"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you."-1 JOHN iii. 13. SINCE the day when Cain, "who was of the wicked one," was by him tempted to become the murderer of his righteous brother, the servants of God have always been exposed to the hatred and persecution of that world of which Satan is the prince; and the same bitter envy which produced the hatred of the first murderer, “because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous," now leads the doers of iniquity to hate and persecute all who have chosen the better part. The history of the Bible, from its very first chapter to its close, bears witness to the awful truth, "That men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil." He VOL. XIV. No. 19.

that is living after the flesh, hath ever persecuted him that is seeking to walk after the Spirit. It was this which moved the wicked kings of Israel and Judah to slay those prophets who warned them of the evil of their ways; for this cause did Herod shut up John the Baptist in prison and this it was which aroused the malice of the Scribes and Pharisees against the spotless Saviour, because He testified of them that their deeds were evil. They sought to kill Him, though He had done nothing worthy of death, because He had told them this truth. When about to leave the world, Jesus warned His disciples that this would be their own lot; that they must expect to suffer as He had suffered, and for the same cause. And how could it be otherwise? The prince of this world, Satan, and his angels, are ever seeking whom they may devour. They keep up a perpetual warfare against the servants of God. Their delight it is to lead. men captive unto sin and eternal death. Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil; and, therefore it is, that Satan is so filled with hatred and enmity against the disciples of Christ. Satan, as we have seen, was a murderer from the beginning. Can he then be pleased to see those, whom he seeks to kill, "passed from death unto life," by the mighty power of their Saviour? He stirs up enemies against them; he seeks, by all the arts he can command, to ensnare them again. The hatred of the world is one of his most powerful engines of attack. He knows how hard it is to stand against this; how ready most men are to give up every thing rather than be exposed to the scorn and contempt of the world. Satan's weapon is hatred. The weapon of Him who hath broken Satan's power is love; and, blessed be God! the shield of faith (which worketh by love,) is able to quench all the fiery darts of the Wicked One. While the servants of Satan madly seek the destruction of God's people, and their own, by living in malice, hateful and hating one another, the faithful followers of Jesus are enabled to withstand their rage and fury, by the love which they bear to their brethren. This love binds them so closely to each other, that they are ready even to lay down their lives for one another, striving herein to copy

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the love of Jesus in laying down His life for them. O, my Christian friends! so long as we have love one to another, so long Satan will in vain seek to destroy us. When the Church of Christ, in its early days, kept the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, when the mul titude of the disciples were of one heart and of one soul, then had they favour with all the people, then were they enabled to speak the word of God with all boldness. It was not till the enemy of souls had sowed discord and strife amongst this once united and happy flock of Christ, till those who had at the first distributed of their possessions to every one that had need, grew cold and shut up their compassion from their afflicted brethren; it was not till they had lost that love one to another, whereby they were once known to be the disciples of Christ, that "grievous wolves entered in, not sparing the flock." Oh! let us lay these things to heart; let them stir us up to greater love toward all our brethren in Christ Jesus; to greater watchfulness over ourselves; lest Satan should get an advantage over us. Let us love one another," not in word only, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth." For thus only can it be seen, that the love of God dwelleth in us. Thus only can we be assured in our own hearts that we indeed love Him. Many may profess love to Him; but those only prove it who have love also to His children. Let each of us ask himself sincerely," Am I living in love and charity towards all my brethren ?" and, "if our hearts condemn us not," if they do not testify the contrary," then have we confidence toward God." For we cannot deceive God, He knoweth all things, and discerneth every thought and intent of the heart. brethren, does any of us feel himself sadly wanting in this proof of his love to God? Does the heart of any condemn him for his want of charity towards his brethren? Let not such despair. Let him pray to God, who giveth to all that come unto Him in His Son's name,-let him pray earnestly, and with faith, that God would "send His Holy Spirit, and pour into his heart that most excellent gift of charity, which is the very bond of peace, and of all virtue." These prayers, if offered up in the name of Jesus, will be answered; and he will find, that the fruit

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of the Spirit whose influence he has sought, is love. Brethren, if love be in us, we need seek no other proof that the Spirit dwelleth in us; and, oh! blessed truth! if the Spirit indeed be in us, God dwelleth in us. We are the temple of the living God; for " He abideth in us by the Spirit which He hath given us."

"WE'LL HAVE A JOLLY BOUT OF IT."

L. S. R.

ONE fine spring morning, a farmer was watching his ploughman, who was turning a furrow, "strait as an arrow," when a lad brought him a letter. Its contents occasioned a sudden change, for he called to the ploughboy, "Let the beasts go by themselves a bit Tom, and do thee put the new saddle on the brown mare." He then trudged home, put on his best coat, took down his silverheaded whip, and said to his wife, Farmer--has sent me a letter to tell me that my old schoolfellow Bob is come home from sea, and he begs I will come and take a bit of dinner, we shall have a jolly bout of it. "Lauk sure," cried the Dame, "why, John man, you ar'nt going off! why who will see to the ploughing the six acre piece with the new yoke of oxen? and the butcher is coming about the calves, and”—the rest of the poor woman's remonstrances were cut short. The farmer banged the door, mounted the brown mare, and rode off" to have a jolly bout." Tom scratched his head, and said to himself; "if master don't mind the ploughing, I need not;" so he joined a party of idle boys at pitch and toss, and the ploughman finding the oxen unruly without a driver, unyoked them, and went to the beerhouse. Meanwhile affairs in the house went on but badly; the Dame, being provoked at her husband leaving his business, scolded the children and the maid, kicked the dogs, and drove the chickens; and, when the butcher came, she was so out of humour that they could not agree about the calves.

But it was very different with the farmer; the sun shone bright, the mare trotted well, his old schoolfellow was very glad to see him; and farmer's wife had provided an excellent dinner, which, as well as Bob's stories, they all enjoyed extremely. Some neighbours dropped

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in; and, as they were determined "to have a jolly bout of it," the large china punch-bowl was filled and emptied more than once before the party broke up. The farmer mounted his mare; the "jolly bout" had made him unfit to ride ten miles in a dark and stormy night, but he was intoxicated and obstinate; he set spurs to his beast and galloped off! The mare carried him safely a mile or two, when he fell from her back; but some persons lifted him up, and he again set off; he again fell, pitched on his head, fractured his skull, and was brought home a bleeding and disfigured corpse! This little tale is a fact! may it be a warning to all;-particularly to those who are inclined to indulge in liquor, or as it is called "to have a jolly bout," not to exceed the bounds of temperance, nor to convert a rational pleasure into riot and debauchery! I cannot conclude better than by the following reflections on accidental death.

"You feel yourselves secure of life, because you are strong and healthy;-now let me remind you of what has happened often, and will often happen again ;-and why not to any of you? A man "hastes to rise up early," and goes forth to his work and to "his labour until the evening;" he forgets perhaps to address himself to the "God of his life and of his salvation" in prayer, for his guidance and protection during the day, for a blessing upon his exertions, for preservation from sin under the temptations to which he may be exposed: he pursues his usual business or pleasure; he knows of no danger at hand; to-day is as yesterday; his mind is running on various subjects; religion does not intrude; that is reserved for the bed of sickness and death; he thinks of his means in life, and of his profits or pleasures; perhaps he looks forward to joining with his dissipated companions in a drinking party, and so to close the day with revelry, drunkenness, and profane conversation: observations pass: improper jokes, words of contention, oaths are intermingled; it is the same as yesterday; what symptom is there of death? his foot slips, or, as in the fact before related, he falls from his horse; he is dashed violently on the ground, his companions crowd around a senseless body! he is dead!—and he is gone to render