ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS. 66 ex preachers, that I may choose." "Mr. D.," said his friend, 66 hibits the orator, and is much admired for his pulpit eloquence." "Well," said Mr. P., "and what is the other ?" Why, I hardly know what to say of Mr. C.; he always throws himself in the back ground, and you see his Master only." "That's the man for me, then," said Mr. Pearce, "let us go and hear him.” THE OLD MONEY-LOVER was in the thick of worldly comforts, reposing easily at his elegant suburban villa, when the grim visitant faced him. Poor fellow, he was not at all prepared for him. Life had not been unpleasant to him, and he did not wish to leave it. Friends crowded his bedside, and they gave him what consolation friends can; still the old man could but falter forth, "Why am I not allowed to live a few years more! I should then be""What?" they asked; "worth a hundred thousand pounds." And so he died! and what did he lose? A GOLDEN RULE.-Preserve your conscience always soft and sensible; if but one sin find its way into that tender part of the soul, and dwell easy there, the way is then paved for a thousand iniquities. And take heed that, under any scruple, doubt, or temptation whatsoever, you never let any reasonings satisfy your conscience which will not be a sufficient answer or apology to the great Judge at the last day. CONVERSION OF GALEN.-This celebrated heathen was converted from atheism by contemplating a human skeleton, persuaded that workmanship so exquisite, and design so manifest, plainly demonstrated the existence of a Creator. THE FIRESIDE. The Fireside. ON MOTHERS PRAYING FOR THEIR CHIldren. I AM a mother, and having learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content, I have endeavoured to cast all my care on God, and see his hand making all things work for good. My children were once going the way to ruin, and I dreaded the consequences. But I prayed to God for them; and blessed; be his Holy Name, he brought them back in answer, I believe, to my poor supplications for them. I mention this that mothers, who know God, may trust in him, and never despair of seeing their children restored to walk in the way of life and salvation. How great a mother's joy is then, is not for me to tell, but I have felt it; and this one thing I know, that never in all my life did I feel such perfect satisfaction, or more sincere gratitude to God. [The writer then gives the following verses, which we have not seen in print before; and which, if original, do credit both to her head and to her heart.] DOMESTIC KINDNESS. A sweet young rose in summer-time, Is beautiful to me; And glorious are the clear bright stars But gentle words of loving hearts, The sun may warm the grass to life; But looks that tell of tenderness, It is not what the world can give, But O! if all that cluster round' The table and the hearth, Have gentle words and loving smiles, THE PENNY POST BOX. The Penny Post Box. THE AGED SCHOLAR. THE love which the Welsh people have always shewn for the book of God is a well-known and pleasing fact. Nay, it was from the desire of a little girl to read the Holy Scriptures that the Bible Society-the greatest and most noble institution in the world, had its origin. A friend in Wales has sent us the following fact, which, he says, is his christmas box to the Pioneer. We thank him for it. And we may here just add, that we have known many such instances of aged women, and men too, who have laboured with wonderful diligence at learning to read the word of God. One aged man, when he was taught to spell Lord, exclaimed, “Oh, bless that word!" Another, a woman of fourscore, was taught, and so correctly, that she read the fifth chapter of James before a public meeting to the admiration of all present. And what was better still, some of these were brought, by reading the New Testament themselves and quietly thinking about, to know their God and Saviour. At eventide light from heaven beamed on their souls. "It was on a cold, dark December evening, that your correspondent entered a neat little cottage, the appearance of which is still on his memory. It was not furnished in the most costly style, but everything was there that was necessary to the comfort of its inmate; in fact, it was a little house well filled, and in it everything had its place, and a place for everything. There was a comfortable little fire, and near it, seated on a little stool, was an aged widow, its only inmate; and before her was placed a little stand, supporting a well-worn bible, which was her greatest treasure. She had passed some threescore years in this world, but all this time it was to her as a dumb book, for she could not read. When old age and infirmities had rendered her unfit for her usual labours, she betook herself to learning to read with a diligent mind. But it may be asked, how could she, in her solitary condition, obtain instruction? Near her house there is a well, from which the neighbourhood is supplied with water; and after school-hours, little