to himself on the morning of New Year's day, and he sat down and wrote the following memoranda:— There are four things which I have to consider, 1. Mercies to be reviewed and recorded. These are so numerous, that when I begin to contemplate them, I am astonished and filled with admiration. I was early led to seek the things relating to heaven and true happiness, and found the Pearl of great price. My steps have been guided by a wise and holy Providence, and thus far prosperity has followed me. Many of the companions of my youth are gone to the grave. Some have followed the multitude to do evil, and a few only remain. My health, my faculties, have been continued. I have the Bible, the ordinances of God's house, the hope of eternal life, and Jesus for my friend. When all thy mercies, O my God, Transported with the view, I'm lost In wonder, love, and praise. 2. Errors to be acknowledged and lamented. Among the first, that I have not lived so near to God as I might and ought to have done. My talents have not been cultivated with sufficient diligence. Prayer, although not neglected, has not been. marked with a proper degree of ardor and spirituality. I have not restrained and kept in subjection my temper, my language, my desires. When I think of the meekness, humility, brotherly kindness, and christian forbearance, which the gospel demands and enforces, I find that in many things I offend and come short. I am often careful and troubled about many things, too worldly, too prodigal of time, too much disposed to censure and find fault, and murmur-too apt to expect perfection in others, notwithstanding I see that there are so many imperfections in myself. Video meliora proboque, Deteriora sequor 3. Blessings to be implored. Past experience has proved to me the value of prayer. In my own case, and in that of many around me, I have recognized the truth that God hears prayer. Therefore I see, this morning, that it is important and even essential to my happiness and success that I give myself unto prayer, for wisdom to guide, strength to support, mercy to pardon, prudence to conduct, power to protect, grace VOL. V. 3rd SERIES. B to uphold me; that under the divine influence I may read and hear God's holy word with profit and delight, pray with a gracious supplicating spirit, be preserved from error in principle and in practice, and with growing conformity to the image of Christ, and renewed endeavors to promote His glory, look upward and press forward to the mark, and at length finish my course with joy. My life's brief remnant, Lord, be thine! And when thy sure decree Bids me this fleeting breath resign, O speed my soul to thee! 4. Work to be performed. "How much is to be done!" My own calling and election to be made sure; my talents to be improved; my mind stored with useful knowledge; my spiritual interests to be promoted. The field of labor is vast and extensive: Bibles are to be distributed; tracts are to be circulated; the hungry are to be fed; the destitute are to be supplied; children are to be instructed. The cause of God requires support. I must immediately devote some of my gains to the Lord, and not squander my Lord's property in the pride of dress or the pursuit of luxury. My country, my Bible, my christian profession, call upon me to be useful. The state of the Heathen says, "Come over and help us." My minister intreats me to hold up his hands. Now, therefore, O God, strengthen me, that if I have a voice to sing, I may employ it in thy praise; if I have property at my disposal, I may use it to thy glory; if I have strength to labor, I may be always abounding in the work of the Lord. Remember me, O n God, for good. I yield my powers to thy command, To thee I consecrate my days; Demand perpetual songs of praise. IGDALIA. "SMALL RAIN UPON THE TENDER HERB.” * Charlotte and her Mamma. my This was the title of a present that Charlotte received from her papa, who was a great tract distributor, and availed himself * A neat little Selection of Texts for every day in the year, just published by the Religious Tract Society. of every opportunity of doing good. His pockets were generally well stored with these useful publications, and he alike regarded the spiritual interests of the aged and of the young. Charlotte carefully surveyed her little book, prettily bound with a tuck, as a bookseller would say, and so small that it might be deposited in a thread case, and be always at hand for inspection. She saw it was full of texts of scripture, one for each day in the year: that for the first of January was—“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." "Well," said she, "it is a little book to be sure, but it is all good; for it is composed of the very best materials; these are the words of God, and I trust they will furnish me with a daily theme for meditation." At this moment her mamma entered, and noticed the attention she appeared to give ́ to something which she held in her hand. Mamma. What is that