POETRY.

walks of life, commands respect, and overawes those whose station in life is much superior. How great a blessing must such 66 a mother in Israel" prove to a whole neighbourhood! She is like a centre from which emanate goodness, and wisdom, and experience; and the influence of her prudent and godly example must tell with great efficiency on the entire circle of her acquaintanceship. Such a woman is a crown to her husband, an honour to her kindred, and an ornament to the gospel of Christ. The circumstances, also, in which Andrew Clark was placed, brought his christian character fairly and fully to the test; he was made to look death in the face, and all the realities of eternity were near, but he continued steadfast, and ready to part with his life for Christ's sake.

Poetry.

THE OLD OAK TREE.

WRITTEN 18th of April, 1845, on passing the ancient oaks near Hythe, Kent—a part of the old black forest. It was suggested to my mind that if one of these oaks could speak of the things which had happened to the church of God since it sprung from the earth, it would be an instructive tale-the thought was formed, and " as I pulled it came," and so you have it. A. M. E. YES, still I live! and yet I number more Than fourteen generations long pass'd by; Yet still I live! and now from memories store, Mortal, I'll tell a tale if thou draw nigh.

.

When first my dawn of memory begins
Dark superstition cover'd all the land;
Then man by penance sought to purge his sins,
But added more with every running sand.

Then priest-rid bigots wandered o'er the land,
And brought their offerings to proud Thomas** shrine;
And regal tyranny, with iron hand,

Dealt wars, and blood, and fire, and fell rapine.

Yes, I remember the true church of God

In darksome corners forced to hide her head,
Driven by persecutions papal rod
To seek a shelter 'neath my friendly shade.

*Thomas A'Beckett of Canterbury.

POETRY.

Yes, I remember too, when civil power,
Urged on by mandates from the harlot Rome,
Raised murderous warriors in an evil hour,
Thro' blood to send the chosen people home.

And yet they did remain-aye! did increase-
For blood of martyrs ne'er in vain was shed:
And whilst on earth her foes denied her peace,
The church was bless'd in numbers by her Head.

See! in the silent flood the pastor stands,
And willing converts throng the woody shore,
And one and all fulfil their Lord's commands-
Buried with him, they rise to love him more.

Then, I remember, soon they bore the frown,
The rack, the scourge, the sword, and cruel death,
Or in the fire they won the martyr's crown,
And sang of victory with their latest breath.

And now successive monarchs' I'll pass by
Until we come to Mary's cruel reign,
When all that look'd for Jesus from on high
Were doomed, by priestly murderers, to be slain.

Then proud Elizabeth proclaimed her right
The consciences of God's elect to bind;
Vow'd they should worship as it pleased her sight,
Or doom'd to exile every stedfast mind.

And lordly bishops, puffed and swelled with pride,
Their prisons opened ready to receive,
And many there with cruel suffering died,
Preaching the faith that others might believe.

Again I must pass on to later years,
When others suffered loss of lands and goods;
Traitors and outlaws call'd-when full of fears-
The Puritans sought shelter in the woods.

Yes, I remember that proud haughty man,
(Mortal, attend, for priestcraft has not done)
Archbishop Laud, who doff'd his cap,* and then
Returned thanks to heaven for victory won,

Over a pious saint, who dared to cry,
And lift his voice 'gainst superstitious sin;
Of credence tables, altars, papacy,
Crosses, and bowings, which he had brought in.

* Laud when about to consecrate a certain building called a church, immediately he had entered within the edifice, spread his arms so as to represent a cross, bowed thrice towards the altar, and then proceeded to celebrate the sacrament.

POETRY.

Then Bunyan, honoured name by every saint,
In Bedford gaol, twelve lingering years did lay;
But heavenly visions taught him how to paint
The christians journey to the realms of day.

Long is the night that does not see the day-
The Stuarts, base and perjured, fled the land,
The Revolution brought the peaceful sway
Of William and his patriotic band.

Since then what wondrous things have taken place,
The gospel has been published all abroad,
Bibles and schools increased, and means of grace
Whereby all men may learn the way to God.

And yet in various places here and there
Old superstition finds a hiding place,
And bigot priests would fain put all in fear
Who do not own them of the apostles' race.

My days are number'd, and my hoary age
Has taught me wisdom: creature of a day,
Secure your rights, lest episcopal rage
In one fell swoop shall sweep them all away.

And ye who of "that sect which everywhere
Is spoke against," with admiration see,
And imitate your sires.* Their labours share,
And live to speak, or die, for liberty.

But cheer thee, christian, when a time is gone
And times and half a time are too past by,
The persecutors work shall all be done,
And Jesu's saints shall have the victory.

Then the whole earth shall swear unto the Lord,
And ancient Israel's seed on Jesus call;
And there shall be, according to his word,
One Lord, one faith, one baptism-Christ in all !

EXCELLENCY OF CHRIST.

He is a path, if any be misled;
He is a robe, if any naked be;
If any chance to hunger, he is bread;
If any be a bondman, he is free;

If any be but weak, how strong is he;

To dead men life he is, to sick men health

A pleasure without loss, a treasure without stealth.

