Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

by the hand of faith, unlocks all God's

treasures.

Prayer, like Jonathan's bow, returns not empty. Some prayers indeed have a longer voyage than others, but they return with a richer lading at last. Gurnal.

Justification by Christ's imputed righteousness is the centre arch of that bridge by which Christians pass out of time into a happy eternity.-Ryland.

Piety practised in solitude, like the flower that blooms in the desert, may give its fragrance to the winds of heaven, and delight those embodied spirits that survey the works of God and the actions of men; but it bestows no assistance upon earthly beings, and however free from taints of impurity, yet wants the sacred splendour of beneficence.

That lovely bird of Paradise, Christian contentment, can sit and sing in a cage of affliction and confinement, or fly at liberty through the vast expanse with almost equal satisfaction, while "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight," is the chief note in its celestial song.-Swaine.

Contentment is a pearl of great price, and whoever purchases it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and a happy purchase.-Balgray.

The works of creation are admirable; providence is beyond our comprehension; but redemption is what the angels desire to look into.

Redemption is the most glorious work of God. We behold the law and the prophets standing at the foot of the cross and doing homage; we behold Moses and Aaron, David and Elijah, all the priests and sacrifices, rites and ordinances, types and symbols, assemble together to receive their confirmation. In redemption every right assumed its proper significancy, every prediction met its event, and every symbol displayed its correspondence.-Blair.

"YE SERVE THE LORD CHRIST," Col. iii. 24.-If you duly "serve the Lord Christ," then,

1. The will of Christ will be your

[blocks in formation]

COME UNTO ME.

Poetry.

WHO is willing to go to the Saviour? He has graciously said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." May every reader respond to the voice that cries "Come," in the spirit and resolve of the following lines:

Just as I am-without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidst me come to thee-
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am-and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee whose blood can cleanse each
spot,

O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am-though toss'd about With many a conflict, many a doubt, With fears within, and wars withoutO Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am-poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need, in thee to find

O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am-thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, Because thy promise I believe

O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am-thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down: Now to be thine, yea, thine aloneO Lamb of God, I come!

THE SABBATH-DAY.

THY morn, sweet Sabbath-day!— I love thy early, quiet, balmy morn; For thee fresh hopes and heavenly thoughts are born;

And many a ray

Of love divine pours in upon the soul Which turns to God, scorning the world's control.

Thy noon, sweet Sabbath-day!Oh! how I love thy high and solemn

noon;

From thee, my God! and from this blessed boon

No thoughts shall stray;

But adoration deep and fervent praise From the soul's inmost depths my lips shall raise.

Thy eve, sweet Sabbath-day!Far more I love thy still calm, dewy eve;

FRIENDSHIP.

How vain are words the ties to tell
That heart to heart may bind;
The strange, mysterious, mighty spell
Of mind on kindred mind.
The light that comes the soul to fill
From Friendship's altar shed;
That cheers the drooping spirit still,
When days, ay, years have filed.

And when Fate's stern and high decree

Hath borne the loved afar; It flashes o'er life's stormy sea

A bright unfailing star.

Till join'd again are hearts and hands
In bonds of earthly love;
Or in the purer, holier bands

That bind the blest above.

And, oh! when death's cold hand hath torn

A wreath of friendship here;

At that blest hour my soul this state And on the chaplet they who mourn

would leave,

And soar away

On angels' wings, beyond the stars to

[blocks in formation]

Bestow the bitter tear.

How sweetly Faith triumphant cries, Exulting o'er the sod,

"Friendship is endless in the skies With loved ones gone to God!" A. M. C. E.

The Children's Gallery.

DYING COUNSEL OF A SUNDAYSCHOOL GIRL.

TO SUNDAY SCHOLARS.

YOUNG FRIENDS, -Hear the story of Ruth Welsh, who recently died at the age of thirteen. She loved God's house very much, as also the Sunday-school. | She was cut off by consumption; but before it appeared, she had given her heart to the Lord Jesus, and was ready to die. Now, a number of the readers of this PENNY MAGAZINE will be sure to die of the same malady. Will it be you? Are you ready?

Ruth told her mother she knew she should never be well again, but she was not afraid to die. Earnestly did she desire the conversion of her friends, and often did she send messages to the sabbathschool. So deeply did she feel for them, that she wrote a letter to them, and re

[ocr errors]

quested the superintendent to read it. The following is a copy of it:

"My dear Schoolmates,-I must tell you what the Lord has done for me. Though he has seen fit to afflict me, in depriving me of the privilege of meeting with you; yet he has taught me to look to him for every blessing I desire, and to endure my afflictions with patience and submission to his will. I hope I shall serve him as long as I live. Oh! what a good thing it is to have ministers and teachers to lead us to the Lord! God is good to us. I may never meet with you in the sabbath-school, but I hope I shall meet you in heaven. I wish you would love and serve the Lord while you are in health, for he is good, in giving you all the blessings you enjoy.

