account, by knowing the value and economical use of different articles; and as no one knows to what reverses they may come, let their stations be never so high or humble, we would advise that every female in the kingdom should well learn household duties; as by the practice of them an otherwise cheerless home might be made happy and comfortable.

THE TABERNACLE.

EXOD. xxvii. 9-19.

THE "court of the tabernacle," as we see from these verses, was to be made of "hangings of fine twined. linen." The length on either side was to be a hundred cubits. The building itself was thirty cubits in length; the distance of this court from it may, therefore, easily be imagined. The teaching connected with this, is most solemn and important. First, we see the distinction between the two classes into which persons are divided. The Church and the world. Those who belong to the former (all true believers) have " access to God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." Those who do not, are still without! What an awful thought! "Without Christ,' and consequently, "without hope," "atheists in the world" (as in the original, Eph. ii. 12). O! to be an outcast at last: how dreadful! Let us examine ourselves whether we are "in the faith." But another thought is suggested by these hangings of fine twined linen. They seem to be typical of believers. Those who passed by, beheld this fair white linen, in contrast to all around. As it is a most practical subject, a few texts will be given which bear on this point, the believer's walk and conversation-for it has been truly said, "those who will not read written epistles, must read living epistles." While we can stand accepted before God only in and through Christ, it is necessary that Christians should be "careful to maintain good works." We find the Apostle Paul in Acts xxiv. 16, saying, "herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men."

This is no easy task: it requires constant faith, prayer, and watchfulness. Again, in 2 Cor. i. 12, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward." Here we see clearly that it is only by the grace of God this can be done. Then in Col. iv. 5, 6, we have some special rules given. "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt." These words are distinct, simple, and easy to be understood. The conduct, and conversation of the Christian are here directed. We are to "walk in wisdom;" to be seeking for opportunities of leading others to the Saviour who hath "loved us," "redeeming the time;" making the best use of the few hours, days, or months we may have. Too little is generally thought of the tongue: yet how much is said in Scripture about it. "Keep thy tongue from evil." (Ps. xxxiv. 13.) O! that the resolve were made by us in the strength of the Lord. "I said I will take heed to my ways that I offend not with my tongue." (Ps. xxxix. 1.) Again, in 1 Tim. i. 19, the duty of a believer is set forth: "Holding faith, and a good conscience." And in Heb. xiii. 18, we have the determination of the Apostle set before us as an example, "we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly;" yet this is connected with prayer, for he begins by saying, "Pray for us." Prayer should accompany all our duties, as sin, alas! is mixed with all we do!

To return to the chapter (Exod. xxvii. 9-11). The sockets were not to be of silver (as were those of the boards), but of brass; the hooks and fillets of silver. Brass seems to signify strength. Believers can only walk thus through the world. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee." We have the gracious promise given, "As thy day so shall thy strength be.' This text, connected with Eph. vi. 15, is very precious, "Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." Then, in 1 Thess. v. 8, it is said, "And for an helmet the hope of salvation." We should be walking

on, passing through our pilgrimage state, the strength of the Lord sustaining us, the hope of glory enabling us to rise in spirit and heart above the fading scenes around! In verses 16-18, we have an account of the gate of the court which was to be of "fine twined linen," with the three colours wrought with needle-work. Christ is the only entrance. This gate would, however, present a threefold appearance, and, as it is said of the Lord Jesus, "In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Col. ii. 9), it might be intended to convey an idea of the Trinity, a truth which was so early and frequently taught, a fundamental truth which we do well ever to remember. There is no salvation except in connexion with the Three Persons in One God. These three glorious Persons were united in the creation of man, for we read in Gen. i. 26, "And God said, let us make man in our image," &c. The word translated God is Elohim,-the Sworn Ones, or the Covenanted Ones. And the same Three Persons are engaged in the work of redemption. The Father gave the Son; the Son gave Himself; the Holy Spirit reveals and applies the Lord Jesus to the soul. We should ever remember that the God we worship is this Triune God; and when we cannot fathom truth too deep for finite minds, let us simply believe, remembering the words, "What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter."

In verse 19 we are told, "All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass." The tabernacle was to be strongly held together. It was secure and perfect in itself, for God was the architect!

Thus feebly has the Tabernacle (with which there is so much precious truth connected) been considered. We read afterwards of the Temple, a far more glorious building, in which there are many interesting points worthy the deep and prayerful study of Christians.

But a Temple is now being built, not of inanimate but living materials. "Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom

ye also are builded together for an habitation of God, through the Spirit" (Eph. ii. 20—22).

Dear reader! ask yourself, Am I one of these "lively stones ? Is Christ the foundation of my hope? Am I resting in Him, and on Him? And if but one soul be led earnestly to "consider Jesus," and take hold, by faith, on Him, these few and imperfect remarks on the Tabernacle will not have been suggested nor read in vain!

May the Lord grant his own blessing! and may He graciously forgive whatever may be amiss or contrary to his mind and will, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, with Himself and the Holy Ghost, be all glory for ever. Amen. C. A. H.

RAGGED SCHOOLS.

"Who hath despised the day of small things?"

IN a part of Westminster, not far from the Abbey, yet till lately but little known, there stands a solitary building with the inscription, "School for the Destitute." It is sometimes called "The Destitute School," but certainly The Desolate School would not be an inappropriate name for it. Its companions, in the way of tottering houses, have not been allowed quite to fall into decay, having been pulled down to make way for the new street, which is likely to prove the means of so much blessing to the whole neighbourhood; and this one building yet remains, as a token of the kindness of the commissioners in allowing its existence as long as possible for the sake of the poor children who assemble there.

There is certainly nothing to attract the eye in the outward appearance of this school; but, like some people, it requires to be known. Those who enter find much for the heart to delight in, and much to call forth their fervent praise to Him, who often still makes use of "mean things" to show forth his own glory and power. this little spot of ground are associated many recollections of the past, which, while they distinctly prove

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the wonderful providence of Him who knows even the "sparrow's fall," cannot fail to serve also as encouragements to others to go forward in any "work of faith and labour of love" to which they may be called, whatever difficulties or discouragements may be in the way. It is with this idea that a short account will be given of the progress of this school, which was one of the first of the kind established, it is believed, and on which unlookedfor blessings have been allowed to descend; the language of those who have had the privilege of being engaged in this work, being, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name be the praise!"

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It is to be regretted, that the exact dates connected with the commencement of this school cannot now be given. A devoted Christian in Westminster, with a lady of title, and a few friends, were among the first who united their efforts with those of a missionary in the cause, and took a wretched stable for the purpose of assembling a few outcast children; but this was before the time of the writer, who cannot, therefore, speak accurately. These early labourers are scattered now:-some are "sleeping in Jesus," others still working in his vineyard elsewhere. For about two or three years, however, the old stable" was not despised, but was found a fit receptacle for its inmates, who were certainly a motley group. To say nothing of faces, hands, and hair, the colour of which could scarcely be told for dirt,-the style of their costume was perfectly independent, and more grotesque than becoming. A little girl, for instance, would think nothing of wearing her father's coat, if she could get it; while shoes, hats, or bonnets, were considered superfluities. Great difficulties were found in the way of securing any attendance at all, as the parents, in love with their own ignorance, idleness, or crime, preferred having their children near them, or sending them out to "get their own living," (as it is called, which would be by begging or stealing,) to taking the trouble of sending them to school. When, however, the children attended, the parents thought themselves entitled to such extra assistance as they might need or desire, in return for their liberality in allowing them to receive a free educa