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would hardly perhaps appear worthy of being recorded, but that it shows so sweetly the tender care of our Father in heaven, which provides even for the minute wants of his children. She had been preparing her bread for the oven, and while laying it, she remembered that two-pence would be required to pay for the baking, which she had not, nor did she know whence to obtain it, and she was very unwilling to ask for credit, as some rough words had been spoken by the bake-woman, on account of the non-payment of a bill of six or seven shillings, which she had owed for a few weeks. So she lifted up her heart to God in prayer, and feeling assured that a supply would come, in the midst of other business, soon forgot all about her wants. An hour or two after, she took

up her infant, and went into a neighbour's house to see some old friends whom she had not met for many years. After talking to. gether some time, she rose to depart, when one of her friends put two-pence into the hand of the infant. The poor woman, though she said nothing, in a moment remembered her bread, and returned home with a heart full of wonder and gratitude, thinking on the delightful fulfilment which she had experienced of that sweet promise, "Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

E. M.

THE CHRISTIAN.

A pious man is a useful man. A spirit of prayer has power with God; it may dispense blessings over the whole habitable world, and bring to repentance a multitude, which no man can number. Suppose that an infirm Christian possesses faith in prayer, and spends most of his time in intercession at the throne of grace. He prays for individuals, for families, for schools, for nations, for the world. The Lord hears; individuals are converted, families become pious, churches are enlarged, nations are blessed with the light of truth. It is better to be pious than to be great; better to pray in faith, than to have the gift of tongues, or the understandPrayer is a mighty weapon. It must be more nations submit to Jesus. The Lord grant that weapons of our warfare may be spiritual.

ing of an angel.

in use, before the the

THE BLESSING OF ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD.

The Rev John Ryland was on a journey, when he was overtaken by a violent storm, and obliged to take shelter in the first inn he came to. The people of the house treated him with great kindness, and would fain have shown him into a parlour, but being wet and cold, he begged leave rather to sit by the fire-side with the family. The good old man was very friendly and cheerful, and told many interesting anecdotes, and the family did their utmost to make him comfortable. They all supped together, and were mutually pleased with each other. At length when the house was cleared, and the hour of rest approached, the stranger looked uneasy, and looked up every time a door opened, as if expecting something necessary for his comfort. His host told him that his chamber was ready whenever he chose to retire. "But," said he, "you have not had your family together." "Had my family together! for what purpose? I don't know what you mean," said the landlord. "To read the Scriptures, and pray with them," replied the guest. do not retire to rest without performing this necessary duty." The landlord confessed that he had never thought of doing such a thing. "Then, sir," said Mr. R., I must beg you to order my horse immediately." The landlord entreated him not to expose himself to the dreadful storm, which was as violent now, as when first he came in.

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May be so," replied Mr. R., "but I had rather brave the storm, than venture to sleep in a house where there is no prayer. Who can tell what may befall us before morning? No, sir; I dare not stay." The landlord still urged him to stay, and expressing great regret that he should offend so agreeable a gentleman, at last said he should have no objection to "call his family together," but he should not know what to do when they came. Mr. R. then offered to conduct family worship, to which all readily agreed. The family were all assembled, and then Mr. R. called for a Bible, but no such book could be found. However he was able to supply the want, for he always carried a small Bible or Testament in his pocket. He read a small portion of Scripture, and then prayed with much seriousness and feeling, especially thanking God that none of those present had been struck dead by the storm, and imploring his protection for the night. He earnestly prayed that the attention of all might be awakened to the things belonging to their everlasting

peace, and that the family might never again meet in the morning, or separate at night without prayer. When he rose from his knees, almost every person present was bathed in tears, and many made the anxious inquiry, "What must I do to be saved!" Much instructing and useful conversation took place. The following morning Mr. R. again performed family worship, and obtained from the landlord a promise, that however feebly conducted, it should not in future be omitted. The day was indeed the beginning of days to that family. Most, if not all of them became true Christians, and were the means of spreading the knowledge of the Gospel. "A word spoken in season how good is it." "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."

CHRISTIAN CONSISTENCY.

