POETRY.-ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS. companions, these melodies of praise would come across their minds and quiet their spirits, and the remembrance of those fervent prayers would be a stay and a consolation to their sometimes anxious souls. We shall next accompany these devoted men across the vast Atlantic, to the land where they sought and found "FREEDOM TO WORSHIP GOD." THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER READER.-Having on a sabbath forenoon gone out to distribute tracts, I observed in a lone spot, in a field, a man seated very intently reading a newspaper. I went to him and spoke on the subject of hallowing the sabbath-day. The kind way in which he received what I said, and the seeming candour, teachableness, and good feeling manifested by him, induced me to spend a greater portion of time with him than I had intended. He asked me several questions respecting the sabbath, to which I gave replies, according to my ability, and with which he appeared ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS. satisfied. I endeavoured to show him an example in his own case of man's general sinful conduct in departing from God, which was clearly manifest in his preferring on God's holy day a common newspaper, which only contained the passing events of a day, to a preparation for the presence of Him whose favour is better than life, and who had given us the sabbath on earth, as a means to prepare for the inconceivable and eternal pleasures of the sabbath above. This led me to speak of man's original condition, who was made in the image and glory of God, his fall, his depravity and enmity against his Creator, the necessity of his restoration by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, and the impossibility of his being happy in heaven without being born again of the Spirit; and that he was in the perilous condition of an unsaved sinner. The tears by this time fell freely, and silently folding up his newspaper, the man thrust it into his pocket, and eagerly inquired what he must do to be saved. I had the lively satisfaction of telling him of the prodigal's return to his father, as an example both for himself and me. This, and a variety of encouraging portions from the Scriptures, affected his mind so much, that he spoke with difficulty from the oppressed state of his feelings. I detained him a long while, endeavouring to pour into his apparently anxious soul as much information of the love of the blessed Saviour as he could bear, which, I trust, was acknowledged and blessed by the Holy Spirit, since the man wept freely and spoke little, while his bosom struggled with emotion. I then gave him a suitable tract, which he eagerly received, and earnestly promised to read it. After pronouncing many blessings on me, and pressing my hands firmly in his own, with apparent reluctance he took his leave. I was sorry that I had not urged him to call upon me, but I was so much overcome by the unexpected effect of my interview, that it escaped my mind to do so. What became of him afterwards I know not, but this I do know, that the charms of the Sunday newspaper were at all events for that time swallowed up in the good news of the love of the adorable Saviour. The Lord grant that the good seed of the kingdom may have found an abiding place in his heart. "YOU ARE GOING THE WRONG ROAD."-About twenty years ago, on a sabbath-day afternoon, going from the village of K-to the_neighbouring town S-for the purpose of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, I met a young man and his companion at a spot about half way between the above two places: they were taking a walk into the country. I had seen the young man before, and thought he should not then have been wandering from his place and from the house of God; therefore, on meeting him, I spoke to him in a few words with solemnity and firmness, and ended by saying, "Be sure you are going the wrong road." The circumstance passed away from my own remembrance, and I was unaware that ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS. any special good attended or followed it. But special good did result from the occurrence, and it abundantly came to light afterwards. The words "Be sure you are going the wrong road," by the grace of the Holy Spirit, went to the conscience with power. The first rising emotion was one of extreme displeasure, as my friend afterwards acknowledged, so that he would have killed me if he durst. The anger however subsided, and the conviction remained, which led him more frequently and constantly to the house of God, where increasing light shone upon his mind, and the truth of the gospel with power penetrated and filled his heart. He openly declared himself on the Lord's side, acknowledging what he had done for his soul; he taught in the sabbath-school, and often addressed the children with considerable acceptance; his zeal led him into the neighbouring_villages, and he was ever after a faithful and successful servant of Jesus Christ. What hath God wrought? It is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in our eyes to him be all the glory and everlasting praise. "There is a path that leads to God; All others go astray; Narrow, but pleasant, is the road, It leads straight through this world of sin, But those who boldly walk therein, Will come to heaven at last. While the broad road, where thousands go, Lies near, and opens fair; And many turn aside, I knów, And walk with sinners there." LOST! LOST!!-"I was called," says a venerable preacher, "in the early part of my ministry, to stand beside the bed of a beautiful young woman whose life was fast ebbing away. Anguish, deep, hopeless anguish, was rivetted on her countenance. Death was knocking for admission. Her time had come. I asked her if she was willing I should pray with her? Her reply was, 'I have no objection; but prayer will be of no avail now. It is too late. I must die. I am lost! lost for ever!' I prayed earnestly for her, but her heart seemed untouched; it was too late." What was the cause of this? Listen, mothers, to the voice of her who, being dead, yet speaketh. This lovely girl was, at a very early period of her life, deeply and seriously impressed with the importance of religion, and the arrows of conviction were fastened in her heart. "My mother," said she, "sent me to the dancing school, and I danced all my convictions away!" As she lived, so she died— without Christ-without God-without hope! How shall you die? As you live you will die. ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS. 66 THE SIXPENCE.-Some time in the latter part of the last century, says the Rev. Mr. Grinnell, a missionary from one of the New England societies was labouring in the interior of the State of New York, where the settlements were very few and far between. This missionary was much devoted to his work, meek and affable, and possessed of a remarkable faculty for introducing the subject of religion to every individual with whom he came in contact. On a hot summer's day, while his horse was drinking from a small brook through which he rode, there came along a poor dressed, bare-headed, bare-footed boy, about seven years old, and stood looking at the missionary from the bridge just above him. "My son," said the missionary, "have you any parents ?" Yes, sir; they live in that house," pointing to a cabin near by. "Do your parents pray?" 'No, sir." Why do they not pray ?" "I do not know, sir." "Do you pray?" 'No, sir." Why do you not pray ?" "I do not know how to pray." "Can you read ?" Yes, sir; my mother has taught me to read the New Testament." "If I will give you this sixpence, will you go home and read the third chapter of John, and read the third verse over three times ?" The little boy said he would; and the missionary gave him the sixpence, and rode forward. Some twenty years had elapsed, and the same missionary, advanced in years, was labouring in a sparely peopled region, in another part of the same state. While on his 66 66 66 way to a little village one day, late in the afternoon, he called at a small house, and inquired the distance. "Six miles," was the reply. He then stated that himself and horse were very weary, and inquired if he could not stay all night. The woman of the house objected, on account of their poverty; but the husband said, Sir, you shall be welcome to such as we have." The missionary dismounted and went in. The wife began to prepare his supper, while her husband proceeded to take care of the horse. As he came in, the missionary addressed him-"Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ ?" "That," said the man, "is a great question." True," said the missionary, "but I cannot eat till you tell me." "Sir," said the man, "about twenty years ago I lived in the interior of this state, and was then about seven years old. While playing in the road one day, a gentleman in black rode into the brook near me, to water his horse. As I stood on the bridge above, looking at him, he began to converse with me about praying and reading the Bible, and told me he would give me a sixpence if I would read the third chapter of John, and the third verse, three times-And Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' I gave him my promise, took the money, and felt wealthy indeed. I went home, and read as I had promised. That verse produced an uneasiness in my mind, which followed me for days and years, and finally I was led by its influence, as I trust, to love ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS. Jesus as my Saviour!" Glory to God!" said the missionary, rising from his seat, "here is one of my spiritual children; the bread cast on the waters is found after many days!" They took their supper, and talked, and sang, and prayed, and rejoiced together all night long, neither of them having any disposition to sleep. The missionary found him to be poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith, and an heir of the kingdom. Early in the morning they parted, and the missionary went his way inspired with fresh zeal for the prosecution of his pious labours. WHEN KING GEORGE III. was repairing his palace at Kew, one of the workmen, who was a pious character, was particularly noticed by His Majesty, and he often held conversations with him on religious subjects. One Monday morning the king went as usual to watch the progress of the work, and not seeing this man in his customary place, inquired the reason of his absence, he was answered evasively by the other workmen. At last, however, upon being more strictly interrogated, they acknowledged that not having been able to complete a particular job on the Saturday evening, they had returned to finish it on the Sunday morning, which this man refusing to do had been dismissed from his employment. "Send for him back again," said the king, "the man who refused doing his ordinary work on the Lord's-day is the man for me. Let him be sent for." The man was accordingly replaced, and the king shewed him particular countenance ever after. It was upon this, or a similar occasion, His Majesty uttered the following memorable words-"Call me Defender of the Faith, indeed, and suffer a man to be discharged for his religion. No, I never will." HOW TO READ THE BIBLE-Consider that it is God's holy word, and that you stand in need of the inward illumination and teaching of the Holy Spirit, for which you must fervently pray to the Father of lights, from whom cometh down every good, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Consider also, that whilst you read, God is truly speaking with and addressing himself to you. As each successive passage comes before your eyes, lift up your heart and humbly pray : -O, Heavenly Father! give me grace to obey this command:—or, Deliver me from the judgments and chastisements my sins deserve: or, Enable me wholly to trust in thy exceeding rich and precious promises :-or, Glory, and blessing, and praise, be ever ascribed to Thee, because of thy goodness and mercy-or, Lord God Almighty, I humbly adore thy divine majesty, and acknowledge that thy greatness is incomprehensible, and all thy ways past finding out. Amen. SETTLING ACCOUNTS,-On one occasion an infidel once jestingly said to a minister, "I always spend my Sabbaths in reckoning up my accounts." The minister looked upon him with compassion, and said in an accent of deep solemnity, "You may find, sir, that the day of judgment is to be spent in exactly the same manner!" |