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was perfectly correct, and then added the following interesting particulars :

no safeguard like the fear of God; no security like his grace. We have hope of you if you feel "Dr Johnson (said he) did feel as you describe, and your need of this, and if, instead of being highminded, you are afraid for yourselves. was not to be comforted by the ordinary topics of con"But let solation which were addressed to him. In consequence, him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he he desired to see a clergyman, and particularly describ ed the views and character of the person whom he wished to consult. After some consideration, a Mr Winstanley was named, and the Doctor requested Sir John Hawkins to write a note in his name, requesting Mr W.'s attendance as a minister.

fall."

3. Beware of the beginning of sin. The wounded spirit was once unbroken; the prodigal feeding on husks, was once in his father's house; the unhappy man who perishes on the scaffold, was once innocent of crimes. But the corruption of the heart, not subdued; evil customs learnt ; bad company frequented; Sabbath-days profaned; extravagant habits acquired, which crave for the means of gratification; these have hurried him on till character is lost, crimes perpetrated, and the insupportable load of a wounded spirit is felt, and produces woes and groans unutterable! O flee from temptation,-stand firm at the beginning. Implore most earnestly the grace of God, to sanctify, to preserve, to guide, to keep you. With Jabez say, and that with holy earnestness and importunity, "O keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me."

Lastly, Ever keep in view, the inseparable connection, as betwixt holiness and happiness, so betwixt sin and sorrow. This is a real, an indissoluble connection; whereas, betwixt sickness and misery, betwixt poverty and wretchedness, there is no necessary connection. Neither, on the other hand, is there any real connection between wealth and happiness, betwixt what we call the good things of this life and real comfort, between a splendid dwelling and a happy possessor. We know not good or evil by what we see. Happiness and misery lie not on the surface, and depend not on outward events. "O ye sons of men, how long will ye love vanities and seek after deceit. Know, that Jehovah hath chosen the godly for himself." "Great peace have they that love God's law, nothing shall offend them." But "there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked!" "A wounded spirit, who can bear?"

THE DEATH-BED OF

DR SAMUEL JOHNSON.

THE following particulars connected with the views of
Dr Johnson, when on his death-bed, are abridged from
a letter which was found among the late Mrs Hannah
More's papers.
The writer was the Rev. J. Sangar,

then near Colchester, afterwards of Bristol.

"My Dear Friend, I ought to apologise for delaying so long to gratify your wishes, by committing to paper a conversation which I had with the late Rev. Mr Storry of Colchester, respecting Dr Johnson.

"We were riding together near Colchester, when I asked Mr Storry, whether he had ever heard that Dr Johnson expressed great dissatisfaction with himself on the approach of death; and that in reply to friends, who, in order to comfort him, spoke of his writings in defence of virtue and religion, he had said, admitting all you urge to be true, how can I tell when I have done enough.'

"Mr S. assured me, that what I had just mentioned

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"Mr W. could not attend, but wrote to Dr Johnson: Permit me to write what I would wish to say were I present. I can easily conceive what would be the subjects of your inquiry. I can conceive, that the views of yourself have changed with your condition, and that, on the near approach of death, what you once

considered mere peccadilloes have arisen into mountains of guilt, whilst your best actions have dwindled into nothing. On whichever side you look, you see only positive transgressions, or defective obedience; and hence, in self-despair, are eagerly inquiring, "What shall I I say to you, in the language of the "Behold the Lamb of God!"' Baptist, "When Sir John Hawkins came to this part of Mr

do to be saved?"

W.'s letter, the Doctor interrupted him, anxiously asking, Does he say so? Read it again, Sir John. Sir John complied, upon which the Doctor said, I must see that man,-write again to him.' Mr Winstanley replied by letter, renewing and enlarging on the subject of his first; and these communications, together with the conversation of the late Mr Latrobe, who was a particular friend of Dr Johnson, appear to have been blessed by God in bringing this great man to the renunciation of self, and a simple reliance on Jesus as his Saviour; thus also communicating to him, that peace which he had found the world could not give, and which, when the world was fading from his view, was sufficient to fill the void, and dissipate the gloom, even of the valley of the shadow of death.

