"But how did she exert so great an influence over you."

"Oh, sir, by her whole conduct; every action, every word, every look was a meek, but powerful reproof to me. You cannot conceive how her eye would pierce my very soul, when I came home, late at night, from some scene of riot and dissipation. There she used to sit, in that corner, and when she rose to meet me, there was such an expression of grieved and saddened feelings, and yet such a look of mildness and forgiveness, that it always filled me with a momentary remorse and penitence. And sometimes, on the Sabbath, when I was sitting in a most melancholy mood, I used to hear her teaching some verses of the Bible to little William, and they seemed sometimes so pointed and full of meaning, that I was frequently disposed to be angry, from the suspicion that she designed to convey some rebuke to me in this indirect manner. But then I would soon reflect upon the perfect proofs which I had every hour, that she really wished my happiness, and then my unkind feelings would vanish away. I believe, sir, I could have borne any thing but this mild forgiving spirit; it made me constantly miserable; conscience soon began to arouse itself, and, in short, sir, it pleased my Heavenly Father, as I humbly trust, to show me my guilt, and the way salvation through a Redeemer."

of

"What was the guilt which you then saw in yourself? the vices and crimes of which you spoke?"

“Yes, sir, I had a much stronger and deeper sense of these, but I soon found that these were not at the foundation of the evil; they were rather the signs of the guilt in my heart than the guilt itself. It was my heart, sir, that wanted purifying. I had before thought, that, although my actions were often very criminal, I could at any time abandon my evil courses, and I should then be as good as my wife, whom I always considered a pattern of excellence. But I soon found that there was something fundamentally wrong in the state of my affections towards Gol, and that, unless these were changed, I should never be holy or happy. I cannot describe what was my distress, when I found that the control of

I was,

however,

these was utterly beyond my power. at last brought to the Saviour, where I found peace and joy; and I hope he has commenced a work of grace in my soul."

"But how did you recover your affairs from their embarrassed condition."

"Religion, sir, and industry, can accomplish any thing. I made the text, 'Diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord," my rule, and every thing soon began to go well, and you see how happy a man I am now.”

Here the good wife of the farmer came in, and gradually joined in the conversation; the hour passed rapidly, but profitably away, and the stranger was then shown to his place of rest.

The wind was roaring, and the rain descending in torrents without, as the Missionary knelt down at his bedside, and poured out his soul before the Author of his being, in grateful remembrance of the mercies he was then enjoying; and as he arose from his knees, and prepared to retire to rest, he thought that all his labours, his dangers, and mortifications would be amply recompensed, could he occasionally become an inmate of such a family as that, whose roof was then protecting him from the storm. He was soon, like the other inhabitants of this mansion, sunk in forgetfulness; and the dwelling was like the soul of the good man in this world of disorder and wretchedness, surrounded with storm and tempest without,-perfect peace and tranquillity within.

The night and the storm passed together away, and the eyes of the Missionary opened upon the beams of a delightful morning The wind was hushed, and the sun was breaking forth from the clouds, and sending his ani mating rays through the windows of the apartment. The traveller arose from his resting place, repaired to the family fireside, and joined in the morning devotions; he sat down once more to the hospitable board, and then betook himself to his journey. All nature was alive and vocal in the loveliness of spring, and the Missionary went on his way rejoicing.

PHALA.

[For the Monitor.]

NO. II.

