the first Sunday it rises in the afternoon, and sets at twenty-four minutes after three in the morning; on the second Sunday it rises at half-past seven in the evening and shines all night; on the third Sunday it rises nearly two hours after midnight, and on the fourth Sunday, as a beautiful crescent, it sets above an hour after the Sun. It will be near to Venus on the 28th.

Mercury is a morning star, but invisible most of the month.

Venus is our bright evening star, very favourably situated for observation. It sets at three minutes after nine on the 1st, and at nine minutes after ten on the 28th.

Mars is almost stationary in Taurus throughout the month, not far from the Pleiades, and about eight degrees north of Aldebaran.

Jupiter is a morning star, but cannot be favourably seen on account of its great southerly declination.

Saturn is in Virgo, rising ten minutes before midnight on the 1st, and two minutes after ten on the 28th. At the latter end of the month it will be seen in the south-east.

Uranus is on the borders of Gemini, Taurus, and Orion, and a little north of the Moon on the 6th.

Neptune is in Pisces, and sets shortly after nine in the evening. G. C.

Choice Selections.

THE LAST DAYS.

BY THE REV. RICHARD WATSON.

THE days of the Messiah were regarded by the ancient church as "the last days," because in them all the great purposes of God were to be developed and completed.

It is certain that the plans of God are great and general ones, not expedients to meet existing circumstances. They must, therefore, be connected with results so vast, as finally to justify the great agencies He has employed, and the apparent delays of His coming. Perplexities and difficulties have, indeed, occurred. They arise from the vast compass of the design itself. That sweeps beyond the bounds of human sight; yes, and of angel ken also. Angels are looking into the

mysteries of redemption, and contemplating the progress of the divine plans with an interest as intense as our own. To them is continually made "known the manifold wisdom of God." But the intricacies of the drama shall be unfolded, and the catastrophe bring into full view the perfections of God; and those over which the slightest veil has been cast shall shine forth in their own splendour. Wisdom, and justice, and mercy, will then appear in unstained sanctity and glory; and the end will make its appeal to every principle of right feeling in the bosom of every intelligence, and be gazed upon for ever with awful delight, and rich, but trembling, satisfaction. Though the day of the world's duration has been overcast, and fearful storms have raged through many of its hours, yet "at eventide it shall be light." shall the kingdom of Christ be universal, and the lines of Providence, so numerous and perplexed, shall meet and concentrate in the glories of the latter days. Then shall the dead rise, and publicly all enemies be put under Messiah's feet. Then vice shall meet its just punishment, and persevering righteousness its high reward. "Then cometh the end." The world, the scene of all these contests, shall be swept away, but it shall not be forgotten. No, brethren; every age, every scene of it, shall be remembered as illustrations, felicitous or fearful, of the mercy or justice of God, in the everlasting joys or woes of the saved or the lost of the immortal race of man.- -Watson's Works, vol. iii. pp. 273-4.

Then

INFIDELITY.A man who had been much connected with infidels, was taken dangerously ill; and, feeling that he could not recover, became alarmed for the safety of his soul. He found that his infidel principles gave him no comfort. He began to examine into the Christian religion. He embraced it, and found it to be the power of God to his salvation; enabling him to triumph over the fear of death. In the meantime, his infidel friends, hearing of his sickness, and that he was not expected to recover, showed a degree of feeling and integrity which, it was hoped, might prove the first step towards their conversion. They

were not aware that their dying friend had become a Christian. They called to see him, and actually told him that they came on purpose to advise him now to embrace Christianity: "Because,” said they, "if it be false, it can do you no harm; but if it should be true, you will be a great gainer." This is a fact. It was the united advice of a number of professed unbelievers to their dying friend.

ENCOURAGEMENT TO MOTHERS.Bishop Hall says, "How often have I blessed the memory of those divine passages of experimental divinity which I heard from my mother's mouth! What day did she pass without being much engaged in private devotion! Have any lips read to me such feeling lectures of piety! Her life and death were saint-like." Mr. Flavel says, "I bless God for a religious, tender mother, who poured out her soul to God for me; and this stock of prayers I esteem above the fairest inheritance on earth."

TAKE UP THY CROSS.-It is good to take up the cross, though it sometimes galls the shoulder. We are not always willing to go out of our track to do good, but when we do so, a blessing attends our labours.-Rev. Philip Garrett.

REAL FAITH.-Faith leads to pardon; a sense of forgiving mercy produces love love is the great principle of true obedience, and when supreme and universal, produces the willing consecration of our entire services to God.-Rev. R. Watson.

