you have hit off exactly the right one. You call yourself what you are, a "Monthly Visitor," but this is not all you have most judiciously put in the word " Cottager," shewing exactly the people to whom you mean to write. But, numbers of other people read you, and they profit the more by you, because you do not seem directly to aim at them. A side blow often does more than a direct hit. I am happy to tell you, that I see you, at most of the fashionable houses both in town and country, and I know, that you are read in the parlour before you go down into the kitchen. Many people of fortune are desirous of doing good to their Cottage neighbours, and they are glad to take in your book, because they think it may, perhaps, serve to shew them the condition of Cottagers, and the way to be of use to them. SIR, Your's, &c. X. R. THERE is one page of your book, of which I cannot see the use. I do not see to what class of persons it could be a benefit. I mean the Table of Scripture of Texts. Two verses a day! Who, that opened the Bible, would be content with two verses. Your's, &o. SIR, F. ALL parts of your book are useful, but I think no part more so than the Table of Scripture Texts. I know already, the very great use that it has been of. Your correspondent who sends them, said in an introductory Letter, that the intention was, that one was to be learned by heart every morning, and one, every night. Now, any of us could select these Texts for ourselves, but any of us would not. It is, therefore, a great matter to have them found ready for us. I know several people who have begun the habit of learning Scripture by heart, since they saw these verses selected in your book: and, now they have once got into the habit, they probably will go on. I do not mean that it is needful for you to go on another year with them, because, those who have now got into the way of learning a small portion daily, will go on, and they can choose for themselves. I think too, that a couple of verses learned daily, in regular order, so that whole chapters would be known, might be still better, than separate verses. Your last year's selections may, indeed, be used again this year, by those who prefer a selection, and who have not yet learned them, or who are not perfect in them. On this account, your last volume will be valuable. Many whole chapters should be learned by heart, such as the 53d. Chapter of Isaiah, a regular and continued prophecy of our Saviour, more than 700 years before his appearance upon earth with many others, both in the Old and New Testament, of very peculiar beauty and interest. Even at the small rate of two verses a day, a great deal might be done. This is, of course, not to be instead of reading the bible, but, in addition to it, where there is an opportunity for both. Your's, &c. MR. EDITOR, G. I AM always glad to find some advice in your book on the proper cultivation of potatoes, that most useful of all vegetables. SIR, 1 am, &c. MATTEW MEALEY. PRAY write no more about potatoes, we have had enough of them. Your's, &c. CHRISTOPHER CABBAGE MR. EDITOR, I REALLY wonder that you do not, now and then, give your readers a little politics. There is so much of a wrong sort in that way going on, that it would be very useful to introduce a little that was right, you have only treated us with one thing that shewed us at all your opinions on these matters, and that was in Page 467, Vol. I... SIR, Your's, &c. PRAY keep off from politics. I wonder you ever put in that letter in page 467, Vol. I. SIR, Your's, &c. I WAS very much pleased with your letter in page 467, Vol. I. It was what I call, "a word In sea son.' SIR, Your's, &c. Z I HOPE you will have no Number without some poetry;-every body likes a little poetry. SIR, Your's, &c. CANTOR. PRAY be on your guard against poetry.-All Magazines are ruined by poetry.-Every body will be sending you verses. Any thing, they say, will do for a Magazine :-especially as our names do not appear. But, if you admit one that is tolerable, you must then take another that is not quite so good, and so, by degrées, you get to all the badness of newspaper poetry. I am happy to see, Sir, that you have done very well indeed at present. Pray keep to it. Your's, &c. PROSY. We are not in the least surprised, that there should be some difference of opinion as to the best method of conducting a little work like our's: and we have merely introduced the above Letters, that our Correspondents may see a reason why we have not adopted all their suggestions. There never was any subject on which all people could think alike. We are, therefore, not in the least surprised, when we find that, on subjects of much more importance than our's, great and good men have come to different conclusions. This proves, at least, that there is something to be said on both sides: and this reflection should teach us to carry on our enquiries after truth, with that spirit which becomes those who onght to feel, that the same respect is due to the opinions of others as to their own. V. ON THE EPIPHANY. BRIGHTEST and best of the Sons of the Morning, Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our iufant Redeemner is laid. Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining, Maker, and Monarch, and Saviour of all. Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gold would his favour secure ; Richer by far is the heart's adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. Brightest and best of the Sons of the Morning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. SELECTIONS FROM DIFFERENT AUTHORS. I CAN think of no passage of Scripture which more fully, plainly, and affectingly unfolds the truths with which our hearts and minds should at this time, (Christmas) be impressed, than these words from the beloved disciple St. John: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."-Bishop Dehon. Let us remember that there is as certain a connection between our conduct here, and our state hereafter, as there is between the kind of grain sown, and the harvest to be reaped from it.-Doddridge. Almighty wisdom did not bestow the Bible to satisfy the curiosity, but the wants of man. Every thing necessary to salvation may there be found: all that concerns human life, as a preparation for eternity, is there recorded; and, as St. Paul has declared," If the Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost." Surely this consideration should quicken our anxieties to search the Scriptures, for in them, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we shall explore the way to everlasting life.-Locker. The Christian will regard as matter of the deepest interest to himself all that comes to him on the authority of the Word of God.-Boys. A God not forgotten in prosperity; is a God easy to be found in the day of trouble.-The same. I must needs say that their case is fearful, their state dangerous, which harden themselves, presuming on the mercy of God towards others. It is true that God is merciful, but let us beware of presumptuous sins. He pitieth the blind that would gladly see; but will he pity him that may see, and yet hardeneth himself in blindness.-Hooker. Without Religion, all other accomplishments are rather snares than benefits to their possessor.Dean Monk. |