beginning of October, and the middle or end of March. These are the early and latter rains. After the former, the country-man puts his seed into the ground; it has sprung up in January; and the latter rain in March, with "the clear shining" after it, brings forth the ear and fills it, and the harvest is all over by the end of May. The harvest is therefore over before the summer begins, and this explains, Jer. viii. 20: "The harvest is past, the summer is ended."

When I first came here, they were busy threshing out the corn. This is done in the open air; for still, as in the days of Araunah the Jebusite, they have their threshing-floors generally circular, made either of paved stone, or of clay beat hard, like one of our barn-floors. Here, day after day, as I rode past, I saw the oxen treading out the corn; two of them in a yoke together, driven round the circle by a girl or boy; but it is a clumsy process, for the straw is broken and trampled till it is nearly useless; and they forget what is written in the law of Moses, "Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox."

Their manner of winnowing the corn is as clumsy as their mode of threshing it, but it also illustrates the scripture. They never think of preserving the chaff, and in order to separate it from the wheat, the husbandman takes a shovel, and throws the wheat in the air, in the direction whence the wind is blowing, so that the chaff is carried away, while the grain falls again on the threshingfloor. Seeing this process, one understands at once the force of the Psalmist's language, when he says, "The ungodly are like the chaff, which the wind driveth away."-H. & F. Miss: Record.

A WORD TO ORPHANS.

WHILE Our parents live, we seem to think that between us and the brink of Jordan there is a rank, which must first pass over, before we are called to ford that river. We think so; the imagination is not always right; it is sometimes. Admit it to be right: you have not now that rank between you and the river. You face the very waters of death. The beings that begat you, have gone ; and you stand next in order, to follow them. The line of their path across that river, where their steps divided and ruffled the waters, seems unwilling to obliterate itself; it tarries yet upon

the surface of the stream, as though waiting for the ruffling of your steps. Oh! there is a voice from your parents' sepulchre — there is a cry from your father's grave, and from your mother's tomb; and that voice is this-"Prepare to meet thy God.' -Martin's Discourses to Youth.

THE FIG-TREE AT QUEEN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.*

THE year was near its close, and the leaves from the tall thick elms were spread on the walk at Queens', when Ralph, who kept the grove, was there at work.

"Pray, Ralph.”—I said, "is there a fig tree here?"

"Not in the grove, sir, but in the place where the best plants are, there is one." He had swept the leaves from off the path, and now took the key, and walked to shew me. It was a fine spread tree, and full of leaf.

"Will you shew the fruit, Ralph?"

"That will be hard to do, I fear, sir, for I have been here for three times ten years, and have seen none."

"Ah! is it so? Pray why then stands it here?”

"No will of mine, sir; long ere this had I cut it down and burnt it; it does nought but harm; it draws the soil, sucks up the dew, keeps off the sun, and brings the blight. More than once have I clear'd the mould from the roots, and brought the axe; but I have no sway here."

"Ah! friend Ralph, you must have read of a tree like this, put by God in his own best soil, which paid him so?"

"In sad truth I have, sir," and, with eyes cast down, I heard him sigh as he shut the door.

Two weeks went by, and his son in great haste came to my rooms and said, "Sir, I heard that you spake one day to Ralph, as he swept the grove. Oh! I pray you, sir, to come:- - he lies

----

This affecting incident is from a New Year's Sermon, in monosyllables, preached some time since by the Rev. Joshua Hart, Vicar of Otley. The preacher is said to have adopted this form of language, in consequence of an observation made by one of his hearers, that his usual style of address was not sufficiently intelligible to the congregation: and he has admirably succeeded in shewing that the simplest words are adequate to express the most sublime and important truths.

at the lodge, struck last night, I fear, with death, and he talks and talks of a fig tree."

I soon was by his bed; death had in truth struck Ralph; his cheek was pale, and his lips were dry; big drops were on his brow, his eyes were fixt, his soul was in them, and I thought it shrunk with fear; I heard him say, "Cut down,-Lord, spare,thy blood, Oh! Lord!" We heard no more, but knelt to pray. Ralph died that night!

Enquiries and Correspondence.

Christmas Parties.

DEAR SIR,-Having large family connexions, I must, of necessity occasionally unite with those of a worldly character, especially at this season of the year. Could you suggest to me, through the medium of your valuable magazine, some reasonable and instructive amusement whereby the time may be profitably and cheerfully employed. By so doing, you will greatly oblige your constant reader, EMILIE.

