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IONA, OR ICOLMKILL,

ONE OF THE MOST DISTANT OF THE GROUP OF ISLANDS TERMED THE HEBRIDES, IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.

"THE man is little to be envied, whose Patriotism would not gain force on the plains of MARATHON, or whose Piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of IONA!"

The sequestered Island of Iona is interesting to the picturesque eye, from its isolated situation, its panoramic views of the green Isles of Tiree, Coll, Treshnish Isles, and above all of that wondrous work of nature the basaltic caved Staffa,-here, that sun which rises and sets to all the world, sinks into the ocean with peculiar beauty.

The romantic ruins of an ancient monastery and convent the tombs of numerous kings and chieftains--the crosses and other relics of devotion,-furnish the thoughtful traveller with deep and appropriate subjects for contemplation. But this little Isle is peculiarly interesting to the Christian, from being the chosen spot where Christianity was first planted in Scotland by Saint Columba, who, braving the perils of the ocean in an open boat, came thither from Ireland in the year 563. The Island has been visited by many illustrious travellers, Dr. Samuel Johnson, Leigh Richmond, &c. And since the establishment of a steam-boat, it has become the scene of general resort of travellers from all parts of Europe.

An accurate description of this Island has been

published by the Reverend James Anderson, and may be found in the Olive Branch for 1830.

To Allan Maclean, the schoolmaster, a very aged man, the inhabitants for many years were chiefly in-debted for their instruction in religion and morality: but there is now a regular clergyman and a Government chapel.

In the summer of 1832, the sum of twenty-five pounds was collected by an English lady who had visited the Island, and placed in the hands of the Minister, along with some smaller sums collected by others, for the establishment of an Infant School in the most populous part of the Island. It is now begun with every prospect of success-indeed has succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations-fiftytwo scholars are in attendance. The sum collected was small, but the managers have faith in the blessing of God accompanying the good work, and that the pecuniary means for its support may be raised, by the friendly contributions of well-wishers to the cause, and by a voluntary mite, from the numerous travellers who visit this Island during the summer months, -and perhaps it is not altogether a visionary prospect that from the ruins of the ancient monastery, now fast crumbling into dust, a COLLEGE may arise, which may once more become the SEMINARY of LEARNING for the Western Isles.

"And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

THERE is a question in the Shorter Catechism, "What is God?" to which the answer is, "God is a Spirit-infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth." This answer is long and correct; but a shorter answer might be given in a short word—a word of one syllable-Love; God is love. The law may be compressed into a very small compass; or, may expand and be extended into numerous ramifications. It is exceeding broad, and comprehends the thoughts and intents of the heart. The first of all the commandments is, " Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one. Lord"- "And thou shalt love the

Lord thy God with all thy heart," &c.-" This is the first commandment, and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." There are two nails, on which the whole depends on the one is love, and on the other is love -God is love. True, he hath other attributes; but to his love alone are we indebted for our salvation. If, in the Garden of Eden, he had said, "In the day thou eatest of the forbidden tree, thou shalt surely be condemned; but I will find a ransom," then on his truth we might have relied-to his truth we would have been indebted for our salvation. But he did not say so he said, "In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die." And his justice, holiness, and truth, demanded the execution of the sentence, had not his love intervened, in delivering up his only begotten Son to suffer our penalty, the just for the unjust, that we might be saved.

In a former discourse, we endeavoured to show the extent and obligations of the first commandment, and how all was involved in it—for where the heart is given, all else follows: " My son give me thy heart," saith the Lord. Let us now look what wonders the second commandment could accomplish, if fully acted upon. What a transformation would take place in society? There would be no murder. There were many secret murders which would be brought to light at the day of judgment: there were many in that house: true-their hands had not been embued with blood, but there were slow murders, and suicides daily committing in this city; and who, even amongst the

"I am no

best, could hold up his hands and say, murderer; I never was angry; I never entertained a revengeful thought; I never let the sun go down upon my wrath; I have always loved my neighbour as myself. Were this law acted upon, there would be no drunkards; there would be no liars; no swearers; no false witnesses; no covetousness. It would open the heart of the miser. No need of courts of justice; no need of bonds of security; every one would speak the truth to his neighbour; and man might rely on man. When Huss, the Reformer, relying on a safe conduct—a written document given to him he ventured into the lion's den of his opponents; and, notwithstanding the conduct, they took him and tied him to the stake, and burnt him alive; saying, "No faith could be kept with heretics."—“ I hope there is no one so ignorant in this assembly as to think the word neighbour merely means those who live near us; the appellation neighbour is a common form of speech--such a one is not my neighbour, he is not in my neighourhood, &c. All mankind are our neighbours-all the descendants of Adam, be they of what country, or colour, or rank, or station, come under the title of neighbour; and, as such, we are commanded to love them as ourselves. Our love should extend to all-and to all the saints gone before in Heaven."

He could not possibly understand how any one could trust to find acceptance with God, through his own works. True, men did some good deeds, but they were all tainted with sin-all impure-unfit to present to a holy God, who must have a perfect right