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deceitfulness of riches. His narrowed mind, like the windows of his own counting-house, lets in but very little of the light of heaven; and his attention is so engrossed by the world around him, that he has none to bestow upon the world above him. He rises early, and sits up late, and, in selfish indifference to the temporal wants or spiritual necessities of others, he toils on with the hope of soon being able to address to himself the language of self-complacent gratulation-'Thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Would it not be a mockery to ask him, as he is making up his accounts this Easter, and is eagerly inquiring, "What have I gained?" not, "What can I give ?" whether there is any attractiveness to him in the theme of Christ's resurrection? He bears Christ's name, indeed, and he associates with Christ's people, but he has never appreciated the force of the apostle's argument, "If Christ be not risen your faith is vain," for of what heartfelt importance is it to him that Jesus came forth from the sepulchre a triumphant conqueror over sin, death, and the grave? What does he know of rising with Christ, of sharing in His victory, of participating in His joy?

Or, once more, look into a quiet parlour, where, with brightened eye and hectic flush, there lies upon her feverish couch a timid and desponding Christian. She is full of sadness respecting the past, and fear with regard to the future, for, in the nearing light of eternity, her sins and imperfections are more clearly discerned. She sees them, but she does not see the Saviour. She weeps as Mary did, because she longs for Christ's presence. Her love is fervent, but her faith is weak. What message shall we bring to her at this gladsome season? Shall we not say to her, Fear not, for ye seek Jesus which was crucified: He is not here, He is risen." Christ is risen! Ah, she does not believe this. Mary Magdalene hastened with

the joyful news to the disciples, "as they mourned and wept; and they, when they had heard that Jesus was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not." Mark xvi. 10, 11. And this weary and sad-hearted follower of the Saviour is like them. She does not simply and rejoicingly receive the "strong consolation" embodied in this precious truth-" Christ hath risen!" She believes in the historical fact of His resurrection, but she fails to read in His forsaken tomb the proof of His endurance of that penalty which her sins-which the world's sins-had merited; for if she did, would not the joy of Easter gladden her heart? Oh, loving and compassionate Saviour! manifest Thyself unto her as Thou dost not unto the world, and say unto her, "Peace be unto thee: reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." And then such rejoicing shall be hers as that which animated the heart of Cleophas when, in his eagerly-sought interview with his brethren, he exclaimed, "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon."

THE BIBLE IN EVERY LAND.

SOUTH AMERICAN AGENCY.

AMONG the various plans suggested in connexion with the Jubilee of this Society, it was proposed to send an agent to South America, with a view of ascertaining what facilities are there available for the circulation of the Scriptures. Hitherto this plan has not been carried out. The Committee still entertain the same convictions of its importance and desirableness, but they have not succeeded in securing the services of any person competent and willing for the undertaking. There is reason to believe that a large

and inviting sphere of Bible operation may be established. The districts contemplated are readily accessible; freedom of action can be enjoyed; while multitudes of the people are anxious to possess the word of truth. It is matter of unfeigned regret that the Committee cannot at once enter upon this field of labour for want of the requisite agency. These lines are inserted in the hope that they may meet the eye of some zealous Christian, who takes a deep interest in the diffusion of the Holy Scriptures, and who may be disposed to offer himself for this service. It would be necessary that he should have some knowledge of the Spanish or Portuguese language. Any communication can be addressed to the Secretaries of the Society.

BREAD UPON THE WATERS.

(From Mr. B. Barker, Constantinople.)

"I must inform you of the pleasing_circumstance that the Scriptures introduced into the French frigate or corvette in Smyrna were not received with indifference; on the contrary, it appears they were liked; so much so, that I was stopped in the street by some of the sailors, who begged me, if possible, to give them a few more Testaments. I gave them an additional fourteen copies, reserving some to take with me on board the French steamer which was to convey me to Constantinople, anticipating to have troops as fellow-passengers; and so it occurred. I took with me thirty-six New Testaments and four Bibles, and distributed them as follows:-To two captains of troops going to the Crimea, for their men, twelve Testaments each. To the captain of the steamer I gave a Bible, and to his stewards and crew twelve Testaments. I sold one Bible, and placed another in the ship's library, which lacked one. One French Bible remained, which I lost sight of, other

wise it would have been disposed of. I received the thanks of all those to whom I gave the Scriptures; but those of one of the stewards were particularly gratifying to me. I sent him a Testament, and did not see him again until dinner time; when the first thing he did, on entering the cabin, was to find me out, and whisper into my ear how thankful and grateful he was for the book I gave him. The stewardess, who attended my wife and children, was so pleased with her New Testament, a copy of which she had seen two years previously, that she begged of me most politely to give her another for her son, who was at school in France, and who could read very well. These particulars may be considered trivial, but they evidently show that Roman Catholics will receive the Scriptures joyfully when at liberty to do so. We had no Papist priest on board, consequently no enemy to the word of God to thwart its free circulation. May the Lord accompany with His blessing these småll efforts for His honour and glory!”

MISS NIGHTINGALE WANTS BIBLES.

The hospitals have not been neglected by the Auxiliary here, or by Messrs. Sellar and Costabel. Mr. Sellar has placed a New Testament within the reach of every British invalid, and many opportunities were afforded him to talk to the soldiers; and Mr. Costabel is doing what he is permitted to do in the hospitals containing the French. At first he succeeded in giving several copies of the New Testament to the Roman Catholic patients, but, through the influence of the Sisters of Mercy, his work has been put a stop to, and now he can only have access to the Protestant sick and wounded of the French army. This opposition, however, exists only in the hospitals, for in the streets the French soldiers receive the Scriptures gladly. The Sisters of Mercy (they do not deserve that name, since they refuse the consolation of the

word of God to the sick and dying) went so far as to prevent the Scriptures being given to the invalid Russian prisoners under their care. To those, however, in our hospitals, who can read, New Testaments are given; but unfortunately there are but few such. However, Mr. Sellar has been enabled to distribute amongst them sixty-five copies, and he continues his work of visiting them, in order to supply every one with a copy who can read, and is willing to receive it. "I have just had the privilege," says Mr. Barker, "of calling on Miss Nightingale, who, with forty other ladies, came, as you are well aware, to these shores for the humane and most laudable purpose of attending the sick and wounded of their brave countrymen. In traversing the extensive corridors of the Scutari barracks leading to Miss Nightingale's apartments, my heart bled to see them filled with the heroes of Alma and Inkermann, not in that health, vigour, and splendid appearance with which I saw them depart for the Crimea, but stretched on their couches, pale and emaciated from wounds and sickness,-alas! the natural consequences of warfare. The Society's New Testament lay within their reach, a sweet consolation to the believer in pain and anguish. My eye caught some reading it, and I hope its blessed may prove of lasting benefit to their souls. "Miss Nightingale received me, and Mr. Righter, who accompanied me, with kindness and affability, and was most ready to communicate to us the information we required. I informed her that I was requested by our Committee to call and offer my services to her, and to the ladies with her, in supplying them with Scriptures for the invalids under their care, and that I should be most happy and ready to do so. She replied, that they were amply supplied with New Testaments, but sadly required Bibles; so much so, that she gave her own away. Under such circumstances, I took upon myself to promise her a supply

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