A HEAVY HEART.

Well, that is no strange thing in the world. The causes of this affliction are so numerous that it is a matter of surpise it is not more prevalent than it is. How many parents have heavy hearts ? an intemperate son; a disobedient child; a wilful and ruined daughter; children living in impenitence. How many wives have heavy hearts. An unkind husband; a drunken husband; a faithless husband; an impenitent husband.-Some husbands have heavy hearts. A peevish and fretful wife; a slack and careless wife; a vain and extravagant wife. Many Christians have heavy hearts. The Church is asleep. Some brethren are excessively worldly and covetous, others are at variance. Some sisters are foremost in fashionable dressfashionable parties and amusements—or in relating the gossip and scandal of the neighbourhood, and are vain and trifling in conversation and conduct. Many ministers have heavy hearts; a consciousness of their own unfaithfulness, unprofitableness and sinfulness.

The prevalent stupidity of the Church. Ordinary meetings thinly attended, and some wholly neglected.-A fault-finding spirit in the Church, and a restiveness under reproof. Impenitent sinners exceedingly hardened and perverse. I cannot begin to number the various sources of heart heaviness. Is there any remedy? Not in the pleasures of sense; they may stupify, but they will not cure. Not in worldly posessions; they may make the heart proud and selfish, but they then aggravate its maladies. Not in mere resolutions and promises to abandon sinful courses; these may delude, and serve a temporary purpose, but they soon pass away. There is, however, one unfailing remedy. Apply to the Physician, who says, "Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

He can cure all heart-diseases, by the application of his blood. Will you apply to him?

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE FATAL EFFECTS OF SIN.

WHEN an individual has been, through infinite mercy, rescued from a course which might have ultimately sunk him in moral ruin, there is often a most painful interest awakened in his mind, by reviewing the path he once trod, and bringing to remembrance the companions of his early days. Such is the case with the writer of this account; and often have grief and joy-the deepest sorrow on acconnt of others, and the warmest gratitude for his own salvation-been excited, when calling to recollection the scenes and associates of his youth. Among the latter, there was one, whose gaiety and sprightliness of disposition made him the chosen companion of his vacant hours. With him he has toiled the steep ascent, and joined in all the sports of youth, encountered dangers and endured fatigues, the remembrance of which awakens afresh his gratitude to the Preserver of his life, and his grief for one who has since come to a melancholy end.

When the days of early youth had passed, the writer and his companion were separated for several years: they afterwards met (accidentally, as we say) at an inn. The young man was not less gay and sprightly than he was in former days: but, alas! he had rapidly advanced on the broad and beaten road that leads to death: his vivacity was no longer innocent, as once it was; it was associated with an awful readiness to indulge the vicious joke, and to turn the solemn facts of sacred history into matter of profane merriment. At the inn he was in company with a number of persons who had come together to

celebrate the village feast. Here, after their spirits were excited by the pleasures of the glass, they perpetuated their enjoyment by the song: and how the mind of the writer was pained, when the affecting circumstances of the fall of man were made the subject of their mirth! and he, whom as youth he had loved, excited his grief, by being the leader of the rest. And this grief was increased by the circumstance that the parish clerk, accustomed devoutly, in appearance, to respond to the prayers of the Established Church, joined in the blasphemous chorus of the song. Distressed by what he saw and heard, though then his religious feelings were in the earliest stage, the writer could remain no longer, but left the scene of guilty mirth, breathing out the prayer, "Gather not my soul with sinners." Several years again passed away ere he beheld this companion of his youth; and when he did, it was in circumstances that proved the truth of the adage, "The way of sin is down hill." Every step accelerates the pace.

The writer was at this time spending a few days with some pious friends at N. While there, he put up his pony at an inn where a fire occurred, and four horses were burnt: fearing that his own might be one he hastened, as soon as he heard of it in the morning, to the inn, and ascertained that his pony was safe: he was returning to his friends, when he saw at a distance his former companion, and went towards him to speak to him, but the latter immediately turned away.

At this period of the young man's history, as the writer afterwards learned, he had imbibed the principles of infidelity: had destroyed the last remains of moral feeling, and the wretched subject of their influence had now sold himself to work iniquity. Far removed from his friends, and exposed to the temptations of a populous town, he gave himself up to the pleasures of sin, till his property was spent, his character ruined, and he was reduced almost to want. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that he avoided an interview with his former friend, that in fact he shunned his approach, and went away.

It was not long after this that his earthly course was brought to a miserable end: driven, it is supposed, partly by necessity, and partly by long indulged vice, he became an accomplice with others in a crime for which he was imprisoned, and there terminated his life by his own hand.

Unhappy youth! had his talents been directed aright, and the word of God been made his guide instead of his sport, he might have risen to respectability in society, been a comfort to his parents, and a blessing to mankind: but he forsook the Lord; and in him was that scripture verified, “O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord the fountain of living waters." Jer. xvii. 13.

By this narrative let the youthful reader be admonished. Beware of the first wilful indulgence of sin, you know not to what it may lead. Resist the first assault of temptation: it may be difficult to do so, but it will be unspeakably more so when once you have fallen; while a conquest at first will be a means of security afterwards.

