commands us to "be pitiful" and to be "ready to distribute." But why, for the very little we can do for His people, do we seek any inferior reward? Has he not said, and do we not believe it, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me?" O that we could do then a thousand times more, and with motive! a purer Come and see where, in our wild, Spire up rosemary and rue; Springing from its mossy green, Each abundant "herb of grace" Thriving in appointed place. Varied polyanthus flower, Telling of spring's changeful hour; Trembling snowdrops, meek and pale, Under February's hail; Where its flower the violet shows, By the yet unbudding rose; Every one whose country name Glad associations claim. With their soft leaves powder'd white, "Boy's love" there, and "Maid's delight;" Jessamine too, luxuriant flower, Plentiest in summer night's still hour, When the beetle bright springs up, And the tiger-moth is found, Quiet, calm, and pleasant, still When hope's bloom has left the cheek, Of sorrow in the heart that dwells. Come, it shall be ours to say, Who hath hitherto supplied, Fear not, yet shall onward guide. Onward yet awhile, until Thou art safe on Zion's hill; There, when former things are past, Shall the weary rest at last. Faint, thou shalt not thirst again, Thou shalt not be hungry then. O may we too enter in, Sorrow being past and sin; And where want and woe come never, Meet again and dwell for ever! August 15, 1836. 173 ADULT BAPTISM. "It is your part and duties," said the beautiful service for adult baptism, "to put them in mind what a solemn vow, promise, and profession they have now made, before this congregation, and especially before you their chosen witnesses" and how shall I best fulfil my part? Perhaps, I thought, a memorial of that interesting event will not be unacceptable to those dear friends. Perhaps, little justice as my pen can do to the beautiful subject, I may be enabled by Him whose praise I wish to seek, to describe it with so much of feeling, as to renew in their minds from time to time, when they recur to my sketch, the solemn self-devotion with which they then surrounded the font. It was a fine morning, you will remember, dear friends, fairer than we have had for many days, for it has been a chilly and stormy autumn, and winter has set in early. I felt quite thankful that the clouds were blowing away, for it had been a tempestuous night, and that the sun rose as brightly and as joyfully as a November sun could rise. It was in keeping with the happy occasion. Our dear young friends, in the course of their pilgrimage, may have to remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many." They may have to endure heaviness for the night; God grant that each of them may feel how "joy cometh in the morning!" 66 The blackbird-I cannot find that the amusing author of the History of Selbourne has observed this circumstance-sings even in our gloomiest and most wintry days; but to-day, as if he enjoyed the change of weather, he has been singing twice as wild and well, ever since the dawning. We shall hear him, by fits and starts, all through the changeable day; and when the sun sets early, in the grey twilight, before the frosty moon rises, whilst the cold sleet blows from the straggling clouds, I dare say we shall hear him still, perched on the old elm tree, or on the hawthorn hedge, as if he was pouring forth a song of thanksgiving, at the ample provision stored up for him, all along those old rails, so well covered with ivy berries. Happy ear, to which |