Whole families live in these boats, and are considered a distinct part of the population, placed under different laws, and not allowed to intermarry with those who live on dry land. Poor fellows, it is very hard that they should be regarded as queer fish, simply because their W. J.

houses float in water!

The poorer inhabitants of Canton, the and under his fig tree, and none shall make dulled to bodily pain, so that what used to be capital of China, live along the river banks and them afraid;" which means, that in those the most torturing operations are now endure creeks in the north part of the old city, which happy days there shall be no more war abroad, without a pang. Already the length of life is European feet seldom traverse. Their houses nor tyrrany, oppression, and violence at home. being sensibly increased by the small advances are mud huts built on piles-low, narrow, dark, We all remember very well that a few years already made in curative and sanitary science; and containing only one room for all purposes. ago a distinguished man ventured to prophecy who can venture to set a limit to that increase But a large part of the population live upon that the people of Europe had become too if all the conditions of life were as favourable the river in junks, barges, and small boats, a sensible for any more great wars to be waged as possible? Already medical men begin to view of which is given in the engraving (p.in this quarter of the world, and that before say there is no reason why the majority of men 89). Most of these are called egg-house many months were over we ourselves were should not, under such favourable circumboats, from their shape. They are commonly engaged with others of the most civilized stances, live to 100 years, instead of the great ten or twelve feet long by six or eight broad, nations of the world in that great war in the majority dying before they come to manhood, and so low that a person can scarcely stand Crimea. We know that, consequently, any as is now the case. upright in them. They are roofed over with one who ventures now, though in a more a bamboo, or mat tilt (wagon like), which is general and guarded way, to speak of the very light, and keeps out the weather tolerably probability of wars becoming less frequent, well. runs the risk of being ridiculed. But if we look at the matter soberly, is it not true that wars really do become less and less frequent? Is it not certain, that the more destructive the weapons of war are made, the shorter do the wars become? Is it not true that increased intercourse among different nations does dispel the national prejudices which lead to national misunderstandings? Is it not true that the more commerce binds nations together in the ties of mutual interest; it binds them over in just so many additional sureties to keep the peace to one another? And are not all these T HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE causes in very active operation? Is it not dream of philosophers, that the condi-true that by the treaties which bind the great tion of mankind is capable of very great nations of the world together, something like a improvement. Plato, the greatest of the supreme international court is formed, and Greek philosophers, drew a picture of a per- now often decides disputes between nations, fect society. Our own Sir Thomas More, in which in former years would have been the dawn of the Reformation, drew a similar decided by war? And is it not the tendency sketch. Many practical people think that of international policy and diplomacy to inthese are mere dreams, that the condition of crease the authority of this great international man in general will practically never be much court of equity? In our own country, though better than it is now; there are many good we have frequently sent a small fraction of our Christian people who think so, and, therefore, people to wage war abroad, the words of the they turn all their thoughts of doing good to prophet have been fulfilled to us for the last others by preparing them to enter into the 200 years. There was a time when England happiness of the next world; and they place was divided into seven kingdoms, torn by their own hopes of a happier, nobler, more mutual wars. We have had terrible invasions satisfying life only in the future. since, and civil wars. But for 200 years past we have not seen war in England. Every man has "sat under his own fig tree, none daring to make him afraid."

THE GOOD TIME COMING.

Again Isaiah speaks, in poetical language, of a great mitigation of human suffering from infirmity and disease:-"The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped, the lame man shall leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb

Again the prophet seems to speak as if this world would be raised to higher productiveness and beauty, and something like the original paradise be restored again. "Instea! of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, an! instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;" and again, "the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad of them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." And this too is being literally fulfilled. With the continual improvement in agriculture and horticulture, plants and trees and flowers of higher value and beauty are continually taking the place of those of lower kind. Compare the produce of the soil of England with what it was 500 years ago. Enquire what vegetables and fruits and flowers are the natural produ of our island, and what have been introduced from other lands and have taken their places: and been by continual culture continually improved. Then see how people are spreadi by emigration into the waste places of the world, and introducing all these improvemer's into the wilderness; and these words of Is will be seem to be receiving a more than liter.l fulfilment.