Flee from the society of the ungodly. On this point, Scripture addresses us with the Divine wisdom; "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not into the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away; for they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence: but the path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Prov. iv. 14, &c.

Learn the danger and emptiness of infidelity. It is dangerous, as it saps the foundation of a virtuous character, and eventually destroys every vestige of moral worth. It is empty, for in the time of poverty and suffering it can afford no support; it opens no sources of relief to the mind, but leaves it the miserable victim of remorse for the past, and of those painful forebodings of the future, which it cannot altogether destroy.

Above all things cultivate a reverence for the word of God. It is probable

there is nothing more displeasing to the Spirit of God, than the conduct related in the former part of this narrative. We sit down in the scorner's chair, when we sport with the solemn facts which the Scriptures record; and seldom do any rise from that chair to listen to the voice of truth, and to enter the way of life.

CAUTIONS TO THE YOUTHFUL STUDENT.

To every school-girl, then, who is trying to live in obedience to her Saviour, and hopes she has taken the first steps in a religious life, let me address a caution. Beware of suffering your studies to encroach upon the hour allotted to reading your Bible, to reflection, and to prayer. Do not wait until you are asleep over your algebra, before you put it aside and take up your Bible. Do not hurry carelessly over your morning prayer, lest there should not be time enough for your philosophy. There is time enough for every thing necessary to be done. There must be time for you to seek the favour and forgiveness of your heavenly Father. Depend upon it, all the firmness and punctuality so necessary for the exercise of the school-room, and for the suitable arrangements of your chamber, are at least just as necessary in your strictly religious duties. You can never study to the best advantage, until your mind has been tranquillized and invigorated by earnest and believing prayer.

You are never

so well prepared for vigorous progress, as when living habitually under the truth, "Thou God seest me." Try it and see. Strive early every morning to impress upon your mind, and ask God to impress by his Spirit, the great truth contained in those four little words, "Thou God seest me.' Believe me, it will give you a quiet though unconquerable energy in the discharge of every duty, such as no motives drawn from this life can give you. The time spent It will in contemplating it is not lost. You will study all the better for it. make you less distracted and anxious. It will make you more steady, true and calm. And so of any great religious truth. Every morning, clear and You will need prepare your mind for the day's duty, by reflections like these.

it for the growth of your Christian character, especially while occupied as much as you are by the study of physical truths.

If you find that you are losing ground in your religious hopes and enjoyments, that your habits to-day are not so exemplary as they were two days, or a week, or two weeks, or months ago, STOP, just where you are! STOP, and ask why it is so? STOP, and, if possible, retrace your steps. STOP, and get right again. Humble and repentant, go again to Jesus. it will, perhaps, be painful and difficult, but let every young Christian do it; patiently, firmly, and with a whole heart, do it; remembering always that life has failed of its great purpose, if it is not animated by that holy energy which springs from a loving faith in the truths of the gospel.-Extracted from "Jane Hudson, The American Girl; or, EXERT YOURSELF."

YOUTHFUL HABITS.

THE habits we form in youth, abide. If we are taught to be earnest, intent, courageous, and faithful in the duties and amid the trials of youth, nothing in after years can wrest our habits from us. We must carry them with us, and with the Divine blessing, they will fit us for its scenes and emergencies, no matter what they may be, whether of trial or prosperity.

My young friend! whose eye is passing over these pages, if you are suffered to languish away the spring of your life in self-indulgence, in shrinking and shirking from everything that is disagreeable, in doing only what is pleasant, in a sprightly indolence or an undisciplined activity, from the effects of it upon your physical, moral, and social nature, you can never recover to the latest day of

your life. Be assured of it. When you realize and begin to feel their sad influences upon you, you can do much by a vigorous process of self-improvement. The grace of God can do much for you, but you can never recover the forming period of your life. The grace of God can only be received into such a moral habitation as you have prepared for it. Its power changes your affections, and makes a new creature of you, but the habits of childhood and youth will still show themselves, and be most important helps or hindrances in all the walks of life.

Ah, we must be trained to the right use of life-trained in the thorough, practical, enduring habits while we are young, in order wisely and skilfully to discharge life's duties in riper years. And while this may be seen and readily acknowledged in every thing relating to our outward life, the same training is no less important for the vigorous growth of our religious character.

Notwithstanding the general prevalence of religious profession among us, the maintenance of undeviating and firm religious principles was never more difficult. Amusements called harmless, temptations most insinuating, an easy morality, fashion, a general taste for impure, or at least dangerous fiction, face us at every step with their seducing influences. It is hard to keep in the narrow way, and yet there is no other way for the Christian disciple than that strait and narrow way whereof the Lord spake. It is as strait and narrow now as ever. To walk in it, what earnestness of purpose, what resolution of will, what unfaltering exertion, what prompt obedience, unceasing prayer, what perpetual watchfulness, what an earnest pressing forward, is at all times necessary! To attain a healthy, manly, vigorous piety, a degree of piety that will truly elevate and distinguish the character, INWROUGHT HABITS OF PERSEVERANCE ARE ALL-IMPORTANT. Is it not so?-Jane Hudson.

