we trust, you will offer some acts of self-denial to GOD, see, brethren, that your own spirit, and GOD'S SPIRIT Which is in you, concur in all that you do and say. Do not shrink from drawing nigh to Gon with outward service, but make that service truly acceptable by engaging your will and affections in it. It is not alone within the walls of the house of GoD, or beside the scantilyfurnished board, but it is within your own hearts that the real work of Lent must be effectually done.

And

3. And the inspired writer of the 143rd Psalm gives us one more lesson how to draw nigh to God at this season. "Of Thy goodness slay mine enemies, and destroy all them that vex my soul." Who were those enemies whom the Psalmist desired to see slain? who they that vexed his soul? Surely the same whom he indicates in the 3rd verse: "The enemy hath persecuted my soul, he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.” It was his spiritual enemy, Satan, our common adversary, and those agents whom he employs to tempt us to sin, that the Psalmist wished to see destroyed. With the overthrow of these he wished to approach GOD. And have not we, each of us, evil habits cherished within which are our adversary's agents for the destruction of our souls? None can say that his house is so clean swept and garnished that wicked spirits have altogether ceased to haunt it. where, if we are looking for a worthy offering to GoD at this time, where can we find one more acceptable than the abandonment of some evil habit, some sin of which we are conscious? Let us make this Psalm our lesson for Lent. In reflecting on our past lives with a view to repentance, we shall find ourselves perplexed at the multitude and variety of sins which present themselves before us there. Let us not lose ourselves in dismay at their appearance, nor let us distract ourselves by making unconnected, violent efforts, resulting in merely temporary amendment. But let us single out some one sin which doth most easily beset us, and let us make the conquest of this our Lenten offering unto God. We are the plighted soldiers of CHRIST. A call which it is our duty to obey bids us separate ourselves from the world. Let us go then with outward humiliation like Moses, with spiritual sacrifices such as Balaam taught, casting down the adversary of our souls as the Psalmist longed to do. Let us seek to GoD, depend on Him for grace and strength, and be sure it will never be denied. One by one our spiritual enemies will fall before us. This life, sorrowful and sin-stained, will be as a Lent to us, a passage to Easter joy and glory in heaven.

A GOOD-FRIDAY EVENING HYMN.

(From the German of J. H. W. Witschel.)

On the Tree by impious malice planted,
Thou canst suffer mortal pang no more:

"LORD, I thank Thee!" trembling Earth re-echoes:
Heaven responsive sighs, "Enough! 'tis o'er !"
Closed are now those gentle eyes in slumber,
In the peaceful midnight of the dead;

All Thy foes have vanish'd from before Thee,
With the mighty word-" "Tis finished !"

MAUDI; A FAIRY TALE.

(Concluded from page 116.)

SOLDA proceeded thus:

"Not far from the abode of Maudi's parents, in a small cottage, dwelt his grandmother. When she learnt from them on the following morning all that had taken place, her first exclamation was that her forebodings had been fulfilled. 'You see,' she added, the favourite of the fairies, and will have no reason to complain of the little warning you have had if you only act noble powers of the boy within the limits of your own weaker accordingly. Often, heretofore, have you desired to restrain the capacities; you are now well aware that his take a wider range than yours. One who, like our Maudi, is protected by the fairies, and who at once comprehends them, as it is evident that

ters alone respecting which his youth has not yet allowed him to acquire experience, does he need advice; such advice it shall be for myself.' From that time forth, whenever Maudi left the my part alone, for the future, to give him. I reserve this office town to visit his parents, the old woman alone was his instructress, his admonisher, his guide. She offered, moreover, herself to be the guardian of the little casket which had contained the gold pieces, never omitted to lock it carefully up again when she had displayed it to him or to any one else, and finally when, about a month ago, she died, full of years, de

livered it once more into his own hands.

We often behold an oyster, but dream not of the costly pearl "Maudi, meanwhile, made great progress in his education. that lies within, and grows from day to day to adorn, perhaps,

some kingly

crown.

gradations of his development are not visible. The judgment of Maudi came to be honoured by the wisest, whilst his knowledge was the admiration of the most learned. His decision became unshaken presence of mind. He was like a light which makes everything bright around it, and his virtue was often proposed as a pattern to those of his own age. Thus five years ago he rose, in spite of his low origin, to the high office which he now holds, that of judge in the town of Wina, a short distance from his native village. He has taken his parents to live with him, and

So it is with an extraordinary man: the

race; while his devoted care for his grandmother was such, that whenever any one would speak of true tenderness, it has become proverbial to say, 'love, such as Maudi's love for his family.'