which you admire so much? Charlotte. A very pretty interesting little book; small enough for a child, and large enough to occupy the studies of a philosopher. M. What is the title? C. "Small Rain upon the tender Herb." It is a present from my dear papa, who, like his Lord, is always going about doing good. M. He is very kind and thoughtful indeed, I remember he gave you a little present last year called " DEW DROPS." C. And a very useful book I found it: many a valuable lesson has it furnished me. M. Do you remember your conversation with me last year on the subject of Dew Drops? C. Perfectly, mamma; and I am happy and thankful to add, that it was not in vain. M. Well, my dear Charlotte, one year more has passed since that period, and I trust you are more than ever devoted to the Lord's service. May your soul be refreshed by Divine Grace, and may it continue to descend upon you as the "small rain upon the tender herb !" This is a quotation from Deut. xxxii. 2, the song which Moses delivered to the congregation of Israel, not long before his departure. C. I should wish much to have your thoughts upon the sentence. M. It gives me great pleasure to gratify your desires, especially when they relate to what is connected with your spiritual improvement. The "tender herb" naturally leads our attention to the young, and especially to the young of Christ's flock-the lambs who are to be fed, and who require something suited to their state, like the grass recently mown, which calls for the gentle copious dew or the softly-falling rain. The young convert needs great encouragement and frequent exhortations, and there are some promises in the word of God full of consolation and instruction, "I love them that love me, and they who seek me early shall find me." &c. C. And does not the expression, to persons under conviction of sin ? "the tender herb," apply M. Yes, my dear; to such it is exceedingly appropriate. Full of doubts and fears, jealous of the sincerity of their hearts with striking views of the holiness and justice of the divine character, and the purity and extent of the divine law, they tremble lest they should experience the demerit of their transgression; yet, like Mary at the feet of Jesus, they hope, while they grieve, and love while they fear. How refreshing, how healing, how comforting is the small rain that drops on these tender herbs from that blessed promise, "Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." C. Thank you, my dear mamma, I think I have felt "the small rain" refreshing my wounded spirits and cheering my withering hopes. O! how gracious did the Lord appear when His Spirit whispered, in a small still voice, the accents of His love, "I am thy salvation." M. I have one "tender herb" more to exhibit upon whom the "small rain" descends most gratefully; I mean the afflicted. "Unless thy law had been my delight," said David, "I should have perished in my afflictions." When Mrs Walters lost her beloved infant, that was the text which the Lord blessed to her mind, in such a way that it became the means, not only of her submission to the affecting Providence, but also of her conversion to God. She has frequently alluded to the circumstance with pleasure and gratitude. The history of Job presents another example. Cut down to the earth by the sithe of affliction, his property, his children, his health, his friends removed, he mourns in the bitterness of his spirit, yet "the small rain" falls upon this tender herb: he feels its refreshing, grateful, healing influence, and exclaims, I know that my Redeemer liveth. And often have the Lord's children, when under great darkness of mind, or harassed by sore temptations, or persecuted by the world, felt the blessed soul-reviving effects of the precious promises of the word of God, as a balın to their wounds and a cordial to their fears: their faith has been strengthened; their hope has been confirmed; their love has been excited, and they have afforded a fine practical illustration of the text, "I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily and cast forth his roots like Lebanon." I have thus endeavored to answer my dear Charlotte's request. How thankful am I that she loves the Book of God and delights to meditate on his word. You will find in it a refuge from the storm; a light to your path; a signal at the approach of danger; a guide to your youth; and if your days should be multiplied, a solace to your age." C. Thank you, thank you, my dear mamma, for your remarks. Although I know but little, and am but a mere babe in spiritual knowledge, yet one thing I do know, that RELIGION IS THE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS, AND THE SAVING KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST THE FOUNDATION OF REAL SUBSTANTIAL BLISS! Farewell! farewell, vain world, no more I seek my bliss in thee; I give the fruitless effort o'er, And leave thy gay society; For Heaven invites me to superior pleasure, Wakefield. R. C. |