mined if they could not have a first, to refuse a secondary place in his regard. The apostle said to their master, "Lord, shall we command fire to come down from Heaven, and consume them as Elijah did? But Jesus said, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of, for the son of man came not to destroy men, but to save them." Another

illustration of this zeal, which is not according to knowledge, we find in the history of the prophet Jonah. The city of Ninive was very great, and had become very wicked in the sight of God. Jonah was commanded (much against his will) to go and declare to them their iniquity, and warn them, that if they did not repent, the city would be destroyed within forty days. When he had done this, the King of Ninive came down from his throne, put on sackcloth, and humbled himself to the dust he also proclaimed a universal fast during three days, when neither man nor beast should eat or drink; but by prayer and contrition, avert the judgment which the prophet had proclaimed in the name of God.

Jonah went up to a mountain which overlooked the city, to see its destruction-which he now heartily wished, in order that he might have credit as a true prophet. This selfish feeling taught him to forget that he had preached repentance to the

people, as well as retribution, and that their repentance was to be the condition of their preservation from the threatened vengeance of God; an issue which glorified God as much, and even more than the infliction of unconditional destruction would have done, his promise being fulfilled in either case. The people of Ninive actually did repent, from one end of the city to the other they abstained from their worldly pursuits, and repenting in dust and ashes, fasted and prayed to the Lord for pardon and mercy. The universal cry of contrition which the whole city sent up, reached the Lord, and was accepted by him as the fulfilment of that condition which should avert his judgment. Jonah knew nothing of all this while he waited on the mountain, impatient to see the fulfilment of his denunciation. The Lord taught him his error by a striking emblem. The sun beat fiercely on the spot where he stood, having no shelter there. He wished for death, to relieve him of his present bodily suffering, as well as affronted feelings; for now the time was elapsed in which the destruction of Ninive should have taken place. He at length sunk under the oppression of his mind and body, into sleep. While he slept, the Lord caused a magnificent plant to spring up, whose broad and fresh

leaves covered him from the scorching rays of the sun. When Jonah awoke and saw this refreshing and friendly shelter, he felt attachment to the beauteous plant for the protection it afforded him -but the Lord caused a worm to attack its root, when presently it began to droop, fade, and finally die. Again-Jonah felt actuated by personal anger. Then God said to Jonah, dost thou well to be angry for the loss of the gourd? which neither grew, nor was planted by thy care or labour! which was the growth of a day!—and should I not spare Ninive, that great city, wherein are more than six thousand children, that cannot discern between their right hand and their left-and also much cattle? How compassionate is our Heavenly Father!-for we learn that little children, and even the inferior animals, are objects of his solicitude and care.

Many, during the dark ages, have thought they did God service, in robbing and murdering the Jews and others who differed from them in opinion, while they only were actuated by their own party or personal anger, which never burns so fiercely as when contending for opinion. The false zeal which this evil passion excites, has deluged christendom with crime and blood. The most impious of all wars, was that which they miscalled

the holy war. But if this evil spirit has stolen the cloak of religion, it has also borrowed the mask of fashion. When you mix with society, dear child, you will not unfrequently hear of the sacrifices which this evil spirit demands as the tribute of its infatuated votaries. Yes, you will hear of rational, accountable, and immortal beings, paying what are styled debts of honor, with their lives; or by taking the life, at least shedding the blood, of their fellow mortals. One allows the spirit of anger to arise in his breast-(always in some cause where self is concerned,) he gives it utterance in reproach, ridicule, or malicious insinuation. When such an assault is made against a christian character, he would not degrade himself by resenting it in kind: he knows that a mind of his own rank cannot offend him; and from a lower grade of character he will not receive any affront -he would in doing so, be sunk to the same unprincipled level. But unhappily, when such a challenge as an angry word or look, is given to a person having the passions of his natural heart unexpelled, his pride is hurt, his anger is roused, his passions are in a wild tumult, Satan foments their disorder-affront is taken, redress is demanded, a convenient place is appointed, instruments of death are provided, and forthwith the men of honor adjust the quarrel: By means of acknow

ledgment of error, by reason, by argument? O no! This magnanimous conquest of pride, and passion, and seif, the deceiver has taught them to consider cowardice: their manner of settling the affair, must be by means of steel and balls: these are the arguments to which each party resort, leaving the worthy part of society to think that both champions are alike unprincipled; both alike cowards of opinion, and slaves of passion.

MEDITATION.

When I meditate on the long suffering patience of God, I am lost in wonder and praise! How many and aggravated have been my provocations, and still I am spared that I may repent. I have too long been a cumberer of the ground; the good fruit of the Holy Spirit I have not brought forth, so to reward the labour of the heavenly husbandman. My Lord, who planted, and daily bedewed me with his choicest blessings, looked for grapes, and have I yielded only wild grapes; but still I am not cut down!Teach me, Lord, to be long-suffering, weaned so much from exactions for self, as to feel no emotion of anger for personal injury, or provocation. For