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INDEX.
PAOS
Auf OBT Saved ! . . 77
America, and a Better Country 17 Atoms ... 63
Beantifal (The) but Deadly Tree 56 Beaatifnl, How to be: a
Secret . . 6,20,27
Beloved Friend, The . 92
Bible (The) a Lamp . 4
Bombay, Labours in . 124
Butterfly (The) and its Lessons 61
Coming to Jesns . Coral Beefs Cross, Soldiers of the Cromb of Comfort for Boys, A .
Doll
82
18
128
182
Death in a Lighthouse . 89
Deadly Tree, The Beautiful but 56 Dull Boys, A Crumb of Comfort for . . 182
Samest Zaccheus Eye of God, The
52 100
Palling Bain, The . . 60
Flowers (The) of the Garden 78, 92 " Fox," The Voyage of the 18, 80, 41
Garden, The Flowers of the 78, 92 Glimpses of India . 84, 46
Good Answer, A . , 108
Good Bishop Wilson, Words
from the Life of . 87
Good Deed, A Little GirVs 188 Gold Pieces, The Two Pots of 1
Happy Mary . . 108
Honest Ragged Lad, The . 119
How to be Beautiful : a Secret
5,20,27 How to be Loved . . 66
lu^vsTSATioyg : — A Lime Girrs Good Deed Almost Bared .
188
77
An Orphan's Faith An Unwelcome GueSt . Beloved Friend, The . Butterfly and its Lessons, The Captive Ship, The Coral Reefs * »
Earnest ZaCcheus «
First Fruits of Victory . Flowers of the Garden, The Happy Mary . How to be Beautiful Kayak, The
Lambs in His Arms, The Leprosy of Sin ; •
"Mother, What is Death?" " My Jew«l8 " "My Mother" . PaiQine Fatme . Shipwreck, The . .
Taking Possession Twin Children, The Two Foundations. The . Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness, The
Paqe 114 81
India, Glimpses of
92 61 66 19 62
121 78
106
6,21,27
16
66
9S
102 97 46 86 10 87
126
109
187 84,46
Labours in Bombay, . 134
" Lambs (The) in his Anns " 56 Lame Cobbler, The . 40
Lamp, The Bible a . 4
Leprosy (The) of Sin . 26
Lessons, The Butterfly and its 61 Lighting a Lamp . . 186
Locomotive, The Sunday School 68 "Lord's (The) Song in a Strange Land" . . 88
Man (The) that killed his
Neighbours . . 67
"My Mother" . . 46
"My Jewels" . . 97
" My Son, give me thine Heaacl" \«\.
If eta Home
Neighbours, The "M-aa laa&X
HUed his Nothing Finiahed,
IV
INDBX.
PAGE
Only People in the World, The 33 Only Three Things Wanted 114 Orphan's Faith, An . 114
Pauline Fatme, The Story of
68, 78, 86, 103, 115
POETBT —
An Apostle's Hymn . 48 Hymns . . 120,132,140
" Is it WeU with the Child » 12
" Mother, What is Death ? " 102
The Alpine Cross . 96
The Coral Polype . 24
The Little Pilgrim . 78 The Sinner Pleading with
Christ ... 60
Time ... 86
Sweet Sights and Sonnds 72
What a Penny may do . 64
Question and Answer, A . 01
"Right from Heaven" . 99
Bight Way (The) to Begin 139
Sacred Gate, The . . 87
PAGE
Sin, The Leprosy of . 25
Soldiers of llie Cross . 123
South Sea Islands, Tales of
the . . 49,65,89,121
Strange Land, The Lord's
Song in a . . 83
Sunday School Locomotive,
The ... 63
Tales of the South Sea Islands
49, 65, 89, 121 Three Hard Words . 130
Twin Children, The . 126
Two Foundations, The . 109 Two Pots of Gold Pieces, The 1
Very Good, and Very Bich 20
Voyage (The) of the "Fox"
18,30,41 Voice (The) of One Crying in theWiLdemess . . 137
Winding the Skein . 88
Words from the Life of Good
Bishop Wilson . . 37
World, The only People in 33
THE
SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TEEASURY.
t %iss iirts ijf §al)i iieas.
iN a large and lovely garden there were two children dwell* ing. They were permitted to roam over it as they pleased ; to eat its fruit ; to sport under the shadows of its trees ; to trim its flower- plots ; and to keep its long gravel walks free of weeds.
One day I beheld a fairy figure gliding towards these children where they sat, on a bench tired with play. She was dressed in a robe of gossamer; and, as her feet twinkled over the dewy grass, they were sheen as silver. She carried in each hand a pot of gold pieces ; and when she drew near, she laid them down at the chUdren's feet, Baying, in a street voice, and with a smile
like a flash of sunlight, " In each pot, my children, yon will flnd three hundred and sixty- flve pure gold coins. I give them to you to spend as you like best. Farewell ! "
With that, when I looked, she was gone. The children were delighted, I need not say. One was dark, but comely too. The other was fair, and gentle, and dovelike in his beauty. They kissed hands over their gifts, and then each ran to hide his pot in his own favourite nook.
After that, I saw that they agreed to spend one golden coin each day. On the first day, the dark-faced child romped about so recklessly that he lost his pvece ^ety early — ^almost ere lYie %wTi was risen. The otYieT Oo^^
Vol. Z— JVo. /.
THE SABBATH BCHOLAB'b TBEASCBT.
I traced curiously into a
little summer bower he had
made himself; and there I
heard such a soft murmur
of voices, that at a creyice
in the wall I looked in, and
beheld him kneel down, and,
with a great awe, but a
beauteous smile on his brow
at the same time, drop his
coin into the hand of One
who was there with him^
but whose face I could not
see, becaitse it was behind a
veil. He took the coin very
tenderly, laid it in a great
chest of treasure of which I
caught a glimpse behind
Him; and then, stooping,
breathed a kiss on the child's
lips. When he came forth
to his work and play, the
sun was up, but it was not
so fair as the sun playing in
his eyes.
Day after day I stole into
the garden to mark these
playmates how they used
their gold ; and always the
first thing in the morning,
he with the fair locks was
seen gliding to his bower,
and from his bower appearing
again happy as a lark. The
other by degrees grew very
sullen. He had somehow,
spite of all his companion
could say to him (for he
spoke to him with a very if "^
winning sorrow often), lost every coin as he took it from his pot ; and so bad grew his temper over his own folly, and so angry did he become with the gentle boy pleading at his side, that at last he went away among the shrubs by himself, played alone in the dark parts of the garden, and left all his portion of the walks and flower-beds to be overrun with weeds. I saw that, because of this, the fair- haired child, as he stooped to his day's work, or ran about beneath the trees, often came to a halt, and wept sadly. Yet in such moments he used to fiy for a minute again into his bower; and, after the murmuring of the voices I had heard before, he issued out with his aery step and his wondrous smile.
Very soon three hundred and sixty-five days came and went. The pots of gold pieces were now emp^y, and there they stood on the bench where the fairy first had placed them. The two children stood waiting for her coming. And presently, to be sure, the figure, draped in gossamer, was seen gleam- ing through the shrubbery ; but the dark-fiiced child, at the ftrst g\\mi^«^ datv^^i ^^
TflS gABBATH SCHOLAE'B TBBABCMT.
and plunged into a thicket hard by. The other laid his pot down at the fairy's silver feet. " It is empty, I see," said the mnsicid voice; '' bow hare you spent the gold coin ? "
^Come and see,*' said the child, a little bashfully; and then, tripping away, his hand linked in her pearl hand, they set off together in the direc- tion of his bower. A low tap at the door, and both entered ; and, looking in through the chink where I had peeped before, I saw the child kneel- ing at the feet of that One whose face was still behind the veil. Pointing to his fairy companion, he asked about the three hundred and sixty-flve gold pieces. And straightway that One reached back into His chest of trea- sure, and brought a crown of gold, which He set on the child's brow, and a garment sewn with gold tissue, with which He dad the child's figure. And the child in amazement looked up into the fairy's face, for that Inrisible One had vanished away!
** I see how it it," said she, softly embracing the little kii7^/ for no less than a king he looked. ** Your gold
pieces have all been beaten out and wrought into this crown and dress; and the Hand into which you gave them each day has restored them an hundred-fold. Hap« py child ! Did you see that the Hand was as if it had been pierced through with a nail ? It is a tender as well as a wonderful Hand; and here it has made you like an angel in heaven ! "
So they came forth joy- fully together, and went to seek the dark-faced child. It was long ere they found him, but at last they did so in a gloomy spot, where he stood with a frown on his brow, and his figure all in misery and rags. The fairy carried his empty pot — she looked at him and looked at it— and there was no need for words— all his pieces had been flung away and lost! Then the fairy put a medal- lion of purest gold round the fair child, and, as it fell upon his heart, both children saw that it was stamped with a cross, and round it these words shining in 1 *tters of starry light —
t(
Jesni, Thy blood «n^ T\%)a\*o>J%-
nesB My beauty ate, my |&\ot\oT»
dress!"
THB SABBATH 8CH0LAB*S TBEASUBT.
When I looked she was gone, and the dark child was sitting on the ground weep- ing bitterly, while the gold- crowned child was on his knees beside him, putting an arm round him, and telling him the bower was there yet.
and that One in it, and both might go to His very feet
Some of my readers will perhaps read this little tale on New Year's day I860, and I leave them to make out what it means.
W.R.
®6^ iitU a f amp.
;HILDREN in large cities may not fully understand what David meant when he Bud, **Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." When they read these inspired words, they perhaps think of a broad street lighted from one end to the other, so that the traveller can see a long dis- tance before him, and that it was one of these lamps to which David compared the Bible. But David meant more than this. He was once a shepherd boy, and, when a sheep or lamb had strayed from the fold, had in the search for it been belated until darkness closed around his path.
Though homeward bound, how many dangers lay be- fore him ere he could reach his father's house — narrow passes and slippery places, where a false step would prove fatal I Eia path was crooked and narrow, and 4
unseen dangers beset him at every step. What would en- able him to avoid all these, and keep in the right path until he reached his home in safety ? The little Syrian lamp which he carried in his hand, — not much more than a torch, not throwing a bright light on all his future course, but shining around his feet, and shewing him just where to take the next step. Do you not think he prized his little lamp ? Without it he would have wandered in darkness, or perished amid the dangers of the way.
So is the Word of God, the precious Bible, to the Christian, **a lamp to his feet, and a light to his path. His way through the world is narrow and dangerous. Often has he to say with the Psalmist, "My feet had well-nigh slipped." Tempta- tions assail him on every side; \>u\. Vie Vv8A his lamp — ^not Vnde^^ Xo ^^\&\\. u^
»»
THB SABBITH SCHOLAR'S TBBA8UET.
the whole way, but shewing him where to take the next step. When all seems dark, and he does not see his way, he should not murmur that he cannot penetrate through the thick darkness, or des- pond, lest he should not be able to overcome all life's obstacles. The Word of God will shew him present dnty, and that is all he is called upon to perform. That step
taken, its rays will enable him to adTance yet a little further, until he has passed through the *' strait and narrow way," through the dark valley," and entered into the golden street of that celestial city where they need no candle, neither light of the sun ; " for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light there- of."— Recorder,
i*to to k iiatttM : % ^mtt
CHAPTER I.
[N a little hou«e in a little country town dwelt a girl, per- haps about ten years of age, and very ill-favoured in her looks. Naturally her fea- tures were plain in the last degree, her figure and her gait most unlovely ; but the marks left by an attack of small-pox had seamed her face into ugliness still worse ; and the air of discomfort, tawdriness, and misery about her home, threw over her a cloud of bad temper that made everybody shrink away from her in pain. Yet this girl bore the very sweet name of Bessie Lee.
The great thing she wished dajr and night in her
heart was, that she might be beautiful. She had no hope of ever really being so, though sometimes she was vain enough to deck herself with a piece of gay dress, or to wrap up her long black hair in fantastic knots. But no sooner did she look again into her little mirror— a daily companion of hers, into which she would stand gazing with a black frown by the half- hour— than she would see herself a fright again, tear off her bonnet or her dress, stamp them under her feet, and scatter her locks wildly about her shoul- ders. Then, as \i po&&%%%^^ by a dark Bplrit, sihe ^woxiiV^ clench her teeth aad Yittudi^ \
Are would gli ejes ; she trould hate her- self, and the world, and ererybody in it ; and cry out. Why had God bestowcii so much beauty on all the objects He hud made, and left ber each an unsightly . thing? One day she bad relumed
this bitter hnmour— and uobody cao tell jou how reallt/ bitter and tercibie eucli timee wen? to the unhappy girl— and, hav- ing tossed down her books, she was standing at the little dust-covered window, her fnce leaned upon her hands, and \ootmg-%\aiinvL\7
THE BABBATH BOHOLAE'B TREABUKT.
into the Btreet. OntBide it was doll and qniet, and the honses crowded doBe in dark shadow ; onlj between two gables a narrow slit of sky opened, and through that a long slanting sunbeam gave a glimpse of autumn woods, and a shining river, and blue hills in the dis- tance, and then ftll Ml on the dim jmne and Bessie^s scowling fkce. Inside the room it was so dismal you could hardly see. The air was stifling; the floor and shelyes littered with dis- order; the little tent-bed unmade; the ashes on the hearth unswept; and not a chair where any one could TCTture to sit down. For a good while there was dead silence.
'* Bessie," at last said a feeble voice from a comer of the room. It was like a voice out of the grave ; and not till you went near to a high-backed chair beside the fire, could you see a poor, wasted figure, the face half hid, the hands cold and help- less, and all clad round with wretchedness and dirt. This was Bessie Lee's paralysed mother I
^^Beale," said the thin roice ngnin, for BesBle had
given no heed, but instead had fallen to making scores with her finger on the win* dow-pane. At last, turning gruffly round, she replied, •♦ What is it you want ? *
"Water," said the thin cracked lips, very plaintive- ly. Bessie's heart was not softened. She went with a mug to the water-pail, and having, without any gentle- ness, given her mother to drink, she stood sulkily be- fore her, and, with her coal- black glare, met the faded blue eyes turned up so sad.
"Mother," she said, al- most fiercely, "I wish you and I were dead I "
The poor woman was per- haps longpast being shocked, for these outbreaks were often occurring now, as Bessie grew older, and her heart stronger in its bad passions. The faded eyes still gazed, and the thin lips had no answer.
" Why are we so poor ? •* went on the wrathful girl. " Why am I left alone with you ? — why is there no one to help me in taking care of you ? — why do we live in so miserable a house? — why is eyery one I know at %eVvoo\ better off, and better dtew^, and richer, and happiex iVvax
7
THB SABBATH SCHOLAB'B TBEABUBT.
we are ?— and why,** for this was the real secret, "while everybody is good-looking and well liked — why am I so ugly that I am hated and avoided by all who come near me, as if I had the plague ? **
You see Bessie's brooding over the canker of her life had taught her bitter lan- guage, and language even beyond her years.
" My Bible ! ** murmured her mother, for the poor mind wandered ; and though the head had been shaken piteously at Bessie's words, it could not retain them for more than just a minute. " You have not read to me, Bessie, for many days.*' This was slowly and very touchingly said.
" I don't care,'* replied the girl. ** Reading books does me no good. Am I to grow up into a woman, ugly as I am at this moment?— ^a^ is what I want to know I *'
*' My Bible ! ** repeated the voice once more. " You have not read to me for many days."
"I know that,** was the
wild answer, **and what is
more, I won*t do it again.
There is no use in it.
Heading it may make those S
who are better off than we are happy, but it never makes me. Will it change my looks, or will it tell me how I can get beauty into my ugly face ? **
« My Bible I '* still mur- mured the voice. " And prayer, Bessie — you have not prayed with me for many days.**
"Nor will I do it now,*' recklessly said the girl. " I am tired of everything. I laughed in my heart last Sunday evening, when my teacher told us how, if we loved Christ, and prayed, and read the Bible, we would become beautiful like the angels in heaven. And then I am sure I saw her and all the girls look round at me in pity, as if / could never be that. So there is no use in my trying to pray and read the Bible any more. There, you may read for yourself if you like, mo- ther!" And with that she flung the Bible roughly on her mother's knees, and, turning her back, went again to lean at the dim window. She did not think how the faded eyes closed in blinding tears — how the weak hands never stirred the Bible where it lay — andViONT xV^\i^«ii\i ^^
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBASUBT.
the poor mother was paiDed nigh to breaking. She could only think of that one thing —Was there anything in the world could give her beauty for her ugliness — anything in the world that could tell her the secret of a new face ? At that moment, as she looked out, the red sunset glinted suddenly on the face of a young girl — young as herself— who, riding on a shaggy pony along the nar-
row path between the two gable ends, chanced to turn a very bright look up ; the eyes of the two girls met; and in that instant Bessie Lee got a glimpse of the great secret she so much wanted to know. It, as it were, gleamed upon her and was gone ; but not ere her heart had leaped up, and she gave an eager breath. But I must keep the secret for another chapter.
ii^ar 3ovitt
)BOUT five months ago, a noble ship, called the "Royal Charter," laden with pas- sengers, many of them com- ing home after years of ab- sence, money-making, and hard work, left Melbourne in Australia and sailed for England. It had a happy voyage till just at the very last. It had even touched at a home port in Ireland and landed some of its pas- sengers, and spread the news by telegraph and letter through the whole land that the rest were coming. The cry of home was on every lip on hoard, as you way well gueaa, andtbeaweet though U
of home in every heart. Well, as the ship was making way up the channel, and was just a few miles from Liverpool — as one would say, at the very threshold of home — the dark arms of the night and the storm swept between. Lights were burned for a pilot off a place called Port Lynas, but no boat could live in the sea now raging; and as mid- night drew on and grew black as pitch, and the wind rose to a hurricane, such that the oldest sailor living on that wild coast did not re- collect its like, it became plain to all that the \e&%^\ was fast being svrept a&Yvox^. Anchor after anchor visa \«\i
go J bnt one by one they snapped like threadi. Steam was kept op in the teeth of the wsvn, bnt the huge warei pkyed with the huge ihip ■■ if it bad been a toy. l^en to lighten her, one muC after another wm hewn down ; but every effort wa! in T^n, and when three honra of such tugging and Btraining in the blast were r, BWifl Bwift the Teaael
drove to its doom. It was a cmel apectade, so near home I The billows ga- thered round it aa it beat upon the rocks, like demons to the spoil. There was a little while of hurrying feet npon the deck, broken crteg of hope, mixed with ciiea of prayer ; then came the deep long ihrieking of despair; then the great gulf yawBJag amidships, as, craibed npon the rocks, the 10
vessel broke in twain ; then the wild farewell with which heart was rent Avm heart, and hand from hand, as down, hundreds, old and young, strong and weak, were swept into that graie ; and laxt, the storm roaring over its feast in savagR joy, as if never from its maw it would give up the dead [ What an awful abyss to open and swallow men up, just at the door of their homes I
Several most affecting things are told. For ex- ample, it is said about the captain, that from nine o'clock he was never off the deck, doing all man coald do, time after time knocked down by wave and spar, but buffeting at hie bootless toil gallantly again. lie was latterly seen giving orders on deck with a. spar lashed to him, so that, when swept away, he might float. When washed into the sea, he re- covered himself by aeiiing a yard-arm, though more than once it was struck from his gripe. On two occasions, shaking himself free of the foam, he cried nobly," There is hope yet ! " Ah, how the hope perished I He and the
THB SABBATH BOHOLAS'S TBBAfUET.
were beheld battliog in the surf to leeward, ■truggling, perhaps, to reach the shore, when a boat fell from the daTits, striking them both on the head, and they sank to rise no more. One inci- dent is particularly related of the captain, that when, flung down, worn out, on deck, he saw a treacherous wave sweep a little child from its mother's arms, and dash it about in its cruel sport, he cried out to one of the offi- cers to lay hold of the infant and lash a rope about its tiny form, no doubt, at that time, expecting the ship might be saved. But it was not so to be. By seven in the morning scarce one timber but was torn from another ; and, out of the hundreds on board, but a mere handful were cast alive on shore. Not
. one female or one child was
I among the number.
When the last anchor parted, and the ship was driving fast on shore, a little prayer-meeting was formed down in the cabin. The Rev. Mr. Hodge, an English cler- gyman, led the devotions of the wild and clustering throng ; and as, amidst white fece^ weeping, cries for mercjr, famiiieM dinging to
each other, and bidding each other, and all they held dear, a long, long farewell — as, prophet-like, that one man stood in the midst — how noble and sublime even, to hear bim lift up his voice of prayer I Literally, while they prayed, the gulf opened beneath their ^ feet, and the surge drowned them in its midnight depths.
And what made it all the more deplorable was that, about half-past six o'clock, a Portuguese sailor had swam ashore, and* with a rope round his waist, had man- aged to establish a line be- tween the ship and the rocks. But a few yards were between the two I But then they were yards of death, as much so as if they had been broad as the Atlantic. About a dozen people were passed along the line, and got safe on the cliffs. When the crash came — and as the passengers, by the captain's orders, were mostly all be- low— all perished where they i stood. The voyage had been | so long and so safe — it was ' so near home — and yet they died at the very door I In a few minutes the Y)Q«Lc\i nv«a strewn with the vrreek.*
One quettion of ^o\i> m?
\1
\
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBABOBT.
reader, ere you tarn awaj : Would it not be sad if you were all safe but one etep — if your soul were lost near home — just one ace from Jesus* feet? Yet that is possible quite, and I. fear, has been in the case of
thousands. The one last inch between you and Him may be as much as a great gulf fixed. Win Christ, then, now, that you be found in Him in the great day, not near home] only, but home quite and for ever !
**|s itto^U Wtfe%^feit^?"
2 Ki;crGS iv. 26.
^S it well with the child ? 'Tis well ! There's peace on the marble brow, Calmly the little limbs Recline in slumber now : There^s a smile on the dimpled cheek,
Where the tears so lately fell, And, oh, could these lips but speak, They too would say— " *Tis well ! "
It is well for weary labour
When the hours of toil are done ; It is well for the tempest-driven
When t^e anchorage is won ; But, oh, what thought can picture,
What tongue can ever tell The calm of the distant haven
The child has reached ?— 'Tis well 1
J^
There, robed in spotless brightness. Standing before God's face.
Hymning the endless story Of His redeeming grace ;
Led by life's brimming river. Where joys unfading dwell,
Kept by the Lamb for ever, — 'Tia well with the chUd, 'Us we\\\
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRBABURT.
®&e ®0jag* 0f tl^e ''|0jf/'
>EARLY fifteen years ago, Sir John Franklin, com- manding two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, sailed ' away into the northern seas, seeking a passage that had been often sought in vain through tlie great belt of ice that hems in the Pole. He was last seen in the summer of 1845, and after that he and his ships seem to have vanished into the Arctic shadows. Expedition after expedition of brave men went out in search of them, but no trace was found, save, in 1854, a few relics brought home by Dr. Rae, which he had picked np among the Esquimaux, and which shewed that Sir John and his crews had but too surely perished in the ice. Still the awful story was not made out; and in 1858, one more voyage was taken in hand by Captain MH^lintock iu the Fox, a little craft that had been a summer yacht, but was taken down, and almost quite rebuilt, to fit her for her task. How the brave M'Clintock and Ma twenty^
five of a crew — for he ha<1 no more— >went through with his search, and how strange were their discoveries, I am about to tell you out of his own book.
THE " POX" INSIDB.
Internally she was fitted np with the strictest eco- nomy in every sense, and the officers were crammed into pigeon holes, styled cabins, in order to make room for provisions and stores; our mess-room for five persons, measured eight feet square! The ordinary heating apparatus for winter use was dispensed with, and its place supplied by a few very small stoves.
OYRR THB BAR.
Scarcely had we left the busy world behind us (sail- ing from Aberdeen), when we were actively engaged in making arrangements for present comfort and future exertion. How busy, how happy, and how full of hope we all were then !
On the night of 2d J\ily we passed through th^ l^«cv\.- land Firth, where the X\^%, rushing impetuousYy fi^"«ifc
VoL.I^IfO Z,
THE SABBATH 8CH0LAB*B TRBASURT.
a strong wind, raised up a tremendous sea, amid which the little vessel struggled bravely under steam and canvass. The bleak wild shores of Orkney ; the still wilder pilot's crew, and their hoarse screams and unin- telligible dialect; the shrill cry of innumerable sea- birds, the howling breeze, and angry sea, made us feel HS if we had suddenly awoke in Greenland itself. The southern extremity of that ice-locked continent became visible on the 12th. It is quaintly named Cape Fare- well ; but whether by some sanguine outward - bound adventurer, who fancied that in leaving Greenland behind him he had already secured his passage to Cathay, or whether by the wearied, home-sick mariner, feebly * escaping from the grasp of winter in his shat- tered bark, and firmly pur- posing to bid a long farewell to this cheerless land, his tory altogether fails to en- lighten us.
THB NOOK OF FISKBRNAES.
Tlie solitary dwelling-house
belongs, of course, to the chief
trader, and is a model of
c/eanli'nes8 Mud order. Built U
of wood, it exhibits all the resources of the painter*s art. The exterior is a dull red — the window frames are white — floors yellow — wooden partitions and low ceilings pale blue. The lady of the house (a Dane) had resided here for about eight years, and appeared to us to be, and acknowledged she was, heartily tired of the solitude. I expressed a wish to see the interior of an Esquimaux tent. Petersen pulled aside the thin mem- brane of some animal which hung across a doorway, and served to exclude the wind, but admitted light; for, al- though past midnight, the sun was up ! Some seven or eight individuals lay within, closely packed upon the ground, the heads of old and young males and females being just visible above the common covering. Going to bed here only means lying down with your clothes on, upon a reindeer skin, where- ever you can find room, and pulling another fur robe over you.
THB DOG-DRIVER.
A young Esquimaux, named Christian, volunteered his \ sexvicea a& ova ^o%Axvv«c^
THB BABBITII SOBOLAK • (KBAtlTkr.
WM accepted ; b« ia I abiHit twenty -three ymrt of tge, umn&nied, and an otpiuin. The men loon ' Uioroughly clean Bed and ciopped him, — «oap and leinorg being a noTeltj lo an Eaquimauz ; tliey then rigged hi id in sailor's elulhes ; he waa eTidentlj not at home in them, but waa nut tiie less proud of his improved appearance, as re- flecKd in the admiring . glances of his caantrymen. i
We now battened away to the Waigat Strait to com- plete OUT coals. When paa- sing Godhavn (a Dimiib settlement), ttie pilot wot launched off oar deck in hia Utile kayak wlAout stopping the ihip I As a kayak It usually about 18 feet long, S inchea deep, and only I6 or IT incliea wide, it requires great expertoess to perform such a feat without the addi- tion of a capsize.
There ia much to excite intense admlraUon and woDiIer around us. One
the grandeur of this mighty gtacier, extending tmbrolien for forty or fifty miles; its Bea ciifls, about 6ie or six miles from us, a[^ar com- paratively low, yet the ice- l»erg> detached from it are of the loftiest description. Here on the spot it doe* na( teenr Jaeorrect to coinpare lie icebergi to mere chip- j
ptnga off its edge, and the floe - ioe to the thinnest abavinga.
The far-ofT outline of gla- cier, seen againet the eastern sky, has a faint tinge of yellow. It is almost hori- Eontal, and of unknown dis- tance and eleration.
There is an udusuhI dearth of birds and seals. Everything aroaad us ii painfully still, excepting when an rccasional \ce\:mf ^ splita off from 1A\« ^kT«at glacier; then we \»e*t ». Y5
THE SABBATH SOHOLA&'s TRBASURr.
rumbliDg crash like distant thunder, and the wave oc- casioned by the launch reaches us in six or seven minutes, and makes the ship roll lazilj^ for a similar period. I cannot imagine that, within the whole com- pass of Nature's varied aspects, there is presented to the human eye a scene so well adapted for promoting deep and serious reflection, for lifting the thoughts from trivial things of every- day life to others of the highest import.
The glacier seems to re- mind one, at once, of time and of eternity — of time, since we see portions of it break off to drift and melt away ; and of eternity, since its downward march is so extremely slow, and its aug- mentations behind so re- gular, that no change in its appearance is perceptible from age to age. If even the luitaught savages of luxuriant tropical regions regard the earth merely as a temporary abode, surely all who gaze upon this ice- overwhelmed region, this wide expanse of terrestial wreck, must be similiarly assured that ^^here we have
J^o abiding place. " 16
BURIAL IN THE PACK.
At the beginning of winter,
the great quantities of ice
that drift out from the North
Pole, and that are called the
pack^ seized the little ship as
she tried to cross, froze her
in, and there for months
and months held her fast.
while, slowly, the vast drift
carried her back many
hundreds of miles I There
was no help for it; and,
during the long weeks in
which the sun was never
seen, the crew buried the
decks in snow, and, down in
iheir little cabins, passed the
time as cheerily as they
could.
One of the number died,
and was buried thus : —
" The greater part of the church service whs read on board, under shelter ol the housing ; the body was then placed upon a sledge, and drawn by the messmates of the deceased, to a short dis- tance from the ship, w here a hole through the ice liad been cut ; it was then committed to the deep, and the service closed. What a scene it was! I shall never forget it. The lonely Fox al- most buried in snow —com- pletely isolated from the world—her colours half-mast high, and bell mournfully tolling *, our little procession slowly matviYvvu^^ o\%.\ \Vv^
TUB SABBITH SCBOLAR'A TABASUBT.
rough surface of the frozen sea, guided by lanterns and direction posts, amid the dark and dreary depth of Arctic winter ; the deathlike stillness, the intense cold, and threatening aspect of a murky overcast sky ; and all this heightened by one ot those strange lunar pheno- mena vrhich are but seldom seen even here — a complete balo encircling the moon,
through which passed a horizontal baud of pale light that encompassed the heavens; above the moon appeared the segments of tMo other halos, and there were also mock moons to the number of six. The misty atmosphere lent a very ghastly hue to this singular display, which lasted lor rather more than au hour." (To be continued.)
^nwria, anb a i^ttw: Comitrg.
/
;HIPS from America are every day arriving in our ports, and ships bound for America are every day leaving tliem. How aston- ishing is the fact that, four hundred years ago, people in this part of the world did not know that there was such a place as America! This is a fact so strange, that we can scarcely feel it to be true. Four hundred years ago, and not a king, not a philosopher in Europe, knew that, away beyond the Atlantic Ocean, thexe was a great country, to and from which thousands of ships are now always passing I Does this not put you in mind of **a better country, '[
even an heavenly?" Hun- dreds of years ago our fore- fathers did not know that
"There is a land of pure delight. Where saints immortal reign."
There were no hymns about heaven then. When people died, there was no one to point them to the '* happy land, far far away." No heaven ! Oh, what an awful thing it must have been for people not to know that there was a heaven 1 We are told by history that, when news came that America had been discovered, men and women were frantic with joy. They treated the man who discovered it as if he had been a king. I suppose v\ie^ rang the bells wad did e^et^ -
ttnn^ they could to ex\^T^%%
\1
TBI SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TREASURY.
their joy, WouM it not be well if people were as happy because heayen has been made known ? Are you thankful for heaven ? Do you love Him — the blessed Jesus— who made it known
to you, and bought you an entrance to it with His own blood ? You may never set foot in America, there may be no call on you to go, but are you travelling to the Better Country? T. D.
(SjOXkI "getfs.
I ORAL reefs and is- lands are the work of tiny insects, which are so small as to be scarcely perceptible to the naked eye. They first make a deposit on rocks that already exist far down in the ocean depths — ^year after year they add to the massive structure, and by-and-by it realrs its head above the waters, an undying monu- ment of the skill and in- dustry of the little archi- tects. In the course of time, sand, washed up by the ocean, mingles with the feathers and guano of birds, and thus a soil is formed. Gradually seeds are dropped, perhaps by some little bird in its winged passa;^e a- cross the waters, or it may be borne thither by the summer breeze, and soon the coral isle is covered with verdure, adding yet another to those beautiful oases of the deep blue sea, which be- come the permanent abode of /Aoitsanefs of oar race. In
/AJs n^ajr have doubtless been 18
formed most of the islands in the Pacific, as well as those belonging to Australia, and the number is constant- ly and rapidly increasing. They are found in all stages, — some just below the sur- face, some sending forth a stray branch here and there above the water, and others entirely hidden beneath the stormy, restless waves.
The corals are of various colours, from the pale rose tnt to the gorgeous crimson, green, blue, and royal purple fringed with gold, and, per- haps more beautiful than all, the virgin white; alto- gether a beauteous exhibi- tion of nature's own group- ing and colouring, over which old Ocean plays glit- tering in the sunbeam, and dancing in foaming spray over the frail bark of the adventurous mariner. One of these boats our little readers will see in the pic- ture. The men are South Sea Islanders, who have probably gone out to get specimens ot theB^ \>e«>.>iM\t\!\
cnr&la, whicit the]' will eell igtsad ot Eramanga, lo henr fur a good price to the first i a message of mercy to its Koropean or Ameriunn «liip bemglited iiiliabitiinTi Mis- " ' comes in, Had tljLBU aiotiiriea bale siOLe betii tpecimena may cnrtdi mmij' settlLd on ttie ielunii, ami * cabinet in our own fair I are labouring wilh a Rood luid. prospect of succeas In a
It is well known that the conTersntioii with Ilie chief ile»oted miBiionary of the, who murdered Mr. WiVWwnv \ iilinds in the VaaiSc, (J'e ,' respecting tliBYeasonft^tit^v \ Ser. John WilHama, w;u I Jed Jiim to commit fhe-v"\o- manUred on iMnding oa the ,' Jence, lie said that tTe\«wt>
THE SABBATH fiCHOLAB'ft TBKAtUBT*
had Tisited his land just be- fore, and had murdered his son ; and he was resoWed to 1)6 rerenged on the next white man who came on shore. Ue was now both
sorry and ashamed, yerj club with which, said, Mr. Williams killed, was given to the sionary. — Sabbath & VigUar {AmericoM).
" ^'«rg (gffob, ani Wtxi^ '§u^r
HEAD lately that a Christian said, when he wa« dying, ** The Lord Jesus is very good, and Tery rich." Is not this a beautiful saying ? The Lord Jesus very good, and very rich ! Some per- sons are good or Had, but they are not rich. Tliey have the wish to make people happy, but they have not much power. The poor widow whom Christ speaks of was very gooJ : she wanted very mu^ to assist God's cause, but all that she had to ?ive was one far- thing! There are otliers,
aoain^ who are very rid thof are not pood. have the power to i men happy, but they not the wish. I have about a miser who thousands of pounds, v he kept locked up in i at home, and he woulc give one single pennj for the good of o< Christ is not like the wi for Ue is very rich ; an is not like the miser, fc is very good. Heme these beautiful dying \ of a holy man, *' The Jesus is very good, and rich." T.
CHAPTEB II.
JESSIE LEE had was overfluoded with a strange dreams light, and out from
, that night. She ; shadows she beheld
was lying, as she thought, in j come to her very fair, a spot that was closed in with , clustering tresses of thick and dreadful darkness •, ; go\d, aiv^ e-j^* of the d« but the spot where she lay and aoile%X.>Avkft. ^ti^i 20
' lolMAat the poOTcrouchIng | her bekrl, "I wUh I were
, iliieper with great aadueta, atleep, tu Jream that draam
ud Ihen, when Beuie feared I again."
■hit wai to liappen ne^it, Slie vaa, more than uiual,
, ud laid in hei heart, "That tattered and disbevelled,
ii tbe lorel; lace I hw be- nnd the wut (for it was a
Keen tbe gable end* — huw rain7daj'),lbroughwhicblhe
droffit is from mel" to lier had ])addled ri'ukleasly in thit
lapriie, il (tooped down ttieeli, had made lier dreu
cloee to ber — tbe aoft breath drip aud her baJr ton about
of iu lipa Kama un her cheek her face. You may imagine
— ud, quick a* thought, »he how the atared therefore,
uiuldnothelpaaliing, "How when on opening ibe door
•n yon 10 beautiful ? " 1 ihe Aral henrd a very sweet
"it is a tecret," wbiapered Toice aa of one reading
iIk lipa, and, ai ttiey parted aloud and llien «aw, tittiiig
to utter tbe word*, tbe dark on a atool near lier motlier I KM fell in upuD the viiiou
■nd it waa gone. Beaaie ' nkcned with great pain at li«r heart, becauia ihe luwl aet found out that aecret . )Dd,aaBhe kindled the hre iMted ber uiolbet'a chair ud made ready her poor Imikfast, ahe was more iLaii , eier diaeontenteil tbat muming, aud. Indeed, ran t'aj lo school without
, uttering one word, or leaving a alight gentle girl, whose I
the Bible open, «* elie knew lialf-tumed face wa» the fair ;
. iIm ihould have itone, oa her fate aha hod aeeu in her
^ mother'* knee. dream I She stood quite
I It was some time again in iransGzcd, and not daring,
, tbe afternoon when slja re- out of tiie shadow of the
. turned; and, as she came door, Co move.
, clattering up the poor dark The word* that fell \iptm ^
I iiair, it WMS TO dJimaJ, tliat ber ear, u ahe eutCTcd, w«i«
«to aarAerf i/teerJf wHUin thet, add.ctsed to Uie vv*.
THB SABBATH BOROLAR'S TRBA8URT.
ralid by her gentle visitor — "That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith ! **
They were from the open Bible; and then the lips that had read them repeated them and explained them a little ; and, while they did 80, the thin countenance of the sufferer was lit up in a way It had not been for many days. But Bessie did not catch what was said. She was greedily looking with her whole soul, and asking within herself, " Will she tell me the secret ? IJ o w is it she is so very lovely ? "
She thought it might be because she was dressed in fine clothes; then, that it was because she was evi- dently a lady, and very rich ; then, that her features and hair were, the one delicate as pearl, the other glistening: like gold. Who would not he beautiful with all these happy things?
But presently uprose the visitor from her stool, and, with a touch on the hand of Bessie's mother, said good- bye. She looked full at Bessie as she passed out — smiled a very radiant smile — and, with the words, " I H-aa told of your mother
being^ so ill, aud I came in 22
to read to her a little," was gone.
Bessie brooded much over the incident all evening. It was very singular, as she did so, she was, in a kind of mechanical way, more active through the little room. She tidied the hearth ; she at- tended to her mother's wants with a kinder manner; she put things to rights here and there ; and, lastly, she looked at herself in the old favourite mirror. It cer- tainly presented a very dingy and besmeared face, and, as Bessie saw it, she laughed in her heart, and said, "It is no secret how to be ugly. If she asked me that question, I would point there!*'
Several days thereafter, Bessie was returning from an errand on which she had been sent a little way into the country, when, at a sharp turn of the road, she heard a loud scream, and then, out of a coppice hard by, a riderless pony dashed in wild fright, and, with the stirrups of the saddle flying about it, galloped away at great speed. Bessie stood a while uncertain and afraid, but it struck her that was \ the poT\y ii^vieii \s^ \i«t
THE SABBATH BCHOLAR'S IRBASURIT.
mother*s yisitor; and so, setting down her basket, she plunged into the thicket, the branches hitting in her eyes as eagerly she groped and peered about. At last, on the sward of a green path, tiirough the wood, to her terror, she came on what she thought was the dead form of the fair young lady. Never had she seen anything so angel- like in its loveliness. The face was white as marble, the eyes closed, the lips slightly apart, the sunny hair straying across the brow, and the arm laid across the still heart. Bessie knew not what to do. In her agony she screamed aloud — then ture open the bonnet strings — then flew to the little brook that pattered near, and, lifting two hand- luls of water, dashed it on the cold face. Then kneel ing down, she burst into tears — passionately kissed the lips again and again — sorrowed that the water had been dashed over the fine clothes — and finally, as her gaze fell on a gash across the temples where the btood was faintly oozing, in her horror she made the place rio^ wJHi ber cries. You see tbat^ after all, i
there was a deep well in Bessie Lee*8 heart, that gushed up when the right touch reached it. Several long minutes had passed meantime, and at length the fair girl before her feebly sighed, and the large eyes opened as in a dream. Bessie was in the act of kiss* ing her in wild gladness again just as at the instant a band of several persons broke through the trees, and hurried to the spot. They were servants and others who had heard and taken the alarm — for it is lucky sometimes, evil news do fly fast. Bessie was roughly thrust aside as if she had been doing mischief instead of help ; and, as twenty hands were round abouc the young lady, raising her, car- essmg her, and carrying her away, the poor ragged girl shrank bitterly into the shadow of the branches, and looked out, subbing as if her heart would break. Every- one was asking louder than another, how did it happen — was the wound dangerous — what was to be done ? !None noticed Bessie where she stood; only as the ctont^ bore their burden geTiW^ aw^ay, the sweet lace via^
2%
TRB 8ABBATB 80HOLA.R*S TRBASURT.
lifted for a mornent, and the soft eyes looked wistfully about as if searching for some one — but the head drooped again, and slowly the procession moved away, the voices dying in the wood, and Bessie being left alone.
She SRt down for a long time and thought much on what had happened. Nothing save the kisses she liad been allowed to shower on that face of beauty could she dwell on. Her lips burned with them yet. Then she felt that she loved that face
as she had loved nothing in the world before, and that she conld almost die if shr had one hundredth portion of its beauty. What was there in it — would she never see it again—would the mouth she had kissed never speak to her and tell its secret ?
At this point I ought to answer, Yes ; but Bessie lifted her basket and went on her way that time without a re- ply being given yet ; and so, I fear, must my readers, for another chapter, when the secret will be told.
JOWN in the depths of the lonely sea, I work at my mystic masonry. Ages behold my ceaseless toil When the sea is calm, or the waters boil. I've crusted the plants of the deep with stone, And given them colouring not their own ; And now on the ocean fields they spread Their fan-like branches of white and red. Oh, who can £uhion a work like me, The mason of God in the boundless sea!
^4
Turrets of stone, though huge and gray. Have crumbled and passed in dust away ; Cities that sank in the sea of 3'ore Have turned to slime by the fetid shore : But when shall crumble the coral wall, That parts the billows so bright and tall ? Oh, who can fashion a work like me, Tbe mason of God In the boundless sea^
SJe ftjroji! si Sin.
e*a tawtn aaj idea of the tsnible pain «nd ; miMiy Bttanding iL Et ia i DDthlDg thorl of > llTing death. Commencing at fint Mcretly, It »1o»It ipread*, ud muij jeaiM come acd go while the bod/ i« being comipted with it, till at lut the limbf and joint* low their power and fail lo ^ece«. Ho core !■ known g little can be done to sllerl- ale the lufferinga itcaiuea; and even where the*e are not great, the poor leper's daj* pui wearilj awaf In reetlew weakne** and hope- leu grief. In the Itit itage of tlia diaeaae tlie appearance of the enSbrer becotnei hide- ou and miMrable in the
Lmong IbeJew^ bj God'$ ) gommmil, the leper wgm
iJeaKdU
dealt with M a rinner and
for death and all licknen are bnt the fVuIt of (in. Not that he waa always gailtier than □tlien, but Ood wai nee lliia, lite wont of all diieaMi, to teach ni thit great and niema lea- son— the hateftol and deadly natore of tin. Acoordingl}', the leper wa« bidden to moam for himtelf a* for the dead, and be carried about with him tlie uaual lymbde of grief; hie clothe* were torn, hi* bead bare, and hi* lip coreled. For the mme reaaon he wai leparated from hi( people, and tbe lilence of hi* Mlitnde wa* only in- termpted bj the meiuicholy bitter C17 that broke erer and again ftom hii mnllled lipa, " Unclean ! vncleaa I ' Now aU thl*, a* I bare •^d, la Imt a piolure of the ■inner. Bnt tt itn ptctwa \ be ao awful, how vouSk mom ^ teiTf Ue mmt be the noKta— 26
THS SABBATH 80HOLAB 8 TRBA8URT.
that disease which corrupts and destroys the soul, the leprosy of sin. The Bible tells us that every man, by nature and by wicked works, 18 dead in sin, separated fiom Godf and that he will never be an inhabitant of the hearvenly Jerusalem, for **4keie shall in no wise enter into it'on^thing that d^lethr Among the great multi- tudes who heard the Sermon on 4he Mount, was one of these miserable men St. Luke tells us that he was ''^JkiU of leprosy," far gone in it, diseased ifrom head to foot. I almost fancy I see him lingering sadly on the outskirts of the crowd, a- voided in his loathsome misery by all, but listening (perhaps all the more eager- ly) as the words of infinite wisdom and mercy, from the lips of the great Teacher, are wafted over the multi- tude, and fall upon his ear. He is impressed by the hea- venly majesty, and power, and love of 4he Speaker. His heart bums within him ; and, as the sermon advances, hia anxioua face is lifted up, at times, with hope, and sometimes clouded again wiih doubt ami sorrow. JBu^ M§ be UateDB, 1 if con-
victions deepen, his faith becomes strong; and now, when Jesus rises, and the crowd follows Him down the mountain side, the leper presses forward close to the Lord himself, and, casting himself at His feet, cries, ''Lord, if Thou wih. Thou canst make me clean** How much is expressed in that little prayer I What ear- nestness, what humility — above all, what firm, simple faith ! He keenly felt his pollution, and longed to be cleansed . He was convinced that Jesus could do this for him. His only fear was lest his very loathsomeness and wretchedness should make the Saviour vnwilUng. But, ''Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying^ 1 will : be thou clenn. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed**
Is not, then, the Great Physician the same yester- day, to-day, and for ever ?
Come,lepeT,fleisethe present hoar, A SaTionr's grvceto proTe :
He can relieve, #6r He has power; He lOill^ for He is lore.
May God, in mercy, help each one who reads this to cry earnestly from the depth of his heart; "Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make mb cleanl" !>.!>•
"BBS--
TBH kABKlTR UBOI.AM'a TaiAMRT.
pflfe to ht grantifal : % ^forrt.
^^EVEKAL d«fi wen
3^9 pilj by Beuie Lee. Not Ik f«w timei ihe thought of ipeaking to her moUier, bat the oui and helpleti hdUb with which the poor face looked at her, drove her tram her purpow again, and •he prefemd Roinf awaj to tliink alone. Then not ■ few ei ibe set out on the 1 tu make inquiriei about the beautiful yuuDK lady — but ai often her heart miigBve her, and ihe turned back.
At laat khe could bear the Hupenae no longer, and, taking: her baaket over her arm one day, and flinging berbounMon ~
her head, not in I he moat careful fa- ihlon, the ran along tbe way balf angrily, determined •be would lii-
feanuomoie, bnl reach the Rieat home wher« tbfl foatv ''"d'7, ' ravtia ftopped. 8be /
toon arriTcd at Ita dooi, and breathleisly ahe knocked. A lerrant opened it, uftd •tared at he* with lorpriae. She tried to ipeak, bat coidd not ; and ao thera, with her little baaket, and hea fice all Buihed, and in miaery and •bvne, (he itood and bunt Into teara.
AC that moment a t>iU lady, dreued in moumlDg, caioe down a winding alair, and asked what waa the •ound of weeping M the door. 'fliere BcMJe Lee waa— all the reply thatcould be given. She felt the lady'a touch aoftly on the abouMct aa alie aohbed ; and then, venturing lo look up, at ~ length ihe
buitt out with
not ptetty to ___ look at, cer-
I tainly, in her lean ut& bei Uttered dreaa, but tiwvft ^ wu Bometluiig w tow^Vot ■21
TBB BABRATB SCHOLAR'S TBBASDBT.
in her eagerness that the lady kindly took her in, and, lead- ing her within a sweet little summer parlour, said, ** Oh, yon are the poor girl ahout whom my Mary haa been speaking so much. I am her mother, my dear, and I will let you see her presently."
With that she ranished away, but in a few seconds returned, saying, ^Mary is asleep; but if you would like, you can come and look at her/'
Eagerly Bessie followed — basket, and twisted bonnet, and all— and was guided in- to an airy room, full of softened light, and on a couch in which lay, before her sight, the vision of her dreams. The face was pure as alabaster — the long lashes drooping on the cheek, and tlie golden curls straying across the pillow. It was the loveliest thing Bessie had ever- beheld, that slum- ber of innocence and beauty. Down she sat instinctively upon the floor, and clasped her hands, and laid her bon- net and her basket aside, that she might sit there and gaase. The elder lady said nothing, but, after watching her with a meaning smile,
went gilently awMV, 28
It would be hard to tell you all Bessie's thoughts, as there in that strange spot she sat, and the storm and sunshine that chased each other through her half burst- ing heart. She wondered at everything in that chamber of peace, but most by ivt she wondered at that rare loveliness in its slumber on the pillow.
By and by there was a murmur — ^to Bessie's terror the blue eyes opened, and their gaze fell on her. They did not recognise her at first, but gently the light of a smile shone in them — the sweet lips said, '* Oh, Bessie, is it you?" The white hand was reached out, and next moment, with a wild spring, Bessie had it folded into hers, pressed to her hearty covered with her kisses, and wet with her tears. As she knelt in this way, crying, " I know your name now — I am so happy you are better^oh, let me wait with you and kiss you for everl" in stepped the elderly lady again, and whispered in a smiling way she would do the patient harm. Whereupon Bessie rose, but still claimed a place near t)b& com^^ vcA
THB SABBJkTH SCHOLAR'S TBBASUmT.
there, as she sat and felt the aofb hand of the inyalid, not Mhamed to be laid on her nigged locks, she found a tongue out of her passionate heart at last to tell, to mother and daughter, all her little miserable tale. There was hi more talk, and question- ing, and answering on the occasion than I can report to you. At the end, how- erer, it came to this, that when Miss Ifary had several times laughed from her pil- low with a silvery ring, and Bessie had begun timidly to laugh in turn, the elder lady said, **! see, Bessie, after all, your sorrow has been you are not what is called pretty. Shouldn't you wish now to have Mary's face and Mary's golden hair, as you called it?"
** Oh, I would give worlds I" cried Bessie.
^^ If you had them to give, that is to say," replied the lady. " But now Mary will tell you the whole secret for nothing."
'^The secret of how to be beautifbl?" exclaimed Bessie.
''Come here, then," said Mary, tears in her soft eyes. '* Too buve done the aext thing to Baring my life,
and I will tell you this great secret in return." She laid her finger on a text of the open Word of Ood as she spoke ; and when Bessie stooped down to read, these words flashed upon her, << That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith I "
** Not beauty of f)M!e, dear Bessie," whispered Mary, as she put an arm round the poor girl's neck, ''but besuty of the heart. Set this lamp, the living, holy, blessed Jesus, there, and the beauty of God will soon flow upon the face."
Bessie's countenance at first fell, but a warm kiss sealed the truth upon her lips, and a short prayer, in which all joined, sealed it upon her heart. What a changed and humbled Bessie she now rose up— yet how happy I You can imagine all the rest — her return home — her flinging herself on her mother's neck and weeping tears of penitence — her betaking herself to the study of the great secret she had learned— the beauty that day by day began to take the place of her old ugliness— her braided V^aNt^ her tidy person, Yiei c\«mv
room— and, above a\\* \\«t
2^
THH BABBATH SCHOLAE'S TRBASUBT.
bright smile, and the pioas love with which ahe now neyer almost left her mother's side. Everybody in her class and in the town wondered and said, ** Never any one was so plain as Bessie Lee ; and yet we can*t tell how she has be- come quite beautiful 1"
One day Miss Mary Cle- ment stood upon the thres- hold, come to visit her moiher, Bessie explained the wonder by giving a merry laugh, that kindled up her whole face, and made it and the room glad like a burst of sunshine, while she
cried, ''Oh, Mist Mary, I am so happy now, and my mother is so happy. I think we have both got your secret quite by heart I "
So do I hope my little readers have. It is the secret in all the world most worth knowiug. Here it is,
HOW TO BE BEAUTIFUL.
tt
LET CHBIST DWBLX. IN YOUB HEABT BY FAITH ! "
Or as two lines of a hymn put it —
** Jmu8 in he«yen, Jeiui in the heart. Heaven in the heart, the heart in heaven r*
/
%\t IBou^qt ai t)it '*i0^:*
(Continued from page 17.)
AN UNWELCOME QUEST.
^O instance is known of Greenland bears attacking men, ex- cept when wounded or provoked ; they never disturb the Esquimaux graves, although they sel- dom &il to rub a cache of seal's flesh, which is a simi- lar construction of loose stones above ground.
A native of Upemivik, one dark winter's day, was out visiting h'lB seal-nets. 80 ^
He found a seal entangled, and, whilst kneeling down over it upon the ice to get it clear, he received a slap on the back — from his com- panion, as be supposed ; but a second and heavier blow made him look smartly round. He was horror- stricken to see a peculiarly grim old bear instead of his comrade I Without deign- ing further notice of the man, Bruin tore the seal out of the net and commenced his supper. H« n««a ikox. Va-
Jl tABBlTH BOBOLXk'B tKIAaDBr.
ir bow ia rtry Btrongl/ foniSed. well plated exter- Daily with itan, and «o very I tharp th&t the ice inaBses. I KpaUeiily hurled ajjunst I the ship by tbe iwell Si tha rose to meet it. were Ihui robbed of their deslmctive force; they slrui^k ua ob- liquely, yet caused the retael to ehake violeotly, the betia to rinK- and almost kuocltetl at off our lega. Oa many occaaioat the eu- j
thus
yesterdays px peri- en c«! t can understand Iidw men's hair liaa turneil grey in a few houra. Iiad aelf- lelinnce been my only sup-
I port and hope, it is not ini- poisibla that I might have
I illuatrated ihe fact. Under the circumstancei I did laj beat to insure our »a.f«yf, \ looked aa atuical aspoasx^Ve, ^
tad inwardly Uvuted IhM
TB* SAflBATR SOBOLAB'S TSBASUBT.
God would favour our exer- tions. What a release ours has been, not only from eight months* imprisonment, but from the perils of that one day! Had our little vessel been destroyed after the ice broke up, there re- mained no hope fur us. But we have been brought safely through, and are all truly gratetul, I hope, and believe.
BAIRBRKADTH E8GAPB.
About two or three years ago, Captain Deuchars lost his sMp, the Princen Chariots, in Melville Bay. It was a beautiful morning ; they had almost reached tbe North Water, and were an- ticipating a very successful voyage; the steward had just reported breakfast ready, when Captain Deu- chars, seeing tlie floes clos- ing together ahead of the ship, remained on deck to see her pass safely between them, but they closed too quickly ; the vessel was al- mott through, when the points of ice caught her sides abreast of the mizen- mast, and, passing through, held the wreck up for a few minutes, barely long enough for the crew to escape and save their boats I Poor Deuchars thus suddenly lost his breakfast and his ship; within ten mmiUeg her royal yards disappeared beneath the surface. How closely danger besets the Arctic cruiser, yet how insidiously ; ererjrthing looks wo bright,
82
so calm, so still, that it re- quires positive experience to convince one that ice only a very few inches, perhaps only three or four inches, a6ot7« waUfs perfectly level, and moving extremely s^ow, could possibly endanger a strong vessel !
A tUMMRR TILtiAOR.
After toiling round the base of a precipice, we came rather suddenly in view of a small semicircular bay ; the cliffs on either side were 800 or 900 feet high, remarkably forbidding and desolate ; the mouth of a valley or wide mountain gorge opens out into its head. Here, in the depth of the hay upon a low flat strip of land, stood seven tents, — the summer village of Kaparok-to-1ik I never saw a locality more charac- teristic of the Esquimaux than that which they have here selected for their abode; — it is wildly picturesque in the true Arctic application of the term.
Although August had ar- rived, and the summer had been a warm one, the bay waa still firozen over; and if there was an ice- covered Ma in fironty there was also abun- dance of ice-covered landm the rear — a glacier occupied the whole valley behind and to within 300 yards of the chosen spot !
The glacier's height ap- peared to be from 150 to 200 feet; its sea-face extending across t\ve "va\\«y^ — «k v^^i-
tarn Mornkvu toooijui's TRBismtr.
biAle width of ^00 or 400 yardc, — waa quite perpen- dicuUury and fully 100 feet high. Ail last winter's •how bad thawed awaj fh>m off h and exposed a sorfS^e of mild and stones, fissured bj innumerable email riTu- lets, which threw themselves over the glacier cliffs in pretty cascades, or shot far out in strong Jets from their deeply serried chanels in its face; whilst other stream- lets near the base burst out through sub-glacial tunnels of their own forming.
What a strange people to confine themselves to such a mere strip of beach I Upon each side they have towering rocky hills rising so abruptly from the sea, that to pass along their bases or ascend over their summits, is equally impossible; whilst a thres- tenmg glacier immediately behind, bears onward a sufll- cient amount of rock and earth from the - mountains whence it issues, to convince even the unreflecting savage of its progressive motion. (To be condnued.')
*" ^t «iag iw$u in % mmih:*
HEN Captain M'Clintock and his crew were searching for Sir John Franklin, in the far north, where the ice and snow never disappear, they tra- velled over the ice for a great many miles. Though it is such a cold country, yet there are people living in it; bat they are extremely ignorant. Once, part of Captain M'CUntock's com- pany met with a tribe of these people. They were poor, miserable beings, liv- ing in wretched buta, Mod with msMtve eaovgb of food I
to eat. When Captain MK^lintock's men drew near to them, these poor people were very much surprised; their wonder knew no bounds. They ran hither and thither, and shewed all the signs of astonishment which you can well suppose. What was the cause of their wonder ? It was this : these vrretched savages had always thought, up to that time, that ihof were the onftf people in the world. Just fancy that! How very much we feel inclined to laugh at «\u:^ vgl Absurdity I K in\«era)Q\ft handful of savages tVi\Ti\xii%
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRSASURT.
that they were the only people in the world 1
I wish it were only in the far north, among the ice and snow, that this opinion were to be found ; but, alas 1 too many among ourselves live as if they were the only people in the world. They never tell others about Jesus. They never try to do any
good. They never pray for their ungodly neighbours. They give little of their money to spread the know- ledge of Christ in the earth. Is this not being like the poor ignorant inhabitants of the far north, who believed themselves the only people in the whole world ?
T.D.
(glimpses tti |«>ia.
BY THE REV. MR. SHERIITF OP CALCUTTA.
HINDOO CHILDREN.
MAY premise that the Hindoo children are generally pre- possessing in appearance and manners. The slender forms, delicate features, and dark lustrous eyes excite admiration. As you may easily imagine, there is no need of many garments in such a climate ; but the lack of apparel is supplied by a great profiision of ornaments. Forehead, nose, eais, neck, arms, fingers, ankles, and toes, are decked with jewels, if the parents are sufficiently wealthy. Nut unfrequently children are murdered for the take of the ornaments iAejr wear.
STRANG Ifi FRAR.
I must also refer to the absurd terror which ignor- ance and superstition foster. When a church was built in Scinde, the people in the neighbourhood were thrown into great fear; they con* sidered that a number of children must be immolated, in order that the lofty steeple might stand secure. A simi- lar panic prevailed in Bom- bay, when the railway was begun there. And at present, in Madras, the natives are in great consternation. There is a report circulating among them that Government re- quires 163 children for the purpose of sacrificing them on tbe neNr '^\«t W\«c^ sui
■ luun toBoi.**'* tMMPmT.
ifterw«rdB burying thdr bodlei under the pile* npoD
■h it li 1<
hatitb iCHOOts.
The flrrt itep in the n*i
to knowledge i» commonly ,
Itken In « Tern«cul«r tctiool.
[ There tha young Hindoo tc- '
I qalrei »onie loquRinUnce
■ with lii« mother tongue,—
I ilittlelciiowledgeiiiraading,
I writing, and aceounU. The
manner of impartlog in- ^
' itnction U b«d, all being
' leirned by rote. And much
I of Ihe matter commuted to
j BKniory-the fbollA or
1 wicked lefiendi relating to
I Ibelr porta— ii fcry banefol
; ud Tery poUullng to the
jMOg mind. The dlicipline
li defectiTe, the pBniihmenW
aften terere, ftnd not iddom
inflicted with caprice or
pvtialiiy. One of the
liMteit want* of India is
a body of intelligent and
&ilhfal tchoolmatter*. At
pment only five peraoni in
erery hundred receive any
edncat'OD. What an amount
of intellectual darknets does
Mch a tUte of allkin imply I
TUB CBOBS 0» COBTBRSION.
The croii "hioh the young Hindoo hai to bear when he foJIow Anw i>, :
■nd pwn. In public, mea- | •nreleu contumely ia heaped upon the natlTe Chriitian. To ihew thii, I will )u»t read to you an eitract from an Indian journal which came to hand lately. In Ahmed- nugger, a Urge city in the Itombay Freaidency, there are thirteen public welli. A Bralimin, wUh hii wife, em- braced Chrialianity, and Ihe naliTe* immediately soufiht I to debar them from all ac- ceM to Iheie welU. To effect thla, they sent a peti- I tion to the migiitrata. In reply to thia petition, Mr. Tytler laid, " Pelitlonera ' seek to debiir Viihnu Punt ! and lii» family from the u»e of the public tanka, •oiely ' becaute he ii a Chriiltan. I But it ii well known that if a I Mhar or Mang (the low«t \ caate*) woman marriet a MuMUlman, ihe ii allowed to nie the unka in right of her baring become a Mo- hammedan. Cattle, horaea, donkeys, proatitutei, 4c., bMTe all acceat to Ihe public taoka ; and ;et this common I .ndobTiona right petitiouera aeek to deny to the man \ whoee high Teapectability , they themaeWe* dwe iwA ' and cannot gainuy." (7b 6e conttnueil.')
THE SABBATH BOBOLA&'s TBBAtUBT.
)H£RE is a mighty river,
Rolling through every land, Its swift waves hastening ever To an unknown distant strand ; And ships of gallant bearing
Are floating on its tide, And humble crafts are faring
Upon its waters wide ; And some with speed are burning,
Some wearing on in dreams, But IVe marked there^s no returning Against those sullen streams.
Here its fair banks are glistening
With summer*s gayest flowers, And there its waves are hastening
Through clouds an^ wintry showers : A hum and busy bustling
Are heard upon its shores^ Like leaves of summer rustling
Are the throng of flashing oars ; And crowds are disappearing
As the leaves last autumn fell, And all their port are nearing, —
But the rest X cannot telL
Knowest thou this mighty river
Bushing through every clime, Its swift waves ceasing never ? —
It is the stream of Time. On its tide we all are going
Through sunshine and through night, And its waters are coldly flowing
In silence while I write; And as earth^s livers downward ~
Are hastening to the sea, So Time is speeding onward ZJDto Eternity. "V.K»T
se
gotiis from tft fife of 6i)oir gisltrj Milsoii.
in^ down it, the Biihop m>e TAsma poaaBBBios. upon the deck, and, look-
pM^UGE buata, bulll iiig towards the tcrritory ^^A upon the Indus, of itie Punjab, then bcarcely I^S were in readiness: . known, ejulaimed &\oaA,— \ "•** and the Blrearo bore ^ "I take posaeBsion of v\«» jeoKloirn&rrrni/lesrith- : laad in the name of my LqiA tea bourn. Whiiac glid- ; and Master, Jesua C\irvBl,."
^^ ai
THE SABBATH SCHOLAE's TRKASUET.
It seemed little likely at the time that we should have any inheritance to put our foot on. But this incident is surely rery remarkable, when connected with our speedy posset^sion of the whole territory, the favour able prospects of our mis- sions there, and the help and deliverance Cliristian England drew from thence in her extreme necessity. It seems to shew how faith has power with God, and still prevails.
THE LITTLE BLACK FIGURE.
A flourishing Temperance Society existed at Kurnaul, patronised and chiefly sup- ported by one excellent offl- cer whose history was singu- lar. Originally gay and worldly, to say no worse, his change of mind, and conver- sion to God, were very mark - ed. He was in company when reckless gambling was going on, and on a very large stake being proposed, one of the players took from his bosom a small hideous black figure, intended to repre- sent the devil. He ad- dressed himself to it ; called it his best and only fViend ; coaxed, pleaded, threatened, and prayed for success, in terms of fearful blasphemy. The captain was horror- struck. He left the com- pany at once, and that night found him prostrate in tear« of penitence before God. ^or did he join the world
S8
again till his prayers were heard, his eyes opened, and his soul had found peace. He was now a believer in Christ, and ready to every good word and work.
THE BM SD ELEPHANT.
Tell my grandchildren that an elephant here had a disease in his eyes. For three days he had been com- pletely blind. His owner, an engineer officer, asked my dear Doctor Webb if he could do any tiling to relieve the poor animal. The doctor said he would try nitrate of silver, which was a remedy commonly applied to similar diseases in the human eye. The huge animal was ordered to lie down ; and at first, on the application of the reme- dy, raised a most extraordin- ary roar at the acute |NUii which it occasioned. The efi^eot. however, was wonder- tuX, The eye was, in a man- ner, restored, and the animal could partially see. The next day, when he was brought, and heard the doc- tor's voice, he laid down of himself, placed his enormous head on one side, curled up his trunk, drew in hfs breath just like a man about to endure an operation, gave a sigh of relief when it wae over, and then, by trunk and gestures, evidently will- ed to express his gratitude. ^ What sagacity t What a les- \ son to ua ol '^vAXkiv^zj^X
THH ftABBA.TS MBOLAB't TBBAtintT.
featlf in a ftfilftfemis^.
/
BOUT the year 1800, the watch waa kept by two keepers ; and, for four iDonths, the weather shut tbem off from all cocnmunU cation with the land. The method of talkingr by signals was not developed anywhere into the complete system it has now become, and does not appear to have been in use at all among the light- house people; but, in the course of a week or two after the stonn had set in, it was rumoured at several of the western ports that something was wrong at the Smalls. Passing vessels re- ported that a signal of dis> tress was out ; but that was all they knew. Many at- tempts lo approach the reek were made, but fruitlessly} the boats could not get near enough to hail ( ihey could only return lo inake the be- wildered ageiit and the anxkHia relatives of the keepera more bewildered and more anxious, by the statement that there was always what seemed to be the dim figure of a man in one comer of the outside gallery ; but whether he ^poke or moved, or not, tliey could not telU Night after sight, the light was watched for, with great taiggiviug whether it would ever ghew again. But the light Mled
not. Punctually, as the sun set, it seemed to leave a ftugment of its fire gleamins in the lantern glasses, which burnt there till it rose again, shewing this mnch at least, that some one was alive at the Smalls ; but whether both the men, or which, no anxious mother or loving wilt* could tell. Four months of this, and then, in calmer wea her, a Milford boat brought into the agency at Solva one lightkteper and one dead man. What tlie living man had suflfered can never now be known. Whether, when first he came distinctly to believe his comrade would die, he stood in blank despair, or whether he implored him on his knees, in an agony of selfish terror, to live ; whether, when, perhaps for the first time in his life, he stood faoe to face, and so very close, to death, he thought of immediate burial, or whether he rushed at once to the gallery to shout out to the nearest sail, per* haps a mile away ; at what exact n^oment it was that the thought flashed across him that lie muet not bury the body hi the sea, lest those on shore should ques- tion him as Ciun wa« (\\i«»- tiooed for his brothet, iucA he, failing to produce YiVni^ Aliouid be branded ^VOe^
TBB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRBASUST.
Cain's curse and meet a speedier fate, is unrecorded. What he did was to make a cofSn. He had been a cooper by trade, and, by breaking up a bulk-head in the living-room, he got the dead man covered in ; then, with infinite labour, he took him to the gallery and lashed him there. Perhaps, with an instinctive wisdom, he set himself to work, cleaned and re-deaned his lamps, unpacked and packed his stores. Perhaps he made a point of walking resolutely up to the coffin three or four times a day, perhaps he never went near it, and even managed to look over it
rather than at it, when he was scanning the whole horizon for a sail. In his desperation, it may have oc- curred to him that, as his light was a warning to keep vessels off, so its absence would speedily betray some ship to a dangerous vicinity to his forlornness, whose crew would be companions to him, even though he had caused them to be wrecked. But this he did not do. No lives were risked to alleviate his desolation ; but when he came on shore with his dead companion, he was a sad, re- served, emaciated man, so strangely worn, that his as- sociates did not know him. .
®fe< 'gnmt CtfbbUr.
ury
{N one of the seaport towns of England, among the lofty buildings that lux- and refinement had reared, there stood a low shed- like dwelling, whose tottering wooden walls sheltered two beings, poor as the estimate of the world goes, but richer far than many of their neighbours ; inasmuch as their wealth consisted not in the perish- ing things of earth, but in that which gave them a title to treasures incorruptible, and M crown of glory that Adetb not aw&y. To those who were un- 40
acquainted with this source of true enjoyment, their lot in life seemed to be one of uncommon misery. Poor, old, and feeble, the mother toiled hard for her daily bread ; and a sad accident had made her son a cripple, just when his aid would have been most efficent in her de- clining years. So far as hu- man wisdom could foresee, things looked dark and dis- mal enough : but there was a sunbeam in that cottage, a life and energy in the crush- ed and maimed form of the afflicted youth, that seemed to haW \\\ iVve ivn\ ^\%\AXkR^ %. UghX aV\ea^.
THB SABBATH fiOHOLAR t TBBASURT.
/
** Do yon think I shall he lame always, mother ?"
*'So the doctor says, Johnoy,** replied the woman, in a desponding tone ; ad- ding, in a sciU lower one, ** My poor Johnny I my poor Uttle lad 1"
**Do not take on ahout Die, mother ; and above ail, do not think that everything is lost, because my limbs are crippled and deformed."
** fiat I must, Johnny. How are we to get along now, when you are not able to stand on your feet ; still less to go out and seek for work as you used to? Mother must soon leave you, lad; and then nothing but the workhouse for my poor boy."
^ No, mother ; not while I have my two hands," said John, wiih a look of deter- mind energy ; *Mf 1 cannot walk, I can sit and work, you see."
He held up tahis mother, as he spoke, a pair of well mended shoes, which he had contrived to sew at in odd times when she was busy with her household affairs
or absent from the dwelling. She looked surprised and pleased ; as he had hoped she would be.
"There, it wasn't for nothing that I used to spend so much time with old Giles, the cobbler. 1 have stolen the trade, it seems. But the poor old man is past work now, and won't grudge me a share of the custom. So we shan't go to starving yet, mother ; shall we ?"
** Oh, Job nny, ' said the poor woman, while tears of grati- tude rained down her p^le cheeks, ** how wicked 1 was to distrust that God, who has always been so good and mindful of us both 1 Do we not read in His own blessed Word about * casting our care upon Him ; for He careth lor us ?* And when times are darkest, His pro- mises shine ever the bright- est."
Johnny Pound afterwards became a useful mnn, not only supporting himself^ but rescuing from ignorance, and poverty, and vice, many neglected and destitute chil- dren.
(^Continued Jrom page 33.)
BLBDOK TRATKLLTNO.
E travelled each day until duBk, and then were occapied for a
couple of hours in building our snow-hut. The fouT'w«\\% were run up uulW ^\ iwXi high, inclining \n"waTd» ai% mach as possible ; over lYveve
4\
TBB 8ABBATB SOHOIiAR'S TBXASURT.
our tent was laid to form a roof; we could not afford the time neoessary to con- struct a dome of snow.
Our equipment consisted of a very small brown-liol- land tent, macintosh floor- doth, and felt robes; besides this, each man had a bag of double blanketing, and a pair of fur boots, to sleep in. We wore mocassins orer the pieces of blanket in which our feet were wrapped up. and, with Uie exception of a change of this ibot-gear, carried no spare clothes. The daily routine was as follows: I led the way; Petersen and Thompson followed, conducting their sledges ; and in this manner we trudged on for eight or ten hours without halting, except when necessary to disentangle the dog-harness. When we halted for the night, Thompson and I usu- ally sawed out the blodcs of compact snow and carried them to Petersen, who acted as the master mason in building the snow hut : the hour and a half or two hours usually employed in erecting the edifice was the most dis- Rgreeable part of the day's labour, for, in addition to being already well Ured and desiring repose, we became thoroughly chilled whilst standing about. When the hut was finished, the dogs were fed, and here the great dificulty was to insure the weaker ones their full shore 4S
\
m the scramble for supper ; then commenced the opera- tion of unpacking the sledge, and carrying into our hut everything necessary for ourselTes, such as proyiskm and sleeping gear, as well as all boots, fur mittens, and even the sledge dog- harness, to prevent the dogs fh>m eating them during our sleeping ^urs. The door was now blocked up with snow, the cooking- lamp liglited, foot-gear changed, diary written up, watches wound, sleeping bags wrig- gled into, pipes lighted, and the merits of the various dogs discussed, until supper was ready; the supper swallowed, the upper rc^ or coverlet was pulled over, and then to sleep.
Next morning came break* fast, a struggle to get into froren mocassins, after which the sledges were packed, and another day's march commenced.
In these little huts we usually slept \rarm enough, although laitterly, when our blankets and clothes became loaded with ice, we felt the cold severely. When our low doorway was carefully blocked up with snow, and the cooking-lamp alight, the temperature quickly rose so that the walls became glazed, and our bedding thawed; but the cooking over, or the doorway par- liaWy oveiie^> i\i «a ^v^lekly fell agavI^ ao it2i[\AX \\ ^«k
n» SAHUkTH ■OHOLAS'l TBBA0UBT.
impomiblc to rievpi, or cfven to bold one's paiimkin of tea, withoot puttiiig oar ■nts on, BO intense was the esldl
TRB 8KBLBTOM Oil THB BBAOH.
At last the great dIsooTery wss at hand. There was no deabt that somewhere, not fiur ftom the wild region in which the sledges were thus careering, Sir John Frank- lhi*s ships had been aban- doned by ttieir crews more than ten years before. One litlk scrap of paper fonnd in a calm of stones told this tale, and that in June 1847 Sir John himself had died. The fkto of the famished crews, roaming with their fiiees homeward, was, alas, but too certain. Tokens soon were giren that they most all hare perished by the way. Captain M^Clin- ttick*s story goes on thns :^
We were now upon the shore along which the re* treating crews must ha?e marehed. My sledges, of coarse, trarelled upon the sea-ice close along the shore ; and, althobgh the dejnh of snow which cohered the beadi deprived as of almost every hope, yet we kept a yerjr sbmrp Jook^cut for tneei^ nor were we n/isiic- '
oessftil. Shortly after mid- night of the 35th May, when slowly walking aUmg a gravel ridge near the &»ich, which the winds kept par- tially bare of snow, 1 came upon a human skeleton, partly exposed, with here and there a few fragments of clothing appearing through the snow. The skeleton — now perfli?ctly bleached — was lying upon its face, the limbs and small- er bones either dissevered or gnawed away by small animals.
A most careful examina- tion of the spot was of course made, the snow removed, and every scrap of clothing gathered up. A pocket-book afforded strong grounds for hope that some information might be subsequently ob- tained respecting the unfor- tunate owner and the cala- mitous mareh of the lost crews, but at the time it was frozen hard. The sub- stance of that which we gleaned upon the spot may thus be summed up : —
The victim was a young man, slightly built, and per- haps above the common height; the dress appeared to be that of a steward or officer*8 servant, the loose bow-knot in which his neck- handkerohief was tied not being used by seamen or ofBcers. In every pan\c^\vc the dress confirmed owx coiiv* jVctures as to \\\a Ta\V\L ot office in the late exped\X\ou«
4^
■ BABkATB aOHOUKI
— tlM Um jacket with iluhed ileeTei and brnided edging, and the pitnt cloth great- cost with plain rorered bnttont. We fnund, alio, a clothes-brush near, and a hnm pocket-comh. Thispoor man aeems to have selected the bare ridm top. as afTord- ing the least tiresnme walk- infc, and to have fallen npon hit &ce in the position in which we found him.
It w«« a meUncholr inith thit the old womsD spoke when she said. "They lell down and died oa they walked along."
There was that in the bout which transfixed ns with awe. It was portions of two human skeletons. One was that of a Blight joung person ; the other of a large, slrongly-made, middle-aged man. The fdT- nier was found in the bow of the boil, but in too much distnrbed a state to enahle Hobson to judge whether the suSWrer had died there; large anri powerful animals, pro- bably wolves, had destroyed mach of ihis skeleton, which may have been that of an officer. Near it we fbund the fragment of a pair of worked slippers. The linei were white, with a black margin ; the spaces white. red, and yellow. Thej Jjad originally been 1 1 lachft long, lined with calf- tUn wttb Che hair left on, 44
and the ed|ies bonnd with red silk ribbon. Beside* these slippers there weie ■ pair iif small strong shooting half-boots. The other ikvl»< ton was in a somewhat more perfect state.* and was en- veloped with clothes and furs; it lay across the boat, under the after- thwart. Close beside it were fnund live watchen ; and there were two double-barrelled gun*— one barrel in each loaded and cocked — standing muzzleup- wards against the boat's side. It may tie imagined with what deep interest these sad relics were scruti- nised, and how anxiously every frafcment ol clothins wai tnmed over in search of pockets and pocket-books. jonmala, or even names. Five or six small books were f.>und. all of them scriptural or devotional works, except the '■ Vicar of Wakefleld." One little book, "Christian Melodies." bore an imcrip- tion upon the tiile-page from the donor to G. G. (liraham Gore?) A small Bible con- tained numerous marginal notes, and whole pasaafies underlined. Besides theae books, the cover* of a Mew Testament and Prayer-book were found.
home, their pnyer mntt i gtuge it tpoken, to \ong will hiTe been that tbeir otran- I be renKinbered and lelattd DTmen mifcht learn how | the ploriaiiH fate ot the CTBin BObl; the^accompliabedthe | of the Errbia »nd Ttrrnr, tuk thej had TolDDtaritjr : and how nohl; ihej died in undertaken. That prajrer [ the executinn if their dutj I hu been granted, Aa lonK I to their Queen and their M Britain eiiitt, or our Ian- conntry. — CMtom.
upon the lap of the friend tliat took a mother's care of her. and, winding one vngted arm alwnt her neck, wnnl'l say, "Now, tell me about
SHE following tonch- ing incident is to" of a child who 1o her mother at i I •getooearly tuflx thelovi leatnies in her remembrance. She was frsil hb beauti- I ftal: and at. the bad of her | peated,
heart unfolded, it seemevl, < I M if won ty that molher'e ,' / prmjera, to tura inttlBctively j The request yttk ne^er "w ^
6e»renward. She would lia , fii««i, uai tha iiBeiA\ao«»» 4&
oft told tale had been re- ■ softly »«y,
TBB SABBATH B0BOLAR*S TRBASURT.
child would lie for houra, contentedly gazing upon her mother** portrait.
** But pale and wan the grew, and
weakly. Bearing all her pains so meekly, That to them the rill grew
dearer, At the trial hour drew nearer."
That hour came at last, and the creeping neighbours as- sembled to see the little one die. The dew of death was already on the flower as its life-sun was going down. The little chest heaved faintly, spasmodically. '*Do
you know me, darling?" sobbed close in her ear the Toice that was dearest ; but it awoke no answer. All at once, a brightness, as if from the upper world, burst over the child's colourless coun- tenance. The eyelids flashed open ; the lips parted ; the wan cuddling hands flew up in the little one's last im- pulsive effort, as she looked peeringly into the far above. ** Mother I" she cried, with surprise and transport in her tone, and passed with that breath into her mother's bosom. — Landeh,
BT THE BEY. MR. SHERIFF OF GALCITTA. (^Continuedjirom page 35.)
dess.
GODS AND GODDBSSKt.
DLMOST every loca- lity has some pre- siding god or god- Nor does it matter much to the Hindoo whom he may thus deify. In the south of India an English officer has been made a village deity, cheroots being among the offerings made at his tomb. Nay, a mission- ary's young wife, who fell a victim to cholera, has had the strange fate to have ffowen offered in worship at berlow and lonelj grave.
\
BINOOO MOTHERS.
There is another class in India, whose claims on our Christian sympathies cannot be entirely neglected, — I mean the women of India. From the commencement of their existence these are un- fortunate. There is no Joy over the birth of a girl Female infanticide was once extremely prevalent. From the annual reports of the deaths in Bombay, it appears that more girls than boys die of amalVv^T.^ ^i)cv« ^t«ikU being unw WWn^^x^^cMkN^ V^oeisi
THB 8ABBATB SOHOLAR's TKBASURT.
/
TiocinatecL Hindooism con* demni women to a state of toUl ignorance, and the rea* am aMigned addi insult to injostioe : It is maintained thai; woman is so etsentiallj eril, that education would only afford her more ability to work mitchief. Married when children, they are de- btrred from ail choice in regard to the person to whom they are consigned for life. Tlwy must not eat with their lords-— dare not pro- Doanoe e^en their names. They possess no means of employing time pleasantly and profitably, — no books, no ornamental work, no be- nevolent labours. What a dull, weary, aimless life must they lead ! And what pre- paration for eternity I
As a natural consequence of their ignorance, the Hin- doo women are more super- stitious than the men. They are strongly attached to the worst rites and .ceremonies of heathenism, feasts, pro- cessions, pilgrimages, &o. They are also fearfully pas- sionate in temper. Demo- niacal possession is held to be common among them. Suicide is also deplorably frequent Jn MadraB, in 1856, there were 62i women
who thus rushed into the presence of Qoi, and only 887 men* Lately I saw mention of a case wherein a mother wss condemned for the number of her children, her motive being to spite her husband, with whom she had quarreled.
NBED or CBPHAMIGES.
Orphanages are greatly needed. The people are gen- erally poor ; often in a state of entire destitution. Th^re is no poor-law in India, no provision for tlie support of those who are unable to ob tain a livelihood. Famines, or at least seasons of scarcity, are not unfrequent; and parents are often unable to maintain their children. Pestilence often sweeps away the people, and many or- phans are left in its terrible path. Surely the blessing of the God of the fatherless must rest on such institu- tions as these.
BEALCOTB.
*The blood of the martyrs it the seed of th« Churcta."
Sealcote is a name hallow- ed to all who revere true piety and devoted mission- ary zeal. EspeciaWy u Vx dear to our Church. 'W^
hare taken poaaemotv ol \t
47
THB BABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBASUBT.
by the dust of our martyred dead which rests there. To the memory of those dearly beloved and deeply lamented servants of Jesus tlie most fitting monument is about to be erected — a church. Two missionaries of our Church — the Key. Messrs. Patterson and Taylor— arid now on their way to resume the evangelistic labours so hopefully commenced there May they be abundantly blessed in their work, and be the honoured instruments of turning many from dark- ness to light 1 An orphanage in Sealcote,
in connexion with the Scot- tish Mission, is eminently fitted to arrest the attention of the natives, and to pro- claim the contrast between Christianity and Hindooism or Mohammedanism. In that place Moslem and hea- then lust of blood was shewn by the ruthless murder of the Christian infant; and there Christian love is made manifest by the erection of a home for the friendless chil- dren of heathens and Mus- sulmans. Surely this is in accordance with the Divine injunction to overcome evil with good.
%n %yoitU'i
48
pgmn.
'HEN I survey the wondrous Cross, On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but losd, And poor contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God ;
All the vain things which charm me most I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head. His hands. His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down ;
Did e*er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown ?
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offiering far too small ; Love 80 amazing, so divine. Demands my soul, my life, my aVl\
TBB UABBATU ■OBOULK's TCBAtUBT*
fates 0f % ^injtJr 3«t Islanbs.
mm OOKAII OBVB.
r£SE idandt may wdl be called such. Thej itnd the Afi the South Pacific 1^ each like a fiury 1^ A belt of coral laterally rnoa round iafend at the distance wl a mile from •here, fiinat thii belt the of the Pacific come fin, often to the height ■7 feet. Within the ig reef there are h and lovely baains. da ia under a sky very Iwtter than ours, but i vorld of waters the m blow with refreshing is. Up into the dear e great mountains, as ny island creats, seen lilors miles at sea. down their slopes the PS spreads its green ^ till you dip into the valleys thidt with k and bloom. The MO that oMBie upon OOT^fywhere of noble |(— of silvery streams Ig through the deep ^nd of the blue sea iag far ou^ ia ii§ ,
are such as no scene in our own land can in the least degree equaL Tou would think you were moving through enchanted ground.
THOSB WHO DWKLX THKUK.
There are two great races in these islands— one race* in the western half^ distin- guished by black skin and criap hair; the otlier race in the eastern half of the is* liinds, distinguished by cop- per skin and bUok glossy liair. Both are tall and powerfuL Before mission- aries reached them, tatooing was universal — the strangest aud wildest figures being cut upon the skin with a minute finish not excelled in rare works of art. Their disposition is generally frank and open; and with their rich soil and thdr abundant breadfruits, they lived a wild tree life, with' neither toil nor care«
BaFOBE TBB GOBPBI..
In these lovely islands, be- fore the Gospel, there were the darkest spots of crime. <?ljild-murder >^*M tVie coitL-
oionest hortor. ido\8L\s^
4d
THB SABBATH BOHOLAR'b TBEASUBT.
had many shrines in the I thick groves. There was but a poor dim notion of a Supreme Being. The spirits of ancestors, birds, insects, and wooden gods of the islanders* own making, were worshipped. They had long and vain cries in the form of prayers ; and besides offer- ing animals, and fruits, and manufactures on their altars at ordinary times, — in times of war, or the illness of their kings, or the building of a temple, human sacrifices were made, attended with black and devilish rites. What a fair, Kden-like clus- ter of island homes ! in their bosoms what dark places of horrid cruelty I ,
THE FIRST MISSIONARY SHIP.
It was called the Duff;
and now it is nearly seventy
years since it landed its
missionary company of some
twenty persons on the island
of Otaheite, as Captain Cook
hald called it — famous in
connexion with the tale of
the mutiny of the Bounty,
As the ship sailed within
the coral bar, a whole fleet
of canoes covered the water,
giving it eager welcome.
It had been sent out by the
Londoa Misaionary Society, SO
freighted with its good cargo ; and here, for the first time to those savage islanders, were the feet coming beau- tiful upon their mountains. A large house was given by the king for the missionary band to dwell in; presents were showered upon them ; round their palm -covered home the strange dark throng yelled and danced in joy ; and, leaving them thus to their awful toil, the ship spread its sails and glided away to touch at other shores.
THE TVONDER OF THE FOROB.
Amongst other things, by and by, the missionaries set up a blacksmith's forge, and began to work at the anvil. The natives, who knew nothing of the uses of iron and the methods of working it, crowded to the smithy gazing in fear and wonder. The bellows roared, the sparks flew at the ham- mer stroke, the hot iron hissed when plunged into water, and the onlookers at last turned in their terror and fled. By and. by they came to understand better, and then the marvels done at that forge so caught their \ fancy tbiSkX. W\«^ \)>TQiu^x\iK^
TAB tABBATH SOHOLAS't TRBA8DBT.
aents in shoals to the workers' feet. The king himself, in his ecstasy, could not help embracing the blacksmith, and, as his best
: token of satisfaction, accord-
! ing to the curious custom of the island, he brought his
I nose into contact with the blackened face of the artisan.
I We would look at that with
laughter, but with the poor Otaheitians it was a solemn deed of farour. So the way was early opened up—the Gospel found a door of en- trance; snd how here and in the other islands it ran to and fro and was multiplied, we will, if you attend fur- ther, gladly tell you month by month.
WotYiuQ ixixxs)ith
/
ONCE had the cu- riosity to look into a little girl's work- box. And what do you suppose I found ? Well, in the first place, I found a *'bead purse," about half done; there was, however, no prospect of it ever being finished, for the needles were out, and the silk upon the spools all tangled and drawn into a complete wisp. Lay- ing this aside, I took up a nice piece of perforated paper, upon which was wniught one lid of a Bible, and l^neath it the words *' I love," but what she loved was left for me to conjecture. Beneath the Bible lid I found aaock, evidently commenced for some baby-foot ; but it had come to a stand just about the little heel, and there it seemed doomed to remun. l^ear to the sock wM B needle-bookf one cover of wbUsli was neatly made I
and upon the other, partly finished, was marked, '*1o my dear." I need not, how- ever, tell you all I found there ; but this much I can say, that during my travels through that work box, I found not a single article complete ; and, mute as they were, those half-finished, for- saken things told me a sad story about that little girl. They told me that, with a heart full of generous affec- tion, with a head full of use- ful and pretty projects, all of which she had both the means and skill to CHrry into effect, she was still a useless child — always doing, but never accomplishing her work. It was not a want of industry, but a want of per- severance. Remember, my dear little friends, that it matters but little w\\al gt^iil thing we undertake. Omt glory is not in that, \xviti *m what we accompWaVu
51
THB lABBAIB MHOI.AK'a TBMUJIXT.
earnest ^aiificns.
LUKK XIX. (Ml^HERE WIS once a | mny ibppOK, vete qdte dSj'^ great namber of ; crowded. It wm Jtnt i^^X^ people in the I Chritt ihat the )?Mq^ w«« ttreeU of Jertclio; the \ commg \o?.«Sict Vi wfc. ^ windowM and the doors, we , h*i be«i ^w^SSm^ ^» ■'lifci 62
torn SABBATH BOHOLAB'S IBBASTTBT.
and castini^ oat derils, luid doing many wonderM woriKs; it ira», therelbre, quite natural tbat the ttreeta of Jericho should be flUed with people as He paaeed tHoDg* Very likelj they ttid to one aaofebet as He fttied, ^See^ there is the wooderfol maal" I am quite sure that some of the bojrs would olimb up to the tops of the walls to get a Tiev of Jesus^ as you see bojs do now when there is My great light in the BUeeta. So Jesus went on through the great crowd; and, while ererjrbody was pushing and pi^essing to get ft sight of Him, thete was one msn in the crowd whom the New Testamebt tells us about. His name was Zao- cbeus. He was a very rich man, but it is too evident that he had not been a very good man. Howeter, he wanted to repent and give up his bad life, and, I think, lie went out into the street that day to try if Jesus would not do something to ■STe his poor unhappy soul. Oh, it is a good thing when we haye an earnest, humble qiirii, like Zaoeheus. I am Mfnid Ihat, thoi^b there was net M crowd in the streeta
of Jericho to see Jesos, yet most of them were there just to pass a half-hour, and laugh and talk, and that they looked at Christ with- out thinking much about their souls. It was not so with earnest Zaccheus. But alas! as the story tells us, he was a very little man, and he could not see orer the othdr people*s shoulders, so what was he to do ? The windows and doors of the houses were quite full, and there was nobudy who i^ould stand out of the Way, and let poor Zaccheus get a glimpse. What uhu he to do? I shall tell you what he did — he ran away along the road before the rest of the people, and climbed up into a tree I He did nut care though the boys should call names after him, he did not care though the people should laugh at him, if he could just get a good yicrw of the dear Saviuur. So he sat up among the branches of the tree, and looked, and looked, and looked at Christ. Oh, what an earnest man Zaccheus must have been !
However, my story is not dooe. The Saviour pasaedi on through the crowd c^ p^le, and at last He caine
THB SABBATH BGHOLAR*S TRBASUBT*
just under the tree on which Zaccheus had climbed. As He came nearer and nearer, Zaccheus, I daresaj, felt his heart beat more quickly. He must have thought with- in himself, while he was looking at Christ, «0h, there He comes at last ! there is the blessed Jesus ! What a kind face He has got I how loYing He looks!'' Well, while he was saying this to himself^ how astonished he was to see Jesus stand still ! And what more do you think did Jesus do? He looked up into the tree, and fixed his eyes on Zaccheus, and spoke to him with a very kind voice: what he said to him was, **Zac- cheus, I am going to your house to stay with you I " Just fancy that ! You would scarcely believe your ears if the Queen were to tell you that she would come to visit you : but who was this that was going to stay with the despised man that was up in the tree ? It was Jesus, the Lord of glory! And why, do you think, was Jesus going to visit him ? It was because he was in earnest, Jesus Christ luves all earnest people, all people who are
anxious to be BAved. And 54 t
therefore, though there were thousands of men and wo- men who crowded the streets of Jericho, he would not go to live with any of them ex- cept Zaccheus. The boys and girls might make a fool of Zaccheus because he was such a little man, but Christ saw that he was earnest. Are tfou earnest, my dear young friends? Do ymi really wish to be saved, as the man in the tree did ? If you do, you may be very little, and perhaps very poor, but Jesus will see you, and He will love and save you.
Well, as soon as Znccheus heard that the Saviour was going to his house, down he came from the tree. Oh,- it would have been worth while to have seen how quickly he came down. Away they went together along the street, and then Zaccheus opened a door, and took Jesus in with him, and, I am sure, Zaccheus was a happy man, and his house was a happy house that day. I told you that he had not been a good man at one time, but after this there was a great change on his con- duct. Instead of being bad ZaccVie\x%,Vi«NTa%^ after this, good ZacOLvexx*. 'Vl\i%X\%i^
THB SABBATH BOHOLAB's TBBABUBT.
ways the case with those who become Christ's people : they do not deceive nor act wltek- edly as thej did before. I believe that this man who bad to climb a tree once to see Christ, sees Him now perfectly and for evermore in the dty above. There is a great crowd in the New Jerasalem, but it is not like the crowd in Jericho, for they are all saints with white robes singing the praises of Jesus. Another thing is, that every one in heaven will see Christ quite easily. There will be no need to press, and struggle, and strive there, before we can get a sigh t of H im. A nd oh, it will be such a glorious sight!
"There we shall see His fiice, And never, never sin ! "
So, my dear young friends, be earnest, like the man of vhom I have told you : then the Lord Jesus Christ will bless and save you. Because Zaccheus was little did Christ fail to espy him? No! Did the branches and leaves of the tree hide him
from Christ? Ko! Did Christ despise him because he had been wicked ? No ! <<To this man will I look, saith the Lord, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." He will look to } ou if you earnestly seek him.
Zaccheus climbed to see The Savionr passing by.
Though he was hidden in the tree, Christ fixed on him His eye.
Like him who climbed the tree, I would my Saviour seek ;
I know when I do pray He'll see, Before I call Hell speak.
He'll say, " Come, sinner, come!
Open to me thy door ; I'll make of thy poor heart my home,
And bless thee evermore ! "
Zaccheus* house was blest, That did the Lord receive ;
But better far when \SL0\ahrecL8t The Saviour comes to live.
Come, Jesus, dwell in me. And make me all thine own,
That, with Zaccheus, I may see, And serve Thee on Thy throne.
&5
IBB •«BBATH aOBOLAR'a TBBAIIIBT.
"Qe Sninis in His Jrma."
|
.fel^N a Chinese Chri>il«o |
am only a little |
bot: itwiU |
|
|
*i» family |
t Amoy. |
be easier for Jesos to cany |
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|
^dK> B linla |
boy, the |
me." ThJiloflc of the heart |
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*^^ youngest |
of three |
wai too much |
for the b- |
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cbildren. |
ther. He |
||
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on asking |
took bim |
||
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hia ftthet |
with him. |
||
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10 .llow |
and the |
||
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him to be |
dMr<Mld |
||
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Iwirtteed. |
wa« ere |
||
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*M told |
long bap- |
||
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that he |
t i z e d. |
||
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wa» too |
The whole |
||
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youog; if! |
lamily, of |
||
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that be |
^ wbjcbthis |
||
|
r^v^vt" ^^ |
^31 |
L child is |
|
|
back If he k:53 |
' the youn- |
made the loiichinH reply, i . "Jesus hot promised tocarry tlie lambs in His arms. I |
% IgfantilttI kt faWg ®m.
^^H called the Man* fflgyjlB chaneel, which "^"^ growf in the West Indie* ; to appearanua it ii Tery attractive, and the wood of it peculiarly Ijeauti- ful ; it bears a kind of apple, resembling the golden pip- j pin. This frnit looks very ', teatpttog, and amelU very '
fragrant ; bat to eat of it it
insTant deatli ; and it* sap or joice is »o Ixiiaonont, dint if a ft w drops of it rail on tb« skin, it raises UbtCM, and occasions great palo. The Indiana dip their arrow* ia the juice, that they may poison their etiemles when they wuxuil \\iein. Pcovi- deoce bu.^ '" " "'
.m aOHOLAB't TBBAMJBT*
wm Hi these tnee is ivuad, bm neer il alse grews a wkUt or a fig-tree, the juice tf ofwhiefa^ifiMlied •^ is a remed/ tor the m jwodoecd by the paeeL Now whea 1 di aooomit, I tiioiight and salvatioiL biii« Us poisoBous apple^ plessaat to the ejre#
and men desire it, and eat of it, and die. But there is a remedy st hand. Apply, therefore, to this means of cure! Fly to a orocifled Satiour 1 there it no time to be lost! the poison works witliin us! the disease every moment is inoreas- inff. Go to the great Phy- sieian without delay. — WkiaeroM.
p Pm t|at m^^ W Wmams.
rSUBEH BLACK was a torment in the neighbotirhood wheiie be resided^ lib had a sharp ahd AN^ble look. HU Itemed to be in per^ ikmr^ His dog drop- Is tail between his isd eyed hfm ask- «a if to see what a he was in. The 6at : Wild, and liad been I to rush straight up Imney when he moved Ife her. Every day be ■ the toirn and the Mrhood because the • poisoned his dogs Med his hens. Oon- Mkwsttits involved him Mfach trouble and ex- tliat he luul Neither W moiiey to spend in bprovemenl of his
I
WM the MUte of I Simeon Oreen I
bought the farm next to Reuben's. Thi* bad been much neglected, and had caught thifitles and other weeds from the neighbour- ing fields. But Simeon was a diligent man, and one who commanded well his own temper, for he had learned of Him who is meek and lowly in heart. His steady perseverance and industry soon changed the aspect of things on the larm. Itiver mud, autumn leaves, old bones, were all put into use to assist in producing fer- tility and beauty. His sleek horse tossed his mane and neighed when his master came near; as much as to say, •* The world is sU the pleasauter for hating you in it, Simeon Green!" When Simeon turned his steps homewards, V\ft fiYiW dren threw theit capft ax^^ ran ahouting, ^*YAX\i«t*a
51
THB SABBATH BCHOLAB*S TBBASUBT.
coming I** His wife some- times said to her neighbours, " Everybody loves my hus- band that knows him. They cannot help it."
Simeon Green's acquain tance knew that he was never engaged in a lawsuit in bis life, but they predicted that he would find it impos- sible to avoid it now. They told him his next neighbour was determined to quarrel with people whether they would or not; that he was like John Lilburne, of whom it was happily said, " If the world were emptied of every person but himself, Lilburne would still quarrel with John, and John with Lil- burne."
'* Is that his character?" said Simeon. '* If he exer- cises it upon me, I will soon kill him."
People were not slow in repeating Simeon Green's remark about his wrangling neighbour. **Eill me, will he ? " exclaimed Keuben. He said no more; but his tightly - compressed mouth had such a significant ex- pression that his dog slunk from him in alarm.
Then commenced a series of teasing worries and per- secutions, for Reuben was determined to make his new neighbour quarrel with him. But for some time all his attempts failed. Simeon would not be quarrelled wi$h. Nay more, he and his Ti7& made many little ad-
S8
vances to a friendly state of things; and never seemed af- fronted when they were re- jected.
This imperturbable good- nature vexed Reuben more than all the tricks and taunts he met from others. Evil efforts he could under- stand, and repay with com- pound interest, but he did not know what to make of this perpetual forbearance. It seemed to him there must be something contemptuous in it. He disliked Simeon more than all the rest of the people put together, because he made him feel so uncom- fortably in the wrong, and did not aflfbrd him the slight- est pretext for complaint. At last, one night, after sit- ting very thoughtfully smok- ing for a long time, he gentlj knocked the ashes from his pipe, and said, with a sigh, ** Peg, Simeon Green has killed me I "
♦•What do you mean?" said his wife, dropping her knitting with a look of sur- prise.
" You know when he first came into this neighbour- hood, he said he would kill me," replied Reuben ; ^ and he has done it. The other day he asked me to help his team out of the bog* and I told him I had enough to do to attend to my own business. To-day my team stuck fast in the same \)o%, tt.iid\v^ q»xsa with i two yoke ol oiKfiw Xo ^tvh Nx
THB BABBATH^ SCHOLAR t TBBABURT.
oat. I felt ashamed to have him lend me a haiid; so I told him I wanted none of bi8 help; but be answered just as pleasant as if nothing contrary bad hi^ipened, that Dight was coming on and he was not willing to leave me in the mud."
** He is a pleasant-spoken man," said Mrs. Black, ^ and always has a pretty word to uj to the boys. His wife leems to be a nice neigh- bourly body too."
The next morning, much to his wife's astonishment, Reuben took np a fine ripe melon, and said he would take it *• over there." Orer, accordingly, to Mr. Green*s house he went, feel- ing very awkward, and after brushing his hat, and rub- bing his head, and looking out at the window, he said suddenly, as if by a despe^ rate eflfbrt, **The fact is, Mr. Green, 1 did not behaye right about the oxen."
" Never mind — never mind," replied Mr. Green. ** Perhaps I shall get into the bog again one of these nuny days. If I do, I shall know whom to call upon"
**Why, you see," said Reuben, still very much oonfosed, and avoiding Sim- eon*s mild clear eye, "you tee the neighbours h^re are very ugly. If I had always lived by such neighbours as you are, 1 sbonid not bejuat uImou " \
"Ah, well, we must try to be to others what we want them to be to us," rejoined Simeon. "You know the good Book says so. I have learned by experience, that if we speak kind words, we hear kind echoes. If we try to make otiiers happy, it fills them with a wish to make us happy. Perhaps you and I can bring the neighbours round in time to this way of thinking and acting. Who knows ? — let us try, Mr. Black, let • us try. And come and look at my or- chard. I want to shew you a tree which 1 have grafted with very choice apples. If you like, I will procure you some cuttings from the same stock."
They went into the or- chard together, and friendly chat soon put Reuben at his ease. When he returned home, he made no remarks about his visit ; for he could not, as yet, summon suffi- cient greatness of soul to tell his wife that he had con- fessed himself in the wrong. A gun stood behind the kit- chen door, in readiness to shoot Mr. Gre&n*s dog for having barked at his horse. He now fired the contents into the air, and put the gun away into the barn. From that day henceforth, he never sought for any pretext to quarrel with the dog or his master.
8imeon Green waa loo magnanimous to repeal to
5^
THB SABBATH S0HOLAS*8 TBBAflUmT.
anj one that his quarrel- some neighbour hs4 con- feMed himself to blame. He merely smiled as he said to
his wife, ''I thou{ should kill htm f while.** — SunheoTM Cottage,
ffilfeje Islling ^ain.
^ARK the rain tliat falls from above; the same shower that drops out of one cloud increaseth sundry plants in a garden, and severally, ao cording to the conditioii of every plant. In one stalk it
makes a rose ; in an violet; diverse in a and sweet in all. Spirit works His farious effects in complexions, and all ing to the increase of Jeremy Taylor,
I
Wt^t l^itmer $lesltin$ ioU| Christ
[OB ever here my rest shall be, Close tQ Thy bleeding sid^ ; This all my hope, an4 all my plea. For me the Saviour died. My dying Saviour, and Jfij God,
Fountain for gaiU and sin. Sprinkle mc ever witli Thy blood, And cleanse and keep mc dean.
Wash me, and make me thus Thine own.
Wash me, and mine Thou art : Wash me, but not my feet ^one,
My hands, my bead, my heart. Th* atonement of Thy blood apply.
Till faith to sight hnprove; Till hope in ful^ fruition die,
And aU my soul be lovs.
GO
«|t guttnlj mi its Stssons.
t^ITH lo rely flowers and as we may learn wig- ^3 nnd gay longs of ilom from Ihc bee and tlie ^ birdi, the gentle ani, so tiiis liny creature t!i of early summer too comeg Ui ua witli ils I alao Ihouianda of leasoDSi for it ii a very ful and busy inpect*. curious thing that & boiwt- im nil none it B greater fly'a abort life ie jast ii\\U\a ■le Chan tl:e butlerBi- ; picture of the Ifti STJUnftet 6V
THE B4BBATB BOHOLAB's TRBASURT.
and the never-ending exis- tence of man.
Every one knows that the butterfly comes from a kind of caterpillar. Some, who have examined this little worm with the help of a microscope (a glass used to make objects look larger), tell us that there is another small creature enclosed within it, which is just the butterfly ungrown. The caterpillar spends its dull lite among the herbage on which it feeds, then seeks some quiet place of shelter, where, covering itself up in a soft silken clew, it falls asleep and (as it were) dies. But, by and by, from this state of death the butterfly comes forth in all its living beauty. The varied hues of its wings gleam bright in the sunshine, and all the long summer day it flits through garden and meadow, sipping perfumei) juices from the sweetest flowers. Now, is there not here, first, some- thing very like the life of man in this poor sinful world, then something very like his death, and last of all, something very like his ris- ing again in glory ? Is it not au emblem of the Christian ?
hut Bometimea, strange to (J2
say, though everything else I have described takes place, no butterfly comes forth. The cause of this is very wonderful. Some very little insects live in the inside of others and feed upon them, but when it happens that one of this kind attacks the caterpillar, it makes its way to the little butterfly within, and feeds upon it alone. The caterpillar itself all the while appears quite healthy, and, at the usual time, re- tires to its deathlike rest, but when it is examined, nothing is found but the empty skin. The butterfly within has been secretly destroyed. How like, again, is this to the ungodly man I Outward/^ perhaps he is all his days prosperous and happy, but sin is secretly killing bis soul, and when the last great change has come, he finds, what he may never have dreamt of before, but finds too late, that his soul is lost! Oh ! how very, very sad it is to think that many, who might live for ever and ever in the glory and bliss of heaven, will never enter there, be- cause in this world they love sin, and do not ask Him who died for ftlunera to save them from it i^oYf \ \> . \i ,
(
THS SABBATH 8GHOLAR*8 TRBABUBT.
^t ^ttitbag ^cl^ffffl ^ocmatiifL
jN one of our Sunday schools, not long since, a visiting friend, who was ad- dressing the school, remark- ed that he would like to see all the children like locomo- tives, coming into school with a tram of new scholars The result was, the next
Sunday, in came one of the boys, followed by five new scholars, all holding on to each other's coats, and he puffing away like a locomo- tive in motion. Would it not be well if all Sunday school scholars should be- come such locomotives ? — iSunday School A dvoaitt.
^t0ms.
/
AMMA, I mean to be a mission- ary," said little Alice, looking up ; with her bright face from a I book she had been reading — I a narrative of missionary i life.
i " Why do you wish to be ; a missionary, my child ? "
** Because they are so good, , and do so much good, /want ': to do good in the world, mamma."
"I hope you will, my
dear,'* SHid the mother; "but
there are many ways of being
useful. God wishes us all
• lo serve Him, and He will
' point out the right way for
I yon to do it; it may be by
i in)ing on a mission to foreign
lands, or it may be by quietly
I rioing good in your own
family circle — bfing a little
^owc miasjonary. Yon can
^ that now every day of
Xourlife,"
*'I don't see much I can do here," said Alice: ** I have to study almost the whole time, you knuw, and that does no one any good."
"Yes, indeed, it does," replied her mother. ** I read a sentence to-day,. Alice, which made me th nk of you; it was from a quaint old author, who says, *Life is made up of two heaps, one of sorrow, and one of happiness, and whoever car- ries ihe very smallest atom from one to the other does God a service.* There is never a day in which you do not carry a great many atoms to one pile or the other.*'
" Do I ? Have I laid any on either to-day, mamma?"
*'Yes, indeed; when you spoke angrily to \\U\e Watt-j about the doll tV\« tootxvux^, you made us both ^exy mv\- comfortable, and put rcxoxe
TRK SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBASURT.
than oDe atom on the pile of sorrowr and another when you pouted because I wished you to wear your hood to school. When you helped Mary Berrel to carry her basket, you laid an atom on the joy-heap — two atoms, I fancy, for she as well as I was made happier by the kind act. When you hung your cloak and hood, and put gloves and books all in their right places after les- sons to-night, you put quite ii large atom on my pile of joy. When you were so thoughtless as to make a noise that woke baby from his sleep, and set hira cry- ing, another atom went on the heap of sonroMT. When you picked up grandmamma's spectacles with a smiling luce, and pleasantly laid down your book to take up a stitch in ber knitting, you
increased the pile ness."
"Oh, how odd, what great big he must get to be I "
** Yes, indeed, for constantly making or tlie other larger my little Alice will carrying atoms ai the pile of sorrow that of happineffs thus removed every how nmch she wi plish in a lifetime !
Papa*8 step was i at the door; A lie* draw his arm-chai the blazing fire, anc slippers where tfa get warm ; and wlie how pleased he lool them there, she^ 'w "I think 1 put little bit of an ato joy-heap there, mi AmericaH Messengei
Mfest a i^ng Pag iff.
GRAIN of corn an infant's band May plant upon aa iach of land ; Wbrace twenty stalks might spring an Enough to stock a little field.
The harvest of that field might then
Be multiplied to ten times ten ;
Which, sown t&rice more, could furnish bread
Wherewith an army might be fed.
A penny is a little thing,
Which e*en a poor man's child may btVwg
Into the treaBury of heaven,
A.nd make it worth as much aa seven. 64
TBS SABBAVH ■CaOt.AR'* rOBASORT.
Bto tff ht f fl&fJr.
^,HE more children love everybody, the more every- body loves them. Did you ever think of that before? When a child's ~
beams with love, you may be quite sure there are hearts which turn with fond affec- tioo toward the little one. You seldom meet a smile alone. They travel in troops.
©ales at f^t §^tmt\ §im Islanbs.
(jOontiimed fi
TBB OAPTIVB SHIP.
VERYTHING went well fbr a time; and when the news reached England of the happy settlement in Tahiti, good men*s hearts beat with joy. But shadows were coming up the bright hori* zoo. Home the ship Duff came with her tidings, and then, freighted again with a company of missionaries, slie tailed out of port on a second trip to the southern waters. Many an ardent prayer fd- loved her white wake on the deep. Scarce bad she seen the shores of South America, howev^, when a French privateer took her captive. For several weeks the mis nonaries and their wives and children were cmeVjr pwted. Then they met ngmin in a ^ ^panuA port, but onljr to see '
cm page 51.)
starvation or a dark prison staring them in the face. In their extremity the heart of the French captain was moved to mercy, and be found a passage back to Europe for them in a Portu- guese ship. But, to crown their misfortunes, that ship, in turn, was captured as a smuggler ; and after great hardships, the missionary band were landed first at Lisbon, and then found their way back to England, after ten months* absence, all their labour, as it seemed, lost, and their sufferings in vain. Yet it w as not so In the sight of that Lord in whose cause they had endured.
THE SKY OVBRCASr.
\ In Tahiti itself the mis«\Qa was faring still worae. Ktt^T their first burat of amaiift* ment, the natives %V\e^%A.
DAture coming nut. Tliey Biculked about lUemiBsiaLiflry settlement, plumicrin^ and lliiering every nrtiele ovtr which ihej- tould lay Ihoir hRTidB. Mbdj of them, I covered with ijie
e life, un
othe
the iletp ialmii! forfslB, i were set on by the f Blripped. Rnd all hut n dered. They narrowly cnped back lo tlielr bh house. They found t hretliren there foriifyin in great alxmi. The wl
mjuioufii'y hc-pilal door, mandJDg fiercely that charm ihoald l>c wrought
them, 10 that instantly they i Out of every thicket d
mi^ht he hexleil. By and facen ^lennird upon ih
hy (heir life whs threntened. and in a few duyo the to.
Uut of an Englisti ghip, of war was ringing .
drireninbystncsofweHllier Terrified hy their dan
into Matavsi Hay, aevern) the miasionnry baud hr
Builora had deserted, and llie up. ¥,\e-veive«cB^v.w\« foini-nariee having. ptt\it^t i Uie ViuftVu^i tta^v^ »iii »
a BABSATH SOHOLAB'i '
nonly ,
I WMherMenpt. S?t
iciriliied ; ■iid the
, bniegen round them, in
' llirm now lest the mUainn
. ibinild be swept Troni their
< ihorei altogether, threw
I down thelT Hrms, tried out
(or peice, and implore*! lite
■CTcn to remitlD. So it vai
i)onr,Rndiheslorm ofMuod-
■betl ind teiror passed
In 1B0O the first church
j RiTed. It vai a modpst,
I dlh iU p>lm- thatched roof.
I Ai toon M it was completed,
I Pomare the king lent njiih
, •• ta offering to Jraa Ch'iat,
I 'ilh a reqaest that it might
I appear in the building. Such
i vu the rude impulse of this
nnUaght heiirt. The church
•u built was ibe fint temple
Ite Nune of Clirist in all
■be South Sea Islands; and
foa can fonc; with what
jaj the poor miieionaries
looked at the aacred houfe
ai it peeped out of iU nesl
■^ foliajte down upon the
ninnjr baj and the great
(leean world. They hopeil
It would be crowded soon
»ilh worshipping beartt.
Bat Gad had not orilained it
m Hardly two yeara irerw i
topnsa, whenflreandMaujfh- ter were to sweep upon the scene again, and the very hands that ao plotialj bnilt the temple should be the Srst to pull it into mins, lest it niifrht be made a atronghold for aoTage foes t
thdt
England joined the misal arj band.
>iild <
RDiong the naliTca about a famous idol-god. named Oro, threw all again into disma}'. It was in this war the Utile church waa destroyed. Tlien the earliest friend of the misiioniiriet, old Pomare, died. He had remained to the laat a stubborn idolati r^
.the'
t he
waa offering a heljring hand ' totheCh^ist■anmia8ioDarie^ he was putting to death his human sacrifices In (he black iiland groTen ! These are the crow ciurenla of the heart nhich the Word of God asRUres u« Is deceitful above all things and deepe- ratel; wicked.
Round the miasion-hoUH: ' rcboi>UwereopeiM&Miwn^«^- ^ the first th\nge fot IV\« lavage chiMtsn. It "■»* *
THB SABBATH SOHOLAR'B TBBASDRT.
hard piece of work. Not only with the children, but with the grown-up^ the rooms were filled to stifling.
But manj of the parents CAme in this way, bent on nothing but idle frolic. They took with them cocks and dogs, flung them upon the floor, urged them to fight, and laughed loud over the tumult that followed, and the grief especially of the patient teachers. The same
wild uproar was often in the middle of service. Nevertheles good work went oc one of the fruits, sec few years,, was in tl king Pomare writing London Missionary i a letter in his mother He had been a pupil Christian school, and seeds at least had root in his heart.
(To he continaed.
% ^toTj 0f lattUiif latuw.
CRAPTBR I.
)BOUT seven oreigfart and twenty years a){Oy Jai Tshasseda Odah, a chief of a Galla tribe, was made happy by the birth of a daughter, whom be named Qanomeh. In after years she always felt that she could never sufficiently praise the pa- ternal affection with which he treated her. He spared no pains whatever to bring her up as a virtuous daughter. How often did he exhort her to this I And, moreover, this Galla prince had a deep feeling that his own example alone would give the right impression to his exhortations He was an especial friend to the poor. Richly ble§aed with the ^oods of tlu8 world, H was 68
to him a delight to h power of doing good poor of his tribe, must have been son tender in the mind man, for he might b seen going into the c of the sick, and < them medicines wli had himself prepai ray from the hcavenl; had fallen into this h€ heart, for he early his little daughter to God, who was truly an unknown God : wl she spoke of him, he was full of joy and ai ment at what thi father had done for h He was a brave an> ageous prince, anc
? roof of this in many n one of these oon
aide of \ua ^slui^^quk.)
TMB BAIHK^TH SOBOLAB's TBKABUBT.
wonnded ; the child was tSien MX years old, her prop was brokeo. Shall we complain of death? I think that we ihottld rather adore God, who works in a mysterious lat blessed and glorions way.
We know almost nothing of the mother of the child, ftnd it would appear that she beoime actoally an orphan by the death of her father, to whom she reniained at- tached with tender affection even after he had been buried. Often was the dear child seen going to her father's grave, which was about half- Mtt - hoiir*8 distance from home ; she would stay there weeping for hours. One day, when she had wept till she could weep no more, and was about to return home, •he saw a company of Mo- hammedans approiiching her ; tliej were kidnappers. The child, who was but nine yduv old, could oppose no resistance, and had recourse to earnest entreaties and tear*; bul they were of no avail, for they were inhuman men, who had silenced long t|^ the Toice of their oon- •ctence.
Etoorted by these habitu- ated slare-hunters, the Gkilla maiden had to make a long joamey trcm the south. They halted only once a week. At last they reached Sennar, the capital of Sudan, a pro- vince beloDjrjn^ to the Pa»h& ot Egypt, At Sennur, FAtme muf taken to the slave mar-
ket, with many other mide and female slaves. A slave- trader who bought Fatme treated her well, for he knew that grief and melancholy would spoil her looks, and injure her value for sale. Traders as well as keepers of harems used to come to the house where she was waiting her future destiny. She was even then fully aware of the nature of « harem ; and the thought of being in such a koude of sia filled her with horror and anxiety. But what coukl she do? She had recourse to prayer, say- ing to an unknown God, *'0 gc^ God, only let me not go into a house of wicked- ness!" Thus she prayed often, aa she afterwards re- lated to our friends. Our merciful God, who was de- siitniRg the salvation of this Ibrsaken young orphan, coo- descended to hear her simple and earnest prayer.
It happened several times that Fatme, having notice of the arrival of some Turkish merchants, had reoourse to prayer; and each time was visited with a kind ef erup- tion, which prevented the keepers of harems tcani buy- ing her. After some time she was conveyed to Assuan, a town Mtuated in Upper F»?ypt; she was then sold about twelve times: at last she was brought to Caivo^ and waa bought Vi^ \\i« Pasha of Egypt. ^Yie ni«a tiow well off aa TegaT(\ed \k^
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR S TRBASURT.
outward condition : and was ^^mployed in culinary work. Being always of a serious turn of mind, as we have l>efore observed, she attached herself to some better dis- posed Mohammedan females, and joined in their devotions. We see how the Lord was preparing this African girl for the better things which He had in store for her.
It was in the year 1847 or 1 848 that Baron von Muller, a native of Srutgard, who was on his travels in the East, came to Cairo, and was introduced to the Pasha of Egypt, who presented to him this Galla negress, who bore the name of Fatme at that time. The baron brought her to Europe. After a pro- tracted stay at Vienna and Leipsic, he returned to Stut- gard, where he presented Fatme to his mother, who assigned to her the duty of waiting at table: also she usually accompanied the family in their journeys. By direction of the baron, she was instructed l^y a German Catholic teacher, not only in the German lan- guage, but also in his reli- gion. The baron had pur- chased two negro boys in ^?JPt; <ind he one day. at the house of the Baron von Berlichingen, introduced these, together with Fatme, m their Esyptian dress, to the Queen of Wirtemberg. ThiB royal and Christian Jadjr, however, was not satis- 70
fled with merely se foreign curiosity, b pressed a wish thi damsel should be tauj doctrines of the Gosp be received into tin testant Church by tl sacrament of baptism
CHAPTER II.
The word which fe: the queen was not spc vain. By the instr' ality of some Christifl sons, the eyes of I protectors were tun the community of Ko where the Gospel is pr in its power, and its tutions for the educa children are in a flo state.
On the 1st of Jun< Fatme was brought family of Baron von to Kornthal, and put i Second Female Insti superintended by M Mrs. Fecht. The knowledge which Fat acquired of the Germ guage, was hardly su to render her intellig those about her : she fore often made use o: ing imaftes to exprc feelings. Here, in Cli society, and under tl ing )?uidanee of Mrs. the house mother, a fl love to the Saviour b< be kindled in her especially were the ] ing and instructions dear pviaxox ^\.w\3l^\, i bVesamg vo \vftx *. «k>
THB SABBATH SOHOLiJl'8 TRBA8DRT.
returned home quite excited from the service, and could scarcely wait till she could express her joyful feelinfrs to her kind instructress, ** (> nwther." said she, ** my lieart flies : it is like a bird." At another time, '* O mother, my heart drinks as it were refreshing water." A parti- cularly deep impression was roide on her mind at the firfit missionary meeting which »he attended, on the 6th ot January. On her wav home, she cried out to the house- mother, *' O mother, I must pro to my country, and tell them of the God whom they have in Europe." Her min- ister once declared, that Fatrae was one of those rare instances in which Christiati conduct seemed to make greater advunce than Chris- tian knowledge. Towards the end of January, Mr. Staudt wrote to a Christian friend at Basle: '*Fatme is very anxious respecting her salvation : her talents are not great ; she learns Ger- man with difficulty, so that those unacquainted with her idiom cannot easily under- stand her: but she has a cfinverted heart. She is tully aware of her inborn finfulness, and weeps bit- terly over her occasional outbreaks of passion ; she Fexds diligently God*8 Word, little as she can at present understand it; she prays eamestiF to the Lord; bo tb*t I CAB baptize iter with
great confidence. The Lord will perfect the work begun in her." The dear departed father Koellner writes a month later: **The maiden Rives good hope that the Saviour has already com- menced a work in her heart, as is evidenced by her con- duct and feelings."
It was now a difficult question how to defrav the expense* of FHtme's educa- tion. Her beloved minister applied on her behali' to the Missionary Society at Basle; they could not, however, take the matter in hand. Two members of the Com- mittee, however, offered to supply means tor her educa- tion for two years; and a hope was entertained that, in the meantime, a suitable employment might be found for her. These arrange- ments were made- The Kev. Mr. Staudt and Mr. Koellner (one of the heads of the Koruihal community) had suggested to Baruu vou MuUer to set Fatme at li- berty, as her freedom could not t>e purchased in a coun- try where, God be praised, there was no dealing in slaves. By the intervention of some high personages, Fatme was made free ; and, having received so much blessing at Kornthal, slie became so attached to it, that she could not think of the possibility of kaviti^ v^ H'ichout great sorrow.
The 12th day oi ^ uVy U5^
7V
THB SABBATH SOHOItAB • TBBASUB1
was to Fatme « daj of great importance, for she then reoei-ved the holy sacraoient of haptism.
Daring the celeluration of baptism, Fatme stood with- in a half-circle formed of her god fathers and god-- mothers. ^It was indeed," sajs an eye-witness, '* a solemn moment, when the fine- looking black heathen girl was received by the washing of water as a mem- ber of Christ into covenant
with God.- Sh Pauline JohaQD Out, her dem calm and oompc afterwards coi her maternal it the absence of feelings and whidi she bad on former occ when, afterwar permitted to pi Lord's Supper, ed, "Thank Gkx am quite a Chri
^iattt digits anb i^sur
'hat do 3'ou think is the fairest $ That ever mine eyes did see t Js it the light which comes froi From evening's beautiful glowuig star, Like a silver thread o*er the sea ?
What do you think was the sweetest sound
That ever greeted mine ear ? Was it the song of a joyous bird, Whose voice in the willow-tree I heard
In the morning of the year ?
A fairer sight are the little ones
Who come to our Sunday school ; Whose hearts, in the bloom and joy of youl Are learning to love the ways of truth, And to walk by its Golden Rule.
And sweeter than songs of summer-birds
Are the hymns of praise they sing. The Saviour bends from His throne of light And smiles to see the beautiful sight, While angels mingle notes of delight With the offering of prala^ Ih^y bring.
72
fll
I davs orgKtl bleuing. She OHiPTOR V. I fgi( herwlf, however, ■Irerfy
Bule FaoUiM wu ! attack^ by IUiimb durlDK recelred In the be- j the mitaionar; fenW■^>. lo'ed Jioow o^/ier ; An *ged matron wto occa- god - fmtbw, Mr. j pied the lame chumbeT »pe^* wJun *b« fpent / Ja ibe highett wimm ot *•
THB SABBHTH S0ROLAS*S TSBAtUmT.
filial feeling of this elect child of God towards her heavenly Father. Everj morning and evening she continued a very long time in prayer. How much communion had this Galla girl on her knees with the Friend of her soul I Immediately after the fes- tivals, her god-father went to a summer residence at Riehen, a village ahout an hour's distance from Basle ; and slie accompanied him. It was only by great efforts that she had been able to attend the meetings at Basle and Beuggen, and her weak- ness now increased rapidly. The daughter of the house, whom Pauline called her aunt, and who loved her much and sincerely, per- suaded her, soon after her arrival, to accompany a ser- vant of the Lord as far as the frontier of the Grand Duchy of Baden. She could scarcely ftaai weakness go this short distance, and wtm obliged te rest « long timeoo tbe read. Ob her way back, at the en- trance of Kieben, she noticed an inscription which the deceased owner of a country house had caused to be written in an arbour of the garden. It is a verse of P^ul Gerhard^s precious hymn : '' Commend thy ways and all that ails thine heart." As tbe verse was so expressive of ber own case, she asked that it should be repeated to Aer several times. From that time thekjam waa continu- 86
ally before her mind was especially refresh the sixth verse : —
" Oh, let Him do and gOTi Prince Counsellor is He Who all things is dispos! That thou aniaxed shalt When He, what now in
ing. Gives trouble to thy sou By His own wondrous or Shall perfiBot out the wh
She found great diflSci learning these verse shewed great persevi in doing so : this hym a help to bring her to willingly her Lord^s gr: leading. She also took delight in the hynn ZInzendorf, '^Jesus, go me on the way of life ! committed it to me Partly for the sake o recovery, partly also tc her the work c^a deac her god-father placed ! the Institution of the conesses. It soon b apparent that she waa rather to spend her 1 missionary work, than care of the sick: al pressed herself moat i ediy on this point, neither the one nor the was to be her lot; an experienced, with hea gratitude, in the Dc esses* House at Riehei benefit resulting item < tian young women dei themselves to a self-de care of the sick for the ot KxTiv "wYic^ \<^oV M-^w ae\i OUT «\iv« vJviV. q^
TMB ■▲BBATM MWOI.AXli TABAMJBT.
OnthciethofJHly ihe was taken iato ^Tlie Filgrim'a Affylum," as tbia inititation U called. When ihe first entered the room which was appointed for her, Aa looked round with a remarkablj thoaghtful gaze, u if she foreboded that she vould here close her short earthly pilgrimage. For the fintfew days she was able to be oat much, and enjoyed bebg in the garden of the inititution. At first her indisposition was considered to be a slight gastric fever ; sad she herself was quite
vnconscious that a deeper disease lay within her. After a few days^ however, she took to her bed, to rise up again no more: a chest- cough, the forerunner of con- sumption, was added to the gastric fever. The physician himself did not at first think seriously of her indisposition. She, however, said one day, ** 1 may very likely go into a consumption, since I often suffered from cough and pain in my chest when at Korn- thai. By all means, if God so wills I It is all right for me.**
®fef S^ncxeUt ^mit
[N tke vestibule of St. Peter's, at Rome, is a doorway which is walled vp and marked with a cross : it is opened but fbur times in a century. On Christmas Eve, once in twentj^five years, the Pope approaches it in princely ttate, with the retinue of cardinala in attendance, and begins the demolition of the door by striking it three times with a silver hammer. When the passage is opened tlie multitude pass into the nave of the Cathedral, and up to an altar, by an avenue wbi£sb the majonty of them M9wer ^atend thus be^re,
and never will enter thus again.
Imagine that the way to the throne of grace was like the Porta SautOj inaccessible save once in a quarter of a century on the 26th Decern* her, and then only with au- gust solemnities, conducted by great dignitaries in a holy city. Conceive that it were now ten years lince you, or I, or any other sinner, had been permitted to pray ; and that fifteen long years must drag themselves away before we could venture again to approach God ; and iXiaX tX most we could not Vvov^ V> pny more than two ot iVvt^e
THB BABBATH BOHOLAR'B THBASUmT.
times in a lifetime ! With what solicitude we should wait for the coming of that holy day I We should lay our plans of life, select our houses, choose our profes- sions, form our friendships, with reference to a pilgrim' age in that twenty-fifth year. We should reckon time by the openings of that sacred door ; no other one thought would engross so much of our lives, or kindle our sen- sibilities so intensely, as the thought of prayer. It would be of more significance to us than the thought of death is now ; it would multiply our trepidation at the thought of dying. Fear would grow to horror at the idea of dying before that year of jubilee. No other questions would give us such tremors of anx- iety as these would excite 1 How many years now to the time of prayer ? How many months ? how many weeks ? how many days? Shall we live to see it? Who can tell?
Yet on that gre amidst an innu throng, in a court sence, within sight a ing of stately rit< would prayer he wort Who would value comparison with th moments, in which can "find God" ev and every where day would be more day of judgment to like the sweet mi converse with ** Our which we may no every iiour. We appreciate this pri^ hourly prayer, if it w taken from us. Sh not?
"Still withTbee. ou
I would deaire to be ;
By day, by night, at hom
1 would be btill with '
With Thee amid the That throngs the bus To hear Thy voice, mi( loud, 8p eak softly to my h
—The,
88
had been raining I this time— no pla; for several days, and doors, and little Paul had been kept \ At \aftV otv« moxt bu»y At Bchool aU \ cVouda (^\e«x^^
IBM lABBATH MHOIJkR • TBSAIUBT.
sbone, and when Paurs gnadmamnia called him up, oh, what fuii he and Carlo expected to have! Paul was a little boy who prayed. He did not allow the glad looks of the world out of doors to take all his atten- tion; he knelt down and ttked Giod to keep him His child all day, and make him obedient to his dear good grandmother, who took oare of the little orphan. To Khool he ran; at school he tried to study hard, only he coald not help every now and then looking out on the common and thinking of noontime.
After school he scampered home to get Carlo, with a couple of boys at his heels. Grandmother heard him, and 8he called, »* Paul I Paul 1 ** Paul went to her, and ohl she had a big skein of wool- len firkin to hold I Poor Paul! poor Carlo I What did the little boy do ? The
boys at the door heard what was going on, and they whispered pretty loud, "Come, come! tell your old grandmother you want to go out and play ! *' Carlo, too, wagged his tail, as muclf as to 8ay, ** Yes, that is it, little master!" It was a timgh struggle for poor Paul. What</k/hedo?
** Grandmother Jirst" said he, stoutly ; ** my play can wait better than her spin- ning-wheel."
Grandmother winds her ball rather slowly for a boy who wants some fiin. But no matter. He is deter- mined to be patient, for well he remembers she is as good a grandmother as ever was to him.
The sweet spirit of obed- ience runs like a golden thread through the daily life of the little boy, and so very sweetly their lives un w ind together. — Child's Paper,
®ales of Hit §^mt^ §^m |slanbs.
THB EXILB.
ERY soon the little Mission station, with such rude wealth as it had, became an object of covetous desire tmong the chiefs. Darker and darker s^ w their rivalry / /iar the protection of the min"
sionary property, till at last open war ensued, and in the bloodshed and ruin the devoted band, flying from friends and enemies alike, were at last driven in to exile. Every trace of the station was swept away, and m\^Q^ the \oy^\y island of TaYv\X\ vas again a blank m iti«
TEFB 9ABBATB SOHOLABTV TmSAtian
Christian xntLp, Goo^ men*8 hopes were dashed to the ground, and on the fine ftcene of so many hoptts> blackened ruins verv all that stood up to tell the tale.
TBE BBTURN.
Two years after, Pomare began to yearn for the white teachers tor set foot on his shores-Rgain, and five of them accordingly, in revived hope at the tidings, left New South Wales, where they had taken refuge, and re- turneck. Pomare was recalled tu the chieftainship of tlie whole island. God*s Spirit, it appeared, was pricking biia to the heairt,rand the old lesions he hsKl learned from the Gospel began to shew tlielr fruit. He inquired, was anxious, inquired again, and finally, after long and deep trial, he was, at his own request,. baptisKd into the Christian Church. The name of Christ was set on his swarthy bfrow, and with that strange liglkt struck, it seemed at length tlie dark- ness wa-s altout from> the beamteone island le roll away. A great awakening fkrflowed. Idola and temples o^ cid worship were de-
90
lowed in the ste —and the gzor praise and pray< as if the crosa in the soH of and sufe.
THE VttikTE THlCli
One day Mr. the aRfMsionarie a poor native, praying in a c thicket. It wf sound -*• this prayer he had to — poured oi glowing words not contain burst into teai breaking throu he clapped th child of God 1 He, and that ti jusit coming int they were bro blood of Jesus!
A FUNKRi
The little CI numbers. To were added Among these « Patii, who had and who openl. meant to bui The time was great ctotii \beVvo\d tV«
TBB MAMBLTm BOHOLAX't TBBABOmY.
Shortly before sunset a light vas applied to the pUe, and Patii stripped them of their oniMDeiits one by one, and cast tliem into the fir& — ealK ing each by name, unfolding tlie pedigree of each, and telling all that each in turn was ft poor useless god, msbleto save itself I The Kene was hailed vith ap- phuse — and Dagon after l^agon was eaat down. IVtii, the bold priest^ be* ctme an ardent pupil in tbe Christian school.
GASMKMTS ROLLED IN BLOOD.
Tet again the storm ga^ thered. Idolatry bestirred itaelf, and an armed host rose against the missionary labours. For a time the white men and their converts were driven off Tahiti again, and on their ventttring to return tiieur escape was narrow indeed. Noiselessly the fbe assembled in the dork woods,
and on a Sabbath-day, m hile tbe quiet worship of God was proceeding in the Mis- sion chapel, out the savage throng burst, hounding each other on with demon yells. But the worshippers liad come armed, and when tbe onslaught was made, a despe- rate fight took plaee. Not a few on both sides were slain ; and after a long struggle, at last the idolaters were drhren back and utterly broken. Pomare and his party tri- umphed ; and as a mark of what the mercy of Christ had already wrought in them, it was noted that, instead of mangling the wounded and the dead, as in heathen days had been their wont, they spaced and tended the one, and solemnly buried the other. The Gospel in Tahiti had DOW received its ancient baptism of blood, and it was about (as in other lands), under that watering, to grow into a nobte tree.
O W can 3rou do the most good ? ** asked a lady of a little girU
^"•By beijig mybbut just as good a girl aft 1 cao be,**
^l^f^INZBNDORF, when I Christ, and ii ^1^ ft bo7, used to wiiie of that frieadBhlp a ^g^n "^'iB notes to the | dailj uilHce, that once, Saviour ,^^ travel
and throw
them out _Lj^ .^^^^:. back
at the w n
frieudahip ol j uudibly TAe Siitl He
^e llotoers of t|e liarlira.
A BTOBT.
(CWinwif from page 76.) MffiiegN ever/ tide I law I ke«p away (he evil ic |l^^ more beau ties than la spite of oil their @S^^ I can describe ; — some of the plnati mou daidei, oow<lip«, primroses, [ growin tiiewaythej'de along with more UDCommon they would Iwnd their flowera, and I perceived gar- I and twist their gtall denenat worlc iaallcornerB that I almost wood ei of the garden. I watched [he patience of the them, and I Mw how they denera. removed every weed that | 1 perceived that it v might injure the planti, how general the largest am carefully they tied up those ' eat plants who persill that required support, and \ growing in their own bor diligeatly they tried to \ and ^6ik\i% i-^w «
THB SABBATH MHOLA&'B TBBASURT.
/
offered to them; and I thought how soon their lofty heads would be laid lov were a storm of wind to come, and how thej would then regret their folly.
« AUs," said Flora, «« they know not that this calm sunshine will not always
None pleased me more than a sweet bed of modest violets growing in the shade, and the lovely lily of the valley peeping out from amidst its green leaves. I looked at Flora, and she smilingly said, ^*They are street and pleasant children, and all the sweeter from their modesty and humility ; they think so little of them- selves, that it is a pleasure to tend and cultivate them ;" and I saw that her garland was composed of many of these humble flowers.
At length we came to a hed of rose-bushes, and Flora •topped beside it. "See," she said, "how many buds of promise I have here, and hov beautiful this bud will look when they all burst forth, and yet they will not all have lovely flowers. The roae is one of my special Ujoarite^ and yet, even taoog tucb, I bare cause
of grief. Do you not see the destroying insect, though it tries to conceal itself?" As Flora spoke, she gently pushed open the leaves of one of the unfolding buds, and shewed me a large green caterpillar in the heart of the flower.
" This," said Flora, "is the great enemy of my chil- dren's happiness. We try to counteract tlie evil, and, as long as we can, we tend even the plants which yield to its influence. But if they will cherish it within them — if they will not imbibe the water by which alone it can be destroyed — they must wither and die at last. And I grieve to think that my loving care may be in vain. My only comfort is that those whom I have suc- ceeded in guarding here will be for ever safe in the gar- den to which they will ere long be transplanted. And now I have only my chil- dren of the forest to shew you, some of whom are more worthy of my attention than this my ungrateful rose- tree."
I saw a dew-drop sparkle
in Fioni's eye as she \ed m^
tonrards the hedge ^ViieYi
hounded the gairden, awd
9%
pointed out to ne the little wild-flowera growing on the other side. ^* These," she said, '^have not been much cultivated : they have all the advantage of the sun- shine and the rain, but my gardeners only occasionaliy attend to them, and yet see how fi'esh their leaves, and bow bright their flowers, not- vdthstanding the surround- ing weeds: they will be taken into my garden some day soon, and if they prove as grateful and pleasing as they now seem, they wUl be fit at last to bloom among the fairest of my flock.**
"Now," said Flora, "I must hasten to my labours— have you anything more to ask, for the day is passing on?"
♦• Wbeie," I said, "is that still more beautiful garden of which you have 8x>oken so often? I would gladly see it."
"It is not for me to shew
it you," Flora replied. " In
that celestial garden my
preeenoe is not needed ; when
once they enter there, my
precious flowers require no
more tending ; they are safe
from storms and cold winds,
Mnd the evil inaecVB power,
^nd tbev bloom fox ever 94
in unftiding beauty. Look up,** sbe added, pointing to a bright light in the sky above me; and, as I gaieil. Florals form vanished irom my sight, and I seemeil to be transported to a still more briUiaat and glorious scene.
It was but faiut glimpses that I got of it, through the doud in which I felt myself enveloped, but what I did see was beautiful beyond description. Flora's gardea seemed to fade from my view before the brilliancy of the one I now beheld ; here were crystal rivers, and sonny fountains, and shady groves; and on all sides groups of most beautiful flowers, perfect in fbrm, and delicious in sweetness.
"Flowers of all hue, and. without thorn, the roee.**
At first I hardly recog^iied them to be of the same nature as those I had so lately seen, but a nearer glance shewed me that they were the same, only purified from everything that cevld mar their beauty, and made fit to adorn the garden of their heavenly Master. Here were no blighted bods \ —no fiM^led \ev»«a\ «3i!i ^%a
TPJi lABBATB SOBOLAR'S TEBASUBT.
perfect The soft air fanned their richly coloured robes, and was filled with the sweet incense which thej breathed forth. And, ss I looked, I saw One who wilked in the mtdst of them, and He wore in Hia bosom the lilj of the valley, and homble violet, which I had loved so well ; and I rejoiced that these little ones were honoured to bloom, in the garden of their Lord.
At length the brightness of the scene became too dazzling for me, and, as I tried to turn my eyes away, I awoke from my dream!
Our young readers will probably be able to trace for tbemselvea the lesson which this little allegory teaches. Flora, the queen of flowers, is indeed an Imaginary per- son entirely; but the garden, and the flowers, and the care bestowed on them by the gardeners, as well «s the object of their cultiva- tion, are emblems to us of higher things.
They shew us how chil- dren in a Christian land are more or less carefully taught and trained in the fear of the Lord, like plants in a well f watered garden^ and how.
unless the Lord of the gar- den takes them away in infancy from the evil to come, they must all go forth at last into the world, and prove, amid its trials and temptations, whether their early instruction has indeed been tlie means of leading them into the fold of the Good Shepherd.
Let all little ones remem- ber that the love of sin is in their hearts, like the green insect destroying the beau- teous rose, and let them seek the dews of God*s heavenly grace to enable them to conquer the enemy of their souls.
Jesus says, '^Unto every one that hath shall be given;" and those whose hearts are renewed by the Holy Spirit, and who begin early to exhibit the buds and blossoms of Chris- tian gmces, 80 beautiful to behold in childhood, shall, year by year, be strength- ened by their Saviour to bring forth **raore fruit," — watered and nourished by showers from on high, they shall grow up as lovely flowers in His garden on e/irrh, and shall at laat \^ transplanted to bloonv fox ever in the Paradise above.
95
THB f ABBATH BOHOLAB'B TBBABUBT.
Benighted once where Alpine storms Have buried hosts of martial forms, Halting with fear, benumbed with cole
While swift the avalanches rolled ;
Shouted our guide, with quivering breath, —
** The path is lost! to move is death!"
The savage snow- cliffs seemed to frown. The howling winds came fiercer down ; Shrouded in such a dismal scene, No mortal aid whereon to lean. Think you what music 'twas to hear, — " / see the Cross! our waif is clear!"
We looked, and there, amid the snow, A simple cross of wood uprose ; Firm in the tempest's awful wrath. It stood to guide the traveller's path, And point to where the valley lies Serene beneath the summer skies.
One dear companion of that night Has passed away from mortal sight ; He reached his home to droop and fade, And sleep within his native glade ; fiut as his fluttering hand I took. Before he gave his farewell look. He whispered from his bed of pain, — ** The Alpine Cross I see again!" Then, smiling, sank to endless rest Upon his weeping mother's breast !
J. C. F]
K|mi whatdiligence jealooBly do they guard search i ihem, when oDce posieeied! liidiien ' Now God has Hi« "jactk" > that lie in the deplhi | too. Once tliey Uy ne- of earth and lea \ WhiLt a glecled, coTered wtih fiVOij l>rice the^ will Bometiniea ,. Jtobs; but He wughv mi ^ / fj to obtain tbew! How : saved them. He redeemed. . ^_____ ttl
THB BABBATB 80HOLAB*S TSBASUXT.
tbem, not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ; and He watches over them with affectioDate care. Tes, when God looks down upon this sinful world, there are some upon whom His eye rests with peculiar lore. He calls them *' my jewels " (Malachi iii. 17).
Among precious stones there is great variety. There are the diamond, the pearl, the ruby, and many more. But, though God*8 *' jewels" may differ in some respects, in others they are all alike. They may be young or old, rich or poor, but they all trust in Jesus as their Saviour— they all love God —they are all afraid to commit sin— they all take pleasure in prayer. It is only euch whom God calls ^ my jewels.**
" 3/y jewels.^ By nature they are not '* jewels" at all, but sinners, vile and worth- less. They must first under- go a thorough change, and there is only one way in which this change can be effected. ''If any man be in Christ, he is a new crea iitre." 1 1 is only after sinners hare been created anew that Gad calls tbem ** my jewels**
However, though d in nature, though was the blood of Christ possessing an exc< they never had befon rough and dim are "jewels" still I The costly diamond is not glitter in a king*8 d: till, under the skilful of the lapidary, it hai carved and polished, so it is with God*8 ** jc They must be made ' to be partakers of t1 heritance of the sai: light." Everything t unholy must be taken Everything that is goi beautiful roust be wi in them — "love, joy, long-suffering, gent goodness, faith, mec temperance." These c graces with which "jewels" sparkle, am the Holy ISpirit wh( duces them. He re every defilement and defect. The process J dual, sometimes painf hard to bear (like the ing and cutting of a but always merciful am And there is a prom cheer them throughout " They shall he mine, so Lord of /losts^ in that da. \ 1 make vp mij je^Jc«iU^*
TBB ftABBATH ■OBOLlVl TBSAlUmT.
""That dag." What a iriorioas day ! A claster of jewels on a crown of gold is the mark of the highest earthly grandeur. But who can imagine the splendour and heauty of God's '•jewels " when they are all made up f They will be a multitude which no man can number. Not one forgotten I Not one lost ! And, blessed thought! Christ will be in the midst of them. His presence will lend to each iU brightest lustre. ** That day." It will be but the bqrinning of eternal glory. *'They shall shine as the itars for erer and ever."
God will «make up** that day little circles of jewels once united on earth, but long separated. There will be scholars fVom the same class. There will be fatliers and mothers, brothers and sisters, who were wont to kneel in prayer together. How sad and bitter were their partings, as one after another was taken away! But their meeting ! It will be '*joy unspeakable, and full of glory." Of such there will be many a shining group. But what if some dear one should be awanting f
What if I ?
A
*'3W i^^vi Peaftfn/'
/
{N a miserable cottage, at the bottom of a hill, two children ho- Tered orer a smoul- dering fire. A tempest raged without — a fearful tempest — against which man and beast were alike powerless. A poor old miser, much poorer than these shiYering children, though he had heaps of money at home, drew his ragged cloak abi)Ut him as he crouched down at the tlireshold of the miser- able door. He dare/i not enter, for fetw tbejr would Msk pMjr for Bhelter^ snd ho
could not moYO for the storm.
" I am hungry, Nettie." •* So am I ; I have hunted for a potato paring, and can't find any.'* *' What an awful storm!" **Ye8; the old tree is blown down. I think God took care that it didu*t fill on the house. See, it would certainly hare killed us.'*
'*If He could do that,
couldn't he send us bread ?"
** I am sure He could \ \sl
/ us pray *()ur Father,* axi^
when we come to lUat paTt^
atop till we get aomeWea^^
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR S TBBABURT.
So they began, and the miser, crouching and shiver- ing, listened. When they paused, expecting in tlieir childish faith to see some miraculous manifestation, a humane feeling stole into his mind; liis hard heart was touched and softened. He had bought a loaf at the village, thinking it would last him a great many days, but the silence of the two little children spoke louder to him than the voice of many waters. He opened the door softly, threw in the loaf, and then listened to the wild, eager cry of delight that came from the half- famisl^ed little ones.
"It dropped right from heaven, didn't it?" ques- tioned the younger.
*<Tes; 1 shall love God for ever, be is so good. He has given us bread because we asked him."
