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THE PENNY POST BOX.

The Penny Post Box.

DRUNKENNESS ON THE SABBATH.

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I Do not remember that you have said much about this great sin in the pages of the Pioneer. Now and then you have hinted at it I know; but let me fill up your "Penny Post" page with a few thoughts about it, for I fear it is on the increase. With regard to drunkenness itself, I will not call it a beastly sin, for it is worse, sinking a man below the pig in his own stye. But to see a man (and sometimes a woman!) drunk on the sabbath-day, reeling through the streets as stupid as any ass, and more dirty than a gipsy that lies out all night under his tent, is one of the most disgusting sights ever seen in this England of ours. Now I know that generally we do keep the sabbath-day more reverently and decently than any nation in Europe; but such scenes, now and then, as they flit before us when we are walking with our families to a place of worship, are a foul blot on the customs of our land, which every lover of his country would wish to wipe away, or hide from the sight of a foreigner. Why it was only the other sabbath morning, on turning a corner at a little after ten, on my way to the house of God, I fell on a group of dirty-looking working-men, who were talking-"Oh, dont go there, its bad!" "Where should we go then ?" "Why to the We can get some good stuff there any time." I passed on, grieved in spirit that any of England's hard-working sons should thus, on God's own day, in these times of peace and plenty, abuse the blessings of Providence. For they all looked, not like half-famished framework-knitters of Hinckley or Sutton Ashfield, who have little work and less wages, but like skilled mechanics who could make their average of twentyfive shillings a week. And then I thought of their wives and children at home. I say, alas for England if these things are to go on. I hope every sensible and well-disposed working man who reads this will set his face against such a wilfully-wicked abuse of a day which is the best friend of the man who works for his bread. Yes it is, for not one farthing more would he get if he worked seven days instead of six, and had no day of rest at all. Of all men on earth, working men ought to respect the sabbath-day and keep it decently. I could say a good deal more about many who if they do not get quite drunk, get sadly too much, and spend the day either in listless idleness at home, or wander abroad in the fields. When, oh when, will the days come when all our working men and their families will live soberly and righteously, and spend the sacred hours of the glorious sabbath-day in the fear of God and the happy enjoyment of the blessings of His providence and grace! ONE WHO LOVES HIS SABBATHS.

FACTS, HINTS, AND GEMS.

Facts, Hints, and Gems.

Facts.

ABOUT RAILWAYS.

Great Britain.-At the end of 1851, nearly 7,000 miles of rails had been opened on these islands, costing 250 millions sterling. During the year 85,391,095 persons were conveyed. Income, nearly fifteen millions.

United States.-Above 13,000 miles have been opened, and above 25,000 miles of electric telegraphs; the toll for the latter, in 1851, was over £20,000.

France. About 3,500 miles are nearly completed, at an expence of 100 millions sterling.

Belgium, a kind of little England, is well supplied with rails, all executed and managed by the govern

ment.

Holland is progressing, and has agreed to join her lines with those of Belgium from Antwerp.

Summary.-Europe and America have now above 25,000 miles laid down-they would encircle the globe! at a cost of 450 millions sterling.

Hurrah for the Railway! It is the grand civilizer, and also a great missionary of liberty and improvement. Stupid despotisms must all fall before its power!

Hints.

TO GET GOOD DO GOOD.-He whose first object is his own happiness, invariably misses his end, and incapacitates himself for the higher forms of goodness; but he whose exclusive aim is goodness, secures that and happiness too.

YOUR CONSCIENCE.-If condemned for doing wrong by your own conscience, you could not be at ease though all men acquitted you.

AMENDMENT. -The first step towards any amendment is to feel that you need it.

Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, have not done much, but they are preparing, under the direction of Stephenson, Peto, and other Englishmen. Russia. The despotic but ener-fidence in himself loses most. getic Ruler of these vast regions is aiming to consolidate his power and resources by extensive lines, to be completed by English and American engineers in 1862.

