thence we must derive our elevation, not from space or duration. Let us endeavour, then, to think well; this is the principle of morals.-Pascal.

PARENTAL INSTRUCTION.

THERE is no human influence ever exerted in forming the character, more decisive, whether for good or evil, than that of parents. If it be a well-directed religious influence, we have a right to expect, both from the nature of the case, and from actual experience, that it will secure the happiest results. Let a parent train up his children in the way which the Bible prescribes; let him faithfully instruct them in the truths of God's Word, as soon as they are capable of being taught; let him render his instructions as familiar and practical as possible, mingling with them appropriate counsels and admonitions; let him pray with them, and for them, and teach them to pray for themselves. If all this is not immediately instrumental in their conversion, it will render them, in ordinary cases, peculiarly promising subjects of converting grace: it will be a happy preparation for the effectual work of God's Holy Spirit.-Sprague.

HAPPINESS.

TRUE happiness has no localities;
No tones provincial, no peculiar garb.
Where duty goes, she goes; with justice goes;
And goes with meekness, charity, and love.
Where'er a tear is dried; a wounded heart
Bound up; a bruised spirit with the dew
Of sympathy anointed; or a pang
Of honest suffering soothed; or injury
Repeated oft, as oft by love forgiven;
Where'er an evil passion is subdued,
Or virtue's feeble embers found; where'er
A sin is heartily abjured and left-
There is a high and holy place, a spot
Of sacred light, a most religious fane,
Where happiness descending, sits and smiles.
Pollok.

CONTENTMENT.

'GOD is love. That makes me happy. I rejoice that God reigns; that He reigns over all; that He reigns over me; over my crosses, my comforts, my family, my friends, my bodily senses, my mental powers, my designs, my words, my preaching, my conduct: that he is God over all, blessed for ever.' I am willing to live, yet I long to die; to be freed from all error, and all sin. I have nothing else to trouble me; no other cross to carry. The sun shines without, all day long; but I am sensible of internal darkness. Well, through grace, I shall be all light by-andby. Yes, you and I shall be as angels of light all near the sun; always in motion; always glowing with zeal, and flaming with

:

love. O for the 'new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness!'— Pearce.

THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

Оn! never, never can'st thou know
What then for thee the Saviour bore,
The pangs of that mysterious woe
That wrung His frame at every pore,
The weight that pressed upon his brow,
The fever of His bosom's core!
Yes, man for man perchance may brave
The horrors of the yawning grave;
And friend for friend, or child for sire,
Undaunted and unmoved expire,—
From love-or piety-or pride ;-
But who can die as Jesus died?

A sweet but solitary beam,

An emanation from above, Glimmers o'er life's uncertain stream,

We hail that beam, and call it love! But fainter than the pale star's ray Before the noontide blaze of day, And lighter than the viewless sand Beneath the wave that sweeps the strand, Is all of love that man can know,All that in angel-breasts can glow,Compared, O Lord of Hosts! with thine, Eternal-fathomless-divine!

A BOTTLE IN THE SMOKE.

Dale.

BOTTLES, among the Jews, were made of skins. One of these, if exposed to heat and smoke, would become shrivelled and useless. Such a change will labour and sorrow cause in the human frame; and the Psalmist here complains, that his beauty and his strength were gone: the natural moisture was dried up; in consequence of which, the skin shrivelled, and both colour and vigour departed from him. Disease and old age will produce the same sad effects in us all. But the body's weakness is the soul's strength. As the outward man decayeth, the inward man is renewed: 'I do not forget thy statutes.'-Horne.

REAL, solid satisfaction is to be found in nothing but God. It is a poor exchange to enjoy the creature, at the expense of the Creator's presence. God himself is the Fountain of happiness: likeness to Him, friendship for Him, and communion with Him, form the basis of true enjoyment.

I AM praised by some; I am followed by many; I am respected by all my acquaintances. But all this is nothing, yea, less then nothing, compared with possessing this testimony, that I please God.

It is pleasant speaking for God, when we walk with Him.

If you do not plough in the closet, you cannot reap in the pulpit.-Pearce.

THOMAS GRANT, PRINTER, EDINBURGH.

THE claims of Bible and Missionary Societies on the support of the Christian Public, no language can exaggerate. That their value and importance are not more suitably appreciated, and do not prompt to greater activity of effort, and liberality of offering, must be matter of regret to every pious and benevolent heart. The sacredness and grandeur of their object, the most exalted that can engage the energies of a rational creature, distinguish them above all other Institutions, however excellent or beneficial. With their success are connected, at once the prosperity of Messiah's kingdom, and the best interests of the humankind; the cause of holiness, and the triumphs of the Cross; the propagation of Religion, 'pure and undefiled,' and the diffusion of order among the works of the Almighty. Such Societies possess a character, and aim at an end, which entitle them, pre-eminently, to the advocacy and encouragement of the philanthropic. Never did an Institution commend itself, by such a variety of considerations, to the patronage of those who name the Name of Christ;' for never did an Institution promise so completely to change the moral aspect of the world. Never was an Institution equally adapted, to bring glory to God in the highest,' and extend the reign of 'peace on earth. Never did an Institution operate, with such powerful efficiency, in improving the condition, physical as well as spiritual, of man; in both fitting him for the right discharge of his duties as a citizen of this world, and in elevating him to the hope, and qualifying him for the enjoyment, of immortal happiness in the world to come.

