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"What, Lucy," said I, bursting out into a laugh," will you get him a beaver in the full style'? That would look oddly by the side of his dilapidated clothes."

"No, no, cousin! you know better than that. I mean a cap,-a nice, warm cap. That, with a tippet, will cover his ears, and he says that they have been frozen several tlmes."

"Ah, I see how it is, instead of 'old beggar Bentley' on the town, you mean, by Christmas-time, to make him Joseph Bentley, Esq."

"Don't call him an old beggar;' that is a mean name, and besides it doesn't sound good or kind; when we are old. Charles, we shall not wish to be spoken of rudely, if we should happen to become poor and unfortunate; and if we should be rich, 1 suppose people would not dare to do it."

"Get the dictionary, Lucy, and look out for the definition of beggar: it is one who lives by asking and receiving alms."

"Oh, Charles, it was not the name as much as the feeling that I thought was wrong. You did not look sorry when you

said it."

"Well, Lucy, I will look sorry now, if you will only tell me what else you are going to give to Mr. Joseph Bentley."

"I am not going to give anything more to him; but his little grandchild, whom he calls Lorry,' shall have, first, a doll nicely dressed, bonnet and all." Here 1 again interrupted Lucy by laughing at the idea of a little girl, without shoes or stockings, receiving the present of a gaily-dressed doll. "Don't she like dollies as well as I, and must she have no pleasure because she is poor? I intend to give her some shoes and stockings besides," said Lucy, her cheeks glowing with excitement.

I saw that my cousin's benevolence was not to be laughed out of her, and only felt ashamed that in all of my proposed gifts I had remembered only those who could render them back again to me.

The night before Christmas, how busy we were! and when morning came, our mutual delight can only be estimated by those who have passed through the scenes of a Christmas morning, and who know all the hearty amusement which comes with its innocent joy.

Breakfast being over, Lucy whispered to me that she was going first to Joe Bentley's, and afterwards to Jack Jones's-the slayer

of my dog-for whom she had purchased some Christmas gifts, and modestly asked me if I wished to accompany her.

"To Joe Bentley's I will, but no further; pray what have you bought for that rascal, Jack Jones?''

"A Bible, with gilt-edged leaves, which, perhaps, he will value as a handsome book."

"Pshaw ! he will pawn it the first chance he can get. What will he care for a Bible?"

"Perhaps when I show him the nice cravat which I have bought and hemmed for him, he will believe that I really love him, and will read it for my sake."

"You love Jack Jones, Lucy! That is not possible."

"Yes, it is, and true, too; I love him, Charles, because he has so few friends, and because he has a heart that Jesus could make good. Perhaps he does not know this, or feel how very wicked it was in him to kill your beautiful dog; but I shall tell him to-day that I will be his friend, and mend up his clothes, and do all for him that a sister would do if he had one; perhaps then he will listen to me when I talk to him about being good."

"Well, Lucy, you had better talk to him alone. I have a good book which says,

One hates those whom they injure;' and I suppose it is on this principle that Jack

Jones dislikes me."

"Then you should heap coals of fire on his head until you make him your friend." "I will, Lucy; but let it be at another time, not to-day."

But ah! that other time was to come when Lucy's spirit no longer lived on earth, but rejoiced and loved, without weariness, in heaven.

Joe Bentley hardly knew how to thank Lucy enough for the comfortable things which she had brought him, and an expression of delight was visible on the old man's face at the sight of his new cap.

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Lucy," said I, as we left the house, "why are you so good and kind to everybody, and why don't you sometimes do some very wrong things as I do?"

"Oh, cousin! how can you ask me that question, when I am so often naughty and selfish, and love people so little when I ought to love them so much? But if I do anything good at all, Charles, it is only because I pray."

"Well, I say my prayers, Lucy, too."