There are, perhaps, few things which stand more in need of thorough reform than such social gatherings as those alluded to by our correspondent. Instead of being turned to profitable account, as in most cases they might be, they are given up to frivolities which leave few welcome remembrances on the minds of any. In mixed assemblies there is great difficulty in pleasing, and more in profiting, all; but much might be done by a preconcerted and well-considered plan.

It may possibly shock the sensibilities of some, to be told that in this, as in every other point of duty, we have the perfect example of our Great Master before us, and should emulate His conduct as well in the social circle as in the outward walks of life, shewing the same love and gentleness, the same consideration and courtesy, the same singleness of eye and heart, blended with such a feeling for human infirmity as shall lead us to think and act with combined decision and tenderness towards all. Christianity is never recommended by frigid severity or moroseness; and loses nothing by tolerating, or even participating in, such amusements as are referred to by our cor

respondent. Temperance and moderation are certainly desirable in our recreative enjoyments; and of course nothing directly, or by implication, forbidden in the Word of God, should be engaged in. The abuse of such seasons lies rather in the proportion of time given up to them, than in the character of the amusements themselves. A well-disciplined mind, sensible of its constant need of "the renewing of the Holy Ghost," will use these occasions sparingly, returning with unimpaired appetite to its rest, in the contemplation of, and communion with, spiritual things.

The difficulty of providing reasonable, instructive, profitable, cheerful amusement for a mixed company, lies oftentimes in the fact that they are not volunteers: the usages of society, the restraints of etiquette, and the courtesies of relationship being not unfrequently the only motives which bring such persons together. Their tastes and pursuits are uncongenial; they possess, in fact, little if any thing in common with each other, and do not therefore cheerfully place themselves under one controlling and directing head-When this is done, "not by constraint, but willingly," the case is comparatively easy. Conversation, the materials for which have been previously collected, and in some degree arranged, with care and thought, and with special reference to the circumstances of the parties invited, or the current topics of the day, will seldom fail to interest the more sober-minded, especially if illustrated by an appeal to books, plans, maps, engravings, drawings, objects, or specimens, progressive or otherwise. Very few persons will be unable to contribute something to the general fund, if questioned on points immediately connected with their own pursuits or callings; and by this means truths will be elicited of much greater value than might be at first supposed; while definite ideas of the nature, history, and philosophy of many things useful as well as interesting will be developed, if no higher benefit be obtained.

Many other means of rational and innocent amusement will suggest themselves to those heads of families who will be at the trouble of studying the subject carefully beforehand. Let them only make half the preparation for the mental requirements of their visitors, that they do to pamper their physical appetites; and these festive occasions will soon become more pleasant as well as profitable.

Sunday School Teaching.

DEAR SIR, I have been for several years a constant reader of your valuable magazine, and ever since you have devoted a portion of it to enquirers, I have experienced the greatest satisfaction and encouragement from the many interesting answers given therein; I feel, therefore, encouraged to forward the following query.

Is not Sabbath school teaching a proper employment for the young members of Christian churches?

For my own part, I have always thought it a duty and privilege to be thus engaged; but, during the last few weeks, I have been rather perplexed about it; my spirits have been in no small measure depressed, and my feelings wounded, by some unkind, and I believe, unjust remarks, that I have heard made upon the subject. Had these remarks come from another quarter I should not have noticed them, but coming from those to whom I had looked for encouragement and advice, they are much more perplexing. If you, dear Sir, or any of your valuable correspondents, could offer a few remarks on this subject, if worthy of your notice, you will by so doing, greatly oblige, Yours respectfully,

A YOUNG DISCIPLE.

The fact of our young friend being connected with a Christian church, affords presumptive evidence that he has the chief, but not the only requisite for Sunday school teaching-personal piety.

There are, however, so many qualifications necessary for an efficient discharge of the responsible duties of this office, that we can easily imagine room for such objections and remarks as those alluded to by " A Young Disciple."

We would recommend him calmly and prayerfully to re-consider those which have been made in his particular case, and he will probably find that they are in some degree due to his own forwardness or presumption, and do not at all affect the general question. He will do well also to recollect that piety is not always associated with sound common sense, or the tact and general knowledge necessary in Sabbath schools. We are warm advocates for enlisting the young in this good work, though we believe there are many who, with all their piety, are not fitted for it.