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ANECDOTES, SELECTIONS, AND GEMS.

the traveller was urged to tarry till breakfast, but declined, the distance he had to travel requiring him to set off early. His host would take no compensation, and he departed, giving him many thanks. He travelled on till late in the morning, when, finding no public house, he stopped again at a private one for refreshment. While waiting he lost no time to recommend Christ and him crucified to the family. When ready to depart he offered to pay the mistress of the house, who had waited upon him very kindly, for his repast, and also for the oats for the horse, but she would receive nothing. Thus he went on, calling for entertainment as often as he needed it, and recommending religion wherever he called, and always offering, as any other travellers would do, to pay his expences, but no one would accept his money, although it was not known but that he had a good supply, for he told them not, and his appearance was respectable; and at home he was a man of wealth. 'What," thought he, "does this mean? I was never treated in this manner on a journey before." The dollar given to the destitute woman recurred to his mind, and conscience replied, "I have been well paid: it is indeed safe lending to the Lord." On the second day after he left the cottage in the wilderness, he arrived safely at home, and still had money for the poor, having been at no cost whatever. About one year and a half after this, a stranger called at the house of Mr. M. for some refreshment. In the course of the conversation he observed that he lived on the other side of the mountain, near Connecticut. Mr. M. inquired for some gentlemen there with whom he was acquainted, and was pleased to find that the stranger knew them well. He then asked whether the people in that vicinity paid much attention to religion. The traveller replied, "not much; but in a town twenty or thirty miles back from the river, where I am acquainted, there has been a powerful revival. The commencement of it was very extraordinary. The first person who was awakened and brought to repentance, was a poor woman who lived in a very retired place. At the time of her baptism she related, that some time before, a stranger was driven into her house by a thunder-storm, and talked to her so seriously that she began, while listening to his discourse, to feel concerned about her soul. The man, she related, was much affected when he found that she had no bible, and after he had left her house to go on his journey, returned again and gave her a dollar to buy one, and charged her to get it soon, and read it diligently. She did so, and it had been the means, as she believed, of bringing her from darkness to light-from a state of stupidity and sin to delight in the truth and ways of God. The name of this pious man, or the place of his residence, she knew not, but she believed it was the Lord who sent him. At this relation, and the great change which was so obvious in the woman, her neighbours wondered much. They were led to meditate much on the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, displayed in this singular event of his providence. They were led o

ANECDOTES, SELECTIONS, AND GEMS.

think more of the importance of attending to their bibles themselves, and were finally awakened to a deep concern for the salvation of their souls. As many as thirty or forty are already hopefully converted, and rejoicing in God their Saviour." Mr. M., who had listened to this relation with a heart swelling more and more with wonder, gratitude, and joy, could refrain no longer, but with hands and eyes upraised to heaven, exclaimed, "My God! I lent that dollar unto Thee, and thou hast paid me again."

Selections.

DONT QUARREL.-One of the most easy, the most common, and the most perfectly foolish things in the world, is to quarrel, no matter with whom, man, woman, or child; or upon what pretence, provocation, or occasion whatsoever. There is no kind of necessity

in it, no manner of use in it, and no species or degree of benefit to be gained by it. And yet, strange as the fact may be, nations, and tribes, men, women, and children, quarrel about all manner of occasions. If there is anything in the world that will make a man feel bad, except pinching his fingers in the crack of a door, it is unquestionably a quarrel. No man ever fails to think less of himself after than he did before a quarrel-it degrades him in his own eyes, and in the eyes of others--and, what is worse, blunts his sensibility to disgrace on the one hand, and increases the power of passionate irritability on the other. The reason that people quarrel about religion is, because they really have very little of it; and the harder they quarrel, the more abundantly do they prove it. A man has a right to stand fast by his religious faith-a right to insist upon it—a right to present it respectfully on all occasions to the consideration of others-but he has no right to quarrel; and any man that will quarrel about these things, in our opinion, has not much to quarrel about. Politicians need not quarrel. Whosoever quarrels with a man for his political opinions, is himself denying the first principle of freedom-freedom of thought, moral liberty, without which there is nothing in politics worth a groat; it is therefore wrong upon principle. You have on this subject a right to your own opinions-so have others; you have a right to convince them, if you can-they the same. Exercise your rights; but again we say dont quarrel. The truth is, the more quietly and peaceably we all get on, the better-the better for ourselves--the better for our neighbours. In nine cases out of ten, the wisest policy is, if a man cheats you, to quit dealing with him; if he is abusive, quit his company; if he slanders you, take care to live so that nobody will believe him; no matter who he is, or how he misuses you, the wisest way is generally just to let him alone; for there is nothing better than this cool, calm, quiet way of dealing with the wrongs we meet with. A wise man was once asked, what he meant to do to a man who had injured and quarreled with him. "Do to him," said he, "I mean to punish him most severely-by letting him alone.”