"I cannot conclude, without remarking what honour God has hereby put upon the doctrine of faith in a crucified Saviour. The man, whose intellectual powers had awed all around him, was, in his turn, made to tremble when the period arrived at which all knowledge apof the true God, and of Jesus whom he has sent. pears useless, and vanishes away, except the knowledge fectually to attain this knowledge, this giant in literature must become a little child. The man looked up to as a prodigy of wisdom, must become a fool that he might be wise.

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"What a comment is this upon that word, loftiness of men shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.""

THE SABBATH EVENING SCHOOL.

BY THE REV. THOMAS DIMMA, A.M.,
Minister of Queensferry.

THE present age is pre-eminently distinguished, over all that have preceded it, by the mighty and diversified exertions that are made for the improvement of the human mind. Every day presents some new scheme; and arguments, to draw attention to it, are advanced with all the zeal that a new proposal excites. No sooner does one candidate for public favour, introduce his favourite theory, with the certainty of unequalled suc cess, than another, equally confident in the superiority of his plan, is ready to believe that he has outstripped all his predecessors, and has, at length, discovered the true road to the culture of the intellect, and the strengthening of all the powers of the mind. There is, how

ever, a fashion in mental training and the subjects of it, as well as in the gymnastic exercises by which the body is strengthened, and the muscular action quickened and improved. The men of one generation wonder what torpor benumbed the energies of those who preceded them, while the men who shall afterwards arise, will look back, with equal pity and contempt, on the new light by which we think our horizon is so splendidly illuminated. But among the endless variety of educational courses that are now competitors for public favour, there is one which has silently, but securely, been engaged in advancing the best interests of man, as a rational and immortal being; we refer to the admirable institution of Sabbath Evening Schools. Through their agency, a most powerful influence is exerted on the minds of the young, and the Bible comes before them with more powerful attractions than it previously possessed. Divine truth explained, with simplicity and affection, is made the subject of most inviting study, and its effect upon the mind is evidenced in the improved and accurate grasp the Word of God takes, of all their intellectual pursuits, and preparations for entering on the duties of life, as immortal beings,-the destined heirs of an eternal existence. Truth gradually finds a more cordial reception into the youthful mind, and its excellence, discovered by frequent contemplations, makes an impression that time cannot obliterate. The germs of spiritual regeneration, fructify in a soil, which, on their first appearance, are watered by the dews of the Holy Spirit, and at each fuller expansion, are met by a kindlier and ampler outpouring of heavenly grace. Children, in this way, speedily become a most pleasing subject of concern to every benevolent mind, and a special object of attention to every pastor who labours faithfully in the vineyard of the Lord.

While the young are making most gratifying advances in Scriptural knowledge, the process of learning the lessons of the school, exerts a most beneficial influence on the minds of their parents, and the other members of the family circle. They very naturally aid the young in their varied preparations, and thus insensibly become learners, and more anxious students of the sacred record than they previously were. The very act of simplifying instruction, and varying the mode of impressing it on the minds of the young, is a most admirable auxiliary in fixing divine truth deeper, and rendering its value more apparent to the mind of an anxious and conscientious parent.

The parent and the child thus go on together in the course of a most interesting and improving study. The solution of doubts that retard the progress of the child, sharpens the intellectual acumen of the parents; and continued practice in the art of simplifying instruction, is attended with the most beneficial results on the whole domestic circle. The Sabbath evening preparations, in this way, become a common good; all are interested in them; and the comparisons insensibly made, between the expositions of one, and the conceptions of another, stimulate all to persevering and more anxious exertion. Families are thus imperceptibly improved, and the spirit of the Bible insinuates itself, where previously it was a stranger. These are objects well deserving the most anxious attention, and if they can be promoted, by any means, every exertion should be made for the attainment of this very desirable end.

the labours, which the remainder of the evening is to claim as its own.

