is associated with sensual impulses, a selfish disposition, and weak moral sentiments, it is a destructive dower. Precipitancy, passion, and vacillation, either less or more malignant in their effects, will flourish under its tropic power, leading, it may be, to lifelong or even eternal injuries and agonies. When Peter was "converted," his vivacity became yoked to humility, and controlled by the Spirit of God; and the errors into which it betrayed him became less perilous and less frequent. And should we not do Peter

wrong of omission, if we not to include among his constitutional excellencies, affectionate susceptibilities and a conscientiousness ex

tremely tender? His talents were not of so practical an order as those of the James mentioned Acts xv., Galatians ii, and the writer of the Epistle bearing that name. His genius was unquestionably less logical, profound, and majestic than Paul's; and in intense refined spirituality and simplicity John was his superior. But he was a pillar," and a "prince" in our Israel, and it is no misappropriation of the panegyric passed upon the Baptist to award it to Peter-for he was a "burning and a shining light," a light "shining more and more unto the perfect day;" and in his light we are willing for a season to rejoice." AQUILA.

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DEATH OF A JEWISH GIRL.

THE subject of the following brief narrative was about sixteen years of age when she died. She was an orphan, and at an early age entered the school of the London Jews' Society, the fold which the Lord, by the hands of believing Gentiles, has graciously opened for the lambs of the lost sheep of Israel. Her conduct was satisfactory, as far as outward correctness went, but she gave no indication of having inwardly received the light of divine knowledge. From this school she was removed at the age of fifteen to the service of a lady, who was so well pleased with the uniform steadiness and propriety of her conduct, that when from increasing ill health the girl became useless as a servant she still afforded her a home, until it was deemed necessary to place her under medical care. Removed to a hospital, this poor daughter of Israel began to manifest the mighty power of Him whose name she had long confessed as her Saviour; for while the outward man was fast perishing, the inward man was renewed day by day; and she grew rapidly in that grace which is the forerunner of glory. Both during her stay in the hospital, and after her dismissal as incurable, she exhibited such a beautiful instance of suffering patience, resignation, thankfulness, and holy joy in her Redeemer, that the friends, who had formerly mourned

over her apparent deadness to spiritual things, had abundant cause daily to bless the Lord, who affixed so gracious, so unexpected a seal to their ministry.

A deep submission to the divine will was conspicuously apparent in all she said or suffered; and not only so, but such a remarkable thankfulness for the least attention rendered by those around her, as showed her to be clothed with that humility which is a fruit of the Spirit. Did a compassionate hand but smooth her pillow, the look of grateful affection accompanied her words, whilst she confessed the Lord's great goodness in sending her such kind friends, and implored his blessings upon them. Prayer was her "vital breath;" she manifested unshaken confidence in its efficacy, rejoiced in it herself, and earnestly recommended it to others. Frequently when any visitor had remained with her, she was heard to say, "I am sorry they came just now; I was praying;" then, with sweet submission, she added, "but the Lord sent them; he is very merciful to me." On the believing prayers of others she set a high value; once, when in great agony, exclaiming, "Pray for me; I am in violent pain, but the Lord will support me if you pray with me; he has promised to hear the prayers of his people."

All the means of grace were prized by her. The visits of her spiritual instructer were always anxiously looked

for, and once, on being asked the reason of her eagerness to see him, she gave this reply:

"Because he taught me where to seek the happiness I am now enjoying;" and added, that "she had prayed for him, and for every person belonging to the society."

The word of God was precious to her. A little boy residing in the house where she died often read to her. For his welfare she was particularly anxious; she gave him her Bible, telling him she hoped he would often read that sweet book, or he would never go to heaven. But her school-fellows, the daughters of Israel, and participaters in the privileges so highly blessed to her, were ever nearest her heart. Whenever one of them visited her, she made her the bearer of some affectionate message to the rest, desiring their prayers for herself, and enjoining on them a particularly serious and attentive spirit, both at their public and private devotions, and especially at family prayers.

