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its sentiments. I am, however, inclined to think the missionaries' practice is more scriptural than Dr. Halley's "theory."

The persons baptized by the missionaries were, it is evident, something more than mere" applicants for baptism," and certainly a great deal more than merely persons who "did not refuse to submit to the rite;" in short they were, so far as a protracted probation could furnish evidence of the fact, what the missionaries describe them to be, i. e., genuine “converts."

The summary of the whole appears to be this. Dr. Halley says, "all applicants "

ought to be baptized. Mr. Walford, "all who do not refuse to submit to the rite." But the missionaries of the London Missionary Society baptize only such adults as appear on probation and scrutiny genuine "converts."

Such practical contradictions amongst pædobaptists speak more loudly than any abstract arguments I could adduce, and, therefore, apologizing for the length of these remarks, I beg to remain,

A Page for the Young.

THE YOUNG HERO.

I shall never forget a lesson which I received, when quite a young lad, at the Academy in B. Among my schoolfellows were Hartley and Jemson. They were somewhat older than myself, and to the latter I looked up as a sort of leader in matters of opinion, as well as of sport. He was not, at heart, malicious, but he had a foolish ambition of being thought witty and sarcastic, and he made himself feared by a besetting habit of turning things into ridicule, so that he seemed continually on the look-out for matter of derision.

Hartley was a new scholar, and little was known of him among the boys. One morning as we were on our way to school, he

was

seen driving a cow along the road towards a neighbouring field. A group of boys, among whom was Jemson, met him as he was passing. The opportunity was "Halloo !" one not to be lost by Jemson.

he exclaimed, "what's the price of milk? I say, Jonathan, what do you fodder on? What will you take for all the gold on her horns? Boys, if you want to see the latest Paris style, look at those boots!"

Hartley, waving his hand to us with a pleasant smile, and driving the cow to the field, took down the bars of a rail-fence, saw her safely in the inclosure, and then, putting up the bars, came and entered school with the rest of us. After school, in the afternoon, he let out the cow and drove her off, none of us knew where. And every day, for two or three weeks, he went through the same task.

The boys of B--- Academy were nearly all the sons of wealthy parents, and some

Yours very truly,

A BAPTIST.

of them, among whom was Jemson, were dunces enough to look down with a sort of disdain upon a scholar who had to drive a cow. The sneers and jeers of Jemson were, accordingly, often renewed. He once, on a plea that he did not like the odour of the barn, refused to sit next to Hartley. Occasionally he would enquire after the cow's health, pronouncing the word "ke-ow," after the manner of some of the country people.

With admirable good nature did Hartley bear all these silly attempts to wound and annoy him. I do not remember that he was even once betrayed into a look or word of angry retaliation. "I suppose, Hartley," said Jemson, one day, "I suppose your daddy means to make a milkman of you." "Why not?" asked Hartley. "Oh, nothing; only don't leave much water in the cans after you rinse them-that's all!" The boys laughed, and Hartley, not in the least mortified, replied, "Never fear; if ever I should rise to be a milkman, I'll give good measure and good milk."

The day after this conversation there was a public exhibition, at which a number of ladies and gentlemen from neighbouring cities were present. Prizes were awarded by the Principal of our academy, and both Hartley and Jemson received a creditable number; for, in respect to scholarship, these two were about equal. After the ceremony of distribution, the Principal remarked that there was one prize, consisting of a gold medal, which was rarely awarded, not so much on account of its great cost, as because the instances were rare which rendered its bestowal proper.

It was the prize for heroism. The last boy who received one was young Manners, who, three years ago, rescued the blind girl from drowning.

The Principal then said that, with the permission of the company, he would relate a short story:-"Not long since, some scholars were flying a kite in the street, just as a poor boy on horseback rode by on his way to the mill. The horse took fright and threw the boy, injuring him so badly that he was carried home, and confined 2ome weeks to his bed. Of the scholars who had unintentionally caused the disaster, none followed to learn the fate of the wounded boy. There was one scholar, however, who had witnessed the accident from a distance, who not only went to make enquiries, but stayed to render services.

