his remark. "You told us," his friend all ear to hear if anything was left to proceeded, "that some people were you, and how much it was. That is very squeamish about the delivery of the way I would advise you to hear different ministers who preached the the gospel."" same gospel. You said, Suppose you were attending to hear a will read, where you expected a legacy to be left you, would you employ the time when it was reading in criticising the manner in which the lawyer read it? No; you would not; you would be giving LIFE'S WORK. GOODNESS, GREATNESS.-Those are the most valuable, that are the most serviceable, and those are the greatest lights, not that have the best gifts, but that humbly and faithfully do the most good with them. Poetry. ALL around thee, fair with flowers, From the work ordain'd of Heaven. To remove the wide-spread darkness, That the light of truth may shine; And recal the child of error To Jehovah's holy shrineTo unbind the iron fetter Of the maim'd and wretched slave; To uplift the long degraded, Sin's abandon'd victim saveTo encourage suffering virtue, Lest, despairing, it shall die; And the light of hope rekindle In the dark and vacant eye: Cheerfully of thine abundance To the sick and poor impart, And lift up the weight of sorrow From the crush'd and burthen'd heart. This, the work ordain'd of Heaven, This is thine, and this for allO be faithful, ever ready To obey the heavenly call. Be thou sure to do thy part. Now, TO-DAY, and not to-morrow, FOR EVER. YES, in "for ever" dwells a tone, The glory, whatsoe'er it be, Once reach it, child of love divine, The Children's Gallery. A SHORT DISCOURSE FOR "And Abraham stretched forth his hand, CHILDREN generally love to read and hear stories, and the most striking are those recorded in the Bible. They are both interesting and instructive; so much so, that I question whether there be any to be found to equal them. The one before us is that of Abraham offering up his only son, Isaac, and is a very affecting one. The sacred historian informs us who Abraham was-namely, the son of Terah, who was a descendant of Shem, and Shem was the son of Noah. You who have read your Bibles know how Abraham was commanded by God to leave his country, the place where he was born, his kindred, relatives, and friends, and go out into a strange country; and that he obeyed, went out, not knowing whither he went; and that he was accompanied with Lot, who, after they had travelled some distance, separated on account of a strife between their herdsmen; that Lot chose the way of the plain, and Abraham journeyed on to Canaan. While Abraham sojourned as a stranger, dwelling in tents, God appeared to him by dreams, visions; promised to bless him, and make him a blessing, &c. Also, that he was a man of extraordinary faith: hence he was called the Father of the Faithful. A man of eminent piety; loved God supremely with all his heart; yea, so much so, that sooner than offend him would part with all he had his best treasure, his only son, Isaac. Notice three things respecting the fear of I. All who would have Abraham's God for their God must, like Abraham, fear God. "I know (said the angel) that thou fearest God." Yes, and God knows those who fear him, and those who do not. 1st. What is it to fear God? To fear God is to reverence and obey him; to dissent from evil, and do good; to seek forgiveness of your sins; to be sorrowful for them, and to seek to have the grace, the love of God, shed abroad in your hearts. This is what David meant when he said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and to depart from evil that is understanding." "A good understanding have all they who fear God." Children can never be wise and happy till they begin to fear God. God is a very great God; he could easily crush you, kill your body, and make your soul miserable for ever: you must, therefore, fear his wrath. He is a very good God; wishes to bless you, make you happy: you must, therefore, fear to grieve him. God is always looking upon you; you must, therefore, fear to do anything wrong. God is always listening to you; knows all you say you must, therefore, fear bad words. God is a wise God; knows all your thoughts: you must, therefore, fear bad thoughts; and when they arise in your minds, pray God to deliver you from them. 2nd. Who are those that fear God? Not the wicked. It is said of them, "There is no fear of God before their eyes:" they forget God, mock his word, break his sabbaths, are disobedient to parents and teachers. But those who fear and love God are, like Abraham, good and obedient children. They are taught by the Holy Spirit; are wise, good, safe, and happy; are such as truly love God, the Bible, the sabbath, the people of God; love to hear of heaven and good things; shun wicked company; are good and attentive at school, and love the house of God; can say with the poet, "I have been there, and still would go; "Tis like a little heaven below." II. All who would be the children and friends of God as Abraham was, | entreat that person to think how must, like Abraham, be willing to part sad is his case. God is angry with with whatever God requires. the wicked every day; and if you should die in this state, you would go to hell 1st. God requires you to part with sin-all sin; bad company, bad ways, bad thoughts, bad words, bad