the cross, and it can no longer pander, as it has too long done, to the fiercer or baser appetites of mankind. How much has the cultivated talent of the race, in its various literary tasks, set itself to divide and destroy, to corrupt and intoxicate mankind! Genius has shouted to swell the discord, and its cry has exasperated the strifes of the world, instead of being their peacemaker. How often has the scholar yoked himself to the brazen car of Moloch, or demeaned himself to heighten the idolatrous revel in the groves of the wanton Ashtoreth! How much of literary achievement has perished in consequence of the corruption that so deeply engrained it, or has continued and lived only to spread around moral infection! Looking back over the history of our world, as preserved by those who knew not or obeyed not this Gospel, it is a humiliating record. The tumult and rage of passion seem endless. One wide and restless sea overspreads the scene. But when the Gospel moves over this waste, dove-like in spirit, it comes like the dove to the ark of our diluvian father, bearing the message of peace and the omen of hope the leaf that betokens the assuaging of the waters, the cessation of the storm, and the re-appearance of earth from its long baptism of death, all radiant in newborn verdure and beauty. No skill in negotiation or prowess in war can avail like this Gospel to establish peace among the nations. No police, however well appointed and vigilant, has equal power to principle of art, no degree of refinement, and no measure of knowledge, can succeed like the religion of the cross in giving true peace to the household. To destroy in all these relations of society the tyranny of the vindictive passions, no power is like that of the Gospel. Its efficacy to raise and restore the slaves of the baser appetites of our nature we have already seen. A literature, then, controlled by this Gospel, will not be the literature of mere blind passion. And no principle is so likely to eject from our literature this passion as the great truth of Christ crucified iterated and reiterated in the ears of our people. LIFE AND CHARACTER OF "MR. THEYSAY.” FEw and far between are those who have not heard of the world-renowned "Theysay!" His name is familiar with all men everywhere. The high and low, rich and poor, bond and free, honoured and despised, civilized and barbarian, Protestant and Catholic, Mussulman and Christian, all nations, kindreds, tribes, and tongues, have heard of Mr. Theysay. His name is almost a household world. But who has ever given the world a history of this eminent personage? Numerous as biographers are, no one has ever written and published the life of Mr. They say. Pardon me if I undertake the task of writing a brief history of him. His Parentage.-His father's name give order and security to the na-is Slanderer; his mother's, Tattle. tion or the city within itself. No Of his genealogy nothing more is known. He was born in the town of Evil Report, in the kingdom of Sin. His Character. He is distinguished for wickedness: 1. He is a slanderer. 2. A deceiver. 4. A peace-breaker. 5. Everything that is bad, without possessing one redeeming quality. His Age.-It is not known in what precise age of the world Mr. Theysay was born. It is my opinion that he was born soon after Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden. If I am correct in this opinion, he must be very far advanced in life, and we should naturally expect to witness in him all the evidences of feeble old age, grey hairs, sunken eyes, and pal-escape. sied limbs. But he is really as strong and active, as fresh and fair, and hale and hearty as he ever was. Remarkable old creature! His Education.- Mr. Theysay's education is very limited. What knowledge he has obtained is principally from hearsay; hence he does not have any correct knowledge of anything. His deficient education has ever been a serious embarrassment to him, for he never dares to make a positive assertion, but guesses it is so, fears it is so, and so on. His Personal Appearance.-I have spoken of him as being as strong, as active, etc., as he ever was. But who has ever seen Mr. Theysay? Have you? Has any one? If any one has, I know not the man. But we know he exists, because everybody is talking about him. And I have come to the paradoxical conclusion that he exists and does not exist; is everywhere and nowhere; is responsible and irresponsible; a sort of "will-o'-the-wisp, jack-with-the-lantern" kind of being, whose personal appearance can never be described. Reader! is Mr. Theysay in your family? Drive him thence. Harbour him not a moment. Listen not to his vile slanders. He will involve you in trouble, while he himself will A SUFFERER FROM HIM. YOUTHFUL AFFECTIONS. IN youth, the affections are most ardent. It is peculiarly the season of love. The young are capable of the strongest and most self-sacrificing affection. The strongest appeals of Christianity are made to the affections. The only word which sums up the whole of piety is love. Therefore, youth is the best season for commencing a life of piety. In youth the hopes are most bright. Then the future is adorned with the most brilliant and attractive hues; and Christianity presents the most gorgeous scenes in glowing imagery to the imagination, to induce a life of piety. Faith is most confiding in youth. The young are trusting, ready to believe. Religion demands implicit faith; youth most naturally and easily gives it, and is therefore the best season for commencing a life of piety. The mind is most docile in youth. As years advance, men become more and more tenacious of their own views and opinions. Entire sub mission to the teaching of inspiration is necessary to piety, and this is most easily given in early life. The habits are most yielding in youth. How important, then, when they are forming, that they should be directed aright! Youth is most submissive to authority. It is the season of obedience. The unquestioning obedience which God demands is most easily rendered in early life. The judgment of youth is better fitted to appreciate the claims of piety. The judgment of impenitent age is prejudiced, and blinded, and warped by sin. One who has long indulged and loved sin cannot so easily as the more unpolluted mind form a correct judgment on the guilt of sin. