for when men were measured by their prowess, and when might was right, a standard of intellect would have been of little value; but amidst the discoveries of the 19th century it comes to us as a monitor and a friend; Its developement forms a striking fact in the philosophy of history--for as we trace the long and varied records of physical discovery from the time of Archimedes to the coronation of Victoria,--we invariably find that whatever science, or whatever art has been made known to us, it has always been the forerunner of new chapters in the history of man: thus Astronomy led the way to magnetism--Magnetism led to the scientific principles of navigation,--and the steam engine, mighty as its power appears, is but in accordance with the advanced wants of mankind; and so with every other instance, in proportion to the discoveries of intellect, has man advanced in the scale of intelligence and humanity,--with mind, so has matter progressed, until from the unlettered savage, he has arrived at the gates of that scientific temple whose lessons teach him, that now, having laid out the earth for his sustenance, peopled the ocean with his race, and proved his mastery over all things, it is time that he should arise and conquer self,-- Know then thyself, and seek not God to scan, The proper study of mankind is man! POPE. To do this, man must be studied in his moral, social, and religious condition; thus only is he enabled to gratify that inward yearning after what is great and good which is the basis of all improvement. It is necessary however to learn what is imperfect before improvement can be attempted. We must learn our own mental constitution and compare it with a standard of excellence, and what standard can we have, but that all surpassing goodness that created man in his own image? HE in whom even Pilate found no fault--who said "I am the vine, and ye are the branches,"--who went about doing good, and who said to his disciples, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father which is in heaven is perfect." This is the standard that we should look up to--to the Author of all good;--to His life upon earth as the line of our conduct here--to his sufferings in our day of tribulation--to His glory as the end that we would one day share in.