LOSSES. He who loses money loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he who loses con

Germany, including the small states, with Prussia and Austria, have already laid down extended lines; and more are projected.

Other European Nations are moving in this great enterprize of civilization--Switzerland, Piedmont, Italy, and even Spain and Portugal. Indra.-Something is doing, but very slowly. On the overland way, a line of rails from Alexandria to Suez is likely now to be laid down in Egypt!

HOSPITALITY. If you wish to be hospitable, be frugal; for frugality is the best provider of hospitality.

BEAUTY AND WIT may gain for us a few foolish admirers, but goodness and truth will secure real honour and true friendship.

THE GREATEST FAULT is the conceit which some people indulge that they have no faults at all.

CONSTANT OCCUPATION in some good employment for ourselves or others, is the best preservative from getting into mischief.

GREAT TALKERS are like broken pitchers-everything runs out as fast as it is put in, and sometimes faster.

Gems.

FACTS, HINTS, AND GEMS.

PRAYING ARIGHT.-He who prays as he ought will try to live as he prays.

TWO QUESTIONS ANSWERED.-
What made man miserable?
What can make him happy?
liverance from sin by Jesus Christ.

Poetic Selections.

THE WONDERFUL ADVENT!
WELCOME, all wonders in one sight,
Eternity shut in a span;
Summer in winter, day in night,

Sin.
Heaven in earth, and God in man.
De-Great little ONE whose wondrous birth
Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heaven to
earth!

FORGIVENESS.-He who will not forgive breaks down the bridge by which he will have to pass himself "Forgive us as we forgive them." PEACE.-There is a true peace and a false peace-the one a precious privilege, the other a fatal delusion.

HE WHO LOVES CHRIST, loves to hear of him, loves to read of him, loves to think of him, loves to talk of him, loves to bless him.

HE NEVER WAS SO GOOD as he should be, who does not seek for more grace to be better than he is.

OUR PRAYERS AND GOD'S MERCIES are like the two buckets of a well-as one goes up the other comes down.

PRAYER WITHOUT WATCHING is hypocrisy; and watching without prayer is presumption.

DEATH AND SIN.-As death came in by sin, so sin goes out by death. For Christ died; and by faith in him the power of sin is destroyed in us.

THE MAN WHO LOVES CHRIST would ten thousand times sooner suffer for his Lord, than that his Lord should suffer by him.

"OUR FATHER," gives us the most happy idea of God we could possibly imagine.

"Now" AND "Too LATE" are awful words. "Now" is the day of salvation. After death, which may come in a moment, it will be "Too Late."

AFTER DEATH every man goes to his own place. Dives sunk down to hell. Angels carried Lazarus up to heaven.

MY BELOVED IS MINE. JESUS, who on his glorious throne,

Rules heaven, and earth, and sea; Is pleased to claim me for his own, And give himself to me!

For him I count as gain each loss-
Disgrace for him renown;
Well may I glory in his cross,
While he prepares my crown!

A SIGHT OF JESUS.

WHO can tell the wondrous story

Of the great Redeemer's love?
Who can shew us all his glory

Seated on his throne above?

Eyes of feeble mortal creatures

Fail to scan the glorious scene;
Oh to see his glorious features
There without a vail between!

MANSIONS IN HEAVEN.

HIGH in yonder realms of light,
Far above these lower skies,
Fair and exquisitely bright,
Heaven's unfading mansions rise.

Sorrow, and pain, and every care,

And discord there shall cease;
And perfect joy and love sincere,
Adorn the abodes of peace.

THE ART OF LIVING.

OUR portion is not large indeed,
But then how little do we need,

For nature's calls are few;
In this the art of living lies,
To want no more than may suffice,
And make that little do.

GREAT LOSSES.

THE loss of Time is much,
The loss of Truth is more,
The loss of Christ is such
That no man can restore.

THE CHILDREN'S CORNER.

The Children's Corner.

THE SABBATH-DAY AND SABBATH

SCHOOLS.