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" Then may ye who have been accustomed to do evil learn to do well. The Fragment Basket. BENEVOLENCE OF CHRIS- me this day, were both almost and TIANITY. A certain philosopher once ex altogether such as I am, except these bonds," Acts xxvi. 28. pressed a wish, that he had a window "PREPARE TO MEET THY in his breast, that he might lay open his heart to all the world. He felt so much satisfaction in his past attainments, and in his daily researches after knowledge, that, had it been possible, he would have shown it to the whole universe, and enriched the minds of his fellow-creatures throughout the habitable globe with the same literary stores of pleasure which he enjoyed himself. Similar to the wish of this liberal philosopher is the desire of every sincere Christian. He derives so much comfort from the possession of religion himself, that he longs to have all mankind made acquainted with its blessedness. He by no means wishes to monopolise these pleasures, and thus steal to heaven alone; but with a heart expanding with celestial charity, and glowing with the love of Christ, he cries, GOD." Art thou, reader, already prepared? The very warning to prepare, implies the possibility of our not being prepared; and by whom is this warning given? By no less! authority than holy writ. Oh! then does it not behove thee to inquire whether an admonition so startling may be applicable to thee? Think, that shouldst thou be now set before the august Judge, thou_mightest only be dumb and confused! Think, that in the mighty power of God alone thou canst stand; that thou must be purified by the blood of Jesus before thou canst present thyself for acceptance to a God of infinite purity; that thy soul must be born anew of the Holy Spirit before thou canst enter heaven! Dost thou think these things impossible or needless? With man they are im "Oh, that the world might taste and see possible, but "with God all things "And Paul said, I would to God that not only thou, but all that hear are possible." Think, then, whether thou art thus renewed and prepared; remember, that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. If thou be ready, pray for grace to keep thee e you. HE BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE BURNING. Count Zinzendorf being stopped a robber who demanded his se, said to him with as much Iness as kindness, "There, take purse; but since your odious de must sooner or later lead you he scaffold, listen to the advice I When you shall hear the tence of death pronounced, do give up all hope, but remember converted thief on the cross." ch was the effect of these words the hardened sinner, that a few 78 after he reflected seriously on his conduct. He supplicated his anguish the mercy of the rd, and his prayers being heard, joined the community of Moran brethren, where Count Zinzenf had the pleasure of recognizing is filled with grandeur, magnificence, and beauty. What, oh! what of all does my soul most covet? Shall I have wealth, with all its comforts, elegances, splendours, and privileges? Shall I have genius, powerfame, high and unbounded? Shall ful and brilliant, which will bring I have power, with its magic wand and iron sceptre? Shall I have health, physical and mental, with all its freshness and vigour? Nay, soul still be unsatisfied, for it yearns all these may be possessed, and my for peace. Yes, give me peacedomestic, national, and spiritual peace. Oh, yes! let wealth, genius, fame, power, and even health, be another's, but let peace be minepeace in the home circle, in the neighbourhood, in the nation, in the world, and in the heart, 'tis what my soul most covets. AN ECCENTRIC CLOCK. John Hatfield, who died at the age of 102, a soldier in the reign of William and Mary, was tried and condemned by a court-martial for falling asleep on his duty upon the terrace at Windsor. He absolutely denied the charge against him, and solemnly declared that he heard St. Paul's clock strike thirteen, the truth of which was much doubted by the court, because of the great distance. But whilst he was under sentence of death, an affidavit was made by several persons, that the clock actually did strike thirteen instead of twelve, whereupon he received his Majesty's pardon.-Timbs' "Curiosities of London." MY FATHER'S WILL. A pious old man was one day New Testament in his hand, when a walking to the sanctuary with a friend met him, and said, "Good "Ah! good morning, Mr. Price." "I am readmorning," replied he; ing my Father's will as I walk left you?" said his friend. along." "Well, and what has he "Why, he has bequeathed to me a hundredfold more in this life, and in the Come, let me choose. The world world to come life everlasting." This n. PEACE. Oh, Shepherd, give the fold And never more from them withhold J. DENHAM SMITH. WHAT IS LIFE? WHAT is life?-a rapid stream, What is life?-the arrow's flight, What is life?-a varied tale, What is life?-a smoke, a vapour, A spark that glows to disappear. What is life?-a flower that blows, Nipp'd by the frost, and quickly dead. What is life?-a full-blown rose, That's scorch'd at noon, and withered. Such is life-a breath, a span, |