GOOD MEN AT VARIANCE. MANY a sharp conflict there hath been between saint and saint, scuffling in the dark through misunderstanding of the truth and each other. Abraham and Lot, at strife. Aaron and Miriam jostled with Moses for the wall, till God interposed and ended the quarrel by his immediate stroke upon Miriam. The apostles, even in the presence of their Master, were at high words, contesting who should be greatest. Now, in these civil wars among saints, Satan is the great kindle-coal, though little seen, because, like Ahab, he fights in disguise, playing first on one side, and then on the other, aggravating every petty injury, and thereupon provoking to wrath and revenge; therefore the apostle, dehorting from anger, useth this argument, "Give no place to the devil;" as if he had said, Fall not out among yourselves, except you long for the devil's company, who is the true soldier of fortune, as the common phrase is, living by his sword, and therefore hastes thither where there is any hopes of war. Gregory compares the saints in their sad differences to two cocks, which Satan, the master of the pit, sets on fighting, in hope, when killed, to sup with them at night. Solomon saith (Prov. xviii. 6): "The mouth of the contentious man calls for strokes." Indeed, we by our mutual strifes give the devil a staff to beat us with; he cannot well work without fire, and therefore blows up these coals of contention, which he useth as his forge, to heat our spirits into wrath, and then we are malleable-easily hammered as he pleaseth. Contention puts the soul into disorder, and inter arma silent leges. The law of grace acts not freely, when the spirit is in a commotion; meek Moses, provoked, speaks unadvisedly. Methinks this, if nothing else will, should sound a retreat to our unhappy differences, that this Joab hath a hand in them; he sets this evil spirit between brethren; and what folly is it to bite and devour one another, to make hell sport! We are prone to mistake our heat for zeal, whereas commonly in strife between saints it is a fire-ship sent in by Satan to break their unity and order; wherein while they stand they are an armada invincible: and Satan knows he hath no other way but this to shatter them: when the Christians' language, which should be one, begins to be confounded, they are then near scattering; it is time for God to part his children, when then cannot live in peace together.---Gurnall. THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE. MUCH is said at the present day about the excellence of the Bible, and strenuous efforts are making to disseminate it through our country and foreign lands. Yet, the observation which I have had to make leads me to doubt whether the written Word is as carefully and prayerfully studied by Christians as in some former ages of the world. It is undeniable that the science of the Scriptures receives much attention. No age has been more remarkable for extending its researches into the natural history, the topography, and the literature of the sacred text. Disputed passages requiring explanation from comparison with other parts of the same book, or with other books, are also much investigated. But all this may be done, and in many cases is done, with no view to spiritual improvement. Such study with nothing else in view but the acquisition of Biblical knowledge, puffs up, but does not edify. To such a source, Neology in Germany owes its origin. The German professors of theology are diligent students. They toil day and night over the pages of Scripture. Knotty points are examined with the closest scrutiny; and there is nothing wanting of human intellect, the helps of science, and the most sedulous and long-lived industry, to secure success to their investigations. But their study, conducted not for spiritual, but intellectual purposes, withers the heart, and puffs up the mind. They employ their minds in curiously carving the outer shell, and forming of it every manner of device, but they leave the nut of the Gospel untasted. The consequence is, an entire destitution of spiritual life, and a ministry, professedly Christian, but radically Infidel, making the Bible a mere text-book for intellectual purposes. I have regretted to see somewhat of the same mode of Biblical study commenced, and partially practised, among theological students in our own land. Too great a regard and admiration for German scholarship in religious matters, is inculcated among us. The effect upon the ministry, so far as felt, must be disastrous to the interests of piety. But many, who have never known of German scholarship, study the Bible without profit. The minister studies it to make his sermons; the teacher of the Bible-class and Sabbath-school to prepare his lessons; the common professor to gratify his curiosity, or to mantain an apparent consistency with his profession. The Christian, in a proper state of mind, studies it to grow in grace to make progress in the divine life-to satisfy the hunger and thirst of his soul after righteousness. He has regard to the prayer of our Saviour: Sanctify them through thy truth; thy Word is truth." He studies the Word prayerfully. He meditates upon it in the night season; in the midst of his daily occupations, and in the multitude of his thoughts within him, the comforts of God delight his soul. In such matters it is easy to deceive one's self. It is customary for evangelical Christians to read the Bible daily, and the custom cannot be too highly commended, nor too earnestly enjoined. But the daily reading of the Word does not necessarily embrace the study of the truth. A man may