influence on the progress of the Kingdom of Christ. But the specific task which I have proposed to myself is, to discover and follow the single line of evangelical doctrine and practice. Doubtless, when larger fields of view shall open upon us, and fuller powers of vision, brighter faculties, and larger hearts shall be given to us, we shall perceive how the whole web of worldly affairs, so tangled in appearance now, has been pervaded by the one beautiful design of Divine mercy.

The Papal Church is constructing a biographical history of enormous dimensions. It is framed on the basis of the Romish calendar, and consists of an exhaustive life of every canonized Saint. All the famous libraries of the world have been laid under contribution in order to its accomplishment. For nearly two hundred years, a succession of learned men have given their lives to the task as a religious duty. The Bollandists, the most diligent and devoted compilers, have given a name to the colossal undertaking. It is still progressing; its steps are

measured by decades, and its least utterances are folios. The fresh-looking volume published in 1863

is the continuator of a series of which the first members already bear the venerable hue of past

ages.

My aim is vastly more restricted than this, and may well be expressed by the Latin proverb, "Melius est petere fontes, quam sectari rivulos."