Awakening from sleep a few days previous to her death, she cried out, "Lord Jesus, I believe on thy name;" and requested that the third and fourteenth chapters of John's Gospel might be read to her. From these chapters she was frequently heard to repeat verses. The hymns which afforded her most delight were, "Jesus lover of my soul," and "Rock of ages, cleft for me;" both so expressive of simple dependence on him whom her fathers slew and hanged on a tree; but in whom alone the seed of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.

A converted Israelite visited her, and after praying with her, said, "I envy you, dear child; I wish I was in your place."

"But I could not give up my place," she answered.

Two days before her death, at her earnest request, the Lord's Supper was administered to her, which she thankfully received, in remembrance of that Saviour on whose merits alone her hope of salvation was founded. In the early part of the last day of her suffering she appeared in too great pain to speak, but at length remarked, "The Lord has said, Where I am there ye shall be also."" About three o'clock she addressed a person sitting

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beside her, "Oh dear! how long do you think it will be before the Lord will please to relieve me ?" presently adding, "Dear Lord, thy will be done; take me now; O Lord, help me!" Half an hour previous to her depar ture, she said, "I have been praying for you all. The Lord will soon take me now." The Lord did take her; she went to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; and left to our society a mute, but impressive exhortation to thank God and take courage.

THE LITTLE GIRL AND THE INFIDEL.

IT is interesting to observe how much more truly wise, in true wisdom, even little girls are, sometimes, than learned infidels. The whole host of infidels, as such, with all their learning, are fools indeed, in respect to all that can render future and eternal existence desirable. The most splendid talents and the highest attainments in learning, will prove only a dreadful curse to their possessor, who dies destitute of the wisdom which cometh from God, and fits the soul for his presence and favour in heaven. To be an infidel is not reputable in these days, and yet all infidels are not dead. There are doubtless many in the community, who would be unwilling to admit themselves such. there are any such, they may be instructed by the following anecdote:

If

Hume, the great historian, was once dining at the house of an intimate friend. After dinner, the ladies withdrew; and, in the course of the conversation, Hume made some assertion which caused a gentleman present to observe to him, "If you can advance such sentiments as those, you certainly are what the world gives you the credit of being, an infidel." A little girl, whom the philosopher had often noticed, and with whom he had become a favorite, by bringing her little presents of toys and sweetmeats, happened to be playing about the room unnoticed: she, however, listened to the conversation, and, on hearing the above expression, left the room, went to her mother and asked her, "Mamma, what is an infidel ?" "An infidel'

my dear," replied her mother, " why should you ask such a question? an infidel is so awful a character, that I scarcely know how to answer you." "Oh, do tell me, mamma," returned the child; "I must know what an infidel is." Struck with her eagerness, her mother at length replied, "An infidel is one who believes that there is no God, no heaven, no hell, no hereafter."

Some days afterwards, Hume again visited the house of his friend. On being introduced to the parlor, he found no one there but his favourite little girl: he went to her, and attempted to take her up in his arms and kiss her, as be had been used to do: but the child shrunk with horror from his touch. "My dear," said he, "what is the matter? do I hurt you?" "No," she replied, "you do not hurt me, but I cannot kiss you, I cannot play with you." "Why not, my dear?" "Because you are an infidel?" "An infidel! what is that?" "One who believes there is no God, no heaven, no hell, no hereafter." "And are you not very sorry for me, my dear?," asked the astonished philosopher. Yes, indeed, I am sorry!" returned the child, with solemnity; "and I pray to God for you." "Do you indeed? and what do you say?" "I say, O God, teach this man that thou art!" A striking illustration of the sacred writ, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength, because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and avenger."

READING TOO FAST.

ANECDOTE OF AN AFRICAN PREACHER.

There lived, in the immediate vicinity, a respectable man who had become interested in the subject of religion, and who had begun with some earnestness to search the Scriptures. He had read a few chapters, when he became greatly perplexed with some of those passages which an inspired apostle has declared "hard to be understood." In this state of mind he repaired to our minister for instruction and help, and found him at noon, on a sultry day in summer, laboriously engaged in hoeing corn. As the man approached, the preacher, with patriarchal simplicity, leant upon the handle of his hoe, and listened to his story. "Uncle Jack," said he, "I have discovered lately that I am a great sin

ner, and I commenced reading the Bible, that I might learn what I must do to be saved. But I have met with a passage here," holding up his Bible, "which I know not what to do with. It is this: God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.' What does this mean?"