The introduction of machinery bids fair to take off our hands the heaviest of our toils, ar to produce for us in greater abundance the conveniences of life. The general movement in favour of shorter hours of daily work, multiplied holidays, of people's parks and public libraries, are indications of the rail approach of times when men's lives shall be less laborious. The inventors of science are giving us powers of passing from place to place with great rapidity, and of communicating with one another in an instant from the oppor sides of the earth-such powers as fifty yer ago we believed to be confined to the angels. This opening up of the nations of the earth to one another by commerce, and the facilities f intercourse created by steam and electricity, are rapidly repairing the work of the dispersion of mankind, fulfilling the prophecy of Pente cost, making the whole earth one family again.

Now I believe that the material condition of mankind here is capable of very great improvement; and that a pure, happy, noble life is possible to the great bulk of mankind in this world. I believe that this hope was not only a dream of the philosophers, but a vision of the prophets too, and, therefore, a revelation from God. The scriptures tell us that the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross redeemed the earth and mankind from the curse. The ancient sing." And he speaks also of the length prophets give us the impression that when of life being increased: "There shall be no the Messiah should come upon the earth he more an infant of days, nor an old man that would establish here a reign of peace and hath not fulfilled his days; for he shall be a righteousness, and of great prosperity and child that shall die at an hundred years old." Again, look at our earthly life, its troubles, happiness. We do not deny that when the The medical men all tell us that a vast amount anxieties, misfortunes. How much of them is Holy Ghost put these glorious words of of the disease which now afflicts mankind and due to Providence, and cannot be avoided? an promise into the mouths of Isaiah and Micah, shortens life is preventible, even in the present how much is the result of our own folly and the kingdom of the Messiah, in its whole state of sanitary science. One great part of evil tempers and discontent? and how much length and breadth, was before the mind of the the existing disease comes of bad and insuffi- inflicted upon us by the folly and vice Spirit; and that He who knoweth the end cient food and clothing, and of unhealthy unkindness of others? It is a very profita from the beginning spoke of it in some places habitations; another great part of it is owing subject for thought: for I believe the end of in the whole, and as a perfected work. In the to intemperance in eating and drinking; the consideration of it will be that we shall se same way, when our Lord spoke of the punish- another, is the result of unhealthy occupations, that we attribute to Providence a great ment which was coming upon the ancient habits, and modes of life, mental and bodily. which Providence does not bring upon " Church for its sins, His all-seeing eye glanced The removal of these causes would at once that we resign ourselves to a very ignea, beyond the destruction of Jerusalem by the cause nine-tenths of the existing disease to unhappy life here, fancying it is the state Roman armies to the greater destruction which disappear. Then, who can set limits to the Providence intends for us, and so we ought to should be at the end of the world. But progress of medical science? At present it is be resigned to it; when the truth is we are just as in the latter case, there was a in its infancy. But already the prophecy of living in a state which Providence does not great deal which was literally fulfilled in the Isaiah seems to be receiving an almost literal intend for us; just because we have not w destruction of Jerusalem, so I believe that fulfilment. "The eyes of the blind," those enought to see it, and manliness enough to fight in the former case there is a great deal which who a few years ago were thought incurably against it. The truth is-anda most blessed and is to be literally fulfilled in the improved con- blind now have their sight restored by a sur-glorious truth in itself and in its consequences dition of man in this world. gical operation; "the lame," they who were -that very little indeed of all that interferes Let us take a few examples of these pro- born lame, club-footed, deformed in the limbs, with our prosperity and happiness here r phecies, and see how they are actually being are now, by a simple surgical operation, earth can be attributed to Providence; an fulfilled. I am not afraid to take, in the very enabled, literally, to "leap as the hart." And therefore cannot be avoided, and must be first place, that prophecy of Micah's, that in is it not very probable that as the science of borne with resignation. The greater part those days men shall beat their swords into medicine progresses a similar mastery over every man's earthly unhappiness is that which ploughshares, and their spears into pruning other physical defects, and over the more each man makes for himself; and nearly a hooks, nation shall not lift up a sword against deep seated maladies of our frames will also the rest is what the folly and selfishness and nation, neither shall they learn war any more; be acquired? Then call to mind that recent sin of other men make for him.

