common to work on the Sabbath for his majesty, when any thing was wanted in a particular haste; Nelson boldly declared, "That he would not work upon the Sabbath for any man in the kingdom, except it were to quench fire, or something that required immediate help." Re ligion," says the foreman," has made you a rebel against the king." "No, Sir," he replied, "it has made me a better subject than ever I was. The greatest enemies the king has, are Sabbath-breakers, swearers, drunkards, and whore-mongers; for these bring down God's judgments upon the king and country.' He was told he should lose his employment if he would not obey his orders; his answer was, "He would rather want bread, than wilfully offend God." The foreman swore, that he would be as mad as Whitefield, if he went on. "What hast thou

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done," said he, "that thou needest make so much ado about salvation? I always took thee to be as honest a man as I have in the work, and would have trusted thee with L. 500." "So you might," answered Nelson, “ and not have lost one penny by me." "I have a worse opinion of thee now," said the foreman. "Master," rejoined he, "I have the odds of you, for I have a much worse opinion of myself than you can have." The issue, however, was, that the work was not pursued on the Sabbath; and Nelson rose in the good opinion of his employer, for having shown a sense of his duty as a Christian.”

Chap. xxiv. ver. 27.-And, beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

ness.

Dr Cotton paid a visit to Dr Young, author of the "Night Thoughts," about a fortnight before his last illThe subject of conversation was "Newton on the Prophecies," when Dr Young closed the conversation thus: "My friend, there are two considerations upon which my faith in Christ is built, as upon a rock: The fall of man, the redemption of man, and the resurrection of man. These three cardinal articles of our religion are such as human ingenuity could never have invented; therefore they must be divine. The other argument is this: if the

prophecies have been fulfilled, of which there is abundant demonstration, the Scriptures must be the word of God; and if the Scripture is the word of God, Christianity must be true."

Chap. xxiv. ver. 39.-Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

In the account of Mr Fox's last illness, the following circumstance is mentioned :-"It was in one of his morning conversations that he first expressed his persuasion that his disease would terminate fatally. Lord. said, that he had made a party for Christmas, in the country, and that he had taken the liberty to include Mr Fox in it without his knowledge. But it will be a new scene, Sir,' added he, and think you will approve of it.' ' I shall indeed be in a new scene by Christmas next,' said Mr Fox. My Lord, what do you think of the state of the soul after death ?' .. Lord confounded, I believe, by the unexpected turn which Mr Fox had given to the conversation, made no reply. Mr Fox continued, That it is immortal, I am convinced. The existence of the Deity is a proof that spirit exists; why not therefore the soul of man ? And if such an essence as the soul exists, by its nature it may exist for ever. -I should have believed in the immortality of the soul, though Christianity had never existed; but how it acts as separated from the body, is beyond my capacity of judgment. This, however, I shall know by next Christmas.' Mrs Fox here took his hand, and wept. Mr Fox was much moved; I am happy,' said he, full of confidence; I may say, of certainty.'

JOHN.

Chap. i. ver. 29.-The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!

A little boy, reading to his mother about the lion, in a book of natural history, said, "Mamma, the lion is a

noble animal, but I love the lamb better; and I will tell you why I love it better; because Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Chap. ii. ver. 6.-And there were set there six water-pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins a-piece.

"The ruins of a church," says Dr Clarke in his Travels, 66 are shown in this place, (Cana of Galilee,) which is said to have been erected over the spot where the marriage-feast of Cana was celebrated. It is worthy of notice, that, walking among these ruins, we saw large massy stone water-pots, answering to the description given of the ancient vessels of the country; not preserved, or exhibited as relics, but lying about disregarded by the present inhabitants, as antiquities with whose original use they were unacquainted. From their appearance, and the number of them, it was quite evident that a practice of keeping water in large stone pots, each holding from eighteen to twenty-seven gallons, was once common in the country."

Chap. ii. ver. 24, 25.-But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

A carrier in a large town in Yorkshire, heard his carter one day in the yard, swearing dreadfully at his horses. The carrier being a religious man, was shocked to hear the terrible oaths that resounded through the yard, and went up to the lad, who was just setting off with his cart for Manchester, and kindly expostulated with him on the enormity of his sin, and then added; "But if thou wilt swear, stop till thou get through the turnpike-gate on S― moor, where none but God and thyself can hear." He then put the Swearer's Prayer into his hand, and wished him a good morning. The poor fellow cracked his whip, and pursued his journey; but he could not get over his master's words. Some time after, his master observed him

in the yard, and was very much surprised to see him so altered. There was a seriousness and quietness about him which he had never seen before; and he often seemed as if he had something to say which he could not get out. At length, his master was so struck with his manner, that he asked him if he wanted any thing. "Ah! master," said he, “do you remember what you said to me about swearing, and the tract you gave me? I was thunderstruck. I went on the road, and I got through the turnpike, and reached S― moor; and there I thought, that though I was alone, yet God was with me; and I trembled to think how he had been with me, and had known all my sins and follies all my life long. My sins came to my remembrance; I was afraid that he would strike me dead; and I thank God that I have been roused to seek after the salvation of my poor soul." The master, as may be supposed, was greatly rejoiced to hear the young man's confession; and it is gratifying to be able to add, that his diligent attendance on the means of grace, and the reformation in his conduct, give solid ground for hoping that he has not only ceased to be a swearer, but a slave of Satan altogether.

Chap. iii. ver. 16.-For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Mr Nott, missionary in the South Sea Islands, was on one occasion reading a portion of the gospel of John to a number of the natives. When he had finished the sixteenth verse of the third chapter, a native, who had listened with avidity and joy to the words, interrupted him, and said, "What words were those you read? What sounds were those I heard? Let me hear those words again ?" Mr Nott read again the verse, "God so loved," &c. when the native rose from his seat, and said, "Is that true? Can that be true? God love the world, when the world not love him. God so love the world, as to give his Son to die, that man might not die. Can that be true ?" Mr Nott again read the "God so loved the world," &c. told him it was true, and that it was the

verse,

message God had sent to them, and that whosoever be. lieved in him, would not perish, but be happy after death. The overwhelming feelings of the wondering native were too powerful for expression or restraint. He burst into 'tears, and as these chased each other down his countenance, he retired to meditate in private on the amazing love of God, which had that day touched his soul; and there is every reason to believe he was afterwards raised to share the peace and happiness resulting from the love of God shed abroad in his heart.

Chap. iii. ver. 30.-He must increase, but I must decrease.

Mr Venn, when removed to the obscurity of Yelling, never appeared to gain acceptance with the rude rustics amongst whom he sojourned; and at length, being incapable of much service, he was assisted by a curate from Wales, who attracted the people surprisingly. "Honest Evans," said he, "carries all before him." His family were a little jealous of this unexpected preference; but he rebuked them: "Carry me to hear him," said he, “God honours him, and I will honour him. Have you ever studied that text, brother- He must increase, but I must decrease ?' A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.' "

Chap. iv. ver. 6, 7.-Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well; and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said unto her, Give me to drink.

"When in the market place," says the Rev. Jonas King, missionary in Greece, "I saw several women who had water to sell good water here is scarce; and brought from the monastery, which is a considerable distance from the city. As I passed by them, one of them asked me to drink; I told her that I had plenty of good water at my house still, however, she asked me again if I would not drink. I replied, "There is one who can give us water,