should not undervalue the outward advantages of Christianity. How much more privileged are we, than our missionary brethren!-They live under his shadow-but it is among the Heathen! While we have our Sabbaths, and Temples, and preachers, and our fellow Christians, with whom we take sweet counsel together. Though there are no Heathens among us, nominally, and as to dispensation, yet there are some who know nothing doctrinally; and many who know nothing spiritually; many who are without God in the world, and who hate and oppose, as far as they are allowed, the religion we experience. And how often is a righteous soul vexed with the filthy conversation of the ungodly, and constrained_to sigh, "Woe is me, that I dwell in Mesech !"-But whatever be the disadvantages of our condition, there is a shadow-and his shadow-under which we can live! A shadow from the heat-not the shadow of a summer-cloud only; but of a great rock in a weary land: the shadow of a tree yielding, not only shade, but fruit, according to the acknowledgment of the Church-"I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." So it is said, "They that dwell under His shadow shall return: they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon." His shadow means protection, and all the blessings of his empire. The reign of some rulers is like the shadow of a vulture over the bird of prey; or as a hurricane over the flooded meadow, and the stripped forest-but let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

-Such is his apprehension or suffering-"He was taken in their pits." They watched him, and persecuted him, through life. At length, he was betrayed into the hands of his enemies; and they insulted him, and crucified him, and laid him in the grave-Then his disciples said, "We trusted

that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel" "The breath of our nostrils, the Anointed of the Lord, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the Heathen."

But here correspondence becomes contrast. No type, no image, no illustration, can do justice to him: and when examined, it will always be found to teach more by unlikeness, than by conformity. Zedekiah's subjects had their hopes disappointed and destroyed by his arrest: and when carried away, and imprisoned at Babylon, he could no longer defend or comfort them. But Jesus is our hope, notwithstanding his apprehension and death—yea, and in consequence of it. He is made perfect through sufferings. And thus it is that he brings many sons unto glory. When he fell into the hands of his enemies, they thought they had now completely succeeded. But their triumph was short. He fell; but in dying he overcame. And then was the judgment of this world, and then was the Prince of this world cast out. We therefore glory in his Cross, because he here becomes the Author of eternal salvation. He died for us, and rose again; and because he lives, we shall live also.

- Let us, then, live under his shadow-securely live; nobly live; joyfully live-not only having life, but having it more abundantly.

And let us invite others to come, and share with us. "In that day shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine, and under the fig-tree."

JUNE 18.-"After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from

Italy, with his wife Priscilla ; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tent-makers. Acts xviii. 1-3.

AQUILA and Priscilla were persons of great religious excellence. They are often mentioned with commendation in the Epistles, as well as in the Acts of the Apostles-especially where Paul says to the Romans, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus; who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the Churches of the Gentiles." They were born in Pontus-they then resided in Italyand were now in business-at Corinth. Hither they had been driven by an Imperial decree; and probably thought hard of the measure that banished them. But in consequence of this trial, they became acquainted with Paul, and had him for their host, their friend, and companion. And what a companion must a man of his talents and grace have been! And what an advantage must they have derived from his morn. ing and evening devotions! and his example! and his constant conversation! Surely they would acknowledge, It is good for us that we have been afflicted.

The lives of some have been very changeable: and in their removals, contrary to a disposition to enjoy a fixed and permanent dwelling, they have been ready to murmur and complain. But nothing occurs by chance; and all the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth to those that fear him. Let such remember that they know not what designs God has to accomplish by events of this nature, either with regard to themselves or their connexions. Let them also reflect that this is not their rest; and view every present residence as

"Preliminary to the last retreat."

In proportion as we look after a better country, and realize it as our own, all earthly situations will be alike indifferent to us-yea, we shall find each of them none other than the House of God, and the Gate of Heaven.

Paul not only lodged with them, but wrought; for they were of the same occupation with himself. For though he had been educated at the feet of Gamaliel, he had been bred to the craft of tent-making. The Jews were accustomed to give their sons a calling, whatever was their condition in life: wisely considering it a prevention of idleness, a security from temptation, and a resource in accidental indigence. Hence, of their doctors, one was surnamed Rabbi, the shoemaker; another, the baker; another, the carpenter. Bicaut says, the Grand Seignior, to whom he was ambassador, was taught to make wooden spoons. Is this degrading? Seneca says, he would rather be sick, and confined to his bed, than be unemployed. Adam and Eve were placed in the garden to dress and to keep it. And our Saviour declined not working at his supposed father's business-Paul, the chief of the apostles, was not ashamed of labour. But, as a man of taste and learning, he must have been fond of reading; and he desired Timothy to bring him his books and parchments. It seems, therefore, strange that his friends should not have indulged him with leisure and entire freedom for his office, also; by exempting him from manual toil. The workman is worthy of his hire: and this he always claimed as a right, contending that they who preached the Gospel should live of the Gospel: adding, also, that no man who warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life..

But a right is sometimes to be given up: and there is no general rule but allows of exceptions. Priscilla and Aquila were not rich, and would lament their inability to do more for their illustrious guest. And he had an independence of mind, and

seeing these worthy people themselves labouring to gain a livelihood, he would not be burdensome; but pay for his accommodations. And they are mean souls who will endure to be supported by the alms, and especially the industry of others, when their own hands are sufficient for them-They who will not work should not eat. In a word, Paul knew the infancy of the cause, and was acquainted with all the circumstances of the case; and acted, we may be assured, with wisdom and prudence. conduct displayed the noblest self-denial and zeal.

Yet his

There are two places in which he refers to his working. The first shows the degree in which he toiled, often-after teaching, sitting up late at night "Ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for we laboured night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto you." The second tells us that his aim was not only to support himself, but to be able to succour others" Ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to them that were with me." What a soul had this man! And how well could he add-"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

JUNE 19.-"Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. ii. 1.

WE may have this grace, and not be strong in it. The reality is one thing; the degree is another. We read of weak faith, as well as of strong faith. There are lambs in our Shepherd's fold, as well as sheep and in our Father's House there are little