and indignities subsequently inflicted upon Him; the scourging-the torture of the crown of thorns-the weight of the Cross, which He was compelled to carry, and the want of sleep, must have greatly exhausted His strength, before he reached the place of execution; the piercing of His hands and feet, and the suspending of His body by these tender parts, for so many hours on the cross, must have further tended to put a period to His life, to which must be added the piercing of His side by the soldier's spear; for the blood and water that flowed from the wound shewed that the weapon had pierced the heart;-this was sufficient of itself to have caused death though no other violence had been used. The soldiers on examining the body, were convinced that His spirit was fled, and on this account they refrained from breaking His legs; the Centurion, when interrogated by Pilate, confirmed the fact, and Joseph and Nicodemus would take care to satisfy themselves that death had taken place before they committed His body to the grave. As little reason is there to doubt the fact of His burial. It was performed under the direction of persons of credit and influence, and in presence of some of His own attached disciples. The sepulchre was hewn out of the solid rock, so that there could be no access to it but by the door- that was closed by the great stone, and a public official seal affixed to it; a band of soldiers was stationed to keep watch, and as no man had been laid there before, there could be no pretence for alleging that the body could not be identified. On the morning of the third day, it plainly appeared that the sepulchre had been opened and the body was missing. Who could have removed it? Not the enemies of Jesus, for this would have defeated their own purpose, which was to prevent such an occurence; not surely his disciples, for they had neither strength nor courage to attempt such an enterprise, or to attack a body of armed men; even in the garden, they had fled at the sight of those who who came to apprehend their master. It was, indeed, pretended that

the soldiers were asleep when the tomb was opened; but in that case how could they know what had taken place while they slept? besides, was it likely that they should all sleep at once, or that they would endanger their lives by sleeping while on guard? death by the Roman law was the penalty of such an offence. (Compare Acts xii. 19.) Again the Apostles were competent witnesses of the fact, they were well acquainted with the Saviour's person; they were not at all expecting such an event, but the contrary (John xx. 9)., He appeared to them (as we have seen) on different occasions; allowed them to handle his person; shewed them the scars of the wounds in His hands and side, and condescended to eat with them. They never varied in their testimony, or contradicted each other, or betrayed the secret, if there were any collusion; they proclaimed the fact in the City of Jerusalem, where it had happened, and in presence of the enemies of Jesus, who did not venture to contradict it, or to lead any counter proof though they enjoyed silence, and threatened them with imprisonment and death: the Apostles had no motive to deceive the world in this matter, their interest lay all the other way, and to evince their sincerity they sealed their testimony with their blood. It was credited in the place where the event is said to have happened, by thousands who were alive at the time, and who had every means of ascertaining the truth; and it has been celebrated ever since by the institution of the Christian Sabbath, and commemorated in many Churches by an annual festival. To what conclusion, then, can we come, but to admit the truth contained in the text, that "the Lord is risen indeed?"

3. Improvement. What a glorious event is the Resurrection of Christ! Death is emphatically styled the King of terrors. He reigns over all mankind without control. The mightiest monarchs tremble at his approach, and must yield to his power. He reduces all to one common level, and the ashes of the prince and of

the peasant mingle, undistinguished, in the grave. But now, at length, this dread tyrant encounters a mightier foe; for once he must yield the prey and confess himself vanquished. He is spoiled and disarmed by the humble prophet of Galilee, who is thus declared to be the Son of God with power, the Conqueror of death and the grave. The resurrection of Christ vindicates His character and claims, and stamps the seal of heaven on all the doctrines He taught. By this event the sting of death is removed, and the grave is turned into a bed of rest to all believers. We are also called to mark, in the Saviour's resurrection, the fulfilment of prophecy: He rose again on the third day “according to the Scriptures" (Psa. xvi. 10, Isa. liii. 9). To this text our Lord constantly referred; read verses 26, 27, 46,. The same Scriptures point out the end in view, " He died for our sins." (See Isaiah liii. 5, 6; Dan. ix. 24, 26; Psa. 40. 6-8; compare Heb. x. 5-10).

