THE BIBLE DESPISED.

IN the whole tribe of daring infidels, hardly one of any age has treated the Holy Scriptures with more ridicule and contempt than the notorious Thomas Paine. Those who have imbibed the poison of his principles ought to read the account of his death. In his last sickness, he was frequently heard by Dr. Manley to exclaim, "Oh, Lord, help me! Oh, Christ, help me!"

A gentleman who resided in the neighbourhood sent him refreshments, which Paine could not otherwise have enjoyed. A respectable female, who lived in the family, was sometimes the bearer of them. One day, Paine asked her if she had ever read a certain book of his. She said she had looked into it; but, being convinced of the evil tendency of its contents, had burnt it. To this Paine replied that he wished all who had read it had been as wise; adding, "If ever the devil had an agent on earth, I have been one."

THE BIBLE HONOURED AND VALUED.

As a contrast to the above instance, we shall mention the following, and many others of the same kind are familiar to most readers.

Pascal, it is admitted, was one of the most sublime geniuses that ever existed. "This great man [says his biographer], during some of the latter years of his life, spent his whole time in prayer and in reading the Holy Scriptures; and in this he took incredible delight."

Dr. John Leland closed his race with the following words: "I give my dying testimony to the truth of Christianity. The promises of the Gospel are my sup port and consolation. They alone yield me satisfaction in a dying hour. I am

35

not afraid to die. The Gospel of Christ has raised me above the fear of death, for I know that my Redeemer liveth.'"

Sir William Jones said, "Before I knew the Word of God in spirit and in truth, for its great antiquity, its interesting narratives, its impartial biography, its pure morality, its sublime poetry-in a word, for its beautiful and wonderful variety-I preferred it to all other books; but, since I have entered into its spirit, like the Psalmist, I love it above all things for its purity, and desire, whatever else I read, it may tend to increase my knowledge of the Bible, and strengthen my affection for its divine and holy truths."

This great man's opinion of the Bible was written on the last leaf of one belonging to him in these strong terms: "I have regularly and attentively read these Holy Scriptures, and am of opinion that this volume, independently of its divine origin, contains more sublimity and beauty, more pure morality, more important history, and finer strains of poetry and eloquence, than can be collected from all other books, in whatever age or language they may have been written."-Selected.

BIRMINGHAM'S WEEK'S WORK. IT is calculated that a week's work in Birmingham comprises, among its various results, the fabrication of 14,000,000 pens, 6,000 bedsteads, 7,000 guns, 300,000,000 cut-nails, 100,000,000 buttons, 1,000 saddles, 5,000,000 copper or bronze coins, 20,000 pairs of spectacles, six tons of papier mache wares, over £30,000 worth of jewellery, 4,000 miles of iron and steel wire, ten tons of pins, five tons of hairpins and hooks and eyes, 130,000 gross of wood screws, 500 tons of nuts and screw-bolts and spikes, fifty tons of wrought iron hinges, 350 miles length of wax for vestas, forty tons of refined metal, forty tons of German silver, 1,000 dozen of fenders, 3,500 bellows, 800 tons of brass and copper wares.

EAR CHILDREN,-The name of Martin Luther has become such a household word that I suppose most of you are acquainted with it, and probably there are but few of you who have not heard some particulars of the earnest labours of that good man in spreading the truth, and exposing the errors and corruptions of Popery, which now, alas! appears coming in upon our own favoured land like a flood. And

here do allow me to give you a caution. Dear children, have nothing to do with Popery or Ritualism; do not enter either church or chapel where such services are held. Let not promises of presents, or food, or raiment induce you to attend their schools, for, remember, if you once get under their hands, and are drawn aside by their teaching, unless the God of all grace rescue you, eternal destruction must follow. Do not choose Papists or Ritualists for your companions. Recollect the words of Solomon, "Whoso walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Prov. xiii. 20); and, in a Scriptural sense, they are all fools to a man, because they build their hopes of salvation on a sandy foundation (see Matthew vii. 26, 27); therefore, take heed and beware. May the Lord preserve you from their

snares.

But to return. Luther, being so favoured by the Lord in boldly declaring the only way of salvation, was fiercely opposed by the Pope and the mighty ones of this world; and, when he was summoned to appear before the Diet of Worms, which I suppose was something like our House of Lords, and there refused to recant or deny the truth of God, he was by the Emperor of Germany and his nobles condemned as an outcast, so that any one who met him might kill him without fear of punishment for so doing.

On this the Elector (or King) of

Saxony, whose subject Luther was, and who favoured his cause, knowing how many enemies he had, resolved to have him seized, and placed in safety for a time, so that no one might know where he was. This was done, and he was carried off by some soldiers and confined in a castle in the midst of a large forest. This, in the hand of the Lord, proved a wise step, for while he was there he translated the New Testament into the German language, which he could not have done at Wittemburg, where he had resided, as his constant engagements in preaching and attending to his University duties would have occupied his time.

It was during Luther's stay in the Wartburg, as the castle was called, the simple occurrence took place which I will now relate to you.

Two young men in Switzerland had been educated in Basle (a town in that country), with a view to their becoming priests of the Romish Church; but it would appear the light of truth had entered their hearts, and they, having heard of Luther, and also most likely read some of the books he had written, were very anxious to see him and ask his advice on the matter. They therefore decided to take a journey from Basle to Wittemburg-a distance of more than 200 miles!

Now, I want you to bear in mind, travelling in those days was not like it is now. There were no railways nor stage coaches, and the roads were not as our roads are, but sometimes almost impassable with a carriage. These young students, then, undertook their journey on foot, unless they might sometimes get a lift in a waggon or other conveyance. Only think, young friends, how earnestly they must have desired to see and hear the good man; and it would seem they had no knowledge of his being shut up in a castle.

