dom, and rejoicing as heirs together of the kingdom of heaven, an inheritance undefiled. They are subjects of one King. But yet closer is the bond,-they are children of one family; God is their Father, their reconciled Father in Christ Jesus; Christ himself is their elder Brother, and the Captain of their salvation, "of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named ;" and as "he that loveth him that begat loveth them also that are begotten of him," and as Christians have received through grace "the spirit of adoption, whereby they cry, Abba, Father," they regard all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and are thus manifestly led by the Spirit of God, as peculiarly brethren, to whom their hearts are bound in love; and as they have one common title, that of "children of God," such is their blessed prospect. "The Spirit," saith St. Paul, "beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

Once, again; take a figure expressive, if possible, of a more intimate unity,-Christians are members of one body,66 as the body is one, and hath many members," saith Paul to the Corinthians, "" so also is Christ;" and, addressing them in Christian faith and charity as believers, he adds, now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." And if this union with their blessed and glorious Head be herein testified for their encouragement and comfort, and for the assurance given thereby of his special love and care for the members of his mystical body, how remarkably it sets forth their fellowship one with another! Where faith and love are in lively exercise, Christian sympathy will abound; as it is said, "if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." And how closely in all respects are Christians made like one to another, St. Paul testifies: "There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” O, how great are these privileges viewed in connexion with that deliverance from sin on which they are founded! and would Christians but more prize and cultivate them here, what blessing would they enjoy, and what a happy realising, as far as the present state affords opportunity, of the glories of the heavenly communion!

Can any thing, then, be more important than seriously to consider the evidences

share in the privileges of true fellowship with Christians? Were we not aware of the fact from other portions of Scripture, the text would plainly shew us, that it is but too possible to deceive others and ourselves concerning it: "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light," then is it that "we have fellowship with one another," and the personal assurance that "the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin." The words evidently refer to the previous verse, "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all;" and though the language be figurative, it affords most plain tokens whereby to try ourselves. Darkness implies ignorance: the professing to be Christians, to have fellowship with Christ, and yet knowing nothing profitably of the way of salvation, nothing of the real state of our own hearts, nothing of the hope set before us in the Gospel, nothing of the road to everlasting life, this is to walk in darkness. I speak not of ignorance of human learning; this, though it be, properly employed, the handmaid of Christian knowledge, is too often abused; and a man may know the way to heaven, and walk in the light, and have fellowship with God, with little or none of it: but I speak of ignorance of the Gospel of Christ; and now that the means of instruction are abounding, ignorance of this must be more or less wilful. Darkness may be taken to imply, also, a state of sin; as it is said, "he that hateth his brother is in darkness; and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." Deeds of sin may be called, as indeed they often are, deeds of darkness; and they are called so, not alone, or perhaps chiefly, because of this awful and perverse blindness implied, but as implying their hateful nature and unfitness to bear the light of day.

Who are they, on the other hand, that walk in the light? Those who have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit of God, according to his word. This light is humiliating, for it shews their condition by nature; but it is reviving, for it displays the way of their deliverance; and it is directing, for it guides them unto all holiness and happiness. To "walk in the light," is to know and receive "the truth as it is in Jesus;" and it is also to live according thereto : "They that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that are drunken are drunken in the night; but let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of salvation." Christian love, too, is an evidence, a necessary evidence, of being in a state of light: "He

that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of slumbering in him" he sees his road, and walks therein. And, finally; to walk in the light implies a constant pursuit of holiness, as our best interest and happiness, an activity and diligence in every good word and work.

Let me, then, in brief application of these words, remind you, in the first place, of the importance of an examination, seriously and frequently, of your real state and condition in this respect. What evidence have we of being truly Christians? of having fellowship with the children of God? Do we walk in the light? what know we? what do we? where are we? where shall we be? Deceive not yourselves on points of so much consequence eternity is at stake. Profession is not all; it may exist (and that in its most plausible form, at the table of the Lord) without religion, and then it is a solemn lie, a mockery of God. And does not the question of evidence affect all, even the sincere? What do you, beloved brethren, compared with what you feel you ought to do? Are you walking fully in the light, using diligently and thankfully the means afforded you of glorifying God, and advancing in conformity to the image of his dear Son? Such inquiries should be devoutly made with the view to increased fervency in prayer and watchful diligence, and with the desire for the more lively enjoyment of Christian privileges and fellowship with the saints. And are there any who, in the consciousness of abused blessings, feel their guilt so deeply that they fear it never can be pardoned? I would not lessen their sense of sin, or the depth of their repentance; I would rather encourage both but I would point them to the gracious language of the conclusion of Let them not cast away their hope in despair; but let them look to Jesus in penitent faith, and they will find the promise never failing" Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out," and the truth confirmed in their own experience, that "His blood cleanseth from all sin."

the text.

