MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION.

A youth sixteen years of age, the son of a respectable preacher in the Methodist connexion, was bathing some time since, in the river Mersey. The tide was returning and having ventured too far into the water for the purpose of swimming, he was carried down the current to the distance of three or four miles. All hope of reaching the shore had now vanished; and at the moment he was about to give up the struggle, he was providentially perceived by the crew of a vessel bound from Liverpool to Dublin. When brought on board every means was kindly used to restore exhausted nature: the youth recovered, and was carried to the port of the Irish capital. In the mean time a person to whom he was known, and who had seen him go into the water, returning, and finding his clothes on the shore, but perceiving nothing of his person concluded he was drowned, and carried the afflictive intelligence to his parents. A handsome reward was offered for the body, and suitable mourning was ordered.

On the arrival of the vessel at Dublin, the youth was humanely furnished by the crew with such articles of clothing as they could spare, and thus habited the Captain gave him a piece of silver aad put him on shore. The singularity of his dress restrained him from making known his situation to those who, from respect to his father, would gladly have rendered him every assistance. He, therefore, inquired for a vessel bound to Liverpool, and having providentially met with one, was received on board and reached the place of his destination on the very day of the following week that he was supposed to have been lost.-No sooner did he get on shore than he hastened to his father's house. Nothing could have been more unexpected to the sor

rowing parents than the appearance of their son. The mourning which they had ordered was that evening to be brought home and worn on the following day. The children at the sight of their brother shrieked with fear:-the surprise was too great for the delicate frame of his affectionate mother; before she could embrace her son, she fainted away; and the father more collected and composed, wept tears of joy. The next day was the sabbath. The congregation warmly participated in the grateful thanksgivings of their beloved preacher; and the pious father was heard to say that he hoped a life so providentially preserved, was designed to be employed in eminent service for God and his truth. May his fond parental hopes be abundantly

realized!

How infinitely good-how unspeakably condescending is God! Although he keeps whole worlds in motion, and directs the wings of his angels, he watches over the meanest, and the most unworthy, of his creatures, preserving us, with parental solicitude, both night and day. Recollecting the dangers we have escaped, we may ask with the royal psalmist " Who am I, O Lord God! and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto ?" How surprising that so great a Being should make our insignificant life, with all its circumstances, the special object of his care! While we gratefully acknowledge his past goodness, let us, morning and evening, commend ourselves to the conduct of his all-seeing eye, and the protection of his almighty arm. "Thou compassest my path, and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways."

Ibid.

A SWORD FOR IRRELIGIOUS PARENTS.

A young lady, the darling of her parents, and who was brought up in all the follies of fashion, till she was completely imbued with the spirit of the world, was suddenly taken ill. Great alarm was excited. No less than three physicians were called to rescue this favourite child from death. They gave in their opinion, that she could survive the attack only a few hours! an awful silence ensued, interrupted only by the sobs of a fond mother almost broken-hearted. Collecting all her strength, she requested, that her gay companions might be sent for. They came, and with great anxiety entered this mansion of misery. On seeing her associates in folly, she addressed them to the following effect:" I am going to die! How awfully have we neglected God and religion, and mispent our valuable time! With my dying breath I exhort you to repent before it be too late." Then, in the presence of the fashionable young people, she thus addressed her own father:-"You have been the unhappy instrument of my being-you fostered me in pride, and led me in the path of sin; you never once warned me of my danger; -now, now, it is too late. In a few hours you will have to cover me with earth: but remember-while you are casting earth upon my body, my soul will be in hell! and yourselves the miserable cause!" Here she paused, and presently closed her eyes in death!

Analecta.

THE BLACK COAT OBSERVED.

As one of the Princes of Orange was passing through a village, on a Sunday, he asked the people, "Who is the man in black playing at tennis?" He was answered, "The man who has the care of our souls." "Good people," said the Prince, "is this the man who has the care of your souls? you had best then look about you, and take a little care of them yourselves."

Ibid.

IS PERFECTION ATTAINABLE?

A follower of Mr. Wesley, once asked the Rev. Mr. Dunn, of Portsea, whether he thought a state of sinless perfection attainable in this life? Mr. D. replied, "I wish you, my friend, to press after it as eagerly as if it were attainable."

Ibid.

THE PARENT'S STATE OF HEART ASCERTAINED BY HIS OWN CHILD.

A child of only three years and a half old, on being lately told, that persons who curse and swear will not go to heaven, after a short pause, artlessly replied, Then my father will not go to heaven, for he curses and swears."

Ibid.

THE VANITY OF HUMAN GREATNESS.

After the death of Abderamen, Caliph of Cordova, the following paper was found, in his own hand-writing : Fifty years are elapsed since I became Caliph. I have possessed riches, honours, pleasures, friends: in short, every thing that man can desire in this world.I have reckoned up the days in which I could say I was really happy, and they amount to FOURTEEN!!!" Ibid.

THE BEST SINGING.

The late Mr. John Wesley, once addressed a person from the pulpit, who was making great discords, " my friend, I wish you not to sing quite so loud, you disturb the congregation." The reply was, Sir, my hearts sings, and I must sing too." He only added, 66 sing on.

66

Ibid.

THE APOLOGY.

The late Mr. Robinson, when in the midst of divine service, was frequently insulted by some of the Cambridge gownsmen. On one such occasion looking and pointing towards them, he said, "behold our reasons of dissent, written with a pen of iron, upon brows of brass."