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perishing world, and having disrobed himself of all his glory, he left the shining courts of his Father's house, and the habitation of his Father's bosom, to suffer and die for us. Consider his glorious pre-eminence as "God over all, blessed for ever." Consider his voluntary degradation, as the "smitten of God, and afflicted." Consider his love to sinners, and their contradiction and hatred against him. Consider him as making intercession for those very sinners, and for the most sinful amongst them; and then hope, believe, and obey.

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If these be insufficient, look for a moment at the "terrors of the Lord." Consider him as judge of all the earth-consider him on the great white throne, and the earth and the heavens fleeing at his presence, surrounded by all mankind, and you among the But if you have not considered him as your Saviour, how can you contemplate him as your Judge! Now, you may apply in prayer with your whole heart unto Jesus, he will hear you. You have commenced another year in time; but you may end it in eternity. Let me entreat you, therefore, to consider Jesus, and flee for refuge to Him who is able and willing to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. J. F.

SOMETHING NEW.

"MORE novelties still! Since our recollection we have witnessed the introduction of the brilliant light produced by gas, into churches, chapels, and public and private edifices: shops, and streets, and squares, are lighted up without the aid of oil or tallow. By the means of steam, vessels of many tons burthen are propelled against the united force of wind and tide; and carriages are borne onward with a velocity truly wonderful, without horses or drivers. And to add to the list of marvels, flint and steel are thrown aside, and instant light is procured from lucifer matches!"

Such were the remarks of Mr. Trewen as he cast his eye on the first side of one of the daily papers, and saw a long list of projected rail-roads, designed to expedite the movements of the traveller, so that he might be able, eventually, to breakfast in Edinburgh, and enjoy his supper in London.

"These are phenomena," said Mrs. Trewen, " that our fathers

never anticipated; and, indeed, when they were first mentioned, we pronounced them to be the chimeras of speculative men, and I remember you exclaimed,' what will people think of next?'"

"I certainly did—and at that time I considered the attempt quixotic and vain; and yet the plans have succeeded; and it is very probable that the next age will produce things still more surprising."

"The taste for something new' has predominated in all ages and amongst all nations. So attached were the Athenians to novelty, that it is recorded of them, that all the Athenians and strangers which were there, spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear of some new thing." Acts xvii. 21.

"You recal to my recollection," said Mrs. Trewen, "the remark of Dr. Doddridge on the text you have just mentioned: "It is well known that the young nobility and gentry of Italy, and most of the neighbouring countries, generally studied some time at Athens, where there were the most celebrated professors in all the liberal arts and sciences. Several of the critics have shown how remarkable the Athenians were for their love of novelty.""

"I remember the remark perfectly; and we need not go out of our own country for proofs to establish the fact, that all persons are more or less attracted by novelty, from the child that is delighted with a new toy, to the philosopher who explores the arcana of nature in the eager expectation of making some new discovery. The man of literature asks for new publications; the merchant seeks what is new in the market; the politician inquires if there be any thing new at home or abroad; and when friends meet, the first question after the usual salutations, is, have you heard any thing new. I may add, that we have new fashions, new tongues, new modes, new customs, new airs, new plants, new flowers, new almanacks. There is no difficulty in proving that we all like something new.””

"Indeed, my dear husband, if we look into the works of God, there is something new that always strikes the eye. The seasons of the year exhibit a constant and pleasing variety: "Thou renewest the face of the earth.' Psalm civ. 30. 'He that sat upon his throne, said, behold, I make all things new.' Revelations xxi. 5. We are now arrived at the commencement of a new year, which has brought new mercies. Still continued in existence, in health,

and surrounded by every comfort. God our preserver demands a new song of praise."

"Yes," replied Mr. Trewen," that requires to be rendered to Him continually. New acts of devotion, new resolutions to live to His glory, new plans to promote the interests of religion, become those who have been saved and called with a holy calling."

"How surprising that the disposition to seek something new has not appeared more conspicuously in reference to that all important and essential blessing, which is held forth to us in the sacred scriptures, I mean-a new heart."

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"Alas! this is something new' which engages the attention of a very small portion of mankind: although it is so necessary to their present peace and eternal felicity, they are altogether indifferent to it. In no instance is the depravity of the human heart more apparent than in its disregard to spiritual and eternal things. Sin renders man insensible: his heart is callous: he refuses to listen to the melodious strains of mercy. Occupied in the pursuit of shadowy bliss, he slights substantial enjoyments; he will not come unto Christ for everlasting life. Sickness and death always around him; conscience always a monitor within; heaven or hell always before him, yet he lays it not to heart."