A MAN SAVED.-A young man was fishing from a raft of logs floating in deep water. By some accident the log under his feet loosened, turned over, and he fell in, the logs closing above him. There was but one man near, but he, with extraordinary presence of mind, saved the drowning one. The next day, having somewhat recovered, the young man sought an interview with his preserver, and wished to know how he might in some degree reward one who had saved him from inevitable death. The good man asked but one reward-that the life he had saved might be devoted to God. The unselfish request was couched in such touching tones that the young man could but promise to consider the matter seriously. He commenced by reading the Bible carefully, and the result was that he was soundly converted to God; and devoted his saved and redeemed life to the work of saving the souls of others. "A word spoken in season, how good it is!"-British Messenger.

NORTH END, FULHAM.

WITH a view to the revival of the work of God at North End, the leaders and friends of Ebenezer Chapel have just held a week of special services, commencing on Monday evening, Nov. 28th, and ending on Saturday, the 2nd of December last. Messrs. Salisbury, Green, the Rev. C. Ogden, Rev. S. Barnes, and Mr. Wade of Merton, successively conducted these interesting services; which were well attended night after night, and it is hoped and believed that deep and lasting impressions have been made in the minds of many. On Friday additional efforts were made, small hand-bills

being widely distributed in the neighbourhood, announcing that a "Converted Navvy" would preach that evening. The result was highly satisfactory. A large number of the working classes were seen flocking into the chapel at the appointed hour, when Mr. Wade addressed the audience from

the words, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation." The deepest attention was paid by the congregation (which contained many fustian jackets), whilst our friend, in his usual homely, but impressive way, exhibited the great truths of the gospel. On the following Friday the chapel was again almost filled with people,

chiefly of the working class, when Mr. Wade addressed them from the words, "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Our friend was quite himself on the occasion, throwing his whole soul into his subject, and, at times, well nigh startling the people by some of his striking and well chosen incidents and illustrations. As on the previous evening, the deepest attentionwas manifested to the word spoken, and some were "pricked to the heart," whilst the people of God were quickened, and stirred up to renewed devotedness to his service. The most pleasing feature of this revival movement was that so many of the rough and ready out-door labourers, compris ing navvies, bricklayers, carpenters, &c., were induced to attend the house of God; and, in one or two instances, to our knowledge, the seed of the kingdom has fallen on good ground, and is bringing forth its appropriate fruit.

T.

GENERAL COMMITTEE. THE monthly meeting was held at Brother Creswell's, Mitcham, on Monday, 9th January.

Present-The President, E. Creswell, J. Carter, W. Bowron, J. Wade 2nd, T. Cuthbertson, W. Jameson, P. Parker, T. Chamberlain.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The monthly abstract was read, showing 59 sick and 97 superannuated members upon the funds; 3 members and 1 wife had died during the month. There was, including the sums received towards the President's Fund, a small balance in hand, and but a small balance. Some discussion took place as to ways and means; after which the following cases were considered :

W. W., of A.. aged seventy years, a local preacher thirty-four years, ap; pealed for help. He was described as a worthy blacksmith, who had brought up a large family. He had had a little property, the last savings of his life, which he had lost through being bound for his friends. health did not allow of much work. The Committee voted him 3s. weekly.

His

J. C., of M., aged seventy years. There being a discrepancy in the date

of the register; this case was adjourned till next month.

W. P., of T., aged seventy-one years; a local preacher thirty-six years, applied for aid. He was described as a jobbing gardener. His wife was unwell, and he in real need. He also received a vote of 3s. weekly.

A brother, sixty-seven years of age, applied to be admitted a member, and it was resolved to admit him on his paying £10 entrance fee.

The meeting was then occupied in arranging for the intended meeting of London Local Preachers in Pimlico chapel. The following brethren were chosen to conduct the plan to a successful issue :-Brothers Carter, Cuthbertson, Jameson, Bowron, Wade 2nd, Parker, and Creswell.

It was thought advisable to hold a similar meeting at the East end of London for the accommodation of our brethren who reside too far from Pimlico.

The President said he hoped that some one would continue to write in the Magazine, urging on the £2000 Fund.

The meeting closed about nine o'clock.

DEATHS.

Nov. 26, 1864. William Townsend, of Dunham, Swaffham circuit, aged 70, claim £6. His sufferings, which were very severe and protracted, were borne with Christian fortitude and resignation. As a class-leader, he was faithful in the discharge of his duties many years, and departed full of confidence and holy joy.

Dec. 1, 1864. Thomas Wentworth, of Tollerton, Easingwold circuit, aged 72. Claim £6. He died in peace.

Dec. 11, 1864. William Blackburn, of Workington circuit, aged 44. Claim £6. He was a good man, and feared God above many-a talented and laborious preacher and classleader. His last words were, "I am a sinner saved by grace," and sweetly fell asleep in Christ.

Dec. 29, 1864. Sarah Peet, of St. Helen's, aged 65. Claim £3. Her

end was peace.