The baptism of Christ was graced with a special display of glory. "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. And, lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (ver. 16, 17.) In this declaration of God, consists all the comfort of a Christian, No one can please, or be accepted without him. In him, our spiritual sacrifices are acceptable, for he is the altar that sanctifies every gift. (1 Peter ii. 5.) Out of Christ, He is a consuming fire; but in Christ, a reconciled Father.

Christ was to be the Head of the church; and the Spirit descended upon him, by him to be imparted to all believers, in his gifts, graces, and comforts.

This descent of the Spirit upon Christ, showed that he was endued with his sacred

influences without measure. The Spirit of Christ resembles the gentle dove. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: by abounding in these we glorify God, to whose service we were devoted, when we were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

May we have grace to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God-the Saviour of the world; and if the Almighty Creator was well pleased with him, may we be well pleased and thankful "above all things for his inestimable love in the redemption of us and the whole world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory."

Art thou the Son of God indeed!
And of provisions stand in need!
Then change at once these stones to bread,
Ind let both thee and I be fed.

JESUS TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL.

The tempter of mankind in vain
Tryed his aim with Christ to gain,
Spurn'd and repuls'd at last he flies,
And minist'ring angels Heaven supplies.

THE temptation of our Saviour by the devil, as narrated by the Evangelist, has in it much that is striking, and to poor tempted sinners great encouragement. After Jesus had been baptized by John, he was led into the wilderness by the Spirit of God, where for forty days and nights he fasted; at the end of which time being hungry, Satan came to him, and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread," (Matthew iv. 3.) In reply to which, Christ told him that "Man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (ver. 4.)

After this the devil took him up into the