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STORY OF A BIBLE.

pious Archduchess of precious memory among the Protestants of Austria, whose mother and protectress she had proved to the end of her days. It is needless to say that the gift and the expressions of loyal attachment were graciously received by the young Crown Princess.

A BOY ARTIST.

On the 23d of November, 1835, Maria Dorothea, Archduchess of Austria, a pious Protestant lady and daughter of the Duchess of Wurtemberg, was returning from a visit to her sister, the Queen of Wurtemberg, and brought with her from the Queen two boxes of May the contents of the precious gift German Bibles, for three pastors of be blessed to the Imperial Recipient, Lutheran churches to be distributed and may henceforth the doors of that among the poor of their several charges. Empire be opened and kept open, to the These two boxes had been sent some Word of God, by which alone, as the time before, to those ministers, for this address says, "individuals, families, naexpress purpose. But on their arrival at tious, and Empires can be truly blessed." Salzburg-then a dark, bigoted place- Austria is counted among the civilized they were stopped, and sent for adjudi- nations of Christendom, and is proud to cation to Reichenhall. They were occupy that place. May the world see thrown into a general receptacle of this noble claim sustained, and rejoice lumber and of forbidden articles, and, in the free circulation of the Bible in while there, fire broke out and consumed that Empire.- New York Observer. the whole government establishment When the debris, after some time, was gradually removed, the two boxes of Bibles were found, among ashes and burnt and broken articles, untouched and safe. But containing, as they did, forbidden books, they were sent back to Wurtemberg. From these boxes, which had passed through the fiery ordeal, the Queen took a copy as a memento, and the Archduchess Maria Dorothea, on her visit to her sister, took another, and on her return to Austria she carried the boxes with her, and delivered them to those for whom they had been originally intended. Nobody durst oppose the delivery of them, and, in fact, nobody was asked for permission. Last year, when the Crown Prince of Austria, Prince Rudolf, was married to the Royal Princess Stefania, of Belgium, a Catholic (by the laws of the realm), but grand-daughter of the Protestant Archduchess Maria Dorothea, the son of one of the three Lutheran pastors above mentioned, on the arrival of the imperial bride, presented her, in the name of the Protestant churches in Upper Austria, with that copy from these boxes into which his father had entered, in Latin, the whole story of their arrest, and the ordeal through However, here is the fact, known to which they all had passed. The gift all. While in charge of the infant, he was accompanied by an appropriate ad- found a sheet of white paper, and some dress to her highness, expressive of their red and blue ink belonging to his sister, loyal sentiments, and their joy at the also a pen. With these he set to work safe arrival of the grand-daughter of that to produce the appearance of that child

The world has furnished but few examples of precociousness to be compared with that of Benjamin West. He was the son of Quaker parents; born in Springfield, Pa., 1738. He lived to a ripe old age, dying in London in 1820. Before he had completed his seventh year he performed a piece of work that surprised those who saw it; while those who did not see were not willing to believe. At that tender age he was left one day in charge of the infant daughter of his eldest sister, who was on a visit from Philadelphia. The child lay in its cradle, and little Benny was to sit close by and see to it that no accident befell it.

Some have said that up to this time the boy had never seen a print or a picture of any kind, but this is doubtful. There must have been cheap wood engravings in a few of the books that fell under his eye, and we may be sure that a lad of his temperament and natural instincts would have found a picture if such a thing had been anywhere near him.

on paper. He had certainly never had
a moment's teaching, nor had he ever
before attempted to copy from nature.
His work on the present occasion was a
wonderful success. When he was at
the point of completing his drawing he
heard his mother coming, and he sought
to conceal the paper; but his fear of
blotting occasioned delay, and the old.
lady detected that he had been doing
something out of the usual way. Natu-
rally, she insisted upon seeing what it
was, and the moment her gaze fell upon
the boy's work, she cried out to her
daughter, the mother of the child:
"Oh, daughter, come and see!-Ben-
ny has been making a likeness of little
Sally."

