fallen towers and ruined walls. Where magnificence shone, and mirth and gaiety resounded, there lodge the owl, the raven, and the bat.

The history of nations is the history of revolutions and changes. Kingdoms rise and fall. Peace and war take place by turns. Princes, heroes, and statesmen come forth upon the stage in succession, and then they disappear and are forgotten.

Let any one who has made progress in life, call to mind what has passed before him in his own time. In one part of the world new dominions have been acquired; and in another, old ones have been lost. At home, new factions, parties, and administrations have arisen and fallen in succession.

Again, new objects have attracted attention, and other intrigues have engaged the passions of men.

If we turn our attention from more public matters to our own private connections, the changes which have taken place will touch our minds with tender sensibility. 'Where are the companions of our earliest years; those with whom we began the race of life; whose hopes, fears, and prospects were identified with our own? Amongst our acquaintances and friends what havock the hand of death has made! Former connections have been dissolved, and new ones formed; the circle in which we live is entirely changed. Who can recollect the former years, and old friendships, without shedding a silent tear at the thought that the fashion of this world is ever passing away? Our life itself, through all its various stages, is passing on. "We spend our years as a tale that is told."

Human life is not compared to anything great or lasting, but to a tale; a tale listened to for a little while, a tale soon told, and soon forgotten. Just as the incidents of a tale are related one after another in rapid succession, so our years pass away. Life is never standing still; infancy runs up to childhood, childhood to youth, youth passes quickly on to manhood, and manhood to old age, and then grey hairs and faded looks, speak to us of death being at the door. Thus one generation after another runs its course. The world is made

up of increasing rounds of transitory existence. Some generations are coming into existence, others are actively engaged in it, and others are hastening on to leave it. The stream of life is carrying us all along; it flows with a constant and rapid descent, though noiseless in its passage. The world is ever emptying, yet ever filling anew.

As the life of man is thus fleeting and fading, so its condition is ever changing. There is nothing connected with human life upon which we can rest. There is no enjoyment or possession which we can really call our own. Our schemes of happiness are frustrated, our health declines, our friends die, our families are scattered; and the wheel which has turned round from the commencement of time, must continue to turn round till time is no more

"The year rolls round, and steals away
The breath that first it gave :
Whate'er we do, where'er we be,

We're travelling to the grave."

Whilst the generations of men come forth in their turn, to act their part, and then move on, the very earth beneath our feet is undergoing change.

It has been overflowed by a deluge, and shaken by earthquakes. It is undermined by subterraneous fires, and in many parts of the world there are marks of violent convulsions, all showing that it is tending to dissolution.

Our large towns and densely popu lated cities, with all the flourishing empires of the world, shall be swept out of existence, and their place shall no more be found.

The word of God informs us that there is a day approaching in the which "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth and the works therein shall be burnt up."

When this dread hour has arrived, the fashion of this world will, indeed, have passed away.

Is, then, the state of man no more than a dream? Is his life only a fleeting vision? Is man designed by God to be only the child of a day? Are we indeed thrown into a stream, in which all flows and nothing stays? Is there no firm ground upon which

man may rest his hopes for the future? Surely man was not designed by God to be so unhappy: neither was he made so much in vain. In connection with all man's inconstancy, in this his fugitive state, there is in him a living soul, a soul that must never die. The soul, like to its Divine Author, is as to its existence immutable, unchangeable, and everlasting. The soul of man must survive the fall of all earthly dynasties, the wreck of ages, and the crush of worlds. Therefore, though change and decay are the certain results of sin, still there are things connected with man's existence which are fixed and permanent. Virtue and goodness never change.

From the beginning there has been at the head of the universe an eternal Protector, whose throne is established in the heavens. With Him there is no variableness, neither any shadow of turning. With Him there is no inconstancy of purpose, or decay of wisdom or power.

Wherefore, though all things on earth change, and we ourselves are involved in the general mutability, yet, if with trust and contrite hope we look up to the Supreme Being for mercy and grace through Christ, so long as we continue to rest upon the Rock of Ages, so long we are perfectly safe.

We are only now at the threshold or outer court of our existence. These tents and tabernacles were only erected for a brief day; but, in the region of eternity, all will be stable and unchangeable. There shines a sun that will never set. There flows a river which will be always unruffled and pure. Life in that pure celestial atmosphere will be everlasting.

