The Fixed Stars.-On the 20th, about six in the evening, a large star appears in the south: it is Fomalhaut, in Pisces, and is of the first magnitude. Between this star and the zenith may be seen two others: the lower, at an altitude of fifty-two degrees, is Markab; and the higher, Scheat Alforas; which star, with two more to the westward, (one of the third, and one of the fourth magnitude,) form a triangle nearly equilateral. Eastward of Markab is Algenib; all being in the constellation Pegasus, the Flying Horse. Above Algenib, in an elevation of sixty-five degrees, is Alpheratz, in the forehead of Andromeda. The two principal stars in Gemini (namely, Castor, of the third, and Pollux, of the second, magnitude) are in the north-east, near the horizon. Altair, the bright star of the Eagle, is in the south-west. At this time let the young observer, while looking at first one and then another of these innumerable gems of night, meditate on the sublime words of Young:

"This theatre, what eye can take it in?

By what divine enchantment was it raised,
For minds of the first magnitude to lanch
In endless speculation, and adore?

One sun by day, by night ten thousand shine,
And light us deep into the Deity.

How boundless in magnificence and might!

O what a confluence of ethereal fires,

From urns unnumber'd, down the steep of heaven,
Streams to a point, and centres in my sight!

Nor tarries there; I feel it in my heart.

My heart, at once, it humbles and exalts;
Lays it in dust, and calls it to the skies."

JUVENILE OBITUARY.

DIED, at Glossop, December 16th, 1841, in her twenty-second year, Cecilia Knott. She was received into the Glossop Sundayschool, July 5th, 1835, and always behaved there with great propriety. In 1839 it pleased Almighty God to visit the school with an especial influence of his grace; and many of the children were brought to praise him as their Father, reconciled in Christ. Cecilia became particularly concerned for her own salvation; and being instructed in Christian duty and privilege, she sought and obtained the Spirit of adoption, enabling her to cry, "Abba, Father." While seeking the Lord, she began to meet in class; thus evincing her sincerity and decision, as well as her desire to participate in all the advantages of church communion. After a time, becoming a Teacher, she so conducted herself as to obtain the esteem of her associates, and the love of the children, whom she endeavoured to lead to Christ, that he might receive them, and bless them.

A violent inflammatory attack, which medical skill could not subdue, brought her to an early grave. Thank God, grace had prepared her for the solemn change, by bringing her, while in health and strength, to live for death and eternity. Her death-bed was instructive and encouraging. The prospect of death did not

disturb her calmness.

"I feel that Christ is precious," she said; "and I am very happy. But I want a yet deeper work of grace.' She was occasionally visited by some of her school-companions, and it gladdened her heart to hear them sing hymns expressive of the believer's triumph over death, and hope of eternal life. She joined with them in spirit, though illness prevented her from doing more. On one occasion she was quite enraptured. "O what a glorious company!" she exclaimed; "and I shall soon be there." "My dear mother," she said, "do not weep: I shall soon be better, though not here." Her greatest care was to exhort all the members of the family to prepare to meet her in heaven. At her sufferings she never murmured. God kept her in patience and peace. On one occasion, indeed, she appeared to be much distressed; but this arose from a concluding assault of the enemy of souls. She was tempted to distrust her Saviour's love. But her friends betook themselves to prayer, for her, and with her, and she obtained a blessed deliverance. Her countenance beamed with holy joy. "O Lord, I will praise thee," she said; "for thou dost comfort me. I love the Lord; for he has loved me, and has heard my prayer." For two days before she died, she was mostly in a state of delirium; but painful as this was to her friends, yet, in one point of view, it was an occasion even of pleasure to them. Her speech was unconnected and rambling, but all she said was expressive of confidence, love, and praise. Her heart was the Holy Spirit's home, and even her wanderings declared his presence. She became calm and collected a few hours before she died, but was too weak for conversation. The last words she was heard distinctly to utter, were, Glory, glory to God!" But though unable to speak, she was quite sensible, and quite happy. When she felt herself going, she waved her hand, smiled, and pointed upward. Her arm then fell down, and with this significant action she breathed her last. JOHN SHAW.

66

POETRY.

A TRUE HYMN.

BY GEORGE HERBERT.

My joy, my life, my crown!
My heart was meaning all the day,
Somewhat it fain would say:

And still it runneth muttering up and down
With only this, My joy, my life, my crown!

Yet slight not these few words;

If truly said, they may take part
Among the best in art.

The fineness which a hymn or psalm affords,

Is, when the soul unto the lines accords.

He who craves all the mind,

And all the soul, and strength, and time,
If the words only rhyme,

Justly complains that somewhat is behind
To make his verse, or write a hymn in kind.

Whereas if the' heart be moved,

Although the verse be somewhat scant,
God doth supply the want.

As when the heart says, (sighing to be approved,)
O, could I love! and stops; God writeth, Loved.

THE POSY.

BY GEORGE HERBERT.

LET wits contest,

And with their words and posies windows fill: Less than the least

Of all thy mercies is my posy still.

MOUNT NEBO.

Translated from the German of Freiligrath.

BY JOSEPH GOSTICK, JUN.

UPON the banks of Jordan
The host of Israel's name,
All Jacob's seed, encamped,
Who out of Egypt came,
There lay the tribes, wide-spreading,
There rest the pilgrims found,
Weary, with long years' treading
The sandy desert round.

There from their hands the wanderers
Laid all their staves aside,
And, loosening their girdles,
Spread all their garments wide.
And, on their robes reclining,
In beautiful array,

The lank embrowned travellers,
With beards dark-curling, lay.

Their tent-staves there were pitched,
Their linen veils outspread,
And, in the midst, was raised

The tabernacle's shed.

Between them and the sun-beams,
Green foliage shadows flings;
They fill'd their leathern bottles
At the fresh, cool water-springs.

Their limbs with smooth oil laving,
They wash'd away the sand;
The driver there was stroking,
The camel with his hand.
Amid the verdant meadows
The herds in quiet lay;
Wild horses stared, and bounded,
With flowing manes, away.

The weary join'd in praises,
With hands upraised to heaven;
Of all their long, long travels,
The hoped-for end was given.
But some were active, whetting
Their swords with eager hand,
To battle for the pastures

Of their rich, green father-land.

It seem'd their steps awaiting-
A land of endless store,

Like God's own garden, smiling
On Jordan's other shore.
Through many a desert journey,
In spirit, they had seen
That land of milk and honey
Now lying there so green!

They shouted in the valley,
"Canaan!" with joyous tone:
Their Leader up the pathway

Of the mountain climb'd alone.
His snow-white locks were flowing,
Upon his shoulders spread,
And golden beams were glowing
Upon his reverend head.

To see the promised country,
Before he died, intent,
Rapt in the glorious vision,

He, trembling, forwards bent:
There glitter'd all the prospect,

With thousand joys outspread, The fields he sees with longing, The land he ne'er must tread!

The plains, far out extending,

Are rich with corn and vines, And many a white stream, wending Through bright green meadows, shines; With milk and honey flowing,

Far as the eye can span,

All in the sunshine glowing,

From Beersheba to Dan !

"Canaan! mine eyes have seen thee!
Let death undreaded come!
In gentle whispers breathing,
Lord, call thy servant home."
On light soft clouds descending
Upon the mountain's brow,
HE came the pilgrim-people
Have lost their Leader now!

Upon the mountain brightening
'Tis glorious there to die,
When all the clouds are whitening
In the beaming eastern sky;

Far down below beholding

Wood, field, and winding stream,

And lo! above, unfolding,

Heaven's golden portals gleam!

Roche, Printer, 25, Hoxton-square, London.