mortal characters, that glorious word-immutable-and say, what more can we desire to gild the future with radiant colors, and fill the present with untiring efforts? Everything is beneath his control. The prince of the power of the air," though flying with ten thousand at his feet, can be stopped short in his pursuit by the mere nod of Jehovah. Hell is bound at God's feet. And the hearts we seek to win are so pervious to his influence, that "in Him they live, and move, and have their being." Leagued with God we are on the side of sure, final success. To the fiercest torrent of opposing forces he can say, "Thus far shalt thou go, but no further." To the stripling David he gives a might that far out-strips the giant force of a colossal Goliath; the sling and the stone, contemptible to worldly policy, do more execution, in the name of the Lord, and effect a deadlier blow to Satan's allies, than the keenest edge of worldly-tempered steel. Let this be our watchword-" If God be for us who can be against us?" Let this be our expectation-" I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." Let this be the rock of our strength-the immutability of our God; and storms may dash, and difficulties thicken, and Satan attempt to crush; but strong, unshaken, defiant, we shall pass on to a reward than which the universe could present no loftier"We shall sit down with the Master upon his throne."

Colchester.

FANNY G.

THE TEACHER'S PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR.

"Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live."-Ezek. 37-9.

THE picture presented to us by the prophet in the previous verses of this chapter, is that of a valley not standing thick with corn, ripe and waving in the summer's breeze, inviting the husbandman to put forth the sickle and gather in the treasures of the earth, but an extended plain strewn with bones, vividly calling up to the mind's eye the scene of one of man's direst passions. The trumpet has been sounded, the call to battle heard, the clash of arms and the onslaught of war witnessed; the rage of man has been terrible, one after another have fallen, the battle waxed hotter and hotter, and even amidst the cries of the wounded, and the groans of the dying, the fight has been continued fiercer and fiercer, till one of the armies was victorious, and as if giving full vent to their malignant feelings, have left the dying and dead on the plain, unburied, a prey to the jackall and vulture, till nought now remains but the sun-bleached bones. A fearful slaughter it must have been, as we are told, "the valley was full of bones," and again, "behold they were very many."

Think of the consequences of such a contest. No doubt amongst the dead there lay extended-and perhaps side by side-cold and stiff, the remains of a husband, a father, or brother; consider the case of the widows, the fatherless, the brotherless; what pangs must have entered many hearts, and what wails rent the sky when the tidings reached the city.

The heart turns with loathing, and the mind with distress, from the contemplation of such a sight; but sadder still is the thought that it was only a simile of the spiritual condition of the "whole house of Israel." The picture has increased; the former was presented in one valley, this extends over many; they are the bones of the fallen, not of two conflicting armies, but of the whole of that great people. Israel has become a mighty charnel-house; the inheritors of the land of promise are slain; dead in trespasses and sins, they have forsaken their God, forgotten their Maker, and gone after strange Gods, yea, become dry bones.

Doubly painful as the picture thus extended has become, we desire, fellow teacher, you should open your eyes and behold the thousands of children in our own land who know not God, neither have any knowledge of their Creator; who are as slain, dead in trespasses and sins. What a multitude are they? But think of the children in Europe, yea! of the whole world, and how many of them in God's sight are but as dry bones, how greatly has the view increased, how overawed and burdened has not the imagination become?

But, fellow-christian, your thoughts must go higher, your imagination must expand ere the picture is complete. Lifted above this globe, behold what appears beneath to the searching eye of your Saviour, not only the valley, not only Israel, not only the young of Britain, Europe, and the world, but all mankind; how many still are in God's sight in your Redeemer's eyes, dry bones. How many still are treading the broad road to destruction, following after the gods of this world which end in the fire that never shall be quenched; what saith the witness: "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God. They are all gone aside; they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. The little one has become a thousand, and the small one, nations; the valley, the world.”

We are told in the passage, that these dry bones are the bones of the "slain;" if slain, then they had once lived; yes! man unpolluted with sin, unstained with guilt, once had an abiding place on earth. Eden's bowers was man's dwelling, when in pristine glory he came from his Maker's hand. Then he had sweet converse-blissful fellowship and communion with his Creator. Yes! his heart was then unsullied by corruption; untarnished by wickedness; unvitiated by

sin. Then he lived delighting in his God, and enjoying the companionship of his Maker; but Satan was envious; the enemy encompassed him about, shot his venomed darts, entered and drew him into the meshes of his net. Satan conquered; man fell; yea, was slain, and became dry bones.

The bones in the prophetical valley, were not to remain dry and useless, an offence to the eye, and reproach to the mind. No! the prophet was sent to prophecy unto them, and say, "O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord;" and as that word was being spoken, “there was a noise, and behold, a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to bone; and when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them." Such was the result of God's word spoken by his messenger; the bones became perfect beings, but without vitality-life. Again, the prophet is commanded to prophecy, but not to the lifeless beings; he is desired to call in God's name to the life giving Spirit: "prophecy unto the wind, and say, Thus saith the Lord God, come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." What was the effect?" and the breath came into them, and they lived."

