arranged. Private opinions and interests have been subordinated to the common judgment and the general welfare. Under the evident superintendence of God's Holy Spirit and the plain direction of God's Provi dence, radical changes have taken place. But these, subjected to the tests of combined wisdom and experi ence, as gained by both the former branches of the Church, are cordially accepted by all. There appear to be no parties, no dissatisfied minorities, no unwilling protesters. With happy hearts and devout thanksgiv ings, Judah and Ephraim and Levi and Benjamin and all the other tribes merge their distinctive names and their separate plans in their sincere affection for the united Israel into which, as one, they flow together.

And now some may ask, What further is needed to finish the work of Reconstruction so happily begun? In one sense, but little more, since the foundations are carefully selected, well laid, and strongly cemented. In another sense, much more, since upon these noble foundations there must be erected a structure vast and enduring.

In indicating briefly the following portions of the yet uncompleted task, they are referred to because now occupying the attention of our thinking and progressive minds in various parts of the Church. Some of them are very generally deemed desirable, others require yet to be more thoroughly elaborated and matured. If adopted by the Church, time and use must prove their value or reveal their defects. Few, however, will deny that the present is an auspicious period in which to increase the efficiency of our system and to adapt its. methods more perfectly to the demands of our country

and the world. It furnishes an occasion such as sel dom can occur in the history of any communion, to make needed changes and to secure desirable reforms. It is a grand opportunity, a transition epoch, when the wisdom and experience of the past may guide us so that, holding fast to all that is really valuable in our traditional methods, we may also incorporate upon our system whatever the sound judgment and the ripe reflection of our most judicious leaders endorse and approve of as requisite for the enlarged and increasing usefulness of the Church.

Our Presbyterian Homes in the great cities east and west are yet to be built. A Psalmody adequate to the wants of this wide-spread Zion is to be selected and prepared. A Manse is not yet found in every congregation. Some Sustentation plan remains to be suggested, that the Church, from the overflow of congrega tions whose concentrated wealth suffers a very trifling draft when from it but one ministry is sustained, may pour forth to the aid of feebler folds enough to save them from the sorrow or reproach of awarding to faithful pastors a scandalous maintenance. Some method must be devised by which the humbler and middling classes in cities and towns shall be more generally attracted to God's altars, that rich and poor may there meet together. A multitude of churches and mission chapels need to be built in our crowded centres of population, and at frontier points that will soon become such centres. The relations of the Church to popular education, and its responsibilities in training all children and youth are to be more clearly defined. Our Christian women, the deaconesses of primitive times,

and in every age numerically, and by reason of their great capabilities for extensive usefulness, an invaluable band of helpers, await the disposal of the Church, saying, "Here we are; send us." A host of unordained servants of Christ, laymen, it is true, yet gifted and educated, are ready to go everywhere preaching the Word in the shop, at the market, on the railway, from house to house, through the secular week, and on the Sabbath day in halls, parks, or streets, desiring to be told how they may perform this function decently and in order. Chairs for the instruction of missionaries in foreign and especially Eastern languages are yet to be endowed, that every man may speedily hear in his own tongue the wonderful works of God, and another stupendous Pentecost of conversions follow. Such preparatory steps are awaited as may draw other kindred churches to ours, or ours to them, as far as God intends organic union or fraternal correspondence between these, His witnesses. Some old measures must be revived, or new plans secured that may bring with increas ing numbers the baptized members of the Saviour's fold to assume every duty of a religious life, until all the Church's children be taught of God, and great be the peace of her children. The session must be restored to its ancient efficiency, and its elders become more thoroughly the helps they were ordained to be, with a Scriptural and settled plan by which the efficient may be retained, and, ruling well, have double honor; while the inefficient, and such as experience declares cannot serve to edification, may retire from the active exercise of the office. Unemployed ministers must, by some well-ordered and perpetuated means, be set at work,

and vacancies be constantly supplied. The arrange ments for a Memorial Fund and kindred schemes must develop a system by which every son and daughter of the Lord's house shall habitually, upon the first day of the week, lay by in store an offering as God hath prospered them. A return to what is regarded by them as the New Testament use of the diaconate is by some de manded, who desire that the deacons may be more numerous and more fully employed, and that those who are of Israel may direct the Church's temporalities, according to the dictates of consciences instructed by the Holy Oracles and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

But we may not longer dwell upon these things, which are suggested in various quarters, and which many hope for as yet to result from the full Reconstruction of our beloved Church. To her future history and destiny the eye of faith may well look for ward with glad and prayerful anticipations. How auspicious the beginnings of her prosperity! How solemn the responsibilities of those who now in God's Providence have committed to them this precious ark to bear forward! Truly there is much land to be pos sessed. Most of all gifts, do we not need individual piety, personal holiness, the entire consecration each of his one soul to Christ? Let but every heart be fired with love to Jesus, every closet be witness to new and more solemn devotion, each family altar blaze with a more constant and holy sacrifice, each pulpit and pew be filled by those who are absolutely dedicated to the service of the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, and His voice will send to us its sweet, assuring prom ise, "MY PRESENCE SHALL GO WITH THEE, AND I WILL GIVE THEE REST."

WHEN the English and the Prussians, under Wellington and Blucher, effected a junction on the 18th of June, 1815, on the field of Waterloo, it was not that they might enjoy the parade and pomp of a mighty host, or luxuriate in the gladness which led the old Prussian, after the manner of his country, to embrace and hug the vic torious Englishman; but to continue the work in which they had been engaged - to drive a military despotism out of France, and to restore to Europe the blessings of an assured peace.

And when two great sections of the Lord's sacramental host fell into one line in Pittsburg, it was not for the satisfaction of exulting in the sense of greatness, or indulging in mutual gratulations, but for the purpose of