The week that preceded has had spread over it the diversified subjects, to a measure of time suitable for each, and the regularity and order that have been observed in the prosecution of the work, have secured to the diligent and persevering, that composure which makes the sound of the Sabbath evening bell the note of joyful preparation. The commencing prayer solemnizes the mind for the engagements of the evening; and when the House of God is the appointed place of meeting, the associations, connected with the sacred services of the day, are productive of the most beneficial effects. When parents, or those who feel an interest in the religious improvement of the young, are present, the impression made on their minds is a most powerful stimulus to quicken the exertions, and, for the whole of the evening, to keep the attention of the young alive. In some communities, this attendance is very generally and fully given; while in others, it is very partial or constrained. It is often found that there are numbers who will expatiate on the incalculable advantages of Sabbath School teaching, who limit their approval to words, and leave the instructor to prosecute his work, while spectators look on with indifference, or satisfy themselves with the correctness of their ideas, and consider this sufficient inducement to the young to frequent Sabbath School tuition, and the labourer to prosecute b.s exertions, under the chilly atmosphere that such approval throws around him.

But men who love their work, and see hat the interests of immortal souls are concerned, do not slacken their diligence, though thus deprived of cordial co-operation. They are animated with nobler motives than the applause of men, and go on, in the prosecution of their duty, looking to Him who will bless the work of their hands, and render their labours instrumental for the advancement of his glory, and the good of souls.

The writer will now endeavour to explain the process of Sabbath School tuition, by a reference to the school in his own parish.

The children are assembled, and placed in their respective seats, according to their merits, and the times of their attendance; each individual pupil commencing at the lowest station, and working his way upwards, according to diligence or the weight of talent. The Psalms of David or the Paraphrases of Scripture, in appointed portions, are recited by all, either in whole or in part, as is considered convenient. The utmost attention is pd to clearness of articulation, and the marking of the pauses, so that the meaning, on close and immediate examination, may be apparent. Illustrations and allusions meet with immediate attention, and explanations are given, so that no pupil leaves his psalm without a complete understanding of its meaning, if ordinary at ention be given, and moderate application be bestowel.

This initiatory and comparatively easy work is followed up by select portions of Scripture, which are accurately prepared by all, and made the subject of a close and searching examination. One portion of divine truth is brought forward to support and confirm another; and the minds of the children, habituated to this exercise, improve most rapidly in skill and readiness of application. The business of the evening then takes a new direction, in the bringing forward of Scripture

The systematic operation of a well constituted Sab-proots, in support of the great leading doctrines of the bath School is admirably conducive to this purpose. By this is meant, the judicious disposition of the various exercises, over suitable times, and the unslumbering activity by which the instructor watches over and stimulates the exertion of his youthful charge. The time for the commencement of evening labour is fixed at such an interval between the public duties of the Sabbath as to allow a suitable pause for meditations on the services of the sanctuary, and then a gathering up the mind for

Christian faith. These texts of Scripture are all accurately prepared and repeated. Each child in the lower seats gives one or two proofs, and those increase in number, through the advancing seats, until the first and second are reached, where the proofs are multiplied from about fifteen or twenty, to about thirty. The exercises of the advanced classes are prepared with admirable precision, and, without the slightest assistance from the Bible, are pronounced with readiness; and as the search

has been their own, aided by the assistance of friends, the intelligence apparent in the exercises of the advanced division is very gratifying. When their minds are occasionally led to review, without previous preparation, their former labours, the facility with which this is done, is most pleasing and satisfactory.

found entering with an avidity that insures almost certain success.