children were to be seen flocking with their pitchers to convey the useful element to their dwellings; and often was she to be seen with her bible in her hand seeking instruction from those young water-carriers. But this was not her only help, every one that entered her dwelling had to impart unto her some instruction before they left; and the result of all this perseverance is, that this is the third time that she is reading over the whole of her bible." Near Haverfordwest. W. L. FACTS, HINTS, AND GEMS. Facts, Hints, and Gems. Facts. WAR AND WARRIORS. A Fable. The sword of the warrior was taken down to brighten; it had not been long out of use. The rust was rubbed, but there were spots that would not go-they were of blood. The pen took advantage of the first breath of air to move a little further off. "Thou art right," said the sword, "I am a bad neigh bour." "I fear thee not," said the pen, "I am more powerful than thou art, but love not thy society." "I exterminate," said the sword. "And I perpetuate," answered the pen; "where are thy victories, if I record them not? Even where thou shalt one day be-in the lake of oblivion." Julius Cæsar.-Returning from a great triumph there were carried before his chariot the names of 800 cities which he had reduced by the slaughter of a million of his oppo nents. Napoleon's House at St. Helena.Bonaparte's house at Longwood, St. Helena, is now a barn; the room he died in is a stable; and where, the imperial body lay in state, may be found a machine for grinding corn. The testimony of a Great Warrior. -Wellington, when writing to the Earl of Aberdeen, our present prime minister, to tell him of the death of his brother, Colonel Gordon, at Waterloo, said, "The glory resulting from such actions is no consolation to me." During the French Wars on the continent a number of young females, to avoid the brutal violence of the conquering soldiers, who were fast approaching, joined hands together and leaped into an adjoining river, preferring death to violation. Our National Debt, which amounts to nearly 800 millions of pounds sterling-a debt incurred by warsrequires above half our whole national income to pay the interest alone. Horrible Profanity of Warriors.— "Soldiers! your first duty is to your officers; and your second to God." Sir Harry Smith. "To a soldier, obedience is the law and the prophets. His religion, law, and morals, are all in the orderly book."-Sir Charles Napier. Hints. THE WORLDLY MAN is like the hinder wheel of a carriage, ever running after the front wheel of happiness, but never catching it. BUT A FEEBLE BLAZE must be make, who cannot expect to be seen, except during the eclipse of others. GOOD HEALTH.-It is as great a mercy to be preserved in good health, as to be delivered from bad sickness. SHORTNESS OF TIME. Many complain how swift the days pass by, and yet they live as if there would be no end of them. ON LOVING ONE'S NEIGHBOUR.He who is benevolent feels love towards those on whom he bestows his kindness. Thus he has his reward. For he who grows in love grows in happiness. ON CONFESSING OUR ERRORS.It is a common thing for a man to err. A wise man will confess his errors-a fool never. HE IS A BOLD MAN who calls everything by its right name. Lord Halifax used to say that such a man could hardly pass down the street without being knocked down as a common enemy. POLITENESS. There is something higher in politeness than moralists have recognised. In its FACTS, HINTS, AND GEMS. best form, as a simple, outstanding, all-pervading spirit, none but the truly religious man can show it. For it is the sacrifice of self in the little habitual habits of life -always the best test of our principles-together with a respect, unaffected, for man, as our brother, under the same grand destiny. Gems. HOLY DISPOSITIONS are as the fountains of pleasant streams, which run together and form an ocean of happiness. SOUL SECURITY depends upon our continued reliance on Christ, and our obedience to his will: danger attends every step of departure or disobedience. GOD ADMITS NONE TO HEAVEN but such as satisfy him by their good works that they love him and desire to be like him. THE PLEASURES OF THE CHRISTIAN are so portable that he can carry them about with him whereever he goes, and have them always ready for use. DEATH AND LIFE UNITED.-When a king of France dies, they cry Vale! Salve-or "The king is dead, the king lives"-thus telling that one king is dead, but another lives. So, in a higher sense, the christian dies to the world but lives to Christ. THE WAY OF GOD IS, when we come to him, first to pardon our sins for Christ's sake, and then set us to work, blessing us in what we do. But he never blesses those who live in sin or indulge in idleness. WHAT MAN CAN TELL, who is living in sin, how much peace and hope and joy he is losing in this life; and what man on earth can tell such a man what he is losing in the life to come? THANKFULNESS.-We must not expect greater blessings from God if we are not thankful for those which we already possess. |