«We*ll ask Hin day, won't we? i never thought God good ; did you ? "
''Yes, 1 always so, but I never quite before."
*' Let us ask Him father work to do time, so we need i hungry again. He'l I'm sure,**
The storm x^sa miser went home, flower had sprung u heart ; it was no barren. In a few w died, but not before given the cottage, wli his, to the poor la man And the littl ren ever after ielt and solemn emotioi in their matinal cj they came to those words : ** Give us t our daily bread.** — C Paper,
®fee 6s* ai Sok
lY dear children, did you ever hear of a being whose presence is every- where? If you will take your Bible and And the iwenty-fourth verse of the twenty third chapter of Jeremiah, you will find it to read thus : ** Can any hide himself in secret places that / shall not see him ? saith tAe Lord. Do not I fill hea- 100
ven and earth? sa Lord."
If there were a pen would follow you w you went, who could you in public and in in light and in d< whose eye should » every action, your exertion ; who move you moved, who i wVien "y ou %\.Qiv^e^ \ '^ 1 wilb yo\i«veT^'ti>a«f
TUB lABBATH tOHOLAB'ft TBaAaUBT.
eye was erer on you, Dot one moment withdrawn from yon, and who knew not only the outward actions and conduct; who heard not only erery word that fell firom your lipa, but whoae keen glance pierced to the inmost recesses of your heart, and vas conscious of all the un- nttered thoughts that passed there, would yaa feel at ease with such an Attendant? Could you indulge in wicked thoughts, in sii^ul words, and unholy actions with im- panity? Could you abide the piercing glance which beheld all your widcedness? And now, dear children, is there not such a Being ? Is there not one who sees and knows all your thoughts, and words, and ways f Yes, there is. It is God your
Maker. His eye never slum- bers nor sleeps. Uis eye sees you in public, and is fastened upon you in private. It sees you at midnight and at noonday. It marks your conduct and your words. His eye searches your hearts, and tries your reins. No covering can vail you from that eye; no clouds are too thick for that eye to pierce ; no darkness too thick for that eye to penetrate ; to it the night shineth as the day; to it the darkness and the light are both alike.
Then, dear children, know and rcpnember this solemn, this impressive truth, that nothing can hide you from the all- seeing eyo of God. Live and act under the im- pression of this solemn con- sideration.— S. S» Advocate,
I
B ^0% fli&f mi ilim ffart/'
u
)H ! my dear Lord, I feel Thy meaning. My heart Thou ainiest at: Thy rod doth drive. Thy silken cord of love doth draw, and all to bring it to thyself. Can inch a heart be worth Thy having? Make it so, Lord, and then it is Thine; take it to thyself, and then take me. As the feeble child to the tender mother, itlooketh up
to Thee, and stretcheth out the hands. I fain would have Thee take it up. Though I cannot so freely say, '*My heart is with Thee, my soul longeth after Thee,** yet can 1 say, "I long for such a longing heart." — Baxter.
"Take my heart, Lord, for Icvu.
not giTe it to Thee ; Keep it, for 1 canuot keep Vl ioT Thee/'—itti^^tutivte .
101
atirttiCT, l»J»t i« fait?"
^OTHER, how etill the bab}- Ilea '.
ir his breatb ;
igeya— They tdl me Ihla is death.
Hy little work I thought to bring,
And ut down by bis bed ; And plesuntly I tried to sing—
They hiuhed me — he ie dead 1
They tay that he again will rlw,
More beaDliful than now; That God will blesa him in the skiei —
Oh, mother, tell me how !"
" peti((hter, do yon remember, dear. The cold, d«rk thing you brought, And laid tipon the eBBenietiX.tiCTe, — A withered -worm, yon Aong^t^
THB tABBATH MBOLAB'S TRBASUBT.
I told yon that Almighty power Could break that withered shell,
And shew you, in a future hour, Something would please you welL
Look at the chrysalis) my love, —
An empty shdl it lies ; Now raise your wond*ring glance above,
To where yon insect flies T*
** Oh, yee, mamma ! how very gay Its wings of starry gold ! And see ! it lightly flies away Beyond my gentle hold.
Oh, mother, now I linow full well,
If Grod that worm can change, And draw it from this broken cell,
On golden wings to range, —
How beantifol will brother be, When God shall give Aim wings.
Above this dying world to flee. And live with heavenly things !"
Jane Oilmax.
^t Ji>targ ti ^mdm |atnu.
OHAPTBB TI.
URING the first weeks of her sickness, although weak and exhaus- d, nlTection induced her i write to her f ster- trents in Eornthal; she »pied the letter three times, ti the second imperfect
cannot come myself," (she had been told of the death of an inmate of Mrs ^echt*8 institution at Eornthal,) and 8 he says, ** I was not dis- tressFd at this mtelligence, but rather rejoiced, as we have a Saviour and a Ke- deemer. God be praised that we have Him, awl tui^y go to Him I Be comioTtie^,
Rr/> frrtt/e'ii, "lam sorry \ dearJy-loved mother, \t \% ilmuBt write again, aa I \ God's will that the cYiWdten
loa
THB AABBATH tOHOULR'S TBBAaiJST.
should go from out of your hands to their (eternal) home. If they had been with their parent!*, they would not have gone home with so much blessing, 1 often think of Kornthal. I shall still wait to see what the Lord will do with me." She then describes her former las- situde, loss of appetite, and cough at Kornthal, and how these had now re- turned and increased. *" I have thought that I must n.iw remain here, if it be the will of the Lord. I am very weak ; and am now, dear mother, very well taken care of by the dear aunt and sis- ter.** She also expressed her gratitude for the spiritual care which she received iu the house of the Deaconesses. One day, in the early part of her sickness, she clapped her hands joyfully and laughingly, when she saw the nurse coming in. ** Do you laugh at me, Pauline?*' asked the Deaconess. " 1 do not laugh at you," she an- swered. **I do not know what to do for joy; 1 am a child of God. Oh ! you white people ; you have not so much joy as we black! You were bom Christians; 1, a black heathen ; I knew nothing of the Saviour; J now can die happily ; I now have a Saviour ; I now can die happily!" The sister who nursed her, sat one day bj^ her bed^ busy in shelling besLDB, when the sick girl
104
said suddenly^ ^ Deal will you go with me go to the heathen?' Mnswered, **! am mi weak to go to the he The sick girl said, *' J is also weak in unde ing; but yet has'joj thought of being pei to lead poor brethrei Saviour. When th' heathen see what tt Saviour has done i that Pauline can die li tliey will rejoice. Yc sister, can nurse ^ I nurse ; I can only tel Saviour.** As she ss she raised her hands fervour: **Odear »^8 she said, **give the courage to go with na She often converse pleasure to those aro) respecting death. ^ day said cheerfully, joiner must make m< coffin, lor I am a tall \ Being asked, in conve by her friend, whetl were willing to die tl replied, '*As God will willing to live, and to die: but I would live." It was from 1 sire of the prolonging life, and of her )>erha| permitted to do sor for the kingdou < among the people of 1 country, that she thu this time of sending t' thai for some warm clothing. She hoped by m^V(ia\ «\^ %Vv 1 coulmue xYvxou^v>Q
THB SABBATH •OHOLAB'S TBBASVBT.
she might be restored to health in the spring. It was this des're ot liring which caused her once, when asked if she wished to go to the Saviour, to reply, "You must not always ask this question of a sick person** When a friend, in praying with her one day, spoke mach of her death, she said afterwards, **I think this perton wishes already to make a funeral oration over me." She was averse to making a show of religion : •he appeared simply what ibe was : therefore when any persons were only talking religioQsly, and she was not in the disposition to join tbem, the would, in her up- right and truthful manner, My frankly, **Not always ttlkoftheSaTionrr
She spent her time in mediution on the Word of God, and was much in the exerci«e of prayer; for hours, especially during her sleep- less nights, she was engaged io tupplications. lliere was nothing too great, and no- thUig too small for her not to make it a subject of prayer: when she had no appetite lor her food, she w<mld say in her child-like simplicity, *'See, dear 8a- riour, Pauline cannot eat: please to grant that she may be aUe to eat something, if itbeThywiUI" For every tpooniiil of Soup, when §he cou}demiit, fbe gare thMiika, u well MS asked a bleaaiog
before it. With great fer- vour she mentioned all her benefactors in Wirteniberg and Basle, the doctor, and all those who had shewn her kindness: she prayed, "Oh, bless, bless, dear Saviour! thy Pauline is so poor, she can give nothing: God re- compense, God recompense them!"
CHAPTKR Yll.
One day she was especially cheerful, and was eager to communicate her thoughts to the Deaconess: she had no secrets with this kind Iriend ; and generally called her **dear sister," frequently also '* mother." On one occasion she said, **Now 1 have two mothers, one at Kornthal, the other in the Deaconesses* house." 'i o this f<iithful sister she ex- pressed her thoughts about the spiritual care ot the sick. '*Dear sister,*' she began, **! must say something to you" '*What. then, dear Pauline?*' the Deaconess re- plied. ^'If I should speak about religion to a sick per- son," she said, ** 1 would ask, hast thou understood ? If tlie sick person 8aid, Yes, I would ask, what, or respect- ing whom hast thou under- stood ? If the sick jterson said, of the dear Saviour, I would then ask, dost thou love him? Then, %\i\vi^ when? and why? IVi^vk, </o8t thou love Wxoi viVtVk thy whole heart — love WVoi
105
THK ftABBATH 80HOI.AK's TBBAftUBT.
truly? If the Bick person could not do this, I would tlien say, thou must pray very iiervently, that thou mayest be able to love Uim entirely." She then said further to the sister, that **she should mention such a sick person by name to the Saviour, that He would grHnt to that person thoroughly to love Him."
It was her custom, in her many thousand prayers, to mention by name the objects of her love or her compas- sion to the High Priest in heaven, and to lay before Him her wishes and requests for them. Her soul delighted most in quiet and secret communion with the Lord : and even in her days of heal I h she did not converse much. Also she did not like many visitors, especi- ally those who were strange to her, and came perhaps out of curiosity. On this account, in her days of health, she commonly wore a veil over her face. She used to say, ** I cannot bear it, when people stare at me so." She was not Milling that people should talk about her; and she was averse to speaking of herself, even when she was questioned. She would only touch upon her past life on special occasions.
She was very courteous
and grateful towards her
doctor, Mnd trequentlj asked
whether he thought that she
106
would get well again? he answered, *M)ne now say anything de it would, however, be tiling to the Lord to you to health ;" shi said, quite resignedly, indeed, it is right a orders. I am willing if it be His will ; I a willing to live loii( God pleases.'* If sh* asked how she was, the morning, what f night she had, she ; answered, ** Good, good: as God ordert must be good." Sh this even when she hi a sleepless night, c much pain, as in her dHys she suffered m her right lung. She thorough dislike to cine, but she compellc self to take it from a pie of obedience, ti could do so no long any one read to hei God's Word, or praye her, she was always ested and enlivened, once a servant of th< visited her at her n and read to her the V filth Psalm, and prayc her, oh, how copious the tears flow over h€ face ! and how eames she thank him! Sh ferred the kneeling | in prayer, as she com it the most becoming Christian. If it ha that the old man brok
TBB lABBATH tOHOULB't TEBASDBT.
I
I
I
I
patience, she always counted it a siq. If she thought that she had by a word or look offended the sister who waited on her, she would say, •• Forgive, forgive I The old Fatme has troubled tbee, Pauline wills uothing of it.** It was evident that this dear aick one was kept under the strict discipline of God*s Spirit, who stirred her np to declare the truth also to others when they wrong. U was about fourteen days before her end that her nurse being obliged to go out, in her haste left the door open : a icene ensued in which the sister lost her temper : when she came back she saw Pauline in tears, with her face covered. «' Dear Pauline, why are you so distressed ? *' she asked. ** Oh, dear sister, it is on your account that I am distressed." «• Why, then ?" " You were so angry — no Deaconess so angry. Ob, that gives no good impression to the sick. ( love you much, very much." Then she began to pray ** Dear Saviour, take away this anger from my dear sister ; make her gentle, humble ; so that she may not only be called a Deacon- ess, but be one really." A nd then she proceeded, "Oh, tigfat, fight against anger! 1 love you indeed : the dear Safiour has yet much to
work in you." On this and other occasions she would say. "Christians should tell each other of their faults.** She took it also gratefully when told of her own faults. She frequently spoke with great grief of the dry and dead state of her heart, and of the inward darkness which she suffered in this sickness, io that she could not pray as she was wont to do formerly For the refreshment and strengthening of her faith she partook several times of the holy Sacrament, which she enjoyed the most on a Saturday evening, the tiuie at which she had been ac- customed to receive it at Kornthal. She felt the ne- cessity of receiving it every four weeks, and could scarcely wait for the day. It was truly heart-touching to those around her to see with what hunger and thirst she re- ceived the holy Sacrament. In her own child-like and fervent manner she after- wards gave thanks, *' O dear Saviour, how precious is Thy blood 1 Let all ray aius be sunk and lost in it ! Dear Saviour, poor Pauline is not indeed worthy, but very, very needy. Oh, I rejoice to come to 'ITiee, then may I be allowed to partake of the great Sup- per. Bless, bless, dear Sa- viour 1 "
107
•aKOLUt*! nwuDM.
isjt! Sirj.
:^BE moTed about the | houie like a aan- I beam. I heard her iinging ai ahe |
yonngeit Invther i Tlolent tmiip^r, and wajB qaarrelinK vld body; but he never q with
»a;a hap
not know
what any of
u* would do
without
her," repeated her eldeit
daughter ; and tbe reat
echoed her wordi. Her
way wrath, but , worda atir up anger.'^ Miatngir.
% ^aal %n$%tx.
IBSk^ TOUNQ lady In a KBH' BabbAtfa School, a ^S9^ fewmomlnK* tlnee, aiked her claaa bow aoon a child should ^ve ita heart to God. One little girl »aid, " When thirteen yewa 108
old." Another, " T«i other, " Six." At the laat child in tht who bad hitherto been spoke : " Joit a* lool know who Chriit i*.".
Dj dnnia, I beheld | it tom a belt of loftj bllli, ■ro men walk to- . with ilt^ep ravines cut ia •tber in k Urge : their face, but »o strong anil It wu a Talley mnjeBtii;, that ilipy looked to xided, very fertile, ! ffl« like -One sinRle mau ot mitb tbe^ikadonr jrock stretching out iU^td\e atublne. Boaud I and iifting iti head on l»^b. lOB
TBB SABBATH 80HOULB*S TBBABUBT.
In tlie middle of the valley, where it sloped as into a basin, glimmered out, from among the dipping foliage, a glassy sheet of water, edged by a beach of most beautiful yellow sand.
I saw the two men, as the)r walked together, looking curiously about. One had a doubtful shade on his brow ; the other was full of light activity, keenly enjoying the loveliness of all he looked on, and coveting all the bright colours, the fair fhi]t,and the fhigrant shade« There was no regular path for the feet. Instead, they italked mostly in the bed of dry torrents ; and the only things that the sadder of the two seemed to heed were the deep scores these channels had made in the soil — the dark gullies they ran into here and there — the ruins of human habi- tations their floods had plainly swept over— and, in not a few places among these, gleams of human boneS, very terrible, sticking up through the sand. These signs made the whole scene to him one of gloom and fear.
In a little while the two
reached the bank of the
§himDg lake, and, coming
out of the thick foliage, they JIO
stood on the border sand. It felt firm as $ and, while its d grains sparkled in t. the soft whispering spread themselves ou Xhe eye, and the fid] hmng Itself like a coloured robe beyoi spot in the wortd eff dream of sweeter o fairy- like.
So I beheld that i
men, as they gasei
struck with adnsirati
only the one of tber
out with a cry that hi
stay there and bv
dwelling ibr ever ; ti
was fearful and resth
in his wondefv and b
say,that,whiViit#M
of matchlesa beavty
wefe gtt«at dmgtrs in
for hii part, )m «c
back rather to the mc
Then there was a dii
between them as to t
**This sand is solid
, rock," Paid the one ;
! with these fragrant
; and this silvery lakt
the eaves of my housi
; could I be happier ? *
' " Yet seest thou nc
the other, "that *tii
summer- day now, an
quiet — when winter
and \Vve«e tLQodA T^
THB SABB4TH tOHOLAX S TBBASUST.
what will oome of jont dwelling then ? Beddes, mindeit thou not what the Lord of this country told ut OB lending us hither? how He warned us against the ▼alley, and bid us choose lather the strong riick ? The loins and the bone^ we saw might teach thee these Uungs."
Hia ocmpanlon, however, woald not be eonrinced, re- pljring that these traces of fraction were very old, sad such would not likely Ittppen soon agahi, besides that there were many dwel* liqfi white and safe peeping oai, as might be seen, all round the marftin of the Iske. He therefore threw off hia upper garment, and began to roll the shining •tones and shells together, that hm might build his hoose.
After standing and looking on sadiy for* a while, the other turned him and began to retrace his steps with all •peed to the hills. I saw as he went thai he looked neither to the right nor to the left, and it seemed as if erery now and then a Voice came to him out of the air, to which, from the stnuige £ifbt in big ej^ea, and bit I
lips, he talked back. Pre- sently he reached the hill foot. It was a stem rocky climb to look up, but, as he set himself to It, steps were discovered for him that made it easy — little clefts reveal- ed themselves with grassy nooks and trickling streams, where he rested for a while, and when upward he had made his way many feet, always as if the Voice still guided him, he arrired at last on a broad fair summit, far above the flood courses, and well known on account of its strength and safety as the ** Rock of Ages."
All about its cliffy I beheld many humble cottages scat- tered, yet very lovely in their retreat when you got near them, each with a bower hanging over it for shelter, and so well provided with a sweet and wholesome food, that on looking attentively I even observed honey drop- ping from the stony rock. At the same time the great boast of these dwellings was their good foundation. Old men and children alike lived in them without fear. Often as stortns had reged on the hills, not one stone ot 1\\q itx;k-bailt dwelUngt \iad ever been shaken.
\\\
So the newcomer, whom I followed in my dream, set himself to build a house also, in which he was helped bj a hundred willing neigh- bours, who shewed him first how to dig down to the rock for foundation, then out of the rock to choose his stones, then how to lay them line upon line, to cement them with a cement of great hard- ness, and to rear them up so that when all was done it looked as if the house had been not built upon, but literally a part of, the rock. Then it was furnished for him and stored with food: and in the flush of sundown one eyening after all his toil, and after he bad dismissed his kind neighbours with thanks, he sat down at his cottage door and began to think back over each step of his work, and to compare it with what he read in a great Book he held open on his knee, as well as to speak into the air with the Voice of the Invisible One.
As he did so I noticed that he looked down into the val- ley, and his eye wandering along its line of beauty rested on the shore of tlie lake where there now rose the dwelling of big friend* white
as snow in the setting sun. He had the power given bin to draw it near to him in vision, so that he could en- mine the light and airy walls, the diamond shells set in them, the curve of rippling waters, and his companion walking on the hard sand, as minutely as if all had been within the reach of a few feet. Everything looked more still and happy than ever, while the lake sands swarmed with many groups, and boats every- where flashed upon its waves. But as, sighing, he lifted up his gaze, suddenly he behdd a cloud no bigger than a man*8 hand on the edge of the pure sky. It was at If it had come up out of tlie far off sea,-^with a ragged blackness and a swifk en- largement it spread upon the heavens, — all the iilUs and valley it made dark with shadow,. and in a few minutes you would have been amazed to see the sun- shine blotted out, to hear the thunder begin to growl among the mountains, and the plash of the great rain- drops as they fell. Tlie watcher sat at his cottage door in deep awe. Soon the wind lose \u f;QA\v>^*^ ^Oba
TBM lABBATH MBOLAB's TRSA8UKT.
many beasts of Tain poured in nd out of the the hills leaped sracts at so many d steeds lashed They burst all e he sat, so that within his house to the door and through the lat- i pitch dark, and * comers of his roke the fierce neyer did the e once ; every )d to root itself in the rock, and iplight that fell le page of his lant saw that all dwell, and heard ly to him, ** Fear a with thee!" of the dwelUng ike sands? He safe on the clifis rough his lattice, d, to look down ; fleep midnight, a of lightning re- lim all the tale, e the valley was th floods broke y were sweeping Hr breast; and, the waves of the seething like an i ITPoured tbem- I
selves out furiously upon the sands. He who had built his dwelling there was seen out upon his house-top for a moment wild and haggard, as if seeking for escape; but the rain descended, the whirlwind came in its might, the waters roared round and sapped his house ; and, as he flung up his arms in despair, it was seen to crumble be- neath him — the gulf swal- lowed it up quick; and, when I looked again, there was nothing but the curtain fallen down of the murk night and the wrathful storm. In my dream, I wept with the watcher on the hill, for I knew, as he did, that, when the sun would rise again, the valley would be a wide waste, and the fair house upon the sands buried in their treache- rous grave. Well, therefore, could I turn with him, as he turned in prayer, and laid hold on the hand of the Jn- visible One^ crying —
" Rock of Ages, deft for met Let me hide myself in Th ee I
As I awoke out of my dream, I had clear before my eyes a passage from the Word of God, in which my reader will find all my tale put witMn a few lines. It U MaUVk^w vii. 29-33. YJ.U.
%n ©rjl^an's laitlj.
RHAT do you do without B mo- ther to tetl all your troubles top' aiked a child "ho had a mother of otte who had nott her mother was dead.
" Mother told me who to go to befbre ihe died," an- ■«ei«d the little orphan. "I go to the Lord Jeiiii;
he waJ mother'! fiieod, and He'i mli^e."
" Jeaui Christ I* up Id the skj. He Is aWBj off, and haa a great many thli^ to attend to in lieiiVen. It 1* not likely he can atop («
" I do not know anything about that," uid the orphan. ■* All I know i*. He mgt B« miii, oadtAai'a nonghjor ma.'
j^^SSOUNG PAULINE I "I think one wanU but g^K^ once woke up at three things in this world: n^^ midnight, and at the grace of oor Lord Jesni *^^ >he lay in bercilb Chrtit, to make him holy; ITMM beard to iay ! , thv^OTeaCQQ&.Ui'makjaU^
JI4
TIB tABBATH MHOI.AB*! TBBASUmT.
happy; and the feUowihip of the Holy Ghost, that he may be always in good com-
Wise Uttle giri! With those three things one might be happy indeed, even though he fed on dry crusts, lived in a shanty, and dressed in ragt. Please commit that
little girFs great thought to memory, my child, and don't lorget that those three pre- cious things are the cheapest things in the world. They cost nothing but aslcing, for your kind Father in heaven gives them, ior Jesus* sake, without money and witliout price.
^t ^tflrg at '^wdm |atme.
OHAFTB& Til.
>l7RINO the latter part of her sickness, she was much occu- pied with thoughts of her native land. She had formerly often asserted, the Gallas are wild people but good people; and she was always hopeM in regard to the conversion of their race. Id her wanderings, her ima- gination loved to dwell among the scenes of her childhood: she would ask for her dress, and desire that it should be put on her in expectation of a long journey, and then again she felt her weakness. A week before her departure she rt^celved a visit from Komthal: she would indeed have been most pleased to have seen her dear mother, Mrs. Fecht ; but yet it was a great joy to her to see any one from that comman/tyl/i which she had ' j&aad so much blesaing. She I
would have delighted to go to Komthal herself.
At first some dark sha- dows lay upon her as she approaclied the valley of death ; but tliese afterwards yielded to the brightness of eternity beaming upon her. Her thoughts were now much occupied respecting her going to her eternal home. One day no other word was heard from her but "Home."
A few days before her death, her dear god-father visited her; it was a sor- rowful farewell; he was about to go, when she sum- moned all her strength, rais^id herself in her bed, and said solemnly, "Keep your seat. You have as my god-father promised to care much for me, and have per- formed it. God bless you for all that you ha^e dow« for Patiline!" "When V\^ said, "He had hoped lYvat she might have been a\>\e vo
THX SABBATH SOHOLAB'b TBBAaUBT.
do Bometbing for her coun- try people," she replied, *'All has gone right." She aUo thanked all her friends and benefactors at Basle and Riehen, and said, after a little while, *'Soon, soon shall we see eauh other again above.** A dear ser- vant of the Lord prayed one day with her ; she was much strengthened ; when she was asked whether she had un- derstood him? she pointed to her mouth and ears, and then to her heart, as if she would say, " The ears have not heard all, nor can the mouth pronounce it; but the heart has felt and un- derstood it.** She spoke very little, and often in broken language which could not be understood ; but these few words, and her loving, heaven- directed look, told plainly where her heart rested. In the night she was once heard to say, ** Jer- usalem, Jerusalem, the mar- riage ojf the Lamb.** A little time before, when she could still speak intelligibly, she gently and lovingly reprov- ed the sister who nursed her, who was much grieved at her sufferings. **You should not grieve so; Chris- tians should rejoice when one goes home. In Korn- thal they rejoiced, and did not wear so sorrowful a countenance.*' She was her- self inwardly happy, and listened with pleasure when verses were sung to her 116
relating to the sours depar- ture.
Once she slumbered sweet- ly, while some friends gently sang the verse: —
** Thy tighs and thy sobblngis And the many, many tears which thou hatt abed.** &e.
On the last afternoon of her life, a friend lat alone by her bedside, and read to her some portion of the Word, which gave her evi- dent satisfaction ; the raised her finger significantly with the words, ^'In beftven we must have a pare heart, and ever and only speak the truth/* Some verses being sung to her daring her kist night, she testified her joy by her loving look. For every service of love, for every word of God whidi was repeated to her, the shewed her gratitude by the expression of her eyes, which she raised to heaven. She was much concerned about the sister who nursed ber, and made a sign that she should go to rest in bed. When this sister had tears in her eyes, she asked her very gently in broken wordf, " Why so distressed ? ** point- ed with her finger towards heaven, and looked at ber with a gaze which expressed much, ^^he said many other things, bat they comd not be understood; yet the wwdt were heard, " Saviour ! Ha\\e\\i^a\ir It was on the eVev^tkVYi oil ^\k\AtoKsa^ ^
THB tABBATB IOHQLAR'S TBBASUXT.
I
/
four o'clock in the morniog, that the heart of this happy Galla negress gently ceased to bent. A solemn itillnest, and A ibretatte of the eternal Ssbhath, were diffused orer her dark coontenance.
She was buried on the afternoon of the fourteenth of September. Many friends who took an interest in her, from Basle and the Ticinity, had assembled in the house and ga^en of the Dea- conesses' Institution. The open coffin was carried out sod placed in a green bower ; the alsters of the house and other friends had taken great pains in decking the coffin, according to the custom there, with flowers and wreaths.
A fresh myrtle wreath was entwined round her blacky woolly hair. Her dark countenance might seem as lit up from hesTcn ; a sweet and peaceful smile was on her lips, through which her snow-white teeth ahone forth. By this coffin one felt nothing of death; but the comforting doctrine of the resurrection of the body was here indeed brought honle to the heart, as the Jier, Mr. Ledderhose read the precious chapter respect- ing the sickness, death, and lesurrection of Lazarus.
Whilst the bells were tolling, they sang the hymn which in so many respects was Bpp^icahh to the life of the departed, "I am a
stranger upon earth; and here have no resting-pli'ce. Hearen is that to me. That is my father- land.** How suitable were these rerses, ^ What has been my whole life from my youth up, but trouble and need ? So long as 1 can think, hare I spent so many mornings and so many nights in sorrow and anxiety of heart. Thou, however, art my joy, Thou the light of my life! Thou chastenest me when I strav. Before thy countenance in the house of eternal bliss, there among many others shall I ever shine full of joy, like the brisht sun.**
The coffin was placed in the Church ; the minister of the place, the He v. Mr. Stahelin, had chosen the words in the sixth verse of the sixteenth Psalm as his text : <* The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant pUces ; yea, I have a goodly heri- tage." He shewed through the remarkable history of her life, especially in her conversion to the Lord, how very applicable the foregoing Scripture was to her; al- though at first sight, and in contemplating her departure in a foreign land, and in the bloom of her youth, it might not appear so. We cannot refrain from giving the striking conclusion. **Yet one word morel We sow to-day as a seed fot eteimt^f > a grain of corn w\i\cV\ Yvfk% ^>een brought to us itoui «^
THB lABBATH IOHOLAB*8 TBXABUXT.
far distant land. When in fature days you see in our burial-ground the mound which covers the moulder- ing remains of the negress Fatme, oh ! let it be a call lo your heart like that which the apostle Paul heard, when he saw at Troas the vision of that man of Macedonia, who called to him, Come over and help us 1 So may the negress, buried amongst us, be the means of awaken- ing mnch missionary inter- est which is now slumber- ing among us I We indeed know well that although we cannot all go out our- selves into distant heathen lands, we can here do much for this holy cnuse of the kingdom of God. Oh, may the Lord by His grace suffer not this renewed call to our hearts to be in vain I " The coffin was now borne by the brethren from Chris- cliona, and accompanied by many friends, brought to its resting-place. When they arrived at the grave, the minister, who hud read the eleventh chapter from 8t. John's Gospel, spoke some- what as follows : — ** There came once from the far south a nobleman to Jerusalem : a desire to be present at the beautiful public worship of God, a longing to find some- thing for his suul, had drawn him thither; and he found what makes the sinner bJeBsed for time and eternity. H e recogniae the black man, 116
that eunuch of Queen Can- dace, to whom, whilst ear- nestly engaged in reading the fifty- third chapter of the great prophet and evan- gelist, Isaiah, Philip the deacon, full of the Holy Ghost, expounded, to the making him wise unto sal- vation, the mystery ai Him who has borne our sins. How eagerly the foreign man grasped at this I This was the pearl which he had sought. And favoured with the sacrament of baptism, he went on his way rej<^c- ing. How wonderful are the ways of the Lord I but how glorious the end ! Without such a desire upon her part; yea, against her will, was the departed one, whose body now lies before us. brought firom the far south, and must come to Wirtemberg. The same Grod of all grace who caused the eunuch from Ethiopia to find the treasure, has also brought to us the Oalla ne- gress, that she might find the one thing needful which makes her blessed for eter- nity. He is a God of won- ders, but blessed and glori- ous are His ways ! He has done well for the departed. His name be praised.**
The coffin was now placed in the grave, the blessing pronounced, a prayer was ofiered, and many tears tes tified that the foreign ne- gte&ft y;«A Ol^^t 1q us. This
THM ■ABBATB ■OBOLAB'i TBBAMJBT.
by the light of the setting •an. The chorui for four ▼oice«, '* Jerusalem, thou city built on high," formed A beautiful conclusion. The jrrave waa filled with many flowers. On the mound which covers it stands a simple cross; on the fVont side of which the funeral text is written, from Psalm xyL 5. and on the otiier, Ps. Ixviii. 31, •« Ethiopia shsll soon stretch out her hands unto God.*' Under- neath is the inscription.
*< Pauline Fatme, a Gslla negress, bom in Africa, died in the I^rd, in the Deaco- ness* house at Hiehen, in tlic twenty* fourtli year of her age, on the eleventh Sep- tember, 1855/*
There rests now the pre- cious grain of com, which, on the blessed day of the resurrection, shall come forth gloriously in all loveliness. May it please God that this be not a single ear ga • thered from the great Galla field!
ffi^f ^artisi f aggfb f al^.
FEW years ago in a Ragged School in London, a gentle- man determined to test the honesty of one of the poor lads, by sending him with a sovereign to get it changed for silver.
"Oh," said one, "you'll never see your sovereign again — the lad will never re- tura.**
V I believe he mil return,** replied the gentleman.
Several minutes elapsed, but the lad had not yet ap pesred. The circumstance having got noised amongst the lads in the school, many anxious faces were turned towards the door. The ex-
citement became very great, hopes and fears were very strongly expressed, but at the end of about a quarter of an hour, the lads burst into a shout of applause on seeing their comrade enter the school with the silver in his hand. The gentleman counted it, and found his twenty shillings all right.
" y^hy were you so long?** inquired the gentleman.
*' I went to several shop«, sir, and they wouldn't change it— 2%ey said they didn't be- lieve I had come honestly by the sovereign ! "
Let us thank God that Higged Schools are doing a great and blessed ntotVl.
\\%
THH BABBATH SOSOLAB'B TUASUBT.
CoLossiANS iii. 11.
ESUS, ray Saviour, look on me ! For lam weary and opprest ; I come to cast my soul on Thee ; '1 hou art my rest.
Look down on me, for I am weak ; I feel the toilsome journey's length ; Thine aid omnipotent I seek ;
Thou art my strength.
I am bewilder'd t»n my way; Dark and tempestuous is the night ;
0 shed Thou forth some cheering ray ;
Thou art my light.
1 hear the storms around me rise, But, when 1 dread th* impending shock, My spirit to her refuge flies ;
Thou art my rock.
When the accuser flings his darts, I look to Thee, — my terrors cease ; Thy cross a hiding-place imparts ; Thou art my peace.
Standing alone on Jordan's brink. In that tremendous, latest strife. Thou wilt not suffer me to sink ; Thou art my life.
Thou wilt my every want supply, Even to the end, whatever befall ; Through life, in death, eternally, ThoQ art my all.
Macdupf.
i20
tiUs of §flut& ^n Ifihnbs,
lis. Iiiolg and idol wera swept away I besom of cleaCrua- \e king liimselF, who .red household iioils »t mfaErita.iice from rei, pretented tliem iltaionarieB to send kod, to Bliew what : follies had pug- I laod ere the Chris- bad crod it. To the Tuhitian goda lir grim uglineai are ihe maseuni of the UiaaionaTT' Society It of the firat rojal Ut Ouiat la Folf- j
Fomare'e example 4wcame quite uonu^ious, ao lliat in one iesion a whole kiiigiJom
louked to the outward eye. Chriatlao miieion station* rose iustead of idul temples among the dark wouda, and by the losely island baya. The Sabbiith was a day of rest and praiae. Printiog preaaea were set up, and ilia fiibta printed by the thou- aand ; and one miaaionarf , wriCrng of the sc«Qes \d ^\^B m/saioD BchooU, gaya: " A%e& prieite aud watriots, w \1V
"\ttv
THE SABBATH 80HOLAB 8 TRBABURT.
their spelling-book b in their hands, might be seen sitting on the benches in the schools by the side, perhaps, of some smiling little boy or girl, by whom they were now taught the use of letters.*' To crown all, king Pomare headed a large gathering of liis chiefs and other subjects, and with one voice raised a native Missionary Society to give the gospel shelter in their islands, and not only so, but supported it by lavish gifts. ** So mightily grew the word of God and pre- vailed,*' though the fair out- ward picture, after all, is not to be taken as of much value without the living Spirit re- vealing Jesus truly to the heathen heart.
FABLED ISLANDS.
Every boy and girl have
been told of a fable believed
in times long long ago, about
a cluster of islands of fairy
beauty, that were said to lie
somewhere away in western
seas. They were reported to
be like gems upon the wave,
and to be dotted all over
with golden fruit. Such in
the highest sense seemed to
become the Tahitian Islands
now. For barbarism there
gretir up sweet Christiau 122
homes ; for wild fores cultivated haunts; and bloodshed pet plenty ; and for dark rites the worship of ing and true God. ' tidings were in all t And to one sailing great deep, nowhere sight more like tli islands break upon 1 these shores rising i waters, and in the faith and love grov as the garden of the
END OF THB VI
Another side of th begins, however, by to dawn upon us. Pomare built an erection called th Chapel. It was 7U length, and 54 fe< The roof was supp 36 large and 280 sma There were 133 wine 29 doors. The raft bound with braided various colours. Tl three pulpits 260 fe but without any | When asked his n building so large Pomare's reply wac mon was a good k built a house for and superior to evei in. 3nde& ot X>aa «vx?
TBB SABBATH BOHOLAB'B TBBABUBT.
ooantries." After this he was baptized in presence of about 5000 spectators. But in 1821 he sickened and died. As a heathen he had been a cruel tyrant and a wretched drunkard. Even after he professed himself a Christian his evil habits not seldom got the mastery. But lat- terly, as a convert, he was singular in his knowledge of
Scripture, eager in helping on the missions, zealous in putting down vice of all kinds, and in his own life letting a better example be seen. His death was a loss of no common kind to the gospel cause, and it is after this, with the new sovereign — Queen Pomare — on the throne, dangers and dark- ness again sprang up.
3olhms oi t^e Cr^ss.
T T there is
a wonderful little
community of Christian soldiers about whom I must tell you a few things. When the 74 th Highlanders were here, some of the men, feeling the utter want of privacy in the bar- racks, built a small mud hut, to which they might retire for prayer at night.
Two or three of their suc- cessors, at present in their quarters, improved upon their idea, and built a house of stone and lime. Here, every evening of the week, lome thirty or forty soldiers meet to pray and read the Scriptures. These men call themselves '* the Bretbren " -^constat of some of the I tteadieMt of the soldierg, and /
boldest riders in the place — have acquired a very fair library of religious books — give liberally of their pay to Missionary and other Chris- tian purposes— and, abore all, by their steady and consistent lives, exemplify Christianity in its fairest aspect. Their number has grown gradually, and is still growing — and their influence upon their comrades has been very great indeed. One rule of theirs is, that, though they have thus their place of retiring in little companies for devotions, each of them, after undress- ing, must also kneel down in the crowded barrack, by his cot, and engage in ptayet. ' One of them told me that, for a Bovice, this was, at otift
12a
THS SABBATH SOHOLAB'B TREASUBT.
time, the hardest trial of any ; for no man could ima- gine the amount of mockery levelled against the act ; but now they have gained re- spect even from the worst ; and are almost free to do as they like. The 8awmy house, as it is called — that being a soldier's slang phrase for a heathen pagoda— has become a recognised institu- tion, simply through force of character on tiie part of its founders.
Not long after I arrived at this cantonment, Major B. drove me up, and I con- ducted their service for them. Finer and franklier and more soldierly men, I never saw. Having finished my work, by giving them a short address, I said that I wished one of themselves to conclude with prayer. A private of the Royals an- swered my invitation in a plain, earnest, and most striking manner. There
were some errors of in what he said; few errors of ta8t< confess that I fe repaid for my long when, in his opei tences he said, in hi downright way, * we unite in thank that now Thou swered our long- prayers, and has i minister to T— countenance us humble endeavour Thee and what quirest of us." On the influence of sui his side roust be as well as encoura^ forth much energy good; and, I am say, that, on Sund ing, all " the Bretli their places in No. when I was priif proclaim the " m Ftom a Letter f\ kindly communicate Mr, Fisher of FUsl
%t)imx% in f ombag.
/
SERVICE of a
most interesting
character was held
in 8t. Andrew's
Church last Sabbath even-
infc* The esteemed and de-
yoted pastor of that church
J24
had previously arr. the time usually c the sermon should pied by the city m in giving an accou \abouTB. Mx«xVvfc
Tarn BABBATH SOHOLAB'B TBBAtURT.
prayer, and the readinfiT of the Scriptures, the pastor an- nounced thearrangenit*nt8 he had made. He gave a brief account of the religious revi- val in America and Europe, and dwelt with much fulness and with great fiervour on the part which lay agency had performed in it— on the instrumentality of private Christians, which has been, and still is, so largely em- ployed, and so abundantly bies«ed. He then alluded to the operations of the Bombay City Mission Committee, in whose behalf he had made a powerful appeal in the fore- noon, and spoke of the faith- fulness and zeal of the agents of the mission. After these remarks, he called on Mr. James Lindsay, one of the city mi«>ionaries, tp address the congregation. Mr. Lind- My went into the precentor's desk, and in simple, forcible Nnguage, of the broad, ex- pressive Scotch dialect, made a statement of his labours and an appeal to his hearers which will not soon be forgotten by any one who had the privilege to hear liim. He gave an account firot of his labours in the hospitals ; and some of the cases he mentioned, and re- Uted with >o much pathos, left scarcely a tearless eye in the congregation. He then gave an account of his labours amongst the Bo)- diers in their barraokB, his conversAtiouB with them.
his prayer-meetings for them which were increasing every week in numbers and in interest, nnd the marked succe9s with which his la- bours have been hitherto crowned. After these state- ments, he made an appeal to the Christian portion of his audience on their persoral responsibilities to make known the gospel of salva- tion to those whom they meet. We never listened to a more energetic, earnest, and impressive address, it not only rivetted the atten- tion, but penetrated the heart of evei y li atener. We cannot but believe that a deep impression was made, and that a number were awakened to a lively and lasting sense of their indivi- dual responsibilities, which will be followed by practical effects. Mr. Lindsay is cer- tainly well etted for his im- portant work, and a zealous and successful labourer in it. Alter Mr. Lindsay had taken his seat, the pastor again, in a very solemn manner, urged upon all their personal duties in connexion with this work. He incul- cated the Scriptural lesson, that "every man sh<»uld teach his neighbour, and every man his brother, say- ing. Know the Lord." His remarks were pointed, faith- ful, and impressive ; and evinced a most earnest de%\t^ for the revivnl of rvWgVow \v\ ^oixihsij, — Bombait G^'ai dian*
125
THE SABBATH SOHOLAr'S TRBABURT.
part, he flung his arm round her and sustained her till they reached a shady spot again. On her part she was not without use by day— for in a moment she caught the roar of a wild beast, or the muttering of a sudden storm, to which, of course, her com- panion was deaf, and then they would flee to a rock or tree for refuge — or when they were faint, she was always first to know by her keen hearing that the sound of running water was at hand, and she would draw him laughingly aside to where the gush sparkled up. But it was in the night season she was the guide. Soon as twilight came down, grey and gloomy, the flash- ing eyeballs of the boy failed him ; and in impatient grief, he was wont to weep, and stamp his foot ever as the darkness thicker and thicker grew, crying out, " Why have I no power to hear ? "
'^ Because I am thy hear- ing.*' was his sister^s soft reply. **Lean on me nowy brother, for I not only hear all the sounds of danger in the night, but I hear the voice of the Blessed One speaking above all, and tell- Jngr U8 the way, and by my 128
touch I will tell you, dearesti what He says.**
So the bold boy became as the helpless girl in the night, and leaned weeping on his sifter's arm. She, on her side, rose into strength and courage deeper as the dark- ness fell, and marvellous it was how intrepidly she led him on. Not a rustle of a leaf escaped her, not the murmur of the most hidden enemy, not the lightest breeze whisper telling that a tempest, or a pitfall across their path, or the roaming tread of a beast of prey was near. Beautiful it then was to frcl the swift tenderness with which she guided her deaf brother on till the dan- ger was overpast. But most beautiful it was to watch how ever and anon she knelt down and clasped her gentle hands together, and spoke up into the midnight air, and then when on her stoop- ing ear there fell words lii(e those of One answering from the clouds, such as, *^Thi8 is the way, walk ye in it;** or, *' Fear not: I am with thee;** or, '* I am at thy right hand and thy left ;" or, " I am the way, the truth, and the life," Viow io>^ow%\"j »he leaped
\
ram bmmbatb boholar's trbabdrt.
hor understand that ell, and even dragged both ran in the path, ondered that at snch ley did not Btnmble ish, for the way was along the very brink
precipices, but the *1 went over with an >p that was less a earth than the light >f angel feet.
days and nights Bted by, and still I
the twin children }ir road for the dty, I going thither my- ininnot tell of all the es, wearinesses, and ey went through, — n at the fall of night wept, how often at kk of day again the red him what it was
walked all night
the Shadow of seen, and how in f great fear both or when these times er both rejoiced to- It is enough to
at last the journey ur a close. Again n had the boy looked ;he horizon, but he led that he had seen To this, however, •• on/jr smiled in re- j assured bim ib»ta '
sound like the sound of many waters had long been in her ear, and mingled with it the strange harping of golden harps, and she was sure the City was very near. Besides, the Blessed One had whis- pered to her, ** Te shall see My Face!" But just then when they had been hoping to reach the gates ere sunset, the tokens of a very wild thick night came on. So the boy was all tremor agaiiu In vain his sifter clasped him, and led him steadfastly on. It seemed to him they were going down, down into a valley like the pit*s mouth, and, to add to his distress, a rim of light that had been on the sky*s edge till now went out, and his feet felt entering into cold, terrible, pitch-black waters. Yet the girl urged him deeper and deeper. Often did he strug- gle back to shore and cry aloud, but yet again did she succeed in carrying him within the wave, till one step and at last suddenly they sank in a deep place, and were borne away. I then lost sight of them, for I was at that very moment battling in the awful river nvywM, but after a few momenli ol what seemed a dark awooul
1^
THB SABBATH SOHOLAB'S TRBASUXT.
opened my eyes again, and the first thing I beheld, as my feet now touched and walked upon the bottom, WHS a silvery shore, on which the two children were climb- ing up, the sister still lead- ing. As they got upon the sand, Three Shining Ones receiyed them in their arms and kissed them. The middle one of the three then touched the girPs eyes and said, *'£phathar' and they were blind no more ; and he touched the boy's ears and said, " Receive thy hearing 1" and so it was dooe. Then up a steep by a staircase cut out in the form of a Cross they climbed, and above that was the great pearl gate of the City, and, round and round about, its shining walls. As they entered, still twining arms together, I saw that they were amazed with a great awe, — the one at what
he heard fur the firs the other at what she on. And just ere they away from me in the i I asked one near me m he could tell me augh them.
*^ Their names," sai reply, "are, — the bo; son ; the girl, Faith, out her brother, Faitl have sufiered greatly- out his sister, Heasor have perished. Bu are both now wher hear heart to heart, f face to face ! "
As he spoke, my passed away, but I r to write it down as simply tried, now little readers to take key of the two nan go back over the 8t( plaining it all. V
iVoftf— For the hint of allegory I am indebted fientences in Henry " Reasun wd Faitli."
®&rw Pari Harbs.
fHICH do you suppose are the three hardest words to pro- nounce in the English Ian- giiage, my blue-eyed boy ? " a^ked a mother of her son one day. ** There are bo many hard oaea — real jaw-breakers — I ISO
can't select the 1 mother," replied with a puzzled look. **I dare say you tl my son, ior you ha attention fixed on 1< words of five or six s; But my question d refei to ^ot^% olS ^\^« ^ and mway %^^«Xi\«
THE B4IIBATH 80HOI«iJi'B TRBA8UBT.
of the words, I think the hardest, are very short, and the third only contains three ijUables."
Arthur was more puzzled than ever. After knitting his brow and silently think- ing the matter over a mo- ment or two, he looked up aod Raid :
»• Well, I can't think which they are. Please tell me, mother ? •*
" * I was mistaken 1 * These, my 9on, are the three hardest words in our language."
•*Why, mother! how can ynu say so ? I can say them as easily as I can say pop. Hear me — * I was mistaken!"
"Arthur," said the lady gravely, **look yonder!"
She pointed toward a dead, leafless peach-tree which stood in the garden, and then added :
^'Toa see that tree is dead. Do you remember that when you hacked its bark with your new hatchet I told you it would die ; you laughed, said ynu guessed it would n*t, and gave it several more cuts?"
" Yes, mother, I recollect."
** Well, ynu see it is dead. Suppose you now try lo pro- nounce my three hard words, my son."
« Well-I didn't think—"
*'But those are not the words," said the lady, inter- rupting him.
Arthur blushed, held down his head, coughed, and after M minate or t wo said :
" Ahem, hem I I was mistaken, mother, and 1 was wrong too. Will you please forgive me for cutting the tree ? '*
"Certainly, ray son. I forgive you if you really regret your mistake and your sin, and I want you to keep in mind the truth that it is far better and nobler to confess freely a fault, a mis- take, or a sin, than to hide it until it is brought to light. But tell me what you think nowof my three hard words?'' "They are very hard words, mother. It almost choked me to say them. Tm glai I did though. I feel better for having said them."
To be sure he did. No- thing is nobler than owning our faults or mistakes, ex- cept not to commit them. King Frederick, of Prussia, once lost a great battle. Standing up before his sena- tors, he said :
'' Gentlemen, the battle was lost by my fault 1 "
That was noble. No doubt it was a very hard thing lor him to say, but saying it did him more honour than all the victories he had won. So Oliver Goldsmith thought. So I think. If you think so. go ask God to keep you from faults and sins ; but if you sin ask him for grace to say those three hard words, *• I -was xi\\%- taken," or *' I was YfTox\g'' — Sunday School Advocate.
131
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBASUBT.
% Crtimb jof Cnmfet Ux ^vdl fogj
r-OUGLAS JER- KOLD was con- sidered a dull boy; at nine years of age he could scarcely read. Goldsmiih was a very un- promising boy. Dryden, Swift, and Gibbon in their earliest pieces did not shew any talent. The mother of Sheridan, herself a liierary woman, pronounced him to
be the dullest and hopeless of her sons father of Barrow, the ( preacher and writer, to have exclaimed, ' please God to take i my children, I hope i be Isaac." The injw parent regarded the Ja miracle of stupidity, 1 afterwards proved to glory of his family.
132
guilt*
GRACIOUS Shepherd ! bind us
With cords of love to Thee, And evermore remind us How mercy set us free. O may Thy Moly Spu-it
Set this before our eyes, That we Thy death and merit Above all else may prize.
We are of our salvation
Assured through Thy love ; Yet Oh ! on each occasion,
How faithless do we prove. Thou hast our sins forgiven, —
Then, leaving all behind. We would press on to heaven.
Bearing the prize in mind.
Grunt us henceforth, dear Saviour,
While in this vale of tears. To look to Thee, and never
Give way to anxious fears. Thou, Lord, wilt not forsake us.
Though we are oft to blame, Oh .' let Thy love then maVLQ ua Hold fast Thy falili and. name.
a IfittU iSitl'3 <But> i«b.
METaway with jon, i boy not more than «leTen you dirty beggfu- I yean old, and though people bojl I'd like tu *omeiin>e< called It hand- V what right you hare to toa», hli faoe loc>k«d vety orer ti« fence at our b»nh and diaagTeMbVe ia»\. ■«'' .' then. ^tester wm a Jilth I Be atood in a. b^TrtWli. \SS
V
THB SABBATH 80H0I.AR'8 TBBABUBT.
garden just in the suburbs of the city, and it was June time, and the tulips were just opening themselves to the sunshine. A white paling ran in front of the garden, and over this the little beggar boy so rudelj addressed was leaning. He was very lean, very dirty, very ragged. I am afraid, little children, you would have turned away in disgust from so repulsive a spectacle, and yet God and the angels loved him.
He was looking, with idl his soul in his eyes, on the beautiful blossoms as they swayed to and fro in the summer wind, and his heart softened while he leaned his arm on the fence railing and forgot everything in that long, absorbed gaze. Ah ! it was seldom the beggar boy saw anything good or beautiful, and it was sad his dream should have such a rude awakening as it did when the rich man's boy spoke as he did.
The blood rushed up to his face, and a glance full of evil and defiance flashed into his eyes. But before the boy
Z could retort, a little girl sprang out from the arbour BDd looked eagerly firom one 134
child to the other. She was very fair, with soft hazel eyes, over which drooped long, shining lashes. Bich curls hung over her bare white shoulders, and her lips were the colour of the crim- son tulip-blossoms.
^ How could you speak so crossly to the boy, Hinton ? '* she asked, with a tone of sad reproach quivering through the sweetness of her voice. ** I am sure it doesn't do us any harm to have him look at the flowers as long as he wants to."
"Well, Helen," urged the brother, slightly mollified and slightly ashamed, **I don't like to have beggars gaping over the fence. It looks so low."
'*Now that's all a notion of yours, Hinton. I'm sure if the flowers can do. any- body any good we ought to be very glad. Little bqy," and the child turned to the beggar boy and pressed him as courteously as though he had been a prince, ** 111 pluck you some of the tulips if you'll wait a moment.**
** Helen, I do believe that you're the funniest girl that ever lived 1 " said the child's brolYvei a« \i^ Vocrafid %.waT, . andwV\.Yks^\oyiHi\AaV)^««QaDL- ^
THB lABSAXH ■OHOI.AK'b TSBASUBT.
own the path, feeUng
Dcomfortable.
n plucked one of each
en of the tulips and
iCTd to the child. His
ghtened as he received
nd thanked her.
the little girl had d a *' pearl of great into the black, turbid
of the bo7*s life, and er years should bring beau iful and bright
Ito years had passed, tie blue- eyed girl had
into a tall, graceful I. One bright June on, she walked with uband through the y for she was on a o her parents. The was little changed, e tulips had opened lips of crimson and > the sunshine just as id done tw^ve years Suddenly they ob-
a young man, in a an's blue overalls, ; over the fence, his indering eagerly from lutiful flowers to her- 9e had a frank, plea- untenance, and there mething in bis man- t Interested the gen-' \ad lady, \
"^Look here, Edward," she said, **ril pluck him some of the flowers. It always does me good to see people admiring them ;" aod, releasing her husband's arm, she approached the paling, saying, — and the smile round her lips was very like the old, child one-** Are you fond of flowers, sir ? It will give me great pleasure to gather >ou some.**
The young workman looked a mooient very ear- nestly into the fair, sweet face. ** Twelve years ago this very month," he said, in a voice f^eep, and yet tremu- lous with feeling, ** I stood here, leaning on this railing, a dirty, ragged, little beggar boy, and you asked me this very question. Twelve years ago you placed the bright flowers in my hands, and they made a new boy, ay, and they have made a roan of me too. Your face has been a light, ma'am, all along the dark hours of my life ; and this day that little beggar boy can stand on the old place and say to you, though he's a humble and hard working man, yet^ thank God, he's an \\oii«%\i one."
Teaivdropa tremVAed ^ito
185
THB SABBATH SOHOIfAE'S TBBASUBT.
morning dew on the sliining lashes of the lady as she turned to her husband, who had joined her, and listened in absorbed astonishment to the workman*8 words. **God,** she said, **put it into my child-heart to do that little deed of kindness, and see now how great is tli'e reward that He lias given me."
And the setting sun poured a flood of rich purple
light over the group that stood there — over the work- man in his blae oyeralls, oTer the lady with her golden hair, and oyer the proud'looking gentleman at her side. AUogiether it was a picture for a painter, but the angels who looked down on it from heaven saw some- thing more than a picture there. — From the Sundaif School Advocate,
*",/-^y- /'./"./^.-'^^ '
f ifiltittg a fantp.
^NE evening I saw a Ijr lamplighter going ^ his round. He was not alone, for a little boy ran by his side — whose great desire it evidently was to »hare in his work. For some time nothing was given him to do, though I think he made repeated requests; at length on reaching the foot of a lamp- post, tlie man put his lantern into the boy*s hand, and bade him run up tiie ladder. So eagerly did the little fellow climb the stops, light the lamp, and slip down again, and then with a pleased face look up . at the light ; and thus after / that they went along the / street the man carrying the
ladder, the boy lighting the lamps. The lamplighter's work must have been over sooner than usual that even- ing, and with less fatigue.
There is room, then, thought I, for the young to do some- thing ; boys can light lamps as well as men; they. can help at all events. Yes, dear young friends, Jesus Christ, the kind shepherd of the lambs as well as sheep of the flock, would haveyou employ your youth for him ; young as you are, you may help to spread the light of truth. I have read of a boy who died very young, ^but not before God had touched hit heart by Y\\B gi«kc« «kXi^\«& ViVok to
3eau% \\Yi«A.\\VX\a>aQ!j^%.%\wK%
trang^ wonld allow, I TillajNi are Uoght. TbcM ^Cbar bii [dttf idUm dear children ue beliuag to (Nd-fetlaws roDad hti light lampi ia that tti and I (peak to tkem about diituit land. AndtlwivaM oh and lore to Je>u(. ' manj otber «■;*, mf jaaag ct^ing to light lamp* readera, in whidi yon may lis thort day laited. at leMt be like tite littl* buy y achooli tbere li a who hdped ihe lamplighter, I miuionary aaaoeia- and take tome humble part id the cliildreo, of in the work* of mercy In 'oaccMd, bring their . which your elden are *d- » help to tend the ' gaged. Happy if God gire .0 the lieathen ; and , you grace thus to t«tie him eeu toldofoaeMhool ; early ! Happy and highly latry pariih in Eng- i favoured if he be pUaacd, in lichentirelyBupporti < the apringiimeof your yeara, 1 in India, in which to employ you in diuug good Ireo of two adjoining | to ioaU.~Tke Ltm^ghltr.
toicc of oxit iffirgtnfi in t^e JffitUrcmws.
TRT OF Hie BiBR." | and about midway be- S the vaat deaert j tween the old atatloa oC atietchiivtbivufA / JIfr. MoBU, famout for hw »Aa( i» called atit^anaxj toils — a.nd th« Soath Afrloa, /«Mtfonmad«jetou>Tef&Toottft _^ 181
\
THB SABBATH ■OHOI.AB'S TBBAIUBT.
in late years by Dr* Living- stone— there is settled a noble and devoted man of whom our readers have from time to time heard — theHev. Mr. Ross. He was ordained and sent out to Africa twenty years ago— and all this time he has been stedfast on his watch tower in the heathen wastes. He cannot receive or send away a letter without despatching a messenger a hundred miles — his nearest post being all that distance from him I He lives in the veiy heart of the wild tribes. He teaches, preaches, and in every way as God gives him power makes disciples. Sometimes it is under the shade of a tree — sometimes in a large war encamp;nent — sometimes in the wild festivities of a village — that his voice is heard proclaim- ing Christ. Or again with- out wearying, you see him in his litUe school, the black children round him in an eager group, and he pouring into their hearts the tale of Him who said—*' Suffer little ones to come unto Mel"
JOUBNETINGS AND SUCOBSSBS.
Tlirougb all the broad
nfgioa he ia constantly mov- 138
ing from point to point. It is amazing from his simfde letters to learn what are the distances he traverses with- out a murmur, and at how many points he has planted downs seed of gn^ace that will surely one day spring into a great harvest. Here he receives into the church eight— there ten— and at a third spot as many as twenty- two. He speaks of his classes for catechising these, and his prayer meetings amongst them in the early morning, with touching sim- plicity. At Taung, his main post, where he dispensed the sacrament of the Lord's Supper at the beginning of this year, he says,— ** At the conclusion of the morning service, I baptised nine men, nine women, and nine child- ren, rather a strange coin- cidence. And now 100 members joined in the celebration."
THB 0ONTBA8T.
Of this he speaks as fol- lows : —
When I first visited the above town Taung, my far- thest inland station, on llth June 1842, it was out-and-
a dance Yi«A \M^sn. %5&fi% ti&
THB ftimiATH tOHOLAB'S XBSAftUBT.
fs in honour of Ma- [the chiefX who was nng on a hunt, and to a commando against ». Tet, full of zeal, 3 bold to ask Mahura rould allow the people ailed to hear the word 1 on Sabbath morning, nswered me in the ve. The heathen dance ween fortj and fifty 1 then began with I immediately left my n, and went out among iages. I returned and would now preach to
him and liis people, if he pleased. He said, "It is well, it is welL" I then proclaimed my message from, " Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" I was informed that Mahura shed tears. After the labours of the day, tired and wearied, and lonehf, yet not alone^ I grate- fully retired to my waggon to rest, hoping yet to see them rejoice in embracing the great salvation.
NoTB.~Tbe above particulars are kindly sent us by the Uev. Mr. Fisher of Flisk.
^\t fijljt mn ^f!i iffiin.
LITTLE girl once
said, '*0, mother,
how very hard it is
to do right 1 1 don*t
» I shall ever be
ave you really tried, ?ar?" "O, yes, I try day. When I awake, 1 get up, I say to my- I will be good all the I will be gentle and I will obey my parents teachers. I will not sL I will always tell ith.' But then, mother, t know how it is, I do sn forget. Then when ig comeji^ I have to There now! what is 9 of trjring? I bare
been in a passion. I have been disobedient:' and once or twice, mother, you know, I have said what was not truer The dear child seemed very much ashamed while saying this: so her mother looked kindly at her. and only said, *' My dear, I do not think you have begun right." The little girl looked up wonderlngly; and her parent went on : '* The first thing is to have a new heart : have you asked for this?" "No, mother, I am afraid not." ** Then, my child, do so at once Good fruit, yo^ know, can only come from a good tree. If your hean \a wrong, your conduct 'wVW.Y^
THB •ASBiiTH SOHOLAS'S T«BA8UBT.
wrong. Toa cannot make k riglit yourself, with all your |2:ood resoiutioDS. But ask God, for Christ's snke, to help you. He will give you His Holy Spirit, and you will not find it any longer impossible to do right." I um glad to say that the child .took her mother*^ advice.
That very day «he asked <xod, earnestly, to chaDfEe her hearty and help her to do right. She prayed, she watched, she strove hard against lier sins, and was able, by Ood's ?race, to lead the life of a lovely young Christian. — Band of Hope Review.
1
f
HERE is an eye that never sleeps Beneath the wing of night ; There is an ear that never shuts, When sinks the beams of light.
There is an arm that never tirps, When human strength gives way ;
There is a love that never fails, When earthly loves dec«iy.
That eye is fix'd on seraph throngs ;
That arm upholds the sky ; That ear is filled with angel «ongs ;
That love is thron'd on high.
But there*8 a power which man can wield.
When mortal aid is vain, That eye, that arm, that love to reach,
That listening ear to gain.
That power is prayer ; which soars on high
Through Jesus to the throne, And moves the hand which moves the world,
To bring salvation down.
Ejm OF yoT*. 1.
klJratI Bcloln's Crwsarj
JtrVENILJ MISSIONAEI EECOBL
®6t «Ii!«rJt6 of ^toHtitit.
EDINBtlBGH: PAros-Am iiTCHIE. SI MIKCES 8TEIET.
i .
INDEX.
iii the Way,
len " .
Charge,
Letter fk'om Central Africa, in the Ark ? n quite ready ?" .
PAOB
81
87
108
82
20
107
the other Side . 68
[ome, Tidings from a 17
:elon, The . 51
', from above . 21
Thanks, The . 52
I Ciobweb across the 49
Buckle, The, . 127
ig, yet not consumed ^ 97
South Africa, another ' from, . . 82
South Africa, first letter fc Young Missionary in 183 Paith.A . . 114
Heathen Foolishness, 122 The . . 28
a. the Storm . 116
(The) across the Box 49 to Jesus . . 92
L Tree, The . 102
d in Death . 68
rer. Voyage down the 89
Flower, The . 85
le Example of a . 87
attle . 124
r for Jesus to carry me " 48 e for UB, An . 115
e (The) of a Dog 87
the Mountain, The 5
)tter from a Young Mis- ty in Central South t, . . . 185
telling- Boot, A , 125
aererJ>rfr, The 43
|
' |
PAOK |
|
Gifts sent to Smyrna |
59 |
|
Glass Houses |
188 |
|
God Counts |
181 |
|
" Gone Home " |
88 |
|
Good Beginning, A |
58 |
|
Good Principles . |
129 |
|
Great and the Small (The), or |
|
|
the Necklace of Pearl |
7 |
|
Grateful Shoemaker in Spain 100 |
|
|
Greater Love than this |
69 |
|
Grieve not the Spirit |
90 |
"Has your Sin found you out ?" 180 Helmore f Mr), Last Lines from 93 Hidden Treasure, The . 118 Hilda ... 25
" Him that overcometh '* . 27
Hindoo Youth (A) taking up the Cross ... 86
" I have no Influence ** India, School Feast in " It does not continue " " It wants Cleaning " '
90
99
128
16
Johnny and the Blue Marble 42
Labourers at Sealkote . 58
Last Lines from Mr Helmore 98
Law (The) of Kindness . 114 " Lead us not into Temptation " 77
Little Boy drowned, The . 96
LitUeRay, The . . 129
Memorial Church at Sealkote 68
Missionary Apple-tree . 79
Missionary's Home, A . 64 Missionary Plants and Gardens 67 More Tidings from a Better
Home ... 18
Mother's Love, A . Wft
Mountain Flower, The . *l^ 3foantai2i, The Fire in the &
New Year Letter to CbUdxen
|
IT IKDBI, |
||
|
"NoUMlnuleloHpim" |
'*"» |
|
|
'■Solbi^g aWier Gr6.l o. |
181 |
43F--''™- |
|
The Childi^ tint lielped |
||
|
Oqe Brink un^Qlhisr . |
ttielr Motlier . |
|
|
loo |
" Tho Dogs tut D( the CnanlH |
|
|
■■Oathol^ryBrmk" . |
JUaltT'hTablil" " . |
|
|
Pariahing ulthln reni^h of |
TheDrijpo(I>BW. |
|
|
God'a Ugh( . |
||
|
Hymn . |
||
|
LoYtrfJesDB . |
Tl,«M8«lBitprfng |
|
|
"ThiWmt«d™=" , |
||
|
The ^at JubUeB ; |
12 |
Two Gordons, The |
|
Song lit our PilBrimsBe |
||
|
TheMHiner'^Hjnm . |
||
|
TTndcr thB rig-t™ |
||
|
tiijer, A Wmdertnl Aa»w( |
to 117 |
Voyage (Tbe) down the Ditdl |
|
Siint {Tliel and Uio Cohblet |
||
|
SivDd b; SoiDke . |
||
|
Snjllilt PrayerB, . |
||
|
WslleruBdhla Sorrow . |
||
|
What a Utile Boj can do |
||
|
s^IJ^m';?!", ,f ^'"" ■ |
4? |
"What w« tan never Culdi ■■■Whfll-wUljirado?" . |
|
wm it tait the Binek off ?■• |
||
|
Will yon meet ms there ? " |
||
|
WoudCTmi Answer to Prs7«i, |
||
|
Stoi7 o( AbdslSli |
29 |
Winter^ T.H., A . . ' |
|
109 |
Word Pleinc from the Old |
|
|
Teetammt |
||
|
B.™ . . . |
Work ud Play , |
!ATH SCHOLAE'S TREASURY.
fltiu gear Sttte to UHUirtii.
dear Childr«D — | and eoduring. Let ni try The year 1860 is ' to And iodw New Tmt ended now, and an- | leiiona tn the Mth pialm. II with new hopes ! We find in tbi« pMlm one Let It begin | flgure running through it. I In the fbunh verte, there I then worda— "For a j thoDHDd fean in Thy tight ! but ai yeaterday wtten is put, and ai a watcli in ' the night." " A thoaund '9 as yeaterday." Life Kke a day. Tliii ii the figure , we hare here. Life la like a |day-
Fi-$L It ia ao to the rf you with pnd«e I eternal God who aeei both ? — praiie formercy the beginning and end of all r fails— pr&yer fur | tliing». to whom past and . help" in days to I present an equally clear; It so it may be for I l« Him one day Is really aa n a year of mach I a Itionsand yeara, anA % \ imuBjae in the I thouta.nA yean aa oae day. oemottprectoaM j SuxtntL It ia ao to n»,^»a-
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRBASUBT.
cause the events of our lives follow each other in an order very like that of a day. Let us then consider life as a day, under the following five heads : —
I. Night before day -breaks verses 1-3. — Niglit comes be- fore the dawn of day. You can understand this. It was so from the beginning : when God made the heavens and the earth, evening came be- fore morning. "The even- ing and the morning were the first day." ** Darkness was upon the face of the deep/' before the light came. And so the time before our own birth is like the night to us : and all that took place before that, the past history of man, thecbanges^ sorrows, and disappointments of life in every age, teach us the vanity of human hopes and schemes, and bid us trust only in Him who in all generations has been our dwelling place, — the same God from everlasting to everlasting, the only abiding refuge.
II. Morning^ verse 5. — After night comes morning, the dawn of day ; and so life be^Ds with its morning —
Childhood. What do we
know of morning 7 There is, 2
firstj the freshness of ing air, the pure soft difiTerent from what comes in the more ad'v hours of the day. Lil is the first fresh gladi a child's heart; the f love and trust yet untc by the world*s trials.
2d. There is the gi light of morning, like "which groweih ttp.** the morning hours ad the light grows strong in childhood there growing in knowledgi the cheerfulness of ho] promise.
S(/. The life of ] ** In the morning it fio eth." In the morning unfold their leaves, drink in the gentle dei heaven. So childboo morning of life, is thi when the flowers of planting will flourish when the heart it ready to receive the seed, and the refr showers of His grace.
4tA. There is the ai of morning ; it growe There is no weariness early hours of day. ing is the time for i for life and energy. i so m e\i\\^\ioQi^> >i\v<e \ and s\\ i\» '^QiNi^c^ V
THB SABBATH 8CHOLAR*8 TRBA8UBT.
and vigorous, free and nn- weariedy able for active ezerdse. Thej cannot be again, later in the day of life, what they are in child- hood's morning. Therefore, how important it is that they should be early devoted tu the service of God. The morning quickly passes away, its bright freshness will soon fade: how care- fully, then, should you use its precious hours ; how anxiously seek to begin life's day with the sun of God's love and the hope of heaven shining over you 1
III. No<m^ verses 7-9. —
After morning comes noon ;
so after childhood come
Touth and Manhood. Tou
might expect to hear a
cheerful account of noon, of
the beauty and the promise
of morning perfected. But
alas, it is not so— and why ?
because of sin, and God's
anger on account of sin.
** We are consumed b^ Thine
anger, and by Thy wrath are
we troubled." The rays of
the noon-tide sun shine
bright. What sun is like
this ? Is it the sun of which
we read in the book of
Bevelations, whose soft
" God is fheir sun, whose oheexing beams Diffuse eternal day ? "
No, it is the burning, scorch- ing holiness of God tliat is like this consuming noon- tide sun. When the noon- tide of life comes and finds the morning past, and the sinner still going astray fh>m God, unreconciled and unforgiven ; then God's holiness shines like a burn- ing sun — man cannot stand before it without a Mediator to stand between him and God; but ** though God is the high and Holy One, who inhabiteth eternity," He will look in mercy upon all who are of ** an humble and contrite spirit " — and who seek Him through His dear Son.
IV. Night, verses 10,11 — Morning and noon are gone, and night comes at last. Old age and death are the night of life's day. Old age is properly meant as the night. '*The days of our years are threescore years and ten," &c. But death comes to many in the bloom of youth and strength, and then for them too the day it
past How needful tYieu \% hM/z7# shine over the Re- I it that we should work 'wYvW© deemed in gloTX^ lit j, ^^^^ ^^^^ ,, ^^^ ^^^^^
8
THB SABBATH FCHOLAR'S TREASURY.
Cometh when no man can work."
V. And now, my dear children, we come to con- sider lastly, what the lessons are which this psalm par- ticularly teaches us.
\8i. We are to number and mark days, not years — ** so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom/' Num- ber chySf and years will number themselves ; mark each day as it passes, from morning to noun, and from noon to night. Watch each step of 30ur journey, each word and action as you go on through life, and by God*s own teaching may you learn so to number your days, and to walk by faith with God, that the night, when it comes at last, may be for you but the entrance into the light of heaven.
2d. The prayer you are to
offer up — ** Oh satisfy us
early with thy mercy." You
have much work to do and
only a short day in which to
do it ; therefore lose no time,
do not lose the morning
hours — do not wait till
noon, but now say to God,
'*0h satisfy us early with thy
mercjr/' Give us the bless-
Jog that will fill all the 4
wants of our hearts; "Thy mercy," tbe pardon of our sins through the blood of Jesus our Saviour, — Thy Spirit to renew and make us holy, — Thy love to abide in our hearts. Give us this Thy mercy early that we may rejoice in Thy salvation for ever. Little children, this prayer is for you; the pro- mise of Jesus to every child is this, " those that seek me early shall find me."
Sd. Perhaps some of you may feel that it is too late to seek your Saviour thus ** early," that the fresh dawn of day is past ; that you have not prayed to be satisfied with God's "mercy,'* but have trifled away the pre- cious morning hours of life. Then the prayer for you is here— verse 13: "Betum, Oh Lord." Pray for the re- turning of God's grace — His " mercy" never f aileth. ** The blood of Jesus Christ, Bis Son, c)eanseth us from all an."
ith. Are you loving and serving God at all? Aie you, though AiU of weak- ness, sincerely trying to do His will ? Has He satisfied you with His " mercy," and given >f oM'^eskC^ In believing!
THB SABBATH S0aOLAB*fl TRBABUBT.
*^ Let Thy work appear unto
Thy servants, and Thy glory
onto their children, and Jet
the beauty of the Lord our
God be upon us, and esta-
liah thou the work of our
hands upon us" Do not
stand still ; pray for grace to
*' press on toward the mark"
^pray that you may be
made strong to fight against
sin, through the grace of
Jesus your Saviour, »nd that
" the beaury of the Lord,"
the beauty of every Christian
grace, of love, gentleness, and peace, may be upon you. And so, my dear children, may God bless and keep you, and so satisfy you '* early" with His mercy, that morn- ing, noon, and night of life's short day may find you His obedient children, prepared to see His face with joy, when He comes to take you home. I wish you all a happy New Year — and I am. Your sincere friend,
EVBLTN.
AY ELLE K S tell i little cottages seem the abode
us, that, in passing though Italy, they come upon the prettiest villages, built on the sides and at the foot of volcanic mountains — that is, moun- tains that have so much fire
of happiness and peace. There are plenty of men and women to be seen busy with their daily work, and many little children busy with their lessons and their play. Now you will say,
in them, that at any time it \ how very foolish of these may burst forth, and bury | people to build their houses these villages in ruin. To there, to keep their minds so
look upon them, you iwould never think such an awful i^te could possibly be theirs, every thing looks so beauti- ful. The sun seems to shine almost more brightly there than any where else. Ihe
easy, and to go about their daily work, careless though, some day, the mountain may send forth a torrent of fire, and burn them and their children all up. How cruel, you aayf of the fathers atid
gnsB IB growing bo green on / mothers to let then cViWdxen / tAe mountain aide, and the j run such a risk, instead oi
5
TffR SABBATH OCHOLAK 8 TRBASORT.
fleeing with them immedi- ately to a place of safety. It is not that those parents love their children less than others, but they just calm their minds with the thought, that such a day, if it comes at all, will not be in their lifetime, and so they go on just Hying for the present.
And so, dear children, while I have told you of what travellers tell us about Italy, I will also tell you of what those who are travelling towards Zion, often tell us of Scotland. They tell us of whole towns and villages, not built like those I have told you of on the sides of volcanic moun- tains, but yet running the same awful danger that these did of being consumed with fire from heaven. You have all read the awful fate of Sodom, how God was so angry with its wickedness, that he sent fire from heaven, and burned it to the ground ; and so you have often read in the Bible of the great day that is sure to come, when the earth and all that is in it will be burnt up. Is there no city of refhge to which you can flee? Is there no place of safety which God has
provided ? You res when bodom wasbui that God remembei servant Lot, and pre place of refuge in a li call Zoar; and so, dc dren, has God prepi you a more sure i refuge, to which He ii you to flee now, eve Christ. You rememi that when the childn ago, were cast into t furnace, it did not b hair of their head ; there was one neai even the Son of Go so, when this gre dreadful day of th comes, you have not fear, for Jesus will ' you. Oh ! let no oi you back from this i no, not even your fi mother, but, like Lc he fled from Sodon and flee for refuge, a all your friends to fi you. Oh! seek hi all your heart now, 1 children has God gii sure promise, "Thi seek me early shall fi
Jesus, Thy blood and righ My beauty are, my gloric 'Midst flaming worlds, arrayed,
6
Ob, the necklace OF PEARL.
He via anibitioui to have nl|G mighty king dwelt | tlie world ttiink of him long ^Pn ^y '^ e>^At river after ho wi* deuil, and to idled the Nile, hco VII to hare his name har.dcd dofin \ 'oaw^/sf file rirer^f that s» tliat of a jredt king. So ^ Fuwe fl&/ co<m(r/> £gjrpt. , be thought wilbiahitDBe«^»
THE Si^BBATH SCHOLAR S TREA8URT.
/
would build a pile of stones that should reach, like the Tower of Babel, nigh to heaven. The work accord- ingly was set about. He gathered thousands of slaves from all parts of Egypt; drove them like cattle into deep quarries, where they dug out blocks of stone with immense labour ; then for mile^ and miles these stones were dragged to the spot where the building was to be reared, hewn into shape, raised one above the other, till after the toil of years, and after many of the poor slaves had died either under the crushing work, or under the cruel lash, the mass rose up hundreds of feet above the bed of the I^ile, and became one of the famous pyramids of which travellers speak so much. What a vast monument for any one man to raise I Tou may be sure it made the monarch, who had spent human blood and enormous treasures of money in his work, proud to see its sharp peak high against the sky. There it stands, solid and awful, to this day. Four thousand years sun and storm have beaten upon it, but there is
scMTce a etaia upon its brow. 8
It stands strong a everlasting hills. It specimen of what th< who reared it meant i1 and what the world gei has agreed to call — g Instead of thousai years ago, only as i yesterday, there diM little child beneath tl of a very humble c( not perhaps more tl dozen people in the knew anything abou She was a very lovely child, and those wh know her saw that wfa was poor and plain in she wore a very rich meut, of a singular round her neck. Wl stowed upon her a | rare? Itwasastringc ingpearls,and curious < every day it was notio the string grew larger, and heavier. The chil self, could never tell h pearls came there, asked she smiled, an( say no more about i that she felt soft angel now and again conii of the air, so to spei stringing yet anoth( another pearl on her lace till it had becor . beaxi\.\tQ\\3[v\iv%\\.wflLB. \ (Hd \t come i^^xx^
TBB SIBBATH SCHOLAR S TRBA8URT.
long time greatly d, till one daj at I ipon the golden haired ying softly asleep on a
bank, I csught sight ) shining string, and >g it gently forth a ray I discovered hung its front a plate of ter written, on which these words out of a )ook : — ** Whatsoever
axe true, whatsoever
sre honest, what so- bings sre just, what- things are pure, lever things are lovely, lever things are of eport." I understood lole story now. This
child of Christ, and )Ting thoughts and and words each day ing out of her loving
here, had He taken f one, and put them, ^is own hands, into a ms ornament round ck. Not one stone of all but was marked irith the name of some- beautiful and gentle 's grace had helped )ly child to do. What ure she had gathered ;his way ! For every a her necklace she had d a pearl into some pV heart, sad had
dropped another pearl into the treasury of heaven ! So I kissed the fair brow reve- rently, put the string back within the folded hsnds, and went on my way thinking that I had seen there in that child a specimen of what the world knoweth not.snd what moFt people would think and speak of as very smalL Put that child beside the pyramid, and you would say at once, *' the Great and the Small ! " Yet I dreamed afterwards of that which is to come, and methought I beheld the two before a great white throne, the mighty monarch and the fair little child. What a difference ! For all his pyra- mid nobody knew even the king's name. Nobody could tell what grave he had come out of, and he would have passed away unnoticed had it not been that thousands of poor souls he had trampled on and slain cried against him. Indeed every stone in his huge pyramid seemed to find a tongue, and to cry out upon him the curse of blood. How he shrunk and shrivelled down into nothing, and with the face of Him who sat upon the throne twin^^ to look at him, \\ow VkQ fell into the yery diOAt.
9
THB BABBATH SCHOLAR B TRBA8URT.
On the other hand, the un- known child stood upon the the steps of the^ throne. Every eye beheld her in her loYeliness. Pyramids and kings and worlds sank beneath her. From her throat she touk the spark- ling necklace, and was laying it, with eager joy, at the feet of Christ, when out of the throne broke songs of wel- come, and I saw a company of saints who had known the child in earth, step forth, take up the necklace as it fell, and weave into a crown of richest lustre, which the hands of Jesus, taking out of their hands, placed upon the soft brow for ever. '* Sweet child," said the Saviour's
voice, ''inasmuch as these things unto t did them unto me ! " different now monar child ; how different i works of their handi world's great and smcdl ing places in the day and becoming then tl small and the small gr I leave my little to make out the tale, that as it begins a ne if they are spared year's end, each of th< have three hundred an five pearls then stru a necklace round thei I'hey cannot build py but the least of the weave a string of pei
1
S^t\ix$\ Ifl^ng.
WAS a selfish boy— a very selfish boy. I was always pick- ing for the best of everything upon the table; and if there chanced to be a piece of cake or pie larger than the rest, I was sure to get it. And, instead of being corrected in this very un lovely trait of character, I was encouraged in it. I was the youngest child, and mjr parents, especially my motber^ were injudiciously 10
indulgent, letting m my own way in evei My mother could m out to ride, or walk, without being obli^ my importunity, to 1 with her, no matt< undesirable my com| One fine summer* ing, ray mother w< into the country tc the day with her fri as usual, going with passed iVve TEiQ»\ii\T
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRBA8URT.
the woods and but presently my got me into trou- istroyed my hap-
the rest of the nner I was seated ther's side, and I usual, be helped bing I wished.
one thing upon which was yery to my eyes, and I large glass dish
beautiful early . I was extrava- d of apples, and
one in the dish s determined to s so much larger than the rest. Ii was passed to r before any of uid I embraced mity of grabbing apple before she
one, and in my t a dish of rasp- ill over the snowy ' mother coloured ion. She did not 3, but apologised ying, '* Johnny is nate, he is always lomething." mind, it is of no je," replied my It, Johnny," she Ling at me, ''you I the apple that I or your mother. er plate, my dear, mother for your-
lan't,** I muttered, be apple tightly ujr hands; **it*B
my apple, ain't it, mother ? You don't want it, do you?**
** No, dear ; you can have it if you'll be a good boy. Johnny is so fond of apples,** she added apologetically, turning to my aunt.
My uncle looked sternly upon me, and fearing he would take the apple away from me. I left the table and ran out into the garden, and did not stop till I had reached the further end of it. Then I looked at the apple and smell of it, and finally. I bit into it ; but 01 it was bitter and all black inside. I cried with vexation, and rushing into the house exclaimed :
'* See what a mean, bitter, black apple this is 1 I want another I *'
But my aunt said there were no more.
"Then I'll have mother's,** I exclaimed, as I saw hers was but partly eaten. ** Mother, give me yours ! "
" Well, well, Johnny, take it; it 11 taste better to you than to me I've no doubt," replied my mother, handing it to me.
** Sister, your little boy is fair outside," exclaimed my uncle sternly, **but mark my words, if you encourage him so in his selfishness much longer you will make him as black and bitter in- side as that beautiful apple."
My mother withdrew bet hand and i ran back into tV\e gardtn, pondering upon t\\y uncie's words, which 1 did
11
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'a TRBASUBT.
not exactly understand. Presently my fayourite little cousin came in search of me, and putting her arms around my neck and kissing my pouting lips, she said :
" I am very sorry, Johnny, that your apple wasn't good. I wish I had only known it, and I would have saved mine for you."
"I don't care anything about the apple," I replied, feeling ashamed, I hardly knew why; "but what did your father mean, Ella, when he said 1 would be black and bitter like that ugly apple?"
*• Why, he meant, Johnny, that if you had your own way always, and were so selfish as to take the best and biggest of everything,
you would get to be wicked boy, and ] would love you."
From that momeiit was a change in my i Ever after, when tempted to g^tify the expense of an good, I thought of flay words, and I wa3 re submit to any s^- At first it was painf after a while it bee real pleasure to me t myself in every way might contribute to tk fort and happiness of 1 trust there are not boys as selfish as J* but if there are I hop will resolve like him be like the apple, bla bitter iuside. Rbma
>" y-\y-^ -r ^^•w.T'
12
'^\t (gnat lubiUf.
5*ER the gloomy hills of darkness. Look, my soul, be still and gaze ; All the promises do travail With a glorious day of grace. Blessed Jubilee, Let thy glorious morning dawn !
Let the Indian, let the Negro,
Let the rude barbarian see That divine and glorious conquest
Once obtained on Calvary ! Let the Gospel
Wide resound from pole to pole I
Gird thy sword, thou Great Deliverer }
Win and conquer, never cease ; May thy lasting, wide dominions, Multiply and still increaa^
Sway thy sceptre, Saviour, all the -world atoundl
iilbil.
t»R|hIIEyouii); Hilda had i hhiI an one oTtlie firat wirm jSfl^ Icini; been cnnDiieH niuriitiiKSof Bprine, hcrlighc ^■^ to acDuchofwe^rl- steps bounded again oi«tl.ltc ^'"* Bome pain and tick- muM-jfrown walks o( \iet it.- '' 1PM bnt lieMlth bfgan once rourite yrooiia, AcWarTl'Q- «ue a glow la ber cheek, ; iet flowed thiw^b the *Oo4, Sa
THB SABBATH 80HOLAK 8 TRBABURT.
and its little waves danced in the laughing sunshine. Hilda wat< bed with delight the sparkling fish, now glanc- ing through the sunny wa- ters, now hiding themselves amidst the cool green river weeds. A light breeze pass- ed over the wood, and played amidst the tender green leaves of siring; and the little birds flew gently from bough to bought and carol- led their sweet wild songs. " Happy, happy creatures I " cried Hilda, *' how sweet are the joys of Areedom, and I too now am free;" and she bounded along with a lighter, firmer step, as though she would shake off the heavy load that pressed upon her young life.
At this moment a man entered the wood, leading by the hand a lovely boy. The child felt all the bright glad power of spring, and the merry peals of his laugh- ter mingled with the song of the birds. The flowers of the thicket soon caught his eye, and he fain would have twined for himself a garland in the wood, but his father held his hand, nor would sufler him to leave him for a mordent.
Then Hilda's heart was grieved. *• The fishes of the stream," said she, '' and the little birds among the branches, follow their own wild willy and rejoice in blessed freedom^ and this aweet child, so lovelier fax
26
than they, walks sa downcast, his buoyai all dashed ; methinks him weep.*' Her eye fo the child and his through the winding ' The wild flowers wer forgotten, but the pat! rough and stony, instant the child di his father's arm, and saw him safe folded bosom. They appr< the moorland ; but th felt not its keen wii his father's cloak wrapped around hiu he was borne rafel gently over every dan pass.
Hilda now no more : ted for him, the sp< the happy woodland tures. '• There is she cried, ** in wild tn but a deeper, holier confiding, denying lov this is the picture child." I too, thougl saw a child ; and a 1 felf-reprosch fell fro eye as she thouglit ho^ she had repulsed the hand that guided her. often, when my Fatl held me back," salt ^^ have I begged him t' me alone I Alone : Father," she exclaimec give thy wayward chi hearken not to her prayer; let her rath the sternest grasp < earnest faithful love.** peace N7«i%\)t%«k.\.Vi^d ii i soul, au^ \Xa \iXmf^«X
TBB •ABBiTB iOHOLAB 8 TRBA8URT.
the 8weet word of ^ I will neyer leave r forsake thee." Ida's step were less on her return, her s more full of peace, f er was heard, the orrow was near, and
the grasp of loTe grew stem, yet was she not left alone ; and in the conscious presence of chastening love, she found a tearful joy, for which no freedom could have made Amends.— From ** Doing and SujffiUg:*
Kff pirn tfeat (^\itttamti\y
^K Y of you, I dare- say, have read the %XGry of the great the Bruce, — how sr he had been de- battle many times, \ fleeing from his he took refuge in a liere he lay down, wearied, to rest, ights, you may be "e full of his numer- res — the many times een conquered ; and aying in his heart, ; give up this hard I have been over- lYhile such despair- ghts as these were through his mind, ras arrested by the d efforts of a little 0 climb up to the ;he barn, and there ts cobweb. At first, ht little of what his / fokiag at; but, by I
and by, he got interested, when he Siiw the little crea- ture so many times climb up so far, then lose its bal- ance, and fall back. This was repeated, I think, tweWe times; but the spider was not to be overcome ; he still persevered ; and, the thir- teenth time, he conquered — reaching the place where it had so long been striving after, in vain, to spin its web.
** What a lesson has this spider taught me," the great hero thought to himself. ^ I will yet follow its example ; I will go forth again to fight the battles of my country ; and, although I have been already so often defeated, I may yet come off conqueror." With such new resolves as these, he again went foT\\\\ and all of you know l\ie endi of the story — bow s\xccft%%
^1
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBASURT*
followed upon tucoetB ; and, fh>m the poor, defeated, and careworn man lying alone in the bam» we soon after find him king upon a throne. Now, I have told you this story, as I wish each child to learn only one great lesson, and that is, that you have also a battle to fight — some great enemy to overcome. If I could see into your hearts, I would, perhaps, see some difi^rent evil in each heart to be conquered. I would find in one, bad temper ; in an* other, disobedience to pa* rents ; a third given to tell lies; a fourth unkind and disobliging at home, and many other faults I could mention. If you look up the third chapter of Revelations, you will see a great deal in it about ovircoming ; the bright prospects that are held out ; but, you will ob* serve, it is always to those wlio overcome. The pro* miaes Jesus makesare these : He will clothe them in white; He will confess them before HU Father; He will make them pillars in God's temple
above, and write upc a new name ; and great promise is—** that overcometh will to sit with me on my 1 With such a sure rei prospect, will you dear children, seek t it ? Let each one, 1 the morning, think, i or she rises — ''Now t have this sin to ov I will watch agains will pray much to J strength to overcon And although, wh come to the end of 1 you may look back, how often you have 1 your good resolution discouraged ; go ai Jesus, confessing yc and asking Him a help you ; and you h sure promise*^*^ In i things we are moi conquerors througl that loved us.**
" Blessed is the mui t
comes,
111 own him for a soi
A rich inheritance rewa
l%e cOTqwfiBta ha hat
28
THX BABBATH SCBOLAR'B T&SABURT.
5>t0rg 0f itbaUafr.
|N the Sanday-icbool at ManeilleB, France, in which there are three hundred scho- Itn, there is a cUm of white children directed by a young black boy, who wat probably born in Darfour, a proTince of Central AfHca. His name is Abdallah. If any one asked him how it happen- ed that he was at Marseilles, he would answer: <* Because I disobeyed my mother. I thought myself wiser than she. When I was a rery little boy, she said to me, 'Abdallah, ncTer go into jonder wood, for there are wicked men who would seize you.*
** But one day that wood looked so beautiful to me, with its palm trees, its bril- liant flowers, its birds, its monkeys, and its paroquets, that I fbrgot my mother's advice and entered it. I was then seized by the slare- dealers and sold in Egypt. Since that day I have nerer seen my poor mother, nor had any news of her."
In Egypt the poor child excited the compassion of a Marseilles merchant, who bought him for forty or fifty francs (about £2) and carried him to France. Every slave who touches the soil of France is free. Thus Abdallah ob- tsfaed JU0 Jlibertjr, and his
excellent master, whom he attends as a little domestic servant, sends him to school every afternoon. He is a good pupil, and three years ago the prize for good con- duct was awarded to him by the Tote of all his school- fellows. As regards the Sunday-school, his teacher has only one fault to And with him, and that is, he learns too much. While the other children managed with great difficulty to re- peat six or eight verses, Ab- dallah had learned twenty- five or thirty. He has per- seyered in his eagerness after instruction, and at present his desire is still more ear- nest to press onward in his studies. And for what end think you? That he may return to Africa as a mission- ary. When about two years ago, M. Daumas, missionary f^om Mekuatling, in the south of Africa, passed through Marseilles, Abdallah was very much interested in all he could tell him of his country, and of the mis- sionary work which had been done there. Aflter hearing this, Abdallah sent to him all his little savings to go in aid of the mission. They amounted to four shil- lings. M. Daumas at first was not w\\\iik|^ to \a^ «\V this from the voox "Xm*^ \ \aiX
Tta SABBATB IOHOLAB'S IRUIBSt.
he indsted lo much upon i giving that aum, tb&t It WS( j al lact accepted.
A propoial Iras made at a I public meeting that all the ' Hundaj-ichooli of France ■hould agree to adopt Ab- dallah, and that the children In them should lupply the tundi for educating him and fitting hioi for the work of a mliaionaiy If God : ■hould permit to him the honour of labouring among hit countrymen In Africa. |
The plan va* adopted applauae by all the ■ ciuldrenpreaentat tliei iug. The Coramlttee o Society of SuDday-«c took up the niUEer,and 1« reaaon to hope that h contribution! of the ' •ands of children in the testant ichoolB throof France, enough will be i to train this youth for ' •errice in hli natire 1* JuD. Mitt. Mag.
•ud [ den, although I irata AlphoQio to hia Cake care of them, d<
- - tixm to thrive?"
"My child, " repUe father, "you would hi banitiome floiren in gulden e« fLm^iatiaatl
&ther,
my Bister Ame- lia's garden ii «o much hand- wmer than mine F Why do r Uoom 10 beautl-
fully, while choae in my gai- 1 If you ^itt& iqii«& ftvb i so
TRB BABBATH BCH0LAR*8 TBBABURT.
bt season, and cnlti- i in a proper manner, 9t enough merely to le seed, but it should ) in the early spring, and at first nroperly d, and afterward y tended, that the oiay not grow there-
Iren, your minds are
like a garden. Strire to cultivate them while you are young, for as you advance in years it will become more difficult. Improve the springs time of your life, that in its summer, autumn, and winter you may not have to re- proach yourself for your past negUgence. — S. S. Ad- vacate.
®ii t\t Iftg irink.
' is easy to save one who has fallen into the flood some dis- tance above the cat- irhere the river, not rying to the fall, flows r on its way. But down the difficulty s great, every foot down the greater ; for "ent moves with faster nd growing force, till ih it shoots forth with flight, and reaching ik leaps headlong into g gulf. Now, away the mountains I iuch a place where ree shepherd brothers D leap, as they had >ne from rock to rock, the narrow chasm 1 which the swollen rushed onward to 1. Bold mountaineers oking with careless a si^ht which had othen dizzy, one over like a red deer;
another followed, but alas ! his foot slipping on the smoothly treacherous ledge, he stag- gered, reeled, and falling back, rolled over with a sud- den plunge into the jaws of the abyss. Quick as light- ning, his brother sprang for- ward, down to a point where the waters issue in a more open space just above the crag over wbich they throw themselves into the black, rock-girdled, boiling cavern. There, standing on the verge of death, he eyes the body coming ; he bends — his arm U out — thank God ! he has him in his powerful grasp. Bravely, brotherly done. Alas! it is done in vain. The third brother, sad spectator, of the scene, saw him swept from his slippery footing ; and in their death, not divided, as of old, they bad lain in their childhood, locked in each othera aima, thejr went over, hottlbXy
SI
T^B BAB^ATH SCHOLAR fl TRBA8|TI^T.
wbelqaie^ in the depths pf the swirling ppoi* NQt so per- ished QUr t]^eT Brother and the thief He stretcl^fd out His ^mid to save. He plucked him fropa the hrink of hell ; He saved him on the dizzy edge of the jdreadfol pit. Poor wretch, ah! iie hangs ahpre the gulf; he is half over; just then he turns a dying eye on a dying Saviour, and utters but one cry for help. The arm of mercy seizes him; he is saved ; now heaven holds him
cronmed in glory. "^ reyeliitionof Jesup, as I press image pf Hii|i w'. power to saye it the uttermost ! What a] couragement to joji^ t the chief of sinners, t yourselves at Je^«*8 Dpit,jdoitiiDw. Mfj) help you to do it Apotikr momept ^( may be beyond the re mercy. Another m may be a whole etemi late. — Guthie,
M^Kt iot an ntiaex (ttatcl*
CHILDREN, what is it you can never catch, even if you were to chase after
it, as quick as possible, witii
the fastest horse in the
world ? Tou can never catch the
word th^ has once gone out
of your Ifps.
Once spoken it is your power; do ypu you can never recall i
Therefore take car you say, for ** in the tude of words there w not sin ; but he that r eth his lips is wise ** X. 19).—^ S, Advocat
^ttot^fr fitter fxm Cfittral ^flotfe %
UR friend Mr. Ross an Indian waggon, wit
again writes : — *' I harnessed with Indian
am afraid you will I am certain, howevei
make me too vain by m$k^ng I could not travel so
me Sgure, in the Sabbath ^ it^ drawn by so fbw os
Scbolmr's Juvenile^ in front of \ by my own Mdisviv^
99
TBM aABBATH gOpOL^'s TSKA9UflT.
tod a team of eight, ten, or twelve of these to ua ioTalu-
PROGRESS OF MI89I0N-W0BK.
Toa will rejoice with us that on the 2d of Septem- ber I had the real pleasure of receiving 26 adults into
earnest and, I heUeve^ sin- cere prayers in the earlj morning. The listeners were all quiet, and mapy of them "anxious," while hearing the gospel. After the Sab- bath-^chooland twoserrices, a very considerable portion of the congregation com- the fellowship of the Church, | memorated the Saviour's sod administering to tliem I djing love. On Monday
a delightful missionsry [Hrajer meeting was held, and humble contributions were cheerfully given. Here are at least 18 inquirers after salvation.
the holy wdinanoes of bap- tism and the Lord's Supper. I have just returned from a profitable tour to Taong and all the out-stationa, and bow delighted I am to see the improving state of the people of God, the desire to hear the word preached, and to practise the duties which it commands I I could say, ** I have no greater joy than to see my children walk in troth ** and ** witness a good confession before many wit- nesses." How often we 'have been privileged to see that
MR, boss's MUMBVBS AT ALL BIS ** STATIONS.**
I have carefully scruti- nized the roll of believers at present under my charge, and find them to be 690. There are also seveir schools with 330 scholars. The num- ber of Sabbath scholars is all who meet to worship God.
wonder of grace, and work of There are three native
the Aknigfaty Spirit — the lion changed into the lamb, the f orious servant of Satan
teachers, four schoolmasters, with all the elders and dea- cons doing our utmost in
into the meek disciple of j communicatirg knowledge.
Jesus I
VISIT TO AB OUT' STATION.
The Sabbath at Baralong
Fifty four have entered the Church during the past year, twelve marriages have taken place, lorty-nine cbV^Teii
— 6ih October— tFM a bigb kaye been baptized. IVieT* d^r. Tben were offefed up I are at present ii^bout lYiVtx^
aa
TRB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRBA8UBT.
one candidates fbr member- ship; and, altogether, my comer of the vineyard is, 1 would say, in a very pros- perous condition. **But not unto US, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give jjlory for Thy mercy and for Thy truth's sake."
DttSlRB FOR AID.
It gratifies us to know that the Directors of our noble Society* are about to send out two young mis- sionaiies. They will be cordially welcomed even by the heathen, who are now desirous of instruction. Would that all ministers at Iiome were uniting in heart with missionaries abroad in the spread of the gospel, and tlie day would evidently then not be far distant when Christ will have « the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession."
SUCCESS OF THE MISSION TO THE MATABELB, ON THB SOUTH OF THE ZAMBEZI.
Mr. Robert Moffat has re- turned from his long journey to the Matabele and limited sojourn among them. As in every thing else, he has suc-
* Z*oadon Missionaiy Society. 84
ceeded admirably i whole work there. I katse (the chief) has g to the young missions excellent fountain, t thing in that fruitful d and as much land ai can use. Freachini been auspiciously with interpreters, and ous attention in the pi of their liege-lord u marked. At the earn quest of those who w be stationed there, m houses have been bui] were nearly readj inhabiting before the Mr. Moffat, left. I quested Moselekatse t a number of men t Makololo, on the nort of the Zambezi, to asc if Mr. Helmore and had arrived. Thii accomplished in four ent visits, but not a syllable could be hei the said party, except long ago, and at a distance. It was th ported that they wc their road • to Lin Hunters have arrived from the hunting-fiel very distant fh>m i still not a word of the VJe yiwX *ad ^tay^«n<
THB SAVBATU 80HOLAR*8 TREASURY.
I
/
that all will be well, and that God will proaper His ■enranU in their most arduous undertaking and the moat difficult of all our mitaiona.
SAO Tiri^os or the mako-
L0I.0 PAETT.
Since the above, a letter has been receired by Dr. Tidman from Mr. Moffat, dated Kuruman, 12th Not- ember 1860, and sent a great distance towards the Cape by express, in which he says — ^ It is only four days since I forwarded a letter to you, which contained all the information that had reached us respecting the Makololo brethren. It was favourable. But alaa I alaa ! it was only to lift us up that we might be plunged in the depths of sorrow. Alas ! Helmore, the amiable, the unwearied, the apostolic Helmore, and his devoted wife, are no more inhabitants of this lower world. This distress- ing intelligence has just reached us by one of our people, who had been on an elephant- hunt, as far as the Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi. He there met with some people from the Liajranti, who, when asked
respecting the welfare of the missionaries, replied, in the phraaeology of the country, that they were all dead with the fever ; and commencing with the first victim, said — Helmore died, then his wife, next two of their children ; then the suckling of Mrs. rrice, then the Malatsi from this station (Kuruman), Mr. Price's waggon-driver ; the next, Tabe from Likatlong, and a servant of the Bakhatti tribe. It would appear that the Makololos — and especially their chief— were unkind to the party who had reached Linyanti, because of their being soured that Dr. Living- stone, and those of their tribe whom he took with him when he left for this country, had not made their appear- ance. Dr. Livingstone has since reached Linyanti, on the north of the Zambesi, and was, as might be expect- ed, deeply affected by the news of the death of so many of the mission-party; and regretted much that he had not been able to come at an earlier period, as he pos- sessed a very efficacious re- medy for the fever. TVv^ remaining misslonariea— Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie, ixom
^5
N
THE 8ABB4TH 8CHOLAK 8 TREASURY.
down on a mossj bank, under the shade of a drooping birch, and began to talk. They had just been released from school for the holidays, and at first their great theme was the endless enjoyment they were to have in travel- ling home and their plans there for spending the vaca- tion. Then as they talked, their words ran on about the .future — far beyond their ■ school-days and vacation rambles.
" I intend to have a splen- did Hfe of it, when I grow to be a man," said the bolder, of the two, whom we may cali Henry. ** I shall of course ding all my books aside, and leave tiresome study behind. I shall get into my father*B business and have lots of money."
" And then—?" asked his quiet, thoughtful companion, whom we shall call Edward, looking at him with his deep gaze.
** Oh I shall have several dogs, and my gun, and horse, of course; and at all the balls and gaieties going, I shall be present as much as 1 like."
*'^nd then— ?"
"/ aball h&ve no end of
rich clothing, and I shall be 38
admired, and thought a gay, gallant fellow everywhere."
*' And then—? "
" Oh," replied Henry laughing, ^'I shall grow to be very wealthy, as I have said ; and as I get up in years, I shall get my father*s busi- ness handed over, I suppose. 1 shall become a man of note in the place— keep a fine house, get married, and have all comforts possible."
"And then — ? " still asked the other steadily.
" Then ? why, I shall get into Parliament some day I suppose, make a figure, in- crease in means, and have influence, and be talked about."
«* And then—? " still was asked.
** Of course," said Henry, a little nettled, *' 1 shall g^ow old like other people — not for fifty years though or so ; and in my rich old age I shall retire and take my ease, and," a shadow crossing his brow," then — "
" And then—?" whispered Edward. Henry's brow was very dark no w^ and in his anger he was silent. Edward, however, took his hand kind- ly, and with a soft smile, and
(
THB SABBATH BOHOLAR'S TREASURY.
o?er which the silTery birch that sheltered them was hanging. As they did so, they came on the brink, sud- denly, of a sharp precipice, and looking down, a gulf was beneath them, deep and vast. Edward pointed with his hand,—
"What, Henry, though you are happy, wealthy, fa mous, as you wish, and may lire to a very old age, if at the end it be a step into a void like that?"
**I cannot answer you,** was the sulky reply. *' You are always too good for me, and you never lose the chance of crossing me with such talk. I do not think it talk for boys "
**So some say,** was Ed- ward's answer, with a sad smile. ** But some of us die youogy and I cannot but think of these words we read to day, — *lt is appointed unto all men once to die, and after death the judgment I * That is the 'and then I*
Have you ever thought of that, Henry?**
Henry confessed he had not, at least to any purpose ; looking in his companion*8 face, he added,—*' What if I should ask you, as you have asked me— and then—f **
Edward gazed away into the deep gulf^ with a look full of humility and light, as he replied — " For me to live is Christ, and therif and then — to die is gain ! **
And so he wiled Henry to sit down on the mossy bank again, that they might talk together yet further, and that he might tell how he had learned to make Christ everything to him in this world, so that when he came to die, death should not be a leap into a dark abyss, but a bridge across into the hea- venly kingdom. *
* I have ventured in this little piece to expand a hint found in Mrs. Gordon's (Miss Brewster's) charming book, just out — " Sun- beams in the Castle."
N old New Zealand I religion, and had \Wed slW^^ * chje^ who had been / of consistent ChiUtVaxi g^K)^- converted ia middle / aess, was at laat broxigVit. \.o Jjfe to the Chiistiaa / hi§ death- bed. Ho gaOaet«d
TBB SABBATH 'SCHOLAR 8 TKBASUBT.
his friends and familj round him — some Pagaqs still, some Christians — and then he raised himself up, and began to sing one of the an- cient songs of his country, which he had learned in his youth before his conversion. It told of a maiden who had a lover — a faithful lover; she had not seen him for years ; he had gone off into the distant seas; and now she was determined to seek and to join him. And so the New Zealand chief sang of her voyage, in words well known to them who stood around him, but with a meaning far deeper than they hi^ before put on the words; for they saw that, under the figure of the for- lorn maiden, he meant his own soul going forth in its last long voyage ; and under the figure of the lover, he meant that blessed Saviour whom he hoped now to join in that unknown sea. He sang how the maiden, in her frail canoe, went down the
dark river; how she dashed down the foaming rapids; how the steep rocks closed in on either side ; how, through the black pass, the river opened into the wide sea; how, in the wide tea, she still was not afraid, for she looked forward all the more to being with him whom she loved for ever.
So singing, and so trans- figuring, the old Pagan song with the light of the gotpeC the Christian chieftain passed away. It is to that outer darkness, through that dark river, and into' that un- krown sea, of which the New Zealand chief spoke to his newly- converted friends, we must also go. Education, business, worship, life itself, will all take their proper colour and their proper pro- portions then, and then only, when we remember that they are all means to one end — namely, to be like Christ, and to be with Christ. — A. P. Stanley, D,D,^Jrom ''Good Words."
i minUfs ©aU.
||g^ET me tell you a ■ '^^ winter*s tale, which Is perfectly true, and though it re- lates to one humble calling, bss its le§aon for all. It WMM Mbout thirty years ^go or more when ttase- 40
'• coaches still ran, that an , excellent old clergyman, who ! had a keen obwrvatlon of the world, was travelling on , the top of the coaoh fiom ; Norwich to London. It was 1 a colkd wiikUtT m^Yiv %.tA ^Sea 1 ooachina'n, a» Via dxQ^« \&%
THE SABBATH 80H('LAE*S TRBA8I7BT.
honet over Newmarket Heath, poured forth such a Tolley of oaths and foul Uognage as to shock all the patseoff era. The old clergy- man, who was sitting dose to him, said notbiogy bat fixed his piercing blue eyes upon him with a look of extreme wonder and aston ishroent. At last the coach- man beeame uneasy; and taming round to him, said, —** What makes you look at me, sir^ in that way ?** The clergyman paid, still with his eyes fixed upon him, ** I can not imagine what you will do In Iwaven? There are BO horses or coaches or sad- dies or bridles or public- houses in hearen. There will be no one to swear at or to whom you chu use bad langUHge. 1 cannot think what you will do when you get to heaven " The coach- mun said nothing. The clenryman said nothing more; and they parted at tbe end of their journey. Some years afterwards, the clergyman was detained at an inn on the same road, and was told that a dying man wished to see him. He was taken up into a bed- room in a loft, hung round with saddles, bridles, bits, and whi|)S, and on the bed amongst them lay the sick man. ^ Sir," said the man, "do yon remember speaking to the coachman who sworn io much, MS be drove over I
Newmarket Heath?" '♦Yes," replied the clergyman. *'I am that coachman," said he ; ** and I oonM not die happy without telling you how I have remembered your words — I cannot think what you will do in heaven. Often and often as I have driven over the heath, I have heard these words ringing in my ears, and I have flo^tged the horses to make them get over that ground faster, but always the words have come back to nw— I cannot think what you will do in heaven** We can all suppose what the good minister said to the dying man—but the words apply to every human being whose chief interest lies in other things than doing good and being good — and who de- lights in doing and saying what is evlL ** There is no making money in heaven — there is no pomotioa-*there is no gossip — there ia no idleness— there is no contro- versy— there is no detraction in heaven — / cannot ihink what you loill do when you go to heaven,'*
Let these words ring in our ears as we read the§e passages, remembering as we read that they all tell us how nothing except sin keeps us out of heaven, and nothing except goodness gets into heaven. Matt. v. 1-10 ; xxv. 31-46. Rev. xxiu 14, \5»— A.R Stanley, D,D., in " Good Words."
A\
TAB tuarnia •caoioss SKMAnnT.
©If lanntain; ftefecr frj.
^mW have read bow, in ^W^ the burniog dwert, ^^^ the iktletoui of nil' iitsr«s hnppy travellers, all withered and white, are found not only on the way to tiie fountain, but lying grim and ghastly on ils banks, with their skulis stretched over ill very margin. Panting, faint, their tongue cleiiTing to the roof of their inouth— ready to fill a cup with gold for its fill of water— Ihey press on to the well, iteering theircourse bv the tall palms that stand full of hope above tha glaring sanda. Already. ' in fond anticipation, they | drinit where others had beeu I saved. They reach it ; alaa! j tad tight for the dim eyei of I fainting men, the well ia dry. | With itony horror in their i looka, bow Ihey gaze Into the empty batiti, or fight with men and beast for tome I muddy drop* tliat but exas- perate their thirtt. The desert i«els around them. Hope expires. Some curs- ing, 1008 praying, they Biok, and themselves expire. And by and bj, the sky
darkens ; lightnings loud thnndera roll t pours down ; and, the showers, (be tres
mockery with lot tresses, and kias tl linB of death. Bjt yonder, whe
up high the founialn of k ti. blood, and heaven's fyiug grace, no dec lie. Once a GolgotI ysry hat ceased to in of skulls. Where m once to die, they go live ; and to none tl went tliere to seek and peace, and holin God ever say. Seek )
rsOTBBR," aaid ' Hit mother thoi
'' Johonie, "give < moment and then
me a good verae ', " T^ou 0<A k«X ia
for little boys." \ 1 (ttppiMft Vi^.*»V
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRBA8UBT.
do naughty things, g their mothers don*t tin, and won't know is teaches them that I somebody who sure- seQ them.
M God look into boys* I ? " asked Johnnie. ),*' said mamma, ish Grod would speak as see,** said Johnnie, does," said mamma, nie opened his eyes '< Does r he cried, ^yes," said mamma; >eak8 in a still small
STer heard him/' said
leboy.
It's because you dou't
)," said mamma ;
Toice speaks in your Bd »o softly, that yuu darken to hear it." lat does it say?" Fohnnie. len you are naughty,
' Don't, don't, John- ay don't :' when you ^hty it says, *It is to be God's child; children love to do
ant it to say that to aid Johnnie; and I 3 his mother wanted f that to him. everal days Johnnie 1 as if he was heark- 9 the little voice, and whispered little words He tried to do ind seemed a very OiHd.
t^jr when be took bia out of bia pocket,
his mother obserred a very handsome blue glass one. ** Where did you get that, Johnnie ? " she said ; ^ it is a beauty."
He tried to snatch it out of her hand. His mother wa:! surprised. She looked at him, and he hung down his head. Then she began to be aflraid there was some- thing wrong ; before, she did not; and she asked again, ** Where did you get this marble, Johnnie ? "
The little boy made no answer. She did not ask him again, but went away.
At night Johnnie clinii>eil into his mother's lap, Hitd laying his head on her shoulder, said, in a low sorry tone, **I took that glass marble, mamma."
"Took it from whom?" asked his mother.
"I took it from the ground," said Johnnie.
"Did it belong to the ground?" asked hii* motlier.
" Did the ground go to a shop and buy it ? *'
Johnnie tried to laugh at such a funny thought, bui he could not.
** I saw it on the ground," said he.
"What little boy had it before ? " asked his motlier.
"Bobert May's it is, I suppose," whispered John- nie; "but 1 saw it on the ground."
'• When you put yourYianCL
out to take it, did you Yot-
get, * Thou God seest me? ' ~
4^
»»
TRB SABBATH SCHOLAR 0 TBBABUKT.
asked his mother. " Did you not hear a voice sayinf?, ' Don't, Johnnie ! don't, Johnnie ? ' " asked his mo- ther. <* I didn't hear/' said the
little hoy, sobbing, ** . bed quick ! "
Ah, boys, boys! gi science at least a ma speak to you in such — Family Treasury,
^ttl anif i'lih.
^.RY this, my dear children, and you will no more be sorry for it than you would be sorry if you nad been brought to life again after being dead — yea, there will be as much joy as if you had been on the grave's brink, and breathed again as strong and well as you ever did. Some few years a^ro I was spending the sum- mer months at a beautiful watering-place, on the banks of the Clyde ; the daughter of a Crimean officer of much military fame was residing not far distant. The glad news reached her of her chivalrous and renowned parent's returning to Eng- land. She at once prepared to meet him, and give him a hearty welcome to his native land — but, ere setting out, she resolved to bathe ; and, excited, perhaps, by her fa- tiier*s laurels, and at the near prospect of seeing him home, «he was incautious, she went bfjrond her depth, and she sunk beneath the waves. A shout 18 raised, a boat hur- 44
\
ries to the rescue; fa parently lifeless bo speedily brought asho means are taken to ] her. A crowd colle< are anxious, and the i is ever going — *• Any i life?" *' Any sign of Yet, ** none ! none ! " i doleful and continn; spouse. Atlensfth — w ful to tell it !— she bi — she sighs heavily then the cry rings louc louder, **8he breathe breathes !" I almost tl the people frantic ; tl the ecstacy, at this 1 awakening, this bod vival.
But what of all su on earth to that wh! sounded in the con heaven, when the ^ Saul was changed in praying Paul ! He know, was dead, U everything good, dro^ sin, perishing in the of eternal ruin ; but marvellously change< ihe fLt«t echo of his sp
out eaT% \a XVft ^«
TUB SABBATH tOBOLAm 8 TRBAIUKT.
^Imightj himself^ 1 he prayeth ! " He at an immortal I flighs as a regene- ing ; he lives for an rorld ; he lias obtaio- isting life tbroagh Christ our Lonl. heating, my dear was tl^re amon^tst itiides assembled by ihore regarding her been snatched from of death I But, oh, (hMe rejoicing amid «ned hosts of heaven and of the ezelama- ehold he prayeth/'
concerning tbe apostle Paul ! Yea, and concerning every one of you who prays to God in fincerity now for eternal life through the Son. Oh, that it were so with all of you hearing me at this mo- ment! Oh, that you were, each and all, this day, wrestling like Jacob, run- ning like Zsccbeus, crying like Rartimeus, begging like Luther, breathing like the lady, praying like PauL*
* From an admirable sermon to children, by the Rev. Robert Lelioh of Abemyto.
Mork Kni $lag.
many another, she sometimes had fooi- i;hts. This was one : — " If I only could whole day to do in,— no work and no
ISSIE was a very ] they all envied her for hsv- little girl; and, like ing no lessons. When they
were gone, she went to the cherry-tree and ate as much fruit as she wanted, and picked a lapful for pics; but when she carried them in, her mother said, "That is enly play, play, all work^ Mary ! Don't you re- should be perfectly ' member you cried yesterday When she told this because 1 wished you to pick * mother said, *^ To- I cherries for the pudding ? be yours. You may I You may throw these to the luch as you please ; , pies : I can't take them." II not give you any , The baby began to awake, matter how much | and Mary ran forward to want it." rock the cradle ; but her
laughed at the idea ! mother stopped her again, jr for work, and ran j "No work to-day, yow %y. She tras strJn/^' know !" and the little gVtV f/e gate when the I went away, rather out ot ^Med to school, and I humour. She got her doW
4&
A
>>
THB SABBATH SCH0LAR*8 TBBA8URT.
and played with it a while, but was soon tired. She tried all her other toys, but they didn't seem to please lier any better. i*^he came back and watched her mother, who was shelling pease and rocking the cradle with her foot.
"Mayn't I help you, mother ? " she asked.
**No, Mary: this isn't ;>/ay."
Mary felt very much like crying. She went out into the garden a^ain and leaned | over the fence, watching the ducks and geese in the pond. Soon she heard the clatter of plates: her mother was setting the table for dinner. Mary longed to help. Then her father came back from his work, and they all sat down to dinu.r. Bessie was quite cheerful during the meal ; but, when it was over and her father away, she sat down on the low seat by the cradle, and said, wearily, ''Mother, you don't know how tired I am of doing nothing I If you would only let me wind your cotton, or put your work-box in order. or even sew at that tiresome patchwork, I would be so gladl"
"I can*t, little daughter, because I said I would not giv^e you work to-day. But you may find some for your- self if you can.
»»
So Mary hunted of her father's old and began to mei for she could d neatly. Her fa brighter; and prei said, " Mother, why get tired of play ?'
" Because God mean us to be idle, mand is, * Six days i labour.' He has g. us work to do, and us so, that unless ^ the very work tfaa us, we can't be ha]
** What is yo mother ? *' asked N
** To serve Go* daily life as a wif< and Christian."
Mary did not qu stand this ; but ** Don't you ever g<
**Ye8, often; b go to my heaven and tell Him so ; i thinks 1 have mc can bear, He eithc away or gives m< to do it."
" And may I do mother ? "
" You may, my i you will be God's may ask His helf work you have to c life, and He will everything you ne
So, on Mary* idleness^ she learnt son which she nev<
46
TBB SiLBBATH BOHOLAR 8 TRBASURT.
fflUl it ®afee t\t Park mC!
OUSG lady who lored little children Dnce had the care of some seventy busy ^ues, seventy pairs hands that were d of getting into and seventy pairs f feet that would loise on the floor. >f our little readers neh hands and feet? y the teacher told old their hancis and r feet very siill and Id talk to them, ise little children eir teacher very d the one who had best scholar during was permitted to the teacher while alking.
time little Mary me and leaned her er teacher's lap and ery happy. Now ry was a coloured : face was quite ¥hen all was still er said :
) one read to-day, ne is that handsome ill that know what as raise their hand." ) raised a hand, but any black eyes, and I too, looked very
drive all the bad, wicked thoughts out of your hearts, and never say any naughty words, and love the Saviour, and try to have your little playmates love Him too, then you will be handsome, good- ness will shine out on your faces, and make everybody love you."
Little Mary looked into her teacher's face and said 80 earnestly, ** () ! will it take the black off? "
The tears came in the teacher's eyes, and she told Mary about heaven and the Saviour; that he did not look at her face, he looked at her heart ; and if she tried to be good and love Him her heart would be white, and when she went to heaven her dear Saviour would give her a white face.
Little Mary was comfort- ed, and said she hoped it would not be very long be- fore the Saviour would come for her.
Dear children, remember that bad words and wicked ! thoughts, disobedience and ' unkindness will make your ! hearts black; and a black ' heart is far worse than a I black face ; but kindness . I and love will keep yovit hearts white. Be sure axL^
vos that if yon al- \ always have white liearlal — to be good, and i S. S. Advocate.
41
THB 8ABBA.TH IOHOLAR*S TBBAlUmT.
^' faster for |estts to Carts me/'
LITTLE boy asked i lambs in His anna. Af Ills father one day only a little boy, it « if he might be ! easier for Jesus to can^ baptized ? Simple, loving child
''You are too young, my was baptized; and Jeti child," said the man. " If carry him in His inn you profess religion while ; keep him falthftiU H you are such a little boy you j and will keep all the may fall back." , children in the world ft
The child guzed in his j unto death, if th^ aal father*s face with eyes full of j trust Him. Jesui I light and feeling us he re- | mighty God as mSX I plied, ** But, father, Jesus ! loving Saviour. — * & has promised to carry ihe > School Advocate,
J^ang of mx $%ciimtge.
[E are pilgrims, we are strangers. Let us hasten to be gone ; Here are countless snares and dangSB^ If we linger we're undone :
Hasten onward, Till the glorious goal be won.
Onward I our bright home's before us,
Gleaming on us like a star ; Saints and angels stooping o*er us,
Light us onward from afar: '^ Come and welcome.
Where the saints and angels are ! **
Cast aside each weight that lets us,
And all tempting thoughts within. And the sin that most besets us, And each joy that leads to sin ;
Look to Jesus I Strive and overcome in H\m\ 48
IBB MtBOAta MmOLAl's TUAIBBT.
BTORY U told, I I gKine. It U ■ itcnr of • think exceedlnglf cbildbetngledb7heTte«:her appropriate. Id the to th« door of a loft; and tvea to tbepupiU of ) rei7 beaattful cbatcb. 1% tr-sebool, and tbe / was approached b; » Uffttt 'Of gK»t atapa, ftod ixf ftn^i 4«
THB SABBATH 8GHOLAR S TaBAtOST.
down these, as the congrega- | the porch of the <
It was highly oriian and over the top o large letters were the words,
<* MISSIONARY BO
Such a box stood re
in the girls' class wh
and her little mates a
each Sunday, but i(
poor plain wooden aff
therefore when her g
on this large contriva
der the name of Mil
Box on the church's i
drew nigh to it timidlj
ing what a vast deal o!
it would contain, an
heaps of gold and siW
be cast into it by a
worshipers and i
passing in and oa
strange to say, she fa
rattle as of fiUlingcd]
the boX'Sueh as str
ear each evenifig, w
pupils of her little cli
together dropping
first thing they did wi
halfpenny mites or
these giving theii
chink as they fell.
out of all the crowd
to notice the great
the wall as they
and she, «hrewd
larly on. that she was, oomiii
/ It waa A box fastened on \ t\m\^\^ \o iftftiiVMi.\ \
/ the Bide oi the wall, a:^ \ veii\.\a^\>^ ^ft^K.*
/ ^Q
tion met or dismissed, large streams of wealthy, richly clad people came and went. There was also eloquent preaching in the pulpit ; and when the psalms in divine service were sung, the roll of praise rose up grandly, and floated along the high gorge- ous roof. Besides all that, the church was the scene of a busy Sunday-school. Teachers and scholars crowd- ed into it each Sunday by the score; and there was every token that a more zea- lou9, living, earnest system of things than in that church was carried on nowhere. Well, the cluld I speak of was bidden mark all these imposing signs ; perhaps she was a girl whose own Sunday class was held in some re- mote side street, and under some low humble roof where only a handful assembled from week to week in the name of Jesus — so much the greater contrast in the splendid church and the streaming throng of young and old. j?u< one thing, after a few minutes, she was asked to fasten her eyes particu-
THE SABBATH SOHoLAb'B TRBA8DRT.
over the box's edge, then npoa its op?n slit — when—it was all explained. Across that mouth that should have heen open to receive gifts into Christ's treasury, there was a cobweb woven !
That cobweb spoke an Awfal account of the hearts of the many young and old going in and out of the splen- did temple. What a ser- mon in that thin film across the box*8 slit! The young
scholar drew back in a kind of fear ; and as she went home by her teacher*s side, this was the lesson she learned never to forget — " Take care of the heart in the midst of all you hear and are being taught. Whether in the church or school, take care of the heart— see it be so right with Jesus that there be no time for a cobweb to be spun over the mouth of your missionary box."
©If Miiitx paon.
REMEMBER one day I was bitterly complaining and writhing under pain ^n my mother took me on her lap, and said — "I ^iU tell thee a story. There ^ttonce a slave called ^sop. Hit master, who was a Persian king, was very fond of him, tnd gave him every day all he could wiiih for, so that •^op was obedient and Wed his master, and thank- ^ him continually. A courtier to whom the king had praised ^«op for his obedience, answered — * Well nsy he love thee, O king ! for thou loadest him with all he can desire, but try him with Bomepaioful tbingf Mad then thoa wilt see what Ait iore it wortik,' Now,
in the king*s garden there grew a nauseous and bitter melon, the stench of which was such that few could bear to approach it. The king told iBsop to go and cut one of the melons and eat every bit of it. jEsop accordingly cut the fruit, the largest he could tind, and ate it every bit. The wily courtier said to JEsop— *How can you bear to sw.iUow such a nauseous fruit?' He an- swered— *■ My dear master has done nothiog but load me with benefits every day of my life, and shall 1 not, for his sake, eat one bitter fruit without complaint or asking the reason w\\y^' My dear child,'* ray molVveii continued, ** Qod iB out VitA King^ who »iiiro\it\Aa xx%
5V
|
TBI tlBBATH ICB |
OUIt'a TKBABiniT. |
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witli ererj lort of benefit, |
And art thou not wl |
|
>Dd tiaa done bo ever since |
submit patiently to |
|
ire were born. Halt thou. |
thing He ha* giv< |
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like .Xiop, thaoked Him |
which is really bitte |
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ererj da; for HIi goodneas ? |
1 never forgot the |
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Ja. A. Schimmelp |
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|
9;i&f l^flok of ©hanks |
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"&lfi ^EEL «i |
|
|
WmW, vexed itnd |
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^1 outoftem |
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"^^ per with & |
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Ben," cried Hark 1 |
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|
"thnt I reallf miut j 1 |
P^p^^HH |
|
^^^^!>^^w! |
|
|
TCTenge?" inquired Rjfl |
|
|
liis cousin Cecill. WM |
|
|
"No,lookoTeriDy»l |
|
|
Book of Thanki." %>■ |
|
|
"What's that; ^^ |
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|
Mid Cecilik, as she ^ |
|
|
uw him turninB ^ |
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|
orer the ieares of a |
|
|
copy ■ book, nearly tWi of writing, in roond text |
erer are shown me |
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hand. |
would wonder bo« |
|
» Here It 1»," Mid Mark, |
they are. I find a gi |
|
whoresd aloud: "March 8 |
of good from markli |
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Ben lent me hii new |
down. I do not fora aalmightdoiflonl |
|
hat." |
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|
"Here ag^n; January 4 |
ed to my memory, ei |
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When I lost ray iliil- |
that I am not often t |
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ling, Ben made it up to me |
ful, and when I am |
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kindly." |
out of temper, I aim |
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" Well," obaerres the boy, |
|
|
turning down the leaf, " Ben |
only look oTpr my b |
|
ii a good boy after all." |
"I wonder what |
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" What do yon note down |
tilings you put dow Cecilia. "Let me |
|
in that booli ?" said Cecilia, |
"All the kindneiMB itwt t ipmtd Om «\u&b &
THB SABBATH BOHOLAR's TBBASURT.
boQse, and made me yery hippy indeed."
**Mri. Philips gave roe fiTB shillings."
** Old Martha Page asked after me every day when I was ill."
" Why do you put father and mother at the head of the page ? " asked Cecilia.
"Oh, they show me so much kindness that I can- not put it all down, so 1 just write their names to remind myself <^ the great debt of loTe. I know that I never can repay it. And see what I put at the beginning of my
book t ' Every good gift is from above ;* this is to make me remember that all the kind friends whom I have were given to me by the Lord, and that while I am grateful to them, I should first of all be thankful to Him."
I think that such of my readers as have ability and time, would find it a capital plan to keep a Book of Thanks; and may such as cannot write them down, yet keep a book of remembrance of past kindness in their hearts. — S. S. Meiunger,
% 600ir i^jjinning.
LITTLE bqy said to
his sister as they
walked home from
sdiool, ** I wish I
may live to be old." Their
teacher had been telling
them of the death of a
leboolfellow, and this led
the little boy to speak as he
did.
It was a natural wish for biffl to express, but he did not tiiink that this world is not the best and brightest •pot in the great kingdom of God. There is a fairer, and holier, and happier spot than this earth. God has fitted it for the dwelling of those that love and serve Him Aena Jt ia for " those who hMve wABhed their robea.
and made them white in the ■blood of the Lamb." It is the pure and blessed home of the children of God. It is heaven.
Still you wish to live a long life in this world — live to \.e quite old. Let us see what it is you desire.
Look at that aged man, as he totters along the street. He leans upon a staff, with which he tries to steady his steps. His eyes are so dim that he cannot see a friend who is passing on the other side of the road. Hia ears are so deaf that he cannot hear that bird now »\u^\w^ on the tree. T\\e VvaVt ot the old man* a bead it ^\v\Va. His face is wrmkled sitvd.
5^
THB SABBATH SCBOLAR'S TaBAtUBT.
care-worn. Go, take his hand, and ask him it he is qoite well. He will tell you of pains in his limbs, and that he is not so strong as he used to be. Ask him where are tlie friends he once knew. He will point to the grave-yard. Many of them are long since dead. He is almost alone and a stranger in the wurld. But if that old man is a Christian, he has still got his Bible, and the presence of his Sa- viour, and a good hope of heaven. He is a happy man, though he is poor and old. He looks to Jesus lor the pardon of all his sins, and can trust him with his soul.
The great matter is, not for us to wish to live to be old ; we must leave that to God, as He shall see best; but we must seek to live well, and to some good pur- pose. We must measure our lives, not by days and years, but by the good that is done and enjoyed. Whether we live, we should live unto the Lord ; or whether we die, we should die unto the Lord ; so that, whether we live or die, we may be the Lord's.
The way to spend life aright is to begin with early piety. Give yourselves to the Lord in the days of childhood, and all shall be well. He takes delight in
the cheerful oflerii young heart. W would give him dregs of old age? your love in all its i He wants the f fruits. He asks service before *• t come when you i you have no p*e them.'*
A learned and p of the name of Bez of the great refu religion about thre* years ago. **I hi long, and have sinr said he; **yet, ai many things for must bless God, th< chief is that at tl sixteen he brough His grace to love him. Thus He has from many sins, ii I should have fal which would have life and death less
Make, then, a go ning. While you young, seek to kn Christ, who lor yoi painful death of t He calls you. wit! of mercy, to for and follow Him. ** Come unto me; and be saved.** '^ not say with youn| ** Here am I ; spei for Thy servant 1: — The Cottager.
51
THB BABBATH 80HOLAB*8 TRBA8URT,
©ne Igrirfe jon %natliix.
DBERT was one daj
lookiDg at a large
building which
they were putting
it opposite to his
hou»e. He watched
rkmen from day to
they carried up the
ind mortar, and then
them in their proper
father said to him, t, you seem to be ich taken up with the freis : pray what may 9 thinking about ? you any notion of ; the trade ?*' " said Robert smil- mt I was just think- t a little thing a brick jret that great house by laying one brick her.-
py true, my boy uxget it. Just su is
it in all great works. All your learning is one little lesson added to another. If a man could walk all round the world, it would be by putting one foot before the other. Your whole life will be made up of one little moment after another. Drop added to drop makes the ocean.
^ Learn from this not to despise little thin a. s. Learn also not to be discouraged by great labours. The ^reate^t labour becomes easy, if divided into parts. You could not jump over a mountain, but step by step takes you to the other side. Do not fear, therefore, to attempt great things. Re- member, the whole of that great building is only one brick upon another." — 2^e Cottager,
IKfeat » f ittU 1802 ran ho.
WISH, I wish, I wish,** said a ^ little boy, who ^ awoke early one ;, and lay in bed g, *'] wish I was jp, so as to do some If Twas governor, Td ood Jaw":^; or I'd be a Mjr; or I'd get rich, ' away ao macb to j
: poor people ; but I am only a little boy, and it will take me plenty of years to grow up." Was he going to put off doing good till then? *' Well,** he said to himself while he was dressing, *M know what 1 CA'N do, 1 \ can be good ; that* « \eiX to \ iittieboys" ThereloTO "wYvew \ he wai dretaed, he toeVt wiA \
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR*B TBBASURT.
asked God to help him to be good, and try to serye Him all day with all his heart, and not forobt. Then he went down stairs to finish his lessons.
No sooner was he seated with his clean slate before him, than his mother called him to run into the wood- house for his little brother. He did not want to leave his lesson, yet he cheerfully said, ** r\\ go, mother;'* and away he ran. And how do you think he found '* bubby." With a sharp axe in his hand. *'I chop," he said; and qaite likely the next mo- ment he would have chopped off his little toes. The little boy only thought of minding his mother; but who can tell if his ready obedience did not save his baby brother from being a cripple for life?
As he was going on an errand for his mother, he saw a poor woman whose foot had slipped on the new- ly made ice, and she fell; and in falling she had spilled her bag of beans and basket of apples, and some wicked boys were snatching up her apples and running off with them. The little boy stop- ped and said, *' Let me help yeu to pick up your beans and apples ; " and his nimble fingers quickly helped her out of her mishap. He only thought of being kind ; he / did not know how his kind / Ac^comfbrted the poor womati / long after she got home, aad [ 56
how she prayed Go him.
At dinner, as 1: and mother were ta father said roughly, do anything for t\ son ; the old mai did his best to in; *< But father," said boy, looking up father's face, '*do< Bible say we mm good for evil?'* 1 boy did not know father thought of son had said all t noon, and said wi( self, •* My boy is n Christian than I an be a better man."
When he came h school at night, h< the cage and found canary bird dead mother I and I tenc so, and I loved hie he sang so sweetly ; little boy burst ii over his poor 1 " Who gave birdie* who took it again ?*' mother, stroking I " God," he answere< his tears, "and h best ;** and he triec himself
A lady sat in a < ner in the room, lost her two bird though she hoped taken angels* wi gone to nestle in th ly land, she wou have her little soni
THB SABBATH S0HOLAR*B TRBA8UBT.
ence and submission to Father in heaven, she , ^* I too will tmst Him,
this little child." Her rt was touched, and she It home with a little ing of healing gushing up re, and she became hence- h a better mother to the Idren yet left to her. Vhen the little boy lay on
pillow that night, he ught, ** I am too small to any good; but oh, I do Qt to be good, and to love
the Saviour who came down from heaven to die for me* I do want to become one of the heavenly Father^s dear children."
The heavenly Father's children are sometimes called children of light ; and does it not seem as if beams of light shone from this little child, warming, blessing everybody that came in his way ? Who will say he did not do good.— 5. S. Mes- senger,
^^®6geiUki0nt^^
i^UCY," said a friend one day to a little girl laid on a sick-bed, oold you not like to be i, and again at play ?"
Lucy thought for a mo- ment, and then said with great sweetness, <* God knows best ; and what He thinks best, pleases me best."— Children's Paper,
Moxh f iirtuw (torn i\i <Blh fetam^nt.
8|RT is night. A man ^ is lying upon the ^ ground, a stone is "^ his pillow; he ims; he sees a ladder se top reaches to heaven ; angels of God are ascen- * and descending upon A hnght form stands w top; and, amid the I less and stillneaa of
night, a voice is heard speak- ing words of encouragement and promise. The man awakes ; he is awed by a sacred influence, and he ex- claims, ** Surely God is in this place I" He takes the stone which he ha^ ioi \i\% pi JJow, pours oil upon it, M\d consecrates himself and «iV belonging him to God.
51
TBB SABBiTH SCHOLAB*S TBBASDKT*
f aft0nnrs at ^falfeatt
!K,**8ay8 Mr. Tay- lor, one of our young miBsion- aries lately gone to that famous station in the north- west of India —
'* We have been visiting all the villages within five or pix miles from cantonments for the last month or six weeks, always four, and Fometimes five, days in the week. 1 am only sorry that the want of a tent and other
materials for i prevents us fro much more in tl preaching than w doing. We canno we have met ' manifest tokens c Frequently, how have had quiet anc audiences, Hnd soi to enter into the s] remarks, and evir interest, by propos appropriate quest the subject.*
it
jem0n8l (^\mt\ at ^talk
SEND you by this mail," Mr. Tay- lor adds, refer- ring to the church to be erected at Sealkote to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, slain there in the great mutiny of 1857 —
^ I send you by this mail the plan of the Memorial Church, as drawn by the executive engineer of Seal- kote. There has been every care paid to combine neat- ness and simplicity with as little outlay as possible. The fpecificationa have not
yet been drawn the cost will fall i 8000. Liberal cent 1 hope, will be ol Sealkote, and pi grant of Rs 100( received from Go This will leave a which your Comm ultimately see fit in the erection of premiset."
From how mao} ary boxes in oui schools have ofiTer forth to this Church ?
58
THR 8ABBATR fOHOLAR 8 TRIA8DRT.
45ifts Jffnt tff pragma.
fHERE is Smyrna? Look in the map, and get some elder person to show you tnd expbin to you, and you will find that in a famous old city, where a vast num- ber of different races now meet^from all the lands, I >U{po8e, under heaven— we h&Te aa interesting mission- >7 post, from which Mrs. Coull, wife of one of the DiiMiunaries, writes home the fdlowing letter I ask you to read:—
"Tiie boK which vou sent . °)e * for the Bazaar m Smyr- ^ arrived about six weeks *K0. The sale, whidi I< i^mioned to you that was' ^ be for the poor of t4iat place, came off in the month of December, so that our box *tt not in time. However, J'ehave done very well, hav- ing got L.20, les. One of the ladies here gave us her drawing-room, and we had a very nice sale. I received lereral donations ft*om the English ladies, but with tlie Kqnest that it would be dis- tributed among the poor Jeirs to give them some of
• Meaaing the iMdiea ben im SfioOMod who bare » Bodety tor tending ibe word ofOod to Jewish ieauUea.
the necessaries of life during the winter season; I have divided among them L.7 in bed-covers and chHrcoal. There is a great deal of mis- ery among the Jews; they are so improvident. I find them a most interevting set of people. We were much struck with the gratitude they showed us for any little thing they got Irom us; and in many cases they took us away from their own houses, when they seemed very poor, and^mted out houses where there were sick, and asked us to give them what we •could. We have never found oneca^e like this among the Greeks. I have often found that, when I had given any charity to a Greek, that a great many came to tell floe that i had done wrong, as it had been bestowed on an unworthy object, although ihey could reap i.o benefit from me themselves. I be- long to a society here where all the English ladies meet together once a week, and make clothes for the poor. Each lady has a part of the town to visit. My district is the Jewish part of the town. I am quite glad to see the interest the ladies are beginning to take \n tVve 3 e>i^ %« ** The things «eni ou\. n« qt« rery nice ; and I doY\o^\\\^ good people of ScotVatxA vjVX
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR S T&BABURl
not allow this to be their last effort to do something for the Jewish Mission here. I hope to receive a box every year ; and, if the sale should be intimated a few weeks sooner this year than it was last, that we will receive a box large enough to defray the expenses of the school
without receii mittance from We have had a winter ; so n week of cold though we havi deal of rain ; i beautiful weat already lookii
mer.
»f
■■-/ ^j'j ^"^j J ••
(gors ftfip.
^T will never be dark in heave: Thas spoke a little child—- And as the sweet words were She looked at me and smilt For her spirit was pondering with great deli^ The thought of a world where there was " nc
And I thought how those words so sin
The Christian's hope expressed, As sometimes, midst gloom and darkn He journeys to his rest ; He, too, is expecting a glorious day, When earth's night and shadows have passec
And the teacher— he, too, may reckon
In 6od*s own light to see, When he reaches " the holy city," And stands in its brilliancy. To his wondering heart and eye unveiled, The fruit of those efforto he thought had fail*
Oh, should not these prospects gladdei
6od*s children while below, Till, rejoicing, we there shall enter. And perfect brightness know? By /kith now led onward, \n \iope nv^ ^s&t| Tlie eternal light of the heavenly ftlax^
H^OME time ago « ' w nun/ Eogltili homei— I 1^1 litlle giri, who bad | mean coDiamption. One 99 been taught in SnodAj eTening itie wnt for ^^ one of OUT Lon- ' her fktber to coma U tm I BiMd«f - •chod^ wtM I Iwdcfde. He wik « iVtAmt \ A^ olF bj Ae tarriMe b»tet of rellRton* ttath »iw\ ■^ whJcb daolateM 1 nligioua iiutilatianB, »tiA
THB SABBATH SOHOLAR'b TRBABUBT*
was going away to spend the evening, and was just rendy to leave home. His little girl had now been ill for some time, but it had never seriously occurred to him that she could die; he ))ad merely regarded her as an invalid. Her words were, '*6ood bye^ father, I am going to heaven — will you meet me there ? **
Had any one else address- ed him in such a manner, he would have burst into oaths and curses, but he saw death in that little trans )iarent hand, and he loved his dying girl, and the ap- peal was not to be resist^.
The unnatural bi of those large bl glowing with the u Ire of the soul, bo and melted him. his elbow on the b» chair, and covered with his hand, whil tears fell thick and his eyes. ^^ Father^ meet me there f ** tears and heavy sot only reply. Th< learnt from that walk in the shin) prints of his darl: one, until both em the One Father'i above. — Rev. H, Be
I
InJrfr i\i |ijj=9i;«f.
}F you found a wedge i of gold, how you ■■ would run to show it to your father and mother, your brothers | and sisters. If you make a ' new acqu<i=ntance, how an- xious you are to introduce your friends to him, and iiave them enjoy his society also. It is natural for us to wish our iriends to share our enjoyment with us.
I suppose Philip felt so, when he found that Jesus ! Christ was the very Saviour which the Bible promised to men. He was glad, and he went directly and told his friend Nathanael, ** We have found tijin of whom Moaea 62
and the prophets d Jesus of Nazireth, of Joseph."
*' Can any goc come out of Na asked Nathanael, f a wicked city. P not stop to argue *< Come and see *' 1 self, he said, know much better satisfl are to judge for t\\ than by hearsay, ^ went with Philip Jesus saw him co said, ** There is a and upright man.** Jesus know ? *' He know me?*' asked N
\ ^\i«ii -you ^«»
TBM SABBATH SOHOLAB'b TBBA8URT.
Ig-tree, I eaw 700," an^ iwered the Lord Jesus.
Nathanael instantly felt
that he was no stranger to
Jens of Nazareth. Some-
tUng took place under the
flf-trae which showed his
tne charscter. He thought
he wss alone. He thought
no eye saw him. Perhaps
he went out under its quiet
nd cooling shade to pray.
The Jews often chose such
pltoes for secret prayer. But
the eye of Jesus uf Naz.<ireth
pierced into his privacy, and
it read his secret thoughts
•od feelings. Nathanael's
ttotcience told him that he
vi8 in the presence of an
>U*ieeing Being; and this
vu proof enough that He
could not be a mere man :
He was indeed the long-
expected Saviour. **Mas-
tff," cried the young man,
ttOThioed, **Thou art the
^ of God; thou art the
King of Israel."
Jetos, children, sees us *hen we least expect it. Do y^ try to hide anything ^MB your mother? You emnot hide it from the Lord Jenif. Do you mean to ^eoeiTe your fiither ? You
cannot deceive the Lord Jesus. If you mutter a wicked word, He hears it ; it' you harbour a bad thought. He knows it. He searches your heart, and follows you all the day through. You are never alone; you are never out of His sight. The wicked try to flee from Hit presence; but they never, never can. This is a great comfort, if you live in such a way as not to be afraid of JesuB* eye. This is a com- fort which all His friends have. If they are wrong- fully blamed, or ill-treat^, or neglected, or oppressed, they are sure that Jesus knows it all. He will judge right. He will protect and defend them, and briiig out everything right at last. He counts all your tears, and hears all your sighs.
How is it with you? Jesus of Nazareth is in heaven now ; but He sees you, juet as He saw Nathanael under tiie flg-tree. What does He find you doing ? Nathanael was not afraid to have Christ look at Him. Are you. my little one ? — British Mes* senger.
?^8bg flit tifef $t)itx ^thL
[NCE, in a happy 1 gathered round their mother, home, a sweet, < all sitting very sorro^fxiV, \ bright hahy dM. . Alice, the eldest, said, ^^^o- \ Oa tbeeveniapr of ther, you took all iVie caT« \ itff dMXf '^^^o ^» cbiklnn / of baby while she woa V\ete, \
THB SABBATH •OBOLAB'S TBBAtllBV*
and you carried and held lier in your arms all the while she was ill; now, mother, who took hsr om the otkersitkf**
*«0u the other side of what, Alice ? " inquired her mother.
**On the other side of death ; who took the baby on the other ude, mother?
She was so little i not jio alone ? "
**Je0as net hm answered the moth< He who took little in His ams to bl and said, *Siitbr eome vnto Me, m them not, for of •« kingdom of heaTen 1 the baby on the otl
% ^mianufs ^amt
my yonng readers erer think what it is to be a mission- ary to the heathen? how mueh trial and SBtfering' are the lot of many of those de- Toted men, who go abroad to carry with them the glad tidings of salratioB ?
The following is a little incident in the life of the great and good missionary, JudM>n, who, aloBg with his cqvally devoted wife, left their native land, that they II light spend their lives in telling the Burmese of a Saviour.
For a year and seven months did he suffer cruel- ties and imprisonment from the hands of those he had given up all to seek and to Mve; and, after hia release
from bU loog oonfiDemeBU Si
\
he gives the followi ing account of hia whh his wife : — Hasting hone of his maimed a found the door "i open;'* and, unobi any eye. he enteret first room, squatti the ashes surroundi pan of live coals, w half- naked. Bum man," holding on a wan dirt-begrin that could not be glanced at it, and ] The next room wai and, across the foot bed, **as if she I there," lay a <'ht ject,*' so pale, so g emaciated, that, moment only, the aroie, ^^ Caxk tkai I and rngpoii \iA 'w
TRB tABBATB aCBOLAR • TBBA8UKT.
piM on. But where die eoukl <^ be ? for, aa he lltneed forward into the only remaining room, there was no human being there. Turning to the sleeper in the b«d, he gazed in mate be- wilderment. Where were the gloMjT black carls that med to adorn that finely- ihsped head ? and that closely- fitting cotton cap. 10 coarse and so soiled — and those so sharp featores—and
that form so shrunken— coald this be she, who, for so many months, had followed liim from prison to prison, min- istering so devotedly to h*ls necessities ; and now herself without one hand to smooth her pillow, or one heart to beat in sympathy ? He bent OTer her; and a great tear trickled down that manly face. It touched her; and she awoke.
WAnp {torn a |ar iistairt intnh
MR. riSHER*8 KOTB8 FROM AFRICA.
