Such being the case, or since we believe such to be the case, we most naturally, and, I may add most consistently, pray for the “High Court of Parliament” which assembles from time to time “under our most religious and gracious Queen.” Our prayer in this matter is as simple as it is beautiful. A prayer is it which none who are in the habit of praying at all for others can possibly object to. It simply asks of God that He would “be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of his glory, the good of his church, the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and her dominions.” Often and often, let me trust, have we loyally and faithfully prayed after this most becoming and time-hallowed fashion. Especially, most especially, let me also trust, did we do so—I feel confident that we did, if our hearts were not steeled against every patriotic impression—some two years ago, in this very place, as also in the still larger chamber of a thoughtful spirit,—at a time which all must well remember,—a time of deep national distress and heaviness of heart into which, under God’s fearful and probationary providence, we as a people were cast headlong and unawares by the event of an Eastern mutiny. Recall the occasion referred to. By so doing we shall be reminded of the great need there then was for prayer for help, and of the petition we then put up, and so be enabled to appreciate more livingly and heartily the answer which God has given us this day in the blessing of peace and restoration of “tranquillity in her Majesty’s Indian dominions.” Let memory’s wand conjure up to our imagination, or, if we please, let fancy’s pencil sketch to our view the scene, the hour, in which, at the period in question, we had recourse, with more than ordinary interest and earnestness, to prayer in our difficulty on behalf of our Queen and Council of State—prayer to the effect that they might be “directed and prospered” in all their momentous “consultations” on which, humanly speaking, hung the dignity, the happiness, and the missionary usefulness as well as the safety of our beloved country. You will suppose, then, that we are just released from the cruel bondage of a warfare into which we were compelled, as men of faith and feeling, to enter for humanity’s sake. Our laurels of awarded victory are still fresh on the hero’s brow. Our triumphant attitude is, to all appearance, keeping at bay a tyrant world, and securing “peace on earth and goodwill towards men.” Time is about to commence her gracious task of lessening our sorrows for the brave and bold who are no more on earth amongst the children of men, and whose remains are swelling with their sad accumulations the once unbroken, but now grave-studded Crimean plain. Our minds are turning homeward. We dwell upon reforming ourselves. Social progress and fair play in all matters, ecclesiastical as well as civil, are points which much interest us.