neighbourhood. He was not indeed serious, but in all other respects eligible; well educated, well read, fascinating in his manners, and capable of conversing with facility upon most topics. Had he been decidedly hostile to religion, Sophia would have had no difficulty in rejecting his addresses at once; but he was a regular hearer at the same place of worship-conversant with the theory of religion, and extremely moral in his conduct. Sophia received the attentions of Mr. Randal with great caution, and though she endeavoured to persuade herself that her affections were quite free and disengaged, yet it was evident by her subsequent conduct, how much it cost her to give the required proof, that Christ had the sole possession of her heart. One time she determined to reject him altogether; then she thought she might be the means of bringing him to the experimental knowledge of the Son of God-she wept-she prayed-she read—she reflected, but still she was undecided.

It was impossible that the agitation of her mind could be concealed from the penetration of Mrs. Netherton. "Come, Sophia," said she, one day, "tell your mother what troubles you, make her your confidante; let her share your difficulties, and pour your tears into her bosom. I have long witnessed the secret struggles of your mind between duty and affection, and I am happy that you enter upon the conflict, not altogether unarmed. You are now come to that part of your Christian career, when you must give a decided proof that your attachment to Christ is genuine, Now,' he says, 'Lovest thou me more than these?' In forming your decision, leave out of the question every worldly consideration. The wealth and character and attainments of Mr. Randal, are 'trifles light as air,' compared with the question, 'Is he truly pious and devoted to God?' Not, is he well disposed, but is his heart right in the sight of God? How can two walk together except they are agreed? Make the sacrifice at once; it may cost you much in point of feeling, but the Lord will support you, and give you strength according to the day. Be assured, my dearest Sophia, this circumstance will be the test' of your attachment to the Lord."

Sophia listened with fixed attention, and casting her arms around her mother's neck, while the tears fell in rapid succession from her eyes,

She told the thanks she could not speak.

Her mind was fully made up, never to be united to any one who did not give full and unequivocal proof, that he was joined to the Lord. She lost no time in communicating this to Mr. Randal, avowing her determination-her unalterable determination, and then "went on her way rejoicing."

Penryn.

ON THE READING OF THE SCRIPTURES.

R. C.

Ir is a lamentable thing that in this professedly Christian country, where the means of religious instruction are within the reach of all, so little time should be devoted to the reading of the Word of God. Many persons plead their want of leisure as an excuse for the neglect of this important duty, yet in the midst of all their avocations they manage to find time for idle, and perhaps worse than idle amusements. And even supposing that their time throughout the day is so fully occupied, that they cannot devote a few minutes to the perusal of their Bibles, can they not rise a little earlier and go to bed a little later, rather than expose themselves to the curse of God by this wilful neglect of His written word? Do they not know that their affairs are always at His disposal? that He can, without departing from the usual course of His providence, speedily reduce them to want; and that, even if their worldly business continue to prosper, there is another state of existence on which they must soon enter, where nothing can avail them if they have neglected the concerns of their immortal souls? On the contrary, if they obey the commandments of God, (and where are they to find them if not in His revealed word?) He can cause their worldly interests to prosper, as well as give them spiritual and everlasting riches. Has not the righteous proImise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come?

But it is not enough to read the Scriptures, we must read them as the Word of God. We must not read them solely as the earliest of authentic histories-as a faithful record of oriental manners-as containing the most sublime and beautiful of poetical compositions-as presenting to our admiration an excellent and harmonious system of ethics-or in any way merely to instruct or elevate our understandings without affecting our hearts; but we must read them as that record of God's will, by which we shall be tried when we appear before His tribunal, to answer for the deeds

done in the body, whether they have been good or whether they have been evil.

We should read them with prayer, that God would graciously enable us to understand them aright, so far at least as is necessary and convenient for us; and that He would sanctify their perusal to our spiritual improvement. Prayer is the sure key to unlock the hidden treasures of the Word of God. Our Lord himself in these encouraging words, " Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened," has clearly pointed out the true way to religious knowledge. We must not expect, however, to attain to a full comprehension of every thing contained in the Scriptures. There are doctrines in the Bible which, from the limited extent of our faculties, we cannot fully understand. We must not seek to be wise above what is written-we must rest satisfied with the assurance that all is clearly revealed which is necessary to guide us in the narrow way, which leads to eternal happiness; and that though we now see through a glass darkly, we shall hereafter see face to face, and know even as we are known. How much of error and blasphemy might have been spared the world, if the pride of human reason had not tempted men to pry into unseen and forbidden things!