The picture was a wonderful success. His mother threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with fond affection, telling him as she did so, that she was proud of her little boy. In after years, when fame had crowned the man, he was wont to say-always with a bright moistening of the eyes-"it was my dear mother's kiss that gave me the heart to be a painter."

On returning to Philadelphia his sister sent to him a box of colors, some brushes and a lot of good paper. A few months later a gentleman who chanced to see specimens of the boy's skill, not only encouraged him by warm encomiums to continue on in his studies and his work, but he furnished him with material.

And now the boy went abroad into the fields and woods, and copied from nature whatever pleased his fancy. The first colors he used with oil he was taught to prepare by an old Indian, who had built a hut in the woods not far distant from his home; and from this same Indian he learned how to make brushes from the hairs plucked from the backs of different animals, set together with wax, and secured in the quills of his father's barnyard fowls.

During the second year of his practice, when he was eight years of age, an admirer of his genius sent him a lot of material, together with six fine steel engravings. From two of these engravings he made a study, upon which he bestowed great skill and care; and three-score and ten years later, when the world had bowed before him in ad

miring homage, he produced that work of his early childhood, declaring that there were points of excellence in it which all his subsequent experience had not enabled him to surpass.

SOWING WILD OATS.

This is the story that a well-known clergyman tells:

The most magnificent specimen of young manhood that I have ever known, was a young fellow student named Henry Haines. As an athlete on the campus, as a scholar in the arena of debate, he was facile princeps, everywhere and always. We were not so much envious of him as proud of him, and we fondly fancied that there could be no height of fame or fortune too difficult for his adventurous feet to climb, and that the time would come when he would fill the world with the echo of his fame, and it would be a proud thing for any of us to declare that we had known him. A little tendency to dissipation was by some of us observed-a little dash of dare deviltry-but this was only the wild oats sowing which was natural to youth and genius, and which we did not doubt that after years would chasten and correct.

But the years came and the years went, and the young collegians were scattered through the world, and ever and anon would some of us wonder what had become of Henry Haines. We looked in vain for his rising star, and listened long for his coming feet. Some time ago, for a single Sabbath, I was preaching in New York. My theme in the morning had been, "The Ghost of Buried Opportunity." On my way to my hotel I discovered that I was shadowed by a desperate-looking wretch, whose garb, whose gait, whose battered, bloated look all unmistakably betokened the spawn of slums. What could the villain want with me? I paused at my door, and faced about to confront him. He paused, advanced, and then huskily whispered:

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Henson, do you know me !" I assured him I did not, whereupon. he continued:

"Do you remember Henry Haines?"

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if a husband does it, he gets a frown, if a child, it is punished.

"Ah, these are little things," say you. They tell mightily upon the heart, let me assure you, and little as they are, they disturb peace, or create pleasure in the family circle.

I shuddered as I reached for his hands, and gazing intently into his face, discovered still some traces of my longlost friend again. I put my arms about A gentleman stops at a friend's house him in brotherly embrace, and took and finds it in confusion. He does not him to my room, and drew from his see anything to apologise for." Never lips the story of his shattered life. I thinks of such matters." Everything begged him by the old loves and un-is right - cold supper, cold room, crying forgotten memories of better days to go children-"Perfectly comfortable! back with me to my Philadelphia home, Goes home, where his wife has been and under new auspices and with new taking care of the children or attending surroundings to strike out for a noble the sick, and working her life almost destiny which I hoped might still be out. Then he does not see why things possible. But, striking his clenched fist on the table, he said:

"Henson. it's no use to talk to me I'm a dead beat, and am dead broke. I'm a burnt out volcano, and there's nothing of me but cinders now. I have come to New York to bury myself out of sight of all that ever loved me. I know the ropes here, and shall stay here till I rot. I live in a muskrat hole near the wharf. I shall die as I have lived, and I have lived like a dog." In vain were my earnest protests and brotherly pleading. He tore himself from me and went shambling off to his den by the wharf.