And, was Jesus delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification? What a source of consolation is thus afforded to the awakened sinner!what a relief to the sin burdened conscience!-what a ground of encouragement towards God! The resurrection of Jesus proves that the debt we owed is paid that the penalty of the law is exhausted—that the claims of justice are satisfied, and the curse removed. Thus every obstacle to our return to

God is taken out of the way-the door of mercy is opened to all-the way into the holiest is made manifest, and we are encouraged to draw near" with a true heart, and in the full assurrance of faith" (1 Peter i. 3, 4, 21).

Is the Saviour risen indeed? Then let us shew that we are risen with Him, by seeking those things that are above. Let us see that our old corrupt nature is crucified with Him; that the body of sin might be destroyed; that henceforth we should not serve sin; and let us learn to walk with Him in newness of life. (Rom. vi. 10, 11; 2 Cor. v. 14, 15; Philip. iii. 10, 11.) Is Jesus risen indeed? How sinful and unreasonable, then, to sorrow for departed Christian friends, as those without hope! He is risen as the first fruits of them that sleep, and "as Jesus died and rose again, so them that sleep in Jesus, God shall bring with Him." Wherefore let us comfort one another with these words. xv. 58.)

(1 Cor.

"The Lord is risen indeed!
When justice asks no more;
Mercy and truth are now agreed,
Who stood opposed before.
"The Lord is risen indeed!

When is His work performed;
The captive surely now is freed,
And death, our foe, disarmed.
"The Lord is risen indeed!

When hell has lost its prey:
With Him is risen the ransomed seed,
To reign in endless day."

W. I.. Musselburgh, 27th March, 1864.

Ir is now many years since H.R.H. the Duke of Kent died. His only child, Victoria, was then an infant; the widowed mother was left with her orphan charge under circumstances which could but try her faith and affect her feelings. The possession of the crown of England

was involved in so many contingencies that a single day or incident might render its reversion valueless, but the Duchess of Kent was influenced by higher considerations than even the prospect of a crown for her child, and believing that she had received the child

as a gift from God, she sought from the earliest dawn of reason to train the royal infant for the kingdom of heaven.

There is no doubt now as to the fact that this was the first auxiety of the royal mother; and when we mention that the late Bishop of Peterborough, who was her tutor, was instructed to read a portion of the Holy Scriptures every day to the young Princess-as stated by the Prelate, in his funeral sermon on the late Duchess of Kent-it will at once be seen how sincerely Her Royal Highness estimated the word of God, as the truest foundation of character, and the "secret of England's greatness." And this respect for, as well as confidence in the Bible became characteristic of the Royal family. In mature years the Bible became the favourite gift-book of the Queen, and when she herself became a mother, not only was this preference for the Book shown on all fitting occasions, but was a characteristic also of the late Prince Consort, throughout his short but beautiful life. The Prince of Wales has inherited this prediliction for the Bible, and it may well be said to be the most beautiful fact of his public life, just begun, that he gave the Bible as a memorial of his marriage, and on the very day of his nuptials, to his tutors, who were then at Windsor Castle.

But the Duchess of Kent was careful to attend to economical as well as to moral and religious duties in training our future Queen. It is within the circle of our own knowledge that in everything which could possibly tend to make her daughter useful as well as pious and intellectual, the Duchess of Kent was a painstaking mother. Physical exercise was the rule of every-day life, economical duties were constantly enjoined, and the practice of Christian benevolence was prudently encouraged. All this, by the Divine blessing, combined to the formation of that character which has distinguished our beloved Queen since she came to the throne, and England will never know the full amount of the debt of gratitude which she owes to this royal lady, the mother of Queen Victoria.

To show the value of such training, we shall now give a few facts. The first refers to one or two interviews which the benevolent Mrs. Fry had with the young Princess. Mrs. Fry in her journal, says:

'About three weeks ago (May 1831), I paid a very satisfactory visit to the Duchess of Kent, and her very pleasing daughter, the Princess Victoria. William Allen went with me. We took some books on the subject of slavery, with the hope of influencing the young Princess in that important cause. We were received with much kindness and cordiality, and I felt my way open to express, not only my desire that the best blessings might rest upon them, but that the young Princess might follow the example of our blessed Lord, that as she grew in stature, she might grow in favour with God and man; I also ventured to remind her of King Josiah, who began to reign at eight years old, and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left, which seemed to be well received.