We must read the Bible with the simplicity of little children, seeking by God's grace, to take it as the only standard by which our life and conversation shall be regulated. All proud and lofty thoughts must be dismissed: we must lay aside all vain imaginings of the dignity of our nature, which may be fostered by comparing ourselves with the other animated inhabitants of our globe, and by considering the astonishing progress which man has made in art, literature, and science; we must look upon ourselves as standing in the relation of guilty rebels to a justly offended but gracious Sovereign, and thankfully accept His conditions of pardon, without murmuring at the breadth of His commandments, or cavilling at the humbling, but faithful picture of mankind delineated in His word.

We should in our perusal of the Scriptures, collate the various passages which have reference to one another. We shall thus attain to a more intimate and correct acquaintance with them, and

shall see more clearly the beautiful harmony which subsists between the various parts of Revelation. Much error has arisen from wresting the meaning of detached passages of Scripture, without considering the other passages which bear upon the point. We should often meditate upon the things contained in the Holy Scriptures, and fix on our memory important texts and passages; for thus we lay up a rich store to avail us in the hour of solitude, of sickness, and of death. How often has the Christian beguiled the sleepless watches of the night, by calling to mind, and meditating upon some precious portion of the Word of Truth; and how often has this delightful occupation been a solace in the otherwise agonizing hour of dissolution.

Other books may be suitable for persons in various circumstances of life, and engaged in various studies and professions; but the Bible is suitable to the rich and the poor, to the old and the young, to the learned and the unlearned. Every one, who has a soul, is interested in the momentous truths which the volume of inspiration reveals. They are suited to all persons, ranks, and ages. Here the child may by God's grace understand the way of salvation, and know all which it is necessary for him to know; here the philosopher will meet with doctrines and truths which he finds his limited powers permit him not to comprehend, but which he is not therefore to refuse to admit. In every situation of life, indeed, the truths of Christianity are a source of comfort and pleasure.

PHILAGATHOS.

ANECDOTE OF COUNT VON DER RECKE.

THE spring-storm had passed over, and a beautiful morning had succeeded; the flowers refreshed but not hurt by the rain, bloomed with a sweeter fragrance; the little birds were singing cheerfully in the air and among the trees, and little Adelbert rejoicing in the scene was scarcely less joyous than they. He looked up to the fine blue sky to trace the choristers like living specks floating on its clearness, when he was attracted by some pigeons at a distance, which like himself had been enjoying the morning breeze; but one little dove fluttered feebly on the wing, its short circle showed that its strength had failed, whilst the others hovered round it, but could not help it. There was a large pond in the

Weaker

garden with a bridge over it, and a boat in it; but the bridge was too high, and the boat too far off for Adelbert to hope that by means of either, he could rescue it should it drop into the water, and he wistfully gazed on the poor little dove as it faintly stretched out its scarcely fledged wings to sustain itself in the air. and weaker, at length almost wholly exhausted, he saw it, as he dreaded, fall into the basin. All his boyish sympathies had been roused for the little sufferer; and perceiving a washing-tub at a short distance which the serving maids had been using for their linen; he rolled it to the pond, and seizing a pole which lay near, leaped into it and pushed off. With the pole for an oar, he paddled to the place where the object of his humane exertions lay almost expiring, and snatched it in the very act of sinking, from its watery death. After wiping its wet wings with his handkerchief, he opened his jacket and placed it in his warm bosom, covering it again all but its bill, whilst he hastily made for the town, exulting with his prize. Warmth and rest soon restored the little dove; it opened its red eyes, and Adelbert rejoicing at its restoration, took part of his bread and putting its bill into his mouth, fed it with the tenderness of a mother. The Countess who, standing at a window of the castle, had watched with anxiety, all the motions of her beloved boy, from the moment she saw him embark in his frail and perilous vessel, till he finished his enterprise, was charmed with this effort of intrepid benevolence; but she said nothing. She allowed him as he entered, (his eyes sparkling with triumph,) to tell his own story; for Adelbert had ever been encouraged to tell her all his adventures, and knew not what it was to have a wish to conceal. When he had finished, " I saw all," said she," and guessed what you were about. But were you not afraid, my love," she asked, "to trust yourself in so unstable and hazardous a thing as a washing-tub?" "Oh! but," said he, "the poor little dove was drowning!" On which, her eyes glistening with tenderness, she clasped him to her bosom, and with a most affectionate action solemnly said-" God bless you, my dear child! may you never show less promptitude or intrepidity to rescue unfortunate men!" These words came to the heart of Adelbert; they seemed to him to bear the impress of heaven, and his conduct through life has shown that he has never forgotten them. Dusselthal Abbey.