read and not think; or he may think and not pray: or he may think and pray and straightway forget both the thought and prayer. To feed upon the truth, he must take time to meditate; he must retain in memory, and frequently recall, and try his thoughts and actions by what he has read. And this must be done, not occasionally, but habitually. The very tone and temper of his mind will thus become assimilated to the truth. He will grow in grace, as well as in knowledge. His temper will become of a heavenly sweetness, and occasionally his soul will be lifted up within him, as if he were in the chariots of Amminadab. Reader, how is it with thee? Art thou a constant reader of God's Word? Dost thou examine it to become subtle in knowledge, or wise unto salvation? to gratify curiosity, or satisfy the cravings of a renewed nature? to preserve appearances, or to grow in grace? Does the regard of men or the love of Christ constrain thee? Answer these questions conscientiously, and thou wilt satisfy thyself whether thy study is conducing to spiritual profit. REV. JOHN WESLEY. So fine an old man I never saw. The happiness of his mind beamed forth in his countenance. Every look showed how fully he enjoyed "the gay remembrance of a life well spent ;" and wherever he went, he diffused a portion of his own felicity. Easy and affable in his demeanour, he accommodated himself to every sort of company, and showed how happily the most finished courtesy may be blended with the most perfect piety. In his conversation, we might be at a loss whether to admire most, his fine classical taste, his extensive knowledge of men and things, or his overflowing goodness of heart. While the grave and serious were charmed with his wisdom, his sportive sallies of innocent mirth delighted even the young and thoughtless; and both saw in his uninterrupted cheerfulness, the excellency of true religion.-A. Knox. SINGULAR EFFICACY OF SOCIAL PRAYER. A CLERGYMAN, who was not very remarkable for his zeal in the cause of his divine Master, while travelling, not many months ago, in the state of New York, stopped for the night in a place where there was an extensive revival of religion. After resting for a short time at the inn, his curiosity to view the place led him to stroll through the streets. He had not proceeded far in his evening ramble, before his ear was arrested by the voice of prayer. He paused and listened, and finding that the voice issued from a retired and humble dwelling by the road side, stranger as he was, he resolved to enter. On entering, he found himself unexpectedly surrounded by a band of disciples assembled for special prayer. He cast his eye about upon the little group, in a vain endeavour to find some one whom he could recognise as an acquaintance; but all were strangers in person, though brethren in Christ. Collecting his wandering thoughts, he bowed himself in the humble attitude of prayer, and, to his infinite surprise, he soon discovered that himself, by name, and the people of his charge, were the subjects of ardent and importunate supplication. The person who was leading their devotions was an entire stranger to him, and yet he seemed to wrestle in spirit with God that he might be aroused to greater faithfulness and zeal in his ministerial duties and private devotions, and that God would prepare him to become instrumental in reviving his work in the church and congregation over whom he was placed as a spiritual watchman. After the meeting had closed, being deeply impressed with the guilt of his past negligence, and with the responsibility of the ministerial office, he silently withdrew and returned to his lodgings. Not long after this event, he returned to his people and resumed, with renewed vigour, the duties of his office. Within a short time, a revival commenced in his congregation, and 300 were early numbered as the hopeful subjects of redeeming mercy. SHEPHERDS IN JUDEA. SHORTLY after leaving the city we met several flocks of sheep, preceded by their shepherds, walking slowly towards Jerusalem, and at once the full force of all the imagery, and the many touching similes derived from such scenes and associations, and so often alluded to in Scripture, came vividly before me. These Arab shepherds, clad in the turbans and simple abbass worn by their class, and carrying a wooden crook in their hands, walked in front. The sheep, which are a peculiar and very handsome breed, are mostly low-sized; the fore part of their bodies are of a fawn colour, the hinder parts white; they have long, pendant, silken ears and sweeping tails; their faces more oval and longer than the species in this country; and they have altogether a more pleasing, docile, and mild expression of countenance. Not one of them ventured before the shepherd, but stopped and quickened their pace as he did; or if a young and forward creature lagged behind or strayed on either side; a single word from their leader, often a very look, brought it back and checked its wanderings. A few favourite lambs frisked about their master, rubbing themselves against his legs and garments. After the sheep came some young goats and lambs, and the whole procession closed with about two dozen of old patriarchal-looking goats, which brought up the rear. These goats have long horns, and pendant ears that hang almost to the ground, and their hair is a glossy black and of the finest grain. The sheep and goats were perfectly distinct. These shepherds are often to be seen about sunset slowly approaching the city from all sides, to seek shelter for their flock, during the night, in some of the deep valleys by which it