ARROWS FOR THE HEART.

Ir was upon the Sabbath that I walked abroad, musing on worldly things, and pondering how to add to my sinful pleasures. Passing along I came to a building, wherein was heard the singing of many people, and I entered to hear the singing, and to see the people who were assembled together. The singing ceased, and I waited a season to look about the place. As I gazed around, I saw a goodly multitnde, but one man stood higher than the rest. In his hand he held a bow, and a quiver filled with arrows was at his back, and his countenance was clouded with thought. While I looked, he drew an arrow from his quiver, and put it to the string of his bow, and, without taking aim, he shot forth the arrow, which pierced the bosom of one among the multitude, who fell down sorely wounded. My eye rested on the arrow, and I saw it had a label, whereon was written, "there is no peace, saith the Lord, to the wicked."

In a little while the archer took another arrow from his quiver, and it sped like lightning from his bow. Passing over the heads of some who were kneeling on the ground, it stuck in the bosom of a proud man who was standing very upright above the crowd, and the label of the arrow bare these words, "Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased."

Many of the people now began to tremble, for the archer stayed not his hand. A hypocrite was quickly smitten to the earth, and next a little boy. On the arrow of the first was inscribed, "The hope of the hypocrite shall perish;" and on that of the boy, Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.'

66

Scarcely had I raised my eyes again to the archer, when I saw him once more put an arrow to his bow, and on the label there was written, "Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy." The point of the arrow was towards me, and I would have shunned it, but could not; already it was in my bosom, and the words which it bore pierced my heart. Then I felt that I had sinned, and in the anguish of my spirit, I exclaimed, "God, be merciful to me a

sinner!" The evil doer also, and the proud man, and the hypocrite, and the little boy, all cried out aloud, for the arrows had sorely wounded them.

Then I looked in my distress to the archer, and his countenance was no longer clouded, but bright; and he gently drew the arrow from my bosom, and poured oil and balm into the wound it had made. And he spake comfortably unto me, and put into my hand a scroll, in which there was written, "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord and honourable, then I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob." And he did in like manner to the others that were wounded. On the scroll of the evil-doer there was written, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and let him turn unto the Lord, aud he will have mercy upon him." And on the scroll of the proud man, "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." And on that of the hypocrite, "Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord." And on the scroll of the little boy, "Those that seek me early shall find me." When we had pondered the scrolls, we read the scriptures and prayed, and the archer read and prayed with us, and spake to us of Him whose name is above every name, who is able to save unto the uttermost, even Jesus Christ the Son of God. Then believing the words of the archer, we rejoiced with exceeding great joy, and we asked him who he was, and he said, "I am a minister of God sent forth to warn my fellow-sinners of the wrath to come, and to preach the glad tidings of salvation. I draw the bow at venture, but the Spirit of the Lord directs the arrow. He wounds, and his words make whole.'

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

MARTYROLOGIA; or Records of Religious Persecution: being a new and comprehensive Book of Martyrs, of Ancient and Modern Times. Compiled partly from the Acts and Monuments of John Foxe, and partly from other genuine and authentic documents, printed and in manuscript. By the Rev. JOHN S. Stamp, Editor of "Elliott's Delineation of Roman Catholicism," &c. Vol. I., 8vo., Cloth bds. pp. 550. London: J. Mason.

What marvellous revelations are unfolded in the records of religious persecution! They exhibit its perpetrators in the blackest features of human depravity, whilst they also testify to the amazing fortitude and lofty devotion of its victims. Whether all the depravity which persecution has developed be merely human, is a question; for surely bad as the heart of man undoubtedly is, it never could, without Satanic agency, have invented the horrible modes of torture and of death, by which religious persecution has sought to satisfy its thirst for blood. But however powerfully the great adversary may have assisted in this dreadful work, man must have been vile indeed, to yield to such an influence-an influence which has prompted the powerful to oppress the weak, and which has stirred up a rancorous hostility, not against licentiousness and crime, but against the brightest manifestations of moral rectitude and purity. Heartsickening and horrifying as are the details of persecution, it is nevertheless desirable that they should be known. It is requisite that man should know the baseness and cruelty of man. It is requisite too that the rights of conscience, and the principles of religious liberty should be fully understood and appreciated; and these results will be best realized, by contemplating the absurdity as well as the ferocity exhibited in the scenes of religious persecution.

There needed a work on this subject that should combine completeness with condensation that should present in a readable form the prominent events and principles by which this awful portion of the world's history is distinguished. Such a work is in progress, and the first volume of it is now before us. Of the industry, learning, and talent displayed in the volume, we feel that we cannot speak too highly. Questionable statements are thoroughly investigated, and undoubted facts are faithfully exhibited. The characters of both persecutors and persecuted are vividly delineated, and due prominence given to whatever is striking or important in the respective histories of the parties. The style, too, possesses all those qualifications which add to the interest of the narrative. In short, as a Book of Martyrs, there

T