That would be kind. But would it be just? It is true, that the unfortunate island is entitled to Christian sympathy. We may compassionate its wrongs, and desire its freedom. But the island belongs to Spain, and we have no right to take it from her, because she governs it badly. Forcibly to snatch Cuba from Spain would be doing evil that good might come of it. The end would not justify the means.

But if I see a man ill-treating his child, am I wrong if I interfere, and by force restrain his cruel arm?

A nation cannot act in the same manner, as you may

easily perceive. If you interfere in the way you describe to protect a child, you would for this interference still be responsible to the law of the land; but if a nation interfere, there is no higher tribunal which can determine whether it were right or wrong for it thus to intermeddle with the affairs of another state. We have no doubt, however, that some movement will take place in Cuba; that it will be aided by large supplies of munitions and men from America; that then it will be annexed to the Union, a long coveted possession; and that thereby that Divine Providence which overrules evil for good will secure a happier lot for the enslaved and persecuted creoles.

But will America abolish slavery, as well as its infamous trade?

A question not yet to be answered. But it is believed that the annexation of Cuba would not strengthen the existence of the American system of slavery, while it would certainly terminate the Cuban traffic in slaves.

A HINT FOR REPROVERS.

THE Commendation of what is right is an indirect but effectual way of checking what is wrong.

COUNSELS FOR SOCIAL CIRCLE

MISSIONARIES.

REMEMBER, You are to aim, in dependence upon God's help and blessing, at nothing less than CoNVERSION. Hopefulness is not conversion. Nothing is really done for a sinner till he actually turns to God. Remember, also, that conversion is not progressive. It consists in one act of the soul; although the means antecedent to this important end may have been spread over a long period of time. The Prodigal was only converted the instant.he said, "I will arise and go to my father." The evil effects of a contrary belief have been long apparent in the Church of Christ.

Seek not for more than this. Do not strive to convert the sinner to yourselves, to your own denomination, to your own variations of creed, or your own shades of party. Make Christians-not proselytes.

Settle it as an important principle, that no circumstances can release you from this duty. Neither age, sex, relationship, nor station, exempt any one from your offices of Christian love. You are to strive to win souls. All minor distinctions are absorbed in this thought.

How are you to set about the fulfilment of your mission? Take these as a few loving counsels which have just occurred to my mind, and ponder them over carefully.

Make this mission the end of your life. Keep it ever before you as the object for which you live. Arrange everything else in subordination to it.

Watch for good opportunities. A word spoken in due season how good it is. A fitly spoken word will find its way through some little crevice in the armour

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which invests the unconverted heart, and, like David's stone, may prostrate the giant of unbelief. Create opportunities, if none readily occur. Make an opening for religion judiciously and kindly; but do make it, rather than leave your work unattempted. Especially, pray for opportunities. Ask for occasions when you may ply consciences with the arguments of salvation.

Specially regard those over whom you have special influence. You can do more for them than for others. You ought, then, to do it.

you

Say what you have to say of a personal nature strictly in private. In the presence of others, sinners will generally summon pride to their aid, and resist your well-meant appeals as a rude interference. Alone, they will be more likely to give you a patient hearing. Give due attention to the differences of character which will find to exist. Some persons you will find to be light and trifling-mere butterflies; others are naturally thoughtful, and disposed to serious feelings; many are formal and self-righteous; some proud and haughty, others painfully timid and diffident; some are in the darkness of ignorance, others beclouded with the deeper obscurity of doctrinal error. All these will require different and skilful modes of treatment. The same medicine will not suit every disease. Present distinctly the truth argue about it, but state it. plainest, most forcible terms. thing is understood. Explain Describe conversion as one great decisive act of the mind. Surround the sinner with motives drawn from himself his capacity to know, love, enjoy God, &c. Bring the sinner to a pause. Endeavour to get him, as in the sight of God, to make a decision.

to the mind. Do not Enumerate it in the Ascertain that everyrepentance and faith.

Let the spirit of your intercourse be eminently Christian. Let all breathe forth vitality. Religion is life, not mere words. Be faithful. Exhibit meekness.

Let love beam forth at every step. Seek aid at the mercy seat, and carry on every effort in the fervency of prayer.

Let all you do be sustained by the consistency of your Christian character. You will be narrowly watched. They will rejoice if they can say to you, “Phycisian, heal thyself." Your words will be as tinkling brass, unless your conduct be the practical embodiment of the truths you make known, and the bright adorning of the doctrine you profess to believe.

Begin at once. Meet difficulties boldly, because prayerfully and believingly. There are no insuperable difficulties. All can do something. The mother in her nursery, the mechanic at the bench, the husbandman at the plough, may seem to do but little; yet the influences they exert may be potent for incalculable good.

But some still shrink. They are timid; they fear they will not be able to manage it. Remember, then, that want of confidence is want of fidelity to God, and of love to man!

As to the time which can be thus consecrated, this must vary with natural opportunities. At least, all have the Sabbath, and its sacred hours will afford some precious moments which may suitably be spent in endeavouring to win souls.

May the good hand of God rest upon all Social Circle Missionaries!

S. C. M.

THE CONFESSION OF CHRIST.

PROFESSING Christ is not confessing Him: to profess Christ is one thing, to confess Christ is another. Confession is a living testimony to Christ, in a time when religion suffers; profession may be only a lifeless formality, in a time when religion prospers.

THE VOICE OF THE STARS.

THE weary earth lay hushed in deep repose;
And each meek bended flower had closed its eye,
Just as the child that with its gambols tired
Droops on its mother's breast. The graceful moon,
Half hidden now within a soft white cloud,
Seemed like a gentle maiden looking forth
With timid glance on life; and all the stars
Were gathered round her, radiant as the hopes
That thickly cluster in the path of youth.

And one, with pallid brow and aching heart,
Gazed on that beauteous sky. His life had been
A rough and storm-tossed sea, whose heaving waves
Had well-nigh overwhelmed his fragile barque:
The raging winds, with one resistless blast,
His last frail hope had rent: had swept away
All brave desire to struggle on, and bowed
His spirit in despair: he cared not now
Whither he drifted.

In his sunlit hours,
When joys were springing round him, fair and fresh
As the young daisies in the dew-gemmed fields,
His friends were many, and their voices breathed
Sweet music in his ear; but now a child

Might count their number, and their words were cold
And few.-The birds are silent in the grove
When rain-drops thickly fall!

Alone he stood

Beneath that gorgeous sky-where God hath stamped His holy name in glowing characters

Like some poor stricken and dismantled tree

Which never buds in spring-time; never waves

Its leafy banner when the summer comes,
Nor drops its blushing fruit in autumn's lap;-
And yet its place retains; as if it scorned
To hide itself from view, and had a right
To look forlorn and desolate!

His thoughts,

Impelled by grief, rushed wildly o'er the past
And o'er the future, mocking all control;