In a population where there are many dissenters, no distinction has ever been drawn-all have been admitted who desired to obtain it. No other application is ne cessary than merely taking their seat in the lowest place The Shorter Catechism, with and without proofs, in the school: this is the intimation, which is immediate takes up most advantageously a portion of the evening. ly understood, and acted upon. The boon of admis Accuracy of repetition, and an understanding of what sion is duly prized by most parents, who consider the is repeated, are never, for a moment, lost sight of, and labours of the week much accelerated by Sabbath School each separate question is broken down into such minute exertions, and speak with satisfaction of the improveparts, that the young mind, aided by every explanation, ment made by such attendance. The children become is brought to grasp what, at first sight, appeared beyond attached to their work, and delight in making their ite comprehension. A most admirable spirit of honour-preparations. The monthly distribution of the volumes able emulation is kept alive during this part of the even- of an extensive collection of books and tracts, is hailed ing's labours, and the efforts which the aspiring and in- with great delight, and the countenances of the young genuous mind makes to take the highest place, are most glisten, when new and attractive works are, for the delightful specimens of intellectual exertion. The first time, put into their hands. youthful mind is enlivened by a change of employment. To promote this, the Scriptures are now opened by the whole school, and the girls and boys read alternately, the one division listening while the other reads. The Bibles then being closed, the chapters read become the subject of close examination, and every particular comes to be considered, which tends to the illustration of the Sacred Volume. As Scripture geography has also a place in the studies of the evening, and as maps, on a large scale, are suspended on the walls, every town, river, mountain, or province, is, when it occurs. pointed out or described. A single reading of a chapter is sufficie. t to transfuse the spirit of the passage into the minds of the pupils, and the memory becomes so retentive, that the very words are remembered.

To sec ire attention in Church, the various subjects of discourse, in the respective places of worship, are made a matter of special consideration; and the plan and substance of the lectures or sermons, are stated in a manner con esponding with the age and attention of the pupils to whom questions are proposed. Very frequently most satisfactory answers are returned, at other times the results of an examination are less accurate and ready. The nature of the subjects discussed, or the method of treating them, produces great differences in the results of this examination. But though the conceptions of some inay be very feeble, in the commencement of Church attendance, a great increase is made at each successive stage of their progress.

The labours of the evening are concluded, by the repetition of sacred poetry from select authors, by four of the children, proceeding in rotation through twenty of the most advanced. About the middle of the various exe cises, two of the pupils recite a prayer, composed by then selves from Scripture, and in its language. This part of the work is attended with most decided advantages, the devotional parts of Scripture are made the subject of careful study, the mind is familiarized with them, and food for the soul is thus laid up, which, by the blessing of God, it is believed, will form a store, from which supplies may be drawn at every season, and according to every variety of circumstance and situation. With the duties of the coming week prescribed, and the blessing of Almighty God pronounced, the children of the Sabbath Evening School retire to their respective homes, after having been exercised for nearly three hours.

The Queensferry Parochial Sabbath School is now in the sixteenth year of its operations, and it has assembled, with very few vacant evenings, between eighty and one hundred children, of both sexes. The whole business of this numerous class is conducted without assistance; but so accurately does the ma chinery work, that through the whole evening there is scarcely one who has not something to do when the others are engaged. By the continual shifting, at regular intervals, of the subjects of study, the mind preserves its elasticity, and on every fresh subject it is

Parents here, with very few exceptions, are ready to approve of the benefits of Sabbath School tuition, and gladly co-operate in the plans that are suggested for its improvement; but there are also some, who, not va luing or attending Sabbath ministrations themselves, are at no pains to secure for their children what they themselves do not understand. All who fear God, or are desirous to reverence his name, are most anxious to enrol their children in the list of the Sabbath School, and also, as opportunity offers, to incite them to exertion by their presence.

The writer of this paper has had the satisfaction of seeing hundreds of his parishioners pass through his hands; and there are few between the ages of six and twenty-four, who have not, at some period, taken their place in the Sabbath Evening School. The gratitude and the substantial thanks of the people have been shewn in a most gratifying way; and if an incitement to exertion were required, it would be afforded in the thanks and blessings of many a parent and many a Christian friend.