"This scholar soon learned that the wounded boy was the grandson of a poor widow, whose sole support consisted in selling the milk of a fine cow of which she was the owner. Alas! what could she now do? She was old and lame, and her grandson, on whom she depended to drive the cow to pasture, was now on his back helpless.

'Never mind, good woman,' said the scholar, I can drive your cow!' With blessings and thanks the old woman accepted his offer.

"But his kindness did not stop here. Money was wanted to get articles from the apothecary. I have money that my mother sent me to buy boots with; but I can do without them for a while.' 'Oh, no,' said the old woman; "I can't consent to that; but here is a pair of cowhide boots that I bought for Henry, who can't wear them. If you would only buy these, giving us what they cost, we should get along nicely.' The scholar bought the boots, clumsy as they were, and has worn them up to this time.

"Well, when it was discovered by other boys of the academy that our scholar was in the habit of driving a cow, he was assailed every day with laughter and ridi cule. His cowhide boots in particular were made matter of mirth. But he kept on cheerfully and bravely day after day, never shunning observation, and driving the widow's cow, and wearing his thick boots, contented in the thought that he was doing right; caring not for all the jeers and sneers that could be uttered. He never undertook to explain why he drove a cow; for he was not inclined to make a vaunt of his chari

table motives; and, furthermore, in his heart he had no sympathy with the false pride that could look down with ridicule on any useful employment. It was by mere accident that his course of kindness and self-denial was yesterday discovered by his teacher.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, I appeal to you, Was there not true heroism in this boy's conduct? Nay, Master Hartley, do not slink out of sight behind the blackboard. You are not afraid of ridicule,-you must not be afraid of praise. Come forth, come forth, Master Edward James Hartley, and let us see your honest face!"

As Hartley, with blushing cheeks, made his appearance, what a round of applause, in which the whole company joined, spoke the general approbation of his conduct! The ladies stood upon benches and waved their handkerchiefs. The old men wiped the gathering moisture from the corners of their eyes, and clapped their hands. These clumsy boots on Hartley's feet seemed a prouder ornament than a crown would have been on his head. The medal was bestowed on him amid general acclamation.

Let me tell you a good thing of Jemson before I conclude. He was heartily ashamed of his ill-natured raillery, and after we were dismissed, he went, with tears of manly self-rebuke in his eyes, and tendered his hand to Hartley, making a handsome apology for his past ill-manners. "Think no more of it, old fellow," said Hartley, with delightful cordiality; "let us all go and have a ramble in the woods before we break up for vacation." The boys, one and all, followed Jemson's example, and we set forth with huzzas into the woods. What a happy day it was!

THE BEST BOOK.

AN EXERCISE FOR THE YOUNG. The Bible is the book of God. A book written by God, a book about God, and a book intended to make us like him, and to lead us to the enjoyment of him for ever. My object is to impress your minds with the fact of the divinity of this wonderful book, and to show you how you ought to act towards it. You are aware that many millions of your fellow-creatures have no Bible, many who have one, do not believe it, and many who have it, and profess to believe it, do not act upon it. There are some who believe it, and love it; who re

ceive the Saviour it reveals, seek the glory it makes known, and endeavours to do what it commands. These are the only happy and wise people in the world; we wish you, dear youths, to be among the number, that of you may be said, as of Timothy, "that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus."

Now, I will imagine you are ready to ask me the following questions:-first, What kind of a book is the Bible? secondly, What is its design? and, thirdly, What is my duty with reference to it? I will endeavour to answer these questions in a way which I hope you will understand and remember. You all know, I suppose, how to spell the word Scriptures; now I wish you with every letter of this word to learn something concerning what the Word of God is, what it is designed to do, and how you should act towards it, and I hope you will find out and read the texts referred to.

THE PROPERTIES OF THE SCRIPTURES.

