice

To him who bids you roll;

His praise in softer notes declare,
Each whisp'ring breeze of yielding air,
And breathe it to the soul."

Turning from such a refreshing view of the object of the Christian hope, we find that the foundation is "sure and steadfast." The holy psalmist says, "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope." "Other foundation can no man lay" than that upon which holy apostles, martyrs and saints have built; even the "Rock of Ages."

"On the Rock of Ages founded,
Who can shake thy sure repose?"

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost." What, then, is the effect of such a hope? St. John says, "Every man that hath this hope purifieth himself; even as he is pure.' It is this which elevates the affections, purifies the desires, and gives beauty and loveliness to an earthly period of existence, and aids us continually in our preparation for the enjoyment of the "saints in light."

The last, and one of the greatest of the Christian graces, is faith. Faith, according to the exposition given in our catechism, "is an assent to, or a certain knowledge concerning God, his will, works, and grace, in which we confide upon divine authority."

Faith, then, as "the substance of things hoped for," includes a knowledge concerning the Almighty Being as he manifests himself in all his works, but especially in the revelation he has been pleased to give to the children of men. Here we must be instructed concerning the Omnipotence, Omniscience, Omipresence, Goodness, Mercy, and all the other attributes of the Divine Being —a knowledge of which, as could be easily shown if space would permit, is calculated to create, not only a source of pleasure, but also feelings of the most profound reverence.

Well might the following words have been found on a piece of paper in Lord Byron's Bible:

Finally, faith secures unto us eternal life; for, "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;" this is the "exceeding great reward."

We here lay down our pen, hoping at some future time to be able to take it up and show the pleasures of religion from a consideration of Christian privileges and Christian duties.

THE mind has more room in it than most people think, if they would but furnish the apartments.

THE EDITOR ABROAD.

WE have long since been of opinion that those whose business confines them, during the greater part of the year, in our cities and larger towns, ought to enjoy a few weeks recreation during the heat of summer. Where shall this rest from the monotony of labor be sought? Some go to the sea-shore, and to our fashionable watering places-go there to bathe a little and to eat much: yea, to feast on luxuries in the most extravagant style; to pay $15 per week, as at Cape May, and the "extras" besides. Happy are they who have tremendous purses!

Now, we verily believe that this is neither the cheapest nor the best way to recruit and invigorate a worn down system, or relieve and restore the energies of a tired mind. This at least is not the way we do. We always make for the country-the place of small rural villages, of beautiful farms, of hills, vallies, streams, woods, and joy of birds; above all, the region of pure, fresh air, of open hearts, of unstarched manners, and of friendly faces. How truly is it said, and one feels the force of it in rural regions

"God made the country, and man made the town.
What wonder, then, that health and virtue, gifts
That can alone make sweet the bitter draught
That life holds out to all, should most abound
And least be threatend in the fields and groves."

There is, moreover, much to interest and improve the mind in any region of our State, which may be chosen for rusticating. Our own experience has abundantly convinced us of this. This is to be found in the ancient local history of the place-its remains of the "olden time," its traditions of the trials of early settlers, as well as its present various social, literary, and religious improve

ments.

We had the pleasure of spending a short time lately in the villages and valleys of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and must allude to several interesting matters which met our view, and gave us pleasure, especially in and around the TRAPPE.

An Ancient Church.

We visited this singular and venerable building, erected by Dr. Muhlenberg in 1743. It is a seven-cornered building-two rightangled corners at one end, and the other end rounded by five obtuse angles. The roof beaks, after the fashion of ancient buildings. The inside remains nearly as it was originally made. The pulpit stands at the side, at the first of the five corners, while the altar-very prominent is in front of the rounded recess; all of which reminds one of a cultus, which, like the church itself, is a relic of the olden time in the Lutheran communion.

A new church has lately been built near this, and the venerable building is now only used for Sabbath-school purposes. It was proposed to tear it down, but the spirit of the fifth commandment prevailed over that modern Vandalism which regards its own father and mother as "behind the age." I thought I was paying a compliment to an old man, who stood with me on the grave-yard looking at the old church, by saying, "It speaks well for your congregation that you preserve this venerable relic of the past-the monument of the piety of your forefathers." His answer was: "Ya, for was is das alt Haus do?" This remark reminded me of an incident in the travels of an English lady in the Alps. She had often heard of the "Alpine shepherd's pipe," and had her romantic soul filled with sweet imaginations of the poetic shepherds and the enchanting notes of their pipes amid the quiet valleys. At length her eyes were permitted to rest upon the long-wished for object. It was announced to her by the guide, "there is an Alpine shepherd sitting at the door of his hut." With reverence and very romantic consideration she approaches him. She addresses him most respectfully. "Shepherd, why dost thou not use thy sweet pipe?" The romantic shepherd replies, "Because, kind lady, I got no more tobacco!"

Thus, truly, there is but one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Near this old church there is still standing the house in which Dr. Muhlenberg lived, with marks and remains of the “Trappe,' or stairs which went up on the outside to the second story, and from which the place receives its name. The windows towards the north are walled shut, which was no doubt done during the revolutionary war; for Dr. M. mentions, in his journal, that the army lay in sight of his house, on the heights, which is directly north of his house, and that he daily expected an engagement.

Academies and Seminaries.

Few villages in our State, we venture say, can boast of such schools, of the higher order, as are found at the Trappe. Passing up the Perkiomen, going from Norristown up, there appears to the right, upon a beautiful eminence, the "Pennsylvania Female College," under the presidency of J. Warrenne Sunderland, LL. D., with assistants. This excellent institution is incorporated with power to grant diplomas, and confer degrees in literature and the liberal arts. The building is beautifully situated and constructed in the most convenient and airy style.

But a little distance farther on, and still on the right, you see "Freeland Seminary," a male school of high order, under the efficient care of Rev. H. A. Hunsicker. The building is a beautiful one, with most inviting grounds surrounding it. It was erected by Rev. Abraham Hunsicker, a minister of the Mennonite

persuasion, a most liberal-hearted and zealous friend of religion and education. He also erected the building of the "Pennsylvania Female College." This good man has evinced a most excellent spirit, and one far in advance of what has heretofore been known in that portion of the church. Though a plain, unassuming man, he is all enthusiasm on the subject of education and the best interests of the rising generation.

As you pass on in the same direction, you soon see on the left, "Trappe Washington Hall," another excellent boarding school for males. Abel Rambo, A. M., is the principal. Mr. R. is erecting an additional building for the accommodation of his flourishing school. This is the oldest institution in the place, and has thus far been very useful to the community in which it is located, and to other parts of the State.

How encouraging it is to see such institutions springing up in the various villages of our State. May they all enjoy abundant success. Sure we are that these silent fountains of light and life to the minds of the young are doing more than armies and navies to perpetuate peace and prosperity in our beloved country to generations yet to come.

HEAVEN.

[From Faust.]

Is heaven a place where pearly streams
Glide over silver sand?

Like childhood's rosy, dazzling dreams
Of some far fairy land?

Is heaven a clime where diamond dews
Glitter on fadeless flowers,

And mirth and music ring aloud
From amaranthine bowers?

Ah no; not such, not such is heaven!
Surpassing far all these;

Such cannot be the guerdon given
Man's wearied soul to p ease.

For saints and sinners her below,
Such vain to be have proved;
And the pure spirit will despise
Whate'er the sense has loved.

There shall we dwell with Sire and Son,
And with the Mother-maid,

And with the Holy Spirit, one,
In glory like arrayed;

And not to one created thing
Shall one embrace be given;

But all our joy shall be in God,
For only God is heaven.