chapel, I was struck with its appearance, and hearing it was a Methodist chapel, we agreed to mingle with the crowd, and stop for a few minutes, to laugh and mock at the preacher and the people. We had only just entered the chapel, when you, Sir, read the note, requesting the prayers of the congregation for an afflicted widow's son. I heard it with a sensation I cannot express. I was struck to the heart; and though I had no idea that I was the very individual meant, I felt that it expressed the bitterness of a widow's heart, who had a child as wicked as I knew myself to be. My mind was instantly solemnized. I could not laugh; my attention was rivetted on the preacher. I heard his prayer and sermon with an impression very different from that which had carried me into the chapel. From that moment, the truths of the gospel penetrated my heart; I joined the congregation; cried to God in Christ for mercy, and found peace in believing; became my mother's comfort, as I had long been her heavy cross, and through grace have ever since continued in the good ways of the Lord. An opening having lately been made for an advantageous settlement in my own country, I came hither with my excellent mother, and for some time past, have endeavoured to dry up the widow's tears, which I had so often caused to flow; and to be the comfort and support of her old age, as I had been the torment and affliction of her former days. We live together in the enjoyment of every mercy, happy and thankful; and every day I acknowledge the kind hand of my Lord, that led me to the Spa-fields chapel." Chap. xvii. ver. 27.-Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. "For your taxes and tributes," says Justin Martyr to the emperors, 66 we are above all other men, everywhere ready to bring them to your collectors and officers, being taught so to do by our great Master, who bade those that asked the question, Whether they might pay tribute unto Cæsar? to give unto Cæsar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Chap. xviii. ver. 4.-Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The celebrated Dr Franklin of America, once received a very useful lesson from the excellent Dr Cotton Mather, which he thus relates in a letter to his son, Dr Samuel Mather, dated Passy, 12th May 1781: The last time I saw your father, was in 1724. On taking my leave, he showed me a shorter way out of the house, through a narrow passage, which was crossed by a beam over-head. We were still talking as I withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning towards him; when he said hastily, Stoop-stoop! I did not understand him till I felt my head hit against the beam. He was a man who never missed an occasion of giving instruction; and upon this he said to me,-You are young, and have the world be fore you. STOOP as you go through it, and you will miss many hard thumps. This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use to me and I often think of it when see pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people by carrying their heads too high." Chap. xviii. ver. 20.-For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. His late Majesty George the Third had heard of a poor man at Windsor, who had occasionally a prayer-meeting at his house. He one day disguised himself, and went to the door to inquire of the man the nature of the meetings, and to ask permission to attend. The poor man, not knowing the illustrious individual with whom he was conversing, supposed him to be a person labouring under a concern about his immortal interests, and asked him to walk in: he then conversed with him on the great subjects of religion, with which the apparent stranger was much pleased; and expressing his gratitude, asked if he might be permitted to come again: this proposition was agreed to. He afterwards paid the man another visit, when the concerns of his soul and of eternity again occupied his attention. These visits were repeated, until one day when the king was there, one of his attendants came to the door with a loud rap, which brought the poor man to the door, when he was surprised on being asked, If his Majesty was there ? To which the man innocently replied, No. On going in, he informed his strange visitor of the singular inquiry that had been made. On this, his Majesty ex plained the whole affair; thanked the good man for his kind attention and advice; and told him, that as he was found out, he could no more enjoy his company, but must bid him farewell. His Majesty's regrets on this occasion were extremely great, as he derived much pleasure from the simple and familiar piety of this humble disciple. Chap. xix. ver. 14.-But Jesus said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of hea ven. Elizabeth Gardner of Kendal, from her early infancy, was a child of a sweet and loving disposition, of a pious frame of mind, a lover of truth, and very dutiful and obedient to her parents and teachers. She was always patient under any affliction that might befal her; and often shewed her love to her Saviour. A few years since, she had a small book given her by a friend of her father's, which she took much pleasure in reading; and very few days passed without her repeating these words, which were in the first page, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." In the autumn of 1827, she went on a visit to Shipton, in Yorkshire, where she remained till Christmas. The 28th of December was the day fixed for her return home, where she was very anxiously expected by her father, who had been confined to his bed a long time by a lingering illness. While her parents were thus looking towards the evening which was to bring their child to the arms of those she loved most on earth, the dear little girl was anxiously looking for the arrival of the coach which was to convey her home. But see the uncertainty of worldly prospects. Just as the coach drove up to the inn near where she had been staying, her clothes caught fire, and before it could be put out, she was so severely burnt, that it became impossible for her to be moved. And on the evening of the next day, with little pain she breathed her last, when not quite nine years old, and was interred at Shipton, on the 1st of January 1828. These lines are on her tomb-stone in Shipton church-yard. Chap. xix. ver. 23, 24.-Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven: And again, I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. "I had been known," says one, "to Mr Cecil as an occasional hearer at St John's, and by soliciting his advice at my commencing master of a family; but some years had passed since I enjoyed the pleasure of speaking to him, when he called at my house on horseback, being then unable to walk, and desired to speak with me. After the usual salutations, he addressed me thus:—' Ï understand you are very dangerously situated !' He then paused. I replied, that I was not aware of it. He answered, I thought it was probable you were not; and therefore I called on you: I hear you are getting rich; take care, for it is the road by which the devil leads thou. sands to destruction !' This was spoken with such solemnity and earnestness, that the impression will ever remain on my memory." Chap. xx. ver. 6.—And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? The pious and eloquent Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down, said one day to a lady of his acquaintance, who had been very neglectful of the education of her son, "Madam, if you do not choose to fill your boy's head with something, believe me the devil will." The Spanish proverb says strongly, "The devil tempts every man, but an idle man tempts the devil.” Chap. xx. ver. 21, 22.-She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. A fond father was in great distress for a favourite child, whom he apprehended to be dying in its infancy. Several of his friends endeavoured to assuage his grief, but he refused to be comforted. At length the minister on whom he attended offered to pray with him, and desired him to compose his mind, and give up his favourite son to the divine disposal, since there was no probable hope of his recovery. He replied, "I cannot give him up; and it is my importunate request that God would spare this child to me, whatever may be the consequence." He had his desire; the child recovered, and grew up, if possible, more and more his darling: but he lived to be a thorn in his side, and to pierce his heart with many sorrows. For just as he came to maturity, he robbed his excellent master, whom before he had often injured. He was seized by the hand of justice, tried, condemned, and died one of the most hardened wretches that ever went out of life in that ignominious manner. Upon the fatal day of execution, the mourning father was made to remember his former rash petition with grief and tears; and humbled in the dust, confessed his folly and his sin. Chap. xxi. ver. 16.-And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? |