ded

but they shall sit every man under his vine wonderful discovery by which the senses are To sum up, then, I believe that if men would

46

only be pure, honest, temperate, contented, loving, and helpful to one another, the greater part of the poverty, disease, anxiety and wretchedness of this world would vanish at once. I believe that the Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of men to effect this moral change. I believe, moreover, that the advance of the world in science will tend to lessen the toils, to refine and elevate the tastes, to increase the conveniences, comforts, and luxuries of life, and to put them within reach of the great masses of mankind; and I believe that it is the Holy Spirit who inspires men with wisdom in science as well as in morals. In short, I believe that the better time which the old philosophers dimly dreamed of, which the prophets saw in bright visions, which mankind has yearned for in every generation, is a great truth, and that the Good Time Coming is nothing more or less than the Kingdom of Christ upon earth.

the first miracle at Cana of Galilee. It was

THE UPWARD ROAD.
(Founded upon fact.)

CHAP VI.

THE CONSECRATION.

T WAS MAY-DAY, 18—. Such a May-day had never been known at Elton as this was to be. Long and eagerly had the children looked forward to it as the most remarkable day in their lives, and not less earnestly though more quietly had waited for this day, on which our new church was to be consecrated by the name of St. Philip and St. James.

that the thick mud through which we had to
wade on our way to Elton, was hard and dry
on our return in the afternoon.

The hour of the consecration drew on and,
for the first time, we heard the sound of church
bells, duly rung, in Elton. A little chime of
three bells had been presented by the Earl on
whose ground the church stood.

A union Jack, and

The children, arranged two and two, began their orderly march towards the church, and were soon joined and followed by a large comIpany of the villagers. When they reached the church door the children drew on one side to p. 93). It was a lovely sight. The sun shone allow their elders to enter first. (See engraving, in full glory on the sea, and the waves danced and sparkled in the track of light like living diamonds. Here and there, as far as the eye could reach, fishing boats, pleasure boats, and arger vessels could be seen dotted about on the vast plain of waters. lother flags of all shapes and various colours, white, blue, and pink, bearing emblems or men and children, fluttered in the breeze, while words of good will and hope, and carried by from the Earl's castle floated a broad banner, bearing the motto "PER ANGUSTA AD AUGUSTA." I had often seen the words in Lodwick church, and wondered what they meant, and I was therefore much pleased afterwards when the Bishop, in his sermon on St. Matt. vii. 13, 14, told us that they meant almost the same as part of his text "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life." I think he said, "by narrow ways to high honours."

The day was breaking when I awoke. A dull dim light came through the window blind. I listened intently. Not a sound was to be heard. I got up and drew aside the blind. Down came the rain, one silent, soft, steady fall, from a heavy grey cloudy mist, in which The New Testament is not silent upon the sub-not a single break was to be seen. Alas! what ject. It does not indeed repeat all that the Old a day for the consecration of our beautiful They were soon up and had said about it. It is a general truth, which little church! what a disappointment to the many people seen to forget, that the Gospel poor children ! was not given to set aside the law and the down stairs, and had the door open, looking prophets, but to complete them. If the old round in all directions to see if there was any dispensation promises to the godly temporal hope of a clearing up. No; all round it was alike, dim, dark, hopeless. Sad cries resounded peace and prosperity and happiness, we may be very sure that the new dispensation would through the house-"What shall we do?" "Nobody will come?" "Everybody will be "We shall all catch cold." At last not withdraw any of these blessings of the old ; wet." Breakfast but, on the contrary, would increase and multiply them. That was the very meaning of they grew tired of complaining. was ready, and we all sat down, sad and silent. Poor Sarah could not eat, but Jane, always hopeful, said, "Perhaps it may clear off after all. Any way, I don't see why we should not eat our breakfast. Wet or dry we must go to Breakfast was over. church, and it will be a long time before we Still it rained silently and steadily; and get anything more." silently and steadily, without any merry jokes or smiles the children got ready to go to the school, where they were all to meet and walk together to the church. My husband and I determined to go with them, thinking, as the school was nearer to the church, we might warm ourselves there, and go in dry. With cloaks on, umbrellas up, and pattens on our feet we started through the wood. So softly and steadily fell the rain that we could scarcely hear the patter of the drops upon the leaves; and not a breath of air was either heard or felt. We passed out of the woods, and came One vast grey pall covered into the open country, still there was not a gleam to be seen. the whole heavens, and the silent rain came down, down, down. On and on we walked, and came to a rising ground, where on a fine day we should have seen the church and the sea beyond. Now we could see nothing but dull thick mist. "Yes!" I looked again. A thin It might clear. A few minutes passed white line could just be traced along the horizon. away. The line was clearer, broader. The veil was slowly being drawn up. "Oh, mother, we shall have a fine day after all," cried the children. "Hurrah for May-day," shouted the boys, and their shout was answered by several other groups before and behind. It really was going to clear, and every one could see it. Broader More and more and brighter grew the band of light all along the sea line on our left. quickly the heavy curtain of clouds was drawn hour one half the heavens showed a clear blue upwards from the earth, and in a quarter of an sky.

