On A Drop Of Water.

Ere this drop of water passes us by , and is again dissipated in this most glorious noontide ray , can we cast our minds back ancl reflect its wondrous and eventful history , if only from the bounds of human recollection . Far in the darkest mist of bygone ages , did it not then pass through its neverending cycle of birth , death , and resurrection , hourly distilling into dew ; daily pursuing its course to the mihtand unfathomable oceanand ever

gy ; ancl continually arising and ascending into heaven , an emblem of that purit y that can only enter there ? returning , ever and anon , like sweetest ministerincr spirits of charity , to its constant and universal work of beneficence and blessedness .

Far from the most sacred river of hallowed story , brought to fitly symbolize the sinless innocence and purity of babyhood , 'tis shed in a sacred shower upon the darling infant face , when dedicated solemnly to God and all good . Ever recognising the power , and obeying the influences of its diurnal master the all-potent Sun , in whose all glorious presence it arises in enchanting forms in cloud and mountain mist , only to descend again at his decline . 0 , so may we be reminded of that more glorious Sun of Righteousnessin whose

all-, embracing presence we continually abide ! thereby recognising and consecrating the universe as a temple ; and "life one whole act of adoration . " Realising this in all our surroundings and experiences of life , to what an hallowed and peaceful attitude of mind do we attain , till , finally , onr spirits , like the pure white and fleecy clouds , arise at the final call of their Maker and beam in happiness and glorified perfection of bliss in His most holy presence .

To the jnst and upright man death has no terrors equal to tbe stain of falsehood and deceit ; and , as he purges from his mind the dross of evil and unworth y thoughts that , from the grossness of our nature , will too often obtrude themselves , so , fountain-like , up-wells within his soul high aspirations to that—erewbile deemed unattainable—a life in harmony with nature ; a heart responsive to her thousand utterances ; a devout soul communing in peace with nature's God .

But let us pause in our moralizing , and , while this gem of nature , this pure drop of water , still trembling on the bosom of this lovely flower on which it is for the passing moment our captive , speaks as from the eloquence of a beaming eye , which it might fitly symbolize from its sparkling brilliancy , revealing to our hearts some brief reminiscences of its ever transient existence .

As a drop in the mighty ocean , in the ever restless and moving sea , is it not aptly emblematic of our individual existence , tossed to and fro upon the eversurging wave of life ; surrounded b y its dangers and difficulties , its cravings and strivings , its ups and downs in circumstances alike of merriment and woe ? From the brief bright radiant birth-morning of life , to the mild mist y and peaceful evening of human existence , of what scenes of direst and cruel bloodshed and strife ; of hallowed and sacred sorrow ; of hopelovejoyand jrarest

, , , merriment and happiness , does this pure dew-drop tell ! As a drop in the bucket borne day by day and week by week to and from the well , ever and anon wearying of such a dull , stale , and unprofitable existence , yet never despairing of deliverance at some favourable and happy occasion from the dull round of its restricted edyings , and , from the monotonous thraldom of its captivity in its mossy retreat , does it not typify ,

and speak to us of our spirit entrammelled , encompassed , and controlled by overpowering influences for good or evil ; of the sin which cloth so easil y beset us ; of that career or line of life and conduct against which our spirit strives and longs to free us , though , alas 1 all too impotent against the manifold external influences of our circumstances , surroundings , and conditions , which , like the all-absorbing flesh , doth " too grossly close us in , " tempting us too often to the error of complaining against our fate , and crying out against our lot , from our blindness in not recognising in all onr ways of life the finger of