have low views of the great truth, that "without shedding of blood there is no remission." But though all this was done away in Christ, yet as sacrifices were still offered in the temple, and the light to see that he was the "end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth," broke so slowly even upon the believing Jew, the abstaining from this would take away another stumbling-block in the way of the Jews receiving the Gospel. The reason of this compliance with the scruples of the "weak brother" having long since passed away, there being no hint of the necessity of its farther observance throughout the Epistles, the knowledge that under the Gospel dispensation" every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused," and the appointment of an ordinance expressly for the strengthening of our faith in the blood of that atonement by which our eternal redemption has been obtained-an ordinance in which the same end answered by the consecration of "the blood of bulls and of goats" to the believing Jew, is now answered to the believing Gentile, by the partaking of the milder symbols of bread and wine-it seems wonderful that any should have put a yoke upon their own necks, or those of others, by still insisting upon this ceremonial ob servance. Verse 21. "For Moses of old," &c. This is given as the reason why the Gentile should comply in these things. It was no wonder that the Jews should be zealous for their law of Moses, since it was read to them every Sabbath-day. In parts of that law they would hear all these things forbidden; but if they saw that the Gentiles still practised them, they would never agree to unite with them as believers: therefore let them even abridge themselves of their Christian liberty, rather than cause a weak brother to offend. Verse 22—34. (August 14—26.) The steps taken by the Church at Jerusalem to make known the decision of the assembled council on this question, the arrival of Paul and Barnabas, Judas and Silas, and others at Antioch, with the epistles of the Church. Verse 24. (August 16.) “Troubling you with words subverting your souls." It is a device of Satan eagerly received in these unbelieving times, that all is to be sacrificed for peace-even truth itself; that such and such a difference is a mere question of words, and thus the "faith once delivered to the saints" is given up, instead of being boldly contended for, forgetful that a false faith as surely subverts the soul as evil practice. Verse 31. " Rejoiced for the consolation"-that they were still to walk in the liberty of the Gospel. Verse 35-41. (August 27 to Sept. 2.) Paul and Barnabas, after continuing in Antioch some time, determine to visit all the churches again; their difference of opinion about Mark; contention and final sepa ration. Verse 37. (August 29.) "John whose surname was Mark." Chap. xiii. 5. Barnabas might be unduly influenced by the tie of relationship. (Coloss. iv. 10.) Verse 38. Thought not good;"did not judge it reasonable to make him partake of the blessing and honor of reaping the harvest of the Churches, who would not be with them at the sowing;' intending it as a mild and just punishment on him for leaving them in the midst of their work. (Ch. xiii. 13.) "I will come and heal him."-Matth. viii. 7. RAV. H. A. SIMCOE, (Penheale-Press) Cornwall. -A secret world of wonders in thyself- Or bids you roar, or bids your roarings fall.' IN making the Sea the subject of some further reflections, we may first take a glance at the inhabitants of its waters. The Sea is a world in itself, and as richly furnished as the land with innumerable varieties of plants and animals. And these furnish the Natu L ralist with continual occupation, while he observes how well constructed their organs are to the element in which they live; how infinitely varied and how full of beauty and curious contrivance. He who had never seen a fish would be almost incredulous of the existence of such creatures, so widely different is their organization from that of land animals. Arguing from the effects which an immersion for any considerable season under the water has upon the human frame, he would perhaps pronounce it to be impossible that any creatures should live there and multiply. But so wisely has the Creator fashioned these animals, that the water is to them as natural an element as the air is to us; but what is still more wonderful, though they live in their own element, they breathe air also, and by the peculiar construction of their gills, are enabled to take in the air with which the water is saturated, while at the same time the water is excluded. When we attentively consider the curious provision of their internal structure, and connect it with their external covering, we shall be still more deeply impressed with the peculiar adaptation of their bodies to the element in which they live and move and have their being. How beautifully have they been clothed by the Author of nature; not indeed with silks and furs, for this would be unsuitable to their situation, but with an armour of glittering scales, or plates, far more curious and more protective than that which was worn by the proud knights of old in fields of chivalry! Men have rivalled each other in their houses and castles, but how inferior have all these been in comparison with those inhabited by the Crab, the Oyster, the Tortoise, and all the shelly tribes. No wonder then that the |