He has authority from God as His ambassador (2 Cor. v. 18), to whom is committed the ministry of reconciliation, and in this office he is to teach, baptise, consecrate the holy eucharist, bless and absolve the penitent; and in all these acts of authority, which he does in the Name and Person of Christ, he is to stand. The office which he has received from God, ordains him also to offer gifts and sacrifices to God, to offer up the praise and thanksgiving of the people with their prayers; so we read (Heb. v. 1), "Every high priest [or priest] taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." And to shew this his office, in these services he is directed to stand.

By this we may see what gain it is to the people, that their prayers are offered up by a priest. For God having appointed him to this office, will certainly assist and accept him in it. And even should the minister be wicked, or without devotion in his prayers, yet God will only punish this neglect in himself, but will accept his service for the people.

From Bp. Sparrow on the Common Prayer.

WHEN thou hast thanked thy God for every blessing sent, What time will then remain for murmurs and lament?

POETRY.

THE PIMPERNEL.

THE Pimpernel! the Pimpernel!

That little flower loveth the sunshine well!

It opens its breast to receive the rays,
And upward looks with adoring gaze,

Whilst the sun sheds down, with benignant power,
His influence to cherish the happy flower.

And the glory which lights heaven, earth, and sea,
Gilds that scarlet speck on the grassy lea.

But, ah! if a cloud should intervene
The sun and his worshipper between,

The petals close

Of the sensitive flower,

For well it knows

The coming shower;
It hides its head

In its grassy bed,

And humbly patient waits awhile

Till the sun beams out with his kindly smile,
And the peasants foretel, as the flower they pass,
"Twill rain, by the shepherd's weather-glass.

The Christian pilgrim is like that flower;
He bows his head when the storm-clouds lour;
He closes his heart and looks within,

For sorrow he knows is the guerdon of sin,
And that as the sun withholds his ray,
So God His face will turn away

From His erring child; and this will prove
A father's correction-a pledge of love.
Oh! the Christian knows that the hour of woe
In mercy its shadow will round him throw;
And, shrinking in silence, he owns " 'tis well,"
And waits for the gleam-like the Pimpernel.

M. H.

MARTHA AND MARY.

NOT all the saints of God are bound

In active service to be found.

Well doth the bee fulfil her round

In summer's fragrant bower;

But surely not of less avail

Thy tuneful hymns, sweet nightingale,
Chanted all lone in moonlight pale,
At midnight's solemn hour.

When Martha's roof our Saviour blest,
And deign'd beside her hearth to rest,
Though King of all, an humble guest,-
While Jesus preach'd the word,
Her precious hours in toil were spent,
"On hospitable cares intent,"
While "wiser Mary" listening bent
The knee beside her Lord.

Much love did Martha's cares reveal;
She serv'd the Lord with earnest zeal;
Yet, when she made her warm appeal,
How did Christ Jesus meet

That call for her whose blessed station
Of worship, love, and meditation,
Of quiet faith and contemplation,
Was at her Saviour's feet?

"O Martha, Martha, troubled thou
With much of care and service now,
Yet turn thee not with angry brow
Where Mary kneels to pray;
For she hath quit life's busy mart
To serve her Lord with single heart;
Yea, she hath chose that better part
Which none shall take away.'

And so, in this wide world of ours,
Some toil for God mid storms and showers,
While others spend their hallow'd hours
In prayer and pious thought.

Let no one scorn the lonely cell,
For saints may serve their Master well,
Though none can reckon up and tell
What deeds their love hath wrought.

THE GUARDIAN ANGEL.

From the German.

"God hath given His angels charge concerning thee, that they may keep thee in all thy ways.'- How much reverence ought this word to induce in thee; how much devotion bring along with it; how much confidence bestow ! Reverence for the presence; devotion for the benevolence; confidence for the guardianship In every inn, in every corner, reverence thine angel."-S. BERNARD.

NEVER canst thou behold the stars
In sunshine clear and bright;
But let the pale night come, and then
Streams down their quiet light.

When thou, of mirth and pleasure full,
A laughing world dost view,

Thou canst not hear the angel-guard,
That watches thee so true.

Full oft he gives a warning cry,

My child, go not that way;

Thy mother hath forbidden thee-
Swiftly her voice obey."

Laughing, and onward springing
To where thou fain wouldst be,
That warning seemeth but the breeze,
Thou thoughtless child, to thee.
Thou spring'st towards that narrow bridge,
Nor know'st the danger there;
Of all the depth of yonder gulf
Thou in no wise art ware.
Thy mother sees and shudders,
Wringing her hands for woe;
She sees her babe already dash'd
'Gainst walls of rock below.

Yet, lo! that faithful angel-guard,
Though thou hast left his care,
Shields thee from ill in his embrace,
And in his arms doth bear.

So in thine onward path of life,
Through roads obscure and dim,
And safe o'er many a slender bridge,
Thou shalt be led by him.

Then peace, thou gentle mother-
He is in trusty ward;

An angel watcheth o'er thy child

An angel is his guard.

OCTOBER.

18. St. Luke.

28. St. Simon and St. Jude.
31. Allhallows Eve.

Robson, Levey, and Franklyn, Great New Street, Fetter Lane.

M.

"BROTHER," said little Mary Long to her brother James, as they walked home together from school-" Brother, I wish you would not speak as you did just now."

"What do you mean, Mary?" cried James. "I said no wrong words, I am sure."

"No. But when you were in play, and laughing with Charles and Abel Wildman at the top of yonder lane, you said some sacred words which I am sure it is wrong to say at play."

"Oh! I know now," said James, looking very much ashamed. "I am very sorry, but I did not mean any harm."

"Still there was harm in saying them," persisted Mary. "Don't you recollect what Mr. Monkton said about the third commandment last Sunday?"

"Yes, yes, I know; but I did not swear, Mary; never did, and I am sure I never shall. I would not do such a thing for the world."

"I hope not, indeed, dear James; but you know Mr. VOL. II. NOVEMBER 1843.

L