LETTER, of date February 26, has been received from Lynedoch, within Cape rV)]ony, to which Mr. Ross had gone to meet part of his fsmily. They left our •holes in NoTember last, by the " John Williams," which was to touch at the Cape on her way to the ** South Sea Islands," or ** Polynesia," or ''Many Isles," where I hope that she haa aafely dUdiarged her freight of miaaionariea, biblea, uaefhl aitidea, &C.9 &c. Our ftieod Mr, Hogg Mad hiB ^ mbah ikmiljr now met to~
gether, with great delight and gratitude to our hea- venly Father, after a separa- tion of ten yeara. And they were ail happy to aet out again for their diataut wilderneaa home in the en- joyment of good health. But firat—
MR. ROSS ASSISTS HIS BRETHREN.
''In Tiaiting Port Eliza- beth, we found ourselvea at the atation of a very eateemed agent of our So- cjetj— the London Mvs«^ou- ary — who labours aiDowi^ the Kaffirs and Fingoea, \Ym
THE 8ABB4TH 80HOLAB*8 TRBA817KT.
ReT. Roger Edwards. Our good friend was unable to preach at the time, and I took all the services for the Lord's day. The same thing occurred at Bedford, a fortnight before, for Mr. Solomon, whose wife was apparently dying, but, through diyine mercy, is now recovering. In such a way, I have been almost regularly employed since I came south into the colony ; and it gives me great joy, when in any way it is in my power, to assist and comfort my brethren."
JODRNBY FB01C LTNBDOCH ■ TO PORT fiLIZABETH.
''Mrs. Ross is greatly bettered by our visit to the colony and travel to the bay, and feels as if again able for teaching her various classes, without visiting the home of our fathers, as was proposed. It cost us five days of hard travelling to come from Lynedoch to the bay. The road is right over a range of hills called the *• Zuurbergen " or ' * Sour- hills,'* which, being about twenty-four miles, took a whole day. Great care has to he taken on that rather
dangeron§, indeed, I may 66
\
say, terrible road. managed it w< well, and all by of day, except a i by the light of tb( returning. In sn< dicament, it is goc tried drivers and good oxen, and, i good reimchoen foi gons ; that is, whei chain is so used f ▼ent one wheel froi round ; the same w be dnigged upon iron shoe, to keep of the wheel in spoiled. Great < requires to be ta our oxen do not be stolen, or get tl common to oxen colony."
THE SAD DI8A8TB1 ZAMBEZI.
" You would be indeed, I am sure take an interest in would be deeply i learn of the deal and Mrs. Helmore,' of their childre: Price and her Thabe, our deacor atlong, and seven who have fallen v tYve \ii\et\Qit i«r<9«i a\aa\ Yio^n ^Qt\
THB SABBATH IOHOLAR'II TRBA8URT.
it the life of the de- missionary, but espe- in Buch pestilential »l
I trulj to be regretted Dr. LiTingstone had en before the mission- .t Linyanti as was ex- 1, that due prepara- lad been made, and a y locality chosen for K)or wilderness- worn en who haye now Eyen in that case irould have been great [most aneqnallid pri- s for them to endure, laye just heard that B. Price and Mac- ) and Mrs. Mackenzie been found, and may, lis time, be at the
oan.'
BIS BIS
BOBS DIRK0T8 UOllTS TOWARDS rrKD HOME.
hen we left Bechu- nd, great drought and ) were prevalent ; and, ieye, yeiy little rain
has fallen there since. How hundreds and thousands are to get through another win- ter is unknown to me I I do fear many will fall in the awful strufrglel The Mis- sion was highly prosperous when I left. Both our con- gregations and schools were yery well attended ; and our contributions for divine or- dinances, though not great, exceeded those of former years. God can carry on His great work in the midst of our complicated troubles and trials. There is no diffi cuky with Him! And we look to Him alone ; for it is God alone from whom Cometh all our aid. Jf we are not hindered by rain and bad roads, we mean to start immediately for our impor- tant field of labour, to spend and be spent in a cause, in which I feel it to be, as wtll I may, my highest honour and privilege to work.
R* F. F.
Iflfesioirarg f lants anlr 6atrlr«is.
^ISS B. makes a yery ^ pretty sugges- tion jn a letter.
missionary garden. Each class a missionary Y>e^. Each scholar a mrnXotitiTy SAe thinks every I plant, and each teach«T a
-goAooJ should be a / missionary gardener.
OT
THB SABBATH 80HOLAB*8 TMBAMUMtm
The thonght 18 certainly « very pretty one. Will my children adopt it? If so they must ask Jesus to fill their hearts with His lore, which is the missionary spirit. This spirit will be to them what sap it) to a plant. As the sap flows through the tree, and causes it to bring forth leaves, buds, blossoms, and fruit, so this love will cause you to pro- duce good words for the mis- sionary cause, which I will call haves ! earnest prayers for the heathen and their missionaries, which I will call Imds; efibrts to persuade others to help the cause, wh'ch I will call blossoms; and gifts fiom your own Httte tmrseSf M'hich I will call fruit.
The teacher, as gardener over each missionary bed, must train his pUnts by set • ting an example of love for the cause ; by advising you how to collect funds for it ; by telling you about the hea- ihen ; and by so instructing you that after budding, blossoming, and fruiting oa
earth, you may be T( be transplanted to U garden of Jesus in tfa tiful land.
I read lately of a n ary plant that bore o dollars* worth of fruii year. She was a blii Anxious to be a fruitft 8he asked another conduct her to the 1 field at the reapir There, like Ruth of gleaned the stray ea the end of harves sold her crop for o' dollars! Besides t begged pennies of her When the year close found that she had over five dollars. V that dear blind girl a plant ?
Are you a mil plant. Master Rou] Ready ? Are yoi Wide-awake? If i many buds did you li year ? How many bl< How much fruit ? Jesus, the great o^ our missionary-field you to blossom like mond-treel— 5: S. A
I
^X0isneh in iea%
,ENRY v., on the evening of Agin- court, found the chlvalric David Cannon still clasping the
banner, which, through the ^ ^ ^ , __,
Sght, hU atreutf th had borne, \ routed x)aA ^toi^ 68
and his right arm d( Often had the t noticed that pennon in the foremost van men of England, w
TBM KABBATH MHOLAB*t TRBABURT.
Fraaoe. The king kaigbted him at he lay. The hero dkd, bat dying was en- nobled! How much more red — precious — beaatifnl the IionoarB which descend- ed on the roartvra in the itrnggles of their finiU bount Tea fearful Chris- titn, Cyprian lays, **Do
they persecate thee? Ex- alt; for then fidelity and aims — then crowns come with reach 1 " And Banyan, not less a father of the Church than Cyprian, tells the great adversary boldly, ** Satan, thou art only bind- ing garlands on my brow 1 " — Rev. J. Col^,
i^tnUx "^eit l|an ^is.
T is related that a poor woman was once working in one of the Swiss valleys, with her child lying near her, when a large eagle sud- denly swept by her, seized lier little one, bore it away to a lofty crag, and dep08it<>d it in its eyrie. The dis- tracted mother implored one inan and another to attempt the perilous ascent and rescue lier babe.
Her en i reaties were in Tain. They all alleged that a rent in the way was impassable. In an instant she turned from them and rushed up the dan-
gerous path. When ahe came to the yawning gulph, unconscious of peril, and impelled by the self-sacrific- ing ardour of a mother*s loTe, which the ieopardy of her defenceless babe had fanned to frenzy, she sprang across the fearful chasm, and halted nnt, tracing her way in blood, till her arm was stretched across her affrighted little one. Much greater as was her love than the men to nhom she made her appeal, yet the love of Christ infinitely transcends the intensest affection of the fondest mother's love.
Jffialter a«l> pis <^orrDk
sod
OUNG WALTER was a Christian boy. He had given his heart to Chxisl;
to the celestial
his way city.
But Walter*s heart gave hiw no little trouble. VaVa WM3 tijiog to walk aa I t/ioaghta, proud tVioufYvta^ M young pilgrim on j eDviovL% thoughts crept \ut»
6Sl
THB SABBATH 80H0LAR*B TRBASUmT.
it like ugly worms, and tried to breed wicked feelings and desires. Walter was sorry, because he knew Jesus would no more dwell in his heart if such feelings lired in it than he would himself liye in a viper^s nest. !So he went to his chamber and prayed: ** Please, God, giye me a humble heart.'*
Now it so happened that about this time Walter*s schoolmates teased him a great deal. So he went to his teacher weeping.
" Why do you weep, Wal- ter ? *' his teacher inquired.
** Because God does not answer my prayer,** replied the boy.
** What did you pray for, my dear?" asked the teacher.
** I prayed for a humble heart, and since I prayed for it the boyshaye been so cross to me and haye so teased and mocked me that I can hardly bear it/' and poor Walter's tears flowed in big drops, and deep sobs came
up from his hea: spoke.
The teacher passe round Walter*s wai him very tenderly, i
**My child mus vexed because the b him. It is by gi' grace to endure the ings that God meai swer your prayer, patient and meel their insults you wi humble mind."
Walter smiled tbi tears. He had g»in idea and was comfoi still prayed that Ott make him humble, a that his prayers we answered by the i with which God*s g^ bled him to endure t ing of his schoolmal
I printed this s^ fact because I thouj of the Christian I girls who read n might need to learn lesson which Walter taught him.— iS. S, .
%\t <l\x\)!rctxi tl^at Pelp^b i\m
iRS. HALSTED was a widow. Her health was poor, and she had three small children to take care of, and to support with her needle.
Little George and Katie were very bright, pretty ebiidrea: bat they had fO
never been to ! school because theu thought they were U But one pleasant i Miss Perley, one teachers, called fc saying that she cot them something
the Savtonr vonldloTe them. When theyweA returning homo ilie lud to them, smonK other thingi :
"You loTe joMt mother very much, 1 hope, chil-
"O jea, ms*>in," they both replied in a breath.
"Thafi right, cliildren, for the i« a dear good mo- ther to you ; the vorki very hard for you to get your food and cloihet, and du yott try and help ber7"
"O 1
•mall," they wuwered at the
" O no, yon are mlitaken, roj deiin; yon are not too tmall. To be aure, you can't work much to help her, but I will lell^OD irhatyou urn da. Wbeu ^oiu matber ia
ieviiig, tf ihe drop* her needle or thread yon can pick it up lor her ; or,if ihe nanli anything you can lun and get it lor her ; and you can rock the babj' and play with it to keep it from uryinti \ and you cau keep your fi«t clean, ao that you won't track the floor ; and you can |,utynurplaythinga all away when you are through with tliem, and not leave them, ae I aaw them
I tlie other day, all scatteiad ab^ut the rootn; and you can take care of your clothea, and be careftit and not aoil them. U children,
, you can do a great deal to help your mother."
" So we can," «iA\i&m«& \
GeorBe eaTim\\y> ^
" Ym, joh «»ti, Vt^***,"*.
TUB SABBATH SCHOLAR S TRRASURT.
you will only try,** replied Miss Periey.
'• Well, we*ll try, wont we, Katie?-
"Yes, we*ll try,** rejoined Katie with a bright smile.
And they did try. When they reached home their mother was just going out to the spring; to get a pail of water to fill the tea-kettle. " O mother, let me bring the water r* exclaimed George, attempting to take the pail from her hand.
•• Why, you couldn't c^rry it, child," replied Mrs. Ual- sted putting him aside.
"O but 1 c^n go with the little P'lil a good many times and bring till I fill this one.'*
•* Well, you George, for I don well this aftemoc aches so.**
At this roonser commenced cry in ran in, not waiti] for her mother to and going to the lifted the little o sat it upon the played with it til to laughing mer all thraugk the did so mndi to mother tktt she that her labours v and every week t more and more the assistance of Katie. — Bena Ra
g^AUNCli thy baric, mariaeri Ckristiai thee! <7i^o^ Let loose thy radder-bands ; good '4^^M thee! Set thy sails wsril^^ ; tempests will come ; Steer thy course steadily ; Christiao, steer hom
Look to the weatker-bow, breakers are round tl Let fall the plummet now, shallows may groan Reef in the foresail there ; hold the helm fost I So ; — let the vessel wear; there swept the blast.
What of the night, watchman — what of the ni^ •* Clowiy—aU quiet — no land yet — aWs right.** Be wakeful— be vigilant — danger may be At an hour when all seemeth securest to thee.
How ! gains the leak so fast ? dean out the hole Hoist up thy merchandise — heave out thy gold There ! let the ingots go ! now the ship rights ! Hurrah ! the harbour^s near ; — ^lo, the red light
Slacken not sail vet at inlet or island ;
Straight for the beacon steer, straight for the hi Crowd all thy canvas on - cul tYvroM^^Yi \Y\« ti^vc Cbristian, cast mnchor now ; HkilVkk iatut v ^2
^BfEmngs of Ctou ^Hssionarg |amilifs.
^HEanniul report of. tribe* in Central South
the London Hit- ! Africa, to the norih of the
Society : Z«tubeii. It appenrs iliat
countofl>ief<>Brful*u0tringt j lithed at the intlanceot Ui \ of ihe mittionariei who an- ,' LiTingatone vht\a in XV* ^ dtrlooJe tbt miMtloa to the ' KrTice of the Souiet-i -, *Am
THB BiffiBATH SOHOLAB'B TRBASUBT.
one on the north of the Zam- besi, among the Makoiolo, and the other on the south, among the Matebele. The attempt to establish the former was committed to the RvV. Holloway Helmore, with Messrs Price and Mac- kenzie as fellow -labourers: — The difficulties and dan- gers attendant on their jour- ney of nearly a thousand miles from Kuruman and Linyanti were such as no- thing but the noblest Chr s- tian principles would have induced them to encounter or enabled them to sur- mount- Of these* the chief was the destitution of water boih for tiiemselves and their oxen, so that, in more than one case, they were obli^red to remain scYeral weeks in the vicinity of a fountain, not knowing how remote the next might prove. At length, after enduring in- numerable difficulties and privaii >bs for seven months, they arrived, on February 14, 1860, at Linyanti, the residence of the chief Sekel- etu. Although disappointed by the non-arrivai of Dr Livingstone, and grieved by the refusal of the chief to allow them to seek a salu- brious spot for the mission, our brethren forthwith com- menced their work of mercy among the people. *' But now/' says Mr Price, M-riting to the sister of Mr Helmore, '* begins a dark, very dkrk chapter in the history of the 74
Makololo mission course of about a w were all laid low, bi: especially Mr and M more, the four childr all our servants; but 1 the great mercy of G Price and myself wi able to move about although with great ty. We were able U a little upon our dear the Uelmores, neii whom could hardly limb. Aslwasgoin one evening to see were all comfortable, the four children lyii bed on the outside tent, and Mrs.Helii the side of the ' be cushion. They wi asleep. I felt their io: &c. ; at last I came little Henry; he li slept the sleep of d immediately infom iather, who was lyin tent; he told me Iha not tell Mrs Ileln the morning. I t( child into the tent as ped up the body in a c-iri.etiuir, and engaj to prepare a ^rave, might bury him t morning. He wa^ by the side of Mah waggon diiver, who '. a few days pre When it was told I^ II ore she took nc whatever ;- althoi was her dear, precio
\
THB SABBATH BCHOLAR's TRBASURT.
Httle baby died. On the 1 1 th
Sdioa Helmore died, and
on the same d>ty Thabi of
r^ikatlong. On the 12th
Sin Helmore died. Mr
FJelmore had some converaa-
tion with her shortly before
«lie expired. She said she
Had no desire to live — her
^vork was done, and she
^A'ished to go home to Jesus.
^Xfter that Mr del more, and
1 lizzie, and Willie improved
L^ooViderMb'y, until about the
middle of April, when Mr
l~ lelmore paid a visit to Sek-
€f letu in the town, and came
t^Ackvery tired and feeling
"^^^ery unwt-lL From that
t^ame he became worse and
^"^one, and on April 20 he
fell into a kind <>f sleep, and
"remained in that state of
u I •consciousness for about
i.Vii«y.flve hours, snd then,
^:> the night of Saturday,
brenthed his last. All these
^ wrapped up and consigned
^nles* to the silent tomb
with my own hnnds, with the
•"xcepiinn of my own chihl,
*bich nied in the arms of its
mother whilst she sat at my
'Hidsiiie as I lay helpless
<rom fever.
From this scene of death tile solitary missionary and hi« wife prepared to depart, >' the Only means of saving •heir own lives and the lives uf the little orphans entrust- *<1 to their care ; They were, however, robbed of almost e»<»rything by the chief- even food — Mf/d Here thus taraed adritl for a joaruey
I
of one thousand miles to Kurnman. At length, says Mr I'rice in a letter brought by the la!>t African mail to the directors of the mission — **At length, on the 19th June, we left the town ac- companie<l by Sekeletu in h'S new waggon. In the evenins^ we reached the river of L^nyanti, and on the following day all the re- maining goods were taken over in canoes. That being done, a mesj^atse came to me from Sekeletu to this etfect, that now the goods were • n one side of the river and the waggons on the other, and that they would remain so until 1 went over and de- livered up all Mr llelmo'e's goods. 1 remonstrated, but in vain; i whs like a lamb in a lion*s mouth. A great many of my own thing-* also I had to deliver up. Three C'tws alflo ard several oxen were taken »t that river. Having thus got a good j drtining there, I p'^octeded i to the Chobe. I took out all I my fc:oods ready for crossing, , and then a me<tsage came to me that Sekeletu hod hither- ' to only got Mr H.'s goods, I and that now he must have , mine. After a good deal of I pleading i was allowed a few things for the journey, ' such as a couple of shirt:*, a J vej«t or two, two or three pairs of trousers, an old coat . that I had worn \n ^nvi\aTv^ al)oat two year^ an oVi p'^t of shoes which I had o^% ^
15
THB SABBATH BGHOLAB'S TBBA8UBT.
Already they had taken all my bed clothing, with the exception of what was just sufficient for one bed ; for the other we had a kaross. But before my oxen could cross the Chobc, I most needs deliver up one blanket. Every grain of com which I had for food for the men they had taken, and for all these things I did not get even a goat for slaughter for the road. These were my prospects for a journey of upwards of a thousand miles to Kuruman.**
After a few days the poor missionary with his helpless wife and the two orphans in his charge were gathered together one night in the wilderness. Next morning the wife was dead, and he buried her under a tree, the only tree in the preat plain of the Mababe. The report continues : —
*' Mr Price writes : — * On the plain of the Mababe, on the evening of the 4th of July, Mr He'more*s two children, my wife, and I, met together for our evening meal, when we entered into conver>ation about what we had seen and suffered ; and, feeling that we were begin- ning to breath again the free a*r of the desert, we admon- ished one another to forget the past and think of our mercies. My dear wife had been for a long time utterly helpless, but we all thought she wssgettivg better. She
76
went to sleep that In the morning e found her breathin hard. I spoke to h tried to wake her, bi too late. I watched the morning. She worse and worse, anc after midday her spi its flight. 1 buried same evening, under the only tree on th( of the immense plaii Mababe.' In this le Price expresses a it? pression that Mr ai Helmore, their child: the BechuanaChristi died at Linyatiti, wer victims of poison a tered them by tlu through the presen received on their ar his town. This pain elusion of oar friend i ed on the report of of the Makololo, w informed him that i departure the body beloved wife had b< interred and mutila^ the face taken to 1 for exhibition. B notorious habits of in and lying of these would afford strong for distrusting sucl ments. Sir Georg and other friends Cape were also of that the sympton characteristics of the were identical with i which so often pre^ the ftOwlVv Qit \VvA 1 anA "which lix \A?i
XBB SABBATH MHOLAR's TRBASURT.
nently witnesied and iflSered on his former
»
he SOth of last Feb- Mr Price, with tlie riom children and ckenzie, had reached an. After a rest of
six weeks or two months, he meant to proceed with the children to Cape l*own and thence forward them to England, leaving himself still at the disposal of ti^e mission.
xni us "§01 into ©mptation/'
rSAMMA," said Charles, when he came from school one daj, a dreadful thing has ed ! Henry Downing n caught stealing !" alingl" cried Harriet 1 Allen together.
I, like a common thief, if us were passing a r*s shop, and he called i the beautiful things, give a look at them, itayed behind, gazing, went away, he said, . I had some of that
1 he was putting into temptation," "s Allen.
II, we walked on; en we had got a good ; we looked back to lie was coming. He ining along the street
sp^, and a roan m. The man caught d we returned to see as the matter. He ufirglJng' and crying; xmuM held bim faat, J
dragged him back to the shop, and said he would put him in prifon. His pockets were full of grapes and oranges. We all begged so hard, that the man only sent for his parents to take him home.*'
*' This is a dreadful story," said Mrs Allen.
**It was with looking at ftruit, mamma, that he longed for it."
** He went into temptation, and stayed in it, and there- fore God did not deliver him from eyU," said Mrs Allen.
**Are we not sometimes tempted when we cannot help it?" Harriet inquirpd.
•*Yes, often," replied her mother; "but answer me, what does the Lord's Prayer teach us to pray for ?"
Harriet replied, *<'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from eviL' We pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to evil, or support and deliver us when we art tempted."*
*' To go into temvXaX\o\i\%
11
THB SABBATH BCHOLAB'S THBABURT.
wicked/* said Mra Allen; : ** but when others tempt us, or Satan tempts us in a way we cannot avoid, then we | ought to seek God*s grace to enable us to overcome the temptation. Christians must fiffht against sin even to their lives' end ; but if they trust in God, and seek the aid of His Spirit, He will give them the victory. He will not always keep them out of temptation, although they on^ht to ask that ; hut He will most assuredly make
them more than conquerors tlirough Him who loved them : He will answer their prayer, and 'deliver them from evil.' "
There in a path that leads to God :
All others go astrav : Narrow, but pleasant is the road.
And Christians love the way.
Lord, lost my feeble steps should slide. Or wander from the way. Be Thon my Guardian and my Guide, And I shall never stray.
— Children 8 Friend.
^\it Pountain llofenr.
N Poss-shire, Scot- ' land, there is an ■ immense mountain gorge. The rocks have been rent in twain, and I set apart twenty feet, f )rm- ing two perpendicular walls two hundred feet in height. On either side of these natu- ral walls, in crevices where earth h^ts collected, grow wild flowers of rare quality and beauty. A company of tourists visiting that part of the country were desirous to possess themselves of specimens of these beautiful ! mountain flowers; but how to obtain them they knew not. At length they thought ■ they might be gathered by ; , suspending a person over the ' / clitr by a. Tope, They offered / M Highlttnd boy^ who was
L ''
i
near by, a handsome sum of money to undertake the difficult and dangerous task. The boy looked down into the awful abyss that yawned below, and shrunk from the undertaking ; but the money was tempting. Gould he confide in the strangers ? Could he venture his life in their hands ? He felt he could not; but he th^iught of his father; and looking once more at the cliff, and then at the proffered r»> ward, his eyes brightened, and he exclaimed, ^^I'll go if my father holds the rope.* Beautiful illustration of the nature of faith. If the High- land boy could only place the strong hand and loving Yveart ot Vv\« ^K^v^'t V^ tin ^ ol\\eT end ot vV» to^ >■*
nu AABBATB BCHOLAR's TBSASUBT.
loend the precipice iiieM mind. Lore sr would keep him ing, and bring him
up again with hit floral prize —a trophy of his fnthers af- fection and his own faith«>- Chriatian MisceUan^,
)t p;issionarg ijpk=£rcf.
Fj of the pleasant- est visits I ever remember to have paid was to a ed couple at Bid-
I Warwiclcshire. now both gone to
venly home, and I tion their names,
II be well known to Mr and Mrs Hus- hey had lived out I and useful lives asant village where :hem.
th to age they ran their
ice,
id changed, nor wished
ge their place.**
tsell was a mnrket- He and his good reared a very large id had been obliged practise both great ind great economy ide things honest in of all men." Yet 'ays contrived to ething to give to a e or a poor neigh-
r as clockwork was g in that cheerful hich I no well re- I have been pri' share the family
worship of many delight- ful homes— there are many families that rise to my re- collection, hallowed with a Divine light ; — but this aged villager*s morning and even- ing prayers will bear com- parison for earnestness, ten- derness, and faith, with any- thing I ever heard.
On the day of my arrival, on looking through a back- window, I saw the garden extending in all its beauty of careful tillage, and rich produce; but the object that immediately arrested my attention, was a remarkably fine apple-tree, just a little distance from the window. It was, I think, the hand- somest apple tree in growth and bark that I had ever seen — for, though the fruit of apple-trees is delightful, and the blossom the perfec- tion of beauty, the shape of the tree is not often good.
•♦Well! what a fine tree!" I said. ^ You shall taste the irult, it was gathered only , last week," and, quick as thought, away went Mrs Kussell, and broiyiht tome of \he apples. Tbey >a«re p/easaot to every «eTk«Q — «hape, colour, ameW, mn^
THB SABBATH 80HOLAB 8 TRBA8UI
taste, all good. I praised them, and she said, ** Yes, I just let you taste them, but that*s the Missionary tree.** **What do you mean?** I a»ked. ** W hy, I raised that tree first of all from a pip I planted in a flower-pot. 1 did it just for a trial, and when I found it grew, and thrived, I planted it out, and I resolved if it really came to any thing good, that I would always give the fruit of it to the Missionary cause, and it did thrive wonder- fully ; better and better year by year, and there it is now, I do think the very best tree we have.**
''And you sell the fruit, then, of your best tree for the Missions?*'
** Yes, of cc what I rearei don*t somehc tree, we look apart, and it*8 that of late y some to its sti erally bears tl ever there's a how that tree '
Here again self, is a proo trifle may I means of grea of an apple send the gosp then. And i you are half pressed with 1 I was, that d though dead, ing you a vali Band of Hope
^\t ^aint anb X\t C«l
IE read a pretty story of St An- thony, who being in the wilderness, led there a very hard and strait life, in so much as none at that time did the like; to whom came a voice from heaven, saying, ** An- thony, thou art not so per- fect as is a cobbler that dwelleth at Alexandria.*' Anthony, hearing this, rose up forthwith, and took his staff, and went till he came to A/exandria, where he found the cobbler. The coh- 80
bier was ast( so reverend a his house. 1 said to him, tell me thy w tion, and how thy time." • cobbler, "as works have I life is but sim] I am a poor c morning, whc for the whole dwell, especia neighbours ai , a% 1 V\KV^« J \ at my VbX»^
TBB SABBATH ICHOLAR's TRBA8URT.
daj in getting my [ 1 keep me from x), for 1 hate no- tidi aa I do deceit- herefore, when I \y man a promise, and perform it d thus 1 spend my y, with my wife in, whom I teach ct, as far as my '▼e me, to fear and
dread sin. And this is the sum of my simple life."
In this story you see how God loveth those that follow their vocation and live up- right, without any falsehood in their dealing. This An- thony was a great holy man; yet this cobbler was as much esteemed before God as he. --Latimer.
iltoags in tfee
ag.
.IN, rain, rain! will it never stop?" thought little Amy H— , sed her small face he window-pane, tempting to see und the corner, jter Ann must
school. It was
those rainy days y one loves, when fall steadily and nd one feels sure
are completing
on as rapidly as
order to treat us
bow. It was a
mizzly, drizzly leemed unwilling e clouds.
itle Amy looked forlorn as she e long, pendulous f the elms sway thither in an un- 9 manner, !^he . what made the j ad if jhe poor ■
little doves felt it through their glossy feathers ; but she knew it was quite use- less to ask her mother, for she would only tell her not
; to ask so many questions, and keep out of her way.
Mrs. n loved her
child ; but she was a bust- ling, energetic woman, whose chief care was to keep a w( 11 ordered and tidy house, and she did not understand the delicate nature of the little Amy, who had been from infancy a feeble child, and stood sadly in need of loving and tender sympathy. She was not beautiful; but for those who loved her there was a depth of love in her little heart, which only needed answering sunbeams to make it bear sweetest blossoms, and light up her wan face with the beauty ^^C coDtentmenU I'his had been «\icVv & %«i^
day. In the morula^ ftVi«
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBEABUST.
had climbed into a chair to watch her mother's proceed- ings as she made the pastry, when an unlucky motion of her hand had sent a quantity of flour on to the fluor, call- ing forth an impatient repri- mand from her mother. Choking hack, a rising sob, she left the table, and essayed to play with her blocks, building with them a wall by which to confine White Lily, her kitten. But, im- patient at such imprison- ment, the kitten made vigor- ous efforts to free herself, and, as she succeeded, scat* tered the blocks in every direction.
*' What a looking room !'*
exclaimed Mrs. H : ** I
declare it's no use to clean up, you get things in the way so."
No more house-building for Amy after that ; so she walked up and down the room, singing softly to the kitten in her arm$«, till it was time to look for Ann's return from school, — Ann, the dear sister, who loved the little one, and never told her to keep out of the way.
A t last her patient waiting was rewarded by a glimpse of Ann's bonnet, and with a cry of joy Amy bounded to open the door to greet her sister with outstretched hands and the words, " I thought you would never come I " /'What ails my pet?" said AnDf as she too^ the
82
child in her arms, i ing the hair from face, remarked th weariness in her ej
" Nothing," Amy ; " only my h so, and I can't pi a troubling mother."
Ann stghed ; for the little heart trials. So far into i eve she sat with A upon her shoulde her of heaven, mad by God and the an as Amy listened beamed with deli she exclaimed, ra head with animati<
** Ann, I must g must. Is it sucl way ? " Suddenly darkened her fact said, sadly, * though, I should g way of angels; careless."
" Never, darling, sister, clasping mo the little form, m too surely fading a
At midnight tl hurried steps and questions, as the was awakened by that Amy was very days of watching, i group surrounded the dying child.
" Mother," sai< feeble voice, ** I di( to be naughty, ai your way so mud hye, mother, 1 am a\ee\k." A. little w ; and \vU\e Xtci'j hii
TBB SABBATH SOUOLAR^S TRBA8DRT.
?ar0 the graM has Amy's grave, while suQg requiems in A'iog trees; but for
get in the way." Not all in vain was the lesson taught by those dying lips, beeds of gentleness and patience
ile. as nightly she | were sown in the mother's
lead upon the pil- | heart, which, watered with H saw the ' the tears of repentance, give
y face of her child, ' promise of an abundant liar-
a sweet voice say, ■ vest of peace.
1 did not mean to
^■^"^-'"./■-•,"
S of these officers, while he, along with the iaysthe Kev. J. H. officer and a private were Macduff, speaking pas.-ing one of the gates of 3f a group of noble Canton, they proposed, ere officers whom he they parted, as there was no Q camp at Alder- , other place of resort, to re he lately visited, ' kneel down by the gate and twn conversion in engage in prayer. They did 1 organized in that so. The prater was an- lud a bible-class | swered; it was blessed lor : common soldiers. •• the conversion of that ser- e leached this geant. Not long after he was one of the first ^ laid, I fb.get whether by tell gladdened him j wound or disease, on his ft of a large Bible, death bed. He gathered Ui6 n its fly-leaf the comrades aruund him to the eighty men to testify to them of the grace
had taught, and i of Uod, and to sh 'W them h saving power, how a Christian could die. 1 as it is in Jesus." ; With staniniering ton^^ue he the name of one o£ \ sang, and asked ihem to join
had written the | him in the words of the well ntry, *' Gunehome.*' • known hymn — /ras a striking one. ; lat of sergeant, a ' xhere is a fountain filled with
Ling man, bold, I blood,
I moral in his Con- = Drawn from ImmanueVa vein* •,
«• utterJjr uDCon- , "^ V^*"" plnnged beneatti tViaX God." One day, j^^ ^ii their guilty »iaiivii\
THB SABBATH 80HOLAB*8 TSBASimT.
©ttr giftt to Cferist.
kUEN^ thU passing world has don< When has sunk yon glaring su When we stand with Christ in Looking o'er life's finished story, Then, Lord, shall I fully know, — Not till then — how much I owe.
"When I hear the wicked call On the rocks and hills to fall, When I see them start and shrink On the fiery deluge brink. Then, Lord, shall I fully know — Not till then— how much I owe.
Chosen not for good in me, Waken'd up from wrath to flee, j Hidden in the Saviour s side,
j By the Spirit sanctified,
I Teach me. Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.
I Oft I walk beneath the cloud.
Dark as midnight's gloomy shroud, But when fear is at its height, Jesus comes, and all is light. Blessed Jesus ! bid me show, Doubting saints — how much I owe.
When I stand before the throne, Dressed in beauty not my own. When 1 see Thee as Thou art, I^ve Thee with unsinning heart. Then, Lord, shall I fully know,— Not till then, how much I owe.
When the praise of heaven I hear, Loud as thunders to the ear; Loud as many waters* noise, Sweet as harp's melodioua voice, Then, Lord, shaft I f\iV\y Vno^,— Xot till then. — ^how much 1 ovie. 84
TBB aiBUTH lOHouK'a tbuiust.
CjT ia related of Mungo i all alone in a very deeolnte ^ FBrlE,thec«lebrated apotgand exposed on thehot I 1^ AiHcan tmveUer, landi to die. Dreary Indeed ton one occasion ha the minute wm. Thecopper | I nigh being loit in the aky baraed above blm-^tiv'- ''■n. He bMdbeen robbed j boa»6le*» waste i*u evn-if / «»' toiiBded, and wat left I irhera around him. W« ^a^
. 6a
'■ta-jto a — ~
THE SABBATH 80HOLAB S THBA8URT
scarce so much strength left as that he could crawl — and miles and miles he felt he was banished from any one who had the smallest inter- est in him, or who would breathe into his ear the word home. Just in the moment of his despair, his eye fell on a delicate desert flower grow- ing up out of the sands beside him, its little petals spread out within their sheath in hues most exquisite ; and as now and again a little breath blew, the beautiful fringed thing waved and bent on its stem, as if out of its cup it would scent the air. The sight of that hid- den flower stirred the weary heart. "What!" cried Park in a burst of hope, ** is there a God who stoops down to frame and paint that fra-. gile growth, and how much more will He not care ior me 1 " So restored in faith — talked to by the whisper of the desert flower, he re- vived his efibrts, crept to a
hut near, was i kindness by s natives, and ul saved. Was i lesson, dear ch: Saviour, in 1 ** Consider the field"? You in your Testa the passage, an plies. And \i lesson such as, hour, a thouss fold you mighi if you turned t or to your left, and found Chri< all gloriou8-«C beautiful— Chr! of God— found may, growing ' I may so speak gin to ask — "! Father who ha love and grace close to my t Father who hi this His own ^ Him up for us He nor, with R give us all thin
% Pmb00 fmitl^ Shaking «p i\
DEEPLY interest- I the Church of ing letter has just I dras, from whi X)een recelyed ftom \ m^ \% ex\x%cv the Missionary In&tiiu'^ian, o/\ "^^ «to\
THB SABBATH SGHOLAB's TRBA8UBT.
a youog man vho e forward and pro- bristianitj. He is a of high caste. He Q up and put awaj to serve the living 1 it is our earnest lat he may continue ; in the f;|ith and firm unto the end. :her and several of ;ioDS have come to 1 since he became a
Such a state of bis mother was in I 3 her hair and be- or him, because he inly son, and now by | racing Christianity as dead to her for he besought him to 1 go with her; but d not. It was de- to hear him giving ms for becoming a a. After his mother t he was steadfast, ed to the missionary, ses, and said, * He is my son ; he is your [ you must be kind ' After which she
has not since re- to see him. He is n the Mission pre- 1 the house of one of chists."
it a trial I" the
youths of Scotland will say ; **to be compelled either to part with one's parents or to part with Jesus." True, yet pray and pray that every one attending the various mission schools in heatlien India, may, like this convert, be soon brought to be willing to part with all for Christ. Nay, that also side by side with them their fathers and mothers may yet glory in carrying their crossj neces- sary, if they would gain the crown. For what the blessed Saviour declares in Scotland He proclaims in India — ** If any man (that is, any one of the human family, man, wo- man, or child) will come after me, let him deny him- self, and take up his cross and follow me. For he that will save his life shall lose it ; but he that will lose (or is willing to lose) his life for my sake, the same shall save it." And how rich such has become! " An heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ.*'
R.F. F.
Y dear children, in I animal creation. The ^^ Xivt,^' holjr writ we are the "Bee,** the ''"FavY* <i^ often commanded / the air," ore pointed, out Xo
to learn of the / us
for althouft\i latm o«a
%7
THE SABBATH SOHOLAB'S TBBASUBT.
the gift of reason, and animals have only instinct^ which is a lower kind of reason, yet sometimes the humbler fa- culties of the brute creation are so well exercised as to put to shame the negligence of those who are gifted with an immortal 6oul
On Saturday, the 18 th of May in this year, an accident happened to one of the most wonderful dogs of modern times — Bob, the Firemen's Dog.
He was going, as usual, with the engine to a fire, when, most unfortunately, poor dear Bob was run over by the engine, and killed. When the fire bell rang at the station to ** make ready," Bob always started up promptly at duty's call and ran before the engine, bark- ing to clear the way, and was most useful, not only in preventing obstructions, but in stimulating the men by his energy. We have called him ** JW* dear Bob,* and we repeat the phrase, for human beings owe a deep debt of gratitude to this noble animal.
For years he has attended
the fires of the metropolis,
but not as many do, to look
on and make a noise, and
obstruct the workers; not
as, I am ashamed to say,
some do to plunder and make
a wicked profit out of one of
the beaTiest calamities ; not
as others do, to gratify tbeir
ejrcB with a ffrand and awful
88
sight, as if huma was to them me exhibition of fire' for none of these : Bob frequent th( went as a help efficient was th afforded, that tl had a brass collai him, on which graven —
" Stop me not, but o jog, I'm Bob, the Lon( dog."
At the time oj explosion in the ster Boad, of th maker*s premis dread filled all i nature of the mate house being feari sive — Bob rushed terred by the noi great gun, the smoke, and whei out he brought a his mouth, and th from a cruel deatl
At a fire in when the firemer that all the inmat* of the burning pre was not satisfied testimony : he i side-door and lis there, by loud and barking, attracted of the brigade. TI sure, from BoVs that some one ¥ passage, and^ on open the door, a found Tveflitly d
TUS BABBATH SQHULAB'S TRBASDRY.
/
saved this child's life. Bob WM also an orator. " Oh, Ijov was that?" say my young readers : '* surely curatory means speaking, and Bob could not speak." No, Bob could not utter words, though he could make him- self very clearly umlerstood, ^iilch is more than all speakers do. There was a 'leaning and a purpose in '^ i a mo'ie ut' expression, and '^iat J am afraid is mure ^^an can be said of many speakers : those who talk for ^ diking sake, those who utter 'oliy and nonsense, and those ^ lio abuse their gift of speech **y using bad, or rude, or *-'**iael words, are not to be '^^orupared with Bub, who ^**Jaployed every suund that l^e could make for good He could all but speak," '^d the men, who loved him ; ^^id more than speak in the ^^ur of danger ; for his loud, ^*urp bark had a vast deal ^^ meaning in it. But Bob ^as an orator in the sense of attending public meetings, tQd giving his testimony, ^t the annual meeting of the i)ociety for the Suppres- sion of Cruelty to Animals which was held in i860, and uQ previous occasions, this l/fave dog went through a series of wonderful perform- auces, to show how the fire- engines were pumped, and most kindly and effectually would he give hia warning
bark, and, in his way, tell the scenes he had passed through. Fine, noble crea- ture I It was sad that a violent death should have been his lot, after a life spent in merciful actions. But he died at his work and doing his duty.
Dear young reader, are you as docile and willing to learn as Bob must have be. n ? Do you try to use your gifts for the good of others, as Bob did ? Are you prompt, mercilul, hon- est, and brave, as Hob ?
Perhaps some of you may think you are brave, becau^^e , you can return blows and | can fight. All that is not i true bravery. The really ! brave are those who use God's good gift of strength to succour the weak, and to save irom danger. Bob used his strength to save life, and not, as fighters do, to injure ur to take it. He risked his life in doing good, and died at last in his duty.
Not to many men is per- mitted the blessing of saving life. Such honour and hap- piness are rare ; but all, the very youngest child, may make life sweeter and hap- pjer to all by loving obe- dience and generous kind- ness. You have reason, yuu have speech: see that yuu use these gifts well : do not be completely outdone b^' a^ dog. — Tlie Children s Fiieud.
THE SABBATH SOHOLAR'S TBBASVKT.
(Snc&( not i\t ^jitit.
HAD in my room a beautiful and deli- cate flower. Day after day I cherished it, watching its growth till I rejoiced to see it put forth a blossom. One morning in my hurry, I neglected to water it. The day was sultry, and breathed its hoc breath upon the neglected flower. When I returned from a journey, I looked upon my little favourite, and found it withered and drooping. I
hastened in the evei remedy the error morning, but in vain, been fatal, and no cai arrest the work of <3 tion. It was scorcli dead. Like this flo the work of the Spiril soul. It must be cor cherished, or it will and die.
Remember the should you ever be 1 to neglect the dutiei closet. — S.S, Messeng
44
|a&^ tt0 %ntnni/'
50NT say so. All have some. A gentleman, lectur> ing in the neigh- bourhood of London, said — "Everybody has influence, even that child," pointing to a Uttle girl in her father's arms. " That's true I ** cried the man. At the close he said to the lecturer, ** I beg ^your pardon, sir, but I could not help speaking. I was a drunkiurd ; but, as I did not like to go to the public-house alone, I used to carry this child. As I approached the public- house one night, hearing a great noise inside.
she said, * Don't go, \ 'Hold your tongue,
* Please, father, doc
* Hold your tongue. Presently, I felt a I fall on my cheek, not go a step further, turned round and wen and have never bee public-house since, God for it. I am happy man, sir, ai little girl has done it i when you said that e had influence, I coi help saying, 'That' sir.' All have inflae Rev, Newman Halh
^~j .rj-yj-.
90
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBASUBT.
®fe£ f ark of Pair.
,0 you see this lock of hair?" said an old man to me. Yes; but what of it? It
suppose, the curl from head of a dear child long B gone to God." [t is not. It is a lock ij own hair ; and it is
nearly seventy years ) it was cut from this • But why do you prize a
of your own hair so 1?"
It has a story belonging , and a strauge one. I
it thus with care, be- 3 it speaks to me more od, and of His special
than anything else I is.
was a little child of years old, with long
locks, which, in sun, in, or wind, hung down beeks uncovered. One Dy father went into the
to cut up a log, and I with him. I was stand- little way behind him, ;her at his side, watch- ith interest the strokes > heavy axe, as it went d came down upon the , sending off splinters
every stroke, in all ions. Some of the ers fell at my feet, and 9rfy' stooped to pick ip, Jn doing so I /
stumbled for^^ard, and in a moment my curly head lay upon the log. I had fallen just at the moment when the axe was coming down with all its force. It was too late to stop the blow. Dow n came the axe. I screamed, and my father fell to the ground in terror. He could not stay the stroke, and, in the blindness which the sudden horror caused, he thought he had killed his boy. We soon recovered ; I from my fright and he from his terror. He caught me in his arms, and looked at me from head to foot, to find out the deadly wound which he was sure he had inflicted. Not a drop of blood nor a scar was to be seen. He knelt upon the grass, and gave thanks to a gracious God. Having done so, he took up his axe, and found a few hairs upon its edge. He turned to the log he had been splitting, and there was a single curl of his boy's hair, sharply cut through and laid upon the wood. How great the escape ! It was as if an angel had turned aside the edge at the moment when itwasdescend- ing on my head. With re- newed thanks upon V\\% \\^% he took up the cwr\,aivd ^«iv\» iiome with me in Viift «rm%. " That lock he kept a\\\u*
THB SABBATH SOHOLAB'S TBBA8DB
days, as a memorial of God's care aud love. That lock he left to me on his death-bed. I keep it with care. It tells ine of my father's God and mine. It rebukes unbelief flnd alarm. It bids me trust him for ever. I have had many tokens of fatherly love in my threescore years and ten, but somehow this speaks most to my heart. It is the oldest, and perhaps the most striking. It used to speak to my father's heart ; it now speaks to mine."
What say you, my dear young readers ? Is not this an instance of delivering mercy on the part of our gracious God. A nd this God is the same kind Being who gave you life, and has watch- ed over and cared for you
until now. D< put your tri Look over yoi and think of tb He has watchei delivered you danger. Whe your parents would die, Hi your life and r health ; and in ways has He si and care. Yei great, for He world as to g beloved Son t< whosoever beli might not pei everlasting life love him with a and in your i devote your service. — Chik
i
I
Coming ta l^stis.
lOTIIER, what does it mean to come to Jesus? 1 cannot see Him. and how can I go to Him?'
" You cannot see Him, but you can speak to Him, you can pray to Jesus.*'
** If He were on earth as
He once was," said the child,
'* there is no trouble that I
would not take to go to Him.
I would set off at once. I
would travel hundreds of
toUea. I would push my
92
way through
crowd, and fal
Him and cry,
me a heart to
I heel' but nc
go to Jesus ?"
** Without a
you can cor
Coming to Jest
of the heart af'i
to Him as th
who though h
Him, cried out
Sou o( David
on m^V X<
\>e\.V^ otL X\
ml
THB SABBATH 60HOLAR*8 TRBASDRT.
*in lived when He lired on
the earth. They often had
to travel very far. They
suuietimes could not get
"ear Him for the crowd.
^ut you may have Him as
oiuch to yourself as if there
*»ere no other person but
jVoarjelf in the world. He
j« always within your call.
He sees you, knows all you
^eel, and hears all you say.
If you feel a desire for His forgiveness, for the support of His friendship, for the comfort of His love« and pray, * Jesus, save me; Jesus, help nie; Lord, 1 am igno- rant, teach me ; my heart is hard, soften it ; help me to love, believe, and obey. Save me jfrom sin, and tit me for heaven— this is coming to Jesus. Can vou not do this ?**
^V/^ 'n "S^'V
fast fines ixm
i^lmovf.
N autumn 1857, I ^ enjoyed the great 1^ pleasure of hearing ^'^t late Mr Holloway Hel- ^'ioreaddress a large mission- ^''y meeting in Coventry, his '•ative town, as I understood. ^^ gave me deep gratification to hear him speak of the '«l>DUr8 of his companion *"r Ross, whom he had just '♦'ft working hard at Likat- W, Mr H.'s old station, ^s Well as in superintending I the work of the Lord at his j uR^n other stations, scattered / over a very extensive dis- / trict of Central South A frica. ' Mr HeImore*8 description of the varied labours of the missionaries, and the aucceaa that had accompanied them, riretted the audience.
JLETTBRS.
Before he set out in Julv 1858, 1 had many kind notes from him. He expressed his delight at the prospect of taking a box to Mr Boss. "I am quite sure," said Mr Helmore, "that your kind labours for the Bechuana under Mr Rosses care will greatly encourage him, and fill the hearts of his people with gratitude." He added, ** I still receive very interest- ing and encouraging reports in reference to Likatlong and the other Bechuana towns under Mr Ross's care.
MB HELMORB's C*LL TO THE MAKOLOLOB.
"You will pro\)ab\y YiBL-^ft learned from the -puXAia
THB tiMBAia
jouiaalB, ihtt Dr LiTing- stone has accepted a Govern' ment appoiotmeol," and of coulee is no longer a ■ionary, but " returns to vhe Zambezi in a short time. The Direclon of our Society have requested me to con meiice one nf the new mi aiona which is to be estal lished in that newly di covered oountrj." Dr Li' ingBtone, nho was veW ac quaioled with the chief of the MakololuB, Selieletu, was to be atLiajanti, their town and district, before Mr Hel- moTo and bis little band of misiionaries, and get all ready for their ifception.
been labonrin, find that there pect o/canyii ike verg /lenrl
ing.
ind cal
" Mr Moflkt has returned from his visit to Moeele- katse, the chief of the Miita-
gratitnde. deed great, t queeticn the shall give 1 heathen for H and the uttei the earth for 1 With referenc
turn t« Engl a a good opinioi seemed to be character the think yoa nee any box jou prepnring fa Several caies from the miul we have sailei
Mr MoQkt ha* returned to make arrangements for tak- ing two young missionaries, and I hope to take two more beyond the Zamliezi river, andaettlewith them amongst i the Jllitkolota and other ' tribet. It li cheeiing to the miDda of tbotewhohavg 94
kingdom.— Yi
sincere r^ard
(Signed) E
THB SABBATH SOHOLAB's TIISABUBT.
I 80 may a noble
'hristians arise and
take possession of
of the shadow of
death in the name of the holy and life-giving Jesns, the King of Elings, and Lord of Lords. R. F. F.
Ui a Pinatt to ^pr^/'
idle school girl vaa once seriously ixpostulated with, ibout some duties e had neglected, s which she had formed. I cannot %m sure I cannot ; 3 any more than 3Yer have a minute
I am always at "his girl thought » the truth ; but ot know the true }f the word, idle. tance, if 6he sat at an hour, but only she was well able nplish in half- she would have t very unjust and jd she been accused i. If she sat with resting on her sr elbows on the what was as often
leaning over the a book on her lap. It it, and lazily from it, and were and counselled to lustry, she would h the reproof and >I, however kindly ; perhaps, even
hate the reprover. And at the close of the day she would wonder how it was she had not time for her duties, whilst her com- panions got through theirs with so much ease ; but al- ways ended by lulling her conscience with the idea that their abilities were so much greater than hers, and too much was required of her. She could not or would not see that it is quite passible to be DOING soMKTniNO, and yet to be vbry idli. For her Bible she had not a minute to spare, — no time to be neat, no time for her studies, no time for her health, no time to do kind things for others. She was hardly dealt with. Her heavenly Father had heaped commands upon her, and given her no time in which to obey them. Parents and teachers were all unkind, or they would not have been so unreasonable in their de- mands. <* I am sure I have not a minute to ftpaie " nv«a iier unyarying Tep\^ to «J\. who sought to do Yi^t ^oodi, •— aS. S> Afessenyer.
IBS SABBATH mholab's nHum
> LITTLE boy (a re- I The remainde ' laeinn —
Havelock),
an rxcuraioii
with a parly, Od TelnrniDy home, thehonea took fiigbt ill
I'm nfBTtT lo the bonnd of lif^.
Where I *hHll leave its tite; I'm neaier laying down my cross.
Nearer my crown lo WMT.
But in Ihe drearv space betwem, Slow winding thro' the niyht.
Dolh lie Ihal ilim and unknown af Wblch teada at Inst to iiebt.
Moch oeanT Ouu ^ tin^^
ms, lift iwt teBonwii."
hnndredi of I lilent uid deiolkte jou I ago, a lonely could find in the whole ieidwaife«d- earth; when one day the In tbe desert j ttnoge aightcaagblUt «]«, ^ace of aU of a bmh, or rathei & Aom "e iKwt ^ tree, tall, with tluickte*^«» OT
THB SABBATH SOHOLAB's TRBASUBT*
A^d branching arms, ap- parently on fire, yet not consumed. No smoke curled from the bright flame— no crackling of the tvigs was heard, as is the case in a devouring fire, only the clear light wavered through the tree, and wrapped it from head to foot as though it dripped with the purest sunshine. Leavinghis flock, the shepherd turned aside to see it closely ; when as he came near, an awful voice spoke to him out of the flame, bidding him put off the sandals off his feet, lor the spot where he stood was holy. The voice was the voice of God— the flame was God*8 own presence— and the shepherd to whom He spoke, as you know, was Moses. He, by the bush on fire, willed to teach Moses, how soft, yet awful— how silent, yet glorious — how lovely, yet holy, was His presence every where, but more especially amongst His people, and in each believer's heart. He burned, yet not consumed.
Dear children, have you
seen that great sight? Have
fon learned that great lea-
8on ? Yon do not turn aside
now, like that ancient lUep-
9S
herd, to see God in
bush or tree, or a
with the bodily eye.
of Him indeed you
in the many glorii
earth and heaven al
but where God is i
burning yet not coi
id in Christ dwellii
heart by faith — is
Holy Ghost m»ikin(
of uur bodies and oi
There it is the fl^ii
silently but awfv
sets the whole lif<
In the heart wli
light is not, all is
waste as the wea
over which Moses
eye: where that
there is the bush 1
splendour — the bl(
SUB shining thro
through—the fire
Spirit jmrging o
spot of darkness — x
about where sucl:
full of God dwells,
words—'* Holiness
Lordr Who of y
not like to own sue
so that every day j
go into some sec
and, as you kneel 1
cross, say —
" JesoB in heaven, J*
rHK SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRBASCRT.
^t^ool itui in Ittbia.
following letter is written last nuarj, from >mba7, hy the n, fbr the Bchool lis former parish
a Tery beautiful ; six miles from med Elephanta, wonderful caves I carved out in .raong the hills, ay morning I h a very kind at five o*clock, juite dark. We iterside at dawn, re pulled across
men in a boat I. We arranged children should ly and have tea, t back about ten . in time for this who is a police
to go to his
1 the day of the
hildren were all
y, had breakfast
i six, and at a
ight we all went
just as we used
ubeth before the
sang the same
said a few words
111, my dear chiU
nember, I hope,
Muother/ Out-
ts a great train
rta, with blue
wheels and white bodies, and red coverings, butnosprini^s. We filled about twenty of them, and jolted away as fast as the bullocks would go, the boys and girls cheer- ing, just like }ou used to do. Next year, perhaps, we bhall have some flags. We got to the waterside, and the com- modore (the chief naval offi- cer) had sent a steamer, and a very large iron boat, with awnings in which there was room for us all, so we got in and sang the Morning Hymn, and then Gcd save the Queen, and liule Britannia, to the great enjoyment of the natives who were round us. Well, in about an hour and a half we got to the shore ot the beautiful island; but there is no pier like the pier at I..ambeth, so the boys turnetl up their trousers, and took off their shoes, and jumped into the water to wade on to the shore. It was a funny sight. Black men came to the boat, and carried the girls, and 1 had to ride on two men's shoulders, who went so unevenly, that I nearly tumbled into the water. But we all got safe to land, and went up quickly into the caves, to get out of the sunshine, for the tan \% so hot, even in DecemVieT, that fio one l\kea to ata^ ovix. in it longer than h« c%u \vcVb
THB BABBATH BGHOLAB's TBBABUBT.
One of our friends had brought an accordion, and the music, as it was floating through the caves, and echoed from side to side, and from roof to floor, was very beautiful. We got into a little square chamber, and sang the Old Hundredth Psalm, and delightful it was to hear the dark-faced children singing the praises of God in a heathen temple — for these caves were hewn out for that purpose, to make temples for the heathen gods.
" Then came dinner — currj, rice, and pillan, and beef and mutton, and fruits you never saw, plantains and pommellos, which I cannot describe now ; but we fin« ished up with what you would all have liked, plum cake, just like English cake. All the afternoon we played in the shade, very much as we should have played in the f eld at Lambeth ; and then there were bats and balls, and skipping-ropes, and hide- and-seek, till the sun went down, and we strolled amongst the lovely cactus plants, and cocoa-nuts, and
palm-trees. The i very pretty in th the setting sun. 1 tea, and we sani grace, 'Be prese: table. Lord/ an down upon the gra Then we had so games, and sang a 1 and then the full mc in all her glory, mu er than it does ii Just then some b were set fire to in and had a wonder casting deep sha bright lights a Some kind people over from Bombi the children e^j* selves, and now, a save the Queen' through the ca * Praise God from blessings flow,' gi the moonlight, we as the children hu their hearts' contf so, about 11. 30, *! again after a glo] I only wish all th€ children had been and all the Lambet too."— -Frowi the G sionary.
MINISTER of the I of distributing a f
and Testaments unhappy country.
Gospel, who resided for a time at Gib- raltar, made aeve- \ v^Nvet v>^\\\%«^c«U ral excursions into the Span- \ o^ 'Romft \^ w^ ^ ish territory for the putpoae \ t\i^'pociT'^r«i%Vfi 100
THB SABBATH SOHOLAB'S TRBASUBT.
dare not read God's word. At one time, he yisited the honse of a shoemaker, with whom he held very pleasing conyersation. He found this poor man of an in- quiring miod, greatly dis- satisfied with the existing state of things, and yet un- able to see any door of hope, or any prospect of remedy for the wrongs and woes of his country. He stated that lie and a number of his friends were in the habit of meeting together every week, and discussing public affkirs, when politics were talked oyer, but they gener- ally left off as they began, such discussions seldom proving very pro6table.
** Why do you not get the Bible and read that ?" said the minister.
**Ahr* replied the shoe- maker, ** I wish I could get it ; but the priests take care we poor Spaniards shall not haye the Bible."
"Well now," said the minister, **Iknow the risk 1 am running, and thst if the priests learn that I am here distributing copies of God*s word, 1 shall be stilet- toed before I get back to Gibraltar ; but I think I can trust you. Would you really like a Bible to read ?"
** There is nothing 1 should like BO much/' was the re- ply? , .
A copy was then given to
him, which he received with
erideai delight, tuid with
many expressions of grati- tude. On being, asked if his friends who met with him during the week would also like copies, he declared that they would be highly prized and diligently r^ui, and he received several more books for their use. The minister gave him a few parting words of exhortation, told him where he might be found, and, after distributiog the remainder of his little volumes, reached Gibraltar in safety.
Some weeks after that, the minister sat alone in his room, having told the ser- vant that no one was to be admitted to see him, as he was engaged in study. During the day, however, a Spdmish peasant, dressed in his gay holiday attire, called at the house and asked to see the minister. He was told he could not be seen, as he had given orders that he was not to be disturbed.
''Oh, but," said the Spaniard, <* I think if you tell him that a man to whom he gave a Bible has come a long distance to see him, he will not deny me."
Struck with the earnest- ness of the man, the servant at length consented to go with a message to his mas- ter, and said that a person was at the door who would not be denied. The peasant was theiefoT^ «Yio^ini^'^VoL\A the mimsteT'« tqwh.
«* Don't youTCiftftiB^iWC "^^^
THB SABBATH BOHOLAR'B TRBA8U:
sir?" was the exclamation of the Spaniard, on per- ceiving he was not recog- nized, "Don't you remember, sir, calling at the house of a shoemaker a few weeks ago, and leaving him some Bibles?**
" Yes," replied the minis- ter; **but I really did not recognize you again in your smart holiday dress."
The man then began to tell what joy the Bibles had caused to himself and his friends, and that now, in^ stead of meeting to talk politics, they met to read the word of God together, and that in the volume of truth they saw the true remedy for all the ills that afflicted their country. Alter the heartfelt expres- sion of many thanks, the shoemaker concluded by say- ing, " As a mark of my gratitude for your coming, at the risk of your own life, to bring me the precious Bible, I have brought you, sir, a pair of shoes, which I hope you will accept.'
u
»
Well," s minister, **it you, but I f intentions m much service will probably
"Oil, yes, they will, if them.*'
The trial y the shoes v excellent fit man*s being had guessed curately, he n sir, after you you had to ] sofc clay, so ; and from yo took the sizi which enable you the shoef yj)U will weal my gratitude you gave me.
Surely the poor Spain, v that her sons word of Go< centuries de light and trut Book and its 4
%\i €xQsU)s %xti
I AVE you noticed that tree in the yard ? When very young it was bent down to the earth and im- bedded there, ' It then shot. up agaiiif but it is now lor erer d^brmed. The sun 102
may shine, th rain may fal will never be bad habits, c bad things to memb^T this, andu«\LO^Q['
fitdilB' ijisrst.
Ba iliBll gin Hli AdwIb Dhuys OTet thee, lo keep tliee in^ thy waja."
KIE vai ■ Terr ' dows, lo tbe; did not rattle timid liltle girl, anj more, and Ihen sitttnit Sh« did not like to down by Utile Aaaie't bed, be Irft alone in a she said
Tou don't
nniae. or foel afraid of
when you are
•■ And jet, Annie, your ber, her mammR Father in heaven can take ' in bed, and after | better care of yun than I r a goodnight kiaa, t»n, and He ia with you all leaving the room, the time. I will leHi:h you ' heard little Annie a benutiru) verse Iroot the aoftly, "Mamma." ! Bible, tu remember when- ent back to her I ever you feel afraid: 'He 'a bedalde, to see Bhall give Ilia angela charj^e le wanted. " I) over thee, to keep thee in all " said liule Annie, I thy ways. They shall beat afraid! 1 bear ' thee up in iheir hands, leat iige noiaes, and the I thon dash thy foot against a rattle ao." ' atone.' When you »ere out
, It is the wind | walking with Robert todHy, town the tjiininey i you were not afraid, were 1 hear," said her you ?" "and it Uuwa the "OhI no, mamms. I too. 1 will try and heard you tell him tn tA'te am wore tightly." ' care of nie. And ao^w d\d. \ ie pat aonie little ■ He helped me orer aW •&« ^ **■ '" <** *i(3- ' gutters, and once, "<i\win "sa VOft
THS SABBATH 80HOI*AB'B TaBAS0BT.
came to a place where some men were building and there were a great many large stones, he took me np in his arms, and carried me over them all."
"Well, I gaye Robert charge over you, and you were not afraid to trust him, and lie took good care of you. 80 Grod gives His angels charge oyer all His children, and the angels will not let any thing hurt you any more than Robert did to-day. Once there was a very good man, who dreamed that he was in heayen. There he saw pictures of many things which had happened to him during his life. He remem- bered them as soon as he saw the pictures. Once be had fallen from his horse, and was not hurt at all, though every one had won- dered that he was not killed, in his dream he saw a
picture of it, anc ture there wai holding out hi prevent his fal ground. Then ] that God had se to take care of after he awok< dream, he truste his Heavenly I than ever. And my little girl verse once mor may remember i she lives."
Annie repeate times, and thei " Now, mamma, down-stairs. I afraid any more.
So her mamm and went awa^ Annie closed h went to slee ** God*s angels iv of me." — From \ Love,
''%\t
|0p ed 0f ixm i\m
GOOD missionary, when travelling some years ago in South Africa, called at the house of a Dutch farmer, and asked for a night's lodging. This re- quest was granted, and he at once made himself at home with the strangers. After a abort time the farmer aikd
i\t Cmm&s i)
his wife leame( visitor was a m as the Dutch ] respect for the f< of godliness, it \ to have a relig with the famil the farmer agn pre^atauons for
IBB SABBATH ICHOLAR'S TBBABUBT*
/
which, it i0 feared, was not often opened, was placed upon the top of a long table in a Tory lar^ room, with a lighted candle by which to road it. Mr Moffat, the miiiionary, took his seat before tlie Bible, with the fanner on his right hand and tbe fanner's wife on his left. Below them, on both sides of tbe tsble, were grown up ions and daughters, and other members of the family. All aeemed now to be ready, and everybody ex- pected that Mr Moffkt would begin ; but he was not satis- fied. He knew that, besides those who sat before him, there were many Hottentot Iftboarers on the farm, who nem heard the name of JttQs, and to whom he was resolved, If possible, to Pf^ch the Gospel of salva- fioQ; but how to get them into the room he did not ^Qite know. He resolved, however, to try. So, instead of beginning to read the Bible, he leaned forward, nod seemed as if he was straining his eyes to see something in the distant and dark parts of the room.
After a little, the farmer noticed this movement, and asked Mr Moffat what he was looking for. *«Ohl" said the missionary, *< I was ooiy looking for the Hotten- tots." In a moment a frown gathered upon the farmer's iavtr: Ma lip curled as if to j sAow bia contempt; &ad j
then, in a loud, rough, harsh tone, he said, ** Hottentots is it you want ? Hottentots ! Call in the cbgsl Call in the dogs r
This would have perplexed some men, but Mr Moffat was prepared for it; as he knew well that many, like this farmer, thought that ministers might just as well presch to dogs as Hottentots. Without, therefore, using any arguments of his own, he opened the Bible at the 15 th chapter of Matthew, and read, with as much lorce and solemnity as he could, the 27th verse — ** Truth, Lord : yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which tall from their master's table 1" He then sat silent for a minute, and looked towards the farmer. But as the rough man made no motion, Mr Moffat re- peated the verse, and, while be did so, fixed his dark eye full upon his host. Still the man sat silent, and did not seem to be moved. A third time, therefore, Mr Moffat, turning towards him, and ' looking him full in the face, I repeated the words, **^e/ the . dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master^s table." At once the farmer roared out, **StopI I can stand it no longer;" and then added, *'Call in the Hottentots! Call in the Hottentots r
Jn a short time X\ve \eLT\^<& room was filled w\\.Vi «\icVv sl congregation aa e-very in\%-
\^5
TRB BABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRBASURT.
sionary desires to see, and such as Mr Moffat delighted to address. They were poor aod negUcted, and ignorant and sinful, and lost — just those that the Lord Jesus Christ came to seek and to save. It was a strange sight; ard had some of our readers seen it, they would have hoth smiled and wept at what they saw. Seated upon the floor of that great room, or leaning against the wall, these poor creatures stared, and grinned, and wondered. Never before had they been gathered into that room to be addressed as immortal beings, and invited to enter the way to heaven. What Mr Moffat said to them we cannot tell you, more than tills, thaf he tried to explain, as plainly as he could, what they must do to be saved.
On the fcllowing morning the missionary went on his journey, and it was a long time before he had occasion to travel that road again. At length duty called him there; and as he drew near to the
farm-house where I formerly lodged, he Hottentot woman w in a field dose by. Su she ceased to worl stood looking earneo wards him. Then she down hir hoe, ran spot where he was, herself upon the n clasped his knees, anc to weep and sob, and, sametime, to expret thankfulness and jo; Moffat was surprises could not tell what c meant ; and, for a tic poor woman was too excited to tell hio; length she became calm, and then she ca his remembrance the he had held in her n house, and told hio she and her husbanc amongst the ignoran tentots to whom h< preached ; that the v God had entered hearts; and that fro day they had been w together in the pf heaven.
(^nt irifk mtouQ.
ORKMEN were recently build - lug a large brick tower, which was to be carried up very high. jT/ie architect and the tore- man both chained themasona 106
to lay each brick wj greatest exactness, es] the first courses, whi( to sustain all the rest, ever, \tL Vsk^lw^ a cot
THB SABBATH tOHOLAR*B TRBA8C7BT.
ine. The work went loat its being noticed ; each coarse of bricks pt in line with those ' laid, the tower was | t up exactly straight, I e higher they bmlt, I re insecure it became. ; sy, when the tower , •en carried up about ; ietr there was heard lendous crash. The g had fallen, buryinfir m in the ruins. All lYious work was lost ; iterials wasted, aud,
worse still, valuable lives were sacrificed ;~and all from one brick laid wrong at the start. The workman at fault in this matter little thought how much mischief he was laying for the future. Do you ever think what ruin may come of one bad habit— one brick laid wrong, while you are now building a character for life? He- member in youth the foun- dation is laid. See that it is all kept straight. — Chris- tian Miscdlany,
''%tt fott dlaiU iairg?^^
INURING the French Revolution, we are told, there were many shut up in risons. A certain r of these prisoners .ed out to execution day, no one knowing turn it would be next, executioner appeared. ft state they must have a, as they heard that nown footfall that ringing death to one }r of them, they knew hichi So every un- ted child is this day prison ; and every >me are thus being led o execution— sent into y; Who may he O, mjr dear young there is no time to
put off I I have seen mnny little graves. I know few families where there are little children, in which — as in Egypt — there has not been one dead. I have seen five fathers in church in one day, each clothed in deep mourn- ing after the death of a be- loved child. Who may be next? What place maybe vacant next year? What little boy or girl may be away ? And where O where, the precious, the immortal soul? Will you not oflier the prayer of a young boy, ** Lord 1 make me quite, quite ready to die, in case Jesus comes for me *\tv «l hurry"? It wa^ 'weVV \o have prayed that prayer, «tx\^ to have ffot it an&wexe^ ^siic
THB SABBATH SCHOLAB*8 TBHABITBT.
Jesus did come for him in a hurrj. When the train was rushing along at a fearful speed, an accident occurred, and in an instant, soul and body were parted, — and absent fjrom the body, he was, so far as man could judge, present with the Lord. He had been repeat- ing to his mamma that
morning the Terse, not thyself of tormc to-morrow is not only to-day. 6o( Now — this clcuf. He to pardon ; will no o and say, *'0 God, mine iniquity, for it : for Jesus' sake. ( merciful to me, a si — Golden Fountain,
mork in i\( 'goxh
fELAT in the Lord thou doest must sue The glory His, the blessing shall 1 From Uim alike both will and act p He sows, and gives the increase to the seed.
He prompts and perfects every good design : Hands on thy work, thy heart on Grod alone, Thus and thus only is a good work done.
Think not that aught is in God*s eyes so small. That He will not the needful succour lend ; ^
His ear is ever open to thy call,
To £^ve thee strength, to bless and prosper all, And bring thy labours to a happy end.
Call on the Lord whatever thou dost to bless,
And He will crown thy efforts with success.
He makes thy heart courageous, firm, and boldf And should thy labours seem to press too sore, He suffers not thy courage to grow cold. Smooths on thy can-worn brow the gathering lit Arms thee with patient industry ; nay, more, Regards the smallest kindness shown to one Of His disciples, as to Him 'twere done.
Lrpra DomeaUctu
108
IB WAHTtolhowjou : » bow the Bible ft ¥S making lu wavinto . ^ Qui he>rt of the j kith empire. Let ui t Birai^ J cllF perched VtbeiBOaiitaliuofAiiii j : There mre bo nil- I
ftstamtnt .
roidi, or tteBinboAti, or coMhe*, or tnUn* of tnj de- . acriptioD In that couotrj. I You mmt clamber orer their ■ ioQSlinMd«,<>nlione«taniL\« , back, oarrying javc «<><>&» and luggage la •«ddl»-'tai4E^ Vei7 odd tooUng -<rm4M
THB SABBATH BOHOLAB'S TBBAftUBT.
you go through. The houses are built of earth, with only two rooms, and one outside door. One room is for the donkeys, cows, and dogs, while the family live in the other, on very sociable terms with these animals. Almost every Tillage has a *' guest houpe," built by some pious Turk for the accommodation of trarellers. Here you will find fire to warm you, and food to eat.
SiTas is a large inn and city, about eighteen hours from Tokat. And how far is eighteen hours, you will ask? Eighteen hours is about fifty miles, which makes comfortabto trsTel- ling about thres miles an hour, rather slow going for a Western. It has fifty thou« sand inhabitants, Tnrks^ Greeks, and ArmeniaDs. Within two or three years, Bible Christianity has taken root there. And the Scrip- tures are kept publicly for sale in four diffbrent parts of the city. These are in the Turkish and Greek lan- guages. An agent of the American Bible Society, paid a visit to this city a few months ago, and held a Bible meeting in the little Mission chapel. lu the afternoon two of the Koozelbesh Koords, from a Tillage twelTe houn distant, called upon him. The ELoords, you know, arts mountain men, and one of the fiercest tribes in Asia. Oae of tfattm was the son of
no
a sheik, or chief mi Tillage. They sa wanted to become ^ Christians.
"Why do you change your religion the agent.
" We once worsl cane or stafi^,** th ** with which the sb us to drlTO away i We used to meet week to recelTc this then we confessed and yearly ofi^ered a of sheep to our car no longer belieTe ' save us. A kitab book) '* taught usb *• Where did you book?" asked the i ary.
** We don't know came fh)m," they ai "but it teaches Christ Is alive^ and 1 prophets axe dei teaches us to Ic enemiei^ and to | them. It is ten yea we began to lear truths."
"What is the i the book ? "
"Wecallit *boyi (book of command said. *'Akh(]jah*'( *' reads to us from tl the sheik explains then we pray to God Christ as the book t Then the missioni them he called it \.\\Q Gospel of Ss
\Mok. \2Ek!nft ^«i%
THB ftABBATH •OHOLAX'ft TftBAlUBT.
world. Tliey wished Tery much to haye a miMiomury come and coaifort and te^ch them, for the savage Koordt were verjr angry with them for loving the book. And they often beat and robbed them of their flocks because tliej would not worship as tliejr used to do. They also said there were hundreds more ready to receive the gospet, but for fear of their enemies.
The miMiooary said they should keep up a good heart, t'fT Qod would stand by those who put their trust in Uim. "* Go back," said the
missionary, ^ to your native village, and boldly preach the gospel of love and salva- tion to your cruel per- > secutors."
^-Insha, God be praised, they became reformed." ! Such was the influence of I a stray copy of the Testa- . ment, which found its soli- tary way through tlie intri- I cate passes of Asia Minor, teaching the Koords the folly of their worship, and leading them to ^ the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world "—JLvangeltcal Mogaxine,
fmsfeing feitl^tn '%m\ d a Curt.
We are indebted again to the Bev. Mr Fisher of Fliuk for the follo>viug :-
£ Right Honour- ! able Lord Kin- naird, who has long taken a warm interest in the labours, the perils, and suc- cesses of our fHend Mr Boss, a short time ago kindly honoured me with a letter of which I give an extract : —
**I have received," says his Lordship, ^'an interest- ing letter fVom Dr Living- stone, in which he tells me
medicine, a certain cure for the fever, which waggon he had left there seven years before." Is it not singular I
DB LIVINGSTONE WRITES*. —
" A party of English mis- sionaries perished, as we suppose, by fever, at Lin* yanti, at the very time we were on our way up, and were curing the fever so quickly that no more than one or two days were lost
that he found the graves of a^er^the operation of our
*k. »;..f^»«..^« «ri,^r« a^. ■ remedy. Severe attaicV% va. the missjoii««^ whom Mr, ^^^ ^^^. ^^^ ^^
/ JK« ineaiian^doee to bis ally without loaa ot at^ugetu ^Won, la which be bad a I The remedy was ftT»\ tx«L
1\\
THB SABBATH tOHOLAB'S TBBABUKT.
on my own children and a party of the English at the Lake Ngami in 1850, and I have never failed in a single case since. I have said little about it, as it would appear quackish, which, you know, we doctors have a mortal aversion to ; but the loss at Linyanti makes me anxious to let it be known. When 1 went over to Linyanti to search for medicine for the disease of Sekeletu, the chief of the Makololos, I found the material for the compo- . sition of the fever-powder in my waggon, which has been guarded to me during the last seven years, and that within a few hundred yards of the missionaries' graves. It is mentioned near the end of * the Missionary Travels* — [Dr Livingstone's book] I now mention it to every one likely to try it, and though you may never need it, pos- sibly at some future time your, friends may."*
8ALVATI01? FOR TOUR SOULS IS NEAR.
How Strange I how doubly Fad it is to reflect that a
• " Fever - Powder, — Besei of jalap and calomel, of each eight graiuB; rhnharb and quinine, of each four grains ; mix well when required with spirit of cardamoms — dose from ten to twenty grains. After five or six honrs quinine completes the cure. This for per- Bona of robust strength. All the violent sj^nptoms ate relieved in Hre or six hoars ; if not, a deaaert apoon ct salts promoteB t3ie opexa- tlon of the pflls.** 112
cure was so neai and yet to perish ! hitherto unfiuling was within an eas; of the heroic miss Mr and Mrs Heh Price and three children, and thf guides — and still of the malady. J but because thc;^ know of the medi< there; and altho had been aware ol ness to them, 1 altogether ignon power to cure ; - Hagar and her soi in the wildeme have perished < though a well was had not the ang appeared. This other than the I Christ Himself: I the anxious mothc behold yonder gi and there she findi abundance. (i%c Gen. xxi. 15-19.) dear young friends the word of God w reach, nay, in y hands, telling yc medicine — * the blood of Christ '-»i not fail to e^ixe
B\xt yoxiT cy%% ^
oad to tM, and jrtmr to undentand Iti r. If it would be of yon. Plead vith « wnd ;on Hit Holj to give jna light, io Ml nuq bt ahb to m 'bU of wlTBtion,' the lin ei liriug water.' tf, diiok, and applj, HIT Hill will be re- ! and atreDgthennl, ade petfectljr whole.
and ynu M<iA Cm far «Mr, with JesDB and Hit holj angels, and all the rantomed, among whom will be thoae derated men and women and cbildien who, it hoire or abroad, were glan/mg in no- thing mve in the crtnio/C/irist, while tbeii bodiaa were by ira grie*ou« weight being brokeii, cruihed, and agon- iied, even unto death.
% itittir's ■gaU.
The infkat adraoeea to I yeara of cbitdhood. The moUieriattill
prayer, ---—
ily, eameatly, that He the «onrce of all parity 'eaerre that which He T«n her in perfect in- w, ftnd permit neither , nor crime, nor fbllj' M luin on tbe brigbt- tb wblcb tbe baa
s::^ tales of child-
iih joy or «orrow.
The child adTMicea to manhood, and goei oat Into the world to enga^ in the dutleioflife. Themuema-V Tolce no longer wniadi \tt\i\» flir, hot the mother"* \a'« V» [he aame, and, h
ram f abbath fOHoiiAB's
often looks back to the time when she took him by the hand, and bade him good bjre, and he imagines he still hears the fenrent ^ Qod bless yon, my son," trem- bling on her lips, he lieels that nothing on earth is more lasting than a mother's loTe. Many of the dear children who read this are eqjojring « mother's loye.
Oh, then, be kind s ent, and do all yc make her path tbr a pleasant one !
i(
Remember thy she will pray As long KB God breath; With accents of Un* eheer her loae w E'en to the dart death.**
^6 f afe of |iinil>n^ss.
;T has been said that a kind word doeth good like a medi- cine, and there have been instances in which a kind hok has done good.
A short time since, a little boy was walking with his nnrse, when they passed an old man playing a harp. The child looked at the man, and smiled as he passed ; and the man said, " Stop, dear child; I will play you a tone.* When he had done, . the child, who is fbod of I
music, smiled rer} and tried in his chi to thank the poor i The poor old i away saying, **T1 smile, and that plea have done me m than all the mone taken to-day.** L< read this go and i dear child did. If not help the poc kindly to them, ant see that the law of dwells upon your 1
i Cfeilb's fnxil
a public school in doors, and one of the
New York, a short a young lady, jam
time since, on an the window. An
alarm of fire, a < hundreds of child
terrible panic ensued, and \ whom the build
iDMDjr of the scholars were \ ccovEded ^s* <
ii^ared by nuhiog to the \ axnon&\^<i\)«iX^^
114
THM SABBAXB •OHOXiAK'B TBBAftUmT.
Juough all the fright- eney maintained com- ). The colour, indeed, k her cheek. Her lip red, the tears stood in ^es; but she did not After order had been ed, and all her com- 18 had been brought to their places, the on was asked her how me to sit so still, when x>dy else was in such It ** My fiither," said IB a fireman, and he ne, if there was an
alarm of fire in the school, I must just sit still."
Onr God ia the Father of all, The Father of mercies and lore ; He pities the works of His hand, Though He reigns in the heavens above.
Not a sparrow can fall to the groand AVithout His permissiou or care ; From such a kind Fattier and
Friend, Oh! what have HIh children U*
fear?
We have nothing to fear bnt from
sin: It is sin that displeases onr God ; When we do not obey his command. Like a father, He uses the rod.
%n 6jfamjk for Wis.
PERHAPS no one
who reads this can
recollect when he
or she first heard
the Gospel. In this
land we are bom
t its blessings. In
m countries, millions
>wn men and women
0 this day nerer h^ud od news. But many heard it ; and, if we t take care, some of irill put us to sliame.
Because, in proper- i their means, they do to spread the Gospel,
1 they haye only lately it, than we do, who leard it from our birth.
Gospel reached the a country, in Africa, ten jy^ears ago. How, n wMajr Jjondreds of CtrisUAoa, Some of .
these hare been proved by fierce persecution and cruel torture. < nbers haye proved themselves, by their anxiety for the souls of their friends and countrymen. For in- stance; a Missionary meet- ing was lately held in Abbeo- kuta. An African clergy- man, once a slave, took the chair, and there was not one white man present. Mr King (the chairman) made a I speech, and then some of the ' people spoke. One said, ' " When we die, what we ' leave behind us will be for others. Hut what we give now to Jesus will be O'irs for ever. Therefore, let us show our love to Jesus accurding to the means each si\\t \fQ^ sefset." Another, who YaiQl been a very wicked man*. Mid, ^ Wm there any aoX^a^
U5
TBB SABBATH SOHOLAB'B TBBAfUBT.
as I was? But see what Christ, by hit Gospel, has wrought in me I Let as show our thankfulness to (}od for bis mercy." A third made this odd remark, ** I am quite willing to put my- self in pawn, if it is needful, to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, for what He has done for me." When a Yoruban wants money, and can't get it in any other way, he pled- ges or pawns himself, for a time, to some one who will lend the money he wants. In other words, he becomes the domestic slave, as to part of his time, of the lender. He is obliged to labour for him^ instead of for himself; this labour being the interest the lender receives for his money. He must continue to work in this way until the money is repaid. 2So you see what the speaker was willing to do for Christ. Like David, he was not con- tent to offer to God only that which would cost him noth- ing.
And it was not all talk. The collection was made about a fortnight after the meeting. So eager were the people to give, that they crowded to the table like
beet when they iwam had had six hands," i Xing, *<1 could not h their names dowi enough." They cri«
" Pi ornko mi sHIe
Fi ornko mi i^e
(Pot my name dew;
Pat my xutme down
Some of the tcho dren were not behi little girl came up ai
**PUT MT NAHB DOl THIKTT STRIHOS;" 1
Strings of the littlf called cowries, each containing forty c worth a penny. M might well be astonii he was; so he told he of no use putting he down for more tii could pay. She stil ever, persisted. *' 1 1 I will pay it." Th< collection amountc English money, to tw^ pounds! «*This," as King, *Ms what oc converts have done. ' there were some wl out of their abundai many cheerfully gavi Lord, as the poor wi the gospel, nearly i possessed." This i again an bxamplb ] — Missionary Token,
Christ in il^e ^torm.
116
N E dark stormy I near the coast of night we were to«- \ A« \ \a.y oxi xo^ Vqw tin^ in a rude \ the Y^oWAmol ^ib\s little BatiTe boat, \ taw \Yi« t^ ^m^«
TBM SABBJLTH ■OHOLAX'S TKBASUBT.
ihroagh the thatched
ig and heard the rapid
of thunder, while the
"as pouring in on all
and onr ^Mt toesing
hobble on the angry
I oonld not but think
danger, for I knew
the natlTO boatmen
timid and ignorant,
[lat many snch little
» go down every year
t coast.
nbling and afraid, I mj head to eatoh the of my companion as [uired for the master boat *«He is in the ' part of the ship, ," was the reply, le did the rude heath- 0 uttered these simple know how they made il thrill. In a moment carried bsck to that when Jesus, perhaps It such a rude little s ours, lay tossing on )rmy lake of Gennesa- NeTer did I so realize or blessed SaTiour was a man, a suffering I, and one with ns in
fh>m home and kin- weak, helpless, and fear, for a moment I
had forgotten that Jesns was jnst as near to us as He was to those fearing disciples, and that He could as easily say to the foaming billows «« Peace be stiH," as He did on that night when they cried, ^' Master, carest thou not that we perish ?"
My fears were gone. I felt that Jesus was near, that I could almost put mv hand in His, and hear His voice, ** It is I, be not afraid.*' Often since then, in hours of darkness and trial, hare I liyed over the night, and been comfbrted by the same sweet thoughts.
Afflicted, sorrowing child of God, forget not Him who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Do heavy burdens bear you down? fear not to carry them all to Jesus. None are too heavy fbr Him to bear, none so small to be be- neath His notice. Are we poor? He is rich. Are we weak? He is strong. Are we sinful and unworthy? He is righteous and infin- itely worthy. If we are Chri8t*s then He is ours, and in Him we are complete.
^ MowhtxM %misex to f rager.
F such a thing as J human experience, we %V\\\ direet immediate / ought to have the iaVtVi wi^ antwer to prayer j obedience to pray on, \>fe-
were anknown in / cause it is a dW\ue cotft-
\\1
THB ftABBATB flGBOLAB'f TBBAftUXr.
mand — ^Pray without ceas- ing." *^ Praying alway with aU prayer."
U would be a sad thing for many of us if soooe of <mr prayers were answered; for we often know not how to pray, or what to pray for. An answer to some of our selfish, impatient, rash |irayers, would be ** answer- ing a fool according to his foUy." We need the help and guidance of tlie Holy Spirit to *'lesd us into all truth, and to give us the spirit of prayer, and the grsce of supp'.ication." The Urst workings of that Divine Monitor is ever to teach us in all things to ssy in the words of Jesus, *' Not my will, but Thine be done.'*
But He who knows our feebleness, and condescends to our infirmities, gives many manifest and wonder- ful encouragements to His ]>eople to pray, by sending direct answers to prayer.
During the dreadful siege of Gibraltar, when General Klliott made such a memor-
able defence^ **«n ofi walking one day in den, which was a rei tifiU one, and iiad > great service to the \ providing them vit fruits and vegetab thought, with som soon everything in perish for want of He was a remarka vout man, and bega ing for rain. Bode shell from the enei over his head, and sti rock at a few yards* i Instantly a plentiful of water gushed fbiil sufficed for the entii son, and never failed In this remarkal we have not only a i plication of the woi thou of little faith, for didst thou doufa it was an instance he the horrors of war, i often makes **the i man to praise Him.'
*Froin AatoUognplu Cornelia Knight, Lady-C to the Princefls Chailottf YoL I. page 68.
^\t liiHfn ^xeuuxL
^HKRE died recently in tlie great city of Lyons, in France, a poor widow, who had been so fortunate as to become possessed of a great treasure in her old age, Her parents were very poor US
and her husband i able by working bar their daily bread, never able to put i by for a rainy ds . w\i«ii 1X!U& oVi Tnan di
THB BABBATH MROLAX'ft TRBA8I7BT.
detolate dwelling m an armed man. She sold near- \j eTerjthing the had, and lemoved to a miaeraUe gar- rei to ipend the remainder of her days. She wai not entirely without lome feeling of dependence npon the God of the fktherlest and the vidow; bat she was a poor Catholic, and knew much more about saintt and guurdian angeU than of Jems Chrfat, and what He hu done for us.
One day as she was sit- tiag alone in her comlbrtlesB, half-empty room, it struck btr that there was a singu- lar outline on the beams of the wall. The walls had been whitewashed, but she thought it looked as if there had been a square opening in one of th«m, which had been carefully closed with a tind of door. She examined t more closely, and the bought occurred to her, Perhaps there is some easure hidden there,** for d remembered as a child > fearful days of the folution, when no pro- ty was safe from the men berty and equality. Per- I somo rich man had con- >d his treasure therefrom rapacity, who had him- lUen a victim to the Re- ion before he had had to remove if. And per- one of the saints to she daily prayed hud red it there for her to the evening of her
I days. She tapped with her ; finger, and the boanls re- • turned a hollow sound. With beating hoHrt she tried to remove the square door, and soon sucoeccled, without much difficulty ; but, alas, instead of the gold and silver she hoped to see, she beheld a damp, dirty, mouldy old book I In \wT disappoint- ment she was ready to Kx in the boards again, and leave the book to mould and crumble away ; but a secret impulse induced her to take it out, and see if there were any bank-notes or valuable papers in it ; but no, it is nothing but a book, a mouldy book I
When she had a little re«
covered from her vexation.
She began to wonder what
book it could be that some
one had hidden away so
carefully. It must surely
be something extraordinary.
So she wiped it clean, and
set herself to rend. Her
eyes fell upon the words,
"Therefore say I unto you,
Take no thou<;ht for your
life what ye shall eat and
what ye shall drink, nor yet
for your body what ye shall
! put on. Is not the life n-ore
; than meat, and the body
I than raiment ? Behold the
: fowls of the air ; they sow
. not, neither do they reap,
! nor gather into barns, yet
: your heavenly Father feed-
; eth them . A re ye not TnweYv
better than they ? " A\\^
the words that she read a^-
V\9
THE BABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBBABUBT.
peared to her so sweet aod precious, that she read on aod on daring the whole day, and fkr into tlie night, air most forgetting to eat or sleep. The next morning she sat down again to the damp old book, tiie words of which made an ever-deep- ening impression on her souL She began to see that she had indeed found a treasure, and an invaluable one. Her little chamber no longer looked so desolate; her food, which had so often seemed to her as the bread of tears, now appeared more like bread from heaven; and her solitude was relieved by
the presence of ' King, from whose gracious words si blessedness flowed. She had the hoc and bound, and her as meat and > day and by night, was permitted to eyes and enter int of her Lord. Sli this history, in 1 days of her pilgrin beloved pastor in '. whose hands the book is now. It otte*s edition of Testament, of th< the Huguenot pe —The Book and its
120
^tfttfl ai out fUpimafii
[£ are pilgprims, we are strangers, Let us hasten to be gone; Here are countless snares and d If we linger we*re undone :
Hasten onward, Till the glorious goal be won.
Onward! our bright home*8 before us,
Gleaming on us like a star i Saints and angels stooping o*er us,
Light us onward from afar. ** Come, and welcome,
Where the saints and angels are I "
Cast aside each weight that lets us,
And all tempting thoughts within. And the sin that most besets us. And each Joy that Uads to sin.
Look to Jesual iStrive and overcome in.B.\m,
^alijir bg ^mofte.
e BELGIAN veswl, i that all her creir, nine in h balled Tlie LropoM, ' namber. and their officeri, I ncetitly rail, in a : had periibed. A letter wai, ' Tiolent itorm, on a I howeTer, afterward* rtoeiTed lear one of the Palk- ! ftom one of the craw, iiame<l ilandi, on the cout ofj Declerk, tell'mg ih&tbB*\i»w \ 3/tt, Mnd woat to / etcaped. He awwft to »^ It wgt aappoaed I ialand : he fontxi iu> \tAikV\V-
\av
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR 8 TRBASURT.
ants, and had to live on some bits of bread which had been washed ashore, wild celery, and some birds which he killed with a stick.
Happening to have matches with him, he suc- ceeded in lighting a fire, which he fed with turf. To make his fire burn well, he partly surrounded it with some planks washed a^ore from the wreck. One night the wind blew these planks into the fire, and they were consumed. He thought this a tetrible misfortune^ but it was the means of saving him.
An American shi pened to be passing t< off, and seeing the smoke — an eztrao thing on a desert i some of her crew dist ed. They found tl fellow crouching o fire, and on hearing they took him on boi
Notice how this m tremity was God*s of ity— how that very stance which to m, was overwhelming, mercy of God was 1 means of his safet; doi/ Scholars Compat
(^\xuu p^atfe^n |0oUs]fenf5
[Ig^ATE one night, a man was seen at the door of a house ill Shanghae, with a lantern in his hand, which he waved above his head, and, in a mournful tone, call- ed upon some absent person, while some one within an- swered in the same sorrowful voice. What did this mean ? A child of the family had fever, and was delirious. The Chinese fancy that, when any person is suffering iu this way, **his soul has gone away, and is rambling abroad." This being their notion, they use what they think proper means to bring ic back to the forsaken body . 122
For this purpose th hangs up on the sid> house a figure of '. which he burns. Th( ing a candle, and p< into a lantern, he s the door of his houf ing the lantern, an< in a voice of kindi entreaty, ** Asze, home I *' to which th inside, who is watcl sick child, replies, has comeback.'*' T tinues until the ch'i vers or dies. Th< suppose that the wj spirit sees the ligt the voice, and is the
LodcKcut.
I
THB SABBATH BOHOLAB's TBBABUBT.
''|t bffjes net Contitttt^/'
A WORD TO TOUNO BELIEVERS.
/
AN you not draw assurance and comfort from those blessed promises?" Thus one asked of a young friend, since, I doubt not, gone to be with Je«us. Tlie quickening gales of the Holy Spirit abroad in the land had stir- red her earnestly to desire a higher life, and more assured joy in the Lord Jesus. She cjuld not rest even in that which was greatly higher than most professors are content with. She longed intensely for a clear, un- doubting hope. Her fHend, entering painfhlly into her perplexities, had been laying the great foundation truths before her, — the precious assurances of Jesus, that He will not cast out any one who comes to Him. ** Can you not draw assurance and comfort," said she, **fVom these blessed promises ?" Mirk the reply she gave: *'Tes, for the time, but it does not continue. I soon lose it again."
Ah ! how common is this experience. How many in these days have been finding sfter a time of great revival, when they had their hearts nnn§UMl2f ifJ/ed with joy, itat the battle is to get it to "continue/* How these
bright discoveries, these hnppy frames, slip away, they know not well how, leaving them d>«rk and sad. Well the Lorl may be so ordering it to draw them onward. How very prone we are to rest in these pleasant fhimes, and unduly to value them. I was struck, when I heard the above, with the singular aptness of an illustration which a worthy friend, who saw much of the LorcVs work in Ireland, used with one whose great lament was that her comfort did not continue. " Well" said he, " there is one thing, we are not saved by our comfort. If you had much of it, you might rest in it, Tou remember the story of Eliz<i*s flight with her little son in ' Uncle Tom's Cabin.' It was all important that they should get forward. Her son little understood their danger, and would rather have sat down by the way, and have enjoy- ed the apple. But she kept always rolling it before him ; and thus she kept him run- ning on, and lured him over many a half mile. The Lord may see that there is something better toi ^crai than mere preaexit eoxniox^ and thus He iroxiVd dTvii jrovL on."
THB 8ABBA.TH SOHOLjLB'B TR1BA8UST.
Yes, there is sometliing better than mere comfort, — simple, undouhting faith in Jesus is far better ; and it is much to be feared that when we get taken up with plea- sant feelings, faith is not very likely to thrive.
But, then, there is this question of how ever to get faith and the happy sense of peace with God in Christ to continue. Some reader may say, ** It is the loss not of my comfort, but my hope in Jesus, that I have to la- nient" Well, likely the rea- son is that you fall into the very common mistake of fitfgetting that your peace and j )y must always he fresh drawn from Christ. It is long before we learn this great gospel truth. We are bent upon peace; and havr ing got it, we are so pleased, that we dwell upon it, and in the very act cease look- ing to Christ, or the simple word of Christ, which has given us this assurance. Thus it presently dies, and
the old heart-aches a come back again. N( is this ? Why, it i to the very fact that turned aw^y from, o from the mind, tha gave us peace. If y< the word of promi can your faith co If you turn away y from Christ, your peace must die to yi ception. You get p looking directly to C the word of the gosp you can only cont peace by continuing directly to Christ. '. ber it is peace in Je away from Him. I Him, and you will i peace. Keep those words of His whic faith in you contini: fore your mind, lay \ in your heart^ fee faith and your liop them, and you will f faith grow ezceedini your heart establish! joy and peace in bell
i^n't ©attU.
ON'T talk about each other. Don*t call one of your school-fellows *''ig'y>** another "stingy," another cross, behind their \ backB. It i« the meanest son of fin. Eren if they are uftly, stingy, or croea, it 124
does you no good U it. It makes you loi of faults ; it makes i charitable ; your hee its kindly blood wh tattle a^out your TfW all tKfc good ^01 aY>out lVv^iii\ «xA Q avua to ^oxit oHni\L<
THE SABBATH BOHOLAB's TBBASimT.
/
sorry for them, and to tell | thing,** call to mind some them to God, and ask Him Rood that Mary did, and
to pardon them. That will be Christ-lilce. If anybody says to you, " Oh, that Mary did such a naughty
hold it up to her praise. Jyeflrn to make this a habit. —F, C, Record.
% ittximtMtWxxi^ ifloL
WISH I had a for- tune-telling book," said one of the three boys, as they walked down to the river to KO swimming : ** I want to know what my luck is to be. I've tried to buy one, but t!iere*s none to sell."
"I've got one," said the barber's son.
''Got one!'* cried Bill Staples eagerly; **why didn't you tell of it before ? Wliere is it? "
" Down at the shop," an- swered the barber's son.
*<And it does tell what's C)ming to pass, does it?" asked the third boy.
•« Yes it </oc«."
" But how do you know ? " asked the third boy; ''you haven't lived long enough to know if it's told your for^ tune right."
'* Why, you see it's a rery old book," said the barber's sou. " My grand- father had it, and it told his tortune ; then my father had it, and it told /<£$, and it all came to pass."
"It bedtB all,** cried Bill 8tapJe§; **what a prize!
Why don't you go round telling fortunes ? You'd make lots of money*"
**I am afraid nobody would believe me," said the barber's son humbly.
•*Well, show it to us," said they.
'' Come down to the shop to-night," he said ; ** come just after we shut up ; that's the best time to read it."
** Sell it to me," cried Bill Staples; "how will you trade now?"
'< Can't part with mine," answered the barber's son; "but I reckon you can get one where mine came from."
"I'll have one as certain as my name is Bill Staples; but we'll come and try our luck with you."
«* Agretfd," said they all.
The two boys were before time, and hung round the shop until every customer had gone and the shutters were put up; then in they went. The barber's son asked them to be seated, and drew a little table out, and . placed a \a.m^ on VXi, tXiKa. \ he wcntlot^v^Xiw:^^'^^^' ^^ ^ the BYio\>,aiiAo^«D\Tv%^'^^^5'^
TBB BABBATH SGMOLAB*B TBBA8VBT*
trunk (fot.af you maj well think, such a book was kept Yery carefully), took it out, and laid it on the table, the boys narrowly eyeing him all the time. ** There," he said in a very sober tone when he laid the book on the table, " there, boys, is my fortune- telling book. What it says is 8ure** The two appren- tices scrambled to the table. *« Th$ BihUr they ex- claimed, at once shrinking
back. ** Yes," said ber's son, ^ that is i er*s Bible, and it sa^ are but just two ii you and for me to chances in this worl is called the *bro£ and the other the ' si narrow way.' **
Such a fortnn book they were not 1 of; but it is the oi that does not decei F. C. Record.
''m\ui mxw itftt §0?''
;ITTLE boys are yery often heard to speak of what they would like to he and like to do when they are "men." Perhaps one little boy thinks he will be a farmer, and have plenty of land, to keep horses, cows, and sheep, and to raise grain, fruit, and yegetables. Another may fancy he would like to be a merchant and liTe in a large city or town.
Still another chooses to be a doctor, and visit the sick, 80 that people will be glad to see him if they are ill, and remember him with grati- tude when they are well.
All these are very good
plana, for all these pursuits
are necessary to the welfare
of Bociety, We could not
do without the farmer who
providea ub food — the mer-
126
chant who sells us < or the physician always welcome in 1 room.
But let me ask m, friends, who are 1 how they will spen lives, if they are s] become men, if a them will not choos* come ministers, and about the Saviour, t may '* believe on Hii saved.**
True benevolence to desire the highc piness of others, j religion of Jesus C fitted more than al things to make mei in this world.
Therefore, it is eai that people who at volent will wish that kind may be taught gam xYvft ^act^wx ^V ^ \ioyT to ^x«^«t^ ^w
THB SABBATH BOBOI«AB't TBBABUBT.
ill men know thej must soon die, and if they see no bri|{hter world beyond the fUnje^ they will shrink from death as from a dreadful foe, and die in hopeless despair. Did 70U erer, my young friends, see a Christian die ? Perhaps your own father or mother may have left yon, and gone home to heayen. Perhaps you stood by the bedside, and ^'saw the last struggle, heard the last uxoan/' It may . be, your friend died rejoicing in the thought of being so soon with Jesus, in that world where
there is no sin. How diffe- rent the scene when a Chris- tian dies from that which is witnessed when the unfor- given pinner resigns his breath.
It is a solemn thing to
teach men the way to heaven,
but it is also a great pririlege.
And if God has forgiven
your sins for Jesus' sake,
ought jou not to show your
gratitude to Him, by devoting
your time, talents, and every -
I thing you may possess or
I acquire to His service? ** It
. is more blessed to give than
■ to receive."
%\t ^xokn itrfkU.
^On have read in your own hntory of that hero who, when an over- whelming force was in full pursuit, and all his followers were urging him to more rapid flight, coolly dis- mounted, in order to repair a flaw in his horse's harness. Whilst busied with the bro- ken buckle, the distant cloud swept down in nearer thun- der ; but just as the prancing hoofs and eager spears were ready to dash down upon liim, the flaw was mended, the clasp was fastened, the steed was mounted, and, like a swooping falcon, he had Tanished from their view, j *' Tbe broken buckle would ; lutreJeAbim oa the Seld & /
dismounted and inglorious prisoner; the timely delay sent him in safety back to his bustling comrades. There is in daily life the same luckless precipitancy, and the same protitable delay. The man who, from his prayerless awaking, bounces into the business of the day, however good his talents and great his diligence, is only galloping on a steed har- nessed with a broken buckle, and must not marvel if, in his hottest haste or most hazardous leap, he be left inglorious in the dust ; and though it may occasion some little delay beforehand, V\\% neighbour is wiser wYio aeXa all in order before lV\emaTc)[v begins." — /?e». J. Hamilton.
jniifi.
SSl^ tell« about ^^^^ ipring where all who went to drink were cured of tlieir Inflrmltlee, 1'be (tory lays that every time people drink of It they f(et more and more beauti- t'al, and if they have mj ie- fonnity it ii cured Yiy l\ie Mine meana. ' A drauKM 1S8
Of c
! thit
fslry tale ; there i ■pring anywhere i cure our bodily but there ia a ^ spring which can I \\ieaijWs oat *QUli
TBI SJkBBATH SCHOLAR'S TBIASUBT.
■ha]] neyer thirst | Can any of you young
Tliere is a fountain readers find out the verses
o all, in which every which telU us of these liv-
ay be washed away ing waters and of this true
ery infirmity cured. fountain ?— Children's Paper.
(S0ob IrinripUs.
iMMA, what do >ou mean by good princi- ples ?** said a rirl to ner mother, person of good prin- 'my dear," said her r, **is one who does ) well tor fear of the he lives with, but be fear, of God. A rho has good princi-
ples will behave just the same when his mamma is out of the room as when she is looking at him,— at least, he will wish to do so ; and if he is, by his own wicked heart, at any time tempted to sin, he will be grieved, although no person knows his sin, for he will feel that God sees and knows it." — Children's Paper.
%\i fittle lag.
)OTHKB," said a little girl, one day, *'l have read stories about who were so good and hat ererybody loved and they made all who knew them. I rerybody loved me in ye way ; but if I were 1 as ever I could be, re 1 oould not do as opie I read about. i little girl as I can lake t he whole world cjuld I, mother ?" nother answered with
yery certain, Mia"
nie, that even little children have it in their power to add much to both the happiness and discomfort of their friends. God has given to each human being something which we call influence, which makes our words and actions of izreat importance to those with whom we as- sociate. You may not be able to ^niake the whole world happy,' as you say, yet you Ciin easily make yourself a blessing and a joy to those around you. If 's oxii \ cannot do every thm^, "you \ can at least do something. \ The beautiful ligYit by vi\\W\\ \
\29 \
THB SABBATH SCHOLAH'B TUBAtUXT.
we see is made up of different rays: one little faj alone would neTer be sufficient, but each one forms an im- portant part, without which the light would not be perfect. And so you, by trying: to be like Jesus, gentle and kind to a//, may become a little ray to form part of the bright light of happiness which makes the hearts of those whom you love glad."
If all little boys an would remember thi cheerful word, each look and kind action counted as one ray light of joy which beauty and warmth o wherever it. falls, how brightness our world be ! S )rrowing headf be fewer, and happ; would gladden every' hold hearth."
ias ^aux ^in iomh ^an (BnU
9
MINISTER was preaching from these words, ** Be sure your sin will fi nd you out." He said many awakening things about sin finding out those who com- mitted it ; and among others this : *']fyoadonot find out your sin, and bring it to Jesus, to get it pardoned and washed away through His blood, be sure your sin will find you out, and bring you to the judgment-seat, to be (condemned and 8ent away by the Judge into eyerlasting punishment."
A little girl, who had told her mother a lie before she came to hear the minister, was listening, and she thought, ''Oh, that lie; I must either find it and bring it to Jesus, or it will find me out at the great day." I'he child was greaUy aUrmed, She became -veTy 130
anxious about her soi: vation. She cared f thing earthly ; her was entii^ly occupies thoughts ot eternal She could not rest un went and told the m all she felt and feared, walked several miles t( to him, and the bur her errand was this : what shall I do with m; He said, ** Lay it upi spotless Lamb of Go He will take it entirely Let us now lay it upon said the kind pastor with that he kneeled with the awakened chi commended her to *^ that great Shepherd sheep." He spoke to the love of Jesus, an went home.
The next time the m saw Vver^ she came t* w\\\v a >Qit\^X «xA
THB SABBATH 80HOLAB*S TBBABUBT.
hand and aaid, ** Well, hare you laid your ein npon the ipoUesa Lamb of God ? " ' Oh yea," she replied, " and 111 never lay any more." She meant that she would Defer sin again — she would never more tell a falsehood. Her heart was so full of love to Jesus for taking away ber sin, that she could not think it possible that she should sin again. And that is the true mark of a Christian, that he resolves to sin **no more." Dear children, have you
laid your sins on Jesus ? A sure mark of it will be this, that you wish with all your heart, never to have any mure to lay upon Him.
The minister told this little story many miles from where it happened, and the minister's wife told it again to her class, when a young woman was awakened by it to care for her soul. O gra- cious Spirit, use it again for the good of our readers, and thus glorify the "spot- less Lamb ot God.*'— CAt^s Companion,
(gob Counts.
BROTHER and sister were playing in thedining-ioom, when their mother let a basket of cakes on the tea-table, and went out.
" How nice they look ! '* said the boy, reaching to take one. His sister earnestly objected, and even drew back his hand, repeating that it was against their mother*8 direction.
*' She did not count them," said he.
*<But perhaps God did," answered the sister.
So he withdrew from the temptation, and, sitting down, seemed to meditate. " You are right," replied he, looking at her with a cheer- ful yet serious air : '' God dots count. For the Bible says that the hairs of our head are all numbered.*'
T has frequently I pular that one hears verses been asked re- of it npeated at almost every spec ting the au- / open air meeting, aa vieW a% . thorabip of this j elsewhere. Ihe vstVlet ol
/ Ajma, which i§ dow bo po- / it was the late Rev. ^am^%
THB BABBJLTU BOHOLAB'b TBBASDRT.
Proctor, Independent min- ister at Hamilton, near Glas- gow. He was quite a young man when he died. But al- though he had done no more than written that beautiAil, clear, simple gospel lyric, he had not liyed in vain. As many of our readers may not have seen it, or perhaps seen it only in a mutilated Jorm^ we will subjoin it, that we may give it them, and pre- serve it as the author wrote it. It is prefaced by these lines:— '* Since I fiist dis-
covered Jesus to be of the law for righi to every one that I I have more than < with a poor sinnei peace at the foot instead of Calvary 0 ing as little speed a and I have heard 1 and again in bit appointment and fei ing ou% * ]Vkat mui I have saiil to him, * what c»n you? wha need to do f**'
Nothing, either great or small,
Nothing, sinner, no ; Jesus did it, did it a//,
Long, long ago.
When lie from His lofty throne
Stoop*d to do and die, Everything was fully done ;
Hearken to His cry :
" It UfiaisKd! " Yes, indeed,
Finish'd evVy jot ; Sinner, this is all you need.
Tell me, Is it not ?
Weary, working, plodding one,
WJtiy toil vou 80 ? Cease your doing ; all was done
Long, long ago.
Till to Jesus' work you cling
By a simple faith, " Doing " is a deadly thing,
'^ Doing" ends in death.
Cast your deadly " doing" down,
Down at Jesus' feet ; Stand in Him in Him. d'one^
Gloriously complete !
182
^lass f irnscs. |
fATT came home ' look» mora aalovely thiin k { from school ODe j ohild'a face under such lAt- ] dajr with quits a cumstancei? i
fluihed face, and " Mother, I don't want to j Melty cherry lips did : play wiih Maggie Hart ' ■ear nearly as sweet an anolher time," »b« tn&-, \ nion a* common. If "she gets angry M vtVPj \ ruth niiut be told, / little thing, and ttieiv «\K* •M» Mngry, aaJ wb»t / off" and telli the girt*. %^«
_^^ laa
THB SABBATH 80HOLAB*S TRBA8UBT.
calls names too. I never 8aw such a disagreeable girl, nor one that got angry so easy.**
** People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones/' said her brother Arthur dryly, looking up from his book.
"You have said that before, Arthur," said Katy, peevishly; "but I am sure I don*t know what you mean by it."
" Why, they would break their own walls, wouldn't they ?" he asked.
"There is a verse in the Bible, Katy," said her mother, " that may help you understand Arthur's old- fashioned proverb. It is: * Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, and considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye.' It is hardly consistent for you to get so angry because a playmate got angry."
Katy looked quite asham.ed when she saw herself placed in such a ridiculous light; and as her mother went on to show her the great wick- edness of indulging such a 8inful temper, she began to feel very sorry. , " I have often thought." said Aunt Eva, "that people would be more careful of their remarks on others it they only thought about the
hearts closely, almost every case '^ judged another demned ourselves."
" Why, Aunt Ev I am not so bad people. I never s thing, as Sally Bai said Katy.
" Are you quite
have always been «
as you ought of o
pie's property?
never let a borro'
lie around the nun
it was so soiled yc
bought a new one
it? Now I am no
that was stealing
one who loaned th<
the first place,
your father afterw:
you ever think t
your carelessnes
mother, or some o
great deal of "^
trouble, that you a
precious time, i
treasure than go!
have been taught
your duty to give
what you receive,
least, to the Lon
fail to do 80, and
for yourself, who
rob ? The third .
Malachi, eighth -'
tell you,"
Katy read, wit serious face, th " Will a man i Yet ye have re But ye say. Wh( vje Tobbed thee ?
'glass houses ' they lived \u themselves. We sliouVd \ awd oS^tyr^^.* £Dd, if w^ examined oui \ A.\iti\. I^'^^
TKB SABBATH •OROLAB'S TRBASDBT.
lear caie agAinst
80, Kity dear,** the 1, **if we take up iny other sin, and ir hearts a little, I i we ahall find our- reat sinners. Re- we all live in 'glass n God*s sight. He 'erj wrong thought
as well as every sinful action. Our own weakness, Katy, should make us bear patiently with the wrong- doing of others. We love ourselves with all our faults, and we should learn to love otliers in the same manner. No one can have the spirit of Christ who has not the spirit of love."— 5. S. Tretuuty.
ptter ixtm a: ioung Ulissiatwrg in Cftttral ^mi\ ffrira.
LETTER has just been receired fh>m Miss Ross, dated 1^, June 24. She ommenced to assist r in the great Mis- rk, having lately 1 her education in 'able Institution for ries' Daughters at ston, near London.
«D 18 oua suap-
HBKD."
will doubtless have says our youni^ rom Papa*8 letter, e tour to his outsta- which H. and I ac- id him. Our journey pleasant and pros- iVe generaJ/y break-
this being skins of wild animals prepared in a certain way, and then carefUHy sewed together. This was our table and chairs, and we had a blazing Ore before us. Thus we travelled for three days ; passing occasional hamlets in the day- time; Hud sleepinv duriog the night, by the road-side. Our quiet was disturbed now and then, only by the howl of the wolf, the yell of the jackal (or fox), or the hoot of the ostrich. ' God is our refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble, therefore will not we fear.**
KECBPTION AT A VILLAGB.
"On Wednesday aX\At but sanrise. We I noon we arrived at a "v\\\a\?.^ ne our KarasB^ j — Maye*a-Khoro — as\& «^*
THB SABBATH BOHOLAB's UUBABUBT.
fi^n as our arrival was made known, we saw . several people coming toward us, with their bibles and hymn- books, all ready and eager to hear the word. Papa, how- ever, was not able to preach till the evening, when the small chapel was crowded. Every thing here was very becoming and pleasing, with the exception of the singing, which was more like scream- ing than any thing else. However, the poor people 'evidently and hecartitif did their best; and we must keep in mind, that they have yet had no regular in- struction in that branch, and so be glad to have such evidence of babmbstnkss at least."
VISIT TO TAUNG.
"We started from this
village on Thursday, and
reached Taung on Friday
morning. The scene here
is beautiful ; for as far as the
eye could see, was nothing
but large fields of Sechuana
com, and apparently a very
heavy crop. How gladsome^
after the late destruction of
the crops by war, and the
after- drought, when the poor
people lived on roots , and not
a few sank under atarvotton ! 136 '
When we arrivec station, we were welcomed by all; whom had known me when children, not seen us for a years."
PUBLIC BEL10I0DS 6
"We had a me prayer on Saturdi noon, and again Sunday morning, school and morning there were 20 to be nine of whom we dates for church ship, and the real Among the latter w about six years o although totally b repeat the whole of ling book. In the i was their usual also the adminiati the Lord's Supper 70 communicantf being necessarily watching their gan their corn-fields, on of the birds, &c. '. lightful was the sen present, and how sol
BET OUT AGAIN FOl
"On Monday w< a neighbouring vUl
Y^ete «L^tt\^ VvQk^
corned) vE\iWx»A «b
TBI SlBlira HUOI^K t TBKAIiniT.
ce; and agun, oa Bt Bootchaap, And : hnme on Friday.
enjoyed the jour- Dnch indeed. — the
ihe ye»r, and tLe
. well
I ttie
if ibe people, til I give m pleMure. thing that grieved he BwTul amount liim tbere Is Btill nuio ait-stnlioH, 0 different were igs there to wfaat
liatlong. Thtre, heard, bU around, igiand dances, &c. t is quite the re- r the people of even those who yet proreued
nd our many kind Scotland, would ed it no lesB than
all collected lo- I once more, and ' «bs4 ioF muof j
* time, when wd might ttel jIuII Tor wBDt of company, -we notrplayand ting, hating got a pioQo, which a very dear friend purbbaeed for lu It Aigoa Bay. When it retidied ui, after ihe rough- ing of the desert, it WM very mucii out of imie. But a trader faaa gireii u» a key, Hod M. and. I hare -managed to put it in very good order again." Toll will be lure that it li quite a cnrioaity to our people. We have, liocereceivingit, been bring- ing the beat aingeia of the place to our houie every Tuesday and Friday eveii- iogato teach them new tiinea, but we regret to lay ihii has been inierrapted."
" A week ago a wa^on reached tbia fi-oni an out- ■tation with Mveral men affile Led with imall-pox, which bai obliged ua to give
ntben
I hear that aome of our people have been inoo- L'ulating themselvei and &- milies from the pox of a dia- easedperaiin, l^y whicli mean* they get the diaeme, butiu a milder form than whcnta^ea by Jitfection, And vxus iiare got OTer it vithoiLb w
tUB SABBATH BOHOLAH'b TBBAiUttT.
of the pox anywhere hut that on the firm. Weareyery sorry for the poor people, bat hope it will, in the gracious providence of God, go oyer mildly with them; the more especially that it is a good time of the year ; it being now the cold season, although not much like an English winter, but more like spring.
ARRIVAL OF BOXES FROM SCOTLAND.
"The boxes which our very kind friends in Scot- land sent, have arrived in safety ; and from what I see, I have no doubt are highly valued. Your last has been of unsi>eakable benefit to both our family and the Mission. I am sure we would have been very differ- ently situated now, had it not been for the kindness thus shown to us ; and that by so many ! The last sent has not yet reached us, but is at Cape Town, awaiting a safe opportunity for being carried to our far inland dwelling.
9AD END OF THB MAKOLOLO / JiI3SlON.
/ *' Ton will doubtless have / heard of the melancholy etid
of the Makololo We have just seei our native^ wha w with them, but hai through 6od*s infl ness. From theii tion, there is nol but that they died For, as soon as was eaten by th suffered much, ] throats began to i several other symp shown which clei that their statem true. I little thov I saw them all f Cape Town, that 1 years had passes their number wc left this world, bet infants. What cl constantly ta|Lin And what number to watch !"
NARROW E8CAPJ LIVINGSTO]
**I need scarcel, we are all most J thankful to know of the many awf that had been^ a learn, denounced i Livingstone, by graded tribe, the 1 IvM been acted on
TBS SABBATH SGHQIiAB'S TRBASUBT.
Spared, but has been allowed to leaye without any per- lonal injury. He has evi* denUy, however, been greatly deoeired as to t£e fate of poor Mr Helnaore and the Qthew."
Who does not join in liearty thanks to Almighty 6od for the Doctor's de- iiTerance and preservation ? And who does not sympa-
thize with those wliose friends have thus fallen in the cause of their divine Master. And what disciple does not rejoice as he hears Jesus saying, "Fear not, I am the Resurrection and the Life, he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"?
R. F. F.
^1^6 Strang ^rm.
ONCE saw a lad," says an A merican writer, *' on the roof of a ▼eiy high building, where WTeral men were at work. He was gazing about witli ipparent unconcern, when suddenly his foot slipped, and h fell. In falling he caught ^yapope, and hung iiuspend- f^ in mid air, where he could neither get up^ nor down, and where it was evident he could sustain himself but a short time. He perfectly knew his situation, and ex- pected that in a few minutes he must drop, and be dashed to pieces. At this fearful nioment,« kind and powerful Dian rushed out of his house, uid, standing beneath him
with extended arms, called out. * Let go the rope, and 1 will receive you ; I can do it; let go the rope, and I promise that you will escape unhurt.' The boy hesitated a moment, and then quitted his hold, and dropped easily and safely into the arms of his deliverer.
** Here, thought I, is an illustration of faith. Here is a simple act of faith . The boy was sensible of his danger. He saw his de- liverer, and heard his voice. He believed in him ; trusted to him ; and letting go every other dependence ani hope, dropped into his arms and was safe. He was saved by faith."
\a^
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBASURT.
paging fraj^rs.
TOUNG minister, addressing the chil- dren of a Sunday school in Cheshire, by way of fixing their atten- tion, said to a little girl, five years of age, " Can you say your prayers?" She in-
stantly replied. "Yes He then asked. ''Cai pray ? '* when she as r answered, *'No, sir." perceive, my dear chi that this little girl kne^ mere saying "pT¥ : praying.
liO
^6 f O&i of ICSUS.
I^ET us think of the love of Jesus !
Though little can finite minds knov Of the infinite love which passeth The knowledge of man here below.
Let us speak of the love of Jesus !
With friends who have faith in His name, And proclaim to the chief of sinners,
That for such the Saviour came.
Let us live like the blessed Jesus !
In serving His Father above, And in constantly going about,
Doing good unto all in His love.
When we die, may it be in Jesus !
In His arms may we sink to rest. Safe in Him when God summons us hence,
With joy we'll obey the behest.
May we rise by the power of Jesus !
From the long repose of the grave. And complete be restored to our God,
Among those whom Christ came to save.
May we reign for ever with Jesus !
On His throne of glory on. high, And Join in. the aouga oi Oa.e xwv&tyreC^,
While angela adoimgaXASi^Vy.
THE
Tfl SCHOLAR'S TREASURY.
msi of ^ang (galleries.
>UND myself ! on a tiine inside Ajestic building, I by them I be- 1 about the same ssed very much g through long lich one after med to have no had already tra- il of them, and le door leading md. of one and the new scene as opened, these I moment at the d were told by a never left them 7as behind was . The door then md the gallery had just been a Te they could 9. Their faces
were set forward to pasa through the next — ^and the next after that — until they should come to the last of all, and their strange journey haye* an end.
At first I never could see that either of them shewed any sorrow as one gallery with its lovely objects was shut be- hind them for ever, and another opened. On the contrary, they rather seemed, as they got near the close of one, eagerly to quicken their steps, that they might rush forward into the unknown delights and riches of the other. I saw the face, of their Guide more than once very sad fo? this cause ; but although He would have had ihem"^%fex :5ft\. a little ere what ^aa at\\i\i5Lea^ should be shut off \)eNoxidL xe
A
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBEA8UBT*
call — ^lost — their heedlessness was generally too great, so much so that they were wont to be at the new door some time before its opening, and rapping merrily to have its great leaves flung back. I wondered not a little at this, because each gallery was very fair. It contained everything that was beautiful for the eye to behold, gold and silver, and precious stones. Everything that was pleasant for the lips to taste, fihiits ripe and luscioTts, and lying about in abundant heaps. Every- thing that was gladdening for the ear to liear, music wafted from an hundred harps, as one faded away another breath- ing forth its sweets. Each gallery was in this way, for such young travellers espe- cially, a "paradise of rare de- lights— ^long bars of sunshine pouring through the windows, and the ijch air such as you read of in "fairy tales, and yet the very wealth about them seemed to take the edge off the youths' wonder at last. Sometimes indeed liiey stopped at an object more brilliant than usual with a cry of pleasure ; but they were hurried on again, / ODd their race was for the next / gallery to see whatnewhiAden / BuarelB it would diBclose.
At length, howeve: to mark a difference between the two. them gradually, as 1 ear now and again the wise Guide whis] c£une thoughtful and aspect. The other a was impatient of resi creased in a kind reckless temper, w only broke out in fil play, but generally his casting from him ] one lich object that rush impetuously, an< of all warning, on 1 So that when theync at the end of a gal their Guide asked take some account of ders they had passed I saw that the latter without one single gathered out of all t while the former shewed some precioi he had patiently pi and with which by his dress became i and anon two of t sparkling of whic twined into the long of his hair. As ever was passed too, he more heed to what -tl Tiever ceased to tell til
onse dwindled ontil, . tbe heat of Qie daj and laj
ay dioald pasa a tew | down on a conch in ft cool
mbsfs, all the glitter- ' spot to rest. Be bore tbeni
ineaB wonld fade, HJid | forward, m it were in one
Id look back to these common dream, through the
ht wonders, bat look I TlewleBS aJr. Door after door
Tain. So strong | they sped tiiroiigb, chamber
IB admonition ta to alter chamber opened aiA \
' ooee did I notice was pssaed, tJU 'Casij '\>«bd& '
were fatigued with j one become Ue»k£i Ki4 ^ittm
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB^S TBEA8T7Bt'.
than another — all the snnshiiid clouded — all the raare things for eye and ear and taste gone, and at last they stood in a gallery which they knew was the end, heyond which mys- tery and darkness lay as if another world. There the O-nide awfolly seemed to part them, one being motioned to prctoeed on the right hand, the other on the left, for there was this distinction belonging to that last solemn chamber, that instead of one door as heretofore opening beyond it, it had two, and as the bright- ludred treasure-laden boy stepped through one, it was into a city of pearl gates and golden streets, and where he was welcomed by a multitude of harps to see sights that dazzled his yery soul, while ■ as his reckless and prodigal companion stepped through the other, it was into such outer' darkness, as hid all shapes away, and made a smoke like the smoke of tor- ment ascend up for ever and ever.
This was their dream, and afterwards when they awoke both were troubled, but the gentler of the two clung to the / band of the Guide as tho\ig\i \ / a77 hia heart were now giyeii / np to follow Him like as you
I '__!
have seen the lambs the footsteps of t shepherd, while I gi see that his fellow ^ hardihood and dariuj he obeyed anything f was the sullen moti( of his own wayward yi on they went, the two this the scatterer of tl strewn about them, gatherer of all his litt and bosom could co be poured at the fee Guide at last. This the poorer in the end yery riches he had through; that to be not only of these treasures, but of treat hath not seen, ear 1 heard, neither hath h< ceiyed. So with door turning in its grc clashing behind them went on, they were yiew.
Can my young rea the key to this little ti the New Year not the i to them, are they not through the awful gal God eyen now ; and a the great Guide, han{ their steps, and teach while they go, at the ei c\i«xQ[\>e;t QSid. «t the oi Wio^i\iet , ^cife'&'^'fcTi
rVS fiiBBATH SOHOLAB'B TBBASUBT.
eaTe each pupil I of this ere he ih start for the ), to reckon np ast which is gone been wasted, or er Jeans* teach-
ing, he has really began to do that best thing, best especially in the fair years of yonUi, to pluck eyery hour and day he can for God on earth, and that rich treasure to lay up in heaven.
% '§tk pission.
readers have 'd, and perhaps . of many strange adyenturous tra- lave been made again to track >f the Nile. It IS old riyer of yet, although so to men, and a y of human life s of years, the ce it begins first have lain hid mong the depths ^yssinian lulls, belted round by dgh and rugged, impassable, lies r shadow, and 1, so to speak, wild yalley, that hich it has just to send out two from our Church, land to us, and marvellous — for ling in it (about or so in number) ajident descent, , than any other By many, they
ar3 judged to be the root whence sprang the old Hebrew stock. At any rate, they are near of kin ; and at this day not only are there many hun- dreds of thousands of Jews scattered in the valley, but the mass of the people have a religion strangely mixed up of the laws of Moses, of rites and traditions that belong to the first century of Christianity, and of parts, too, of Moham- medan worship. There, where generations have lived and died beyond their hills and cut off from the knowledge and the changes of the whole world besides, these fragments of a very old time have been handed down, till of late years, some good and bold men have made way into the charmed ground in the name of Jesus, carrying the gospel of His Cross.
THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BE- FOBE US.
Both from EngVaaiiQL «ii\ from Germany not a le^ "^i^i^^ already opened Tip «^ xDOBr
THE 8ASPATH SCHOLAR'S TBEASURT.
sionary path into Abyssinia. Here was the scene in which Dr Erapf won so much of his fame as a Christian adven- turer and herald. Some of you are old enough to ask for his Travels, and to get a few of the most interesting pas- sages in the hook pointed out to you, which some of you are old enough also to read and understand. No less zealous was the present Bishop Gohat of Jerusalem, who spent many years of his life as a mis- sionary in Abyssinia, and who is labouring just now to break open a broad and beaten high- way reaching from the seat of his see at Jerusalem all along the banks of the Nile with stations at regular inter- vals, till the last of these shall be planted in the very heart of the country we seek to win as the inheritance of Christ. This highway is to be named the Apostles' Boad, because along the track marked out for it, it is sup- posed once on a time the Apostles themselves or certain of them bore the message of the gospel. The stations are to be in number twelve, and each is to bear an Apostle's name ; and whereas by Bishop Gobat's account, through one of the only two roads into Abyssinia at present you could not pass without the overhanging rocks on both sides catching and dashing ibe paek-Baddles from the horses* sides to pieces, \)y and bye it is earnestly to be ho]^ed
6
a gospel way shall be pi broad and &ee, and on its fingerposts, " £ unto the Lord."
THE LABOUBEBS WE
Their names are M. and M. Brandeis. Tl both of them of Swist and have been trained Pilgrim College near B which mention has bee to my young reader than once before. 1 College which owes : and nursing, I belies much to the piety of a able gentleman of Bi name M. Spittler. Tl of it is one of beautif plicity such as is rare in the world now-a-da which takes us back i to the love and toils of I the other apostles, men, mostly of the 1 class, on whose hearts has set His seal, are adn the College, where they members of one famil' speak. They ae tau study of the Scriptui nestly and prayerfoll the intervals of stu( labour with their ha every common handici industry, some in gai some in the art of f some in other arts wh be useful to teach tc and to be the means ning for them afterwai own bread. Then dooT Aft o^eaed for a i
wry C92!\ \.o %si3 ^gM?
-votVd, ioT^ ^«»
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBEA8T7BY.
pilgrims go two by two, carry- ing little or nothing with them, I belicYe, beyond the clothes they wear, and the few tools that may be needed for daily toil. In sublime faith they go to all the ends of the earth tiius. Not a few are in South America dipping far into its forests ; not a few in North America; and in Europe, lately, seyeral have made way into the iron depths of Bnssia. They ask little help to be sent after them in tlie ^ape of money. All they ask is a footing in the heathen wilderness whither they are sent. Then they pitch a little rude hut reared by their own hands — ^then they clear a piece of ground about it and fence it in — ^then they dig and sow and reap, and carry on, in short, all the other labours by which they provide for them- selves each day under God their daily bread; and when the natives of the spot cluster round to see, to mark the unoffending humble workers, to pick up a little knowledge of the simple, yet to them wonderful arts they bring, and to mark day by day, their life of quiet genUeness and prayer, tiiey are able to lay hold npon the simple hearts, to say to them earnestly, " Ye shall see greater things than these !" and, standing up unde; the shade of some ^ee, or by a river^s bank, or in the ehamber of their own dwelling.
to preach to them Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Two such men from the Pilgrim College of our Jewish mission, has engaged to be our first preachers sent into Abys- sinia. When I tell my little readers, £50 a year to each is all at the outset that is re- quired, they may imagine it is an immense sum ; for per- haps no Sunday scholar ever had in his pocket at a time one fiftieth part so much. Yet if you live to be men and women, you will find out that for such a journey, and such a labour, £50 is a mere drop in the bucket. A hun- dred of our Sunday schools could collect the sum for both missionaries by a box of twenty shillings in a single night. "What if not a few of you should try. "What if you began the New Year by de- termining that you would pay the whol£ of these noble pil- grims' salary ; and if a letter should by and bye be written to Professor Mitchell in your name, telling him that the great honour of breaking this first missionary ground in Abyssinia, shoidd belong not to the Jewish Mission, who have a great deal to do other- wise, but should be claimed by the scholars of the Sunday Schools of the Church of Scotland ? If I see this hint taken up, I promise to write to you on the subject again.
IRE SABBATH SCBOLAB'S TSBA8UBX;
imomxi^ litstittrtwn, ^
readers of the Sabbath Scholar^s Treasury will re- inemb^ .that, in our August numher, an account was given of a great change having taken place, in the character and condition of a high-caste Hindoo, at the ahove Institu- tion. That he had given up the worshipping of gods made by the hands of men, seeing them to be no gods at all ; at the same time, cleaving to the living and the only true God. Nay, rather than part with Jesus, he had become willing, though with a sore heart, to part with his very mother. Yet, he loves her still, and that more than ever ; and he doubt- less prays that they may be united soon again, and for over, but through love to Jesus.
ANOTHER LETTER — MORE CONVERSIONS.
" I am happy," says our kind correspondent at Madras, ** to inform you that we have had three more cases of great changes, I would trust of real ionvers^ons, since I last wrote borne. One is that of a Mo- iianunedaD young man ; au-
other of a Boma and a third of i Hindoo. There disturbance in reg conversion. Tk were in frantic ] change that had with them. Som the case, that Mr miss&naiy, was d persons to guard t House. The Mi young men, Bom doos, and Mohanu perfect fury, dei mission into the They were admitt to the youths, wh conversation with did everything th> the way of threi otherwise, to indu leave, and go aloUj but all to no purp '* Finding thei get the conveys, c free will, to leave 1 House, to be alto^ they then anxioui steal them away, t poison them. Tl one of them now f drown herself, but ^ prevented from doi
ol \^e ^\)!CL oil
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TREASURY.
men ; but they bear up, because, as we believe, they are persuaded that although they may be left by all oartlily friends, yet God is their Father and Friend, who will never forsake them."
EVIDENT PROGRESS OF THE WORE.
For the seven long years going before, notwithstanding j the great labours of our mis- ! sionaries at Madras, there were i no conversions ; whereas, be- ' sides the four spoken of above, three others are reported by a later mail, or, seven in all, as to all appearance in the unspeakably solemn cir- cumstances of entering in at ;
the ^'strait gate.'' Now, as we know that this has been brought about, " not by might nor by power, but my Spirit, saith the Lord," so let us feel and say, " Unto God's great name be all the praise 1 " Yet, who can doubt, that, the many prayers now ascending from the disciples of Christ, in every land, for the spread of the glorious gospel of the grace of God, are being heard ? And what believer, young or old, does not plead before the Throne that soon the whole inhabitants of the kingdom of darkness may belong to the kingdom of God's dear Son? R. F. P.
i iffg's mmon.
n
lY son," said the Rev. Legh Rich- mond, " remem- ber you must die — and you may die soon, very soon.' If you are to die a boy, we must look for a boy's religion, a boy's knowledge, a boy's fietith, a boy's Saviour, a boy's salva- tion; or else a boy's ig-
norance, a boy's obstinacy, a boy's unbelief, a boy's idolatry, a boy's destruction. Remem- ber all this, and beware of sin ; dread the sinfulness of an un* changed heart; pray for a new one ; pray for grace and pardon and a soul conformed to the image of Christ Jesos.'' — S, S. Advocate,
"Snljj a Srille."
«wpx^S do cot think how
j^^fflK being oaieful to ofc- iWatS aerre small things. The wiMBt and pentesl men h&te alniLys .Iwen mcn who , were attentivt lo little tliinna iiBthty-Wf[ittliroiigbthew.irl,l. The iKjet aajH— ■■ Think nngbt a trllU, Ihwigli It
Of.J™.™! ^
And yet how apt are we lo think within om-Helvea, when any event LEt|i[wiis which WWDta small, t}i»t, bri'iiuxi- it is Bmall, we need not paj on; attention lo it. There was once a boy at acboal, whom we slinll I'all, if joa please, Tom Heedless. Tom Heed- leas thought lliat if he got Ihrangb his taakx, it did Dot luach matter whether he ao- compliahed thein perfertlv or not. When ho had a verse of a hjmn to repeal, there tieK always two or three biuDdere made ; and it was the same with his rcndinR, BpcUni];, ami in fHc^l witli all hi? picreisis, Tom Heedless did nothing well. No doubt, he contrived to get thtoogh his leasonti, as we said ; but then, what ~ wretched fctfiiii; thioogh nan Mintakta here, t
miatakee iJiere I & letter 10
when be came in his Bible, ( work lie mode
to meddle wiU tell him, as he that he was wel leas ; for Tom himself with these were on what waa the lin^liimaijlf wi
and his father liat it K«e hie working for 1 hood ; and he
om school.
e saw Tom E
great idle bo;
Is banda in his father's dc him why he «i situation, and drew from hij not siiriiriaed that nobody * thing to do « lawyer wanted good at writinj the merchant
short, Tom H fit for any i
Now, do no
leas f la ther who overlooka , a). \&«,^ ^.-oda '
THB SABBATH BCHOIAB^S TBEA8UBT.
0 it well. Attend ) minutest things. )jes open to what- I. Never say of
"0, it's only a
1 celebrated man 3d one day with ignre in marble, id came in to see
friend remarked [Ore seemed to 'be rery slowly. ** O," nrer, ** do not you I have given it a and anotiier there
since you saw it last? I have deepened this line, and I have made that feature to stand out a little more . ' * His friend then answered — " Yes ; but these are only trifles." '* True," said the carver, " but perfec- tion is made up of trifles." Now, let us all remember this great truth, that perfection is made up of trifles.
Do not, therefore, be a Tom Heedless. Never think — "0, its only a trifle ! "
nt is B i«g I jcan %tut
I once visited a public school. At recess a little fel- low came up and e teacher. As he ;o down the plat- , laster said:
a boy I can trust, iled me."
wed him with our iked at him when
seat after recess, fine, open, manly
thought a good
the master's re- hat a character boy earned. He f got what would 3re to him than a t would be a pass- le best store in the
city, and what is better, into the conlidence and respect of the whole community. We wonder if the boys know how soon they are rated by other people. Every boy in the neighbourhood is known, and opinions are formed of him ; he has a character, cither favourable or unfavourable. A boy of whom the master can say, " I can trust him — he never failed me," will never want cmplovment. The fide- lity, promptness, and industry which he sliows at school a e in demand everywhere and prized everywhere. He who is faithful in little will be faith- ful also in much. — S, S. Advo- cate,
W
THE SABBATH SCHOLAK'S TBEAfiUBT.
^e 'goiftlinm of %ist
jESUS, thy name I love All other names above, Jesus, my Lord !
Oh, thou art all to me,
Nothing to please I see,
Nothing apart from thee,
Jesus, my Lord!
Thou, blessed Son
Hast brought me with thy blood,
Jesus, my Lord! Oh, how great is thy love All other loves above. Love that I daily prove,
Jesus, my Lord !
When unto thee I flee, Thou wilt my refuge be,
Jesus, my Lord I What need I now to fear. What earthly grief or care, Since thou art ever near.
Jesus, my Lord ?
Soon thou wilt come again !
I shall be happy then,
Jesas, my Lord I
Then thine own face 1*11 see.
Then 1 shall like thee be,
Then evermore with thee,
Jesus, my Lord !
12
• ./^-r .f r r^
tn suuxs MSM.u'i i«ufnmx.
Uie
hive of bees. In Uie imtner weather there gpectiwIeB more in- To see Ibein tbroag- t out, like tbe ' '
winging his waj up into Uie air nntal jon can Boarcelj see liim, and then eetting off on a jonmej away OTer the town to the clover field, or the lijne trees, no donbt. Xco^er 'jtta \ see busy among the ^lairt* "A the garden ; he loses n '"" "
OD» I doea aot waste a momeii^. ^>^ 1%
THE SAJBBATH SCHOLAR'S TBEASUST.
from flower to flower onward he goes, a beaatiful pattern of industry to boys, girls, and old people too. Then, iif you keep your eye on the entrance of the hive, you notice that there are weary bees coming in almost every instant, laden with honey. They have been away, these active little la- bourers, away over meadow and hill ; away by stream and up valley, gathering their precious stores ; and we can almost £EUicy that we observe them to have a tired look when they alight at the gate, and creep into their little city. Did you ever carefully observe a bee in a flower ? There can scarcely be a prettier sight. First he comes right down cm it, as if he were in a pro- digious hurry, as no doubt he is : then, when he finds that the flower is not quite sure of letting him in, he does not lose one single moment in idle politeness, but headforemost down he goes, and you see nothing of him for a moment or two — you only hear him inside buzz-buzzing. Then out he comes again, and never stops to say " good-bye," but is off in an instant. If you could look into the inside of the bee-hive, too, you would be very much astonished. The whole of the inside of the hive is beautifolly divided into little rooms, where the bees la^ up their honey for the winter time. They pack the
there is another nected with the you may notice, if] them very closely ; is so extraordinary i worth looking at. kind of bee which i drone, an idle use when the other be< work, he remains i or, if he goes out t to make honey, l himself in the Then, after he hat ing about all day into the hive in t expecting, no dou his supper along w These drones am lowed to live in t a long time ; but, hard working p bees get tired of the two have sn* In the end, the di ways beaten, and ; sometimes their < 1 ving in great nun: ground.
A great many '. be learned from little inhabitants hive. "When you ^ children than vou j were taught to rep hymn wkich begin
" How doth the littl
but you must noi only little childre: lessons from bees bishop of the Chu land. Bishop Ha YiO'^^ he felt instruc
honey quite neatly away m \ in.^ aA. \jeev 'S their litUe rooms. Aad tbea, \ " ^exa \b t^o m«
14
THB SAJUIiLn lOHOLAm^l TBBA8UBT.
MnUaiee of a nation than A itwbire is." There wba ioalhaffetii man who once M^ this re^lark, in speaking to a friend — " My mind re- uouUegabee-hiTe." We have often thought of this saying, tad we haTe often said to oiur- selrea that it would indeed be a happy thing if onr minds re- semble bee-hives more. Per- ^w you may not at once see ^wX is meant by having our minds like bee-Mvea ; ao we M explain it: — A9 the bees fly forth from their litUe dty to gather honey, so our thou^ts should be always in search of ^hst is aseful and good. When the bee settles on a flover, it is to take honey from it, npt merely to amuse itself; >uidsoit should be with our thoughts, whatever they fix npoQ they should turn to good teooimt. Then, does not the ^ pa«s by paiaaoQU9 flowers t
and' ought not our thoughts in the same way to avoid ah. sub- jects which are bad ? When the bee has gathered its honev from the flowers, home it comes, and stores it up in its little room ; and so it ought to be with our thoughts — what we gather by active thinking we should carefully lay up in our minds, tliat we may re- member it long afterwards I when the sunny days of life ase all past. And are there no dr(me$ in our minds 7 are thezt 110 idle vain thou^ts? Well, we should do with these drones what the bees do — fight battle^ with them, and drive them lar away. Is it not greatly to ba deaired, then, that our gunds should be like bee-hives, full of busy, useful thoughts; and stored with supplies of that heavenly knowledge, of which Solomon says that it is " as the honeycomb ?"
^\t |rttit Hi i\t ^fml
CHAPTBB I,
£R£ were two pie- tures, before which stood a very thoughts fill boy. The one represented I group of figure* closely crowded together — some of them, the men of the group Mpeoially, with dark rougb / h.0s,' otherStHndtbemmoBtXj f tki women, atoopijig inward
with VI eager gladness and surprise. All were dressed bi the wild costume of Easterns, and did not seem above the rank of poor labouring pea- sants. What was it they so aamettly clustered round to look at — and what shed the light of wonder ov^r ^Nwck %^ \ giimmeat cotmtaiiAiii^^ \&. the oentre of the tp^oxoix^ viN> %
THE 0ABBATH BCH0I«A9'S tSEASUBT.
noble figure, as if, wearied by the way, he had taken to rest for a few minates, making a mde stone his seat; and gathered round his knees, one or two sitting on them, and embraced by his arms, others crowding about him on the ground, were several children, all looking up, fairness and innocence in their gaze, evi- dently catching very tender words, and the very youngest, as the speaker's hand was laid on its clustering hair, wonder- ing at the awful beauty in his face. It was Jesus in the midst) in the act of speaking these well-known words — ** Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not : for of such is the kingdom of God I "
The other picture was a picture of pain and sorrow. Darkness was on the face of the earth, and out of the black heavens streamed long flakes of white lightning, with their zig-zag shoots partly lighting up the foreground. Several figures, both of men and women, were seen dimly, as if struck with terror, grovelling in the dust — while above them rose three crosses; the one on the right and the other on the lettf with the diooping
bodies hanana on them, o^ 16
but hid in the gl cross in the mid out in awful vi thereon nailed death agony was whose face was 11 to heaven, and oi there was prest cruel crown of th< it was Jesus: l in the act of sp anguish- stricken God, my God, wl: forsaken me ? "
The little od had gazed for jl now at this pici that, just then whisper from an panion behind hii these pictures the fruit of the Spiri unquenchable lovi in the littles of lij in the great ago You know what says of love: **! cannot quench 1 can the floods drc it was with Jesus so with each e comes to learn in Jesus? Is the that so wrought in in that scholar's sent in your hea it each day to loi
THE SABBATH BGHOLAB'S TBBJLSUBT.
by that test, and see if yon are yielding up to God this first fruit of His Spirit — Love !
CHAPTER u.
One of our pupils was a wonder to his class-mates — not with anything particular about him to strike one at first, but, as you became ac- quainted with him, most sin- gularly interesting, from the light of perpetual sweetness in his face and manner. No- thing seemed ever to discon- cert him, nothing to break his even happiness, nothing to darken the clear brightness of his smile. •* I caimot guess," said one of his neighbours, in a whisper to another, " why he is neyer out of temper, and why, compared with some of us, he is always so very happy. It looks sometimes positively Billy."
• I had overheard the whisper, and so I took my little friend with me a short time out of doors that afternoon, thinking how I should explain the secret to him best. When, all at once, by the best luck pos- sible, far out on the white dusty road, and just by some /cottagers' doors, we beheld a light agile figure dancing in the smiBhme. As it gkipped io and fto in gAj coloars, and
with great merriment, I caught his arm, and pointing onward, said — " You see yonder girl wheeling so prettily in her dance. At this distance yon hear nothing, you only tee; you see the strange wild mo- tions, but you cannot tell what their cause is, and you would really think the dancer mad. Now let us hurry on, and we shall find out." Accordingly I took his hand, and on we hastened, till, as we got within a few paces of the scene, there fell upon our ears some very sweet and thrilling strains, and, on coming nearer yet, we found, by the wayside, a poor blind man, pouring out from a little instrument he bore the softest, most joyous music, to the rise and fall of which his girl merrily danced. " Now," I added, ** we no longer think her mad, we hear the music she hears, and are so glad at heart, we might, if we could, dance too." So when we had looked amongst the little crowd awhile, and given our mite for the pleasure we had shared, we walked on, and I could not but say to my young companion, **You are at the bottom of the secret now you so wished to l53i<y« ^Sdm^ moTsing. Xo\it ^on'^.et^ ^
\
TSB ftABBATS SOBOLJLB'l TBXlfilTSZ.
snile, and you think it sonke- times foolish. Only get near eixoagh to hiia-^-get within hearing of the music he hears — 'back -within his heart, where he loves the name of Jesus deariy, where he breathes the prayer of his love often, where tba Spirit, in the softest music, sheds the words of Jesus throu^ his soulr^-and
yoit will ho kmger wdnder- you will wonder rather the you ever wondered— yon wi ask that you too may hai springing in your heart thi second fruit of the Spirit^ Joy/"*
* I am indebted for fbe Unt this Chapter to a beantlflil pa| in that beantifol book, ''tl Pattonoe ot Hope."
TB£ cSange. I teachers were landing, I
ITTLE more than a Williams saw, we are tnd, fl
garter of a eentury i smoke and flames dL bmnb
ago, that noble stan- villages and plantations :
the distance, which a par having conquered in a dead war had just kindled. B'
dard-bearer of the cross, *' John Williams," took the first teachers to the Samoan
or Navigator's Islands in the ' such sights have long sin. South Pacific Ocean. These ceased there, and we trust f
men were natives of other islands, where they had been brought to know Jesus. It was at the risk of their lives they now went to these islands of savages in a ship built by the above-named martyred missionary. It was called the "Messenger of Peace."
ever. The Croapel ha$ tr umphedJ The idols a abolished. This *<kingdoi of darkness" is now ptft ' the kingdom of " (Jod's d« Son." Qii^l8,scbool-h(ms« and other signs of this gm change are everywhere to b Thousands from Sal)
, seen.