is surrounded, carrying the lambs in their bosoms. It is almost incredible the influence that the shepherds of Palestine possess over their flocks; many of them have no dogs, but a word is often sufficient to make them understand and obey the will of their shepherd. He sleeps among them at night, and in the morning leads them forth to pasture; always before them, guiding them to those places where they can enjoy the best food, and resting when he thinks they have obtained a sufficiency, or during the heat of the day, in some cool shady place, where they all immediately lie down around him. He has generally two or three favourite lambs which do not mix with the flock, but follow close at his side; frisking and fondling about him like dogs; indeed, the degree of intelligence and understanding that exists between the Arab and his flock is truly astonishing. "They know his voice, and follow him ;" and "he careth for the sheep. It was probably to such shepherds as these that the angel announced the glad tidings of the Saviour's birth.Wilde's Narrative. NONE BUT JESUS. WHEN the Spirit of God comes into the hearts of his people, they lose their love for the world and the things of the world. Its pomp, its show, its equipage, its garnished exterior, its wealth, preferments, and titles, are all as the chaff of the threshing-floor. The Gospel!-This is reality, all else is shadow. The salvation of sinners, the spiritual enlargement of God's people, the scenes of death, the judgment, heaven, hell, eternity, all are realities. In the view of these the heart is moved and melted, and God's people "strengthened by his spirit with might in the inner man," will go forth crying, "None but Jesus! None but Jesus!" FRAGMENTS, BY MURUS. No. IX. MURUS arrived in Nottingham in the early part of seventeen hundred and ninety-four, a stranger to the place, and a stranger to the people. Had been induced to go thither for reasons which grew out of his connection with the Methodists. In the corporate town to which allusion has been made, there was an inn where the Rev. John Wesley took up his abode, when he journeyed that way; the landlady was a Methodist and an ornament of Methodism. This amiable and excellent woman, condescended to notice Murus, and give him counsel as circumstances required. She knew those of his relatives at whose houses he had resided, and with whom he had gained a superficial knowledge of three distinct callings, by any of which he became persuaded he could make shift to support himself; but conscious that none of them had been the object of his choice, that unfairness was exercised towards him, he resolved to leave his kindred and the locality of them altogether. His friend was aware likewise, that he desired to improve his mind in a literary sense as well as to amend his worldly interests. So that, if spared for years to come, her aim was "To be his foster nurse, When service should in his old limbs lie lame, By her advice, therefore, he resolved to go to Nottingham, and take up his abode at her father's house, his residence being in that town, and he having entertained several pious young men as lodgers. Some of these, as it afterwards appeared, were deeply devoted to the service of God, and had been taken out as travelling preachers, and rendered useful in the Redeemer's cause. Having taken possession of his new abode, he looked out of the window; green fields presented themselves in the forest direction, and gave rise to many thoughts, somewhat impregnated with a kind of melancholy not easy to put into words. This was now his home; it became him to be content; it was dry, clean, and wholesome. Still meditating on the past, full often did the tears he drove back from his eyes, turn again as if to drown his heart. After all there was something cheering in the persuasion that he was where providence had cast his lot. On these boards he might say; "Knees have bended in solemn prayer; and within these curtains eyes have been lifted up towards the hills, from whence alone cometh help; help in time of need. To despond here, and under such circumstances, would be to dishonour the best of beings; the same who said, speak unto Israel, that he go forward." Thus was the servant blessed, though the master had not where to lay his head. Elisha's accomodation as he passed on to Shunem, was a little chamber fitted up with a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick. Simple wants are soon supplied. A young Israelite, come up from the interior of the land, to worship at Jerusalem, would quickly repair to the sanctuary; so Murus, yet under the ardency of his first love, made haste to Hockley Chapel, where he found himself at head quarters. This erection ranked among the largest and most commodious of the Wesleyan meeting-houses in that day, City Road excepted. Here he found Prayer-meetings, Class-meetings, Band-meetings, Lovefeasts, and the ministry of the word in abundance. He rose early in the morning, and endeavoured to make the best use of his time. Industry was congenial with his natural habits, and rendered needful from circumstances. Having ascertained that a Mr. Tunny, who had formerly been one of Mr. Wesley's preachers, and was now a regular attendant at chapel, kept a respectable day-school in one of the rooms, in Thurgsland Hall, he placed himself under his care, and became one of his day pupils; he also went to a night school conducted by another person. Thus going on, Providence saw good to visit him with the rod of affliction, and try him as by fire. An intermittent fever threatened to undermine his constitution and terminate his |