they are apt to lose patience with dull or obstinate or careless scholars, -that they are striving for souls which shall never cease to be? When professing Christians are so busy from morn till night, and from Sabbath to Sabbath in the business of this world that they cannot allow their soul an hour's rest for calm and serious spiritual reflection, do they consider that the spirit which stirs within them, and for which they are labouring so little, is a deathless principle, which will survive the wreck of ages and the crash of worlds? Surely, if the fact were earnestly pondered and practically dealt with, there would be less fretfulness about momentary troubles-less anxiety about worldly hopes-less absorption of the heart in worldly concerns; and that there is so much of these even among the professing people of God, is too plain evidence, that if, in respect to this doctrine of immortality, God's people hath known-God's people hath not considered. Another truth too seldom considered, is, that a day of righteous judgment awaits our world. There is in the human mind, an innate sense which looks to some future great transaction for clearing up and rectifying much that is obsure and wrong in the state of society. This confiding sense of justice being derived from our Creator, we conclude, that He who gave it must be a holy and righteous being. Then we see enough within us and around us, to satisfy our minds, that God is great in wisdom and power, able to execute what his holy nature demands. But with this might and this love of right together, on the part of the Sovereign ruler, there is still much iniquity permitted in the world. The groanings of the oppressed-the boasting of oppressors the triumphs of successful cunning-the reeking dens of licentiousness, and other sights and sounds equally revolting, continue from day to day to defy the power and mock the rectitude of the great God. Shall they so continue for ever? Can we explain why Almighty justice permits them even for a day, except on the supposition that a time is coming when all will be set to right, and the balance of this world's affairs finally adjusted? But this conclusion of enlightened reason is confirmed by holy writ. God hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness; and according to this righteous judgment shall be our doom, brightening into seraphs in the presence of the Lamb, or blackening into fiends with the devil and his angels, through everlasting ages. This is the truth of God; is it considered? It is admitted into our creeds; is it admitted into our hearts and lives? There is a professing Christian tormenting himself day and night, because some one, as he thinks, has not done him justice, and ready to move heaven and earth, that justice may be done him. Could he be so plagued and worried with such cares, were he to remember that a day is coming, when all that is wrong shall be infallibly rectified? Here is one taking an unrighteous advantage of his neighbour, because the act is allowed by law, or because there is no probability of detection; could he do this wickedness if he reflected that he is one day to be confronted with his neighbour before a righteous judge who knows the whole case? There is one neglecting some social duty on the ground that others neglect it, and that he would get little credit for attending to it; could he reason in this way, if he considered that the Christian's reward is awaiting him at the great assize? This impatience of providence-this secret and self-condemned sin this apologising for the neglect of known and felt duty, all resolve themselves into a want of considering-or, as it is practically, a want of believing -the doctrine of a judgment to come. A third truth supremely important, and too little considered, is, that God is an all-present and all-seeing witness of human conduct. It results from the spiritual nature and supreme authority of God, that He must be every where; for if we suppose a place where He is not, we leave room, so to speak, for one to defy Him; that is, for a rival god. But without dwelling on the evidence from natural reason, it is enough in addressing professing Christians to affirm the fact as one taught in the divine word, that God is omnipresent-that no distance can remove from Him-that no darkness hides from Him -that to his all-penetrating vision, the darkness and the light are both alike always. But is this truth considered? Is it a constant, pervading, operating persuasion even with professing Christians? Here is one who has suffered wrong at the hands of his fellow-men; the wrong has been repeated, and there is no probability of his obtaining redress; he is sad and downcast, as if justice had left the earth. Does he reflect that God sees him, and that God never looks with more approval upon his children, than when He sees them bravely bearing up against difficulty, and boldly breasting the wave of opposition raised by ungodly men? There is one who would be ashamed that certain godly neighbours should see him doing certain actions, mingling in certain company, returning home at a certain hour of the night; but if these things can be done without discovery, they give him little concern. Now, does he consider that God sees through the dark cloud? Does he remember that God's eye was on him at the time, when, as he congratulates himself, he was unseen by his virtuous neighbours? What a different course would be pursued by multitudes who profess to believe in the all-present and all-observing God, if they would consider what they know, and realize practically the sentiment, "Thou God seest me." A fourth truth well known, yet too seldom thought of, is that man -every man-must very soon die. No fact is more generally or more freely admitted than this, that when a few short days have passed, there shall be nothing more of us in the earth than a mass of putrefying clay. On this point every child is now proof against the arrow of temptation before which the mother of us all fell, when Satan said to her, "Thou shalt not surely die." But if men know this, do they consider it? Do they look upon the world as a scene from which they are soon to part, and upon its affairs as that in which they shall soon have no more interest, and upon its wealth as something of which they shall not be able to claim the minutest part of the smallest fraction? If these things are considered, why that úniversal scramble for riches? Why that difference to the possessors of mere wealth? Why that disconsolate regret when riches have taken wings and flown away? Why so much more anxiety and study