Well-named; for it sailed from bath to Sabbath flock to th island to island, carrying to : sanctuary to meet the King ^ them heralds of salvation, i Glory and hear His owd HH* At that time the Samoans bowed down before sharks^ gnakeSf hirds^ and otJier creatures, praying to them.
and singing praisei to them,
sage, which alone **iiMk> wise unto salvation;" tf| read His own blessed Book in their own langnagOt ? ^\i\Ci\i there was not one
hecauae they believed them to \ -wtlttetk -^"Victi %awfit 'Cbi^ "«* be gods. And irbile th&\ bVoxloxV^^xcai^^^^k^ 18
Tint Upoltt or of the other six lia gtaap, and ]^B there, jdh
Btnuit^ proofii E ChruliaiL mU-
!Tet JDQ W«Dt^
rould be filled liUa^e after Til- y HsliiteB you g> DD }'0D from d at Beoing ao £ the proBperity I work in tbe the people,
"/
arth i
Firat I astoniabal a,
thsBohool roooiH thepnntuig houBce fl mjaaon bonnea imd&t ^pis at the iDBtitntioii or colle),e for tnimmg natmei to become paetflta and teacheti in their uwn land, and mt»- nioHories to the htatlifn, joo iioiild be delighted tn Bee Bome of Iha bnilditigs, vMch are really bo ffie! On tlw H»b- batb jnn would Bee Sod's bonne filled, not icith Daked savages, but vith a iceU- ilremeit and atterttiye congre- gation-— a people " dothed and in their right mind." On the week-da;, if yon look into the BihoolH, yon will eeo the
j ftuldreDoscLtiettnl.'aii&^iay^, AB well tauglit and hr loni ol
Jeainiijg as anj in RtoUani.
Nor would joa p»aii M
!rHE SABBATH SOHOIiAB'S TB^ASUBT.
printing-office without looking in, and seeing how busy the native printers are in setting up the types, preparing the paper, and working the press. But take a peep in now at the Imtitutioiii and you will see nearly seventy Christian men (and the wives of many of them), some of these sitting in classes around the mis- sionary, others preparing their lessons; some, after these tasks, in the carpenter's shop, or at the blacksmith's forge, while the rest are digging, or planting, or hoeing in the fields around the college. These good men raise food enough for themselves and families ; and hence it is that their training costs very little to the Society (the London Missionary). The Samoan Institution has proved a fountain of living waters. Not only has it given pastors and teachers to the numerous villages throughout the group, but many of the best native missionaries to Western Poly- nesia were trained in that college.
Jrhat a contrast to the exertions of the Church m£m- hers in any town or parish in Scotland is the following : —
These, numbering from 30,000 to 40,000, who but so lately were poor |)oor savages. and worshippers of beasts and pieces of wood and stone, have, I at last report, contributed, for the year, at their 212 village BtaUoBB along with theii prin- cip&l ones, no less a som. tliaa
30
£1490, 14s. 8d., bes: sums for missions islands. About £50C appear, has been seni them for Bibles, to 1 through the islands that ocean ; and furl give of their educa to hazard their livei sionaries of the Christ, who by His Spirit changes the the lamb. Indeed th received by that one from those who were and savages before mencement, at the last century — or ra the battle of Water which it got free i almost pacing wort averages now no lefi than Sixteen thousan a year! Besides, ho number of young, u contributors have yet willingly, given peril their lives amc savages, so as to b: within their reach th< Gospel of the Grace Oh that Scotland; favoured, loud-profesf land! would remen: to whom much is [ them also much sha quired ! What ei ment to all the Chi Christ, prayerfully 8 getically to *' go ft and to our youthhood in this blessed servic the King of Kings mises, ** Be thou fedt
CRa B4BBASB SOBOLIB'S TBXA8UBT.
IfeatH i0ite fol^t slit covXii.**
was this ? It is ery simple story, ins sat at meat yt one Simon a the East at this was Borroanded on which the d, so that, while ied. towards the ) company, His »yer in the couch there it was a bearing a very ointment, a box e pearly white . breaking it, so B flowed out, she first on His feet, haps encouraged ier glance, ad- sr, and poured Sis head. The B up and filled m. Whereupon hearts, at table sgan to mnrmur I's forwardness, iraste. " No 1 "
all the wealth she had in the world, so she pours out on me all the loTe within her heart. The two things go together. Sfie hath done what the could/" And so He praised the woman, while He put the murmurers to silence and to shame. Now is that sentence of
Christ not a golden rule, worth writing up, wherever they that love Him turn their eyes? Try a few things by its mea- sure and see how blessed you weuld be, suppose you heard it spoken to you in the very tone and tenderness in which the woman heard it.
Pleasing and obeying your parents, — No fretfulness; no grudge to take trouble for them; no angry brows; no forgetting of their wishes ; no concealing from them of the truth; no doing or speaking anything beyond their sight you would not do and speak , who knew their before their very eyes. None ? vious thoughts ; No ! Each day " you have I be waste that ' done what you could I "
me. Nothing I Daily praying to and fear- that shows such iug God. — No ne^ect of roman hath for / prayer, omitting it aUQg;e;\i]tiBC \ be pours out on ' one tinae in your \iot. Yibx^a, ot \ te of this boXf ' hurrying it over a& tti© gteaiws*. \
^^ ^
THB SABBATH SCHOIlAB'B TBBASUXT..
task another time, and yet a thing fov. daofe not altogether leave off; no shutting out of God wilfully from your hearts ; no forgetting of His presence either in your school or play hours; no unholy words, deeds, passions, indulged in, that you know right well are hatefsl in the sight of God, who seeth all ? None ? No ! Each day " you have done what you could I "
Diligence and cheerfulness in children's duties. — No impatience with your teachers, or your lessons ; no sluggish- ness over your work, either in the class or at home ; no imgentleness, and rudeness, and ingratitude, in return to those who take so many pains to do you good ; no lateness in your hours, or blundering, or sulky gloom 1 None ? No ! Each day ** you have done what you could I "
Kindness to one another. — No envy of your play-fellows'
Jesus, but the ch afidofthedevQ? Each day "you what you could I *
Giving in th Jesus. — No keepi for your own pooi no grudge when y to share it out r your fellows, so them happy in it getting of the grec with Christ loved ing down His o' the cross for you back of the hau drop your penny sionary-box ; no to pour out your • love and in deeds fice, that you mi^ love back for Jesi ing rather to kee] it all up for youi lavish it on oth so much useless f No! Each day dom what you- c
I have put all and I might put
happiness or good fortune; no coveting of anything they at random^ just possess ; no mean, spiteiul, ' my little readei cowardly, selfish outbreak i very fax the bes against them, or against any children may be one ; no unlovely tempers, | by His golden making all about you, as i much they best / well 08 yourself, unhappy, I how little they / and tem.'pting one to thinX ^ ttt^di "^xvx ou\> cm. / ytm were not the ohM oi \ -50^ tvoN, \C!ba ^
i- ^
TEE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBA8UBT.
Kmetkmg like that woman, iriwB H« ^uised for her pure and oTerflowmg love! Then why not try, each %, the whole day's work >&d temper by the words JesuBBpofceofher? Why not, every new day, get a step j higher in your love and prayer, BO that if for a long while, you
be only, as it were, laying yonr gifts at the feet of Jesas, yon may, by and bye, reach up and pour them on His head. At first He may only say — " You are trying and have tried what you could;'* but may end with saying at the last — *' Well done, beloved child, you have dojie what you could ! '
^it mnuv of pa
HEN Jesus made known the way of salvation to the woman of Samaria fJeha It.), He used the ^Wem 01 water t as ttie best fitted for her case. His words ve fall of precious lessons to ^ &I1, and would that they <^e home to us with as saving efficacy, as when spo- ken at Jacob's well.
One lesson He taught is : — '^vanity of er^try thing short 0/ God. " Whosoever drink- 6th 0! this water shall thirst again." The body soon needs refredunent anew. The objects }t seeks are, in like manner, iDiperfect and soon exliausted, ^ that its desires are never ^y satisfied, but only put off ^or a time. The same words acquire a very sad meaning '^hen applied to the soul, for >i^ is fallen, and all thing 4 ^boutbhn tainted and blighted bf sin. This woman had
sought happiness in forbidden joys. She had forsaken God, the fountain of living waters, and drunk at broken cisterns and polluted streams. Even so by many more the cup of sinfid pleasure is drained a thousand times over, and as often thrown down in bitter disgust.
But there are other streams of happiness, ])ure, noble, and abundant. The great Creator has filled this world \dth things beautiful and good. Still, though man c^iild grasp all these rich and countless bless - ingM, though he gained the whole world, what would it profit him ? They are all too little to satisfy his immortal soul. " He that driuketh of this water shall thirst again."
It is written on everything man loves here below — ieoJkJOa., wealth, wisdom, iaiae, lAeu^- ship, power. Yea laoxe, \a \^ not inscribed, u^on ^0^1%
THE SABBATH BCHOLAB^S TSSASUBt*
blessed word, on the table of commimioii, on the house of prayer, and on the closet where the belieyer pours out his heart in the secret of His presence ? Means of grace are all but streams, which guide us up nearer the great Fountain Head.
Another lesson is, that God is the highest and the only satisfying portion of man, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst," &c. The words " living water " are used here as elsewhere in Scrip- ture (John vii. 39, Isaiah xliv. 3) for the Holy Spirit of God. It is He alone who can meet the wants of the soul ; for it is only Uiat which is perfect that can satisfy, and as the soul of man is immortal, so the Spirit of God is not only its sufficient, but its everlast- ing portion. To use a Scrip- ture emblem, man is a vessel, A vessel of infinite capacity. The ungodly seek to fiill this great void by letting down their poor buckets, and draw- ing from the broken cisterns of their own hewing, but all in vain. On the contrary, the *' chosen vessel " of Christ, turning away from all these^ opens his mouth wide and
IGodfiUsit. Thel are poured into soul, filling it wi peace, and "spii again in joyful al longingfor the orig 0 blessed thirst I water I The re gloxj all drank of they thirst no mon
One lesson mo Jesus and He aUn us the Holy Spiri He will give Him, to prayer. In with the woman, times over declared be the giver of the 1 No earthly well ca: only He '* in who aU the fulness ol tl bodily." This gi the Spirit He pni us by His death. I to heaven to best possession is a mar] true people, for " have not the spiri he is none of His.'
0, then, listen to of Jesus: "If any let him come un drink." His last from heaven to a < is : " Let liim tha come ; and whosoe him take the wa freely."
S'LL praise my Maker with my breat And when my voice is lost in deat Praise shall employ my nobler p My days of pridse ahaW. ne^et \>^ ^a&V Wliile life, and thougViV aadXx&uvgXa&V^ Or immortality eaduiea.
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□f the moat fright- | hnndreil men and boys h&d accidents perhaps ! goDe down the shafl many In connexion irith , fathoms deep, early in the [ •k place, as many ; forenoon, for Uiolr dKj'aiiai^. \ bsye betid, al , — Ihej were w&j «» *'^ ^" lesin ibe North / doffn .cav^nu, we iftSfl w«li_
IHB SABBJlTS BCKOLAB^B. IBBA8UBY*
suppose, their little lamps lit and stuck each upon Ite wearer's forehead — and i^ th* crew groping asid hucHhg with their pickaxes among the gleaming jet;. Suddenly an immense iron heam, whidd waa* the arm of a colossal pooip, and hung over the very centre of the shaft, for the purpose of raising up the waters which flow incessantly into the pit's depths, snapped in its middle, and the one half, weighing twenty tons or so, plunged into the throat of the shaft, carrying with it ruin and dark- ness, and choking up the passage-way to every living soul helow. What a swift and awful grave ! Nothing can ever he told of what was the horror underneath. For days gangs of workers plied the task of cutting down through the ruin in the shaft ; and, at first, repeated sounds, as of the poor prisoners signalling and crying from below, were heard ; but the work was long and perilous, and when at last, after nearly a week, a way was cut through, and several heroic men descended into the vast coal seam, alas it was all silence, desolation, death. The dead men lay in rows. All along the gallery
thejr were strewn, as the goa- 26
\
poison from thel h*dBtanick them 0B»mft taxed ali
VeAsfB «M • tkmdking incida seesaof awftdass a father,, who,, tiki ing, had taken I with him for the show him the w< pit — and who ha by the cage into t an hour before took place. Ct picture to yoursel end to the poor I tion — the hopes tl kindled by his faH — ^the eager haste he snatched his n — ^ran by his fath dreaming that he mother's face for tl stepped into the < ingly, and, on i voyage, found hi ing away into the j Hardly had he b in the strange w< guided through tl: corridors — at evei a miner plied his a dancing spot oi ing strange cries, it all, no doubt, (xrim wonder, w
9tti fliBBim «<atoLiB*i tbxaauby;
romabove^therewas a \ffB dead iQ)pidl]iig fli- -and then, as leet hor- t the shaft from eyeiy ' of lilie pit, one long terriltle dei^air. Yfho think of the weeping he father's ann roond at had no power to save« e slow death of manj that came to both alike leap, deep j^Yei Wh# think of the mother's
I in her cottage when rd the news ; and now,
II the crowd that ran a the grave's mouth, i, eould well be more
than hers who sor- )r her lost child ! it is not, dear reader, m you needlessly with of woe, that I write ines. No; but just, >u are brooding softly ly oyer the feite of that oy, you may think, rour other thoughts, of dug deeper and dfu*ker 1 the one in which he led ; and swinging into ou may thoughtlessly ending. I mean the sin — the grave of the rted heart, in which B not known, and the His fetce is shut oat. andJiUh — ongsUipA
! day — ^how, if you are off your ' guard, JOB may go down I thither I Nay, many, in their I eager youth, may wish to I pierce into the wonders and I the novel pleasures of its dark- ' ness, for it is switching tiling ! to get into company with all I the promises and baits, with I wMch the devil leads on in ' sin. But ah, the word of God, recoUect, tells you, that the : steps of such " take hold on I helL** What pit can be deeper I or more terrible than that! I Think, therefore, that your , very first steps aside, the I stolen waters of any sin tiiat I are so sweet, and the bread eaten in secret that is so plea> sant, that these are the begin- nings of descent, whose end, if you heed not, is not the body's death only, but the soul's also. Oh ! there is none can deliver you but Him, who can make even the grave give up its dead — who came especially to seek and to save that which was lost, but yet who says, as if He would rather prevent you at the outset, than have you run all lengths, and perhi^ all but tempt His grace utterly away — "I lovte them that love Me ; and they that s«ek me early ^^211 ^<i UeV
«i
TBE^ 8ABft419l 9CHOLAB'8:TBBABXi;S]rf
(&adb an^ €i)il at % fanb of 4i(
'HAT ! shaU we ! receive good at ! the liand of God, | and shall we not receive evil?" These were ihe words of the patriarch Job, who perhaps experienced greater measnres of prosperity and adversity than any other man who ever lived.
When he uttered them, he was in the midst of his sorest distress. The good he spoke of was all gone. He had ^been ** the greatest of all the men of the East." Then, his ^eep, and ox«i, and asses, and camels, were coonted by hundreds and thousands, and he had a large and prosperous family. With such lofty rank, such vast wealth, so many friends, how happy must he have been ? But he possessed, besides all these, the noblest : jBpurce of happiness as well. | He was not only very great, ; but very good. The Lord , 'Himself said of- him — ** there '■ '-is none like Job in fJl the '«arth, a perfect and an upright .man, one that feareth God and .escheweth evil." And so He Uessed Job much, because He loved him much.
But it pleased €kMi, in His iwisdom and love, to send evil cupon Job. In one short day he was bereft of all, and' left desolate and childless. Bands : oftohhers eame suddenly upon ' his oxen, his asses, aiid Ads camels, and droTe them aw«y,
leaving the servarn tended them dead. Tb fire of God" fell from and destroyed his si and tiieir flocks i And last and worst of sons and daughters we ing in their eldest 1 house, when a storm f great that the house y thrown. Suddenly, warning, their yom were quenched, theii voices hushed, and the their holiday rejoici changed into their Oh ! what terrible must now have wn father's heart! Hith had been silent ; but h< he bear this awful ment ? However, v only, "Then Job tan rent his mantle, and his head, and fell doi the ground and wors] uttering these sublim of resignation — ^word have often since then with the mourner's " The Lord gave, audi hath taken away; bl< the name of the Lord. But to these awful ties another was add it came upon his ow Covered from head with frightfol disease, down '" among the and hushed his heart ii -under the mighty 1:
• VHB SiAAXH S0HOT.iE*» TBMASUWt,
at the flight of his Inees (for he mu bo that ** they knew him bat " they lifted np ice and wept." For )iig days and nights itod and watched, hat d with grief and ent, no one spoke, th a cry hroke from 3rer*s lips. It was a 1 wail of lamentation, the day of his hirth, mestly longing for o end his sorrows. :ered him condolence, r vain in such seasons V is friendly sympathy. . ich hetter often to be le with God. Hence aching entreaty Job )d to his thoughtless jrs, — " Have piiy on my friends, have pity for the hand of God iched me." The hand
Ah ! how often does id toach us, when least lid desire it. Oar possessions it does not Biches fly away^-the •f manhood is changed e than an infant's IBS — our friends, whose re knit with oars in ey too must be given e gives : He takes : be His name. It is d of God, We may
the reason of His yet He never smites n love. So when our would tempt us to if His correction, let ember Job's patient / ien Ms wife, wbp sank •
utterly imfler the weight of sorrow, foolishly bade him complain — ** What, shall we re- ceive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil f **
And he did again enjoy good. When God had proved him, and taught him precious lessons,, and made him a pattern to the worid of patient endurance. He raised Job again to double his former prosperity ; and he lived long in the midst of such earthly happiness, as has hardly been known since the davs of Eden.
God directs the lot of every man. Our experience must be very different from Job's, yet would that we all had his piety ; then both our good and oar evil would be felt by us to be what they really are, bless- ings, tokens of His love. Our heavenly Father, who duly measures out the cold and heat, the storm and calm, the darkness and sunshine, needed to bring the flowers and fruits of earUi to maturity, alone knows what measure of joy and sorrow His children re> quire to prepare them for ei^joying at length the un- clouded happiness of heaven* So then our evil things should be borne with patient and cheerful submission, and our good things enjoyed with grateful, sober gla^ess; for we receive both alike at the hand of God.
Dear young reader, king Solomon has left lot -^ow. ^ very solemn 'word, oi ^«xmii% on this Bubiect — ^'' BAmem^^x,
TB^ftAMULia BKmVUM'M-mMABIUmf'
. . ijmrmr-
4>ov ibr Creator In ili« dugw of thy gwuttu avfii^ ths svU 4<fifi$ seme noV* Tha levil A»yB I AIm ! idjyey fire ^ aUxre for you* borrow ^viU meet yon yet in mBtaj fonns. Thecefm oov, in your happy ihotightlesB days, do Aot lot- get Him. Be thii your bx- peiieiijcec-^
>^Oiyft 'What Than yrflt, vlfhrnrt
TMe4 X tun poo;r, j^nt with Tboe jlol),— ta](9 w|\ftt l^ou^taway."
Only jOnm «0fl»i9 ]iieuBiil^f^k>4«villF< be iMietiM «iM your ^* evU'* mij truest joy. ¥/•*, pass thjcoiigb Hm is shadow of deaUi, y no evil, for He will 1 to guide aa»d welco] His presence, wh^ fulness fit joy, an right hfl&d are pi/ jerermon.
ffife^ lirtiit of t|< ^^idJ
/
GQAPrBB III,
'£ walked along the public way, after it liad been al^ 4ay a deluge of wiitd an^ rsln. The gutter at the roadside ran like a torrent, and its fnuddy waters fonned here and there, wherever any stone jor other obstacle stopped their course, into dar^ aogryi-leojltr ing pools, bubbling and swirlr ing at ouF feet. Presently a ^rea]^ in the clouds let out glimpses of the blue sky-*— tlie wind £e)i |ow*^the raiu weotoff OR the hiUs-^and the sweet •mnmer evening aun shone on the valley, with a burst of beauty, S<jll the angj7 ^r- reut« by the fae4Me bn4tle4 fitt tiba atonM; aiiA wfaaVe
fif^ry ^blBg else BO
in ^f evening glow turbid pools gave 1 flection, but a hn upon their surface rest all mud and J coul4 not butpo lessor. '^ There," £ companion, "is the the heart swollen an by angry passions rush, into it and i of iha base, and 1 unh<^y currents of and of fihx ; there : x^annot be, either qi clearness in its de when the sun of hea on it — ^when iihe word of Christ light< all confused and bi pnthe twurfa^«;int
lAilatkmg \ «M$^\..'^
■esouJiVi nwfl un.
Hkaietf si te lieart pure and paaeefil in Om rtigfat of God. It liM genHy modest in its retirantoi, y«t open to the fihining &ce with wbieh the blaated Christ looks down into its depth. ETery thought is iipen ; cnrerj beftntj of His word And Bpirit is csoght , huBg sboTS the I within it ; and, abore all, in wers led to gaxe ! its still purity snd lore, the down into a half- image of the Lord Himself is
Bg m two Ihere- nroed amithar path 7, leading bj iiw ittle aMMe*ahaded as wmather had in . haen still and nd this time, as at one point k, dnstored with
made by a torn- raters; and thore, et faee, pare as a IS, we beheld onr laoces reflected-^ e clear bottom h its eilTer peb- old trace the bhie hevven above, and irnHght, mirrored flower for flower, M, we eonld mark .y sheet all the iets of the rock, Msu Toaddyet
ehann, now and ded tront daarted ner, hung tot a ivering in the raTe« and then, mght again, was looked long into jeaee, and I eonld ttin reenrring to f a few evenings
pictnred oat, line by line."
" You see the difference," I added, " between two liTes yon often meet — one onfixed and Chrifitless, tossed about by every gnst of evil ; never there can God's quiet and image find their way; the other still and patient, no provocation ever £ring it, no coarse or bad passion ever ruffling it, but with a sweet brow, and a gentle happiness, and that Jesus who heareth and aaswsreth prayer dwelling in iiie heart. The latter of these two, desr children, is that yomig life, which shows in it the third fruit of the Spirit — PeauP'
CHAPTEB TV,
There was a ramoor, I am sorry to say, greedily taken up and sent round the tcbools that one of onx beat siiii mo^X. M^ I, ** Im Hm \ diligent pupsla -wia » cofWMurdL
.XHB 8ABBAXH.8GHaLAB*B XBXiJBU:
: It; is an impeachikDent at all . times about the Tery wont i.$iaong .boys^— and this !boy, L-whom I had known and I jdaresay &voiired, as full of a ( manly sensQ of duty, and above all a fear. of God's holy name, .fell at once uiider the ban of .Almost all 'within his class at ]l^ast.. I was not a little tsnrprised ; so that, as quickly ;as possible, I found out the tale. It was thia :■ — in some gHae of the preTious day, he had been wronged by unfair ptey. He had pointed out the ^ck, and had firmly protested against it. For that, the doer of it, a violent and unruly comrade, heated by his con- sciousness of wrong, had struck him on the face, and .eten spit upon him, with a challenge at the moment, that ihey should settle their dif- ference by a fight. The in- jured boy had grown very pale, ^bnt he had said, ** I will not .fight ! ". He had Jt>een hooted, .struck again, taunted in £eu^ •of the whole play-ground ; still he had kept his hands re- strained ; and telling his rude opponent he would not be .WigfSx 'thou^ tears were start- ing from his eyes^ he walked ^wtkj steadily and alone. .. Whao I heard the tale tbna,
"lilwill tel]
** another ta]
once travelli
Tehicle,>andjai
some bolster
present, . begi
swear, .and..
wicked brag^
in the compa
silent, at las'
the riotous si
he only prove]
he persisted
dearly, that
not God, Gtx
destroy. A
more recklesi
turned fiero
openly spat ii
was a great
that so gross
at once be
did the su:
calmly wiped
hatred from ]
*• Sir, if I 00)
your conscie
and the sha
have done, a
wipe, its n
countenance,
do it.' Som
these words,
them to scon
up amongst
because, ibrsi
fight I At
Xmiled.ikb islMB xound me. \ Yi^ ^waatsuft 8$
JlHX'VCBBIXfr flCaBtCELABVi XBXABUSi;
ng rbnnd, he said, he greater eoward^ fights "because he r the diame, or he % ikhe shame keenly, enongh to refuse I would rather be before men, than ad in shame before id so he -walked
I added, " that is mate here. He a coward to you,
bnt he rhas beea bold in the j sight of God. And why? Because he has the rare courage to endure with it ; when reviled, to* renle not again ; not to be OTercome of evil, but to overcome evil with good. Instead of dis- honouring, honour your play- fellow. Go and do likewise. Tea, learn from his gentle conduct, that fourth and moert blessed fruit of the Spirit — Long-suffering*
M\Ki Can | §o?
. summer morning wandered away tnong the quiet xlls. There were eatnres to be seen t the timid sheep
one another, and ed pe-wits nttering tive cries. They me, dropping one tgs, as if they had ed, crying aU the t!""pe-wit!"and larted away to a ; knew they were
I was going io nests or hurt their md that they were id me past them ; ed not have been
•
n on a stone in a spot ; it WAS sttch i tone, it seemed to I here- among- the
grass and heather for ages. "Whenever the rustling of my own footsteps was hushed, I began to hear the sound of little trickling streams ol water around me, tinkling and dropping, tinkling and dropping among the grass. The grass was so thick, and the s6'eams were so thin, that I could not see them. I could only hear thetai ; and very pretty fairy* like music they made.
So I sat listening ; and the longer I sat, my ears got the better used to the sound of the little tinkling streams. At last I heard, or Ihonght I heard, one of them speaking. It seemed to rise just under the eld grey stone I was mtiing on ; and I am. «\ne ^ou never 'saw aneli k VbxeoA ol. «k •trwua ft& itwa»— My-^ec3 -"jerj
TKE mSBJLTa SCHOLAB^B VBBIBini
liltlA. I pni Mdde the Irmg gi'ass \?itb my hand to look at it, for X had never in mj life ^ioTB heard a stream of water speak. Itwassolittle, it could 'fioaroely have filled a tea oup in XD hoar; and it seemed just to he lazily speaking to itself, always repeating " What's the use ? what's the use ? what's the use of a poor little stream like me going any farther ? what good can I do ? I am suck a poor, little, useless thing, the rest will just laugh at me. I think I might he allowed to lie still under this old grey stone."
I was just going to answer it, when I heard another one very near it hegin to eqpeak — no bigger than the first — ^with no more water in it, but a great deal more sense and ^irit; quite a wise little stream. It said kindly to its lazy neighbour, " Come away, my little sister ; you surely will not go back below that old grey stone again, and lie there tUl your pretty sparkling water is spoiled or lost. Come «way quickly ; they tell me there is greafc need for us in the valley down yonder. And in the plain beyond it." Bat the foolish little stream only grumbled and repeated, ** What's the use ? what good can J do ?" '* Nay, come and 968,*' said the other; eooMu" At Ungjih. the little stream consented. Joined witk the other, swa^j ibej went together. XL9W mach skoiigec H
"do lazy and
ihej
both < sfl joined, and hoi too! if you how mernly tl iiwinkled, and tripped edong. down they m streams, some themselves, an same road. '\ joined compt l(mger they trs the merrier ai seemed to be< thing could 1: their way. : great rock or made a race ai over it ; but ii do that, rounc its side, and oi a laugh.
When they the moorland bom, they soc people in the 1 so anxious fo There had bee of rain down t was beginning it was growi flowers were < earth. The trees were shr the very fishc in the rivers, ol water. T miller at his m downcast, witl his pockets, fi water to drive
But what the little strea ing down thd {
U so menaj-to the MdeB mlhaj paned As they trqiped 08% eun bo^n to ImA
lifted np llieii hcadi otod them, and tlie l «med to clap tbeir gether like little haods
And thej made the happy man agnm. io jon think that tie ream that Taa once bo hed U> be bBf k below giej Btone again ? No
It seemed to jump jo; at the good it found ble to do. It jerked onder the roots of the I trees. It Mesed the
flowera in paBsing, t them refreihed and il again; and it seemed Lo wish to linger nnder
noBE-grown nuU-irheel,
, tb*
was— an to happy teosnia of Uib good it waaabUlodd.
Now, I know yen well that some at mj litUe friends are alwajB readv to aaj, sa this little stream once did," What's the nse f what good can I do? and the verj little money that I coald give, what good wonld it do T " Mj dear children, let tbia little i^tream teaoh joa. If it, and all the other little streams, bad Isid
stiU □
T the old Bi
ltd have and the trees and the flowers, not to Forget the miller ? Each of jon do enmcthing, and join with one snotherin doing good. Ah ! if the hearts of our little ones were filled with iove to Christ, uid their hands nnd
i"ys.gjr ' ■ 11 I uk 'iWAii. II li 'y M ■:
mttm^^mnmrm
X9B BABBITH SCHOLAB'8 TBEACrUST*
Where sin, and sorrow, and want, are bowing down many, many hearts, and spreading grief and death, we would have hope, and health, and happi- ness. And the world needs every
little stream of Ohnstian h — even the least. As they on they will get stronger t purer, and in God's good ha they will be ** showers of ble mg.'
W. A. D,
fines Mritten far an: Inkstnal ^t^o
€\i\li ta learn.
am: a little child, With nothing good in me, But, Father, make me grow in grace, Till fit thy face to see.
I am a naughty child,
With heart so full of sin ; But I have heard Christ^s blood can wash
Such hearts and make them clean.
I am a poor weak child,
And need thy Spirit's power, To guard me from my wicked way,
Through every day and hour.
I wish to be Thy child,
To dwell in Thy bright home, And Jesus wants me to be there,
For He has bid me come.
Lord, make me now Thy child.
Through Jesus Christ forgiven, And when 1 die, O Father take
rhy ransomed one to heaven.
36
THE
&at| <Sc|alat's Creaswrg
▲KD
VENILE MISSIONARY RECORD
IN COKMBXION WITH
Wit (S^lnrcl^ oi ^cotlanb.
* Stdfer little Children to eome nnto Me."— Makk x. 14.
VOL. V.
EDINBURGH:
THOMAS PATON, 7 HANOVER STREET. MDCCCLXIV.
' How ■h^l I Tri to be UkIhI t 5
I lUidn BiUelou
(;hlne>e Cbilrlrcii, . . 100
■■JJ^VP^"siiJ'
Good Uiit liMe Cbarilfl dli Ompoi in n'e>r ZsiUstl, Tbs,
8 HaUne lh<? Paper SpcB^ . «))
^
tr (b« Ersninf, )d ll Lfjrtlt,' ■
and Out BiTnIrt, IM
mChiUrci
atlTU HcfaoolH In IndlH.' «7 ThroilEli Peua tn Uglil,
iMd^CEdnoBMoBinlnillB, 66 " Thy Kingdom Cmob," .
IF Rf iideiii, . , 1
>11lii|[lnI.llbndoT. . R
'Ih Chuptorof Iiilab, Tb^ »
from tfec feast.
{CmtinudframT'^a' UX)-) .ST month 1 ik- i cloiter mors Biiered and
scribed our joarney hiBtoric memories Ih&D around
from Joppa lo Jern- any other spot in the whols
BKlem, and I shalt : vorld. I yon some acroant of . Uo ftrBt walking sToand
Citj, " beaatifD] tor ' Jerngalem Uiat ^asfta^e \u 'i^e , " ajid aroand wbidi < 4Sth Pioim usAoraU] oeuiii«
\
■I
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR S TBEASUBT.
to the mind, " Walk about Zion and go round about her, tell the towers thereof, mark ye well her palaces, con- sider her bulwarks." This was written in the days of Jerusalem's glory. Alas, how changed it is now ! Doubtless the Saviour saw, with the eye of divine prescience, its present state of desolation when He *' beheld the City and wept over it."
Perhaps nothing strikes the eye more in passing through the streets than their deserted appearance. Excepting in the bazaars and in the vicinity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, there is scarcely any appearance of life. One may pass through long streets of dead walls without meeting a human being, unless some squalid wretch stretching forth his hand for alms. Truly it is come to pass, " Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a de- solation."
The walls which intlose the city are about two miles and a half in circumference, but the buildings do not nearly fill up the space inclosed, — dif- ferent portions of it being either unoccupied or covered with heaps of rubbish. The population probably does not exceed 15,000, and is composed of parties of many different creeds. The Jews are the most numerous, and next to them the Moslems. The re- mainder are members of the 6^reek Church, lloman Cath- olic^ Armenians, &c. 110
The ancient city is ba under many feet of rubb the accumulation of ages ; if we look for remains of former magnificence we 1 almost in vain. Nor will surprise us when we cons the numerous sieges it has dergone by Romans, Gn ders, and Saracens.
But the natural feati must be almost unchan since the days of the Heb; monarchy. The Mount Olives, the valley of Him« and the valley of Jehoshap remain, in their general i tures, just as they were f^ the Saviour dwelt on etf And it is to these that < heart of the true pilgrim tm for relief from the innoiB able monkish traditions tf so-called *' holy places."
March 15. — This moni we walked around the sot side of the city, outside ^ wall, as far as the gate b called " St Stephen's." Fr this point we could see nea the whole of the valley Jehoshaphat, thickly stad< with tombs. Many Jews fr< different parts of the wo come to die at JerusaleiDi order that their bones m rest in the land of ill fathers. These tombs < only marked by small ^ stones, and you will see £n the picture at the commeB* ment of this paper and irbi is taken from a photogn4 how closely they are crow together. The two large mo! me\i\.^ m \k^ i^icture are I
THS BABB4TH SCHOLAR S TREA6UBY.
«, and are hewn ont
ling into the valley and atony path, we onall bridge over the led of the Eedron ; ig*on the right tlie ! Gethsemane with )le olives, ascended b of Olives. Num- le lizards were bask- mn or darting about ) bare white lime- I. The ascent was the view from the unequalled in inter- le other side of the salem lay stretched like a map, and
bribe. Christians have been ad- mitted within its sacred pre- cincts. I shall next month describe our visit to tliis — jior- haps the most interesting spot in Jerusalem, for it is the spot where stood God's holy and beautiful house.
But let us now turn our eyes towards the east, and there lies before us a scarcely less interesting scene— the wilder- ness of Jndca; and in the dis- tance the valley of the Jordan, and the Dead Sea glistening in the sunlight and backed by the dark mountains of Moab. One of these mountain tops must be Pisgah, whence Moses ble to distinguish | viewed the promised land ; and of the different another Nebo, where he died.
We spent a considerable time engrossed in the view of these sacred scenes, and then descended, having it in pro- spect to encamp on Mount Olivet for a few days before leaving the Holy City, in order to study them more at leisuie. March 16, Sunday, — This morning we attended divine service at the little English church near the Jalfa gate. It is the only Protestant church in Jerusalem. It was sweet to hear tlie songs of Zion sung on Zion hill, and on the very spot too where probably many of them were composed by the royal Psalmist; for it has been supposed that the church occupies a portion of the site formerly covered by the king's palace, of which the massive walls of the citadeV ft\i Wift
»n
ich it is built. A m of Zion is out- odem wall, and is niltivation. That is ra which was pro- Jeremiah, — " Zion )Ughed like afield." aps the most strik- flie view of Jeru- this point, is the space on Mount inly planted with e, and other trees, le centre of which *' Kubbet es Suk- " Dome of the imonly called the Omar/» This lilding is erected k which forms the [orioh, and is the place in the eyes lem, next to the ecca. It is only of
payment of a large j Jaffa gate may "have iotme^iL
111
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB*B TREA61TBY.
part. These walls are eyidently of great antiquity. The stones are very large, and bevelled in the style of ancient Jewish architecture.
On leaving the church, we were struck with the numbers
of lepers ** sitting side begging," no in groups of three by their wretched appealing to the c passers by.
usstan SgranitK.
BE CALL a sad case — a thing that hap- pened to one Ambos, a professor in a university, who was also a Lutheran minister, falsely accused of a crime, and through the malice of some enemy made to appear guilty. So he was suddenly torn from his firiends and hurried off to Siberia. It was a sad blow to his aged parents, for they had alreskdy lost two sons in the army, and this son and a daughter were all that were left to them. As he lived at a distance from them, it was some time before they heard of it, and even then they could not learn what had become of him. The whole thing was involved in great mystery, and the old father sunk under the trouble and anxiety, and died. After some years a travel- ler called at the inn of the place and inquired for the friends of Ambos. He told them that the year previous, while travelling in Siberia, he had found poor Henry Ambos, in r&gBt at work in a gang of prisonera. He had told \nui 112
his name and 1 begged him on 1 hunt up his fai them know wh( The mother and • mediately began means to get at the matter, and t emperor in his was a serious but the sister, B heart in it, and si to push it throi visited the plac brother had Uvec succeeded in getl count of the tria injustice that ha tised, ' and with t papers and a pe pardon, she sel Petersburg. '
Here she had difficulty in getti before the em officer whose bu to attend to t absolutely refu^ anything to do w she could get : others to listen last she determii I em\yetor himself
THB BABBATH SCHOLAB'B TBEASUBT.
with the greatest difficulty. The door-keepers would not admit her to the palace, and she had not friends of suffi- cient influence to get an inter- view for her. So she watched his suite when he went to church, or to the park, or to reviews, hut all to no pur- pose ; the guards or the servants always kept her hack. At last some ladies of rank hecame interested in her story, and one of them, the Countess Elise, offered to let her go in her dress and car- riage, and he introduced in her name. This would gain her entrance to the palace, and then she must manage for herself. So she was admitted, and the emperor being told that the Countess Elise waited to see him, came to meet her. Of course he was very much surprised to see that it was not the Countess at all, hut a stranger ; still he was not angry, and he permit- ted her to state her business, even condescended to look over the papers she had brought with her, and before she left he gave her reason to hope that her brother would be pardoned. After five days of suspense she received the pardon of her brother with the emperor's seal and signa- ture, and then she rejoiced with great joy.
But she would not trust the precious paper out of her own hands. Nothing would answer but that she must go herself and take it to her brother.
So she started off alone on that long and weary journey. For a whole week she travelled day and night, and after a couple of days of rest, she travelled another week, for there were neither railroads nor balloons on her route. She travelled post, as it is called, which is something like our stage-coach travelling. Oh, how eagerly she presented herself to the officer at the end of her journey and shewed him the pardon of her brother. He received her kindly, and read over the paper carefully, and then said, slowly,
'* I am sorry, but the Henry
I Ambos mentioned in this paper
I is dead ! "
Poor girl I Her efforts had been all in vain. God, in whose hands are the lives of all, waits not the movements even of the Russian emperor ; he had pardoned the poor worn-out man, and taken him home to rest in heaven.
Yes, though we may scarcely ever think of it, that will be the end of all our travels, my little ones. However widely we may wander here, we shall all come at last to the same gate, some sooner, some later, but one by one we shall all certainly come there. And what will be our lot after we have passed through it ? Can we answer that question? How little it matters where we spend our lives here, but how much it matters where we spend them hereafter I — S. S. -iduocatc.
THE SABBATH SCHOI.AB S TBBAStTBX.
ieli&wan« of Sbbcohta.
HE news, the good news, of the deliver- ance of AbheokntA reached England after the last Number of the ** Green Book" was in the printer's hands. Some of our readers have already, we dare say, heard or read of the great deliverance God has wrought for His servants in that place, but we must place the account on record in the pages of our little book.
None can have forgotten how, last year, when Abbeo- kuta was threatened with de- struction by the King of Dahomey, the people of God were moved to pray for its safety. And we must remem- ber how the fierce king, with his men and women- soldiers, came suddenly upon the city, and then, without making any attack, as suddenly returned by the way by which he came. Many hearts were made glad by the tidings, and gave thanks to God, who always hears the prayers of His people.
Again the cruel king of Dahomey has marched up against Abbeokuta. Had he taken the town, all the in- habitants, heathen and Chris- tian, old and young, would have been killed, or sold as slaves : some doubtless would have been kept to be offered in sacrifice to his idols. You will remember reading of these dre&dfal sacrifices at Abomey. 114
The king had already a particular spot of where he intended tc missionaries. Than God, they have not fa prey into his hands.
The king seems made sure of victoi army was large, soldiers brave and da the battle is the Lc He giveth the vi whomsoever He pleai
The Abbeokutai aware of the enemy's Not only were t manned, and every tion made to defend but the Christian pe( the missionaries a families, were cone earnest in their pi God to save them o hand of the heathen.
In one schoolroo the men were gam fight, many African were gathered toget made supplication i Lord. Think of the all this time— the lit children and the lit children too. A en or a life of wretche must be theirs if conquered.
The fight began ab o'clock in the mon soon the Dahomians to flight. They atta town, and tried to the walls, but the .
THX BABBATH 8CHOIJLB*8 TBEABUBY.
Bing, the enemy
They were pur- niany slain. God
after this signal long of Dahomey again disturb Ab- }^reat rejoicing was day in Abbeoknta.
things the par- ght back to the iome large razors,
the king had in- it off the heads of I, and which were 7 in their harry to I the Abbeokntans forty were killed, lomians lost thou-
we shall give 3h>d for His great
' mercy to oar brethen, and to I the poor heathen in Abbeo- knta. Many of the heathen say it is the Christians' God I who has given them the Tiotory. May they be led to choose Him for their God, and I to believe in Jesus Christ, I God's only Son, and man's , only Saviour! If it happen ' thus xmto them from the Lord, i we shall have more abundant cause still to thank God for the defeat of king of Dahomey. Has not God taught us, that if we only pray and faint not, we shall in due time give Him thanks f May the lesson not be thrown away upon us I — Christian Missionary Juve- nile Instructor, 4
,tMs of f toa ^inbs.
Indian lady, well )own in her own •untry for her ohes and jewels. Englishman, and I in Britain. After residence in this le became very ill : said it was con- She was forbidden .y parties, of which fond, confined to and her strength ingway.
' was a Moham- le faiih she held QO comfort ; her lent was in read- tales. The sick- sat in her room . her eyea from her /
work to watch her patient — so like a prisoner, shut up in our cold country, far from her own sunny land. Nurse kept her Bible always near her, and every now and then would read a word to cheer herself, longing to put it into the lady's hand, in place of the foolish tales she read. But " he that winneth souls is wise ;" not only wise in having chosen the highest kind of work, but wise in waiting till God shall open His way to do it. " Nurse," the lady said at length, "I think you must find it very dull to be shut up in this room with me all day long, and to have noWmig^ \a amuse you."
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB B TBBABVBK
** Oh, no, ma'am," she said, " I don't find it dull at all : I am always cheerful, and am not sorry for myself to be shut up in this room."
The lady thought this very strange, and said, ** Go and fetch the box that holds my jewels : it will help to amuse us to look at it this dull day."
So the nurse fetched the box of jewels, and the lady unlocked it, and spread a quantity of them on the table.
" Now, nurse, would not you like to have some of these jewels?"
"No, ma'am, not at all; for I have jewels much finer than yours."
I " How can that be, nurse ? mine are the finest jewels in the land. Where are yours ? You never wear them I "
So the nurse held up her Bible, saying, "My jewels are all in this book."
The lady thought there were one or two jewels hidden about the book, and said, " Take them out and shew them to me."
*' Why, ma'am, my jewels are so precious I can only shew you one at a time."
Then she opened her Bible, and read the text, " I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." She told her mistress, that though a poor woman she had no wish to be a rich one, for God knew what was best for her. She said also that her treasure was in heaven^ a.nd that she did not bo mucbi
mind the trialf because she ws happiness in tl: God and Jesus <
It pleased Go lady's heart th: attend to the tl nurse spoke. (.
" Why, nurse any thing like happy you musi you do; I wis the same ! "
And then tl her she had n feel thus of he was God who hi her heart, and \ do the same f< she would ask I
" Well, nuri lady, " 1 shou] another of you which you ha now is so beaut
But the nurs poor lady wa thought it wa one day, but should see one morrow.
So next day " Shew me anoi
Nurse open< again, and reai faithful saying, all acceptation Jesus came int
»>
\
save smners.
The Holy J work in the lad"" began to feel \ great sinner, i the Lord Jesu soul ; she gave
XBB BABBATB 8CH0LAB*B TBEA8UBT.
welB now; she had he pearl of great ler body wasted day it her Bonl was joy-
fhl in her SaTiour. She was a wonder to many, a bright monument of God's power to save. — The Soul Gatherer,
%\t $it anb its J^mh,*
B have mnch plea- sure in directing the attention of oar readers to ent tract. We give y of the narrative, hi many may be in- ead the little book, ate on the solemn impressively taught. 16th January 1862 ing accident took e north of England, nrning of that fatal hundred and four boys descended }w Pit to their work, thing went on as 1 eleven o'clock in x)n, when a loud noise like distant N&a heard in the lood of the pit. It d by the pitmen's that something 1 happened ; and, r worst fears were the beam of the uass of iron weigh- -three tons, had I two, and one of lerous lengths had m the pit. The am carried every- >re it in its fall.
JBer. C. F. Bacban, I rutFordoun. /
Wood-work, stones, gravel, and earth, in immense quantities, were carried down, so that the shaft of tlie pit was completely choked up, and all communication with those below entirely cut off. What a dreadful thought I
Upwards of two hundred men and boys shut up in this Uving grave, with no way of escape, and the deadly poison of foul air constantly increas- ing. Such a calamity had never before been experienced in coal-mining, though its annals are full of sad and terrible accidents. Heroic eflforts were immediately made for the deliverance of the poor prisoners. All that skill could devise, and strength and courage could perform, was done for days and nights without intermission, but in vain. It was not until the sixth day that an opening was made into the pit, and then it was found to be too late,— the whole were dead ! Some were found with tools in their hands, as if they had laboured • bravely to the last to make a way of escape for themselves and their fellow-pmo\i«t\i \ but the maiority were \j.\\.V\ii\j, with their teadsTealmgoii >iJafc\t
in
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB^S TBBASUKI.
hands, or reclining on each other's shoulders, or locked in a loving embrace. They had met the last enemy undaunted- ly, many of them with the peace and joy which the Christian alone can feel in such an hour. Inscriptions written on pieces of paper or scratched on tin vessels, made known the penitence of some, the faith of others, and the fate of all. " Mercy, 0 God ! " '* We had a prayer-meeting at two ! " and such like intima- tions of devout repentance and faith, were some of their sad but sublime memorials in death. And could a loftier tribute to the power of the Gospel be rendered than that which their sepulchre in the gloomy pit gave up when opened? Those touching mementos of the devotion in death of these lowly pitmen, dying one by one in the dark bowels of the
earth, sent a thrill amazement and J03 the land. Vnhe wondered at the ei fortitude of these men; and Christii and thanked God i given to humblt thus to testify for in circumstances dously appalling, remain unmoved thought of these i together a devotioi when the last ho] and the coldness c already creeping hearts ? And 1 believers in Him resurrection and t far down in the '. earth ; and that awful pit becam< every reason to bright gateway int immortality.
oiit to Claris t.
NE morning a con- verted Hindoo came to the missionary bringing his brass idols, and throwing them on the ground, said : —
" Enough of these ! I have done with them, and wish to have no more to do with them. I have read much and learned much in my heathen books, bat I have found no Test. In. Christ alone is rest." 118
\
He also took frc a silver chain 1 name of his god, : it on the ground, f
" Enough I N sin has cleaved tc while I have kept me. Please, sir, tal something better- Jesus. 0 how dil all this ! I know 1 1 secuted by my frie
THB SABBATH BCHOLAB*B TBEA8UBT.
io'ttt inak t\t ^abballj.
TOUNG man lay tossing from side to side on a straw-bed in one comer of a room in a prison, ^t brought you here V* me who went to visit him I distress.
breaking the Sabbath," le, ** breaking the Sab- Instead of going to the ith-school I went a fish- i the Sabbath. IJcnew U9 doing wrong ; my r taught me better ; my th-school teacher taught tter ; my minister taught tter; my Bible taught tter ; my conscience re- . me all the time I was it ; but I hated instruc- jid despised reproof— )re I am in prison. I yt believe those who
taught me and warned me. I had no idea that it would come to this — but here I am. Lost ! Undone !"
But I hear some one say, " What harm can there be in taking a stroll in the woods or on the hills ? What liarm in just sitting down on the bank to fish?"
What harm ! WTiat harm ! Why, this. God is disobeyed. He says, ** Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy.*^ The moment you resolve to have your own way, and seek your own pleasure, instead of obeying God, you let go com- pass, rudder, and chart. No- thing but God's Word can guide you safely through this life. Forsake that, refuse to obey its teachings, and you are lost."
^NEELING in the pleasant twilight i^j Of the Sunday eventide; When its fading golden glories Into the darkness glide.
My mothers arms around ms,
My head upon her breast, Fell upon me in the twilight,
The calm of peifect rest.
Her kiss upon my forehead, Her dear voice, sweet and mild,
Spoke through the gathering shadows, The tender name ot " Cnild.**
a BCHOL.1B B IXUaOB
And all the dait\ burden, And all the week's unrest,
Charmed away into tbe twiliitht, Left me kneeling calm sad bleat.
Then o'er m«, through the twilight. Like (lew Irom heaven, there scale
A vniee of love unearthly, Speaking loflly to my louL
Solemn and Bweet the accents,
Ai tender and as true, " As one his mother comrortetb,
So will 1 comfort you."
I seemed to see my Saviour Stand on the heavenly shore,
When closed nas lift's long battle, And the daylight's toil was o'er.
With His touch of hlesaing charming All the strife of earth away ;
All longing and ail sorrowing, Lost in the perfect day.
Oh, love divine and tender,
Uh, thou than aU mora fair 1 Thy shadows fringe this earth of oar
tbj peitect\igbt,UOwTe\
from t^e fesst.
iCtmimatd /rum fast III.) rjAKY Dohle remunB ' m^morate hii TictnrieR n^n K of the ancient City I the Jena, and the destrnclion ffi tlelii^bt the e;e of ' of JernBalcin.
the visitor to Bomo : | Ou the inside of the Arch are
these, few mil eicite i batt-relicfs. representing the
; iDterest than the Aceh I copti'o Jens, and tiia s^nWanl \^
tn« ereclat to com- j the Temple ■which -were o«tt\e4
ViV
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TREASUBY.
/
to Borne by Titas. It takes us back, in imagination, to the time of Moses and the giving of the Law &om Sinai, to see here sculptured the silTdr trumpets made by the com- maud of God **for the calling of the assembly," and the branched candlestick of gold, made according to the ** pat- tern which was shewed" Mcses *'in the mount."
It is not known what be- came of the sacred vessels brought by Titus to Bome — some say that they were thrown accidentally from the Milvian Bridge into the Tiber, dvring the flight of Maxentius from Oonstantine ; others, that they were carried off by Gen- seiic after the sack of Kome, and lost in the passage to Africa. In the sculptures on ihe Arch, however, we have the exact representation of the sacred utensils, executed by the hand of one who had no doubt seen the originals ; and these sculptures have been preserved to us in the most wonderful manner through nearly eighteen centaries, to be a standing memorial of the fulfilment of the prophecy of Christ — " The days shall come upon thee that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round on every side, and shall lay thee even on the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another, be- caase thou knewest not the time ofiliy \isita.iiou,'^
122
March 17. — This morning we went to the English Con- sulate to join a party which had been formed for the pur- pose of visiting the Haram, or Temple enclosure. The rain was falling heavily, and we went splashing through the narrow, wet, and stony streets, preceded by a cawass bearing a long silver-headed rod. When we arrived at the entrance of the Haram, we had to change our boots for a pair of slippers, and were then conducted to the Mosk I of Omar. The shape of this beautiful building is an octa- gon. Its exterior walls are formed of an intricate mosaic of many- coloured marbles and glazed tiles, and are crowned by a dome of exquisite pro- portions, surmounted by a gilded orescent. Inside, all was darkness, harmonizing painfully with our sadness at the desecration of a spot so holy — the place of which it is written, '*The glory of the Lord filled the house." Oar guide conducted us through the darkness, lighting the way with a small taper, to the centre of the Mosk ; and there, underneath a silken canopy, and surrounded by a wooden protection, we beheld the broad limestone rock which forms the summit of Moriah. This was the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite, where the destroying angel sheathed his sword. Here too stood the brazen altar of burnt- offering on which the priest
\
THE BiBBATH SCHOLAB*B TBEASUBT.
offered the morning and even- ing sacrifice, " day by day continually." Awed by the solemn associations of the spot, we were not in a mood to listen to the silly and frivolous traditions about Ma- homet, Gabriel, and Al Borak, with which it is associated by Mohammedans.
Underneath the rock is a small excavated chamber, called by Moslems, "The Noble Cave," into which we descended. It is undoubtedly ancient, but whether it had any connection with the Tem- ple is uncertain.
We now left the Mosk of Omar, and crossed to the southern side of the Haram. After visiting the Mosk £1 Aksa, we descended into the vaults, which extend for a considerable distance under this portion of the Temple ' area. These vaults are built ' of immense bevelled stones, and are probably coeval with the platform formed by Solo- mon, on which to build the Temple; and are certainly the vaults in which, as related by Josephus, many of the Jews took refuge after the capture of the City by Titus, as well as during the bloody feuds which distracted it during the siege.
On another occasion we visited the " Jews' wailing place," which is situated near the south western corner of the external wall of the Haram. Here, on Fridays, Jews from every nation, weep
over the venerable atones, and whisper their prayers through the crevices — ** How long, Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever."
" Bnt we mnst wander witheringly In other lands to die, And whore oar father's ashes be,
Our own may never lie. Our temple hath not left a stone. And mockery aits on Salem's throne."
March 24. — To - day we visited the •' Church of the Holy Sepulchre." Though the identity of the site has been much disputed, and in- deed its claims to be the true spot will scarcely bear a can- did investigation, yet it is one of the most interesting places in the Holy City, for to it the hearts of all Christendom have for ages been tamed, as the scene of our Lord's pas- sion and burial. For the re- covery of this from the hands of the Saracens, the Crusades were undertaken, and it has not yet ceased to be a source of strife. Some difference with regard to it, between the Greek and Latin Churches, was one of the prime causes of the Crimean war. As Christ said, " I came not to send peace on earth, bnt a sword.
In front of the Church is a small paved court, crowded with pilgiims of all ages, and dressed in the costumes of almost every nation. In this conrt is carried on a brisk trade in relics, in the shape of crucifixes and rosaries.
Under \ii\\i -^^c&l ioq.\ w^
/
^
~^^
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TRSASURY.
separate chapels for many dif- ferent sects. The liatins, Greeks, Armenians, and Oopts, have each portions of the bnilding belonging to them- selves exclusiTely, besides a common right in other parts. At the centre of the Botnnda, underneath the great dome, is the Sepulchre, covered by a small building. Entering this we found ourselves in a little chapel, cased with mar- ble, blackened with the smoke of incense, and lighted by forty- two gold and silver lamps. Though here there is no ap- pearance of a sepulchre, yet few could see unmoved the
crowds of pilgrims, some of them little children searee able to reach up to the slab that covers the tomb, embrace the cold marble, press their lips upon it, and, it may be, bathe it with their tears.
As we wandered through the gorgeous chapels, ue organ belonging to the Latans was being played, and the solemn strains pealed grandly through the immense building. Wo visited the so-called Chapel of the Crucifixion, and other tiaditional spots; but as these are all apocryphal I shall not describe them.
£. £. S.
/_
/
^i €\m anb tfee %mut
ITTLE river, little river.
Gliding thus so swiftly on, Say if any work you do As 3'our course you run.
Listen, child, and I will tell you, Simple is my work and small ;
But 'tis better to do little Than do none at all.
Well I know I'm not the ocean — No great ships can I upbear —
But, though small, my gentle waters Can make all aruund me fair.
Where I pass, the grass looks greener On my banks the willows grow ;
And their roots I strive to nourish As 1 onward tiow.
Barren places where I run
Lose tlieir drearv look ; Little tishes sport m la^
In many a secrel hooVl.
THB gABBATH BOHOLAB'B TBIABUBT.
So, you see, thoagh small and lowly, I have still some work to do ; —
Cbild, I ask you in return, What aorlf of work have you ?
Little river, little river,
Thank you for the lesson taught ; Until now I was too lowly
To do any work, I thought.
But, henceforth, I will endeavour All around to soothe and cheer;
Making, like thy gentle waters. Barren places look la-s drear.
True, like thee, I'm small and lowly,
No great work can I fultil ; But some little spots around me
I can water if 1 wilL
I'll seek out the poor and suffering. All unknown to earth and fame,
And I'll whisper words of comfort. Speaking in my Saviour's name.
Telling how He bids the weary Come and lean upon His breast ;
Bidding all the heavv laden Come, and He will give them rest
Tes ! I hear my heavenly Father Speaking to me from the sky.
Saving, though I am young and lowly, There is work for such as L
M. H.
■.•V^ ■^ V^ N^ V*' *^ %- -
iBing.
|T is recorded in history that a certain phi- losopher of ancient times was one day ed, " What does a man iby telUngalie?" "Not •e believed," said he, "even
this answer of a wise man, and, at the same time, re- member that He who is greater and wiser than the wisest of men hath said, that " all liars shall have their portion in the lake that bometh with fire
n he tells the truth.*' I and brimBtone."— Kev. xii.
mg^ readers, bear In mind ! 8.
I*i5
f|f glissimi litlb.
J^ESb people at large ma;
Btuid TiDder a tre«, or eonie TBcimt apdt at the side of a public road. But in Calcrntla, with a Tiew to moke aucli efforts syetemAtic, uid to Goniuct tbcm in tea orderly oDuTenieDt njaDuer, tipeiience
they ai6 teXliet primifive Bimctares. iHiiDg only a en- perior kind of hut ; bat they proiide conveDient apace for tbo hearera, Fomfortable Beats, and a roof otcc head to ehelter them. Let ua took iuto 6ne of the vsry bert in Calfntta,— thf chflpd ot the Qeneril Aasembly o( the Choroh ot Scotland, Com wallia Sqiitttp. it Mia h at a comer wherr tivy great thoToagbfarea crosa each oCber, and ie a Fonspicuons object. It is about tbiitv leet square, and fifteen feet high; an Ibe road-Bids area number of brick pillars I lanng tbpToof, wliicli form the four Bidpp.slopfisupttardaleapoiut, anJ in also supported bv thick mwden poBta, which rise from the emtie of the floot. T^e
roof ia corered w round tilea ; and plaoes the piaster from tlie pillarB an^ Iflto inner walls, in pi the saltpetre which the fonndoliona. Tl tiled; there are no and neither glaas no whether for window appear in the whd The doors are large bamboo and mat. and the openings bet
lillari
ed, leaving 1 sides of the place all A amall railed pie foot high, with a b in front, stands sg back -wall ; and in t imd on both aides, bcnchea, for the aci tion ot the hearers, not possess the Ininr; On the whole it seen fi for tliv instrnctioi speitatlp raRged aohi the plac.
1. Ihc
t t
(or gathering a nM
gregati
The t
finished their day's i are going home ; ■ paes along tbe grrat I fares near the cb»f enJLea stream. Sml
< i How
I the
THX gkXBATB 8CBOLAB*8 TBEAEURT.
the pnUio ofSeeB. is pMB rapidly ; Banying burdens; irts liden frith begs
bales of cloth; a a load of wood on
a few house ser- i messenger with ing a bnwd badge
waist ; with many urions employments ta, hasten on their
chapel is now light nmerons lanterns, mi the roof, or np- porting posts, and lamps, specially e to the defdc ; and vonld look gay and were it not for the long the rafters of
and the general ffance of the place.
MENT OF SEBYIOE.
issionary arriyes one, perhaps with oUeagne or a native od enters the place, nothing specially oat him. No con- s waiting his ap- There is actually
the place. The le two missionaries in the desk, and I read, in a clear,
a portion of the i it be a parable, r of one of the le Ten Command- Paul's sermon at his last passage, jr, is ncTer to bo stood except in a >j, Bnrrotmded hj
twenty temples, and by gronpe of devotees, who are either presenting their offerings of frnits and flowers, or pros- trate before the idol at their prayers. Sometimes, though rarely, no one comes in duriri^r the reading; and though tiie reader continues, the streets may remain deserted, and the desired congregation fail to appear. Generally it happens that during the reading one comes in, Uien another, and perhaps twelve or sixteen may be collected by the time it is finished.
THE BEBMON.
Then the preacher stands up and proceeds with his dis- course. He gives out no text ; but merely stating that he will describe a story taken from the Word of God, he proceeds to relate it, and fills up all details of time, place, , and circumstance, as if his hearers had never heard such a thing before. He expounds, illus- trates by stories and incidents, argues, explains, enforces. The hearers listen with at- tention ; sometimes one will object, and he must be wisely silence^ till the end, or his objection skilfully woven into the thread of the discourse, and answered. If the hearers are interested they will remain, and at a striking argument, a pointed story, or a good-hum- oured exposure of their gods, they will laugh, or say, ** Capi- tal I " If not interested they wJU go away alter a ie^ m\-
TH£ SABBATH SGHOLAB'S TBXA8UBT;
nates, and others come : these also go after a time, and others take their places : and so there is a perpetual current of change going on through the whole service.
A wise missionary will be careful to repeat the essential principle of his discourse three or four times as he goes on ; so that all may understand the subject he is seeking to enforce, and safely carry it away. At times, with an earnest and impressive sermon, a large portion of the con- gregation will remain the entire time. Mr Lacroix usually preached about three quarters of an hour. The sermon concluded, a short prayer is offered ; and then the people gather round the preacher to receive his tracts and Gospels.
Thus goes on the preaching of the Gospel to the Hindus day oy day : unsatisfiactory, indeed, in its constant change of forgetful hearers; but pleasant in the fact, that even idolaters hear something of the love of Christ, and that a few hear of life eternal. The congregations are always different ; perhaps a £pw in- dividuals, wishing to learn about Christianity, may appear again and again at the same place; and often has it been found, that amongst the chance visitors at these chapels, even men from dis- tant villages, who, among other results of a trip to the chief city of India, have cai- 128
ried home som< and books desori] religion of Jesus ( had already hearc
SUBJECTS MOST
The subjects
Lacroix adopted i
bazaar-preaching
which brought o
rectly and full]
doctrines of sal
thought it most
preach from thoi
of Scripture in wl
doctrines are in
doubtless the m*
ill disciplined '.
greatly assisted
this he only folb
ample of the Gr
who has given i
especially to m
ages, so much
embodying the
God and the
holy men. He
view the imports
the knowledge o:
was small, tiiat
were full of err
very words he
liable to convey
and that they i
misapprehend w]
that all the holi
mercy of the Goi
to them ; and th
to their errors
slavery with gi
He felt therefore
much to do in e:
excellence of tli
grace, before h
suade men to be
(3[od. la doing
THB SABBATH 8CH0LAB*8 TBEASUBT.
■ to "use great f speeeh ; " and leconnt a natural leased of devising lies in which some 7 could be shewn it principle of re- ese sinules were n his month, and res are very fond s preaching was ble. • • •
r YABIOUB MEW >LANS.
I the nsaal plan ic preaching ser- seyeral occasions vary his methods, bring the Gos- nore directly and ipon the classes oagh the yema- )ne time he pre- . letter to the re- unilies near his netting forth the h, offering them isldng permission ich difficulties as feel respecting iceived only one ' replies.
er time he pre- iries of lectures .ences of Christi- h a number of
not attached to tary school, had
wish to receive, ffered to attend By the time he
third, they en- eared.
le attended the be moining, ait-
ting there for two or three hours, for the purpose of con- versing with individuals, and hoping to find some inquirers. But Hindus who come in- dividually to ask for simplest explanation from a mis- sionary, or visit him in private, soon become marked men ; and no one ventured. The ever-changing congregations in bazaar chapels are una- ware of the varied endeavours made to get a closer hold of their souls, and desire no benefit from them. Nothing is left, therefore, but to con- tinue the services with as much regularity and efficiency as possible. . . .
OBSTACLES AND ENCOUIIAGK- MEKTS.
Though the shifting nature of these Hindu congregations rendered native preaching very much a work of beating the rair, still, by means of informa- tion obtained by individuals, and the tracts and Scriptures given to them, much know- ledge of the Gospel has been spread abroad, and the eyes of multitudes have been di- rected to Jesus as the one Saviour in whom they are ex- horted to believe. The fre- I quent encounters, too, with [ an idolatrous system so in- defensible as that of Hinduism — encounters in which it is impossible for the nystem to obtain the victory — have pro- duced very widely the general conviction, that its days are numbered, and ihal «i\> t^ni^
1^^
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB 8 TBB48X7BT.
fatnre time it will give place to Chrietianity. But the caste role gives the system im- mense strength ; and, humanly speaking, decades of years may pass hefore a res^ly effective hlow is struck at the frame-work which it has taken three thousand years to huild. Shifting its applications with the changes of each passing Ag^t i^ y^t maintains, in full activity, all its essential prin- ciples. Nothing can he more directly effective in undermin- ing it than Christian know-
ledge ; and saeh has sufifiered. Thi the people have b* sively prepared f changes, the way c the agencies securec ing them. More th dividuals have beei from the system b] of a divine hand, ai cases, movements place on a large f have carried off h its disciples, an them to the feet o: MemoriaU of Lacr
|or '§ti(WiUxs,
I HEN any one was speaking ill of another in the presence of Peter the Great, he at first listened to him attentively, and then
interrupted him. not," said he, " a fk to the character of of whom yon are Tell me what good q have remarked aboi
oiittts.
I
^HO that has been in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and has then ex- p^ienced rest from the world, and rest in \he special enjoy- ment and service of his God and Saviour, but can say, like a learned judge ? —
** A Sabbath well spent Brings a week of content"
2. The inspired motto of the Apostle Panl, —
"Mc man lives to bimaokl!,"
ISO
was very precious Baikes, a wealthy owner, in Gloncest near the end of h he was stirred up b^ after the inmates of prison, educating wise caring for Uic ing np for the b wrought in this a gi But he was deeply see profanity anc breaking abound f throughout Englai
XHX gABBiATH 8CH0LAB*B TBEASUBT.
DOther, and Another, with Philip Heni^', father of tr years no less than Matthew, who, to this day, is hildren belonged to a j the '* prince of commentators." aded by a noble army 5. The renowned African 3er teachers. The ', explorer and former mission- as marvelloas ! It &ry, Dr Livingstone, says — Je hiter whra John u ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ geographical and J. A. Haldane , ^^^ ^ ^j^^ the beginning of d a like blessed ^he missionary enterprise." k^otland, where few
)ls then existed. In 6. How nscfal in these and were greatly aided kindred good enterprises it is of the nobles, es- to remember the motto of he then venerable John Eliot. Acting on it, this )f Leven. wonderful man gave, in 100^),
1 can conceive of the the first printed Bible to salts of these insti- America. It was prepared for 1 the past or the Indian savages, the Mohawks, 3n the great day which race has entirely passed
tn — ^will they be fully
stated, thst when of Wellington was a young clergyman inrch of England,
was his duty to be- ssionary, his Grace
away! How strange! A lone civilized, nay, learned man, living in the woods, among red men. Nay ! thus living on and on for many years. At the same time, writing, and writing with his own hands, from the first verse of Genesis
itically replied, | to the end of the Revelation —
to yonr marching orders."
writing, too, in this strange tongue, its words of seven or even ten syllables. lUmem- g man looked, and \ ber there was no alphabet in e who is ** God over ; the language when he begun.
) Captain of Salva- nmands, in Mark
He had to contrive, form, and arrange eveiij letter. Yet though doubtless often faint, laeh the Gospel to ! ^e stiU pursued. At last he ry creature," ' fi»i8^«d his gigantic, self-im-
I posed task, pioving the truth iginning and cari'y- : of his motto,
y undertaking, keep ' « -. j . ^,. « i
^ J , Grayer and pains, through '
i faith in Chilst, can do any-
tid provender never \ thing."
jr a journey," '' n j a a v v.
I 7. Indeed, says a biograph-
% itLYounte thought er of this ^^ apobUe to Wielii- \
1^1
\
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBA8UBT.
dians," as he has been called, when speaking of his motto, ** romance and poetry are veiy fine things to talk about, but the world is to be conquered only by ' prayer and painsj' "
8. The duty of instant action is beautifully shewn by Fitzgerald Matthew, a convert in the West Indies. Does not this poor, yet redeemed negro, give a noble example to the re- fined Christians, of Great Britian ? At a congregational meeting he was asked to allow his name to be put down for a subscription in the great cause. He came forward, and although urgently told this was not the time for (jivin/f^ yet he gave handsomely, for his wife, his- daughter, and self, saying,
** The work must be done, and we may be dead."
What a privilege to be a *' hewer of wood or drawer of water" when the Lord's house is a building !
9. With like eaergy acted Mr Charles, in Wales, in 1802, It was then he commenced the movement for the Bible Societv, named the British and Foreign. This, and kindred institutions afterwards formed, and so nuch needed, have circalated copies of the Word of Life, bv thousands and millions. And onwards and onwards are they pro- gressing, in translating, print- ing, and sowing broad-caat the precious seed over the field, which is the world. How ap- proprifite the motto of that
132
humble but honoiired of Christ,
" There is no diiHeii] God."
10. Nor should w the noble motto of th( Dr Carey. He eheerli before setting out fc where his labours wei measure f and his snct can estimate f —
" I will go down ai the mine, if you i the rope."
I will go down into fh of heathenism, and i salvation d these souls, if you promise t( me by your meam, pecially by your pray^
11. William Bof reasoned with by an a that at his age, neai he should scarcely i going to AfHca, hem it would be for him tc new tongue, to whi the Latin wooM be i As a true hero of the ' replied,
''I will just put a Bto to a Btey brae.
In God^s promised to the poor heathen I and learn their langoi I rejoice at the Uio being able to make k them the unsearchabl of Christ.
12. " Onwards, U^war
▼enwarda! *Iiooiki
Jesus.' "
B.
* Steele hilL
DSA.LEM iB Bitu- the Utter to the tiortb of the | ted DD the bocilei: city. At the divisiMi by lot, etweeu Jndali and . ftt 3hilah, of the land of I eDjsmin, tlis i Canaan among the bftia^ ol \ J lo Ibe eoath, sad \ iBraeliU-nuoueotthetouiVeim
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBFASITBT.
cities which fell to the tribe of Benjamin. But although the Benjamites seem to have called in the assistance of their brethren of Judah, thej' were unable to drive out the Jebusites, who were not finally dispossessed till the time of David, who took the strong- hold of Zion, and made it a royal city, calling it " the City of David."
During our stay at Jeru- salem, we made two excursions through the surrounding dis- trict. On the morning of the 19th of March, we started from Jerusalem for the purpose of visiting the lower valley of the Jordan, the Dead Sea, and Hebron. Crossing the Kedron, we took the road to Bethanv — the same road by which, strew- ed with the garments of the multitude, and resounding with their Hosannahs, the Saviour made His triumphal entry in- to Jerusalem. This road, so often trod bv the feet of Jesus, winds around the Mount of Olives. There is one point at which the view of that portion of the city where stood the \ Temple, bursts upon the view i of the traveller towards Jem- : salem, and here was doubtless ; where the Saviour " beheld the city and wept over it."
Bethany, interesting as the residence of that famil/ whom ' Jesus loved, and as the scene of the Ascension, is situated about three miles from Jeru- salem, ou the eastern slope uf Olivet. On the hill side, in the immediate neighbour\ioo3., 134
we noticed several cv out of the soft rock which may have li scene of the resurre Lazarus.
The country, aftei Bethany, was very b uninteresting. Our between low limesto the sameness of eol scanty vegetation < were wearisome to Here, on the road Jerusalem and Jeri< the scene of the pi the good Samarita now, as then, this : noted for its lawless e Indeed, it is dangero traveller to visit it w escort, and we had t precaution of engagii three Bedouiu Aral guard, whose pi costumes formed an variety in the monotonous landsca] some hours, howe scenery assumed a character, and for c tance the path lay i edge of a wild rav called £1 Kelt, the which are almost si ci pices of between 500 feet. In the sid ravine, and seeminglj sible to human feet, caves, which were inhabited by hermits
We now comme last stage of our des that extraordinary d in the earth's snr&ce which the Jordan ]
nn SABBATH KHOULB 8 TBEABURT.
letk. No stream ym the Dead Sea ir reodved from and other riTers Hj exhaaeted by The valley of
here lies 1300 the level of the Em, and the heat mtly very great.
the brook which ;h Wady el Kelt,
is believed to k Cherith, where
fed by ravens reat famine in the lb. Its banks are I a Inxmriant foli- ndeed, the whole
here present the 01 English park, ; for t^e tropical the vegetation tain, £s Sultan, >w visited, marks ident Jericho, and dly the fountain isha, and of which mains sweet unto I we tested by a ight. Our camp- for the night was he modem repre- r Jericho. The ras magnificent, f an extensive rich valley of the of the fine moun- of Moab. Well aen of Jericho of tlisha, " the situa- ity is pleasant, as ih."
).— This morning eurly, having before eot of a Jong and /
fatiguing day^s journey. An hour's gallop across the beautiful park - like plain, brought us to the Jordan, at the place where the Greek pilgrims bathe at Kaster. Tlie river is here about thirtv vards broad, and has a eon- Biderable resemblance, in the size and appearance of itH waters, to the Tiber, near Kome ; but, unlike that river, it is richlv wooded down to the water's edge, the «olean- ders, tamarisks, and other shrubs forming in many places an almost impenetrable thicket, affording secure shel- ter to many wild animals. The bear, wolf, and hyena, are still common in Palestine, and panthers too are occa- sionally seen, especially in the region of Mount Hermon. But the king of the forest has now disappeared, and is no longer to be seen coming up "from the swelling of Jor- dan," as described by the prophet Jeremiah.
Near this spot must have ** passed over on dry ground," the host of Israel, when they entered the promised land ; and here, too, is the place where *' Elijah took his mantle and wrapped it to- gether, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry land ;" and on yonder side, as " they still went and talked, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire," and. "^wV.^^. Elijah from EUaha, " wA
1^^
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBEASUBT.
/
L
Elijah went ap by a whirlwind into heaven." Nor does this exhaust the interest of the spot. An event of still deeper and more sacred interest is believed to have occurred here, for this is probably the place where Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized ; and standing here, we could have no doubt as to the *' wilder- ness " into which, after His baptism, He " was led up of the Spirit," to be tempted of the devil. It must have been the wilderness of Judea, which rises behind us in rugged desolation.
Our ride to the shores of the Dead Sea, was across a flat sandy plain, on which our Arab guards took the oppor- tunity of displaying their horsemanship. Laying the bridle on their horse's neck, they would start at full gallop across the plain ; and then, with quivering lance, make mock charges at us. The Dead Sea, instead of present- ing that gloomy and repulsive aspect which is usually attri- buted to it, struck us as being exceedingly beautiful. The water was exquisitely pure and blue, and the mountains of Moab, descending steeply on the east to the waters' edge, reminded me of our Scotch mountains. The heat was very oppressive, the air quiver- ing as it only does under in- tense heat, and we enjoyed a bathe in the cool waters. The water ia very salt and acrid, taid exceedingly buoyant. 126
Our faces and ha coming out, were with salt. The De about forty miles '. the cities of the supposed to have bee near tJie southern no authentic remi been discovered.
The region betweei Sea and the convei Saba, where we wer the night, cannot be for the wild and character of its scen^ ascent from the valle the ravines of the ness of Engedi," toilsome, and our Ai lost their way, so tb late before we rea convent. For the the road was along tl a magnificent ravin( which Hows the Ee in the precipitous which are quarried anchorites, like had previously obser Wady el Kelt. Th« is grandly situatec brink of this ravine, of its straggling clinging to the si small glen, which the main one. It l the Greek church, ( of the richest coi Palestine.
It was a lovely n; stars shining througl air, in a cloudless sli pure and dazzling lui seen in our northc , Perhaps some such
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBEABUBT.
from Saul in this very region — lay with no canopy save that of the heavens, prompted him to hreak out into that beauti-
ful psalm of praise : — " The ! knowledge." heavens declare the glory of I
God, and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth
£j* £. »■
<^abbiitl^-freaking.
TEACHER having observed two boys behaving improperly in the streets one Sabbath afternoon, repriman- ded them severely. One of the boys said, *' We are only playing, sir." To which the teacher very properly replied, that it was wrong even to play on the Lord's-day, especially in the public streets. Sunday
scholars ought always to re- turn from school in the most orderly manner, recollecting that though they are unper- ceived by their teachers, He who has commanded them to " keep holy the Sabbath-day " sees with displeasure every neglect of His commandment, and will one day call them to give an account of every idle word and thought.
^t Ultsston lielb— ©ttr InMa ^isswn.
;W0 exceedingly inter- esting letters from the Convener of the India Mission Com- mittee, have recently been published in the Missionary Record, Had our space per- mitted we would have afforded our readers the pleasure of perusing both of these import- ant and encouraging letters ; but we can give only the con- clusion of the last of them.
** Before enumerating, as I shall do before closing, all the agencies in connexion with our India Mission, I must give some aceonnt of what the
Mission does, or proposes to do.
" You are aware that much difference of opinion has exist- ed among the friends of India Missions, both at home and abroad, as to the best methods of bringing the natives of India to recognize Jesns Christ as their Saviour.
** All parties are agreed in seeking the same ultimate end; — not the mere enlight- enment of the heathen mind, nor the mere conversion of individuals, but the gathering them into C1ai\e.\.\»5i wi<JAfi5^«^ — the \)\n\d\na u-o, Vtv ^fisvotS.^
\3A
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB^S TBBASUSr.
of a native Christian Church, and, if possible, a self-sup- porting one, over all India. ' What outward form that Church shall take has been with most Churches a minor question ; but in so far as it can be determined by Euro- pean influence, it has been so in accordance, necessaiily, with the convictions of the different missionary bodies.
*' But how shall the great end, which all have at heart — the Christianizing of the heathen — be best accom- plished? By schools or by preaching ? If by schools, by what . kind? Vernacular schools, or high-class schools. With instruction in science and European literature, as well aa from the Bible ? Or, if not by schools, should all missionary effort be concen- trated on preaching? And if i by preaching, ought it to be by natives aJone, trained for the ministry in Mission insti- tutions, or by Europeans also ? I am not perhaps stating those questions with definite ac- curacy ; but such, you well know, are the kind of ques- tions, branching into innum- erable details, of greater or less importance, which have been discussed at home or abroad in connexion with I India Missions.
** Now the fact is, that our Church approves, and always ! has approved, of all these methods; and, viewing our Mission as a whole, she has prscticalij adopted all ol tihem
— teaching in schools, female si orphanages, and schools; with pre means of catechis ates, and ordained both native and Ec all are at this i operation. Our agency in India is miserably and mou but not our idea < Mission. Our shi our charts are goo course is clearly but we are too dan. want of hands to W' '* I am not ignor has been written ' ence to how Indit should be conducte carefully perused tl given by missionary denomination, at ences" held both in try and in India, tolerably well acqui the results, as fai can be discoverec svstem which has I ed for converting 1 of Hindostan ; an viction gathers s additional informs as a tcholet the ide ctived and propoi Inglis, and since ' matically carried ox forty years by Dr continued also in Missions, is the most successful in viewed as a prepi harvests in the fiiti as [itself a harres
THE SABBATH SOHOLAB 8 TBBiSUBT.
attempted in tlip same field of labour.
** Is it of importance to get at the hearts of the young before they are utterly cor- rupted by heathenism?— and to enlighten the minds of young men with such know- ledge as destroys all belief in the monstrous falsehoods of idolatry?— and to train the rising generation to under- stand and receive truth as well as to reject lies? — and, above all, to rear a thoroughly efficient native ministry, cap- able of exercising a social, intellectual, and moral influ- ence on their country ? These ends are accomplished by the Mission school, with its Chris- tian literature, its Christian instruction, its truth taught in every department of know- ledge, and that by ordained ministers of the Gospel, them- selves men of culture and piety, who have gone abroad with one aim ever present to their minds — to win souls to Christ!
" Christian education fully carried out is thus the best means for reaching the higher and most influential classes of Hindoo society, for preparing the way for the reception of a preached Gospel in later as well as earlier years, and for forming such intelligent and well-instructed native congre- gations as will prove bright and steadily burning lights amidst the darkness of hea- thendom ; and finally, is the
only means, to use a mercan- tile phrase, of doing a whole- sale business, by rearing an educated native ministry, without which the establish- ment and continuance of a Christian Church in India is simply impossible.
"But, as I have already said, our Scotch Mission was never intended to be, and never has been confined to schools, however admirable, but has embraced every kind of eflioient agency which ex- perience has proved to be best suited in the particular lo- cality, or to meet the special circuniitances of the Mission, for carrying out God's work of establishing His kingdom.
" To cry down this system as the fruit of unbelief, and to substitute what is called " preaching " for it in every place and in all circum- stances, betrays, in my humble opinion, either great ignor- ance or weak fanaticism.
" But let us only get men — men of the right stamp and head and heart— and, if our system is good, they will adopt it ; if defective, they will improve it ; or, if bad, they will reject it, and make a right system for themselves.
" I must, however, bring my talk on our India Mission to a close, by giving yon a statistical table of our Missions as correctly as I can make it up with the documents and information at present in my possession.
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBXA8UBT.
|
Stations. |
s i « £.2 2 |
Native Mhers and itechists. |
• |
I a |
|
i |
M .,. r^ 2 |
gQ 6 |
H 21 |
a |
|
1 1 ' 1. Galcntta, .... |
1 |
7J |
||
|
2. Bombay, .... |
2 |
2 |
20 |
3i |
|
3. Sealkote, .... |
2 |
1 |
7 |
li |
|
4. Gyah, .... |
1 |
2 |
2 |
f |
|
5. Madras and Branch Schools, |
2 |
3 |
6 |
4( |
|
(1.) VellorCy |
• • |
1 |
6 |
1( |
|
(2.) KandypathoiTy |
• • |
1 |
3 |
« |
|
(3.) Secunderabad, |
• • 9 |
1 |
• • 65 |
t |
|
12 |
19( |
(t
To this agency, connected with our Church, we must add the Ghospara Mission of Dr Muir*8 congregation, with its catechist and two assistants ; and also the very important branch of Schools for Female Education, which have five or- phanages with upwards of 150 girls. Schools with five lady teachers, including Ceylon ; with eight European matrons, assistants, and monitresses, attended by 900 pupils.
** I would also remind your readers, that we have in ad- dition to our Mission staff, the three Presbyteries of Cal- cutta, Madras, and Bombay, to which we may add Ceylon, with nineteen ordained clergy- men, who take all a deep interest, and many of them an active part, in mission work.
** We have thus connected with our Church in India and CeyloDj 24 ordained c\eig;j- 140
men, 10 European i female teachers, It preachers and catecl native teachers, 6 or{ upwards of 2800 pupi male and female Bch( 6 native congregatic 241 communicants.
*' In this summfl native congregations i agencies in Ceylon, enumerated.
'' Let us, therefoi God that so much 1 done, and take couit us confess our sin belief that so little '. done ; and let us Bin< solve, and strive by £ that more will be don of the Church and 01
** In my next letter] turn to tiie present < of our Mission, and a the sums collected by public meetings."
THE
BATH SCHOLAR'S TREASURY.
8)0 OTXX Beabfrs.
:W Yeab*8 DatI
Hov many thoughts
those words awaken :
meetings of friends
lange of presents—
lalntations — general
And in conformity
honoured custom, we
I all a Happy New
ul many returns of
18 season !
low let us consider iouB thoughts should iriod arrest our atten- other year has passed n us for ever. How employed it ? Are we tter, holier, and hap- 1 we were last New :)ay? That is the «tion for us to ask, fully to answer. Well ) for every one of us truly feel that the has not been spent that we are now more fcnd able to resist B, to restrain pu- mpulse^r, to eabdae
violent tempers, and ahstain from evil deeds. Well for every one who has increased satisfaction in speaking truth- folly and kindly to all, and in conferring happiness on all with whom we are connected. Above all, it is well for overv one who feels more sincere love to God, and to whom the name of Jesus is more sacredly dear. But the sa<l and regietful conviction must be forced upon all, that little good has been accomplished in compari- son with what we ought to have done, desired to do, and could have performed, had we been faithful to our dutv, and sought earnestly the divine assistance which is promised to us in our time of need. How many opportunities of im- proving ourselves and doing good to others have been neglected ! How much pre- cious time has been wasted ! How many good reaolwtloiia bare proved vain I Ho^ mttn'j
1
yo.i.
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'B TBEASim.
excellent plans are still left tmfnlfilled ! Ohl how peni- tently and fervently we ought to implore mercy to pardon and grace to help.
Another train of thought is suggested. Not a few of us may have been visited with affliction. Have we been enabled to trust and love Him who appoints all our duties; and amidst all our sufferings to feel that it is indeed a Father's hand which is laid upon us? Have we become more patient, gentle, meek, and submissive ? If so, then ihe past year has been indeed blessed to us.
Some may still be stretched on beds of languishing through the long and weary day, and the yet longer and more weary night. May the Great Phy- sician heal and comfort all so tried : and may they be en- abled to find ^at rest He promises to the weary and heavy laden f
Many doubtless have been favoured with unbroken health and unfailing strength. Let such ever grateftdly remember Him from whom all these blessings proceed, —the Father of lights, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift.
And now let us consider our duties with respect to the year upon which we are entering. Oh ! what progress we may make, through God's guidance and help, within this year, in wisdom and goodness, if we only endeavour wisely and steadfastly to strivo afiet Itne 2
knowledge and And let all rena 80 many days w< constitute a well happy year. Let her, likewise, thai sands of the yoni healthy and joyfi Year's Day, are from earth for eve therefore, as tim certain for all, yoi all ought eamestl; each day, and month, — redeemii In oonelasion, only a few wordc this little Magaz have we been 8ad< thought of our attain the titandi set up ; but we ha to do what we ca that, in God's gooi er strength may We gratefully aofa valuable assistao from able friends; thank those who hi recommended thii and thus extended tion and nsefn. need only repei chief object is to highest welfare of and to incite and to feel a deep an interest in the pre Redeemer's kmg world. Hoping t little Journal attractive and during the year we are entering, v you all every hi \ivme «(A l<»t «teni
SBS BABBATH BOHOLAB*! IBBA8UBT.
^t Piss ion iUlh
SACBIFICSS IN INDIA.
the proviiMie of Qrisflft, abont 800 miles to the sonth and west of Calcntta, Dorth of Madras, lies )un range inhabited al wild and savage An independent and
kingdom existed ) in that part of and native writers in glowing language, y and fertility of the and the magnificence ntiea. More than nturies have elapsed as visited by Hiocien a celebrated Chinese and his acconnt con- Hindoo statements, late as 1838, there nany remains of its a;reatfaess, that an officer who visited iot, declared that it more temples, sa- 3s, and relics, than ! province of Hindo- ' !Jow, however, the 1 art of the comitry, ! ipnlons, is a wilder- re tigers, panthers, abomid.
aE EHONDS.
bes who inhabit this range are called
jronds, and Sonrahs.
t of these have especial attention,
>revalence of hnman
amon^ them. The I
Khonds bear no resemblance to the Hindoos who dwell in the plains. They are mnch dark- er in complexion, and their language is entirely different. Hence it has been inferred, that they are the descendants of the original inhabitants of the comitry, whom later inva- ders had driven to the monn- tain fastnesses of their laud.
Nearly thirty years a^o the Indian Government was com- pelled to send a body of troops into the country to punish a rebellious chief, and then it was discovered, with surprise and horror, that human sac- rifice, aggravated by the ex- tremely cruel manner in which it was performed, was univer- sal among the Khonds. This revolting rite had been handed down through many genera- tions, and it was regarded as a most necessary duty.
In the districts of Goom- soor and Bead, the sacrifice is offered to the earth goddess, under the effigy of a peacock, to obtain abundant crops, avert calamity, and secure general prosperity. In Chinna Kim- edy, this deity is represented by an elephant, but the purpose for which the sacrifice is of- fered is the same. In Jeypore, "blood-red god of battle, Manecksoroo," is the deity they seek to propitiate. There are some differences both as regards the motive and the maimer of Bacri&ce «hQioi[i%
\
\
THE SABBATH BCHOLAB^I^ TRBASfTBI
the tribes, but ..the rite is nni- yersally performed with horrid barbarity.
THR MEBIAHS.
The yictims, called Meriah, must be purchased. The price yaries from five to eight pounds. They may be of any age, sex, or caste ; but adults are most esteemed. They are sometimes bought from their parents or relatives, when these have fallen into poverty, or in seasons of famine ; but they are more frequently stolen from the plains, by professed kidnappers of the Panoo caste. It is supposed there were about 160 sacrificed every year.
In some cases, Meriah wo- men were allowed to live until they had children to Ehond fathers. These children were then reared for sacrifice ; they were never put to death in their native village, but exchanged for victims from other parts.
GOVERNMENT INTERPOSES.
As soon as our Government was informed of the ex- istence of this horrid practice, it resolved to stop it. There were however great diflBculties to be overcome. The Khonds dwelt in fastnesses which it was scarcely possible to in- vade. The climate, during part of the year, is extremely injurious to all, except the natives of the region. But the work was immediately undertaken ; and in a book recently published, ** A Per- sonal Narrative of Thirteen ream* Service amongat ^ihe \
Wild Tribes of by.Major-Genen bell, we have an progress and si this deeply inl we make some <
MODE OF Si
One of the
ways of offerin{
in Chinna Kin
effigy of an eh
carved in wood
top of a stout I
it is made to r
the performanc
al ceremonies,
victim is fasten^
boscis of the
amidst the she
of the excited
Khonds, is ra
round, when, at
by the official
priest, the crowc
the Meriah (thi
with their kn
flesh off the shi
as long as life
is then cut dowi
burned, and the
are over. In se
says Major-Gen(
I counted as ma;
effigies of elej
had been used ii
fices. These I
overthrown by
elephants attac
camp, in the pr
assembled Kho]
them that the
objects had no ;
the living anii
remove all vesti
THE SABBATH BOHOLAR B TBEA8URT.
nz FBU8T MADE A VICTIlt.
Captain Fire was informed one day of a sacrifice on the Terr eve of consammation. The Tictim was a voang and handsome girl, fifteen or six- ;eeii Tears old. Without ji ooment's hesitation, lie Las- ted with a small bodv of nned men to the spot indi- >ted,and on arrival found the ^ds already assenibU'd ith their sacrificinf; priest, Bd the intended victim pre- yed for tlie first act of the »gedy. He at once de- Mdfti her surrender ; the hcnds, half mad with excite- cBt, hesitated a moment, but ■serrinff his little party pre- ying for action, they yielded
the girl. Seeinf^ the wild and irritated state of the Khonds, Captain Frye very prudently judged that this wa<< no fitting occasion to argue with them — so, with his j)rize, he retrac«'d his steps to his old encamp- ment. Scarcely, as he learnt afterwards, had he got o!it of sight of the infuriated mouii- taiueer.-*, when they yaid among themselves, "Why should we bo debarred of our sat'rilice ? — see our aged priest — seventy summers have ])a9»'ed over his head — what further use is he ? — let us Hacritice him." So this old man was barbarously slaughtered to satisfy thuir superstitious cravings."
<7'i» he rontinuf'l.)
®fef i^to ^it\x\:
f^REAR, dark, and cold the Winter comes. With storms and ice an<i tleocv snow ; We bless the I.ord for cheerful home*. While chilling winds around us blow.
Some children have but tattered dothco,
And straw to lie upon by night ; Xo comfort cheers them to rei)ose,
Cold, weak, and shivVing to the sight.
Ttie travellers roaming o'er the waste,
And sailors on the mighty deep, How many sufferings do they taste,
While we, secure, in comfort sleej).
May we be grateful, Lonl, to thee,
' And thoughtful as each season roll:^. And now at once to Jesus tiee,
For grace to save and bless our souls.
While we lament the numerous .sins
Which mark the year that now has past ;
lA)rd, teach us, as this year begins,
'Jo spend it better 'than the last. Stlectid.
a BcinoLi.n's tuasdiix
tram tire 6ast.
{CoHlinaed/rom p.im, FoL V.) ^ETHLEH£U, oiled ' ntlem. Its in< Ephntah or " the ; name, Beit Labi ' ' " ' I of flegh," U >ln
THX SABBATH 8CH0IJlB*B IBBA8UBI7.
** hoase of bread." This simi- larity of the ancient and mo- dem names, is an instance of the remarkable tenacity with which, in the East, the name of a place clings to its locality — a peculiarity which has helped to identify not a few interesting Scripture sites.
As we approached Bethle- hem from Mar Saba, its ele- Tated situation, and the mas- sive walls of the convent, gave it an appearance superior to that of most Eastern towns. Around it are many olive trees, also vines and figs ; and the neighbourhood shews signs of more careful culture than is common in Palestine, where the fruits of the labours of the spring may be swept off in a night by a party of mar- auding Arabs.
The Mahommedans were expelled from Bethlehem by Ibrahim Pasha, and their houses destroyed after the in- surrection of 1834. Few of them have returned, and there are no Jews ; so that the popu- lation, amounting probably to between 2000 and 3000, is al- most entirely composed of Christians, principally mem- bers of the Latin and Greek Churches. The chief employ- ment of the inhabitants is the carving of cruciUxes, made of a pecidiar stone found in the neighbourhood, and the manu- fEUiture of rosaries and other ornaments, made of olive-wood and mother-of-pearl. Many of these articles display con- siderable taste and skill, and
find ready purchasers among the numerous pilgrims wha visit the scene of the Nativity.
The town consists mainly of one broad street, at the eastern extremity of which stands by far the most im- portant building of the place — the convent of the Nativity. The exterior more resembles a fortress than a religious edifice, and the only access is by a low door, beneath which we required to stoop on enter- ing. The Basilica, which was erected by the Empress Helena, is a beautiful struc- ture, adorned with marble columns, which some suppose to have been brought from the porches of the Temple at Jerusalem. It is interesting as one of the oldest specimens of church architecture in exist- ence. The nave is the com- mon property of the different Christian sects, but the Greeks, Armenians, and Latins, have also got separate chapels under the same roof.
The grotto of the Nativity is beneath the Greek chapel. Having been each supplied with a small lighted taper, we descended by a flight of marble steps into the sacred cave. It is a long low apartment, built of marble, which quite conceals the na- tural rock, and is decorated with silk hangings, and dimly lighted with silver lamps sus- pended from the rool. At one end of the chapel is a silver star, fixed in the marble floor, "m\ii ^;}[i\a 'ydl^cto^^ms^.^
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBEABUBT;
/
*-^ Hie de Yirgine Maria Jesus Christns natus est." How unlike this gorgeous chapel to the birthplace of the lowly Jesus ! But the eyidence is stroDg that it is indeed the place. The tradition reaches back to the second century, thus being within two or three generations of the event, and there seems no reason, on ac- count of its situation or other circumstances, to doubt that it is the place of our Lord's Nativity.
From the Latin chflpel we descended into the chamber which bears the name of St Jerome, and which was the study where that illustrious Father oi the Church passed a great portion of his life, and where he executed the transla- tion of the Holy Scriptures into Latin. "We were shewn his tomb, but his remains are not here, having been re- moved at an early period to Borne. Near it are the tombs of the noble Boman lady Paula, a descendant of the Scipios, and her daughter Eustochia, who came here to to live and die near their re- vered preceptor.
Leaving the convent, we re- mounted our horses and rode across the plain towards He- bron. In these fields perhaps it was that the shepherds were ** abiding in the field, keeping watch over their fiock by night," when the ** glory of the Lord shone round about them," and the heavenly message was proclaiined— 8
which shall ne^ resound so long endures—" Glor] the highest, on good-will toward
As we were si mid-day meal, a ; ouins rode up an us. They prove Sheikh of Hebroi his tribe, and w ly mounted. Af salutation they p;
The latter pai to Hebron lay i causeway which have been coustr Bomans, those makers. It is i state of disrepa is not surprisi thousand years i neglect.
Hebron, called el Khulil, »' t doubtless in mem ham, the " Men< one of the most ; now in existence, record is, that *' seven years be: Egypt." It was < arrived. We en the old quarantii a gently sloping ] lying at the bo valley, and extei hill on the op From our camp ' the building whic cave of Machp are interred Abrj and Jacob ; Sari and Leah. Aero Joseph and a \ corn^Mi^" oi th
SHE BASBkTB BCBOXJUB'S TBEA6UBT.
he embftlmed body in oomplianee with
oonnmand, ** Bury my fathers, in the
ia in the field of he Hittite.'* The whioh coTers the
is built of very lied stones, and is of great antiquity. . stands before the ind no Christian is within its sacred
ETen the Prince of ho Tiflited Hebron reek after we were B not allowed to holy cave, and only irines which repre- ombs of the patri-
'ebron is a yery d remarkable tree, Abraham's oak." ilone, it impresses tor with its size; i it is certainly not e time of Abraham, ) last representative
of Mamre, beneath >f which he pitched nd entertained the ^g, " Rest your- ir the tree." 1 from Hebron to lay past the three reservoirs, called 8 pools," which are lyated out of the lartly built of large Che aqueduct, to jh these pools have racted, terminates iple area at Jeru-
the object of this leema to have been
to a£ford a continuous supply of pure water for the Temple services.
Shortly after leaving Solo- mon's pools we passed Rachel's sepulchre, which is now covered bv a small wliite building, surmounted by a dome. Here died the loved wife of Jacob, for whom he '* served seven years, and thev seemed unto him but a few days for tlie love he had to her;" and here slie 'Mvas buried in the way to Ephratli, which is Bethlehem." It is worthy of remark, how much this locality is associated with tlie progenitors of our Lord. Ruth bore gleaned the fields of Boaz, and here David kept the sheep of his father Jesse; Rachel, Naomi, Rath, David, Mary, Jcsim ; — what a cluster of lovely names to be associated with one spot !
About two miles beyond the grave of Rachel is the convt'ut of Mar Elias. From this point we could see on the one side Bethlehem, on the other Jerusalem — the opening and the closing scenes of the life of the Man of Sorrows, which beginning in the humble stable of a village inn, ended on the Gross.
The darkness of evening was rapidly coming on as we passed down the valley of Hinnom. It is a narrow gorge, in the sides of which yawn many rock-hewn sepul- chres. Its gloom harmo- nized with its association with the cmel won^V^ cl
TBB BkBEkTB BOHOLAB'S TRSftSlTBr.
Moloch. Here Ahaz, king of Jndah, caased his children " to pass through the fire to Mo- loch.
We found our tents pitched near the summit of the Mount of Olives beneath some ancient olive trees.
interspersed hut with the almon earob. From tl commanded an es
of Jerusalem, Di the country lying and west of the H
^ofoitig i\t MtmQ ^tth.
iARRY desired to have a portion of the garden to cultivate himself, and this wish his father was very well pleased to gratify. In the lower comer of the garden, quite by itself, a large plot of ground was measured off, and paths were made all around it. This was Harry's garden, and he was to prepare it himself. He carefully dug it up with his spade, gathered out all the stones, diligently smoothed it over, and now it was all ready for sowing.
In the fall of the previous year, Harry had been out in the field gathering the seeds that he had found ripening upon the withered stocks. Now that his garden was ready, he took his seeds one morning and went out to sow them. His father had noticed the steps he had taken, but had said nothing until this morning, wishing to teach him a lesson that would be of ser- vice to him as long as he lived.
"What are you about to doy my son ?" SKid he. 10
** Plant my g swered Harry.
" And what do will grow ?"
" Beautiful flow first bunch I ga' give to mother."
•' Flowers, my exclaims his fath are sowing the se€ and nothing but hurtful weeds wi They will run & garden and all ov stroying every plei
Harry said he did not wish to grow in his garde asked his father tell him what i grow into beaut: and to give him si he sowed in his oi
The father tot boy to the place garden-seeds wer> telling him about and how they planted, he sen again into his j good seed.
As they sat tog \ ^\A2A«k Q^QTlookiii4
THE BAHBATB WHOLAB'S TBVABVBT.
fter rapper, and were ; together aboat the , " Harry," aaid the " do yon biow that yoa loiher garden to plant ?** is itf" asked
•d has giyen yoa one, • It is your own Izeart" bat can I do abont itherr'
B that nothing hnt good planted in it." m Bhall I know what plant?" ■
w did yon leam what plant in yonr garden, OY the honae ?" aked yon to -pleaae ^io
>»
i I am most happy to little son how to plant rden of his heart, re many books written OS aboat the flowers w to caltivate them, i has written a book OS how to coltiyate 1 flowers and rich onr hearts. My little WB the name of that
I the Bible." , it is the Bible. If that, it will teach yoa ow the good seed, and
save yon from having year garden overgrown witli noxi- 008 weeds. Recollect, Harr}', that a bad boy never makes a good man, that bad habits never grow into a good char- acter, and that if we are care- less, and indolent, and dis- obedient when children, when we grow np our lives will not be lovely to others, or pleasant to oorselveB. The good seeds of prayer, obedience, and kind tempers, with God's loving smile upon them, will take root, and grow up in our hearts and live. Onr garden -spot will then lie beautiful for others I to fiDJoy, amd oar dear Saviour, ' as He looks down upon onr gentle tempers and listens to our hnmble prayers, will say, * I have come into my gar- den.'
*' If wicked thonghts, and wishes, and habits are sewn in yonr heart, now that it is young and tender, they will certainly grow np hateful to be seen, and these weeds will run out in every direction, injur- ing and destroying others. Watch carefully, then, my little boy, the seeds that are sown in your heart."— <S'. S. Advocate.
®fef famb fff 60 b.
noble animal, but I love the lamb better; and I will tell yon why I love it better : because Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God NN\vic\\ Vftke\.\i ims, the lion is a / away the sin of tUe woWQk..'
LITTLE boy read- ing to his mother about the lion in a book of natural his-
d:
»^
Sr»8tt (ot II fittlf dtlilli.
L
|
1^^ |
LESSED Jas |
ns, kind and |
|
^^s> |
Stoop to h |
aralitllBch |
|
^1^ |
At Thy fee |
I Gome to p |
|
Saviou |
, c»Bt me not |
away. |
|
Takes |
vay my load |
fain. |
|
Maken |
ore within; |
|
|
Teach |
ne all I need |
|
|
Bemy |
Shepherd her |
below. |
|
hildhtKNl mai |
Ibe |
|
|
(ienlk |
re like Thee |
|
|
Il«lp n |
leave, |
|
|
Uet Thy loving heart I grieve. |
Tender Jesus, I'hou didat call To Thine Mm tlie children amal Lo, wme, and Immbli- pray, Cast ia« not Ciom \b«e BlK tij .
of Uie tyiies of Land, sml CR[>cri>Ily cf
le Dible uro Jemgalem ; aud wliut a
awn from tiia utit force kai iateievlL &\\
ener}- of the Uolj tfiego acqaito, ^'lien, faom o'ttr
XnE SABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBEASU^.
camp on the Mount of Olives, we daily saw Jerusalem spread before us ! Now we could understand that saying of the Psalmist, "As the moun- tains are round about Jeru- salem, so the Lord encamp - eth round about them that fear Him." On every side the hills rise close around the city.
During the time we had our tents on the Mount of Olives, we spent a day in visiting the locasancta of Jerusalem; but as the identity of these is somewhat more than doubtful, I shall not describe them— suffice it to say that we were shewn the pillar on which the cock crew when Peter denied Christ, the house of Dives of the parable, at the door of which dogs licked the sores of Lazarus, and many other places possessing similar claims on our interest. We also made a tour through the land of Benjamin, which occupied two days, and which was deeply interesting on account of the associations of the localities visited with many of the striking events of Old Testament history. We climbed the rocks of Michmash, up which Jonathan and his armour- beanr went on their hands and feet to the assault of the Philistines ; and from the heights of Beth-horon we saw stretched before us the valley of Ajalon, down which the Israelites, under Joshua, pursued the flying Amotites 14
of Gibeon ; when ; lous suspension of of the imiverse o< prevent their esc Joshua spake to ' " and said in the sij Israel, * Sun, stand upon Gibeon ; and tl: in the valley of Ajal the sun stood stil] moon stayed, until \ had avenged themse their enemies." visited Gibeon, now i hamlet, but ancien as " a great city, as royal cities." Hew offered his thousa offerings, and here appeared unto him i by night, and gave desire, — an " undi heart."
We finally left on the 28th of Mara our last lingering from the summit c which lies to the no] city. Here the Is the northern tribes, to Jerusalem to th feasts, would first sight of the Holy Ci perhaps, from this s appears most beau we cnn fancy them j to their patriotism i lime words of the P; '* Beautiful for situ joy of the whole Mount Zion, ou th the north, the citvol King."
We soon passed t what must have been of Saul," the city "^
THE flABDATn BCH0LAB*8 TREASURY.
rernment dnriDg he first Hebrew pre the Aiuorites
reYCDge for the leir brethren by
death BOTen of ta, ** in the dars . the first dnvH, ining of barlev nd on this bare lah. the motlicr rictims, watched ir corpses •' from ; of harvest till
on thf'm ont of mffcred neither te air to rest on nor tlie bcaftts of lifilit/* Melan- lasting from the b of the spring lencement of the
•
H for lunch at is is ihi". tradi- obably the trne
returning from Lhe pnssoTer to
Galilee, Josrph ;ed for the night, :hat Jesns was beir kinsfolk and
in the caravan, donbt thcT tra- I back antdii to nd fonnd Him e Temple, 'ening we passed the house of ;ene of Jacob's e are here heaps
remains of the
f buildingH, and
several rock-
»y the road-side ;
se from which
Joshna. in his holy zeal, took the bones and burned tlicni on the altar of the lii;{h place of Jeroboam, to pollntc it.
Ou the nfternonu of the second day's jnunifV fruiu Jerusalem wc reached '* Jacob's well.'* It lies at the eutninci* of the valh'V between Geri- zim and Ebal. the niounttiiiiH I if blessing and curMng. nnd is now surrounded bv ruinous
m
walls. The well itHclf is choked up with stones. Dfep is the interest of this Rpnt, for there can be no doubt tliat it was hero that JesuH, *^ wear- ied with His jouiTiey, sat on the well," and held that me- morable conversation witli the woman of Samaria who came hither to (h*aw water, in wliicb He announci'd hiuiHelf as the living water, of which if any msn drink he shall never thirst. The well is distant about a mile from Sychar, now called NablouH. 1)ut it need not surprise us, though there is good water close to the iovm, that the woman came so far for it, for was it not tlie well of her "father Jacob," who ** drank thereof liimself, and liis children, and his cattle ? " Near this mu^t be the tomb of Joseph. There was a small enclosure pointed out to uh as the spot.
The inhabitants of thia dia- triet are among the moHt turbulent and fanatical of tlie natives of Palestine, and evinced some disposition to molest us, but did. noV. Nfeiv\,Ta;fc to do BO to any eenowf^ eT\.<£\i\>.
IS
THE SABBATR SCHOLAR'S TREASURY.
The situation of the to\7ii is fine, lying at the northern end of the narrow but fertile valley betwein Ebal and Gerizim. It is now the only plaoe where any remnant of the Samaritans is to be found. They are very few, only numbering about 150, and it is a remarkable fsMt, that this has been their num- ber for some centuries, neither increased nor diminished. It was a feast dav of the Samari- tans when we were at Nablons, and we went to their syna- gogue to prayers. It was a noisy scene, the worshippers ail reading or reciting in a loud \x)ice, oecasionallv inter- mpted by prostrations.
We spent the Sabbath here, and on Monday visited the ruins of Samaria. The situa- tion is commanding, the city being built on the level sum- mit of a hill about tliree hun- dred feet in height. The ruins of this once princely city consist principally of the remains of a colonnade, of which many of the columns are still standing. The neigh- 1>ourhood is planted with vineyards, in constructing the tt^rraces of which, are probably employed many of the ruins of the ancient city. The pro- phecy of Micah is strikingly fnllilletl. ** I will make Samaria as a heap of the field,
and aa the plantings of a vineyards"
On the following day w again entered the beantifal plain of Sharon, carpeted with anemones, orchis, and fl^ lovely liowers, and- >w|b through its woodland BMltt^ to the ruins of Csesareit, tl^ scene of the trial of St Fnl before Festus, and the resid- ence of Cornelius the eento- rion. In approaching iii ^ noticed, scattered aboui,iaiDr relics of its former grandeui. Fragments of columns a»J sarcophagi lay half concealw by the raik luxuriance of the long grass. It is now desola^i there seeming to be no* » i single habitation in the na^' \ bourhood. Numben of fi*8" ments of columns are scatttf* along the beach and in ^* water. ^ ^.
In the afternoon we Tiait*** the convent of Carmel, wh^* we were courteously J^^^^Tj ed by the monks. One ^ them* took us to the roof ^ the convent, whence we h^ a splendid view of the ^>^J of Acre, with its tmo^^ city, which has sustained •* many sieges. Before ^^ lay the blue expanse 5V the Mediterranean, brillitn*^* lighted by the rays of *" Eastern sun, and bounded on *- bv the horizon.
E. E. S.
f
/
IME that 18 past thou canst not now recall, Of time to come thou art not sure at all ; Time preient ou\y \a vitUiii thy power, And therefore novo \u\vton^ \.\v^'^\%.^^vVssi«*
TBB 6ABJUkTH SCHOL^b'S TREASURY.
^e fission /icib.
(Conffnued from Pnffe S).
KB. MOTHHii. seized and eent. bnck to camp
IE PLY interest- as a muawav Meriali ; and if
incident is rela- the wilder or unpledged trilies by Major General had caught eight of Iier she npbell, concern- vonld at once hate been lelnded woman, a delivered over to her former iah, who had sold owners ; so Uie danger waH I Tictim, and re- ■ equally groat from friend and pride and insane . foe. The poor cruatiirc, the fiate to which therefore, travelletl only under tined. He was ! coTer of the night ; and what age ; bnt she had , nichta they were at snch a
bclieye that he ■ season ! A perfect deluge of resented to tlieir water was pouring from the rth goddess, and ' heavens ; the mountain tor- een approved and j rents were roaring, and burst-
a fit olfering. ; ing from their banks; and d mother having i the wild beaste howling in
within the sphere
. influenco was
perceive the hor-
condition, and
concert with the elements. But this brave woman, the instinctH of whose better nature had now for the first time 9lored the British | been a^^-akened, was not dis- i a party to rescue i heartened. She cronchod in The season was ' the forest by day, lent she ;ed; and the should be seen, and pursuetl te would probably - her journey only when the aatsl to the troops, i people of the villages wurc ander was '* most i asleep, — subsisting on what ximpelled to re- wild roots slio could find, when promised, how- the small stock of juirchcd
rice wliich she had carried
away was exhausted. At last
she reached her village, and
hovered about it for three
days, not daring to enter when
the inhabitants were there, but
waiting her opportunity when
abounding in the ' all the villagers should be ab-
e dared not lot I sent in the fields. The fortu-
seen by friendly ' nate moment «Tn<(Q&\ *\^^
Bhe should he ' saw her eon, and. no (meX^^vci^
early cxi)e(lition This promise sfy the mother.
from Sooradah, time reached the ;h not without id danger, tigers
IHB UBBITS fiCHOI.Ut a lUA^imr
preBeDtiBbe seized biiii,canied him off, ftDil fled Tith all tliti Btrenglh which desperate reeo- Intion lends to conrngo. In a few nigLts ehe leachedtheter- litorj of the fritudlj tribes and had nothing more to feu."
" The time had now come (1S60) when we might fairlj attempt to eetablish some Tillage school B. Through the unwearied aseiduitj of Captain Frje, a snificient nnmber of bi^ooI books iu (he Ehoud language bad been pte- pared, and aeraal of our reseoed Meriah viotims had been trained to officiate as BcboolmaslerB and teacbete . So the opinioD of the cbiofs. in coonoil asaeiabled on the im- I portant question of edncatin); their children, was asked. The I
" I was fortuna renting a eacriflce lage of Bondigam, a victim and all accessaries had bi provided. This ha premeditated, bnt . a sudden temptal these wild people ei Fist. They had, i before, pnid a sntii
a Panoo
0 pr.
Words can scarcely convey an adequate idea of the aconi and contempt muiifested, especioll; b; the eldera of the tribes. This was to be ex- pected : Iheii eyea had grown dim in their old delusions, and Ihej recounted andent tradltjons, foreboding direfol calamines if once schools were penuitled amongst them.
" Time wore on, yet but little progress naa made against this feeling. At last one or two fiunilies actnall; promised to allow their children to at- tend. A school accordingly was commeuced ; shortly after, a Kecond was permitted, and soon we had four at work, at- tended bj fiftj.nine si^^ua."
Tith a Meriah. In
the Panoo evaded mcKt of his sgreeiD year the Khondswe: and insisted on tt being retnmed. 1 eitlier not having i or cstcntating thai tors would not dai fice her, gave the daughter Ootoma. mistaken, the temj too great ; the eai seemed lo have p blood which had 1 dieted her, and tt was at once dete InformatioDi howB< me, enabling me t<
years of age, two before the time a{
"The total i Meriah B rescued <i^«iU.\aaa , toiDL It
THB SABBATH BOBOLAR S TB£ABUBT.
onsand five han- x. The OoTern- lia, on my recom-
made a yery •yidon for all, 1 or yoong. I .t two hundred of in mission schools ' conntry. The ; I had in yiew, e must intelligent »nght up as teach- entually settle in
hills, where, by
example, under 3g, tliey might be . in winning some u wild people to irinciples of our D. I had eycry well satisfied with ;
bestowed by the lonaries upon the Idren ; and the that sprang up e teachers and sincere and last- en visited them, d, with heartfelt ir neat and clean
appearance, orderly behavioor, and progress in learning."
CONTLUSION.
** "We can now, I thank God, look back upon such atrocities as a thing of the past. It affords me intense gratification to be able to give so satisfac- tor)' a statement of the success of mv meoHiures for the entire and complete abandunmuat of this cruel custom.
'* I should be committing an act of great injustice towards the Govenunent of India, whose support I uniformly eojoyed, were I to conclude this work witliout acknowledg- ing the liberal spirit in which they received every proposition I made in behalf of my mis- sion. Any amount of money I asked for was ungrudgingly sanctioned ; and the warmest marks of approval were be- stowed upon my himible but earnest endeavours to carry into effect their benevolent in- tentions."
' What think ye of Christ ?"— Matt xxii. 42.
^-HAT think vou of Cbrist ?**— is the test
To tr>' both your state and your ^chemo ; You caimot be right in tbe rest, Unless you think rightly of Him; j» appears in your view — ks He is beloved, or not, is disposed to you, Lnd mercy or wrath is your lot.
Tss ^MBAHTR ioamikii^^^aMUrfim:
Some call Him a 'Saviour, in wofd, * !) ''''•-' i'.-v
But ihix-thelr own works with iHis^pIkii^'i And bop« HeUfa help will afford, ^ - -: • ?
When thej- have done all that tttej^ can J' ^ ' I^ doings prove rather too light
(A little they own they may fail), They purpose to noake up full weight*
By casting Ills name in the scale. .^
If asked what of Jesus / think.
Though still my best thoughts are hut poo' I say, He'i» 013' meat and my drink.
My life, and my strength, and my storey ' My Shepherd, my trust, and ray friend, « '
My Saviour from sin and from thrall ; "• My hope fh>m beginning to end^ • • . ' ■
My portion, iny Lord, and my All.
§0 sfftt t^tx i^rei&e?
\0M£ children are full of deceit. They seem to delight in making their playmates ana friends believe what is. false, or doubt what is true . They are false, and therefore wicked children.
Have I a deceitful child among my readers ? If so, I wish to tell him or her a story about a bird.
A thiiish had bnUt her nest in a quarry. The miners soon after began to blast the rock, and the pieces fell very near the little bird's nest, . very much to her annoy^ce. After shrinking from tiie pieces a few times, the bird noticed that the miners rang a bell, and left the quaifry Jasi before every explosion. TYie AilWe 20
creatctre followed t ample, and every tim rung, left her nest, a to the spot which ^e workmen, lifted at until the exp^o^B t when she rettinM to This curioos &ct ticed by the men, a persons hearing ot out to witness her in( The men could not, explode a blast as ofl visitors came , so they the bell. Thisde<^it purpose a few tipses thrush soon discover afterwards on heaHii( peeped from her ^est the nien left the qn they did she follbwi X ft they did not Ae
TS1B lABBATtf BCHOLAB'b TBSASUBY.
yon see that even a uld. not bo : deceived She Boon saw tbat tbe slied to make lier be- lat was not trne. I m to make, a note of tie Double-face. Ask
this question : ** If a
that jou are a falfie cliild.
Thev all see Uiron^Ii tbe tbin
mask with which you seek to
cover jour ialae heiirt. ^Vbat
is a still more serious fiict
for jou, God knows what you
are. He sees tbrongh yon,
and knows that yon are full
Id soon see through a I of decdt and falsehood. Make
I act, will not my > haste, therefore, oh, my child,
toon see through me, ' to put away your deceit. Ask
a thai I am a cheat?'* | Jesus to give you a true and
-will find yon out, | honest nature. Beg your
Eky depend upon it. heareuly Father to help you
they have found you 3ady. Evesry boy and . know, your parents.
to say in good earnest, '* My lips shall not speak wicked- ness, nor my tongue utter
and friends, all know , deceit.'" — S, t>. Ailvocatc.
®6* fifi§t|j0«8f,
a Lig^hthoujte off the coast of Cornwall is engraved this ive Motto : —
"TO GIVE LIQBT, AND TO SAVE LIFE."
^EE TLING above the rocky shore, Where loud the eddying surges roar, Beliold the Lighthouse raises high
Its glowing beacon to the sky.
Imbedded deep within the rocks.
The tempest's rage it ever mocks;
And speaks to all npon the wave,
" Lu/ht J impaii^ and life 1 save."
'Hail, friendly Lighthouse ! many a bark, Drifting upon the ocean dark, Has seen with joy thy gleams of light Break forth upon the starless night ; And many a sailor on ttie wave. When yawned beneath a watery grave, With hope revived has seen thy rays, And, rescued. Uvea to speak thy praise
TitE S4BEAI
Here, Ctriatmii, aUy liwhile tu Tiew " The'Jcwiiel'iifmbliiin bright aud true: Built AH tlie everlnslinB Ituck. It^taadB unmoved b;«v«ry shock; 1 he ra^^Dg teniiieat onlj provea That (Tal/r!jl>-vtpUla>-nevet jDovesi Frnm a^toagBita bEavenly light Di^pflla the gloom of hopeleaB nigbt.
Ob! yon who know tho glorioua Bisht Tbnt chaogedjOurdarkuess Into light. That brought immonal lifp, and gave TrlmiipboDt hope bevond the grave j Think of the millions evtrvwhere Plunged in the gull -of dark despair! \Vitb none lo lielti them, none to alive ; Thay sink, unpitied, to ihe grave.
Children Dflightl awake! awake! Arisel and -vigoroua elfurls make! The precious W<yrd d/^./b hold forth To east and west, to aoutll and norlb ; Till throHgh Che world the light divine bright ABA burning lamp staall ehine. And every dark beuighled place, Sealben of every clime and race, !Have Uarnt THIS LioHiiiousE is desigoc To eniishtm awl to laiw maalund I
itlo Smma gose minbeii \a Em
" Ssf^^^'^^' ^^^^' isp^^^ tlie little girl bonnded
^■^^ yotir veiae," a&id garden to look at hef
^^g|? Mra Rose to ber Emma vaa very fond
danghter one era. and fbia mom
moming nt family prajer.
^e thut U alow to anger is better tbaji the miKlity, and hothatmletb liie spirit than ho thatt«kethatity,"so.idKmras.
XBJt. BA99f™ BCHOIAB'B TBEAEUBT.
int had sent her a fore. Bnt, to her ,he fioflrer-pot was and the fiiBchia
) of this disaster t hand. It was ; which had cap- jcer-pot. Emma*8 within her breast len storm. Her She ran with L toward puss, and
to strike Ler a when her morning to her mind. She
arm in a moment, of striking, stroked 7, saying, .ave broken my
flower, pnsB, but I mnstn't pfet aogrv. I ronst mle my spirit. I mnst be slow to aiiger. Yon are a thoughtless puss, but I suppose you didn't know any better. If you had, you wouldn't have spoiled my lovely plant.
Thus, you see, Emma's text did her good. Why? Because she minded it. Exactly so. If she had not given heed to it, learning it would have done her no good. Mark, then, my children, this truth. It is not bv merely learning texts of Scripture that you are made better, but hy minding them after tliey are learned. — S. S. Advocate.
r.ry /•,/>.■'
€ a s 1 1.
have often heard ndreadof " caste." ou know how in ndia it much with- lospel, and troubles ;burches.
school there are es. The scholar, ktering the school, . the lowest, if dili- ittentive, may rise to the highest. It .h caste. If a man
the lowest caste, children after him, lin of that caste. •t of the religicm of and sadly opposes 3 the irxie religion.
how a man of a e despises him who
belongs to a lower. He thinks himself his superior, and will not come near him if he can avoid it. All these " high thoughts and imaginations " the Gospel casts down. It teaches that all, iu the sight of God, are equal ; that a man should honour his neighbour ; yea, more, should love him as himself.
How far the poor people of India are from the spirit of the Gospel, the following inci- dent will show : — " An Indian Sepoy, after a battle, lay on the field dying of thirst. A cup of water would have saved him, but there was no one to give it. At last his cries for water attracted the noVite ol
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB 8 TBEASTJBT.
one of those wretches who plonder the dead and woond- ed, and, being moved by un- wonted pity, he filled a cup from a stream hard by, and gave it to the unhappy man. He raised it to his parched lips, and was just on the point of drinking what would have been a water of life to him, when suddenly he dashed it to the earth. The man who had brought him the cup, was of a lower caste than he, and so he died."
Caste slays its thousands. God grant it may soon be de- stroyed. Will you help in its
destruction? Then pm; labour abundantly thai Gospel may be prei wherever caste noir n Be encouraged^ by what has already done to releai poor Hindu, and to let hi free, and '*give Him nc until He makes His na: praise in the whole earth
Bise, San of Glory, rise I
And chase those shad night Which now ohscore the dt
And hide thy sacred Hffii Oh, send thy Spirit do«m
On all the nations, Lord, With great snccess to enm
The preaching of thj 1^
J ARK ! I hear the sweet church- bells — As their quiet music tells How to keep Christ's holiday
In the happiest, fittest way ;
How His children here may meet,
Joining in His service sweet,
And in the presence of their Lord,
Sing His praise and hear His word;
With our fathers and our mothers,
With our sisters and our brothers.
To our much loved church we go,
The dear church of high and low,
Where the poor man, meanly dressed,
Is as welcome as the best ;
And the rich and poor may gather,
Kneeling to their common Father ;
Yea, our risen Lord is there.
Listening to our praise and prayer.
Thus should Christian people all
Hold their Master's festival,
Thus with joyous rest and praise
His own chMTeTi'VLee;^ ^^^ ^^7%« SdM
(Con(lnk(J^olipi7(.10.)
tHEL, " the garden < in Uie Cuiticlea, it is raid, in al Ood," is Ire- I the glorioaH degcription of ths {ncDtl; mentioned I " prince'ii daoghter." — "Thy in the Bible, and I hekd upon thee ia lilie CtumxeL, nged as a tjpe of ■ and tha hur at ttnne ^b&Bl rw tem^. Tbra, / like porple ;" a&& la wmo (A 1&
T^.S^BATH B/CmqfMAJBLS TB|UBURT^
the pasBages of the prophets, where a ** fruitful place " is spoken of, according to onr version these words might pro- perly be rendered, ** Garmel."
It was on Mount Garmel that Elijah had his memorable controversy with the priests of Baal, and it was up Garmel that, after their destruction, he sent his servant to watoh for the first signs of that rain which was so earnestly desired by the inhabitants of the fEonine stricken land. The name is generally associated only with the bold promontory, so eonspiouous from the coast, which seems to oaabraoe the southern side of the bay of Acre, and whioh is weU known firom pictures ; but it properly applies to a mountidn ridg« several miles in extent, which lies between the plain of Esdraelon and the Mediter- ranean.
Our ride from the sea coast to Nazareth was for some dis- tance through the " forest of Garmel," which aboimds in fine trees, especially oaks. Soon after leaving Hai&, which is the only natural harbour on the coast of Palestine, we forded the Kishon. At this season it is onlv what we I would, in Scotland, call " a , bum," and as we stood beside its placid and somewhat sluggish stream, it was diffi- cult to realize that this was indeed " that ancient river^ the river Kishon," which swept away the host of Sisera.
\ye passed through a\)eau\i- 26
fiilly wooded glan plain of Esdraelon, a whioh we crossed, am evening entered 1 country which surronj reth. Before desoe the town, we climbi which rises above it, summit of whioh wi extensive and inter teresting view. Az lay the hills and vb11> trod by the feet of 1 Jesus, and at our Nazareth, the Savion for the greater part ol on earth, and from n derived tiie opprobri of ** the Nazarene." west lay the wooded Garmel, glowing in tb the setting son, witi them a peep of the ranean ; while aws] east rose the rounded Tabor. Further still see where the sea o lay low beneath the the surrounding plaii deep is the chasm in lies, that we coold get a glimpse of iti waters. We knew, that it must lie bel and Hermon, whoE summit, white with si grandly in the distanc In Nazareth the C form by far the larges of the population, principal building is t convent of the Annu This we visited, but : more interesting to i fountain, which bub
TBS B&A^TB'^M!^nMdLB*ft TSBASUB^.
Slight ham been it Muy oune, ao*
bj the infcmt draw water, Jiut as the women of Naza- iday.
nation of Nazareth eaHed either strlk- dfhl or picturesque, oeomed in a olnster 1b, which flhnt otit ifioent TiewB which ijoyed by climbing BehUl tops; bnt it in undying intereet, its fame, perhaps dstenee, to baring ig the home of Him rejected and thrust synagogue, i Nazareth on thjB il, and soon emerg-
the hills, agiain le plain of Es- This plain, so cde- Tewish history as a , was the portion of
It extends many 1 sends out three rds the Jordan. In
is coyered with nd is then the re- wandering Bedouin, inds abundant pas- lis flocks. Its de- I as striking as its }r there is not a abited Tillage, ex- ) slopes of l£e hills lerit on the east;
small portion of its is under any sort .tion. We crossed o Jezreel, probably le line that Elijah , ignal triumph over
i3ie priests of Baal, ran before the chariot of king Ahab, from Carmel *' to the entrance of Jesreel."
The ourse of Ahab seems to rest upon Jezreel. It is now a cluster of mean hovels and the bare and scanty Tegeta< tion of its Tieinity contrasts strangely with the richness of the surrounding plain. I eould eearoely find a single flower to ioarry away as a me- mento of this celebrated spot.
From Jezreel, we descend- ed' to the large fountain 'Ain Jalfid, which is about a mile distant, and which springs out of a cave at the base of Mount Gilboa. In this neighbourhood occurred one of .the most memorable delireranoes and one of the most disastrous defeats of the Jews. 'Ain JalAd is pro- bably the very * ' well of Harod , ' * at which the tliree hundred chosen warriors of Gideon "lapped" before they went to tne assault of the Midian- ites, who " lay along in the yalley like grasRhoppers for multitude ; *' and it was here that the life blood of the royal Saul and Jonathan dyed the green hillside, drawing forth i^om David the touching lament : — " The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy hirfh places y and Jonathan , thou wast slain upon thine high places."
Standing by the fountain, we can trace the course of Saul when he went to inquire at the witch oi EtH-^ot. \^ was a periloxLB joTune^, lox
^1
THB HASiBATH SOHOIkAB*B ITBXicSINnt.
the anny of the Philistises lay between him and hie destina- tion. This he would leave on his left, and orossdng the shoulder of Little Hermon, descend on the village of En-dor.
Bemonnting oar horses we rode across the plain to Shunem, which we could see from the fountain, lying at the base of Little Hermon. This was the home of the 8hana- mite woman, whose kindness to '* the man of God" was so signally rewarded. It was into these fields that her son, her only child, " went out to his father, to the reapers," and struck down by the hot rays of the Eastern sun, was car- ried home to his mother to die. And it was across this plain of Esdraelon that the mother hastened to the pro- phet at Carmel, and, refusing to leave him, brought him back with her in haste to Shunem, there to have her child re- stored by him to her arms, thus doubly a gift from God.
We passed through the gardens of Shunem, sur- rounded by high hedges of prickly pear, and crossing Little Hermon — which is doubtless the *'hillof Moreh," by which the Midianites were encamped when attacked by Gideon — descended upon Nain. Here it was that Jesus, com- ing from Capernaum, *' as He drew nigh unto the gate of the city," met the mourners carrying to the tomb the widow's son, ** the only boh ol 29
his mother ; ** and, with Gompaseion, rest to life, and '* ddx?< to his mdther *'
From Nain ire rot the base of the hill to the only remark&bl about which is the w caves hewn out of i around the town; an curred to us, what a tation one of these wo been for " the witd dor."
We now made stn the village of Deburie we saw lying at the Tabor, about three n tant. There we exp find our tents, and W( little surprised, whes rived, to find no trace nor were the villagen give us any informa cepting that there wt some miles distant other side of Tabor, was possible they n We were fortunate ii a Bedouin, who imi saddled his mare, and i guide us to this spot, now getting rapidly c we hurried through i land which thickly the sides of Tabor, as our wearied horses ( About half way we pa black tents of a lar encampment, probabl same tribe to which g belonged, and reao fountain we were in s some time after darl we were relieved to ;
lABUkn MBDULB*! ZBUkSnBT.
^btbience to Igtotlgcrs.
UTIFUL and af- Uttle instaneeB in whicli, I jfiotionate son, ha,w- , tfaii^L, I might hare shewn her
ng lost his mother, atill more respect and atten-
laid to one of his tion/* AVe fear that daty to
[ do not believe that mothen it by many young
rho knows me, will people strangely and unac-
3 with having ne- oountably neglected: we hope,
datrtomymc^er; therefore, that the above ex-
her death, I have ample will be profitable to
, with sorrow, many some of our yoong readers.
£SUS, tender Shepherd, hear me ; BleM Thy little lamb to-night : Through the darkness be Thou near me, Watch my sleep till morning light.
this day Thy hand hath led me, And I thank Thee for Thy care ; u hast clothed me, warmed me, fed me ; IJstcn to my evening prayer.
my sins be all forgiven ;
Bless the friends I love so well ; ce me holy — then to heaven
Take me, when I die, to dwell.
Selected.
% 6oolr Crainittg.
R children shonld 1>e hand in signing all pardons, trained as early as , and delighted in conveying, possible to acts of i through his month, all the charity and mercy. '; favours he granted. A. noble le, as soon as his / training for, and ViiIto\v\,q^qi[x m'ie, employed his ■ toj sovereign power \
THB' lABBATB SGBDCUl'ff (DiaUfleaBi
®|f Pission iitU.
ritory
XRB OHUMBA UIBUON.
JAB up in the north- west of India, mnong the Himalaya monn- tains, lies the ter- of Ohtdnba. It is hounded hy the States of Cashmere, Lahonl, and Kan- gra. There is great variety of scenery and climate in the region ; and ereat dlTersity in the flowers and frmts it pro- daces. The people, who amonnt to ahont 120,000, are very poor, and, till lately, were mnch oppressed by their priests, or the officers of their rnler. The present Bajah, an amiable yonng man, really anxions for the improvement of his subjects, sought and obtained the services of a British officer as superintend- ent. Under the able man- agement of Major Beid and his successor, Mr Macnab, order, law, and prosperity have in a great measure been in- troduced in to the country.
OHUMBA.
The capital, Ghumba, is an ancient town, pleasantly situa- ted on the banks of the noisy Ravee. It is the residence of the Rajah, and contains numerous temples, dedicated to the goddess Deoi or Kalee, richly endowed, and swanning with ignorant and corrupt priests. The houses are most- ij wretohed abodes, coveted with ahingles. The inhsbW 30
ants are, in oaste ter, similar to tb« the plains ; but t simple, frank, and in their manner people of the gr India, though dfi( by vUe immoratit:
THE CHTTMBA Ifl
The Rev. Mr minister of our C of singular zeal ness to the caut has commenced this secluded an spot. When he of founding t! Major Reid rathe the project— wis that the attem] deferred. It si able that mc reforms should 1 the government dition of the p an undertaking well alarm both Brahmins, shou Notwithstanding couragement, th a little more tha went to see thi met with a ver tion. Quarters him in the old p and materials pr building of a h and school, and afforded for the the cause.
\
KOVEIi MODE O]
THS BCUUaiB'BCflD&lB*8 TBSASIJRV.
seply interesting B cammenoenient J miBsion, from e A lew eztracti. edonrselvefl in a *yi (two natiTe seompanied him), r flix paces apart ; moh prayer, and
the Lord was trath,we set forth le oity, proclaim- ed Toice as we n English, then en in Hindfi: — i in the highest ^ ce, and good wiU . The kingdom, ind the glory be br ever and ever, i second time at ey prayed alond. me they went to sorronnding the ded the words of ) ye into all the Teach the Gospel ature. He that td is baptized ed; but he tfmt wt shall be ark xvi. 15, 16. te dwellings, in
at the gate of ese solemn truths Qed : — Maharaj ! 8 of God are to
your children, \at are afar off, I the world as to ly-begotten Son, ver believeth in
not perish, but •ting life. Dear '<e words are true, or t/ie kingdojn
of heaven is come nigh unto jfoiu "^ Other verses were added ; and when one of the three grew hoarse, the others continued the loud proola- mation.**
BE8ULT8.
Crowds followed them ; the Bi^ah bowed to them ; and the children repeated their words. They next ventured inside the courts of the houses. *' The noise we made at one place," says Hr Ferguson, " prepared them to expect us at the next. By the end of November (within less than two months), there was probably not one person in the whole city and immediate neighbourhood who had not heard of the name, love, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ." Later, much in- fluence was obtained with the amiable young Bajah. He read the English Bible with them, declared it must be true ; and is busy learning Urdti, that he may read it for himself.
Moreover, upwards of forty persons have already been baptized; and the prospects of success are most encourag- ing. Let it not be forgotten, however, that these disciples will require a long course of wise, patient, firm and kind teaching and training in order that they may become Christ - tians in reality, as well as in I name. The good seed has ' been sown ; but it inil t^- quire much pastoTal, or TVii^Iim
XBfiB UAX^'XB, S0H0Ii4Bi'S S9HKA0QH
paternal (for these converts are in truth habes as respects Christian truth and holiness) instruction, watchfohiess, and guidance :— otherwise there is great reason to fear that the seed will be snatched away, or that the tender blade wUl perish in the season of tribulation and persecution so certain to come, or that worldly cares or sensual pleasures will choke the plants.
Let us pray, often and fervently, that the devoted missionary may be guided and blessed in his noble work ; and that the Ohumba disciples may daily grow in all Christian grace and in the knowledge of God their Saviour.
THE HAWAIUN ISLANDS.
Forty years ago, the American Board of Foreign Missions sent an embassy to the Sandwich Islands. Then the natives were described, too truly, as more false than the falsest scum of Europe. Their idols were not more hideous than their sacrifices ; their destructive volcanoes were more merciful than them- selves ; they were degraded so low as to devour vermin and poisonous reptiles. The first missionaries are still alive, yet paganism is abolished ; the islands are ruled by Christian laws under a Christian king ; one-third of the adults are now members of Protestant churches; and upv^KtdB oi 32
50,000 have in Christ. D son, the Sec Board, was c the Island CI Though wan seventy years the journey ; corded his im; entertaining b is already a Hawaii ; an id seen ; and £u have supplan barbarism of ii The story of t being rebuked for visiting hi; way, went o returned in fc with a pair o and a beav( ludicrous to a European, ministers is or of the island and languages most efficientl;
MISSIONARY M£
At a meeti in London, th one of the se Church Miss brought forwi of Foreign insisted upon of training and preacherE esting fact, he number of C( connexion wi Missionary 24,000, a th
lAaiATB aaHOIjLB,*9 TBBASnilT.
ttODgthe enconrag-
^erations ivere the
of the miflsionaiy
introdnction of the
of self-support in
year for religions pnrposes.
In the proTince of Tiiinevelly, in Bonth India, the contribu- tions for one Tillage averaged i £2 for each family. Mr the increase of the ' Venn complained that tlie ; istry ; and the move- support given to the ('hnroh e heathen mind to- Missionary Society was not j itianity. In illnstra- sufficiently general. ^Vith \ te second point ho how much sad truth may the > e case of Sierra , Convener of our Mission 'n the natives sub- . make a similar couiplaiut und }re than £1G00 a .' remonstrance I
60 ioxtl^ anb ^oto.
{oeth forth and weejicth, bearing precions bcikI, rIiaII (1onbt> kgoin with rejoidng, bringing Mb sboavca with Iiiui."— .G.
10 forth! though creeping, bearing precious sewl, ft Still now in faith, though not a blade apiwars: S Go forth ! the Lauib himself the way duth lead, erlasting arms are o*er thee spread, lOuUt reap in joy all thou hast sown in tears.
.h I there is no shadow on thy brow,
I fear that rises — ^no swift cry to bless
lin thou bearest — but JJe heedeth : thou I
oon rejoice — joy breaketh even now ; '
I to the mark of thy high calling, press !
t for $li€ace$^ a holy patience keep, ok for the early and the latter rain, that faith has scattered, love shall reap, ss is sown, thy Lord may let thee weep, it not one tear of them shall be in vain.
ly Beloved geutly Iteckons on ;
s love for thee ilhmies each passing cloud ;
yon fair land of light at last is won —
ed-time o'er and hardest work begun,
!*11 own the fruit that shadows now ensUiovxOi.
SeUdcd.
^ t a r & i It 9,
»MgtHOSE kind tind good . JwBiSj people nho vigit the | SJBby aJiodea of the Terj, \ ^^^ Toly poor, often aee eigbts that olmoBt lend the heart. Thej find several fuoiliea cronded into hoaB«g which ought to hold ouL;
Uonj of these poor folk have no regolar way of enm- ingtheir living; andwhenthej do get a little money for their wo^, Uicj are too commoul; : tempted to leave their bare, cold, chee"*ea« room for the spirit-ahop, and there vioste moaej which
aeWee and Uiaii When, besi there oomeB ioi ings the other sickuesi. then comea terrible ricket; bed and go to the pawn sick person m floor. The chi are sold tor foi who watch b; have to oroneb the conch. Alaa t it is g
that i
TBB 9MamKTB BCR0LAB'« TSKAaVKT,
in abundance at 1 of luxniy and t, there shonldi't* 3re men, wonifiD, ■en, die literally of 1 cold.
therefore, in this on we bless God for )rtable homeg, ire ok with pity on the Blesied are they aseiBt in relieTing
the destitute and safferin^. Blessed are they who sympa- thize truly with the wretche<l.
Vtom tho low prayer of want/and
plaint of woe Oh, never, never torn away thine
earl Forlorn in this bleak wiltii-r- nesa below I I Ah! what w«n innn nhoalA I Heaven refuse to hear.
Children'a Prize.
BIGH-HOI a
weaiy life I lead
of it," thought
Martha Bean, as
d the brook cany-
e her milk-paU.
e 'tis work, work,
sing till night. I
well be an African
here's poor mother,
ith the rheumatism,
> rise from her chair
elp, much less to
tiie half a dozen
lat my brother has
K>n us, so all the
nd nursing and
on me. Pm sure
kept awake half the
1 a squalling baby,
to labour hard all
enough to driTe a
It*s never a holi-
; and as for a new
(onnct, Where's the
buy it, 'A'ith all
iren to feed and
*' It's a weary life,"
)eated as she etkier-
%ge, where her sick
mother sat wrapped up in flannels by the lire, with the baby asleep in a cradle boHidc her. Mrs Bean was weak and full of aohes and paius, but from those g«ntle lips no murmur ever was heard.
•* Well, Martha, you're home early," she said, ^fet- ing her daughter with a smile.
'* Yes, mother, because I have not now that long way to go round by the bridge."
** It was an excellent plan to put those couyenient step- ping-stones across the river," said Mrs Bean.
Martha set down her pail on the brick-paved floor, and threw herself on a cliair, with a weary sigh. *' I wish tlmt there were stepping-HtoneH over the river of troulile," cried she, " for I don't see how poor folk like us are ever to get across."
'* There are stepping-stones, dear Martha," said her moth- er ; ** and many a owe W^ found them that \<ro\i\(V. Vv;^
I
THE SABBATH BGHOLAB 8 TBEASTJST.
been drowned in trouble with- out them."
*' Stepping-stones! What do you mean ? " cried Martha, looking with surprise at the quiet sufferer as she spoke.
" There are three, my child, that God himself has set in the dreary waters, that His people may pass in safety over the difficult way. They are — prudence, patience, and prayer. By prudence we shun many a trouble which overwhelms the careless and giddy. By patience we get
over those troubl God sends to pro try us. And when waters rise high, ai as if we must sin them, then the trembling and * W€ firm footing in pra% Dear reader, at s< of your journey tl you will have to river of trouble, then seek and find stepping - stones — patience, and pray Advocate,
,I^Y Snowdrop, pure and whit< Glittering in the morning lig Peeping up, so brave and bol
Laughing at the winter's cold ;
Always glad, fair thing, are we
Thy dear fragile form to see,
And thy pretty drooping head
Gracing thus our garden bed.
All the more, meek Winter's child,
Now the winds blow bleak and vrild.
And each garden shrub is hid
Under a snow pyramid.
We must love thee, pretty one,
Visiting us thus alone ;
Teaching us, in darkest days.
Still to live in joy and praise;
Though not timorous and weak.
Yet be modest, lowly, meek ;
Whispering, though danger near,
Not to murmur, nor to fear ;
But when Summer joys depart,
Still to keep a happy heart ;
Though a\oxi« W^t ^ath. be trod,
lAve to punty and Ood.
R ii in appeal- roanded form iiaconapicnoiui M the mo^t i»- feature in tli«e«Qei7ot ventral ! jkable monntaJn I'aleetine. Oaks, piatachiui, | the Halj Land, and other kinila of trees and | ne in the plain of ' flowcnug Bhialn, evin \X» '\ o3 iu grncetallj ' tidea to the \(XY vamxnlA, \
THE SABBATH 8CH0LAB*S TBEASURT.
which is tolerably level, and over which are scattered the ruins of a fortress, now over- grown with brushwood and gigantic thistles. The ascent is easy, and we took our horses to the top, which commands an extensive view in every direction. Looking towards the west, we could trace a con- siderable part of our previous day's journey — Nain and En- dor lying opposite, at the base of Little Hermon.
Tabor is the traditional scene of the Transfiguration, but the fact that its summit was at that time occupied by the fortress, of which the ruins still remain, deprives the tra- dition of any degree of proba- bility. It is not mentioned at all in the New Testament, but was the scene of some of the events of the wars during the time that Israel was ruled by Judges. *' Hath not the Lord commanded," said Deborah to Barak, *' Go and draw towards Mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun ? And I will draw unto thee, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the cap- tain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude ; and I will deliver him into thine hand." And here Ze- bah and Zalraunna slew the brethren of Gideon, — '* each one resembled the children of a king."
Our ride from Tabor to- wards Tiberias was not speci- ally in fceresting, until suddenly 38
the ground seemed
before us, and the
Galilee burst upon
lying a thousand feet
level of the plain acrt
we had just passed.
a lovely scene ; i
water, smooth as {
fleeting the mountai
shut it in, —
" Graceful aronnd thee
tains meet.
Thou calm reposing
But, ah I far more, tl
feet
Of Jesus walked o'<
During the steep, horseback) somewha descent to Tiberias opportunity to exai fix the dififerent poir view in our memory.
We found our ten on a grassy slope cl water's edge. Clos Tiberias, one of t cities of the Jews, whom live here, al out of a population being Israelites Ii a very ruinous appea walls being rent and by the great earth 1st January 1837, does not seem to ] any attempt to rep Close to the town, a was sailing, in wb some fishermen their nets. This ts time of our \'isit, boat on the lake.
The Sabbath was Tiberias, but the h( oppressive that obliged to remain un( of QUI tents the gr
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TREA8UBT.
/
of the day. It was here that, according to tradition, the mi- raculous draught of fishes took place, and we were interested in seeing the different kinds of fish from the lake which were brought to our tents for sale.
On the 7th of April we left Tiberias, and fording one or two streams which fall into the lake, rode along the hanks as far as Khan Minyeh. The oleanders which grew in thickets along the side of the water, were in full bloom, and their bunches of pink flowers were very beautiful. The site of Capernaum l?as been the subject of much dispute, but I prefer the belief that Khan Minyeh is the spot ; though I confess I am prejudiced, as, owing to the illness of one of our party, we were unable to proceed to Tell Hfim, which lies farther to the north, and which is believed by some to have been the place where the Saviour's city stood. At Kb an Minyeh is a fountain called "The Fountain of the Fig," and around this are the remains of foundations ; but these, and some shapeless heaps of stones, are all that remain of that great city, which was once* *' exalted to heaven."
From Khan Minyeh we began the ascent to Safed, and continued to ascend for about three hours. This is another of the holy cities of the Jews. Its chief attraction is the ex- tensive and interesting view
which it commands. The town is picturesquely situated on a steep hillside, a deep ravine surrounding it on the north and west. The houses rise one above another, the roofs of each row serving as a street for the one above. This plan of building increased the horrors of the great earth- quake of 1837 ; for the upper houses, falling on those be- neath, crushed them, and the whole were involved in one common heap of ruins. About 5000 of the inhabitants per- ished, of whom 4000 were Jews. Our camp was a short distance from the town, in a grove of some of the largest and finest olive trees we had seen, and the fresh breezes of the hills were delightful after the close oven-like heat of the previous day.
About mid-day, on the 9th of April, we reached the site of the ancient city of Laish or Dan, of which not a vestige now remains. The situation well deserves the description giyen of it by the five spies sent by the Banites, " who sought them an inheritance to dwell in." " We have seen the land, and behold it is very good, a place where there is no want of anything that is in the earth."
