vered from what he supposed the brink of death, who afterwards performed his vows, and became religious, notwithstanding the very great appearance there was in their favour when they thought they could not recover. Chap. iv. ver. 16.-The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. Two young men being in familiar conversation respecting the natural bias of their minds, the one declared, if his circumstances in life would admit, he would travel over foreign countries, but particularly go to ancient Rome, and see there the ruin and desolations that war and time have made on that once famed city. The other, with a countenance that proved he felt what he said, exclaimed, "If the circumstances that Providence has placed me in would admit, I would visit the dark benighted vil lages in my own country, and contemplate the ruin that sin, ignorance, and vice, have made on the manners of the people; and not only contemplate the horrors of igno rance, but under a divine blessing, endeavour to chase away the clouds of ignorance, and throw the sun-beams of instruction over the mind of humble poverty, by esta blishing Sabbath schools. That would be my pleasure and my delight." The other acknowledged the latter was far the better choice, and afterwards became an active and zealous teacher in a Sabbath school. Chap. iv. ver. 24.-And they brought unto him those which were lunatick,—and he healed them. -" says "In passing through a small town in Sa writer in the Christian Gleaner, "where the coach in which I travelled stopped to change horses, I observed a poor idiot whom I had formerly known by the name of Monkey Girl. More than twenty years had elapsed since I had seen her, but her wild and vacant look was not easily forgotten, and quickly recalled to my mind the mingled sensations of terror and pity with which, in my youthful days, I had often beheld the unfortunate object then before me. The day was an unusually hot one, and several men and boys were seated on the shady side of the market-place, near the inn at which we stopped. The poor idiot walked round and round the coach in perfect silence, till one of these boys began shouting after her, and asking if she were not going to church. This, as it was of course cruelly intended, roused her anger, and the question was answered by a most dreadful oath. A loud laugh from the boy and his companions ensued, and the same question was repeated first by one, and then by another of them, which called forth from the poor unconscious creature such a volley of oaths and imprecations, both upon the church and her tormentors, as made me shudder while I listened to them. This shocking and disgraceful scene, "offence and torture to the christian ear," continued during the whole of the time that the coach remained at the inn, till the poor woman was worked up to such a pitch of fury and distress, that it was quite terrifying to look at her; yet the perfect unconcern with which the scene was viewed by the persons who were standing about the inn, plainly proved, alas! that it was one of too frequent recurrence to excite any degree of interest or compassion on behalf of this poor, afflicted, and per secuted creature." As we cannot exert the power of the Saviour in restoring these unhappy persons to their right mind; let us imitate him in his compassion, and avoid every thing in our conduct towards them, that would add to their affliction. Chap. v. ver. 23, 24.-Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Some time ago, an illustrious personage, wishing to take the sacrament, sent for the Bishop of W. to administer it. The messenger having loitered on his way, a considerable time elapsed before the bishop arrived, and some irritation had been manifested by the illustrious personage in question. On the arrival of the reverend 66 prelate, his delay was complained of, and its cause explained. His immediately rang his bell, and commanded the attendance of the messenger. On his entering the room, he rebuked him sharply, and dismissed him from his service. Having done this, he addressed the bishop thus: Now, my lord, if you please, we will proceed." His lordship, with great mildness, but at the same time with firmness, refused to administer the sacrament whilst any irritation or anger towards a fellowcreature remained on the mind of the illustrious person. His suddenly recollecting himself, said, "My lord, you are right;" and then sent for the offending party, whose forgiveness and restoration to favour he pronounced in terms of great kindness and condescension. Chap. v. ver. 48.-Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. A follower of Mr Wesley once asked the Rev. Mr Dunn of Portsea, whether he thought a state of sinless perfection attainable in this life? Mr D. replied, "Let us, my friend, endeavour after it as eagerly as if it were attainable." Chap. vi. ver. 1.-Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them ; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Mrs Judson giving some account, in a letter, of the first Burman convert, says, "A few days ago I was reading with him Christ's sermon on the Mount. He was deeply impressed, and unusually solemn. These words,' said he, take hold on my very heart; they make me tremble. Here God commands us to do every thing that is good in secret, not to be seen of men. How unlike our religion is this! When Burmans make offerings at the pagodas, they make a great noise with drums and musical instruments, that others may see how good they are. But this religion makes the mind fear God; it makes it of its own accord fear sin.'" Chap. vi. ver. 34.-Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. unto the day is the evil thereof. Sufficient Mr Laurence, who was a sufferer for conscience sake, if he would have consulted with flesh and blood, as was said of one of the martyrs, had eleven good arguments against suffering; viz. a wife and ten children. Being once asked how he meant to maintain them all? he cheerfully replied, "They must all live on Matth. vi. 34. 'Take therefore no thought for the morrow,' &c. Contentment and resignation in such trying circumstances, are not only blessings to the possessors, but they fill observers with astonishment. Hence said Dr W. to a poor minister, "I wonder, Mr W. how you contrive to live so comfortably; methinks, with your numerous family, you live more plentifully on the providence of God, than I can with the benefits of the parish." Chap. vii. ver. 13, 14.-Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. The Duke of Hamilton, from a child, was remarkably serious, and took delight in reading his Bible. His mother, the Duchess, told a relation, that, when he was playing about the room at nine years of age, she said to hini, "Come, write me a few verses, and I will give you a crown. He sat down, took pen and paper, and in a few minutes produced the following lines: As o'er the sea-beat shore I took my way, I met an aged man who bade me stay; Be wise," said he, and mark the path you go, The way to life is difficult and steep, The broad and easy leads you to the deep.' Chap. vii. ver. 20.-Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. A gentleman lately deceased, who was eminent in the literary world, had his mind in early life deeply imbued with infidel sentiments. He and one of his companions of the same way of thinking, often carried on their conversation in the hearing of a religious, but illiterate countryman. This gentleman having afterwards become a serious Christian, was concerned for the countryman, lest his faith in the Christian religion should have been shaken by their remarks. One day he took the liberty to ask him, whether what had so frequently been advanced in his hearing had not produced this effect upon him?" By no means, "answered the countryman; it never made the least impression upon me." No impression upon you!" said the gentleman;" why, you must know that we had read and thought on these things much more than you had any opportunity of doing." "O yes," said the other, but your conversation plainly shewed me, that you had never read nor thought much on your Bible; and besides, I knew also your manner of living; I knew, that to maintain such a course of conduct, you found it necessary to renounce Christianity." Chap. viii. ver. 11.—And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Mr Henry Bullinger, a little before his death, said, "If the Lord will make any further use of me, and my ministry, I will willingly obey him; but if he pleases (as I much desire) to take me out of this miserable life, I shall exceedingly rejoice to be taken from this corrupt age, to go to my Saviour Christ. Socrates," said he, 66 was glad when his death approached, because he thought he should go to Hesiod, Homer, and other learned men deceased, whom he expected to meet in the other world: how much more do I rejoice, who am sure that I shall see my Saviour Christ, the saints, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and all holy men which have lived from the beginning of the world. Since I am sure to partake of their |