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A HINDRANCE TO PRAYER.-One great hindrance to prayer is dimness of spiritual perception. When a man of taste or science climbs a mountain in a bright transparent day, he rejoices in its goodly prospect or curious spoils; but his dog feels no interest in them. He sees the philosopher peering through his telescope, or exploring for the little plants that grow near the summit, or splintering the rocks and putting fragments in the bag, but it never occurs to the spaniel so much as to marvel what his master is finding there. He sits yawning and panting on a sunny knoll, or snaps at the mountain bee as it comes sailing past him, or chases the conies back into their holes, and scampers down with noisy glee The as soon as the sad durance is over. disparity between the philosopher and his irrational friend is hardly greater than it is between the worldling and the believer when you bring them together into the domain of faith. "The natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God;" and on the Pisgah of the same revelation whence the believer descries a goodly land, and where he is making the most interesting discoveries, he sees nothing to arrest his attention. The Word of God and its promises, the throne of grace and its privileges, the things of faith in all their varieties, have no existence to worldly men. And when constrained to bear others' company in outward ordinances, they are thankful when the ending prayer or closing sanctuary sends them back to the world again. But just as the same lover of nature might ascend his favourite eminence on a favourite day, and find all his goodly prospects intercepted by a baffling mist, so dense that, except a pebble here and there, he can alight on none of its rare productions, and without any opening vista by which he can catch a glimpse of the fair regions around -so the believer may ascend the hill of God, he may open his Bible or enter his closet, and find, alas, that it is a foggy day, the beauteous panorama blotted out, and himself left to grope chillily in the cold and perplexing gloom. But like a gale of snmmer wind, up-springing and lifting all the fog from the mountain top, the breath of the Omnipotent Spirit can scatter every cloud and leave the soul on a pinnacle of

widest survey, rejoicing in the pure light of God.- Dr. James Hamilton.

THE SUM OF RELIGION. -He that fears the Lord of heaven and earth, walks humbly before him, thankfully lays hold of the redemption by Jesus Christ, and strives to express his thankfulness by the sincerity of his obedience, he is sorry with all his soul when he comes short of his duty! He walks watchfully in the denial of himself, and holds no confederacy with any lust or known sin. If he falls in the least manner, he is restless until he has made his peace by true repentance; he is true to his promises, just in his dealings, charitable to the poor, sincere in his devotion. He will not deliberately dishonour God, although secure of impunity. He hath his hopes and conversation in heaven, and dares not do anything unjustly, be it ever so much to his advantage; and all this because he sees Him that is invisible, and fears him because he loves him,--fears him as well for his goodness as his greatness. Such a man, whether he be an Episcopalian, a Presbyterian, an Independent, or an Anabaptist,whether he wears a surplice or wears none, -whether he hears an organ or hears none, whether he kneels at the communion, or, for conscience' sake, stands or sits,-he hath the life of religion in him; and that life acts in him, and conforms his soul to the image of his Saviour, and goes along with him to eternity, notwithstanding his practice or non-practice of things indifferent. On the other side, if a man fears not the eternal God, he can commit sin with presumption, drink excessively, swear vainly or falsely, commit adultery, lie, cozen, cheat, break his promises, live loosely, though at the same time he may be studious to practise every ceremony, even to scrupulous exactness, or may perhaps as stubbornly oppose them. Though such an one should cry down bishops or presbytery, though he should be re-baptized every day, or declaim against it as heresy,-and though he fast all the Lent, and feast out of pretence of avoiding superstition,-yet notwithstanding these, and a thousand.external conformities, or zealous opposition of them. he wants the life of religion.-Judge Hall.

CRITICISM.-It ought to be a sacred rule of conscience with every man, not to carry

a spirit of literary censorship into the Sabbath. If it cleaves to you in going to the house of God, shake it off as Paul did the viper. The dignity and sanctity of the place forbid its intrusion. If you have no other way to subdue this spirit, which is so hostile to the ends of religious worship, adopt the precaution of avoiding altogether remarks on the preaching, till the Sabbath is past. Then limit your observations to those things which cleaved to your memory at that time, without any effort of attention as a critic. These suggestions result from experience. For many years I have not allowed myself, in the regular worship of God, to hear sermons as a critic; but have aimed to avoid on the Sabbath all conversation respecting preaching, that could promote in myself or in others a criticising spirit. In a congregation of students, and even of christian students, there are probably some special tendencies to the indulgence of this spirit; but still, the habit of freely discussing the merits or defects of a sermon, so soon as we have ceased to listen to it from the pulpit, is so adapted to frustrate the proper influence of the Sabbath, that christian theological students, and ministers especially, should guard against such a sacrifice as to spirituality of feeling. The habit of criticising the preacher is injustice to him. It assumes that he sets himself up to act a part for the amusement of others; and that every time he preaches, even the first time, he ought to be so faultless that a critic can perceive no defect in the performance. It is injustice to the critic himself. Why does he go to the

house of God? Professedly to hear the gospel, to unite in religious worship, to have fellowship with angels, to get ready for heaven. When Moses came down the mount, his face shone; but this critic comes from the sanctuary like worldiy people from a tea party or a theatre. His conversation shews that his mind has been occupied by a literary or vagrant curiosity. The house of God and the gate of heaven have only furnished him with subjects of religious small talk. Many scem to think that it must be a good employment to talk about sermons; while they do this in such a way as, in fact, to profane the Sabbath, offend God, and harden their own hearts.

