BERNARD GILPIN. OH how I love to read of a man who has loved mercy, and practised kindness! Bernard Gilpin lived in the reigns of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, and obtained by his piety, zeal, and benevolence, the name of "The Apostle of the North." At that time, the feuds and quarrels among the people of the north counties ran high, and very few men had sufficient influence to soften down the angry passions of the people. On one occasion, when Bernard was in the pulpit, two opposing parties met in the church, and there seemed but little doubt that a fray was on the eve of taking place. Bernard descended from the pulpit, and placing himself between the hostile parties, prevailed on them to put off their intended battle till the service should be over. He then exhorted them from the pulpit in so earnest, affectionate, and effectual a manner, that they gave up their purpose of fighting on that day, and also agreed that so long as the good man remained in the neighbourhood, there should be no strife and contention between them. BERNARD GILPIN. 149 It is written, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God," Matt. v. 9. Now, when we read this text, and when we hear of instances like that related of Bernard Gilpin, wherein a kindly spirit has subdued the rage of hot and angry hearts, it should move us to make trial of our powers in the art of peacemaking. It is a noble achievement to bring one to his proper senses who has been beside himself with anger, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness! to take the fire from the inflamed eye, the venom from the stinging tongue, to disarm the uplifted hand, and to change the bitterness of the revengeful bosom into forgiveness and love! The readiest way to fit ourselves to be peacemakers, is to encourage a peaceable disposition in our own hearts, taking heed to the exhortation of the apostle: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you," Eph. iv. 31, 32. COMMON OCCURRENCES. LET me run through a few of the common every-day affairs of life. I lost my way, and was for a time sadly perplexed; but when I regained my path, I could have sung for joy: the wind blew dust into my eyes, and blinded me; but it only rendered me doubly grateful for my eyesight afterwards: I had travelled far, and felt hunger and thirst; but this made my frugal meal a feast of fat things in my estimation: for a time I was sorely troubled with a fit of the toothache; it passed, and oh, how delightful it was to be at ease! I mislaid my spectacles, and could not see to read the Bible; never was I so thankful for spectacles as when I found them: I was cast down, and brought very low; but I went in my weakness to Him who is strong, and soon felt like a giant refreshed with wine. Well-instructed Christians not only know, but COMMON OCCURRENCES. 151 feel that all things work together for good to those that truly love God; and they may truly say, Our purest pleasures spring from pains; Weakness gives strength, peace follows strife, If winter heightens our enjoyment of spring, summer, and autumn, let us be thankful for win If the darkness of the night enhances, in our estimation, the brightness of the day, let us thank God for the midnight gloom. Nothing can be clearer than that the shade is as necessary as the shine, and deprivation as salutary as enjoyment. The trials and perplexities of life are an essential part of God's mercies; and a Christian man should never ponder on the gloom of earth, without contrasting it with the glory of heaven. THE GODS OF THE HEATHEN. THE Egyptians worshipped Osiris, Isis, Typhon, Anubis, Serapis, and Harpocrates. The Persians adored Armuzd, Mithas, and Ahriman. The Hindoos bowed down to Brahma the creator, Seeva the destroyer, and Vishnu the preserver. These, and many other gods, were acknowledged by the Egyptians, the Persians, and the Hindoos. The Babylonians worshipped Belus ; the Canaanites, Philistines, and Syrians, adored Moloch, Baal, Dagon, and Rimmon; the Peruvians bowed down to the sun, moon, and stars; and the Mexicans paid divine honours to Vitzliputzli and Kaloc. These, and many other gods, were acknowledged by the Babylonians, the Canaanites, the Philistines, the Syrians, the Peruvians, and the Mexicans. The Scythians worshipped Tabite, Papius, |