to intimate that the water of the old state of things was to be changed into the wine of the new; that the old toil-full, anxious, workday life was to be converted into a perpetual marriage supper, a joyous festival. So the Gospel expressly declares that "godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as And our Lord, of that which is to come.' after speaking of the earthly comforts about which men are anxious, says, "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things;" "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." He will give you all things richly to enjoy." Do not say that for the few years you have to live here it does not much matter how you live, so that you gain Heaven at last. Depend upon it, too, that the full development of Christ's Kingdom here has a great deal to do with the realization of its future state hereafter. It does matter very much to every man whether for his three score years and ten he lives the life of Adam in the earthly paradise, or one of the wretched subjects of the brutal King of Dahomey. Take one man's life of three score and ten and multiply it by the three hundred millions of men on the earth, and multiply that again by the number of generations there are yet to come upon the earth; and it does matter very much whether that mass of human misery and sin shall exist, or whether it shall be done away. It matters very much whether we understand God's intentions towards us or not; whether we help forward Christ's work for the redemption of the world, or whether we sit still and allow misery to continue and sin to triumph, for want of faith and hope and love; whether our Lord has bidden us pray for an unattainable dream, or for a blessed reality, when He has told us to pray daily "Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."

By the time we reached the school a fresh
breeze was blowing, which soon put the children
The mist, which a
into the highest spirits.
quarter of an hour before had overspread the
whole heavens, was now gathered into a thick
heavy bank of clouds, which moved on in a
grand stately march before the wind, and at
Then all
last disappeared below the horizon.
across the sky might be seen light fleecy cloud-
lets which seemed to chase each other in merry
sport across the blue sky; and so rapidly did
the ground dry up under both sun and wind

We took our places in the church and waited come from the castle, where he had arrived patiently. We knew that the Bishop was to before we left the school-room.

There were a great many clergymen in the church, some in the vestry, others walking silently to and fro, and seeing that the people were properly seated. Amongst them I noticed one particularly, a young man, very tall and slender, with a sweet thoughtful face, who looked down lovingly at the children as he placed them in their seats. He was a stranger not only to me, but to all the people. I could not say why my heart seemed more drawn towards him than to any one there, but I felt great disappointment. that if I never saw him again it would be a

We had not been seated more than a quite full, excepting those seats which were quarter of an hour before the church was number of people were standreserved in the chancel for the Bishop and the clergy, and all down the body of the church a ing in the aisle. Suddenly the bell ceased, and all the clergy walked out by the south door. Every one in the church stood up, and with us who had been seated; leaving a clear the people in the centre aisle came and stood passage all up the church. There was perfect silence, and all eyes were turned towards the door. We could hear some one in the porch reading in a low tone, and then a few words seemed to be spoken in reply. Again there was silence; and now the Bishop walked in followed by the clergy; and through the the words, "THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND church there sounded in a clear sweet voice ALL THAT THEREIN IS: THE COMPASS OF THE Then followed a full burst of sound, as the WORLD, AND THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN." clergy responded, "For he hath founded it upon the scas, and prepared it upon the floods," and so they proceeded up the church repeating in alternate voices the 24th Psalm.

