SOUNDNESS OF JUDGMENT.

This faculty of the mind, like all others, admits of culture, and it is the different degrees of cultivation which different persons give to it that distinguishes one man's power of judging from another's, more than any natural variety. In our present state, which may be called a twilight state of being, it has pleased our blessed Creator not to afford us clear and demonstrative proofs on every subject; but to compensate this, he has given us the faculty of determining between different degrees of probability and various kinds of evidence. Truly has it been said that people in general clothe their minds as they do their bodies, according to the prevailing fashion of the times. But we would strongly urge our readers to rise above this slavish and unworthy submission to the judgments of other men, to think for themselves, and to act upon the decision of their own judgment.

In training the understanding to the investigation of truth, the main hindrances to be encountered may be summed under three heads, viz., neglect of cultivation, passion, and prejudice. The frivolous and trifling state of mind, and the almost entire slumber of the intellectual powers, allowed by a vast portion of mankind, utterly unfit them for all vigorous and correct habits of thinking, and it would be folly to expect that such should ever be qualified to form sound judgment either in reference to opinions, or the pursuits of life. The native depraved tendencies of others equally obstruct the right direction of their judgment. “A man's understanding," says Locke, quoted by Abercrombie," seldom fails him, unless his will would have it so; if he takes a wrong course, it is most commonly because he goes wilfully out of the way, or at least chooses to be bewildered, and there are few, if any, who dreadfully mistake, that are willing to be right." How many also are led astray by the blind influence of party spirit, personal attachment, or personal dislike.

We would recommend all our readers who would have a sound judgment, to endeavour to keep their reasoning powers in constant and active exercise, and to attain to the important habit of viewing things calmly, dispassionately, and comprehensively, bearing in mind always that the grandest help to the

attainment of a good judgment is a sincere, cordial, and paramount desire after TRUTH.

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In Cecil's remains there is an interesting anecdote which will serve as a striking illustration of the subject before us. "A perfectly just and sound mind," he says, "is a rare and invaluable gift but it is still much more unusual to see such a mind unbiassed in all its actings. God has given this soundness of mind to but few ; and a very small number of those few escape the bias of some predilection, perhaps habitually operating; and none, at all times, are perfectly free. I once saw this subject forcibly illustrated. A watchmaker told me that a gentleman had put an exquisite watch into his hands, which went irregularly. It was as perfect a specimen of work as was ever made. He took it to pieces, and put it together again, twenty times. No manner of defect was to be discovered; and yet the watch went intolerably. At last it struck him, that possibly the balance wheel might have been near a magnet; on applying a needle to it, he found his suspicions true: here was all the mischief. The steel works in the other parts of the watch had a perpetual influence on its motions; and the watch went as well as possible with a new wheel. If the soundest mind be magnetized by any predilection, it must act irregularly."

LITTLE DENIALS.

I was one day engaged in setting to rights an apartment which had been occupied by a friend, and amongst sundry waste papers which she had turned out to be disposed of, my eye glanced on a well-worn envelope bearing this inscription, "Little Denials, 14s. 6d." "Well," thought I, "this is worth remembering;" and little as my friend may think of it, her example in this instance deserves to be recommended. I do not pretend to say how the small sum was saved, nor in what time, for she had never alluded to it; but I am quite sure that there are few individuals in an ordinary way who might not easily do the same thing, if they had equal zeal for the cause of God, and would train themselves to watchfulness and economy. Young people might save much by taking proper care of their clothes,

repairing them in season, choosing what is neat, simple, and durable, instead of what is fashionable and showy.

I remember several years since, when collecting boxes were first introduced, that a lady came to see us. She was an eminently pious character, but not at all eccentric. She had sound sense and sufficient taste to admire the elegancies of life; but she was truly benevolent and strictly conscientious. One day I went with her to buy some lace; there were two pieces equally good, but one was a newer pattern than the other, and cost threepence a yard more. I wanted her to take this, but she did not. The difference amounted to half-a-crown in the quantity she bought, and this, she told me with a smile, I should have for my Bible box. This circumstance I never forgot, and how often it has operated on me to pursue the like course, it is not possible to say. It was not the act only which my judgment approved, but the immediate appropriation of the money to the end for which it was professedly saved.

