think of him in joy or sorrow, and now, affliction gathered around, she was sustained by the assurance that Jehovah in mercy permitted all her trials, and the still small voice' whispered consolation to her spirit. She knew that her father enjoyed the same communion with Heaven, therefore, with calmer, sweeter resignation she thought of his approaching death; for though she knew his body would return to dust and become assimilated to the elements, in hope she could look down the vista of futurity to the hour, when freed from the imperfections of mortality, she would meet him with kindred spirits in the immortal bowers of heaven.

Some readers may imagine the maiden was presumptuous thus to feel certain of her parent's eternal peace, but they should remember, that as pure water flows from no corrupted source, so real goodness, manifest in a Christian's life, can only spring from a heart renewed by grace.

WE will for awhile leave Alethea, her friend Irenæus, and the desert fountain, and relate scenes in the early life of her dying father, and of the persecution that banished her from home.

The parents of Clement worshiped with the Christian church at Sardis, and were faithful among many that were lukewarm through their leaning to worldliness and idolatry.

Formerly they had lived in Greece and were then stoics, but renounced that vain philosophy when they settled in Sardis, and became Christians through the teachings of the apostle John; who, being released from banishment in Patmos, a short time previous to Clement's birth, visited the seven churches of Asia to strengthen their faith, and deliver the messages with which he had been commissioned. To some he bore words of commendation, but unto Sardis a fearful warning and earnest exhortation to repentance.

Vast was the concourse of citizens assembled

to hear his discourse, and Androgenes, the father of Clement, imagining he taught some new system of philosophy, joined the listening throng till the Apostle's words thrilled so powerfully through his heart, that curiosity took a deeper tone, and he determined to know more of the teachings of the holy John.

Undetermined what course to pursue, the next evening, wrapt in thought, he wandered without the city: the apostle met him, and recognizing the stranger who had appeared so attentive the night before, inquired, if he were seeking after Truth?

"I am," returned Androgenes," and your discourse last evening interested me deeply. All the varied systems of philosophy taught in Greece I have examined; and, although a glimpse of truth is sometimes dimly visible, they seem full of error, therefore, I would gladly learn if Christians possess a pure and reasonable faith."

"We do," returned the apostle, "and endeavour in simplicity to worship the Supreme Being who created the universe; believing that from him proceeds our present happiness, our future bliss; and, on this earth, where all but sin is beautiful, his love has placed us, to prepare for a perfect and eternal state.

"When earth, as our abode, was young, man thus thought of God, and in spirit talked with

the creator: by degrees the intellectual obscured the heavenly, and man became a sensual being, forgetful of the God that made him. Still there remained within his soul a reflection of the vanished light, a sense of weakness that wanted to lean on something powerful, and unable to comprehend perfection-to adore the spiritual he bowed to the host of heaven, and made the lamp of day his god, till, sinking lower and still lower, he deified departed heroes, and even beasts and plants.

"Thus, through forsaking the source of truth, man turned to idolatry and the vain philosophy of which you speak.

Still, in the darkest period, a few remained faithful, and, with such, God made a covenant and established the rainbow its seal; it is his banner of peace-the varied hues of which it is composed are emblems of his attributes, and the tint of blue that dyes the sky when every cloud has vanished, pourtrays his love embracing each atom of creation.

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Age after age has rolled away, yet, to the believer, the rainbow remains a sign of the Invisible; we gaze upon it, and remember, our God is Love."

"How must we prepare for the future state you speak of, and how worship a Deity whose power is so immense ?" asked Androgenes.

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"By fervent prayer, a virtuous life, and belief in Jesus as the true Messiah," returned the apostle. "To him, from time's first dawn, have holy men in spirit looked; believing that, in the latter days he would stand upon the earth, centreing in himself all types and figures of the Jewish law, and remove the veil of error from the hearts of men, by displaying the glories of eternal truth. Inspired by God, they looked into futurity, and predicted the advent of the Messiah and their prophecies are verified, for Christ, the chosen of the Father, appeared, not, as the Jews anticipated, surrounded by splendour and the pageantry of an earthly sovereign, but in an obscure village, the child of an earthly mother. His life, from infancy, was one of self-denial, and he partook of the infirmities of our nature; often have I beheld him fainting with fatigue, hunger, or sorrow, while the ingratitude and stupidity of those his heart yearned to save, was a constant trial. We, his chosen followers, little prized his transcendant worth, grieved him by our incredulity, and fled on the night he was betrayed to his persecutors; yet, through all, his love was not diminished. At length his mission being fulfilled, on Calvary's mount he died an ignominious death. Earth trembled beneath his sufferings, light refused to witness: the grave