LOVE IN THE HEART. The gentlest earthly parent may speak a harsh word betimes; it may be needlessly harsh; but not so God. "He may seem, like Joseph to his brethren, to speak roughly; but all the while there is love in His heart!" The furnace will not burn more fiercely than is absolutely required. A tender God is seated by it, tempering the fury of its

flames.

EVERY-DAY WORK- We think it was John Newton who went one day to visit a christian brother, and found him busily engaged in his occupation of tanning. The man attempted to apologize. "Just

30, my friend," said his pastor, "may your Lord find you when he comes; it is the work he has given you to do, and he expects you to do it diligently."-From Work; or, Plenty to do, &c., by Margaret Maria Brewster.

THE MONTH.

Entelligence.

The close of the year has come and gone, and the events of 1854 are now matter of history. How much has occurred to make the last year important in the annals of the world our readers already know too well; and no one can look back upon the past, and around on the present, without viewing the future with apprehension. It is a consoling thought that "God reigneth," an assurance without which all would seem very dark, that all the events of the world are under the control of One, wise, and good, and kind, in whose character we have an assurance that everything will be directed so as to lead to the ultimate well-being of the world.

The events of the month furnish us with little matter for record or comment. It is needless to say that the War still continues. Around the watch fires of the Crimea thousands of Englishmen have just told the tales of Christmas, and dropped the tear as their thoughts have wandered to the firesides, saddened by the absence of loved ones, at home. We are sorry to have to tell that the accounts from the Crimea represent the soldiers there as suffering severely

from the want of those comforts which ought to have been supplied to them with no sparing hand. Sebastapol is not yet taken, nor will it either, if the brave men there are allowed to be depressed by the absence of those supplies which England is bound to render to them.

During December, Parliament has met. As it was called to meet at so unusual a season, all attention was directed to its operations. Of course, the usual show accompanied the meeting, and the usual forms were attended to. The three things done have been to give formal and welldeserved thanks to the armies for their bravery, to pass a bill authorising the employment of the militia out of the kingdom, and to sanction the government in the engagement of Foreign troops. The greatest discussion took place on the last measure, though there was a good deal of criticism on the general conduct of the war. We confess we do not like-especially so early in the war-the employment of mere hirelings in a national struggle; but we are disposed to accept the measure, as it was accepted in parliament, as a proof that the government are at last disposed to act

with vigour ;-if so, we would not willingly oppose any measure by which it may be supposed that the national character may be maintained. Parliament meets again on the 23rd instant.

HONITON, DEVON.

For very many years the Baptist church and congregation at Honiton, Devon, worshipped in an old and inconvenient chapel in a very out-of-the-way part of the town. The chapel was so dilapidated as to render it, in the winter season especially, dangerous to meet in; and its appearance altogether was so repulsive as to deter many from worshipping there who would otherwise have done so. Recently a new chapel has been built in a central part of the town, the consequence is, the congregation is greatly increased, and the prospects of usefulness are much more wide and cheering. But there yet remains a debt of £400 upon the chapel, and we beg to suggest the following plan by which the readers of "The Church" may render us much help. Suppose each of the twentyfive thousand readers of "The Church" sent us only a penny, £104 3s. 4d. of the amount would at once be contributed. Let us then, brethren, in Christ's name, whose cause it is, beg of you each a penny. All such pence will be gratefully received by the writer whose name is below. That you may know the cause is a thoroughly deserving one, we take the liberty to mention that it has been strongly recommended by very many ministers and others, amongst whom are the Revs. T. Winter, T. s. Crisp, G. H. Davis, of Bristol, and also the Rev. W. Brock, of London, whose recommendation we beg to append to this appeal: "I am greatly interested in this application from Honiton. The case is a thoroughly good one, deserving the generous aid of the friends of Jesus Christ. My sympathy with it is all the greater from the fact that Honiton was my birth-place, and the bury. ing-place of my fathers. I shall rejoice to go down to assist in the opening of the building, which I trust every friend of mine will help to erect, so that It may be unincumbered with any debt."-W. EVANS FOOTE, Pastor, Honiton, Devonshire.

STRATFORD GROVE CHAPEL.