"Still it might be supposed that self-preservation and a desire for comfort and consolation amidst the troubles of life, would induce men to resort to the aids of religion: the exposure of an unpardoned sinner to everlasting destruction seriously considered, should induce all to seek a refuge in the day of the Lord's anger."

"You say seriously considered;' but there are but few who really do this. Let us, my dear Anna, refer to ourselves; how careless and unconcerned were we, till the blessed period when divine grace was manifested to us! Often have I entered the courts of the Lord, and left them unmoved and unaffected. What debtors are we to the kindness and love of God."

"Blessed be God that we were led to choose the blessings of the new covenant. Since that period I have ever found something new,'in the gospel. New light has been thrown upon the scriptures, and new pleasures have been imparted to my mind. The precious doctrines of the cross appear with new charms.

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Speaking of novelties, what glorious days do we see who live in these latter times! The circulation of the Scriptures and their

translation into numerous languages; the efforts of the different missionary societies, and the success which has attended their efforts; the wide distribution of religious tracts, and the establishment of Sunday schools, are events, equally surprising with the -enlightening power of gas, and the invincible force of steam, and infinitely more beneficial to the world. Already have they begun to chase the darkness of ignorance and superstition and infidelity, by diffusing the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. Something new is constantly brought to our ears some new victories obtained by Immanuel, some dark regions enlightened; more idols dethroned, more temples erected for the worship of God, more hearts renewed by the influence of His Spirit."

"What a glorious period are we taught to expect, when God will create the new heavens and the new earth, wherein shall dwell righteousness and joy and peace ! Old things will then have passed away and all things be new! In the meantime, may both

our hearts, my beloved husband, be filled with that perfect love which casteth out fear, and our language be, 'What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits?'"

Wakefield.

R. C.

GOOD RULES FOR THE NEW YEAR.

CONSULT the divine glory in your business, in eating, drinking, and recreation, and indeed in every action of your life. We ought to lay it down as a preliminary, that being bought with so great a price as the blood of Jesus we are henceforth not our own; but that our time and all that we are, and all that we have, belong to God; and that he has bestowed those talents upon us only that we may use them to his glory, with which our happiness is invariably connected.

Our time, after that part of it has been deducted, which is necessary for the refreshment of the body by sleep, naturally divides itself into the portions assigned to the following particulars: prayer, reading the scriptures, meditation, business, eating and drinking, and recreation; of which in their order.

Prayer. Besides praying always, or habitually, it is profitable to have stated times for private prayer. Thus did the prophet VOL. IX. 3d SERIES.

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Daniel and the apostle Peter. With regard to morning and evening prayer it would be well to defer neither of them too long. If any thing, however, should accidentally hinder you from being exact to your time by no means omit it; for one omission makes way for another. Begin with adoration or hallowing the name of God; to this will naturally succeed thanksgiving; confession of sins general and particular. Close all with petition. Let it be your request that God will pardon your sins for the sake of his dear Son, and that he will give you every needful mercy, especially his Holy Spirit to guide and guard you. Lastly, intercede for those for whom you are in duty bound to pray; your relatives and friends; those whom you know to be in distress of body or mind; the whole cause and kingdom of Christ, the government under which you dwell, and the community of which you are a member. Remember also the promises which God has made to his people, and plead them with him, knowing that he who hath promised abideth faithful.

Reading the scriptures.-Before prayer it is best to read a chapter out of the Old or New Testament. In reading these divine writings we should remember that they are not the words of men, but of the living God, even those words by which we shall be judged at the last day.

Meditation Meditation, as a christian duty, is a thinking with a fixed attention, and in obedience to the command of God, on divine subjects. The mind requiring to be always employed, our happiness will much consist in finding it proper employment when it is not engaged about the necessary affairs of life. The subjects of meditation are numberless, but those about which a christian should be engaged are chiefly God, and himself; concerning God, the wisdom, power, and goodness which he has manifested in the works of creation; and the justice, mercy, and hatred of sin which he has displayed in redemption; these may be greatly divided and subdivided: concerning ourselves, the importance of our being brought into existence; what we are capable of enjoying or suffering, and the eternity that is before us, during which we must be either happy in the service of God and in the society of saints and angels, or excluded from the realms of bliss. These subjects furnish, likewise, an inexhaustible fund for conversation.

Business. To labour in some useful employment either for the

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