"God preserve me from such temptation!" cried James. "I might have fallen like him! Who was with him at the last ?" "Only Robert and the Doctor," replied Mary;" and he wrote down the names and description of the men, and how it was, and Robert signed the paper as witness. About twelve o'clock the same day, three or four hundred rioters came down and surrounded Mr. Arlingford's house, saying, they'd have money or blood for supper.' Jones having given the 'Squire warning, by his letter the day before, a detachment of cavalry from Maidstone arrived just after, and Robert and the constables secured White, Smith, and Thompson; he was their leader, and wore a red ribbon on his hat. But it's growing late, Jem, and you'll find the Three Cups shut up, if you stop to hear the end of these troubles." James looked at his watch, and was surprised to find it was near one o'clock in the morning. "I shall not want to go to bed now," said he, "and I'm sure I could not sleep after what I've heard. So tell me something more about poor Tom." "Poor fellow!" said Mary, "I wish you could have heard his confession! He was so humbled in spirit he would not deny his guilt, or even ask for mercy, when he was put upon trial. I walked up to London to see him when he was in the condemned cell. He told me he felt happy to think he was so soon to make atonement for his crimes, and he trusted God would have mercy on his soul. I asked him why he trusted God would forgive the open transgression of his holy commandments, for I was anxious to know the state of his mind. 'Because,' he replied, with tears in his eyes, I have prayed night and day for true repentance. I know no prayers by heart, Mary,' says he, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered. I feel that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. The blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all sin, and hath redeemed us from the wrath to come. He that believeth on him, though he were dead, yet shall he live. I know that "he is mighty to save." This is my hope, Mary, my everlasting comfort! and here is the foundation of my hope.' He put a small pocket Testament into my hands. It was moistened with tears he had been reading the fourth and fifth chapters of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. I took it home with me, and found he had put a pencil mark against all the verses which had most touched him. He sent this book to his poor father, as the only thing in the world he had to give. But the old man's eyes were so bad he could not see to read, so dear little Susan used to sit beside him, and read a verse or two now and then, when her cough would let her; and she grew so fond of that little Testament, your father at last gave it up entirely to her; and there it is now between her dear hands!" Mary looked towards her husband expecting some reply; but James was too much overcome by sadness, and a profound sigh was his only answer. Robert, wearied with the labour of the day, was falling to sleep in his chair. "You've had a hard day's work, Robert," said she, resting her hand on his shoulder; " and I'm sorry there is so little time for you to rest. Good night!" And Mary, having prest her husband's hand affectionately, bestowed a parting kiss on little Edward's cheek, and retired to the apartment of the dead. Reader! may the events I have endeavoured to record in these pages, sink as an awful lesson into your mind. Do not suffer yourself to be enticed by evil men into false notions of redress for your grievances. You are my brother countryman! my fellow-traveller to a world of immortality! and I feel deeply interested in your conduct and welfare. Whatever your sufferings may be in this life, remember the words of the prophet David, "The poor shall not always be forgotten-the patient enduring of the meek shall not perish." Your distress cannot be removed by any exertion of your own, or by the united efforts of your fellow-sufferers. One step in the path of iniquity will lead you to the brink of inevitable misery and disgrace. If you once consent to the commission of an act of violence or dishonesty, you are in danger of being hurried into more dreadful crimes. For when a man begins to slip down a sandy bank, he seldom stops till he gets to the bottom. Take, then, my parting advice while yet there is time; and whatever trial you may have to endure, you will lie down to rest with a quiet conscience, whether your sleep be for one night, or for eternity! JESUS CHRIST A PATTERN OF RELIGIOUS VIRTUE.* 1. In his obedience to his earthly parents. St. Luke ii. 51. 2. In his unwearied diligence in doing good. Acts x. 38. 3. In his humility and lowliness of mind. St. Matt. xi. 29. Phil. ii. 5, 6, 7, 8. 4. In his inoffensive and unblameable life and actions. 1 Pet. ii. 22. 5. In his contentment in a low condition. St. Luke ix. 58. 6. In his frequent performance of private prayer. St. Matt. xiv. 23. xxvi. 39. 42. 44. St. Luke vi. 12. xi. 1. 7. In his performance of the duty of thanksgiving. St. Matt. xi. 25. 8. In his compassion towards the miserable. St. Matt. xx. 34. St. Luke vii. 13. 23. 9. In his patience under sufferings and reproaches. 1 Pet. ii. 10. In his readiness to forgive injuries. St. Luke xxiii. 34. 11. In his sorrow for the sins of others. St. Mark iii. 5. 12. In his glorifying his Father, and obediently submitting to his Father's will. St. John xvii. 4. St. Matt. xxvi. 39. But while you take Christ for your pattern, forget not that he is at the same time your Saviour and Redeemer. To leave us an example of a godly life, was one great end of his coming into the world; but the principal end of it was to make an expiation for sin, and a full satisfaction to the justice of God; and so to deliver us from death eternal, and purchase for us a blessed inheritance in heaven. This is printed on a sheet by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and may be had by the members for distribution, gratis. VOL. 1. FF 218 THE ORDER IN WHICH THE HOLY SCRIPTURES ARE RECOM- GENESIS-Exodus-(omit Leviticus)-Numbers, (omit the first eight chapters, and) begin with the ninth chapter-Deuteronomy -Joshua-Judges-1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings -(omit 1 Chronicles, and first nine chapters of 2 Chronicles)2 Chronicles, beginning with tenth chapter to the end. (Note.This will give clearer ideas of the history of Judah than that in the 2 Kings.) Ezra-Nehemiah—(Esther, an episode that happened during the seventy years' captivity)-1 Maccabees. (Note.—2 Maccabees is the same as the 1st, except that it does not carry the history down to within one hundred and ninetyfive years of our Lord's circumcision, as does the 1st.) GospelsActs-Epistles (especially 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th chapters of Romans-Epistles of James, Peter, and John)-Revelation. Note. The above order connects the historical parts in regular chain. The other books, as Job, Psalms, (the Bibletranslation is by far the best,) Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, &c. may be read in any order.-Mrs. Chapone. ON THE SONG OF SOLOMON. "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God;" but it is evident to the most superficial reader of the Bible, that some parts of scripture are intended for particular, some for general application; and that we are liable to great error, whenever we presume to wrest any portion of holy writ to a purpose to which it was not originally appropriated. The Song of Solomon stands by itself in the sacred volume, neither borrowing nor reflecting light upon any other part. It neither belongs to the Mosaic law, nor makes part of the Jewish history: it is little connected with prophecy, and still less with the doctrinal parts of religion. All commmentators are agreed in its being a mystic allegory, calculated for the consolation of the Israelites under captivity, and suited to their spiritual meditation, when dismayed by the evils which were predicted as about to ensue to their church, To this purpose it has ever been considered as sacredly and exclusively devoted. The Jews, apprehending that it might be understood grossly, forbad the reading of it to their scholars before the age of thirty: or as Dr. Grey has expressed the idea; They prudently forbad their children to read it, till their judgment was matured, lest, in the fervour of youth, they should give too wide a scope to fancy, and interpret to a bad sense the spiritual ideas of Solomon.' The same restrictions prevailed in the primitive Christian church."-Dr. Holland's Visitation Sermon. ORIGINAL POETRY. PSALM LXXVII. VERSES 16, 17, 18, 19. "Twas thy presence, God of might, From the clouds, the plenteous rain Loud was heard the thunder round! Lightnings shone upon the ground! Horrors hourly rose to birth! Tempests rock'd the solid earth! In the ocean is thy way; Through the deep thy path does stray, Though thy footsteps are not known. FF 2 |