ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS.

Anecdotes and Selections.

THE DAY OF REST.-Never should we profane or misimprove the christian sabbath. There are many perverse thoughts and temptations which would sway us to error, or negligence in this respect but there is a very old rhyme, which is worthy of being committed to memory as a check upon the desire to neglect our religious duties. It reads:

"A sabbath well spent

Brings a week of content,

And health for the toils of to-morrow;
But a sabbath profaned,

Whatsoe'er may be gained,

Is a certain forerunner of sorrow."

This is a ditty very simple in its language; and it is as true as it is easily understood. It was written two hundred years ago, and by a very distinguished person, Sir Matthew Hale. Sir Matthew was a judge in England, and made many decisions in cases which came before him, which are frequently referred to even now by our lawyers and judges; but he never made decision embodying more true wisdom than is contained in those lines. He was so studious that it is related of him that he studied sixteen hours out of the twenty-four; and his Sunday's repose and the calmness of his devotions gave him strength for the great labours which he accomplished. Let us all then, while we remember that God is everywhere, and that His wisdom is seen in His works, acknowledge and obey the wisdom which made the sabbath for man, and blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

RELIGION HALLOWS EVERYTHING IT TOUCHES, and the christian carries his religion wherever he goes-into the world, as well as into the church; so that, in labouring for the bread that perisheth, as well as distributing the bread that endureth to everlasting life, he renders service to the Lord. Christ is his Master at the loom, in the shop, in the counting house, on the exchange, as well as in the house of prayer, and at the sacramental supper. He is the Lord's servant as well when he attends to the duties of his calling in the week, as when he worships on the sabbath. Neither time nor place can alter the relation he bears to Christ; and Christ being Lord of all, both in the providential and spiritual world, orders the goings of his people, fixes the bounds of their habitations, and allots to them the measure and kind of their daily toil.

A BEAUTIFUL SUGGESTION.-How often may a person converse with us before he understands our relation to the heavenly country! If exiles meet in a foreign land, what pleasant discourse have they of home! They suffer not one another to forget it.

ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS.

LOOK UP! WHO SEES You ?-A man who was in the habit of going into a neighbour's corn field to steal the grain, one day took his son, of about eight years old, with him. The father told him to hold the bag, while he looked on to watch if any one was near to see him. After standing on the fence and peeping through all the rows of corn, he returned to take the bag from his child, and began his sinful work. "Father," said the boy, "you forgot to look somewhere else." "Which way, child?" supposing he had seen some one. "You forgot to look up to the sky, to see if God was noticing you." The father felt this reproof of the child so much, that he left the corn field, and returned home, and never again ventured to steal; remembering the truth that he had learned from the child, that the eye of God always beholds us.

THE HIGHLAND FISHERMEN.-Two fishermen, a few years ago, were mending their nets on board their vessel on one of the lakes in the interior of Argyleshire, at a considerable distance from shore, when a sudden squall upset the boat. One of them could not swim, and the only oar which floated was caught by him that could swim. His sinking companion cried, “Ah, my poor wife and children, they must starve now!" "Save yourself, I will risk my life for their sakes!" said the other, and thrusting the oar beneath the arms of the drowning man, he committed himself instantly to the deep. That moment the other oar was seen floating towards them, and thus both were enabled to keep afloat till they were picked up. Surely this little anecdote will tend to impress on the minds of christians the too much neglected duty of "brotherly kindness."

COMMUNION WITH GOD is no light matter. It is not to be thrust aside as an indifferent good. It is something to commune with our kind. It is something to have an earthly friend. It is something to share our joys and our sorrows with those linked to us by human ties. How much higher is it to commune with God; to have a heavenly friend; to pour our joys and our sorrows into the ear of one who is ever near, ever watchful, ever kind; who knows all our necessities, all our sympathies, all our innermost thoughts, and who, when all else are gone, still remains with us, to whom we can cling, and who never denies support.

THE CHEERFUL BEHAVIOUR OF THE SAINTS in the ways of God engages their neighbours to join with them therein. And the more humble men are, the more God regards and exalts them. And nothing is more detestable to him than indulged pride. Whatever trouble God casts his people into, He will protect and preserve them therein. And what good works of grace or salvation He begins, He will perfect at last. He will never leave nor forsake his own. Let us then trust in him at all times, and pour out our hearts before him.

ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS.