At this spot is one of the largest fountains in Syria, per- haps in the world ; and, near it, a smaller one. These are the principal sources of tl\ft Sox- dan, Ml^L t\ifcVC WTV\\fe^ %\X%»XS!L^
joined ftboxiX «. tc:S\» \»'^<2k^
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBEAglTB1l«
L
by the Nahr Hasbany, flows on through the plain to the Waters of Merom. This abundance of water makes everything grow luxuriantly, and was a contrast to the dry and barren land of which we had seen so much in other parts of Palestine.
Another of the great sources of the Jordan is at Banias, the ancient Csesarea Philippi, which we reached in the after- noon. The water here gushes forth, a rapid stream, from a cavern in a hillside near the town. The town itself is perhaps the most beautiful for situation of any in the Holy Land. All around are streams and cascades, and the murmur of flowing waters, so that this sweet spot well merits the name which has been given it of "the Syrian Tivoli."
We were now about to leave the Holy Land and enter the district of the Lebanon, which has sacred associations of its own, though not so intimately connected with Bible history. Its scenery also is fine, and in many places strikingly grand ; and the localities which we visited derived a melancholy interest from having been so recently the scenes of the mas- sacre of the Christians of the Lebanon. Hasbeya, which we reached the day after leaving Banisls, was one of the princi- pal Maronite villages ; and its terraced vine-clad hills, and the neat houses of the pictu- resquely situated town, BpoYe of an industriouB and t>)mi\>^ 40
people. But, alas! the houses were in i the bare and blacke bore witness to th( tragedies of which recently been the sc<
On the 12th of arrived at Damascus up our quarters in hotel in the *'str< Straight." It was for us, as we had under a roof for fa This city is perhi associated with the 1 any other spot out of Land, and is one of cities in the worl stated by Josephus been founded by Uz, grandson of Noah. vant of Abraham. w( of Damascus ; and i1 the city of Naaman tl who, with patriotic teemed the Abana i par, now called thi and ' Awaj,* "better the waters of Israel.'
On walking thrc city, we were muc with the desolatioi Christian quarter, ruins, the houses roo the bare walls alone for fire had been em complete the destru gun by pillage and It is believed that ne Christians perished i cus, victims to the of Moslem fanatids: is worthy of remark, l the rabble rose a^ CjVim\i«xi«^ there
THa UkBBATR BGHOLAB's TBKABUBi:.
I rise to the west of the It is called by their own "the Pearl of the East;
the 15th of April we left • sands of the desert which sur- itflns, and had our last - round it as far as the eye can of it from the heights reach.
Grossing the range of the Anti - Lebanon, we reached Baalbec in two days, and spent u seen in that bright i the night nnder the magnifi- ng sunshine, the wHte ' cent ruins of the Temple of i of the city surrounded . the Sun, in the great court of ) fresh green of the wal- i which our tents were pitched, snd mulberry groves, • On the 19th of April we i like a handful of pearls . crossed the Lebanon, in a red 0T6r a robe of green, i storm of wind and sleet, and beauty of this oasis is next day sailed from Beyrout red yet more striking by ! for Constantinople, lontrast with the brown I £. E. S.
"®62 ^tngbom Come."
[ASTWARD, westward, Lord, in glory, Be Thy bannered Cross unfurled, Till from vale to mountain hoar}- Rolls the anthem round the world. Reign, oh. reign o'er every nation \
Reign, Redeemer, Healer, King^ And with songs of Thy salvation
Let the wide creation ring. Selected.
feje 6reat ^torm in |nbia.
rE Government of i Calcutta frrom ten o'clock in Bengal has pub- | the forenoon of that day till lished a special nar- i almost sunset. The gale rative of the great , drove up the river Hooghly e of 5th October last. I a storm wave from the Bay narrative collects all the | of Bengal. As this wave rose and states them with I in some cases as high as joy ; and the picture is a thirty feet, and swept over appalling one, such as j the strongest embankments, it f, happily for our race, was very much more disas-
Idom to record, full yiolenoe of the
trous than the mere violence of the wind. There 'veta, ou
was experienced &t \ the morning oi tti«A. Sia:^ , V^^
4\
THB SABBATH BOHOIiAB*B TBBAStTBT.
yessels within the port of Calcutta. Of these 145 were driven on shore, and 10 were sunk in the river. In the city and in Howrah, 196,431 houses and huts were de- stroyed. The storm wave at Saugor Island was fifteen feet above the level of the land, and as it swept over the island it utterly destroyed all the houses and buildings, and left scarcely a living creature there. The few human beings who escaped were saved either by climbing up trees, or by floating on the roofs of their houses, which the wave swept on to the mainland and carried inland many miles. The loss of cattle has been very great ; in some places four-fifths of them have perished. The crops have been greatly in- jured; in many parts wholly destroyed by the salt water.
The loss of life has been terrible. The returns are i necessarily imperfect ; but they shew how awful the ca- lamity has been. In the one i district of Midnapore the lives | lost are set down at 20,065, ! but it is believed to have been . much greater. In Goomghur ', 10,000 people perished out of i 16,000. In Howrah 1978 perished. On Saugor Island,
only 1488 remain out of about 6000. In short, we can hardly doubt that the estimate of 100,000 lives lost by that cyclone was not at all ex- aggerated.
Two days after the storm about 1000 starving men made an attack upon the salt-stores at one place ; they wanted salt to mix with a kind of grass which they ate eagerly. Some constables, who attempted to stop them, were beaten off; the ** fearful hardships of the past two days had almost driven the survivors mad."
It is consolatory to know that assistance was rendered with the utmost promptitude. Government did much. Steam- ers were sent with large supplies of food. A public meeting was held in Calcutta, and, with the liberal help of Bombay, about £30,000 was raised. Too much praise can- not be given to those mission- aries, who, living for days in canoes and half -flooded huts, went forth among Christians and heathens alike, distribut- ing food and money; nor to those private gentlemen, like Mr Eraser, who, when starving wretches were plundering his stores, was busUy engaged in sending relief to other places.
SABBATH well spent Brings a week of content And strength for the cares of the morrow ; But a Sabbatti profaned, WhaVer may be gained,
la a certain foierunner ot bottom.
Sir MoUKeu) Ha\e.
THE SABBATH SOHOLAB'S CTBA6UET.
®feje Iglissiott li^lk
CHINA.
JR BALDWIN, an American mission- ary, pablishes the following statistics of the China Mission : —
The missions are seated at twelve principal centres. There are 84 ordained mis- sionaries; 108 stations and out- stations ; 57 churches ; 257G is the whole namber of baptized converts. These con- tributed during the year 1H63 not less than £400. There are 19 boarding schools with 247 pupils, and 44 day-schools with 7\H) pupils.
Missions were planted at Canton in 1830; and the history of the Mission there is a standing witness to two things : — 1. The vitality of Protestant Christianity. Through the long night of apparent failures and disas- ters, the Church has nobly sustained the work there ; and now, as the clouds begin to lift, we perceive everywhere streaks of light heralding the fall day. Let us bless God for the faith of the Church, and of the laborious mission- aries, who have shewn, by persistent effort, their ardent love for the souls of the haughty Cantonese. 2. The fact that circumstances, almost wholly external, sometimes bar the way to success. The Church ought to make allow-
ance for such facts, and not expect the same or like results always in different places.
Three years only have elapsed since missionary oper- ations were commenced in Pekin ; and the Rev. J. Ed- kins, of the London Society, is able to report the con- version of twenty Chinese and ManchuB to the faith of Christ. Some of the converts afford indications that they are likely to become earnest pro- moters of the truth among their fellow-countrymen. High officers of Government find their way to the missionary liospital, and Christian books find their way into the palace. Two very interesting young Chinamen have been ba2)tized by the Church missionaries at Fuh-chau. They had been under instruction some time. ♦' My good and faithful cate- chist," writes one of the mis- sionaries, " was the means of their conversion." The hea- then present appeared to view the baptism with much inter- est. Among them was one of the bitterest opponents of the mission, a Confucianist. At another place, some distance from Fuh-chau, eight adult converts have been baptized by American missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
BBAHMINISM.
The Teft.4.ei tqxjl'^ wsii"».^'st
4^
THE SABBATH SCH0IiAB*8 TBEASUBr.'
prove that BrahmiDism is the most monstrous, system of in- terference and oppression that the world has ever seen ; and that it could he maintained only hy ignorance and super- stition of the grossest kind. The Hindoos had heen taught to helieve that in all the daily concerns of life Brahminical ministrations were essential to worldly success. The Deity, it was believed, could not he propitiated without large money-payments to this favoured race. " Every form and ceremony of religion" — it has been said — *' all the public festivals ; all the accidents and concerns of life ; the re- volutions of the heavenly bodies ; the superstitious f^ars of the people ; births, sick- nesses, marriages, misfortunes; death ; a future state, — have ftU been seized as a source of revenue to the Brahmins." "The farmer does not reap his harvest without paying a Brahmin to perform some ceremony ; a tradesman cannot begin business without a fee to a Brahmin ; a fisherman cannot build a new boat, nor begin to fish in a spot which he has farmed, without a cere- mony and a fee.'^
And as the Brahmin was thus the controller of all the ordinary business concerns of his countrymen, so also was he the depository of all the learning of the country. "It is a marked and peculiar fea- ture of Hindooism," eaya oiie, himself by biiih a Hm^oo 44
"that it interferes treats of, . every i of secular knowle human genius hae vented ; so that geography, physics, cine, metaphyacs, each form as essen of Hindooism as an topic with which : cerned."
But when Britisl
humane laws were e
and especially whei
education began
throughout the co
Brahmins felt \
power and sacred
were in danger. }
strous lie ezploc
abominable practic
ed, was a blow sti
priesthood ; for all
strosities and ab
had their root in '.
and could not be
without sore dista
confusion of the
murder of wom<
funeral-pile, the
little children in i
the murder of th
aged on the ban
Ganges, the murdc
victims, reared and
the sacrifice, were ;
institutions, from
priesthood derived
or power, or botl
these cruel rites
suppressed, and
superstitions whic
them are fast <
from the land. — A
Kaoje's History o.
War.
mm MwaATH acaou^^B tbsabubt.
tbU : %n eu tjgat mtoU b l^ooh.
Owl wrote a book to proTC that the snn was not fnll of
light ; that the moon reality mneh more ; that past ages had K mistake about it ; the world was qnite rk on the subject. t a wonderfal book!** I the sight-birds ; must be right; onr )wl haying snch very B, of oonrse she can igh all the mists of
ti
true" cried the she is right, no Ls for ns, as we can- . blink, the stin and are alike to ns ; and Ing we know there is in either; so we go body to her opinion." e matter was buzzed
the eagle heard of died the birds around , looking down from throne, spoke thus : !ren of the light and y! beware of night- Cheir eyes may be i they are so formed
that they cannot receive the light; and what they cannot see, they deny the existence of. Let them praise tlie moon- light in their haunts ; they baye never known anything better ; but let us who love the light, because our eyes can bear it, give glory to the great Fountain of it, and make our boast of the sun, while we pity the ignorance of poor moon- worshippers, and the sad lot of those who live in darkness." The Bombay Guardian quotes this fable by Mrs Prosaer, and adds very truly : — *• We have had much of this owl-literature lately. Men who love not the light, and whose eyes cannot bear it, have sought to depreciate the Scrip- tures, and to make it appear that their darkness is due to the inadequacy of light in the Bible, rather than to their own defect of vision. But they have simply illustrated the words of our Lord: — * The light of the body is the eye ; if the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness I' "
§ u: b b I i g m.
iIE of our young readers and contri- butors are probably ignorant of what I ia. Baddhism ia /
that system of religious belief held by the largest number of the heathen population in the whole world. Ita ioWo^et^ are calculated to 'mnniX^cic «.\i
THE SiBBATH SCaOLAB*S TBEASUBT.
least three hnndred and fifty millions of people, oeonpying the vast regions of centrsJ and eastern Asia, Japan, Ceylon, Siam, Burmah, and Thibet and Tartary in the north. Such is the power of the prince of darkness !
Spirit of truth and love. Life-giving, holy Dove,
Speed forth thy flight, •, Move on the waters' face. Spreading the beams of grace, And in earth's darkest place,
Let there be light !
A wonderful and mysterious personage was Gotama, or Guatama Buddha, the founder of this dark and debasing system of heathenism. He is said to have appeared about 600 years before the Christian era. Buddhism is made up of legends, superstitions, and absurdities, almost beyond be- lief, did we not know that Satan blinds the eyes, corrupts the understanding, and hard- ens the hearts of those whom he keeps in bondage. We give a specimen or two from among ihe many, just to shew what the system is.
According to the Buddhist belief, the earth is immovable, and upon it is placed a round mountain, one million and a half miles in height, the earth itself being two and a half millions of miles in thickness, below which are three worlds, of -'Stone, water, and wind, each of incredible thickness.
The Buddhists' sun is 500
miles in height, length, &n^
breadth, and 1500 in c\icu\V
46
The moon is said to miles in length, breai thickness, and 1470 hi Notwithstandmg these sions, both luminal swallowed by a eertai Kahu, a giant of pr size, whose mouth : miles deep, with h( limbs of suitable prop This is only just a of the absurdities ol hism.
Among other objecti ship is that of Gi foot, on high mc where he is supposed trodden in pursuing
'. his marvellous j How striking is the r( a Christian native, i
I tending a traveller
I amongst the grand (
lime scenery, where
these pretended foot
shewn : — '* Oh, mas1
Siamese see Buddh
stone, and do not se<
these grand things."
sad is the thought,
many thousands of 1
heathen are thus blii
lowing an ima{Tinary
not knowing that the
one only way to holi
to God ! ** Jesus sai
the way, the truth,
life ; no man cometh
Father but bv me "
Another of their
relics is the Sacred
Buddha^ enclosed ii
cases ornamented w
and precious stones, :
\vtt. \Xvek Y^w^li^al te
THE SABBATH BCHOLAB'S TBEABURT.
:L6 same island is i tain the right jaw- Ama Buddha, igiooa ceremonies >7 the Buddhists in sist chietly in lis- he reading of the of Buddha, who ^red the most per- nan heings; mak- 8 to his image or
relics, and to' the priests ; and also demon or devil worship, to which they resort in all times of sicknesses or dis- tress.
The priesthood is marked hj a yellow robe, and may be assumed or resif^ced at plea- sure, and tho priests are for- bidden to marry. — C. M, J. Instructor.
t fcill ittrt mu latfea."
S boys and girls ill mind what their trents say when ey are in their they do not obey parents are not them. Two little t play in a garden was a tree full of
3.
ank/' said one of us pick some of cherries. Look, ,7 are I"
^illie," said the > must not touch know we were told one of them." rank, there is no see us ; you need .id. And if your d find out that we lie is so kind that »t hurt you." i why I will not ," said Frank to '. know niy father hurt me; yet for
me to disobey would hurt my father, and I would not wish to grieve him."
Did not that little boy know what it was to obey ? We think he must have loved his father.
Now, young reader, what can you say for yourself? Do you at all times obey your parents ? Is there no bad temper or ugly frown seen in you? No naughty word spoken by jou ? Have you not dis- obeyed, and shewn that you have got an evil heart within ? As a tree is known by its fruits, so is a child by its do- ings. Will you not, then, ask God to look upon you with love, and, for the sake ot Jesus Christ, to forgive you all your sins? And will you not ask Him for His grace, that your hearts m^y be right in His sight ? Then we may hope to see you among those children who try to make their parents happy.
41
THE BABBAIH SCROLAB S TBEA.S0ST.
$Ui0ttB of fif^.
THE VIOLKT.
^AVE you observed in Spring-ti; A small but welcome flowei Which blooms in shady place Or in some rustic bower ? Tt seems to shrink from notice, Beneath its leafy shields ; But you are sure to find it
By the sweet smell it yields.
The Violet ! ah, you know it,
The pretty, ^lodest thing ; In town, as well as country,
Fair herald of the Spring ! Tied up in tiny bunches.
The sick one's room it cheers, And by its lovely perfume
Itself to all endears.
A shy, sweet, little creature,
Guileless in all her ways, Our blue- eyed Lucy dreams not
How oft she winneth praise. When strangers gaze upon her,
Close to our side she clings, Unconscious of the fragrance
Which all around she flings.
By kind and loving actions.
By winning words and smiles, She fills our home with gladness,
Aild every care beguiles. Thus meek and unassuming.
All thoughts of self put low, Onr humble little Lucy
Does \\fc6 tYift WoW ^ow»
■ UXBUB KKIHiU I TBUIUBI.
:''^i^^i'i^,).»>.-:- '
Mt^n's ^n-
kVELLrMADE boj, tall for liiiBge, with dark cuil; hiuT nod Iwge dark ejea — r'B eyeB, Bretybody bta sierfbod; Mud ied RsdoJJffe,
My opiuioD is, that Uiia ei- preaaion, " MotWa boy," vas Dili gi'iieriilly applied id a couipLiiiintiirj or raspeetful a-nse-mores tl.O pitj. It eieiy boy vos hia mother'i boy, in Uie MUBeuiK^ae^ifl«^ / Badcliffe might b« BBi& \aV«
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR 8 TBEAJfUBT.
BO, it would be so much the ' money, getting what better for boys in general, and he could from his m no discredit to any mother in particular. But there is one thing to be reckoned in the account, 'so important that, if we leave that out, our reck- oning would be totally in- correct. If being a mother's boy means being what Ned Radcliffe was, then mothers mu8t bear some likeness to Ned Eadclifife's mother. Ned loved her with all his heart ; to please her, what would he not do ? To offend her, the very thought was so painful to him that he turned from it with horrur.
An upright boy — speaking the truth always, cheerful, in- telligent, active— such a boy as would be most likely to prosper in the world, to gain a good position, and win the approval of the wisest and the best. Such a boy was Ned j to read — the psabnii Badcliffe, his mother*s boy. I of God*s goodness toi The only son of his mother, | and how He openeth and she was a widow ; not a 1 and satisfieth the wealthy widow, rich in this • every living thing.
the evening. That of learning was of coi very extensive ; but it out of one book — Hki volume from which 1 and the ignonin alike receive the best tion.
Ned used to sit ' was quite a small d watch his mother*8 busy with the needle, f He wished that he co her, that he could i from so many hour's ] that he could help her more comfortable never breathed it to she, he knew full we check the thought as discontent with 6 mighty's dealings.
She had been f^ him one day — anii
world's goods, but almost as poor as the widow in the gos- pel, who, when she cast her two mites into the treasury, parted with all her living.
Mother and son lived in a little hut or cottage in a quiet country lane, leading from Fiveaores to Meadowland . The widow taught a few children, ' know, and a wannc JiA a little plain needlework, — it might be better was always ready and willing j '' Never think th< to earn a penny, and Ned was again/' she «nsweze out in the fields scaring the is our Father, and J birda and earning a IrifLe ol ,Nq\i\!»X."\^\i««X.Va^i^' 50
was very thoughtful
minutes, and then h
" Mother, do yon
God might sometii
His hand a little wid
" What makes yoi
" I think," he sa
if you had more go*
— a little moie to
THE BABBiTH 8CR0LAB 8 TREABURT.
nt IS good. Ton me?"
he said, tod his
.ghtly as he smiled
' of coarse I can
X am * mother s
remember, then/' that we are oar Idren— the child- ler who cares for n any parent here
liooght was fixed -a nail driven in
Ned was oat in [e had been set to ap in the hedge, a handy boy and gentleman came ray slowly, for his st cast a shoe, there a farrier to here ?"
, that there is, parts of a mile
{ no help for it,**
itleman. " Shew
boy, and I'll give
(hot throagh the for a shilling was e to him, bat he not earn it. He nt there to finish rk ; by twelve it one, and then he for an hoar; bat jet noon and the 1 ilnfinisbed. rry I cannot shew id, ** bat I most ork." fman looked sur-
prised. " Silly boy/' he said, " it will cost no more than a few minates to shew me the way, ease this poor brute, and earn a shilling. Come."
** I am sorry," the boy re- plied, working on persever- ingly as he spoke, '* I am very sorry for yoa, sir; for the poor horse, sir ; and for myself, sir ; bat the few min- ates are not mine. I am paid to do what I am doin^i;, and it is as bad to thieve time as to steal money.**
" An oddity,'* said the gen- tleman, getting off his horse and patting the animal's neck. '* Who has taaght yoa this scrapalosity, boy?"
Ned did not know the mean- ing of that word, bat he knew that all he had been taaght was from the lips of his mother, and so he answered :
"Mother, sir."
" Mother,'* said the gentle- man, '* mast be a remarkably ehrewd person, a pattern villa- ger, to be execntcd in Dresden china and set on the chimney- piece ; and they call you"
** Motlier's boy, sir.**
The gentleman laughed out- right, and then, and not till then, he saw the boy's face flush, and that his eyes were full of meaning.
" I am a poor boy, sir," he said, " and cannot be expected to know good manners. I try to be honest and to love my mother and my God."
The gentleman laughed no morOf but spoke in a iiees osidi idnder tone.
5\
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBEASUBT.
"Yon are quite right, my lad, and I will wait your time. It wants less than fifteen minutes to noon; then after that you can shew me to the fiirrier*8.*»
" Very willing, sir."
So when the gap in the hedge was mended, Ned very readily shewed the gentleman the way and received his shil- ling.
Bun I you should have seen that boy run with the prized shilling — it almost takes away my breath to think of it. Home, home to his mother, to cast the treasure into her lap. and to hear her words as she kissed his forehead, "The Lord is opening His hand.**
That evening the gentleman came to the cottage and asked for " mother's boy." He was a light-haired, light-eyed, laughing gentleman, son of my Lady Fanshaw— a great notability in fashionable quarters— Dowager Lady Fan- shawls son— -who had never been his mother's boy— loung- ing away his life at the club and the mess-table, and find- ing it rather dreary work. This gentleman had been struck by the boy's oddity, and had resolved to make Ned a liberal offer. I think I told you he was a well-made lad, tall of his age. Well, the son of my Lady Fanshaw intended to take him into his service, to put him into livery, and to let him hang on to the back of his cab as a " Tiget Tiiml" Very much smprieed ivaa "Vie 52
\
to learn, as he di " mother's boy" his proposal ;'thai take service, eve most tempting o1 preferred doing work for the rather than leav< and live in luxury
" Simpleton," of my Lady Fi you not observe ing service you v looking after you: terest as well a We should make in time, and you to send your n thing handsome mas."
" I would rati her and work," i " She would ne part with me, an< I should never with her."
The son of m^
•
shaw, who thouj get on very well mother, and did i say so, went hU his tiger. He st parsonage, two and over the su] story.
Two or three d; Farmer Fordingh from the pastor ; days after that 1 ingham offered on his farm at se a week. From t began to prospei found that the W4 mother obtained
TBM SABBiTH IMHOLAB'S TBXABITST.
been. Then Ned's ere raised, and he be- .wftil proprietor of ft eee of ground of his i was the work of Kit they were years ipent. God was open- tand. The pastor had at word for him, so squire, so had Farmer lam, who, except on MMsasions, was rarely
I ntter pleasant things ly — ^bat a good man at.
3w it has come to pass has a small holding n — a small fEum and it, and Ned's mother 9r the daily. He is tt thriving farmers
II poor ; it is more >able the yalet of my i'anshaw^s son — to gh dignity he wonld 1 by this time had he rice with his lordship ) twice the money for part of the work, hat ? The worth of I only that which it g. Heaps of gold rer haye made Ned so working for and with r he loTes so dearly, ling her joy in all his J
little sneeesses. It is the effort of his life to make her happy, and he finds his hap- piness in hers.
It is a snnny Snnday morn- ing, and the stout young fanner is in the village church- yard, his mother leaning on his arm. They are standing by his father's grave. A kind voice speaks to them. It is that of the pastor. ** All well with yon, fiinner ?" " All well, sir." »» Prospering ?•' **God has opened His hand.'* *' And God," says the pas- tor, ** is very faithful to all His promises ; you know the command of love and obedi- ence to parents is the first with a promise — mutual honour and love to both. A good son always brings a blessing on himself.'
" Ay, sir, but every son is not blessed with such a mother."
The pastor smiles very kindly, takes mother and son by the hand, and says to the former : —
"Ah, Mrs Badcliffe, your Ned is the same as ever — his mother's boyl" — The Teach- er's Offering.
It tfee mn, tifee Sfentl, ami % f ift."
MID life's wild commotion,
Where nought the heart can cheer, Who pointa beyond the ocean, To bearen^a brighter sphere ?
THE SABBATH BCHOLAB S TBEAfilTBT.
Our feeble footsteps gaiding, When from the path we stray,
Who leads to bliss abiding? Christ is our only Way.
When doubts and fears distress us,
And all around is gloom. And shame and fear oppress us,
Who can our souls illume ?
Heaven's rays are round us gleaming, And making all things bright ;
The sun of TrtUh is beaming, fn glory on our sight.
Who fills our hearts with gladness, That none can take away ?
Who shews us, 'midst our sadness, The distant realms of day ?
'Mid fears of death assailing, Who stills the heart's wil^ strife ?
'Tis Christ! our aid unfailing. The Way, the Truth, the Life,
% §\nha llok of €n(mmi |
lately
NE of the corres- pondents of a Bombay native news- paper says : — *• I witnessed a sight in Wadgaum Goopt, which I think deserves men- tion ; and, if you think pro- per, you can put it in your paper. On the 15th of Jan- uary, about ten o'clock in the forenoon, a Bramhachari (devotee) came to this place from Ahmednnggor, having a cow and a boy with him ; and be began to go throTigjd t^ie 54
town begging for eat for himself f some fodder for l owing to the sea visions, the pec village find it di on themselves, ai they supply such bawa (devotee) pulse, and batte fodder for his cov about a long ti now noon, and th not secured eno dinner. The Pat
nSB 8A9BATH 80H0LAB 8 TBXA8UBY.
h for one small >w conld he make * The bawa now Y angry, and at ethonght himself 'hieh promised to 1. He took hold larootee, and pnt- er skin, which he 3at, on the top, he and thns spoke:— otee, you are ihe I Tillage, and I am t you to the test ; [ir, pulse, butter, or my cow, and I edge that you are and if you do not [ will understand B false, and that, are nothing but a I sat in this way Qe, but Marootee or spoke ; he sat .one. At last the le very much en- bursting out into one mad, he took lis hand, and with [th, struck Maroo- (78 on the head, »u are a stone, and Of all the red paint Q put on you, and le that remains, 1 kway." After he .8, he struck the •ws more over its I he stopped, wait- rhether Marootee bim anything or )w could he get n a stone ? In a 30 began to howl
again ; and again he struck Marootee two blows. He repeated this perhaps four times ; still Marootee would do nothing for him ; and instead of punishing the bawa for dishonouring him thus, he bore the beating as patiently as any criminal could do. A good many people had assem- bled in the meantime to see the sport. At length two worshippers of Marootee came to perform their daily worship to the god, and seeing his. condition, they took pity on him ; not only so, they feared they would meet with great delay in performing their worship and going to their work, and they therefore beg- ged the bawa to get off from the god, promising to give him two pice (a farthing) a piece. The Patel also came up at the same time, and with great indignation, rebuked the&atra, saying, " Is this well ? Why, you talk just like the Chris- tians who say that Marootee is no god, that he is only a stone — and do you think this right r* Then the Patel told the people to give him some- thing ; and the bawa^ wiping, his club which was besmeared with the red paint, and rolling up his deer skin, got down from Marootee's head. I then took occasion to shew to the people that Marootee and their other gods were no gods, i and they all acknowledged the truth of my doctrine.
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR*B TBEASUBT.
®6e l^isstffn |ielb.
the marked approbatum of his audience.
The prizes, connBting of E are indebted to the handsomely boand bo(du, woe
then distributed by the obiir- man, who afterwards made i few appropriate remarks, ex- pressive of the great satisfM- tion and interest felt by tk ladies and gentlemen preseaii at the highly ereditiUe
ANNUAL EXAMINATION OP OUR BOMBAY INSTITUTION.
Times of India for the following inter- esting account : — The annual public examina- tion of the pupils of the General Assembly's Institu- tion in connection with the
Church of Scotland's Mission, j maimer in which the pupfls was held at the Institution late- ; had gone through their ex- ly. A number of ladies and gen- ■ amination, whi& he TOiy Uemen were present, as were ' justly remarked, reflected eon*
also many native gentlemen. Mr J. Connon presided. The meeting having been opened with prayer, the pupils were examined in Scripture, His- tory (both British and In- dian), Grammar and Geo-
siderable credit on the metbod of teaching adopted by tbe Principal and Mr Grant, u well as on the attention paid to their duties by the natift teachers.
The Institution proridM
graphy ; in all of which they j education for two hundred and acquitted themselves most j ninety-six pupils in the En- creditably. There were also I glish department, and eightj- a number of essays read by five in the Marathi ; seTenl the young men of the more of whom in the former an
pursuing a course of thfOolo- gical study.
NEED OF EDUCATIOH OT INDIA.
One of the greatest hia*
advanced classes, some of which displayed no small amount of research on the part of their writers. To- wards the conclusion of the exercises, two intelligent- looking Hindoo youths solved, drances to the progress of the in a most lucid manner, two Gospel in India, is the depk^ geometrical problems pro- ; able ignorance of the great pounded by the Rev. A. Forbes, .' body of the people. ^ Aftar Principal of the Institu- ' careful examination, it hai tion : one of these boys, quite been concluded that only tie a little fellow, who, we subse- . or three persons in every hoB- quently ascertained, however, ! dred have received any ediM' was fourteen years old, tion. There is reason to handled the subject in a \)to- y'beWes^^ N}ev«\>yel \naxiY vill^ei foand manner, which eAicited ^ Tio\. onfe YaSxrATsaiL c»l "wA 66
XHB SABBATH BOHOLAB'S TBBASUBT.
Thus, when a may visit them, iople can under- little, of what be they not nnfre- undentand very le ezpressionB he he object of his It is also evident, oh dromnstanoes ;ve no benefit from t religions tracts rd of God which rithin their reach, he urgent need of efforts in India, ,te that there are millions of boys empire who ought ihool. Of these thousand are re- gally good educa- lools where both 1 the yemaeular 'e taught. There Ddred and eighty ho are receiving a ir education in rngue only. And bably six hundred nsand who attend x>l8, taught by mpetent persons, there are nearly a lom some educa- l imparted, there than fifteen mil- holly destitute of
st remember that, s is the condition o boys as regards }{ education, the ixteen millions of orse. There are twenty tbonsand /
girls in the mission schools, but the latest estimate does not lead to the belief that there are more than thirty thousand female pupils in all India ; — only one girl out of every five hundred and thirty receiving any education. What a deplor- able condition of affairs I
To enable you to under- stand the state of education in the country districts, we give the following graphic de- scription of
NATIVE SCHOOLS IN INDIA.
A visit to one of the indigen- ous schools of Bengal, and a knowledge of the system of education pursued there, would soon shew how great is the benefit conferred by missionary schools.
Let us enter the school- house, which is often a com- mon bamboo hut, with mat walls and a thin roof of palm leaves. The floor is mud, washed over with cow-dung, and often, from the rainy cli- mate, saturated with water. Sometimes, however, the school is held in the dirty outer verandah of a temple or of a brick house, amid the dust and cobwebs of years. In order to be respectable, the floor should be spread with loose mats, to be rolled up when school is over ; but they are all in pieces, and their jag- ged edges exhibit in abundance the stnngs and grass of which they are composed. Upon these remnants of m«A>% t\v& scholars are eeaie^ cto«a-\^%-
^1
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBEAfllTST.
ged ; thej are not in rows, bat in oonfasion; there is a struggle to find a seat on the mats, instead of on the mud floor. They are ill-dressed, have bnt few clothes, and these generally in a very dirty con- dition. The most noticeable articles in the school are the long strips of palm leaf, of which each boy brings a bun- dle, and these are lying every- where among the scholars. They are covered all over with strange figures, professing to be Bengali letters; and the boys are busy with their inky fingers, long reed pens, and earthen inkstands, in adding to the number of the smudged hieroglyphics. The master walks among the urchins, cane in hand, mtdsing a free use of his weapon. Here, in the cor- ner stands one lad, tnll and thin, with a brick on his head : he is under punishment. There is another standing on one leg : and yet another bent down with a brick on the middle of his back; woe to him if he let it fall ! Perhaps they have been absent for some days, or have been found de- ceiving the master, or have failed to bring more than half the sixpenny fee for the last month's instruction, or have forgotten the allowance of rice which supplements the fee, or have &iled in some other of the numerous methods on which they are set to gather, from their different homes, the varied contributions that make ap the poor pittance on ^\uc\i 68
their wretched teach
But can it be said
learn nothing ? Gert
They spend weeks an
in writing largc-hai
on the leaves ; they (
to paper, and make i
ters, double-letters,
tractions of the fift
ters of the alphabet,
numerous comlniiatii
learn also the mul^
table, tables of we
measures, and othei
useful knowledge;
before Pestalozzi In
his system, the sin
system was in voci£n
tion in India for
these elements of '.
to classes of school
out the use of bookf
Nor can it be aa
they read nothing ;
the common spc
which they study f
and months ; and
book, the classic
schools, which conts
knowledge, a goo<
idolatry, and a cc
amount of immore
this let the ignora
master be added, ai
may be formed of t
education given
years in these comm
In a better class <
confined solely to
Sanscrit works of va
are taught; but altb
is now some impro
towns, the indigene
in thousands of vill
this day as above d<
\ LacToix' a MenuyKQ
nn UBS1I8
ffifet gittU «nt!.
TLi
IgOW, U it true wbat I sm lold,
[^ That there an Umlu witbin the fuld
P Of God's beloved Son ?
JgsuB Cbrial, with teacler care,
" Hia arm* moat gently bear
slplesfl "Utile one?"
e heard mj father tt,y,
Tbat acaroe could walk or run, For when the psrent's love beaouglit That lie would tuuvb the child she brought.
He UeeMd the "litUe one."
And I ■ little sirayinf; lamb, Ala^ cowe to Jtaiu aa 1 am,
Though gocilneaa 1 have none ■,
THE SABBATH BCH0LAB*8 TBXABUXX.
May now be folded to His breast As birds within the parent's nest, And be His *' little one."
And He can do all this for me, Because in sorrow on the tree
He once for sinners hang, And having washed their sins away. He now njoices day by day
To cleanse the *' little one.**
Oihers there are who love me too ; Bnt who with all their lore can do
What Jesus Christ hath done ? Then if He teaches me to pray, rjl snrely go to Him and say
''Lord, bless thy 'littk one.*
»i
Thus by this glorious Shepherd ftd, And by His mercy gently led
Where living waters run, My greatest pleasure wUl be this, That l*m a little lamb of His,
Who loves the '4itde ones.*"
Salt
JESUS, fold me in thy gentle arras. And guard thy little Iamb from all alar Through this dark night. O Jesus, do thou pardon all my sin. And in thy precious blood wash me quite clean.
And set me right. () Jesus, bless my friends so kind and dear, Take care of them, and be thou very near To all this night.
THe CKOdrvCt
K WKOLU'a IKIlgDBT.
)o!i tjtt f ittlt C^atUe iii.
I, I wish," Mid I I conld get ricli and give awftj
little boj who oke ekri; one irning uid lay
mnch to poor people ; I am only a little boy, and it will take me a great m«a; years to grow ap."
And BO, was he goiog to pnt off doing good till then ?
" Well," he Biid to Mm»i\t while he was iieBaVua, "\ 6\
THE SABBATH BCHOLAB*S TBBABUBX.
know what I can do. I can he good: that's left to little boys."
Therefore, when he was dressed, he knelt and asked God to help him to be good, and try to serve Him all day with his heart, and not forget. Then he went downstairs to iinish his sums.
No sooner was he seated with his slate before him, than his mother called him to find his little brother. Charlie did not want to leave his lesson, yet he cheerfully said, *' 1*11 go, mother," and away he ran.
And how do you think he found "Eddie?" With a sharp axe in his hand ! "I chop," he said ; and quite likely the next moment he would have chopped off his little toes. Charlie only thought of minding his mother ; but who can tell if his ready obedience did not save his baby brother from being a cripple for life ?
At family prayers Charlie behaved like a Christian boy. As Charlie was going on an errand for his mother, he saw a poor woman whose foot had slipped on the newly-made ice and she fell, and in falling she had spilled her basket of nuts and apples, and some wicked boys were snatching up her apples and running off with them. Little Charlie stopped and said, ** Let me help you to pick up your nuts and apples," and his nimble &DgerB quickly helped her out 62
of her trouble. ] know how his kin forted the poor y after she got hom> she prayed God to
At dinner, as hi mother were ta father said ronghl; not do anything fo son : the old man his best to injure i
♦' But, father," i looking up into face, ** does not tl that we must retu evil ?"
Charlie did not his father thought noon of what his I Kaid, and that he mured to himself, more of a Christia] I must be a better
When Charlie from school at nig that his dear lil bird was dead. ** and I took such ca and I loved him sang so sweetly.' little boy burst int his poor favourite.
His mother trie him. " Who gave and who took it f ; asked, stroking gently.
"God,"heanswe his tears, '* and best," and he tri himself.
A lady who wa
was sitting in tl
the time. She
her two children, i
\ she hoped they
TBS flABBlTH tBCR0LA»*8 TBEIETTBT.
DgB mnd gone to When Charlie laid his head he beaTenly land, on his pillow that night be rather have had ! thoaght, '* I am too little to ns haekto her nest ! do good ; hnt, oh ! I do want t when she beheld j to he good and to love the latiendfe and snb- i Bavionr, who eame down from his Father in i heaven to die for me.**— S. S. ) aaid, *' I too will ; Advocate, ike this UtUe child/,
_y^M«>^^ '^rf^.^N-*^'^>*»»^V
Wm\ $fa« tff iifilit.
DO not ask, 0 Lord, that life may be
A pleanant road ; I do not a»k that 7 boa wouldst take from me
Aught of its load ;
ask that flowers sbould always spring eath my feet;
too well the poison and the sting bingf too sweet.
thing only. Lord, dear Lord, I plead,
d me aright —
strength should falter, and though heart should
eed —
•ough Peace to Light.
ask, O Lord, that Thou shouldst shed I radiance here ;
t a ray of peace, that I may tread :hout a fear.
ask my cross to understand, way to see —
1 darkness just to feel Thy hand I follow Thee.
ke rcHttless day; but peace divine
e quiet night ;
», () Lord— till perfect Day shall shine—
ough Veac$ to Light,
SeZecfed.
THE BABBAtH 8CH0LAB*8 TBMABOMI,
tl^t iisa$$ointm(nt
NE fine day in August, just after the dock bad struck twelye, a group of girls, of Tarions ages, assembled in the playground adjoining tbeir scboolroom, and began to talk earnestly on what appeared from their countenances to be a pleasing and important sub- ject. After half an hour spent in Tery animated conversation they left the playground, and hastened to their respective homes. I had been watching them with some amusement and curiosity, but was not long left to wonder, for my young friend Louisa, who was one of the group, informed me that they had been proposing a treat for their next half- holiday. •' If our parentis will give us permission," said she, ** we intend to take some refreshment with us, and spend the whole afternoon and evening out of doors. "We shall go through the meadow until we get to the fiEirm house, where we mean. to buy some milk; then we shall go into the wood at the back of the house and gather wild flowers ; and when we are quite tired of wandering through the wood, we shall climb the steep hill (which you told us was prob- ably raised by the Druids, nearly two thousand years ago^, and rest under the shade of tne oak : oh ! will it not be delightfal? I do hope mamma 64
will allow me to gc dear girl's eyes 8h< with the joyful ant
There was not culty in obtaining of their parents, a lowing Wednesday upon for their littit How slowly the tii But Wednesday mc at length, and as morning as ever sun shone upon, up with the lark, had been intruste important matter up the sandwiches which had been p the children.
As soon as the over, they again the playground, au' schoolfellows told they intended to i on the hill, just li sies.
♦' Oh, do not t Annie," said she, dangerous."
*' Never fear," companion, " we sj careful, so make dress, Louisa ; ^ waiting for you."
Louisa's lip qui hesitated for a fen and then firmly i cannot go with yon
"Cannot go I" several of the chilt not, Louisa ? "^
*' Because I A
XHS BABBAXH flOHOLAB*! TBSABUBT.
vppj if she knew ire ing to make a
our Tnamma ga^ yon n to go."
but ahe would not ) 80 if ahe had known lo not light a fire 1"
Terj ill-natured of I Annie, ** to wish to
pleasure ; besides, una need not know abont it. But come Is, we cannot waste
if Louisa won*t go I dare say we shall lelTes Tery well with-
watched them nntil the road hid them
▼iew, and then, to her own room,
into tears. Poor (7as a great disap- ; but her conscience ihe had done right, ) knelt down by her ad thanked God for her to resist temp- B felt peacefnl and
was
weekly
boarder, and as soon aa she retomed home on the Sainr- day, her little brothers and sisters crowded roond her, and began asking her a whole host of questions about the delightful holiday she had on Wednesday; but great was their surprise when she quietly told them she was not one of the party.
When the little ones were in bed, Mrs Morris called Louisa to her, and inquired what had occurred to disap- point her. Louisa told her all particulars; and oh! how amply was she repaid when her mother pressed an approv- ing kiss upon her cheek, and said, in a Toice trembling with emotion, " God bless you, my darling."
And now, dear children, I will ask you one question. Do you act in your parents' absence as you would do if they were present? Striye oyer to do so, and ask God to give you His Holy Spirit for ttie dear Saviour's sake. — llie Children's Friend,
%n InHan forrifan^.
May 1833, there nrst upon the douth- m districts of Ben- al, the most awful that had been ' a hundred years. I as usual from the , with squalls and 1, and with brief
bursts of lightning and thun- der. The wind continued to increase for two or three days, and at last its fury was inde- scribable. It was not steady, but came in gusts so fearfully violent that nothing could withstand them. Trees were uprooted by "huxidxe^^n v[^*^
m
THE 8ABB1TH EOHOLAB'S TBBASmR.
houses blown to pieces. The most remarkable and appal- ling feature of the hurricane appeared in the very height of the storm, jast when the heayy sqnalls and rain ren- dered it almost impracticable to stir abroad. A series of terrific rolling wares, the least of which were ten feet in height, burst upon the land from the soutii-east; they broke down the embankments, crossed the country like Mighty walls, with steady march, sweeping eyerything before them; and, aided by the hurricane, did not exhaust their impetus till they had reached a distance inland of more than fifty miles oyer the leyel plains. At Ehari, the peasants. Christian and Hin- doo, alarmed by the distant rushing sound, saw with astonishment the foaming wall marching across the fields, and nuhed for safety to the flat
roof of the bride di highest spot in thfl Wild deer, wild beasti dreds, driyen from t) bouring foreels, a; them many tigers, a stricken, came bomid the plain, fleeing i resistless destroyer : the mighty waves caz ing past with appal] sweeping away trees dens, and destroyii house oyer the 001 many many miles.
The island of Sai all its coasts swept mendous violence ; centre of the island aboTe the water, an solitary house of th< where the natives fo ter , a tiger rushed in 1 people seeking the san
It is reckoned thi thousand lives werf that terrible huj Mullens.
■ •glissianarg ^^Wm^ in t|t %m% '.
0 let you know some- thing of missionary work in that very interesting field, we extract the following from an article in the last number of Christian Work, ecmtributed by the Rev. P. G. Bird.
" Atafu consists of sixty- three distinct islets, enclosing a spadous lagoon three miles long and two and a-hsilf w\<Vq.
The islets are from ten feet above the le sea, and are densel with cocoa-nut and trees."
** The day passec I examined the ae held service in the I was greatly surp delighted to hear sii girls and ten boys
THX MBBATB ■CHOULB'd TBXISUBT.
Qeehildlreiilelni- ) their alpihabet hij adults in the il tm retd, irith I few who tre old 1 can nerer learn. M 128 were pre- < the eermon all I ear,' and, I may ,' too. At the eiBed onr great rith what we had rd, and exhorted at, with purpose ay wonld cleaTe
Rfn hy inn-down ; help exclaiming, | od wrought here!* | the 19th Novem- two teachers were e OTerthrow of oeTer heen more r more speedily lere, to my know-
ledge. Why, hnt sixteen months hefore, the ])eople were heathens. Polygamy, naked dances, and all manner of heathen abominations were rampant. Now, only cne polygamist remained on the island. All heathen praetices are given np. 3'/im, they knew not the Ood who made them, and in whose hand is their breath. Now, they know and have embraced His wor- ship, learned to read, and de- light to hear and obey, and haye raised a honse of prayer and praise. Surely tbe pro- phet^s words haye been answered, at least in part, * Who hath heard such a thing ? Who hath seen snch a thing? Shall a nation be bom at once ?* — in the case of this little coral isle of the Pacific."
^tranjje ^tiiits.
leyelly there is a ' hen town called anlly, abounding ; pey-coils, or I
the largest of ; edioated to a pey \ .), called Pooley- i is the faTonrite, | t dreaded deity of | B hymned in . a ' I of some merit, )ted to be appeas- ngs of mutton,
cheroots. And on imagine this ?r8onag0 to be?
Ton may well be astonished to learn that he is nothing more nor less than the spirit of an English officer of the name of Pole, or Powell, or some simi- lar name, metamorphosed by the Hindoos into Pooley, who was killed in battle and buried near their town.
Haying met with a violent death, he was supposed to haunt the place, and his ghost was thought to be the cause of all the sicknesses of man and beast in the neigYibonxV^oo^. A man conld not ge^ ^ YveoA-
. \
\
•ch« when vraUcing put the grave, bat the Engliahmsn'B spirit was taxed as (he aathor of it. The fooliah and miser- able people at length sent a depatetiDn, inyiled the spirit to their town, bribing it with the offer of a larger altar than an J that had been e«er erected there, promised offerings snch atl they ehrendlj imagined vonld be moat grateful to an English officer's ghost, and proTided a native poet to pre- pare a hjmn, to be enng on p«cu]iarl7 eolemn occasione.
Here Is the hiBtorj of another pey. KittSTarayen was a 8nd' ra and a Totarj of the goddess
Kali. He ma put ImpalemeDt, by a irhom he had deej Bnt while in the death he invoked snch ferrenoj that of the gaddeBS m with bia spirit. 1
peraeented the broi for the sake of peaa min raised an altar, tnted religions ri hononr. And, wo aaj, men were blini to worship ae a god wooden image of a adnlterer. — MemoU
tJe^HERF. are you going my lilOa ^ri With your basket on yoar am " 1 am going, dear ma'am, to re* Who live* ou the 'Brwfea'iiB livm.
TRX BiBBiTR 80H0LAB*8 TBSABiniT.
" That is her honte by the wUlow tree,
So money, and hrown, and old ; 'Us a plearant place in the snmmer time,
fiat in winter *tie very cold.**
*' What hook do you take, my little girl.
To read to the poor old dame?" "I always take the Bible to her,
fiecaose she is poor and iame.
** She creeps to the grassplot by the tree,
To listen to what I read, And she says, * The sweet and holy words
Are comfort to me indeed.
" ' Oh ! of such as I the Saviour speaks
When He says the poor are blest, I am glad that He bids the weary come.
And says He'll give them rest.
" 'lis pleasant to read to poor old Jane,
Of the world where all is light ; There Jesus will wipe away her tears,
And there will be no more night**
'* Go on, go on, thou ministering child.
Go on in thy task of love, Until thou art called from toork below.
To praige in the world above.** Selected.
"It §usrCt las."
YOUNG lad was walk- ing very quickly along the street with his eyes down, and hand in his pocket, and WHS shaking his head and tering to himself, " It j
"Who is it? what is he talking about ? " said one who met hun. " 1*11 get in his path there, and make him look up. It is bad enough to have busi- ness men get lost in a brown study and talk to themselves — in*t pay ! No, it doesn't / ^hy, I declare, it i« CVi«x\\^ I ** tieed 1 but I ahoxA^ \iwt^\^
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB*S TRBABUn.
know him. Why, Charlie, where is that frank, happy ?mile you always carry? What has happened to you ?'* " Oh, it has cost me that too, has it? I was just saying it did not pay. Well, I am very much ashamed, hut come this way and I'll tell you all ahout it."
They turned down a quiet cross street, and Charlie took out a nice pear from his pock- et, and placing it in the hand of his companion said : —
*' There I have been getting that pear and I have paid too dear for it. It is a bad bar- gain."
" Why, Charlie, that is a real Bartlett, worth about threepence. What did you pay forit?'»
*' Indeed, I paid no money at all, but I paid what is worth far more. I wonder I never thought of it in that light be- fore, but we boys don't often have threepence that we can afford to spend for a pear, and then, besides, they all think it is something 'cute to rob Goldie, that is the fruit-man just around on the avenue there. He keeps a great deal of fruit out in front, but there is always some one on the look-out, and the boys gener- ally get caught if they try to pick up any of it."
•* But I did not think that yon would stoop to such a ttiek as that, Charlie."
Charlie's cheek crimsoned with shame.
" I never did betoie, svt,^' 70
said he, " snd I did of doing it now ti passing this momin that no one weig on out. I had often ' one of these pears, ) picked it up and pu my pocket ; but mean and thief-lil got to the comer ai back to see if an^
•
after me -yes, aft stealing — that I juE my mind that it d( Why, sir, I have lo respect, I have l laws of God and parents would be gr it, and all my fne . care most about wo me if they knew it, : say, it makes a di my looks already. I'd work days and gain all I have lost. I was just thinkii met you, that se^ work would bring enough to buy eve pears, and here I one pear, which I ^ to go into a comer choke it down at tb just made up my n doesn't pay."
"But, Charlie, that most persons sider it only a trifli
" Just ihe reu should not pay so i then. I don't kno of money that woul* to sell my good ni peace of mind, would I part with
THS BABBAXH 8CH0X«1B*B TBEJkAUBY.
t back to give Mr \ take what does not beIoD){ to pear, and think my- I me, I shall remembor that ' it ' rid of it. And if I doesn't pay.' "S, S. Adco- tempted again to ' cate.
i WiBth in ^casun.
3 too bad, I declare, [ cannot learn this esson ; and, be- ddes, Mr How has speak to me in the es." Willie Amot great passion ; he Ijatin Delectus im- roBs the desks, and, < face in his hands, sep back the bom- that would come. e, it was his first ; school, and he had t half so pleasant as he should, there is Willie ory- •ose he wants to go lis mother,'* cried is, a rude, nnf eel- id better make a of pocket- handker- med in another, ily flashed an angry tm, but deigned no last the boys went ) playgroond, and left alone. He laid ng temples on the 1 sobbed aloud, mamma, I do want idly, I am all alone have no one to tell be good." ou let me be jour
friend and advise you, Willie '/" said a gentle voice, and ahund was laid softlv on the little boy's shoulder.
*' My friend ! oh no, Duncan, you are to'j big for that, and I am such a very little boy."
" Not a bit of it," said hid new friend, kindly sitting down, and drawing the child towards him. *' Come now, tell me what it is that troubles you.'*
*• It's every thing," ex- claimed Willie, sorrowfully. " I am BO miserable here all alone, and Mr How is so angry because I did not know this lesson ; and — and — I hate him, and the boys, and the place." Willie was getting angry again.
" Hush, hush, Willie," said Duncan, softly. He waited a minute until Arnot grew calmer, and then continued, in a low tone, '* Willie, you love your mother ? **
*' Oh yes, yes, indeed I do, more than any one in the world."
** Then I am sure you will try to do oery thing to please her. Do you think she would like to see you nov J"
11
I •
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB'S TBEABUET.
" No," mnrmnred Willie in a low voice.
** Then, will you not try to be good for her sake ? »*
" But I am so miserable, and nobody cares for me here."
" Dear Willie, you surely forget ; for you know there is a verse in the Bible that says that the very hairs of our heads are all numbered, and that God, who takes care of the sparrows, will much more take care of us. You believe this?"
*' Yes, oh yes, and it is just what mamma would have said," and Willie smiled through his tears, and clung closer to his friend.
*' Shall we pray, dear Arnot, that God will be with you and take care of you?" And the two boys knelt and prayed, whilst angels hovered near and wafted their prayers on high; and who shall say that they were unaccepted at the throne of grace ? When they arose, Duncan said, " And you don't hate Mr How and the boys now ?"
** Not at all, you have made me so happy, Duncan."
It would be hard to say whose face was the brighter at that moment,— Duncan's, with the pleasure of feeling that he had assisted a little one on his heavenly way, or Willie's, mth gratitude for that assistance. Oh, did we but know the happiness which those experience who thus endeavour to fulfil our Sav- iour's commandments, suxeV^ 72
we should often praj for each other.
At length Dune ** Shall we try an( this difficult lesson i
**Oh,ifyouwillb( cried Arnot, joyfull
At the expiration hour the lesson we perfectly.
" Thank you so very much,** said Wi fally, as he prepan his companions in ground.
Duncan smiled, | little fellow kindly, \ pered, ** Youmay aJi to me when you are if you like ; but ya dearer friend Uian J and One that stick* than a brother ;" an turned to his own sti
Little did WiUie i it would cost his frie hours* extra study U for his lost time — ye Duncan felt that he repaid, even if onl beaming smile of Y much more then by heavenly Master! readers, a word a season how good is it in this world you meet with a reward, certainly you will ii and, oh, who can tel piness of those who the Good Shepherd ** Inasmuch as ye ha unto one of the leas my brethren, ye hai unto me?"— T^ < Friend*
Inra tje 6ast.
FaieBtine, ftud of Uk iDoideDts Jed nijselt of of travel there onnble oppor- estinK to the little rcBdcni of Khich oc- this MKgaziiie; uid I gloilly ng tlie liuidx o( I eontrihata & few BketcbeB. iu has latply b«en ' the hope that what I shall tell ne tliat Boine . them of thut hQ\j «a>)L V«Ka&- tha gccaerj ot ' ful laud,
THE SABBATH SOHOLAB S TBEABUBr.
interest in the narratives of sacred history and in God's ancient people. The Jews, alas ! are now dispersed in every land, but they are still a distinct people, and we know that God will, in His own good time, restore them to what they yet regard as their own land, which was given to Abraiiam and to ** his seed for ever,*^
But before telling you about Palestine, I should like to let you have a glimpse of Egypt. Most travellers visit it on the way to the Holy Land, by which alone it is surpassed in sacred interest.
Those only who have ex- perienced the discomforts of a long voyage can realize our pleasure on arriving at Alex- andria, after a somewhat stormy passage of nine days from Marseilles. To add to our enjoyment, we seemed almost in a new world. As we pulled to the shore we could see the long strings of camels, and recognize the picturesque Oriental costumes of the busy crowds assembled in the harbour. Still, the as- pect of Alexandria is not en- tirely oriental, as there are many Europeans settled there. It is a sort of link between Europe and Asia. Cairo, which is only distant seven hours by railway, is compar- atively free from the European element ; and I now ask you to accompany me on a tour of , inspection in that city. \
86
It is too hot 1 let us mount ou These handsomi little animals— s from the poor ill-r see at home — supp the place of carriaj ai'e always numbe standing round 1 with their little Arabs, waiting t< We immediately full gallop, with ; or Said running be ing the donkeys, as in Arabic, to clear — " Make way, 0 n theleft,Ogirl!"& cautions there is n for the streets of very narrow— so n in some, the upper houses on the op] touch.
Now, where sha As it is Friday — know is the Ma Sabbath — I think ! you to one of the ( Derwishes or Ma monks, situated on of the Nile, a sho from Cairo. On e the road after h city, we admire th acacias and grace When we arrive a' of the college we off our shoes, and 1 at the entrance. 0 we find ourselves room paved with st centre of which twenty derwishes t a circle. Those wit
THE SABBATH 8CH0LAB*B TBXA8UBT.
hevelled aboat their shoulders are PersiaDS. They are all swaying back and forward rapidly, breathless, and gasp- ing, '' Ilia Allah ! Ilia Allah !" that is, '* There is no God but God." Their excitement gets greater and their motions faster, until one is seized with a fit, and, staggering about, dashes his head against the wall of the room, and falls in- sensible. Another of the der- wishes steps forward and lays him out as if he was dead. During the time he lies here he is supposed to have a vision. Bye and bye he recovers and leaves the room. Now these are the holy men of the Mahommedans, and this is a religious ceremony. You see to what folly and degra- dation a false religion leads its victims.
By the time we get back to the city the sun is just set- ting, and we shall have to hurry, as there is scarcely any twilight in these southern climes, and there are no lamps in the streets. As we pass the bazaars our little guides purchase sugar csme and bread, to satisfy their hunger, for it is Bamadan, the great Mahommedan fast, during which the followers of the false prophet must neither eat
' nor drink between sunrise and sunset. Most probably the boy, whose special charge your donkey is, will offer you a piece of sugar cane, and you must not hurt him by refusing. At the beginning of this paper you have a picture of some of these little Egyptians, taken from a photograph. They are bright little things, with beau- tiful expressive eyes. I am afraid they do not always learn good from their contact with our countrymen. I read the other day of one who was reproved for using profane language. " That English, sir," he replied, evidently proud of his acquirements in that language. Oh, should we not try to do something for the enlightenment of Egypt, where so many of our country- men go in pursuit of health, or pass through on their way to our Indian Empire ? This field of labour is at present unoccupied by Scotland, so far as Mahommedans are con- cei-ned. Let us pray that the time may soon come when " princes shall come out of Egypt, and Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands unto God."
In my next paper I shall tell you something about Joppa and Jerusalem.
E. E. S.
THE SkBBkTB 8CH0IAB*S TSXASOBT.
HE Report of the Committee for the Conyersion of the Jews was given in to the General Assembly, by Pro- fessor Mitchell, the conyener. "We can afford room for only a brief summary of it : —
Germany, — The Rey. Mr Sntter continues to prosecute, mth his wonted energy, his labours among the Jews in Baden.
Constantinople, — This im- portant station has, in the course of the past year, been visited by several ministers of the Church, all of whom have spoken most favourably of the openings that exist at it for missionary work, and of the earnest, devoted, self-denying labours of Messrs Christie and Robertson, who have been ap- pointed to occupy it.
SaUmica. — The various de- partments of the Mission work, namely, meetings for conversation and prayer with Jewish inquirers, services in English for the benefit of British rc^dents and sailors, and schools for the education of Jewish and Greek children, have been earned on at this station by the Rev. P. Crosbie and Mr Hofheinz.
Cassandra. — Mr and Mrs Braendli continue to occupy this out-station UBefully and acceptably. 88
OUR JEWISH MISSION. JlfoiMMtir .—Thls
tion has, during the been under the chs and Mrs Stober, laboured with rare and devotedness.
Smyrna. — In last, Mr CouU was turn to his station, his own letters, and mony of those who ited the station sii turn, he appears resumed his labouri thorough manner.
A lexandria. — Tl the Mission at tl has, during the been carried on in its departments wit energy and succe Rev. Mr Yule hai years and a-half , ^ ability and eames ness, superintended Mission work at tl The Rev. G. Brow: November, to take the boys' school in J and to engage in tl visiting among th that city and neig He has been chiefl; in re-organizing tl and already an m in attendance has 1 — most of the pup children of Jewis The girls' school, Miss Ashley, and sn the Glasgow Ladie tion with the assisti General Assembl;
HI lAnUTB B0HOLAB*8 TBBA8UBT.
k Beaion of an-
»8perity. The
attendance are
number, eight
Jewesses, as
B, thirty-two
los, and the rest
The fees paid
ig the past six
npwsrds of
-Messrs Steiger lave continued, sconragemcnts, their labours &ter part of the ley had opened
eight schools under native teachers, in addition to the two held in their own houses, and had pr^ared twenty-three candidates for baptism, and were cherishing hopes of a bright future for Abyssinia. Further tidings are anxiously expected, as information has reached this country that the missionary agents of another Society have been treated with great cruelty by the king; and there is reason to fear that his displeasure may have extended to all the Protestant missionaries in his dominions.
•■J- J t- r J- r y yy.r-
|^0mlraii ptssian.
^ CONVERTS.
urday, the 7th lay, two youths
the Camathi B left their took up their lie General As- itution. As is ^ases, there was n among the aste people of ind the court- [nstitution was
excited crowd, ng Monday the younger of the le assistance of )ourt to procure his son, in order it exercise pa- y over him. . Forbes, of the tland's Mission, stated that the ^ittoo Dammoo,
had been a pupil in the Church of Scotland's Institution for nearly three years ; that he had privately received instruction in Christian truth during the greater part of the last six months; that he had sought admission to the Mission house of his own accord, and had given as his reason for quitting his father's house, that he was there compelled to practise idolatry, which was contrary to his conrictions of duty ; and that he desired to learn more of Christianity, and to receive baptism. Mr Forbes added, that Wittoo's parents, and other relatives had had free access to him, and every opportunity of per- suading him to return to his home ; that he did not employ any restraint or claim. \^ ^tl- ercise any awUiont^ qn« \liaft
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBASUBt.
youth, bnt merely received him as a guest.
It was alleged that Wittoo was between fourteen and fifteen years of age; but at last it was established that his age was fifteen years and seven months. It therefore remained for the judge to de- termine whether the circum- stance, that Wittoo had not completed his sixteenth year (the age of majority in Hindoo law), entitled the father to claim his custody, and to re- quest the Court to make an order for him to be given into his charge, by force if neces- sary. Against a finding to that effect, Mr Connon, on behalf ^of the youth, made an eloquent and impressive appeal to his Lordship.
Sir Joseph Amould, in giving judgment, said, that according to English law the age of majoiity was fixed at twenty- one, and the age of discretion at fourteen ; that in India, the age of majority was sixteen, and that at which the responsibility for crime commenced, was twelve, thus recognizing the greater pre- cocity of Indian youths. He therefore should order that Wittoo Dummoo be allowed to choose the place of his domicile. Sir Joseph then asked the question, '* Do you desire to reside with the Rev. Mr Forbes, or your father?" when he distinctly expressed a desire to stay with Mr Forbes. The learned judge then said he would, lot \i\% 90
own satisfaction, i Wittoo did not dio( with his father. 'SS plied that he desired more of Christianity, his parents would : him to become a Ch
On the following ' evening, the two yo returning from a excursion to the J Elephanta, with fc converts and Mr Fo when they arrived gate of the Institi uncle of Sumboo N other youth, came t and, assisted by two seized upon him. was also seized ; an them were beaten an along the road ; the the assailants bein( nap them, and en away from the Mis mises to their Happily the youths h on the spot, who s sisted ; and great due to Mr Forbes Poyntz, who, with t two constables, put sailants to flight, the two Afghans piisc having been brought magistrate next day, fined forty shillings <
We earnestly • these two young dis the sympathy of oui and ask their pra; those persecuted one guided and strengtl the Spirit of God, they mav be enable \ie%% ^ ^Qod confeai
THB RABBAXR IWWOTiAB'S TBBASUBT.
devoted foUowen «ed Lord.
or ANOTHEB 3CI8- BIONABT.
dl band of miasion- trs in the Ponjaab, oed another eevere he Bey. Isidor 1 has been mnr- ne of his own ser- Bom in Pmssian f Jewish parents, year 1828, he was flee from his native nseqnence of being in some political while attending le landed in New endless lad of nine- of age, and began a pedlar. While lis mode of life, he Presbyterian min- proposed to him to of the American After finishing his - the 4ninistry, he I services to the m Board of Foreign About the same fer of a professor- lade to him, but he he more laborious mying work of the isionary.
ed for India in ing to have the of seeing his his way ; but he I this pleasure by f Prussia, and by of his parents, who see him in conse- his having become
Mr Loewenthal went to Peshawnr in 1857, to begin preparation for the great work of his life, the translation of the New Testament into Pushtoo, the language of the Afghans.
It appears that he was accustomed to rise in the night and walk in his garden when unable to sleep. Late on the night previous to his death, he wrote in his diary that he had got a curious head- ache. About tbree o'clock on the following morning, the report of a gun was heard ; but as this is not an un fre- quent occurrence, it excited no feelings of uneasiness or alarm. Mr LoewenthaFs groom, however, went out, met the chowke^lar (private watchman), and asked why he had fired. In reply, the man said his gun had gone off accidentally ; but the ser^'aut, on proceeding towards the house, found his master lying on the ground, bleeding.
The chowkedar immediately fled from Peshawar, but was caught eight miles from the city. When examined, lie aflirmed that he mistook his master for a thief, and shot him accordingly. This ap- pears very strange, for it Wiw a bright moonlight night, and he was so near that the pow- der blackened the face of hi») victim. He has been tried, and acquitted of the crime of miirder, but sentenced to two years' imprisonment for •• causing death."
THE SABBATH SOHOLAB'S TBBASVIX.
''lot afraU to ii^."
JY young readers, did you ever think of having to die ? You may be young and strong, beloved of your friends, and revelling in the enjoyments with which this beautiful world of ours is filled ; you may be free from care, and full of bright hopes of a long and happy life ; but were you to be told that all this would speedily come to an end, that the colour would fade from your cheeks, and the strength leave your bones, that you would soon be laid on a sick-bed, and have weari- some days and sleepless nights, that you would have to bid farewell to your dear friends, and look for the last time on your loved acquaint- ances, and at last find your- selves face to face with the king of terrors — would you be afraid?
If you will listen to me for a little, I will tell you of one who had to come through all this, and yet was not afraid.
In a little village a few miles from Paisley lived Eliza- beth L . She was the
daughter of respectable pa- rents, and had received a good education ; she was naturally clever, and of a quiet and re- served disposition. In the village where she lived was a Sabbath school, at which she was a regular attender ; she WAS in Uie superintendent's claaSf and for four years nCTet 92
was absent a sing Her teacher was wc with her, as she alv say her lessons con conducted herself in ing manner ; so mu< when, last autumn, little girls became vt at his request, bee teacher, and perfc duties in a way ' gained for her theii endeared her in thei
She was just bui a fine young woman consumption — that sidious disease — ha her for its prey. H« gradually left her, the middle of June the woods near her '. decked in all their beauty, when the 1 sang merrily an branches, and when wore its brightest gai laid down on the which she never wai
The disease n< rapid progress, and after this, one Sal last she spent on ea she saw her sorrow! and weeping sister around her, she 1 '• not to grieve fori was not afraid to (
On the following day evening her teac her; she was oppr< weakness ; as he wt leave he said to he: \ beth, I am afraid
VHX BJlBBATB 8CH0IJJt*B TBBABUBT.
lid to die, tou are Jems." With her
strength she re- I, yes !*' These were >rds, and next mom- irit went to Jesns. Dg friends, yon see ly this dying girl •ntemplate death, bled her to do so? [irayed to Jesns to ' sins ; she believed )le to saye ; she re- ) preoions promises, I to His divine help, son from her story.
Sunday scholars? example; give heed ir teachers tell yon ; in yonr attendance ; to repeat yonr les-
1, strive to learn of is the Way, the ) life — love Him or hearts, and pray .t He would pardon
I ^onr many sins, and lead yon I m the patns of righteousness ; I in a word, strive to become ; His children. Then if God in I His providence should lay yon . down on a dying bed, you will I be enabled to say, " yon are not afraid to die, yon are going to Jesus.**
And how comforting will this be to your friends, when, in after years, they think that you have gone to glory, liave left all pains, sorrows, and tears, for ever behind, and are now members of that bright multitude of the redeemed who surround the throne of God, for ever singing their Saviour's praise.
"Oh, may He who, meek and lowly. Trod himself this vale of wo«.
Make ns His, and make ns holy, Oaard and guide ns while wc go.
" Soon we part ; — it may be never. Never here, to meet again ;
Oh. to meet in heaven for ever ! Oh, the crown of life to gain ! "
'ttr ^abbatll ^r^flols.
submitting to the jreneral Assembly he Annual Report )f the Committee Schools, Mr Toung, said, in substance, —There are 1773 ight on an average
each year. There j 5 scholars on the
these there is an I ndance of 110,062. j 778 ministers who I iperintend Sabbath | i 142 who do not. /
607 parishes have libraries, and 389 have none, while there are 76 parishes from which reports have not been received, and there are 33 where there are no Sabbath schools. £60, 178. Id. had been received of contributions, and £552, 26. 3d. had been collected in tlie flchools for missionary pur- poses. These returns shew an increase for last year of 23 schools, 25 teachers, 55 minis- ters who Bupermleii^ V\i^ schools, 8 librarieB, an^ £!%>
THE SABBATH SCHOLAB's TBEASUKT.
3s. on the sum collected for missionary purposes.
There are two very import- ant points to which Mr Young referred. " The first is the amount collected in schools for missionary purposes. It has heen already pointed out that this year the amount re- ported is considerahly in excess of last year's return ; but I think that such contributions represent a value which the future only can disclose. To speak of missionary enterprise to children, to interest them in it, to teach them to give even the smallest sum for its sup- port, this is nothing less than preparing the soil, and sowing the seed of a future and glorious harvest, which others may reap with gratitude and joy.when our places are vacant, and our voices are heard no more on earth. The sums collected for our Schemes are already considerable, no one can speak of them without respect ; but I believe that liberality of this kind is yet in its infancy, and I could imagine many hereafter accounting for the superior resources of the Church of their times, by saying, ' We learned to give in the Sabbath school ; we got the habit there — it grew with our growth.'
" The other point on which I wish to touch, is the deep debt of gratitude which the Church owes to her Sab- bath school teachers — twelve thousand every Sabbath en- gaged in this work oi i8al\i H
and labour of lore. Assembly will say to encourage 1 strengthen their ht Assembly has withj great power of i the services of t] silently and an< but most surely, deep the foundatif future strength ai n^ ss ; and I trust forth to-day that o does justice to the i value of the service by her Sabbath sd ers, and regards Christian agency wi admiration and gra
THE SUNDAY SCHO<
In looking aro i society, it is imp I help being struck existence of numerc tions admirably ca promote the meni and spiritual w humanity. Amo there is not one ' stronger claim on tian philanthropist day schools. Edu( ducted on the prii in the spirit of th< essential to the prosperity of a na Sunday schools & these heavenly prin embody their spiri grand text-book is volume ; and their cient teachers a Christians. Th€ planted in weakne \ \ivwciA. ot B^ohett Rai
THB BABBATH SC^OLAB'S TBEABUBT.
. I
itf of Gloucester, and water- Union done ? It has done | 4 bj his tears, has stmek its so mnch that the half cannot ootg deep into our soil, raised he told. It may suffice to say | titop to heaven, and spread . that now it has a glorious li KtDches from Eorope to band of four hundred tlion- ■ Jii, Africa, America, and the sand teachers, and three mil- I dudfl of the Sea. ' lions of scholarH *' Not unto
The Sunday School Union I us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but •8 fomied in Surrey chapel ' unto Thine own name be all ^od-rooms, on 13th July the glory 1" — Ahriilged jnnii )03. And what has the the Chrhtian World.
A 8£AB1I>E SKETCH FBOM REAL LIFE.
HR women weep, the children wail, Scarce knowing why ; And men are watching (fixed and pale) A fishing -smack, with dripping sail, Just rolling nigb.
Tbe surf leaps bigb upon the shore
In cruel sport; Tbe wild winds in tbe caverns roar, llie weary fishers pi}' tbe oar,
To gain tbe porU
l*he breakers crash, the seagulls screech ;
No hope ! No hope ! How is that fragile boat to reach Across such surf the shingly beach ?
O for a rope !
Tis vain. The boldest and the best
Turn back in fear : I'he strongest swimmer dare not breast Those breakers with tbe foamy crest,
For life is dear.
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR 8 TBEASUBT.
Tery interesiing to study. Al- though it is tibe privilege of few to visit it, still every Christian ought to know the local features of that land where the most momentous events of the world'3 history have occurred.
We sailed from Alexandria early on the morning of the 11th of March. On the fol- lowing morning we were awoke with the intelligence that Joppa was in sight, and almost im- mediately we dropped anchor. Vessels are obliged to anchor at a considerable distance from the shore, as there is no har- bour and the coast is rocky. We all hurried on deck, and landed about nine a.m. After satisfying the custom- house authorities that there was nothing contraband among our luggage, we proceeded to the little inn dignified by the name of the "Palestine Hotel." After breakfast, a gentleman to whom we had a letter of in- troduction, called and invited us to visit his country house, situated about two miles from Joppa. As we found we could not get horses for our jour- ney to Jerusalem till the mor- row, we availed ourselves of his kindness. The road to his house lay mostly between hedges of immense cactuses, or prickly pears, over which hung branches of orange trees, rich- ly laden with fruit, and which filled the air with their deli- ; cious perfume. There is a j saccession of bloB&oms on the orange tree, so that it is co^ete^ ' 98
at the same time golden fruit and sn<
In the aftemooi took us to his oran and from it we fii mountains of Jude the distance, and with the rays of sun. It was a beai and one suggesti^ memories.
In the cool of 1 we walked back The frogs were < loud concert, so 1( were obliged to raia to hear each othe: could never have ii little creatures W( make so much n sun had set when i to the town, and tb was lighting up the of the Mediterran stream of silver.
Joppa is a prei a distance ; but. Eastern towns, L of its beauty on quaintance. Its i narrow, steep, and ] the houses mean, tion is, however, b« is built on a litt hill ; and, as seen sea, the houses f one on the top of picturesque confut the west, the walls by the tideless wa Mediterranean. A tance off from the some large flat ro on a level vrith the over which the wav<
THX SABBATH 8CH0LAB*8 TKBASVBY.
i 18. — Thii moniuig , of early spriiig, and breathing awoke about half- ont fragrance from iunumer- ; and, expecting an able lovely flowers, ft, at once got ap. ^ Towards evening we paesed preparations for oar ' Amwiui. This was l)«lieved } were not completed by St Jerome, and otlifra of i ten o*clock. Saddles the early GhriHtianH, tu Ik* the 6 unpacked, and the Emmaus to wliich JeMUR ac* mitore to be divided companied the two disci plen ;he baggage males, on the day of His resarrectiou. he interval we went This view is Hupported by l>r le traditional site of Hobinson and other Biblical le of Simon the tan- ' scholars. If it be Emmaus. grees with the Scrip- the disciples must have walked ative in being by the , more than forty milen tliat fmd probably is the day, for Amwiis is diritant At all events, it more than twenty miles from ! far distant, and the Jerusalem. :h here met our eyes Shortly after passing Am- same that St Peter was we saw our tents pleas- e seen when he went antly pitched in Wiidy All. house-top to pray. We were somewhat fatigue<l, 3t everything was and glad of the prospect of re- nd, mounted on a pose.
t spirited little Arab, March 14. — This morning
d along the shady ^ the first objects which met my
£it surround Joppa. eyes were some lovely scarlet
passed the little ' anemones growing aiuoiig the
Lydda on the left, softgreentnrf which formed the
iped for lunch at car]>et of our tent. These
This has not been pretty flowers have b(.>en some-
with any ancient ; what fancifully called by the
>ugh monkish tradi- ■ pilgrims " the blood drops of
ittempted to identify Christ." At tliis season the
rimathea. Its chief • ground is covere<l with them,
is a beautiful | and indeed I never saw any
9wer, of Saracenic , place to be compared to the
re, which seems to i Holy Land for the variety and
1 the minaret of a ! beauty of its wild flowers.
hich once stood here, | The tents were Koon
now disappeared. I taken down, and then there
ded to the top by a ' was nothing but a heap of
inding staircase, and . ashes to mark the spot which
rded by an extensive had been our home for the
he plain of Sharon, night. How apt is the Scrip-
with the fresh green tnre iUostraUon — '^ 'U.\^^ «%<&
\
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBSASUVT.
Ir departed, and removed from me as a shepherd's tent."
Our ride to-daj presented a marked contrast to that of yes- terday. Yesterday it was across the rich and fertile plain of Sharon—- to-day through the wild and harren glens and mountains of Jndea. The path was steep and rocky, and in some places was lost alto- gether in the dried-np bed of a winter torrent. The only local- ity of Bible note we passed was Eirjath-jearim, abont nine miles from Jerusalem.
Abont two o'clock we came in sight of the Holy City. I was disappointed at first view, as I think every one who ap- proaches from the Jaffa side mnst be. Little is to be seen, except a portion of the city wall, and a large factory-look- ing building, which has re- cently been erected for the ac-
commodation of I grims.
We found our tc not far from the Jf the top of a rising near Uie eity wall, slope extended is beyond that a groi olives. Behind xu campment of Otton Owing, I snppose, bnb caused by our situation did not ; first, and we thong ing to a more r< but when everythii again, it was indei Looking eastward the eity, we eon mount of Olives.
Shortly after on set out i& walk roi But I must defer about our walks ii to another paper.
Cpiugfi CfeiUren,
^HINESE parents are verv fond of their children. You may often see a father nursing his little son after the day's work is done, and a mother bending over her babe. Is she kissing it ? No. She is smelling its little face, and whispering, in loving tones, " It is very fragrant ; " — " it is very sweet." In some parts of Ohina, sad to say, little girls are sometimes put to death soon after they are bom. Tbi9 ia generally because VheVi 100
Sarents are so po hey shall not be food for their 1 This is no excuse wicked action, people do not kn they would not n babies, but trust I vide for them. Mi hear of God ; and hear of Him, ma Him, trust Him, Himl
There are fei missionaries in < \ \!i[iet« %.Tft very,
THB BABB4TH BOHOULB'B TBXABUBT.
m. More heathen ina than in any
inese children are and dever. In le mission schools » be found children only good scholars, >ad, and write, and , but who have been God to loTe and
of little girls was , "Were you ture
to-morrow what do to-day?** One [ would be getting ready." This the ink a very import- *n. Another girl " I would believe Q Jesus.** Dear t a happy resolu-
the same school x\ asked for some le home. She par- isked for a book fe of the Saviour,**
a good book about the things that Christ said, and did, and suffered here on earth. Why did she want this book ? Not only to read it for her own pleasure and profit. *' I want,*' she said, " to read to my mother about Jesus, for I want her to believe in Jesus, that she may go to heaven with me.**
Bow delightful it is to think that mission schools thus send the gospel, by the children, to many heathen homes. May God bless and prosper the work of the children into whose hearts He puts it to care for the good of others, and to hope to meet them in heaven. God bless and prosper you in your missionary work — you who pray, and collect, and subscribe, and work, to help to make known the way to heaven to those who *' sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.** — C. M. J, Instructor,
-^ .•■v^N '■*.'• 'V^^
ilesscb are t^eg tl^at Pun^^r.
! night a poor Jew lad been waiting mtside the tent of \ missionary in [e had come to beg the Hebrew Testa- • night was dark, ;>ur was very late; Kff Jew waited on, hungering lor the e. saionary presented
him with a Hebrew Gospel. Joy filled the Jew*s heart, and he fell at the feet of the mis- sionary, and first kissed his boots, and then the precious volume.
On going away he clasped his treasure to his breast, and, with his eyes raised to heaven, blessed the missionary who had given him the book.
THE SABBATH 8CHOLAB*8 TBEASUBT.
n
emanam.'
MISSION UNION.
/
.T will, we dare say, be pleasing to not a few of our readers, to know what is doing to aid the keeping np of the remembrance of our late mission friend, Mr Ross ; and, at the same time, and especially, to advance the great work to which he devoted his life. Episcopalians and Independents, United Presby- terians and Baptists, mem- bers of the Free Choroh as well as members of the Church of Scotland, are most kindly contributing for these pur- poses. During his toils, their donations were most encour- aging to the missionary and his people ; bo now, it is hoped, that good may be done by erecting a chaste tablet at Likatlong, where his body re- poses ; and also by engraving a suitable inscription on a tomb- stone at Abemyte,* where the dust of his parents sleeps ; and presenting small useful gifts to the chiefs, the teachers, and scholars, at his late stations ; and also a me- morial to his grieving widow, who, for fifteen years, was the partner of his labours, his perils, and successes. All will tend, we trust, to stir up others, male and female, to engage in this work. It may also induce some who have
* A lovely spot on the Braes of the Cane of Gowrle, Perlhahiie. 102
' not themselves gos ' heathen lands, ti ' " hewers of w I drawers of water," ' and ^' to do what in ' to stiengthen the 1 I encourage the hear! who, in foreign c ' bearing the burdei I of the day.' " How ' it is to find that ; indeed an under ( true mission feelini, out the Churches, ! burst forth, and spr< I its blissful influen ever any outlet occm , greatly cheered was ' by the evidence of I abundantly shewn tc I his family, and char^ and again did he, ' gratitude, write to l '' Most of these kin I know not except 1 and I don't expect manv of them * till < How beautifully his e harmonized with th; not long ago was exp his
LONGING DESIB
*' I hope that the d far distant when th< Established^ Free, Presbyterian^ Inde &c., shall be swalloii the Universal Gh Christ. Then its 1 thousand missionari proclaim throogho whole habitable gl< , free and full salvatio
ram sabbath bcroi4Ab'8 tbeasuikt.
I.' " Who does , of Abernyte, the following
I
t
ioscription be eDgraved. It was in this parish, when a stripling, he first embraced the offers of salvation ; and he conld sav of the blessed
' wildemew afar lonely- voioe ; numts of the roek ta n&e rejoioe ;
ode, i Jesna, like Thomas of old,
I soand Hie prmiee ; I *» My Lord, and my God/' Uned with one ao- ^^ henceforth he burned
with the desire to tell to others the wonders of redeem- ing love, and gloried in nothing but the cross of
'S glories raise. [ONUUEKT.
»8ed that on the
the choroh-yard j Christ.
SAOBSD TO THX If BMOBT OF
And of their Eldest Bon,
REVEREND WILLIAM ROSS,
3XKT or iHE London Missionabt Socikty,
Hr GENTBAL SOUTH APBIOA.
PiX)UOH Boy, first class ; — then a Joiner. — At lirty-eight, after a full course at College, he was IiNisTEB, and entered the foreign service.^ Ere one tools with which he did Uie finest of the
the parish church of Enrol, he used at Tauno,
of the prince of darkness, in building a temple
Gtodf and filled it with worshippers He laboured
ding perils in the vast desert for nearly twenty-
vithout rest; and died at Likatlono. July 30,
regretted by the BecuanaSj^ the Society, and issions. He left 731 church members, 85 in- salyation, 9 day schools, with 370 scholars and ow teachers. ) we, 0 Godf not unto me, but unto Thy naincy
jiyingsione, the celebrated African explorer, was ordained e, November 20, 1840, in Albion Chapel, London. Thoy iled together for the same mission-field, the head qnar- coo, now named Knraman, the station of the distinguished lary Rev. Robert Moffat, aas, pronounced Betch\M.na9, their language is Secuaiia
don from the 115th Psalm was frequently employed by bad special occasion to do so, after describing the groat the Gospel message among the heathen ; as also at the people at his varioos stations, he was so ofleti andm %u vilcged to witoeBB. M.,Y.Y,
THB SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBBABinKT.
©l^je Hastib lUtocrs.
N the green bank of a rivolet sat a rosy child. Her lap was filled with flowers, and a garland of rose-buds was twined round her head. Her face was radiant as the sunshine that fell upon it, and her voice was as clear as that of the birds which warbled at her side.
The little stream went sing- ing on, and with every gush of its music the child lifted a flower in its ■ dimpled hand, and with a merry laugh threw it upon its surface. In her glee she forgot that her trea- sures were growing less, and with the swift motion of child- hood she flung them to the sparkling tide until eveiy bud and blossom had disappeared. Then, seeing her loss, she sprang to her feet, and burst- ing into tears, called aloud to the stream, ** Bring me back my flowers I "
But the stream danced along regardless of her tears, and as it bore the blooming
burden away, her wordi back in a taunting echo i its reedy margin; and after, amid the wailing < breeze and the fitful biu childish grief, was heai fruitless cry, ** Bring m* my flowers !'*
Merry maiden, who a wasting the precious nu so bountifully bestowei thee, see in the thoug impulsive child an eml thyself. Each momen perfumed flower. L fragrance be dispeni blessings to all aroun and ascend as sweet i to its beneficent Giver, when thou hast cai flung them from thei seest them receding swift waters of time wilt cry in tones sorrowful than those weeping child, '* Brii back my flowers!*' A only answer will be c from the shadowy '* Bring me back my flc I — S. S. Advocate,
I
«(rb is tW.
^AID a little child to me,
" If God lives so Terr far Up above the highest heaven. Far "beyond \]he bT\^Vil«at. «tar^
"How on He be Jwayi neir me, CtrinK ftr me night and diy 7
Are Tou *ure Ihal God cin bear me Whenl lift iry hMda and pr»y?"
And I BDineitd, '' God bu ipoken Holy wordi that we receive;
And He Biveena msoy* token To perinade us (o believe.
" Like the lun that ihines around iu, UakinK M tbing* bright and Tair
II y Ibe way aide. In tne chambrr, God t> with ne evorywhere.
" Tniat Him, darlinR, oben Ha telln yoi He is neaih}- Oay and night)
UiataiK* cannot part you from Him, Uarkneu hides not — 'God ii light.'
THE SABBATH SGHOLAB*S TBEA8TJBT.
"laitt
ff
fHILE Luther was looking out of his window one sum- mer evening, he saw, on a tree at hand, a little bird, making his brief and easy arrangement for a night's rest. " Look," said he, ** how that little fellow preaches faith to us all ! He takes hold of his twig, puts his head under his wing, and goes to sleep, * leaving God to think for him.' "
Carrie's father and uncle had gone one afternoon to a part of the farm with the horses and waggon, a mile or more distant from home. Before it was time for them to return, the horses came home alone. Alarmed lest some accident had befallen them, Carrie's mother asked her if she would be willing to go all that long distance alone, and tell them of the horses' return? It was then nearly dark ; but she had often ridden there with her father, and knew that he would return with her, so she was not afraid to go ; but when she reached the place, her father and uncle were nowhere to be found. Carrie waited and looked a while, then climbed into the waggon, and seated herself quietly till they should come. It was a long time for a little girl of seven years to wait in a strange place — in the dark, too ; and you may imagiiiQ\.Vie 106
relief and joy sh at last she heard voice, calling, " C am here, father : waggon," she cije soon in her father inquired, *' Weri afraid, my child, alone so long ? much," she repli knew you would here ; and I thou^ to find you, perha get lost." " But. feither, " we have another way to 1 horses, and how d I should come bac '* Oh, I knew ,y( *' And were yoB lonesome here, in *' I was a little ; b mother wished m and I could nc alone, it was darl God would take till you came ; an* my hymns and i and then you cam< Precious child! dence in her fati misplaced. He hi ceived her, and s would come. Ab so with you ? Hs a kind, heavenly '. does for you far m earthly father can you not trust Him Carrie did her eart Will you not obe mand. and await with the same chil — GVildte-a'^ Frie\
IHS UBBUB BCHOLUa'B TBEABOST.
tartUng aitb ^nggtsttbr (S)l^ottsl^t.
the present day, , aany persons have I photographs of their persons taken, '
y present to their I
Bat if it were I » haxe an album of j IB taken of our sin-
reyealing all the bhey had each done, 11 words they had m, and all the e^il ley had ever formed, ons and terrible ich pictures be ! Y one dare to give sonl-photograph to creatnre ? I think ar less to a friend, bings and thoughts eek to conceal from d even from onr-
all known to God. 1 and faithful soul- is of all, for He is cognizant of every
of our evil deeds,
and imaginations.
possible that we
;ly carry about with
te photographs of
souls. At least ' cts seem to shew I is left engraven on '
the tablets of our own mem- ories (though we are not con- scious of it) full records of our whole past lives. It Ih only thus, perhaps, that physicians can explain various phenomena; as, for example, the striking fact that occasion- ally, when personH have been placed in circumstances of mortal danger — such as when almost drowned — a swift and startling vision of the whole of their past life has suddenly sprung up, and deeds long forgotten have stood forward in appalling distinctness. May not, at death, the un- saved soul carry off with it this record ? What can wipe out this fearful photograph and record of one's unconver- ted existence? Nothing ex- cept "the blood of Christ;" but that blood *' cleanseth us from all sin." It alone can blot and wash out the record of our iniquities, and prepare the soul, by the grace of God, to receive *' the image of His BoTL.*^^-' Abridged and ado})- ted from on Address hy Professor J. Y. Simpson.
m. f V.'^/*V-/^ V "N "».
(iis| ©estimons lo €|ristianitg.
'E months ago a a friend, who kept a small shop lew was passing ' in the town. After talking a through the atreeta , while, they sat Aotjh \,o Tft«A. >f Jaffa, and be met As some 3ewB ipSkS^e^ '^i'S
101
\
THE SABBATH SCHOLAR'S TBEABUBY.
and saw them reading, they Some of the other Jews stopped, and oame into the j Joined in this cry. shop to know what they were ! They said that a Jew ought reading. I not to read any paH of the Old
" Moses and the prophets," Testament bat those which said the Jew. are used in their services, and
*' What!" cried one of these that Jews who read much of men, " do yoa intend to be- ; the Bible Were sure to become come a Christian ?" Christians.
*' We are reading our own i What a testimony was this Bible, and not the Christian's < to the truth of Gluristianity. Bible." ■■ Jews who did not themselyes
" Yes," replied the man, and this always leads to
believe, were obliged to own that Christianity is to be found
Christianity." ! in Moses and the Prophets.
ap»g ftttg.
NCLE-deeo in grass and clover, Lucv lightly trips along, With her merry heart all sunshine, And her jo3'oas heart all song.
Plucking buttercups and daisies, Violets sweet and vetcbes gay,
With the wiM bees round her humming. All along the pleasant way.
Now a little gate she opens.
And, with happiness complete,
Sees her pet-lamb lightly bounding. O'er the long grass to her teet.
Now she weaves sweet garlands for him. Lovely chains of blossoms Ongnt,
With her gentle favourite frisking, Kound in innocent delight.
When they both were tired of playmti.
" Come," said Lucy, Met us rest;" A» she drew from out her bosom,
One dear Book, of all the ae^t
llappv, kindly-hearted Lucv .
Well might she be blithe and gay. For she loved one Lamb, most pr«ci«jii8.
Who had borne tier ^vaa a.H(aY,
^v^t^wvs.'^i.
Goav >nrw»B." — Jkul
CONTENTS.
PAOB
The Good Shepherd (Frontispiece.) «' Little Samuel Praying " (TitlePage.)
Introductory Address iii
*< Suffer Little Children," (vignette.)
Sermon I. from the above text 7
Introduction of Christianity into England 14
Scripture Botany— Rose of Sharon (with cut) ^ 18
Sermon II. — Children coming to Jesus »• 19
Scripture Natural History— The Doye (with cut) 24
Sacred Biography— Abel, the First Martyr 27
Christian Missions — Madagascar SO
Second Introduction of Christianity into Great Britain. — Gregory'*
Mission 81
Good Sayings 32
Jesus, and the Woman of Samaria (with cut) - 84'
Sermon III. — The Bosom of Jesus » 85
Sacred Zoology.— The Horse (with cut) .*......... 43
Christian Missions. — Madagascar, Part II 44
Third Period of the Diffusion of Christianity in Britain.— Culdeea » 46
Poetic Gems.— The Holy Child's Desire 47
The Love of God ».......».» 48
Good Sayings ...» 48
The Lame Man Healed at the Beautifttl Gate of the Temple (with cut).*. 60
Sermon lY. — Leaning on Jesus' Bosom ..»...» » .• 81
Sacred Zoology.— The White Ass (with cut) 56
Christian Mbsions.— Martyrdom in Madagascar— Rasalama - 58
Anecdotes.— Strong Faith of a Pious Madagascar Young Convert 59
Remarkable Instances of Conversion » «•• 60
Remarkable Interposition of Providence 61
Raphael's Cartoons k < • 61
Third Period of the Diffusion of Christianity in Britain.— Columba and
the Culdees * » .• -62
Poetic Gem.— The Dying Girl's Address to her Mother, by the Rev.
T. Wallace » » 68
Good Saying » 64
Paul at Athens (with eut) 66
Sermon V. — River of Salvation 67
Scripture Natural History.— The Palm Tree (with eut) 74
Ck>nver8ation on Creation ^ , ,».... .,...,.».,.,v.«.« l'^
Poetic Gem.— The Fulneu of /esut ^^
GoodSayiDgM , , »...,.«.«.•••••« *^
Death of Ananias (with cut) ^*^
• •••••••••
••••••«••■•••»•••
VI CONTENTS.
ViSl
Sermon VI. — The Streams, Banks, and Walks of the River of Salvation 81
Sacred Zoology.— Stag or Deer {with cut) 91
Verbal Illustration.— Sin M
Sacred BoUny.— The Lilies of the Field H^
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra {with cut)
Sermon VII.— The Young Christian Pilgrim
Sacred Zoology. — The Eagle {with cut) „..
Names of Jesus alphabetically arranged m«m.»<
Poetic Gem.— The Christian's Graces, and their exercise in the PxoipMl j
of Heaven
Peter's Confession, and the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven {wUh <
Sermon VIII.— The Young Christian Pilgrim
Sacred Botany. — Grapes {with cut)
Figurative Illustrations of the Bible, in Alphabetical Order. Missionary Facts. — Madagascar — New Cbapel at Hong Kong— Indkkl
Orphans'
Sacred Zoology. — The Peacock {with cut)
Sermon IX. — The Church the City of the Great King mm.»mm*«
Miraculous Draught of Fishes {without)
Names of Jesus alphabetically arranged
Events of the Year 1848
Missionary Facts. — Satanic Fetters — Pagan Conjuror — The P«gH|
the Christian contrasted— Liberality of Samoaa Children •«..
Sacred Zoology. — The Ostrich {with cut)
Sermon X. — The Church the Strong City
Elymas struck blind {with cut) „
Figurative Illustrations of the Bible, in Alphabetical Otdwt., Missionary Intelligence. — Alexander Fletcher, Native Teacher ia ]
Happy Death of Little Mary. — Her Dying Sayings
Missionary Facts. — India : Conversion of Gooroo— South
A Christian Samoan Chief victorious in Death
Poetic Gems. — ^The Parent, on hearing his Child Pn^ping.^.^,
Select Sentences
Scripture Natural History. — The Lion {with cut)
Sermon XI.— The Church the Strong City .»
Sacred Zoology. — ^The Deer {with cut) .».......«i.M«M
Names and Titles of Jesus alphabetically arranged ^.......^m
The Bible.— Remarkable effect of the eloquence of the late
Rogers, of Dedham, Essex m».m>w
Missionary Intelligence. — ^Tornado ,»...r v,,»,.,
Review. — Rhymes worth remembering. For the Young. By the
of " Important Truths in Simple Verse."
Wise Saying
Sermon XII.— Danger of Despising God's Word ^^^-^ |[
Sacred Zoology. — The Hen {with cut)
Figurative Illustrations of the Bible alphabetically arranged
Two Remarkable Instances of Conversion
Poetry «..
••« eee •«• ee^e
• •ee «•«••«•
»•••••••••«
82
DEATH OF ANANIAS.
Acts V. 1 — 11.
Whaz: asssolMitt thing it is to die ! Oh, how aff< to die la^epfBxed ! How' awful to die in the»ve: of comawfctiag some dreaidM sin ! We have hes swearers d}rhi|^ whii» hlisphenaring ; of robhers^ committtng. roi9lbery^ ; a«dF>o£i liars, while pouring falsehoods froai tbefr Ispsv Such was the dei Ananiasi aank has wife Sapphira. These two among tbe eariiest professors of Christianity at salem, after' o«r Lord ascended to heaven. The many others, sold their estates. They said t Apostles tlMt' they gave them the T\'hole priee. lied, for they kept back a considerable part • price. Anamas the husband, in the absence > wife, first, told the lie. The vengeance of B instantly struck him dead, and young men carric to his gravel Let each of us pray, "Lord, press from lying UfK^!"
AbottI' thMi botirs after, his wife' Sapphira ei the AiposliM^ She kne^ not. that her hosban dead. Infiulnatecl^ wkiced wymian,. she repeale same lie; LMtaatlyv ske wttS" strtiefa dead ! 9 downfall the Apoetlea' fl^t. Iht young ma buried bur hi»band three hcors before w^e call They oarried Inr ta ber grave, andljwL her beo husteai. Sad aigbt ! Two liars- struck dead besiiAb «ianfa otber ia the dmt, and senl'UBfnrepan the world of spfnta^! Besolire^ nr)r young friends^ strength of Divine grace, and say, —
" Then let me always watch my lips, Lest I be struck to death and hell ; Since God a book of reck'ning keeps. For every lie that children tell !" A. F.
8d
SERMON VI.
THE STREAM^ BANKS, AND WALKS OF THE RIYEB
OF SALYATION.
A river thai cotddnot he passed over.'* — Ezek. xlvii. 5,
Th^ie are some rivers in America so wide as toy approach the sea, that when you stand upon the mk& yon cannot see across. But the largest rivers 1 earth may and can he crossed over. The prophet zekiel saw a vision of the river of salvation, 574 sers- hefore Christ appeared on earth, to finish salva- BD on the cross. Oh, he was surprised when he oked upon the river ! and he had good reason to be irprised. He wondered, I have no doubt, at the yBtal clearness and brightness of the river. He ondered that even little children could safely wade r walk in the river at its lovely brink. He wondered ; the depth of the river : it could not be fathomed. Ce wondered at the width, or breadth of the river : it mid not be passed over. My beloved young friends, my such holy wonder fill your youthful hearts ! By the assistance of the Holy Spirit I will now leak to you of the streams and banks of this river ; id also of the beautiful walks on the side of this river, fcieh holy children frequent, where they converse with BBOs, and where they think of heaven. L The streams of the river of salvation. In many parts of the earth, rivers divide themselves rto various streams. Have you not all heard of the ver Nile, which runs through the whole of Egypt, om south to north, where it pours its waters into the [editerranean Sea? It is there divided into seven reams. In Isaiah xi. 15, it is prophesied that God iall smite this river in its " seven streams, arvd ia«J^e len go over drjr-shod." As to the river oi aaVjaX^oTv^ e are informed that it hns streams^ Psalm "x\\\. ^»
G 2
84 SERMON.
" There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God." This river has many streams d mercy. Now I invite your attention to seven,
1st. There is the stream of converting mercy. Th^ moment a child drinks by faith of this stream be is verted to Christ. His very nature is changed; hard heart is softened ; his vile, polluted heart is tified, washed, purified, and made holy. His h which was full of enmity, full of hatred against God Christ, is filled with love. Beloved children, may you persuaded to drink of this stream of converting mercj- — then you shall feel this change, this blessed chi
2d. There is the stream o^ justifying mercy, Ev( little child who is saved is justified. Justification part of salvation ; therefore it is said, (Rom. viii. " It is God that justifieth." Do you know what it i» be justified ? Do you wish to know ? I hope you Then I will tell you. When God justifies a little cl he does two things : he pardons his sins ; that is first : he receives him into his favour ; that is second. He does this on account of the righteou of Christ ; that is, on account of what Jesus be did, and suffered for the salvation of poor sin May God enable you to drink of the stream of j fying mercy ! Then your sins will be forgiven, God will look upon you with smiles of love.
3d. There is the stream of adopting mercy, is it to be adopted ? It is to be taken out of the fi of Satan, and to be put into the family of God. children, have you no wish to be put into this bl family ? Ask Jesus, pray to Jesus, and he will you into his family, and make you his own sons, own daughters. When you are made the children God, how sweetly you will sing, —
" Behold, what wondrous grace
The Father hath bestow'd On simieTa ot Sk nioxVaX t^ris^,
To mskke t^iieiii wma ol Q^^V*
SERMON* 85
4th. There is the stream of sanctifying mercy. You lave often heard that sin pollutes the soul. A sinful oul is a filthy souL When a dear child drinks of the tream of sanctifjing mercy, he is made clean, and holy, md lovely. Believe it, true holiness is true loveliness, ilessed loveliness, neither disease nor death shall jestroy it ! How short the loveliness of youth ! — but be loveliness of holiness will last for ever ; yes, for ver ! Oh, plead, oh, pray for the fulfilment of this •Tomise, (Ezek. xxxvi. 25,) ''I will sprinkle clean rater upon you, and you shall be clean."
5th. There is the stream of healing mercy. Do you now, my young friends, that your souls are diseased ? assure you, they are. And the diseases of your souls lever can be healed unless you drink of the stream of lealing mercy. Pride, unbelief, enmity, and careless- less, are the diseases of the soul. There are many acre beside. If you drink of the stream of healing oercy, every disease will be cured. When the thief Irinks of this stream, he becomes honest. When the iar drinks of it, he speaks the truth. When the swearer Irinks of it, he fears God. Oh, what a stream ! — vhat a wondrous stream ! This stream flows from Tesus. Then let us sing, —
" 'Tis He forgives thy sins;
'Tis He relieves thy pain ; 'Tis He that heals thy sicknesses.
And makes thee young again."
6th. There is the stream of cowfortmg mercy. Some of you know little or nothing of sorrow, and therefore you may see no need of this stream of com- forting mercy. You are in a great mistake : your 3ay of sorrow, of mourning, and grief, may be near at band ; then, nothing can comfort you but this stream. But some of you, now, may be sorrowful. Perhaps y^ou are poor, or diseased ; or you may have lately lest a father or a mother, a brother or a sislex. "Dci^^ ^jijr o£ these make you sad, or sorrowful? 0\v, c»o\x\fc
S6 SERMON.
and drink of the stream of comforting mercy ! l!%ea joy will fill your soul. Oh, taste and see that Grodil' good ! Jesus will be to you better than a iitiiet^ al mother, a sister, or a brother !
7th. There is the stream of fflorift/ing merc^. Hi. holy Apostle John saw a vision of that stream k heaven. It is clear as crystal ; and on either nde-rf it grows the Tree of Life. Even here, that strefll' flows. Often, dying children who love Jesus drink df it, and they feel as if they saw the glory of heaven, li; if they tasted the joys of heaven, and as if they heinl the songs of heaven. Oh, come, my beloved yonf friends, and drink of the waters of salvation ! As (BqH^ as you drink by faith, you will be able to sing like te holy dying children of whom I have been speakiog ; ^
" The hill of Sion yields
A thousand sacred sweets, Before we reach the heavenly fields.
Or walk the golden streets."
n. We proceed to speak of the banks of the river (f salvation. Observe the name of the banks, and the description of the banks.
Ist. Observe the name of the banks. The name of one is the Old Testament, and the name of the other ii the New Testament. You know it is from the banks yoi have the best view of a river. From the tops of hills, at a great distance, you may see the river flcwing through green meadows and rich plains. But it ii from the banks you have the best view of the cryetll waters of the river, as it flows along. So it is wthlli river of salvation. You have the best and ckinit view of the river of salvation, and of the streams 41 mercy, from the sacred banks of the Old and Nwf Testament. May the Holy Spirit enable you to knot, and love, and frequent these banks !
2d. I will now give you some description of theic banks. They are green. TVval la, \\ve^ «t^ l«^^ ^so^^Nssi^*
87
^nie ordin&noes are oidled, in Psa. zxiii. 2, ^' green pas- teres," because ti^ej are spiritually fresh and lovelj. for the same reason, the Old and New Testaments deserve to be called the green banks of the river of salvation.
They are fruitful. There you may see vast num- ibers of fruitful trees bearing tbe richest fruits. There are trees of doctrines, trees of promises, and trees of .precepts. Blessed are those children who love these Ifcrees, and who pluck the ^licious fruit.
These banks are most pleasant. The air is fra- .grant, cooling, and refreshing. Holy children, who are ^nnd on these banks, show in their countenances the lovely smiles of joy and peace.
These banks are lofty. From the noble heights, and "with the telescope of faith in your hand, you can catch A view of heaven.
These banks are ^'ich. Yes, rich with springs of
comfort, and rich with mines of wisdom.
** Tib a broad land of wealth unknown. Where springs of life arise ; Seeds of immortal bliss are sown. And hidden glory lies."*
III. I wish now to give you some account of the "WALKS which are seen on the banks of the river of salvation. Jesus the King has made all these walks ; and in these walks, holy children often meet King Jesus. The walks are the ordinances of religion.
1st. One of these walks is, the reading of the word. Here holy children take their morning and their even- ing walk. This walk is most profitable and pleasant.
2d. Prayer is another walk. In this walk, holy
children speak and converse with God, and ask from
him every blessing which their souls need. Blessed
are they who are often found in this walk.
" By prayer they learn the holy fight; Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright ; And Butan trembles when he dees Tbejroungeat saint upon his knees."
88 SERMON.
3d. Praise is another walk. What sweet songs lie sung in this walk ! Here, small eompanies of saiati are heard singing the songs of Zion. And also laip assemblies of saints are heard, raising their hallelujsip of praise to the throne of God.
4th. Meditation is another walk. There young saints are generally found alone ; by themselves, thinking of salvation, Christ, and heaven.
5. Self-examination is another walk. In this walk, the young Christian asks himself, Do I love Jesus? Have I the marks of God's children ? What can I do for my Saviour, who has done so much for me ?
6th. Public worship is another walk. Great multi- tudes are found here. In this walk they often say, "B is good to be here ; it is the house of God, it is the gate of heaven."
In the conclusion : — I call on you affectionately to frequent these paths. They are " wisdom's ways." And " wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and aH her paths are peace." There are seve7i things which make these walks pleasant. These are seven strong reasons why you should walk in them.
1st. There are in these walks pleasant seats for young saints. These seats or arbours are the promises. The moment you sit down, you will find yourselves become lively, strong, and cheerful.
2d. Here avQfimit trees of great beauty and richnesSi These trees are the graces of the Spirit. Of these, faith and love are peculiarly noble, fruitful, and lofty.
3d. Here are Jiowing fountains, sending forth streamB of consolation, peace, and joy. These flow night and day. One drop lifts the soul to heaven.
4th. Here are refreshing breezes. These are the influences of the Holy Spirit. May you know and love these breezes !
5th. Here is cheering light. Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, ever shines on those blessed walks, MaL iv. 2.
Bxaaxo sooLOOT.
89
6tli. Here yon meet the bat of rompany. la theae like you meet with Baints, the children of the King, ere you meet with Jesus, the King himselt What I bonoar, to walk with Christ the King ! 7th. Here, there is tlie tmeetetl music. How joy- lly holy ctiiHren sing to the honour of Jesua in ese walks. Come, come to join their company, and
" Jeeae le worthj to receivs Hoiioar and pinrer diviiie. And bleaaingiB mora tbon we <s*n give. Be, Lord, for ever Uiine." — Amen. A. F.
''"^'^'ifJWWMKP' , i'/
90 SACRED ZOOLOGY.
STAG OR DEER.
The Hebrew name given to this noble animal inlU Old Testament, is, ^^l^, ail, and it signifies protecU6% and also, a horned animal. Deer, in the science J Zoology, belong to the genus or order called pecora; a Latin word which signifies cattle. Their horns are branchy and peculiarly becoming. They are at first soft, and covered with downy hair. Afterwards, they become smooth and hard. They fall off yearly, and are yearly renewed. Horns belong only to the males. These comely creatures live to a great age, are timorous, and swift. In their rapid course, they seem as if they were flying on the wings of the wind.
The following are some of the kinds of this numerooi family of God's creatures, namely, the Hart, the Bee* buck, the Rein- deer, the Elk, the Goat-deer, the Hone' deer, the Camelopardalis, or Giralfe, &c. The Rein- deer is an inhabitant of Lapland, jhhI> other northern countries of Europe. It is to the Tyhicii rs invaluable. It supplies for them the place of a korse, a cow, a goaty and a sheep.
The F'M&m deer::iB the speeuBrarantioned by Mose^ in Dent xv. ^:z ^'fKe iML f»t ti&e Mlow-deer." It is a nafive of €iflnK,tCleH%ajaBd, nd China. Thf^ are fovnd in great Auni&nMseiin therpsrks and domaini of the rich landad j09pKietaBB*«f Ei^g^nd and Scotland. Vast flocks of RiftV3«er, taffrtbe «ixe<of considerablf grown heifers, adccn the splendid moimtaixioas foiesti of the Scottish Hi^lands.
Jesus, on aooK»t of his br!FeliH8aBjHad.iope, andhii speed in coming to iMiipai' >Brl sa^e us, is compared t* the Roe, the Hart, and the Hind. Song ii. 17 : "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, WJ beJoved ; and be thou like a roe, or a young hart, upon the mountains of "BetYieT.'' C»\i».^, V\\\. W\ "Mib
ii«LinnRBA,Tiom. 91
^ my beloved, vnd be thoD like to a roe, tnr to a V hart upon the moantniM of apices.^ f young friends, may yoar youthful bosoms glow love to Jesus ! May you admire his loveliness, nay you long after hisiellowship ! I pray Gk)d that nay be enabled to say with the heart :
" Till Ifaoa hast brought me to thy home. Where fears and denhts cm never come. Thy eoonVnance let me often see, And often thouahalt hear from me.
Come, mybeloTed, haste. sway, Cat short the hours of thy delay. Fly like a youthful hart, or roe. Over the hills were spices grow."
iuts are compared to Deer panting for water-brooks, ow the earnestness of their desires after Christ, loliness, and heaven. May we feel these desires ! d, grant we may !" And may the following lines e language of our hearts :
it
With eameat longings ofthe mind.
My God, to thee I look ; So pants the hunted hart to find
And taste the cooling brook.** A. P.
YEREAL ILLUSTRATIONS.
SIN. " stand in &we, -and sin not."
Y dear young friends, you may have heard of a little girl, who as she lay on her death -bed asked her ghtless father if he could spell the word, Repent- ! This caused the father to think of the word, the death of the dear child, and by the blessing rod, he was led to understand its meaning, and to I forth fruit worthy of repentance, e ask you not to spell the little word Sm, \i\A -^^ one and all of you. Do you underataii!^ \^\ia3L H^.
92 YEBBAL ILLUSTRATIONS.
meaneth ? We will tell you. It means something hurts; because of all things sin is the most ha There are many things which will hurt the body, many things which will hurt the mind, but sin h both body and soul ; it hurts them in time, and removed and destroyed by Him who came to save iMfj people from their sins, will destroy both soul and bodj, in hell fire, for ever and ever.
" Sin," say the Rabbins, very strikingly, *' comes tool first as a traveller; if admitted, it will soon become ft gvMty impatient to reside ; and if allowed so far wS ' soon and finally become master of the house ! "
It may be said of sin, as of the beginning of striftb it is "as the letting out of water ; therefore leave .off contention before it be meddled with.*' Sin is atrifc with God ; it is contention with our Maker ; and w Bible says, " Woe to the man that striveth with Mt;. Maker." Strive, then, against sin, and pray to Godliiift ' you may be enabled to stop it at the very beginning f' admit it not into your hearts ; give no encouragemort to it there, lest it get the mastery over you, and ledl you captive at its will.
Stand in awe, and fear little sins. " A little leaT« leaveneth the whole lump. Behold how great a matter a small spark kindleth." If the serpent get in hishea^ he will drag in his whole body after it. "A scorpion ii little, yet is able," says an old author, " to sting a Lioste death." A small wound or a little sickness may cany you to the grave ; and little sins (as many call^them]^ without the great mercy of God, will ruin your sod> for ever.
Stand in awe, and beware of single sins. Remember, one sin ruined Adam in Paradise, and Adam's one aii spread over all mankind. It became a " spreading leprosy." ** By one man sin entered into the wofMt and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all meib for that all have sinned." Sm is a plague, one ton* of which ruined the v^VioV^ yjoA^, ^^^ ^^\. \iss« ^
YEBBAL ILLUSTRATIONS. 98
3 are who stand in awe and sin not. You would ;ate, I am sure, to eat the smaUest morsel of poison, rou should endanger your hody ; fear, then, to commit jmallest sin, for you thereby endanger your precious
tand in awe of the power of Sin. Sin is " the Qg man armed, that keepeth the house." What )mon says of the wicked woman, may truly be said n. " She hath cast down many wounded ; yea, many ng men have been slain by her." " Her house is the to hell, going down to the chamber of death." id, the best of kings, was overcome by sin, which jed God to break his bones, and to turn his day into it, and to leave his soul in great darkness. Samson, strongest among men, was too weak to grapple with enemy ; he was cast down, and made to grind in the ion house, with his eyes put out. Sin caused Moses, meekest of men, to give way to unseemly anger, ch so offended God, that he was not permitted to 3r into the Holy Land.
Fob, so remarkable for patience in suffering and ictions, under the influence of sin cursed the day his death, and wished that he had never been born, e wisest men are not secure from its influence, omon himself, through the deceitfulness of sin, was away after strange gods. These are given us for amples ; " Let us not be high-minded, but fear. Let 1 that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." rhink of the wages of sin. " The wages of sin is ;th," eternal death, — of all sins, whether you account m great or small. Think how a holy God hates . He calls it " that abominable thing which I hate." , my young friends, hate what God hates, and love at God loves ! His hatred to sin caused him to give his' beloved Son to this death for us all. Sin is of ! devil ; it is the devil's work : and all those who love 1 practice sin " are of their father the dfeVAJ' lot works they do. 'he Babbina, to deter their scholars from sm, n«^t^
94 SAGBED BOTAXfY^
wont to tell them, ^^ tJuitsm made Ghod^s headtoaMl Many have found by woeful experience, that sin makv ' not only the head but their hearts to ache ! '' Stand is i awe," then, my dear young friends, " and sin not.''
Spittal, Berwick. ft "
SACRED BOTANY.
THE LILIES OP THE FIELD.
Matt vi. 28.^
There are no objects in nature from which we ray not derive instruction. " The heavens declare tiil glory of the Lord, and the firmament shewetk Ul handy work." But we do not need to go so high,il order to learn lessons of piety. We have only to loA around us on the earth we inhabit, to find matter fir admiring contemplation, and adoring praisa
" There's not a plant or flower below But makes God's glories known."
We would invite then, for a few moments, our young friends to learn some important lessons of instruetkl from one of these " flowers below," and not the tail delightful of them — the lily of the field : Jesus Cbfift when he was on earth said to his disciples, ^' Considv the lilies of the field ; " and we would now, along iritt yon, do as he bid them do.
Ist. Consider the lilies of the field, and learn dt greatness of Divine wisdom. It has been often nii that there are mysteries in a blade of grass, whicii Ai wisest philosophers cannot unravel; and so there tfft But if a blade of grass is such an illustration of ^ Divine wisdom, much more a flower, and sndi t beautiful flower as the lily. What wisdom appetfi ii the el^ant form, in the exquisite texture, in ^ delicate colour of the lily ! None indeed can paint none can weave, none can fabricate like nature^ or ratheVf like the God of nalwxft. Xw^ ^fsa\ ^tqol'^^iA ift it aJl produced ? Erom a\»o\3al^7 iwsfti^Ytt^g,, ws^'^
95
earth and air. How marrelloiis I Wdl might a pious in^vidual exelainiy as he looked at- a lily or primrose irhich he held in one hanci, and a clod of earth, which ht had in the other, What wisdom, what power, to produce this from that/
2d. Consider the lilies of the field, and learn truxt in 0od. We are sometimes ready to fear, that we may Dot get necessary food and soitahle raiment. Ah ! there are times when even the labouring, industrious, but pious poor have sore misgivings in reference to this. But why should any of God's chUdren fear, while they are in the use of the means of honest industry ? Let tfiem only go into the fields, and look at the lilies, and tiny will find their fears rebuked and their doubts dOspelled. " Why," said Christ, " take ye thought for niment ? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin. Wherefore, if Grod so clothe the grass of the field, will he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith ? " Should we not then trust ? Matthew Henry says, Will God that feeds the ravens starve his babes ? and we may oay, Will God that clothes the flowers allow his children to be naked ? No^ verily.
3d. Consider the lilies of the field, and learn a lesson ef humility. Young people, ay, and older people too, »6 exceedingly apt to be proud of dress. What expense, what care are lavished upon the outward adorning of the body ! And when you get something OB, which is finer, or richer, or gayer than others have, how apt are yon to be vain and vsdue yourself upon it I Bat how weak, and even silly the passion for dress ! Be ad€>med as you may, are you any better, or any wiser, or any happier? How gorgeously apparelled was Solomon ! Yon can never expect to be dressed so xiagnificently as he was. Yet he was outdone by the very lilies. ** Soloman in all his glory was not arrayed like one of th(?se." I>resfl yourself then as T\t\\V^ ^% you can, be as &ne aa art can make yo\i> and \\^ii\oOK.
96 SACRED BOTANY.
into the glass of nature, compare yourself \ meanest flower that adorns the field, and wha will you find to be clothed with humility !
4th. Consider the lilies of the field, and L frailty of your frame. How frail is the lily beautiful it is, but as fragile as it is beautiful easily, how quickly does it fade ! "In the miQ groweth up, in the evening it is cut down and wi And what is man ? what art thou ? a rock mountain, an oak of the forest ? No : a mere lily of the field, easily crushed by the fod nipped by the frost, easily scorched by the heal
It was a remarkable prayer which the Psali up : " Make me to know mine end, and the .n^ my days, what it is, that I may know how frail We need, very much need, to be taught thisiqa lesson; and we can hardly be taught it betti by going into the field, and looking at the fadii and withering flowers. " All flesh is grass, the glory of man as the flowers of the grass.** ■
In a word, consider the lilies of the field, ani the loveliness and beauty of the Saviour, He only the rose of Sharon, but the lily of the^ So he denominates himself. " I am," said he^ " of the valleys."
The character of the Saviour is made up of ness and beauty. In comparison of him ih lovely objects are not lovely, and the most be objects not beautiful. " My beloved," aq spouse in the Song of Soloman, ^* is white and - the chief among ten thousand, and altogether. If And shall we not then love and admire one so 8191 excellent ? shall we not make him the subject • praises and the object of our trust ? Oh yes ; place this flower of paradise, the lily of the which is the admiration of heaven, near our he make it at once our joy and crown. B
BiaaAB,* Lakabxshibx. \
|
^^i^J^^ |
|
'^M |
98
PAUL AND BARNABAS AT LYSTRA
Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. Once he wi an enemy of the GospeL By converting grace he wi made the most remarkable preacher of the gospel ft ever lived. He was eminently an itinerant minista that is, a minister going from place to place, preadm the Gfospel wherever he had opportunity. He tr veiled on foot over a great part of Lesser Asia, u preached the Word in almost every city. Th country was anciently divided into large proving The name of one of these provinces was Lycaoni Lystra and Derbe were two celebrated cities in th province. Barnabas, a holy evangelist, accompanii Paul in his important journeys. They preached : both these cities.
Whil^ Paul was preaching at Lystra, a poor man, cripple, was sitting near him. He had never waUu from his birth. God gave this poor cripple faith, wU he listened to Paul, that the apostle was able to cfl him, in the name of Jesus. While the poor man Wl looking very stedfastly on the apostle, Paul said 1 the man with a loud voice, " Stand upright upon ti feet" And did he stand up ? Yes, in a moment k leaped and walked. And, oh, how the heart of A man leaped for joy ! Paul and Barnabas were 80 rounded by a great multitude of people. They an what was done, and wondered ! And, so they migK for they never saw such a sight before. Those A saw this sight were heathen. They were idolaMI pagans. They knew nothing of Jesus, and of his ff^ power, and his great salvation. They were ignom of God, the only, the living, and the true God. T% believed in false gods and foolish idols. When "^ saw what was done, they thought Paul and BaraJi were two gods in t\ie s\\«Lpfe o^ ixv^i^.. 'ft^xuabas ^ thought was Jupiter, audl?a\]\,MfeT^\iT\>\^, '^'^'S of Jupiter was present amoxk^ t\i^ tdx^jcvNxi^^^
SERMON. 99
the miracle. He made haste to do honour to the ^ods, as he supposed. He proceeded to present sacrifices of oxen to Paul and Barnabas. But these holy men pre- vented them. They showed them the vanity of false gods and dumb idols. They made known to them the Tbue God. They preached to them Jesus, through whose power alone the lame man was healed. Let U9 earnestly pray, that the promised day may soon arrive, when the knowledge of Jesus 'shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea;' and when idolatry ' shall pass away, and be known no more for ever.' A. F.
SERMON Vn.
THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN PILGRIM.
^^ They were PilgrimsJ** — Heb. xi. 13.
Who is a Pilgrim ? — A traveller may be called a pilgrim. Those who travel on a religious account are called pilgiims. Many Mahomedans go thousands of miles to Mecca, the place where the false prophet Mahomet was born. And many travel thousands of miles to see Medina, the place where he was buried. Those persons are called pilgrims.
Multitudes travel very great distances every year to see Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. And great numbers come from the most distant parts of the earth to see Jerusalem, where Jesus died, and to see Mount Olivet, whence Jesus ascended to heaven. These are called pilgrims. And they travel for a religious purpose.
Abraham was a pilgrim, both literally and spiritually. At the command of God he left Mesopotamia, his native land, and travelled from place to place, all his life, without a settled home. On this account he was literally a pilgrim. And he was spiritually a pilgrim. He travelled through the wilderness of t\ns nsjo^^ ^"^ bis way to a heavenly home. When "he di<e^\kfc ^jsv^^ Ids pilgrimage, and he reached bia \xomft. TViK» ^»
h2
100 SJBRMON^
has lived in happiness and glory ever since ; he shall live for ever.
As Abraham was a spiritual pilgrim, » pious praying child. The best, the happies most useful of all pilgrims are those who spiritual pilgrims when they are young, friends, may God make you young pilgrims
Every child is on a journey to an eter There is a world of eternal joy. And there of eternal misery. There are, therefore, leading through this world. The one is e straight. The other is broad and crooked, leads to heaven. The second leads to h child is walking on one or the other of tl Believe it, my young friends, you are walls on the one or. on the other. It is my earn that you may enter upon the first, and f second. Oh, may the Holy Spirit make you grlms to heaven ! Blessed pilgrimage ! He own words. He has provided a heaven for grims. Oh, hear what he says. And in th of Divine grace do what he requires. Wh say ? Matt. vii. 13, 14. " Enter ye in at gate ; for wide is the gate, and broad is the leadeth to destruction, and many there be ik thereat : because strait is the gate, and nai way, which leadeth unto life ; and few then find it."
As there are two roads, there are two • Very much they differ from each other here shall differ IIeu: more in the world to come, pany of travellers has a leader. Jesus is the the one company ; Satan is the leader of the < first Leader leads the company of young j heaven. The second leader leads the compan; travellers to hell
' Pray fervently, my yo\m^ ^tV^w^'^, \Saai i maj be blessed* WbVlLe you w^ Teaa:\\m, ' wish to be made yoiuig pV\^\TQa. ^^^w^
.«uacoN. 101
Bay you become, bj divine gTBC^y young pilgrims !
Uen!
By the assistance of the Holj Spirit, I will endea- ^ to describe the toung pilorim.
i- Sis heart.
By the heart we are to understand the soul. The ^ophet Jeremiah tells us that " the Jteart is deceitful l»ve all things," Jer. xvii. 9. That is, " the naul is Wtfiil above all things." Solomon says, (Prov. iv. ^) "Keep thine heart with all diligence." That is, 'keep thy wul with all diligence."
Ifl attempting to describe the young pilgrim*s heart,
"lust endeavour to show you what his heart once ^ and what it now is.
J8t Consider what it once was. It was bad, very ^^ It was evil, wholly evil. Whenever we look P®^ his heart before he became a young pilgrim, we * that every part was corrupted by sin. We see that ^^ wicked. Yes, * desperately wicked/ Do we look yhe Understanding ? It was blinded with ignorance I* *olly, Dq y^Q IqqI^ upon the wUl ? It was obsti- ^ and rebellious. Do we look upon the memoi^?
^ that it quickly remembered what was evil, and
y forgot what was good. Do we look upon the ^^ice? We see that it was slumbering and un-
*^L Do we look upon the affections ? We see
^hey were set on things earthly and sinful, and ^^ things spiritual and heavenly. Dear young
®> was not this a sad state of things? And this ' ^ue picture of the young pilgrim's heart, before '^^ine a young pilgrim ; before he gave his heart ^^s ; before he began his pilgrimage to the heavenly
*' Sin, like a yenomous disease, Infects our vital blood ; The only balm is sovereign grace, And the Physician, Gtod."
Consider what his heart, or soul, now \a. ^hat a change baa taken place 1 llie c\i«LTv^'ei \% ^^ and wonderful as if jou saw a serpent <iWaS^
102 SEBMOK.
into a dove, or a ruin changed into a marble palace ; or an old man with wrinkled face, stooping down to meet the dust, changed into a lovely youth. His heiit is actually called a new heart. Ezek. xxxvi. 26. •! new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will 1 put within you ; and 1 will take away the stony heirt out of your flesh, and will give you an heart of fleA .' Divine wisdom and knowledge shine in his undtf* standing, as the sun shines in the firmament. BlesMJ change ! His will is obedient to the will of God. Hi conscience speaks for God. Blessed change! ffii memory is the rich treasury of divine truth ; and til affections and love are placed on Jesus the lonM Saviour. Blessed change! — blessed youth I — \Ae8Bn child, who has this new heart ! He is a young pit grim. Heaven is his home. Jesus is his guide, vsi he shall at last reach in safety the celestial city.
II. Consider the young pilgrim's ei/e.
The young pilgrim has a lovely eye. It is br^ and strong. He can see with this eye what no nm can see with the bodily eye. The name given to iti> the Bible is, the " eye of the understanding." Eph. L lli " The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.* That eye, before he became a young pilgrim, was aiW eye ; and, what is worse, a blind eye. But the mo* ment he began to enter upon his blessed journey to heaven, Jesus, his Leader, opened his eye, enligfatoiel his eye. Then that beautiful promise was falfiM (Isa. xlii. 6, 7.) "I will give thee for a light of to Gentiles to open the blind eyes." What does he see with this eye ? He sees God. Wonderful ! Yea, hb sees God the Father, as his loving Father. He eetf God the Son, as his loving Saviour, He sees Grod Ae Spirit, as his loving Sanctifier. What a blessed eje ! What a blessed sight ! He can see heaven with ^ eye. He can see heaven, as his home. And he cm see Jesus, the Lamb oi GoA, m VVia tkAsx! ^ \»flLV^^ loftiest throne. Oh, may Go^ xXi^^^l Q^m»\.^t^>i each of you the young piV^xWa «>[^^
SBBMOir.' 103
m. The jonng pil^m's hand.
What is the name of his hand ? It is the hand of Jkith. Believing in Jesus as our Saviour, is faith. And what the hand does for the body, faith, or be- lieving in Christ, does for the soul. Come and see what the young pilgrim does with the hand of faith. He makes good use of it, great use of it^ constant use ofit.
. What use does he make of it ? He leans with it, on the great arm of Christ's almighty power. Thus he is helped on in his pilgrimage. What more does the young pilgrim with his hand of faith ? He grasps the promises. And he takes so firm a hold, that the most powerful enemy cannot take them out of his hand. What else does he do with this hand ? He wrestles. Tes, with his corruptions, and with his spiritual enemies. Paul wrestled with this hand of faith. Eph. vi. 12. " We wrestle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world." Beloved young friends, may God by his Spirit make you spiritual virrestlers? And what beside does he do with this hand ? He fights and conquers. The moment the young pilgrim begins his journey to heaven, he begins to fight the good fight of faith. He takes into the hand of faith the sword of the Spirit. And with such a sword, in such a hand, no spiritual enemy can stand before him. Pray fervently, my young friends, for the hand of faith. Then you shall not only be young pilgrims, but young warriors.
IV. The young pilgrim's garments,
Ist. Though he is a pilgrim, he wears a robe. It is the robe of the Redeemer's righteousness. This righteousness consists of what Jesus became, did, and suffered for our salvation. The instant a little child receives Christ as his Saviour, this righteousness becomes his. And he wears it as his robe. How beautiful the j^oung pilgrim looks in tins ro\>e \
^d. The young pilgrim is clothed with. tVie ^wTftftxAa ff salvation. Young friends, do you k^ivow N«ir\veX. \)aR%^
101 SERMONS
garments are ? If you do hot, I will tell you.' Thej 'aref the gtaces of the Spirit. Humility and love an two of these garments. Faith and hope are two othen of these garments. Zeal and patience are two othen of these garments. Meekness and gentleness are tm others of these garments. This dress, in which tb young pilgrim appears, is not of earthly manu&ctim Neither angels nor men could make it. It is manii factured in heaven. It is made by the Holy Spirit When the young pilgrim begins his journey to iHk heavenly city, this dress is taken from Christ's roja wardrobe, and put upon him. Oh, how well he looki in this royal heavenly dress ! and Oh, how happy ! Th young pUgrim sings the following song (Isa. IxL 10) " I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall h joyful in my God : for he hath clothed me with lb garments of salvation, he hath covered me with dM robe of righteousness."
" How far the heavenly robe exceeds. What earthly princes wear ! These ornaments, how bright they shine 1
How white the garments are ! Strangely, my soul, art thou arrayed
By the great sacred Three : Jn sweetest harmony of praise Let all thy powers agree.**
My dear young children, may the robe, the raiment the happiness, and the blessedness of the young pilgrin be yours !
V. The young pilgrim's armour.
St. Paul gives a very striking description of thi armour, in which the young pilgrim appears, and b; which he defends himself from his enendes ; and b[ which he wounds them, and by which he conqaei them. The account is in Eph. vi. 14 — 17. Tb apostle mentions six things of which this arqiour coi fiists. Come and see the young pilgrim in armoiii ready for the fight. ^
See upon his bead t\ie Helroet oj ^aVoo-Woti*^ upon his bosom the Breastplate oj B.\^VUw«»«u. '
SACBED ZOOLOGY. 105
ronnd his loins the sash, or Oirdle of Truth, See upon lis feet his spiritual shoes, the Preparation of the Jospel of Peace. See in his right hand the Sword of ke Spirit See upon his left arm the Shield of Faith,
The helmet is provided for the defence of the :ddier*s head. Salvation is the defence of the young ilgrim's soul. The breastplate is provided for the efence of the soldier's bosom. The righteousness of !hrist defends the young pilgrim's heart from the aming sword of offended justice. Divine truth is the oung pilgrim's girdle, by which he is fitted to fight ith activity, and run with swiftness, his Christian ice. He is fortified and protected by Gospel doctrines, ad prepared for walking over paths the most rugged, lomy, and difficult. The Bible is his sharp and two- ciged sword, by which he makes even Satan stagger ad fall. Faith is his shield of defence, which even 16 fiery darts of the wicked one cannot pierce.
Now, in conclusion, what do you think of the young ilgrim arrayed in armour ? Does he not look lovely, nd noble, and invincible ? He does. Oh, pray that ou may belong to the company of young pilgrims ! ?hen, at last, you will, reach a glorious heaven, the ilgrim's home ! Amen, A. F.
(To he continued in our next.)
SACKED ZOOLOGY.
THE EAGLE. tt rj^y youth is renewed as the Eaglets Paalm ciii. 5.
The Eagle is a bird of prey, often mentioned in :»ipture. As the lion is the king of beasts, the eagle the king of birds. ' I shall ' first give you a short ascription of the eagle, and then show the spiritual le which is made of this bird in the Word of God, I. I wiJJ endeavour to give you a sViort descTV^>AOXv tie eagle. There are many kinds of eagVea, ^\^er«i% i^ and plumage. They all belong to that genus ^l
SACRED zooloot; 107
birds of prey called the Falcon genus. All eagles have a strong beak, considerably long, straight at the base or root, and bent towards the point. The legs are strong and covered with feathers even to the toes, and these are armed with very powerful claws.
The Great Eagle is a name which includes the six fol- lowing : the common eagle, the royal eagle, the golden eagle, the ring-tailed eagle, the white-tailed eagle, and the black eagle. The male eagle is about throe feet long, and the female about three feet and a half. The wings at their full stretch, extend between six and eight feet. The female is larger, and is even more courageous and cunning than the male. In clear weather, the eagle rises to an astonishing height, and at times, notwithstanding its great size, becomes in* visible to the human eye. Even then its cry is heard, resembling the barking of a small dog. So amazing is the sharpness of its sight, that when it is too high to be visible to man, it can see a hare, or even a smaller animal, upon the ground ; when it darts upon it with certain and unerring aim. The eagle very seldom leaves the mountains. "When he visits the plains, it is generally in the winter season. He is so strong that he can cut through the air in opposition to the most furious wind?. Ramond, a celebrated writer, and ob- server of nature, says, that when he stood upon mount Perdu, the loftiest mountain of the Pyrenees, he saw no living creature but an eagle. It was flying over his head with immense rapidity, in direct opposition to a furious south-west wind.
The female lays two, and very seldom three eggs annually. She sits upon them thirty days. The nest is called an " eyrie," and is usually placed in the hollow or fissure of some very high and abrupt rock. It is £[>rmed with long sticks, twined together with small twigs, and covered over with layers of rushes, heath, or moss. It is not hollow like other ive^A\ \sv>\.\\.va» level, and may be properly called a Ta\?^e^ ^-^lorssi* Some of the nesta which have "been Tueasoct^^n >b»:^^
108 8ACBED ZOOLOGTi
been two yards square. Eagles are fouiid in thd m6vE^ tainous regions of all the quarters of the globe. Thej likewise appear in the mountains of Great Britain ai^ Ireland.
II. We will now consider the spiritual use which is made of this remarkable bird in the Word of God- In Exod. xix. 4., God says to Israel ; ** Ye hafe seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings." Moses said to Israel, a short time before his death, speaking of God*s watchful care over them ; Deut. xxxii. 11, 12, '^ As an eagle stir* reth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her ; wings, so the Lord alone did lead him, and there wai no strange god with him.'* It is said. Psalm. ciiL 5^ ' ** Thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.** We are told, that periodically the eagle renews its youth wai vigour. In allusion to this fact, there is a promise made to the people of God, that their bodily health aad strength, but more especially, that their spiritual heahk and strength would be renewed, increased, and continued. The flight of time, and the rapid course of human life, are illustrated by the eagle's rapid flight. Job. iXi 25, 26, " My days are passed away as the eagle that hasteth for his prey." The very quick removal of riches from their possessors is compared to the eagle flying to the heavens, which can neither be taken nor reached. Prov. xxiii. 5, " Wilt thou set thine eyesoi that which is not ? for riches make themselves wings j they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."
Believers, in the liveliness of their hope and in tiie vigour of their faith, are compared to the eagle ae* cending to the sky. Isa. xl. 31, << But they that wa^ upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles." These woitls are beautifully rendered by Watts :—
** The saints ahaW mo>m\. oil «dj^^ ^vo^q^
And taste the pTOixi\AK^^\>^vBi&«
Till their unwearied iee\. wrw^ ,» x,^ xi ,^vv ^i
Where perfect i^YeaEMxe \ftr— ^B^^^V^ixia.'w.^
109
KAMES OP JBSITS ALPHABBIICALLY ARRANGED.
The following names are given in Scripture to our Lord and Saviour, beginning with the letter A :— *
Ahchob, Heb. tI. 19.
Adam, 1 Cor. xy. 45. Adyooatb, 1 John U. 1. Auxs, Psal. Ixix. 8. All IN ALL, CoL iii. 11. Almightt, Rev. i. 8. Alpha, Rev. i. 8. Altab, Heb. xiii. 10. Amws, Rev. iiL 14.
AvoiXHT OF Days, Dan. viL 9, 10. Ahobl, Geo. zlyiii. 16. Afointed, Psalm, li. 2. Apostle, Heb. iii. 1. Arm of the Lord, Isa. liii. 1. Author of Eternal Saltation, Heb. V. 9.
It is my design, by the help of God, to give in this javenile work all Christ's names and titles in alpha- betical order. And I shall endeavour to give the literal (neaning of the names, to show what a Saviour is Jesus, lod that our youthful readers may be thus taught by he Spirit to love Jesus. When you read his wonderful uunes, and think of the meaning of his blessed and i^nderful names, may you be taught to sing in sweet Old holy strains —
" Jesus ! I lore thy charming name, 'Tis music to my ear ; Fain would I sound it out so loud, That heaven and earth might hear."
ADAM.
The name Adam is given to Jesus in 1 Cor. xv. 45. 'The first man Adam was made a living soul ; the ist Adam was made a quickening spirit." Why is Jhrist called Adam, and the Last Adam? It is this,- >ecause the first Adam was a type or figure of Christ* Lttend, my young friends, to the following particulars, nd then, you will clearly see how Adam was a type of Christ.
Adam w^ our covenant head, and Jesus is the Cove- ant Head of all his people. A covenant head is one rho engages to do something for others. Now, Adam ngaged not to eat the forbidden fruit. H^ e.Tv^«^^<fc^ 7> for himself, and for all his descendants, li W Vl^v^ • covenant^ God engaged to make Yum, md aW \x\^
descendants, blessed for ever and ever* -fiat broke the covenant. And what was the paini dreadful consequence ? He brought ruin apo self and all his posterity. And you and I fed i lost an earthly paradise, and he lost the hope heavenly paradise. More than this, he expose self, and all his race, to hell, and endless woe ! fore an apostle says, (Bom. v. 12,) "As by one entered into the i/vorld, and death by sin; £ hath passed upon all men, for that all have sini
Having given you an account of what the fin has done, let us now consider what Christ Adam engaged to do, and what he has don< Covenant Head. Unless you know, and on* this, you can never know and understand tl plan of salvation, which the Gospel makes knon deavour then, to pay the strictest attention.
From all eternity, God the Father and Gk)d entered into covenant. In this covenant, CI gaged to come into our world, to become man, to suffer, and to die. He engaged in covenf all this for our salvation. Oh, never forget tha our salvation^ He kept the covenant. He w fuL He became man. He obeyed the law. fered and died for our salvation. Thus he is tl Adam." He is our Covenant Head. Therei said, (1 Cor. xv. 22y) " For as in Adam all die in Christ shall all be made alive." How very ' are the following lines on this covenant int Jesus the last Adam entered for us —
" Thus to his Son the Father said. With thee a cov'nant I have made ; In thee shall dying sinners live, Gloiy and grace are thine to give.**
Watts, Psalm Izxzix. y.
ADVOCATE.
Our blessed Lord is csilile^ ^iv K<iNQ«^t^m 1 J. " I( any maa sin, ve Vw^ «ixv ^^^^^^^a^^ Jktber, JesoB Christ tk^ xi^Vx^x^a''
VA3USB or JB8U8. Ill
»ur to explain what an advocate is. An ounsellor, or a barrister ; that is, a > pleads and delivers speeches in courts ids up before the judge, and when he ts, it is for another, and not for himself, questions which you may wish me to Vhere does Jesus the Advocate plead ? i what judge does he plead ? Thirdly, he plead ? and Fourthly, In what plead?
Jesus plead ? It is in the court of t cities, the noblest buildings are gene- s where courts of law are held. The us pleads, is the most glorious place It is the third heaven, it is the rens" —
high the heavenly temple stands, •use of Gk>d not made with hands, vocate our nature weai^s, yiour of mankind appears."
[uestion is, Before whom does Jesus dge before whom he appeai*s is God jre never was such Judge, there never te. Oh, how the Judge loves the Advo- he Advocate loves the Judge !
T lives to intercede
re his Father's face ;
Im, my soul, thy cause to plead,
doubt the Father's grace."
istion is. For whom does Jesus plead ? le, his children, his friends. Perhaps, ) saying, Oh, I wish Jesus would plead u in earnest ? Do you really widi it ? to become your advocate, to plead for I. He will do it, without money and
wstion 18, How does lie ]f\ea^'i l^a }r his wisdom is infiiiite. He i^eaAa his love is boundlesa. He ij\e»ftA
112 POETIC GElfS.
most eloquently and earnestly: and he pleads mo
successfully. He shows before the throne the marl
on his hands, and feet, and bosom, the memorials
the wounds he received on Calvary's cross. And tiw
he says, (John xvii. 24,) " Father, I wUl that they wlw
thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that tbi
may behold my glory." Happy, happy are they wl
have such an advocate ! Dear children, commit yw
soul into Jesus' hand. Then he will plead yonr cub
in heaven. Then you will be able to sing with d
holy apostle :
" Firm as his throne his promise stands^ And he can well secure What I've committed to his hands,
Till the decisive hour.*'— Watts, BookL Edi
{To he continued).
POETIC GEMS.
THE CHRISTIANAS GRACES, AND THEIR BXBSCISS OT THI PROSPECT OF HEAYLN.
ft
it
I.
Says Faith, Look yonder,— see the crown
Laid up in heaven above ! Says Hope, Anon it shall be mine;
I'll wear it soon, says Love.
II.
Desire doth say, What's there ? my crown !
Then to that place 111 flee ; I (Cannot bear a longer stay.
My rest I fkin would see.
HI.
"But stay, says Patience, wait awhile. The crown's for Ihose who fight ; The prize for those who run the laoe. By faith, and not by sight
IV.
" Thus Faith doth take a pleasing view ; .Hope waits, Love sits and sings ;
Bat P ATiEKcm c\\p» \v^t mw^r
FYomo.uOUA>iSm
114
PETER'S CONFESSION, AND THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Jesus instructed his disciples hy askin^j them ques- tions. In this way he directed their attention to divine truth. In this way he impressed divine truth upon their memory. And in this way he fixed divine truth upon their hearts.
One day, he asked them, (Matt xvi. 13,) saying, " Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, amT They answered, that some thought he was John the Baptist, raised from the dead ; some thought he was the prophet Elijah ; and others, tliat he was Jereroidi, or one of the prophets. It is affecting that none rf these said, or thought, he was the Christ. Alas I hem blind and slow men were to believe that Jesus was tbe Christ, even though his miracles were most mercifol, powerful, stupendous, and glorious !
Then Jesus put the question direct to his discipH " Whom say ye that I am T* The Apostle Peter was the most forward of all the disciples. He answered the question for himself, and the rest of his brethren. And what a blessed answer it is! He said, and angeb listened with holy delight while he said, '* Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.** Our Saviour was well pleased with this noble confession. He pro* nounced Peter blessed ; and those he blesses, u^d onlj they, are blessed, for ever blessed. He said, " Blessed art thou Simon, Bar- Jona ; for flesh and blood hath i not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is ib < heaven. And I say also unto thee. Thou art Peter, and ' upon this rock will I build my church." The name I P£T£B signifies a rock ; but Peter was not the rock on | which the Saviour built his church. He built it upOB i Himself, whom Peter confessed, and whose Messiah- j ship Peter ackiiow\edg^e^. 13l^ eavM w^ver mean that | Peter was the rock*, vWt ^«^^ Vck^q"s^^^^\^, i^'^ HDgeh in heaven— Car \eaa YeV^x— «x^ x^sA. «QSSisM®&»^
SERMON. 115
be a rock on which to build the church of the livins: God. Jesus, in his Messiahship, is the rock, the only rock. " Other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, even Jesus." He alone laid in Zion " a foundation, a stone^ a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation."
When Peter made the noble confession, his Lord openly declared that he gave him the full power of an apostle. He said, " I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." By keys^ we are to under- stand apostolical authority, wisdom, and discernment; therefore, whatever the disciples would do under Divine direction, would receive Divine sanction. This honour was not conferred on Peter alone ; it was given to all the apostles, John xx. 22, 23 : *' And he breathed on them, and saith unto them. Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are re- tained."
SERMON VIIL
THE TOUNG CHRISTIAN PILGRIM.
" Thy Statutes have been my songs in tlie home of my pilgrimage" — ^Ps. cxix. 54.
What a lovely sight is a young Christian pilgrim ! A young pilgrim on his way to heaven is a sight on which angels look with joy and admiration. But what a painful, affecting sight, a child travelling the down- ward road to hell I Oh, how I pity that child ! If any of you belong to the number of such travellers, may God change your hearts! May he persuade you to place yourselves under the care of Jesus ; then he will make you young Christian pilgrims ; then he will make you joyful even in the wilderness of this world ; then, like David, his " statutes mU \)^ '^oxa ^ws^\sv the house of your pilgrimage." la a former discourse we spoke o£ VJc^e -jwssa^ ^^
I 2
116 .SERMON.
grim's Searty his Eye, his Sand^ his Oai-menUy and his Armour. In this discourse, and in humble depen- dence on the Holy Spirit, we will consider—
I. The young pilgrim's Staff,
I will endeavour to show what is his staff, and then point out some beautiful inscriptions written on thia staff. These inscriptions the young pilgrim often reads, and, I assure you, with these he is much comforted .
1st. What is his staff? God's power and truth form •his staff. God is a promising God, a powerful Grod, and the true God. He is a promising God ; he gives the young pilgrim promises of every blessing he needs in his pilgrimage to heaven. He is a powerful God; he is therefore ahU to fulfil every promise he has made. And he is a true God, and never fails to fulfil every promise on which he encourages the young pilgrim to depend. From the days of Adam to the present tim^ -all heaven-bound pilgrims have used this staff. It is by faith they use it, and it is by faith they lean upon it. There is no staff like it. This staff does what no other staff can do. The young pilgrim not only leans upon it, and rests oipon it, but he derives strength from it. This staff makes him vigorous. It makes him lively. It makes him courageous. And it drives away all his fears. Hear how sweetly the young pilgrim sings, while he leans on this wonderful staff.
" Amidst the darkness and the deeps, Thou art my comfort, and my stay ; Thy staff supports my feeble steps, Thy rod directs my doubtful way."