tempers; all unholy desires; all sinful pleasures; covetousness, pride, anger, malice, evil speaking, and whatever his Word forbids you. 2nd. When and where does God require you to part with sin? Now, and in this world; to-morrow may be too late: "No repentance in the grave," &c. To-morrow you may be in eternity, beyond the reach of mercy; you must, therefore, repent, be sorrowful for and forsake your sins now; you must seek pardon and salvation now; you must pray for a new heart now; you must love and obey Jesus Christ now; you must have a title to heaven here, and a fitness too and that now. III. All who love and fear God will be happy at death, and happy for ever. If you love and fear God, you will go to heaven when you die. See Abraham and Isaac, and all the great and good men who have ever lived. You will see Lazarus near to Abraham. Lazarus who, when in this world, was so poor that he lay at the rich man's gate, begging the crumbs which fell from his table; but you will see him in heaven rich-richer than the greatest king in this world, brighter than the sun, and, more than all, you will be like him. Jesus Christ will own you for his, crown you with glory, give you a fine mansion, set you near himself, and make you kings and princes unto God and his father for ever. "Where all is darkness, fire, and chains." In conclusion, reader, you may see from the whole who are the happiest and best people; on whom rests the smile of heaven-namely, those who fear God. Let your prayer be that such may be your case; that you may become the children of God; for, "if children, heirs, heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ Jesus." Amen. A HAPPY DEATH. To young Girls. SUSANNAH LAWRINSON was born on the 6th of March, 1826. She was a scholar in Macclesfield Sunday-school, but owing to her ill health, was prevented from attending regularly. Her last illness was vessel, which took place about seven brought on by the bursting of a bloodweeks before her decease. She was visited by a sick visitor and many kind friends, and, alas! flattered herself that she would get better. She was very reserved, and anxious to recover, promising that she would lead a different life; but they entreated her not to be deceived, for their fear was of there being little hope of her ever enjoying the sweet possession of good health, and that she had better give herself to the Lord Jesus, who is the best physician, and who could, with his divine for death; that she must look to God, and prerogative fit her for life, and prepare her she would find him willing and able to do this, if she would only believe on him, and pray earnestly to him for the pardon of her sins and the renewal of a right heart within her. As they proceeded, she wept very much; and after commending her to God in prayer, they wished her good night. As her visitor continued his visits, he found a very agreeable change taking place, and he inquired, "What do you think of the long-sparing mercy of Christ? and what would have become of your soul if your accident had proved sudden death? Oh, think of your immortal soul, and rest not till your salvation be secure." She was now far advanced in a consumption, and very weak. She said, "I do pray as well as I can, and I feel more resigned the word of God is. I wish I had a Testament with the book of Psalms." He had been reading one of this description. He leaned forward for some time; his mama thought he was going to sleep, and spoke to him to arouse him. He said he wished she had not disturbed him; he was thinking of something so interesting. His matha said, "What were you thinking of?" He replied, "The little busy bee gathers honey all the day from every opening flower; but we can gather something better than honey." His mama asked, "What can we gather better than honey?" He said, "We can read the word of God, and pray to him, and believe in Jesus Christ." He was then silent for a time, and again said, "When the bee dies, there will be an end of it: but not of us when we die, only our bodies; our souls will live for ever." He was silent for a short time, and then said, "Well, there is the little bird that sits in the tree, perhaps he will be shot the next and happy; and I have been longing for an opportunity of telling you my mind, and I feel almost ashamed to tell you, but it is my duty." "I am heartily glad to hear it," said her visitor; "so do not weep, nor be afraid of telling me your experience." She said, "When I was taken ill at first I was afraid of any one coming to see me, and was glad if anything happened that would prevent you from praying or saying anything to me; but now I know I have a wicked heart, and have done wrong." "And now tell me," said her visitor, "what has brought about this desirable change?" "I prayed to God that he would make me a real Christian, and it was the wish of my heart." "Then you feel very differently now to what you did?" "Oh, yes, I do ;" and as she wept she said, "I did not like religion once, but now I do." "And do you think that affliction is sent to do good?" "Mine has been blest, for I am now resigned to his will; and though I know but little of Je-minuse, and there will be an end of him; sus as I ought to do, yet I know that he is my Saviour, for he has manifested himself unto me even to the salvation of my soul. I feel that I am his and he is mine." "Then you are not afraid of dying?" "No, I don't expect to recover, and I have no wish to live here, for the fear of death is taken away." On another occasion he found her still weaker, and unable to say much, yet in broken accents she said, "I have no father, and my mother I can leave to go to Jesus." She afterward fainted, when her distressed mother thought she was dying: but as she partially recovered, gazing at those around her, she ejaculated, "I never expected to be so happy on a sick-bed." They then engaged in prayer, and shortly after, on the 6th of Feb., her spirit took its flight, leaving no doubt of its entrance into that "land of pure delights Where saints immortal reign." THE MUSING BOY. THE following conversation took place recently between a little boy about seven years old, the son of a minister, and his afflicted mother, while at home, on a sabbath evening, during the time the rest of the family were at chapel, when a funeral sermon was preached to improve the sudden death of his eldest brother, a fine, healthy, intelligent youth, of whose salvation there were good hopes. After praying, as usual, this little boy read a few psalms selected by his mama. He remarked, "How beautiful and interesting but there will not be an end of the man that shot him when he dies. Well, there is a man milking a cow, and she will be fed up, and killed, and eaten, and there will be an end of her; but there will not be an end of the man who milked her when he dies. Well, there is a man riding on a horse; that horse will die, and there will be an end of him; but there will not be an end of the man when he dies." All this he said with the greatest seriousness of look and expression. After a short pause, he said, "If I were sure my brother is in heaven; if a man were to come to me and say God had told him so, I would not fret a bit more about his body." He then said, "I remember I was in a passion one day." His mama said, "I fear you have been so many days." He said, "Well, I went to bed; I lay down; but I thought I must ask God to forgive me. I got up and put my elbows on the pillow, and remember some of the words I said." "What were they?" said his mama. He replied, "O God create in me a new heart, and give me a right spirit,' for Jesus Christ's sake." His mama said, "Did you think that God would hear what you prayed for?" He said, "Yes." She said, "For whose sake, for you are a sinner?" He said, without hesitation, "For Christ's sake." Reflect, young reader! that your bodies must die, and may die soon; but your souls must live for ever! Seek salvation by faith in Christ without delay; love and serve the Saviour. Perhaps you are sometimes, like this little boy, in a passion, and sin against God Seek pardon for the sin of passion; seek of God a clean heart and a right spirit, and the acceptance of your person, for Jesus Christ's sake. Feb., 1847. X. Y. Z. Cabinet of Things New and Old. THE FIRE OF HOLINESS. BY REV. J. T. BARKER, LOUTH. LEV. vi. 13. "The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." No strange fire was allowed to be used upon the altar. It was given miraculously from heaven. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were destroyed for presumptuously offering incense with strange fire. 66 From the altar, the golden candlestick (the emblem of the church) was lighted, and kept continually burning. With coals from the altar the censer was filled, and the incense burned upon them; thus signifying that prayer and praise are only acceptable through the atonement of Christ. When Isaiah was overwhelmed with a sense of his unworthiness to be a prophet and minister of God, his lips were touched with a live coal from the altar, to signify his acceptance through the atoning sacrifice: Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged," Isa. vi. 7. It is only the fervour of holiness God will accept, that holiness which is received and maintained through faith in Christ. He abhors the " strange fire" of sensual passion, fleshly reasonings, pride, self-righteousness, and party zeal, in his worship and service: "Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks; walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow," Is. 1. 11. This holy fire comes down from heaven, kindled and sustained by the Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ. With what care should it be kept brightly burning! It was the high priest's especial duty to follow the injunction of our text, and to preserve the sacred fire upon the altar. What daily anxiety-what hourly watchfulness was incumbent upon him, lest by any possibility it should go out! This suggests a great practical lesson to all Christian professors. "The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out :" I. Upon the altar of the heart. Holiness and the love of God must ever be burning in the heart. Its glory is piety. We are children of light and of the day, and must hold no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; but must be adorned with those excellencies wrought by the Spirit of God, and constituting our resemblance to our heavenly Father. Its living energy is lovesupreme love to God, equal love to man. An abiding and influential motive, imparted by the Spirit of love, fed by communion with Christ and blissful experience of his love, which passeth know |