but obtained for us by the wonderful grace of an infinite and everlasting Mediator. Therefore, dear friends, we do and we will, to-day, joy and rejoice in Christ Jesus, the resurrection and the life, by whom we have received the atonement; who hath broken down the middle wall of partition, reconciling man with his brother man, and with his Father, God. For God commendeth his love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for And if we are reconciled by his death, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

us.

REV. WARREN H. CUDWORTH.

DANIEL IV:35.

ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH ARE REPUTED AS NOTHING AND HE DOETH ACCORDING TO HIS WILL IN THE ARMIES OF HEAVEN AND AMONG THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH; AND NONE CAN STAY HIS HAND OR SAY UNTO HIM, "WHAT DOEST THOU?"

WE would have celebrated the joyous festival of Easter to-day. Generous hands had provided the flowers that were to adorn our altar, and tuneful voices had made ready the anthem that was to hail the resurrection of our Lord from the dead. Next to Christmas, this is the great feast-day of the Church; and believers of all denominations are uniting to appreciate and observe it in a proper manner.

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But, yesterday morning, like a clap of thunder from clear skies, came the appalling announcement, "The President has been assassinated." Impossible; it cannot be!" we all exclaimed, because we felt it should not be, it must not be. But when it was re-affirmed, and the official statement, spread before our strained and eager eyes, forced the unwilling conviction upon us that it was, alas! too true, how startling and dreadful the blow! We all felt personally bereaved. About our

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streets the people walked with mournful faces as though each one was bowed down by a personal sorrow. all seemed to have lost a father, a brother, a dear bosomfriend. How much we loved, how much we trusted, how much we leaned upon him, we never knew before. How can we bear it? what shall we do without him? what could have provoked such an atrocious crime? what does it all mean? Such were some of the questionings which darted through all minds, and formed the burden of conversation passing from lip to lip.

We can now understand, somewhat, how the apostles felt when our Lord was arrested, and cruelly put to death. They had leaned wholly upon Him, supposing that it was He who should have redeemed Israel; and when He was taken from them, and ignominiously crucified as a common malefactor, no wonder they were scattered, each one to his own place, leaving Him alone.

The week through which we have just passed has not been unlike that Holy or Passion Week, which, in Judæa of old, was so eventful to the Saviour and his disciples.

It began in triumph and rejoicing, not only because. Richmond had fallen, but because Lee and his army had been compelled to surrender, prisoners of war, and our country was saved at last. It seemed impossible to express the universal exultation. Churches were thronged; cannon boomed from the forts; assemblies, gathered from all classes of society, were extemporized in hall and mart; flags fluttered on every breeze; buildings were gayly decorated with the emblems of