ANECDOTES, SELECTIONS, AND GEMS.

I SHOULD GROW IN GRACE.-1. Because it is commanded, "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."-2. God has furnished the means. His Spirit, his Word, his Institutions, the Communion of saints, are all helps provided for my spiritual advancement; and if I do not progress, they are so many witnesses staring me in the face, and reproving me.3. It is the only way to avoid backsliding. There is no standing still in religion. I am like a boatman rowing against the current -the moment I rest upon my oars, my little bark goes backward. But if I could stand still I would not, for-4. Religion was never so important to me as it is at the present moment. I never was so much indebted to Grace and Providence. I never was so nearly done with earth, and so close to eternity. I never had so few moments to labour for God, and get ready for heaven, as now.5. I need to grow in grace, because my responsibilities are growing. As I advance in life, my duties every day are increasing in number and responsibility, and the sphere of my accountable action enlarging. Nothing can qualify me to fulfil any duty but the grace of God. What, then, is plainer than that, as my responsibilities increase, I must acquire proportional increase of grace to discharge them aright? Without this, I shall certainly make shipwreck.

Gems.

PROFESSION AND POSSESSION.-'Tis not the profession, but the possession of Christ, which is our hope of glory (Col. 27)-"Christ in you." "Tis one thing to know Christ by a relation made of him unto us, another thing to know Christ by a revelation made of him within us. (Gal. i. 15, 16.)

RELIGION, which is to be our business and pleasure too, is not for spare hours, nor hath it any hours to spare. (Luke i. 75; 1 Cor. x. 31.) We should be religious in all things, and all times.

PROCRASTINATION has been called a thief-the thief of time. I wish it were no worse than a thief. It is a murderer; and that which it kills is not time merely, but the immortal soul.

REPENTANCE.-He who waits for repentance, waits for what cannot be had so long as it is merely waited for.

ON GLORIFYING GOD.-We cannot be said to glorify God, though we do the things that glorify him, unless we do the things to glorify him.

A PRIVILEGE.'Tis great mercy to be one of Christ's, though but one of his little ones.

Facts and Hints.

WATER FOR DRINK.--The new Mayor of Wakefield is an abstainer. At his entrance ou office he gave a dinner, but no wine, beer, or spirits. What would the old toper's say to such a mayor's feast?

AN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER lately advertised "two likely negro boys, fourteen years of age, no faults," for sale; also "a pew in St. Peter's Church."

HATS were first manufactured in England by Spaniards in 1510. Before that time, both men and women wore close-knit woollen caps.

THE Times Newspaper is now printed by a steam machine which throws off 8,500 copies per hour.

THE FIRESIDE.

The Fireside.

DOMESTIC HAPPINESS.-Ah! what so refreshing, so soothing, so satisfying, as the placid joys of home! See the traveller- does duty call him for a season to leave his beloved circle ? The image of his earthly happiness continues vivid in his remembrance, it quickens him to diligence, it makes him hail the hour which sees his purpose accomplished, and his face turned towards home; it communes with him as he journeys, and he hears the promise which causes him to hope-"Thou shalt know also that thy tabernacle shall be in peace, and thou shalt visit thy tabernacle, and not sin." Oh the joyful reunion of a divided family-the pleasures of renewed interview and conversation after days of absence! Behold the man of science-he drops the laborious and painful research -closes his volume-smooths his wrinkled brow-leaves his study, and unbending himself, stoops to the capacities, yields to the wishes, and mingles with the diversions of his children. Take the man of tradewhat reconciles him to the toil of business?-what enables him to endure the fastidiousness and impertinence of customers?-what rewards him for so many hours of tedious confinement? By and bye the season of intercourse will behold the desire of his eyes and the children of his love, for whom he resigns his ease; and in their welfare and smiles he will find his recompense. Yonder comes the labourer-he has borne the burden and heat of the day-the descending sun has released him of his toil, and he is hastening home to enjoy repose. Half way down the lane, by the side of which stands his cottage, his children run to meet him. One he carries, and one he leads. The companion of his humble life is ready to furnish him with his plain repast. See his toil-worn countenance assume an air of cheerfulness! His hardships are forgotten-fatigue vanishes-he eats, and is satisfied. The evening fair, he walks with uncovered head around his garden-enters again, and retires to rest; and "the rest of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much." Inhabitant of this lowly dwelling, who can be indifferent to thy comfort? Peace be to this house! REV. W. JAY.