How blessed is that holy institution of God's appointment, wherein, at his table, he invites us, believing, to behold Christ crucified for us; displays our guilt his lovemercy found through faith in him! A heart hardened in sin abuses this sacred rite, and mocks God by the awful hypocrisy. Folly and mad delight in evil avoid it, fearing at check to sin, and the awakening of an uneasy conscience. Mistaken conscientiousness, on the other hand, fears, perhaps, to use that very means the Lord hath appointed to strengthen the weak in faith, as well as to build up still more stedfastly and rejoice the

hearts of the strong. But humble penitence receives it, faith receives it, hope and love receive it; and find, with the sign, the inward and spiritual grace.

But, on another ground, let us, lastly, regard the beauty and value of this holy sacrament. It is that of the "communion' communion is the very subject of the text; it is what it especially calls on me to exhort you to bless God for and to cultivate. "Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity;" and, Christians, ye are brethren. Do you live in the remembrance of it? Can the world have made you forget it, or in any measure act as if this were so? Go to your heavenly Father's feast, and be united there. Go, see the love with which Jesus loved you, and surely you will, you must, love one another; and if it be real love you feel, you will prove it too; and the savour of this spiritual banquet will remain and influence your thoughts, your words, your works; you will be bound to each other. But will even this be all? No; your love will be expansive: you would have your Father's table, your Father's kingdom, filled; you will endeavour to bring in others, yea, to compel them, with a holy violence, to come in and share your salvation.

Would you, then, that love should abound in you, and that your interest in the Saviour should be more deeply felt? Herein, believing, you may expect the grace thereunto; for "the bread which we break, is it not the COMMUNION of the BODY of Christ? the cup which we bless, is it not the coMMUNION of the BLOOD of Christ?" To the believing penitent, even as to this holy table, I may apply that passage of Scripture which I would chiefly desire to leave on your minds, as a general and most gracious invitation to seek pardon and peace in Christ our Lord: "And 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 of the water of life freely!"

THE LAY READER.*

Soox after my entrance upon clerical duties in the

state of North Carolina, I was informed of an isolated settlement, at a considerable distance from the place of my residence. Its original elements were cmigrants from New England-a father and his five sons, who, with their wives and little children, had, about thirty years before, become sojourners in the heart of one of the deepest Carolinian solitudes. They purchased a tract of wild swamp-encircled land. This they subjected to cultivation, and by unremitting industry rendered adequate to their subsistence and comfort. The sons, and the sons' sons, had, in their

From the Dublin Christian Gleaner.

turn, become the fathers of families; so that the population of this singular spot comprised five generations. They were described as constituting a peaceful and virtuous community, with a government purely patriarchal. Secluded from the privileges of public worship, it was said that a sense of religion, influencing the heart and conduct, had been preserved by statedly assembling on the Sabbath, and reading the Scriptures, with the liturgy of the Church of England. The pious ancestor of the colony, whose years now surpassed fourscore, had, at their removal to this hermitage, established his eldest son in the office of lay reader. This simple ministration, aided by holy example, had so shared the blessing of Heaven, that all the members of this miniature commonwealth held fast the faith and hope of the Gospel.

I was desirous of visiting this peculiar people, and of ascertaining whether such fruits might derive autriment from so simple a root. A journey into that section of the country afforded me an opportunity. I resolved to be the witness of their Sunday devotions; and, with the earliest dawn of that consecrated day, I left the house of a friend, where I had lodged, and who furnished the requisite directions for my solitary and circuitous route. The brightness and beat of summer began to glow oppressively ere I turced from the haunts of men, and plunged into the recesses of the forest. Towering amidst shades which almost excluded the light of heaven, rose the majestic pines, the glory and the wealth of North Carolina. Some, like the palms, princes of the east, reared a proud column of fifty feet ere the branches shot forth their heavenward cone. With their dark verdure mingled the pale and beautiful efflorescence of the will poplar, like the light interlacing of sculpture in some ancient awe-inspiring temple; while thousands of birds, from those dark cool arches, poured their anthems of praise to the Divine Architect.