"RUTH W. WELSH." Since last April she had been rapidly

declining, but was perfectly resigned to the will of God. "Oh!" said she, "how wicked it would be for me to murmur, when the Saviour suffered so much for me." After recovering from an ill turn, so as to speak, she said, "I shall soon be with my Saviour. Oh, what a dear Saviour! he had not where to lay his head, but I have a pillow to rest mine upon." Her mother asked her, if she wanted to go and leave her? She looked up to her, and said, "I love you, mother, but I love Jesus better." After listening to prayer, she said, "I love to hear prayer offered, and I try to pray with them as far as my weakness will let me." She took great delight in hearing the Bible read, and hymns repeated. On Wednesday morning life appeared to be fast ebbing away, but her confidence was strong in the Lord. Towards evening it was apparent to those around her, that her dissolution was nigh. After lying some time, suffering extremely from difficulty of breathing, she said to a friend, "Repeat that hymn,

'Oh, when shall I see Jesus,""&c. Her spirit seemed longing to be gone. Afterwards her breathing became still more difficult; a friend inquired, "Are you happy, Ruth?" "Yes-yes." It was but the struggle of a moment, and that happy spirit was, we trust, in the arms of that Saviour, "whom, having not seen, she loved."

Ruth felt that she was a great sinner, but that Jesus was a glorious Saviour, just such an one as she needed. Go to that dear Saviour, whoever you are that

may read this memorial; confess your sins and forsake them. Give him your heart. You too must die; and if you love God with all your heart, you will be happy

for ever.

you:-A converted Indian was asked how he knew that he had experienced a change of heart? He gave no answer. He was asked if he saw the power? "No."

"Did you hear it?" "No."

"Did you feel it?" "Yes."

"Well, then, cannot you describe your feelings?"

He paused a moment, and then, kneeling upon the sand, made a small circle of chips and dry leaves. He then got a little worm, and placed it inside the ring, and with a spark from his pipe lighted his pile. The poor worm, when it began to feel the heat, crept first to one point, then to another, and at last, after many ineffectual attempts to get out, finding that the flames completely surrounded it, crawled to the centre, as if in despair, and coiled itself up, awaiting the result. When it began to feel the heat too sensibly, the Indian took it in his fingers and placed it without the ring in safety.

"Now," said he, "I will explain my meaning. I was like that poor worm: the fires of hell were burning around me

At

they began to scorch me-I ran every way-I drank fire-water-I tried hunting, everything; but could not get out. last I threw myself down and tried to pray, and then God stretched forth his hand and took me out. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and I am happy."

BENEVOLENT SAILOR BOY. Point, Long Island, during the past year, As a schooner was sailing near Montauk she was suddenly struck by a heavy gust of wind, upset, and instantly sunk. A vessel near by, which had seen the calamity, sent its boat to save from sinking any that had not gone to the bottom. On coming near where the schooner went down, they saw a little boy twelve years old floating on some wood, and went to take him off. As they approached him, with a nobleness of soul not often manifested, he exclaimed, "Never mind me, save the captain; he has a wife and six

THE FIRE AND THE WORM. MY DEAR LITTLE FRIENDS,-I have some where met with a beautiful little history, which I am sure will very much interest | children.”

The kind-hearted boy knew that the captain's family loved him, and would need his support. Both, however, were saved.

young heart was hushed, a calm and heavenly smile played upon his countenance, and from that day he has given evidence of being truly born of God. Dear boys! here is an example for you. By nature you are all bad; but God can make you good. Repent and believe in Jesus.

BODY.

Three days after the vessel was lost the boy got into a car as it was passing between Boston and Fall River. As he was poor and ragged, some of the passengers who wore fine clothes slightly shrunk from him. He took his seat quietly, and THE YOUNGEST READER IS SOMEthe sea captain, who entered the car with him, told a minister what had happened. In telling the touching story the captain was much affected, and generously added, "The boy has only the clothes you see, Sir, or he would not be so ragged. I care not much for myself, though I too lost all; but the poor lad will have a hard time of it."

Several persons who heard the story gave the poor orphan small sums of money, and advised him to tell others what he had gone through, who would no doubt give him something. Many boys in his situation would have readily taken the advice, and told the story of their misfortunes in order to get help. But the poor boy replied, "I am not a beggar; I don't wish to beg their money."