A Superior book (Deut. xxxii, 46, 47). The Hindoos have their Shaster, and the Mahommedans their Koran, but the Bible is far above them in every respect.

A Consistent book (Psalm xii. 6). Think how long it was writing, and how many people were employed about it, and this will at once prove that God was its author.

A Religious book (2 Tim. iii. 15), and so it is suited for man as a rational, guilty, and immortal being. It is better than all books of science or history, better even than God's other books of nature and providence.

An Interesting book (Jer. xv. 16). Consider the events it records,-the history of remarkable persons it contains, the beautiful and sublime passages there are in it; but, above all, that it reveals eternity, and concerns ourselves.

?

It

A Powerful book (Psalm xix. 7). does, under the influences of the Holy Spirit, what nothing else can do, changes the heart of man. Has it changed yours A Terrible book (John xii. 48). It torments those who know its contents, but act contrary to its commands; it arms conscience with its keenest sting, and will lay open on the judgment-seat, and bear testimony against, all who neglected it (Rev. xx. 12).

An Useful book (Romans xv. 4). Com

pare countries which have the Bible, and those that have it not. Do the same with families and individuals, who love or hate the Bible, and then judge of its useful

ness.

A Renowned book (1 Peter i. 11, 12). No book beside can compare with it. Angels study its great theme-redemption. All wise men have valued it, and only fools despise it.

An Enduring book (1 Peter i. 24, 25). It will survive the last judgment. Saints will remember its contents in Heaven, and sinners will do the same in Hell.

A Sealed book. Satan hides its glory from the unbeliever (2 Cor. iv. 2); its blessings are all secured to Christ's disciples (Isaiah xxiv. 11).

THE DESIGN OF THE SCRIPTURES.

To bring five blessings, and save from five evils,

To Sanctify, or make holy (John xvii. 17). To Comfort, or make happy (Psalm cxix. 50, 54).

To Release, or make free (John viii. 32). To Instruct, or make wise (Psalm cxix. 98, 99, 104).

To Prepare for Heaven, or make rich in grace (2 Peter i. 4).

Surely these are five great blessings. The Scriptures are also designed,To Try us, that we may not deceive ourselves (Psalm cxix. 59).

To Uphold us, that we may not despond (2 Chron. xxxii. 8).

To Renew us, that we may not faint (Psalm xvii. 13).

To Employ us, that we may not be idle (Prov. ii. i-5).

To Secure us, that we may not be lost (John viii. 51).

OUR DUTY WITH REFERENCE TO THE

SCRIPTURES.

Seek the Spirit's influences, for they are deep (Psalm cxliii. 10).

Confide in them, for they are sure (Num. xxiii. 19).

Receive them, for they are very valuable (John iii. 32, 33).

Improve by them, for you are responsible (Prov. xvii. 16).

Plead them in prayer, for you need all they contain (Hosea xiv. 2).

Take heed to all they say, for the Bible is your best friend (Psalm cxix, 147).

Renounce all they condemn,-Sin, Pride, Passion (Psalm xix, 11).

Esteem what ever they commend,-Jesus, holiness, love (Job xxiii. 12).

Spread them as widely as you can, for they are the only guide to glory (Mark xvi. 15).

Listen to, pray over, the kind advice of the Saviour. "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, for they are they which testify of me."

J. C.

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Miscellaneous.

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PREACHING A PRACTICAL SERMON.-A number of years ago, Parson B- - preached in a town in the interior of this State. A sound theologian was Parson B, as a published volume of his sermons evinces; but, like many clergymen of the past generation, he was too much given to preaching "doctrinal sermons,' to the exclusion of "practical" themes, at least, s0 thought one of his parishioners, Mr. C "Mr. B- said he, one day, to the clergyman, "we know all about the doctrines by this time. Why don't you sometimes preach us a real practical discourse ?" "Oh, very well, if you wish it I will do so. Next Sunday I will preach a practical sermon." Sunday morning came, and an unusually large audience, attracted by the report of the promised novelty, were in attendance. The preliminary services were performed, and the parson announced his text. After "opening his subject," he said he should make a practical application to his hearers. He then commenced at the head of the aisle, calling each member of the congregation by name, and pointing out his special faults. One was a little inclined to indulge in creature-comforts; another was a terrible man at a bargain; and so on. While in mid-volley, the door of the church opened, and Dr. S entered. "There," went on the parson, "there is Dr. S coming in, in the middle of the service, just as usual, and disturbing the whole congregation. He does it just to make people believe that he has so large a practice that he can't get time to come to church in season; but it isn't so; he hasn't been called to visit a patient on Sunday morning for three months." Thus went on the worthy clergyman. At last he came to Mr. C