This chapel was opened for public worship on Tuesday, November 14th. The Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel, M.A., preached in the morning, from Gal. ii. 20; after which the pastor, the Rev. G. W. Fishbourne, gave a short account of the past exertions and present condition of the church under his pastoral care. In the evening a sermon was preached by the Rev. H. Allon, of Islington, from Heb. i. 1, 2. After the morning service, a numerous company of ministers and friends dined together at Rokeby House. In the afternoon a public meeting was held, G. T. Kemp, Esq., in the chair; and addresses were given by the Rev. J. H. Hinton, M.A., the Rev. J. Curwen, G. Gould, Esq., the Rev. J. Lance, R. W. Cooke, Esq., and the

Rev. G. W. Fishbourne. On the following Sabbath, three sermons were preached on behalf of the building fund; in the morning by the Rev. J. H. Hinton, M.A.; in the afternoon by the Rev. T. E. Stally brass, B.A., of Stratford; and in the evening by the Rev. J. Viney. The collections and promised donations at the various opening services amounted to about £100.

HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.

The Rev. D. Pledge, late of St. Peter's, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the church at this place to the pastorate, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. E. Davis, who has become pastor of the church in Zion chapel, Emsworth, Hants.

HOOK-NORTON, OXON.

The Rev. W. Maizey, of Studley, Warwickshire, having accepted of the unanimous invitation of the Baptist church and congregation in this village, proposes commencing his stated labours on the first Sabbath in the new year.

ARLINGTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

Mr. J. Mombert, of Stepney College, has accepted an unanimous invitation to the pastorate from the Baptist church, Arlington, Gloucestershire, and commenced his labours there on Lord's Day, Nov. 26th.

GRAVESEND.

The Rev. E. S. Pryce has accepted the appointment of Travelling Secretary to the Religious Liberation Society. He has not, however, resigned the pastorate of the church at Gravesend.

WAKEFIELD.

Dr. Perrey, late of Derby, has accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church, Wakefield, and entered on his stated labours there on Lord s-day the 17th ult.

HUNSLET, NEAR LEEDS.

The Rev. John Bamber has resigned the pastorate of the church at this place. His services terminated at the end of November.

Obituary.

THE REV. D. JONES.

November 9th, died at Cardiff, the Rey, D. Jones. He had ministered in the Welsh Baptist chapel, at Cardiff, during the last twenty years (being the successor of the late Christmas Evans), and he had gained the esteem and confidence of his flock, besides numerous hearers who were in the habit of attending his chapel. Mr. Jones's illness was of short duration. Only a fortnight before his death he preached his last sermon, and shortly afterwards complained of an illness which compelled him to keep his room for a time. Subsequently, more alarming symptoms presented themselves. A few days more of intense suffering, and the good man "ceased at once to work and live.' The funeral, which was very largely attended, took place on the Tuesday following Mr. Jones's death.

THE CHURCH.

"Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."-Eph. ii. 20.

FEBRUARY, 1855.

THE ENDURING QUALITY OF SPIRITUAL WORK.

BY THE REV. EDWARD WHITE.

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain."-John xv. 16.

Of the two leading ideas comprised in this passage, the first is, that all really spiritual work done upon earth, is the out-going or manifestation of the eternal life of Christ in glory.

The world contains work of two descriptions, the work wrought by man without God, and the "fruit of the Spirit," or work wrought in God." All things are full of labour. Man cannot utter it, so incon qeivably full of work is the world. Consider the works of all mankind since time began, in the subjugation of the globe, in reducing its wilder ness-state to order and cultivation. Think of the amount of work in changing one territory alone, England for example, from its early condition of wide-spreading forest, swamp, and oozy morass, into its present form of one diligently tended farm or garden, such as we behold it now. Consider the works of men upon the materials furnished by nature, from her surface or her depths, mineral, metallic, animal, or vegetable, the whole vast sum of human manufactures. Think of the labours of mankind in architecture, sculpture, painting, and music; the unspeakable sum of human endeavours in literature; and, finally, the untold amount of work expended on government, legislation, and war.

Of these labours many have been useful, many have been wicked; but none of them good, in the religious sense, none spiritual, if they have not been wrought in God, and respected the spiritual or religious nature of man.

The other description of work is spiritual, and consists of good works, in the religious sense, including under that name the actions of common life done by good men, which, therefore, have become good works, the actions partaking of the quality of the actor; and that higher labour of an exclusively spiritual character, such as acting in the minds of men for God, with a view to their instruction, comfort, or conversion.

Now, all spiritual work done on earth by Christ's disciples, whether it be action on matter or on mind, common life work, or special religious labour, is the outgoing of the hidden life of Christ in glory. The branches bear fruit from vital union with the vine. They are one spirit with the Lord. The worker, being animated by the Spirit of Christ dwelling in him, making him " a workman that needeth not be ashamed," a new, twice-born man, must be regarded as Christ's agent and instrument, VOL. IX.

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