*The Baptist Fathers were the most strenuous supporters of, and suffered more for, liberty of conscience than any other body of people.

ANECDOTES, SELECTIONS, AND GEMS.

Anecdotes, Selections, and Gems.

TRAVELLING AND TRACTS.-Having occasion to travel in a van some time ago, I furnished myself with some tracts, thinking I might give a few away while journeying. We had not gone far before several young persons joined us-seven in all. The oldest amongst them, after some trifling conversation, called upon the rest to join her in singing a song. I felt myself in a awkward position, and knew not what to do; but having a Friend who always heareth in secret, I lifted up my heart for divine direction. The thought immediately occured to my mind that I would introduce my tracts, and accordingly I took some out of my bag and began reading to myself. In a minute or two their eyes were upon me and the tracts; I then asked if they would like to take one, which they all seemed pleased to do. I then gave some one, some two, as appeared most suitable, and they all began reading. The driver, who sat in front, and had joined the party in vain conversation, and sometimes swore an oath, took one out of a girl's hand that sat near him and began reading it. I then gave him two, which he thanked me for, and promised he would read them, which he did at intervals, as we journeyed. Suffice it to say I heard no more about singing songs, nor had they any more vain or foolish conversation to the end of our journey. I have never seen one of the party since, but my prayer was that the tracts might be blessed, and I must leave it to Him who has commanded us to sow beside all waters. I am almost ashamed to send this, as I have written it so badly; but I am a widow, between 60 or 70 years of age, and have suffered so much in my eyes, the last twenty years, that I am troubled to see. If you think well, give this a corner in your Reporter, which I always read with pleasure, and I trust I can say with profit too, or your Pioneer which I like much, and am trying to get orders for as many as I can. S. L.

HOW TO LIVE LONG.-A venerable minister, who has preached some sixty-five years in the same place, being asked what was the secret of long life, replied, "Rise early, live temperately, work hard, and keep cheerful." Another person, who lived to the great age of 110 years, said, in reply to the inquiry, how it was he lived so long? "I have always been kind and obliging; have never quarrelled with any one; have eaten and drunk only to satisfy hunger and thirst, and have never been idle."

THE PRAISE OF PATIENCE-An old writer says:-"Patience is the guardian of peace, the cherisher of love, the teacher of humility. Patience governs the flesh, strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extinguishes envy, subdues pride; she bridles the tongue, refrains the hands, tramples on temptations, endures

ANECDOTES, SELECTIONS, AND GEMS.

persecutions, consummates martyrdom. Patience produces unity in the church, loyalty in the state, harmony in families and societies; she comforts the poor, and moderates the rich; she makes us humble in prosperity, cheerful in adversity, unmoved by calumny and reproach; she teaches us to forgive those who have injured us, and to be first in asking forgiveness of those whom we have injured; she delights the faithful and invites the unbelieving; she adorns the woman and approves the man, is loved in a child, praised in a young man, admired in an old man; she is beautiful in either sex and in every age. Behold her appearance and attire: her air is calm and serene as the face of heaven, unspotted by the shadow of a cloud, and no wrinkle of grief or anger is seen in her forehead; her eyes are the eyes of a dove for meekness, and on her eyebrows sit cheerfulness and joy; her mouth is lovely in silence, her complexion and colour that of innocence and security, while like the virgin daughter of Sion, she shakes her head at the adversary, and laughs him to scorn. She is clothed in the robes of the martyrs, and in her hand she holds a sceptre in the form of a cross; she rules not in the whirlwind and stormy tempest of passion, but her throne is the humble and contrite heart, and her kingdom is the kingdom of peace.

ON ASSURANCE.-"But I want assurance of all these things," may one say. Well: what mean you by that, man or woman? That you want assurance? I suppose that many do not understand themselves when they say they want assurance; for what better assurance would they have than the word of God? If you have His word, and take His word, you need no better assurance. If a man of credit, whom you can depend upon, give his word for such a thing, then you depend upon it; and you say you are assured of it, for you have his word. There is an assurance of sense that is the assurance of the work when you have got the thing promised: this is not properly assurance-it is enjoyment. But the assurance of faith is the assurance of a word; and though the assurance of sense be sweetest, yet the assurance of faith is the surest assurance, for what you get in hand you may soon lose the comfort of; but what you have upon bond in the promise is still secure. If you take God's promise, you have the best assurance in the world; but if you say you want faith, you cannot take his word, or trust his word. Then this is plain dealing. I fear this, indeed, be the case in the most. Then you want assurance indeed, because you want faith, nor cannot take his word, nor give him so much credit. But if any be saying, "That indeed is my case;" I cannot believe his word, doth God say nothing to me? Is there any word suited to my case? Yes; there are promises of faith as well as to faith: "I will leave in the midst of thee a poor and afflicted people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord"— "In Him shall the Gentiles trust." Then, O take him at his word! cry for faith, saying, "Lord, do as thou hast said."