2d. There are most striking Injscriptioiu written upon this staff by the finger of God. Oh, with whit delight the young pilgrim reads them ! 'Come, my young friends, and look at them, and examine them. Then see how desirable it is to become a young |hI- grivciy and to have and use the young pilgrim's 6ta£
Look at the first inscx\^\.\oTv\ Sx. \a^ (^xod. zz.2>) '' I am the Lord tby God?' ^V«X ^^i^ \iw?k '^wa^ -pilgrim saj when lie rea^a t\v\a m^^v^'Cvs^'l .'^^w^
SSRMON. 117
b, how blest tun I ! Jesus is mj Lord and my
I ; Christ is mine, and I am his !"
iook at the second inscription ; it is, (Gen. xv. 1 ,)
ear not, I am thy shield, and thine exceeding great
ard." What does the young pilgrim say when he
Is this ? He says, " I am safe, for ever safe ; with
i a shield, what can I fear ? I defy Satan, and all
hosts !"
lOok at the third inscription; it is, (Heb. xiii. 5.)
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." What
; he say when he sees this animating inscription ?
says, " I can fear no evil, for my God is with me ;
rring wisdom is my guide, and almighty power is
defence."
lOok at the fourth inscription ; it is this, (Isn. xliii. 2,)
hen thou passes t through the waters, I will be with
I ; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
) ; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt
be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee,
any heat." What does the young pilgrim say n he reads this lovely inscription ? He says, and s, " Behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust, and be afraid ! for the Lord Jehovah is my strength my song, he also is become my salvation." ly dear young friends, rest not day or night, till
are the possessors of this staff*. Seek it from js. Oh ! seek it as silver, and search for it as for len treasures. Seek, and you shall receive. 1. Let us now consider the young pilgrim's Lamp. at do I see in his hand, as he is bending his course ^ards to the heavenly city ? It is a lamp ; yes, a p of exquisite value, workmanship, and beauty, ill now tell you what the lamp is, and point out its silences and uses.
St. This lamp is the word of God. Psal. cxix. 105. hy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a li^ht uivto path." God made this lamp, and it ia vtoyX^'^ ol
who made It In its light and purity \t >a^«c^ ^ tbJance to God, who is the perfection ot V\«.^aai,
118 SERMON.
and the perfection of holiness. Hear how sweetly th young pilgrim sings of this lamp of lovely form, an of heavenly brightness ;—
" Tis like the stin, a heavenly light. That guides me all the day ; And, through the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead my way."
2d. Great are the excellences and uses of this lam
It is divine. Its materials are divine ; and it is divine workmanship. God made the lamp, and it worthy of its Maker. As really as the sun is wort! of God who made it, this lamp is worthy of God wl made it. Its excellences proclaim, " Its Maker divine."
It is very bright It is full of light, and it giT great light. It shows things distant, and objects net It shows present dangers, and present duties ; and i light is so great, and so bright, and so powerful, tii it shows things and objects far, very far distant. Tl is astonishing ! It shows heaven, which is far, f away. It shows Jesus on the throne of heaven ; ai it shows saints and angels worshipping before heavei glorious throne. Oh, what a wonderful lamp is thi
This lamp never leads astray. It can never broken, and it can never be put out. Its light is fit heaven ; and this light shall shine brighter than t stars, for ever and ever.
III. We may now consider the young pilgrin GmDE.
His Guide is Jesus. God the Father has kind
given his Son to be the young pilgrim's guide. 1
says, (Isa. Iv. 4,) '* Behold, I have given him far
witness to the people, a leader and a commander to tl
people." My young friends, how infinitely kind it
in God to give you such a guide! Take Jesus as yo
g'uide ; he alone can guide you to heaven. None el
can ; no, not even t\ie aiv^fe\a. T>q -^wv -w^t wish
reach heaven when you die*^ 0\\, \)cv^Tv,'y\sftaftw3ft.'^
take Jesus to be your guid^ ^^jivXt^ ^o>\\vi^\
SERMON. 119
0 recommend you to take Jesus as your guide, I tell you some of his excellences, that you may be uraged to place yourselves at once under his watch- guidance and gracious care. Carefully attend to ollowing account of his excellences as a guide, e is a wise guide. Amid the greatest dangers, and i^reatest perplexities, and in the darkest nijrht, he >le to guide you with the utmost safety. This he io, for he is the " only wise God our Saviour."
e is a powerful guide. He is the " Mighty God," X. 6. He will beat down all your spiritual enemies the dust. " He is the Lord strong and mighty, the mighty in battle," Psalm xxiv. 8. Oh, place selves under his poweiiful care ! e is a merciful and faithful guide. He is full of y. He is more merciful than the most tender- :ed mother that ever lived ; and many of you have 3r-hearted compassionate mothers. Come, and see kind he is to the little delicate feeble lambs he is to heaven : —
** See, the kind Shepherd, Jesus, stands, With all engaging chamiB; Hark! how he calls the tender Iambs, And folds them in his arms.**
place yourselves under his merciful, faithful
!
•
e is a constant guide. He never gives up, he never js those who commit themselves to his care. Hear the young pilgrim says, (Ps. xlviii. 14 ;) " For God is our God for ever and ever ; he will be our 3 even unto death." Be persuaded, my young ds, to place yourselves under this constant guide, be will lead you at last to your heavenly home. T, Let us consider the young pilgrim's Food. le 7vord of God is the food of his soul. As really is body is fed, nnd iiouHshed, and corcv^oxV^^ Vj -al food, 8o his soul is fed, and T\ouT\s\ie^, «cv\ rted bjr the word of God. What does \\xe ^ovxxv^
inises, and leeds upon tnem. men nis sou within him, and he is filled with heavenly joy
Divine precepts are his food. The youn says that these precepts are sweeter to his i honey, yea, even than the honey-comb. Y< dren, may you feed upon the divine precepts may you think upon them, admire them, and them. Then you will ** run in the way of G mandments,** with liveliness and vigour.
What is the most wonderful of all, the y grim feeds on Jesus, Have you not read tha the " bread of life ?" Jesus calls himself th- life, John vi. 48 : "I am that bread of life ; " I am the living bread which came down froi if any man eat of this bread he shall live for the bread which I will give is my flesh, wh give for th^ life of the world." Now, is not derful, that a young pilgrim should feed o But what is it to feed on Christ ? It is to him as our Saviour. It is to trust in him ; it
SERMON. 121
irm of Jesus; therefore he is not afraid. Hear he sings in the valley : —
*' Though I walk through the gloomy vale, Whore cleath and all its terrors are^ Hj heart and hope shall never fail, For Christ my Shepherd 's with me there."
. At the farther end of the valley is the pearly gate aven. When the young pilgrim enters the valley e shadow of death, Jesus says to him, '* Behold er lovely pearly gate." The young pilgrim looks, It the end of the valley he sees a gate more glo- than the starry sky. He sees angels standing at ate. Then he says, in holy rapture, " Soon I shall through that pearly gate. Soon I shall enter the ial city. Soon I shall be ever with the Lord." 5t, he reaches the end of the valley ; angels^ ead through the gate ; they conduct him to the throne the hallelujahs of the blest. [. Lastly, consider the young pilgrim's Home. iaven is his home. Jesus has prepared this home, lys, (John xiv. 2,) "I go to prepare a place for you." a holy home ; there is no sin there. It is a safe ! ; there is no enemy there. It is a happy home ; : is no sorrow there. It is an eternal home. You leave your earthly home, my dear young friends ; f you become young pilgrims, you shall reach a ;nly home, which you shall never leave. 1 ! seek grace, that you may do two things, then en will be your holy, happy, and eternal home< ive Jesus as yours ; give yourselves to Jesus as his, in the hopes of heaven, you will sweetly sing : —
ft
Up to my home, beyond the skies. My hasty feet would go,
There everlasting flowers arise, And joys unwith'ring grow."
SACRED BOTANY.
" And they wune unto the brook of Eihcol, and cut d< thence a branch viih one cluster nf grapes, sad they bi tween two upon a gtaff."— A'umfi. liii. 23.
Gbapbs are the fruit of the vine, a very ] tree, and frequently mentioned in the Holy Scr A-t present, I shall say little about the vine it on some future occasion, I may furnish a full. of the history of this remarkable tree. Grapes clusters. As to many trees, their fruit grows in a< detached, scattered state upon the branches,— cbenies, pears^ and 8Lp^\ea, — Wv %t^-^5 (^row an in clusters, rich, pleaBing, anA ¥a.\>.fTO%Vi'CD&< can flcarcely imagine anyftiing m ft^e. -^•t^'Sa
8ACSED BOTAKT. 123
agreeable to the eye as bunches or clusters of uspended from the branches of the wide -spread- •
)& contain that rich, delicious, and generous hich in a fermented state constitutes wine. "^as firuit so honoured; for it is employed, ac- to the example of our Lord, as an element in ament of the Supper, to represent that blood ur Saviour shed, to make atonement for the len.
and Judaea are those portions of the globe rapes have been produced in the greatest excel- id abundance. At Damascus, the capital of •unches are often found to weigh each from to thirty pounds. Modern travellers relate seen bunches of grapes in the mountains of vhich measured half an ell in length. Qost remarkable example of the largest clusters s is that recorded in the book of Numbers, and irly stated in the passage of Scripture at the cement of this article. One bunch was gathered T^alley of Eshcol, and so rich and heavy, that i were employed to carry it, and the branch to i; was suspended, upon a staff, to the camp of b Kadesh-barnea. Travellers affirm, that in the ►f Eshcol there are bunches of grapes to be ill, of ten and twelve pounds weight, ripture, an almost total destruction is described le completely stripped of its grapes, so that re left for the gleaner. Isa. xxiv. 13 : " Thus 3e in the midst of the land among the people ; all be as the gleaning grapes, when the vintage " And Jer. vi. 9 : " They shall thoroughly e remnant of Israel as a vine." I's prosperity is thus described by Jacob, when ed his sons before his death. Gen. xlix. 11: ig his foal unto the vine, and Ins a^.^'^ c^X. choice vine; he washed his gamaeiita m'mu^ 'othes in the bloody" or juice, " of gra^^r
— o
most diligent and spiritual in the observan ordinances of religion. Then young saints fruitful vines, bearing goodly clusters of grapes.
I ' In Rev. xiv. 18 — 20, the gathering of the rip of the vine, is employed to point out the a overwhelming judgments which God will br on the heads of those, who have attempted t the Church, and to ensnare the souls of m< stroying errors ; and who have persecuted to those, who would not be earned away by t doctrines and idolatrous superstitions. " An angel cried with a loud voice to him that had sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, ai the clusters of the vine of the earth ; for h are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his a the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth it into the great wine-press of the wrath of G the wine-press was trodden without the city, i
FIGURATIVE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIBLE. 126
comforting mercy, and then sings, in ecstasies of
^yjoj—
" Awake, my heart, arise, my tongue. Prepare a tuneful voice. In Christ, the life of all my joys. Aloud will I rejoice." — Watts, Book I. H. xx. ver. 1.
GURATIVE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIBLE, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.
r is my intention, from time to time, to present in work the excellences of the Bible. These excel- es are numerous, various, and striking. I shall Dduce them in alphabetical order. Young friends, n you read them with the eye of your body, may see them with the eye of your mind ! May you ire them, believe them, and enjoy them ! Oh I you be able to say, with pious Cowper,
'* A glory gilds the sacred page. Majestic, like the sun ; It gives a light to every age — it gives, but borrows none."
A.
nder words beginning with the letter A, the Bible be described as an Adamantine Rock, as Apparel, n Appeal from God to man, as an Apple Tree, as Irmoury, as an Arrow, as Artillery, and as our irance of God's mercy and truth. DAMAN TINE RoCK. — The adamant is the' diamond, bardest, the brightest, and the most valuable of ous stones. The word adamantine is taken irom vord adamant. The Bible is a hard rock, which dwer can break. It is an adamantine rock, which Etrthquake can tear asunder. Satan, and mMs^^^ ricked men, have long tried to shake and ove.TV.vxTia. Tck. : But all In vain. It is firm, and aut^ «^^
126 FIGURATIVE ILLUSTRATIONS
God's throne. Dear young friends, build your hopes on this glorious adamantine Rock of truth divine. Isa. xliv. 8 : " The word of our God shall stand for
ever."
" Pass away this earth and heayen !
This Word can ne'er be overthrown ; Stands the Truth by Jesus given Firm as his eternal throne."— C. Wesley.
Apparel. — The soul needs apparel as well as. the body. Clothings or apparel, is found in the word of God suited for the soul. The apparel of the body does three things. It protects, it comforts, it adorns. So does spiritual apparel to the soul. But what apparel is found in God's word suited to the soul ? When the word of God is blessed by the Spirit of God, it fur- nishes the following beautiful garments— Divine know- ledge, wisdom, and grace. Oh, what comely apparel is this! When the soul receives this apparel, it is de- fended, it is comforted, it is adorned. Dear young friends, may this comely apparel be yours! This apparel is white and glorious. K it is yours, you " shall shine like the stars for ever and ever." Dan. xii. 3.
Appeal. — ^What is an appeal? It is this: when you call upon a person's judgment or conscience to witness to the truth of what you say. Now, the Bible is God's appeal to our judgment, our heart, and our conscience, as to the truth of what he says. The Bible is full of God's solemn, just, and merciful appeals. Observe the follovnng : —
He appeals to us, as to our disobedience and rebel- lion. He says, (Isa. i. 2,) " I have brought up children, and they have rebelled against me." He appeals to us, as to his willingness to save, and wash away the sins of repenting sinners. He says, (Isa. i. 18,) " Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord ; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow ; though thejr be red like crimson, tbey sWW. \i^ «& ^^^"^ l&?j j-oung friends, offer up to Jesua t\ve i^om^^ Y"^-^^'
OF THE BIBLE. 127
" Jesus, to thy wounds I fly, Purge my sins of scarlet dye ; Lamb of God, for siimers slain, Wash away my crimson stain I" — C. Wesley.
Apple Tree. — What precious apples! what deli- cious fruits grow on this majestic tree, the Word of God! Here are to be gathered the fruits of know- ledge, and wisdom, and hope, and purity, and consola- tion, and peace. What goodly, what precious apples are these ! Long this stately tree has stood. It has never shown one withered branch ; no, nor one withered leaf. Many hundreds of years it has stood the storms of time, and it is as fruitful as ever. My young friends, bve this tree. Rest under its shady branches. Oh, pluck it3 precious fruit ! Happy, happy is that youth, who can say respecting this stately, this noble tree, " I have }ften sat down under its shadow with great delight, and its fruit was sweet to my taste." Song ii. 3,
" See, how this tree of knowledge grows. And yields a free repast ! Sublimer sweets than nature knows Invite the longing taste." — Steele.
MISSIONARY FACTS.
MADAGASCAB.
It is only a few years since many native Christians in Mada- iscar were cruelly put to death by the order of the idolatrous leen. Others were successful in escaping from the island, and siting Great Britain. Blessed changes have taken place since le martyrs' blood has been shed. The queen's son, and the heir )parent to the throne, has shown evidence that divine grace has ached his heart He worships with the Christians of the island ; id he has been instrumental in preserving their lives, when olatrous priests wished the queen to give orders for putting em to death. Soon we may learn, that those >R\io Ml \.Vi<^ land are active missionaries in their native land. N^^ TGk&'^ m bear of the banners of salvation waving on tVie swTaniSX» ^1 mountaim, and on the pinnacles of the palaces «ad ^itm^Va.
128 MISSIOXABY FACTS.
Oh, may we live to hear that the pagan queen hai follower of Jesas, the King of kings, and Lord of young friends, unite with me in uttering your hearty
" Fly abroad, thou mighty Qoq>e]« Win and conquer, never cease ! "
NEW CHAPEL AT HONG* KONG.
Hong-Kong is a small island., given by treaty to Government by the Emperor of China. It is situate the main land, and it is most admirably fitted for i station. The best Missionary Societies, of this and tries, have sent missionaries to that island. There Missionary Society have a college, in which native trained for preaching the Gospel in that vast emp: they belong. Lately, the missionaries of this muc Society have erected, and opened a chapel, in the t toria, in this island. It was opened on the first ' last May. It seats al)out 300 pei-sons. It was croi opening to excess, and multitudes assembled on What is considered not only wonderful, but hopeful, twenty Chinese women were present. Such a circui never witnessed before in any Christian assembly ii great part of the service was conducted by native Oh tians. How encouraging ! Chin Seen delivered : mating, scriptural, and striking address. May we this, as the first fruits of a glorious harvest ? Oh, wl prospects open to our view ! The time will com< hundreds of millions of China's inhabitants shal! homage at Immanuel's feet !
INDIA AND orphans.
There is a town in our East Indian dominions < One of the most interesting spectacles in this town is Orphan School. This has been formed for the benel pagan orphans. Both male and female orphans i under the roof of this building of mercy. They rec education, and they are taught trades and useful ei More especially they are trained up in the knowle and the way of salvation through Jesus Christ there are ten hopeful youths in a course of preparatit Christian missionaries, to preach in these heathen n unsearchable riches of Christ." Such an institution sun shining in the dark firmament of heathenian blessing of God, this sun will be instrumental in i peiling the gloomy clouds of pagan ignorance, id wretchedness. " God o^ 88\N2»\i\oii,\i\Q»^ \}aft ^"e»x <ict
them thy children, and. ou\. ot \Xx«a mwi>^iA ^<;k ^
pniae I Amen.'*
SACBED ZOOLOGY,
THB PE^COUE.
" QaTeat thou the goodly winga unto tie Peacocta!"
Johix^x. 18.
Pbtlosophsrs have divided birds of all kinds into isses, or families.. The order, genus, or class, to lich the Peacock belongs, is called Oall'ma. As to a .bead of ^is bird, it is adorned with a crown, lich greatly adds to the nobleness of its appearfloce. us crown consists of feathers in the form of a plume, wt elegantly axr&nged. The plumage of l\i\a\ni^''Vi 0tgoi^eoaa: we see in it a combination oi t\v6 o^*'*' i/f and glowing colours. Thece ia ttie '
130 SERMON. ^
emerald, the sapphire or sky-hlue, the purple, and tiie burnished gold. The tail is long, showing all the Tt- rieties of the richest colours ; and these are so arranged, that they have the appearance of living eyes. This i[ reminds us of the description given of the Cherabim, (in in Rev. iv. 8 : ** And the four living creatures had eadi | ] of them six wings about him ; and they were full of eyes within.'* The wings of the Peacock are mixed with the colours of azure and of gold. Such is tiie beauty of this bird, that no adequate description can be given by the pen of the poet, or the pencil of the artist *^ Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Still it has not every accomplishment Its voice is most harsh and unmusical. It is described by some, as " having the head of a serpent, the train of ;«! an angel, and the voice of a demon."
Peacocks are very numerous in the East Indies, ind are found wild in immense flocks in Java and Ceyko. When Alexander the Great was in the East, he was so delighted with these birds, that he gave to his arm/ strict charges not to kill them.
Many resemble the Peacock. All their omameitt are outward ; they have comely looks, rich and gndy apparel. The moment they speak, they display tbesr ignorance, conceit, pride, and folly. Young firiendSj commit your souls to Jesus, and he will beautify them with comely graces. The glowing loveliness of yonth shall fade and perish, but these graces which Christ bestows shall shine brighter than the stars, for ever and ever.
SERMON IX.
THE CHUBCH THE CITY OF THE GREAT KINO. " The city of the great king."— P«iZ. xlyiiL 2.
' The City mentioned in our text is the Church, and
the Great King is Jeaua. Tt^flX-^, ^^ws>&\i the 6i«<
King of a Great City . TY^et^ lie^ecHi^ ^\y^^^^S2g%
and there never waa a\xt\i «^ C»Vt^- ^waa^Sa^***
8EBM0N. 131
18 King, ** He is the Lord of hosts, he is the king ly,** PsaL xxiv. 10. The Church is a most IS City, *' Glorious things are spoken of thee, O
God. Selah." Psal. Ixxxvii. 3. read of many remarkable cities in the word of
Babylon, the capital of Chaldea, was a remark- ty. It was surrounded by a wall sixty miles in , and from the foundation four hundred feet high, eh, the capital of Assjrria, was a remarkable city.
a city of seven days' journey. Tyre and Sidon remarkable cities ; remarkable for trade, for , and for povirer. These cities in their greatest }ur, power, and wealth, were nothing, less than g and vanity, compared with the Church, the f the Great King. The wealth of these cities more, but the wealth of this Great City shall fade away. The glory of these cities is no more, e glory of this Great City shall shine brighter he stars for ever and ever. These cities them*
are no more, but this Great City shall stand 3r. Oh what a wonderful city is this ! May you, ung friends, belong to this city. Then you shall for ever the blessedness of heaven. Come and ^ith me on this wonderful City*
'* Let strangers walk around The city where we dwell, Compass and view the holy ground. And mark the buildings well.** — Psal. zlviii,
ly of you know what we mean by the Church. I to ask you what is the Church, some of you
give me the following answer, — The Church ;s all God's people on the face of the earth, con-
of holy men, holy women, holy youths, and holy m. The word city has two meanings, it signifies
buildings of a city, — ^thus all the buildings of London consists, are called the cityof London,— <- .ose who inbabit a city are called a city, "^^^ ' city of London sends four membexa \.o '^w'Vlv that is, the inhabitants or citizens,
K 2
l32 1§ERM0K.
In speaking of i^e Chnrch, as the City of the Great King, there are two things I wish you to consider. The 1)uilding8 of the City of the Great King, these form the first. Now by the buildings we are to understand its walls, its gates, and its ordinances. The second thing to be considered consists of the citizens or saints. •Sometimes the first is called the city, as in Isa. xxvi. 1 : •" We have a strong city : salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks." And often all the people of 'God are <;alled by this name. Thus we find it in tie following very beautiful passage, (Isa. Ix. 14,) " And they shall call Thee the City of the Lord, the Zion £)f the Holy One of Israel.'*
In speaking in this sermon of the City of the Great King, I shall keep both these meanings in view.
By the assistance of the Holy Spirit, I will now direct your attention, 1st, to the Builder of the City; 2d, to the Inhabitants of the City; and 3d, to the Road leading to the City. Other particulars will be considered in a following discourse.
F^irsf, — Consider the Builder of the City. Heb. xi. 10: Its "Builder and Maker is God." It was God who contrived the plan of the building. As he con- trived the plan of the tabernacle, and gave it to Moses, and as he contrived the plan of the temple, and gave it to David, so he contrived and made the plan of this Great City the Church. Men who contrive the plan of great buildings, such as St. Paul's Cathedral, they do not, they cannot build them with their own hands. But God is both the contriver and the builder of the City of the Great King. Let us admire Jesus as the T5ontriver of the City, and let us admire him as the builder of the City. Let us admire the wisdom which laid the plan, and let us admire the gracious and almighty power which completed the plan. • Secondlt/y — ^Let us consider the Inhabitants of the ^/^. All believers are citizens o£ this city. There Af not a single unbeliever wilhm tVi^ ^«3^a. *YW^
apostle speaks of them, (E^^Yi. Vi. \^,^ ^^^o^^
S£RHON» 133
therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of Gk)d."
There is a large town very near the walls of the city, called Profession Town, The inhabitants bear sorae outward resemblance to the inhabitants of the King's- Great City ; they dress like them, and talk like them, and sing like them, and walk like them ; they very much resemble the citizens, but in their heart and affections they bear no resemblance. They are very fond of Profession Town, Often the saints ask them to' leave it, and come and live with them, within the walls of the Great City. But they never will consent, until grace changes their hearts. When grace does change their hearts, then they leave Profession Town, and all their old, proud, self-conceited acquaintances, and enter into the City of the Great King, the Church of the^ Livhig God. Blessed change ! They are no more strangers and foreigners, but become fellow-citizens with the saints. Beloved young friends, may the Holy Spirit persuade you to enter the city — to become its citizens. Then a sun of spiritual prosperity shall rise upon you, which will never set.
Thirdly, — Let us look on the Road which leads ta this city. Repentance is the name of the road. The one end of the road leads from the City of Destruc-. tion, and the other to the City of Salvation. By the City of Destruction we mean a state of nature, that deplorable state in which Adam by his fall left himself and all his posterity. They who walk on the road of Repentance appear sad. sorrowful, and thoughtfuU. Why are they so sad ? Because they are convinced of sin ; because they see they have offended a holy, a just, and a merciful God. Listen, and you will hear some of them say, like the prodigal son, *' Father, we have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and are no more worthy to be called thy sona." Luk^ xn. ^V* \i«»\fi2ew> and you will hear another say, w\t\i dovnv^J-Wfe^- ^1^"^ *^ with a heavy heart, '* Lord, have m^cy Quxofc iik«vos>w^^'
.** V
134 SERMON.
Luke xviii. 13. Listen, and you will hear another say, " What must I do to be saved ?*" Acts xvi. 30. Ab they are travelling along the road of repentance, they see the City of the Great King at a distance, and they say, with longing, anxious hearts, " Shall we ever enter that noble city, the City of Salvation ?*' Then they lieir the sweet voice, the kind invitations of mercy saying to them, '^ Enter in, ye humble, penitent souls ; there is room for you : stand no longer without ; escape for your lives."
" Lift up the everlasting gates^ The doors wide open fling. Enter, ye sinners, and obey The statutes of your King."
Watts, Hymn 8, pi 1.
Speaking in the language of figure, this road of gospel repentance leads through a very lowly valley. Its name is, the Valley of Humility. None ever entered the City of the Great King without passing throo^ that valley. Young convinced sinners, while waUdDf through this valley towards the City of Salvation, see sis as they never saw it before ; and see themselves as tiiej never saw before. They see sin as vile, abominaU^ dangerous, destructive. They see that it is an evil thing, and a bitter thing. They see that it is a molt loathsome disease, that it is a spreading leprosy. Th^ see that it is hateful, most hateful and offensive to GoOp They see that it shuts the gates of heaven, that it opeos the gates of hell, and that it kindles the flames of Tophet. 0 my young friends, have you obtained this sight ?
Young convinced sinners, travelling through Ae
Valley of Humiliation, see themselves as they never saw
before. Once they thought highly of themselves ; now,
they look upon themselves as altogether an nndean
tlung. Once they admired their own righteousness
and supposed it wouVd \>e ^wi&CA^tLV. "^^as^^ts. \a beaven.
But hear hov7 they now ai^es^sLX IV^s^ %«^V)^^«ir
feigned sincerity of bou\, (J^fta-Viv^.^s^j^^^^x.^^^^
SERMON. 135
as an unclean thing, and all our nghteounesses are as filthy rags.*' When these thoughts fill their minds, and when these words fall from their lips, they are drawing very near the gates of the City of the Great King.
Passing through the Valley of Humiliation, along the road of Repentance, the young penitent travellers some- times hear tremendous peals of thunder, and they sometimes see alarming flashes of lightning. At times they are so afraid, that they are heard crying out, '' Lord, come to our help. Jesus, save ; else we perish !" The thunders are the thunders of God's broken law. They are the thunders of the law as a broken covenant of works. They hear the thunders from a neighbouring mountain. The name is Mount Sinai. The thunder speaks ! What is its voice ? It is this, (Gtil. iii. 10,) " For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse." That Is, ** as many as are seeking salvation by the works of the law, are under the curse." The thunder says more ; it says this, '^ Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them," The young convinced penitent says, "This I cannot do; if there is no other way of being saved but this, I am ruined for ever ; if there is no other way of getting into the City of the Great King but this, I must perish for ever." Then one of the ministers of the King of the city comes unto him in this state of perplexity and fear, and says to him, '^ Cheer up, young penitent ; what you cannot do, Jesus has done for you. Cheer up ; Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us ; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a trea" Do you see yonder gate which leads into the city ? That is the strait gate of Conversion. Look to the Holy Spirit for grace, that . you may strive to reach the gate. Look to him, and he will lead you to the gate ; yes, and he will lead you through the gate into the City of the Great Kvr.%\ «sA. there you shall be safe, for ever sate. "B^ liQ't ^vajwsva^:^^. Strive — strive, and assuredly you di^ ^\iX^it*\sir
HIRACULOU8 DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 187
^ I see some on the road of Repentance, who have jW lately escaped from the City of Destruction. Satan his sent some of his servants after them to advise tb^m to return. They tell them, that if they will only ff/bftTDf they shall receive wealth, and pleasures, and Ilf)|b0fir8b Ohy how earnestly they are entreating them iQ;j||bliim I and besides, they are pouring into their NHf^neh falsehoods about the City of the Great King. Ej^y say that there is no pleasure, no happiness, in that
S« . They say that all the inhabitants are gloomy,^ "BiorOBe, and melancholy. And were it not for lOdTB-great mercy, they would be in danger of believing hi0e lUsehoods, and returning to their old quarters in l|* City of Destruction. But the King of the City of idTAtiQU sends his servants, to warn them against lie lies of Satan's servants. These servants come out in time for their deliverance, and say, (Prov. . 10^ 13, 15), ^' If sinners entice thee, consent thou tdt, If they say, We shall find all precious sub- tlUioe ; we shall fill our houses with spoil : My son, ralk not in the way with them ; refrain thy foot from heir path.** Thus they are encouraged to proceed nward to the City of the Great King.
(To be continued.)
liimACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES.
were two occasions when there was a miraculous iraught of fishes. The first was at the beginning f our Saviour's public ministry; the second was ifter onr Lord's resurrection, and a few days before lis glorious ascension to heaven. The former is re- ated by Luke (v. 4 — 10) ; the latter is recorded by John, (xxi. 1 — 11.) In both the narratives, Peter occupies a conspicuous place. In the first miracle, two small fishing boats were so full that t\\ey \>^^«a 'ogj'nk : In the second miracle, the fishes wer^ (\.t«l%*^«^ shore in a net.
138 NAMES OF JESUS.
John informs us, that he and other six of tb seven in all, were compelled by their necesi a-fishing for the supply of their temporal "v we find to be the case with fishermen all f English and Scottish coasts, they were e night in fishing. After toiling all night morning light appeared in the sky, they caug They saw Jesus standing on the shore, but not it was Jesus. He asked them if they hs cessfiiL They answered, that they had caug He told them to cast the net on the right boat. They did so, and the net was insi with great fishes. John was the first who 1 Jesus. The moment he mentioned it, Pet< self into the sea, to swim on shore to see Je the net was drawn to the shore, it containc dred and fifty- three large fishes. The dist a fire prepared to warm them, a breakfas them, and a blessed Saviour to comfort t we seek Christ's visits, and live and die e fellowship! Amen.
NAMES OP JESUS ALPHABETICALLY Al
In the seventh number of this work, month of November, we considered two nan beginning with the letter A— namely. Advocate. By Divine aid, we will con blessed names, beginning with the same let
Alien. — In Psal. Ixix. 8, we find this ni Jesus. He says here in the language of p: am become a stranger unto my brethren, ai unto my mother's children." Who is an al a stranger, one who belongs to anothei country. When our blessed Saviour can world, he was treated aa a ^oteV^wKt^ «xA %: He came to bis own, and ^«y a^nft^\ received Wm not. His o^n ^o^\^\s»
KAMES OF JS8U8. 189
Only rejected him, but hated him and despised him. young friends, there are multitudes in our land to
^2^^ Jesus IS an alien. They know him not, they ^^e no wish to know him. He is willing to be their ^f^ friend, but they say to him, " Depart from us, we '^Jftire not the knowledge of thy name." They who ^6 and die treating Jesus as an alien^ he will treat tkm as aliens at the Judgment day ! Oh, may each one tf OS be enabled to say, *' Blessed Jesus, we receive flee as our friend !" Why did Jesus become an alien?
'* Amongst his brethren and the Jews, He like a stnunger stood, And bore their vile reproach to bring Young sinners home to Qod."
All in all. — ''But Christ is all and in all." SoL iii. 11. First, He is all He is all, he is every nog, to pious, holy children. He is their Saviour, id their salvation. He is their life, he is their fktf their righteousness, their guide, their comfort, leir ALL.
He is in aH He is in the heart of pious children by s grace. He is graciously present with his people, herever they are found. He is in the closet, where e pious child prays. He is in the sanctuary, where the 0U8 child hears the everlasting gospel. He is in the ble, and his glory shines in every page. My young lends, take Jesus as your all. Let each one saj ;
" Jesos is ALL my sonl desires, A fountain rich and free ; Hv life, my light, my health, my strength, In war, my victory."
Almighty. — '' I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning d the ending, which is, and which was, and which to come, the Almighty." — Bev. i. 8. Jesus is an mighty Creator. Who made the heavens and the rth, oDgiB^s and men ? Jesus the Almigl[ity. "^V'Ci wrres all things ? who upholds all ihiivg^ Vy \>afc d of Ma power ? Jeaua the AlmigVity, ^\^o Sa
140 EVENTS OF THE TSAB 1848.
the mighty Saviour ? who provided salvation &r 4 lost, a ruined world ? Jesus the Almighty. ;
Young friends, flee to him, and he will deliver jl| from sin, from the world, from Satan, from hell ; 4| he is the Almighty, willing and able to save to th uttermost I Hallelujah !
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1848.
" The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice ; let the mnltitBdi of the isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are ronii about him; righteousness and judgment are the habitatioitf his throne." — PscU. xcviL 1, 2.
" I will overturn, overturn, overturn it ; and it shall be • more, until he come whose right it is ; and I will give it lu* —Ezeh xxi. 27.
Few years during the last century can be compared ^^^?J year 1848, for the thrilling importance of its events. Tlie<^! kingdoms, and states of Europe, have presented theapp^^' of a vast sea, agitated by tremendous storms. No maa^*^ Bible in his hand, and believing in the providential g^^'^jjl of God, can forbear exclaiming, "He who rules the o^^!| shaking the nations; and he who fills the throne ^^.^^ saying to its rulers, Be wise, now, therefore, 0 ye ^^|| instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord ""^fll and rejoice with trembling. Be still, and know that ^ ?i.i I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exal^^ earth." — Paal, ii. 10, 11, and xlvi. 10. ^^
Fbakce. — Many said, and many thought, that ih0 J?^ France was the most firmly established in Europe, th^*;*!^! wad the Solomon of the age, and most secure in the ent^ ^^ his regal power. Where is his throne 1 It was broken ^f^ivjt the streets of Paris early in the last spring. Where is ^^'X ment 1 It is annihilated, as if it had never been. Whcr^^ !L, wore the diadem 1 He fled as a fugitive from his domi^^ ^ is now, borne down with advanced years, an exile \m- o- land. The kingly government of France has been con^^ fj many of the most judicious divines to be represented^ u xvi. 8, as the Sun on which the angel should pour W^^Ai "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon ^ and power was given unto him," that is, the angel, '^ men. with fire." Bunng i\i'& ^^\i ^^as a yial of ertinction has heen povxred. o\3l\> oix ^i^afc ^^qt^ <A "^t since the days of their Ymg'^^^TO/mKJafti^Mn^Jb^Xfl*^ ehief stay of papal pticftUsCTii, wrg%ti\:\XXftT^, »^^^^»^^
SYINTS OF THE TEAS 1848« 141
iiKAVT. — The states and kingdomB of Oennany have made a BodouB struggle to burst asunder the chains of apolitical, dpal, and social bondage. Look to Berlin and Vienna, and la streams of human blood whidi have been shed in attempt- lo obtain that freedom which is the harbinger of the iplis of the Gospel, when the Mediatorial reign of Jesus extend over the earth, and of which we have often sung :
" Blessings abound where'er he reigns. The prisoner leaps to lose his chains. The weary find eternal rest. And all the sons of want are blest."
QTRiA. — Twice the Emperor of Austria has fled from his il; and, wearied and exhausted with the cares of government, M abdicated his throne, and committed the sceptre into the I of his nephew, only eighteen years of age. iLT. — ^This lovely portion of Europe has been convulsed from Enmity to the other. The inhabitants are endeavouring to i^fiTthe yoke of tyranny; they are panting after liberty and DBtitutions, as the hart panteth after the water-brooks. 0 y teach them to pant after that spiritual liberty which thou art able to bestow !
m. — This ancient city has been the theatre of the most llhing events. Pope Pius IX, one of the most liberal and relent who haa ever filled the papal throne, who went beyond bo preceded him in giving his subjects liberal institutions, irho was the very idol of his people, has been made a lUK in his own palace, has escaped from it in the disguise of rant, and has left behind him all the trappings and badges ralty, glad to flee for his safety and his life. es not this look something like the pouring out of the rial, of which the inspired John thus writes, Kev. zvi. 10 : 1 the fifth angel poured out his vial on the seat of thb ■; and his kingdom was full of darkness, and they gnawed tongues for pain 1"
the year 1701, the Eev. Robert Fleming published a dis- B on the rise and fall of Papacy. This eminent divine was fkable for his piety, learning, and humility. His father [flo a divine and scholar of great eminence, and was author of well-known celebrated book entitled ** The Ftdfilling of ture" His son Robert, in common with the most judi- interpreters of prophecy, considers that Papacy, or the L of the Man of Sin, commenced in the year 606 a.i>., when mperor Phocas gave him the title of Universal Bishop. In >llowing passages the reign of papal delusion is said to 260 daya, that ib, 1260 prophetical yeaxft •. T3;feN.x\.'I,^,^yA. 14, and xiii. 5. The month of a prop^<B\Aft 'St** <s.Q\isSNA\»» 'thirty days, making the lengUi oi tlie ^ftw ^^Q ^^i^>^^^
142 EVENTS OF THE TEAB 1848.
days less than the Julian jesr, consisting' of 365 dtjB. these remarks let us now attend to the precise words Finning; and see how his observations accora with the stat Pope, the head of the Boman Church, in the year 1848. I " If we may suppose that Antichrist began his reign in t 606, the additional 1260 years of his duration, were the] or ordinary years, would lead us down to the year 1866 last period of the seven-headed monster. But seeing 1 prophetical years only, we must cast away eighteen years, i to bring them to the exact measure of time that tJie S €k>d designs in this Book. And thus the final period ( usurpations, (supposing that he did indeed rise in the ye must conclude with the year 1848.'*
Such have been the astonishing events of tiie past jei us rejoice in the wisdom and power of Christ, by whoi events shall be overruled for hastening the coming of lus Id As to the future, let us repose the fullest confidence in Jei does fdl things well, and who in his own time will v sceptre of his love over all the kingdoms of the world, sing " Hallelujah ! for the Lord God Omnipotent xeignel
The following Hymn, by Cowpeb, is so suitable to events, that we cannot refrain from placing it before the of our youthful readers, even though it is so generally ka
UTSTEar, WISDOM, AND GOODNESS OT PBOTIDXNOI.
*' God moves in a mysterious way. His wonders to perform ; He plants his footsteps in the sea, Ajid rides upon the storm.
" Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill. He treasures up Ms bright designs. And works his sov'reign will.
" Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take : The douda ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break With blessings on your head.
** Judge noi tV^ lioxd by feeble sense. But tiual \i\m ^ot \i\^ %xm^ \ Behind a troNroinjs ^Tw\^«aj» He Yiid-ea a waV^^ lwi».
laSnONART FACTS. 143
" His punxMses will ripen &8ty Unfolding every hoar ; The bud may have a bitter taste. But sweet will be the flower.
" Blind unbelief is sure to err. And scan hib work in vain; God is his own interpreter, *
And he will make it plain."
MISSIONARY PACTS.
SATUnO nilTBBS.
f binds the inhabitants of heathen lands with strong God sends missionaries to preach among them the Goi^eL This Gospel, accompanied by the Divine Spirit, the fetters in pieces. Thus Satan's prisoners are set here is a great resemblance betwixt the heathen of all )f all colours, and of all languages : they are bound ^etters of superstition and witchcraft. This we find to be arly the case with the North American Indians. And 1 do they pray 1 They pray to serpents, bears, and to many nimals. British youths ! pity, oh, pity the children of I lands, who are taught to pray to vile reptiles, and who lotliing of the true God ! Let us rejoice that Satan's lall cease, and that the time shall come when his captives set free. '' Come quickly, Lord Jesus, with thy Gospel, of thy strength, and give liberty to the captives, and B prison doors of those who are bound !''
PAGAN CONJUROR.
a the North American pagan Indians, the Conjuror is a gpreat influence. When one of them is sick, they send for juror, whom they call the doctor. How, think you, does ceiver proceed] I will tell you. He orders a bear or animal to be killed, and to be singed with fire till the consumed. Then the sick or dying man is laid in the »f the house. One beats a drum, sings, and screams, out the names of various animals, while others duieQ le poor and afflicted sufierer. This most horrible prac- ontinued till the person recovers, loses his senses, or dies, les, the conjuror builds a small hut of the bark of trees, le sits screaming, and crying to flying birds, to bring e soul which has flown away. When he pielendft V^<& \)3^ the departed soul, he puts it in a smsiLl \k>x, sjvOl '^\8ai^\\» \e bead of the lifeless corpse. See what men. we ViVSasyo^ s/ / See how importtait it is, and how h.umaaaft, Vi w^-^
144 MISSION ABT facts;
the heralds of salvation to preach that Qospel, which by thi Spirit will raise men from the dis^sting depths of heathemsm, and make them the sons of God. '* Blessed hope 1 Holy Saviour, we long for the day !"
THE PAGAN AND THE OHBISTIAJT 00NT&A8TXD.
to
I LATELT presided at a Juvenile Missionary Meeting in Jewin Street. The Rev. A« Buzacott, late missionary from the South: sea Islands, was present, with Eiro, a young Christian converti from Baratonga. During the meeting, Mr. Buzacott infonnei us that Kiro's grandfather, in a time of war, was killed by a miA of their own party, who had joined the ranks of their enemio. His father was filled with revenge, and succeeded with Bome friends in coming upon him while gathering chestnuts. They soon killed him by their clubs and spears^ aiud literally tore hii to pieces. Each of these poor pagans took a piece of the muit body, and ate it raw, as they walked along. But Kiro's &thier would be satisfied with nothing less tluun the 7»an*s heart IM raw as it was, and torn from his bosom, before it was eold, hi devoured with the greediness of a wolf. This happened befon the Gospel visited Raratonga. Such practices have passed awi|f as if they had never been. Kiro's father became humsnii^ his mother became an eminent saint, and he himself is an \asiiM disciple at Jesus' feet ! " What has God wrought !/'
LIBERALITT 01* SAHOAN OHILDKWW>
The liberality of Samoan children to the cause of Missiooik which is the cause of Christ, is a most pleasing illosintiM of these words of inspiration : " Freely ye have received; Mf give." — iMatt. x. 8.
The Rev. W. Mills, of the Samoan Mission, with Mr. Priteliiii and a large collection of children, met under a grove of breid fruit trees. After an appropriate address by Mr. Pritchard, thi dear children from the farthest village in Mr. Mills* district case forward, and presented their several ofieiings for the heneftl of the cause of Missions.
Ist. Four hundred yards of English cloth ; 2d. Bighi^wvci fine mats ; 3d. Three hundred and sixty-nine pieces of nttn cloth ; 4th. Eight axes ; 5th. Twelve pairs of scissors ; 6th. ThM razors, five knives, &c. ; in all upwards of seven hundred artidsit 7th. Fifty-seven dollars in money ; and, 8th. Twenty-nine ciaM for the use of the native teachers, at the various islandi to tti westward. The whole amount collected in these difierentdiitilell could not be less than 300^. or 400^.
The Missionary Ship, the John Williams, was in view, hi ttl
outside of the coral reel. A.nd. ^ lovely sight it mm to fleaiW
Ship, purchased by the coTi\.n\>u\AQiii& qI '^tvNas^ 0(fi\.4sna^taW
with the canoes and offexvng^ ol ^siMnswa. iSoc^^TnoL \ft «i«i
the Gospel to distant landa. ^"^
SACRED ZOOLOGY.
THE OSTIIICH.
IsTesl tlinQ wiDgt and feathen auto the Ostriohl trbich lii her *ggt la the etrth, and nnneth Ihem in Uie dust." — jjtix 13, li.
BE Hebrew name of this remarkable bird is nis lA, and signifies loud a-ying. Thua the bird is ed from ita voice. It is an inhabitant of Arabia
Africai It ia tlie talleat of birds. When it ds ereut it ia from seven to eight feet in height, leck is four or five spans in length. Ita \e{^ ve%
and Hiked. Ita feet consist only of two toe* e&tSn, . bard, and famed forward. Its wings aift ^w>^\ ire ajidt for Bying, and are only given it to «a«s.t
deceived; if a man pnt on an Ostrich's si hold out /ruits to it, without suspecting it will them, and so be taken. Fit emblem of careless who are so easily deceived, and so soon cai Satan's wiles !
Ostriches make a most doleful noise, T careless of their young, lay their eggs in tl leave them to bo hatched by the sun, and ofte where they are laid. Job xxxix. 17, " God 1 prived her of wisdom, neither hath he impart her understanding. * This bird is singularly vc Leather, herbs, stones, metals, and hair, it will devour. Thus it is a disgusting emblem ( youths who indulge in vile lusts, which degra nature, and ruin their souls.
SERMON X.
iTT'B« /^TTTT-D/^TT nnTTi;» arw\T> /\ia r* /^vn-^
SEBMON. 147
arch of Christ. For instance, it is called a floch, ^ear not, little ^ocft, it is your Father's good pleasure give you the kingdom," Luke xii. 32. Christ's urch is called a family, Paul says, " I bow my jes unto the Father of our Lord Je^^us Christ, of om thewhole/amt'/y in heaven and earth is named." rist's Church is called a garden, ^^ A garden enclosed my sister, my spouse," Song iii. 12. Many of you 3w the following lines of Watts, in which this name nentioned.
'* We are a garden wall'd around. Chosen and made peculiar ground ) A little spot enclosed by grace, Out of the world's wide wilderness."
Watts, Book I. H. 74.
id in our text the Church of Christ is called a City, i a Strong City* " We have a strong city : salvation 11 God appoint for walls and bulwarks." By the assistance of the Holy Spirit, I shall direct iir attention, in this discourse, to the Gates, the alls, and the Towers of the City. First, — Let us take a view of the Gates of the ly. This city has two Gates. One is the gate by lich the penitent youthful saint enters the city ; the ler is the gate by which he enters heaven. The first gate is the Gate of Conversion. That is its me. Our Saviour made this gate. And thus he 3aks of this gate : " Enter ye in at the strait gate ; cause strait is the gate: and narrow is the way, which deth unto life, and few there be that find it," Matt. vii. , 14. This gate is called strait, because no one can 38 through the gate with any reigning lust. Every B who passes is delivered from the reign of sin, the gn of passion, and the reign of lust. Then he enters, he attempts to enter before he is delivered from gning lusts, he shall find it impossible. He may ter, even thovgh sin is not completely vf a^^^ ww«:^ % t be cannot enter unless the reigmng i^owet o^ ^v^ lust is completely taken away.
L 2
148 SERMON.
Though this gate is strait^ the chief of sinners may enter when repentance is given, and when the reign of sin and lust is destroyed. It is at this gate the guilt of sin is taken away; that is, sin is pardoned through the righteousness of Christ. Then the righteousness of Jesus is made his. By faith he receives it as a comelj robe. Then he instantly passes through the gate. As he passes through the gate, angels in heaven raise songs of loudest, sweetest melody of praise. Then the young citizen sings in joyful strains —
** Christ has adorned my naked soul, And made salvation mine : Upon a poor polluted worm He makes his graces shine.
'' And lest the shadow of a spot Should on my soul be found. My Saviour took the robe he wrought, And cast it all around.*'— Watts, Book I. H. 20.
When the young penitent draws near this gate, he sees inscriptions written over it, in letters shining brighter than burnished gold ; and then he knocks at the gate, and seeks admission. He reads this inscription^ ** Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you," Matt. vii. 7. He reads another inscription, '*And yet there is roomy" Luke xiv. 22. Then he reads a third inscription, ^^ Him that cometh I will in no wise cast out," John vi. 37* He is so encouraged by these inscriptions, that he sajs within himself, '^ Now I will venture to knock at tfas gate." He approaches the gate. He lifts up his heart ia earnest prayer to the King of the City for mei^y. With the hand of faith he knocks at the gate. A voice from within says, "Who is there?" The young penitent replies, "A poor young sinner crying for mercy, through the blood which Jesus the king of the city shed, and through the atonement \i^ m^<dL<&" iT^tocotly the gate A'es wide open. He enters m •, "^«t<s^ v?j5b«^\«isi\s^'^ band, presents him to the l^ii^ oi xJaa %Vt^\i%<a5c|^w^
SERMON. 149
's in words the most affectioDate, " Come in, come in, m blessed of the Lord ; stand no more without I" There is not only the Gate of Conversion, bj which t joung penitent enters the citj, but there is another e by which he enters heaven. That gate is the Gate Death. There is a valley through which the young izen passes, as he approaches the gate. It is called he valley and shadow of death," Ps. xxiii. 4. To the 5 of nature this valley appears dark and dreary : to t eye of faith it appears bright and glorious. Jesus :es the young saint by the hand as he enters the val- , and says to him, " Death is yours ; fear not — fear , for I am with you ; be not dismayed, for I am thy d." Then he puts into his hand a remarkable staff, afF of inimitable beauty : He says to him, "Lean on t staff. Hold it fast by the hand of faith. It is the f of my power, and of my truth. Lean on it; then your fears will flee away like a cloud before the id." He takes the staff in the one hand, with the other leans on Christ's arm, and then begins to sing while looks along the valley, and sees, at the end of the ley, the Gate of Death :
"While Christ affords his aid I cannot yield to fear : Though I should walk through death's dark vale^ My Shepherd's with me there."
\A, last he comes to the Gate of Death, and sees the ig of Terrors standing by. Oh how wonderful, how ghtful ! he looks the king of terrors full in the face hat king who has struck with terror the hearts of ten asand kings — and while he looks upon him without *. he sings the following triumphant song in sounds oyful praise : —
'* The world recedes ! — it disappears.
Heaven opens on my eyes I my oaift
With sounds seraphic ring ! Lend, lend jour wings I I mount \ 1 iVy \ — O Grave ! where is thy victory]
O Death 1 where is thy sting 'i"
150 SEBMON.
Then the gate opens, and immediately on the other side is the pearly Gate of Heaven, shining brighter than ten thousand suns. Through that glorious gate the young saint passes. He enters into the palace of the Great Bang. His Saviour says to him, in the presence of all the inhabitants of heaven, "Well done, good and faithful servant ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord !" Matt. xxv. 21.
My young friends, may you by Divine grace thus pass through the valley of death. Thus may you enter through the pearly gate, and obtain the joys of heaven, and the blessedness of immortality.
Secondly^ — ^We invite your attention to the Walls of the City. Isa. xxvi. 1, " Salvation will God appoint for Trails ;" Isa. Ix. 18, " Thou shalt call thy walls sal- vation and thy gates praise." My dear young friends, if you had seen the walls of Babylon, you would have lifted up your hands with astonishment, and you would have said. What wonderful walls ! If you had seen the walls of ancient Jerusalem, with the noble towers built upon the walls, you would have lifted up your hands with astonishment and have said. Oh what wonderful walls ! A great army came from a far country to besiege Jerusalem. When they came the length of the walls and looked up, they were struck with terror, and fled, and hasted away. Psal. xlviii. 4, 5.
The walls of Babylon, the walls of Jerusalem, were nothing compared with the Walls of Salvation which surround the church, the strong city, the city of the Great King. Come with me and behold— come with me and admire the walls of the church, the city of Crod. Oh how lofty ! they are as high as the heavens; therefore no enemy can ever climb over or scale these walls. Behold the walls, and see how wonderful for strength. No earthquake can shake them. If all the powers of bell were to «AX«Lck \.W?iQ walls for a
million of years, tliey woxAA. ^o xJ^kssl t\s> \Ek^x^\i»ros.
than a dy lighting "upoii tViftm. , rcw.
JSehold how glorious are \Yi^^^ ^^^- ^^^1 ^«^^'
SERMON. 151
more glorious than the firmament, with all its stars of glory and of brightness. These walls shine in all the glorj of the Divine perfections. These perfections strike the hearts of the enemies of the city with terror. These perfections fill the hearts of the inhabitants of the city with joy unspeakable. The inhabitants see a glorious prospect from these walls. With the telescope of faith, they see the heavenly Canaan, and even obtain glimpses of heaven's glory. Oh, how infinitely safe are the inhabitants of the strong city within these walls, which shall stand for ever ! Oh, with what joyful confidence they sing;
*' Bulwarks of mighty grace defend The city where we dwell ; The walls of strong salvation made.
Defy the assaults of hell."— Watts, Book I. H. 8.
Thirdly, — Let us consider attentively the Towers of the City. Psal. xlviii. 1 2, "Walk about Zion ;" (that is, the church, the strong city,) " and go round about her j tell the towers thereof," that is, ?iumher them. Come with me, my young friends, and look at the walls of the city, and we shall see placed upon them six glorious towers, which have stood there ever since the won- derful walls were built. May God the Spirit bless the sight to all our hearts.
On these noble, glorious walls, I see first, the tower of Divine Wisdom. This tower contains all the pur- poses, and laws of the Eang of the city. It is so bright, that it sheds its glory over the whole city.
Near this tower is the tower of Omnipotence, When the enemies of the city rage, and threaten to destroy it, the inhabitants look on this noble tower, and then laugh their enemies to scorn.
Near this tower is the tower of Holiness. The inhabitants of the city are greatly comforted when they look upon the following inscription written on this tower; "2fo/y, holy, holy is the Lord oj ]\o%\.%\ \S\a w/io/e earth is full of his gloi^P Isa. \i. ^. Near this tow^v is the tower o£ 3\3aT\OT.* "^^^a^
ELTMA.S STRUCK BUND. 153
tower contains the vials of God's wrath, and the thunder- bolts of his vengeance. With these God has awfully punished the enemies of the city.
Near the tower of Justice stands the tower of Love. On the summit of this tower there is an inscription shining brighter than the sun in his strength. It is this, " Ood is love.^* John iv. 8.
Near this tower is the tower of Divine Truth. This tower contains an immense treasure of great and precious promises ; and the following inscription encircles this tower with glory : " Mis truth is thy shield and buckler.'* Let us unite in praising Jesus, the King of the strong city :
" For ever shall thy throne endure ; Thy promise stands for ever sure ; And everlasting holiness Becomes the dwellings of thj'^race."— Watts, P«a?. 93.
(To he corUinued.)
ELYMAS STRUCK BLIND.
In Acts xiii. 4 — 12, we have an account of the opposition which Elymas the sorcerer made to the preaching of Paul. For this daring opposition to the Gospel of Christ, he was punished with blindness.
The Gospel is the mean which God has appointed for opening the eyes of the blinded understandings of men. Elymas tried to prevent this blessed Gospel from giving men spiritual eyesight. Therefore, God justly punished him by depriving him of his natural eyesight
Let us look at the particulars of this remarkable story. Paul went from Selucia, a sea-port town on the north of the Holy Land, and, in company with Barnabas, aailed to the island of Cyprus, situated in the eastern portion of the Mediterranean Sea, and not i«iT ^\wdl kssa. Minor, or Lesser Asia. ImmediateVy oil eii\fcYvck% ^^aa^ 'sJa/id, thejr commenced preaching t\ie Cios'g^ 'YX^ss^
154 FIGURATIVE ILLUSTBA.TIOKS OF THE BIBLE.
went from one place to another, until they reached i town called Paphos. There they met with the clurf ruler of the i.>land, a prudent man, called Sergim Paulus ; and in company with him, Elymas the sorcereTi a false prophet and a Jew. The deputy was veiy desirous to hear the Gospel. Elymas used all his vik malicious influence to prevent it, and to turn away tbe deputy from the faith. Then Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, pronounced upon him the following awM sentence : " And now, behold, the hand of the Lord ii upon thee, and thou shalt be blind. And inunediatdy there fell upon him a mist, and a darkness ; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand."
FIGURATIVE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIBLE, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
In our December Number we considered four ex- cellences of the Bible, beginning with the letter A By the aid of the Divine Spirit, we will now consider the word of God as an Armoury, an Arrow, as Artil- lery, and as our Assurance of God's mercy and truth. An Armoury. — " And A polios was mighty in the Scriptures." Acts xviii. 24. An armoury is a plaee which contains arms, or weapons for defending froa id enemy, or for wounding and slaying an enemy. I had seen the late armoury of the Tower of London, beftn I it was destroyed by fire. It was 300 feet in lengtis ^ and contained muskets for hundreds of thousands of men. The Bible is an armoury which contains weapon! of defence for countless millions of precioas sooli* And this armoury never can be destroyed. Whit weapons of defence are to be found in this armoniy? We answer. Divine knowledge. Divine wisdom, and Divine grace. By the blessing of the Spirit, they who visit this armoury ^nd all these. ApoUos had this precious armour. He 'ws^^ xoa^x.^ Vev >\!i^ ^onQtores Dear youno' friends, Ti\«iy ^o\x\i^ tkv^Vj Vcl ^^"^sre^ tures ; thea you shaW couc^vxet liSJiiwa «^ycvVw^Vj-
MISSIONABY INTELLIGENCE. 155
kN Akrow. — An arrow inflicts a wound. The rd of God, by his Spirit, wounds the slumbering Bcience. Then in one moment it awakes. When arrow wounds the flesh, it produces pain. When the ine arrow of the word wounds and awakes the Da1>eriBg conscience, it produces conviction. This ow wounded three thousand under the preaching of «r, and they were all convinced, and all converted. ITouthful reader, have you felt the arrow of divine th ? Oh, may it reach your conscience, and your rt !
\jiTiLLERT. — In war, cannons prepared for defence L destruction, are called artillery. By cannon, walls castles are levelled with the dust. By the artillery divine truth, the walls of error, and infidelity, and ruption, are levelled with the ground. When God BCts this holy and powerful artillery, nothing can ad before it. Superstition, Idolatry, Mahomedanism I Paganism shall be destroyed by this artillery of kven, and cease for ever. "Lord, hasten the day, 5 blessed day ! "
Assurance op God's mercy and truth. — God's ►rd is sure, and gives assurance. It is so sure, that yugh. the very heavens and the earth should pass away, is word can never pass away. When the word is ought home with power even to the heart of a little lild, he is assured that Jesus is his, and that heaven is B home. Many children I have seen in the valley and ladow of death with this assurance. They could say . the valley, " We will fear no evil, for thou art with J ; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort us."
MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.
ALEXANDER FLETCHER, NATIVE TEACHER IN INDIA. Mission House, Biomfield Street, ^ov. 1%,\%\&. Deak Sir, — I have the pleasure to traiismV^. «>»- ^ount received this day from our esteemed ixi\ss\QnBaiX>j, . Lewis, of Nagercoil, of the natWe leae\xeT w^-
156 UieSIOKART IHTELUQENCE.
ported by the ChiiatiaQ liberality of your .li*'*'r They will observe a peculiarity in the Mjie, ^ C* T, terietic of the nativeB of India, in their epistolsiy .(**■ V. municatioDS ; but Mr. Lewis, who translated the lj£* V ment from the Tamil, observes, that he " thiaks < /jrf* | to send the teacber's own thoughts, expressed in hid \ way." fi\
Hoping that tlie account will gratiTy the hopeS^ 1 his kind supporters, and tend to sustain their ^aa(r interest on behalf of native agency in India, I remain, dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
A. TIDJCAN,
FoTtiga SrCTciart, Laninn Jflutnuiy SkM^ TBB HC8T0BT Ot i.. rLBTCBIR, WEITTKH BT HUmU.
The following statement is gubmitted b; ma, A. Flelebv, ■ native teadkcr, to Iho charitable CliriBUaoB ud gupportan rf missions, living in England.
My native village ia Puttalam, about («n miles &om Cut Comorin, and one mile inland from the Malabar Coast. At ttt time of m; birth both m; parents wera heathen; bat wlMl I ivaa about eight j'ears of age, they removed to a Tillage caM Hayilodi, where the; hesjrd the Qoepel preached and bMHt Christians. Though I was in the habit of attending patii worship irith them, and of learning in tlie miaHioit^cItoa^ Jit I felt no delight in the tcnowledge of Chiist, but fbond gnl pleasure, ta I thought, in ever? kind of wickednws In wbckl indulged. I was, however, very diligent at mv leaaoiu in mlwali aa the reward for which, the Rev. Mr. Bingletaube woidd &*■ qtteDll; give me small sums of money. When abont fltltei fsara of age 1 received Christian baptism, at the aame time wit! my father and mother ; and afterwards, brang fdrthar instmetii by the B«v. Mr. Ruill, 1 was placed by him aa a eduxilmailcrtf Myiladi. Afterwards, beiag transferred to the charga of tki Bev. Mr. Mault, I continued to attend once o-week on lus inttlW- tions and reproofs, by which means I gradually became conoenMd about the salvation of my souL I continued schoolmaaterbl about four years. Of those wborQ I taught duiing that Uia^ Home ore now native teachers, placed over cODgregBttona in dK ferent parts of the missions. Messrs. Mault and Uead haviig consulted together oi ' ' '
HAPPY DEATH OF LITTLE MABT. 157
linoers were not converted to (Jod, I prayed the more earnestly for them and for myself, at the same time continuing to distribute Christian books among them, and explaining to them their meaning. Afterwards, I had the pleasure of seeing some heathen people become Christians. During the eleven years I was there, seven persons were baptized and united to the Church of God. At the close of this period the congregation at Atticadn, Kulat- tivillay, Managoody, and Santhaiadie, were greatly annoyed by the heathen ; and to render them assistance I was appointed to reside among them, which I did for the space of two years. During that short period several persons forsook their idolatry, and made a profession of the Gospel. After this I was removed to the village of JS^angoorampillarvillay, where I remained one year, and was the means of bringing some to the Christian religion. The village in which I have now been upwards of nine years is called Puthoor,and the congregation attend at Amelia Johnson chapel. Since my first location here, the forty inmates of ten houses have made a profession of Christ. By the grace of God, five adults and their children have received baptism. Of the former, four have joined the church ; a few more are, at present, candidates for baptism. I continue, as far as my strength per- mits, to instruct the congregation, both in public and in private, teaching them the word of Gk)d, hymns, and Christian catechisms. I also read and explain tracts and other books to the heathen around. Aware that my own efforts will be unavailing if not accompanied with the blessing of the Most High, my earnest and constant prayer Is, that the Lord would send His Spirit, to cause the means used to be effectual to the salvation of my own soul and the souls of others around me. May tiie Spirit of God be praised for having given you and the missionaries the mind to be instrumental in effecting so much good among us !
May the love of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the com^ munion of the Holy Spirit;^ be with you for ever. Amen,
HAPPY DEATH OP LITTLE MART.
She died, aged 10 years.
She greatly loved her Bible, and never rested till she obtained one.
HER DYING SAYINGS,
1st. Her happiness and hopes.
She said to her mother, " I am very happy ; I have been thinking how light heaven is. I shall see God when I get there !"
Sd On seeing her mother weej> : a\ie »a!v^, — ^^^\>aX» mkesjroa crjr^ mother ? Oh, I know viYiy \ ^o\sc v*«olV
- a - -J -- ^ —
he will come ve?*?/ soon"
4th. On being asked if she wanted any tl little water, she said, " No, I only want to I to Jesus."
Tlien, soon after, she was taken to Jesus.
How true ! " Out of the mouth of babes ; lings, God perfects praise ! "
MISSIONARY FACTS.
Ikdia.
conversion of 600roo.
This good man is a merchant from the district ol Some native preachers met with him, and learned fi lips that he had never heard the Gospel from any and that he had never seen one. He told them, that and a copy of the Gospels had found their way to hii them attentively. Bv the blessing of the Spirit, things : First, he saw the error and sin of idolatry ; ai he saw and believed the truth of Christianity. Imi gave up his idols, and began to tell his neighbonn
POETIC GEMS. 159
iatli of the chief Matetav. A few jears ago he was sur- sd hy the thick clouds of heathen and idolatrous darkness. ' the preaching of the word, his pagan fetters were burst ir, and he was made, by Divine grace, a child of God, and r of heaven. When baptized he took the name Hezekiah, signifies "the strength and support of the Lord." In be became a member of a Christian church, and soon after- a deacon. Last January, he was seized with influenza, sease made rapid progress. He told the missionary' freely easantly, that he found death approaching. He employed >rt remaining time and declining strength in prayer, and d Christian counsels to his family and friends. He ex- l great concern for the prosperity of the cause of Christ ; iree times, especially, before he expired, he prayed for f, for all around him, for the salvation of his people, and prosperity of the kingdom of Jesus. Then he fell asleep ist, and exchanged his earthly honours and power for the of heaven, and for a place beside Jesus on his throne, his coffin was lowered into the grave, the friends sang, in noan language : — *
" Those who are buried Shall rise again ; The graves shall be open'd When the trumpet shall sound." A. F.
POETIC GEMS.
THE PARENT, OK HEABIKG HIS CHILD PBATINOn
My little boy ! thy voice is sweet
As sound of angels' harps to me, When I thy silver tones now greet,
And see thee on the bended knee ; [ love to view thy folded hands.
And fondly mark thy close shut eye, [*iii drawn to thee in tenderest bands,
While praise, at once^ ascends on high !
RCy little boy ! this world abounds
In stratagems and wily snares ; danger our every path surrounds ;
The tender'st age it never spares. Phen pray, my child, to God above,
That every abaft may miss its aim ; — TU is a Father's heart of Jove ; Toar cry will not be put to shame I
160 SELECT SENTENCES.
«
«
My little boy ! as years march on.
And childhood ripens into man, And friends and parents may be gone,
You'll haye to struggle while you can ; For Life's a fight, a conflict sore,
A battle all along the way; Courage you'll need yet more and more ;
Then pray, my child ; yes, ever pray !
My little boy ! we soon may part ; —
The silver chain be seyer'd wide ; I want to dwell within your hearty
Whatever lot may you betide. Though thousand miles may be between,
God's hand shall keep you, day by day. His eye on you shall rest unseen.
Because to him you early ^r&j I
** My little boy \ myjoumey here.
With all its toils, and fears, and woes. And mercies too*, how rich and dear !
Is hastening to its certain close : I want to meet you in the sky,
When left behind this form of daj^ And taste the bliss that cannot die :
Then pray, my child, yes, always pray I
" My little boy I that God, who beams His love and pity all around — Whose mercy on us ever streams,
Will not despise your simple sound. Forget Him not, my dearest boy !
As on in life you speed your way. It will inspire my highest joy. To know that you unceasing pray !**
Bbv. T. Wali
Unbelief. — " God draweth straight lines, but imbeli them crooked lines." — RvJtherfwd,
The Good Man. — " A good man suffers eril and does j natural man receives good and does evil. Let each o ' Lord, what am ir"— i>r. Sibs,
" A ooDLT man has sorrows which the world seen n comforts which the woxVd kno^^uoC — Dr. Sibs,
" If there were no enemiea ^l5^tlMmt ^siV'^^'^aJf^^'wt unt/iin us, whicli.if \el\ooafc,^o\x\^\.TO^\^xiatsitswk^ world beside." — Dr. Sibs.
162
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
THE LION.
The Lion is called the king of beasts. The largest Lions are from eight to nine feet in length, and from four to six feet in height. His head is large, and of a most majestic appearance ; his breast is broad ; he is of a yellowish tawny colour, and he has a large mane upon his neck. Lions sleep little ; their roaring is terrible, resembling the distant thunder. When pro- voked, scarcely can anything withstand them. The body of the Lion appears the best model of strength, joined to agility. Such is the strength of his muscles that he can leap twenty feet at one bound* He can throw a strong man to the ground by one sweep of his tail. He has the power of moving the skin of his face and forehead, and when angry can erect and agi- tate the hair of his mane.
Lions abound in many parts of Asia and Africa. From Scripture we learn that there were many Lions in Lebanon, and in the thickets in the vicinity of Jordan, Samson tore a Lion to pieces. David killed a Lion and a Bear ; and Daniel was cast into a den of Lions, but miraculously and mercifully preserved.
God is compared to a Lion on account of his judg- ments to his enemies, Hos. v. 14, ** For I will be unto Ephraim as a Lion, and as a young Lion to the house of Judah." Jesus, as the avenger and defender of his people, is called (Rev. v. 5) " The Lion of the tribe of Judah." Saints are compared to Lions, Prov. xxviii. I, " The righteous are bold as a Lion." In 1 Pet. v. 8, Satan is said to be " going about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour." From this Lion maj God preserve the T\a\xv^ T«k.e.^\ AmeKx*
163
SERMON XL
THE CHURCH THE STRONG CITY. " Walk about Zion, and go round about her." — P%al, xlviii. 12.
Every child in a Gospel land should be able to answer the question — " What is the Church of God?'* The answer is very plain, and easy to be understood. The Church of God is the " people of God." Many striking names are given to Christ's Church in the Word of God. One of them is " a City." It is called the City of God, the City of the Great King, a strong City which is compact together ; And in our text it is called Zion, Mount Zion, or the City of Zion. There was within the walls of Jerusalem a mount: it was called Mount Zion. There was a city built on that mount, very strong, very high, and very noble. It was called the City of Zion. The magnificent Temple of Solomon was built on that mount, and in that city. And in Scripture, God employs Zion, Mount Zion, and the City of Zion, as a figure of his Church.
My young friends, I have already addressed yon twice on the Church as a City. In the month of January last we considered the Builder of the City, namely, Christ; the Inhabitants, or Citizens of the City, namely, trv>e believers; and the Road leading to the City, namely. Repentance, In February last we considered the Gate of the City, namely, the Oate of Conversion; the Walls of the City, namely, Salva^ tion ; and the Towers of the City, namely, the Divine Perfections — Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Justice, Good- ness, and Truth.
I now invite you a third time to come and look at this most wonderful City; and would say, in the words of our text, " Walk about Zion, and go round about her."
Id our pleasing walk arouwd awd n^\\XCvcl ^ve>^^"^\ ma^ the Holy Spirit assist ua m coxkS\d^TV^% ^^7^^^^'
M 2
164 SERMON.
the Guards, the Watchmen, the Streets, the Palaces, the Schools, the Bank, the Armoury, the Walks, and the Light of this City of God, — the City of Zion. Let us now earnestly pray : " Holy Spirit, give tis thy gra- cious aid ; O give us thy rich, thine effectual bless- ing!"— Amen.
THE KING OP THE CITY.
The King is the Lord Jesus Christ. The King is Jesus. God in our nature, God and man in One Per- son. He could not be the King of the City unless he had died for it. And he did die for the City, and he now reigns over it, and shall reign for ever. And when you, my dear children, take Jesus for your King, " O how happy you shall be !" Ask a pious child, " What kind of a King is Jesus?" and the child will give you the following answer : Jesus is a rvise King, " all the treasures of wisdom are laid up in him." Jesus is a powerful King, his arm is almighty. Jesus is a holy King, he is glorious in holiness. Jesus is a just King, ''justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne." Jesus is a merciful and faithful King, " mercy and truth go before his face.'* O what a blessed King I and what a blessed City to have such a blessed King ! Let each child now pray, " O Jesus, come and reign over me ; O come, and reign over me for ever 1"
GUARDS OP THE CITY.
Jesus is the Chief Guard of the City. Psal. cxxi. 4, 5,
" Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber
nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper : the Lord is thj
shade upon thy right hand."
'* Just as a hen protects her brood, From birds of prey that seek their blood. Under her feathers, so the Lord Makes his o^n B^im Ma people's guard."
Angels, too, areeTnpVo^e.3L\.o ^\x»x\^^^\Vj. CiV.'ifhtt
a blessed child is a piowa ^i\iM, S:ox V^\v^%xv^fSa.VsC^
Tuards. Thougli lie caimoX ^^^ ^>^«a^ ^>2^ ^^ ^^^
3EBH0N. 16o
his bodj, they are near him, ready to defend him. Pious children are often carried in the arms of angels when they do not know it. Psal xci. 11, 12, "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."
'' He gives his angels charge to keep Your feet in holy ways ; To watch your pillow while you sleep. And guard your youthful days."
THE WATCHMEN OP THE CITY.
There are ministerial watchmen, namely, the ministers of Christ, whom he has qualified, and sent to preach his glorious Gospel. Thus he speaks of them in Isaiah Ixii. 6 : " I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night." Dear children, thank Jesus for such watchmen !
There Sire parental watchmen, namely, pious parents. Jesus gives them the following solemn charge, Eph. vi. 4, ** Briog up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Dear children, thank Jesus for such watchmen !
There are teaching watchmen, Eph. i v. 11, 12, " And lie gave some, teachers ; for the edifying of the body of Christ." Dear children, thank Jesus for such watchmen !
THE STREETS OP THE CITY.
In Song iii. 2, Christ's beloved, namely, his Church, is represented as saying, " I will rise now, and go about the city : in the streets, and in the broad ways, I will seek him whom my soul loveth." Now look, in your walk within this city, and observe three of the principal streets.
First, — There is the Sigh Street of faith. From this lofty street are seen blessed views o? t\ie ^«^'5 ^^ ^^^^^ Church in future days, and blessed viewa oi\i^«NecL» Si^^^ju//y,— There ia the Low Street o£\iumV^t^-'^'^^
166 SER|IOX.
street is much frequented. And when holj children walk in this street thej appear most lovelj, though they consider themselves altogether an unclean thing. Thirdly^ — There is the Broad Street of ohedience. There are ten parts in this street. The first division is the first commandment, and the last division the tenth. The Psalmist, speaking of this street, says, it is " ex- ceeding broad," Psal. cxix. 96. This street is re- markably straight, clean, and cheerful. Pious chil- dren walking in it are often heard to chaunt and sing,
" Oh, how I love thy holy law : 'Tis daily my delight; And thence my meditations draw Divine advice by night,"
THE SCHOOLS OP THE CITY.
There is the School of the LaWy which the Apostle calls " a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ,** Gal. iii. 24. There is the School of the OospeL There, the young scholar studies '^ the unsearchable riches of Christ," and the glories of heaven. There is the School of Affliction^ where the young scholar makes great progress in humility, heavenly-mindedness, and faith. Oh, what a difference there is upon the scholar when he comes out of this school, from what he was when he went in !
THE PALACES OP THE CITY.
David makes mention of the palaces in Psal. zlviii. 3. " God is known in her palaces for a refuge." By the Palaces, we are to understand the ordinances of reli- gion. What are the ordinances ? We answer, Prayer, praise, the reading, preaching, and hearing the word of Gt)d, are ordinances. These are the palaces of the city. It is there King Jesus is seen : it is there petitions are presented to him : it is there they are answered: it is there spiritual wealth and honours are received fromK\T\g Se^wa \ wi^Sx.\^^«t^^^wr- sbip with King Jesus is eivioy^^. T^^«c Occ^^x^si^tms) ti greatlj love, and dai\y ^«^^* V\ie^^ ^ti^^wa^X 'SSbr
8BBM0K. 167
)rs of these palaces are ever open. They are free all.
THE PLEASURE WALKS OP THE CITY.
There is the private retired walk of Holy Meditation. ^ what happ7 moments the pious child has in this Ik) thinking of Christ and heaven I There is the more public walk of Holy Fellowship, ire, pious children hold fellowship together in ijer, praise, and holy converse. There is a lovely cription over the beautiful gate at the entrance of s walk. Mai. iii. 16, " Then they that feared the rd spake often one to another ; and the Lord irkened, and heard it." Those dear children who quent these walks often say, " Truly our fellow- p is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus rist." 1 John i. 3.
THE BAKK OP THE CITr.
The bank of the city is the Covenant of Grace, I, it is a rich bank, for it contains all the blessings of vation. Oh, how rich, for it contains grace here, i glory hereafter. It is a sure bank. Its treasures 5 called, (Isa. Iv. 3,) " the sure mercies of David." It % strong bank ; it can never be robbed ; it can never L Dear children, it is a free bank, — ^yes, a free ice bank. Every child is welcome to apply, and as en as he pleases ; the oftener he comes he is the ►re welcome to come and receive of its boundless asures.
THE ARMOUBY OF THE CITY.
A.11 pious children are soldiers ; they are the sol- Ts of Christ, the Captain of salvation. The young ritual soldier needs something with which to defend n from his spiritual enemies. He needs something th which to attack them. What he nefc^a ^qpc ^<^- 36, and for attack, is called arfnx)ur* An armoury he house which contains the armour, ^^hi ^^^
168 SACRED ZOOLOGY.
city, the Churcli, has an armoury filled with armour for the young soldiers. The Apostle gives the following account of it, Eph. vi. 14 — 17. There is th^ helmet of salvation ; the breastplate of righteousness ; the sword of the Spirit ; the girdle of truth. The shoes are the preparation of the Gospel of peace ; and for the complete defence of the soul, there is the shield of faith. We must reserve the consideration of this armour to some future time. Young friends, become Christ's young soldiers, and he will lead you to victory and heaven. He will ! " Be faithful unto death, and he will give you a crown of life." Rev. ii. 10.
THE LIGHT OP THE CITY,
Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness^ who has risen on this city, who shines upon it, and who shall shine upon it for ever. Mai. iv. 2. ^ ' •
The Bible is the moon which reflects ihelfi^of Jesus, the bright beams of Christ's light, fta^j^MUeh guide the heaven-bound traveller to his gloildMiMM.
Good books, displaying and illustrating gol^piipMli) are stars which shine in the firmament of tfae'CMIIii.
Oh may each one of us belong to that bleflB^ Wf^of which it is said, (Isa. Ix. 20,) "Thy sun shall no Biore go down ; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."
SACRED ZOOLOGY.
THE DEER.
" Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon tlie mountains of spices." — Song ii. 17.
Deer belong to the flock kind, and are clean animals, dividing the hoof, and c\y^vj\ti^ \^^^ <5.\xftu T.Vki^\fi«ka kkfre adorned with stately \>TiiTiODAT^%VoT\i^,^\a^^^ yearly. At first tbey axe ^oit, ^Q^«t^^\^\«a
SACBSD ZOOLOQT. 169
:rvrards they become smooth, and bard almost
e Deer genus there are aenen distinct liinds or differing from each other in most material
but in ethers beanng a general rcHemblance iijirst the CamelopM^is or G raffe, a native a about fourteen feet h gh The Elk a very runs wild in the forests of Bed Rubs a Ibe , or Stag, baa long branching borna bent back- ?he Tarandus, or Rein-deer, is % iiBL\iv6 (Aliw^ To the Luplandera this animal ia \.\ie 6w>is.\\\>iWj i»e, the cow, the goat, and ttie ts^ieev- ^^ ^^ wealth. The Dama, ako c^e4XV''S»S»''^^"-
170 SACRED ZOOLOGT.
deer, Buck, and Doe, is found in Greece, the Holy Land, and in the north of China. They abound mudi in Britain, in the parks of the noble and opulent. The Capreolus, or Roe-buck, has erect beautiful branched horns. It is the least of the deer kind. It is remark- able for its elegance and agility. They were once numerous in the beautiful forests of Invercauld, in the midst of the Grampian hills. It is said, there is a seventh species found in Guinea, called the Guine-ensis, about the size of a cat.
It is, I have reason to believe, the peculiarity of every species of the Deer, that they are timorous and swift. Their thirst is often intense and painfuL Hence David says, Psalm xlii. 1, '' As the hart panteth after the water- brooks, so panteth my soul after thee^ 0 God."
** With earnest longings of the mind.
My God, to thee I look ; So pants the hanted hart to find
And taste the cooling brook."
In moving among rocks, the Deer have great sure* ness and firmness of foot. This is employed in Scrip- ture as a figurative illustration of the firmness and security of the believer's faith. Psnlm xviii. 33, "He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places." And in Hab. iii. 19, '^ He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon my high places."
Jacob, on his death-bed, blessed his sons. There is
something peculiar in the blessing which he pronounced
on his son Naphtali. It runs in the following terms:-'
Gen. xlix. 21, '^Naphtali is a hind let loose; he givetii
goodly words." In some versions, the expresuon
goodly words is rendered beautiful branches. If tins
be correct, the figure is most complete and striking.
The blessing would x^ad lVm% \ ^' Naphtali is a YasH
let loose ; shooting £ott\i ^w^ax-^ XycvM^aRaT The
goodly branches^ in t\\\ft caae^ ^«ii^\.^ ^^5^ TtfJ^JssK*^
majestic antlers. T\i\a U^^V^.^ ^«^ ^ \5«*&^
NAMES AND TITLES OF JESUS. 171
literally accomplished in the future history of the descendants of Naphtali. What Jacob meant and foresaw was this : " Naphtali shall inhabit a country so rich, so fertile, so quiet, so unmolested, that, after having fed to the full, on the most nutritious pasturage, he shall shoot out branches ; that is, antlers of the most majestic magnitude." The lot, or division, which fell to this tribe, was rich in pasture, and his soil was fruitful in corn and oil. It was a beautiful wood-land country, extending to Mount Lebanon, and producing fruit of the greatest variety, and of the most delicious quality.
Our Lord is likened to a Roe, a Hart, and a Hind, to denote his loveliness, and his speed in coming for our deliverance. Hence the Church prays with longing expectation, (Song viii. 14,) ** Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices."
The pious child, lying upon the bed of sickness and of pain, earnestly longs to depart, to reach his heavenly home, and to be with Christ, which is far better. How delightful it is to hear the young dying saint uttering the following prayer : —
" Come, my Jesus, haAt« away, Cut short the hours of thy delay ; Fly like a youthful hart or roe, Over the hills where spices grow."
Watts, Book I. H. 28.
" Blessed Jesus, may the heavenly Canaan be our inheritance ! Amen."
KAMES AND TITLES OP JESUS, ALPHABBTICALLT
ARRANGED.
In out Januaiy Number we considered three names of Jesus, beginning with the letter A ; namely. Alien, All in all, and Almiohty. Beloved young friends, may the names of Jesus be precious to your souls. Pray, oh pray ferveivtVj m\Xi>3fiifc V'smX, that you m&jr he enabled to say and Bing —
" O bow I love his charming nasne^ 'Tia music to my ear I"
172 NAMES AMD TITLES OF JE8U&
We now invite your attention to the following names an Altar, the Altogetfier lovely, the Alpha, and the^
Altar. — Heb. xiii. 10, " We have an Altar, whereof no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle." That on Jewish sacrifices were presented in the Temple was Jesus presented a sacrifice to satisfy ofifended justice fo The sacrifice was his human nature — his soul and b what was the Altar on which the sacrifice was present his DiviiTB Nature ! That was the Altar. It was 1 that glorious Divine Nature, which gave the sacrifice less worth. And it is through Christ that the praye: and the praises we sing, are acceptable to Gk>d. Dear you say, Jesus is my Altar? Then, you are blessed o:
Altogether Lovely. — Song v. 10—16, *' My belovi and ruddy, he is the chiefest among ten thousands, gether lovely." The most excellent of saints on earth '. spots and blemishes. We cannot say of any believei cveathe holiest and the best, " He is sdtogether lovely.' only be said of Jesus. In the graces of his humani altogether lovely." In the perfections of his Divini altogether lovely." In his offices and relations, " H> ther lovely." Let each child now pray, " O Jesus, be GETHER Lovely of my heart !"
Alpha. — Rev. i. 8, " I am Alpha and Omega, the and the Ending." The first letter in the Greek a Alpha. It is the same in sound as the letter "A," the in our alphabet. Why is Jesus called Alpha? Bee First. He ia first as to being, he is from eternity, for he gave all things their being. He is first, as to He is infinitely above all kings, and above all ange humanity he is first. He is the ''First-bom am brethren," Rom. vili. 29. Toung friends, may Jesi Alpha ! Every morning may he have your first thoi may he have yoar^r*^, your early days !
Amen. — Rev. iii. 14. " These things saith the Amxh, ful and true witness, the beginning of the creatioi ** Amen" is a Hebrew word. It signifies truth and tnt added to a prayer it means this, " May the prayer non be really and trtdy answered." Why is Jesufl caXM Because, first, he is the true God ; secondly, he i Saviour ; thirdly, he is the substance of all divine tmth he teaches little children the truth by his Spirit ; Ji the true Prophet ; sixtJUy, he is the true Witness ; ana, the promises are in Him, and shall be truly fulfilled.
Anchor.— Heb. Vi. \^ , " '^\C\cfeL'W^^ ^^\isw^^ «a mi
the soul, both sure and a\^d^?ia\. *' K\i wvsStiw ^1 ^ iSeS
heavy piece of Iron, lengV^ci^^d ^^"^^ \\. W «ii^
riiig; to wliicb a great lo^'^^^Xfti^^^, «w\\^^«
NAMES AXD TITLES OF JESUS. 173
piece of iron crosses the other end of the anchor, like two large r. When the anchor is let down these powerful claws lay of the ground ; thus the ship is kept safe in one place, and »nted from being dashed to pieces on the shore. ^ ow, apply <} Jesus. The soul resembles a ship. The Anchor is Jesus, ^yiour. Faith is the strong rope, which is fastened to <, tJie Akchor. Thus, the soul is safe ; yes, safe from every er, and safe in every storm. Oh, may you sing these lines the heart : —
'' Amidst temptations sharp and long. My soul to my dear Jesus flies ; He is my Anchor, firm and strong, While tempests blow and billows rise."
fCiBirr OP Days. — Dan. vii. 9, " I beheld till the thrones cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment vhite as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool." lave in our land ancient buildings. We have ancient moun- , which have stood in their majesty since the world was } ; but there is nothing so ancient as Christ. As God, he is the beginning : Oh, how ancient 1 As God, he is from eter- : Oh, how ancient ! Oh, join with me in thus addressing j: —
" Thy names, how infinite they be. Thou great Eternal One ! From everlasting, thou art He Who fills the heavenly throne !"
fOEL. — Gen. xlviii. 16, " The Angel which redeemed me all evil, bless the lads." Isa. Ixiii. 9, " In all their afflic- he was afflicted, and the Angel of his presence saved them." il signifies messenger: and Jesus is called an "Angel," ise he is his Father's messenger. His Father sent him from en to earth, with a message of mercy and of grace to ruined And he now speaks to little children in the Gospel of
yve.
" The Angel of the Cov'nant stands. With his commission in bis hands, Sent from his Father's milder throne. To make his great salvation known."
7TB0R OP Faith. — Heb. xii. 2, " Looking unto Jesus, the aoK and Finisher of our faith." Whatever a man makes, he e avJfJuyr of it. Faith is a divine grace. It is hj faith the child sees Christ, receives Christ, leans on Christ. Who e faith 1 Who gives faith? Who preaexyea ia\l\i\ CS^ts&X,. s the "Author and the Finisher of faith." B Author of Eternal Salvation. — ^Heb. 'V.^, ""Rft^a^CKcaft uTHOB of etenwl s&lvsLiion to all them t\a»it o\>c:j \jmsl!
174 THE BIBLE.
By his diTinity he contriyed the plan of salvation: he ia tbere* fore its Aathor. He became man, obeyed, suffered, and died to obtain salvation: he is therefore its Author. He besiovi salvation on all who obey him ; on all who hear his caUi of mercy, and come to him.
Dear child, flee to Him, accept his invitations of love, reoeiro Him, and He will be the Author of your salvation, and give yoa at death a place beside Him on his Uirone.
THE BIBLE.
REHABKABLE EFFECT OF THE ELOQUENCE OF THB LATE BIV. J. BOOOS,
OF DEJ>HAM, ESSEX.
I HAVE read the following remarkable narrative in a sennonof the learned and pioas, the Eev. John Howe*s. The seimon is on the Principles of the Oracles of God. He says, "Itm related to me by the Rev. Thos. Godwin, when he was presideBt of Magdalen College, Oxford. He told me, that being bimad^ in the time of his youth, a student at Cambridge, and having heard much of Mr. Bogers, of Dedham, in Essex, he purpoielj took a journey from Cambridge to Dedham, to hear him preadi on his lecture day ; the lecture then so strangely thronged sod frequented, that to those who came not very early, there wis no possibility of getting room in that very spacious church. Mr. Rogers, as he told me, at the time he heard him, wai preaching on the subject of discourse, which hath been for &ome time the subject of mine — the Scriptures. And in Uiat sennoB he falls upon an expostulation with the people on their neglect of the Bible. He personates God to the people, telling tlKn, * Well, I have so long trusted you with my Bible ! Yon hire slighted it. It lies in such and such houses, all covered witli dust and cobwebs ; you care not to look into it. Do yon nae nij Bible so 1 You shall have my Bible no longer.' And he tikei the Bible from his cushion, and seems as if he were going an^ with it, and carrying it from them; but immediately tm again, and pcrsouating the people to God, falls on his knea^ cries, and pleads most earnestly ; ' Lord, whatRoever thou doeit to us, take not thy Bible from us ; kill our children, bum onr houses, destroy our goods, only spare us thy Bible ! only take not away thy Bible ! '
" Then he personates God again to the people : ' Say yoo sol
Well, I will try you a little longer, and here is my Bible for yoo,
and I will see how you use it ; whether you will love it more;
whether you will \a\ue \\) moxft\ "whether you will oheerre it
more; whether you wV\\ pTWi\.\afc\\. TELOt^^^sAVCT^TSkssttvaari-
"^^BVtiiese means, (j«t\ieDo<i\.ox\^\^m^;i>aftYQi^^^«»-
n
MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. 175
ion into so strange a postare^ that he never ww any gation in his life. The place was a mere Bochim, the generally deluged, as it were, with their own tears ! e told me, that he himself, when he got out, and was to orse again to be gone, was &in to himg a quarter of an pon the neck of his horse weeping, before he had power to , so strange an impression was there on him, and generally he people, on having been thus expostulated with for the b of the Bible !"
MISSIOISTARY INTELLIGENCE.
TORNADO.
LT is a Tornado 1 It is a dreadful storm of wind, more ir to countries in warm climates. The following is an t of a dreadful storm of wind and rain, which visited lia, a section of the Hervey group of islands, in the far ; Pacific Ocean. In Mangaia, the preaching of the , and schools, have been crowned with the most encourag- ocess. The following description is given of a tempest visited that island on February 10th, and which was d at intervals, with destructive violence, imtil March 17th, >y the Rev. George Gill : —
four o'clock on Tuesday morning, March 17th, we were ►ed from sleep by the bursting open of all our windows reat violence. The wind was roaring like thunder, and was furiously dashing its waves upon the reef. The whole was alarmed, and in great confusion. In the darkness of ur, the foam of the billows and the waves gave us light, readful was our suspense and anxiety in waiting for the As dawn appeared, the wind and sea increased in violence, 3ry thing seemed to be doomed to destruction. The stones le beach, carried by the wind like hail, fell upon us, and )ur windows, and the whole house itself was rocking. Mrs. d our dear babe hurried outside, and for more than an ere supported by natives surrounding them, as it was im- e to stand without help, or to seek a shelter, in conse- of the violence of the wind. There we stood in dreadful ', drenched to the skin, and watching the falling of houses }es, and the rolling of the sea. Who can describe the ' of that hour ! Our dwelling-house was roofless, and the snds had fallen. The house in which we kept our stores- 0 shivered and rocking, and almost roofless. The rain •ell in torrents ; we were without shelter, and tremhlvaj^ Id. The Datives gathered round us for co\m»^ mA ^wsv- i I was nnable to speak, either to direct ox (iOTiS«Afe. ^^^V tlwe there was an awful shriek I It rent VJiafc «:vt,«DA.
176 KEVIEW — SELECT SENTENCfi.
seemed to be louder and higher than the roar of winds and waves. The natives observed that the wind had changed, and had assnined the character of a whirlwind. Every part of the village was caught by its violence, and the tallest trees, with more than fifty houses, fell in a moment. Still all was not done. The winds again roared, and the waters thundered ; trees, as they were broken, were tossed in the air, and were seen turning rapidly, like wheels. I had left the tree near to which I was standing, to lake my posi- tion near to another, whence I could command a longer view of the village. I observed the sea again rushing upon the shore, and with it came a stronger gust than we had yet felt. The very Isnd seemed to shake. Seven large houses fell, with the school-houses and the old chapel, which was more than 120 feet long and 86 feet wide. I was blown down and bruised by the gust; bat^ ^covering, I seized a young tree to support myself, and looking around me upon the beach, I could see no house standing. I looked towards the new chapel on the top of the hill, and greatij rejoiced to see it standing, although I perceived the roof modi injured. But another moment, and another gust — and it wis not ! The building rocked — then it was lifted up — and I saw it fall ! Alas, alas ! my heart was just broken. This hurricnne extended around the whole island. The two inland stations tie desolated ; the chapels, the schools, and the dwellings <tf tiie natives, all levelled to the ground." Mercy was mingled with judgment ; not one life was lost !
REVIEW.
Hhymes worth Remembering, For the T'oung, Bif the Author of " Important Truths in Smj^ Verse,*^
This little work is admirably suited to the tento and jouthful mind. It is a moral and spiritual noee* gaj, beaming with beauty, and exhaling the most refreshing fragrance. It is attracting, animating, and instructive ; recommending itself by the piety which it breathes^ and the poetical originality and affectioiuUe simplicity which it displays. May the Holy Spirit crown the work with his blessing !
FsAJL OF God. — " "What "v^ at^ ^Swiv.^ \ft d« \^<(st^ nao^^^^ Ahonld be afndd ta tTiirOc \>eioTft OodJ^ ^«t. ^^i^ V^,— iyr.«»«u
177
SERMON XIL
DANGER OP. DESPISING GOd'S WORD. t despiseth the word shall be destroyed." — Prov. ziii. 18.
» has three books. He speaks in each. All :hree contain his word. God's word is in the >f Creation. Fsal« xix. 4. His words in that * have gone to the end of the world." God's s in the book of Providence, He speaks to us events of his providence; in the comforts or )ns which his providence sends, he speaks. He ' I am merciful, and I am sovereign." God's s especially in the book of Revelation. That Bible, which was as really made by God, as the le moon, and the stars. God's word is by waj nence in this book. He speaks more clearly, )lainly, more personally, and more powerfully,
I the other two books. This book is in a most able sense God's word. It is his word to us^
to me. If we hear it, love it, believe it, we B saved; but if we hate it, reject it, despise it,
II be destroyed. Dear children, this word must trifled with. To die despising it, it is impos-
lat heaven can be obtained. To die despising miseries of hell cannot be escaped. They I For God himself, who gives us this word, ind his word stands more sure than the ever- mountains,) " Whoso despiseth the word shall be ed."
I are they who despise God's word ? Mark the to this question. Frayerless children, dis- it children, lying cbildren, swearing children, Idren, thieving children, Sabbath-breaking chil* nd Christ-rejecting children ; these are children spise God's word ; and if they die as tbe^ liiQe-^ all he destroyed ; they must pen&h, Wxe^ <^^ii:(io\.
*' Lord Jesus, have mercy wpdu VSi^os ^sA heir hearts, and save their souAaV*
178 SERIION.
Bj the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we wi sider seven words of God, and show that tl despise them shall be destroyed.
I. God's commanding wm^d, — It is in the Tc mandments God gives his commanding word, commands are holy, just, and kind. He wl mands you, dear children, to obey, promises ( enable you to obey. Oh, how kind! They commands of a Father, of a King, of a God. come from love ; but they come also from aatl well as love. They are given by the love of a they are given by the authority of a King, this! Is it dangerous to despise the comi word of an earthly king ? How dangerous be to despise the commanding word of th of kings ! How dangerous it must be to des commanding word of the great God, wt heaven, earth, and hell 1 I beseech you, 1 this I Think not that you can posssibly escap live and die despising God's commanding won cannot ; it is impossible. Do not deceive yo with false hopes ! He may punish you here not, he will punish you in hell. Fearful, i thought ! Eph. V. 6, " The wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
II. God's roaming word, — How does Qc young sinners ? He tells them the danger of sin. He warns them of the evil and danger < company. He tells them that a ^* companion shall be destroyed," Prov. xiii. 20. He wan of the evil and danger of profane swearing, them, Exod. Xx. 7, that he " will not hold hii less who takes his name in vain." In Rev. X3 warns them of the evil and danger of lying, he says, that ^' all liars shall have their par iake that burns with fire and brimstone.'' Go them against deBpiain^ CVrfvBX. «cv^>k^'^ ^kaS^i^^c telJs them, Heb. ii. S, X\:i«^^ ^>o^«^ ^»x«v^\. t^a^^Kv " neglect so great aalv«AioTi:^ l&:i 1q^w^|,«
SERMON. 179
merciful and kind it is in God to give such warnings! Oh ! you need them ; yes, you need them much. If you love your own souls, and if you wish to escape everlasting burnings, do not despise God's warning word; for they who live and die despising it, " shall be destroyed."
III. Gid's threatening word, — What does God do when he threatens ? He tells the rebellious hardened sinner, that if he lives and dies in his iniquity and rebellion, he will punish him with a heavy punishment in the lowest hell. Why does God threaten ? He does it in mercy, that the poor thoughtless sinner may be aroused to see his sin and danger. It is that be may be persuaded to forsake his sins and live. Let us now look at some of God's threatenings. He says, £xod. xxxiv. 7, " I will by no means clear the guilty;" that is, I will show no mercy to those who live and die despising my mercy. There is another threatening in Psal. xi. 6 : " Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest : this shall be the portion of their cup." A great divine * calls God's threatenings " a fence placed around the mouth of hell, to prevent poor sinners from falling in." Dear children, remember that hardened sinners who despise God's threatening word break through the fence; and, if mercy prevent not, they must be destroyed.
rV. God's reproving voice, — To rej)rove, is to tell -one of his faults. It is to tell him how guilty he is on account of his sins. It is to tell him he is offending God. It is to tell him that he deserves God's wrath. God reproves all kinds of sinners in his word. Sab- bath-breakers, liars, swearers, prayerless persons, dis- obedient to parents, are all reproved. Young friends, it is most dangerous to despise God's reproving word. Hear what God says of those who despise his reproving word. Prov. xv. 10, " He that hateth reproof shall die." Majr this sink deep into your \\ea\\.^. ^^ ^^k^^ farther, Prov. xxix. I, « He, that bem^ o^\,^w t«^\^^^^
* President Daviea.
180 8ERMON.
hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Oh, may this sink deep into your hearts!
V. God's calling voice, — God calls on poor sinners in his word« He calls mercifully ; he calls earnestly; he calls constantly ; he calls patiently. Jesus calls on young sinners to become his scholars. He says, Matt xi. 29, '* Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart" Jesus calls upon them to obey him and serve him, and says, " Take upon you my yoke, which is easy, and my burden, which is light." Matt zi. 29, 30. He calls upon them to escape from hell, sajing, " Escape for your life." Gen. xix. 17. He calls upon them to flee to heaven. He calls on them to *' lay aside every weight, and to run the race set before them ;" that is, the race which leads to heaven. Heb. xii. 1, 2. How infinitely merciful are these calls I But remember, it is no light matter to despise them ; for those who despise them, and who die despising them, must be destroyed. Think on what God says of those who despise his catling word^ and then despise it no more for ever. Prov. L 24 — 26 : *^ Because I called, and ye refused ; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded ; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would have none of my reproof: I will also laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh." Young friendsi may the Holy Spirit deeply affect your hearts with the solemn truth, that '^ they who despise 6od*s calling word must be destroyed !"
VI. God's promising word. — The Bible is full of precious promises. Have you not oflen. wondered, after the sun has set, when you have looked upward to the skies, and seen the myriads of lovely twinkling stars? Indeed, they are wonderful. Bat I can tell you something far more wonderful, . and far more de* ligbtfah What is \t? Ix. \^ \\i^Ta\^\!\\MAft!^ oC i^recioof
promises, shining in aW lYieiT \oN^v£i^a»\i^\i^^Mi^^iMefc of Scripture. And, md^fed, t\iC5 ^^"^ ^R««:^^ ^>^
8ERM0N. 181
precious. " They are more precious than jewels, 1 the things thou canst desire are not to be com- to them." Let us now look at some of these pro- The following is a most beautiful promise to jhildren. Prov. viii. 17, "I love them that love and those that seek me early shall find me.** id are those children who believe this promise, seek Jesus. They are saved. And they shall nth him for ever in heaven. But multitudes lave despised this promise have been destroyed, ay this not be your doom ! Let us look at another tful promise. It is in our dear Saviour's Sermon J Mount. Matth. vii. 7, 8, " Ask, and it shall be you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall jned unto you. For every one that asketh, re- h ; and he that seeketh, findeth ; and to him that eth, it shall be opened." Oh what a blessed, what cious promise is this. There are many dear en in heaven who believed this promise. They ^Id of it with the hand of faith. And, when they they were conveyed to heaven, where they shall ppy for ever and ever. But, alas ! alas ! there lany, yes, multitudes in hell, who despised this sing word, and now they are receiving the re- 3f their unbelief. They are destroyed. That is, hopes and their happiness are destroyed ; yes, yed for ever. God forbid that this should be •iUf to despise Christ's promising word! God for- lat this should be your doonif to be destroyed! ed children, lay hold on these precious promises, th believe them. Then grace will be your por- ere, and glory your inheritance hereafter. ttlt/f God's inviting word, — The blessings of sal- are compared to a feast. ** Regeneration, par- . place in God's family, holiness, and grace," are Bssings of salvation. They are a fe«L«>\,, ^Tv.0a.,^2CL ant, and a delicious feast, provided iox \\\fe %o\Jv. las provided the feast. And Tie acnda \\\a tmoxv^- y parents, and the pious iastrwctota o^\)afeYvavK\%
n
ta
turn in hither : as tor him that wanteth oa^B ahe saith to him^ Come, eat of my brea^ fjjfi the wine which I have mingled. Fwaskq,^ and live ; and go in the wa^ of uadttA Blessed, blessed invitation ! To you, 7001^ this invitation ia most assuredly delivered. '. ceive it, if you partake by faith of the Gosp4 that is, receive Jesus and his salvation, — you tl at death the joys of heaven. But the trutl told : they who die refusing and deapising the tions of mercy, shall be destroyed ! Oh may tl ing lines sink deep into all your hearts ! —
" Let erery mortat ear attend.
And er'r; heart rejoice ; The trumpet of the Qoepel somids
With an iiiTiUag Toice. " Ho t all ye hungry atarving soala
That feed upon the wind. And vainly strive with eaithl; toys
To fill an empty mind. " Eternal Wiedtnn has prepared
A eoul-reviring feast,
ItiiI hiili vnnr Innirmir nnnBt.itM
SACRED ZOOLOGY.
THE HEN.
This bird is only mentioned on one occasion m Scripture by name. Both Matthew and Luke intro- duce it into their Gospels, but the occasion is the same ; namely, when our Saviour looked upon Jeta^ salem, and wept orer it. He thought on four things connected with that city— her unequalled priviteges,., the astonishing deliverances Grod had accomplished in her behalf, and the unparalleled calamities and desola- tions which awaited her. When he thought of all this, he wept over her, and gave vent to the following mournful exclamation : " 0 Jerusalem, JeruBalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which were sent unto thee ; how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a Hen gattieiefti^va <im.«i*asQSi under ber wings, and ye woa\& iaot\ ^«X ■^'^'* ^"^^^ hoase is leA unto jou desolate V "SlaM.Xi. ■»»»- 'SI >?«»
184 SACBED ZOOLOGT.
There is an allusion made to the tender and anxious care of this bird, in the following words, illustrative of 6od*8 watchful care of his people. Psal. xci. 4, " He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust ; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
The Hex, in Omitholc^, is of the genus Phaskaun, and belonging to the order of OaMruB, There are eix species in this order, and the QaUus^ or comnxm domesticated cock and heriy form the first spedesof the six. They are worthy of this place, for, of all the myriads of the winged tribes, this bird renders the greatest service to man. It not only gives its eggs for his nourishment, but also its flesh for his food. la addition to this, the softer portion of its feathers foims the pillow on which he lays down his weary head, to enjoy his slumber and repose.
It is said that this useful bird was originally intro- duced from Persia. Aristophanes calls the Cock the Persian bird; and tells us he enjoyed that kingdom before some of its earliest monarchs.
The Hen seldom rears more than one brood of chickens in a season. She produces sometimes 200 eggs in a year — much more than she can possibly hatch. This superabundant quantity is evidently a provision made for man, and illustrative of the wisdom and good" ness of God. The Hen is not particular in preparinga nest for her eggs, or for hatching her young. She ii perfectly satisfied with a hole scratched into the groiml among a few bushes. When she begins to sit upon her eggs, nothing can equal her perseverance and pfitieiie& For days she continues immovable ; and when foroei away by hunger, she speedily returns. When the eggl are all hatched, she leads forth her o£Pspring to proviili for their support. She undergoes herself a complete change. She is no longer voracious and cowardly* She abstains from all food which her young can swaUow, and flies boldly at every cte«.\.\«^ ^^ax ^^ ^hasaka is likely to do them harm. ^V«Jtc^« ^^X^^^Jsas^^^ is, whether horse or m2a^«, ^^«^ ^^1 ^Moi^>»
FiaURATIYE ILLUSTRATIONS OF TH£ BIBLE. 185
e utters a variety of notes, which her brood per- tly understand. By these she calls them to their »d, or warns them of approaching dangers. It is ^cdiarly interesting to see the Hen covering her )od with her wings. " So may God cover us with feathers, and under his wings may we trust !"
PIGUBATIVE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIBLE, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.
H ' Number X. we considered four excellences of the Bible, linnlng with the letters A, B, and C. In humble dependence the aid of the Divine Spirit, we will now consider the Word of 1 as a Box of Jewels, Bread, a Broad Land, a Bunch of Flowers, Kmber of a King, Comforter, Compass, Cordial, Counsellor, »wn, and Dainty Food.
)oz OF Jewels. — There was a precious box, first in the Taber- le, and afterwards in the Temple ; namely, the Ark of the renant. It was covered with gold. It contained ten precious els, namely, the Ten Commandments. The Bible is a more aable box, having a greater quantity of precious jewels. There a this box the whole will of God. Here there are jewels of pro- les, jewels of precepts, jewels of doctrines, jewels of prophecies, lels of histories, jewels of songs, jewels of proverbs, jewels of ables, and jewels of prayers. But I see in it a Jewel more cions than them all — Jesus, the Pearl of great price ! )beai). — In Scripture, bread is taken to mean all that forms I food of man, or all that is necessary for his nourishment in ! maintenance of his life. Amazing is the difference betwixt : soul and the body. But in this thing they resemble each .er — they both need food, or bread, for their nourishment and afort. Man cannot live by bread alone; that is, by the bread ,t perisheth. The regenerated soul lives "by every word that lO^^eth out of the mouth of God." Matt. iv. i. They who d the Bible with understanding, faith, love, and personal ilicatlon, depending upon the Holy Spirit, feed upon it as the read of life," and assuredly shall live for ever. L Bsoad Land. — From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Bevelation it evidently appears a land both long and wide. 3 Psalmist says, Psal. cxix. 96, " Thy commandment," that is, Bible, thy Word, " is exceeding broad." Oh, how long ! it ehes back into eternity past, and it reaches forward into eternity M>me. Oh, how broad ! for it spreads over the vast ex.tAiLt ^t »tion, providence, and grace.
'^*Ti8 a broad land of wealth unkno^wn, Where springs of life arise ;
Seeds of immortal bliss are sown. And hidden glory liea."
186 FIGURATIVE ILLU8TKATI0NS OF THE BIRLK.
A BuNOH OF Flowers. — The Bible is a garden filled with choicest flowers. The chief flower we see in Scripture is Jnua He is the Rose of Sharon ; he is the Lily of the valleys. SongiL 1. The promises are flowers. They are flowers of great beauty, great variety, and great fragrance. The believing child takies these flowers in the hand of £uth, and the re&esldng peifome revives his fainting soul.
A Chamber of a EiNO.—What king is found in this nugnifi- cent chamber] It is Kino Jesus. The young saint comes to this lovely royal chamber, here to see King Jesus. Here he sees the King in his beauty, his mercy, his grace, his fulness, his com- passion, and his love. As the sun fills the firmament with his brightness, Jesus fills this noble apartment with his gloiy.
A Comforter. — What does the holy Psalmist say of the Word of God as a Comforter? Psal. cxix. 60, "This," that is, thy word, "is my comfort in my affliction; for thy word hiSh quickened me.'* So great a Comforter is Crod*s word, that it enables this holy man to sing in the wilderness songs of triaaph and of praise. Ver. 54, '• Thy statutes,** that is, thy word, "hsfi been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.*'
A Compass. — What a blessing is a cmtvpaaa / What an infinity gpreater blessing is the Bible ! The compass guides the waioM through the briny ocean ; the Bible is the spiritual oompiii^ which safely guides through all the stormy billows of human Uik The compass points to the polar star : this spiritual oompai^ points to Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star. This ooBipaii points to heaven.
A Cordial.— Those who are ready to fiunt, need a oor^ to revive their sinking spirits. The believer is in himself weak, hat when by faith he drinks the cordial of the Word of Ged, hii soul is restored, his weak graces become strong and adiva Then he sings, " I will go forward in the strength of ^ the Lord, making mention of his righteousness, even of hii only.*' Fsal. Ixxi. 16. And it is this cordial which makes the soul of the pious child triumphant in death, and nying, ^M^ the last enemy draws near, " 0 death, where is thy atiagl 0 grave, where is thy victory ^ Thanks be to God, who giveth «« the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.*' 1 Cor. xv. 65^ 57.
A Counsellor. — To counsel, is to give good adviee. Ko counsellor ever gave such wise, such needful, such loving eoaseK as the Word of God. In every sense of the word it is a «•• derful Counsellor, It is the counsellor of kings, and noblflB,aBi judges, and philosophers, and ministers, and merchantBy masttf* and servants, parents and children. Oh, may every yoothfsl reader of these Vines be ei^aXA^^ \x^ \qq>Vl upon the l^ble and fl^ with the heart, PaaV. ctlVtl. "Ik, " ^Vj Vs^knuins^ ^Sia aie ay delicrht and my counaeWoTO." , -.^. _..^,.-i
their heads. These are ioxiBfc^ ol fL^VL,«Q^iB8!Kft^
REMARKABLE INSTANCES OF CONVERSION. 187
Do crowns give dignity to kings 1 Oh, see what dignity and honour the Word of God gives to those who know it, who belleye it, and who feel its power I What is the sparkling lustre of the jewels of a crown, compared with that moral hrightness and spiritual glory, with which the Bible irradiates those holy children, who are enlightened by its wisdom, and purified by its influence 1
Daihtt Food.— It is said, Gen. xlix. 20, " Asher shall yield royal dainties ;" that is, delicious food, worthy to be placed on the tables of kings. And what does the Bible do 1 It presents spiritual food, prepared in heaven, fit fur the enjoyment of angels. Look to the gospel table, and to the gospel feast. There you see the doctrines of the gospel. These are dainty food. There you see the promises of eternal truth ; there you see Jesus, and all the blessings of salvation. These are dainty food, and the Holy Bible furnishes them all.
TWO KEMAEKABLE INSTANCES OF CONVERSION.
Thb memory of the Kev. John Koqers is still fresh in the minds of the pious inhabitants of Dedham, in Essex, though he finished his life and labours in the year 1636, more than two centuries ago. He was a minister of the Church of England, remarkable for his piety, his eloquence, and his zeal. He preached in that parish for thirty-one years. Then gospel ministers in the Establishment were comparatively few in number; he was therefore held in great estimation by the people of God far and near. For thirty-one years his church was crowded to the door, not only on Sabbaths, but during his Tuesday mornings' lectures. He was the instrument of the con- Tersion of multitudes.
One day, on the other side of a hedge, he observed two men, and heard the one saying to the other, ^* Let us go next Sabbath to church, and make fun of old roaring Rogers.** He was not seen by them ; but he was enabled so minutely to observe them, that he felt sure he should remember them if he saw them in church next Sabbath. Before reading his text, he looked round, and at last saw these two hardened sinners standing in the porch. No doubt he had prayed fervently in his closet that the truth might reach their conscience, and by the Spirit save their souls.
He gave out the following text, Matt. iii. 10: "And now the axe is laid to the root of the tree." Then fixing his eyes on the two men, he said, " I am determined thai ^^otci'^ qX. the Mpa shall reach the church porch." The men. -weie «,Vras^ with astonishment They were riveted to lYie s^oX.. ^ora.- jriction reached their he&rta. They became eTXi\iieTk.\> QiOT^«V»» AndUvedand died the ornaments of that gospel ^\i\cVi^«A^BiaAa
188 POETBY.
the power of God for their salyation. Of such hardened lel God raised up children to Abraham, to sing their Sa?io praise.
This interesting circumstance was related to me by mj frit the Kev. John Trew, pastor of the Independent Church Dedham. A. F.
POETRY.
" ZION, WHOM NO MAN 8EEKETH AFTER." — JcT. XXX. 17.
" Soattbr'd by God's avenging hand,
Afflicted and forlorn. Sad wanderers from their pleasant land,
Do Judah's children mourn ; And e'en in Christian countries, few Breathe thoughts of pity towards the Jew,
** Yet listen. Christian, do you love
The Bible's precious page ? Then let your hearts with kindness move
To Israel's heritage. Who traced those lines of love for you? Each sacred writer was a Jew.
** And then, as years and ages pass'd.
And nations rose and fell, — Though clouds and darkness ofb were cast
O'er captive Israel, — The oracles of God, for you. Were kept in safety by the Jew.
" And though His own received Him not, And tum'd in pride away. Whence is the Gentile's happier loti
Are you more just than they ] No ! Cfod in pity tum'd to you, — Have you no pity for the Jew 1
" Go, then, and bend your knee to pray
For Israel's ancient race ; Ask the Redeemer every day
To call them by his grace ; Go, — ^for a debt of love is due From Christians to the su£fering Jew ! *
B. CtAT, »aV»1tltB., »ll«.J^I» Vt^ltWi «VW
^^ SCHOOi
VOL. n. '^
REV. ALEX. FLETCHER, D.D.
LONDON:— 1B«. rra HACL, VJRTUB ft CO. », TiTnasows- ^^^'^ ■
"^ 0'K*^'
t?
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
PAOB
Sacred Zoology. — Antelope, or Gazelle {with cut) 1
Sermon I. — Murderr, showing the Heart to be desperately wicked 2
Ants {with cut) 8
Murderers mentioned in Scripture 10
Obituary 11
Beauty of Colours 12
Young People sold in England 13
Missionary Communications 13
Poetry: Missionaries' Farewell — ^The Criminal 14
Sacred Zoology. — Camelo-pardus, or Giraffe {with cut) 17
Sermon II. — Cup of Salvation. Parti. (Psalm cxvi. 13.) 19
Names of Jesus alphabetically arranged, beginning with B 26
Practical Wisdom 27
Practical Folly 28
Wise Sayings 28
A Boy of Ten Years of Age instructing a Man of Seventy 28
Wesleyan Missions : Mission- house at Kawhia, New Zealand — Baptism
of a Brahmin 29
Children's Hymn 31
Rev. J. Berridge's Epitaph 82
Lines on the Tombstone of Mrs. Mary Margaret Randoll, in the Cemetery
of Abney Park, who died September 3, 1848, aged 72 years 32
Sacred Zoology.— The Hind {with cut) 38
Sermon III. — Cup of Salvation. Part II. (Psalm cxvi. 13.) 35
Lines on hearing the Sermon on the Cup of Salvation 42
Excellences of the Bible, alphabetically arranged, and beginning with
the letter D 43
Instincts of Animals, displaying God's Wisdom, Power, and GoodnteBS ... 44
Jonah and Jesus .' 45
Missions: Scottish Calabar Mission 46
Poetry : — Lines on hearing the Passing-Bell toll for an Infant 48
Sacred Botany. — Wheat {with cut) 49
Sermon IV.—*' God is love," (John iv. 8.) 52
Names and Titles of Jesus, alphabetically arranged 60
Poetry. — The Orphan's Hymn „..«..., 64
Sacred Botany. — The Citron {with cut) C5
Sermon V.—" God is love," (John iv. 8.) 67
Contentment 73
Excellences of the Bible, alphabetically arranged 74
Martyrology 75
Twelve Maxims for the Young 77
The Jews: good hopes of them 7&
Poetry : — Heaven ^^
Scripture Natural History. — The Elephant {voith cut^ ^^_
Sermon VI.—"No Night in Heaven."— (Hev. xx\\. b.'i ^^
Names and Titles of Jesus, alphabetically arraivged. ^-^
Obituary of J. J. w. Bacon, a Sabbath School TeacVvex *;.. ^^
A. Few Maxima for the Young
IV CONTENTS.
PAGE
Scripture Natural History.— The Cedar {with cut) 97
Sermon VII.—" It is well with the Child." (2 Kings iv. 26.) 99
Submission to the Divine Will 105
Martyrology. — Scottish Martyrs: — John Brown 106
Obituary of Master Lydiard M 108
Poetry: — Advantages of Early Piety 112
Scripture Natural History.— The Camel {with cut) 113
Sermon VIII.— '« It is well with the Child." (2 Kings iv. 26.) 1 15
Martyrology. — English Martyrs: — Bishop Hooper 121
Thoughts for Sabbath School Children 123
The Blind Man 124
Anecdotes » 125
A Few Maxims for the Young 127
Poetry :— The Mother's Address to her Blind Child 127
Scripture Natural History.— The Adder {with cut) 129
Sermon IX.—" And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that briHgeth forth his fruit in his season ; his Iraf also shall not
wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper/' (Bs. i. 3.) 131
Excellences of the Bible, alphabetically airanged .i 137
Martyrology.— Scottish Martyrs: — Hugh McKail 139
Aneodote of the late Queen Adelaide 140
The White Froek and the Spot of Isk 141
Poetry :— The Blind Child's Reply to his Mother's Address 143
Anecdotes: — Alexander and his Mother 144
Affection'a Choice Treasures 144
Scripture Natural History. — Bees {with cut) 145
Sermon X. — Young Saints Trees of Righteousness. " Trees of righteous- ness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." (Isa. Ixi. 3. ) 147
Martyrology. — Justin Martyr. Second Century 153
Names of Christ, alphabeticaHy mrranged, begimiiiig with the letter C. ... 154 Island of lona, in a letter f^om the Editor to the Church and Congregation
of Fin sbury Chapel, London 156
Plague of London. A Spiritual Prescription 137
Interesting Anecdotes 158
Extract from the late Queen Adelaide's Will 159
Poetry : — A little Hymn for a little Boy. By the Rev. John Sibree, of
CoYentry ...,., 159
Verses on seeing the Orave of a Young Lady 160
Sacred Botany.— The Bay Tree {with cut) 161
Sermon XI.—" The King in his Beauty." (Isa. xxxiii. 17.) 163
Choice Sayings : — 1. Cottage, a Palace 16§
2. Happiness 168
». Means of Comfort to the Afflicted 168
4. Flower irf Youth, when loveliest 168
John Bunyanifl Prison 169
Poetry: — God the Comforter , 171
Lines by Dryden 171
Warning to the Young to avoid Fairs ..,.,.. .^ ., 172
Reviews: — Publications of the Weekly Tract Society , 175
Scripture Natural History. By the Rev. J. Young, A.M... ,. 175
Voices from the Garden 176
Scripture Natural History.— Birds' Nests {with cut) , 177
sermon XII.— " Christ the King of Glory.'* (Ps. xxiv. 10.) 179
Blessedness of Departed Infants. By the Rev. T. Craig, of Booking,
Essex '. 184
RenMirkaUe Conversion of a Wicked Discontented Boy. The Storm 186
Reviews: — I. Important Truths in Simple Verse 187
JJ. Rhymes worth Remembering 18]|
SACRED ZOOLOGY.
ANTELOPE, OR QAZELLE.
The Antelope, or Gazelle, is the most lovely of the er tribe. The Hebrew name is >as, tzebi, which rnifies to collect. Gazelles live together in troops, e nnmberB sometimes amounting to thousands. These •atures are universally admired for their heauty. ley are lively and brilliant. Their eyes are so bright, t at the same time presenting such an expression of Flness, gentleness, and meekness, that eastern poets mpare the eyes of the most beautiful of women to ose of the gozelle. The writers of ttifi, ?ift\i\Mi»%M*. inslatioa of the Old I'estament transVatft ttvft 'S.doTfw le TZEBI by Sopxae, Dobcas, ■wbic\» aigm&eft "beauty. iel, ia bis Jamentation over Sau\ atv4 Soft^.'Cwi.ti.
2 SEBMON.
(2 Sam. i. 19), compares them to the gazelle. He says, " The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places." In the original Hebrew it is " the tz^i of Israel." In the Septuagint Greek translation it is " the dorcas of Israel." And in our language the words may be rendered, in reference to the loveliest of quadrupeds, as a figure, ** The gazelle of Israel is slain upon thy high places."
There are two kinds of gazelles, or antelopes—- the gazelle of the mountain, and that of the plain. The former is the most beautiful, and it bounds with such astonishing swiftness, that it seems as if possessed of the power of fiying* Some of David's heroes are thus described, 1 Chron. xii. 8 : " Whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as roes,'' or gazelles.
SERMON L
MURDERS, SHOWING THE HEART TO BE DESPERATELY
WICKED.
" The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked !"
Jer. xvii. 9.
Dear young friends, what is the greatest crime Aat man can commit against man ? It is the crime of murder. Many murders have been lately committed in England. This country is called a ChrM» country ; but, alas ! many of the foulest murders have lately stained England's fair fame and lofty name. Nothing has exceeded them, even in Ireland, or in the land of barbarians and cannibals. Oh ! it is painful to preach or write on such a subject. I have done the first,* «Liid 1 "now ijroceed to do the second.
* On the evening oi ^a\>\>2A\i, k^fv\\t>'Ci^\^V\ ^Sg«;^^ the subject of the BtA«ifteUU^\\mxvT^^^, \a ^^«^ «^^»«^ tire assembly, in ;FinaV>ur^ CV^^^v.— K. ^ ^
SEBMON. O
do not know the temptations which await you. 3 of you may be tempted to commit the sin of ler ! If this sermon shall be the means of pre- ing you from committing a crime so great and so iful, 1 shall be well rewarded, however painful the mt exercise may be to the feelings of my heart, hat does our text say ? It tells us that the heart \sperately roieked. Murder, more than any other e, shows that the heart is desperately wicked. heart is very generally taken in Scripture to sig- the souL As the heart placed in our body is the 3ipal and most important part of our body, the
by a figure, is very often called by that name, it are the actions of a child ? They are issues, or ims, which flow from the heart. Pro v. iv. 23 : jep thine heart with all diligence, for out of it are ssues of life.'* We know the nature of the tree by ruit. We know the nature of a fountain by its ims. And we know the heart, even of a child, by ivords he speaks, and by the actions he performs, is words are profane, his heart is profane. If his >ns are cruel, his heart is cruel. Dear children, rve what Jesus says about the heart. Matt. xv. 19 : }r out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, mur- , adulteries, fornications, false witness, blasphemy." these appeared in the convicted murderer, who, tanfield Hall, deprived a father and a son of life, wounded and endangered the life of two helpless lies ! When we think of this dreadful deed, we compelled to say that "the heart is desperately ced."
«t us now turn for a little to the murder of Calvary, re, and on a cross, Jesus, the incarnate Jehovah,
murdered ; by wicked hands he was crucified and 1. Among all murders thu standi V9\\AiQv>X> %:cv al. And it shall continue without wv ^o^^ ^i^ shall be no more. A voice is lieaxd irova C«Xn^v^ • what 18 it ? '' The heart ia AecevV^viV ^XiO^e; ^ ^ and desperately wicked 1"
SEBMON.
THE SIN OP MURDER.
May the following remarks on the sin of murder be accompanied with the Divine blessing I
1st. To murder is to usurp God's prerogative. What is a prerogative 7 It is something belonging to one by right. And if any one dares to take it from him, he is guilty of an act of sin and injustice. Strictly speak- ing, no one can take from God his prerogative. But the murderer attempts it. God gave life, and he only has the right to take life away. What does the mur- derer do ? He atteippts to take God's right out of his hand. The murderer's heart leads him to this dreadful act. Then his " heart is desperately wicked.**
2d. To murder, is to lay waste and desolate one d the noblest works of God. A living body, containing a living soul, is a more wonderful work than the temple of Solomon in all its glory. What, then, is a palace or a temple laid in ruins, compared with the human body laid in ruins, and levelled with the dust by a murderer's hand ? Surely " the heart is desperately wicked."
dd. To murder, is to commit the most atrocious robbery. All that a man possesses is Qothing com- pared "with his life. Job ii. 4 : " Skin for skin, all that a man hath, will he give for his life." Gk)ld, silver, jewels, houses, and lands, he will part with in a moment if his life be spared. A murderer, therefore, deprives another of his greatest, richest, apd most valuable inheritance. The heart which prompts to such a robbery as this " is desperately wicked.*
4th. To murder, is to inflict an injury which never can be repaired. It is to inflict a wound which never can be healed. It is doing what never can be undone. It is laying a house in ruins which never can be re- stored or rebuilt. How nv^iv^ ^\^ \yj ^ murderer's liand who are not prei^arfe^^o ^^^^^ QVWw S.^^^^ the thoueht, to send a bo\x\ Vtv\^ ^\.«\i\V^ >k^^t^^«^^^ What is it ? I must waN^«£ \V«^ ^w^Xwsm ^^^«fr.vN
SERMON. 5
IS most painful and distressing to the heart. It is forcibly, unjustly, and cruelly to send a soul to bell ! It is to send it to misery, from which it never can be relieved. It is to send it into a prison, from which it never can escape. Murder, then, is an irreparable evil ; and the heart of the murderer " is desperately wicked."
THE MURDERER.
We have considered the sin of murder ; let us now look at the murderer. Let us see what he is.
1st. He is under the power of the vilest passions. Look into his heart, and what do you see ? You see such vile passions as covetousness, envy, revenge, enmity, and selfishness. One, or all of these, made him a murderer. His heart is a " burning volcano, a little hell I "
2d. The murderer is a most selfish being. To please self he robs one of his most valuable inhentance; he despises the laws of men, he scorns the threatened judgments of heaven, he drives a soul into eternity, and plunges whole families into the depths of unutter- able woe.
3d. A murderer is the most dangerous of beings. He is more dangerous than the crocodile, the rattle- snake, or the devouring tiger which has escaped from his cage.
4th. A murderer is peculiarly a child of Satan. Most striking is the resemblance. Satan is " a mur- derer, and was so from the beginning," John viii. 44. He is the most malicious of beings, and it is malice which makes the murderer.
5th. A murderer is the most degraded of beings. He is in the lowest scale of the most degraded of creatures. Why ? Because he is under the worst pas- sions, and has been guilty of the greatest crime.
6th. He is therefore the most abkorrcd ol Xi^vsv^* He IS abhorred as a common enemy, as at tsyotl^x^'c \ol humaa shape, and as fixing on \i\\m«iti t\^1wc^ '^'^
() SEIUION,
foulest blot. He is more abhorred than the wolf or the hyena thirsting for blood.
7th, He especially exposes himself to Divine wrath. He deserves to die, he deserves God's wrath, he de- serves hell ! He is preparing for hell, Rev. xxi. 8 : *' Murderers shall have their portion in the lake of fire and brimstone."
8th. God can save a murderer's soul. He can give him repentance. He can change the monster's heart. He can forgive the penitent murderer's sin. He con- verted, he forgave, the murderer Manasseh. 2 Chron, xxxiii. 18, 19.
STANFIELD HALL MURDEBS.
There was a heart-rending tragedy of blood, lite- rally and lately acted at Stanfield Hall, in the neigh- bourhood of the city of Norwich, by James Blomfield Rush, who was a farmer in Potash, close to the dwell- ing of the murdered victims. This appalling tragedy furnishes a most melancholy illustration of what we have said of murder and of the murderer.
1 St. The passions of envy, malice and revenge were, long indulged in the murderer's bosom, which at last burst forth like a torrent of burning lava from a vol- cano*
2d. The indulgence of these passions led to tiiQ contrivance of a most extraordinary plan of death. Satan sat at the right hand of the plotting murderer.
3d. There was cool preparation for the deed — ^the preparation of his own mind ; providing fire-arms and practising their use ; also the preparing a disguise to conceal his person, and the laying of straw on a path- way to prevent the marks of his footsteps.
4th. Some tears were seen falling down his cheeks
before he left iiis home to commit the deed. Then he
resumed his firmness oIl i^vxt^o«»>ft, «Lud said, " Like the
spider Robert the "Bruc^i ^avi^ yiV\Os\^ ^xv^^^^jAj^ S.vm
the ceiling, six times aU^m^x.^^ \.q %^vq. ^ \«»5si^ ia^.
S^BMOK. 7
gained it the seventh, I have attempted six times, but will succeed the seventh."
5th. Now see him leaving his home, and under the covert of night walking through his fields, armed, and Satan by his side, proceeding to the scene of blood.
6th. Oh ! think of the family of Jermys, enjoying in imaginary security all the comforts of domestic life, and two of them within a few minutes of the eternal world.
7th. The father leaves the dining-room, and is in- stantly shot through the heart ; the son hears the report of the pistol, follows his father, and is in a moment shot dead ; Mrs. Jermy, the wife of the son, she also proceeds to the scene of murder, and the assassin, aiming at her life, greatly wounds her ; a faithful servant fees to her help, and she also is wounded by the assassin's hand. Sad — ^sad catastrophe of blood, and wounds, and death !
8th. The murderer returns to his abode under the frowns of heaven. On his return, he says to a young woman with whom he sinfully and unlawfully lived, " If any one asks how long I have been out, say I have been only out ten minutes." Early in the morning he rose, went into her bed-room : trembling with horror, he said a second time, " Be firm ; if any one asks, say I have only been out ten minutes."
9th. J. £. Bush was universally suspected. The officers of justice entered his dwelling early on the following day, made him prisoner, and bound with handcuffs of iron those hands which sent two human beings a few hours before into eternity, and which attempted the life of a third and a fourth. They took him from that home to which he should never return.
10th. The tnal is over ; the verdict of guilty is given ; the sentence is pronounced. It is now executed. The murderer has been brought from his cell, has suf- fered the penalty of the law, and has a^^e«c^^\i^^<5rcfe the Judge of the whole earth. How Ixue, ^^ \}lafc\ift«x\. 19 deceitful above all things, and despex^iXA^ Vv^^V*
8 ANTS.
CONCLUSION.
1st. Beloved children, seek grace to lay restrunts on every sinful passion. If J. B. Bush, who was cmce a child like you, had restrained his passions, what guilt he would have escaped, and what misery prevented !
2d. Beware of stirring up the sinful passions of others. It is said, but I hope it is not true, that the elder Mr. Jermy had been severe to Rush. If so, how frightful the consequences ! There is a wise and striking advice in the Apocrypha, Ecclos. Tiii. 10: *' Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire."
3d. Beware of three murderers who aire abroad in the earth, murdering souls. Their names wn^ ili6 dtfrii, the world, and the flesh. From these moxdte^aib my Jesus mercifully preserve you.
Lastly. Oh ! receive Christ, and submit. to hbgiaee, his government, and laws. Commit. yowr sDtilt to hiB care, and embrace him as your Saviour, Maj the Holy Spirit enable you to receive Jesua as ^fomrtf and to surrender yourselves to him as kM, Then ha will subdue all your sinful passions, renew your hearti, for- give your sins, and at last he will make you the possessors of heaven. Amen.
ANTS.
The Hebrew name of ants is Terj descriptive of their nature, character, and habits. It is H^Q^i nemala. The word nemala signifies a cropper^ or one that cuts off. Ants collect corn in harvest for their support in winter. They lay it up underground in stores. They are guided by a remarkable instinct to crop off^ the germs from the seeds of com, to prevent tbeir growth . Without \\ua ^i^covs^vya., ^^ Vd^oas^ar^ ^ tie ants would be in ^«m, wi^ «Si xJftKa ^a5Qwa^Rtt.\
the seeds of com wonid regetate and grow and the hoarded treasores would become useless Come, my young friends and adm re the v, sdoro goodness, and condescens on of God n the lesson he teaches the industnous aots Tl s s one of the inDumernble instance? of God s v, sdom and goodness as d splayed by tl o e I ar\ellous inst nets with vhich all tnhes of
irrational crentures are endowed, and wilhoat which their existence would most speedily come to a close.
Ants live together in companies, like bees, and they maintain a kind of republic, most perfect in its arrangement, and the administration so well regulated as to require no reform. We cannot b&y **^ "(ivvaiwEi governments what can be Ba\4 ot fti« ^d-a^wiwift'cR' Biaiotained and enjoyed by ttieee li\mftA*TO*«***-
"V».
10 MUBDEREBS MENTIONED IK SCBIPTUBB.
Scripture ants are presented as instructors. Prov. vi. 6 : "Go to the ant, thou sluggard ; consider her ways, and be wise." Ver. 8 : ** Which provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." •
MURDERERS MENTIONED IN SCRIPTFRE.
Cain. — His victim was his brother AheL Gen. iv. 8 : " And it came to pass when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."
Abimelegh. — His victims were his own brothers. Judg. ix. 5 : ^^ And he went unto his father's honse, and slew his brethren, being three score and ten per- sons, on one stone,"
DoEG AND Saul. — The priests of God weretlieir victims. 1 Sam. xxii 18 : "And Doeg turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod."
David. — His victim was Uriah. 2 Sam. xi, 15 : "Srt ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle^ and retire ye from him, that he be smitten and die,**
Absalom. — His victim was Amnon his brother. 2 Sam. xiii. 28 : " When I say unto you, smite Amnon, then kill him, fear not : have not I commanded you ?**
Athalla^h. — Her victims were all the seed royal 2 Kings xi. 1 : " And when Athaliah saw that her son was dead, she arose, and destroyed all the seed royaL"
Jezebel. — Her victims were the priests and NabM* 1 Kings xviii. 13 : "Was it not told my Lord what I did when Jezabel slew the prophets of tke Lord ?** 1 Kings xxi. 10 — 15.
Herod. — His victims were the balfes of Bethlehem, Mutt. ii. 16 : " Then H^to^ ^\<e.>N «il the children that were in Bethlehem, ^rom Vno ^^«t% ^^vxAxoiJ^r Je^VS.— Their V\cl\in\j«ia;S^«^^. ka\A\u'I^\^^«ss^.
X)BITUABT. 11
ive taken, and bj wicked hands have crucified and )w true ! " The heart is desperately wicked/'
OBITUARY.
)HN PRESTON FLEMING, STUDENT IN HIGHBUBT COLLEGE, AND HEMBEB OF THE OHUBCH IN FINSBURY CHAPEL.
Written by the Rev. Mr» Goodwin, TvJtor,
. Fleming's state of health had heen for some time such a9 asion anxiety to his friends, though they cherished the hope I recovery and future usefulness in the Church of Christ, nflammation of the lungs, which terminated in his death, )nly evident for about two days. When, on Saturday ing, the distressing symptoms of his disorder became mani- le intimat-ed his own conviction of what might be the end, mquilly giving some directions, which he wished should be led to if he should soon be removed. Medical attendance romptly secured for him, and for a while some hope was 4iined that his life might be spared. The disease, however, lued to advance, attended with much pain, increasing less, and difficulty in breathing.
lile desiring life for the prospect of serving Christ in the try of the Gospel, he showed no apprehension of death, but Bsed frequently his entire resignation to the will of God. severe nature of the attack rendered it impossible for him iak much ; but his kind disposition towards others, his sub- on to the will of his heavenly Father, and his simple con- » in the mercy of his Saviour, were ever manifest. While was still a little hope of his restoration, he said with much stness, " What an awfiil thing is affliction, if it be not im- d ! but what a blessed thing if sanctified for our improve- t"
•
listened with great interest to the portions of Scripture he hymns which were read or repeated to him, and joined e prayers Which were offered at his bed-side, retaining his Lousness almost to the end. When informed that his *al attendant considered his life near to its close on earth, id not appear surprised. On two or three occasions he had ) said, "It is a solemn thing to die;" and when it was red that " to the Christian the terrors of death were taken " he replied, ** It is so." He desired that his friends should d 'Hhat he felt that his guilt as a sinner would deycyi^bioi. if eveijhope but for the gospel of Christ *, sjxidi \\3A.\»>i)Qj&'^«Ai^ ►f which he had sought and found in C\ma\. xeiaaMiSi^^^'^^ As his strength failed, he found much. A^exjXX.^ vo. «^«»ifc-
12 BEAUTY OP COLOURS.
ing at all ; but two or three times, he, by a great eflfbrt himself in the bed, addressed those who stood around hii said with deep feeling, " Oh, when I look back on the my past life ! " then, with peculiar solemnity and'eamest slowly repeated the words, '* All things work together fi to those who love God." After a little pause he addec blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth from all sin. broken all the laws of God, but I have one thing to 1< Then he again repeated, " The blood of Jesus Christ cl us from all sin ;*' and turning to those who were at his exclaimed with all the energy of which he was capable, that a joyous truth V* He said two or three times, *' the Lord will spare me through this night." When remarked to him that it might not be so, he replied, ** shall go to sleep/' Thus he finished his course. He fel in Jesus, and before his Sabbath-day on earth had rea^ close, he entered on the Sabbath of heaven. He was 1 son of a pious widowed mother.
Copied by me, Alexai^deb Fletcher,
April 6th,
BEAUTY OF COLOURS.
The light of the sun contains every colour. The c colours which we see and admire are the reflection of t of the sun, which contain them all. It is by & prism, tl lengthened piece of triangular crystal, the rays of li divided, and by which we see these rays shining befoi colours of glowing beauty and dazzling splendour.
The following account is an extract from the Hanm. Nature : —
" Nothing in nature is more beautiful than her colonrs flower is compounded of difibrent shades ; almost every m is clothed with herbs different from the one opposed to every field has its peculiar hue. Colour is to scenery, wfa blature is to architecture, and harmony to language, are, indeed, so fascinating, that in the East there has Ic Tidied a method of signifying the passions, which is cal love language of colours. This rhetoric was introdno Spain by the Arabians. Tellow expressed doubt; bla row; green, hope; purple, constancy; blue, jealousy; content ; and red, the greatest possible satisikction. In to mourning, it may not be irrelevant to remark, that most Europeans moxmi m \>l&ck, the ancient Spartanai, S and Chinese, monined m 'v\i\VA\ >iJtkft^^gy^'CYKo&,\T^. ^4l<j Ethiopians in brown-, t\i«i '^wtYa, Va. n\q\^\.\ ^^SSsi^ Cardinals iiidicat© tl^cVt gAe« m^xw^Nftr
MI96IOKABT COMMUNICATIONS. 18
It is imposBible to look npon the rainbow without being iBtoniBhed at the glorious colours which that mysterious arch displays. When the belieyer beholds it, he sees a beauty which fte nnconverted philosopher can never discern. He sees the kken from God of his covenant with man, that there shall never more be a flood to destroy all flesh from the face of the earth. 0^1. ix. 16 : " And the bow shall be in the cloud, and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth."
CoLOiTR is even figuratively employed to set forth the loveli- ness of Christ. Hence the Church says, speaking of Christ's excellence, in Song v. 10, 16, " My Beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. He is altogether lovely."
YOUNG PEOPLE SOLD IN ENGLAND.
In the Life of Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, who died in the year 1095, it is stated that in a town called Brickston (now called Bristol) there was a mart for slaves, who were collected from all parts of England, and particularly young women ; that it was a most moving sight to see in the public markets rows of young people of both sexes, of great beauty, and in the flower of thek youth, tied together with ropes, and sold ; men, unmindful of their obligations, delivering into slavery their relations, and even their own children. Wulfstan by his exertions put an end to this barbarous custom. What cause of thankfulness have our young readers for the light of the Gospel, which has shined upon our land, and put an end to all danger of their being sold into bondage I
MISSIONARY COMMUNICATIONS.
Young friends, it is my intention to give regularly, in each succeeding number of this work, written expressly for your benefit, some Missionary communications. These will be gathered from the accounts given by the diflerent Missionary {Societies in our land, without any respect to party or de- nomination.
BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
This Society has been of long standing. 3e«vx^ V-aa ^«^1 blessed it. Many of dta Missionaries have txaii&Va.Xjfc^VJtifc^^'^ f God Into vaiioua languages, particulaxly in la<^iM», \2q».\» '^^aSw glon teeming with idolatrous inhabitanta.
14 MISStOKABIES* ^AREWEtt.
OONYEBSIONS IK TKDlX,
AoRA.— One European female was baptized by Mr. WilUamg, December last. In a country far, far from her native homei she was bom again.
Chitauba, near Agra.— Two Hindoos were baptized by Mr. Smith, 10th of December last
Narsiqderchok, near Calcutta. — Three native converts were baptized by Mr. Lewis on the 24th of December last, after a pro- fession of their faith in Christ.
Jessonk. — Mr. Parry, under date of the Slst December last, says, ** You will rejoice with us that last Sabbath fourteen con- verts were baptized in two villages, and on the following day three more made a public- profession of their faith in Christ Most of these converts have been hearing the Gospel for years ; others for some months ; and have been for a long time under serious impressions."
CONVERSION OF KOTHAH-BTIT.
There has been established a Mission in Karen, in the Bar- man empire, lying between India and China. Eothah-byu had been a slave, a robber, and a murderer. In his unconverted pagan state he had killed altogether thirty men at different times in his life. The sermons of Mr. Judson were the means of his conversion. He became most active and useful in the cause of Christ. Many hundreds of blinded heathen were converted by means of his preaching, and saved from Satan, the murderer of souls. A few years ago he died in Jesus, and has now received his celestial crown. 2 Tim. iv. 8.
MISSIONARIES' FAREWELL.
BT W. L. JUDD, WHEN LEAVING AMERICA FOR HAITI.
Air — " Long ago"
Webp not for na 'wVieTL -joxji^aiWR ^^j^ ^xfc %<s^<^
Far, fat awa^— ^a.^,^*-^ «^^1- Pray for ub lYiexe ^\i\\e ^e VCwsv« ^«wi.
Far, far a>v«3— ^^^ . ^«« '^'^^^
MISSIONA&IES' ]E*AR£WELL. 15
While to the heathen who *re sinking to woe We' re leaving country and kindred to go. Let UB your friendship and kindness still know, Far, far away— far, far away.
There shall we witness the shame of our race,
Far, far away — far, far away. There shall we offer salvation by grace,
Far, far away— far, far away. There will the Spirit, the heavenly Dove, Open hard hearts to the message of love, Mercy in showers descend from above.
Far, far away — far, fjir away.
Hinder us not from the field of our choice.
Far, far away — far, far away. Glad would we teach them in Chrigt to regoice.
Far, far away — far, far away. Cheerfully send us with music and song. Pray that the ocean may bear us along, Jesus shall share a rich spoil with the strong.
Far, far away — far, far away.
Why should you weep while the Saviour says, Go
Far, far away — far, fer away 1 His presence and grace all his servants shall know.
Far, far away — ^far, far away. Send us with alms, and forget not to pray ; Share in our labours and toils by the way ; Hasten us forward, they *re dying to-day
Far, far away — far, far away t
16 THB CBIHIKAL.
THE CRIMIJSTAL.
'Tis silence in that cell, and dim the light
Gleaming from the sunk lamp. There is one stands
Petter'd, and motionless, so very pale,
That were he laid within his winding-sheet.
And death were on him, yet his cheek could not
Wear ghastlier hues ! Cold damps are bn; his^brow;
With intense passions the red veins are dwdlM ;
The white lip quivers with suspended sobs, '
And his dark eyes are glazed with tears, which stiU
He is too stem to shed. His countenance bears
Wild and fearful traces of the years
Which have passed on in guilt Pride, headatrong ire,
Have left their marks behind. Tet, mid thia war
Of evil elements, some glimpses shine
Of better feelings, which the clouded stars
Soon set in night A sullen sound awakes
The silence of the cell, — ^and up he starts,
Boused from the dizzy trance of wretchedness.
And gasps for breath, as that deep solemn toll
Sinks on his spirit like a warning voice
Sent from Eternity ! Again, it rolls !
Thy awful bell, St Sepulchre, which tells
The criminal of death ! His life-pulse stops
As if in awe, and then beats rapidly.
Flushes a sudden crimson on his face.
And leaves it deadlier than before.
The door was open'd, and the chains were struck From off his shackled limbs. They led him forth— They led him on. His step was firm, although His face was deadly pale. And when he reached The scaffold, he knelt meekly down, and pray'd. Silence was all around. His eyes were closed. This world one gasp concluded, and to him Open'd eternity \
SACRED ZOOLOGY.
CAME1.0-PARDU8.
Tbb description which Moses g;ivea of clean animala, 'hicb might be eaten according to the Levitical law, xactly eorxeaponda with the Giraffe, or Camelo-pardua. t ie likely one of those dean beaats mentioned in teut. xiv. 5, 6, — " The hart, and the roebvicls., Miik'Cafe dlotr deer, and die tviJd goat, and ttie V??!*''^^' ^■^^ e trild ox, and the chamois. And every \»e.aa^ ^tobS. -teth the hoof, and cleavelh the cleft into two <i\a.-«».
18 SACRED zooLoar.
and cheweth the cud an^ongst the beasts, that shall ye eat."
This singular animal is the tallest of quadrupeds, reaching, from the soles of the fore- feet to the top of the head, the astonishing height of from fifteen to six- teen feet. The general appearance of the animal is not destitute of picturesque effect. The head is small, resembling that of the Stag. The aspect is mild, and the eyes are large and animated. The neck is ex- tremely long and tapering, and the disposition of colours singular and pleasing, many brown spots being scattered over a whitish ground. A short stiffish mane runs from the head to the middle of the back. The tail is of moderate length, and terminating in a tuft of long hair. The hoofs are moderately large and black, and the horns about half a foot in length. The fore part of the body is very thick and muscular, and the hind part thin and meagre, so that when the animal is viewed in front, none of the rest is visible. There are some noble specimens of this peculiarly formed quadruped in the ZoolK^ical Crardens of London, and which I have looked upon wkb wonder and delight !