I thought I had never seen or heard anything more beautiful. It reminded me of some of the services at Beaufort, but it was more simple; there were no strange Latin words, and every sentence seemed full of meaning, and came home to the heart. I had time to think of this while the Bishop and the clergymen knelt down to say their private prayers. And then the Bishop stood by the communion

table, and turned towards us and spoke to us, as his "Dearly beloved in the Lord."

There were about thirty clergymen, besides the Bishop's two chaplains, arranged on each side of the chancel, and the body of the church was completely filled by the people, many of them standing patiently all through the service. I forgot to say that as soon as the Bishop and clergy had passed up the church chairs were

brought in and placed all up the aisle, opposite thought, "Perhaps he is to be our own
the ends of the seats, leaving room for just minister."
one person to pass between them.
I cannot recal to memory all that passed
When the Bishop had read the address, and through my mind during the remainder of the
said some prayers, and signed a paper, the service, nor can I recollect much of the
Morning Prayer was begun. As soon as I Bishop's sermon, except the explanation of the
heard the voice I looked up, and saw it was Earl's motto. I only know that the whole
the same young clergyman I had noticed before scene sank deep into my heart, and whenever I
looking so kindly upon the children; and I look back upon it I see it as a turning point in

a

my life. I felt from that day I had a higher The service was over, and the congregation,
and better home: that little church was a hiding
place from the world, and in it I heard voices
which called me up to heaven. I do not mean
that this clear vision of the world to come was
always given me in that house of prayer, or
that I had no more doubts and fears to con-
tend with. I had not yet found abiding peace,
but I had enjoyed a fortaste of it.

holy service. The barn was nearly filled with young and old, rich and poor, poured out into tables and forms. At the head of one table on the the sunshine. As we passed through the porch, barn-floor sat the Bishop, and all the gentleticket for dinner, prepared in a barn close by, folks on his right and left; and we poor people was given to each of the Elton people, and the sat at long tables down in the ends of the barn children were to have tea afterwards in the where the corn had been stored up in the school-room. More than a hundred of the winter. There were more than two hundred congregation remained to receive the sacra- altogether. Some of the gentlemen and clergyment; but I had not yet dared to oin in that men waited upon us, until there was room for

them to sit down at the Bishop's table; and monkeys up the pole, fastened their little and then talked to us so kindly and simply, as then we waited upon ourselves. While we banners under the large flag, and then slid if we had all been his children. Several other were enjoying our dinners in the barn, the down again to join their companions in dancing gentlemen spoke afterwards; and then the children were enjoying their play outside. On round the pole. It was indeed a day of joy to Bishop said that, perhaps, Mr. Harrison would the top of a large heap of straw, which had them; bright in itself, bright in its beautiful like to say a few words to his own people, who been turned out of the barn to make room for services, and bright in hopes of future bless- were this day committed to his charge. the diners, somebody had stuck up a large flag ings for us all, both parents and children. upon a tall pole. Up the straw the boys When the dinner was over the Bishop stood crept on all fours, and then, swarming like up, and asked us to drink the Queen's health,

When I saw the same gentleman stand up who had read prayers I felt my heart rise up in thanks to God, who had given us a good

and loving minister to come and live among vidence of God, my dear flock, your church is it is consecrated for ever to be the house of us. I felt that my words would come true, finished. It was God who put it into the God. This has been your first act of worship and that many among us would attend the hearts of His servants to build this house for in your own new parish church. it be may services of our new church. Mr. Harrison was His honour, and the benefit of your souls. nervous, his voice trembled, and he was very Under His blessing the work has prospered. pale, still his clear calm words could be heard all through the barn, and every one listened in perfect silence. He said: "By the good pro

By His blessing it is now accomplished; and
we have but now united with our spiritual
father the Bishop in the holy service by which

the first of many holy and happy services in this your beautiful house of prayer. May the worship of God in the beauty of holiness' so lay hold upon your deepest and best affections that your hearts may henceforth cry, 'O, how