The changeable character of earthly things should teach us to moderate our attachment to the world. Changeable as all human things are, we must at present act our part, and discharge our duties. We may be surrounded by trials, let us, however, seek divine grace to regulate our conduct aright, that we may use this world as not abusing it. Neither drooping under its misfortunes, nor elated by its smiles or advantages; but, through all its changes, possess an equal and steady mind, looking for the accom

THE Sun, now nearing its most southern goal in Capricornus, rises in the morning of the 1st at fourteen minutes before eight, and sets at eight minutes before four; on the 15th it rises at two after eight, and sets at eleven minutes before four; and on the 31st it rises at nine minutes after eight, and sets at two minutes before four. The shortest day occurs about the 21st, when there will be about twenty minutes less daylight than upon the 1st. Hence to the end of the month daylight will increase not more than about six minutes. On the 21st the Sun passes out of the sign Sagittarius into that of Capricornus (the goat), and the winter quarter com

mences.

The Moon is full on the 2nd at sixteen minutes before seven in the evening, and new on the 18th at fifteen minutes before five in the morning. On the first Sunday it rises at eight minutes after five in the evening to shine all night; on the second Sunday it rises about midnight; on the third Sunday it sets about one minute before the Sun; on the fourth Sunday it sets at about half-past eleven at night; and on the fifth Sunday it rises about nine minutes before sunset to shine all night.

Mercury will be well seen at the beginning of the month. On the 5th it will be near to Jupiter, and will occult one of the stars in Sagittarius (Lambda). It is near to Venus on the 30th and to Mars on the following day.

Venus is a morning star; will be near to the waning crescent Moon on

the 16th, and to Mars and Mercury on the 29th.

Mars rises a little before the Sun all the month-exactly an hour before it on the 31st.

Jupiter is in conjunction with the Sun on the 31st, and, therefore, beyond observation with the naked eye. Before reaching this invisible position, however, if the crescent of the young moon be seen on the 19th, Jupiter will be found not far distant from it.

Saturn is a morning star, rising between three and half-past four o'clock all the month.

Uranus, in opposition, may be observed all night. It is near the Moon on the 10th and 31st.

Neptune, on the meridian at seven in the evening in the middle of the month, is well posited for observation during the evening and night.

Choice Selections.

CAUSES OF THE UNCIVILISED STATE OF AFRICAN NEGRO TRIBES. How the negro has lived so many ages without advancing, seems marvellous, when all the countries surrounding Africa are so forward in comparison; and, judging from the progressive state of the world, one is led to suppose that the African must soon either step out from his darkness, or be superseded by a being superior to himself. Could a government be

formed for them like ours in India, they might be saved; but, without it, I fear there is very little chance; for at present the African can neither help himself nor will he be helped by others, because his country is in such a constant state of turmoil; he has too much anxiety on hand looking out for his food to think of anything else. As his fathers ever did, so does he. He works his wife, sells his children, enslaves all he can lay hands upon, and, unless when fighting for the property of others, contents himself with drinking, singing, and dancing like a baboon, to drive dull care away. few only make cotton-cloth or work in wood, iron, copper, or salt; their rule being to do as little as possible, and to store up nothing beyond the necessities of the next season, lest

A

their chiefs or neighbours should covet and take it from them.-Journal of Captain Speke, Introduction, p. xxii.

SAVED FIFTY HOURS BEFORE
DEATH.

ONE Thursday evening, during a recent revival of religion, a young man was awakened to a discovery of his guilt and danger, and began to pray, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" The next morning he attended a meeting for prayer, and found peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ, and went home filled with the feelings and joys of a new life. That evening he attended a class-meeting for the first time, and spoke with certainty as to his acceptance with God, and his prospects for the future, little supposing that he was attending the last religious service he should take part in on earth. During the night he was violently attacked by disease; and on Sunday, about fifty hours after his conversion, he passed away in peace to the world of spirits. Is not this a brand plucked from the burning? One day's delay on the part of that young man might have caused his everlasting ruin. The Holy Spirit teacheth, "To-day, if ye

will hear His voice, harden not your hearts."