"I have an invitation to visit the Duchess of Gloucester next Fourth-day; may good result to them, and no harm to myself! But I feel these openings rather a weighty responsibility, and desire to be faithful, not forward. I had long felt an inclination to see the young Princess, and endeavour to throw a little weight in the right scale, seeing the very important place she is likely to fill. I was much pleased with her, and think her a sweet, lovely, and hopeful child." Vol. II., page 86.

Another brief notice is as follows:"First month, 26, 1840. An eventful time in public and private life. Our young Queen is to be married to Prince Albert. She has sent me a present of £50 for our Refuge at Chelsea, by Lord Normanby.

Second month, 1st. I am called to visit our young Queen to day, in company with Allen and my brother Samuel also We went to Buckingham Palace and saw the Queen. Our interview

was short. Lord Normanby, the Home Secretary, presented us. The Queen asked us where we going on the Continent. She said it was some years since she saw me. She asked about Caroline Neaves Refuge, for which she had lately sent the £50. This gave me an opportunity of thanking her. I ventured to express my satisfaction that she encouraged various works of charity; and I said it reminded me of the words of scripture with the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful.' Before we withdrew, I stopped, and said I hoped the Queen would allow me to assure her that it was our prayer that the blessing of God might rest upon the Queen and her consort." Vol. II., page 336.

This was the beginning of a life of Christian benevolence, and sympathy for the poor and the afflicted, which Queen Victoria has constantly maintained, and it will rejoice the hearts of many to be told that the Princess of Wales has commenced to tread in the same path, for we happen to know, from personal Acquaintance with the fact, that when Her Royal Highness was at Balmoral, she not only visited the cottagers, but showed a lively interest in their affairs, and, like the Queen, was personally attentive to the wants of the poor.

It is pleasing to be assured that the Duchess of Kent was richly rewarded or all her care and anxiety in the raining of her royal daughter. The levotion of the Queen to her mother vas unbounded, and we can call up no sight more delightful than that which vas to be seen any day during the ten Tears Her Royal Highness visited Balmoral and occupied the old castle of Abergeldie, when the royal family were walking together, and the children we may say romping with delight, in the ull enjoyment of their freedom, among the hills and glens of that land of " brown heath and shaggy wood" amongst which they roamed.

And as the royal mother lived so she lied,-full of years and honour, leaving 1 fragrant memory, and a brilliant example, her whole life being a pattern

for mothers, and the result of her training, down to the third generation, illustrating the Scripture, "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

MORAL, SOCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL CONDITION OF THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.

BY DR. DE FELICE, PROFESSOR OF ELOQUENCE, MONTAUBAN.

THE great superiority of Reformed over Roman Catholic people is a fact highly honourable to Protestantism. I would not forget the good which was effected by the Romish Church during the barbarous days of the middle ages. Neither would I shut my eyes to the virtues and the sacrifices with which she still inspires a certain number of her adherents. Our holy religion has no need to deny the merits of her adversaries in order to retain her own pre-eminence; she can be just without detracting in the slightest from the high position which she occupies. Let us acknowledge, then, that the Romish Church, having, amidst her gross superstitions, preserved some elements of revealed truth, has not been wholly useless in relation to the progress of humanity. But by persisting in remaining what she was in times of ignorance, by maintaining with blind obstinacy the errors and practices of former ages, she has become one of the most dangerous adversaries of modern civilization. Instead of being in advance of the nations, she is behind them. Far from favouring the spread of morality, she obstructs it; and while she ought to second the liberal movement of our age, she is continually threatening to make us retrograde towards despotism.

The Reformation of the sixteenth century--let us be permitted to pay it this deserved homage-wherever it has penetrated, has elevated the standard of morals, effected the greatest improvements in public and domestic education, given a new power to men's intellectual energies, strengthened free institutions,