A fine benevolent looking person then arose, and pleaded the case of the boy in such a manner, the passengers gave ten dollars for him. The man who obtained this sum for the unfortunate boy had been a sailor and sufferer himself, and therefore knew how to pity the distressed.

THE BAD BOY MADE GOOD. Boys, I have something to say to you very important. A very kind father, who had been to chapel one day, coming home in the evening, took his little boy, and placing him on his knee, inquired of him if he had been a good boy during the sabbath? With a sad look, he said he had not. He had not being doing good, and he had grieved his mother. After suitable admonitions, he left the room, and the mother explained the case. She had occasion to reprove him during the day for indulging in trifling conduct. Instead of submitting meekly to the reproof, as was usual with him he became angry and manifested a spirit of stubbornness. "My son," said the mother, "I must pray with you." They retired, and she prayed with him until his stubborn heart relented, and he was melted into sorrow for what he had done. They returned, but his little heart was troubled. After sitting awhile by her side, he looked up into her face, and said, with the most touching tenderness, "Mother, I want you to pray for me again." And again she prayed for her son. The storm in his

Do

ONE kernel is felt in a hogshead; one
drop of water helps to swell the ocean; a
spark of fire helps to give light to the
world. You are a little child; passing
amid the crowd you are hardly noticed;
but you have a drop, a spark within you,
that may be felt through eternity.
you believe it? Set that drop in motion-
give wings to that spark, and behold the
results! It may renovate the world.
None are too small, too feeble, too poor to
be of service. Think of this, and act!
Life is no trifle. Up, then, little reader!
and prepare to live in earnest.
Mind your
book, mind your teacher, and mind your
parents.

[blocks in formation]

Gaze upon

her living eyes,

And mirror back her love for thee

Hereafter thou may'st shudder sighs

To meet them when they cannot see.
Gaze upon her living eyes!
Press her lips awhile they glow

With love that they have often told-
Hereafter thou may'st press in woe,
And kiss them till thine own are cold.
Press her lips awhile they glow!
Oh! revere her raven hair,

Although it be not silvery grey-
Too early death, led on by care,
Oh! revere her raven hair!
May snatch, save one dear lock, away.
Pray for her, at eve and morn,

That Heaven may long the stroke defer
For thou may'st live the hour forlorn
When thou wilt ask to die with her.
Pray for her, at eve and morn!

The Cabinet.

"COME, SEE THE PLACE WHERE THE LORD LAY." PERHAPS in that place there was nothing very remarkable. It was the grave of a rich man; but it had never been used till now. It probably was a cave, hewn in the rock; at best but a narrow bed. We stoop down to see it. Truly, there is something befitting its purpose, in the lowliness of a sepulchre. But the meanest grave is not without its interest, especially if it be that of a friend or a brother.

And here was laid the Friend of sinners! His slumber is broken now, and he has left his lowly bed; but still we thankfully accept the invitation.

Is it

In doing so, we first glance at our informant. Who is He? His countenance is like lightning, and his raiment white as snow, and for fear of him the keepers shake and become as dead men. the Lord himself, in an altered form, more akin to his usual appearance in the heavens? No, it is only one of the servants of his palace: "He maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." Their various degrees of celestial existence-" thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers"—are all subject to him. To which of these orders this visitant belongs we have no means of ascertaining, and perhaps he has no authority to tell us. But well he knows the service he is rendering, and why he renders it. The decree is unmistakeable: "Let all the angels of God worship him." We next, in looking at the place, recall the circumstances of its recent occupation. The "Man of sorrows" had been torn from the garden whither he had retired to pray,-he had been dragged to three tribunals in succession,-had been accused first of blasphemy and then of treason,-had been crowned with thorns, scourged, and compelled to bear his cross till he fainted under it. Pursued by execrations all the way, he had at length reached the place of execution, the yard of bones and sculls,-henceforth to be immortalized, (not as Golgotha, but as Calvary,) and associated with all the most sacred recollections of earth and heaven. But now is the hour and power of darkness. The Redeemer of the world, crucified between two thieves, bows his head and gives up the ghost! It was the eve of the sabbath; and that sabbath-day was a high day. It was the sabbath of the passover-the day from which the weeks to Pentecost were reckoned. And it was not lawful that the bodies then should remain on the cross. We censure not the scrupulosity which refrained from dishonouring the sabbath; but we infer that a very high regard for the outward decencies of religion may long survive its influence over the heart.

And here the body of Jesus was laid. It was a hasty funeral, and scantily attended. But appropriate honours had not been paid

K

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »