16 DURABLE KNOWLEDGE-DIVINE GRACE-TRUTH AND HOLINESS. weeding; as it is in the case of being crowded by its own species, or by other cultivated plants, by thinning. Plants are also injured by epiphytes, which grow on their outer bark, such as mosses and lichens; and by parasites, which root into their living stems and branches, such as the dodder, mistletoe, etc. The life of plants, like that of animals is limited, but varies in regard to duration. Some plants vegetate, flower, ripen seed, and die, in the course of a few months, and these are called annuals; while others, such as the oak and some other trees, are known to live upwards of a thousand years. In both plants and animals, decay commences the moment the life is extinct; and in both they are ultimately resolved, first, into a pulpy or other homogeneous mass for manures, and ultimately into certain gases, salts, and earths. After death, the decay, both of animals and plants may be retarded by the same means, namely, drying, exclusion from the air, or saturating with saline or antiseptic substances.-Loudon's Gardener's Magazine. THE MOST DURABLE KNOWLEDGE. MANY subjects of knowledge there are, wherein by time, or at least by death, knowledge proves useless, or at least the labour therein unprofitable or lost. For instance, I study to be very exact in natural philosophy, the mixtures or conjunctions of qualities, elements, and a thousand such inquiries. Of what use will this be when the world with the works thereof shall be burned up? Or if it should not, what great benefit would this be to a separated soul, which, doubtless, shall either know much more therein without any pains, and so the labour here is lost? or it is such a knowledge as will be inconsiderable or useless to it. And so, and much more for the studies of politics, methods of war, mechanical experiments, languages, laws, customs, histories; all these, within one minute after death, will be as useless as the knowledge of a tailor or shoemaker: they are all adapted to the convenience and use of this life, and with it they vanish. But here is the privilege and advantage that the knowledge of Christ crucified hath; as it serves for this life, so it serves for that to come; and the more it is improved here, the more shall it be dilated hereafter; the higher measure thereof I attain here, the greater measure of glory hereafter. As the more knowledge I have of the mystery of Christ here, the greater is my perception and admiration of the wisdom, and goodness, and love of God; the greater my joy, and complacence, and delight in that sight and sense, and the more my soul is carried out in love and praise and obedience unto him; so in the life to come that knowledge shall improve, and consequently the sense of the wisdom, mercy, and love of God, and the emotions of love and gratitude to him, and delight and joy in him, shall increase unto all eternity.-Judge Hale. THE PROPERTIES OF DIVINE GRACE. DIVINE grace is the free favour, the undeserved compassion of Jehovah, through Jesus Christ, to the absolutely wretched; and includes the bestowment of all spiritual and eternal blessings. Its properties are sovereign, rich, and free; that is, sovereign, as it bestows its favours where and on whomsoever it pleases: rich, as being exceeding abundant in all manner of supplies, extended to the utmost necessities of the poor and wretched; and free, because not conferred upon the account of any inviting qualifications; not rewarding him that willeth or runneth, but in all its bestowments wearing the pleasing appearance of reigning mercy. In short, grace confers the greatest blessings and highest favours, upon the most undeserving amongst the sons of men, according to the good pleasure of the Divine goodness.-S. Eching. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATION. Eastern Robbers. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal."-Matt. vi. 19. "But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up."-Matt. xxiv. 43. THERE are some expressions in this caution given by our blessed Lord, which require a little explanation to an English reader. Our treasures are not liable to be injured by moths, nor to rust; for gold and silver are neither food for the former, nor are they assailed by the latter. But the treasures of the Easterns did not merely consist in silver and gold, but in a prodigious number of sumptuous and magnificent habits, which were regarded as a necessary and indispensable part of their treasures: hence, in the detail of a great man's wealth, the numerous and superb suits of apparel he possessed are sure to be recorded. Titus, after the destruction of Jerusalem, besides gold and silver, distributed garments to those who had distinguished themselves by their valour. Now it will be easily understood, that the moth would destroy garments; and the word translated rust," means to corrode, and treasures or ornaments of common metals, would suffer by corrosion. In entering the premises by burglary, the Easterns do not break through doors or windows, for these are not easily accessible, but they make their way through the walls. The words "break through" and "broken up," properly mean to "dig through." The Eastern houses are not in general built like ours, of burnt bricks or stone, but of dried clay, like some of the cottages in the west of England; or if of bricks, they are merely hardened in the sun, but not burned; and it was the manner of house robbers to enter them by perforating the walls. It has C been particularly remarked, that the Arabians, Egyptians, and inhabitants of Damascus, still build of mud and slime, and unburnt brick, and that their walls are of great thickness. The exhortation in the first text is a He on other occasions; and often, since then, have I 'Tis a bad plan to leave any part of a day's duties undone, for if it be difficult to do it to-day, it is not likely to be less so when the duties of to-morrow are added to it. He who cannot walk twenty miles in two days, will find it uphill work to trudge the same distance in one; and he who is too weak in the back to carry a burden of fifty pounds, will stoop terribly when a hundred-weight is placed on his shoulders. Now all this is too plain to be gainsayed; but the mis brew manner of speaking, requiring us to relinquish things absolutely, which are only to be understood comparatively. It is, however, no credit to a Christian to hoard, though he may not do it to the extent of being denounced by the world | as a miser. He must and will recollect that he is a steward for God, and that there are many ways in which he is called to exercise his stewardship, of which, liberality to the cause of God is not one of the least. The caution here may, how-chief of it is, that, though I find it comever, relate to fixing the heart on the perishing treasures of this world. It shows a sordid mind, and that more care is taken about earth than heaven, "For," says our Lord, "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." In the latter passage, the warning relates to the approaching and sudden destruction of Jerusalem, and to the coming of the Son of man to punish the rebellious and impenitent Jews in that awful visitation; while there may also be a further reference to the approach of death and judgment, which may overtake the ungodly silently and suddenly, robbing him of all on which his heart was set, and leaving him wretched and destitute through eternity. J. C. OLD HUMPHREY ON RUBBING OFF OLD Ir is astonishing how soon a room, altogether neglected, becomes covered with cobwebs; and it is equally remarkable how rapidly neglected duties accumulate, burdening the mind as much as the cobwebs disfigure the chamber. I have often in my youthful days marvelled when Michael Dobbs, our milkman, has announced his tally to be full. There it hung behind the kitchen door, newly washed, without a score upon it, but two chalks for two pennyworth of milk in a morning, and one and a half for three halfpenny worth at night, run up so quickly that, before we were aware of it, the board was full again, and a debt of four shillings and a penny for a single fortnight, had to be paid. "Let us rub off old scores, Mr. Humphrey, and begin again," Michael used to say on these paratively easy to talk wisely, I find it very hard to act prudently. In spite of myself, and of the admonitions which from time to time I proffer to others, my old scores, every now and then, sadly accumulate, and I have need of the friendly whisperings of Michael Dobbs in my ears-"Let us rub off old scores, begin again." and The reason why, at this particular time, I touch on the subject is, that there are some old scores of mine which I feel more than ordinarily anxious to rub off; and, looking up for assistance to Him, whose almighty aid can make the weak strong, and the unstable steady, I intend to accomplish my purpose. What these scores of mine may be, it is not altogether necessary to declare; enough that they are of a varied character. It seems to me to be a good opportunity to bring the subject before you, that if any of you should be similarly circumstanced, you may make an effort, at the same time, to effect the same purpose. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." If, therefore, you have any old scores, let us be working together; let us humbly, but ardently, enter on the necessary and profitable duty of rubbing them off and beginning again. Some of my old scores refer to projects long ago formed, but never executed. A great number of important subjects are noted down on the papers beside me, to which, from time to time, I have intended to give my best attention; yet there they lie, day after day, and month after month, till I could almost sigh for the eyes of the fabled Argus, and the arms of the imaginary Briareus, to carry into effect the plans I have proposed to myself. OLD HUMPHREY ON RUBBING OFF OLD SCORES. Happy is that man who can steadily discharge his daily duties, without mortgaging the energies of to-morrow! We may live beyond our income in regard to time, as well as to money, and he who has anticipated that of to-morrow, will suffer for it the next day, and the day after. Here I have a bundle of ill-chosen subjects and ill-digested matter over which I have pored many an hour. It never has been, nor is ever likely to be of use to me or to any one else, though it has thrust aside inevitable duties which now I must imperatively perform. This is a score which, some how or other, must be rubbed off. There is another set of papers, and a large one, too, setting forth the outlines, the rough sketches of plans and projects of an exalted character. What high aspirations! what noble resolvings! what disinterested yearnings have made my heart throb, and my pulse beat! How vigorously have I undertaken, how tamely have I abandoned works of benevolence and utility! It does not signify, but Michael's motto must be mine. I must rub off old scores, and begin again. Here is a pile of unanswered letters. No one values his friends more highly than I do, yet no one neglects them more, either in correspondence or personal communication. I must turn over a new leaf. I must diminish this pile; not a day, not an hour shall elapse before I begin to do what ought to have been done long ago. Here is a letter of a particular character. It begins with the affectionate greeting, "Dear Old Humphrey," and informs me that at the house of a Dorsetshire friend, I have been spoken of with much kindness; and the announcement of this fact, my correspondent thinks well to accompany with a little sage advice, lest I should allow it to elate me; he knows that a trifling thing will puff up an old man's heart. I will copy one part of the letter, lest, by putting it into my own poor language, it should be robbed of half its interest: "After a little chat, the party walked into the garden, where, among other things to be admired, were several bee-hives, the produce of which had been consecrated to the Bible Society. In the centre of a little lawn, facing the back parlour window, and under the shade of an apple tree, there was another bee-hive on the new plan-all the inmates can be seen busily at work, and the honey can 19 be removed without destroying them. One of the party suggested that, as Old Humphrey was a great favourite, the produce of that hive should be given to the Tract Society, which published Old Humphrey's papers. This was agreed to, provided the master of the house, on reflection, was convinced that this parti cular hive did