who

had requested a practical sermon. "And now," said he, "there is Mr. C—; he's a merchant; and what does he do? Why, he stays at home on Sunday afternoon, and writes business letters. If he gets a lot of goods up from New York on Saturday night, he goes to his store and marks them on Sunday, so as to have them all ready for sale on Monday morning. That's how he keeps the Sabbath; and he isn't satisfied with doctrinal sermons; he wants practical ones."

At the conclusion of the service the parson walked up to Mr. C, and asked him how he liked the "practical sermon." "Mr. B-," was the reply, "preach just what you please after this. I'll never attempt to direct you again.". American Paper.

TRUE RELIGION ALL PERVADING.-Man's

religion is a thing separate from all his other doings, or employments, or feelings,nay, I may say, separate from himself. It throws up a wall between the religious part of life, and the common part of it. It says, much of the life should be filled up with religion; but the rest of it religion must not touch nor approach. God's religion is made to pervade every lawful thing, so that nothing in its estimation is common or unclean. It is not a sacred lamp kept for the closet, or the crypt, or the cell. It is a universal sun, whose shining gladdens and consecrates every thing in life, private or public, shedding its blessed radiance as truly upon the exchange, or the marketplace, or the counting-room, or the family circle, as on the courts of the temple. To separate religion from the common things and scenes of life has always been man's object, because he thus prevents himself being incommoded by it; he gets it cast into a corner; he can make it serve as a whet to give keener zest to his worldly joys. To bind religion and all common things together-nay, to pervade the latter with the former, so that every act of man's life shall be a religious act, à service done to God-has invariably been God's aim, because he shows that thus alone can man be truly blest, and because he would fain lift the common acts of man's life into an elevation and a dignity of which man himself does not seem to reckon them susceptible. God wishes not only to be the God, but the bosom friend, of the creatures he has made. He wishes to be their companion everywhere: to dwell with them where they dwell, to go out with them, and to come in with them, to lie down and to rise up with them, to labour and to rest with them, to sorrow and to rejoice with them. And all this, not as a spy upon their doings, but as a chosen friend, to whom they intrust every secret, and on whose counsel they can safely rely,—a dear relation, whose presence is the light of their dwelling, whose friendship is the cement of all other friendships, whose sympathy is their truest solace, and whose fellowship is the perfection of their joy.-Horatius Bonar.

A MOTHER'S PRAYERS.-Every one who has thought on this subject, must know how great is the influence of the female character, especially in the sacred relations of wife and mother. My honoured mother was a religious woman, and she watched over and instructed me as pious mothers are accustomed to do. Alas, I often forgot her admonitions; but, in my most thoughtless days, I never lost the impressions

which her holy example had made on my mind. After spending a large portion of my life in foreign lands, I returned again to visit my native village. Both my parents died while I was in Russia, and their house is now occupied by my brother. The furniture remains just the same as when I was a boy, and at night I was accommodated with the same bed in which I had often slept before. But my busy thoughts would not let me sleep. I was thinking how God had led me through the journey of life. At last the light of the morning darted through the little window, and then my eye caught a sight of the spot where my sainted mother, forty years before, took my hand, and said, Come, my dear, kneel down with me, and I will go to prayer." This completely overcame me. I seemed to hear the very tones of her voice. recollected some of her expressions, and I burst into tears, and arose from my bed, and fell upon my knees just on the spot where my mother kneeled, and thanked God that I had once a praying mother. And, oh, if every parent could feel what I felt then, I am sure they would pray with their children, as well as pray for them!Family Scrap-Book.