Instances are not rare, in which, when on sick beds, and at the hour of death, the lessons of the Sabbath have made a deep and a comforting impression; and the clearness of perception, and the accuracy of recollection, by which the closing hours of life have been distinguished, have shed a bright ray of light around that momentous season. It is fondly hoped, that those who now still retain their places, and perform their Sabbath evening labours, will feel the blessed effusions of divine grace shed abroad on their souls, and come forth, when duty calls, as those who are remembering their Creator in the days of their youth, and who, from the season of childhood, know the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make them wise to salvation.

CHRISTIAN TREASURY.

Heavenly meditation urged upon the Christian.-As for you, whose hearts God has weaned from all things here below, I hope you will value this heavenly life, and take one walk every day in the New Jerusalem. God is your love and your desire; you would fain be more acquainted with your Saviour; and I know it is your grief your hearts are not nearer to him, and that you do not more feelingly love him, and delight in him. O try this life of meditation on your heavenly rest! Here is the mount on which the fluctuating ark of your souls may rest. Let the world see by your lives, that religion is something more than opinions and disputes, or a talk of outward duties. As Moses, before he died, went up into Mount Nebo, to take a survey of the land of Canaan, so the Christian ascends the mount of contemplation, and, by faith, surveys his rest. He looks upon the glorious mansions, and says, glorious things are deservedly spoken of thee, thou city of God!" he hears, as it were, the melody of the choir, and says, "happy is the people that are in such a case! yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord."

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He looks upon the glorified inhabitants, and says, "Happy art thou, O Israel, who is like unto thee, O people, saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency!" When he looks upon the Lord himself, who is their glory, he is ready with the rest to fall down and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and say, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come! Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power!" When he looks on the glorified Saviour, he is ready to say, "Amen," to that new song! Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us unto God kings and priests! When he looks back on the wilderness of this world, he blesses the believing, patient, despised saints; he pities the ignorant, miserable world; and for himself, he says, "it is good for me to draw near to God, for, lol they that are far off from thee shall perish." Thus, as Daniel, in his captivity, opened his window to Jerusalem, though far out of sight, when he went to God in his devotions, so may the believing soul, in this captivity of the flesh, look towards the New Jerusalem which is above. Paul was to the Colossians, so may the believer be with the glorified spirits, though absent in the flesh, yet with them in the spirit, joining and beholding their heavenly order. And as the lark sweetly sings as she soars or high, but is suddenly silenced when she falls to the earth, so is the frame of the soul most delightful and divine while it keeps in the view of God by contemplation. Alas, we make there too short a stay, fall down and lay by our music.-BAXTER.

And as

Holiness Essential to Salvation.-Jesus, our victoriOs Saviour, has snatched us from the jaws of eternal death; but to be delivered from the cruel tyranny and bonds of sin, and to be brought into the blessed liberty of the sons of God, was another essential part of our redemption, and if any one does not embrace this with equal alacrity and delight as the other benefit, he is a wretched slave of a mean and ignoble spirit, and being equally unworthy of both parts of this stupendous deIverance, he will justly forfeit and lose both. And

this is the epidemical Antinomianism of the Christian world, because they who labour under it have nothing but the name of Christians: they gladly hear of the pardon of their sins, and the salvation of their souls, while they are averse to the doctrine of holiness and repentance. It is a disagreeable message, a hard saying, and who can bear it? But oh the incomparable charms of holiness! ARCHBISHOP LEIGHTON.

Differences among Christians.-It is with sensible regret that we read of any difference, and much more of a sharp contention arising between Paul and Barnabas, so dear to each other in the bond both of human and Christian friendship: but we see it arose to some degree of severity, in consequence of a remainder of imperfection in the temper of the one or the other, yea, probably of both; they separated therefore, but it plainly appears they did not become enemies. They preached the saine Gospel, though in different companies, each takes his proper circuit, and thus the work of the Lord was performed with greater dispatch, and perhaps with greater success.-DR DODDRIDGE.