However, day by day they travelled on, until one afternoon they reached the city of Jena, tired and wet, and decided to stay there for the night. They were directed to an inn called the "Black Bear," outside the city gates. Dejected and worried, they found their way there, and, entering the public room, seated themselves near the door, feeling rather ashamed of the wet state in which the storm they had passed through had placed them. At one of the tables sat a solitary man in the dress of a knight (or superior officer), with his hand resting on his sword, and before him lay an open book, which he appeared to be attentively reading.

After the two young men were seated, he raised his head, and, looking kindly at them, invited them to come forward and sit at his table; then, presenting them with a glass of beer, and alluding to the accent of their words, he said

"You are Swiss, I perceive, but from what canton?"

"From Saint Gall."

"If you are going to Wittemburg you will there meet with a fellow-countryman, Dr. Schurff."

Encouraged by this kind reception from an entire stranger, and, as they supposed, a person of rank, they said

"Sir, could you inform us where Martin Luther is at present ?"

"I know for certain," replied the knight, "that he is not at Wittemburg, but expect he will be there shortly. Philip Melancthon is there. Study Greek and Hebrew, that you may clearly understand the Holy Scriptures."

"If God spare our lives," observed one of the young men, "we will not return home without having seen and heard Doctor Luther, for it is on his account that we have undertaken this long journey. We know that he desires to abolish the priesthood and the Mass, and as our parents intended from our infancy we should become priests, we should like to know clearly on what grounds he rests his proposition."

The knight was silent for a time, and then said, "Where have you been studying hitherto ?” "At Basle."

"Is Erasmus of Rotterdam still there? What is he doing?

They answered his questions, and there was another pause. The two Swiss knew not what to think of him, as in those days many men, even in the station of knights, could scarcely read, and did not at all interest themselves in matters connected with religion.

Presently the knight said suddenly. My dear friends, what do they think of Luther in Switzerland?"

"Sir," replied the students, " opinions are very divided about him there, as everywhere else; some cannot extol him enough, and others condemn him as an abominable heretic."

"Ha! the priests, no doubt," said the stranger.

The knight's friendly manner had put the students at their ease. They longed to know what book he was reading when they entered. He had closed it, and placed it on one side. At last one of them ventured to take it up, and found, to the great astonishment of the young men, it was the Psalms in Hebrew! The student laid it down again, and, as if to apologize for the liberty he had taken, said

"I would willingly give one of my fingers to know that language."

"You will attain your wish," said the stranger, "if you will only take the trouble to learn it."

Soon after, two merchants, who desired a lodging, entered the room. They took off their spurs, laid down their cloaks, and one of them placed beside him on the table an unbound book, which soon attracted the knight's notice.

"What book is that?" asked he.

“A commentary on some of the Gospels and Epistles, by Doctor Luther," replied the merchant; "it is just published."

"I shall procure it shortly," said the knight.

The landlord of the inn then came forward to say supper was ready. The two students, fearing they could not afford the expense of a meal in such company, asked the host to serve them apart with more frugal fare, but the knight at once said to them, "Come along, I will pay for you."

During the meal the stranger conversed freely, and made such edifying remarks that the students and merchants paid more attention to his words than to the dishes on the table. After supper was over the merchants left the room, and the two Swiss were again alone with the knight, who, taking a glass of beer, said solemnly, after the manner of the country, "Swiss, one glass more for thanks," and then arose, and, putting on his cloak, gave each of the students his hand, and said to them,

"When you reach Wittemburg salute Dr. Schurff on my part."

"Most willingly," replied they, "but what name shall we give?"

"Tell him simply," replied the stranger, "He that is to come salutes you."

He then quitted the room, leaving them full of admiration at his kindness and good nature.

Three days after the young men reached Wittemburg, and, in reply to their inquiries, were directed to the house of Doctor Schurff. When they were admitted they found he had several friends present who were ministers. They felt at first too timid to enter amongst them, but on doing so discovered the kind knight was in the room. He at once welcomed them, and pointing to one of the doctors, said, "This is Philip Melancthon, whom I mentioned to you." Then, to their great surprise and joy, they found the knight was none other than Martin Luther himself, the great man they had travelled so many miles to see. He had left his castle disguised as a knight to visit his friends in Wittemburg, and they, through the kind providence of God, had met with him by the way.

Only think, dear children, how de

39

lighted they must have been. They remained with him all that day, and, doubtless, eagerly received all the kind instructions and godly counsel that welltaught man would impart. E.

APPROVED REMEDIES FOR
EVERY-DAY MALADIES.

FOR A FIT OF PASSION: Walk out in the open air; you may speak your mind to the winds without hurting anyone or proclaiming yourself a simpleton.

FOR A FIT OF IDLENESS: Count the tickings of a clock; do this for one hour, and you will be glad to pull off your coat the next, and work like a negro.

FOR A FIT OF EXTRAVAGANCE AND FOLLY Go to the workhouse, or speak with the ragged inmates of a gaol, and you will be convinced

"Who makes his bed of briar and thorn Must be content to lie forlorn."

FOR A FIT OF AMBITION: Go into the churchyard and read the grave stones; they will tell you the end of ambition. The grave will soon be your bed-chamber, the earth your pillow, corruption your father, and the worm your mother and your sister.

FOR A FIT OF REPINING: Look about for the halt and the blind, and visit the bedridden and afflicted and deranged; and they will make you ashamed of complaining of your lighter afflictions.

BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EACH

SUNDAY IN FEBRUARY. Feb. 6. Commit to memory Luke iv. 18. Feb. 13. Commit to memory Jer. xxxvi. 3. Feb. 20. Commit to memory Luke v. 11. Feb. 27. Commit to memory Luke v. 12.