This animal is chiefly a native of Ethiopia ; and is also found in other parts of Africa, and even of Asia. It is rarely taken alive, except when young. It is in its disposition mild and timid ; but when put upon its defence, it is capable of repelling its enemies by severe and repeated kicks. It feeds principally on the leaves and tender twigs of trees. Small groups, consisting of six or seven individuals, are sometimes observed to- gether ; but when disturbed, they run off and disappear with wonderful expedition. The female goes twelve months with young, and has never two at a birth. What reason have we to exclaim, (Psal. xl. 5,) '*Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done ! "
19 SERMON 11.
CUP OF SALVATION.*
Part I. "Itoill take the Cup of Salvation." — Psal, cxvi. 13.
May God the Holy Spirit bless this sermon on the Cup of Salvation ! Bj his gracious influence maj it be the means of persuading many young immortals to take, and drink the Cup of Salvation. While you are reading this sermon, send up your supplications to Heaven's throne, and pray that the God of Salvation may enable you to take, and drink the Cup of Salva- tion !
Cup in Scripture has different meanings. In the following passage it is taken in its literal sense. It contains a counsel which particularly applies to drinkers of wine ; or, as they are commonly called, wine bibbers, Prov. xxiii. 31, ^*Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder."
God, as a gracious God, and as the God of Salva- tion, is called a Cup, — the believer's Cup. Psal. xvi. 5, " The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my Cup." Blessed is that child who can say, " Jesus is my Cup!"
The abundant blessings of Providence are called a Cup. Psal. xxiii. 5, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, thou anointest my head with oil, and my cup runneth over." Does the cup of our lot run over with the blessings of Providence ? Oh, may our hearts o'erflow with feel- ings of thankfulness and love !
Erroneom doctrines are called a Cup. In speaking of these, the Apostle uses very strong \a\i^\3i^%<^. ^<^ Bays, (1 Cor. x, 21,) " Ye cannot drmV \W ^\x^ ^*^
* TbiB Sermon was preached to childreTiiTL Qt\»aeQ^,AWOB^^«^ \at, m the City HalL
20 8£BM0N.
the Lord, and the cup of devils," Satan is the father of errors, as well as the father of liars. He fills the I cup with the deadly poison of error ; and woe will be to those who drink the deadly cup !
A miched city is called a cup. Such was Babylon, because she corrupted cities and nations. Jer. li. 7, '' Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, and made all the earth drunken : the nations have drunken of her wine ; therefore the nations are mad."
An afflicted city is called a cup, and a cup of trem- bling. Zech. xii. 2, '* Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling to all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege, both against Judah, and against Jerusalem." This intimates the strong judg- ments which made them tremble with fear, and anguish, and horror. A short while ago, the cities of Paris, Berlin, and Vienna, were cups of trembling. By some dreadful riots, it is not long since Glasgow was likelj to have been a cup of trembling ; but God most graciously heard his people's prayers, and disappointed their fears.
God's wrath is called a Cup. Psal. Ixxv. 8, " For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red ; it is full of mixture, and he poureth out of the same : but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them."
Christ's sufferings are called a Cup. Matt. xxvi. 39, ^' He prayed, saying. If it be possible, let this cup pass from me : nevertheless, not as I will, but as thoa wilt."
Salvation, with all its blessings, is called a Cap. As we find in the words of our text, David says, witii holy devotion, thankfulness, and joy, " I will take the cap of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord."
By the assistance of the Holy Spirit, I shall endea- vour to show, 1st, What \\i^ C\x^ of Salvation is ; 2d, Mention some properties ol xXsa^ x^caaffesi^J^k <a«^\ Sd. Point out some strong reasons ^kV^ ^wl ^^isi^ take, and drink this cu^ •, «^^^. \xX\xiU^xM»\ft^«
8EBH0K. 21
notice several persons mentioned in Scripture who took, and drank this Gup of Salvation.
And may Grod the Holy Spirit bless this sermon, for the conviction and conversion of many youthful immortals !
I. I shall show what the Cup of Salvation is.
There is, first, the Cup; and, secondly, what the Cup contains — Salvation.
First, there is the Cup.
After thinking seriously on this Cup, I conclude that it must mean the OospeL There are some very remarkable cups. J£ I showed you one of them, and Eisked you the following question, " What is this cup made of?" you would answer, "It is made of silver, and gold, and precious stones." The chief part of the cup is formed of silver, the beautiful mouth, or edge of the cup, is made of gold, and on the sides of the cup there are precious stones, and jewels of spark- ling beauty. Then you would say, " What a lovely, Bostly cup I" Come, now, and see what this Cup of Salvation is made of, — ^this Gospel cup. As to the word Gospel itself, it means good news, or good tidings ; as the angel said to the shepherds at Bethle- hem, (Luke iL 10,) " Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." I have mentioned a literal cup, con- sisting of three things, — gold, silver, and precious 3tones. Now, this gospel cup consists of ^bwr things more precious than gold, and silver, and rubies. Be- loved young friends, particularly observe these ybwr. This gospel cup consists of precious doctrines, precious invitations of mercy, precious offers of grace, and pre- idous promises of truth. Oh, what a cup ! what a wonderful cup !
This gospel cup consists of precious doctrines. What IS a doctrine ? It is something taught, whether good or bad. A bad book^ an infidel book, \.«!Wi\vRa "W^ \n£de] doctrines, or opinions. But vjiiat Wvft %q«^ aacbea are good doetrines, — holy, divine tTW\)aa. ^>a» UowiDg 18 a specimen. The gos^\ tewSciea ^^
22 SERK017.
doctrine of One Jehovah, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God. It teaches another doctrine, namely, God's plans and purposes of wisdom and of mercy. It teaches the doctrine of the covenant of grace, in which the Father and the Son agreed from all eternity on the great suhject of the salvation of men. It teaches the doctrine of redemption through the person and righteousness of Christ alone. And it teaches the doctrines of the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, and the eternal blessedness of heaven. A minister who faithfully preaches these doctrines ia called " a doctrinal preacher." Thus, I have told you that the first thing of which the gospel cup consists is doctrines.
This cup consists, secondly, of " precious invitations of mercy." You know what an invitation is. If a friend ask you to his house to come and dine with him, that is an invitation. There are many invitations of mercy found in the gospel ; and these add very mach to the richness and beauty of the cup; Take the fol- lowing as a specimen. Matt. xi. 28—30. Jesus says in his kind inviting voice, " Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my boiden is light." Young friends, seek grace^ that you may hear and accept these merciful invitations !
This gospel cup also consi^s of precioos offers of
grace. In the gospel, Jesus comes to young sinners
with all the blessings of salvation in bis hand. He
holds up these great blessings before their eyes, and he
offers them most kindly for their acceptance. Jesus is
called Wisdom. And what does Wisdom say? and
what does Wisdom offer ? Thus Wisdom speaks, and
thus Wisdom offers, 1?tov.n\\\. \Q^\1^ '^Receive my
instruction and not a\\ve?T*, ^u^V^o^VA.^T^S&sst'^MBL
choice ffold. For wisdom \^\>^v^« VJft«sxTxWva^«A.^
the things that inay \>e ^^^^^ «^ ^^'^ \.^\-^«^
SERMON. 23
pared unto it." May the Holy Spirit enable iny young friends to accept the offers of grace I
This gospel cup consists, fourthly, of precious prO' mises. If we compare the Bible to the sky, the pro- mises are the stars which sparkle and shine with great brightness in that sacred sky. Have you not been often astonished, when you have looked up to the sky after the sun was set, and beheld the vast multitude of beautiful stars in all their glory, shining in the firma- ment? But the promises which shine in such vast numbers in the firmament of the Bible are stars of far greater brightness, and far greater loveliness. Come, and see, and admire, the two following promises. The first is especially the promise for the young. Prov. viii. 17. "I love them that love me: and those that seek me early shall find me." May this promise rejoice your heart ! The following precious promise has re- joiced the hearts of myriads, and may it gladden yours. Isa. Iv. 3, " Incline your ear, and come unto me : hear, and your soul shall live : and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."
I have thus endeavoured, with great plainness, to describe the gospel cup as consisting of doctrines, in- vitations, offers, and promises. And no cup in the palaces of kings, though consisting of silver, and gold, and precious stones, was ever worthy to be compared with this.
Secondly, we are to show what this wonderful cup contains. It contains Salvation. And because it contains salvation, it is called the Cup of Salvation, One cup may contain honey and milk. Another may contain refreshing water from the fountain. And another may contain delicious wine. But what these cups contain is nothing, compared with what this cup contains. These cups contain what \a xi^^lviX. ^ot *^^ body; this cup that which is useful foT i>aft Ticket ^Y^»^^ oaL What these cups contain must ipens^'. ^V-aX. ^C»s^ jp contains shall endure for ever, "W\»X VSaeasfe ^^^
24 SERMON.
contain is useful for the life that now is : what this contains, prepares for a life of glory and immortality in heaven.
This cup contains Salvation. Some think that sal- vation only consists in deliverance from the miseries of hell, or in having their sins forgiven. But thej are in a great mistake. Salvation certainly contains these two, but it contains miich more.
Endeavour, young friends, seriously to attend, while I attempt to show you, of what salvation consists, or, what it contains. The loveliest jewels of thedia" dems of kings, are despicable when compared with the j precious blessings which salvation contains. The fol- lowing are among the rich collection, namely, conver- sion, the pardon of sin, acceptance with God, admission into the family of God, the graces of the spirit, fellow- ship with God, a happy death, a glorious resurrection, and a blessed heaven. I think I hear a pious child exclaim, " Oh, how lovely, oh, how precious these bless- ings of a great salvation are !" .
Look at the first, namely, " conversion." May this be yours ! Then your hard heart will be softened, your black heart be made as white as snow, and your heart of enmity be changed into a heart of love. Then '^ old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new." 2 Cor. v. 17.
Look at the second^ namely " the pardon of sin." Ok ! seek pardon with penitent hearts, looking to Jesus, and God will forgive you. He will say, " I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." Isa. xliii. 25.
Look at the third blessing, namely, " acceptance
with God." If a son greatly offends his father, he maj
for some time not allow him to come into his presence.
Some days after, the offending son is penitent, comes to
his father, batbed in te«t^, wvd aa-YS^ ** Father, I have
sinned against thee V TYi^ Yva.^ Safi^Kt s>uxics^i^ Vml
arms around his sou's Ilec^,Tee«v:s[^^2^^VD^»^a^^«a^
and changes his fro^M mXo OTa!iea. i:tM.\^ a««|jua«
SERMON. 25
Thus, Grod accepts penitent children, who cry to him for mercy through a Saviour's death. And then they sing with joyful hearts " to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." Eph. i. 6.
Look at the fourth blessing, namely, " adoption." To be adopted, is to be made a child of God — to be made one of his family. A rich man takes pity upon the child of a poor beggar woman, puts him among the number of his children, and makes him his son. You see him playing with the other children, on a bright summer's day on the soft green lawn, before the rich man's noble dwelling, attended by a kind maid-servant. Oh, what a change on that child ! He is adopted ! It is this which God does to little children who seek his grace. He adopts them. He takes them from Satan's family and makes them his sons. He says then, ** Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me. My father, thou art the guide of my youth ?" Jer. iii. 4.
Look at the fifth blessing, " The graces of the Spirit." Do you wish me to name some of these graces ? I will do it with pleasure. Repentance, faith, love, hope, joy, patience, zeal, meekness, gentleness, and heavenly- mindedness. These are the graces of the Spirit. Pray that they may be yours. Then you shall be " like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold." Psal. Ixviii. 13.
Look at the sixth blessing, " Fellowship with God." To speak with God in prayer, and to converse with God in the ordinances of religion — ^what a privilege ! what an enjoyment ! Then the pious child can say, " I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." Song ii. 3.
Look at the seventh blessing, " a happy, an unstinged death." Oh, may that blessing be yours. When you die, may you fall asleep in the bosom of JesM-a. Eot « blessed are the dend who die in theLotd.'* 'fiLekN .ta:^ A*^*
Zook at the eighth blessing, " a g\oT\o\xa t^'&\>x^<2:R»- on." May that blessing be yours. TViw, ^Q^^
26 KAME8 AND TITLES OF JESUS.
your bodies may slumber for many centuries in tbe tomb, you shall at last awake, come forth, and shne brighter than the stars, for ever and ever. Dan. xii. 3. Look at the last blessing, *< a happy heaven." Oh, may this blessing be yours ! At last, may you land on the heavenly Canaan's blessed, peaceful shores ! Li the prospect, may you and I sing, in holy expectation of that blessed land, " Far — far away, — ^"
" When I can read my titie clear. To mansions in the skies, I bid farewell to every fear. And wipe my weeping eyes ! "
{To he cordinued in the next Number,)
NAMES AND TITLES OF JESUS ALPHABETICALLY )
ARRANGED. I
We have considered the blessed names and tiileB of ChiM commencing with the letter A ; we now proceed to consider ibkoee beginning with the letter B.
First, — Oar Saviour was called a Babb. And he vxu a Babe. Luke ii. 16, " They came with haste, and found Mary^ and Jose^ and the Babe lying in a manger." How interesting ii is to aee a little lovely, helpless babe 1 How beauUfdl are its smiling eyes, its rosy cheeks, its mby lips 1 How wonderful ! Jessi was once a babe. Not only a soul, but the Divinity, the grett God, dwelt in that babe, and still dwells in his humanity in heaven. In the feeble Babe of Bethl^em ** Gk>d was manifested in the flesh.'' What a great, what a glorious mystery is this! Say, with wonder and with love, while you think of Jesus as the little Babe of Bethlehem : —
'* Soft and easy was our cradle ; Coarse and hard the Saviour lay ; For his birth-place was a stable. And his softest bed was hay.'*
Secondly r-Oxa blessed Jesus is called Balm, Jer. viii. 22, " la
there no balm in GileadT What is halmt It is a substsDee
which comes out of treea, \ikft resin. The smell is most deUdosB
and refreshing. There \%\ii\\i^\»AQ'l^^AA&.«.\x»t^^aUML^
balm-tree, which la tTaiued \\Y^ o;« "^l- >«:«»«si^^^:^Sl
aidered, Jesuais the Qkbjlt ^^^'^^^^.^^^^^,,^'^11;
PRACTICAL WISDOM. 27
s of his Holy Spirit. They who receive by faith this balm, ade whole, whatever be the spiritual diseases of their soul. y my dear young friends, and receive this balm, and your shall be healed. If you have the swearing disease, or the disease, or the stealing disease, or the prayerless disease, aim will take all these diseases away. Oh, seek and receive lalm. Bemember what it did to wicked King Manasseh ; it did to the thief upon the cross ; and what it did to Saul rsus. Oh, remember this, and be encouraged to seek and e this balm, this precious, this healing balm of grace.
'* This blessed hoXw, did Wisdom find. To heal diseases of the mind ; This remedy, whose virtues can Restore the ruined creature man."
irdlyy — Our Saviour is called the Bkqinnino. Col. i. 18.
0 is the beginning, the first-bom from the dead." Why is called the Beginning] He is called so for four reasons. He is the beginning of creation — he made all things.
id. He is the Beginning of the Church. The first convert {generated, and all have ever since been saved by his grace. I, He is the beginning of grace. He is its original fountain, fourth. He is the beginning of Glory. He alone will give
and glory.
urthly, — He is called Beloved. Song. v. 10. " My Beloved ite and ruddy." Some can say. Houses and lands, gold and
are ours. But that child who can say, " Jesus is mine, he
1 beloved of my heart," has more real wealth than all the and silver which the mines of the earth contain. Holy i, enable all of us to say —
'* Jesus, in thee our eyes behold A thousand glories moi«. Than the rich gems of polished gold The sons of Aaron wore."
PRACTICAL WISDOM.
: that would be wise must read God's book ; and he that i be holy, must approach God's throne. He that would be fol, must remember God's mercies. He that would be coh- must trust God's providence. He that "WOvxV^ \ifc tmi^> imitate bia forbearance. He that 'would \)e TEL«t<i\Svi\, td:!q&\» is lore. He that would be haptty, must eTs^a^ \i\A «ibcCvss^ tt would be Baved, must believe God'a Eon, wAVvr^^ ^ory.^rrom my friend, tke Bev. John iSibrce,qf Co-oenfit-nj.
28 YOUTH INSTRUCTING OLD AGE !
PRACTICAL FOLLY.
In order to enjoy the present, it is necessary to be in the present. To be doing one thing, and thinking (of f is a very unsatisfactory mode of spending life. Some are always wishing themselves somewhere else than wh( are ; are thinking of something else than what they an or of somebody else than to whom they are speaking, the way to enjoy nothing, to do nothing well, and U nobody. This is practical folly. — From the same.
WISE SAYINGS.
Sinful Fears. — " False fears bring true vexations, an^ nary grievances produce real sorrows." Psal. iv. 3, 5. — 1
Sin. — " He that hath slight thoughts of sin, had nev thoughts of God." Psal. 1. 21.— Dr. Owen,
Fellowship with Christ. — '* He wants no company n Christ for his companion." PsaL Ixxiii. 25. — Dr. Sibs.
Sin and Ekpentanob. — " Sin is a Christian's greatest % repentance his surest salve" — Calamy,
A BOY OP TEN YEARS OP AGE, INSTRUCTIl POOR MAN AGED SEVENTY !
There is a preaching station, and also an infant and ; school, in Milton-street, formerly Grub-street, connecti Finsbury Chapel, of which I am pastor. From a Me takes a deep interest in the above sacred object. I have i the following interesting communication :—
" Mt Dear Dootor, — An old man, upwards of seventy
age, who occasionally attends our prayer-meeting at
street, and whose heart is deeply affected by Divini
related the following on Sabbath morning last : — ^A po
Scripture, ' The curse of the Lord is in the house of the ^
&c. &c, was a few days ago impressed upon his mind as
so forcibly that he could not help thinking about it ; luu
know where to find It. He at last mentioned the circumsl
the family where he ib lodgvug. "^Ven ^ \»\»\^fc \s(<s^ , tea :
age, heard it, he said, * OTa, a\x , 1 ^\!^ ioAVX. l«t iwv V w
diatelY took Ma Bible aad ^.xxmfe^ \.^ \5ftfe;&Q[t\Assii.^i»
TroY. iii. 83. Thus, you aee, ^\v^ ^a^^ >a^i«Maa ^ t
WESLEYAN MISSIONS. 29
an old man; to one who had spent many years in sin and iniquity, but who, by God's ffee unmerited mercy, is now a sub- ject of grace. The little fellow has been brought up in our infant school, and is also in the Sabbath school. The good old man was deeply affected when relating it ; so much so, that he could scarcely give utterance to what he wished to express. How it humbled him when he thought of God's sparing mercy in not cutting him down when in the midst of his iniquities, in his neglect of OodPs word and commandments. Oh ! if he had but minded religion when young, &c. &c. " This is fact, and you may safely use it as you think best.
" I am, my dear Pastor,
" Yours ever faithfully, &c." " To Rev. Dr. Fletcher."
WE3LEYAN MISSIONS.
MISSION HOUSE AT KAWHIA, NEW ZEALAND.
Mb. Angus, in his very interesting book about New Zealand, has given an account of a visit which he paid to the Mission- house at Kawhia. He says, " The Mission-house is prettily situated on a point of land jutting into the harbour; a glassy sheet of water extends in front of &e house, and beyond it rises the bold and rugged outline of the mountain of Peronquia.
** To the left of the house is a steep cliff, where the goats belonging to the Mission Station generally browse ; and from this elevation a fine commanding view may be obtained of Kaw- hia harbour, with the ocean breaking with foam beyond. The chapel stands on an elevated terrace behind the house. The morning service, which we attended, was conducted both in the Maori (or New Zealand) and English languages ; about fifteen Europeans, including the Missionary's family, were present, and the number of natives congregated together could not be less than two hundred. They aJl sat grouped about on the floor in their customary attitudes ; and nothing could exceed their atten- tion and decorous behaviour.
" In the afternoon the chapel presented a lively and interesting scene ; the children were gathering for school, and it was a strik- ing sight to observe the old chief Kiwi, who had arrived in state on the previous day, now sitting quietly in the midst of them, teaching the little ones to read !
" The bright and sunny faces of tlie pi^x^Wft ^Q'?l^\^i^afc^»^^s^^^ thejr took in their learning, and tHia deW^VX. -vtia <iQ^"82^:^^^ssia5S^- fested in the countenance of the deeply -\a.UiOO^ -^^jcrvsst-
32
AN EPITAPH
Inscribed on Vie Tombstone of the Rev. John Berridge, laU Vicar of Everton, near Potton in Bedfordshire, wriJtUn by himself, except the last line.
HERE LIB THE EABTHLT BEXAIEB OV
JOHN BEBBIDGE, |
LATE yiOA& OF EYBBTOH^
AND AN ITINERANT SERVANT OF JBSUB 0HSI8I,
WHO LOVED HIS MASTER AND HIS WOBX,
AND, AFTER RUNNING ON HIS ERRAHDB XAET TMAM
WAS OAUOHT UP TO WAIT OH HDC ABOTB.
READER,
ART THOU BORN AOAIH)
NO SALVATION WITHOUT A HEW BIBTIE.
I WAS BORN IN SIN, FEBRUART 1716,
I REMAINED IGNORANT OF XT FALLEN STATE TILL ITW
LIVED IN FAITH AND WORKS FOR BALTATIOV
TILL 1754. I
ADMITTED TO EVERTON VIOARAGB 1755. I
FLED TO JESUS ALONE FOR REFUGE 1766. '
FELL ASLEEP IN CHRIST JAN. 22, 1793.
BEHOLD AN ISRAELITE INDEED ! — Johu 1. 47.
LINES
On the Torribstone of Mrs. Mary Margaret Bandoll, in the Cent- tery of Abney Park, who died September 3, 1848, ««'' 72 years.
'* Great was thy conflict here, and long thy pain. The Tempter tried thy faith, but all in vain ; Strong in thy Saviour's love, the Spirit wrought in tliee, Thou through that love didst make the Tempter flee ; And never did he get thee once to yield. For grace was always thy defence and shield ; The only theme, while thou wast here below, Christ and his cross, was thy chief aim to know; And now thy spirit 's with his ransom'd saints above, Praising thy Saviour God, for his redeeming love."
T.R
This eminent saint oi Qto^ ^^ xbjwct^^w* ^snder my fUr toral care, and left a licYi VfceXTimwxj ^IXxsi Ssv\«Kfc\. \a.^2sw^ i^Aom she knew, aad lo^eA. ftom VV^ ^-g^^;^^;-^^ hood.
SACRED ZOOLOGY.
THE HIND.
Thz Hind is the female deer. In the first rolume f this work, we have already considered the Stag ad the Deer. In our remarks on the Hind, we sfaall lOre particularly attend to the figurative use which le Holy Spirit makes of this interesting animal in the [oly Scriptures- The Hind is peculiarly lovely and Legant ; she is more feeble than the Hart, and is de- itute of horns. It properly receives the name Sind t three years of age.
The first mention of the Hind in Scripture is by yjng Jacot^ whea be assembled his twelve sons arouLod ifl bed, to hear what should befall tlieJr deac&i\%^'(\\& I the latter daja. Gen. xUx. 21, " Naip\ita\\\a aTSSa^*- : /ooae; be giretb goodly words." Tl\e " fi-miVSt
34 SACRED ZOOLOGY.
loose," may express the activity of that tribe; ar ** he giveth goodlj words," may express their courtes Jesus and his Apostles resided much in the territoi of that tribe, and the figure may denote the activity Christ and his disciples, in the performance of miracl of mercy, and in their preaching the glad tidings salvation to lost sinners.
In 2 Sam. xxii. 34, David says, '* He maketh i feet like Hinds' feet.*' In Hab. iii. 19, the Propl says, ^' He will make my feet like Hindi feet, ^d will make me to walk upon my high plaoes.** As the Psalmist, he uses this figure to show the secorl of his position under the Divine protection. And t Prophet, in using a similar expression, shows that placed implicit confidence in God's gracious pow that he believed he should be delivered from all 1 troubles, and that he should completely escape its every impending and surrounding danger.
God himself, in his address to Job out of the whi wind, condescendingly puts to his servant the follow] questions. Job xxxix. 1 — 3 : " Canst thou mark wl the Hinds do calve ? Canst thou number the men that they fulfil ? or knowest thou the time when tl bring forth ? They bow themselves, they bring fo: their young ones, they cast out their sorrows." is well known that Hinds calve with great difficu and pain. Why this is the case, is one of the mystei of Providence, but doubtless some wise though \ known purpose is served by it. It would seem tl the agitation of thunder assists the Hind in bringi forth her young. Therefore we read, Psal. xxix. ^' The voice of the Lord maketh the Hinds to cal and discovereth the forests."
Solomon employs the Hind^ in its fidelity and att»
ment to its mate, as a beautiful figure, to enforce oil
the young man chastity and afiection to the wife of i
bosom. Prov. v. IS, \9^ ^^^B^fe^cA^cfe^^v^VJa^^lfe oft
youth. Let her \>^ aa v\i^ ViVvsi^ ^\tA «sA ^^
8BRM0K. 3^
The Church is represented in Song ii. 7. and iii. 5, as thus addressing nominal professors, and calling upon them not to disturb her fellowship with Christ : '* I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes» and by the Hinds of the field, that ye stir not up nor awake my love till he please." As if the Church had said, " I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as you would be cautious and careful how you disturb the roes and Hinds of the field, those lovely timorous creatures, so I would have you be as cautious how you would disturb my fellowship with Jesus, the ol^ect of my affiection, and the fountain of my happiness^"
May your hearts^ my young friends, be fired and filled with love to Christ* Though you are young, may you know what it is to enjoy Christ's fellowship, in the exercise of grace, and in the diligent and delight- ful observance of the ordinances of religion ! Then you shall be able to say with the heart, —
" I charge you all, ye earthly toys, Approach not to disturb my joys ; Kor sin nor hell come near my heart, Nor cause my Saviour to depart.'*
SERMON III.
CUP OF SALVATION.
Pabt II. " / wiU take the Cup op Salvation." — PaaL cxvi. 13.
Mt young friends, I have addressed to you one germon, in the preceding Number of this work, on the Cup of Salvation. In humble dependence on Divine grace, I now proceed to address to you a second. May each one of jrou read it with profttl Yra.^ i^cst >^^^ blessing. Pray fervently y for Christ's S«J5.%, ^^"^^ l^'^ ball obtain the blessing. Men may \eii3L ^ ^^^^ ^"^^
36 SEBMON.
to the petitions of fellow-men ; but God never lends a deaf ear to the earnest prayers of little children. I7o, never. Before you finish the reading of this sermon, may you be taught and enabled by the Holy Spirit to sq-y, **I will take the Cup of Salvation!" With all my heart I say, " Amen, amen."
Already I have shown you that the Cup spoken of in the text is the Gospel, consisting of Doctrines, Invitations of Mercy, Offers of Grace, and Promises of Truth. I have also shown what that Salvation is which the Cup contains ; namely, Conversion, Pardon, Acceptance, Adoption, the Graces of the Holy Spirit, a Happy Death, a Blessed Resurrection, c^nd a Glorious Heaven.
The Properties and Excellences op the Cup OF Salvation. May your young hearts be deeply, seriously, and delightfully impressed while I tell you somie remarkable things about this Cup.
1st. God made the Cup. No angel, with all his wisdom, could contrive this wonderful Cup; and no archangel, with ajl his power, could make this wonder- ful Cup. God alone is the Contriver of the Cup. God alone is the Maker of the Cup. Boundless love moved him to contrive the Cup ; and boundless lo?e to our ruined race, and to ruined children, moved him to make the Cup. As God our Saviour contrived and made tjie Cup of Salvation, oh, how well does he de- serve to be c;gilled "The God of Salvation!'* May every child who reads these lines be taught to say, ^* Behold, God is my Salvation." Isa. xii. 2.
2d. It is a very predotis Cup. It is 80 precioiis,
that we cannot tell, we cannot conceive how precious,
bow valuable it is, A diamond as large as the world
would be nothing, yes, nothing, less than nothing, and
vanity, compared witb it. How rich are they who can
say, "This Cup ia mmel" And the poorest child
among you is 'weVcota^ \.o t^^w^^ ^^a* ^\y^ — .-^^ io
call this Cup your oviii. Axv^ ^\v^^ l^^xi. ^saav ^a^^
Cup your own, you are moTe>«^\vVj xXvw^VIt^x^— ^
SERMON. 37
call the whole world your own. So precious is this Cap, that it cost Jesus his bloody his life t
3d. It is a very ancient Cup. There are some few golden cups, in the palaces of kings, several hundred l^ears old. But this Cup is nearly six thousand years 3ld. It is as ancient as the days of Adam. He, and Eve, and Abel, their pious son, were the first who put khis Cup to their lips, and drank the refreshing water af salvation which it contains. This Cup suffers nothing t>y age. It looks as well as it did at the beginning* [t is as bright, and beautiful, and glorious as ever. The mn loses nothing by age, neither does this Clip, this wonderful Cup.
4th. It is very large. The bed of the great ocean may be called an immense cup. It is filled with briny waters. But the bed of the Atlantic, or the bed of 'h& Pacific Ocean, which is much larger, is nothing ike this great Cup of Salvation, provided for all the dngdoms of the world, and for all the generations )f men that shall ever live upon the face of the 3arth.
5th. It is a full Cup. It is not only full, but over^ lowing, and ever flowing over. Oh, what multitudes lave drunk of this Cup since the days of Adam till the present day ! and the Cup has never diminished. The )lessings which it contains are as abundant as ever^ ind these blessings shall overflow for ever and ever. IToung friends, drink of this overflowing Cup !
6th. It is a free Cup. Blessed, blessed truth ! You ire required to pay nothing to drink. And it is well ; or you have nothing to pay* What could you pay ? Uome and drink, without moneys and without price. rhis Cup is as free to the beggar as to the prince ; as ree to the poor as to the rich ; as free to murderers as o saints ; as free to the worst of men as to the best of nen. Wonderful truth !
7th. It is a vert/ beautiful Cup. It is \>e«AX\XSvfe^\q he perfections of God. These are, \i\a ms»^o^-»^^^ wer, bis holiness, his justice, his \o^e, au^V^^^^^'^*
88 BERHOK.
These are glorious perfections. And they all add to the beauty of this beautiful Cup.
I see some beautiful figures or pictures on this Cup. There are many silver and gold cups with flowers and figures upon the outside, and around the mouth, which add greatly to their beauty. But, what do I see on this beautiful Cup ? I see the figure of a Lamb. That is the emblem of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who w«8 slain for us. I see the figure of a Dove. That is the emblem of the Holy Spirit, who descended on the head of Jesus at his baptism, in the form of a dove. I see a lily. That is the emblem of the Church, or people of Christ. I see the figure of the rose of Sharon, and of the apple-tree. These are the emblems of Jesus. Oh, what a lovely cup is the Cup of Salvation ! Beloved young friends, drink of this lovely Cup !
8th. This Cup has remarkable inscriptions. Many costly silver cups are given in presents, and as marks of friendship and esteem. All these cups have inscrip- tions. These inscriptions show to whom, by whom, and for what reason, these costly cups were given. Look at some of the inscriptions on the Cup of Salva- tion. I mention four. First : " God is love." 1 John iv. 8 , Second inscription : " God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever be- lieveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John iii. 16. Third inscription: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. i. 15. Fourth inscription : " The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. xxii. 17. Young friends, can you read these loving inscriptions, and refuse to drink this precious Cup ? May Divine grace employ them m ^^t^w^diiv^ you now to drink of the Cup of Salvation \
9th. This Cup >n\\\ W\. W ^^^-^^ J5:'^^^'^\t, everJastiDg Salvaiioti. -^xxx\^v^^\^\^^V. ^^^^
SERMON. 39
the Lord with an everlasting salvation," Isa. xlv. 17. This cup is filled with joy, which is " everlasting joy," Isa. JLXxy, 10. It is filled with pleasures, but ** plea- sures for evermore," Psal. xvi. 11. The cup of carnal pleasure shall soon cease. The cup of the drunkard shall soon be no more. But the Cup of Salvation shall continue to fill the minds of the inhabitants of heaven with blessedneas, felicity, and joy, for ever and fiver.
" There everlasting spring abides, And never-withering flowers ; Death, like a narrow sea, divides This heavenly land from ours."
Watts.
I now proceed to mention some persons spoken of in Scripture, who drank this precious Cup. Oh, may you, my young friends, be taught to follow their good ex- ample I First, I shall mention some who were very wicked; and secondly, some who were very young.
First, I shall mention some who were very wicked, who drank of this cup.
1st. King Manassek was very wicked. He was a shocking idolater, and a most cruel murderer. He was taken prisoner, and cast into a dungeon in Babylon. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 11. Grod met with him in the dun- geon. He cried to God for mercy. His prayer was heard. The Cup of Salvation was presented to him. He took it, and drank it. Oh, what a trophy of rege- nerating and redeeming grace ! 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12 —
16.
2d. Mary Magdalene was very wicked. Unclean- ness was her reigning sin. On one occasion, she heard our Saviour preach. She was convinced. She was converted. Jesus by his power expelled from her heart seven unclean spirits. Oh, what a change ! The Cup of Salvation was presented; she put it to her lips. She drnnk with thankfulness, joy, and i^x«L\&ft« '^&S5C!?«.. jrr/. 9; Luke viiL 2, 3d, The thief on the cross was vexy \V\^^^« ^^.
40 SERMON.
was nailed to the cross because of his wickedness and crimes. In the agonies of death he cried to Jesus for mercy. Jesus heard his penitential prayer. Jesus presented the Cup of Salvation to the dying penitent. He put it to his parched, quivering, thirsty lips. With ecstasies of joy he drank the Cup. He is now in the paradise of the blessed.
4th. Chrisfs murderers^ who not only consented to the Saviour's death, but who nailed him to the cross, were very wicked. Some of them heard Peter preach on the day of Pentecost, in the temple. They were cut to the heart ! They cried out, in the midst of the faithful sermon, '* Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter preached salvation to them through the very death of the Saviour they murdered. How astonishing ! By grace, they believed. The Cup of Salvation was presented. They received it. They drank of it, and were saved. Oh, what grace^ what j wondrous grace ! !
5th. Saul of Tarsus was very wicked. When the cruel Jews were stoning the holy Stephen to death, Saul was present watching the garments of the mur- derers. Acts vii. 68. He assisted in dragging men and women to prison, and rejoiced when the followers of Jesus were put to death. He was sent to Damascus with a commission of death in his bosom, against all who professed Christ. But under the walls of Damas- cus, and before he entered the city, Jesus spoke to him with a voice from heaven. Conviction reached hifl conscience. Conversion reached his heart. The Cup of Salvation was put into his hand. He drank it The persecutor became a preacher of Christ The child of Satan became a son of God. Acts ix. 6. Oh, what a prodigy of grace !
Secondly, some very young persons who drank this Cup are mentioned in Scripture.
1st. Ahel was most 'pToXi^iXA^ QlV>ciYakXL\wsJw5t« AAer *our first parents, be Yia^ tVe ^t^\. ^awv-^^sx. ^^^^^ piety, he was the first mwt^x. l^^i^^Vj vV^\^\^^
8ERM0K. 41
his brother Cain ; and he was the first saint that entered heaven.
2d. Joseph, when he was a child, drank of this cup. He was the most pious of Jacob's sons. Jacob loved him more than all his sons; for, amidst them all, his youthful piety shone forth with peculiar bright- ness. ^
: 3d. Samuel when a child drank the Cup of Sal- vation. 1 Sam. iii. 1, &c. When he was yet a child he ministered unto the Lord before Eli the high priest. Great was the delight which Hannah the pious mother had in Samuel her pious child. Every year )he made a little coat for him with her own hands, and [>rought it up to him every year, when she came up to he yearly sacrifice. 1 Sam. ii. 19.
4th. Ohadiah, when he was a youth, drank the Cup >f Salvation. 1 Kings xviii. 12. This good man said :o Elijah, with much humility and thankfulness, " But [ thy servant fear the Lord from my youth up," When le became a man, his piety shone like a sun. He )aved the lives of a hundred prophets from the mur- lering hands of Queen Jezebel.
5tb. King Josiah, when he was a child, drank the ZJup of Salvation. What an interesting account is riven of the early piety of this lovely, holy prince, in I Kings xxii.
6th. Timothy, when he was a child, drank of this 3up of Salvation. My young friends, how blessed, low honoured you would be, if we could say of you ¥hat was said of Timothy, (2 Tim. iii. 15), " From a ;hild thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are ible to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith vhich is in Christ Jesus." What a comfort Timothy vas to his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice !
CONCLUSION.
Allow me, in the name of Christ, eaxiies.^'^ ^xA ffectionatelf to call upon you to take^ ^vA drmk ^^ jp of Salvation, But what is it " to tafce, «av^ drink
42 SERMON.
the Cup of Salvation ?" It is to receive Christ as your Saviour. Beloved young friends, when you can say with the heart and in faith, " Blessed Jesus, I re- ceive thee as my Saviour, As my Prophet I receiye thee, to give me wisdom. As my Priest I receive thee, to take away my guilt and intercede for me. I receive thee as my King, to reign over me and to deliver me from all my enemies." When you can say this with the heart, you have taken the Cup of Salva- tion, and have drank its refreshing waters.
Believe it, and may the Holy Spirit enable you to believe it I Jesus, who died on Calvary to prepare the Cup of Salvation, calls upon you, earnestly invites you, to drink of the Cup of Salvation. He says to you, in language the most affectionate— oh, hear his voice- He says, " Drink abundantly, O beloved ! ** He is the Fountain from which the cup is filled, and he says to every little child —
1.
" Ho ye that thirst, approach the Spring Where living waters flow ; Free to that sacred Fountain all Without a price may go.
2.
" Seek ye the Lord, while yet his ear Is open to your call ; While offered mercy still is near. Before his footstool fall."
AMEN.
LINES
Suggested on hearing Uie Sermon on the Cup of Salvation.
Lord, write thy Gospel on my heart. In all its blessings give me part ; And when in heaven I see thy face, V\\ ft\ng, Ym «a.Nft^>a^ Qt«s^\ ^cwse.
Till time au^ ^<i«k\>a. «» v«^^«^'^xs^«
EXCELLENCES OP THE BIBLE,
ALPHABETIOALLT ABBAN6ED, AND BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER D.
(Continued from Vol, I, p, 187.)
Delight is a name which every pious child most readily gives to the Word of God. Why does he call it his delight 1 Because it gives him delight, great delight ; delight which will attend him all his life; and delight which will accompany him to heaven, and endure for ever. He can say with the Psalmist, Psali cxix. 24, ** Thy testimonies also are my delight and my Goonsellors." Yer. 77, " Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight." Ver. 174, " I have longed for thy salvation, 0 Lord ; and thy law is my delight." Many of God's beloved children have sung with the heart the following lines : —
" Had not thy Word been my delight. When earthly joys were fled. My soul, oppress'd with sorrow's weight, Had sunk among the dead."
Deliveber. — Oh, how worthy the Bible is of this name I As an instrument in the hand of God the Spirit, what multitudes the Bible has delivered from sin, from Satan, from the world, from unholy company, from vile lusts, from hateful temptations, and finally from hell. Dear children, may you read, and love, and be- lieve, and feel, and enjoy the Word of God, and it will prove to you a mighty deliverer. Of many books it may be justly said, " They are the murderers of souls ;" but with truth it may be said of this, " It is the deliverer of souls."
Dwelling. — If we compare the Word of God to a dwelling, it is a house of immense magnitude. There the holy pious child receives the most delightful accommodation. There, he is fed on the richest, most wholesome, most delicious, and most nourish- ing provision. There he enjoys fellowship with his Saviour and his God. There he finds protection from numerous storms, and defence from numerous foes. And what a wonderful dwelUng the holy child finds this Bible to be, when enlightened by the bright beams of the influences of the Holy Spirit. Without this light, th« glories of this dwelling are unknown. With this divine light, they shine forth in all their loveliness, and in all theix influence Ab the glory of the ancient tempVe 'w^j^ ^^«iv Vj ^^ sbining of the golden candlesticks, so tlie gVory ol ^V\a «^vcvHja»^ dwelling-place is seen by the shining of tVie iiAucafifc^i o\ >3Dfc Holy Spirit Young /Hends, may you de\igVi\. \« TasJsft ^^^
44 INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS.
Bible your dwellingplace ! May yon say, Psal. cxzxii. 14, " This is my rest ; here will I dwell, for I haYC desired it." Then let us sing with the heart :
" I love the Yolume of thy word ; What light and joy those leaves afford.
To souls benighted and distress'd ! Thy precepts guide my doubtful way. Thy fear forbids my feet to stray. Thy promise leads my heart to rest." {To be continued.)
INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS.
These wonderfully illustrate the wisdom, power, and goodness of God. What are the instincts of inferior irrational creatures— of birds, and beasts, and fishes, and creeping-things, and insects] We answer, Those lessons which God teaches them, and which are necessary for their sustenance, their protection, their happi* ness, and their continuance in succeeding races and generations. Who teaches the sparrows to build their nest 1 Gk>d. Ps. Ixxziv. 3, " Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swidlow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young." The stork, the crane, and the swallow are migratory birds, and when the season of winter draws near, they move off to warm southern regions. And who taught these birds this lesson, without which l^eir whole races would soon become extinct 1 God. Jer. viiL 7, " Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming." In reading the following short account, may your heart be filled with the admiration of Gk>d, who taketh under his care, and condescends to be the Teacher of the meanest of his creatures !
The young bee, on the day that it first leaves the cell, without teaching and without experience, begins to collect honey, fbnn wax, and build up its hexagonal * cell, according to the fonn which its progenitors have used from the earliest genentiona Birds build nests of a certain structure after their kinds, and many species at certain seasons, excited by some internal im- pulse, take their migratory flights to other countries. The insect, which never experienced a parentis care or a mother's example, labours assiduously and effectively for the future de- velopment and sustenance of an ofispring which it, in its turn, is doomed never to behold. Others toil all summer, and lay op stores for winter, without ever having experienced the severi^ of Buch a season, or V)emg Va M^y «en&lble way aware of its approaxih. A common qnaW "waa V^^X. \xi % caisgik, «A Vmoune quite tamed and reconci\ed \^ \\ft ^oQ^* ^'<» ^^ ^wctfA ^'**'
* Hexagonal, mea»a"^^«^^«^**
JONAH AND JESUS. 45
migration it became exceedingly restless; it beat its kinst the cage in many efforts to escape ; and, on exami- ts skin was found several degrees above its usual tem- We often observe a dog, when going to sleep on the n himself several times round before he lies down, and ist one of the lingering instincts which he has retained ; his wild state, he is accustomed thus to prepare his bed 3 tall grass or rushes.
»ung Mends, unite with me in the following exclamation )ly Psalmist, Ps. civ. 24, " 0 Lord, how manifold are thy in wisdom hast thou made them all ! "
JONAH AND JESUS.
Hnts for Little Children on Matt. xii. 41. — " The men neveh shall rise in judgment vrith this generation^ and condemn it: because they repented at ^e preaching of ; and, behold, a greai>er than Joiias is here,"
)le is a book of sublime comparisons, elevating ideas, Lg principles, exalted and illustrious achievements. Its sons show the difference between evil and good, darkness t, holiness and sinfulness, righteousness and depravity, Ls of God and the works of men. The above verse presents brcible illustration of this fact, and shows the infinite Lty of the teaching of Him who taught as man never >r ever could teach ; and it opens up to the mind three of instruction, which, by the powerful teaching of Qod's nay savingly affect the soul: Jirst, two preachers are secondly, two sermons preached ; and thirdly, two con- »ns assembled ; and the effects produced on them. The two preachers. They were Jonah and the Lord irist; the one a man, the other the glorious God and diator: the one was the fugitive prophet, who went Joppa and shipped himself for Tarshish, to avoid de- God's message to the Ninevites ; the other came on the ' love, yearning over the miseries of our lost nature, and to proclaim to the perishing and rebellious multitudes isage of mercy and grace : the one was Jonah, and the sus.
dly. The two sermons. Jonah's was a message without , without one promise in it ; it was a sermon of threat- •of warning, of destruction, and of vengeance. The of Jesus were full of love, of grace, of rich promises, of onsolation, of tender rebuke, of heart-searching and soul- persuasion. They set forth man's stsAie «a ^ «^\m«t,^^ of a Saviour; the riches of Divine "Lov© *, VXv^ YSi%iv\N?QAft ? Mercy; the heights and deptViB o? a^iiNm^ ^c^<i^, ^ r^om the eternal mind of tlie gre«A. 3e\iov«Xi,^'^^^«^
46 MISSIONS,
the interceBsion of a crucified Sayiour. Jesus is well called the Fringe of Preachers.
Thirdly. The two congregations, and the effects produced on them. The one consisted of idolatrous ignorant pagans, and the other of educated self-righteous Jews, possessed of the orada of (Jod, and rich in privileges. The one heard and belieyed; the other heard and despised. The one escaped threatened yefr geance ; hut, alas ! the other perished in unbelief, heaping up to themselves wrath against the day of wrath.
Dear young friends, may Qod enable you to accept the folloY< ing invitation of love 1
" Come, ye children, poor and wretched, Wea^L and wounded, sick and sore ! Jesus ready stands to save you, Full of pity, join'd with power ;
He is able. He is willing ; doubt no more."
MISSIONS.
SCOTTISH MIBSIONABT SOCIETY 07 THE UNITED PRESBTTEBIAH CHUBCE.
CALABAR MISSIONS.
The Old Calabar mission is a stupendous enterprise, as it siai be said to be the first station in a heathen country peopled by numerous millions. It is the door of entrance to the wt^ iier- tile, and thickly-inhabited regions drained by the waters of the Niger, the Schadda, and the Cross rivers. Till recent times, but little comparatively was known of this part of G^itral AMca-' the land of the negroes, the most important and interestisg p<v> tion of that great continent ; but the travels of Mungo Fuk, Clapperton, and the Landers, and the various expeditions that have been sent up the Niger, the Schadda, and the Cross riven^ have to a certain extent unfolded it to the knowledge of Euro* peans. When we ascend beyond the tribes living on the ooast, who are debased and brutalised by the slare trade, we find not only more interesting and healthy countries, but a population somewhat advanced in the arts of civilised life, and with whom there is reason to believe that a great and profitable commeree will yet be carried on. There are in those extensiye distrieta unwrought but ample materials, which the merchant, the s^ool- master, and the missionary are yet to turn to noble poipoeee. From thirty to fifty millions of people, with good talents and disposed to industry, inhabiting a land rich in the varied boun- ties of the beneficent Creator, are yet to be influenced by Euro- pean merchandise, ciy*i\V%al\o\i, viiii ^co^i^oti.. To lift this people to their due place aiuong \^i« -uAXXfii'^ V)Da^> -^r^iS^ vB^^^it\&iQit of the Gospel, will be ^Vie gmv^e«X. jifcV\«^«^^^ aent benevolence. Til^e Tsmi^, wi^sas^^ M SJi««fe t«*«^^
MISSIONS. 47
mercy and love which the Bible holds out to the children of Africa — notices which tell us that the despised negro race shall soon stretch out their hands to God in confiding trusts that they shall be numbered among his living and favoured sons, and that from the most distant and hitherto unexplored parts of that continent God's suppliants shall come, bringing his offering — dwells in fond, earnest, and yearning contemplation over those fine regions, now filled with spiritual darkness, cruel supersti- tions, and bloody customs ; " desolate heritages," — but still a part of Christ's promised kingdom, a land on which light, mercy, and love shall yet rest, and which, throughout all its broad plains, along its mighty rivers, and up its green mountain-sides, shidl re-echo with the glad songs of salvation and of praise.
Now, it is a remarkable fact that to these regions, so full of interest and of hope, containing the elements of prosperous king- doms and of multitudes of Christian churches, Old Calabar is the natural entrance. The great desert on the north, the lofty chain of mountains on the east, the Kong ridge and the pesti- lential Delta on the west, and the Cameroon mountains and the absence of navigable rivers on the south, forbid frequent inter- course. But the open Calabar firth, navigable at aU seasons for ships of any burden — the fact that the Cross river is within forty miles of the Schadda, and the high grounds at no great distance from Old Calabar, offering a salubrious residence, — all combine in pointing out Old Calabar as the door by which white men should enter Central Africa, in order to spread there the benefits of knowledge and Christianity. This is an advantage which our missionaries did not foresee. The Lord led them in a way that they knew not, and conducted them to the spot which recent infor- mation assures us is the best that could have been chosen along the whole coast, as the place where a mission destined to evan- gelize Central Africa should land and erect its first station. This view invests our mission with a peculiar interest, and with a momentous responsibility. We have taken possession of this entrance — this key of the interior, and we must be prepared for the results. Vast multitudes are waiting beyond Old Calabar for the Gospel. Already an urgent cry, thrice repeated, has come to us from Bonny, asking teachers and missionaries ; and there can be no doubt that the calls from other places will, ere long, be many, earnest, and imploring. The mission is great in itself; but in its consequences it is immense. Should our mis- sionaries be sustained in health, should the cause be firmly established in Old Calabar, and should well-educated native converts, fit for acting the part of missionaries, be raised up there, those who have contributed to the mission ship may ^^^ be delighted to hear that those regions ot 'w\i\cYi'?i^\k&N^ ^--^oL^ti^ J20W the most destitute in the world, liavft Yk%A. VJbkfe QsQ«^^
preached to them, and that their inhabitanta \i«tNfe Xaxxii^^ ^x«».
%JJ their BaperstiUonB to serve the living audtYie ttwa <^^-
48 LINES ON HEARING A PASSING-BELL.
LINES Penned on hearing the Pamng-BeU toll for an Infant.
Dear little creature 1 thou hast fled Far from our aching, groaning sight ; —
The mother's tears are now in vain, — The beauteous bud is struck with blight
The gaze of love no more thou'lt see. Nor hear the words, so' sweet, so mild,
Flowing from a mother's fondness. When she beheld her darling boy — Her first-bom, lovely, cherub child I
Dear little creature ! thou art now
Cold and stiff; — ^thy beauteous head Is void of life and warmth — ^thy frame
Lies motionless on snow-white bed, Which mother spread for thee : — how changed
The virgin, sweetly-budding flower. Which seem'd so fair — so fresh — so bright —
Within the compass of an hour !
Dear little creature ! thou hast gone
Where we^ and all, expect to go. When, resting in the narrow house.
We flee from worlds of sin and woe. With Jesus now thoult ever dwell,
In regions of unclouded light. Beaming like a beauteous star.
And shining always clear and bright.
Dear little creature ! thee we'll take
Down to the realm of death with smiles, Thinking how vast the sum of woe
Thou*Bt *scaped, and all the serpent wiles. And while we feel, when thy sweet frame
With clayey earth is cover'd o'er. Still, we will not despairing cry.
But go and try to weep no more.
Dear little creature ! oft we'll seek
Thy quiet, sunny, resting ground ; And flowers of every form and hue.
Well plant above the little mound ; And then we'll think, when so employ'd.
Or slowly aa to \ioiive ^^ %o. How soon our aVeep «\i8X\.\iiVC«A\>Ks\i^,
How Boou our Yi^^iidB TDka.^ \\a ^\q^.
SACHED BOTANY.
The name given in the S&cred Volume to this most iluable and nutritious description of «iti\, \a TMSr\, "Jkeiek.) This name eignifiea to jiusJi Jorth. V^- ^* 'ea on account of the great number o? \te avexn* %
more eapedalfy- because of tlie very gr«a.\. a\wa^Kt
50 SACRED BOTANT.
of grains produced by each seed. The remarks of Pliny, a heathen naturalist, on this seed, are truly striking, and even worthy of one who possesses, knows, and believes in Divine Revelation. He says, — " Nothing is more fertile than wheat. Nature {that is Ood), has given it this quality, because by it chiefly she feeds mankind ; for, from one bushel, if the soil be suitable, as in Byzacium, a country of Africa,, a. hundred and fifty bushels will be returned."
As some of my youthful readers may be students of Botany, the following description of wheat may be acceptable. It is a genus of plants of the class tri- andriay and order di-gynicu In the natural system, it ranges under the fourth order gramina. The caljx is bi-valve, and generally contains three florets. The corolla also is bi-valve, one valve being bluntisb, and the other acute. Of this most remarkable, nutritious, hardy, and useful plant, there are no less than nine- teen species.
It is very interesting to observe, and contemplate the peculiaritiJ^ of this grain. It is that on which human beings depend for sustenance in. almost all the civilized portions of the globe. Its. prolific qualities are most powerful and abundant. Mbre than any other grain does it possess farinaceous richness. It grows luxuriUntly in a great variety of climates ; and it can withstand, to an astonishing degree^ the most violent and piercing cold of winter. When we think of these valuable peculiarities, we may say in tlie lan- guage of the prophet, Zech. ix. 17 : " O Lord, how great is thy goodness ! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids."
Let us now notice the figurative and spiritual nee
made of wheat in the word of God. Jesus is called
a Corn of Wheat. Why ? Because of those rich,
nourishing, and lasting blessings, of which he is the
author. And also, Y^^Gwasfc oi ^^ Sx\i\\.^MLvk6is8 of
his gospel when accomi^wvv^^ X^l ^^^ ^w*set ^V>s«^
^irit. Johnxii. 24, "Yex\^l,N^^VJA^M>^^^^
WHEAT, 51
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone : but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." Here our Saviour evidently alludes to him- self, to his death, and to the rich blessings of salvation, the glorious fruits of his death and atonement. Saints are compared to wheat. Why ? Because of their use- fulness, and their fruitfulness in good works. Matt, iii. 12. *' He will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into his garner." The word is likened unto wheats because it is the rich and nourish- ing food of believing souls. Jer. xxiii. 28. '* He that Hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully^ What is the chaff to the wheat ? saith the Lord*" Those who hear, believe, and enjoy the gospel purely dispensed, are fed upon the finest of tlie wheat, Ps. Ixxxi. 16.
In conclusion, we may observe, that the inspired Apostle employs wheat in its sowing, its death, its vegetation, and its fruitfulness, as illustrative of the blessed resurrection of the bodies of the saints at the last day. 1 Cor. xv. 35 — 38, 42— 44. "But some man will say. How are the dead raised up ? and with what body do they come ? Thou fool, that which tliou sowest is not quickened, except it die : and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body which shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain : but God giveth it a body as it liath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. It is sown in corruption ; it is raised in incorruption : it is sown in dishonour ; it is raised in glory : it is sown a natural body ; it is raised a spiritual body."
May the Holy Spirit teach us in faith, to give utter- ance to the following delightful expressions : —
" We sing his lore who once was slaip. Who soon o*er death revived again, That all his saints through hiin might have Eternal conqueata o'er the grave. Ck^n-uA Soon shall the tnimpet sound, and Tre Shall rise to immortality ! *'
52
SERMON IV.
GOD IS LOVE. " God 18 love^^John iv. 8.
ti
Beloved young friends, this sentence love," is the most delightful and wonderful the man or angels ever saw. Search, if you had the all the books in the universe, and such another s cannot be found. It consists only of three wore these three words contain more than the bed ocean. All the water of the ocean is no more dropy when compared with what these three wo: tain, " God is love." They contain the bound! ness of Jehovah. And when millions of yea ages, and centuries, have passed away, we sha be able fully to comprehend this wonderful 8( ♦'God is love."
By the aid of the Holy Spirit, I propose, make some general observations on our text t your wonder ; and secondly, show wherein ( pears as the God of love, namely, in Creation, dence, and Redemption.
Before I enter upon this sacred and delightf allow me to present the following prayer to tl Spirit in your behalf. Oh, unite with me whil sent it I
" Come, Holy Spirit, from above, And fill these children's heart with love ; Soften to flesh their hearts of stone, And let the God of love be known ! "
I. I now proceed to make some general obsei on our text, to excUe yo\xt yjotvdet.
7 St. If you Qompar© Wvft 'fiWiX^v^^ ^^a^xok! of jewels, " God is love^ V» ^^^^ «^^^^ ^x^ww
SERMON. 53
hole collection. And it is so precious, that all changels in heaven cannot conceive its worth.
If you compare the Bible to the ,firmament, its bright and glorious stars, " God is love," is ightest star shining in the firmament of the word >d. It surpasses all the rest in glory. Behold ! e the glorious star.
Suppose a company of angels were sent down heaven, to appear in the midst of us, to deliver lost important message which even God himself send to sinful man ; what, think you, would this ge be ? I will tell you. It would be this, " God e " Oh, what a message from a Holy God, to a world ! and from a just God, to a guilty world ! . If you had an opportunity of asking the angels is the noblest, the sweetest, the loftiest song they 1 heaven, they would answer thus : The noblest, ;st, loftiest, song we sing in heaven, is this — " God
, A host of angels was sent from heaven to tell imble shepherds of the birth of Christ. When ielivered the tidings, they sung a lovely song, was the subject of the song ? It was the love >d, and a God of love. It was this — ** Glory to in the highest, on earth peace, and good will J men." What is the meaning of this song ? It — ** God is love." It was on a most loving occa- he angels sung this song. It was when God a most marvellous display of his love. When fant Jesus was born — when God sent forth his lade of a woman, made under the law, the angels ;his song. Beloved children, was it not amazing 1 Jesus to become a little babe, a little child, to ittle children ? When you think of this, may lel a desire to sing the same song which the dear gn sung when they followed Jesus \tvt\\^T«a!^^V. \ nnna to the son of David : \)\ess»ed \^ \v^ \\v%x
in the name of the Lord •, Hoa^xvxv^ Va. xXn^ /"Matt. xxi. 9.
5^ .8EBM09.
6th. God the Father is love. God the Son is love. God the Holy Ghost is love. These three Divine Persons are not tliree Gods. They are Oke God ! And of these three JPersans it is said in the lingular number, " God is love." But there is a peculiar glory in each person of the Divinity, as a ** God of love." This threefold glory forming one divine glory, fills heaven with brightness, blessedness and peace.
7th. Young friends, my affectionate desire, and my earnest prayer is, that you may honour God as the God of love, and that you may be taught to love God as the God of love. Allow me to express my wish, and to utter my prayer in the following iines : —
" Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove. With all thy quick'ning powers; Come shed abroad a Saviour b love^ And that) will kindle ours ! *'
II. Let us now, in humble dependence upon the Holy Spirit, show, that as the God of Creation, the God of Providence, and the God of Redemption, he is the God of love. Divine love shines in Creation; Divine love shines in providence. But Divine love shines with greatest brightness, and greatest glory in redemption.
First, in creation, " God is love." 1 St. " God is love" if you look upon him as the Creator of angels. God made angels long before he made man. They are called " Morning Stars," and " Sons of God," because they v^ere first created. And they are repre- sented as singing the most joyful anthems of praise when God finished the creation of the heavens and the earth j God said to his servant Job, xxxviiL 4, 7, " Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy ?"
God made the angels in immense multitudes. Mil- iions o{ them fell, and ^o\!lov^ft^ ^■a&sjwxi >^ftfc ^<5X«1. But countless millions ot Y\o\y \iw^vi ^^%^ ^"^^^ ^^ssasss. Stand on an emimnce atvdXooV x^^tv ^N^«fc.\QtJ&^^
SERMON. 56
Yon 0ani3ot connt the trees of that great forest. Neither can you count the multitude of spotless, happy angels. Look up to a clear sky when the sun is set, and you aee a moltitude of ^ars you cannot number. Lift up your Byes to heaven, and you behold a multitude of angels which %o man can number. The Apostle calls them "an innumerable company of angels." Heb. xii. 22. God has created all these angels perfectly holy^ perfectly happy, perfectly glorious, and perfectly blessed. He infinitely delights in their holiness, in their happiness, in their glory, and in their blessedness. Think of this, and then exclaim with joyful hearts, **Godislove !"
2d. " God is love," as the Creator of man. "What does the Bible say of the creation of man ? Gen. i. 37, " God created man in his own image." He made man like to himself in knowledge, wisdom, understand- ing, holiness, and happiness. What does this show ? -what does this prove ? That " God is love."
God made man lovely in Ids body ; and not only lov«ly but perfect. He made him so perfect^ that if he had never -sinned he had never died. His body was the perfection of loveliness. But, oh, how loathsome has sin made the body of man ! See the human body covered with disease! see the human body corrupting in the grave; oh, what has done this? Sin, the enemy — sin, the murderer, has done this !
When God made man, while his body was the perfection of loveliness, his soul was the pei*fection of holiness. What renders God so glorious ? It is his holiness; '^ He is glorious in holiness." Exod. xv. 11. And what made the soul of man in his creation the perfection of loveliness ? It was the perfect holiness in which he shone ; yes, shone, brighter than the bur- nished gold, brighter than the lustre of the sky. Thus, he resembled God. As thei*e is no blackness in thi^ pure snowy so there was no blackh^sa bl ^vsv Vcv ^^ spiritually snow-white, spotless soul o? Tf^arv. K^ N>a.^ water fowing frpm the fountaia \a c\^«^^ -^WVowV
56 S£BMON^
pollution, so the soul of man was a pure, clean, unpol- luted stream, flowing from the fountain of Jehovah. What does this proclaim ? That " God is love."
Such was the love of God, that he made mAn like to himself in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. These three, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, are the light of the soul. Is the soul a temple ? Those are the divine lights which filled the temple with glorious brightness. Does the soul resemble the lofty and ftf extended firmament ? These three were the glorious luminaries, kindled by the breath of God, which filled the firmament of the mind of man with the splendours of divine light. What does this proclaim ? That " God is love."
When God made man, he made him male and female. His happiness could not have been complete if he had been made alone^ and if he had remained alone. Gen. i. 27, " So God created man in his own image : male and female created he them." Eve was also the perfection of loveliness, of wisdom, and of holiness. In addition to this, God placed our first parents in Eden, the roost beautiful spot on the faee of the earth, and this Eden was a paradise of perfect bliss. He was also made king of the whole earth. What does the Psalmist say ? Psal. viiL 5, 6, '* Thou madest man a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands ; thou hast put all things under his feet : iJl sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field ; the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.*' What does this proclaim ? That " God is love.**
To crown all, God allowed man to enjoy fellowship
with himself. He spoke with God as his friend. God
conversed with him as his Father and his Creator.
Ob, what blessedness \ H^ «»wn xJaa ^^^ ^C God ; he
heard the voice of Grod, 'Y\\\3i%, V\^ XvK^^wjks^ ^^
complete. His soul v^tsia as M\ ^^ ^^sx^^^.\i>i«s^«^'^
8BRM0N. 57
ocean's bed is full of water, and as the skj is full of
light at noon day. What does this proclaim ? *' God
is love."
Secondly, as the God of Providence, " God is love."
What is the Providence of God ? It is his con-
tinnal care and management of his creatures. Thus
the Psalmist speaks and sings of the Providence of
God : (PsaL cxlv. 15, 16,) " The eyes of all wait upon
thee ; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of
every living thing." How true the following line3 :— ^
" God reigns on high, but not confines His goodness to the skies ; Through the whole earth his bounty shines. And every want supplies."
My young friends, the Providence of God gives you six things in particular. God gives you, as the God of Providence, food, raiment, health, a home, friends, and instructors. Does the Providence of God give you all these ? Then, how clear, how evident, " God is love." There are six streams, and they all flow from one fountain. And th:it fountain is the love of God. What a fountain ! It flows abundantly, it flows freely, it flows for ever.
1st. God gives you your daili/ bread. You cannot live v\rithout food. Without food you can neither possess health, nor strength, nor comfort. Without food your eyes would soon close in death. For the purpose of possessing and enjoying all these blessings, God covers the table of his Providence with your daily bread.
God's goodness and love appear in the variety of things he has provided for your food. It would have been kind, if he had only provided one thing. But the variety is wonderful. Fish, fowl, and beasts ; corn of various kinds, wholesome roots, and delicious fruits ; — all these in rich variety he has provided io\; owx lourlsbment, life, and comfort, Observe, «\^o^ ^\^ rovJsion is constant^ day after day, year «c^X.et ^^^^
38 S£RKON«
This IS not all. God does it with delight. No mother has ^ch delight in feeding her smiling babe, as God lias in feeding you at the table of his Providence, and with the bounties of his goodness. All this prodaims, " God is love."
2d. GtKl gives you rahnent. No creature is bo helpless as the new-bom babe. If there were bo raiment provided for its clothing and defence, it woqU die and perish in a few moments. But when you wen born, there was raiment ready to clothe your litde, feeble, delicate, helpless bodies. Who made the wool, the cotton, the flax, and the silk for our clothing ? It was God. Thus, you are defended from the rain, the snow, the hail, and the vnnter's cold. Your very clothing may be said to speak. And what does it say? It says, " God is love."
3d. God, as the God of Providence, gives hedttlu We cannot calculate the value of health. A yooth enjoying health is not only free from disease, but vigorous, and lively, and active. This is more pre- cious than gold, and silver, and jewels. No earthly possession can be enjoyed without health. If a man has houses, and lands, without health, he i« wretched i and miserable.. And when health is connected with true piety, with love to Clirist, we cannot conceive its ] worth. What does this blessing proclaim ? " God | is love."
4th. God provides yon with a home. Your home may be small, and mean ; still, it is a home. And there you have comforts that you can have nowhere else. If you love Jesus, oh what a blessed home is prepared for you beyond the skies ! And what does this proclaim ? " God is love."
5th. Grod gives jon friends. The most of you have
fathers and mothers, who provide for you, and watch
over you. And you cawnot tell the value of a khid
father, and of a tei\deT-\ve.«k.v\.^^isixiOaR\, ^>a\.W« ex-
ceedino-ly valuable ave ^axVv^T^ wi^ xfii^3^f«^\s^'^m
and aistev^y uncles atvdaMtvX^^\i^^^^Tt^^'^^^^^
SER3fON. 59
Better it is to have such friends, however poor, than to have graceless nobles and princes -for your friends. Such friends are a precious possession. Who gave them ? God, who is the Grod of love.
6th. God, as the God of Providence, gives you ministers and teachers. You have sanctuaries where you hear the glorious Gospel from the lips of your ministers, and you have schools where you may learn many lessons of wisdom and holiness from the lips of your teachers. These sanctuaries are more valuable than palaces ; and these schools are more valuable than banks full of silver and gold. The God of Providence gave you these blessings. And these blessings in accents loud and sweet proclaim, " God is love."
In the next Sermon of the next month, by Divine |>erniission, we shall show tliat, as the God of Grace, « God is love."
In conclusion, let us sing to the Providence which pFOclaims Divine love : —
1.
'* I «ing the goodness of the Lord, That filVd the earth with food ; He form'd the creatures with his word. And then pronounced them good.
" Lord, how thy wonders are display'd, Where'er I turn mine eyes ; If I survey the ground I tread. Or gaze upon the skies.
3.
" There *a not a plant or flaw'r below. But makes thy glory known ; And clouds arise and t-empests blow By order Irom thy throne.
4.
" Creatures as numerous as they be,
Are subject to thy care ; There *s not a place where we can ^ee. But God ia present there.
60 NAMES OF JESUS
5.
" In heaven he shines with beiuns of love. With wrath in hell beneath ; 'Tis on his earth I stand or move. And 'tis his air I breathe.
6.
" His hand is my perpetual guard, He keeps me with his eye : Why should I then forget the Lord, Who is for ever nigh ] "
NAMES AND TITLES OF JESUS, ALPHA- BETICALLY ARRANGED.
In No. 14 we considered four names of Jesofl^ beginning with the letter B. These were, Btbe, Balm, Beginning, and Beloved. We now proceed to consider the following five names commencing wit^ the same letter — Bishop, Blessed, Bread, Breaker, and Bridegroom.
FirsU — Our Saviour is called a Bishop, 1 Pet. iL 25: " Ye were as sheep going astray ; but have now re- turned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.* The Bishop of souls is the Lord Jesus Christ. The word Bishop signifies one who looks after and who care- fully watches, as a shepherd looks after and carefully watches his flock. A minister is appointed by Jesos to look after and carefully to watch his people or flock. In this sense he is a shepherd or bishop.
What kind of a Bishop is Christ ?
1st. He is a great Bishop, greater than kingS} greater than all the Archangels of heaven.
2d. He is IJord Bishop. He is Lord of lords. He is the Lord Bishop of heaven and earth ; of the Church militant below, and of the Church triomplumt
above. i
3(1. He is a rich "BKaVo^. ^^ ^v\m ^^^^^^"^ ^^'^ fulness of the GodYiea^\>o^v\^. C.^V\\-^.
ALPHABETIC ALLT ARRANGED. 61
4th. He is a kind Bishop. When on earth, he took up little children in his arms, laid them in his bosom, pressed them to his heart, and blessed them. Oh how kind !
He is as kind now as he was tlien. If you flee to him in prayer, he will take you up into the arms of his love and bless you.
*' Lo ! Jesus the kind Bishop stands. To court you to his arms ; Do not resist his wondrous grace, Nor slight his powerful charms,"
Secondly^ — Our Saviour is called by the name Blessed. Ps. Ixxii. 17 : " All nations shall call him blessed,*' England, Scotland, and Ireland, shall call him blessed. France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ger- many, Prussia, Holland, and Russia, shall call him blessed. He shall bless all nations, and therefore all iiations shall call him blessed. In every respect Jesus is blessed. But let us consider him for a little as a Messed Fountain, Zeeh. xiii. 1, " And, in that day there shall be a Fountain opened to the house of David ftod to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." Jesus is that Fountain, Oh, what wonderful streams flow from this blessed Fountain. I mention four : —
"Ist. A blessed stream of life flows from it. You remember, Jesus told the woman of Samaria, that he was willing to give her of this stream of living water, and also, if she drank, that it would be in her a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.
2d. A blessed stream of pardon flows from Christ the fountain. Young friends, drink of this stream, and your sins shall be forgiven, and remembered no more.
3d. A blessed stream of holiness flows from this fountain. Drink of this stream, an4 yo\xT «^\rv\\M\ heanty will surpass the loveliness of t\ie ro^ «cA>i^vi vstre of the skjr.
62 KAHES OJP csniftT
4th. A blessed streamr of happiness flows from tbis Fountain. When yoa begin to drink of this happi- ness,, your happiness- will begin. What » lessoa ymt shall learn ! You will " rejoice with joy unspeakablv and full of glory.i' A blessed day^is fast approacfatBg, when —
" People and realms of every tongtre. Dwell on his love with sweetest song.; And yotuthful voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on his name."
Thirdly^ — Our blessed Saviour is called Bread. He calls himself Bread, John vi. 48, " I am the Bread of life." Why is Jesus called Bread?
1st. As bread nourishes the body, Jesus the Bread of life nourishes the soul. When we are loving Christ,, and believing in him,, then we are feeding on him, and then we are nourished ty him.
2d. As bread keeps the bodya/ure witlinaturallife, Jesus keeps the soul alive viiih. spiritual life.
3d. As food strengthens the body,, so Jesus strengthens- the soul. Oh, how strong, even in dying, is the pious child ! Strengthened by the Bread of life, he longs to depart.
4th. As bread comforts the body, so Jesus,, the Bread of life, comforts the soul. He gives it comforts which neither sufferings nor death can destroy — com- forts which will endure for ever.
May you and I be enabled with the heart to sing-*
'' Is Christ compared: to living Bread % Bear Lord, our souls would, thus be fad : That flesh, that dying blood of thine^ Is Bread of life — ^is heavenly wine.^
Fourthly t — Our Saviour is called ^ the Bbeakjcb.
Micah ii. 13, " The Breaker is gone up before them."
This is a very surprising name; but' uncommon. and
SEurprising as it i&, \t i^moeXya^^xV^ ^^Ucable toOhast.
1st. Jesus breaks liearts. I^^X^twJJrs^ ^Soft^^^pnAA^
the heart, and the cnmUy o^ \\i^\i^\«\, wi^^aDR.u^s^
ALPfiJkBETICALLX AmUJTQED.
e heatty and the carnality' of the: beairt^ and the laci/ of the heart
.. He breaks up the may. Jesus goes before holj ren oa their jounne^ to heaven ;: and he remove? )f their way temptations and enemies. Every that would hinder them, he breaks and removes. . He breaks weapons of war. Ps. xlvi. 9, " He th wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he :eth the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder ; he ith the chariot in the fire." The time, therefore, ning, when there will be no soldiers, no musket<?, rords, no spears, no armies, no war. Oh ! join me in the following beautiful lines : —
** He breaks the bow, he cats the spear. Chariots he bums with heavenly flame ; Keep silence all the earth,. and hear The sound and glory of his name."
fthly, — Jesus is called a Bbidegroom. John iii.
^ He that hath the bride is the Bridecjroom,*^
Uhuroh is Christ's hride, and Christ is the Church's
eijrooin. See how kind Jesus is, as the Church's
egroom,
:. He loves his Church. Jen xxxi. 3. He sajs
3 bride, " I have loved thee with an everlasting
' May we hear Jesus say so to us I
, He clothes his bride. Isa. Ixi. 10, "I will
ly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be very
1 in my God." Why does the Church speak thus ?
uids, '* For he has clothed me with the garments
Ivation, and covered me with the robe of right-
less."
. He enriches his bride. P&. Ixxxiv. 11, " The
will give grace and glory : and no good thing le withhold from them that walk uprightly." 1. He defends his bride. Ps. xci. 4, " He will • thee with his feathers, under his vfm^a ^t\\.^wx ; his truth shall he thy shield and\>wc^<et?'
He forever lives with, his bride. lSlaU.xx.N\\\**i^^"
64 THE obphan's HTior.
" Lo, I am with you alway." His bride shall never be a widow, for both live for ever.
6th. He will take his bride to heaven. John xivJ, *' I will come again unto you to receive you to myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." Let as, then,
sing :■
'' All over glorious is our Lord, Must be beloved, and yet adored ; His worth, if all.the nations knew. Sure the whole earth would love him too."
THE ORPHAN'S HYMN.
Along life's road no parent's hand
My homeless footsteps led; - No mother's arms in sickness soothed, . .
And raised my throbbing head.
But other heart-s. Lord, thou hast warm*d.
With tenderness benign ; For in the stranger's eye I mark
The tear of pity shine.
The stranger's hand by Thee is moved
To be the Orphan's stay ; And, better far, the stranger's voice
Hath taught me how to pray.
To God let every creature join In prayer, and thanks, and praise ;
Infants their little anthems lisp. Age, hallelujahs raise 1 ^
Communicated by Edwabd B. Coopeb, Donnybrook-rocul, DubUn-
SACRED BOTANY ■
AFPLE-TBEE, OS CITROH.
It IB well known, that the apple-tree which grows so many parts of Europe, and which exhibits such eliness, and shows such fruitful luxuriance in Great itain, is' not found in Palestine. What is trans- id in oar Englisb version of the ScT\p\.iH6a, \% t\w., ctfr speaking, the Apple-tree, but t\i6 Cwb.oi5. T^'6 i of this tree, when fully ripe, baa a \iftaM<\'ivi
66 SACRED BOTANY.
golden appearance. Hence the appropriateness of the following poetical and glowing figure, Prov. xxv. 11: " A word fitly spoken is like apples {citrons) of gold in pictures of silver."
Citron-trees are of a very noble appearance ; their size is magnificent ; the leaves are peculiarly beauti- ful, continuing in constant succession ; the branches are never denuded, as many of the trees are in our country, and in other northern climes. Their fra- grance is most exquisite and refreshing ; furnishing a most delightful and cooling shade. Hence, the Church is represented as saying, in Song ii. 3, " As the apple (citron) tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." The fragrance of the aromatic leaves may he considered a fit and figurative illustration of the influ- ences of Christ's Spirit :
" More sweet the fiagrance which thy breath exhales. Than Citron-groves refreshed hy morning gales."
The original Hebrew name is nfflJl, Taphnah. This word signifies literally to breathe. This is ex- ceedingly characteristic of the citron-tree, both as to its leaves, blossoms, and fruit, which breathe or exhale the most delightful fragrance. The word which is translated apples, is D^^SD, Taphnim^ intimating that which exhales the most agreeable and refreshing odour.
Ancient authors make mention of the Citron as
known to the Jews, and being abundant in Palestine.
Joseph us records, that at the Feast of Tabernacles the
Jews actually pelted King Alexander Janneus with
citrons, which they had then in their hands ; probahly,
because he had not a. branch of the citron in his hand;
which was particularly required by the law at that
feast. From this ?acl \>«va% xafcXiVvaii^ by the ancient
•Jewish historian, it is «v\^«ii\.> \X^^ ^aXxostL-vx^fc ^^^^^
known before the daya ol k\«.«xv^^Ti ^^x^^%., X^^
SERMON. 67
intiiDfltes, that Josepbus and the Jewish writers gene- rally understood the citron-tree to be signified bj the " boughs of the goodly tree," mentioned in Levit. xxiii. 40 ; which were used at the Feast of Tabernacles, " when the Jews rejoiced before the Lord seven days."
SERMON V.
GOD IS LOVE.
' Second Paet.
" Ood is love.** — John ir. 8.
In our first Sermon on this text, I endeavoured, my young friends, to show, that " God is love," if we con- sider him as the God of Creation, and as the God of Providence. By the aid of the Holy Spirit I will now endeavour to show, that
** God is love," as the God of Salvation. There are three things belonging to salvation, which very re- markably show that " God is love." The first, is the Contrivance of Salvation. The second, is the AccotU' plishment of Salvation. The third, is the Application of Salvation. Endeavour to fix your attention on these three. Study them most carefully. Moses called the bush on fiames and not consumed, a wonderful sight. Exod. iii. 3. And he said, " I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt." Those three things which I have mentioned, namely, the Contrivance, the Accomplishment, and the Application of Salvation, are three great sights. Let each one of you now say, as Moses did, " 1 villi Iwtcl aside^ and see these three great s\g\ita V 0\i^ tkoc^ God the Spirit enable you to look «iiv^ \3ltl^^v^\».xA^
6S SERMON.
to look and believe, to look and admire, to look and adore !
L In the Contrivance of the plan of Salvation we see that " God is love."
We generally speak of God the Father as contriv- ing the great plan of Salvation ; of God the Son as accomplishing the plan ; and of God the Spirit as applying Salvation to the souls of those who believe. In all this, there is a matchless display of love. There is here a threefold display of love, all uniting in one glorious sun of brightness, surpassing all the glory of the universe beside.
1st. Love moved God the Father to contHve the plan of Salvation. It was the wisdom of God which contrived the plan, but it was the love of God which moved his wisdom to contrive it. Oh what a wonderful plan is this plan of salvation ! All good men agree, that this is the most wonderful plan that ever Divine wisdom contrived. This appears plain when we con- sider that this plan makes known the most wonderful love that men or angels ever heard, or ever knew. How delightful to think, that in contriving the plan of salvation Divine wisdom was the servant of Divine love. Never was Divine wisdom more honoured; never was Divine wisdom so much honoured. Whit do we read in the contrivance of the plan of Salvation? We read this : " God is love."
2d. The immense multitude for whom the plan of Salvation was contrived shows the greatness of this love. Yes, it shows that the tongues of angels can- not describe its greatness. It shows that the very minds of angels cannot conceive its greatness. We admire mercy shown to one individual. To contrive a plan to deliver one little child from the hand of cruel robbers, who tore it from a mother's bosom, we cannot but admire. To contrive a plan for delivering a thou- SRnd captive slaves \)o\\tv^ m\)ti vcqw^ vbl^ perishing in dungeonsy we admire liVAaTCi^TC^^'^^^Qt^. ^mVXrt loved joung friends, Yvow ^ou^««^v^Ta>MX^'s»x.\^^'^'^
SERMON. 69
contrived a plan for the salvation of millions, mltitudes which no man can number, out of all IS, and tongues, and people, and languages ! How he following lines : —
" Grace first contrived the way To save rebellious man, And all its wondrous steps display That love which drew the plan."
In the Accomplishment of Salvation we see • God is love."
young friends, it was Chbist, the Second Person J Trinity, who accomplished the great plan of tion. What does St. Paul call Christ ? In Heb. be calls him " the author of eternal salvation to em that obey him." Oh may the following re- ible saying be engraven on your young hearts ! 1. i. 15, " This is a faithful saying, and worthy
acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the
to save sinners ; of whom I am chief."
. Christ willingly engaged from all eternity to
iplish Salvation. It was long before the world,
e sun, moon, and stars were made, that Jesus
1 to become the Saviour of men, women, and
children. Was not this surprising love ? The
r wished to send his Son into our world to save.
Jon was willing to come and save. The Father
the Son. The Son consented. The Father said,
o will go to obtain salvation for guilty, lost,
uined man?" The Son answered, "I will go;
ne." Ps. xL 7, 8, " Then said I, Lo, I come : in
)lume of the book it is written of me, I delight
thy will, O my God : yea, thy law is within my »
" ' Behold, I come,' the Saviour cries, With love and pity in his eyes ; ' I come to bear the heavy load Of BIDS, and do thy will, my God* '*
never beard of an earthly king viW^iti^^ ^^^7 to save rebellious subjects, by \ay\ti% ^o^xjlXs^.^
70 S£BMON*
life ; but we know something infinitely more wonder- ful. We know that Jesus, the King of kings, the Son of the Eternal Father, entered into a covenant, and engaged to corae from heaven to earth, and hyhis death, to save rebellious men. " There never was love like this ! " How loudly this proclaims, " God is love." '
2d. Christ became 7nan to accomplish salvation. He could not save man, without taking upon him the nature of man. He could not save man without three things. The three are, obeying, suffering, dying. Yoa know, my beloved young friends, that as Grod, he conld not obey ; as God, he could not suffer; as God, he could not die. To be able to do these three^ he took upon him our nature. And in that nature he did the three. He obeyed, he suffered, he died. Therefore we read, Heb. x. 5, " A body hast thou prepared me." I will tell you what the angels sung when he appeared on earth, arrayed in human form. (Luke ii. 14.) They sung, " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men." They sung this song with wonder and delight.
When the holy Apostle thought of Christ taking upon him a human body, and appearing in the likenesi of sinful flesh, he said, 1 Tim. i. 15, '< Great is the mystery of godliness, God made manifest in the flesh!" Young friends, observe the words, " God manifest !* These words show, and prove, that Christ is Grod; that he is both God and man. Yes, Gt)d and man in one Person. Oh what wonderful love is this ! Hoir loudly this proclaims, " God is love I " Let os then exclaim with wonder :
'* But lo ! he leaves those heavenly forms — Oar Lord descends and dwells in clay. That he may save polluted womis, DressM in such feeble flesh as they ! "
5d. Consider -wli^l CVimt did to save. He yielded obedience to tbe "DWrn^ \^^. "NNV^wxx. ^jv^^xs!^ ihk obedience he never co\i\^>a^ ^^'^viVwxt ^1 Tassa.. '^x^ and remember tte foWoN^Va^ «^^i«.^^ Qjl\J^.S«ftj
SERMON. 71
ence. It was most willing^ it was universal, obedience to every command. It was constant, throughout all his life. It was perfect, without a flaw. And it was infinitely meritoriotis. Why ? Because of his Divine nature con- nected with his human. This stamped merit, — yes, boundless worth on all he did. It was foretold, Isa. zL 21, that he should " magnify the law and make it honourable." By his obedience to the law, the pro- mise was fulfilled. God in human form obeyed the law, and magnified it, and honoured it, as it never was before, and never can be since. What does Christ's obedience proclaim ? It proclaims this, " God is love."
4th. Consider what Christ suffered to accomplish salvation.
From whom did he suffer ? From the hand of men, from the hand of evil spirits, and from the hand of offended Justice.
In what did he suffer ? In his soul, in his body, in his character and estate. Wherever he could suffer, there he suffered.
And what did he suffer ? Oh, hear it with amaze- ment ! He suffered poverty, toil, sickness, hunger, watchings, shame, temptations, reproachings, the hid- ing of his Father's countenance, crucifixion, and death ! There never were sufferings like his suffer- ings. There never was sorrow like his sorrow. There never was death like his death. All these he bore to satisfy offended j ustice ; all these he bore to obtain for us an everlasting salvation. What do we read in bis sufferings ? " God is love." What do we read on his cross ? " God is love." What do we read on his tomb ? " God is love I "
" How condescending and how kind Was Qod's eternal Son ; Our misery reach'd his heavenly mind. And pity brought him down.
" This waa compassion like a God, That when the Saviour knew The price of pardon was his b\ood. His pity ne'er withdrew."
72 SEBMON.
III. The Application of Salvation shows that ** God is love." To apply salvation is the great, the peculiar work of the Holy Spirit. In the application of salva- tion to the soul, there are two things especially which the Spirit does : first, he convinces ; and secondly, he converts. And both these show that " God is love."
1st. The Holy Spirit convinces the poor sinner. What does Christ say of the Spirit on this subject? He says, John xvi. 8, " And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin." No sinner can be converted without being convinced of sin. When, therefore, he is about to be converted by the Spirit, and all the blessings of salvation are about to become his own, the Holy Spirit convinces him of sin. He opens the eyes of his mind, and enables him to see his sinfulness and his danger ; and, also, that without the salvation of Christ, he must be for ever lost and undone. When he shows him this sight, this humbling, this affecting sight, he teaches him to cry out in earnestness of soul, like the gaoler of Philippi, Acts xvi. 30, " What must I do to be saved ?" My young friends, may you be taught to say with sincere hearts— " Eternal Spirit,
Enlighten'd by thine heavenly ray, Our shades and darkness turn to day ; ^
Thine inward teachings make us know Our danger and our refuge too."
2d. The Holy Spirit converts the sinner. Then, in one moment, all the blessings of salvation become his. They are applied to him by the almighty, gracious power of the Divine Spirit. What a moment ! What a blessed moment ! A moment to be remembered with interest, thankfulness, and joy for ever and ever I
To be converted is to be bom again. And the
Spirit is the Author of this birth. Jesus said to
JVicodemus, John iii. 6, " That which is born of the
Spirit is spirit." WVi«i\, ^o^a V^v^ ^^\yA. ^cj, ^ben he
converta a sinner ? rr^x . - ^ :.
First, He gives Wm a ticto h^Xxo^ "SiVx.^ ^^ 'j:^^
CONTENTMENT. 73
regeneratioTiy or being "born again." Secondly, He enables liim to receive Christ, and all the blessings of salvation. This is, in truth, the Application of salvation to the soul. Thirdly, He teaches him to cry " Abba, Father." Fourthly, He keeps him in a state of grace, and preserves in his soul all the graces he has given him. Fifthly, He makes perfect, at the death of the body, all the graces, and thus prepares him for taking his place among the saints in heaven.
CONCLUSION.
Beloved young friends, never cease seeking salvation in earnest prayer, until you are able to say in holy triumph, "I have found it, I have found it!"
" Grace drew my wandering feet To tread the heavenly road ; Thence new supplies each hour I meet. While pressing home to God.
" Grace all the work shall crown, Through everlasting days ; It lays in heaven the topmost stone. And well deserves the praise."
CONTENTMENT.
SoCEATES, in going through the market-place, said, " How many tilings are here that I do not want ! "
A good old dissenting minister at Frome, who had but a small salary, used to say playfully to his friends : " I owe nothing ; I am owed nothing ; I have nothing ; and I want nothing."
" A contented mind is a continual feast." " All trouble to such a man," says Leighton, ** is only like the rattling of the hailstones on the roof of the house to him who sits at a sumptuous feast within.''
" Turn, pilgrim, turn, thy carea fotego.
All earth-born cares are wrong •, M&u wauta but little hero \>e\ow, NQr wants that little loxvg;'
EXCELLENCES OP THE BIBLE,
ALPHABEIIOALLT ABBANGEQ.
(Continued from Vol, II, p. 44.)
Dainty Food.— Does dainty mean precious ? How precious is the word of God I " It is more precious than rubies." Does dainty mean rare ? The Bible is in one sense rare. For among the millions of books on the face of the earth, there is only one word of God. Does dainty mean pleasant or delicious to the taste 1 Oh, how sweet, how delicious is the Bible to the spiritoal taste of the pious child. " It is sweeter than honey ; yea, eyen than the honeycomb." Ps. xix. 10. That is a blessed, happy child, who can say with the heart, " The Bible is the dainty food, the savoury meat, which my soul loves."
" Not honey to the taste Affords so much delight, Nor gold that has the furnace pass'd So much allures my sight."
Epistlb. — The Bible is indeed an Epistle, or Letter, God is the Writer of the Epistle. 2 Tim. iii. 16, " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." What an useful Epistle it is; it "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness." May it be profitable to yon and to me. The Bible is a loving Epistle. It ici written by love, and it makes known the wonderful lorn of God to sisfnl men. It is full of love. And it makes known the wonderfnl truth, " God is love." It is a Father's letter to his sons and daughters. In every part of the Epistle we see a Father^BwiadoM, a Father's love, a Father's care. May we find this Epistle addressed by the Holy Spirit to our hearts ; then we will sing:—
" Thy word is everlasting truth ; How pure is every page I That holy book shall guide our youth. And well support our age."
EvBBGBBEN.— What a wonderful tree is the Bible. The verm
of the Bible may be consv^etft^ «a >iJcL^l««w% oC tlie tree. None
of them, have ever faWen ofS. TSoTia o1 \Jsi«ai\ivr<5k\iftK«\.'sio&a8swL
Neither the winds, not tYie ftioxm^, tlot V\a ^w^^m^aW
ever been able to blast, to ra^uxe, w WfflK«aft \JaMw, ^sMsmH^
MARTYROLOGY.: 75
lovely fragrant leares. For many, many hundreds of years this tree has stood, and it is as verdant as eyer, and as fruitful as e?er. Oh, what delight pious children enjoy, sitting under the irlde-spreading branches of this noble Evergreen, the planting of Qod's right hand ! They can say with thankfulnetis and joy: — « We sat down under its shadow with great delight, and its fruit was sweet to our taste."
(To be continued.)
MARTYROLOGY.
ENGLISH MARTYRS.
Bby. John Rogers.
Mart, daughter of Henry YIII. and sister of Queen Elizabeth, filled the throne of England after her brother's death, namely, Edward YI. She was a Koman Catholic of the most bigoted description. She believed that all Protestants were heretics, and therefore considered that she pleased, and did God service, when she delivered up godly ministers to be consumed at the stake. Such numbers were destroyed in her reign, that she has received ever since the merited name of Bloody Mary, which will be handed down to the remotest posterity, accompanied with execration an^. horror.
The Eev. John Rogers, Vicar of St. Sepulchre's, and Reader of St. Paul's in London, was the first martyr for the truth during the execrable reign of Mary, the English Jezebel, the merciless destroyer of the Lord's prophets and saints. This good and blessed man was educated at Cambridge, and was some time Chaplain to the English merchants in Antwerp. There he met aad formed an acquaintance with William Tindal, and with MUes Coverdale, the celebrated translators of the Scriptures into the English language. When Edward YI. was raised to the throne, he returned to London. Bishop Ridley gave him a. prebend in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul's. When Mary ascended the throne, she brought in, with a high hand, all the idolatry and superstitions of Popery. So faithful was the preach- Ing of this eminent minister of Christ, that he was soon sUenced. For some time he was a prisoner in his own house. By the cmeKy of Bishop Bonner, he was afterwards removed to New- gate, where he was lodged for a great wYiVVe mWv ^i^c^n^^ %n^ murderers, H& was tried, and sentence oi de&V\i «xA ^^^gc^^ar tion was pronounced upon him. Oa the 4\.\i Aa."s ol '^^^^NiWT* US^, being Monday inormng, h© was fiuddeii\^ ^wcuo^ M ^®^
76 MARTTROLOGY.
wife of the Governor of Newgate to prepare himself for the fire. He was so sound asleep, that he could with difficulty be awaked. He was brought before Bishop Bonner with all haste, and de- graded. He requested of the Bishop to speak a few words to lus | beloved wife before going to the flames. This favour was cruelly refused. He was then brought into Smithfield by the Sherifis of i London to be burnt. He manifested great patience, and exhorted the people to remain constant to the faith he had taught, and for the confirmation of which he was willingly laying down his life. One of the Sheriffs asked him if he would revoke his doctrine. He replied, " That which I have preached, I will seal with my blood." The Sheriff said, " Thou art an heretic." He answered, " That will be known at the judgment-day." A little before his burning, his pardon was offered if he would recant; but he firmly refused. The fagots were kindled around him. He washed his hands in the flames. In a few minutes he was relieved by death from the hand of his persecutors, and his happy spirit received the martyr's crown.
* Bev. Lawrence Saukdsbs.
Mr. Saunders was one of an highly respectable family. He was educated in the school of Eton, of ancient as well as modem celebrity. He was chosen to be a scholar of King's College, in Cambridge, where he continued three years. For some time, at the earnest entreaty of his rich relatives, he fol- lowed a mercantile employment, which he afterwards abandoned for the holy ministry, which he loved above all other professions. He began to preach in the beginning of the reign of the good and youthful King Edward YL He continued preaching the pure €k)spel in opposition to Popish errors, until he was made prisoner according to the command of the notorious and end Bishop Bonner. After he was degraded by this Bishop, he was conveyed to Coventry by the Queen's guard, to be burned. On reaching that city he was thrust into the common gaol among other prisoners. He slept but little. He spent the night in prayer, and in the instructing of his fellow-prisoners. The next day, Feb. 8, 1555, he was led to the place of execution, to a pari: without the dty^ as his dear Saviour was led wUhoui the gaU» He went in an old gown and a shirt, barefooted, and often fell flat on the ground and prayed. When he came to the fatal spot, the ofiicer appointed to preside at the execution, poured out on the good man the most bitter and acrimonious reproaches, charging him with false doctrines and heresies. He meekly replied, "I hold nothing but the doctrine of Cknl, and the Chapel of Christ.'* T\ie offiniw, VcEi\\a.\lYa:|^ Q\a\%t*% mnrdeieni 8&id, " A way with him \ " M^t . ^wiiiAftT* ^^tl\» ^^>3a. i^sosuei^ N«k the devouring flames, w\i\c\i ^ex^ ^xe^w^^ ^ ^w^ ^MagtfX >^ conrej his soul to heaven, ft^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^tA«A ^^«^
TWELVE MAXIMS, BY THE REV. T. WALLACE. 77
He rose up, took the Btake in his arms, kissed it, and said, " Welcome the cross of Christ ! welcome everlasting life ! " He was then fastened to the stake. The fagots were kindled, and lie fell sweetly asleep in Jesus !
My young friends, you and I may never be called to suffer martyrdom, but may God graciously give us martyrs' hearts !
QUESTION.
" What happy men, or angels, these,
That all their robes are spotless white ] Whence did this glorious troop arrive At the pure reiSms of heavenly light]
ANSWER.
'* From torturing racks and burning fires, And^seas of their own blood they came ; But nobler blood has wash'd their robes, Flowing from Christ, the dying Lamb."
(To be continued.)
TWELVE MAXIMS FOR THE YOUNG,
BY THE REV. T. WALLACE.
1. Value and revere your parents most highly. You cannot love them too warmly — serve them too vigorously — obey them too cheerfully or implicitly, when you consider what they have done for you.
2. Cultivate your minds with the utmost care. Nothing will be a greater blessing to you than sound and superior intel- lectual culture. It will embellish, enrich, recommend, elevate, and animate you.
3. In early life, give your hearts to the Saviour. Let him have the best of your days — ^your talents — your energies. Let him have all the warmth and purity of your early affections.
4. While young, never be indifferent to prayer ; it will pre- pare for every duty — guide in every diflSculty — sustain under every trial — fit you for every change. There is no safety without early attention to closet prayer ; and, sure we are, there is no happiness.
5. Consecrate the Sabbath to God. Do it freely, heartily, uniformly. If young persons neglect or dishonour the Sabbath, they have nothing but a moral blight, a withering curse, as they advance in life.
6. Love the ministers of Christ We nevcx Viievr ^ -jcsoSJsv wio realized a blessing, if he disesteemed, ox de«.^\»fc^ \>asssa^'
Honour God's aerv&nta, and he will honour you.
78 THB JEWS : GOOD HOPES OF THXM.
7. Be very wary in choosing your companions. Ma racier the main thing — ^the fear of God ; else, you may b for ever,
8. Do not plunge into the dissipations and pleasnrei world. They are as degrading as empty ; as sinfiil as asi sooner or later, with misery.
9. Secure the blessing of God when young ; and re: that the way to gain that blessing is, to be earnest in i tation. Ask it in this manner, and it will not be withli
10. Make the most of your time. It is very short, a escent. Your early years will glide away very rapidly, few remaining years will seem to pass more swiftly th which preceded.
11. Beware of indecision. Nothing is more nnwi( pernicious, more ruinous. Halt not between two opinic decided to serve God now, and serve hvmfor ever,
12. Prepare for Eternity; always be thinking of \\ may soon be called to die, and enter eternity. Let, t question be most seriously proposed by every young " Am I ready to go into Eternity 1 "
THB JEWS : GOOD HOPES OF THEM.
The Great King, and Head of the Church, is crown success the efforts of the Missionaries of the British So Promoting Christianity among the descendants of Ja Children of Israel.
The operations abroad are encouraging. In Jaffa, s called Joppa^ the Missionary is kindly received and listened to by Jewish families. Here,, a young Jew, a the island of Cyprus, who can speak fluently many la is under the training of Mr. Manning the missionary, t writes : " I have been reading, every day since he came '. Scriptures with him, of which he has but a very partial i anee ; but his increasing interest in them is daily ma: itself. I scarcely pass his room, when he is alone, bi him reading an Italian Bible that I gave him."
Gibraltar. — Mr. Ben Oliel, the missionary at Gibn
converted Jewy said in his valedictory address in ^e C
Hall, London, 19th July, 1848 : *' The desire to cany 1
tidings of salvation to my benighted brethren was firat •
within me twelve monWia «k%o, Vj x^^ing the conven
our Lord with tlio woman o^ ^^km^T^a^ ^ii.\fea.aMi5^>3M^
the woman, * Come, aee iw xnan. ^\iQ \j^\^ m^ ^Si^s5^p
I did ; is not this the CViiVbX.^* 1 ^^^^^ ^^^ "^^^ \«2s.
THE JEWS : GOOD HOPES OF THEM. 79
^he question : Why hath the Lord left this on record 1 Is it not Tor an example 1 And if so, is it not also my daty to go to my brethren, and put to them the same question, ' Is not this the Dhrist r .... My brethren, the very thought, that there are on khe northern coast of Africa some 300,000 of the seed of Abra- ham according to the flesh ; among whom there are 200 souls of my own family, living and dying without hearing of the love of Qod to this sinful world, in giving his own beloved Son a lansom for many, — I say, that this very thought is sufficient to make me desire the missionary work, whatev^ difficulties may be in the way."
This good man has commenced his labours in Gibraltar, and Jews are induced to listen to his voice, while he endeavours to place before them the unsearchable riches of Christ. The pro- spects of good among the Jews in Gibraltar are very encourag- ing ; and the disposition to learn the Gospel most favourable.
In Frankfort, several members of Mr. Stern's family have professed their faith in Jesus. A nephew of Mr. Stem thus writes to a friend : ** The ways of the Lord are not our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts. If any one had told us seventeen years ago, that we should now be united in the bonds of the faith in Christ, we should not have believed him ; and see, by our own experience we have found, through mercy, that nothing is too hard for the Lord."
The following is very encouraging. The missionary writes : " June 3.— On the festival of the Ascension, three Jews confessed their faith in Christ, and were received into the German Be- formed Church. The Rev. Mr. Zimmer, the venerable grey- headed pastor, administered the sacred rite after the usual morning service ; the Rev. Mr. Schruder having first preached an instructive sermon from Mark xvi. 19, 20, ' So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and con- firming the word with signs following. Amen.*
*' A great number of Jews were present. They afterwards acknowledged that the service had convinced them that their opinion, that every proselyte to the Christian faith is obliged on his baptism to curse his relations, is false.**
Feb. 5 — 10. — The missionary also writes, ** I saw the Jewish merchant Mr. H— — , at Temeswar, who has been some time baptized. After a little while, his father, sixty years old, to- gether with his two brothers and two sisters, were baptized ; and they are now all members of the Reformed Church."
" Another fair example of the advancement of tti^ tt>s^ Vcl Christ is the foUowing fact : About eight Yeaia«i;go,\)[ife ^^A^x^ja.
and grand-childreR of i^abbi C , coniesBed. \>eiot^ \}si^^a^^
their faith in Jesua Cbriat, and were bapUzftOl. 'XVsje^ ?0\\v^^*>». waee with the aged B^bhi.**
80 POEM : " HEAVEN."
Babuch Leon Epstein, who was baptized on the llth < thus expresses himself: ** When my brother told me a Christian, I was stricken with horror, not knowing any tion between a Christian and a heathen. . At last I ua although he was a Christian, he still took the Bible standard of his faith, (in my country no one eyer dreai Christianity has anything to do with the Bible,) and I duced to compare several passages together, to which he me in the Old and Kew Testament. The Lord (^tened i and I began to see the light shining in the darkness ; tan brother's advice, I engaged constantly in secret praya now with all my heart, I am prepared publicly to emb faith of the Son of God, who is our Propitiator and Be For his Bake I am ready to sacrifice all my worldly pv yea, even to lay down my life.
" Oh ! who would ever have expected, that I with my from so remote a country, and where darkness reigii% d brought to the true light ! But the Lord knows how ti his children from all the ends of the earth. 0 God 1 gnai my dear relatives and friends, who are yet far from thOQ^ brought to the knowledge of the truth, which is life
HEAVEI^.
" We sing of the realms of the blest.
That country so bright and so fair ! And oft are its glories confessed — But what must it be to be there ?
'* We speak of its pathways of gold. Its walls deck'd with jewels so rare ; Its wonders and pleasures untold — But what must it be to be there 1
€t
We speak of its freedom from sin, From sorrow, temptation, and care;
From trials, without and within — But what must it be to be there 1
" We speak of its service of love ;
The robes which the glorified wear; The church of the first-born above — But what must it be to be there ?
" Dear liord, Mm^eX T^\«a»M^ ot -^^sfc. For heaven, out s^vrA^ Y^wfc\ Then, Boon^eaha\\*^oi^^^>«'W»;7 And /eel i^hsA V\. V^\«\>^^^^«^^
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
We do not meet with tlie name Elephant in Scrip- re. Some think that Behemoth, menlionod in Jub ^ 15, ia the Elephant. Others are of opinion, that e description given in this chapter ia more applic- ile to the Sea-horse, or the Skinoceros, than to the lephant Though the name Elephant ia not a^'^nVxci^^^ Scripture, yet ivory, the productioa oi "CKia %s\c>- biag animal, ia oflea introduced to out Tiotv;^ '^1 '^'=> vred writers.
82 SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
The Elephant is a native of Africa and Asia, and is only found in other quarters of the globe by impor- tation. As the whale is the largest animal in the ocean, the Elephant is the largest on dry land. They are often from seventeen to twenty feet in height The head is large, and somewhat resembling the shape of an egg ; it is without fore-teeth. Two tusks are projected from the upper jaw ; they are long, thick, and curved. These tusks form the ivory, which is so highly valued, and so extensively used in works of art throughout the civilized world. In each jaw there are four grinders of great size. For an animal so large the eyes are exceedingly small ; while the ears are of considerable magnitude, hanging down upon the side of its head. This huge creature has scarcely a ned; on which account the head cannot reach the gronnd either for eating or drinking. But Providence has furnished it wi^ a remarkable member, namely, a proboscis, and which serves a variety of the most usefbl and necessary purposes. This member is very curiously and wisely formed ; it is a cylindrical trunk, or hollow tube — fleshy, muscular, strong — can be moved in any direction, like a hand ; it is exceedingly flexible, can bend in any direction, and it can be stretched out from one to five feet. By means of this trunk it fetches water and food, which it deposits in the mouth with amazing accuracy and dexterity ; it can lift by it from the ground the smallest object, and with the utmost ease can break branches of trees to pieces. It is also employed as a means of defence, and of severely punishing whomsoever it considers an enemy. The female bears a resemblance to the human species, as it has two mammce on its breast, by which it suckles its young. The skin of the Elephant is wrinkled, hairless, and of a mouse-like colour. The tail is short, and the feet thick ^ind a\.icQi\i«, ^wih having five hoofe. It is remarkable iox \oTk«<iV\\.^, ^\x^\i^^ ^asg^Ritr^ affection, fidelity, §x2A\X\i^^, ^q^y^Vj, ^^ ^^^^ w^ desty.
SEBHON. 83
Elephants in Eastern countries are still educated for useful purposes — ^for carrying commodities with its trunk from one place to another, and even for lading and unlading ships. When treated with kindness they are gentle ; hut when provoked, awfully for- midahle. With one blow of their trunk they can strike a horse dead. Anciently, they were much used in war, and towers were placed on their backs, each one of which, it is said, was capable of containing forty warriors.
They prefer for their abode and haunts, plains, forests, gently rising hills, and the shady banks of rivers.
When they find death approaching, in their wild and natural state, they bend their course, if possible, to a retired valley, shaded with magnificent trees, near a peaceful river, where numerous generations of their ancestors have expired ! " O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom hast thou made them all I "
SERMON VI.
NO NIGHT IN HEAVEN.
"And there ahaXl he no night there." — Sev. xxii. 5.
When a little boy was dying, his mother was weeping
by his bed-side. He said, " Mother, weep not for me,
for I am going to heaven, and I shall soon be there."
He was on the very brink of heaven, and soon reached
that
"flappy land. Far, &r away, Where saints in glory Btaud, Bright, bright as ip,jr
64 SERMON.
Yes, he soon reached that blessed land; of which it is said in our text, " There shall be no night there.** If we speitk of heaven in the past, there never was night there. If we speak of heaven in the present^ thwe is HO night there. If we speak of heaven in the Jkture, " There shall be no night there."
The Word night has the following meanings, or signi- fications. When the son sets and leaves the sky, it is night, literal night. That is, a time of darkness and gloom. That is the time when human beings retire to sleep and rest. That is the time when hawks, and owls, and eagles, and lions, and tigers, and leopards, seek, fall upon, and devour their prey.
But night, in Scripture, has a Jigurative, as well as a literal meaning. A time of ianorance and unbelief is called night, Rom. xiii. 12 : " The night is far spent.** That is, the night of ignorance and unbehef is fast passing away, by means of the increasing brightness of the Crospel day. Therefore the Apostle «ays, in the latter part of the verse, " Let us cast off the works of darkness.'* That is, " let us put off ignorance and un- belief.'* And he adds, " let us put on the armour of light." That is, " let us put on the bright raiment of Divine knowledge and faith."
Night often means a time of adversity, affliction, and sorrow. Isa. xxi. 12: "The watchman said. The morning cometh, and also the night.'* That is, the night of affliction and sorrow.
And night signifies death. Our Saviour says, John ix. 4 : "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day : the night cometh, when no man can work." That is, the night of death t
By the assistance of the Holy Spirit, I now proceed
to show that in heaven there shall be no night of m^
no night oi ignorance, no night of temptation, no night
of disease, no night of desertion, wid no night of death.
I. In heaven theTe skall \>^ tio m^x. q1 %m. "^^
rounff friends, pay particxAat «lt\»XL^^Ti'*a^^^^^s^
hacrfption o£ sin. N^\i^t U sinl \ m^^^x,%«.^3
\s^
Q£BMOX. 85
the keat't^ is the hatred of all that is good, and the love of all that is evil. Sin in the life consists of all load of b^ actions committed against God and man s hut the very essence of sin is enmity against God. Every sinful thought flows from this ; and every sinful action proceeds &om this enmity against Grod. All gziaceless children are in the dark night of sin. Ob) it is a dark night ! Satan, the prince of darkness and sin, sits on the face of the dark and gloomy sky of sin ; and he employs all his power to prevent one 4ngle ray of light from visiting that dark firmament of fiin.
As there is no darkness in the unclouded sky at Qoon-day, so there is no darkness of sin in the bright ^y of spotless holiness in heaven. There are no sinful thoughts in heaven. There are no sinful affections and (lesii;es in heaven. There are no sinful passions and polluted lusts in heaven. There are no sinful actions in hei^ven. There are no sinful beings in heaven.
" Pure are the joys above the sky. And all the region peace ; No wanton lips, nor envious eye, Can see or taste the bliss.
" Those holy gates for ever bar Pollution, sin, and shame ; None shall obtain admittance there. But followers of the Lamb.'*
Ask the dying, pious child, why he longs to enter heaven. He will answer, "I long to enter heaven, 9ot only because it is a happy place, but because it is a holy place ; because there is no night of sin there I '* Blessed Spirit, grant that this may be the desire of our heart !
IL In heaven there shall be no night of ignorances There are various kinds of darkness, Tbesc^ ^ ^^KtV.- oesis which belongs to the bodyi and daxVLtL^'& n9\sv5^ belongs to the soul. Knowledge ia ll[ie llgUt o1 NJs^fe ouJ; ignorance is the dark night o£ ftie ftwiV- '^^^^
86 SERMON.
ranee of God, of the soul, of Chiifit, of salvation, is indeed a dark, gloomy night. But there is no night of ignorance in heaven. AH heaven is filled with the bright, the glorious rays of Divine knowledge. When the soul of a child is admitted into heaven, it is sur- rounded with the light, and it is filled with the light of Divine knowledge. In one moment that child hai more knowledge, more light, than the greatest philoso- pher— ^than the holiest and most learned minister on the face of the earth. There are four books which the glorified child can read in heaven, in a way which the most learned saint is not able to read them on eartL Do you ask me, What are these books ? The first is the book of God's purposes; the second is the book of creation; the third is the book of providence; the fourth is the book of redemption. In this world there is so much darkness of ignorance, that the most learned can read but very little of these four won- derful books ; they can only, as it were, read a few lines ; but in heaven, surrounded with glorious light, the youngest child shall extensively read and under- stand these glorious books.
In the prospect of heaven, where there is no night of ignorance, may we be enabled to pray —
"Ye wheels of nature^ speed your course ! Ye mortal powere, decay 1 Fast as ye bring the night of death. Ye bring eternal day."
III. There shall be no night of temptation in heaven. This life is full of temptations to sin. As there are many temptations, there are many tempten, i The corrupt heart is a tempter ; corrupt speech is t tempter ; corrupt companions are tempters ; the world is a tempter ; and Satan is the prince of tempters See then what a daik ii\^\. ^^ ^Am^^tation is this Ufe^ in which there are ao m«iv^ \k!k^\ssk^ «si^ ^i^i ^sasK^
temptations.
• lliere are no tem^teta Va Vt^w^, %»a. '^iscte
SERMON. 87
there are no temptations. There is no corrupt heart n heaven. Oh blessed place ! There is no corrupting ;peech^ there is no corrupting world in heaven. Oh )lessed place 1 There is no tempting Satan in heaven. )h. blessed place ! If the clouds of temptation here are hick and dark, they are never seen in heaven. There re none of these clouds to fill the heavenly sky with :Ioon), or the minds of the blessed inhabitants with ain. Young friends, endeavour to sing in the pro- pect of such blessedness : —
" Thus will we mount on sacred wings, And tread the courts above ; Nor earth, nor all her mightiest things. Shall tempt our meanest love."
IV. There shall be no night of disease in heaven. This rorld, indeed, presents a dark night of disease ; and it las been a long night ; it has lasted nearly six thou- and years. Have you not often observed, my young riends, the ^effects of disease ? Have you not often ►bserved what disease has done to the bodies of men ? .t takes away the sight of the eyes, the hearing of the tar, the beauty of the countenance. Oh how affecting t is to see a little boy blind, and another deaf and lamb ! How affecting to see another deformed and ame, scarcely able to walk along ! How affecting to lee one child dying of the scarlet fever, another of the imall pox, another of consumption, and another of neasles ! Do you ask me. Whence came these frightful liseases ? I answer, Sin has brought them. It is sin nrhich has made this world a dark night of disease. But there is no sin in heaven, and therefore there is no night of disease, or sickness, or pain there. Disease sends holy children to heaven, but there is no disease in heaven. Holy children breathe in heaven a pure air, and it is more delicious than the fragcancie oC yq^a^. They drink the water of life in Yiea'vexL — \\i^^. ^\«:^ ^ater of life, which Hows from the tYvroae o^ ^^^ ^"^^ \e Lamb. What is heavea ? It is a ^\ac^ o^ ^\.ex\is^
88 SERMON.
health, and of immortal life. May you and I enjoy tk following lovely lines : —
" No gnawing grief, no sad heart-rending pain, In Uiat blest country can admission gain ! Here the fair tree of life majestic rears Its blooming head, and sovereign yirtue bears."
V. There shall be no night of sorrow in heaven, f What does holy David call the present life? He calls it a ** night of rcee'ping^ Psal. xxx. 5. He says, *' Weeping may endure for a night." Weeping means sorrow. Weeping does not merely mean shedding tears. A man may weep bitterly with his soul, when he cannot shed a tear with his body.
Dear young friends, many things make this life to the believer a night of sorrow. Observe the following. A believer is made sorrowful by the sins of his own f heart, and by the blemishes of his own life. In hea- ven, the heart has no corruption, and the life has no blemishes. Here, a believer is made sorrowful by the temptations of Satan, and by the language and sinfnl actions of wicked men. In heaven there is no tempt- ing Satan, and no wicked men are found there. Here, believers are often sorrowful on account of ungodly relatives, who cause the briny tears of grief to run down their cheeks. In heaven all its inhabitants are pure and spotless, blessed and glorious.
Ye little children who have given your hearts to Jesus, where are you going ? You are going to hea- ven, the holy and the happy land. There, your robes shall be whiter than the mountain's snow. There^ your golden harps shall be for ever tuned to celebrate Jehovah's praise. Because there is no night of soiioir there^ but a day of endless blessedness and joy, yoa shall sing in sweetest strains the praises of your Saviour and your God : —
*' Before the thioTie ^ cr^^\»X A^et ^^^, Immortal veiduxe ^ecV&\\a <3t^wsSxiN.^^^\ No sorrow there, iioftou\A»Tm«Q.^m^'l^T,
For God'B oi^u\iWid^\i%X\^^^^^^>^^^««^
SSBMOX. 89
VI. There is no night of death in heaven. The Wlowing verse is peculiarly lovely and delightful, 'f you compare the pages of the Bible to the sky^ this 'erse shines in the sacred shy of the Bible like a •right sun. It is, Hev. xxi. 4 : " And God shall wipe way all tears from their eyes ; and there shall be isio :ORE DEATH, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall lere be any more pain : for the former things are assed away." May this blessed verse be engraven a our hearts ! When we read it, may we believe it, id enjoy it. May we so feel its influence and power, lat we shall long to enter that holy, happy land, here the dark night of death is unknown for ever.
This world is the land of the dying ! The mo- lent a babe begins to live, it begins to die. How ften do we meet upon the streets young and old, hose pale countenances, and emaciated cheeks, and ow, feeble, tottering steps, show that they are dying, ad hastening to the grave. But no such sights are aen in heaven. For in heaven there is no night of icath. It is very solemn and touching to the feelings f the heart to see the funeral procession passing along he streets, moving onward to the burying-places of the lead. At one time, we see the funeral of a little babe. [t lived only a few weeks, and then died ! At another ime we see the funeral of a youth about sixteen years )f age. Oh how his parents loved him ! He was ;heir only son. But death came, and in a moment cut lown the hopeful flower. Now it lies withered in the ^ave ! And at another time we see the funeral of a ather. He died in the very prime of life. He has eft behind him a widow, with her fatherless children. [)h how they wept, when he closed his eyes in death ! But no such sights are seen in heaven. The dark night )f death is there for ever unknown.
" Holy Spirit, inspire our hearts with. M\k m S^'soa* IS our Saviour, and in heaven as out Vomer ^\!\!»»a mjr we express the wishes and expec\.a\\oTka oi ^^« uls : —
90 SEBMON.
** How long, dear Saviour, oh how long. Shall this bright hour delay? Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time, And bring the welcome day !"
J
i:
i
CONCLUSION.
1st. Have you begun your journey to heaven ? Some children have begun this blessed journey very soon. |^ And these children are peculiarly blessed. The journey of many of them has been very short, and before they have been six years of age, they have entered their heavenly home. They have taken their place with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God Have you begun your journey to heaven ? If not, why have you delayed ? I can tell you. You hafe listened to Satan's counsels. You have listened to the corruptions of your own heart. And if you continue i listening to these counsellors, and die listening to them, ^ you never can enter heaven, you never can escape hell.
2d. Jesus is given as a leader and a commander, to guide the young to heaven. Isa. Iv. 4 : "Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people." May the Holy Spirit pei'suade and enable you to commit yourself to Jesus' care ; and as a shepherd leads his flock, he will letd ] you, and never leave you, till he conduct you into the heaven of heavens, to be for ever with the Lord.
*' Behold, he comes ! your Leader corned. With might and honour crown*d ; A witness who shall spread my name To earth's remotest bound.
'' See ! nations hasten to his call^ From every distant shore ; Isles, yet unluxown, shall bow to him. And Israel's God adore."
<
91
TAMES AOT) TITLES OF JESUS, ALPHABETICALLY
ARRANGED.
In Number 16 of this Work, we considered the following mes of Christ, beginning with the letter B, — Bishop, Blessed, ■ead. Breaker, and Bridegroom. We will now consider the lowing names beginning with the same letter — Bright- 38, Brother, Buckler, Builder, and Burden-bearer. May our ercise be blessed 1 May the names of Christ be more fragrant our souls than the most odoriferous flowers to the weary pil- jn, travelling through the parched desert. May his names be OS " as ointment poured forth." Song i. 3. BrigMness is one of our Saviour's names. Heb. i. 3 ; " Who jag the Brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image hifi Person." Do you ask me. How is this the case 1 I answer, L the gloiy the Father has, Jesus has. The Father has glorious idom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. The Son } the same, precisely the same. Besides, the bright gloiy of » Father is shown and displayed by the Son. 3o bright is Christ, that he is compared to a star. Rev. xxii. 16 : am the bright and Morning Star.'' So great and glorious is xist*s brightness, that he is called a Sun. Mai. iv. 2 : '* But to you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise th healing in his wings." Let us look on Christ's brightness, d then say with the heart, —
" Brightness of the Father's glory, Shall thy praise unutter'd lie ? Fly, my tongue, such guilty silence, Sing the Lord that came to die.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Amen !"
Brother is one of our Saviour's names. Prov. xvii. 17: "A end loveth at all times, and a Brother is bom for adversity." ow can Jesus be our Brother] He took upon him our nature, id thus became our Brother. Thus he became "the First-bom aong many brethren." Some of us have no earthly brother ; it blessed are we if we can say, " Our Brother is Christ." Jesus has a brother's hexirt. His heart is ftdl of love. The id of the ocean is fiill of water ; the firmament is full of stars : it, what is infinitely more wonderful, the heart of Jesus is full of
ve.
Jesus has a brother's eye. It is delightful to see an elder
'Other looking with tenderness and affection, on loi^ ^ciiva^gsL
■others and sistera : and more particularVy \i \\i!&vc {%\Xi^t V^
epin^ in the grave ! Oh, what a loving eye \a ^2fcL'& «3^ ^"^
riat f Dear children, behold and adxmie CVoiaV^YoN^^ ,\QrTV5i%
/
92 NAMES OF CHBIST ALPHABETICALLY ABRANGED.
Jesus has a brother^s hand. What a hand ! It is a leading hand, a protecting hiuid, a comforting hand, a helping hand
Jesus has a hrotiieT'sfnendeJiip, You may conyerse with him by night and by day. Ton are always welcome. Go to the Bible and meet with him. Go to the Sanctuaiy and meet with him. Blessed, blessed is that child who has fellowship with Christ ! Such children can say and sing: —
<< Though now ascended up on high. He bendtf on earth a brother's eye ; Partaker of the human name, He knows the frailty of our frame."
Buckler is another name of Jesus. Psal. xriii. 2 : '' The Lgri is my Bti^ckler" What is a Imckier literally ] It was a piece tf armoar, which in ancient times the soldier had upon his lA arm for defence. It was fixed with hiickies, and hence itiv called a bucJder. The use of a buckler is to defend. Chlldnft are in danger from sin, Satan, and the world, the enemies of tin soul. When children place their dependence on Jesus, he ii jj^ their Buckler, and he defends them &om all their enemies. Let me, therefore, beseech yon to ask Jesus to be your Buckler of da- fence. If you pray to him with sincerity of heart, you will sa4 pray in vain. Ms^ you be taught to sing joyfidly with your heaxt, —
" He that hath made his buckler God, Shall find a most secure abode ; Shall rest all day beneath his shade. And there at night shall rest his head.*'
Builder is another name of Christ. Jesus is God as weU»
man, and therefore the following texts are strictly true of Christ
Heb. iu.4: "He that built all things is God." Heb.xilO:
" For he looked for a city that hath foundations whose BuUder
and M^er is God." See what a mighty, what a wondeifiil
Builder is Christ. Consider what he has built. Our body ii
called an house, an earthly house. He built this earthly house
out of the dust. What has he built t He has built the worid.
Oh, how powerful ! He only spake, and the world appeared.
He made the sun, moon, and stars. What a mighty, wiiat a
wonderful Builder I He hath built the heaven of heavens. This
is the palace of the great King. It is the royal residence of
Jehovah. How kind and gracious is Jesus, the almighty, the
wonderful Builder. He is willing to lead little children to this
glorious heavenly -palace \ tVet^ Vi \v??^ tsst ^-^r^t and ever. Mi^
you and I meet in t\iat ^Q^Aafift \ KJaKa.-^^ >fiB»a. ^«fe ^3te3Nfii»\a.\a
glory: then we shall B\ime\m%\i^^2Qaa^^'i^%x»s^\^^^^
erer: In the prospect ot m^\J^i& \Xi«fe, V^ x«^^^Vs,(W&^v-
OBITVABT. 93
" There is a house not mad^ with hands, Eternal and on high ; And here my spirit waiting stands, TiU God shaU make it fly."
as is a Burden-hearer, Though we do not meet with larae in Scripture, we meet in Scripture what amounts to jne thing. In Psal. Iv. 3, it is said, ^* Cast thy burden upon ord, and he shall sustain thee.'* There, Christ is presented i ns as a bearer of burdens. When Jesus dwelt on earth, ipeared as a bearer of burdens. Oh, what tremendous ns he bore ! burdens which would have sunk the mightiest ^Is into the lowest hell ! He bore the burdens of sin, of of sorrow, of wrath, and of death. Isa. liii. 4 : " Surely he >ome our griefs, and carried our sorrows. The Lord hath n him the iniquity of us all." When Jesus was led to be Led, he bore the burden of his cross. And when he was I to the cross, he bore the burden of our sins. One said Lear little child who was dying, "Are you afraid to die V* no," she said ; " I am not afraid to die, because Christ ny sins 1" Dear young friends, Jesus as the Burderirbearer, ipon you to come to himself, and he will kindly bear all burdens, and give you rest. He says, —
*' Come hither, all ye weary souls. Ye heavy-burden'd children, come ; I'll give yon rest from all your toils. And jaiM you to my heavenly home."
lie Holy Spirit enable you to give the following answer : —
** Jesns, we come at thy command. With £edth, and hope, and humble zeal ; Resign our souls into thine hand, To mould and guide us at thy wUl."
{To he continued,)
rUARY OP J. J. W. BACON, A SABBATH SCHOOL
TEACHER,
67 HIS BROTHEB.
r dear brother was bom in the City of Lincoln., 5\»afe'%^'CDL, , At the age of four years and a kali it ^'ft^aftA-Qso^ N» his fktber from him, after having "been, m Xionj^oa. ^ftsRPoS. lonths. My dear mother endeavoxiTed to tra&si\sASfiL^°^^ rcftbe Lord, and camniitted him to li\ft tenj^^c cax^>^^^
e^
I.
94 OBITUARY.
never suffered him to wander from the paths of yirbue. He lu always of a kind and affectionate disposition, and particularly manifested that spirit to the Lord's people as he advanced in years.
. At the age of seven years he entered the Sabbath School, in connexion with Fell Street Chapel, under the ministiy i |% the Bev. B. Stodhart, where he continued until it pleased Qd in his providence to remove us to King Street Chapel, where tli ministry of the Bev. B. Woodyard was made a blessing to Ui soul, and the means of bringing him to a knowledge of tk truth. At that time he was an active teacher in the Sabbi& School. |ut
The cause being given up at King Street, we went to Wydift Chapel, where the ministiy of Dr. Beed was much blessed U him, after which he was enabled to offer himself as a candidili for Church fellowship, and was admitted a member. He entoni |i^ the Bible class, and remained there until chosen a teacher of tki Sabbath School, where he fulfilled the duties of his office irtft love and zeal; for from his infancy he dearly loved &ibbfll Schools until his death. He was well aware of his imperfeetioi^ L' and often deplored them. He left his home in perfect h^tl^ii half-past nine in the morning, and at about eleven was taken to the London Hospital, having fallen a depth of nineteen ftei is^ There he lingered a fortnight, when he sweetly fell adeep a Jesus, on the 24th of October, 1847, aged twenty-four years and four months. His end was perfect peace, relying on Christ.
t i
A few of the Remarhs which fell from the lips of my dear hro- ther, during Hie short time he toas permitted to lie on Ht death-bed in the London Hospital,
To a friend he said, " My heavenly Father hath kindly pff- mitted me to rest awhile on my journey ; probably this will be the last inn I may stop at before He takes me to those manaiou of bliss where I shall go no more out." When speaking of tbe mysterious dispensations of Providence relative to his temponl afHurs, he said, *' God moves in a mysterious way, but it is all for the best ; I can leave all in the hands of my covenant God ' and Father, who doeth all things well." When alluding to his accident, he said, *' Should I be called to suffer more acute pain than I do at present, the Lord will give me strengUi to endure it with patience and resignation."
When speaking of the kindness of friends and the comforts
with which he was surrounded, he said, '' They were all sips of
the brook by the way, %xid. Wi%.\> X^Iq'n^Vsii^V!^ V^^i^ed he should
be permitted to diini. a.\i \Ax2A.l^c3wsi\aM!L^\i^s«» ^sEnwrns^vc^^ussm.
drr *' On. the Saturdajbefow \ua ^««Sb.V* xwaw\«A^«'^w»«««
OBITUARY. 95
e Sabbath, and what a blessed Sabbath shall I spend in m ! no more sin nor Buffering there !
*0h happy hour ! oh bless'd abode ! I shall be there, and like my God.'"
a asked if he thought he should get better, he replied, " It not trouble me." When asked, while in great agony, if he lappy, he said, " Oh yes ! happy, happy, waiting to depart be with Christ, which is fiir better ; for He was slain, and
redeemed me by his precious blood." To mother he re- ed, " Your family circle will be small, but it will only be short time, for the longest life is but a span. God grant we all meet in heaven ; there we shall know and love each
better than we have while here below ; that's the blessing." 5 asked if he was anxious to depart, he replied, " Wishing it the Lord's time." He earnestly entreated many to im-
it on the minds of the young to work in the Lord's vine- ; he said, " I have done but little, and now I can do no
than pray. ' Behold the night cometh, when no man can .' " When in great agony, he said, " If I were now per- )d to stand in Wycliffe pulpit, what a sermon should I be to preach to my brother teachers, and the children of the •Is ; how I would exhort them to be up and doing, so as to t sure work for eternity, and to see that they were building
solid foundation. W^hat should I now do, if I had to God on this bed of pain and suffering. I find Christ all and 1 to me."
I frequently, in the agonies of death, said, " Happy, quite y 1 " and " Glory, glory ! *' also, " Canaan's happy land ; I'm d to the land of Canaan."
ferring to heaven, he said, " There will be no night there ;
II have no wrinkle, spot, or blemish — all will be perfection u
* A few more rolling suns at most Will land me on fair Canaan's coast.* "
r hours before he departed he said, '* Come, Lord Jesus, quickly; into thy hands I commit my body, soul, and i." Perceiving him fix his eyes upwards, with a sweet t on his countenance, I asked him if he saw anything ; he ed, '* Angels beckon me away, and Jesus bids me come." ler remarked to him, that she thought his mind was kept erfect peace ; he replied, " Yes ; stayed on Christ ; I have aitted all into his keeping." He told several of his friends " now he plainly saw that the Lord had been training him. 3 school for some time past for this afiiictVoB., viA iiv« V^ bout to take bim borne."
was only observed to weep twice ; and -wYoVe Va e<svr»«t«ar tb Mr, SavUl, tbe Superintendent of iVie ^ab\>»X\v^c^io^>^
96 A FEW MAXIMS FOR THE YOUNG.
told him they were not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy. On some of hU class visiting him, he earnestly entreated them " to giie their hearts to the Saviour, and to do more in his service thn even their dying teacher had done ; and to remember, thit although his spirit would shortly be in heaven, still he would k speaking to them through the words he had endeavoured tt impress on their minds.**
When observing dear mother weep, he kissed her, and said, " Do not grieve, for, by so doing, you are murmuring at theirill of the Almighty.** She replied, "Jesus wept at the grave i Lazarus." " Yes,'* he said, "that is human^ nature; if Jeso wept, sure his followers may ; but do not give way to immo- derate grief, for your loss is my eternal gain." On inotiiB occasion ho said, " Perhaps my spirit may be permitted to over you as a guardian angel, for spirits are not tu aparL* last word he distinctly uttered was — ^" Jbsus.* Dear asked if Christ was still precious to him ; with a Bweet his countenance, he replied, " Yes ; oh yes, precious ! "
Dr. Keed improved his death on the following Snndij! from the words of our Saviour, Luke iz. 23 : *' FoUUno
A FEW MAXIMS FOR THE YOUKG.
BT THE KEV. T. WALLACE.
Read, that you may know. Think, that you xnaj ezed. !► quire, that errors may be corrected, and that your knoirle^P may be continually increasing.
Peruse the Bible much, and regularly make yourselves ftm- liar with its contents — with its sublime doctrines — its hoij precepts — its tender invitations — its admirable directions— ia solemn warnings — its invaluable promises. Nothing will m feed and enrich the mind— nothing so fortify and purify the heart.
Be devoted to God while young. It will beautify yonr cl» ractcr— prepare you for life — fit you for trial — preserve yon in temptation — succour you in weakness — console you in sid^neas— tranquillize you in death.
Go early to the Saviour, for all the knowledge you need^all
the wisdom you require — all the strength yon will demand— «U
the grace you will find necessary — all the holiness which will be
essential to youi happvutss^Vex^, vo.^ l^^ox \it«^asQdneai forim-
mortal glory.
If you feel your nce^ ot ^^^'^jl^J^S^^V^f^^^ will that conviction imipwrt. V> lou ^T«ii^^Ji^^\-3^ ^Xfi^^
SCRIPTDRE NATURAL HISTOEY.
In the vegetable kingdom, the cedar tree occupies a most distinguished place. It is the king of trees.' The name given to it in Scripture is taken from its most remarltable property of duration, TW\Were«.-« name ia tlS Erez, signifying jij"nv, stable, AiiTaWa.. There is no tree mentioned so fretiuenlX? '^^^ -OoawMi^*
98 SCBIPTUBE NATURAL HISTORY,
poetry of Scripture as the cedar. In Isa, Ix. 13, it is called "the glory of Lebanon." It is an evergreen; its branches stretch out horizontally all around, and so wide, that thousands might stand under its covering and protecting shade. By Linnaeus, the eminent bota- nist, this tree is classed among the junipers.
The Cedar of Lebanon, when the forests of that tree were in their greatest glory, were nearly fortj feet in girth, and about twelve feet in diameter, while the tree itself rose to the astonishing height of two hundred feet. The roots of the Cedar are numerous; wide-spreading, and deep, in proportion to the size of the tree. Without this it could never bear the fury of the raging tempest* Thus the amazing strength of roots, and the deep and firm hold they take of the earft, are employed as a figurative illustration of the strengtk and security of the Christian's graces, and of the fim hold they take of Christ. Hos. xiv. 5 : ** Israel shaE cast forth his roots as Lebanon.*'
The wood of this tree is of a beautiful brownish colour, the grain is fine and firm, and the odour is peculiarly fragrant. I shall not easily forget the dehgbt* ful sensation I felt when visiting the library of Arundd Castle, in Surrey, many years ago. The cases of the library are all formed of cedar wood, and on entering the magnificent apartment the perfume is most fragrant and delicious. This is a fit emblem of the sacred pe^ fume exhaled from the graces of the Spirit, which con- stitute the furniture of the regenerated soul.
There is a peculiar bitterness in the taste of this tree, to which worms are greatly averse, and therefore proves to the tree a defence from those enemies^ which are the formidable foes of the most valuable productions of the vegetable kingdom* There is, there- fore, no tree so durable as the Cedar ; we may almost pronounce it incorruptible. Some cedar wood was iound perfectly ^resVimXk'^T^ivft&Q'l ^\Kas^^\^Utic% in JSarbary, wbere \tIa\]La\.WN^x^TaaMl^\^x^!MM^'^^ than two thousand y^axa.
BERMOK. 99
m
Under Divine direction it was especially used in rearing the temple of Solomon. There were first three rows of stone, and then one of cedar.
Jesus is compared to the Cedar, Song v. 15 : "His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars J' Saints are likened to the Cedar. They are deeply and firmly rooted in Christ, they shall reach in heaven the lofty stature of complete perfection, and shall for ever lourish as evergreens in the paradise of the blessed. MLbj the following be the wish of our hearts : —
'' Lord, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand In gardens planted by thy hand ; Let me within thy courts be seen, Like a young cedar fresh and green."
A.F.
SERMON VIL
IT IS WELL WITH THE CHILD.*
.""lait wdl wUk the chiid ? And she ansucered, It is wdV* —
2 Kings iv. 26.
Our text contains a Question and an Ansrver. The question was put by Gehazi, the servant of the pro- phet Elisha. The question was addressed to a woman who was both wealthy and pious. What a blessing is wealth when it is connected with the bright jewel of jiety ! This excellent woman is called the Shunammite, because she lived in a city named Shunem, This city
* This Sermon was composed on occasion of the blessed and
triumphant death of Master Lydiard M , \a\jfc ^.oTi. ol ^
respected minister of ChriBt, in the north oi ^coWwajSi. '^^^ uamber of the S&bbath School Preacher coutainA V\& o\>\\?a»xs > rhlch I bare read with tears of the most teud^x YnX^t^"^* "^^^ hna child died aged nine 3'ears.
100 99B|fQN.
l>eloit)ged to the tribei of lasacha^, and; was situated ai>out five mileafrom Tabor^ Josh- ^x» 18. Th^ Shunammite greatly esteeioed Elkha, the Lord'^ pro- phet. She built for him n little chamber m her hoi»e; she furnished it for his aecoaiinQdationy and be was wdcome at aU tiniea. to come under her roof.
This holy womaa bad no child. Indeed, she, had lived long childless. To her great surprise^ the pro- phet told her one day, that it was the will of God she should have a son. Her heart was filled with joj. At the time appointed, her son was born. The dear child lived till he was seven or eight years of age. While in the corn-field, on a harvest-day, among the reapers, he was suddenly struck with a most violent pain in his head. He instantly cried with a loud voice, " My head, my head !" He was taken home to his mother. He sat on her knees till noon, and then died. Oh what grief, and sorrow, and anguish, must have filled the loving mother's heart I I think I hear the sighs which rose from her bosom. I think I see the big tears running down her cheeks. Her child, her only child, her son — the son of her fondest hopes, was dead! In a moment, the lovely flower withered before her eyes. The expectation that her son would have been the staff and consolatioti of her old age, seemed to have passed away for ever. Since the eyes of her dear, and lovely, and hopeful child were closed in death, the world seemed a dreary waste, covered with clouds of mourning and of woe.
Beloved young friends, think of the death of chil- dren. Oh, what multitudes of infants, of children, and of youths, are cut off by the hand of death. Often have I observed, in the burying-grounds, great numbers of short graves. A few days ago, walking down a retired p^iaaa.^^ \i^tmxt St-PauFs and the river Thames, 1 looked w^ \.o >Doa ^TjJcrKwjfc^ ^sA tead its name — " Church Passage"' ^^^^^\!i% ^ts««^ I saw no churcli, T\ie ^^ct^5i ^^^^^^>^\a^W«.^
BMmysf. '401
stood in that secluded place, is no more. By the great fire of London, in the year 1666, it was, with many others, burnt to the ground. It was never rebuilt; but the very limited burying-ground remains. As I passed, I felt inclined to look at the graves, and was struck with the number of short graves. These con- tain the lifeless ashes of dear infants whom mothers dandled on their knees, and pressed to their bosom. Think of the millions of babes removed by death ! TTunk of the riters of tears which fond mothers hav^ shed while looking on the pale corpses of their dear d^arted babes ! What consolation to think they are all in heaven ! Jesus became an infant. Jesus died for infants. He is the Saviour of departed babes. Has he not said, '^ Suffer little children to come untb me, and forbid them not, for^ of such is the kingdom o£ heaven?" Matt xix. 14; Mark x. 17; Lukex. 25. Dear young friends, astonishing must be the multitude of children in heaven ! Yes, it mnst be so, when we think of the myriads of myriads of babes and little children who have been led by death's eold hand to beaven's gate, and who are now before the throne of Jesus, shining brighter than the sun! Are you not ready to send your prayers to Him who hears the prayers of children, and say, " Lord Jesus, prepare me for the heavenly mansions. Lord Jesus, prepare me for joining the multitudes of children in heaven, whom no man can number. Lord Jesus, prepare me for uniting with those ransomed myriads, who are no more babes, and infants, and children, but who are wise, and holy, and powerful as the angels of light, who minister before thy throne."
Last summer, visiting a lovely burying-ground, at Horsham, in Surrey, I felt a solemn, sacred glow, while reading the following epitaph on the tomb-stone of a beloved child, Removed by death from the fowd. embraea of tender-hmxted parents. My yovxti^iwsA'*'* read it to your mother^ when you obaex^^Viec \<^^^vcw% *rer her departed child :—
102 SERMOl^,
'' Kest, sweet babe, in gentle slumber. Till the resurrection mom ; Then arise, to join the number Who its triumphs shall adorn !
" Though thy presence was endearing. Though thine absence we deplore. At thy Saviour's bright appearing, We shall meet to part no more.''
Let us now return to the pious Shunammite. She wept, she mourned, but she did not murmur. Her earthly hopes were blasted; but her hope in God retained its bloom, and exhaled its fragrance. The child was her's, but it was more God's than her's. She loved her child, but she knew that God loved him more tenderly than any mother could ever love the child of her bosom. What was the language of her heart ? It was the language God taught her. It was this: " The will of the Lord be done !" It was this: " The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the name of the Lord ! *'
True grace teaches bereaved parents a most blessed lesson. It teaches them to believe that when God deprives them of their children, he has done justly, wisely, and well. " He is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind." Even while the cheeks of the bereaved mother are bathed in tears, she can say : —
" The dear delights we here enjoy, And fondly call our own, Are but short favours borrow'd now. To be repaid anon.
" 'Tis Gk)d that lifts our comforts high. Or sinks them in the grave ; He gives, and blessed be his name. He takes but what he gave."
When the only child and son of the Shunammit<t expired, the mouTmn^ ixxoV^et \.w3s. \sv^ XsSs^i^^i body and laid it on ElisWa \ie^. ^''s^^ \«A\\. \m^ww ^^Nbs,^^:^ bed of the propliet wlaom G^o^ wi^Vj^^^ Vi\s^l^xmW
SEBMOK. 103
that she should have a son. When she kissed the cold lips of her departed child, she remembered the promise ^hich filled her heart with emotions of joyful hope. Now, with emotions of grief, she saw the lovely blos- soms of her liveliest hopes before%er eyes blasted and withered. Does she give herself up to despair? Far from it. After pouring out her soul, and her griefs, into the bosom of a merciful and prayer- hearing God, she resolves to proceed and tell Elisha, the man and prophet of God, that her beloved child was removed |)jr the hand of death. She told her husband she wished, without delay, to visit the prophet, that she might receive comfort from his words, and know the will of Heaven. It is not said that she had even faint hopes God might show compassion to her, and restore her child. She knew that God could restore him. She also knew that if God did not restore him, Divine ^race would teach her complete submission to the Divine will.
So she saddled an ass, and rode onward to Carmel, a city in the south part, in the inheritance of Judah, situated near Mount Carmel, from which it took its nanae. There she met with the man of God. Elisha saw her afar off. He said to Gehazi his servant, ** Behold, yonder is that Shunammite." He felt im- pressed that something very particular had befallen jier. He very likely saw in her the tokens of mourn- ing and of grief. He therefore desires him to make haste to run and meet her, and to ask her the following questions : — " Is it well with thee ? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child?" He went to her, and addressed the questions. To each question she answered, "It is well !" It was uttered with the voice of sorrow ; but it was the voice of submission I
When the Shunammite reached Mount Carmel, she met the prophet. She fell down before him, axvd \w the BVgvisb of her heart she caught \io\^ ol Vvs> ^^^\.» The unfeeling and hard-hearted Gehazi vji^e^ ^^3^^^'^ 'o ''thrust her away." This remiuda \ia oi \>ci^ ^^^^
104 SEBUOIf.
duct of tbe disciples, when .mothers wilth holy anxiety were pressing forward to J^us, that he might ta^e their babes in his arms, and bless them. It is siid, Mark X. 13, &c. : ^' And his disciples rehvAed ^tm that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he im much displeased^ and ^aid unto them. Suffer the Uttk x^ldren to come unto me, and forbid them not : for d such is the kingdom of God." No doubt Elisha wai offended with the harshness and severity of GehuL '' And the man of God said, Let her alone ; for her soul is vexed within her : and the Lord hath hid it from me, .and hath not told me." The man of God pitied her. He saw her sorrowful, and wished td comfort her. The true ministers of -Jesus wish to be the comforters of his sorrowing people. Their commission is, ^^ Comfort ye, comfort ye my peo[^; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem," Isa. xl. 1,2. Like Elisha, they wish to be the comforters of sorrowing saints.
Now, the holy Shunammite pours forth the cause of her sorrow. Now, she is sowing in tears, little aware of those sheaves of joy she should soon reap, in receiving, into her arras her beloved and lovely child restored to life. My dear young friends, saints in the depths of their sorrow are often ignorant of the great and joyful blessings which are near at hand. How true —
" The Lord can clear the darkesrt skies. Can give us day for night, Make drops of sacred sorrow rise To rivers of delight ! "
And what did the bereaved Shunammite say to the
prophet ? " Then she said, Did I desire a son of my
lord? did I not say. Do not deceive me?" Her
tongue cleaved to the roof of her mouth. She could
say no more. The Y^oVy ^Ta^\\e.t saw the child was
dead. He likely £e\t \m^Tes&^\ xJoax.^ Va. ^\ss^«: \a
prayer, God might TesloT^\Xv^<3cSL^\a\\^^. ^^^v^'t.
iis servant his staff, an^ ^^««^^Vv«^v^ ^^Vst>^^
SUBMISSION TO THE DIVINE WILL. lOo
Speedily, to enter the little chamber where the child laj, and place the staff apon his lifeless, cold day. The prophet followed Gehazi, accompanied by ihe mourn- ing mother. On reaching Carmel, he entered the apartment of death. He shut the door. He prayed to the Lord. He lay upon the child till his flesh became warm. This he did seven times. Then the child opened his eyes, which deaths had closed. He sneezed seven times. The prophet called for the mother. He said, " Take up thy son.** She fell at his feet. Then she took up her son, and went out, wondering at the power and mercy of a gracious God!
Young friends, may Divine grace reach your hearts ! Then you shall live. Then you shall be to your holy parents crowns of rejoicing for ever and ever 1 Amen, and amen.
SUBMISSIOJST TO THE DIVINE WILL.
Suggested by thinking on the Camel which always kneels down
to be loaded with his burden,
I.
" Emblem of what my soul should be When called the Cross to bear. My duty in thine Art I see, Unconscious monitor.
II.
" Besign'd like thee, oh ! could I stoop With unresisting will, Ready to take my burden up. And all my task fulfil !"
Mas. A. Maitland.
MAKTTROLOGY.
SCOTTISH MARTYRS.
John Brown.
In the year 1603, James VI. of Scotland sncceeded Elizabeth on the throne of England. It was the desire of James and his successors, until the year 1688, to have one form of religion for both nations. James, now resident in England, thought thtt the Scotch people should adopt the same form of worship as the English nation. The Scotch, on their part, were prepared ratlier to die than to change, — first, on religious grounds, and secondlfi because they considered it an invasion of their national inde- pendence. During this period, no less than 18,000 persons suffered death, or the utmost extremities and hardships. All ranks, from the noble to the humble peasant, were odled to suffer. The Marquis of Argyle, who placed the crown on the head of Charles II., was, by order of the same monarch, beheaded at the Cross of Edinburgh ; and John Brown, the subject of the following sketch, was shot before the door of his own cottage, without either jury or trial.
