pointed to the heap of dry faggots, on which it was counted a sacred privilege for the noblest of the band to cast an additional stick, and in his usual dark, stern manner, said, 'Be converted to the Catholic faith, or ascend this pile.' Not one among his hearers flinched, or quailed, or gave token of a hesitating thought; fire was applied to the heap, and a mighty conflagration blazed up to heaven. Then might be seen the eager rush of armed men, each hoping to seize some helpless victim, and to propitiate GOD, yea even our own God, by casting the struggling form of decrepit age, or blooming youth, or terrified childhood into the burning gulph— but most of them were disappointed in the hope; for with light step all who could do so glided by, and cast themselves into the fire as into a glorious chariot provided to bear them to their brigh and blessed home. With loud voices they commended their souls to Him for whom they counted it all joy to suffer this terrible martyrdom; and thus did a hundred and forty human bodies perish from the sight of man, in a single pile of fire, kindled from the materials of their own peaceful homes. Yet three were left of the women while on their way to the fire, a noble lady, mother of the lord of Montmorenci, had them forcibly arrested, and held as lookers-on upon a scene, the horrors of which were sufficient to deprive them of reason; while a forced or an unconscious assent to what was demanded, enrolled them in the list of apostates, from which, and not from the book of life, we must fervently hope that their names were subsequently blotted out for those were days when the word of our Lord was fulfilled to the uttermost extent of its awful import; "He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

Such was the termination of the seven weeks' siege, which had doubtless been protracted to ripen many souls for glory. The smouldering fires died away, and the undistinguishable ashes of what had but an hour before been vigorous with life, and bright in beauty, were borne on the winds of heaven to be seen no more. The spirits, set free from mortal fetters, went to the presence of their redeeming God, there to meet and to rejoice with the multitude who had, like themselves, come out of great tribulation, with robes washed white, not in their own innocency, but in the blood of the Lamb; with them to anticipate the day of reunion with their purified bodies, changed by the power of elemental fire into imperceptible dust: again to be changed into the likeness of Christ's glorious body, according to that mighty working, whereby He is able to subdue even all things unto himself. We lament now their past sufferings; we rejoice in their present happiness; ere long we shall see them, a magnificent army of glorified saints, descending with their Lord to experience the literal fulfilment of a too-much neglected promise, "The meek shall inherit the earth."

The angels of God having borne his slaughtered ones to His bosom, the spirits of darkness brooded still over their wretched prey, who watched with horrible satisfaction the crumbling away of each human cinder into dust, and raised again the mocking-hymn of praise, and looked forward to the morrow's march that should conduct them to new victims. And is this, again we ask with solemn earnestness, as in the presence of God, Is this Christianity? We know no one, scarcely even among the adherents of Rome in our day, who would dare to answer-Yes. They disown such deeds, as forming any part of their religious system, attribut

ing them solely to the spirit of the barbarous age in which they were perpetrated; yet examine a little farther, and it will be found that, of this, the middle ages as it is called, not only Romanists, but some who believe themselves to be Protestants, habitually speak as of the most glorious era of the Church! There is a net of deadly texture fast closing around us, and it behoves us narrowly to examine the subtle meshes as they come to view. The crusades were a legitimate carrying out, by a party then powerful enough to do its bidding, of the unchanged principles, the consistent doctrines, and of the now existing laws of the papacy. As we proceed, this may become more apparent; but it is a fact, the overlooking of which is at this moment hurrying on a crisis that man cannot, perhaps, avert; but for which the Church of Christ must be prepared, by arming themselves with the like mind as their suffering Master; and as their brethren who of old were slain, as many more will be.

C. E.

Look upon each day as a blank sheet put into your hands, to be filled up for eternity.-Pennington.

FEMALE EFFORTS.

I WAS unusually interested last Sabbath, and stirred up powerfully to a sense of duty, when our beloved Pastor, alluding to lay agency (that traduced means) made especial reference to female exertion in the blessed cause of religion and truth.

The remarks made—indeed the whole subject caused, deep searchings of heart. I was led to ask myself the question what have I done for the good of souls, and to promote the glory of my God and Saviour? What am I doing? And what can I do to further this blessed -this all-important object.

Surely, my dear Christian friends, there is much for us all to do in these eventful times-much for us to do --although poor, weak, insignificant females. The great Apostle of the Gentiles, and above all the great Head of the Church, was pleased to own instrumentality as humble as ours, and is not this an encouragement, an inducement for us to imitate our primitive sisters in the faith, and to be fellow-helpers with those who labour in the Lord?

If ever there was a time when the individual members of the Established Church were called upon to exert their utmost influence, to put forth their most strenuous endeavours, it is at this alarming crisis. The enemy is up and doing—and shall we remain inactive ? O no! let us do what we can. Weak, it is true we are, yet let not this deter us; rather may it urge us to apply

unto the Strong for strength: let us earnestly and fervently beseech the aid of the glorious Spirit, and then, if He is our helper, we shall do great things, for “ Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts."

And first, let us do what in us lies to counteract the evils of the day, to provide antidotes for the baneful poison which is being disseminated among our fellowChristians and the world at large. We each have a sphere of influence. Let us make it subservient to the cause of Protestantism and Truth. We each have a sphere of influence, I repeat-there is not one among the lowliest of the least, who has not some hearts at her command-some, to whom her word and example may prove a guide and beacon. Oh may our lights more brightly shine, while we wait with joyous anticipation and lively hope unto the coming of our Lord.

But to the subject in hand, present duties, let each make a resolve that we will omit no opportunity of doing, or saying good, when such opportunities offer; we would not be forward or presuming-but this we should be, bold in the confession of our Saviour, and in declaring to the world to whom we belong. This is not the time to mask sentiments, to be ashamed of the religion we profess. Oh no! let us be more anxious than ever to give evidence to all around that we are disciples of Jesus, followers of the Lamb. Let us rally round his cross, and lifting up the gospel standard, invite all to join our ranks, to enlist under our banner, and fight manfully against the world, the flesh, and the devil; against spiritual wickedness in high places. My heart beats still warmer upon the subject, for I have just been listening to the statements of our dear Minister, who having been in London during the