Educated in this faith, they grew up decided Papists in their views and feelings, not even knowing that there was any other or purer form of Christianity. After having joined the camp, and having now arrived at a period of life in which serious reflections were more frequently awakened in their minds, they often felt deep convictions of sin, and were led day after day to prostrate themselves before crucifixes, images and pictures, in order to soothe a disturbed conscience. There was an old woman attached to the camp, acting in the same capacity with themselves, as a domestic in some officer's family, who had formerly resided at Madras, and had been instructed by Kolhoff, or some of the missionaries connected with that station. She had a copy of the sacred Scriptures, which she was constantly reading; and she used to remark to these individuals, that there was nothing about transubstantiation or kneeling before images, or perpetually crossing one's self; and that these things could never bring peace to a troubled mind. To satisfy them of the truth of what she said, she proposed to read the Scriptures to them; which she did from time to time. result was, they became convinced that they were in error and resolved to gather their creed from the Bible. They obtained a copy of the New Testament in the Tamul language, and met together regularly to hear it read. After a while, there providentially fell in their way a copy of the Prayer-book in the Tamul tongue, which had been published by Bishop Heber. Having appointed one of their number as a reader, they now had worship regularly, according to the order of the Prayer-book on Sundays. The Here was a little body of Christians in the midst of India, surrounded by Mahomedan and Pagan darkness, conducted to a knowledge of the truth as it was in Jesus, not by the voice of a living instructor, but by the silent and simple teaching of a single copy of God's word; and though deprived of all pastoral ministrations, they were enabled to keep up from week to week an edifying worship, by means of a single copy of the Book of Common Prayer. What a proof we have here of the power of God's word! With what confidence we may rely upon it, in sending it forth without note or comment, among the unevangelised nations of the earth! It will not return void, but accomplish what the Lord pleases, and prosper in the thing whereto it is sent.-Clark's "Glimpses of the Old World." VARIETIES. SUPPORT IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL.-When Dr. Fisher, bishop of Rochester, who was cruelly and iniquitously condemned to be beheaded by Henry VIII., came out from his dungeon in the Tower of London, and saw the scaffold where he was to die, he took out of his pocket a Greek Testament; and, looking up to heaven, he exclaimed, "Now, O Lord, direct me to some passage which may support me through this awful scene." He opened the book, and his eye glanced on the passage, “This is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." The bishop instantly closed the book, and said, " Praised be the Lord! this is sufficient both for time and for eternity." Thus did Providence direct him to consolations, which rendered him insensible to the agonies of death, and afforded him a foretaste of the immortal blessedness of heaven. GODLY QUIETNESS.-There is an expression in the latter part of the Collect for the fifth Sunday after Trinity, which is very striking: "godly quietness." We naturally wish for rest and freedom from persecution; but our Church teaches us to convert our temporal comforts into spiritual blessings. The description given of the early Christians (Acts iv. 31) seems to explain what is meant by "godly quietness." "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost were multiplied." A constant desire for the presence and favour of God, produced by the influences of the Holy Spirit, can alone secure the Church, and each individual member, from the dangers and temptations of quietude. THE WISH. ADDRESSED TO FOUR SISTERS. As seasons come and go, And years their courses spread, Make duty's sacred road Your study and delight; Your first concern the will of God, And pleasing him aright. Then should diseases seize, Or sad misfortune lower, You meet their ill with minds at ease, Ah! life is but a tale, Yea, oft a tale of grief; Its joys and comforts always fail But God in pity gives, To such as seek his grace, A Friend, whose smile can cheer, A Friend, to all who know Him, dear, O keep that Friend in view, To Him may you be ever true : THE COTTAGE MAGAZINE; OR, Plain Christian's Library. WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD. No. II. THE CHRISTIAN PARENT. "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." Gen. xviii. 19. There was a man in the parish over which I had once the charge, who went by the name of the Christian Gentleman, on account of the honourable conduct, sound sense, courtesy and piety which marked his character. He was one of a large family who had attended, for some years, the ministry of the late venerable Mr. S-; and, together with the whole of that family, had "received the truth in the love of it." One of the principal features by which this family was distinguished was, a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, accompanied with a stedfastness and decision of character that I have rarely witnessed in other places. And here I would observe, that it was a subject of general remark among the clergy of that neighbourhood, that those who were brought to a saving knowledge of divine truth under the ministry of MARCH, 1846. VOL. I. E Mr. S possessed a solidity and stedfastness of character very much like his own; and they accounted for this in a manner that I thought suited to give the younger clergy an important lesson: they observed that Mr. S's preaching was always of the most simple kind, and usually expository; and that he preached the Bible as a whole-not dwelling on favourite parts and passages, as is too frequently the case; but always bearing in mind the declaration of the Apostle, "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The man whose little history I wish to call attention to, was a very poor farmer, poorly educated; and who, during the first four years of my acquaintance with him, had to struggle against temporal difficulties of a most oppressive character. I had more than once to intercede with a cruel and unfeeling landlord on his behalf; and even now I can seldom think of his letters, in which his sufferings were so simply and touchingly set forth, and his patience and humility so strikingly manifested, without melting into tears of tenderness and admiration over him. But I must not venture to say all I could of this excellent man; I would only add here that during an intimate acquaintance of twenty years, I never knew him do an inconsistent action or heard him speak an inconsistent word. His humility and lowliness of mind, his sympathy and tenderness, his gentleness and courtesy, his long-suffering and forbearance, were such, that God "made his very enemies to be at peace with him." I have seen him in great affliction " walking in darkness and with no light," and yet simply trusting in the "name of the Lord, and staying upon his God." I have seen him exposed to the deepest provocation and insult, and vet "holding his tongue with a bridle, whilst the ungodly |