Year: 1877

some useful trade or business where it will require the sweat of the brow te earn Q livelihood, that has in many minds, come to be regarded as degrading and low. Thus God has been and is now teaching many for the first time that work is hon. orable, and that only the producer is real ly the noble man in this world; that there is real dignity in labor which lifts the toiling artizan, in Gods sight and in the view of all right thinking men, far above the man whose garments may wear more of their first gloss, and have more fash ionable cut, and who may yet be without visible means of support

 III. Again. God would teach many, doubtless. blythe. loss of earthly posses sions. aIlesson of more humble, patient I trust in him.

 He woald lead us, to recognize at all seasons. that our "times are in his hand. |" That whether it be prosperity or. adversi- ty through which we are passing, He is not moved from his personal, faithful care of us.

 Many there have doubtless been, the past winter, truly noble in soul, the sim cere disciples of Christ, who have been compelled in unobtrusive resignation to trust God for their daily bread. There are multitudes to-day, whose confidence in God is being tested; noble. christian men and women, bearing up, as best they can, under losses and bitter disappoint- ments. winch the tkeenest foresight could not have prevented, with an unshaken faith ID the God whom they faithfully serve. And though the way seems dark before them, these earthly losses are causing their faith and hope to take deep CT root in hlm who hath laid up for them an everlasting inheritance. This is what the shadow of reverses teaches, the comparative worth and worthlessness of all earthly riches. We then know what they can buy, and what they cannot. They can buy food and raiment and ease for the body, but they cannot buy the peace that passeth under standing. They cannot buy love for man, nor faith in God. And only in the light of our fading and perishing earthly wealth do we see in the words of another, ''how little they can purchase of those things which the heart must have, if it would not break. which the soul must have, If it would not die.''

 ". And then, once more, the ''times," through which we are passing. also teach us lessons of christian sympathy, and the duty of large hberality. They verify the'truthfulness of our Lords declaration that the ''poor ye have always with you." They turn our thoughts to Him who, in the words of Punshon, ''once poor in the travail of his 1ncarnate life, and therefore tt0feehadab tfees Bith dbA faalingg pf oo9r bie6Gmir care, and pointing to them, as they shiv- CT in rags or parch from hunger and thirst, comments them to his church, that they may be warmed and fed, add ing the benediction which is in itself a heaven-Inasmuch..as ..as ye have done it to one of the least of these,-ye have done it unto me-" Here moreover, is our argument for such iberality, ''Ye know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich.'' The opportunities are abundant for the exer- else of kindly sympathy towards the un- fortunate, the giving of the friendly hand, which may help to put new heart and hope into theperplexed and disheartened. And the church of Jesus Christ should be first and foremost in all expressions of practical philanthropy. As our Lord him. self, in his ministry, fed the body first, if hungry. and then the soul, 50 the Christian Church, carrying in one hand the purse, and in the other the Love of God. in Christ Jesus our Lord, cannot fail of &C., complaining blessed results.

 In conclusion, have only to say, that if these times of financial embarrassment only cause the church to use with greater economy the vast possessions that still are hers, and only lead her to a more hearty, entire consecration of her gold l and silver and all that she hath to the Lord, the losses she sustains will be more than made up in abundant spiritual bles- sings Until the idols which we have erected in our own hearts and households are broken, the Gospel will not convince and break down the selfshness of men. Until these stumbling blocks are removed out of the way, and we follow after righteousness, godliness, faith. love. pa tience, meekness," as the treasures that Will endure, shall we save ourselves and others.

 Is not this the fast that the Lord hath chosen, ito loose the bands of wick edness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free. and that ya

 break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy

 bread to the hungry, and that thou bring

 the poor that are cast out to thy house

 when thou seest the naked that thou GOV.

 CT him, and that thou hide not thyseli

 from thine own flesh. Then shall thy

 light break forth as the morning, an6

 thine health shall spring forth speedily

 and thy righteousness shall go before

 thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy

 reward"

 I t-

 The young West Brookfield lawyer who lately gave up a meager practice to, be { watchman at one of the shops is now saw

 ing wood as the s.hired man. on,aI neigh boring farm.e All of which is very decid edly to his credit.-Springfeld Repub Jean. a 4sr5

 Gen. Butler seemed to know beforehand of Wendell Phillips savage attack o1 : Hayes and his cabinet. Butler must fee great deal better now that Philips ha