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1834.]

SELECTIONS FROM DIFFERENT AUTHORS.

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as she can; and, in short, is all her husband can desire. And now, sir, as I have reason to conclude, that your Visitor has been rendered considerably instrumental in producing this happy change, I beg to thank you for it; and to send you this information, in the hope that it may serve to recommend your valuable little work; and I remain,

Bolton.

Yours, sincerely and faithfully,

J. S. P. S. I noticed in one of your numbers, that a correspondent spoke favourably of my observations in regard to "Temperance," I cannot say who he may be, though I do venture to guess however, I will thank you to give my compliments to the gentleman (if it is a gentleman) and tell him I am very glad that his leaving off the little brandy has been the means of obtaining for him a larger portion of sleep. I do heartily wish, Sir, that all your little drop drinkers would follow his example.

SELECTIONS FROM DIFFERENT AUTHORS.

HAPPIER, a great deal, is that man's case whose soul by inward desolation is humbled, than he whose heart is, through abundance of spiritual delight, lifted up and exalted above measure. Better it is sometimes to go down into the pit with him, who, beholding darkness, and bewailing the loss of inward joy and consolation, crieth from the bottom of the lowest hell, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me," than continually to have no thought, no cogitation, but I thank my God it is not with me as with other men. -Hooker.

The end of the word of God is to save; and therefore we term it the word of life. The way for all men to be saved is by the knowledge of that truth which the word has taught.-Ibid.

We must become as little children, willing to be taken up and laid down, carried out and brought in, fed and corrected as our Heavenly Father pleases: and the less wish we have of our own for any thing but to please Him, the more comfort shall we find in ourselves under whatever circumstances he is pleased to allot us.-Doddridge.

EXTRACTS FROM THE PUBLIC NEWSPAPERS, &c.

A SHORT time ago, four young fellows having contrived to gain admission into one of the store-rooms attached to Sunbury distillery, broached a large cask of spirits by means of a gimlet or other such instrument, and, having inserted a goose-quill into the aperture thus made, straightway proceeded to help themselves. When some of the workmen employed about the distillery entered the store-room they were found on the floor in a state of the most stupid intoxication. The delinquents were immediately removed and deposited among some straw in an out-house, where they were left in order to sleep off the effects of their excess; but on revisiting them, after a time, the workmen were dismayed to find the whole four apparently in the agonies of death. Medical aid was immediately procured, and the stomach-pump, we understand, applied; but it was too late. Two have already died, and the other two are not expected to recover.-Globe.

That bees may be tamed so as not to hurt persons to whom they are accustomed I have by many instances heard exemplified, but most remarkably in the following account :-A gentleman residing at Bury St. Edmund's could do with impunity any thing he liked with his bees; he knew every one of them, could distinguish each bee from its fellow, as a shepherd is said to individualize his sheep by the physiognomy of each; and if he wanted to show a particular bee to a friend he would have the hive to which it belonged turned out into a cloth, roll the insects about with his hands like so many peas, and, unharmed, select from them the one he required! This feat he has often been seen to perform.-Mirror.

ALLOTMENT SYSTEM.-Stewart Marjoribanks, Esq. M.P. of Sparrows, new Bushey, Herts, has appropriated twelve acres of land, in allotments of a quarter of an acre each, to the labouring classes of that parish. At the close of the last season some of the men admitted that that they had made from 41. to 5l. profit by the produce of their allotments, after paying their Mr. Marjoribanks gave three fine pigs as prizes for the three best cultivated allotments.

rent.

HONOURABLE EXAMPLE.-About seven years ago Mr. William Johnson, then of Leeds, dyer, owing to the pressure of the times, was under the necessity of making a composition with his creditors, and removing to Liverpool, where a better prospect seemed to open upon him. As he had anticipated, his circumstances soon began to improve, and by industry and frugality he was enabled to realize property. The first use he made of his accumulations was to visit Leeds, and there to discharge all his outstanding debts, by paying to each of his creditors, 20s. in the pound. The creditors in their turn are preparing to present Mr. Johnson with a piece of plate to mark their sense of his honourable and upright conduct.-Salisbury Herald.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received F. M. K.; Ignotus; Anon. with Questions from the Liturgy; Horticultural Extracts; C. W.; 23d Psalm; D. I. E.; F. M.; H. G. O.

H. G. O. ought to keep to her purpose, thinking and feeling as she does. But there is something to be said on the other side.—It is always, however, needful to keep the mind as much as possible undisturbed by secular affairs on the sabbath.

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THE PLEASURE OF BEING DEVOUT.

"HER ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace," says the Bible, of that divine wisdom which shows itself in the offices and duties of a devout, or Christian life. Happy indeed is the man that "findeth this wisdom," and every one who "getteth such understanding." He shall find "rest to his soul"-he shall always" rejoice in the Lord."

Through the love of God, the peace of God will be shed abroad, and will bless his soul with comfort. The man that hath found this wisdom, serves God with pleasure, and does his work willingly, for the glory of him whom he loves, and in whom his soul delights. By keeping his VOL. XIV. No. 16.

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eye fixed on God, his heart is kept from being troubled with the things which seem most grievous to those who look only to the things which are seen." His business and his delight is only how "to please Him who hath" graciously chosen him to be his servant;" and, while he is doing this, "all things will work together for his good." How can such a man be disquieted? how can he be full of heaviness? No,-even in things which are most discouraging, in events which are most afflicting, he still says, "Put thy trust in God, oh my soul! I will yet give him thanks which is the help of my countenance and my God."

Thus it is with those who love God-and such is the effect of true devotion. It makes men "delight in God," and by consequence, in every thing which is for His service, or according to His will. Though others are "careful and troubled about many things," even while they are pursuing the mirth and vain delights of the world, the devout servants of God feel that but " One thing is needful;" and that one thing is, "to cast all their care upon God," "knowing that He careth for them;" to keep learning His pleasure, and doing His will, sincerely, according to their station in life, in a full assurance that he is looking on, and will not forget that "work of faith,” and those "labours of love" which they are showing for His name.

Now, is there any comfort, can there be any rejoicing like this,-living under a constant sense of God's favour, with a heart that is warm and full of His love? What joy, what delight do such men feel in the "testimony of their conscience," that with "simplicity and godly sincerity they have had their conversation in the world!" They have Heaven in their eye, and earth under their feet: the things which relate only to earthly things, are but like the ground upon which they tread, below their concern, when compared with what they have constantly in view, "the glory which shall be revealed."

Thus it is with them-and thus it may be with Thee, O fellow Christian, if thou wilt learn to love God, and give thyself up, in like manner, to His service. Thou wilt be no loser by leaving the mad ways of sin, and giving up

1834.]

THE HOUSE OF PRAYER.

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the sinful delights of a vain world. Thou wilt only exchange them for more solid comforts, and for the refreshing hopes of those "pleasures which are at God's right hand for evermore!"

The pleasures of sin, at best, are but "for a season: they fade even in the enjoyment, and never answer expectation: but the pleasure of devotion is for ever; for time and for eternity: it is daily increasing; even on earth, it" fadeth not away :"-it is our joy in prosperity, it is our consolation in adversity, and, in heaven, it shall receive an exceeding and eternal weight of joy, unspeakable, and full of glory.

SIR,

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

C. P. F.

IF the following stanzas should meet your approbation, you will greatly oblige, by their insertion in your useful little work,

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A. Q. R.

God's hallowed House-the House of Prayer.

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