not form part of the property given to the Bible cause." Now this letter is one of my old scores: let me hasten, then, to rub it off, by acknowledging the kindness it makes known to me. I thank you, my unknown friends, for your favourable opinion; but I speak truly in saying that it rather humbles than exalts me. Much more reason has Old Humphrey to lament on account of what he is not, than to exult on account of what he is. To be a hewer of wood or a drawer of water in aiding any institution in doing good, ought to give me, and I trust it ever will give me, heartfelt satisfaction. A reasonable ground of belief that I had ever, in any degree, strengthened the hands of that highly honoured institution, the Religious Tract Society, would be oil to my joints, and marrow to my bones. Again, I thank you for your kindness manifested in the most agreeable way, by your willingness to support Christian institutions, which, with God's blessing, will increase when we are gone; spreading far and wide unnumbered blessings in the earth, when the hillock that covers Old Humphrey will be undistinguishable. Sweet as honey is, a bad use may be made of it. I have somewhere read of a famous general of olden time, who came at the head of his invincible troops to a wood abounding with honey, when the eating of the tempting sweet too freely, rendered his soldiers luxurious and effeminate. Soon after this, being repulsed with great slaughter, he exclaimed, "It is the honey, and not the enemy, that has conquered me." You do well to put out your bee-hives to interest, to make known with them more extensively the statutes, the judgments, and commandments of the Lord: for 66 more to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.' I take it for granted, that while the bees of your old hive are acting so distinguished a part, you will not allow their offspring to be less honourably occupied. Every fresh swarm from the hive will, it is hoped, doubtless form an infant colony, devoted to the same good work. 66 I wish you could prevail on your neighbours who have hives, to adopt the same course; to 'go and do likewise.' What think you of this subject of old scores? have you nothing of the kind that now and then comes across your spirit like a cloud? have you rubbed off lately, and begun again, or is the tally full ? Let us have no shuffling, but meet the question like a man. Are you sure that you have no old scores to remove? no acts of unkindness to your fellow-beings? no coldness, nor quarrels, nor heartburnings? no parsimonious grudgings, nor thoughtless extravagance, no committed errors, nor omitted duties? have you done nothing that ought to be undone, nor left undone what ought to be performed? Have you kept steadily to the strait but narrow way that leads to Zion? or have you wandered in the broad path that leads to destruction? Are you, without the least reservation, looking to the Saviour of sinners for salvation, or are you faltering in your faith, and partly turning your back upon the cross of Christ? Are you rejoicing with the fatted calf before you, in the house of your heavenly Father, or eating husks in the company of swine? Are you now saying, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord;" or are you ready to halt in your Christian course? Come! come! I see that you begin to quail, and I won't press you too closely. He that narrowly scrutinizes his own heart, will be sure to know something about what is going on in the bosom of his neighbour. Your case may not be so bad as mine, my tally may be fuller than yours, and yet you may have old scores, quite enough to bring a cloud on your brow. Let us, then, as I said before, be always looking upwards for help to Him that is mighty; and then humbly, but ardently, enter on the necessary and profitable duty of rubbing off old scores and beginning again. WILBERFORCE'S "PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY." AMONGST the works constantly issuing from the press, one may sometimes be discovered of no ordinary interest; whe ther regard be had to its intrinsic worth, or to the effect produced by its perusal. Such was the volume entitled, "A Practical View of Christianity," by the late Mr. Wilberforce; a few particulars of which will now be given. It was published on the 12th of April, 1797; and, according to his biographers, " "many were those who anxiously watched the issue." Dr. Milner had strongly discouraged his attempt. "A person who stands so high for talent," wrote David Scott, "must risk much, in point of fame, at least, by publishing upon a subject on which there have been the greatest exertions of the greatest genius." His publisher was not devoid of apprehensions as to the safety of his own speculation. There was then little demand for religious publications, and "he evidently regarded me," says Mr. W., "as an amiable enthusiast." "You mean to put your name to the work? Then I think we may venture upon five hundred copies," was Mr. Cadell's conclusion. Within a few days, it was out of print, and within half a year, five editions (seven thousand five hundred copies) had been called for. His friends were delighted with the execution of the work, as well as with its reception. "I heartily thank you for your book," wrote Lord Muncaster. "As a friend, I thank you for it; as a man, I doubly thank you; but as a member of the Christian world, I render you all gratitude and acknowledgment. I thought I knew you well; but I know you better now, my dearest, excellent Wilberforce." "I see no reason," said his friend James Gordon, why you should wish to have given it another year's consideration; the world would only have been so much the worse by one year." "the "I send you herewith," Mr. Henry Thornton writes to Mr. Macauley, book on religion lately published by Mr. Wilberforce; it excites even more attention than you would have supposed, amongst all the graver and better-disposed people. The bishops, in general, much approve of it; though some more warmly, some more coolly.-Many of his gay and political friends admire and approve of it; though some do but dip into it. Several have recognised the likeness of themselves." "I am truly thankful to Providence," wrote Bishop Porteus," that a work of this nature has made its appearance at |