SOLITUDE.

I CRAVE no wreath of laurel'd fame,
Or monarch's glittering crown;

I sigh not for the conqueror's name,
In gore the earth to drown;
Nor covet I the rich man's store,

His pomp-his shining dust-
Lest I the god of wealth adore,

And yield to him my trust.

No castle fine, 'mid city's din,

My dwelling place shall be ;
Nor dupes of fashion would I win,
My constant friends to be;
Nor pants my soul for scenes of mirth,
For vain and joyous glee;
Nay, let me seek the quiet hearth,
The house of feasting flee.

Give me and mine a lowly cot,
In a secluded dell;
Some sweet and tranquil little spot,
Where happy songsters dwell;
Whose matin lays shall bid me rise,
The early dawn to hail;
And bear my tribute to the skies,

To Him within the veil.

And when the golden tints of eve
Adorn the landscape round,
Each cumbering care I fain would
leave,

To seek some hallowed ground;
There, all unseen by mortal sight,

My soul her part would bearAnd nature, clad with mellow light, Would witness to my prayer. S.

THE PENNY POST.

The Penny Post.

A PLAIN EPISTLE, BY A PLAIN MAN, TO PLAIN READERS.

I AM a poor man-I write to poor men -I know we cannot expect to get all we want in this world, and so let us look to that world where we may expect much and get more.

UP, be doing, time is flying!

Seize it as the moments fly; Thousands now no doubt are dying, And 'tis certain you must die.

Time's a stream that never ceases,

It will carry all away; Though our wish to stay increases, Here we must not, cannot stay. Every moment has its victim; Every moment has its life; Every moment has its pleasure; Every moment has its strife;

Up and down, and smooth and rougher,

Sweet and bitter, dark and light, Sometimes sadly, sometimes smiling We are scarcely ever right.

Seldom 'tis there is not something That we want which we have not, Seldom is it-are we ever

Quite contented with our lot.

For this lot is ever changing,
Everything is altering fast;
Every particle assuming

Something of another cast.

Up, be doing, time is flying!

If relaps'd-begin: resume:
Start again: afresh be trying,

Ere thou sink into the tomb.
Up and fight, this world's a battle;
Win or die each soldier must;
Oft he feels dire weapon's rattle-
Envy, hatred, pride and lust-
Beat upon his soul like furies;

"Woe is me," he cries aloud, Till he's often fain to utter,

"Bless'd is he that wears a shroud.")

Ah; and were it not for JESUS,

He who died from sin to save, We should have no strength left in us, But must sink beneath the grave; We could have no hope of pardon, None to heal, nor none to save, None to liberate the captive,

Or emancipate the slave

Bound in sin's tormenting thraldom,
Captives led at satan's will,
None but Jesus can give freedom,
None but he the monster kill.

Oh my Saviour, Great Redeemer!
Glorious substitute for me;
Thou has brighten'd up the prospect,
Of a bless'd eternity.

Oh; thou fairest of ten thousand,

Who can half thy praise rehearse; Who can find so great a Saviour, In the boundless universe; He it is dispels my darkness;

He it is who gives me light, Shewing in the glorious future,

One bright day without a night! There I never more shall hunger;

There I never more shall thirstRiches there are without measure; There will be my endless rest. Oh my Saviour, Great Redeemer! Glorious substitute for me; Who has brighten'd up the prospect, Of a blessed eternity. Now by thy divine permission,

I would all my powers resign; Bow with deep profound submission, Henceforth be for ever thine. A POOR STOCKINGER. Belgrave, near Leicester.

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