Advancement in the Divine Life.-Every man hath his indiscretions and infirmities, his arrests and sudden incursions, his violences to reason and peevish melancholy, his unaptness to prayer, his fondness to judge favourably of himself, voluntary and involuntary deceptions, ignorance and inadvertencies, careless hours, and unwatchful seasons. This happens more frequently in persons of an infant piety, when the virtue is not

corroborated by a long abode, and a confirmed resolution, and an usual victory, and a triumphant grace; and the longer we are accustomed to piety, the more unfrequent will be the little breaches of folly and a returning to sin. But as the needle of a compass, when it is directed to its beloved star, at the first waves on either side, and seems indifferent to the rising or declining sun, and when it seems first determined to the north, remains a while trembling, and stands not still in full enjoyment till after first a great variety of motion, and then an undisturbed posture: so is the piety, and so is the conversion of a man, wrought by degrees and several steps of imperfection; and at first our choices are wavering, convinced by the grace of God, and yet not persuaded; and then persuaded, but not resolved; and then resolved, but deferring to begin; and then beginning, but, as all beginnings are, in weakness and uncertainty; and we fly out often into large indiscretions, and we look back to Sodom, and long to return to Egypt; and when the storm is quite over, we find little bubblings and unevennesses upon the face of the waters, and often weaken our own purposes by returns of sin.-JEREMY TAYLOR.

The Ancient and the Modern Believers.-All the difference betwixt a good Jew and a good Christian consists in this; the one waited for the first coming of Christ, in the weakness of mortal flesh; the other waits for his second coming in the majesty of immortal glory. QUESNEL.

Ye know not at what hour the Son of Man cometh.— One idea contained in these passages of Scripture which connect watchfulness with the coming of the Lord, is this, that when he comes, the whole house, both Church and world, shall be in a deep sleep, as a house at midnight, which, for this reason, is called the dead hour of night. And as the thief, with stealthy foot, advanceth upon a peaceful slumbering house, to break into it, and take whatever is most precious, and carry it off; so shall Christ come into the strong man's house, into Satan's usurped princedom of the earth, and thence convey whatever is most precious, the gold, the silver, and the precious stones; rifling the grave for precious dust, and searching the corners of the earth for holy men.- -Anon.

On doing Good.-To see the boldness of the agents of Satan, and the timidity of the soldiers of Christ, is affecting indeed! Yet how much condemnation have I in my own mind on that account, not that prudence is to be discarded in this matter. "Speak not in the ears of a fool lest he despise the wisdom of thy words," is a necessary caution; yet we are apt oftener to err on the other side. In short, in this case, as well as in others, we stand in continual need of that guidance and unerring direction promised to us; and by daily prayer for the Holy Ghost, he will guide us in that path which, as Mr Hart expresses it, "the vulture's eye hath not seen. This I have always found,-that when I have lifted up my soul to God, to be made useful wherever I have been geing, I seldom, or never, came away without an answer to my prayer. I would endeavour, that every morning I may rise with an active and steady purpose to be doing something for God, as the miser rises with the design to get more gain each day.— VENN.

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How may I Know the Truth ?-O what an excellent interpreter is experience! Taste and see, for thus the serious Christian getteth a view of the Scriptures, and spiritual things, which the most subtle and piercing eye of unsanctified schoolmen cannot reach; yea, by the practice of truth, by nearness to God, and by retiring of the soul to him, he hath often got more light in one hour, than others have in many days, by putting their judgment and invention upon the rack.-Fleming's Fulfilling of Scripture.

SACRED POETRY.

HYMN OF THE HEBREW MAID.

WHEN Israel, of the Lord beloved,

Out from the land of bondage came, Her father's God before her moved,

An awful guide, in smoke and flame. By day, along the astonish'd lands

The cloudy pillar glided slow; By night, Arabia's crimson'd sands Return'd the fiery pillar's glow.

There rose the choral hymn of praise,

And trump and timbrel answer'd keen; And Zion's daughters pour'd their lays,

With priests' and warriors' voice between. No portents now our foes amaze,

Forsaken Israel wanders lone; Our fathers would not know Thy ways, And Thou hast left them to their own.