to qualify children for gaining wealth in this world, than to fit them for laying up treasures in heaven? Satan knows well that he cannot conceal from men the fact that they must needs die: but if he cannot help their knowing it, he hinders them from considering it, and in either way he triumphs. To number their days, as a question in arithmetic, is an easy task. Some three-score years and ten, or fourscore years, make up the whole amount. But to consider the number; to see the consequences of its smallness; to learn the lessons which flow from it; this is the attainment of few in comparison, and needs a divine teaching. Many other solemn, unconsidered truths, will suggest themselves in this train of reflection. That all men are sinners; that God hates sin; that hell is prepared for the destruction of the impenitent; that the Son of God died to save from this doom all who believe in him; that God is willing and waiting to give his Spirit, as the spirit of faith, love, and repentance, to them who seek it; that the Christian's time in this world is infinitely precious as a season for promoting the kingdom of God among men; or, to sum up all in one comprehensive statement, "That the word of God is true;" how commonly these things are admitted! how widely they are known! how little they are considered! In turning to the pages of a magazine, readers expect something new; it will satisfy us if, in the observations now offered, we are found to have advanced not a single novelty, provided we induce reflection on old familiar truths. Men have often travelled far to see wonderful sights, leaving unvisited scenes far more wonderful lying near their own door. So is it with the pursuit of scriptural knowledge. People have perplexed themselves with inquiries into abstruse and hidden subjects, when more interesting and more important questions within their reach remained unexplored. We have sought to stir up by way of remembrance, and would close with one brief counsel-THINK! Z. THE RABBI AND THE DIAMONDS. AN Ishmaelite once sold a camel to Rabbi Simon, whose pupils led the animal home to the Rabbi's house. On taking off the saddle, they found under it a collar ornamented with diamonds. "Rabbi, Rabbi," they exclaimed, "the blessing of God maketh rich," thereby expressing that God had given the diamonds to him. "Take back the diamonds to the man of whom I bought the animal," said the Rabbi, "he only sold me the camel, but not the precious stones." The diamonds were consequently returned to their owner, who was not a little surprised at it; but the Rabbi had received the more precious ones-honesty and probity Wousehold Thoughts. A PORTRAIT. WHAT a divine enchantment there is in mind in every age and form! I have felt it this morning with little Sarah Gibbs, a child of three or four years old, who cannot yet articulate plainly, but of very extraordinary character for observation, thoughtfulness, and grave, deep passions. I took her on my knee, played with her hands, stroked her cheek, and never felt so much interested by any child of her age. Not that she said any thing scarcely; for though delighted, as I knew, with the attention of a person to whom she had been led to attach an idea of importance, she was serious, confused, and as it were self-inclosed; but I was certain that I held on my knee a being signally marked from her co-evals by an ample and deep-toned nature, of which perhaps the country could not furnish a parallel. She has a strange accuracy and discrimination in her remarks, and a sort of dignity of character which yet is not mingled with vanity, but which puts one on terms of care with her, and makes one afraid to treat her as a child, or do or say anything which may offend her sense of character. She is affectionate to enthusiasm, but without any childish playfulness. When angry she is not petulant, but incensed. She is loquacious often with her companions and her schoolmistress, but still it is all thought and no frisk. She is a favourite with them all. The expression of her countenance is so serious, that one might think it impossible for her to smile; Indeed I have never seen her smile. Her parents are uncultivated people of the lower class, who have no perception of the value of such a jewel, and will probably throw it away. (Should not one be very much inclined to cite such an instance as something very like a proof that children are born with very different proportions of the capability of mind! John Foster. PERMANENCY OF YOUTHFUL IMPRESSIONS. PARENTS! Once more we greet you with words of truth and hope. The destiny of your precious children is very much in your own hands by the lays of Providence and the promises of grace. Would you have it otherwise? Would you have the children of the family grow up, unsusceptible to the smiles of love, the counsels of wisdom, the influence of example, the virtue of discipline, the power of prayer? God has for wise purposes connected the life of children with the life of their parents; and one of the evidences of this connexion is the permanency of youthful impressions and associations. "Youth more than any other period of life, is distinguished for the permanency of its impressions. It is the season for keeping as well as getting; for remembering, as well as learning; for retaining, as well as acquiring. To bring truth in contact with an open, ingenuous, youthful mind is like applying a seal to the newly melted wax, so that you are sure of getting not only a correct, but an abiding impression. The lines are drawn deeply on the tender heart, and no waves of subsequent business or care, can entirely obliterate them. Years may pass away, and the head blossom for the grave, and the eye grow dim, and the hand tremble; but the scenes of early life recur with the freshness of yesterday." How delightful will it be to trace in heaven youthful impressions ! The memories of home will form precious associations amidst the raptures of immortality. Many a parent will trace his own spiritual blessings, under God, to the father and mother of his youth, and be also able to see the relation of his own piety to that of his children and children's children. How much the permanency of youthful impressions will have to do, through divine grace, with the permanent joys of the heavenly state! Parents! In beginning another year, remember how much your instructions, prayers and example will necessarily influence the infancy, the youth, the age, the eternity, of your household. Remember the permanancy of youthful impressions! HOME. THERE is a spot of earth supremely blest, Montgomery. |