His integrity has ever been strict and unshaken. He judges the value of all things according to their true standard, as a correct balance assigns to every article its just weight. No combination, no partiality has ever seduced the administrator of the laws. Many have sought to win him through his parents, but they know their son well, and ever since the above-mentioned night have relied more upon him than upon themselves; they have, therefore, always disclosed to him these attempts, and themselves co-operated with him for the upholding of the right. He is called the Just, and has recently vindicated his right to this honourable title in a matter concerning which, but a few days ago, a person dismissed by him appeared before us with a frivolous complaint. I have investigated the whole affair, and upon my own mind not the slightest doubt remains. Naun, one of the richest and most respected men of the place, was desirous, in a business of a very complicated nature, of obtaining from Maudi a decision favourable to himself. Maudi, however, after having, with indefatigable patience, examined into circumstances which had for many years remained involved in confusion, made it clear to the rich man that he must, in justice, decide against him, and rejected with scorn a thousand pieces of gold which were offered him. On the evening of the day in which this affair was transacted Maudi met, in a company of male and female friends, an unknown maiden, who appeared to him more lovely than any he had ever before bebeld. At the first sight of her beauty his bosom was filled with the most ardent emotions of love. The magic of her charms, and her engaging and sensible conversation so enchanted him, that he desired her for his wife. Ever frank and straightforward, he concealed not from her how deeply she had touched him, and she appeared to receive with pleasure the expression of his feelings. Judge of his dismay when he discovered that she was the neice of Naun, recently arrived from a distant part of the country. On the following morning she appeared at his house, sent thither by her uncle, and with persuasive words, and the eloquence of tearful eyes, laid before him the circumstances in the colours in which they had been represented to her.

666

My welfare also depends upon your decision,' were the words with which she concluded her discourse. Her beauty, enhanced by her humility and her entreaties, wrought upon Maudi still more powerfully than on the preceding evening. Moved beyond expression, he answered her,

"Treasures are nothing, but the heart has great influence: could anything serve to blind me, surely the power to do so would be thine, fair maiden: but every feeling must give way to justice and duty. The facts are not as you have stated.' He

then set them before her distinctly, adding these words, 'Such is the real state of things: so have I decided, and I dare not alter a single letter of my verdict.'

66

This, O ye assembled elders, is what I have learnt of Mandi."

Solda was silent; and an attendant entering then at the moment, informed them that a maiden was waiting without, and desired admittance. The door was thrown open, and a beautiful damsel entered, at sight of whom the assembled elders stepped quickly forward as if they had again grown young.

66

Naun, my uncle," said she," has made a complaint against Maudi which also concerns me. But Maudi has decided with perfect justice. Of this both my uncle and myself are now convinced he has sent me, because he is himself sick, solemnly to withdraw the complaint, and implores pardon for having ventured to accuse the noblest of men."

As she finished speaking the arrival of Maudi himself was announced, and the maiden was removed to an adjoining apartment, there to await the answer to her application.

"What think you? where shall we find the right man if Maudi be not he? let Maudi be chosen!" said some, and the rest repeated, "Let Maudi be chosen !" when the noble Maudi was himself introduced. With a modest air, but at the same time full of dignity, he stepped before the assembly, inquired their wishes, told them what they desired to know, and handed over the little casket.

"Yes, that is it; I filled it myself with the gold," said the inspector of the treasury, attempting to open it. "It seems to contain something," he added, as he balanced it in his hand.

"As far as I know," answered Maudi, "it has, ever since I gave the gold to my parents, remained empty: it has always been So when I have seen it; and as it now is, so did I receive it from the hands of my dying grandmother. She seemed still anxious to say something to me when she expired in my arms: overwhelmed with grief, and just then engaged in some very important matters, I put aside the often examined casket unopened."

At this moment the inspector of the treasury unfastened the lid; a written sheet of paper fell out, from which there rolled upon the table a stone of glittering colours.

"The jewel, the jewel, the lost stone!" cried the old man, transported with joy.

"And a paper with the handwriting of the Sultana Lali! still remember it all," cried Chilan, overwhelmed also with astonishment.

"It is my grandmother's handwriting," said Maudi.