very wise, that our observations should be treated with especial deference. Self-indulgence inquires fearfully, will not this or that trouble me, or infringe upon my case?' and selfseeking restlessly asks, who will shew me any good?" In this manner, the poor mind is kept in perpetual disquietude, lest self should incur any inconvenience, or fail of any enjoyment. But perhaps, my love, you are ready to say, 'If these enemies are so powerful, and so united, how is it possible for me to maintain the strife against them?' I confess the undertaking is arduous; yet only seek divine help, and you shall stand, even before these children of Anak. "That is a beautiful rule of the apostles, Look not every man only on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.' Seek opportunities of being useful, to those who may need assistance: study how you may serve them, and that not merely so far as you can do it without self-denial: but be ready to incur inconvenience, and to make personal sacrifices. I remember being much struck with the remark of an aged minister, who was expounding the parable of the good Samaritan:-I have met with many, he said, who would have sympathized with the poor wounded traveller; with some, who would have delighted to bestow their oil and wine upon him; but with very few, who would have 'set him on their own beast. To part with an accommodation, which we seem ourselves to need, is by most persons deemed an impossibility. Yet, after the above description, our Lord adds, 'Go, and do thou likewise.' "But you will quite mistake my meaning, if you imagine me to imply, that you are to be so continually engaged for others, as to have no time for recreation and enjoyment. In my view of the subject, it is essential to the conquest of selfishness, that your employment should be so regulated, as to have leisure for giving and receiving pleasure, in the domestic circle, or in the society of your friends. For it is our duty to please, as well as to serve; to study our friends feelings, as well as their wants. Power to benefit may often be wanting; but readiness to oblige may be constantly manifested; and in manifesting it, self-control and a spirit of love are as much required, as in more efficient service. Without bearing this in mind, we may become almost isolated, even in the midst of useful and praiseworthy occupations: for our pursuits are in a measure identified with self, and the time they engross we call our own; whereas leisure seems to be the common property of a family, and by the sweet endeavor to make it pleasant to each other, a thousand amiable dispositions are called into exercise, the feeling of endearment and congeniality is excited, and in remembrance it becomes habitual, to connect our sweetest enjoyments with our nearest relatives. Books, music, little efforts of ingenuity, and exercise, combining that delight in rural scenery, which refines, exhilarates, and often spiritualizes the mind, are all innocent sources of gratification; and I have heard the seasons thus spent, beautifully designated as hours of cement. The fair edifice of domestic love, must indeed be built of far more substantial materials; yet such a cement is most valuable, in uniting it strongly together. Try therefore, my love, in the pleasant times of relaxation, to propose what will be most agreeable to the taste of your associates, and to preserve a present mind, which may enter with delicate readiness into their plans and feelings. Avoid any rough or blunt expression, and receive every kindness, not with the degree of pleasure in which that kindness suits your own inclination, but with the degree it was intended to excite. While speaking on the subject of leisure, there are two observations besides, which I must not omit: the one, we should take care that recreation never occupies an undue portion of our time; the other, that the devoting part of our united hours to the luxury of doing good, is a source of the most exquisite social delight. And now, my dear young friend, permit me to assure you, that if you thus seek to serve and please those with whom providence has placed you, you will find such true happiness, as the utmost endeavors to gratify self, aided by the assistance of all with whom you are connected, could never procure. O how should I rejoice, if a conviction that all is not right within, might lead you earnestly to implore pardon, and restoration to the divine image; for if I could once see you interested in the salvation of Him, who veiled his own glory, and laid aside his own happiness, for our sake, I should soon also see you denying yourself, taking up your cross daily, and following him. And then the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, would be established in your heart. "That this blessed change may be speedily and effectually accomplished in my dear Henrietta, by the Spirit of God, is the earnest prayer of, "Her sincere and affectionate friend, CAROLINE WILTON." S. S. S. DAILY MAXIMS FOR NOVEMBER. *1 THE more the Bible is read, the sweeter it will be. 2 If we fear God, we have nothing else to fear. 3 There is the joy of faith, as well as the joy of fruition. They live well, who live before God. 4 5 It is the happiness of the Church that no weapon formed against it shall prosper long; the folly of its enemies will at length be manifested, for they are but preparing ruin for themselves. 