The first morning of May, 1685, was dark and misty. The Christian Carrier, as he was called, rose ^with the dawn, to follow his humble vocation. Before going out, he called his little family round the domestic altar, to offer up the morning sacri- | fice of praise and of prayer. The verses he sung were taken ' from the 27th Psalm : —
" The Lord 's my light and saving health ; Who shall make me dismay'dl My life's strength is the Lord ; of whom. Then, shall 1 be afraid]
" Against me though an host encamp, My heart yet fearless is ; Though war against me rise, I will Be con^^eiL^j m Wiv^.'*
After which he read the l^th c\^v^\«« ^^ "XOwv^^Tv^Jas^^.w^^
MABTYROLOOr. 107
the Lord when called to appear (as we may be at any bre the judgment-seat of our Maker* worship, John went ont to a hill at a little distance, to some ground. While thus engaged, all at once he was ed by an officer of the army, called Graham of Clayer- id a party of soldiers. The good man left his spade, and h Olayerhouse and his soldiers to his humble cot. His ighter Janet, who had been out, observed them approach- and told her mother. Her mother took up her young rapped him in her plaid, took Janet by the hand, and to meet them. As she went, she oitered up this simple " 0 Lord, give me grace for this hour ! " Let your iw the picture of the wicked soldiers, the innocent and tnily about to be broken up, standing before a house
0 be, by many, a shelter for the needy in the stormy Dlaverhouse asked Brown to change his religion, to
1 distinctly replied that he would not. ** If notp said use, "prepare to die; go to your prayers.'* John at I so, and prayed in such a manner as filled all present— ked Claverhouse himself^with astonishment. At last mpatient, and would not allow him to proceed further, jekly turned to his wife, and said, ** Marion, the day is 3ld you would come, when I first proposed marriage to •e you willing that I should part from youT' She " Indeed, John, in this cause I am willing to part with [e then said, " This is all I wait for." He embraced s arms, and kissed her with his little boy at her breast. Janet he said, " My sweet child, give your hand to God ;uide, and be your mother's comforter." He could add his heart was too full. Claverhouse cried out, *^No more^* red his soldiers to fire. They did sof, and poor John fell ound a lifeless corpse. When the deed was over, Claver- ced, *' What thinkest thou of thy husband now, woman 1 " thought much of him," she replied, " and now more T." " It were but justice," said he, " to lay thee beside If you were permitted," she said, " I doubt not but your rould go that length. But how will you answer for this 's work]" " To man," he said, "I can be answerable ,* r God, I will take him in my own hands." He and the .hen rode off, and left Marion beside the body of her dead
Having now none to contend with, nor to speak to, little family, the distressed widow laid the bpdy on the ^thercd the shattered head in her napkin, straightened , covered it with her plaid, drew her children around sat down and wept !
(To be continued^
108
THE MEMOIR OP LYDIARD M , ROaS-SHIEB, WHO
DIED AGED NINE TEABS.
The yonthfhl eubject of the following brief sketch was ftt eldest son of a clergyman, bom in North America, and aooofr panied his parents to Scotland in 1844 when about foor jeani age. He was a very attractive child, of a lively and engagiif disposition — ^beloved by all who knew him. After he had bes aboat two years in Scotland, whether from the change of climate or not is uncertain, his health began to fail, and muq an anxious hour it cost his fond parents in the fruitless endeaTOV to ascertain the cause of his delicacy. He was a lovely id intelligent boy, of such a buoyant and engaging manner that aH who came within the sphere of his influence loved and admired him as a child of extraordinary promise. But alas I we aheild never place our mind or affections too much on treasures lentv only to be restored. His intellectual endowments, which liii parents fondly hoped were ripening for the delight and pleason of his friends, were by his Heavenly Father made the means of iitting his mind more to receive the gracious influences of tbe Holy Spirit, and he gradually showed an earnest longii^ alter ispiritui^ things, wonderful in one of his tender age.
He was in a delicate state of health for nearly three years, and during that protracted period it was striking to observe tbe patience and fortitude wiw which he bore his sufferings, whieb at times were exceeding great The Lord seemed, indeed, to be preparing him for an entrance into his everlasting kix^dom. After the first few months of his illness he never suffered i repining word to escape him ; and when receiving the sympathy of others he would ever reply, " My trials are sent for my gooi !The Lord never willingly afflicts." He was confined to his bed for nearly three months ; and on one occasion when in great paia his nurse remarked, " Oh ! my dear, you are suffering too much;" he quickly replied, "Jenny, don't say that. The Lord newr sends more than his children are able to bear." His £uth and patience were wonderful at so tender an age. Without such large communications of the grace of Gk)d as he enjoyed, it was impossible that nature could bear up under such intense bodilj Buffering.
His taste for reading, and reading of a good solid stamp, wis remarkable. It was seldom he could be seen without some usdhl book to pore over ; and well could he express in beautiful lan- guage his little sentiments and correct ideas of the subjects ' he had been studying. li^\.\fex\^ \3^& ^\»wftAKa» i^^^k a decidedly religious cast ; and BWAft 'ftNA\.an, "^V^ ^'^^gcosi^ ^^tw^Mis and Fletcher's Sermona iox e\i\\^xfcxi»jMD.^^^^:cve^'S^ Expositor, were boo\^ ^U^VV^ ^€.^^V\ft^V. t«^. «^\»5a
MEMOIR OF LTDIARD M— . 109
hicli he derived much benefit and consolation. When unable % read himseli^ or hold his book, it yraa his papa^ practice to fiTO stated reading and prayer with him, morning and night, id most anzioufilj did he long for the appointed hours. After a ortion of the sacred Scriptures or of any other book was read » him, his mind being rail of the subject, it was his constant- nctlce to converse with his father on whatever was thus read, i which he evinced a knowledge and judgment beyond hi&
Though wishful for a time to recover, in order, as he remarked, lat he might be a missionary to the heathen, he was quite isigned to the Divine will. His father asked, '' How can one f BO delicate a constitution as you think of such a thing ]" He^ splied, •* The Lord will strengthen me for the work."
Often when his mother visited him during the silent hours of light, when all were hushed in sleep aroimd him, she found him wtkke and quite composed ; and on inquiring if he was lonely, f felt the night long, he would say, '' Oh ! no, mamma, Jesus is rith me.** *' How do you know, my dear]" "I feel his presence- awoke the other night praying, and I think Jesus was speaking
0 me. He is ever with me." His papa asked him one day as ie conversed on some religious subject, what he understood by he '* Righteousness of Christ." His reply was sweetly simple iiid to the point. ** Papa, I think it means what Christ was,, rhat he did, and what he continues to do."
He was never so happy as when his dear papa was reading and ^Jking to him. His mind was so wonderfully enlightened for we of his tender years, it was as easy to talk to him on any mbject as it would be to one twice his age. He seemed at once x> enter into the spirit of the subject, and remark upon it in a^ most pleasing and satisfactory manner. And it is now with 'telings of unmingled delight and satisfaction that his parents^ look back to many sweet hours spent with their cherished one.
He never gave up the thought of an ultimate recovery until about [Une days before he died ; but when the conviction struck him that his last hour was approaching, he summoned all his energies, and seemedjust like a little patriarch about departing for Emmanuels land. Before consciousness left him, he turned to his mother, shd with his lovely large dark eye, so full of intelligence, fixed on her countenance, he earnestly entreated forgiveness for any offence he had been guilty of towards his mamma or papa ; and added, "I never, dear mamma, wished to disobey or displease you ; and once when I made papa angry with me in the nursery
1 thought my heart would break. Do forgive me, mamma ]" With feelings which none but parents sim\\a.i\"5 t\xcvasi^\asv<5fc^,
aboa^ to part with a beloved and promising \>oy, c^^tl cYA«t\»\iQ, Mejr kissed and consoled their darling chWd. "S^^ \)afcTL cs^^A. is little brothers to him, kissed them — ^V.o\^ \J[ieva. \\a ^«^»»
110 MEMOIB OP LYDIARD M .
about to leave them, and proceeded to giye them an excellent advice simplified in his own sweet and peculiar manner to their respective capacities. He excelled in the admirable method he had of suiting any subject he was engaged about reading or thinking of, to the capacities of his brothers or servants, aal would engage their attention at once.
On this last occasion of speaking to them, he pressed on then the necessity of a strict regard to truth — to love one another— to remember the Sabbath day — to behave well in church; ind above all, to live at all times in the fear of God, and to obey their parents. This he repeated two or three times.
He then divided his little library among them, charged them to be sure to read their Bibles, and a little work in two volomei, called " Line upon Line,'* as that would direct their attention to the truths of the Oospel, and as from that book he had deriyed incalculable benefit. He said he was going to heaven, and mi to leave them just now, but he hoped he would see them all there ; and again kissed them, and bade them farewell When they left the room he turned to his papa and said, " I tlmik I told them all I ought, papa. I hope the Lord will impress it on their minds and hearts." He then thanked the servants for their kindness and attention to him during his illness.
Soon after this deeply affecting interview with all the members of the household assembled around his dying couch his bodilj agony and sufferings increased, and from their intensity noiie who saw him could expect that his physical energies could hoU out much longer. During these paroxysms he would say, wiik \ all the calmness of a little Christian, " 0 papa, Tn^mm^^ ^ | bodily pain and agony is great, bat you cannot help me : I knov you would if you could. Oh ! I wish to go to heaven. I am suffering much agony." But he added, with great sweetneai^ "Not my will, but thine be done."
Shortly afterwards he left kind and affectionate messages for some of his friends at a distance, leaving a lock of his hair as t token of remembrance. Then addressing his parents, and hii little brothers and sisters, he said, " When I am buried in the churchyard mamma and you all will look at my grave, 1 will look down from heaven on you." Two or three times, on obserr- ing his mother's troubled looks directed towards him, he wonld smile and say, " Good-bye, mamma; good-bye, papa." His papt said, '' I think that you are going fast, dear; your guardian angel is waiting for you." He answered, "Yes, papa; but he wUl require to wait awhile yet." And so, indeed, it happened ; the dear patient sufferer lingered a whole week unable to speak, but perfectly conscious t\i08& ^le \w^ ^«t^ vt^xnid Mm. After speech failed, his mamuio. «&^ft^ MV^ V\\k^ x«»,^5A\\\kfc^^«i^ to smile. He looked at \i\& To^asMasi wA ^V'usiK^XftA.W., «cAS^ at his papa, and did \\\L^Viae. ^^te^ \i^ \^«as^^ ^\«eS^
MEMOIR OF LYDIARD M . Ill
speechless he was in great distress. His papa remarked, that Ijie was now going through the deep waters. "Yes," he replied, "but Jesns is with me; the waves cannot overflow me." His &ther asked; "Do you know me, dear]" He looked at him earnestly and said, " You are my earthly father." His papa re- marked that Jesus was praying to his heavenly Father on his tiehalf^ saying, " Father, I will that those whom thou hast given ine be with me where I am." The dear boy concluded the sen- tence, "that they may behold my glory."
His mother leaned over him, and repeated the hymn, " The hour of my departure *s come." He listened with delightful interest ; and when she said, " Not in mine innocence I trust," " Oh ! no, no," he said, and shook his head decidedly. Almost his last con- sdons act was to take a little affectionate notice of his baby sister, tit whom he was very fond.
- His fond parents watched him night and day constantly for a week, during which he suffered much without the power of com- plaining, save by a slight groan occasionally. It was most distressing to witness sufferings which the fondest earthly parent ecmld not soothe or alleviate.
One night as he lay in one of those slight paroxysms which generally precede death, the weather was unusually mild, and the window of the sick-chamber half open to let in the refreshing night air, about half-past eleven o'clock, when all the domestics had retired, none were in the room but his father and mother, who were sadly contemplating his altered appearance, and pon- dering on the change about to take place, deep silence was all around, when suddenly their senses were ravished with strains of ikt sweetest and most enchanting melody. It seemed as if borne upward by the air ; hovering over us for a short space of time, and gradually dying away in the distance. Instinctively the watching parents turned to their dying cherub, expecting that his little soul had left its earthly tenement, to be borne away by those ministering guardians said to surround the dying couch of the redeemed, to receive the departing spirit ; but he lingered a little longer. He expired two days after ; quietly and calmly he slept in Jesus.
In reviewing the short but interesting career of this dear departed child, much reason have his parents to bless God that he ever committed so valuable a treasure to their trust. He has been taken from a world where the storms that rage would have bsen too rough for his tender frame : he has been taken by One vdio loved him more tenderly even than an earthly parent. He lias introduced him into the mansions of eternal joy. There he sits and sings among the redeemed of the Lord *, &iL<i \Xv&x^ ^^ca^ the Iamb that is in the midst of the throne fee^\yL\Ta.,^'cA\^»^ Mm to fonntaina of living water; he shaW Wii^et no tx^^x^» neither thirst any more, for all tears are ioi e^« Vv^^^ \iasa. bis ejes.
112, ADYANT^aES OF £ABLT PIETY.
May the sarviving brothers and sisters of this dear departed boy, and all who may read or hear of what the grace of Qod had done in Mm, imitate his example — be anxious to gain as bright a crown— become the lambs of the same kind and tender Shep- herd—and they may rest assured that they will at last enter inU the joy of their Lord and Qod as he has done.
My dear young readers, do you promise yourselves a long lifet Bemember that you may be called away from this world, and from all that you hold dear, at a like tender age as the subject d this short ^etch. Bo you wish to die with the calmness of the young Christian, lean upon the bosom of Jesus, of whom he delighted to speak, and to whom he oommended his departing spirit] D.M.
The following verses, by Wa^ts, famish an intoresttng illostra- tion of the holy life and triumphant death of the pious- and lovely Lydlard M :
AD YANT AGES OF EARLY PIETY.
" Happy the child, whose youngest years "Receive instruction well ; Who hates the sinner's path, and fears The road that leads to hell.
*' When we devote our youth to God, 'Tis pleasing in his eyes : A flower, when offer'd in the bud. Is no vain sacrifice.
" 'Tis easier work, if we begin To fear the Lord betimes ; While sinners that grow old in sin. Are hardened in their crimes.
" 'Twill save us from a thousand snares. To mind religion young ; Grace will preserve our following years. And make our virtues strong.
" To thee, Almighty God, to thee. Our childhood we resign ; 'Twill please us to look back, and see That our whole lives were thine.
" Let the sweet -tjotVl ol Y^^i^t ^tA y^"^^ Timploy my ■jo\Mv^e%\i'\5t^sii0a.\ Thus rm prepaxfed. iox \ox^^^ ^^1^^ Or fit lot eat\^ de^^Xi"
SCRIPTURE MATUBAL HISTORY.
With little variation the name Camel is the same in all languages. In the Hebrew it ia VOJ Gamat. The name signifies recen^e. Tliough natunilly gentle, docile, serviceable, and obedient, it ia proverbially revengeful. There is no other irrational animal which remembera an injury ao long, or revenges it with such severity: hence tlie Arabs, ylien they wish strongly and empha- tically to describe determined and long deep~rooted enmity, call it by the proverbial name, "a Cameft anffer," The jlrabs greatly prize tt\ft wMt ^^ ■Cos. Ciimel, and use it both for mediwne atiA 'iov Ic**- Writers of eju/iieiice are of opJmoB t^«.V. ^^i» <i«iA'c^!'
114 SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
butes to give and nourish in the minds of the Arabs that revengeful dis»position for which they are distin- guished.
The Camel has no horns : it has six cutting teeth in the lower jaw, but none in the upper. Like the hare, the upper lip is divided. It chews the cud, but as it does not divide the hoof, its flesh was forbidden by the Levitical law to be used for food. The bottom of its feet is tough and pliant, by which it is rendered pecu- liarly fit for being serviceable to man in crossing sandy and extensive deserts. Camels are covered with a fine fur, which they cast in the spring, when it is very carefully gathered up and sold as an article of com- merce, to be manufactured for useful purposes. Their neck and legs are long and slender : the height to which they can lift up their heads is very considerable, and gives them a noble appearance. Their ears are short, and their feet broad, which prevents their sinking in the sand, and thus qualifies them for traversing the deserts with celerity and ease. They can live a long time without drinking water ; this, in a great measure, arises from the great quantity of water which they can take at one time. The Creator has formed tliem dif- ferently from other animals, in giving them an addi- tional bag, prepared as a reservoir to contain a far larger quantity of water than is required for immediate use. We also see in this how Gcd has wisely adapted the Camel for its peculiar life, to be useful to man in passing over extensive wastes, where a supply of water could not be found. The Camel has the singular power of shutting its nostrils so close that the smallest particle of sand is excluded. This, too, shows the wis- dom of God, as furnishing the animal with so necessary a means of protection and defence amid clouds of sand, occasionally and suddenly raised by the winds of the desert. They are capable of carrying heavy burdens, but will not submit to esiTT^ \)[vcni v^iV^w \.Vw^ weight is excessive. They are tav^^t \^^ V\i^^ \a "^wi -^^ burdens to be put on axvd t^^^u ^^*
SERMON. 11^
Job bad three thousand Camels, Job i. 3. In Isa. Ix. 69 we see that Camels shall be subservient to the spread of the Gospel : " The multitudes of Camels shall cover thee : they shall bring gold and incense ; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord."
A. F.
SERMON Vni.
THE BLESSEDNESS OP HOLY CHILDREN IN HEAVEN.
" It is weU with the child." — 2 Kings iv. 26.
"What a glorious, what a blessed place is heaven ! Some have called the starry sky the portico, or porch, or gate of the heavenly palace. If the gate be so glorious, what must the palace itself be ! What a dif- ference there is betwixt this world and heaven. Great is the difference betwixt a desert and a garden beautified with the loveliest flowers ; far greater the difference betwixt earth and heaven. Great is the difference betwixt the sky at night, with its twinkling stars, and the sky at noon-day, filled with the brightness of the meridian sun ; far greater the difference betwixt earth; and heaven. Great is the difference betwixt a prison and the abodes of princes ; far greater the difference betwixt earth and heaven. Heaven is so glorious, so pure, 80 happy, so blessed, that the most eloquent tongue cannot describe its purity, its happiness, its glory, its blessedness : even the heart cannot conceive its excellence. If the starry heavens were a million of times more glorious than they are, even then they would be unworthy to be compared with the heaven of heavens, into which holy children are taken when the^ die. Once St, Paul was taken to \ieaveii,«Ltv^TeX\«Tk&^ again to this world. Then he told \v\a \\o\y ^^^ ^>ss^^ friends that what he heard he could noX \3A.Xft^> ^^sv^
116 SEBMOK.
what be saw he could not describe, 1 Cor. ii. 9 : " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath pre- pared for them who love him." Is this the case? Then how glorious must heaven be ! The same holy Apostle saith, 2 Cor. xii. 4 : " How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful " (that is, possible,) " for a man to utter.'* Is this the case ? Then how glorious must heaven be! My dear little children who love Christ, who believe in Christ, who serve Christ, what good, what welcome news I have to tell you — that heaven shall be your home. It is prepared for you, and Jesus is preparing you for it,
" There i8 beyond the starry sky, A heav'n of joy and love ; And holy children when they die Go to that world above."
Methinks I hear some pious child say, " Oh, I long to be there."
" Haste, my beloved, fetch my sonl Up to thy bless'd abode : Fly, for my spirit longs to see liy Saviour and my God."
By the assistance of the Holy Spirit I propose to show the blessedness of pious children in heaven. " Holy Spirit, give thy gracious aid ! " In one moment, when the body draws its last breath, pious children are made perfect in holiness, in wisdom, and in happiness. They are removed from suffering, from sorrow, and from death. They are taken far beyond tlie reach of temptation, of sin, of Satan, and of the wicked. They enjoy in heaven the fellowship of saints, of angels, and of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one QnA. And, to crown all, they are employed in singing the sweetest aongs of praise to their S«iviour and their God. X They must be Weasel, ioT ^^^ ^^<^ ip«r J^cit \a IM^
ness. TThat is it to \>e ^«t^e«x\::j Xi^-^"^ \\\^\ft\«.
completely free from %m •• V^ '^^ ^ ^^^%\t^^V*«6»
S£BMON. 117
everj grace. The dear child on entering heaven is made pure as angels are pure, and holy as God is holy. That holiness is the perfection of loveliness. The beauty of the morning sky is nothing compared with this loveliness : —
" These children are beloved of God, WashVi are their robes in Jesu's blood ; More spotless than the purest white. They shine in uncreated light."
IL At death, pious children are made perfect in knowledge and wisdom. Therefore, they must be blessed. The first moment they enter heaven they know more of God, of creation, of providence, and redemption, than the whole Church of God on earth. Oh, how wonderful ! " Here, they saw through a glass darkly ; in heaven, they see face to face. Here, they know in part ; in heaven, they know even as they are known." 1 CJor. xiii. 12.
IIL At death, pious children are made perfect in happiness. The more sin, there is the more misery. The more there is of holiness, there is the more of happiness. The most sinful man on earth is the most miserable maa ; and the holiest man on earth is the most happy man. What, then, must the happiness of heaven b<^ where spotless holiness in all its glory reigns ?
** There streams of endless pleasure flow ; And full discoveries of thy grace. Which we but tasted here below. Spread heavenly joys through all the place."
IV. At death, pious children are for ever removed from svffering, sorrow^ and death. No book could contain an account of the suffering and sorrows, whidi are felt at this moment, by young and old, on the face of the earth. And death is a mighty, terrible king, reigning over all nations. Oh, how bli^^^^d ^^ ^iScaS^ he, if we enter that heaven, of w\i\c^\\.\^ «aw\^^S^^»
xxL 4: "And God shall wipe away «XV \a«c^ ^y<*a.
their eyea ; and thia^ shall be no more ^e»JOa> \isafiQfi«i
118 SERMON.
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain : for the former things are passed away."
** His own soft hand shall wipe the tears Prom ev'ry weeping eye ; And pains, and groans, and griefs, and fears. And death itself shall die."
V. At death, pious children are taken for ever beyond the reach of temptation and sin. Here we have sin within, and sin without. As regularly as the sun rises every day, temptations are presented before us every day. In heaven there are no tempters. On earth there are three great tempters. The first is Satan ; the second is the world ; the third, our own heart. Glory to God, these are shut out of heaven, for ever shut out, and shall never enter there. These three are not only three tempters, but three tormentors' Very much pious children suffer by them on earth. But what must be their blessedness in heaven ! for they are for ever beyond their reach. At the Red Sea, Israel saw their enemies, the Egyptians, for the last time. They saw them no more for ever. The three tempters may follow pious children to the very brink of Jordan ; but when they cross the stream, they shall see them no more for ever. Happy are those children, who can say and sing in the prospect of such a day—
" Ye wheels of nature, speed your course ; Ye mortal powers, decay ; Fast as ye bring the night of death. Ye bring eternal day."
VI. At death, pious children are for ever removed from the presence of the wicked. The pious child on earth has sometimes a wicked, graceless, swearing, drunken, cruel father ; or he has a wicked, lying, unkind brother, neglecting the Bible, and profaning the Sabbath. We cannot tell how much the picas child suffers by suc\i a £«iI\v%t, ot ^uch a brother. It would grieve you to WarYA^ «v^^^wvW» %^^V\^\je»5b.
At death he is relieved itom ^ x\!^^ xKv^^-rj %\ifc^ taken from the presence o^ «. Vy^V^^ ^^^V^^.^t^^
SERMON. 119
wicked brother, and he is admitted to the joyful, blessed presence of his divine Father, and of his brethren and kindred in heaven. In the hopes of such a separation from wicked relatives on earth, and of being admitted into the company of such a blessed society of friends in heaven, he could say —
" My soul doth long for heaven still, While life or breath remains ; There my best friends, my kindred dwell, There God my Saviour reigns."
VII. At death, pious children enjoy the fellowship of saints. Therefore, how happy they must be ! A person livinji: alone in the loveliest part of the world, or in the noblest palace that was ever reared, or even in heaven itself, could not be happy. We cannot be happy without society ; but if society is not good, it cannot give happiness. Spotless saints in heaven are perfectly happy. Oh, how happy shall holy children be, when they mingle with such holy, spotless saints ! I feel persuaded that all the saints in heaven are known to each other. If we enter that holy, happy place, we shall not need to ask, Who is Adam, or Noah, or Moses, or Paul, or John ? otherwise, the holy phild would be a stranger in the heavenly world. And how sweet must be the society of the saints in heaven, for their love is perfect ! Soitiety, without love, can never give pleasure ; but where there is perfect love, there is perfect bliss.
VIII. In heaven, pious children enjoy the fellowship of angels. How blessed, then, are holy children in such fellowship ! Angels are the loveliest of beings ; they are the most loving of beings ; they are the wisest of beings ; they are the happiest of beings. On earth, in Old Testament days, angels often appeared, but it was in a human shape. The angel, i^ev^oxv^J^^ ^ n^^si* never seen, no more than our sou\, v^Vi\e)ft. vq^^ w^N^t
seen by human eye. In a way we c«livtvo\. ^.oxv^yKvs^ the real person and loveliness ot* augeXs «it^ ^^'scl V&.
120 SEIiMON.
heaven. What, then, must be the delight -of pious children, wlien thej gaze upon beings of such perfect loveliness and beauty ! Besides, they are delighted in conversing with angels, in beholding their exalted wisdom and their amazing knowledge ; and then, they are filled with overflowing kindness and affection. How delightful must be the smiles of angels. If a mother's smile imparts such joy to her loving child, what joy must be produced by angels' smiles !
IX. In heaven, pious children enjoy God, and there- fore they are fully and for ever blessed. God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God, is the over- flowing and ever flowing fountain of all happiness, joy, and bliss. Now, from that fountain, pious children, in the heavenly world, are constantly drinking the waters of the purest joy. Hence it is said, "In thy presence is fulness of joy, and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore," Psal. xvi. 11. Consider the astonishing knowledge of God which fills the minds of pious chil- dren in heaven. And whatever they know of God, gives to their souls the purest joy, the purest bliss. Think of the felicity they must enjoy, hearing Christ speak. Were his words so sweet on earth in his humiliation, what must the words of Christ be in his exaltation ? Think aho of the smiles of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost If the smiles of earthly friends are so pleasing, oh, what must the smiles of Jehovah be ! Beloved young \ friends, may you and I possess that eye of faith, by which we shall now look within the veil and sing : —
"There I behold, with sweet delight. The blessed Three in One ; And strong afi^ections fix my heart On God's incarnate Son."
Lastly. The blessedness of pious children in heaven appears from the sweet songs they sing to their Saviour's praise. On eauVV, o\\?c V^-axx.^ ^x^ >w5k\. ^Ivcays in tune to praise out Xiot^ \ \i^t^, \.^"ax^ «x^ \s^^^ With songs, and sigVia v**i\Xi ^x^^^- ^^^^ ^^ ^^^
M ART YJROLOGY. 1 2 1
sing in the minor ke^/, and feelings of sorrow are mingled with feelings of joy. How different the praises beyond the sky ! " The ransomed of the Lord return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads ; they obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing have for ever fled away." Isa. xxxv. 10.
it
Oh, what amazing joys they feel, While to their golden harps they sing !
And sit on every heavenly hill. And spread the triumphs of their King."
MARTYROLOGY.
ENGLISH MARTYRS.
Bishop Hoopeb.
This excellent man, during the latter period of the reign of Henry VIII., went to Zurich, in Switzerland. There he pursued Ma sacred theological studies with great diligence and success. When good King Edward YI. was raised to the throne, Mi\. Hooper returned to England, and was soon elevated to the Bishopric of Worcester and Gloucester.
It was customary, when Bishops were installed into their office, to have their arms given them by the herald. The arms assigned to him were these : — " A lamb in a fiery bush, and the sunb^uns from heaven descending upon the lamb." It is very striking the resemblance betwixt the arms, and the manner in which he was called to suffer martyrdom. In the reign of Mary, justly sur- named by &ithfal history " the bloody f* he was burnt to ashes by her command, in the city of Gloucester, in the year 1555.
On the accession of Mary to the throne, the Protestant religion was subverted, and Popery was established in its place. This was a state of things to which holy Bishops and ministers could not give their assent. Of course, they were suddenly exposed to the most cruel and barbarous persecutions that ever disgraced the history of man. At this time Dr. Slealh "Nvwa TeeX«tfe^\» SXva bishopric of Gloucester, of which he had beeii de^tSN^ V5i'^'5^^& Edward's reign, on account of his Popery, aTvA. aX^o'DT-'^oroxi^t vas restored to the dioce&Q of London. BiiVioip 'H.oo^et ^^ «^^
122 lCASTTSO]X>GT.
of the first who was sent for to London, to stand his trial, and to answer chaiges to be brought against him by his eneniies. He was thrown into Newgate. There he was degraded bj Bishop fionner, who was appointed to carry the sentence of degradation into execution. On the day following, on horseback, and closely guarded, he left London for Gloucester. In this citj he was condemned to be consumed to ashes at the stake. A great mul- titude met him at the gates of the city ; their lamentations were 80 loud, that his g^uards were a&aid of a rescue, and therefore sent for a^iditional assistance. However, no such attempt was made. When the time appointed for his execution arrived, he was led between the two sheriffs, like a lamb to the slaughter. On arriving at the place appointed, where he should suffer, smilingly he looked upon the stake. It was near a great elm tree, over against the college of priests, where he had usually preached. He kneeled do^n to pray. While engaged in his devotions, a box was laid upon a stool before him, containing s mtrdon from the Queen, on condition that he would embrace die ropish faith. On seeing the box, he said, " If you love my sool, away with it ! " A short while after, three iron hoops were brought forward, one for his neck, one for his middle, and s third for his feet. The people were melted into tears ; sobbing and sighing were heard on all sides ! The executioner, who was appointed to kindle the fire, asked his forgiveness. The Bishop replied, " Thou dost nothing to offend me ; God forgive thy sins, and do thine office, I pray thee ! " There were bundles of reeds near him. He took up two bundles, embraced them, and kissed them, and put one under each arm. The fire kindled very slowly, and thus his agonies were most cruelly protracted. He said in the fire with a loud voice, '* 0 Jesus, the Son of David, have mercy upon me, and receive my soul." The last words he was heard to utter were, '* Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me ; Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me; Lord Jesus, receive my spirit ! " A little after he bowed forward, and gave up the ghost He was three-quarters of an hour in the fire, before life was extinct, and before his ransomed spirit took its flight to the heavenly mansions. It is nearly three hundred years since he received the martyr's crown in the kingdom of God, and since his enemies have appeared before God to answer for the unjust death of holy, righteous men.
When we think of the glorious army of martyrs before the throne, we have just reason to say, —
" These are the saints beloved of God,
Wash'd are their robes in Jesu s blood ; More spotless ihan iVve ^xxie^X. ^VvV^, They shine in nncxea\*^V\^\.r
(To he continued.'^
123
OUGHTS FOR SABBATH SCHOOL CHILDREN.
BT THB RKV. T. WALLACE.
" Dear children, mark our counsels well ; Their worth to you no tongue can tell ! "
T Uf Children. — Nothing is so engaging and beautiful f in children ; — that piety which is seen by love to Jesus —regard for the Holy Scriptures— delight in prayer — and lest desire to render obedience to the Saviour. It is not ligh recommendation to the young, but it is their loveliest jnt; it is their beauty, their glory, their crown. Children numerous Sabbath-schools 1 seek, above everything else, to and unfold the grace of God. Nothing will impart to much loveliness.
•AKATioN POR LIFE. — How important it is that children be prepared for entering on life ! — life, with all its duties, anxieties, all its changes, all its temptations, all its 3, all its dangers. And what can effectually prepare the for life, but the fear of God, the principles of the Gospel st regulating their minds, and controlling their daily and conduct ?
ling, dear children, will fit you for all the scenes and the itous events of life so easily, so decisively, as, being under [uence of that blessed religion which equally prepares for luty, and sustains under every trial.
[iT LOVE POR THE BiBLB. — Nothing delights us so much )erceive, on the part of the young, sincere and growing
the Bible ; — love to the doctrines which it unfolds — to Kiepts which it enjoins — to histories which it furnishes —
parables which it narrates — to the great and precious es which it makes to the youngest and weakest believer — the beautiful and striking incidents in which it abounds. . gladdens our heart to see the young perusing, with deep t, the sacred pages — examining one part of the Bible and r, from a desire to be correctly acquainted with the word —making the Holy Scripture " the man of their counsel" —
the New Testament as their guide through life, as " the Eir " by which they are directed in their course to a glo- mmortality !
dren, do you love the Bible 1 Remember that this is a »n of vital moment. You cannot love Christ without love Bible— you cannot delight in prayer without delight in "iptures — you cannot value holiness uii\e«& "^oM^^xskfc MJ^i ►/ Chd—you cannot be prepared for "heaven., wt^eas^ ^ws^ ^e Gospel to your hearts. How ardenW^ "ve \otl^ \>QaX \bbatbBchool child, and especially e^er^ elder «»Om^«c> r consult, highly value, and snpremeV^ "Vw« ^^^ ^^5^^^ >■
124 THE BLIND MAN.
Children in the Sunday-school. — What advantages do Sab- bath-school children, throughout the extent of the land, not enjoy ! How valuable is the instruction imparted ! How ad- mirable is the* discipline maintained ! How kind, wise, and devoted, are the generality of teachers who are anxious to bnng the young in our Sabbath-schools to Jesus Christ I How many prayers are presented for the children ! How many plans aic concerted for their benefit ! How many efforts are made to do them good ! What patience is exemplified by teachers ! What love is displayed ! What zeal is discovered ! What perseverance in Christian labour is indulged !
Sabbath-school children ! never was there a period wha greater or higher privileges were enjoyed by the young, thaa those which you now realize. Value them, we beseedd jo* Improve them, we entreat you. Pray for a blessing on ihoM through whom you experience these privileges, we conjurt jw^ and express sincere gratitude to God that you are so higbtf favoured.
Love the Sabbath-school. Love your teachers, and eviaM that you do love them in reality, by prizing their instruGtioHH honouring their character, praying that their counsels ufi admonitions may be blessed to you, and that you may meet joor kind and affectionate teachers in heaven, —
" There to sing redeeming grace. In sweetest, purest strains ; While myriads of the human race, Joy ihat.Immanuel reigns.''
THE BLIND MAN.
SoMB time ago, I spent a few weeks at that beauUfol aeaptfi town, Brighton. On passing through the Level, which is a fiflU of grass surrounded by a garden, situated at the north partof tkl town and opened to the public, I felt fatigued, and sat dowA ^ rest on one of the seats. My attention was soon aitractad toi poor man, who was reclining at a distance from me, with a book m his hand. I soon discovered he was blind, and what In was reading was the Bible ; upon questioning him, I found In had lost bis sight about three years, from weakness of the nene through illness. I could not help admiring his thankfulnestti Gk)d, for enabling him to read bis holy word, by pladng hii fingerd on raised lellox^ ^mi^^, dear young friends, we 019 ieam a lesson from Ui\a ipooi mwi\ \)ciwv^\kfc^"w^ ^^nved • meht, yet God liad impwle^ \» V\mHXv^V\^^\j^^vS.Wi^^
ANECDOTES, ETC. 125
rpon ns ; that whatever trials or troables we may be called to ', we may bow with filial submission, remembering that,
'^ Kind, gentle is the hand that smites, However keen the smart. If sorrow's discipline can chase One evil from the heart." B. L. F.
ANECDOTES, &c.
SUBMISSION.
' Wben Tenebazus was arrested, he drew his sword and defended ttaself; but when they told him that they came to take him to lift king, he willingly yielded. So a Saint, when he is reminded his afflictions are to bring him nearer to God, yields and the rod — he acknowledges the divine sovereignty of love.
SANCTIFIED AFFLICTION.
' Whbv Munster lay sick, and his friends asked him " How he ttd," he pointed to his ulcers, and said, " These are God's gems md jewds, wherewith he decketh his best friends ; and to me bey are more precious than all the gold and silver in the world."
THE SABBATH-DAY.
The Sabbath-day was anciently called " Dies lucisy* the " day '^ light " also " Megina dierum," the '* queen qfdays.*' Heaven >8 called the Sabbath, to make those who love Sabbaths long fof learen.
Judge Hale says, " I have by long and sound experience found bftt the due observance of this day, and of the duties of it, have leen of singular comfort and advantage to me. The observance if it hath even had joined to it a blessing through the week. ind on the other side, when I have been negligent of these duties, he rest of the week has been unsuccessful and unhappy to my ecular employment. This," says he, " I do not write lightly or Qconsiderately, but upon a long and sound experience and ibservation."
LOVE BEGETS LOVE.
Thihii is an interesting little story told of a daughter of Dr. Doddridge, a little girl, who died before she had finished her Ifth year. She was a great darling with most of the friends of ler parents, and often received invitations to different places at ;he same time. Her father asked her on. one occ^ttsvo^ ^V^\> nade erery body lore her so well 1 She answered mXXi ^'c^a^* 'mpUoity and spirit, "Indeed, papa, 1 camiol l\i\T^s.,\wv!^^«e»\\. f thai I lore everybody," Poor little tMng \ ft\ie ^V^l Tio\»\i»ss^
126 ANECDOTES, ETC*
that Bhe had proclaimed the true philosophy of the matter ; she did not know that she had repeated the sentiment of a famoos ancient sage — " Love, if you wish to be loved." — Bnm't Lambs of the Flock.
LYING AWFULLY PUNISHED.
One day there happened a tremendous storm of lightning mi thunder, as Archbishop Leighton was going from Glasgow to Dunblane. He was descried, when at a distance, by two me&rf bad character. They had not courage to rob him ; but widuos to fall on some method of extorting money from him, one slid, '* 1 will lie down by the wayside, as if I were dead, and you shiH inform the Archbishop that I was killed by the lightning, ind beg money of him to bury me ** When the Archbishop arriTed at the spot, the wicked wretch told him the fabricated 8(017. He sympathised with the survivor, g^ve him money, and pM^ ceeded on his journey. But when the man returned to his ooa* panion, he found him really lifeless ! Immediately he begut* exclaim aloud, ** Oh, sir, he is dead ! Oh, sir, he is dead ! " Oi this the Archbishop, discovering the fraud, left the man witk this important reflection, " It is a dangerous thing to trifle with the judgments of God.'* J. W. A,
OMNISCIENCE OF GOD.
The omniscience of God is a sort of pleasing reflection to 1 good man, under the struggle he maintains with his corruption, under the reproaches of enemies or the suspicions of friends^ under trouble ; and when at a throne of grace, imploring his blessing. But how useful may this reflection be as a check to sin, and as a motive to virtue ! One of the heathen philosophei^ therefore, recommended it to his pupils, as the best means to ii* duce, and enable them to behave worthily, to imagine that soni very distinguished character was always looking upon them. But what was the eye of a Cato to the eye of God ? who would not approve themselves onto him 1
" Oh, may these thoughts possess my breast. Where'er I rove, where'er I rest ; Nor let my weaker passions dare Consent to sin, for God is there."
PERSEVERANCE.
" An able seaman," says Mr. Cecil, " once said to me, * In fierce
storms^ we have but one resource : we keep the ship in a certain
position ; we cannot act in any way but this : we fix her head to
the wind, and in this way we weather the storm.' " This ia t
picture of the Chnatian.-, Yi^ «tA«aNWii% \ft i^^t himself in a ce^
tain position. He sa^a, IA.7 \io^«> wi^ m^ V^-^ ^^^ Va. 0^^^^.% \a ^^
iaithful The man w\iO \ia.a\^TDX. >3d:\^ ^\si^ q\ V^ias^^x^^ wv
gation, 'shall weatliex iVi^ ft\.otm% ol \:\m^ wA ^\ ^\«i:tti\jj.
127
A FEW MAXIMS FOR THE YOUNG.
BY THE BEY. T. WALLACE.
lACH yourselves. Exercise your minds early. Be not de- ent on others. Bise, at length, above reliance on any.
3ver be neglectful of prayer ; it will bring light into the
I — peace into the conscience — -joy into the heart. Have a
for prayer — a place for prayer ; and when you pray, endea-
to enter into the spirit of prayer. Prayer will crown you
the richest blessings.
st your minds be early stored with what is excellent. If the Is of the young be empty of good, will they not be filled the evil which so pressingly surrounds them in a world like ; and will not that evil be soon developed, and be very rank pernicious in its growth and consequences?
> avoid sin, remember that God always sees you — that he 3 your character — that he scrutinizes your heart. Is it not wful consideration, that you always move in the view of
9
•
. looking forward to your entrance into the world, never t that you can do anything in your own strength. This ght will ever guide, ever admonish, ever humble — ever ce you to rely on the Spirit of God, to teach, to invigorate, ifend, to fortify, to prepare, to mature.
Iways have death before you. You may die young. Ask, / hour, " Am I ready for the grave ? ready for the judgment ] Y for eternity 1 " If you are not prepared to die, how fearful ! sially when you consider, that in a moment you may be ged into eternity i
POETRY.
THE mother's address TO HER BLIND CHILD.
" I FEEL for thee, my darling boy.
Nor can repress my tears ; Thy blindness chills thy mother's joys.
And deepens all her fears. She cannot tell to strangers round
How much, she grieves for thee ;
When bearing oft thy merry sound..
She thinks — ^thou canst not see \
128 POETRT.
" I look upon thy smiling face.
And view thy &ther there ; — His mirror'd every manly grace ;—
His death was hard to bear. I should not weep, my darling boy.
If only thou could'st see, — For thou art all thy mother's joy, •
24 ow Ae has gone from me I
** I lead thee in the garden fair.
■i«
leaa laee la lae garaeu lair, , ^
And take thee by the hand ; *^3 ,
I speak of many a flower there — .. «£
Rich, beautiful, and grand ; •' " ' W
But how I wish, as on we walk, ' ^^"■
That thou, my child, conldst see ; •■' **
And, yet, I hear thy happy talk, • '^
And thstt brings joy to me !
" Thou canst not in the meadows nm.
Nor gather cowslips sweet ; Thou canst not see the golden snn.
Nor stars at evening greet ; *
Thou canst not view the lofty hill.
Or lovely woodland glade ; Of glorious prospect take thy fill,
Which G^ in goodness made 1
" And yet, my child, though blind then art,
And always thou must be. Thy mind is opening, and thy heart
Is full of love to me. Then come, my boy, and kiss me now.
And ever to me cling, — Thy mother feels that only thou
Canst comfort to her bring.
" She will be near to be thy guide, To tend thee night and day ; She'll never wander from thy side.
From mom till evening grey ; And though that God hath form'd thee blind.
Who pours the radiant sun. Yet we will aye look up and say — Father, Thy will be done 1 "
Rev. T. Wallici
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
In Great Britain there are two descriptions of rep- tiles. To the one is given the name make, whicli is not Tenomous, and therefore quite harmless. It is of considerable length, and is adorned with glowing colours. To the other ia given the name adder. It is of a sandy grey colour, and in its form thick and short. It has no elegance of shape, and its sppear- aace ia peculiarly rt^pulsiTe. It is very 'venomous. Its bite, or ating, ia mortal, and in aay case recovery is exceedingly difficult and i^are.
The Adder may he defined as a venomous animal. It is brought forth alive, and not by egg», Iv \% Ttvati^ shorter than the snake ; its belly ia lAacW*aVi*^^^^^'^* tiack epota upon its back.
130 SCRIPTURE NATURAL BISTORT.
The word " adder " is used five times in our transla- tion. It 18 first used in Gkn. xlix. 17, as a figurative and prophetic description of the tribe of Dan, bj Jacob, the dying patriarch : " Dan shall be a serpent bj the way, an Adder in the path, that biteth tk horse's heels, so that his rider shall fall backward." The word adder in this verse is in the original pSTBV Shephip/um. This Hebrew name signifies literallj the squeeze?^ or biter. The Shephiphon is believed to be the CerasteSy a viper of a light brown colour, which lurks in the sand, and in the tracks formed by wheels in the highways. There, in its lurking-place, it watches its opportunity, like Satan, the cunning se^ pent, and suddenly bites the unwary traveller, and the legs of horses, or other animals, which may disturb its solitude.
In Ps. Iviii. 4, 5, it is said of the wicked who de- spise the counsels and warnings of God, ''Their poison is like the poison of a serpent : they are like the deaf Adder which stoppeth her ear; which will not hearken to the voice of cliarmers, charming never so wisely" On the species of Adder to which the Psalmist refers, music produces a very remarkable effect. They swell at the sound of music ; they will raise up perpendicu- larly one half of their bodies. Some of them, under the tuition and control of the conjurors in eastern countries, will even move in time to the tune played on an instrument. An Eastern traveller once told oe from her own actual observation, that they are brought out of their holes by the sound of music, when the natives lay hold of them with great ezpertness, and deprive them of their teeth, or fangs, by which they inflict such deadly wounds. It is abo said that tame Adders have been taught to put the point of their tail to stop the ear from hearing the notes of the musician.
In Ps. xci. 13, the enemies of believers are com- pared to the Adder \ axv^ \\. \%» ^Totc&sftd^ " Thou shah tread upon the Adder." liv ^*. Q.Ti,^, VJcifc \smSSnj^^ of the wicked is compaxe^ lo X\^^ ^cha^Ti ^^ ^15, X^^t v
SERMON. 131
' Adders' poison is under their lips." How striking I lolomou compares the effect of drunkenness to the Ldder's sting, Prov. xxiii. 32 : *^ At last it biteth like serpent, and stingeth like an Adder."
SERMON IX.*
SELIEYERS CONSIDERED UNDER THE FIGURE OF A
TREE.
And Tie shall he like a tree planted by the rivers of waier, that bringeth forHi his fruit in his season ; his leaf also shaU not wither; and whatsoever he'doeth shaU prosper,^' — Ps. i. 3.
Iy young friends, if you read the Bible with care, you ill see that there are many things to which the godly re compared in that sacred book. They are compared ) things which have life. For example, they are com- ared to a dove^ Song ii. 14 : " O my dove, that art in le clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, it me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice ; for veet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely." liey are also compared to sheep and lambs, Isa. xl. 1 1 : He shall feed his flock like a shepherd : he Shall Either the lambs with his arm, and carry them in \m 3Som, and shall gently lead those that are with aung.*'
Believers are compared to things without life. They •e called a temple, Eph. ii. 21 : "In whom all the iilding fitly framed together groweth unto an holy smple in the Lord." Tliey are called a house, 1 Pet. .6: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual 7use, an holy priesthood, to offer up s^ItiXvwjX ^^^\Vvv^^^>
' The substance of this sermon waa delixexe^ \.o OcSi^^^'^* '^^ helftelda Church, JKirkaldy, Norlli Britaxa, Va K\v©aaX^»sX-
132 SERMOV.
Acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.*' They are oonr- pared to lilies^ Song ii. 2 : "As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters." They are com- pared to a mountainy Isa. ii. 2 : '* And it shall oome to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the moun- tains, and shall be exalted above the hills ; and ail nations shall flow unto it." In several places in the word of God believers are compared to trees. One of the most striking of these is in our text. Here the tree is presented before us in all its grandeur; in its roota^it? stem, its branches, its leaves, its fruit, its situation, its duration, and its height. Our text contains a most lovely picture ; and it is a most just, glowing, and pleasing picture of the people of God. Oh, my young friends, by converting grace may that picture be yours ! May it be mine ! How very diiferent the picture of the wicked ! Head it with me, and may it affect our hearts. " For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh ; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land," Jer. xvii. 6 ; " The ungodly are not so : but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away," Psal. i. 4. Dear young friends, may God prevent that you should be like unto the chaff ! In the Epistle of Jude, ver. 12, the wicked are described as "trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots." And to crown all, our blessed Lord describes them as "tares which are gathered together and burned in the fire," — Matt. xiii. 40 ; and as rotten branches, only fit to be cast into the flames and consumed, John xv. 6 : ** If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and n withered ; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." That will be a dreadful day when the angels shall gather the wicked like rotten ifranches, bind tbem \i\\,o Ww^^^, ^xv^ <5»&\. n^^^yq, ^ vile refuse into that ftre t\\av ^\itiXN. xv^x^t \i^ o^^w^^^X May God preserve us ?vom wciV^ ^o^m\
SERHOK. 138
By the aid of the Hoty Spirit, I now proceed to speak of the young believer as a tree.
L In his natural state — that is, before he was con- verted— ^lie was a wild tree. He was one of Satan's trees, growing in the wide wilderness of sin, corruption, guilt and misery. At that time, he was a wild vine : " Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed : how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me ?" Jer. ii. 21. This wild vine was very fruitful ; it produced wild grapes, poisonous clusters. Swearing, lying, disobedience, sabbath-breaking, quarrelling, hatred, and strife, were the poisonous dusters of wild grapes which this wild vine produced.
The young Christian, before he became one of Christ's trees, was a wild olive, Tiierefore the holy Apostle says, " Thou wert cut out of the olive tree, which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree," Rom. xi. 24. Dear children, who are now Christ's trees by grace, remem- ber every day that you were once Satan's trees bj nature. You have reason to say, and to say with wonder, thankfulness and humility,
" Sinners by nature, we belong To the wild olive wood; Gtmce took us from the barren tree. And grafts us in the good."
Watts, Book I. H. Hi.
II. It was in the day of converting grace the young heliever was changed into a tree of Christ. Nothing but Divine grace could have produced such a change as making a wild olive a good olive ; as making a de- generate vine a noble vine. Nothing but Almighty power could change a lion into a lamb, or a serpent into a harmless dove ; or the thorn into the fir tree, and the brier into the myrtle tree. Ajci^ tvqnXvvw^VnsX Almighty grace can convert the BO\x\ eveu ol ^\v\.^^ child, and make him one of Christ's ti^A^Q^vn^ ^«»^- Have you experience4 this change, t\u* ^otAx.^*M
]34 SERMOir.
change ? Then what reason have you to sing in joy- ful strains : —
" Great Gk)d ! I own thy power divine. That works to change this heart of mine ; I would be fonn'd anew, and bless The wonders of creating Grace ! "
Watts, Book II. H. 160.
III. The young believer is a tree planted by Christ. He entered into the wilderness of sin, and plucked up the wild tree. He changed its wild nature by his saving power. Then he takes and plants it in the lovely garden of his grace.
And when he plants it there, he will for ever keep it and preserve it, until he transplant it to the paradise of glory. How very beautifully Isaiah speaks of saints as planted by Christ : and his words show how greatly Jesus delights in saints as his own spiritual plantation. May the Holy Spint impress the words upon your youthful minds ! Isa. Ix. 21 : " Thy people shall be all righteous : they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my plantinf/y the work of ray hands, that I may be glorified." In the following chapter the prophet shows that the great end of Christ's preaching and of his visit and mission into our world was, " That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified,* Isa. Ixi. 3. That was a wonderful day, a day never to be forgotten, when the plantation took place. It ^as the day of conversion ; it was the day of the Saviour's power. When the young saint thinks of that day, oh, what reason has he to sing,
" O blessed power 1 0 glorious day ! What a large harvest shall ensue. When converts who thy grace obey Exceed the drops of momlDg dew."
Watts, Pb. 110.
IV. The young bdve^^x \^ ^^ Xx^^xooted. Yc^^:3tsrv^ Mph. ill. 17, 18 : *' T\iat 7^,^iev[i^TOol«sd.%xA.^w«AR^ uloYQ, may be ab\fi to ^orcx^^OaRAA ^\^V i^ ^m.
SERMON. 135
what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height ; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth know- ledge." CoL ii. 6, 7 : " As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him : rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanks- giving."
There are many wonderful things connected with the roots of a tree. The roots are as numerous as the branches. If the branches are veiy numerous, so are the roots. If a tree is very high, the roots are very deep. What a noble sight is a large oak tree ot cedar tree ! I saw the largest cedar tree in Britain, in the park of the Duke of Marlborough. Never shall I forget the sight. Now I feel as if it were before my eyes. But it was small, nay insignificant, compared with the cedars of Lebanon in the days of Solomon. They reached at that period the height of two hundred feet. Such trees were striking emblems of believers, Christ's trees, his plantation. How numerous, how wide spreading, how deep the roots of such wonderful trees as the cedars of Lebanon ! Consider how neces- sary roots are for the growth and for the security of trees. The roots receive nourishment from the earth, and, by a remarkable law which God has fixed, these roots send up nourishment over the whole tree ; yes, to the most distant twig, or leaf, or blossom. Oh, how wonderful I Then, also, these roots are essential to the safety of the trees. Were it not for the roots, very soon the winds of heaven would level with the ground the loftiest trees.
It is now time to ask, Where are young saints, Christ's trees, rooted ? It is in Christ himself. As the roots of a tree lay firm hold of the ground, the faculties and the graces of the believer's soul lay hold of Christ. And it is a firm hold ; so firm, so y«x^ firm, that no furious storms of tempxaliow, ot %\3i.^«n»%^ or sorrow, shall ever be able to tftake \>^^tKv\^V. %ji their £rm hold. What a blessing, ^w^i^at ^ <s««iKsst^» Sa
1:36 SERMON. .
Xh\& ! As roots derive nourishment froni tlie earthy tike souls of young believers deri-ve nourishment from Christ. How strikingly the following lines describe the young righteous tree rooted in Christ, and receiving spiritual sap and nourishment : —
" He like a tree shall thrive, With waters near the root ; Fresh as the leaf his name shall live. His works are heavenly fruit." — Watts, Ps. 1.
V. The young believer is a tree of great spiritual beauty. Hosea xiv. 6 : " His beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon." The olive tree 18 very beautiful. See how green and how fiiesh are its leaves. It is also evergreen. It is beautiful, not merely in some months of the year ; it is verdant and beautiful all the year round. See, too, how beautiful it is in its blossoms, and in its fruit. Fit emblem of young saints, who are green olives in Grod*s house. In Psalm cxxviii. 3, young saints are thus described : *' Thy children shall be like olive plants round about thy table." Blessed are those children who can say with the holy Psalmist, Psalm lii. 8, *' But I am Hke a green olive tree in the house of God : I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever."
Pious children are beautiful plants in Christ'tf garden. Their beauty is the loveliness of grace ; and this is loveliness that shall never fade ; this is beauty which shall never pass away- The beauty of the iovely youthful cheek shall pass away ; the beauty of the loveliest leaves and of the most fragrant blossoms shall pass away ; but the loveliness of grace shall remain for ever, and flourish in immortal bloom.
" The plants of grace shall ever live ; Nature decays, hat graoe must thrive ; Time that doth all things else impair. Still makes them flouri^ strong and fair."
Conclusion.— L.et me^ >ie&e««^ ^w^^ Tar5 -5^\«r|, frienda, to present tU^ SoW^Vvck^s, ^\:vC\wi% \Ke5issK. ^
EXCELLENCES OF THS BIBLS. 137
throne of grace : *' O Jesus, remove me from the wilderness of a nataral state. Oh, change my wild n&ture, and make me a righteous tree. Oli, Jesus, mercifully plant me in the garden of thy Ciiurch. And may I be rooted and grounded in thy love I" Then sing sweetly, •
*' Lord, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand In gardens planted hy thy hand; tjet me within thy courts be seen, Like a young cedar, fresh and green."
Watts, Ps. 92.
(7*0 he continued.)
EXCELLENCES OF THE BIBLE,
ALPHABETICALLY ABRANGED.
{Continued /roni page 75.)
FiUEND, is a name xvhich the Bible deserves, and whrch shows its excellence. One of the most valuable things on earth is a friend. And they who take the Bible as their friend, find that they are the possessors of a blessing of the most transcendent excellence. That must be a wonderful friend, the' worth of whom exceeds the power of language to express. The Bible is such a friend ; for no language has been ever found sufficient to describe its worth. Do you ask what kind of a friend is God's Word ?
It is a wise friend. It is as full of wisdom as the firmament is full of light when the sun is shining in all the splendour of noonday. Dear children, take the Bible for your wise friend; then, by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, you shall be made wise unto «»«An«A\w^« Therefore Paul said to young Timotlay, 2T\x£i.vC\A^, '' From a child thou hast known the HoVy ';s>cn^\\«^"^'% which are able to make thee wise unlo saVi«X?iftYvr
^^
138 EXCELLENCES OF THE BIBL&
The Bible is a fyure friend. It is the Holy Bible, by way of eminence ; and it is the great means in the hand of the Spirit of sanctifying poUated hearts, and of making souls, vile by sin, holy, pure, and lovely. Therefore our Saviour, in his intercessory prayer for his disciples and Church, offers up the following petition, John xvii. 17 : " Sanctify them through thy truth : thy word is truth."
The Bible is a most comforting friend. It com- forts all believers, however numerous their afflictions, however severe their sufferings, however great their bereavements, however violent their temptations, how- ever furious their enemies, or however deep their sorrows. Hence the Psalmist says, Psalm cxix. 54, " Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." But time would fail to speak of the excellences of this friend. Unite with me in the following lines :
*' The best relief that moumers have. It makes our sorrows blest ; Oar fairest hope beyond the grave, And our eternal rest."
The Bible is a Field. It is a large field. It is a field of great beauty. It i^ a field where grow the trees of truth. It is a rich field. It is a field whence flow fountains of living water. It is a field where there are mines of precious treasures. ** Blessed Spirit, teach us to dig in these mines !**
" 'Tis a broad land of wealth unknown, \ Where springs of life arise, Seeds of immortal bliss are sown. And hidden glory lies.'*
(To he continued.)
139
MARTYROLOGY.
SCOTTISH MARTYRS.
HuaH MoEail.
** 'Tis not enough felonious caves to fill, 'Tis not enough for cords and steel to kill ; But on the ancle the sharp wedge descends. The bone reluctant with the iron bends, Cnish'd in its frame ; blood spouts from ,every pore, ' And the white marrow swims in purple gore.*'
On Sabbath morning, the 6 th of September, 1661, Mr. Hugh McKail ascended the pulpit of the High Church in Edinburgh, and preached a beautiful sermon from Song i. 7 : " Tell me, 0 thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest.'* He was only about twenty-one years of age, yet he felt a deep concern for the poor ministers who, because they adhered to the religion of their fathers, were to be ejected from their pulpits on the follow- ing Sabbath and not allowed to preach any more. During the sermon he took occasion to mention the severity of the Act ; for so doing, he had to leave his native country and go to Holland. In the year 1664 he came home, and lived at his father's house, in a quiet, secluded spot. One day, as he was going to Edin- burgh, he was met by an officer and a dragoon, and taken prisoner. It was resolved by those in power to make this meek and gentle creature an example and victim.
After two examinations, in which he confessed all that he knew of the motives which caused the people to resist the Qovem- ment in matters of religion, he was a third time brought before the council for further examination ; and, on declaring he could tell them nothing more, he was put to the torture. The instru- ment of torture was that horrible one called the boot, — a square wooden box, with movable plates inside. The leg of the person to be tortured was placed in this box, and between the frame and the plates wedges were driven in with a mallet to crush the limb, and produce the most excruciating pain; the pain being the greater the farther the wedges were driven in. Pooc 11<&^&3^^ Je^ being" placed in the boot, the -wedges i\v5>^^ Hsi, «ssAl "^iofc
executioner standing ready with \i\a inaW^kV. Vi «\.t^^> ^\j!^k.
asked again to make a further confeasioii. K&\iftx«"^«i»^sA.^»
140 ANECDOTE OF THE LATE QUEEN ADELAIDE.
former assei-tion, that he had nothing more to confess, the tortore began. Ten or eleven blows with the mallet were struck, at considerable interrald, the safferer protesting before the last three that he " could say no more, though all the joints in his body were in as great torture as that poor leg." At the eleyenth stroke the bone was splintered, and the blood and manow spirted in the face of the judges. After this they found him guilty of treason, for which he was to be hanged in two days after. At the hearing of this sentence, he cheerfully said, *' The Lord giveth, and tfie Lord taketh away ; blessed be the name of tJie Lord" The torture brought on a fever, which delayed hi execution for four days, when he was hanged along with five otherii. The napkin being put over his fa^, he prayed a little within himself; after which, he put up the cloth, saying he had one word. more to add, in order to show them the comfort he had in his death. " I hope," said he, " you have perceived no alteration o^ discouragement in my countenance and manner ; and as it may be your wonder, so I profess it is a wonder to myself; but I will tell you the reason of it. Besides the justness of my canse, this is my comfort, which was said of Lazarus when he died, that the angels did carry his soul into Abraham's bosom. So thafc aa there is a great solemnity here — of a confluence of people, a scaffold, a gallows, and people looking out at windows, so there is a greater and more solemn preparation in heaven of angels to carry my soul to Christ's bosom." And after speaking a little to the same purpose, he concluded thus : '* And now I leave off to speak any more to creatures, and turn my speech to thee, 0 Lord; and now I begin my intercourse with God, which shall never be broken off. Farewell, father and mother, friends and relations; farewell the world and all delights ; farewell sun, moon and staia. Welcome, God and Father ; welcome, sweet Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant ; welcome 1>lessed Spirit of gmce, and Cfod of all consolation. Welcome, glory ; welcome, eternal life ; wel- come, death !** After which, like Stephen of old, he fell asleep.
J. W. A.
ANECDOTE OF THE LATE QUEEN ADELAIDE.
Soon after the death of the late King, a deputation from the Corporation of Londou picsenVfe^ vn KdA\^«^ ^1 Q^^olenoe to her late Majesty Queen. X^eXa^^^. ^tL ^JbaJw ^MmMMsi^^^&s^^'^e^^ presented to HerMa\e&V.y,\\iT<iTxsVV:t«A.ftx^V\^^^ ^osB-rose, with a piece oi i^«.ij« ^x^Oii^^, ^i^ ^\^V^*>.\«S
THE WHITE FaOCK AND THE SPOT OF IKK, 141
fully writien the following lines from the well known hymn of Cowper:—
" The bud may hare a bitter taste» But iweet will be the flower."
- Her Majesty was graciously pleased to accept it, and was so tcQcbed with this instance of sympathy, that she shortly after- wards sent Mr. Hick a handsomely bound copy of the Memoir of William the Fourth.
THE WHITE FROCK AND THE SPOT OF INK.
There was once a little girl called Polly. I will not now tell you what kind of a little girl she was, but you shall hear of something which happened to her. Her nurse washed and dressed her as usual ; she had a clean white frock. Then she went skipping and jumping down stairs in great glee, and full of her morning joy, not coming down the stairs as grown-up people do, first one foot, and then another, but both feet together, a step at a time. She had to pass the drawing-room door before she reached the room where her mother was sitting ; the door was a little open, and Polly peeped in, and then she thought she would just look at the prettj^ things, and round the room she went on tip-toe, till she capie to a small table with an inkstand, aad pens, and writing>paper upon it. There was one pen lefc standing in the ink, and Polly, who was very fond of scribbling, forgot that her mother had often told her not to touch the pen and ink without asking leave ; so she amused herself for some time, till at last, when she was dipping her pen into the ink, a large thick piece from the1)Ottom stuck to it, and in her hurry to shake it off, a great drop of ink fell upon her clean white frock. Oh ! you would have been sony for Polly had you seen her just then. First her face was very red, and then it was very white, and she trembled all over; and then her merry eyes looked quite sad, for they were full of tears, which rolled down her cheeks like an April shower. But what must I do 1 she thought. I will go and tell my mother how naughty I have been. But then she will be angry with me, because she told me not to do it, and she will punish me. Oh 1 I will go up stairs again, and try to wash it out, and then I can dry it at the fire, and nobody will know. So she set off up stairs again, and she found the nursery empty, for nurse was gone down. Then she went to the basin and got the soap, and dipped h^t \.Tik.^'^\>\SL the water, and she rubbed it, and wrung it out, \>ut ^\a!CV >(2eAT& was 3 mark on her frock ; and, as she was notuae^ to wic^ ^Q^t^K.^ gbeeplasbed herself &U over, and her clean wVitft ^to^^^s^ ^ lon^r white and clean, but wet froxa top to \)ottom. ^V\ Vw«
142 THE WHITE FBOCK AND THE SPOT OF IKK.
must Polly do ? The spot will not come out, though she hai rubbed it until her little hands are sore. But she heara a foot- step on the stain : it is her mother, anxious to * see what had become of her dear child. Bid Polly run to meet her as uBntl, and throw her little arms round her neck and kiss herl Ko; she felt i^raid of her own dear mother, for she had been doing wrong, so she ran and hid herself behind the door. Silly dbild, what good could that do her, for her mother was sure to find her — and then, too, she was such a kind mother, and would have forgiven her directly if she had told her all the truth. *' Where is my dear little Polly Y* she said, as she entered the nursery; bat no one spoke, and she began to feel rather alarmed, and wai leaving the room to call nurse, when she heard a sob from behind the door, and, to her great surprise, found little P0II7 there, her eyes red with weeping, her clean white fix)ck wet and crushed, and a large dark spot upon it ** What hare you been doing, my dear child V she said. Polly's heart softened when she saw her dear mother's tender looks, and she ran to her, and hid her face in her dress, and said, as well as her sobs would permit, ** Oh ! mother, I have been bo naughty ! I have been doing what you told me not to do. I have been using the pen and ink in the drawing-room, and I have inked my clean frock ; and I thought you would be angry, and I came up stairs to try to wash it out, but I cannot ; it will not come out wnatever I do ;" and she again cried very much. The kind mother sat down, and took her poor little Polly upon her knee ; then she talked ve7 kindly to her, and told her what sorrow she had brought npon herself by not doing as she was bid; and as she saw that Pollj was truly sorry for what she had done, she forgave her. Then she took the wet frock off, lest she should take cold, and put another on. " But, dear mother," EAid Polly, " what must be done with my Arock 1 It is quite spoiled with that large dark spot" Her mother smiled at her, and going to a drawer, took out of it a little wooden box, full of a white powder ; then she dipped the dark spot in Polly's frock in hot water, and then she rubbed some of the powder on it with her finger, and the spot grew lighter and lighter, till it was quite pale ; and at last there was no spot at all. Then Polly was very glad, and she clapped her handi for joy. Then her mother took her down into the breakfast room, where they found Polly's father, who wondered what had become of them. He was grieved when he saw his little girl with such red eyes ; he was afraid she had been naaghty, and he looked very sad and very grave, and he did not take Polly into his amu and kiss her as usual, but he looked at her mother to tell him irhat had been the matter. ^^ %>^^ V^Vd him all about it, and how florry Polly was Uiat i^^ \«A. \i««B^ %» ^mwx^^-^. 't^wsa. the little irirl crept quite cVose \jo V\m, wA,^V^\Aas». \xi\iKt ^^«^ mdd, " Dear father, foxgvye m^.** ^ ^\^^^^^^'^'' ^
POETRY. 143
reakfast. But she could not eat much, for she was both and glad — sorry that she had grieved her kind parents, plad that they had forgiven her. Afterwards her father said Br, " Do you know that in disobeying your mother you d against God ; for God has said, ' Honour thy father and aother/ You must ask Him to forgive you too. Sin is iie dark ink spot on your frock — it is on your heart ; and u could not make your frock clean again, whatever you did, u cannot make your heart clean, however good you try to But as there was one thing which would take away the * pot out of your frock, so there is one thing, and one only, 1 will take away your sins, and that is the blood of it. The Bible tells us that His blood cleanseth from all 80 my dear child must ask God for Christ's sake to forgive &nd to wash away her sins in the blood of Jesus." So Polly off her father's knee, and went up stairs and into the iry, and then she knelt down by her own little bed, and did r father had told her. E. F.
POETRY.
TBK BLIND CHILD 8 REPLT TO HIS MOTHERS ADDRESS.
" Mother, your cheek is wet again,
I know your heart is kind. Then why, dear mother, will you weep
Because your boy is blind 1 I never knew the joys of sight,
Kor moum'd its absence yet. But now my heart is heavy too.
Because your cheek is wet.
" Mother, the God who gave you sights
Gave me to hear and feel ; For this I thank him when at night
And in the mom I kneel. For, though I see no rising sun,
I feel its warming ray ; I hear the birds rejoicing too,
And I with them am gay.
" I cannot see the moon, that God To rule the night has given, Nor look upon the stars you say Spangle the vault of heaven ; But th* evening's breath ia sweet to "Oie, Ab it plays upon my brow : And the guahing voice of the nigUUnsA^— Oh, I think I hear it now I
144 ANECDOTES.
" I know the scasona as they pass.
The air seems full of flowers^ And the young lambs bleat upon the grass
In the merry spring-tide hours. And when th« summer days are bright.
And the thrush is on the wing, It makes me feel so glad and light
To hear the blackbird sing.
** In autumn, when the rustling leaves
Are dropping from the tree, I find sweet yiolets underneath.
And they are joy to me. I lie along the sunny grass.
And dream of heaven and ihec : Oh ! in the hours of still delight,
I do not wish to see.
it
And now, though winter, cold and keen.
Is blowing from above, Winter can never chill our hearts,
For they are warm with love. I ask not sight while I can hear Your voice, so soft and kind ; *Tis only when my mother weeps 1 feel that I am blind."
Akka, Pupil, Dr. Fletchers CatedteticaZ Seminarj,
Dec 5eh,
Alexakdkr and his Mother. — Olympia, the mother of Alexander, was of so very unhappy and morose a disposition, that he could not employ her in any of the affairs of govern- ment. She, however, narrowly inspected the oondnct of othen, and made many complaints to her son, which he always bore with patience. Antipater, Alexander's deputy in Europe, once wrote a long letter to him, complaining of her conduct, to whom Alexander returned this answer : " Knowest thon not that one tear of my mother's will blot out a thousand such letters 1"
Affection's choice Treasures. — Ancient history records th»t a certain city was besieged, and at length obliged to surrender. In the city there were two brothers who had in some way obliged the conquering general ; and, in consequence of this, leoeired permission to leave the city before it was set on fire, taking with them as much of thoir pto^^Ti^ «& each could carry about hia person. Accordingly, t\ie Vwo gct^^xwsA iqxjKJda v^^^Tod at the grates of the city, one Oi t\iem c«xTfvBL^>iJas»x\'8}QBwt ^KAV5a&^>^^
their mother.
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
The name given to the JJee ia Scripture is striking, descriptive, and cliaracteriatic It is mi^T Deburim, and the meaning of tliis Hebrew name is, to lead orderly. When we think of the ecoDomy of thia remarkable insect, which haa excited the merited wonder of philosophers of every t^e, we cannot but admire the suitableness of the name given it bj the great Creator in hia own inspired word. The manage- ment, order, and industry observed by Beet in thwr community, is one of the most perfect description. If the secular, moral, and spiritual concerns of kingdoms were managed with similar accuracy wtii te^'aVasAT , happiness and prosperity would pervade t\ia >ic.t^ V^ « d^ree and to an extent of whicli we ijovAi So*™. ■*>
146 SCRIPTUKE NATURAL HISTORY.
adequate conception. How just the observation of the
poet :
" So work the honey-bees : Creatures that, by a ruling nature^ teach The art of order to a peopled kingdom."
DESCRIPTION.
Apis, or Bee, in zoology, is a genus of insects belonging to the order of Insecta hymenoptera. The mouth is furnished with two jaws. It is provided with a proboscis having a double sheath. With this most curiously wrought instrument, or member, it extracts delicious and wholesome nectar from the bosom of flowers. There this rich substance is depo- sited by the great Creator, and which, without the proboscis and industry of the bee, could never be collected for the use and comfort of man. The wings are four in number ; when at rest, the two foremost cover the other two. In the tail of the working-bee a sting is concealed, through which a poisonous juice is emitted. The sting is hooked, and is often left in the wound.
DIFFERENT KINDS.
There is the Queen-bee, or Queen-mother. She is larger and redder than the rest. Her province is to deposit eggs in the combs ; and, marvellous to tell, a swarm is produced, amounting to ten and sometimes twenty thousand in one year. The attachment to the Queen-bee is surprising. The bees follow her wher- ever she goes. Her influence over the whole com- munity is irresistible and universal.
There are the Drones, which lurk among the combs.
They gather no honey. What particular purpose they
are intended to serve I cannot say ; but when their
number is too great, the excess is driven out, and pot
to death.
The third class coivsvs\.ao^ \V^I^a\)own.n^^et^,'^^ collect wax and lion^y, axi^ ^^«^ x^^c^Oaa ^q«^^. "S&te\
SERMON. 147
build the beautiful storehouses with the utmost sym- metry and perfection, and they fill them with the most delicious treasures.
liinnaeus has enumerated fifty-five species of bees. But the most remarkable is the Apis mellifica, the* domestic honey-bee, the produce of whose industry is sufidcient to fill annually a fleet of ships !
A. R
SERMON X.
YOUNG SAINTS TREES OP RIGHTEOUSNESS.
t
'* Trees of righteousness^ the planting of the Lord, that he migh
be glorified" — Isa, Ixi. 3. The Church of Christ is compared to an orchard. Song iv. 13, 14, " Thy plants are an orchard of pome- granateSy with pleasant fruits ; camphire, with spike- nard, spikenard and safiron ; calamus and cinnamon, with all ti:ees of frankincense ; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices." This is certainly a beautiful figure of the Church. It is a lovely, glowing picture. May I ask you, Do you not admire it ? Let us look for a little at this orchard. What do we see around it ? It is a lofty fence, which no enemies can break down, which no stormy tempest can injure. Would you wish to know the name of the fence ? I will tell you — ^it is Salvation. Blessed name ! and it is well worthy of the name ; for all who are within this fence are for. ever safe and ibr ever saved. Let us look within this noble lofty fence, and see the trees of which this wonderful orchard consists. Pray what are the trees ? They are the saints of God. I see some very old trees, some as old as Adam and Eve ; and I see some very young trees, some young saints, but newly planted in this orchard, the Church, by Christ's blessed hand. I see some very lofty tree*.
There never were cedars in Lebanon ao \oi\*':^ ^^^ ^^'^ * I see some very lofty trees in that oTCi\ittt^, \aO^^*^ Abraham, and Moses, and Job, and lfta\«iVi, wA ^^^^'
148 SERMON.
and John. Oh, what lofty trees I They have reached the height of perfection. I see other trees of low stature. They resemble tender plants. They have only been introduced lately into the orchard ; but they look healthy, and not sickly.
^* Green are their leaves, and fragrant their blossoms."
Who are they ? They are young converts, dear little
children. It is but a few days since Jesus planted
them in his orchard. But with what tender care he
watches over them ! As the Sun of righteousness, he
shines upon them. Do you see the spangling dew-drops
resting on every leaf, and sparkling on every blossom ?
What is this dew ? It is the dew of the influences of
the Holy Spirit. The time will come when those tender,
lovely plants shall be powerful, lofty, noble " trees of
righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may
be glorified." Now, my young friends, who belong to
this blessed orchard, come, and let your hearts unite
with me in singing the following lines : —
** We are a garden, waird around, Chosen and made pecaliar ground ; A little spot inclosed by grace. Oat of the world's wide wilderness."
Watts, Book IL H. 1L
In a former sermon I gave some description of yoang believers, under the figure, or picture, of a tree. By divine help, I propose to give in this dis- course an additional account of pious children, as Trees of Bighteousness in Christ's orchard.
L They are fruitful trees. Thus we read of the
fruitfulness of Christ's orchard, Gen. xlix. 22, " Joseph
is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well;
whose branches run over the wall." Psalm xcii. 12—
14, " The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree :
he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be
planted in the \u>u&^ o^ \\v^ Lord shall flourish in the
courts of our God. TYie^ ^^ %\)^\sf«i^\^T>3cL ^xMvt in
old age ; they sbaW )afe ^«^ %»^ ^wav^\s^r '^^
Cimrch thus addreaaes «m\«X^\»^'^^^'^^Vv*-^^
SERMON. 149
'^ Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." And thus Christ speaks of the fruit- fulness of his garden, Song v. 1, "I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse : I have gathered my myrrh with my spice ; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey ; I have drunk my wine with my milk." What are the fruits produced by the trees of righteousness ? In general, they are the fruits of righteousness. But more particularly, these fruits consist of holy thoughts, holy desires, and purposes, and affections. They consist of holy words and sayings ; such as prayer, praise, reading and preaching the glorious gospel. They consist of holy actions of eveiy description ; and, to crown all, these fruits con- sist of the exercise of all the graces.
Paul gives the following account of the fruitfulness of the trees of righteousness, Gal. v. 22, 23, ** But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance : against such there is no law.'' And on the subject of fruitfulness he gives the following counsels, Col. i. 10, ** Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
May we belong to Christ's fruitful garden, of which the sacred poet sings :
" In vineyards planted by his hand, Where fruitful trees in order stand ; He feeds among the spicy beds, Where lilies show their spotless heads."
Watts, Book I. H. 76.
Pray, oh pray earnestly, my young friends, for spiritual fruitfulness. Let the youthful desires of your hearts ascend to heaven's throne in the following lines :
" Awake, 0 heavenly wind, and come, Blow on this garden of perfume ; Spirit divine, descend and bxeaAiYie A gncioua gale on plaaU beneatV.*" , ^ ^
. *^Lord Jeaua, mercifully bear our iptojet V^
150 jSERMON.
11. They are fragrant trees. The fragrance of trees is the delightful and refreshing perfume which rises from their leaves, their blossoms, and their fruit. By the fragrance of the trees of righteousness, we are to understand the influence of the fruits of righteousness giving delight and enjoyment both to God and man. Be assured, my beloved young friends, that Jesus takes the very greatest delight in the graces of pious children. To him they send forth the most agreeable fragrance and the most acceptable perfume. Unspeak- ably blessed are pious children. Their holy graces, holy expressions, and holy actions, send forth a pleasing perfume; delightful to saints, to angels, and to Christ. Wicked, prayerless, profane children, are Satan's trees. Alas ! they send forth from their vile and poisonous clusters of fruit, a perfume which is hateful to saints, to angels, and to God. " Lord Jesus, change their wicked hearts ! Oh, make them trees of righteousness ! "
Let pious children earnestly pray to the Holy Spirit for an increase of grace, and then there will be an increase of holy fragrance. Say, in the language of inspiration. Song iv. 16, " Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south ; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out."
" Make our best spices flow abroad. To entertain our Saviour God, And £Eiith, and love, and joy appear, And every grace be active there."
Watts, Book I. H. 74.
IIL They are ever-growing trees. On earth their growth never ceases. Even in old age they are fat and flourishing. Abraham and Moses are blessed examples of this delightful truth ; namely, of trees of righteousness continuing their spiritual growth in old age.
What are tlie meana \i^ ^VvOa. ^vsvi^ ^2b^^\^ti ^jcw in grace ? The outward xcvftwi^ «x^ nXjl^ ^x^vassiistRSi ^ the gospel. They fire to x>^ Ax^^-a^ ^^ tw^vw^xjkb^
SERMON. 151
what the air, light, dew, rain and warmth are to the trees of an orchard. There is beside the inward effectual mean of this Divine growth ; and this is the influence, the power, the grace of the Holy Spirit. Let my young friends pray more earnestly and con- stantly for his divine influence. Be assured you will never pray in vain, for we have most precious pro- mises of the influences of the Spirit. For instance, Hosea xiv. 5 : "I will be as the dew unto Israel : he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon."
The Thessalonian Christians were trees of right- eousness very remarkable for their spiritual growth. Therefore the Apostle speaks of them in the following encouraging language. And, my dear young friends, may your parents, and ministers, and teachers have reason to use the same language respecting you. 2 Thess. i. 3 : *' We are bound to thank God always for you, as is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly y and the love of every one of you all to- ward each other aboundeth." What a blessing ! The trees of righteousness are ever increasing, striking their roots deeper and deeper : spreading their branches wider and wider, and rising up in their height higher and higher, until they are transplanted to the heavenly paradise, for ever to flourish amid the glories of immor- tality. What reason then have we to take up the words of the sacred song, and sing :
" There grow thy saints in faith and love. Blest with thine influence from above ; Not Lebanon, with all its trees, Yields such a comely sight as these."
Watts, Ps. 92.
IV. They are strong and durable. In themselves they have a living strength of grace yiMcVv oscKWiVXi^ destroyed. All the power of eartb. and \i^, o^ -^v^^^ men and evil angels, cannot destroy tWX Y\n\tv^ ^^^"^ ivhlch Is in the trees of righteousneaa. T\x\a \«» ^^^^
152 8EBMOK.
" eternal life,'' Bom. vi. 23 : " The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
These trees are strong, for they are well rooted. They are rooted and grounded in Christ, and therefore they cannot be plucked up by the roots. No storms can break their branches, and no tempest can level them with the ground.
These trees are strong and durable, because they are well inclosed and well defended. Song iv. 12 : " A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse." It is inclosed by the divine perfections, by divine provi- dences, and by a divine righteousness. These form a wall of defence infinitely more powerful than a wall of brass as high as the heavens. How justly we can say respecting tlie safety and duration of Christ's trees of righteousness,
" Loud may the troubled ocean roar. In safety sure these trees abide. While every nation, every shore. Trembles and dreads the swelling tide.**
Watts, Ps. 46.
CONCLUSION.
Some trees of righteousness are very soon trans- planted into heaven. I mention two instances.
1st. A dear, pious child at seven years of age was transplanted from earth to heaven. His mother was loath to part with him. She said, " Thomas, whether would you die and go to Jesus now, or live till you are a man, and then go to Jesus ?'' Smiling, he said, "Mother, I would rather go to Jesus now." He got his wish, for soon after Jesus took him to himself.
2d. A boy aged fourteen years was transplanted to
heaven. When dying, he said, "Glory, glory be to
God ! Now I am not afraid to die I Jesus died to
save sinnera, and he died to save me ! Glory be to
God I What love I feel \ 1 ^tvoy? Co^o^ \w^ xaa : I
feel his love in my heart. MoXYier, ^otjlX. ^^«^ ^^x m^
for I am happy, and shaW BOOii\>«i 'm\xfe^^«Q^-''
MARTYB0LOGT» 153
Let all of us lift up our eyes to Christ in heaven, and pray and sing —
" Oh that with yonder sacred throng We at his feet may fall. To join the ererlasting song, And crown him Lord of all."
A.F,
MAETYEOLOGY.
Justin Martyr.
This eminent man and saint of God flourished in the second century of the Christian era. He was horn at Neapolis, in Samaria, anciently called . Sichem. His father was so struck with his son's natural talents that he gave him a philosophical education. In search of truth he studied in connexion with several sects of philosophers, such as the Stoics, the Peripatetics, the Pythagoreans, and the Platonics. By the providence of God, he was led into conversation with an aged intelligent Christian. He showed him the insufficiency of all human philosophy, and pointed him to the "Word of God, to the Gospel of Christ, and to the influences of the Spirit, as the only method by which he could obtain the knowledge of God, salvation from sin, and a title to heaven. This conversation issued in his conversion. He became afterwards a zealous champion for the truth in opposition to every species of error. While at Eome, he was cast into prison by the emperor Marcus, by the instigation of the philosopher Crescens. He and six of his companions were apprehended an<l brought before Eusticus, the Prefect, Buaticus at- tempted to persuade him to worship the gods. Justin told him that there was only one God in whom bis religion taught him to believe, and him only to worship and adore. He told him that the religion which taught him such lessons was the Christian^ in which Ql<y&& V^^^ had found rest, however fashion^\A^ \t \xv\^N.>^^ v^ tr^t it with scorn. " WretcYi \ " ie^\\<5i^ AXv^^ \ag!:\^o»»x
154 NAMES OF CHRIST
magistrate ; "art thou captivated with that religion?" " I am," says Justin ; *• I follow the Christians, and their doctrine is right." Then he said, " What is their doctrine ?" Justin gave him a striking and compre- hensive outline of the Christain faith. After this, the companions of Justin were examined. Rusticus then said to Justin, " If I scourge thee from head to foot, thinkest thou that thou shalt enter heaven ? " He re- plied, " I not only think so, but I know it, and have a certainty of it, which excludes all doubt." Rusticus insisted that they should worship the gods, otherwise h(B would torment them without mercy. AH of them expressed their willingness to suffer torment for Christ's sake. They said, " Despatch quickly your purpose, we are Christians and cannot sacrifice to idols." The sentence was then pronounced, " that those who refused to sacrifice to the gods should first be scourged and then beheaded according to the laws." The martyrs rejoiced and blessed God, and were led back to prison. First they were whipped, and after- wards beheaded. Their bodies were taken by their Christian friends, and decently interred !
NAMES OF CHRIST ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED.
{Continued from page 93.)
NAMES BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER C.
Jesus is called a Captain, Heb. ii. 10 : "For it be- came him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing* many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through suf- ferings."
He is the Captain of an armr/. This army consists
of two grand divisions. The first division consists of
the angels of heaven. And what astonishing soldiers
are they ! In one n\o\i\. «itv slxv%^ ^^-sXxqI^^ xsksst^ than
twenty thousand o€ t\\^ reV\5C\owa\^^'^\\K&\
The second division oi \\i^ wk^I ^o^^^ax^ ^^ ^Vtv^^
ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED. 155
Church on earth. All pious men, women and children are soldiers. We have old soldiers, and some remark- ably young. If a child is converted at four years of age he is a young soldier under Christ the Great Cap- tain, and assuredly he shall be more than conqueror through Christ who loved him.
Jesus is Captain of Salvation, He became a Cap- tain to obtain salvation. He fought with Satan, with the world, with sin, with death, and with hell. He conquered them all. He obtained salvation by his vic- tory. Let us earnestly pray that Jesus may be the Captain of our salvation.
Jesus is called a Child, Luke ii. 43 : " As they returned, the Child Jesus tarried behind in Jeru- salem." Come and let us look at the Child Jesus.
Look at him in the manger. Oh, what a lovely Child ! But how wonderful ! Such a Child Ijnng in a manger instead of a cradle I Lying on straw, or hay, instead of soft down ! And lying in a stable, instead of a palace ! Oh, how wonderful !
Look at him in the temple. His parents took him to the temple when he was eight days old, to present him to the Lord. Aged Simeon met them, took up the lovely Child in his arms. Then he lifted up his eyes in holy ecstasy to heaven, and said, " Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation I "
Look at him in the wilderness ! Herod wishes to murder the dear, the lovely Child. The parents escape to the deserts of Arabia, to save the Child's precious life.
Look at him in Egypt. There he remained with Joseph and Mary till the royal murderer died.
Look at him in the temple, when only twelve years old. The learned doctors put many questions, he answered them all. How they were amazed at hia wisdom J Younfr friends, may yowc \i^w\.% \i^ ^^^\ with love to the Child Jesus.
(To be continued^
156
IONA*S ISLK To the Church and Congregation of Finabury Chapd,
Bkloyed Friends,
Allow me to begin this pastoral epistle in the aSection&te and appropriate language of the Apostle Paul, whose love to the Churches was the most genuine, ardent, and tender : " Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." This was the loving salutation with which he ad- dressed the saints at Some. I wish, from the heart, to use the following expressions, which he addressed to the same Church, Rom. i. 11, 12, " For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established ; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."
You will be satisfied that I and my fellow-trayellers have enjoyed, during our journeys by land and our voyages on the great deep, the constant care, and watchfulness, and goodness of the God of providence and grace. We have been permitted to visit and hold fellowship with the Churches of the far-distaiU Shetland Isles. There 1 heard, and there I was permitted to proclaim, the unsearchable riches of Christ. As to temporal things, the inhabitants of those islands are poor ; but as to educational and gospel privileges, they are rich, ikr, ftur exceed- ing many portions of England, with all its advantages.
" These British islands are the Lord's, There Abraham's God is known. While young and old, and rich and poor. Submit before his throne."
During our absence from home we have been permitted to visit one of the Western Islands, which holds, in the histoiyof the Church and of the saints of God, a high and honourable place. It is the Island of Iona. Nearly a thousand years ago, the celebrated, the learned, and the holy Columba planted the standard of salvation in that distant solitary island, whoae western shores are washed by the waves of the great and often the raging Atlantic. Since the days of the Apostles, I have never read of one man who accomplished so much good during the short term of human life as this highly gifted and honoured individual. He instructed hundreds of young men in his little college, which he founded in the solitary isle, who were Instru- mental in reclaiming Ihoxi^axid^ and tens of thousands of rode I)arbarians in Scot\aIldaIi^l^Tv^«iIi^,vsA^^^\x^sv.^2sy^<»(SLti^ of Europe, from the iiottox^ q1 Y«©a.T5:\%m,^av^VTiNjc5A\^^^ into the fold of C\iT\at. T>\i^iiS V\&\^Vi,'M^^ ^^^>^^ thousands of learned «ad ^V^xx^ ^^s«.^wv«^ ^^^ ^^^^
PLAGUE OF LONDON — CURIOUS PRESCRIPTION. 157
and in all directions, and among many nations, succesfsuUy proclaimed the unsearchable riches of Christ. The ruins of the chapel he first built are still to be seen, and the spot which cont-ains the ashes of this venerable man of God is still pointed oat with sacred veneration, in that solitary isle of the ocean. How true in him, " The memory of the just is blessed;" and ** The righteous shall be held in everlasting remembrance." *' The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
Your affectionate Pastor,
Alex. Fletoheb.
PLAGUE Of LONDON— CURIOUS PRESCRIPTION.
1636.
SPIRITUAL MGAKS DO PKESERVE HEALTH.
FiBST, fast and pray, and then take a Quart of repentance of Nineveh; and put in two handfuls of Faith in the blood of Christy with as much Hope and Charity as you can get; and put it into the Yeasel of a clean Conscience. Then, boil it on the fire of Lote BO l(Hig, till you see by the eye of Faith the black foam of Love ef this world stink in your Stomach. Then, skim it off elean with the spoon of Faithful prayers. When that is done> pat in the powder of Patience and take the cloth of Christ's inno> oenee, and strain altogether in his Cup. Then, drink it burning hot, next thine heart: and cover thee warm with as many clothes of Amendment of life as God shall strengthen thee to bear, that thou mayest sweat out all the poison of Covetousness, Pride^ Uncleanness, Idolatry, Usury, Swearing, Lying, and such-like j and when thou feelest thyselT improved, take the powder of Say- well and put it on thy tongue ; but drink thrice as much Do* w^l daily. Then, take the oil of Good Works, and anoint there* with thine Eyes, Ears, Heart and Hands, that they may be leady, atid nimble to minister unto the poor Members of Christ. When that is done, then, in God's name arise from sin wil- liBgly, take up Christ's cross boldly, stand into it manfully, bear it patieatly, and rest thankfully ; and thou shalt live for ever, Hid tome to Heaven safely. To which place, hasten us, Lord, speedily. Amen.
Printed for M. S. Jitniok.
** I wFoie the above from one of the printed bills or placards, now in the Library of Guildhall, London, and which is an exact cop^ of what was pasted up in the streets during the plague of 1636."
To the Ber. Thomas Baffles, D.D.» LIj.D., ttom kLSSJssss^s. Flstchsr, Minister of Finsbury Chapal, liondoii. JfarcA 14, 184S.
158
FILIAL AFFECTIOK^.
The Happy Meeting. — Some years ago, a pious widow in America, who was reduced to great poverty, had just placed tlie last smoked herring on her table, to supply her hunger and that of her children, when a rap was heard at the door, and a stranger solicited a lodging and a morsel of food, saying that he had not tasted bread for twenty-four hours. The widow did not hesitate, but offered a share to the stranger, saying, " We shall not be for- saken, or suffer more deeply for an act of charity."
The traveller drew near the table; but when he saw the scanty fare, filled with astonishment, he said, " And is this all your store ? And do you offer a share to one you do not knowl Then I never saw charity before ! But, Madam, do you not wrong your children by giving a part of your last portion to a stranger)" " Ah !" said the widow, weeping, " I have a boy, a darling son, somewhere on the face of the wide world, ni^ess heaven has taken him away ; and I only act towards you as I would that others should act towards him. God, who sent manna from heaven, can provide for us as he did for Israel : and hoir should I this night offend him if my son should be a wanderer, destitute as you, and he should have provided for him a home even as poor as this, were I to turn you unrelieved awayl" ' The widow stopped, and the stranger, springing from his seat, clasped her in his arms. " God, indeed, has provided just snch a home for your wandering son, and has given him wealth to reward the goodness of his benefactress. My mother ! Oh my mother ! "
• It was indeed her long-lost son, returned from India. He had chosen this way to surprise his family, and certainly not very wisely ; but never was surprise more complete, or more joyful. He was able to make the family comfortable, which he imme- diately did ; the mother living some years longer in the enjoy- ment of plenty.
The bbst Pbesent. — The three sons of an Eastern lady were
invited to furnish her with an expression of their love, before she
went a long journey. One brought a marble tablet, with the
inscription of her name ; another presented her with a rich
garland of fragrant flowers ; the third entered her presence, and
thus accosted her : " Mother, I have neither marble tablet,
nor fragrant nosegay ; but I have a heart. Here your name is
engraved, here your memory is precious ; and this heart, full of
affection, will follow yo\i ^Wcevet -jwi tw.Yel, and remain with
TOO wherever you repoae" , . ^^
Happy the child wlio ca^u wsj, '' ^^^^\ '^ Ta.Ta&^^ «N5gc««i
on my heart !"
159
EXTRACT FROM THE LATE QUEEN ADELAIDE'S
LAST WILL.
{From the London Gazette.)
" I DIE in all humility, knowing well that we are all alike before the throne of God ; and I request, therefore, that my mortal re- mains be conveyed to the grave without any'pomp or state. They are to be moved to St. George's Chapel, Windsor, where I request to have as private and quiet a funeral as possible.
" I particularly desire not to be laid out in state, and the faneral to take place by daylight ; no procession; the cofBn to be carried by sailors to the chapel.
'< All those of my friends and relations, to a limited number, who wish to attend, may do so. 3fy nephew. Prince Edward of Saxe- Weimar, Lords Howe and Denbigh, the Hon. William Ashley, Mr. Wood, Sir Andrew Barnard, and Sir D. Davies, with my dressers, and those of my ladies who may wish to attend.
*' I die in peace, and wish to be carried to the tomb in peace, and free from the vanities and the pomp of this world.
" I request not to be dissected, nor embalmed ; and desire to give as little trouble as possible.
" Nov. 1841. "ADELAIDE R."
A LITTLE HYMN FOR A LITTLE BOY.
MASTER H. 0. W. OF BBISTOL.
" I'm but a very little boy, And yet to me is given A soul that must for ever dwell Either in hell or heaven.
t<
Oh what a wretched place is that
Where wicked people go ! They groan, and cry, and weep, and wail
In everlasting woe.
Lord, keep my heart, my hands, my tongue,
That I may not rebel ; Oh, may I always shun that path
Which leads the soul to hell.
'* Into thy arms oh take me up, Thou blessed Son of God ; Pardon my sins, and waali lay w>\v\ Ih thy atoning blood.
160 POBTBY.
" Oh, let me with my parents pray. And praise and love thy Word ! That I at last may meet with them At thy right hand, 0 Lord.
" Then with my heart, and harp, and voice, ril praise and bless thy name ; With saints and angels ever sing That song, ' Worthy the Lamb ! ' "
Covsntry. Jo&v fimiK.
LINES OCCASIONED BY VISITING THE GRATE 0 AN AMIABLE YOUNG LADY.
Grave-itone Inscription^^" Not lost, but gone before."
0*ER Jordan's black and muddy stream.
When loud her yawning waves did roar^ I saw her bark pass like a dream — f But 'tis not lost, though gone before.
Her pilot was the Prince of Life,
An angel swiftly plied each oar; How lovely such angelic strife
For those not lost, but gone before !
Now landed safe on Canaan's coast. No swelling surge will dash or roar ;
Through Him who conquer'd death we'll boast. She is not lost, but gone before.
0, happy sp'rit, redeem'd from sin,
And freed from sorrow evermore. With joy-redeeming songs begin.
With those not lost, but gone before.
Then wipe the tear from sorrow's cheek,
Nor be with bitter anguish tore. As with the hopeless, who now weep
For those not lost, but gone before.
May we at last the blessed join ;
With joy thft^^YWiaJX w& Vq \Jcife\x lv<ime. To taste the io^fe oi\oN^^\TVTifc,
With those iv.o\.\o«»\.,\»aA. %Wia\i^1^x^.
SACRED BOTANY.
BAT TKEE.*
have the name of the Bay-tree associated in ure with the wiuked man: Psal. xxsTiL 35: ve seen the wicked in great power, and Bpread- imaelf like a green baj'-tree." And how do I men resemble the Bay-tree i Thia is a wide- ing tree ; and tlie influence of the wicked is extensive. There ie something very noble in the unce of the Baj-tree; and the victories, honour, 'oaperity of the wicked, have often made, in the f men, an imposing and gionona a-^^casMx^ft. •j-iptare name of thu J3ay-tiee i&rrWW, A»ct(i.c\i., Hboye cat is only a specimea ot & ^ycwitV ^^ >Si»"**l'
162 SACRED BOTANY.
and signifies, to spring up, or shoot forth. This lias evidently a reference to the wide-spreading brancbes and very luxuriant appearance of the Say-tree,
It is considered that the Bay-tree and the Laurd are the same. The Laurus, or Bay-tree, is a genns of the monogynia order. There are no less than thirty- two species belonging to this family, or genus. . The most noted are the following : the Nohilis, or Ever- green Bay-tree ; Uie Indica, or Indian Bay-tree, and the Camphora, or Camphor-tree.
The Nobilisj or Evei^green Bay-tree, is a native of Italy ; it has an uptight trunk, branching on every side, from the bottom to the tap. The leaves are three inches long, two broad, shaped like spears, stiff, and evergreen. The flowers are small, of a yellow colour, and in autumn and winter succeeded by red berries.
The Jndica, or Indian Bay*- tree, rises with an upright, straight trunk, branching regularly twenty or thirty feet high. It is adorned with very large ever- green leaves, and long bunches of flowers on red foot- stalks. These are succeeded by large blue berries in red cups. This species is peculiarly elegant. The appearance must be delightful in those Indian groves, where they grow spontaneously and abundantly, in all their native luxuriance.
The Camphora, is another noted species of the Bay-tree. Its roots smell stronger of camphor than any other part of the tree, and yield it in greater plenty. The flowers are produced upon the top of foot-stalks. These are slender, branched at the top, and each supporting a single flower.
The ancient heathen made a superstitious use of the leaves of the Bay-tree, or laurel. The competitors who were successful in their public games, were crowned with garlands formed of laurel-leaves. To this the apostle evidently refers, when he thus wrote to the Corinthian c\i\«c\i\\ C«t/vt.*'l.^\ « Ajad every man that striveth fox t\i^ xa^i^VfcT^ '^^ v&tk^t^xr, \xs. ^ things. Now they do \t lo o\>v^^^ ^ Q«tTXk^>S^^^T^^ , but we an incorrupti\Ae."
163 SERMON XT.
THE KINO IN BIS BEAUTY.
" Thine eyes shall gee the King in his heaiUy" — Isa, xxxiii. 17.
My youDg friends, the King spoken of in our text H Jesus. I wish to present him before you in his beautj. Do you ask me, ** Why ?" It is, that by the Uessing of the Spirit, you may see him and love bim. I wish your young hearts may be captivated with his loveliness. I wish that you may love him with all your hearts. When this fire of love to Jesus is kindled in your bosom, by the breath of the influences of the Holy Spirit, be assured, your souls are saved. Be assured, jrou are on the way to heaven. Be assured, you shall at last reach the heavenly mansions. Be assured, you shall dwell for ever in the palace of the beautiful Eang* lliere never was so beautiful a palace ; there never was, there never was so beautiful a Xing ! Jesus is eiUed the King of kings. He is infinitely above all kings. No kings can reign without his permission. Prov. viii. 15, 16. He says himself, and of himself, "By me kings reign, and princes decree justica By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth." He is King of kings, for all kings must give m account to him at the last, the judgment day. They mast answer to him, how they have reigned, and for what they have done. When wicked kings shall appear before the judgment seat of the King of kings, their horror and misery will exceed all description. Those wicked kings who refused to show mercy on earth, shall find no mercy at the judgment day. That sentence will be pronounced upon them, and no sooner pronounced than executed, ''Depart from me, ye oulrsed, into everlasting fire." Then the wicked *' shall go into everlasting punishment, but the Ti^\.eo\x^ SxiX.^ Ufeeteraal" Matt xxv. 46*
Jeaaa is infinitely above all kings, la f^'H *^^ saut/:. The greatest beauty that can lAoniL «l'Nm3b%>'w^
164 SEEMON.
wisdom, holiness, justice,; and mercy. Kings who have the most of these, are the best, and the loveliest. Compared wilh these, robes wrought with gold, and sparkling with diamonds, are not worthy to be spoken of. King John of England wore the loveliest gar- ments,' and the most valuable apparel. But under- neath these beautiful garments were concealed the most hateful vices, and the most cruel passions, wliich rendered him a royal monster, and the very perfection of one of Satan's most faithful servants. King Jesus has every excellence. He is beautiful beyond all con- ception in the possession of every perfection.
By the assistance of the Divine Spirit, I will now endeavour to show in what Christ's beauty appears.
L The beauty of King Jesus is seen in his roisdom. The wisdom of Christ is a depth which cannot be fathomed. Hear how St. Paul speaks, -when he thinks of the depths of Christ's wisdom. Rom. xi. 33, 34 : " O the depth of the riches both of the .wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearchable are liis judgments, and his ways past finding out ! For who bath known the mind of the Lord ? or. who hath been his counsellor ?" Jesus is so wise, that he knows all creatures, and all things. He knows every angel; and he knows every child. He knows every beast of the earth, and every fish which swims in the sea. He knows every creeping thing, and every winged insect that fiutters in the sunbeam.
Jesus is so wise, that all the wisdom of the wise comes from him. He gives wisdom to seraphs, and wisdom to saints. He is not only the Lord of angels^ but the Teacher of angels. He gives wisdom tt ministers ; and condescends to give wisdom to pious children. Amazing is the extent of the ocean : but compared with the greatness of Christ's wisdom, it i« Jess, than a drop. TVvfttfe^OT^\\.\asaid, Col. ii. 3, "In him are hid a\\t\letTe«l^\itft^Q'"^^^s.$iG\s^.^\AV\^^^^
Jesus is so wise, t\va\.\\e ^o^^ ^^^^i \\\v£i%VQ.^^\K&. manner^ and to. tUti \ies.^ ^i^^- '^Vy^ V^ ^5l W wa&s
SEBMON. 165
this he does in providence, and this he does most won-' derfully in redemption. Let me beseech you, my young friends, to place yourselves under Jesus, as a wise Teacher. He will teach you the most blessed lessons, which by his Spirit will make you wise unto salvation ; yes, and these lessons too, will prepare you for heaven, to take your place among holy saints and spotless angels. There are no children happy but those who are the scholars of Christ.
"Oh, happy is the child who hears, Instruction's warning voice, And who celestial wisdom makes, His only, early choice !"
II. Tiie beauty of King Jesus is seen in his power,. We can see no loveliness in power, unless we see power. in tiie service of wisdom, or holiness, or mercy. Power connected witii one, or all of these, is infinitely more beautiful than we can conceive. Look to the sun, moon; and stars. Behold their beauty, admire their glory. There you see the beauty of CbrisCs power.- Look to the conversion of a little child. See the beautiful graces which make the soul of that child lovely. When you see this, you see the beauty of Christ's power. For it was the power of Christ's Spirit which produced this great, this lovely change.
So powerful is Jesus, that he is called, Isa. ix. 6, " The mighty God." Let us adore King Jesus in the beauty of his power, and sing : —
** By his own power were all things made, By him supported all things stand. He is the whole creation's head, And angels fly at his command."
•
• m. The beauty of King Jesus is seen in his holiness. The angels of heaven sing sweetly of the holiness of Christ. Rev, iv. 8 : " And they rest not day and night, sayings Holj, holy, holy. Lord God Mtoa^V^^VcaOq^ was, and is, and is to come." Chriat aa (accA/^^ .^^^'' aus in holiness. Christ as man, is spot\e%a mV^^YWi.'a*'^*
166 SERMON.
What is the holiness of Christ ? There are varioas excellences which form the holiness of Christ As various lovely colours form the beautiful rainbow, various lovely excellences form the beauty of Christfs holiness. His wisdom, knowledge, justice, love, mercy, and truth chiefly form the holiness of Christ And < these are all found in Jesus in an infinite degree. Look to Christ's ten commandments, and you see the lovely picture of the beauty of his holiness. Look to his gospel, and there you see the bright beams of his holiness. Look to his life when be dwelt on earth, and you see his holiness shine in every word which fell from his lips, in every action, and in every miracle he performed. What was his example for thirty-three years, from his birth to his death, from the manger to the cross ? It was the glorious rainbow of his holiness. May we love him for his holiness as well as for his love ! Dear child, thou art on the way to heaven, and shalt most certainly reach heaven, if you have the two following marks. First mark : Do you love Christ for his holiness ? Second mark : Do you really desire to be holy, as Christ is holy ? These two are sure marks of nn interest in Christ, and of a title to heaven. May our hearts feel the force of the following lines : —
" Holy and i-everend is the name Of Jesus our eternal King. Thrice holy Lord ! the angels say ; Thrice holy, let us ever sing ! "
rV. The beauty of King Jesus is seen in his Mercy ^ Psal. ciii. 8 : " The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.** What is mercy ? It is kindness to the miserable and unworthy. If there were no sin in our world, there would be no misery. And if there were no misery, there would be no mercy, because there would be no need of mercy, tli^TQ would be no <iaW ^ot yci^t^'^, 5^*3s\% U full of mercy. Therefore Yia \% e^^^ w«tc?ij\i\.. \i«^^ Children could never \ia^e\>^^Tv%vi^^,>w^^'aa.^^x».\a^
SERMON. 167
me down from heaven to earth to save. If he had »t been merciful, he would have never come on such : en*and. But he did come, because he is merciful, nless he had died on a cross to satisfy offended justice, tie children could never have been saved. Because ! is merciful, he died upon a cross to save. What Dnderful mercy is this ! Many merciful persons will ► much, and give much to relieve the miserable, at how few are to be found who will die for the iserable ! Very, very few indeed ! Rom. v. 7 : " For TTcely for a righteous man will one die." You cannot id one among ten hundred thousand willing to lay fwn his life for the best man on earth. What does ;sus do ? He lays down his life, not for righteous it for sinners. He lays it down for the chief of iners. Hom. v. 6, 8 : " In due time Christ died for e ungodly. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for ,*' This was indeed a wonderful display of mercy. iarch the universe, and there is not to be found sucli lother. So great, so wonderful is this mercy, that its [ual shall never be found through the endless ages of ernity. John, the beloved disciple, when in the Isle ' Patmos, saw a glorious vision of Christ in heaven, ow did he appear ? We have this question answered
Rev. iv. 3, &c. John saw the Saviour on a glorious rone. And he saw a rainbow round about the throne IB unto an emerald. Emerald is a lovely green, a (lour peculiarly delightful and pleasing for the eye to ok npon. This emerald rainbow we may consider
an emblem of divine mercy. And this throne is holly surrounded by the emerald rainbow. It is not
mere rainbow above it, and on each side of it ; but
is around it, showing the glorious and prevailing >undance of divine mercy.
Is Jesus 80 merciful ? Then what encouragement lis gives to little children to flee to Je&ua ^ot nv^^c^ * e has merciful arms with whieli he \a -wVXVvciw \.<i ^\x^- ace little children. Never were inolVeT'^ ivxttv^ ^o rciful as bis. He has a bosom of m^xc^/^^'*^^^'^
168 CHOICE SAYINGS.
to lay little children. Never was inother's bosom so merciful as his. Flee, children, flee to the Saviour's arms of mercy ! Flee, children, flee to the. Saviour's bosom of mercy ! When you flee to these merciful arms, and to that merciful bosom, you will take up the following joyful song and sing: —
" Oh, bless the Lord my soul ; Nor let his mercies lie, Forgotten in unthankfulnes?. And without praises die !
" 'Tis he forgives thy sins, 'Tis he relieves thy pain, 'Tis he that heals thy sicknesses. And makes thee young again."
CONCLUSION.
Dear young friends, allow, me to asTs, is this lovely Saviour, is Jesus, the beautiful King, your Saviour, your Jesus, your King ? If he is not, and if you die as you now are, you must perish for ever. Oh, dreadful thought ! Oh, heart-rending thought ! But if he is your Saviour, your Jesus, and your King, how blessed are ye ! When you die, you shall die to live. When you die, your souls shall rise to the glories of heavea You shall for ever see the King in his beauty, ia the land which is afar off! A. F.
CHOICE SAYINGS.
1. A Cottage, a Palace. — The most insignificant cottage of a believer may be called a palace, since it is the king's presence which constitutes a court.
2. Happiwess — To endeavour to make our fellow-creatuie? happy, is the way to render ourselves happy.
3. Means of Comfort to the Afflicted. — A kind word, nay, even a kind look, often affords comfort to the afflicted.
4. Flower of Youth, when loveliest. — The flower of youth never appears more beautiful than when it bends towards the Son of Righteousness.
0 Thow itoTQ. '^\voTa. \j}\ ^^q^^^rs^ ^'cs'?^^
In a\\ luy aoTTON?^, <iWka:\e.\A,^^y«fe, Dear lioxd, x^xa^Tfi^^ m^\
169
JOHN BUNYAN IN PRISON.
It was .1 wonderful day in England's history, the 30th of January, 1649. On this day King Charles the First was beheaded, and the three kingdoms became a republic. Cromwell was chosen Lord Protector, and continued so till the 3d of September, 1658, when he died. During the Commonwealth the principles of religious and civil liberty made rapid progress ; and all parties enjoyed great happiness. At once these enjoyments are cut off, and a dark cloud hangs over the religious community. On the 29th of May, 1660, Charles the Second ascended the throne of his father, and so restored the monarchial form of government. Although he made many promises in favour of the dissenters when in exile, yet he seemed to forget them all, and the former days of persecution returned in all their vigour. In the second year of his reign, was passed the Act of Uniformity, to compel all to use the Book of Common Prayer and to read the Book of Sports for the Sabbath-day. More than 2,000 good ministers would not do it, and on that account were ejected from their pulpits, and, with their families, from their happy homes. These godly men would not stop preaching, and the people were as anxious as ever to hear them, even on the hill-side, in dens, or caves of the earth. To stop this, in 1664 the Conventicle Act was passed, by which all preaching in the open air was prohibited. In this age was Bunyan*s lot cast : as he went through the country, whenever he found a few people together, he was willing to tell the gospel story. He was not allowed to do so long, for he became prisoner for nearly thirteen years, in the cold damp gaol of Bedford. Here the good man worked all day at tagged thread laces, that he might assist, at leasts in. the support ofhia beloved wife and fowi c^A'Sitesv. ^tsis^ of bis dear children , was blind. Slae v^ti^ «^crw^^^.^. remain with him during the day, and t\i\xa v«^^ ^ ^^»^
170 JOHN BUNTAN IN PRISON.
comfort to liis heart, and a companion in his work In this dreary dungeon was written ** The Pilgrim's Progress" — a hook, which^has for ages interested the youthful mind, instructed the anxious inquirer, com- forted the aged pilgrim, and made him sing in bis wanderipgs to the celestial city,
" There is my honee and portion &ir. My treasure and my heart are there.
And my abiding home. For me my elder brethren stay. And angels beckon me away. And Jesus bids me come."
Let us enter his little cell. He is sitting at his table, to finish by sun-light, the day's work for the livelihood of his dear family. On a little stool his poor blind child sits by him, and with that expression of cheerful resignation, with which God seals the countenance when he takes away the light, the daughter turns her face up to her father, as if she could see the aifectionate expression with which he looks upon her, and prattles to her. On the table and in the grated window there are three books, the Bible, the Concord- ance, and an old copy of the Book of Martyrs. And now the day is waning, and his dear blind child must go home with the laces he has finished, to her mother. And now Bunyan opens his Bible, and reads aloud a portion of Scripture to his little one, and then encircling her in his arms, and clasping her small hands in his, he kneels down on the cold stone floor, and pours out his soul in prayer to God for the salvation of those so dear to him, and for whom he has been all day working. So daily he prays for them and for her, and daily he prays with her, and teaches his blind child to pray. This done, with a parting kiss, he dismisses her to her mother, by the rough hands of the gaoler.
And now it is evenm^. A rude lamp glimmers darkly on the ta\>\e, t^ie \;a.^^^^ X^.^^'^ «t^\^\\ ^Vda^ and Bunyan, alone, la Way yiVeXv \i\% ^^^^ ^^ ^x.- cordance, and his pen, mV, wi^ ^^^^^- ^^ ^^^^ ^
GOD THE COMFORTER* 171
Ugh joy did make him write. His pale worn ntenance is lighted up with a fire, as if reflected n the radiant jasper walls of the celestial city. He tes, and smiles, and clasps his hands, and looks (rards, and hlesses God for his goodness, and then in turns to his writing, and then hecomes so ranced with a passage of Scripture, the glory of eh the Holy Spirit lets in upon his soul, that he is ;ed, as it were, to lay aside all his labours, and give iself to the sweet work of his closing evening's otions. The last you see of him for the night, ne ilone, kneeling on the floor of his prison. He is je with God. J. W. A.
POETRY.
GOD THE COMFORTER.
Ik trouble and in grief, 0 God I Thy smile hath cheer'd my way ;
And joy hath budded from each thorn Tlmt round my footsteps lay.
The hours of pain have yielded good Which prosperous days refused.
As herbs, though scentless when entire. Spread fragrance when they're bruised.
The oak strikes deeper, as its boughs By furious blasts are driven ;
So life's vicissitudes the more Have fix'd my heart on heaven.
All-gracious Lord ! whatever my lot
In other times may be, I'll welcome still the heaviest grief
That brings me nearer Thee.
HE following beautiful lines, on the Miracle performed at the riage in Cana of Galilee, are attributed to \)T^^<»i.— ^ .^»
'^The modest water, awed by power divine, Confess'd the Goj>, — and biuah'd VtaeVS U> mxtfe^"
172
WARNING TO THE YOUNG TO AVOID FAIBS.
Originally delivered to Teachers and Elder Scholars in Booking,
Essex.
Mr DKAB TOUKG Friekds, — We have invited you to meet us, your friends and teachers, here this evening, that we may pray for yon and with you, that yon may pray with us, and unite in Supplication to the God of grace, that he would watch over you and preserve you amidst the temptations of the coming week, in consequence of the fair which is to be held in the adjoining town.
It is always a time of great danger to young persons of your age. Some of you have reached the age at which you are denominated, and are, young women, and many more are just approaching that period of your existence. A large public fair, like the one about to be held, is always a scene of great pro- fligacy and demoralization. There is generally much to attract youDg persons of your age and station in life. Much is exhibited from which it is difficult to turn away the eye, or avert the attention. A great many of those who assemble, and especially in the evening, are men of debased and immoral character, persons of impure minds and unprincipled habits. And it seldom occurs that you can pass through the throng without having your ears assailed with profligate and indecent expressions, as, also, most horrid, profane, and blasphemous oaths ; so that it is next to impossible to frequent those haunts of evil without the mind of the virtuous and innocent being more or less violated or injured.
The object we have in view is to endeavour to dissuade you from attending this fair, where to you no good can accrue, but much evil may be sustained. Some of your friends thought the meeting would not be exactly what they wished, or quite in accordance with their intention, unless a short address was deliverad to you, as well as prayer offered to God on your behalf. I shall not detain you many minutes with what I have to say, defective I know it will be, yet, feeling myself surrounded by personal friends, both as regards teachers and scholars, I trust to your kindness and charity to pardon all errors ; and although there are others who could address you much better, none can do it more sincerely, or with a more earnest desire for your spiritual welfare.
I By some, and those not few, childhood is called the hap- piest portion of our moT\a\ a^wiy V\a innocent gaiety, its conMing sweetness, its buoyant «nA. ^S^cMvyoaJ^ ^^^^^i^sa, its gruBb of tears, its glow of letwrnms ^^^^> ^^^^^ ^wmA W «b. indescribable charm. V^Uxe U i\i^ m^w^^aaN. ^V^ ^^ ^^>*
WARNING TO THE YOUNG TO AVOID FAIRS. 173
e^joy the sight of children at play, and feel himself enlisted imperceptibly in their schemes of pleasure? But childhood has its cares and its sorrows. What care is often observed contracting the brow, clouds coming over the cheerful countenance and showers of tears rolling down the lovely face ! Every stage of our mortal journey has its hopes, and -disappointments, its cares, and its alleviations, its joys and its sorrows. How often have you raised expectations of anticipated pleasure, and circum- stances which could not have been controlled by previous fore- sight have rendered the disappointment, if I may so express myself, doubly vexatious. Prom the cradle to the grave, it is with all of us a chequered scene : the sunshine of pleasure to- day may be, and often is, followed on the morrow by trials and troubles greater than we feel to have fortitude to bear. Perhaps youth is the happiest portion of the earthly existence of those upon whom the sanctifying influence of religion has never come. Such do not look beyond the present passing scene ; all beyond is dark, unknown. I would not drop one ingredient of nliseiy into your cup, or extinguish one generous thought, or curb one rational anticipation. I know not a scene more cheering, animating, and delightful, than a company of young persons enjoying themselves in social and rational amusement. Still are there not many who can scarcely speak of their youth but with tears, and who shudder as they think of the vortex from which they are rescued? May you so pass through the dangerous period of youth as that no tear may dim your eye, and on looking back may your recollections of this evening be those of joy and not of sorrow. " Remember not against me," says one who had entered the vale of years, ** the sins of my youth." Who cannot echo the prayer, and enter into the spirit of the sentiment? The fairest specimen of uncorrupted youth will not bear to be examined by one test, or measured by one unbending rule. Let the peculiar circumstances of each be taken into the account, and every one judge for herself by the one only unerring rule "that man possesses —the Word of God.
There are dangers to which you are exposed, and they are not the less real because the apprehension of them disturbs not your bosom. The greatest perils are often concealed, and lie hidden from our view, and often a lon&r period elapses before we are able to comprehend the danger by which we are beset. Youth is alive to every impression, and throws open her arms, with unsuspecting confidence, to every plausible companion. Often the very confidence of youth becomes the occasion of ruin to many. The iusidious foe knows how to accommodate the youn^ mind, and graduates the degrees of tempVaWon ^o >i)aaN.^wv'a!a:j almost imperceptibly pass from that \me oi ^ioxAMcX. ^^s^s3tt.^^ right and proper to that which is wrong. Ytom ^\esia»>a:t«8» Vg^ majr be termed innocent to those ^hVcYi «t^ ^^e.^^ ^•'^
174 WABKIKG TO THE YOUNG TO AVOID FAIBS;
there is aa approximation which is not the less &tal because ii is gradual and unperceived. There is a sort of diading off in this criminal process of seduction that keeps the mind inat- tentive to its progress from innocence to guilt. That, which if presented in tne early stages of your career, would startle your YOung minds with horror, finds, after aggravated temptatiom have gradually weakened your moral powers, aa nnresisted entrance to your hearts. The steps of your downward progress you may not discern ,* but the extremes will often strike the soul like the knell of departed happiness. It does not often occur that young persons abandon themselves at once to BiaTiil pleasures ; it is generally a gradual and slow process, as I befoxe observed : and if you do, there will sometimes flash upon you the recollection of former rectitude.
The young wish to see and know for themselves. Confident of their own power to resist temptation, they venture upon the brink ; and, alas ! they too often find that curiosity is the gateway to desire, and that self confidence is a broken reed, inadequate to their support. I can point out to you but one effectual defence against doing wrong — tJie fear of God, The servant of God declared this to be Ms security, his preventive from doing wrong. ** So did not I, because of the fear of God." Neh. V. 16.
From this immoral band I warn you, if yon feel them drawing you aside. May I not say to you, my young friends, " Come not thou into their secret ; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united]" Gen. xlix. 6. Plant your feet on this side their sensual domains, and die rather than be seduced by their machinations, as you value your peace in this world, and as you value salvation beyond the tomb. I beseech you to proclaim eternal warfare with the principles and habits of sinful pleasure.
In drawing these remarks to a close, you will perceive that in depicting the dangers and temptations to which the young are exposed, it is because I have so often to witness the wreck of youthful character. You are young, your character is yet sus- ceptible of a change that would render you an ornament to the community and a candidate for a brighter world. I present these remarks as the pledge of my interest in your welfare. ** Life is a vapour which appeareth but a little while, and then vanisheth away." As you anticipate the prospects and pleasures of life, may you learn to moderate your expectations from earth, and seek a better and more enduring substance in heaven !
Bayke Lodge, Essex. R. B.
175
REVIEWS.
Publications of the Weekly Tract Society, 8, St. Ann's Lane;, St. Martin's-le-Grand. London.
This Society was formed in December 1847, and has now, by the kind providence of God, been upheld in active operation, for three years. The formation of the great " London Tract Society," was tmly the commencement of a most propitious era in the history of the Church of Christ. It has reached a majestic height, and its operations are gigantic. It was the precursor of, and gave rise to the ** British and Foreign Bible Society." It shall be held in everlasting remembrance !
The Weekly Tract Society has originated in the same spirit of Christian Benevolence, and is animated by the same motive, ** the salvation of souls." We have read many of the Tracts with peculiar delight, and can, from an experience of the rich truths which they contain, recommend them to Ministers, as suggestive of materials most useful for appropriate pulpit addresses. Great wisdom and ingenuity are manifested in the Titles of the Tracts, of which the rollowing furnish a specimen : ** The Death of Cranmer," " The Blind Traveller," " The Falling Leaf," « Death- bed Repentance," " She's gone, She's gone," ** The Loss of the Soul," " Balm in Gilead," « My Father's House," " The Rock," " Too Late," " None but Jesus," &c. &c
We believe that the encouragement of this Society will be acceptable to God, and beneficial to man.
Scripture Natural History. By the Rev. J. Young, M.A.
This elegant little book, consisting of 158 pages, contains twenty-six subjects, taken from the Sacred Oracles, and is tastefully enriched by pictorial illustrations. We strongly recommend this work to our young friends, as calculated both to excite their i nterest, and promote their improvement. The reader is furnished by numerous well selected anecdotes, which greatly enliven the narrative, and which tend to impress the different subjects on the youthful remembrance. We give the following as a specimen.
''THE EAGLE.
" A singular providence happened to a native of the Isle of Skye. When an infant, he was left by his mother in a field, not far from the houses. An eagle came and carried him away in its talons as far as the south-side of the Loch, (or Lake,) and there laid him down on the ground. Some people perceiving it, ran immediately to the rescue of the dear babe, and carried him home to hia mother !
"^ child, a year old, was seized by an. ea.g\^ m otkB <aJl ^Qaa Orknej JsIandB, which carried it to its eyrie, ox -naeX, ?iJaaviN» ^««^ miles distant The mother, who was aware oi l\i«i «v\»\saXAss^ w
176 REVIEWS.
her beloved child, pursued the bird to its eyrie. She most provi- dentially found it unhurt in the nest, and took it home/'
Voices from the Garden; or, Ths Christian Language of Floioers, London : Partridge & Oakey, Paternoster Kow.
' The design of this beautiful little manual, consistiiig of thirty- eight pages, is to convey useful and sacred instmotion to the youthful mind, by means of flowers, and plants, and weeds, and shrubs, and trees. The ingenious and anonymous anther has shown great judgment in the execution of his design.'' The specimens he has taken from the Vegetable Kingdoni are thirty- two. Each specimen is a moral figure, and most appropriate in its application.
The Sunflower, represents the love of truth ; the ConvolTulos, weakness ; the Lily, purity ; the Vine, fruitfulness ; the Slrafr- berry, humility ; the Almond, early decision ; the Nettle, peevish- ness ; the Mignonette, sweetness without ostentation ; the Camomile, wholesome bitterness; and the Sensitiye Plant, tender- ness of conscience.
We give the Author's illustration of the Sensitive Plant, to prove how happy and successful he is, in making the objects of nature subservient to the best interests of the soul.
" THE SENSITIVE PLANT. TENDERNESS OF CONSCIENCE.
Men whose hearts God had touched. 1 Sam. x. 26.
" How sensitively thou dost shrink, my gentle friend. From ev'n the tenderest touch ! How delicate. How subtle and refined thy nerves must be. That the most careful finger jars thy frame With such a thrilling shock ! Alas, alas ! AVhy is not conscience thus ] why not alive With an increased vitality, a sense All tremulous to holiness and sin. And vibrating with godly tenderness ] Oh Thou who gav'st the conscience, keep it still Keenly alive to duty and to truth, And sensitive to evil ; let it not. Trampled by sin, become the devil's road. And sear'd to good impressions ; make it soft^ The yielding wax to thy thrice-holy seal. The plastic clay in thy thrice-holy hand. Prom every sin let me abhorrent shrink, To every good still bend a ready ear ; Till all my nature be attuned to Heaven, And every puVse \^ito\i \.q w\^ Y^lhar'a praise ! "
We warmly reqneat o\xt "jowVMvjX ^veiA^ Xa ^^^ ^>&\\^«&\ instructor a place in tbeix iuvemV^ Wowx^ . k^ ^. YRSfc^^ ^-^ ^ to the young, it is moat auVtaXAe w^^ y^^vstfiva. K.^^
SCBIPTUEE NATURAL HISTORY.
BIBDS' HESTS.
There are few things bo pleasing to the eye as a lir^t nett. Even children of very tender age look ipon it with delight. The Bible ia iull of the most leautiful, striking, and glowing fignTes, employed in :be illustration of divine truth. The nests, the habi- atione of birds, form a part of this rich assemblage o£ lacred %ures. Take f lie following examples : Ps. civ. 12, "By them," that is, on trees beside (he flowing itreams, "shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches ;" ver, 16, ' The trees of the Lord are full of sap ; the cedara <X. Lebanon, which he hath planted f tm. \T, ""^Xikkxi be birda make their nests : aa for \\ve 6toT\i,fti« Sst- ■eesare Aer house." Matt. viii. 20-. lleteovi.v §»nSek» trodacea the nests of birds aa iUuaUa.\.vv(i o^ ^* ** M
178 SCRIPTURE NATURAL UISTOBr.
traordinary poverty, to which he willingly submitted, that we might inherit the riches of immortality. He says, (and it should draw tears from our eyes !) *^ The birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.**
Grod teaches birds when to place their nests. They choose situatioof tbe imM secure from their enemies, and at a suitable distanee from plants the effluvia of which would piore injurious or destructive to their offspring. Who taught them this instinctive wisdom? God!
There is a great difference in the structure of nest^ both as to forms and materiab ; but thej are all suited to the nature of the young for whom they are prepared. Some are formed of a few sticks, without any Bot't covering ; while others^ in softness and elegance, exceed the beds prepared for infant princes. The ingenuity of some Indian birds is truly astonishing ; to secure their eggs from the ravages of apes, monkeys and other beasts of prey, which would fall upon tliem and deTour tkeni, they suspend their nests to branches hanging over flowing streams.
The nest of the Indian swallow is of a very singular composition. The substance of which the neist consists id a spumous matter, which is found ou the sea-shore, washed thither by the waves. This is collected by the birds in the breeding season, and with which they build their nests in the rocks. They are of a hemispheric figure, about the size of a goose's egg, and in substance resembling isinglass. These are gathered by the Chinese in immense quantities, and sold, and sent to all the civilized portions of the globe. They dissolve in broths, and make a jelly of a very delicious flavour.
Such is the elegance generally of birds* nests, that human art, with all its ingenuity, is scarcely able, if able at all, to form a structure worthy to be compared with the residence lew^^ ^07 ^\\i^<id tribes. May we be filled with adoritvg a&\.o\vv^m«i!»x ^ ^^^vfij^xi^ ^sA. power of Go<^ wlio \a VXi^ V^«Lc5vi^iT oS. ^^.\v5»^^ia ^^^s^ instr ucter of buds \ ^'*'
179 SERMON XII.
CHRIST THE KING OF GLORY.
" He is the King qf Glory r—Ps. xxW. 10.
Ohildrbk generally consider kings very wonderful ngs. When tbey think of their beautiful robes, of > golden crown, sparkling with jewels, which is placed on their head, of the sceptre which is in th^eir riglit ttd, of the thrones on which they sit, of the nobles i princes by whom they are surrounded, of the laces in which they dwell, and of the powerful armies lich they command, they are ready to say. What inderful beings must kings be ! Oh, how we should e to see them in their glory! I have seen earthly igs ; and I have been disappointed in what I saw. ley are not the glorious beings whom little children tisider them to be. What are kings and princes ? ley must suffer like other men ; they must die like ier men ; they must be laid in the grave, like other m ! David himself was a king ; and how does he eak of kings ? He says, Ps. cxlvi. 3, 4, " Put not ur trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whotn ere is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth his earth ; in that very day his thoughts perish." Earthly kings, when compared with King Jesus, ik into insignificance. Compared with him, they are )d than nothing, and vanity. David and Solomon, ebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, and Alfred the Great and e good, were wonderful kings. But these kings, in I their glory, and in all their powei*, are not to be •mpared with Christ ; ** He is the chiefe^t among ten ousand.'' Song v. 10.
It is my earnest wish that this sermon may be made (e^l to toy young friends. May the things about to J stated respecting Jesnft as the "Kiivw o^ ^\^x^.»>^^ ade effectual, by the influences o€ tVve 'S.cA'^ ^^wVi^H^ king you the /oving and tbe \oya\ swV^^cXS* ^'^^^^^ us! It is this I wish ; it ia for \\v\b V ^C^t- ^"^
180 SERMON.
are you to show your loyalty to Christ ? Christ's loyal subjects love him. CHi, may you love him with all your hearts ! Christ's loyal subjects serve him. Majr you serve him by running in the way of his command* nients ! Christ's loyal subjects pay tribute to him. May you pay to Jesus the tribute of your praise, the tribute of your influence, and the tribute of your sub- stance ! Prov. iii. 9 : " Honour the Lord with your substance, and with the first-fruits of all your increase." There is a glorious day approaching, when all the kings and princes, and nations of the earth, shall pay their tribute and their homage at the feet of Jesus the King of Peace and King of Glory.
ft
ft
Behold the islands with their kings, And Europe her best tribute brings ; From north to south the princes meet, To pay their homage at his feet.
There Persia, glorious to behold. And India, shine in eastern gold ; And barbarous nations at his word Submit, and bow, and own their Lord."
By the assistance of the Holy Spirit, I shall endea- vour to show in what respects Jesus is the King of Glory.
1st. In his Kingdom. Ps. ciiL 19 : " The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens ; and his kingdom ruleth over all," Dan. iv. 34 : " And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and Ikonoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdoni is from generation to generation."
The Universe is his kingdom. What is the universe?
It is the heavens, and the earth, the sun, the moon, and
the stars. What an astonishing kingdom is this ! How
great ! How g\ov\o\ii\ TW ^xQ?&te&t kingdom on
earth, compared witAi \\\\^ \^ w^i \Ck«t^ >^\wxw \j. xs^kOss^
The Church is liUkVw^^om- 'Y>kv^Vvj^^^^ ^^«^
Of two parts. Oae i^ t\i^ T?^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^"^ • ^
8EBMON. 181
IB called, the "Church militant." The second part consists of God's blessed saints in heaven : this is called, the " Charch triumphant." Over this kingdom Jesus reigns. For this kingdom Jesus died. Important question — Do we belong to this kingdom ? We have a blessed prospect before us. The time will come when all the nations and kingdoms of the earth shall belong to Christ's kingdom, the Church. " Lord, hasten the blessed day ! "
" Jesus shall reign where'er the Fun Does his successive journeys run, His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till suns shall rise and set no more."
2d. In his Throne, Jesus is the King of Glory. Jesus does not fill a throne in the literal sense in which earthly kings fill chairs of royalty, called thrones. What then, you ask, does Christ's throne mean ? I answer, it signifies his authority. His authority as God, and his authority as God-man Mediator.
Isaiah had a wonderful vision of Christ's glorious throne in heaven, Isai. vi. 1 . He says, " I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted \x\i, and his train filled the temple." John, the beloved disciple, had a similar vision. Rev. iv. 2, 3 : " And, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And there was a rainbow round about the throne, like unto an emerald." Ver. 6 : ** And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal."
Jesus has three thrones he now fills. What are they ? The first is the throne of universal dominion. The second is the throne of grace : this is placed in the midst of his Church on earth. The third is his throne of glory : this is placed in the midst of glorified saints in heaven. And there is a fourth throne, called the throne of judgment : he shall sit down on this throne at the last day. When our Saviour was on earth in his humiliation, he thus spaVie o^ \Vi\^ \!»Kt«v»ft«, Matt XXV. 31 : " When the Son o£ nvaiv ft\i«^ ^ovsNfc \». ^is glory, and all the holy angels wit^i Vv\m, \X\^xv ^^^ lesit upon the throne of his glory?' Xq\x wv^^^^^l^
182 SERMON.
dear jouno; friend:?, shall see Jesus seated on that judg- ment'throne. We shall form a part of the immense, the innumerable multitude. Are we clothed with tlte righteousness of Christ ? Does love to Jesus dwell in our hearts ? We are then prepared for that day, that solemn daj. God mercifully grant that this may be the case ! Affecting thought ! to appear before the Judge, without the righteous robe \
Let us think of Jesus, glorious in his throne ; and then exclaim in holy, loving adoration, —
*' Thy throne, O God, for ever stands, j
Thy word of grace shall prove A peaceful sceptre in thy hands^ To rule thy saiuts hy love."
3d. In his Crown^ Jesus is the King* of Glory. We must not imagine that Jesus wears upon his head a crown, as earthly kings. What we said of the throne may also be said of the crown. It is an emblem of authority. We may show what the Bible says of Christ's crown. Ps. cxxxii. 18: "His enemies will I clothe with shame : but upon himself shall his crown ilourish." Two things of a very delightful kind are here intimated. One is, the prosperity of Christ's government. When we look upon an apple-tree covered with blossoms^ we haye an (*mblem <^ the loveliness and prosperity of Christ's government. In the verse we luive quoted, the continuance of Clirist's government is intimated. His crown flourishes, not for a time, hut for ever. It is a canstcmi flourishing. How emphatic the wordsy '^shcUlflourisk J^
John had a glorious vision of Christ in heaven, crowned with glory. Rev. xix. 11, 12: "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse ; and Ite that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were numt^ cronms,^ This shows that Jesus reigns overall kingdoEis,
and nations, and wor\^ Ax% :^^^^ ^aaidvoii of God?
Then, that will be a\vw^^y,VKW5 ^«1>^''&w«x^^«fi«a lieaven, and see Jeftus-wVl\v\ri^ ^*^ ."^^^ j!^!!^ J^ead, sending fon\i T^T^ «i ^\or,,\^^« ^*— ^
SERMON. 183
can conceive ! Let us then sing witk the heart, in ecstasies of adoring joj, —
" All h«il the power of Jesus' name, Let angels prostrate tall ; Bring forth the royal diadem. And crown him Lord of all ! "
4th. In his Armies^ Jeaus is the King of Glorj. Very often in Scripture our Lord is called, the " Loi'd of JSosiSi^ that is, the Lord of armies. In the verse con- taining our text, we have a question, and an answer. The question is, " Who is this King of Glory ?'* The answer is, " The Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glory."
Saints and angels form the principal part of Christ'^ army. More especially on earth, saints are the soldiera of Christ. They are engaged in fighting the " good fight of faith.** Their hattle is finished at death. Then they exchange their armour for white robes, and golden harps, and palms of victory. Jacob had a glorious, vision of angels as a part of Christ's army. Gen. xxxii. 1,2: " And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim ;" that is, two hosts. To see an army on a vast plain must be a solemn and affecting sight. Bat how wonderful must be the spectacle to see Jesus, the King of Glory, in the heaven of heavens, with his noble army of angels^ innumerable like the stars. When we think of Jesus as the King of Glory, let us thiuk express the adoring wonder of our hearta: —
" Who is the King of glory? who? The Lord that all his foes overcame. The world, sin, death, and hell overthrew; And Jesus is the Conqa*ror*s naine.
" Who is the King of glory 1 who?
The Lord of boundless power possest ; Tha King of saints and angels too ; Clod over all, for ever blest."
5ih. In hi* VictorieSy Jesus la t>\^ ^vc\^" ^'l ^SSsssr^ , Observe the names of the eiveKA^ft v^V^ -srV^ov "V^^ fought^ aud then see the greati^ibsa oi Xvva ^^"^^^ iS£^ Sata^ the world, death, the %wse^«»^ '^
184 BLESSEDNESS OF DEPARTED INFANTS.
powers of hell ; these are the enemies he has fought These are the enemies he has conquered. See then the greatness of his victories. Thus an apostle speaks of the splendour of his great and glorious victories ; Coloss. ii. 15 : " And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them." Heh. ii. 14: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and hlood, he also him- self likewise took part of the same ; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil."
Jesus has still great victories to gain. Pagan ido- latry must fall before him. Mahometan delusion must fall before him. The superstition and error of corrupted churches must fall before him. Atheism and infidelity must fall before him. Immorality, and vice, and crime must fall before him. " Lord, hasten the glorious
day!"
" Gird on thy sword, victorious King, Ride with majestic sway ; Thy terrors shall strike through thy foes. And make the world obey." A. F.
BLESSEDNESS OF DEPARTED INFANTS.
BT THIS REV. T. ORAIO, OF BOOKIirO.
The death of infants reminds ns of oar relation to the first man. " In Adam all die.** " By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Infants suffer in this life in consequence of Adam's transgression. The second death is denounced in Scripture against those who sin wilfully, and against those also who reject the remedy which divine grace has proposed in the CkMspel of Christ; but infants are neither capable of wilful transgression, nor of rejecting the Saviour. We are, therefore, warranted to regard their death as a proof that they are gra- ciously chosen in Christ unto eternal life — ^to be partakers of the ^iorlous redemption effected by the Son of Ood, although incapable of actually \>e\\«^Vng vn^ivau ^\i^i ^^ V^canse Adun tinned, they live becauae Ckrv&X. ^V^^ x. x. ^^
The mind is essenUaW:^ di^XMieX. ^m S^! ^lO-^^SLl^tL
BLESSEDNESS OF DEPARTED INFANTS. 185
as to intelligence and power, as the body growB, and the senses, the inlets to the soul, are exercised. But who can tell what instantaneous and immeasurable expansion the power of God can ^ive to the soul of an infant as soon as it is released from ha prison of clay — to what inconceivable heights of knowledge it may rise, what ecstatic feelings it may enjoy, and in what elevated employments it may be occupied] They do not live in vain, however brief the span of their existence here.
They do not live in vain in regard to themselves. Did they not live, they could not enter heaven as a portion of the re- deemed race of Adam, to possess and enjoy for ever the feelings of the most exalted gratitude for redeeming love, and to join in the anthem of salvation, and glory, and honour, to Him who gitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb. Their removal is no act of unkindness on the part of God towards them. The Lord of the vineyard transfers these tender plants to a more genial clime, where they are sheltered from the stormy tempests which might have come upon them. Parents naturally indulge the fond ex- pectation that the earthly course of their children will be bright, happy, and useful ; but our entire ignorance of the future should be a powerful motive to resignation under such bereavements* We know not from what evils, physical or moral, they have been taken. Perfectly safe, and for ever happy, all our anxieties respecting them have ceased — anxieties which might have con- tinued through life, and come upon us with overwhelming force on our dying-bed, had they survived us. It may appear to us mysterious that Gtod should commission death to snatch the sweet babe from the fond embraces of its parents, but he who has given the order makes no mistakes. He does all things according to the counsel of his own will. He has the highest and best reasons for every act of his government. They are founded on infallible wisdom, and never at variance, in the least degree, with his undeviating rectitude and unchanging goodness. If asked — ** Is it well with the child V* one answer only can be given — "It is well."
They do not live in vain in regard to us, nor in their removal has God shown any unkindness towards us. These lovely babes —
" Are angels sent on errands full of love.
For us they languish, and for us they die.**
Their removal is intended for the trial of our faith and submission — ^whether we can say with Job — " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord !'* and with David — *' I will bless the Lord at aU times /'* They are not lost. They are part of ourselves gone before to that blessed world to which every Christian is travelling. It o\igJa.\.\.o\i^T«sgw^^ftL%si^%» great honour that those who were so neaxV^ x^^aX.^^ \»<2> ^^^ '^'J^ form part of the heavenly assembly. T\ie^ «tft ^XVCi ''^"^^™j2
hj^ virtue of our union with Him '* of ^\iOixi ^\ift -wXi^A^i ^^aw"?
heaven and earth is named." A. tie "wiAc^ \>o\3JidL \» \.o \»s
186 CONVERSION OF A WICKED BOT.
ifl severed, but there is a new attraction to draw our thoughts and affections to heaven. Consider, therefore, whose hand has done this, and what the lesions are which he designs thereby to inculcate. Spiritual benefit derived from afflictions is the most supporting cordial under them. In the light of eternity we shall see that he has done all things welL We ought to honour him by believing this now.
While the child lived, David fasted, and wept, and prayed^ but when it died, he arose from his mournings and addressed himself to the active duties of his station, observing, ** Now he is dead, wherefore should I fast "i can I bring him back again 1 I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." Did he attempt to console himself with the cold comfort of merely lying down beside the ashes of his son in the unconsciousness of the grave ] No ; as a pious believer, he looked forward to the period when he should join the redeemed spirits above, and recognise his beloved child amongst them. Let parents, therefore, uuder such bereavements, comfort one another with these words — " We sorrow not even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose ag^in, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." *
REMARKABLE CONVERSION OP A WICKED DISCON- TENTED BOY. THE STORM.
There was a wicked boy once who would leave his Other's home, and go to sea. His kind father tried to persuade him not to go ; but he was not to be kept away from the sea. The reason was^ he thought he might be wicked when he got away from his father, and that there would be nobody to reprove him. His weeping father gave him a Bible as he went away, and beg^d him to read it. The boy went away, and became very wicked, and very profane. But Qod saw him. There was a great storm upon the oeean. The ship could not stand against it She struck upon the rocks in the dark night. It was a time of great distress ; and for a few moments, there was the noise of the captain giving ]^is orders, the melancholy waitings of the poor sailors and pas- sengers, who expected every moment to be drowned. Then this wicked boy wished himself at home. But he had but a few moments ; for a g^reat wave came and lifted the ship up high, and then it fell upon another rock, and was broken in a thou- auid pieces. Every one on board was drowned, except this same wicked boy. Through the merey of God, he was washed and carried by the waves upon a great rock, so that he could creep up, thonglh much bruised, and almost dead. In the morning he was seen sitting on a toc\l, ml\i ^X^qc^l vivVsS&W^d. It was his
* Delivered in Bockmg lle^\:\\i^ Uwj?ft,^wi.«L\'k\.A'^^^. ^^ ihe occasioa of the biletinex^^. o^ \X^^^e^Vfti^Vs&^N.%5A^^^
ibiid.
RIYIEW8. 187
the only thing, except his own life, which had been saved be wreck. He opened it, and there, on the first leaf, was ndwriting of his father. He thought of the goodne&s of ther, and of hia own ingratitude ; and he wept Again he I the book, and on every page waa the handwriting of his Jy Father ; and again he wept at the remembrance of his ;idnBt God. His heart was broken ; he was truly penitent ; >m that hour to this, he has lived as a Christian. He is le commander of a large ship, and seems to make it his )U8ine&8 to honour Jesus Christ. This was true repentance.
REVIEWS.
tportant Truths in Simple Verse. London : Partridge & Oakey, Paternoster Bow.
hail the appearance of every book which is calculated to le the intellectual, moral and spiritual improvement of the
lAOB. What a difference betwixt this and former ages in oks prepared for juvenile instruction t The present very leeds all which have gone before, not only in the quantity^ . the quality of those productions which are suited to the
ettlture of the youthful mind. The author of the little the *' ItbetVum," entitled " Important Tkuths," &c. occupies lonrable place among those who employ their talents and n training up Christ's liunbs for heaven and immortality. ah him " Ood speed T We encourage him to go onward lorse which will eminently redound to God*s glor}^ the en- lent of Zion, and the salvation of souls.
selection of subjects in this elegant volume is most appro- We give the following as a specimen. Our readers will e aee, on the pemaal, that they are calculated to arrest the ion, excite the interest, and advance " in winning flowing }** the edification of the youthful mind. We select but 11 proportion firom the whole, amounting to eighty-two. ^ing—Tlie Captive Bird — God is Love — T?ie Churchyard
0 you Growl — Happiness — The Helpless Lamb — The , a Garden — Cruelty— The Looking-glass— Happy Sunday ! Example of Christ — Jonah's Gourd"
1 following lines show how well qualified the author is " to the rising race in simple verse."
BOW TCru QROW I
it
tt
* How you grow ! — how you grow !' Every body tells me so ; Friends and relatives all say They see me growing ^^ \>^ ^a.^.
'Tis pleasant thus to heat ixoxa t\\ That I am growing slo\x\i scii^ ^^9
188 REVIEWS.
Bat pleasanter 'twould be to know That I am growing better too.
" Does my budding mind improve. Knowledge, truth, and goodness loye 1 Does my heart enlaiged contain Qreater love to God and man]
" Do I grow in pure delight Of what is good, and true, and right 1 Still advance in pious fear. And make God's will my reverent care 1
" Thus, while friends their praise bestow. And cry in wonder, * How you grow !' I'll ask my conscience, as I should. Tell me, am I growing good ]'* * ^
II. — Rhymes worth Remembering. For the Youn(,^ T.-idon: Partridge & Oakey, PatemoBter Bow. This small, neat, and elegantly printed bo<^; by the author of " Important Truths in Simple verse," contains all the excel- lences of its predecessor, which we have just noticed. It will form a valuable addition to a " Child's Library." It has all that animating and refreshing charm to the mind which a lovely nosegay, sparkling with the dew-drops of the morning, has to the Henses. Dear young friends, put yourselves in possession of it without delay. We give the following verses as a specimen :—
** THB BUD.
" Pbbttt Bun, in you I see Much that's very like to me ; And from your instructive look Learn as from a little book.
** I am young, and so are you. Life with us is fresh and new ; Yet fair buds oft wither'd Ue, And the youngest children die.
" Kiper flowers may wide expand. Win the eye and court the hand ; But, like you, oh ! may I be Graced with humble modesty.
" When 'tis evening, dark and chill, Close you wrap yourself from ill ; So may God my heart secure, Safe from every thing impure.
" And as, when the sun is up, Yon Qxpasi'dL '30\a\\\}^<& co:^. So, \>y my BAdL^essifei^ ^S^^Kft^