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THE POWER OF A HOLY LIFE.-The beauty of a holy life constitutes the most eloquent and effective persuasive to religion which one human being can address to another. We have many ways of doing good to our fellow-creatures; but none so good, so efficacious, as leading a virtuous, upright, and well-ordered life. There is an energy of moral suasion in a good man's life, passing the highest efforts of the orator's genius. The seen but silent beauty of holiness speaks more eloquently of God and duty than the tongues of men and angels. Let parents remember this. The best inheritance a parent can bequeath to a child is a virtuous example, a legacy of hallowed remembrances and associations. The beauty of holiness beaming through the life of a loved relative or friend is more effectual to strengthen such as do stand in virtue's ways, and raise up those that are bowed down, than precept, command, entreaty, or warning. Christianity itself, I believe, owes by far the greatest part of its moral power, not to the precepts or parables of Christ, but to his own character. The beauty of that holiness which is enshrined in the four brief biographies of the Man of Nazareth, has done more, and will do more, to regenerate the world, and bring it to an everlasting righteousness, than all other agencies put together. It has done more to spread his religion in the world than all that has ever been preached or written on the evidences of Christianity.-Dr. Chal

mers.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.-My brethren, against the whole dreadful power of evil, it is our vocation to be engaged in the war. It were vain to wish to escape from the condition of our place in the universe of God. Amidst the darkness that veils from us the state of that vast empire, we would

willingly be persuaded that this our world may be the only region, excepting that of penal justice, where the cause of evil is permitted to maintain a contest. Here, perhaps, may be almost its last encampment, where its prolonged power of hostility may be suffered, in order to give a protracted display of the manner of its destruction. Here our lot is cast, on a ground so awfully pre-occupied: a calamitous distinction, but yet a sublime one, if thus we may render to the Eternal King a service in which better tribes of his creatures may not share; and if thus we may be trained, through devotion and conformity to the Celestial Chief in this warfare, to the final attainment of what He has promised, in so many illustrious forms, to him that overcometh. We shall soon leave the region where so much is in rebellion against our God. We shall go where all that pass from our world must present themselves as from battle, or be denied to mingle in the eternal joys and triumphs of the conquerors.-John Foster.

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AN EAR FOR TRUTH.-We seek much after preachers; should we not much rather seek for the true ear? For surely there are preachers enough around us-preachers in heaven above, preachers on earth below, preachers within, and preachers without. What does the firmament alone preach to us! the clear blue heaven, or the same heaven covered with storm-clouds ! heavens declare the glory of God" in the splendours of day, or the magnificence of night. But how many hear? How true it is that till God speaks to the heart of man, man cannot understand the language of God which is uttered around him, and over him, and beneath him! As Tauler most beautifully says, "To a man who looks long at the sun, the sun imprints itself on everything he sees; so it is with the man who looks much at God." As there are times when we stand in the midst of nature, as if we were in a church, when a joyful song of praise is springing up from each breast, and we cannot help but sing also, for we are drawn into the common stream of devotion, and carried along with it; so, at other times, how mute all creation seems to us, as though all pursued its way alone, without a hand in heaven to guide it! All depends upon whether God speaks in us! "If God thy inmost soul and being share, The universe becomes thy book of prayer." -Tholuck.

FAITH TRIED and RewardED.-An unskilful beholder may think it strange to see gold thrown into the fire, and left there for a time; but he that puts it there would be loath to lose it; his purpose is to make some costly piece of work of it. Every believer gives himself to Christ, and he undertakes to present them blameless to the Father; not one of them shall be lost, nor one drachm of their faith; they shall be found, and their faith shall be found, when he appears. That faith which is here in the furnace shall be made up into a crown of pure gold; it shall be found unto praise, and honour, and glory.-Leighton.

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