6 The more spiritual a man is, the more dependence he will have on Christ. 7 It is a great blessing to be made teachable and to be kept humble. *8 A gracious soul can take little satisfaction in God's courts, if it do not meet with God himself there. 9 Trust Christ much, and you will have much to praise him for. 10 The more you get into the spirit of the Bible, the more you will get into the spirit of Christ. 11 The way of the cross is the way to the crown. 12 The ditch of error runs close by the path of truth. 13 Care destroys the body; Sin destroys body and soul. 14 There is no sorrow in heaven, because there is no sin. *15 Those whom God leads, he leads to his holy hill, and to his tabernacles. 16 The word that does not save, condemns us. 17 A profession of sanctity often covers an unsanctified heart. 18 There is nothing but darkness and deadness without Christ. VOL. II. 3d SERIES. Kk 19 There is no sin like unbelief: all the poison of all the sins in the world is in it. 20 Come to the blood of Jesus to have sin pardoned, and then come to the arm of Jesus to have it subdued. 21 #22 We do not obey that God may love us, but because he has loved us, our obedience is all gratitude. Those who pretend to be led by the Spirit, and yet turn their backs on instituted ordinances, deceive themselves. 23 If your sins and miseries preach aright, they will always lead you upwards. 24 25 27 If you take the Bible and shut Christ out of it, it is a dark book; it is Egyptian darkness indeed. "I am the Lord your God."-As soon as you know that, you will love the ten commandments, not before. 26 If we are in Christ, we may smile at all the world's evils. The Gospel does not speak a hard word to any one coming to Christ, it speaks only encouragement to such. Our life here is a warfare, and our great enemy is SELF. Those who come to ordinances should come watching, continue watching,and then return from them watching It is not hearing only, but a dependance on Jesus in hearing, that brings the blessing. 28 *29 30 "Take heed how ye hear," is the Saviour's command, For death on your frame will soon lay his cold hand, Wakefield. HOSPITALITY. R. C. IN the early ages of society, when travelling was not so common as at present, and when there were but few inns, the virtue of hospitality was frequently called into exercise. This duty is enforced in the scriptures, and was particularly required when the persecuted Christians were driven from place to place by their enemies. The spirit of this duty is still in force, and so far as we have opportunity we are bound to "entertain strangers," and to show kindness to all who are in distress. The Swiss, especially in former times, were distinguished by their hospitality. In this thinly populated country, amidst its mountains and vallies, when the stranger at length arrived at a solitary cottage, he received a hearty welcome to the humble fare of its inhabitants. The incursions of armies and the increase of travelling have tended to diminish this spirit of hospitality in our days. It was about the period of the French revolution to which the following tale relates. In one of the more retired vallies of Switzerland there lived a farmer, with his wife, and an only daughter named Gertrude. They knew but little of the world, and they wished not to be acquainted with it. Their humble daily duties chiefly engrossed their attention: their only spare time they devoted to the good of their neighbours, especially those in affliction, and to their one book, the Bible. The touching narratives of sacred writ had deeply impressed the heart of the young Gertrude, and filled her mind “with thoughts of Christ and things divine." As she tended her flock, or fed her chickens, or cultivated her garden, often would her thoughts recur to the "Good Shepherd;" to his lamentation over Jerusalem, and to the various lessons taught in sacred writ by the flowers of the field. The peace of this retired family was at length disturbed by rumours of war; a neighbour brought the intelligence that the French were entering their country: the tidings spread through the cantons, and even to the most secluded spot the alarm at length extended. The signal from the hill called all the male inhabitants to assemble with their arms at an appointed place of meeting. With many a tear and many a prayer Gertrude saw her beloved father depart, and then turned round to comfort her afflicted mother. In a few days the distant roar of the cannon was heard, and now and then some neighbour would call and tell of the rumours and news of the day. Nothing had hitherto been seen of the invading army by Gertrude and her mother, save a distant view of troops in combat, seen from the top of an adjacent mountain, till one evening as Gertrude was tending her goats she was surprised to see a French soldier approaching. She was much alarmed, |