He had sown the wind and was reaping the whirlwind. He had sown to the flesh, and was reaping corruption. He had sown "wild oats," and the oats were now yielding a dread harvest of woe.-Selected.

"BE COURTEOUS" AT HOME.

1ST PETER 3D CHAP. 8-12.

Why not be polite? how much does it cost to say, I thank you?" Why not practice it at home-to your husband, to your wife, to your children, your domestics? If a stranger does you some little act of courtesy, how sweet the smiling acknowledgment! if your husband or wife, ah, "it's a matter of course;" no need of thanks.

can't be kept in order,-"there never were such cross children before." No apologies accepted at home! Oh, why not look at the sunny side at home as well as abroad; and try pleasant words instead of surly ones?

Why not be agreeable at home? Why not use freely that golden coin of courtesy? How sweetly those little words. sound, "Many thanks," or "you are very kind!" Doubly, yes thrice sweet from the lips we love, when smiles make the eyes sparkle with the light of affection.

Be polite to your children. Be courteous to your servants. Do you expect them to be mindful of your welfare,to grow glad at your approach,-to bound away to do your pleasure before the request is half spoken? Then with all your authority mingle kindness and cheerfulness. Brothers and sisters, be amible, be courteous among yourselves. and to your servants. If at table one person be speaking, listen kindly till they have finished, and then you will meet the same attention, and much family love will arise from this mutual forbearance. Don't be always don'ting,' but try to be pitiful and self-denying for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and yours will be a family where the Holy Spirit shines, and where Jesus will come and dwell.-Our Monthly.

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How apt are men rather to think of the preacher than of themselves. If half the criticisms which are ill-spent upon the ministers of Christ were spent by the hearers upon themselves, how much sooner might they arrive at the

Should a visitor or acquaintance tread on your dress, your best, very best, and by accident tear it, how profuse you are with your "Never minds"-Don't think of it," "Accidents will happen;" blessing.-Spurgeon.

OUR CABINET.

A RELIC OF A FORMER ZWINGLI

CELEBRATION.

The following Catechism, on the Reformation of the sixteenth century, came to hand recently through the kindness of a lady now far advanced in life, who was one of the members of the class which committed it to memory in 1817. The Reformed and Lutheran Churches probably celebrated the three hundredth anniversary of Luther's nailing his theses to the church door in Wittenberg in that year, and thus a new interest was aroused in the instruction of the youth of the Church in regard to the leading facts of the Reformation. This Catechism appears to have been prepared by Rev. Samuel Helffenstein, D.D., for the use of his catechumens in the old Race Street Church of Philadelphia, in connection with the parochial school, at that time. under the charge of Dr. Bibighaus.

V. H.

The original is in German, of which the following is a literal translation : 'A Short Sketch or History of the Reformation; in Questions and Answers, for School Youth. Published by the Honored Consistory of the High German Reformed Church in Philadelphia. Printed by Conrad Sentler, in Second Street, below Race, 1817.

I.

HALLELUJAH!

Question. What is the Reformation? Answer. The purifying of the Christian Church.

Q. In what does it consist?

A. In leaving the darkness of the papacy, and entering into the pure doctrine of the Gospels.

Q. When did the Reformation begin? A. In the sixteenth century after the birth of Christ.

Q. How many centuries have passed since then?

A. Three centuries.

Q. Who were the chief Reformers?

Q. What was the cause of the Reformation?

A. The sale of indulgences.

Q. What was the cause of the sale of indulgences?

A. Pope Leo Tenth desired to build a new church at Rome with these profits. Q. What was his error in this? A. In seeking to build his church with money thus obtained.

Q. What did he do for this purpose?

A. He sent forth messengers into all countries, thus to collect a vast sum of money for this object.

Q. Whom did he send to the Swiss?
A. Bernhard Simson.

Q. Who opposed Samson in Switzerland?
A. Ulric Zwingli.

Q. Who was Ulric Zwingli?

A. A very eloquent and learned minister in Switzerland.

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A. He disgraced religion by seeking to deceive the people in order to obtain their money.