The sun was high in the heavens when I arrived at the morass, the bulwark thrown by nature around this little city of the desert. Alighting, I led my Lorse over the rude bridges of logs which surmounted the pools and ravines, until our footing rested upon firm earth. Soon an expanse of arable land became visible, and wreaths of smoke came lightly curling through the trees. Then a cluster of cottages cheered the eye. They were so contiguous, that the blast of a horn, or even the call of a shrill voice, might convene all their inhabitants. To the central and largest building I directed my steps. Approaching the open window, I heard a distinct manly voice pronouncing the solemn invocation-" By thine agony and bloody sweat-by thy cross and passion-by thy precious death and burial-by thy glorious resurrection and axension-and by the coming of the Holy Ghost." Response arose fully and devoutly in the deep accents of manhood, and the softer tones of the mother and her children.

Standing motionless, that I might not disturb the worshippers, I had a fair view of the lay reader. He was a man of six feet in height, muscular and wellroportioned, with a head beautifully symmetrical, from whose crown time had begun to shred the luxurance of its raven locks. Unconscious of the presence of a visitor, he supposed that no eye regarded

him save that of his God. Kneeling around him were "brethren according to the flesh"-a numerous and attentive congregation. At his right hand was the patriarch, tall, somewhat emaciated, yet not bowed with years his white hair combed smoothly over his temples, and slightly curling on his neck. Gathered near him were his children and his children's children. His blood was in the veins of almost every worshipper. Mingling with forms that evinced the ravages of time and toil, were the bright locks of youth, and the rosy brow of childhood, bowed low in supplication. Involuntarily my heart said, "Shall not this be a family in heaven?" In the closing aspirations, "O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us!" the voice of the patriarch was heard with strong and affecting emphasis. After a pause of silent devotion, all arose from their knees, and I entered the circle.

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"I am a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I come to bless you in the name of the Lord." The ancient patriarch, grasping my hand, gazed on me with intense earnestness. A welcome, such as words have never uttered, was written on his brow. "Thirty and two years has my dwelling been in this forest. Hitherto no man of God hath visited us. Praised be his name, who hath put it into thy heart to seek out these few sheep in the wilderness. Secluded as we are from the privilege of worshipping God in his temple, we thus assemble every Sabbath to read his holy book, and to pray unto him in the words of our liturgy. Thus have we been preserved from forgetting the Lord who bought us, and lightly esteeming the Rock of our salvation.' The exercises of that day are indelibly engraven on my memory. Are they not written in the record of the Most High? Surely, a blessing entered into my own soul, as I beheld the faith and strengthened the hope of those true-hearted and devout disciples. Like him, whose slumbers at Bethel were visited by the white-winged company of heaven, I was constrained to say, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not!" At the request of the patriarch I administered the ordinance of baptism. It was received with affecting demonstrations of solemnity and gratitude. The sacred services were protracted until the setting of the sun. Still they seemed reluctant to depart. It was to them a high and rare festival. When about to separate, the venerable patriarch introduced me to all his posterity. Each seemed anxious to press my hand, and even the children expressed, by affectionate glances, their reverence and love for him who ministered at the altar of God. "The Almighty," said the ancient man, "hath smiled on these babes born in the desert. I came hither with my sons and their companions, and their blessed mother, who has gone to her rest. God hath given us families as a flock. We earn our bread with toil and in patience. For the intervals of labour we have a school, where our little ones gain the rudiments of knowledge. Our only books of instruction are the Bible and Prayer-Book." At a signal, they rose and sang, when about departing to their separate abodes, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good-will towards men." Never by the pomp of measured melody was my spirit so stirred within me, as when that rustic

yet tuneful choir, surrounding the white-haired father of them all, breathed out, in their forest sanctuary, "Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us!"