Oh, how many pounds might be saved annually, if we had sufficient forethought and self-control! What sums are spent in useless ornaments, in flowers, ribbands, feathers, and finery! How much in confectionery, perfumery, cigars, and useless bagatelles! It is not the purpose of the writer to condemn these articles in themselves, or to say that the word of God absolutely forbids them. O, no; but we do sincerely long for the time when we shall look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others-when we shall be more intent on advancing the kingdom of Christ than on adding to our own gratifications. Ought we not more frequently to call ourselves to account for our time, our property, and our other talents? If we deeply and habitually realized the great truth" ye are not your own," should we live as we now do?

Dear young friends, for whom this paper is chiefly intended, let me urge you to begin your christian profession with a clear understanding that you are to deny yourself. You may see little of it in the circles around you; no-not where you have the greatest right to expect it; but you see it in your Bible— you see it in the characters of patriarchs and prophets and apostles-you see it in him who "had not where to lay his head"-and you see it in the narratives of the most holy and useful men who have ever lived. Dare to act upon your own

convictions to be whole-hearted for Christ, and if from day to day you can reserve a fraction of money, or a portion of time ordinarily devoted to worldly uses, for the service of Christ, let it be a matter of thankfulness and rejoicing. Do not stand hesitating and parleying with the pleadings of your own selfish heart, which is never satisfied, but is prone on every occasion to reiterate the cry, "Give, give!!" but decide at once that the claims of a perishing world shall have your instant, unremitting, and unequivocal attention, against the force of custom, the solicitations of vanity, the power of example, and every subordinate influence. Does not the voice of conscience sometimes startle us with its upbraidings on this subject? When we have been told from the platform of a religious society that means are wanting, have we never recurred with pain to some little extravagance, or to our habitual thoughtlessness? Have we not for the moment resolved to be more careful, more selfdenying? When we have heard of the offerings of the poor, have they not put us to the blush? Well, it should be so; but alas! how often have we gone away and fallen back into our accustomed course, nothing better for all these convictions. Yes, and it will be so until we have a deep sympathy with Christ, and a corresponding perception of his glory-when every sacrifice will be light, and every service delightful. The poor peasantry of a small parish in France, whose hearts had been touched by the influence of the gospel, having nothing else to contribute for the advancement of the cause, actually gave up the very salt they were accustomed to eat with their potatoes. This was an evidence of their love to Christ, at which the world may sneer; but how does it look when placed beside the grudging and scanty offerings of those who monopolize the pounds for themselves and give the pence to their Saviour?

MILLENARIANISM.
[First Paper.]

In treating this subject we intend-first, to lay before our readers that delightful view of it which is given in the scriptures, and has been held sacred by devout and enlightened men ever since the christian era :-next, to propose a few infallible principles of interpretation for opening scripture prophecy :---then,

to apply those principles in explaining such questions as "the personal reign”— "the return of the Jews"-and "the resurrection of the dead saints:"—and, lastly, to exhibit the dangerous effects of Millenarian notions.

1. Reverting to the first of these topics we are reminded of the present state of the world, and of the dreadful fact that it is full of wickedness and woe. The first page of history tells us that the life of the human soul was poisoned in its fountain, and all following records show that its streams have never cleansed themselves. They have only contracted new impurities as they spread. All flesh hath corrupted its way. The earth is a vast sepulchre in which mankind lie dead in trespasses and sins. There are but few exceptions to this universal death-where spiritual life may be seen to struggle with the polluted atmosphere. But is there no relief? Will no change come?

REIGN.

2. Yes, prophecy tells us of a change. It throws its light on the distant future, and points to a time when JESUS SHALL The world shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High and they shall live and reign with Christ for a long and golden age. It is called, in prophetic terms, "a thousand years." And whether we take "each day for a year," (Ezekiel iv. 6,) and reckon the length of the period to be three hundred and sixty-five thousand years, or suppose that the expression accords with the habits of eastern speech, and simply indicates a very long time, the opening vision suffices to refresh the eye of hope, and to satisfy the anxious heart.

The scriptures abound in most enchanting descriptions of this Millennial day. It will be a time of universal intelligence respecting God; "All shall know the Lord, from the least of them even to the greatest:"-a time of universal love and peace; "War shall cease to the ends of the earth :"—a time of universal honour and honesty; "The people shall be all righteous:"'—a time of universal devotion; "To him every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess." The Father of our spirits shall look down upon the aspect of a regenerate world, and see himself reflected there. But how shall this wondrous change be effected?

3. Two events will chiefly facilitate it :-First, the suppression of the tempter's power: the dragon shall be bound, Rev. xx. 1, 2. Our mighty and watchful foe will no longer "go about