6

It is pleasing to contemplate the good, with which these Societies are fraught; the advantages, even of a temporal or secondary nature, which, in not a few instances, and on no trifling scale, they have been instrumental in communicating to the Heathen. We envy not that man his feelings, who, notwithstanding the precious and visible fruits of their operations, deems them unworthy of his countenance and aid. Is it uncharitable to inquire, How dwelleth the love of God in him,' who can stand aloof, an indifferent spectator, or an unconcerned hearer, of their arduous struggle with the repulsive elements of rudeness and depravity? Does there reside any noble or generous sentiment in his breast, who is not delighted at the splendid victories which they have gained, and continue to gain, over the craft and might of the common enemy? Next to our perNo. XXVI.-NEW SERIES.

То

sonal salvation, what more suitable theme of thankfulness and joy, than giving enlargement to the captives, liberty to the enslaved, and deliverance to those 'appointed to die? What employment more honourable, what duty more imperative, than to remove the scales from the eyes of the blind, and to impart, to the hapless victims of delusion, that knowledge of the only true God, and of Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent, which is life eternal?' what purpose so useful, what object so commendable, what service at once sacred and remunerating, can piety appropriate a portion of its bounty, as to the culture of the moral waste, and the transformation of its bleak and unsightly appearance? Already, through such agencies, many a little spot, erewhile smitten with barrenness, has become a scene of living verdure, attractive and smiling as an oasis in the desert. Let them be multiplied in an adequate degree, and corresponding would be the extent of the benefit: what is now but partially, would be universally, realized: over all sterile spaces, would be planted those choicest productions of heaven,--men fearing God, believing in Jesus, and' working righteous

ness."

These are the laudable ends, which Bible and Missionary Associations propose: these, too, are the delightful results, which, by the Divine blessing on their operations, they actually accomplish. Through their instrumentality, populous kingdoms, or smaller communities and scattered tribes, are emerging, slowly but gradually, from the depths of barbarism, to a state of civilization. In various quarters, the empire of idolatry, as if shaken to its centre, totters on the eve of dissolution. In many notable instances, the ferocity of the tiger has been softened into the gentleness of the lamb; and the rapacity of the savage warrior, exchanged for the harmlessness of the little child. The joyful sound' enlivens the domain of solitude, before, broken only at intervals, by the howling of the wild beast, the scream of the bird of prey, or the fiercer peal of the battle-cry. Some of the most degraded portions of our race, proverbial for their sottish ignorance, their horrid cruelty, or their appalling superstitions; outcasts from the rational world; nearly stript of the characteristic attributes of their nature; with hardly a single mark of distinction from the brute, which they now hunt, and by which they are now hunted: these assert the dignity of the man, prove their title to the rights

VOL. III.

PREJUDICES AGAINST RELIGION.

THERE are, in some young men, a sta

A voice of wail:

science, connected with strong desires for respectability and influence, which operate as a safeguard from many temptations. Such cases, however, are few, compared with those who become an easy prey to their seducing influence. Where there is not the fear of God, founded on a thorough change of moral character; where religion does not interpose her shield, and gird the soul with her invincible armour, there are always strong grounds for fear, even when other considerations have for years operated as a protection.

Religion, by giving a distaste to such scenes, affords the best security against their influence; and, by implanting a relish for spiritual enjoyments, fills up that

motion

That cry ascends;

Yet, the same word that stilled the stormy

ocean,

Can make men friends.

makes her most powerful appeal. But, religion is a subject at which young persons are accustomed to shrink, as if we had introduced a monster, whose aspect

closes

only aversion and terror. A prejudice against the subject early gets hold of the mind, and proves one of the greatest obstacles in the way of instruction.

This prejudice, however, is altogether

The Morning Star!

appearance so repulsive, nothing in her claims so unreasonable, that you should start at her name, or be frightened at her of regions. She originates with God, the aspect. She comes from heaven, the purest most glorious of beings. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.' Her aspect, instead of being repulsive, is benignant as the mild blush of morning. If her restrictions seem to be severe, it is because they are viewed apart from the pleasures that attend them. If her com

dour,

they are not listened to with an impartial If her service is thought to demand too many sacrifices, it is when the reward is overlooked, and the crown of glory kept out of view. True, she does impose restrictions; but they are only such as procure respectability, foreclose the heart against vice, and preserve the conscience