But present still, though now unseen,

When brightly shines the prosperous day, Be thoughts of Thee a cloudy screen, To temper the deceitful ray. And, oh! when stoops on Judah's path, In shade and storm the frequent night, Be Thou, long-suffering, slow to wrath, A burning and a shining light! Our harps we left by Babel's streams, The tyrant's jest, the Gentiles' scorn; No censer round our altar beams,

And mute are timbrel, trump and horn. But Thou hast said, "The blood of goat, The flesh of rams, I will not prize; A contrite heart, an humble thought, Are mine accepted sacrifice."

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BY ALEXANDER Letham,
Blind from Early Life...

GREAT refulgent orb of day,

O! what joys thou dost impart,—
O! how sweet thy cheering ray
To the eye and to the heart.

See the lark with transport rise
To salute thy early beam;
Whilst thou, in the eastern skies,

Smil'st on mountain, wood, and stream.

Sweetly thou unfold'st to view,
Nature in her rich attire ;
Giv'st the rose her lovely hue,
And the ruby all its fire.

Yet the scenes thou dost display,
Cannot, to the human breast,
Lasting happiness convey;

Earth is not our place of rest!
Lasting joys are only found

Far beyond thy golden sphere;
There unfading flowers abound,

There the sky is ever clear.
There a brighter sun doth shine,
Which shall cheer the spotless soul
With resplendent beams divine,
Long as endless ages roll.

MISCELLANEOUS.

A Minister's Family.-The Rev. John Newton re lates, that many proofs had passed under his immediate notice of the faithfulness of God in answering the prayers of parents, who had left behind them young and helpless children. He especially mentions a friend of his, a laborious Christian minister, in the west of England, in whose family the divine promise was fulfilled. This good man, when dying, was advised to make his will, but he replied, "I have nothing to leave but my wife and children, and I leave them to the care of my gracious God;" and soon after died happily. No prospect appeared for the support of his family; but the Lord disposed a man, who had always despised his preaching, to feel for his destitute family; and, by this means, L. 1600 were raised for them; and the clergy of Exeter, who had never countenanced his ministry, gave his widow a house and garden for life; so that she lived in greater ease and plenty than in the lifetime of her husband.

The expiring Martyr.-John Huss, the Bohemian martyr, beheld and acknowledged the hand of Providence in the time and manner of his death. There was something peculiarly affecting and sublime in his exclamation to his treacherous and brutal tormentors. After he had offered a beautiful supplication on their behalf, in which, like his great Exemplar, he implored mercy and not vengeance upon his murderers, the bishops appointed by the council of Constance stripped him of his sacerdotal garments, degraded him from his priestly function and university degrees, and put a paper mitre upon his head, covered with the resemblances of infernal spirits, and with this inscription, "A ringleader of heretics."-The heroic martyr smiled, and said, "It is less painful than a crown of thorns." His last supplication amidst the flames was, "Jesus Christ, thou Son of the living God, have mercy upon me!"

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The natural effect of Infidelity.-A man-servant of Mallet's, upon whose mind an appropriate impression was made by the blasphemous conversation which he continually heard as he waited at table, watched his opportunity, and absconded with a considerable quantity of valuable property belonging to his master. Being apprehended, he was urged by Mallet to confess his reason for his infamous behaviour. "Sir," said he, "I have heard you and your friends so often talk of the impossibility of a future state, and that after death there was no reward for virtue, nor punishment for vice, that I was tempted to commit the robbery." 'Well," replied Mallet, "but had you no fear of that death which the laws of your country inflict upon the crime?" Sir," said the servant, looking sternly at his master, "what is that to you, if I had a mind to venture that? you and your wicked companions had removed the greater terror, why should I fear the less ?"

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Subscription (payable in advance) per quarter, of twelve weeks, 1s. 6d. per half-year, of twenty-four weeks, 3s.-per year, of fortyeight weeks, 6s.-Monthly Parts, containing four Numbers each, stitched in a printed wrapper, price Sixpence,

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