Written by a Sabbath Scholar. MANY a working man is obliged, in the discharge of his duties, to put all his bodily strength into full play; to begin early, and work late, until he seeks repose in sleep to refresh his wearied limbs. It is seldom during the week that he can spend much time in the bosom of his family. In the morning he goes to his work before they have risen; in the evening he returns after most of them have retired to rest; so that there are few family delights, and but little social enjoyment for him on week-days. But sabbath changes the scene. Early as the lark his family rise to make longer the hours of that sacred day; a cheerful fire blazes upon the hearth: on one side sits the mother, on the other, with the best of books in his band, sits the father; while the children, neat and clean, with faces fresh as the blushing red rose, are listening to the Word of Life, which is able to make them wise unto salvation; and after their devotions they partake of their simple fare as the bounty of heaven. Thus peace and contentment dwell in heart. But if we possessed no sabbath, such a scene could exist only in fancy.

every

It would be impossible for anybody to work week after week, and month after month, without losing their health and vigour, and life would become a burden. But the very thought of this blessed day is sufficient to cheer and encourage the industrious man to labour with greater energy, kindling hope and joy in his heart.

The Sabbath is important too, because it promotes cleanliness. Many people are dirty from the

effects of their trade; and as their means are but scanty, they cannot often have a change of linen. In fact, many who have to go amongst dust and dirt, are careless as to whether their clothes are clean or not. But as sabbath is the time

when their neighbours appear in their best clothes, they feel obliged, from respect to others, to make themselves tidy.

are

It is not only advantageous for personal, but domestic comfort. On the Saturday the rooms scoured, the house is washed, the furniture is polished, and all things are set decently and in order; so that they display the importance which they attach to the sabbath by the preparations which they make for its approach.

The sabbath is valuable too be

cause it affords time for reflection and mental cultivation. During these sacred hours of relaxation we have

the means of moral improvement.

It is important to the young. In no country has the rise of education been so rapid as in England; not merely amongst the higher orders of society, but amongst those who earn the scantiest pittance, and live upon the humblest fare.

Let us inquire how it reached them. Did it come from a government grant? No, it sprang from one whose tender heart was touched with pity for human woes, from the heart of Robert Raikes; who was a man ever ready to engage in any good enterprise. There appeared to be difficulties in the way, but undaunted by them, he carried his plan into execution. The schools were filled, and the young are now blessed with privileges that had never fallen to the lot of any preceding generations.

Let us be thankful to God for our Sabbaths and our Sabbath Schools.

SECULAR CHRISTIANITY.

SECULAR, Not spiritual, relating to affairs of the present world.
WALKER'S DICTIONARY.

CHRISTIANITY IS MORE FAVOURABLE TO THE WELFARE OF MAN THAN ANY OTHER SYSTEM THAT HAS EVER BEEN PROPOUNDED. PROOFS FROM THE DUTIES IT ENJOINS.

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1. Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands-that ye may have lack of nothing. 1 Thes. iv. 11, 12.

2. We commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.-2 Thess. iii. 10.

3. Some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busy-bodies.-2 Thess. iii. 11.

4. Not slothful in business. Rom. xii. 11.

5. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.-Ephes. iv. 28.

II. TEMPERANCE.

1. Use this world as not abusing it. 1 Cor. vii. 31.

2. Temperate in all things. 1 Cor. ix. 25.

3. Walk honestly-not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness. Rom. xiii, 13.

4. Use a little wine for thy stomachs sake, and thine often infirmities. 1 Tim. iv. 23.

5. A drunkard-with such an one no not to eat. 1 Cor. v. 11. III. WISDOM.

1. Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and barmless as doves. Matt. x. 16.

2. I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. Rom xvi. 19.

3. Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Eph. v. 15. IV. HUMILITY.

1. Every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly. Rom. xii. 3. 2. In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Ph. ii. 3.

3. All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility. 1 Peter v. 5.

4. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Rom. xii. 16.

V. MEEKNESS.

1. Shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus iii. 2.

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