WATCH!

"And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."-Mark xiii. 37.

JESUS! in this mortal state,

Teach my soul for thee to wait!
Watching in her earthly tent,
Till the night of life is spent.
By thy word's perpetual ray,
Girded-ready for the way;
Waiting for thy call to come,
And join thee in thy Father's home,

Bear our thoughts and wishes hence,
Loosen every chain of sense!
The eye, that downward turns to rest
On all below it loves the best--
Oh, raise that eye to heaven above
To read thine own new name of love,
And looking on the silent air,
Bid it view thy presence there!

The ear, whose portal opened wide,
Admits her guests on every side,
Where words of vanity and sin,
From morn to eve, may enter in-
Oh guard that portal by thy care,
Bid the "glad tidings" enter there,
And pure and holy words impart
New strength and wisdom to the heart.

The evil passions never sleep,

Armed and strong their house they keep;
But Thou, O Christ! art stronger still,
Bow them to thy heavenly will,
Cast out the legion, let thy power
Support us through life's trying hour;
The strength of sin shall not prevail,
Thou art the same-Thou canst not fail.

Then, looking from our worldly lot,
Even as though we held it not,
Counting as nought our vital breath ;
Hope, waiting at the gates of death,
Listening for the soul's recal-
Thus, thus, while yet around us fall
The shadows of mortality,

Saviour! may we watch for thee!

M. A. BARBER.

LETTER TO A FRIEND

ON THE SUBJECT

OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

I GLADLY forward some of the Society's papers for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for distribution among your friends at Such is the utter and general depravity of human nature, that you cannot point out to me a spot in this fallen world where cruelty in some shape or other is not exercised in a greater or lesser degree: as such it is the duty of every one alive to the evil, to do all in his power to counteract and to prevent it. The object of the Society, I believe I have mentioned before, is rather to prevent than to punish cruelty, though in extreme cases they do prosecute the offenders. On this subject you and I differ very materially in our views and feelings: 1 I consider the brute creation generally remarkably sensitive as to kind or ill-treatment, and a fearful judgment hangs over the head of all who wantonly misuse or abuse them. I have no objection to see strong and healthy animals reasonably worked, so that they are fed well in proportion, but many a poor horse and jaded ass, too old, or too diseased to work, ought to be mercifully slaughtered rather than be

1 My friend entertaining a doubt whether animals actually suffered so acutely as some people suppose.

subjected to exertion beyond its strength. We cannot make man merciful by Act of Parliament, nor can we make any man revere the Sabbath by the same authority, and yet it is needful to get legisla tive authority to act as a check in some measure to barbarity and profaneness. You reason, my friend, on the subject of animal suffering too philosophically for me; it would indeed be happy for myself could I adopt your sentiments, (for my heart often mourns in secret and silent sorrow over their extreme sufferings) but I am well assured it would so lessen the deep interest I have ever felt in the cause, that all exertion on their behalf would be laid aside by me, as an individual; and if others viewed it in the same light, much that is attempted now to alleviate their sufferings would be left undone. I am, however, happy to find that the cause is fast gaining ground upon the public attention, and as true religion spreads, this sin of no light magnitude in a Christian country, (cruelty to animals) may be greatly lessened. God is never at a loss for instruments to effect his own purpose-He has all hearts in his power; the society sprung up and has been carried on by many benevolent individuals. Should Christians be backward in such a cause, which is so especially connected with the morals of the lower orders of society? To restrain cruelty in them towards inferior animals is in fact making them kinder husbands and fathers; no cruel man can be either a good husband or parent-and if the evil is not checked in children at an early age, what can we expect of them when they grow up to manhood? My friend, this subject is deeper in its effects and consequences than you may have considered-it may seem to the pass

ing eye of the world as nothing, but the time is fast approaching which will reveal the Lord's most fearful indignation against those who oppress even the brute creation. At the same time with all our endeavours to alleviate their sufferings, I am well aware that suffer they must in common with ourselves, till that blessed period arrives when sin will be for ever put away, and when a new heaven and a new earth will be created wherein dwelleth righteousness. Isaiah xi.

Hampstead Road, May, 1837.

R.

[To the above we would add our earnest entreaties to our readers, to use every effort for abating that dreadful and perilous nuisance, the dog-cart. The condition in which the noble, faithful, patient creature lies down to pant in the dust, under a burden that has racked him with intolerable thirst, which he cannot satisfy, is truly heart-rending, and its inevitable consequences are experienced in the prevalence of canine madness. Let any person adopt the plan that we invariably pursue, of sending out a pan of fresh water, whenever such a spectacle is seen near our gate, and the gasping eagerness with which it is lapped up, the look of gratitude returned by the sagacious creature, will speak more than our words can express. We desire to see the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals universally encouraged among Christians.-ED.]