2 COR. iii. 2.

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"I call to mind," says the author of A Father's Reasons for Repose,' "a most affecting anecdote of a dear friend." "I was," said he, "the chaplain of a little squadron, for five years stationed in the Mediterranean. The commodore was a frank and generous man, who treated me with marked attention. I used to preach in all the ships but one. This was a small frigate, and its captain a profane man. He used to say he wanted no methodist parson for a pilot, and he embraced every opportunity of annoying me. Being a person of violent temper, he took offence, and insulted the com modore, who meant to send him home. When I heard of his intention, I waited on the commodore, and said I was come to ask a particular favour of him. That shall be granted. I am always happy to oblige you. What is it?' That you will overlook the conduct of Captain -.' said I. Nay, nay, you can't be serious. Is he not your greatest enemy, and I believe the only man in the fleet who does not wish to see you on board his ship?"That's the very reason why I ask the favour, commodore. I must practice as well as preach.' 'Well, well, tis an odd whim; but if on reflection I can grant your request, without prejudice to his Majesty's service, I will do it.' The next day I renewed my suit. Well,' said he, if Captain

will make a public apology, I

will overlook his conduct.

I instantly got into a boat, and rowed to the frigate. The captain met me with a scowl on his countenance; but when I told him my business, I saw a tear in his eye, and taking me by the hand, he said, 'Mr. -, I really don't understand your religion, but I do understand your conduct, and I thank you.' The affair blew over, and he pressed me to preach in his ship. The first time I went there, the whole crew were dressed in their best clothes, and the captain at my right hand. I could hardly utter a word, my mind was so much moved, and so was the whole crew. There seemed a more than ordinary solemnity amongst us. That very night the ship disappeared-and not a soul survived to tell the tale-no one ever knew how it happened; but we supposed, as there had been a gale of wind, she foundered, and went down in deep water!" My friend, the chaplain, was a man of great simplicity and unquestionable veracity, and on his authority I introduce the tale, to shew that even a profane man is no bad interpreter of Christian consistency.

EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF THE REV. J. WARD,

A DIVINE OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

The church of God is like chamomile: the more you tread it, the more you spread it.

As Joshua trod upon the necks of the five kings, our Joshua hath conquered five kings for us; as sin, Satan, death, hell, and the grave.

A soldier of Cæsar's asking him for something, and he denying it, "Ah," says the soldier, "did I serve you so at the battle of Actium?" So, methinks, Christ says to us when he bids us do any thing, and we will not, "Did I serve you so? Did I shrink, when I was to lay down my life for you ?"

The angels sent the women that came to the sepulchre away with this answer, "He is risen; he is not here;" and thereby did dehort them and us from burying our affections in Christ's grave, but rather seek him where he is to be found.

In the time of the law, those fowls were accounted unclean that would swim in water or fly in air, as the cormorant and the bittern; so that heart that will wallow in the puddle of iniquity, and yet pretend to soar aloft to God, is an abomination unto him.

Mr. Bolton was asked by a friend, on his death-bed, whether he would not be content to live, if God would grant him life? "Truly," said he; "I grant that life is a great blessing of God; neither will I neglect any means that may preserve it; and do heartily desire to submit to God's will; but I infinitely desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, which is best of all.

Though perfect love cast out tormenting fear, yet perfect love casteth in obeying fear.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ROME.

One delightful result of having been abroad this year has been to show me in what the true Church of Christ consists, and in what its unity. There is a people preparing for his second coming which will be gathered out of every nation and kindred of the earth; and a glorious and consoling thought it is, many of these are now taught in secret by the Holy Spirit even in very unlikely quarters. Oh! how sweet it has been to meet with those whose hearts glow with the love of Christ, and who are seeking to know and do his will, while they wait till the time comes when there shall be one fold and one Shepherd. We spent an evening at Lord M.'s, where we met a very interesting man, who was on his way to Syria. His name is Assaad Kayat. He told us he was walking a few days before near the Colisseum, when an old priest met him. His appearance had attracted his notice, and he wished to speak to him. Assaad bowed to him, and they accosted each other. The old man gave him his address, and Assaad went soon after to the church where the address led him to seek him. found him in an obscure corner of the church, engaged in prayer. Assaad left him for half an hour, and then went to him again, and the old man took him to his room. Assaad asked him many questions: among others-" Who will be saved?" He answered, "All true Christians." Assaad asked, "Who are true Christians?" He answered, "All true sons of the Church." Assaad asked, "What is the Church?" He replied, "All who love the Lord Jesus." When Assaad touched upon the errors of the Roman Catholic Church, he sighed, and said gently, "We must wait a little." They parted as brothers in Christ. This is one of many similar instances.

He.

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