Q. Who withstood him?

A. Martin Luther.

Q. Who was Martin Luther?

A. An Augustinian monk, a man of great learning, and Professor of Theology in the

A. Ulric Zwingli, Martin Luther, and John University of Wittenberg. Calvin.

Q. What did he do?

A. On the 31st of October, 1517, he published his 95 theses in opposition to this great abuse.

Q. What followed this?

A. The eyes of many persons were opened.
Q. Did he go any farther with the Reforma-

tion than this?

A. Yes, he went much farther, and established an intelligent form of religion, free

from the errors of Rome.

III.

THE ORIGIN OF A PROVERB.

In Eastern Pennsylvania there is a stream called the Jordan, which, though ordinarily insignificant, sometimes becomes turbulent and destructive. On one occasion, during a freshet, a footbridge was carried away, and the neighbors gathered on the bank to discuss the occurrence. Some blamed the

Q. What was the name of the third great builder, asserting that the bridge ought

Reformer?

A. John Calvin.

Q. Who was John Calvin?

A. A very learned and pious man.

Q. Where was he born?

A. In France.

Q. Was he a man of great wisdom?

A. Yes; he was for a long time the head of the church and school at Geneva.

Q. How, and by what means, did he greatly improve the condition of the Church?

A. Partly through his preaching and teaching, and partly through his elegant writings. Q. What did he accomplish through his

works?

A. He replaced the light of divine truth,
which before this had been greatly obscured.
Q. Have not other honored men had a part
in the Reformation of the Church?
A. Yes.

Q. Who served with Ulric Zwingli?
A. John Ecolampadius.

Q. Who assisted Martin Luther?

A. Philip Melanchthon.

Q. Who was the firm friend of Calvin?
A. Theodore Beza.

Q. Did the light of the Reformation soon spread abroad?

A. Yes; in a short time it spread through the European provinces; from Germany it came to England; and from England to other

countries.

Q. But has not the Reformation met with great opposition?

A. Yes, truly; it has been constantly opposed by the papacy, and by all who favor it; but, under the blessing of God, it has upheld the truth against ignorance, and the supersti

tion of the Romish Church.

IV.

Q. To what duty does the Reformation engage us?

A. To hearty thankfulness. 1 Thess. 5: 18.
Q. To what else?

A. To preserve the safe doctrines of God's word. 1 Peter 2: 2.

Q. To what beside ?

At

to have been raised higher; others ex-
cused him on the ground that the
stream had never before been so high,
and that it was impossible to provide
for such an unlikely occurrence.
last an eccentric old man settled the
won't take sides with the bridge or the
dispute by the oracular remark: "I
Jordan-the bridge was too low, and
the Jordan too high." This caused a
laugh, and the phrase soon became a
both parties are believed to be in the
proverb. In disputed questions, when
wrong, we have frequently heard men
say, "I won't take sides with the bridge
or the Jordan." Like most popular
sayings the phrase contains a grain of
wisdom. Every question has at least
two sides, and sometimes right and
wrong are pretty equally balanced.
There are times when it is the part of
duty to contend earnestly; but let it
not be concerning trifles. Especially is
it the height of folly to take part in
conflicts which do not concern you
merely for the sake of satisfying the
inclinations of a belligerent nature.
Think a moment! Possibly, neither
the bridge or the stream may require
your championship. Both may be in
the wrong, and each may safely be

allowed to bear its share of blame.

SCRIPTURE NAMES.

The "Nottingham Guardian" (England) mentions the death, on the 17th

A. To a sincere and firm confession of the of November, 1883, of Mary, wife of

truth. Rev. 2: 10.

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Actsyner Doubleday, aged 81 years. A correspondent of Notes and Queries" explains how Mr. Doubleday got his peculiar name. His father, it seems, was very fond of Scripture names, and had four sons, named respectively Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. When

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