The following morning I called on every family, and was delighted with the domestic order, economy, and concord, that prevailed. Careful improvement of time, and moderated desires, seemed uniformly to produce among them the fruits of a blameless life and conversation. They conducted me to their school. Its teacher was a grand-daughter of the lay-reader. She possessed a sweet countenance and gentle manners, and, with characteristic simplicity, employed herself at the spinning-wheel when absorbed in the labours of instruction. Most of her pupils read intelligibly, and replied with readiness to questions from Scripture history. Writing and arithmetic were well exemplified by the elder ones; but those works of science, with which our libraries are so lavishly supplied, had not found their way to this retreat. But among the learners were visible, what does not always distinguish better-endowed seminaries, docility, subordination, and profound attention to every precept and illustration. Habits of application, and a desire for knowledge, were infused into all. So trained up were they in industry, that even the boys, in the intervals of their lessons, were busily engaged in the knitting of stockings for winter. To the simple monitions which I addressed to them they reverently listened; and, ere they received the parting blessing, arose, and repeated a few passages from the inspired volume, and lifted up their accordant voices, chanting, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people."

Whatever I beheld in this singular spot served to awaken curiosity, or to interest feeling. All my inquiries were satisfied with the utmost frankness. Evidently there was nothing which required concealment. The heartless theories of fashion, with their subterfuges and vices, had not penetrated to this hermetically sealed abode. The patriarch, at his entrance upon his territory, had divided it into six equal portions, reserving one for himself, and bestowing another upon each of his sons. As the children of the colony advanced to maturity, they, with scarcely an exception, contracted marriages among each other, striking root, like the branches of the banian, around their parent tree. The domicile of every family was originally a rude cabin of logs, serving simply the purpose of shelter. In front of this a house of larger dimensions was commenced, and so constructed, that the ancient abode might become the kitchen when the whole was completed. To the occupation of building they attended as they were able to command time and materials. Several abodes were at that time in different stages of progress, making the lines of gradation between the rude cottage and what they called the "framed house." When finished, though devoid of architectural elegance, they exhibited capabilities of comfort equal to the sober expectations of a primitive people. A field for corn, and a garden abounding with vegetables, were appendages to each habitation. Cows grazed quietly around, and sheep dotted, like snow-flakes, the distant green pastures. softer sex participated in the business of horticulture,

The

and, when necessary, in the labours of harvest; thus obtaining that vigour and muscular energy which distinguish the peasantry of Europe from their sisters of the nobility and gentry.

Each household produced, or manufactured within its own domain, most of the materials which were essential to its comfort; and for such articles as their plantations could not supply, or their ingenuity construct, the pitch-pine was their medium of purchase.

Shall I be forgiven for such minuteness of detail? So strongly did this simple and interesting people excite my affectionate solicitude, that not even their slightest concerns seemed unworthy of attention. By merchants of the distant town, who were in habits of traffic with them, I was afterwards informed that they were distinguished for integrity and uprightness, and that the simple affirmation of these "Bible-and-Liturgy-men," as they were styled, possessed the sacredness of an oath. The lay-reader remarked to me that he had never known among his people a single instance of either intemperance or profanity. "Our young men have no temptations, and the old set an uniformly sober example; still I cannot but think our freedom from vice is chiefly owing to a sense of religious obligation, cherished by God's blessing upon our humble worship." "Are there no quarrels or strifes among you?" "For what should we contend? We have no prospect of wealth, nor motive of ambition. We are too busy to dispute about words. Are not these the sources of most of the wars and fightings' among mankind? Besides, we are all of one blood. Seldom does any variance arise which the force of brotherhood may not quell: strict obedience is early taught in families. Children who learn thoroughly the Bible-lessons, to honour and obey their parents, are not apt to be contentious in society, or irreverent to their Father in heaven. Laws so simple would be inefficient in a mixed and turbulent community. Neither could they be effectual here, without the aid of that Gospel which speaketh peace, and prayer for His assistance, who turneth the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.'" Is it surprising that I should take my leave of the pious patriarch and his posterity with an overflowing heart? that I should earnestly desire another opportunity of visiting this isolated domain?

(To be continued.)

The Cabinet,

FEMALE PIETY.-A woman's virtues must be genuine. They are to expand, not in the sunshine, vital principle to supply the place of foreign excitebut in the shade; and therefore they need some ment. Religion is this influence-this germ of every grace, this sap which finds its way through every fibre, and emits the fairest blossoms without the aid of artificial heat. The pious woman courts retirement. She seeks not the inertness of quietism, but the calmness and regularity of domestic duty. And though she may sometimes be called to less congenial scenesand she will neither refuse the summons, nor shew a peevish reluctance to obey it-yet her taste is home; for there she feels she is most useful, most happy, and has most communion with her God. And it is the domesticating tendency of religion that especially prepossesses men in its favour, and makes them, even if indifferent to it themselves, desire it at least in