THE CHURCH OF ROME IS AGGRESSIVE. It is not content with defensive measures. It preaches in our streets, it seeks conversation by the wayside. Its chapels, schools, and convents, are being rapidly increased. Its agents visit our poor, and stand at the doors of our schools. Its literature, in every form, is pushed into wide circulation. It pursues its one end with a constancy and intensity of zeal, which only wants a better cause to be worthy of all praise. It is not likely that any of you will altogether escape its assaults. Arm yourselves, therefore, with information. This may be needful for your own security. Tell me not that you expect to be kept by God, if you neglect the opportunities he has given you of keeping yourselves. Seek to know the truth. Especially be "mighty in the scriptures." And let humble and earnest prayer for the Spirit of light and life accompany all your reading, and all your thought.

GOD ONLY IS TO BE WORSHIPPED-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. No other being in heaven or earth-no image, carving, picture, cross, wafer, whether "consecrated" or not-no angel, neither saint, living or dead. The heart must be engaged in the worship of God, John iv. 24. Mere forms and ceremonies, and prayers in a foreign language, are therefore vain. So also are prayers which are purchased with money, and all" vain repetitions" to make up a certain number. Prayer to the Virgin Mary or any saint in heaven is idolatry, being the worship of a creature. How can the Virgin Mary hear the thousands of prayers offered to her in various parts of the world unless she be every where present? She is in heaven, and not upon earth, and praying to her is vain and sinful.

THE BIBLE IS OUr sure guide to HEAVEN-God's precious gift to fallen man freely given to all, rich or poor, young or old. By searching it, we become wise unto salvation. The Papists would rob us of this treasure: they hate it because it exposes their errors, and proves their doctrines and practices to be false. If the Bible be true, Popery is falsehood. Sunday schools are built upon the Bible-it is their stronghold; and if teachers, children, and parents study well the holy word of God, all attempts of popery must fail.

SOUNDING THE LAST TRUMPET.-" Are you not going to the Oratorio, to hear the Messiah? The last trumpet is to be sounded: how grand it will be!" "Ah! madam," rejoined her friend, "how could you think that I would go to hear such a thing? We shall all hear the last trumpet, without paying for it; and it may not be so pleasing to some of us!"

DANGER OF WORLDLY POSSESSIONS -When Garrick shewed Dr, Johnson his fine house, gardens, statues, pictures, &c., at Hampton Court, what ideas did they waken in the mind of that great man! Instead of a flattering compliment, which was expected, "Ah! David, David," said the Doctor, "these are the things which make a death-bed terrible !"

THE FIRESIDE.-THE PENNY POST BOX.

The Fireside.

A CURE FOR A TERRIBLE DISORDER OF THE MOUTH, COMMONLY CALLED SCANDAL.

TAKE of good nature, one ounce; and of an herb called mind your own business, one ounce. Mix this with a little charity for others, and two or three sprigs of keep your tongue between your teeth. Simmer them together in a vessel called circumspection, for a short time, and it will be fit for use.

Application:-The symptoms are, a violent itching in the tongue and at the roof of the mouth, which invariably takes place when you are in company with a species of animal called gossips. When you feel a fit of the disorder coming on, take a teaspoonful of the mixture; hold it in your mouth, which you are recommended to keep closely shut till you get home, and you will find a complete cure. Should you apprehend a relapse, keep a small bottle full about you, and on the slightest symptom, repeat the dose.

The Penny Post Box.

A POETIC EPISTLE TO A FRIEND ON HER BIRTHDAY.

EIGHTEEN years have fled away,
Since thy first thy natal day,
To eternity's domain,
Never to return again.

Various have the changes been,
Shifting oft the opening scene;
Nothing here will lasting run,
Nothing to perfection come.
Joys of childhood soon were fled;
Joys of youth too soon are dead;
Lasting, priceless, purest, pleasures,
Here on earth our richest treasure,
Can be found in Christ alone:
Christ the Saviour on his Throne,
Where he lives to intercede,
And evermore for sinners plead.
To the wretch of hope forlorn-
Like the sun's sweet rising dawn
Chasing all the clouds of night-
Is the gospel's glorious light
Breaking in upon his mind,
Guiding him true peace to find

In the Saviour's bleeding side,
There his guilt and shame to hide.
Happy they who find this treasure,
Find it in enlarged measure,
For, when time shall pass away,
They shall reach eternal day!
Jesus now will angels send,
All our footsteps to attend;
Helping us to run this race,
Strengthening oft our tottering pace
As we heavenward bend our way,
To the realms of endless day,
Where the joys laid up in store
Must endure for evermore.
Then let time its troubles sow,
Mingling oft our cup with woe;
'Twill but make their bliss more
sweet,

When in heaven at last we meet.
W. C.

FACTS, HINTS, AND GEMS.

Facts, Hints, and Gems.