Dear C.,-You will recollect my former epistle was on filial obedience. This duty I endeavoured to urge upon you by the consideration of your own personal happiness. Perhaps you felt at the time a secret resolution that this happiness should be yours. But when I

reflect on the importance of this duty, and the temptations to which children are exposed, I feel that this duty cannot be too frequently nor too forcibly impressed on their minds. It deeply concerns you, my dear friend. Allow me to present another consideration to incite you to a constant and cheerful obedience to your parentsa consideration which perhaps you have seldom thought of. Should I ask you, if you loved your parents and wished them to be happy, I know you would answer, yes. Now, have you ever asked yourself the question, how you can render them happy? You say you desire them to be happy. What can you do to effect this? You cannot increase their property. You are not able yet to take care of yourself. You cannot instruct them— they know far more than you do. You cannot provide for them-they provide both for themselves and for you. What can you do, my dear C., to promote their happiness? One thing you can do. You can render them the most cheerful and cordial obedience. In doing this, you will not only find the highest enjoyment and satisfaction yourself, but you will render them exceedingly happy. What can be more gratifying to the feelings of your tender and affectionate parents, than to receive from you a ready and hearty compliance with all their wishes? In doing this, you will amply repay them for all their care and anxiety for you. And this is the only way in which you can repay that debt of love and gratitude you owe them for all their kindness. If then you have one spark of love in your bosom, one emotion of gratitude for their constant and unwearied kindness to you, how strong is the inducement for you to yield a ready obedience to all they require of you. Such a course of conduct will greatly endear you to your parents, and

render you lovely and amiable in the whole circle of your acquaintance.

On the other hand, consider how much you will disturb the quiet, and wound the feelings of your dear parents, by cherishing a contrary spirit-a spirit of ingratitude and disobedience. Every time you refuse to obey, you pierce their hearts as with an arrow. If y f you manifest a reluctance to comply with their wishes, you grieve them; the child who stubbornly resists the salutary restraints of parental authority, brings on his parent the bitterest sorrow, the keenest anguish. Such conduct, I am sure, you look on with abhorrence. And while you would shun such a character, be not contented, my dear C., with some tolerable good degree of obedi ence; but let it be your constant aim in this thing to be perfect. Let every command be obeyed without a murmuring word-every wish complied with, without any reluctance on your part. So will you be happy in yourself, your parents will be happy in you, and you will share largely in the love and esteem of all your friends FILIUS.

[For the Monitor.]

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

The

AMONG those circumstances which gladden the hearts of christians, by their bearing upon the future prospects of the church; none shines in my view with a brighter lustre than the growing attention to the Bible. Missionaries have done much, and, I trust, will yet do much more, to rejoice the heart's of God's children. same may be said of Tracts, and many other things connected with the benevolent operations of the day; but after all, it is to the law and to the testimony, to the sure word of prophecy, that we must go for our strongest encouragement.

In proportion as the churches, and especially the youth in our churches are familiar with the doctrines and requirements of the Bible, in the same proportion will

they be likely to feel interested in the great work of benevolence there enjoined.

It is worthy also of remark, that the interest in these things which is thus gradually, and perhaps imperceptibly interwoven with the forming character of the mind, is much more permanent and efficient than any other. Under the influence of a Charity Sermon the feelings may be excited, and very properly, in view of the wants of others, and their own obligations, and perhaps a liberal contribution may be made to the object proposed; but if these feelings are not founded on a familiar acquaintance with what the word of God teaches concerning the great duties of benevolent exertion, they will be but of transient duration.

Such at least has the case appeared to me, and I think such also is the experience of the churches. Now if such is indeed the fact, it evidently follows that those who are labouring to promote among our youth a thorough acquaintance with the doctrines and duties of the sacred pages, are taking the most effectual measures to raise up active and permanent friends to the benevolent institutions of the age.

Another advantage worthy of our particular attention, is, that those who are in the habit of committing the Scriptures to memory, can never be found unarmed when attacked by the enemies of our holy religion. The sword of the Spirit is always lying ready drawn by their side. They can always grasp it in a moment. Are they told how great and learned men have believed in past ages? They immediately reply, "to the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Are they told that the doctrine of divine sovereignty contravenes the justice of God, in taking vengeance on his enemies? Who art thou that repliest against God? is instantly suggested to their minds.

And so it is in every other case, where the memory is stored with those weapons for defending the truth which are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Whilst pious and intelligent people may sometimes be perplexed by the subtle