Here, then, fellow laborers, is an encouragement and example for you. The mighty host of the young, which I have previously endeavored imperfectly to present to your view, are not without remedy; although slain and become as dry bones, they need not remain so; they need not be left in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity, lying under the curse and condemnation of a broken law. No! Christ came to save them; has poured out his blood to cleanse them; has given his life to vivify them, died that they might live, and calls upon you to prophecy. Teach them, for "How shall they call on him they have not believed, and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher."

To the diligent aad faithful teacher, there is here much encouragement. The same Word which raised the slain in the valley, is still as powerful to quicken and vivify the slain now. With confidence, then, we appeal to you, during this New Year, to mingle with your daily petitions, the prayer of our motto, "Come from the four winds, oh breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." With assurance we would point you to the dead of the past year, feeling that the condition of the living of the present, will call forth your sympathies, and cause you to cry, "Come from the four winds, O breath; and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." You may have laboured under many discouragements, and as yet seen no fruit from your efforts; be not cast down; remember the prophet's labours were not at first crowned with complete success: the bones came together;

the superstructure was raised, but vitality was wanting. You have been laying the foundation and planting the seed. Go on. Mingle with it more earnestly and devoutly the effectual fervent prayer of faith, "Thus saith the Lord, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live ;" and while reviewing the past year, and calling to remembrance the plenteous breathings which have fallen upon our brother land America, make your cry ascend to heaven, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live"-that we may receive, if not a strong blast, at least the gentle but potent influences of the same Spirit.

To the careless and inconsistent teacher, there is much here to alarm and awaken. We need but remind you of the picture presented-of the state and condition of so many children; sad and fearful enough to alarm the most supine heart and hardened conscience. Wherefore this indolence and incongruity? Is the cause unworthy of your labours? or, having "left thy first love," sayest, How can my teaching produce life and vitality in these slain? As well might the prophet have replied, How will my speaking bring life into these "very dry bones?" How can I separate such heaps, bringing bone to bone, and sinew to sinew? Copy his example. Use the means God has put into your hands, leaving with him the result. He has not sent the sower to sow in vain, or spend his strength for nought.

Awake from your carelessness, and if the picture presented will not arouse you, will not the voice of your Saviour in gentle and loving tones as it fell from the Cross, saying, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do," cause you to return and cry, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." Will not the rebukes of conscience for misimproved seasons, neglected opportunities during the past year, cause you ceaselessly to cry during the present, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live ;" and will not the consciousness of perhaps irreparable injury done through example, awaken and nerve you to tenfold greater earnestness and fidelity, prompting the frequent petition "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live."

To the backslider and lukewarm teacher, there is here warning and encouragement, wherefore hast thou gone astray, "ye did run well, who did hinder you." Return O backsliding one, ere it be too late, behold the multitude faint and hungry, wilt thou refuse to feed them. With what alacrity thou didst undertake the work at first, and how the children delighted in thy labours, remember the vows which are upon thee? Think of the harm your conduct may have done, the stumbling-block you may have been in the way of many. Think, O think

of the groans of the dying, who perhaps through you have delayed, and are now calling, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." And may these considerations arouse you to cease not crying day and night unto the Holy Spirit, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live."

And should these lines meet the eye of any one who is doing nothing for Christ, we pray God these few thoughts may urge you to employ the means and talents he has given you, and like the prophet, obey at once. The field is before you, the valleys are covered, the corn is ripe, the harvest is waiting, Christ your Saviour has called, and is now calling. Bath.

J. Mc D. R.

"AT IT AGAIN!"

To my brother Superintendents and Teachers this short article is addressed, with a desire to add a trifle to the stimulus which is needed to keep up our vigour in the performance of the duties in which we are engaged. When these remarks appear in the columns of the SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' MAGAZINE, we shall have entered on a new portion of our sojourn in this life; and the present is a fitting season for a quickening word or two. In early life, the writer was accustomed to agricultural pursuits and labour, which must be his apology for the motto adopted.

In hay-time and harvest especially, the much desired and much needed refreshment is welcome; and the who-oop call of the master for the frugal repast and season of rest is a pleasant sound. Then reclining on the sweet-scented hay, or seated on a sheaf of corn, odorous of wild mint, the mug of tea and penny-loaf bring with them a zest probably unknown to all but those who till the ground, and reap its produce. The enjoyment is brief, yet very grateful to the weary labourer. There is still the work before us; partly done, and partly undone; and soon the voice which summoned to rest and refreshment, is heard again; now the word of command is "at it again."

Fellow labourers, this is a homely motto; but may we not at this season, derive benefit by affording to it a little consideration?

1. "At it again." Work increases. Our young people are becoming more intelligent. In many cases the ground has been carefully and prayerfully prepared, and only waits the sowing of the seed and the dews of divine grace. Population increases; and as we are continually called to part with many who have been under our care, there still come troops of little ones ready for a further application of all our store of patience, tenderness, and love. I think I can perceive indications of increased willingness to receive the instructions we are anxious to impart, in the thoughtful countenance, the affectionate recognition, and cheerful attendance.