"Lo! on a narrow neck of land, 'Twixt two unbounded seas, I stand, Secure, insensible;

A point of time, the shortest space, Removes me to the heavenly place, Or shuts me up in hell,

PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER.-TWO women obtained salvation and were naturally led to feel keenly about their ungodly husbands. They set their hearts on their salvation, and endeavoured to assist each other in prayer. They prayed on and on, but no relenting of soul was manifest. God tried their faith, and their husbands tried their tempers; but they held on to God and prayer. One night one was awakened by the distress of her husband; he felt his guilt, and was groaning in bitterness of soul. He begged

the prayers of his believing wife. God heard their cries, and set his soul at liberty. As soon as day dawned, she started to tell her companion in prayer the joyful tidings, but she met her on the way, bearing the same good news. Rev. G. Warner.

THE PRESIDENT'S £2,000 FUND.

MY DEAR EDITORS,-I must trouble you again, and ask the favour of your inserting the following remarks in the Magazine.

What! another letter, and on the same subject, viz. the President's £2,000! When will this matter be brought to a close? That is just the question. Brethren, I want to ask, When will enough have been said respecting it?

I do not apologise this time, as in my last, for introducing this subject once more. I do think the time has arrived when the amount should either

be realised or the project given up as a failure.

The first proposition appears to be quite practicable if all do what they can; may I say, do their duty? and therefore, to give up, would be a reflection on us. To give up when so much has been already done-never!

The balance to make up the sum required is now only £700 odd; surely we can accomplish it in the few months previous to the annual meeting.

This is the third year the subject has been before the churches; an effort has been made to raise the above amount for one of the most benevolent

objects in the world; that is, to provide a small sum, weekly, to keep from abject poverty, and in some instances from the workhouse, those men of God who have spent youth, health, and even life itself, in the cause of the Church. This was the object for which the appeal was originally made by our friend and brother Arundale, when President. If all the branches had taken as deep an interest in the subject as some have done, this worthy object would have been accomplished.

Our brother, the Ex-President, during his official year, exerted himself greatly to carry out the anxious wish of his predecessor; and even now his anxiety appears as great as ever.

Sometimes we sing, and with considerable feeling too, those beautiful lines of C. Wesley

'My Saviour how shall I proclaim,

How pay the mighty debt I owe?
Let all I have, and all I am,

Ceaseless to all thy glory show.
"Too much to thee I cannot give,
Too much I cannot do for thee;
Let all thy love, and all thy grief

Graven on my heart for ever be."

John Wesley not only endorses these sentiments of his brother, but fully carried them out in his life. He states, "I think verily, if the gospel be true, I am safe, for I not only have given, and do give, all my goods to feed the poor; I not only give my body to be burned, drowned, or whatever God shall appoint for me, I show my faith by my works, by staking my all upon it."-Works, vol. I. p. 72.

The Committee have just held their monthly sitting at Brother Bowron's, and after mature consideration it was resolved to give all the old men, who were over the age of 70 years, the sum of 48. per week from that day as long as the funds should hold out.

I must say I am a little disappointed, and I also express the sentiment and feeling of several of the Committee then present. I had expected the £2,000 would have been all gathered in; then, instead of funding £500 only, the whole of the £2,000 would have heen added to our present stock, and so increased our funded property for the institution, as to have paid the augmented amount to the old men, not

from the principal, but from the interest arising out of the newly funded property, and our "Local Preacher's Mutual-Aid Association," by these means, would have become richer by Two Thousand Pounds.

I am, yours affectionately, JOHN CARTER, 4, Earl's Terrace, Kensington, W.

CONGLETON.

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DEAR BROTHER, We have very great pleasure in handing you over the contributions of our friends in this circuit, who have nobly, generously, and cheerfully responded to our appeal for help.

Nobly, as the amount proves; generously, as the contributions are not from the wealthy and the aristocratic, but from the horny-handed sons of toil; cheerfully, as they who have made it can testify. This adds to its worth and priceless value.

Only one case of positive refusal has occurred, happily for our circuit, but happier still for our common Christianity. It is only one among so many disciples of "Him who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich."

It is true that there are names of several brethren in our circuit which do not appear on the subscription list, viz., Messrs. Ginder, Hill, Steele Joseph, and others, who, being honorary subscribers, their names with their subscriptions are regularly recorded in the quarterly schedule of the branch.

There are few circuits, as the records of Prospect House can testify, that have for a number of years been more dependent than ours. We are deeply and gratefully sensible of our obligation, and are anxious to give a practical illustration of our gratitude by complying with our dear Saviour's requirement; "Freely ye have received, freely give."

But the noblest subscribers we have both in this and many other circuits are nameless. Their record is on high. They are to be found among those whose poverty, age, and infirmities, entitle them to the funds of our association; yet to spare those funds,