BY JOEL BEAN. God of our lives—past, and to be, God of the earth, the land and sea, With all Thy works, we worship Thee. In humble faith our souls would bear To Thee our every weight of care, And all the burden of our prayer. But with what language can we raise A fitting tribute to Thy praise, And celebrate Thy works and ways? Fresh blessings, countless as the sand, Flow as perpetual from Thy hand As do the waves upon the strand. More deep and boundless than the sea, Thy love from all eternity Sides every inlet full and free. On this Pacific shore we meet, This Temple-Grove our pilgrim feet Draws to its sacred calm retreat. Make us to feel Thy presence near, And with Thy goodness crown the year Whose harvest fruits are offered here. Our “Feast of Tabernacles” bless, Hallow these tents and cottages With peace, and joy, and righteousness. A host from many a church and land, We would, with loyal heart and hand, For Christ our King united stand. Thou who hast led us all our days, O’er fertile plains and desert ways, Be here an _altar_ to Thy praise! OTTAWA, KANSAS. The Inter-State Assembly of Kansas, Missouri, and the surrounding states, was held at Ottawa, Kansas, from June 24th to July 4th, under the superintendence of Rev. J. L. Hurlbut, D.D. It was a large meeting, some estimating the aggregate attendance at fifty thousand different people, during the eleven days; and in every way successful, whether viewed as to the interest of its exercises, the thoroughness of the work done in its classes (which are the backbone of an Assembly), or the financial receipts, which are needful to maintain the institution. The C. L. S. C. is somewhat new at this Assembly, as it was first recognized in 1883, when only about twenty members were present at the camp-fire. This year witnessed a great increase in the interest. Several Round-Tables were held, and reports were received from twenty-eight local circles, aggregating over four hundred members, all of which were represented by members present. At the Round-Table discussions were held upon topics such as these: “What are the advantages of the local circle?” “How may the local circles be made interesting as well as profitable?” “How shall they be organized?” beside endless inquiries concerning the subject of “seals” which not even Dr. Vincent himself could always have answered had he been present. The camp-fire was held on Tuesday evening, July 1, and was a great success, since it not only gave delight to the members, but awakened an interest among the public present, and was followed by forty new members who joined the C. L. S. C. the next day, the advance guard of the class of 1888. After the evening lecture the members gathered in procession, marched around the encampment, and formed in a circle around the fire. Here the songs were sung, and addresses, brief and pointed,