he had of the wants of man, that each system implied a God at the bottom to make it workable. He said that he had been occupied in trying to gain truth, but that it is but little of truth that man can acquire; it was 'something, however,' he said, to 'know in Whom we have believed.'

He suffered pain; but his quiet Christian peace was such that it enabled him to bear it with noble fortitude. His mind, indeed, was eminently free, and used its freedom in the contemplation of all the questions that suggest themselves when death is near. Just before his death he had been considering the future possibilities and probable state of the soul; and he was for a long while trying to explain to himself why the not too noble Lorenzo is caused by Shakespeare to say to Jessica:

'Look, how the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold: There's not the smallest orb which thou beholdest

But in his motion like an angel sings,
Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubims:
Such harmony is in immortal souls;
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.'

And the same individuality of thought often arose at the last. About six days before his death, when he was enduring weakness so extreme that he could say but very little, often lying motionless for awhile with his eyes closed, he at length looked up and exclaimed: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning"; and then said to those standing by, 'Do you know that is a hexameter?

“ Πᾶσα δόσις ἀγαθὴ καὶ πᾶν δώρημα τέλειον.”

I wonder who composed it?'

He had a very extensive knowledge of hymns and hymn-writers, and was constantly reciting from memory from his favourites, as they in turn expressed his convictions or emotions; and his last moments were in the deepest and largest sense moments of peace.

Now let it be observed we have here, not a man whose mind, having been formed and hardened by the knowledge, thoughts and philosophy of another age, refused to reform itself to the broader teachings of this age. He was a man whose mental character and convictions were formed amidst the formation of the most characteristic scientific doctrines of our time; his wide culture and sympathies made him, for practical purposes, master of them all. More than this, he studied all the great streams of argument set up as the result of the impulse which these doctrines had given. He himself in the region of Physics and Cosmical Philosophy had actually been a contributor of the most important factors of knowledge, and yet he could see that whilst human knowledge grew and 'the thoughts of men widened with the process of the suns,' yet the same mental and moral necessities lay at the base of human nature as before. And although he could not hope to explain all things either in science or religion, yet he knew enough to make belief-trust— outride the turbulence of conflicting thought; and it carried him triumphantly across the dark path, beyond which the last doubt is left behind.

were

Woods has its public buildings: the Children's Temple, the Parthenon, and the Amphitheatre. The first of these is a framework building devoted to children and work amongst the children: addresses, model-lessons, normal classes. It will accommodate seven or eight hundred young people. The Parthenon,' also of wood, painted white, is erected after the model of its marble namesake in Athens. Here the 'Chatauqua Literary and Scientific Circle' has its head-quarters. The 'Chatauqua Literary and Scientific Circle' is an educational Society, which proposes to train its members in systematic and consecutive reading, and to stimulate them, by examinations and honours, in the acquisition of literary and scientific knowledge. The efforts of the Society are highly appreciated, for the 'Circle' now numbers upwards of ten thousand members. The lectures delivered in the 'Parthenon' were chiefly devoted to subjects metaphysical, theological, or philological.

The Amphitheatre is the grand glory of our city in the woods.' A natural declivity in the ground has been utilized for the construction of this noble building. The height from floor to roof is twenty-eight feet. A choir of two hundred and fifty persons find room enough in the singinggallery which occupies one end. The speakers' platform is placed in front of this, and is large enough to accommodate a great number of persons and yet leave space enough for the peripatetic elocution of a popular American lecturer. A semi-circular space in front of the platform is left vacant, but on special occasions it is crowded by persons who bring with them their own chairs or stools. Then the Amphitheatre proper commences. Large and roomy seats rise tier above tier to the roadway, accommodating without pressure three thousand five hundred people. The spacious aisles can also be utilized, whilst wayfarers

on the roads above not unfrequently form an entire circle of attentive

listeners. Altogether, provision is

made for an audience of five thousand people. The acoustic properties of the building are perfect, except when occasionally a strong wind prevails, an accident which cannot be avoided in a building which is open on all sides. I repeatedly saw the Amphitheatre filled, and occasionally crowded, to its utmost capacity. At night, the building was illuminated by the electric light. I have seen large gatherings in the finest public buildings in this country, but nowhere have I been so impressed with the sight of an audience as in this 'Colosseum' of the woods. What a grand place it would make for the May Meetings! Lectures on general subjects are mostly delivered in the Amphitheatre.

Of what character is the population of this city in the woods? Two or three Bishops; scores of Doctors; hundreds of Ministers; representatives of normal training institutions, newspaper editors, principals of colleges and high-schools, authors interested in educational literature, and Sunday-school workers generally. When it is remembered that this population is gathered from every State in the Union, it will be seen that the Chatauqua Assembly is an important factor in the Church-life

of the United States.

The citizens of this 'no mean city' intend work, and do it. The programme of each day's engagements is appalling. They commence at eight in the morning and continue till half-past nine at night, with small leisure for meals. It is not to be supposed that everybody attempts everything in the day's bill of fare. Each man makes his choice, and, having made it, will find enough to satisfy his appetite. Nor is it 'all work and no play.' Boating, fishing, bathing, roaming and lounging fill up the vacant hours which any one may

A TEXT is always much more than any words that may be spoken of it. They are but a magnifying-glass to bring out the richness and beauty of some golden truth that lies within; and sometimes, let us hope, the process of minting it for common use, stamped with the image and superscription of our King.

Always true, one feels the truth of it especially at the beginning of the year. We want to find words from the Book then that shall stand by us as a motto; easily remembered when thoughts that helped to impress them are forgotten-a voice and company to go forth with us, brightening all the way. Here is a gracious 'Fear not!' a sweet strain to which we can march forth into this New Year, with cheerful steps and a brave confidence.

The people of Israel stood upon the borders of Canaan. There it lay before them, an unknown country. Rumour spoke evil of it. There were sons of Anak, in whose sight the men of Israel were but as grasshop

pers; there were cities walled up to heaven. But the Lord spake comfortably to the people, and chased away all their fear: Jehovah thy God careth for the land. His eyes are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

So at the beginning of the year we stand more consciously, though not more really, upon the verge of the unknown. We go in to possess this New Year. Who can tell us what we shall find there: the needs, the changes, the new experiences, the difficulties? Fear whispers, like the spies, to some, of trouble, of sorrow, and they shrink from entering in. But for all of us these words are true, as for Israel. The land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land which Jehovah thy God careth for. His eyes are always upon it. No strange and lonely land; it is made ready for us by His love and wisdom and power. Do not think of yourself going down to fight against a host of foes unhelped, wearied and hardly forcing your way through-a dreary struggle. Watched by His