CATCHING A SHARK.

NoT far from "the line" a fish was caught, which by the English is called a shark. It is frequently seen in the torrid zone, but almost always alone. We took about fifteen of these fish, the largest of which was nearly nine feet in length, and proportionably large. It was caught with a hook, baited with a great lump of salt-beef, of which they are ravenously fond. As he was drawn up out of the water, his jaw was torn by the hook, and he escaped; but the bait being again thrown in, the greedy animal, which I could not help likening to a relapsed sinner, heedless of danger, and in spite of the agony he must have felt from the broken jaw, again gorged the beef, and was caught. When he was pulled on deck, he made a desperate struggle, and though a large piece of flesh was cut from his back, he still continued to leap about, so that, in order to despatch him, it was necessary to strike him repeatedly on the head with a hatchet, and then divide the body into three parts. This operation required much time and labour, and those engaged in it are often in great danger.

The animal had no scales, and was covered with a dark skin like that of an eel, but as hard and rough as shagreen. When it lay on its belly, it was impossible to discover its mouth or eyes, which could only be seen when it was turned on its back. Its mouth was disproportionately large, and furnished with three rows of strong and sharp teeth. Its blood was both cold and black.

When they are of a large size, the flesh is tough, and they are not good for food; but we ate of the smaller ones, and found them tender and good. The manner in which this animal swims is curious; for when it opens its wing-like fins, it appears broader than it is long. No less strange is the way in which it prepares to seize the bait, being forced to turn upon its back, as the upper jaw of its enormous mouth overhangs the under one.

The second Mate told me, that he had found in the belly of one which he had taken, the entire hide of a cow, with its horns. Another officer assured me that a young man, while swimming round the ship, was attacked by one of these fish, which bit the middle of his body completely through, and carried away one-half. To this the Captain added, that he had found in the belly of one of them the body of a sailor, which had been swallowed twenty-four hours before; the bones of the man were in process of digestion, and could be easily broken; but the most extraordinary cir cumstance was, that a knife, which the man had in his pocket, had become flexible, and could be bent like a piece of paper. In the sharks which we caught, nothing was found but some fish of about three feet in length, partly digested and partly entire.-Ripa's Memoirs of a Residence in China.

PROTESTANT CATECHISM.

Q. 8. WHAT effects were produced under the united ministrations of the Apostles on the day of Pentecost?

A. Many were "pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter and the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Of whom three thousand were added to the church. (Acts ii. 37, 41.)

Q. 9. In what did the early Christians excel?

A. "They continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts ii. 42.)

Q. 10. Does the New Testament prescribe any exclusive mode and form of church government? 4. Apparently none: the Apostles were obviously more concerned to improve the human character, and to elevate the piety of the Christian, than to burden them with services and modes of discipline, which were of a minor consideration. Q. 11. By whom was the Gospel first preached at Rome?

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A. There having been strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes," present at Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost descended, it is probable the Gospel was first preached at Rome by some of them, shortly afterwards, as their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world.

MEMOIR.

SARAH ANN SPAFFORD,

OF GAINSBOROUGH.

To the number of those happy children who early seek religion, and die in the Lord, may be added

the name of Sarah Ann Spafford. She was of an amiable disposition; was affectionate and dutiful to her parents; and at an early period manifested a desire for prayer and religious instruction. After having been frequently and deeply convinced of sin, she obtained the assurance of pardon through faith in Christ, Oct. 3d, 1841, and united herself to the people of God. From this time her Bible became her constant companion. She was,

as long as health would allow, exemplary in her attendance upon the means of grace; and evidently lived in daily communion with God. Under date of March 2d, 1843, she writes in a small memorial she has left behind: "I praise God for what he has given me to feel of his love this day. He has been very precious to me while in private; and I felt what I cannot express of the love of Jesus to my soul while reading the word of God." She had much affliction during the last three years; but she never murmured, or lost the conviction of her acceptance with God. At the last classmeeting she attended, she expressed her willingness to suffer longer, or to depart and be with Christ, in a very simple and affecting manner. When near the confines of eternity, she said, "Mother, I am dying; but I am happy." And her last words were, "I am going home to Jesus." She died April 15th, 1845, aged fifteen years.

JAMES C. HINDSON.