A short pause intervened, and the old African replied as follows:

Master, if I have been correctly informed, it has not been more than a day or two since you commenced reading the Bible; and if I remember rightly, that passage you have mentioned is away yonder in Romans. Long before you get to that, at the beginning of the gospel, it is said, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Now, have you done with that? The truth is, you read entirely too fast. You must begin again, and take things as God has been pleased to place them. When you have done all you are told to do in Matthew, come and we will talk about Romans."

Having thus answered, the preacher resumed his work, and left the man to his own reflections. Who does not admire the simplicity and good sense characterized in this reply? Could the most learned polemic more effectually have met and disposed of a difficulty? The gentleman particularly interested in this incident, gave me an account of it with his own lips. He still lives, and will, in all probability, see this statement

of it.

was the first to perceive its unprofitable and injurious tendency, and remarked, "We are springing apart from each other-let us put on another hoop. Let us pray."

They kneeled down and prayed together, after which they spent the remainder of the evening lovingly together, conversing on the things of the kingdom, in which they both felt an equal interest. The suggestion of the cooper was an excellent one, and it were well if it were acted on more frequently by those who, like him, are members of the household of Christ.

If Christians would discuss their differences less, and pray together more, they soon would find themselves more closely united in feeling. Men can be readily brought together by prayer, who would only be thrown apart by reasoning.

Christ earnestly desires the union of his people. He makes a prominent subject of petition in the wonderful prayer recorded in the 17th chapter of John. We should certainly strive to realize the desire of our Redeemer. How is this to be done? How are Christians to be made one? Shall they all be brought to entertain the same views? Then an infallible and omnipotent pope is necessary. Men cannot be made to think precisely alike. Where uniformity of belief is professed, it is not because men think alike, but because they surrender the privilege of thinking, and yield a blind submission to authority. The writer was once acquainted with a good man whose notions of ecclesiastical polity were so strict that he could only worship with those of his own communion. He would spend the Sabbath at home, reading his Bible, when there was no Episcopal service in the village. Nevertheless he was a good man-a true follower of Christ; though his soul had got somewhat out of shape. One day he called at a farm house where he had some business to transact, and found a few brethren of the Methodist and Presbyterian denominations gathered together for social prayer. As the meeting was nearly ended, he felt constrained to sit down and wait till he could attend to the object for which he

came.

The earnest prayers which he heard offered affected his heart, which was really a warm one, though he had en

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cased it with his sectarian principles. After having attended to the business before him, he spent a few moments in conversing with his neighbour on religious subjects. When he rose to go his neighbour said, "You and I seem to serve under one Captain, though we are in different battalions. Let us pray together before you go."

No objection was made, and the farmer offered a prayer that removed some more of the ice which had gathered round the man of exclusion. Suffice it to say, that, ere long he was found at that prayer-meeting where the first impressions in favour of union were made upon his heart. Subsequently he was always at some meeting on the Sabbath, and ready to unite with Christians of every name in efforts for doing good, while he lost none of his attachment to the church of which be was a member. "I do not love the Church less," he used to say, "but I love Christians more, In order to love one another, people must pray together, and try to do good together."

Here is the bond of Christian union. Let them not strive to do away with all sects, or to form a new one to comprehend all others; but let them pray together, and strive to do good together.

BE CONSISTENT, MOTHER.

A little boy, who was just beginning to talk, felt very anxious to have a coat like his father's, and would often entreat his mother to give him "a coat with pockets behind!" The mother's reply usually was, "My son you are now a little boy; when you are a man you shall have a coat with pockets behind." Some little time after, it was advised that the little fellow should be bathed in the waters of a certain spring. On attempting to put him into the water, the child appeared afraid; his mother used many arguments to persuade him to comply. At length she said, "You are a man, and must not mind it." He quickly replied, "Why, mother, when I want a coat with pockets behind you call me a litlte boy, but when you want me to go into the water you call me a man!" The child at once saw the inconsistency of his mother, and continued to refuse obedience to her wishes.