which we see in the world,-they will be enabled to bear their needful trials;—and they will inherit the kingdom of heaven at last.

Mrs. W. Yes;-and we may, therefore, well count them blessings, and we may well say that children are an "heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord;"-and how anxiously ought we to strive so to bring up our little ones, that they may inherit these blessings!

Mrs. B. We ought indeed-I think I have observed that the Clergyman seldom reads the second of these Psalms, if the poor child is dead.

Mrs. W. No, it is better not. In that case, the first of them is more suitable. This first is suitable in any case.

Mrs. B. The service, I think, goes on to the end, just as we could wish, and expresses just what we should desire to say. There is a petition to the Lord, to have mercy upon us ;-and then there is the Lord's Prayer, which expresses what we ought to wish at all times, and so is suitable to every occasion; and, when we feel as if we had lately been delivered from a great danger, we must be in a sad state indeed if we cannot then offer up this prayer with a particular feeling of devotion!

Mrs. W. Yes; and it is at such times that we find the greatest of all comforts to arise from making our requests known unto the Lord. Who can help feeling it a great privilege to offer up such prayers as these to the Lord, and to know that he will graciously receive them?

“O Lord, save this woman, thy servant, "Who putteth her trust in thee."

"Be thou to her a strong tower, "From the face of her enemy."

"Lord, hear our prayer,

"And let our cry come unto thee."

Mrs. B. If we feel, at all, as we should do, these will be the sort of requests which we shall desire to

make. And then, how beautiful the last is, in which we humbly return thanks to the Almighty for the deliverance which we have just experienced,and all who are present join in this thanksgiving.It seems to me to be one of the great marks of a Christian, to have a heart open to gratitude for the blessings which he receives, and to know and to acknowledge that all these blessings come from God.

Mrs. W. To be sure.

Mrs. B. And then we all pray that the woman who has been restored, and is now returning her thanks, may shew her real thankfulness by the effect which the mercy of God produces on her heart and on her conduct.

Mrs. W. Yes, this is the true way to judge of ourselves, and to know whether we are truly thankful;God's mercies should lead us to thankfulness; and if there is real thankfulness, there will be a desire and an endeavour to do the will of Him who is so full of mercy and compassion to us.

Mrs. B. Yes; and therefore we pray for the person who hath lately so particularly experienced the mercy of God, that God would enable her "faithfully to live and walk according to his will in this life present."

Mrs. W. Yes; and such a life will, through Christ's merits, lead to eternal happiness hereafter. Mrs. B. Yes; and we therefore ask of God that after such a life of obedience to his will, "she may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Mrs. W. I never can look at the prayers of our Church without seeing how they all, and every one of them, agree in the same great doctrine. We see it in this prayer. It is "through Jesus Christ our Lord" alone, that we can ever hope to be " par takers of everlasting glory in the life to come. But we find that the preparation for that life, is

faithfully to live and walk according to his will in this life present."

Mrs. B. It is exactly so. And And may God grant us his heavenly grace to enable us to live such a Christian life!

Mrs. W. Well, we have every promise that it shall be so, if we sincerely ask it.

Mrs. B. But the burden of past sin will sit heavy, even though we are trying to lead a new life, and though we have reason to think that God is helping us.

Mrs. W. Yes, but the promises of pardoning. mercy, through Christ, are as strong as the promises of strengthening grace.

Mrs. B. It is so indeed.It is on Christ's merits alone, that the Bible, and the Church, teach us to rest. This is a gracious promise to a Christian. "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins ;and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Mrs. W. Yes, this is indeed a gracious promise, and very full of comfort. And what comfortable. words we have in the Communion Service of the Church! and we feel them, I think, most particularly on receiving the Sacrament after having been delivered from any trial or danger,-such as the great pain and peril of child-birth. The PrayerBook, you know, says, that, after the woman has returned thanks, and if there be an opportunity, it is right that she should receive the Holy Communion.

Mrs. B. Why this I should like to do certainly, the very first opportunity.

Mrs. W.. I am very glad that this is your intention.

Mrs. B. O yes. I should not think of neglect-> ing it. I know that I can never do any thing in return for all that has been done for me, but I should wish to do all I can to express how much I feel it. I cannot, therefore, turn my back on a service appointed by the Lord;-and which I see to

be intended entirely for my own good. "I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows in the presence of all his people, in the court of the Lord's house, even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.-Praise the Lord." V.

SELECTIONS FROM DIFFERENT AUTHORS.

It is not enough to say your prayers, but you must pray your prayers. God looks not at the length of your prayers, nor shall you be heard for your much speaking, or fine speaking: but God requires truth in the inward part, and it is the prayer of the upright that is his delight. When you have prayed, look upon yourselves as thereby engaged and encouraged, both to serve God and to trust in him; that the comfort and benefit of your morning devotions may not be as the morning cloud which passeth away, but as the morning light which shines more and more.

If, when our conscience does accuse us, we try to drive its admonitions from our minds, or, what is nearly as bad, if we take no heed to its checks, it will grow hardened, and we may justly fear that the Almighty, as a punishment, will withdraw his grace from us, and leave us to follow our own inclinations, and run on in the path that leads to destruction. Gilpin.

One very effectual means of keeping in the right path, is to call ourselves to a strict account every night, for the offences of the past day. If every night, when we are going to bed, we were to think on our line of conduct through the day, sorrowing, and praying, through Jesus Christ, for pardon for every offence we have committed, we might hope that, with the blessing of God, this plan constantly pursued, would lead to an amendment of life, so that, day by day, we might "grow in grace,"

till death should introduce us into a state of everlasting glory.-The Same.

It is not enough for us to be members of an excellent Church, rightly and duly reformed, both in faith and worship, unless we are also reformed and amended in our own lives, and have our conversation in all things so ordered, as becomes the Gospel of Christ.-Abp. Sancroft.

Men labour profanely, when they set themselves to work like brute beasts, never raising their thoughts to God, nor sanctifying their labours with daily prayer.-Herbert.

I was ever distrustful of the success of that business, which I undertook before I recommended myself and affairs to God in my private morning prayers. Judge Hale.

Ever remember, that whether you die to-morrow, or live fifty years longer, God is the same, judgment is the same, eternity is the same. Therefore, "apply your hearts unto wisdom."-Mayow.

If you were perishing with hunger, and if you were relieved by a kind neighbour,-if you afterwards returned him no thanks, I am sure you would think yourself one of the basest of human beings. Remember, then, that you can never owe any kind neighbour so much as you owe to your merciful God.-The Same.

Religious persons are always the most scrupulous, and to feel nothing is not a sign of life, but of death.-Paley.

No man ought to judge of the state of his soul by the character he has in the world; for a great many persons go to hell, who have lived in a fair reputation here, and a great many go to heaven, who have been loaded here with infamy and reproach.-The Same.

The effects of a lively faith, and the virtues of a Christian life, will alike be wrought and continued in those who look up to God for help, and despise not, or resist not, the workings of his grace.-Benson.