GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE. WHEN I was stationed in the city of Norwich, (says the late Rev. John Pawson,) in the year 1764, I met with what I think an extraordinary instance of the power and goodness of God. A poor man and his wife had removed from Leeds in Yorkshire, and settled in Norwich, where they earned their bread in carding and spinning very coarse wool. In a few years the man died, and left the poor destitute woman with three small children, in a place where she was but little known, and in a state of deep poverty. However, she laboured with all her might to support her poor children, and sold everything out of her house that she could possibly spare, even the bed she should have rested her weary body upon. She wrought night and day, Sundays as well as other days, and never ceased till, worn-out with hard labour, she could hold up no more; and then she lay down upon a heap of wool, and rested awhile, till her wasted strength was somewhat recruited, and then went to work again. Thus she laboured for a considerable time, till, one Sunday, as she was washing the floor of her room, upon her knees, the following words were so deeply impressed upon her mind, that she thought a person was really behind her, who said, "If you live and die in this manner, you will be lost for ever." She looked over her shoulder, and said, "I had much better do so than not be clean." But, upon serious reflection, she thought within herself, "If I do live and die thus, I shall be lost." Accordingly, she gave up her washing, dressed herself as well as she could, and went directly to the Tabernacle, where that faithful servant of God, the late Rev. John Murlin, was then preaching. The Lord sent the word with power to her heart, and she was made deeply sensible of her guilty, sinful, and wretched state; so that she turned to the Lord, and earnestly sought the salvation purchased by the blood of Christ, and through the infinite mercy and love of God was soon put in possession of that inestimable blessing. Being made unspeakably happy in the love of God, she now went on her way, greatly rejoicing, notwithstanding her deep poverty.

In the time of her distress, the Minister of

the parish of St. Andrew, where she lived, had been so kind as to relieve her by granting her the privilege of having broken victuals from his table. But when he heard of the change which had taken place in the poor woman, he sent for her to his house. She, being apprehensive that his design was to persuade her to renounce the Methodists, was exceedingly distressed; but she earnestly cried to the Lord, entreating him to appear for her in this trying hour, and that he would give her such courage and resolution, that she might boldly confess him before men. She was not in any degree concerned about anything the Minister might either say or do, so she might only stand fast in the faith, and not defile her conscience. In this spirit she went to his house, and he said, "I hear you are turned Wheatlamite." (So they called the Methodists in Norwich, in those days, from James Wheatley, who had preached in that city.) She answered, "No, Sir; I am become a Methodist." He replied, with some degree of anger, "What! is it not enough to go to church?" She answered, "Before I was a Methodist, I went to no place of worship; but now I constantly attend the church." He then said, "And are you determined to continue a Methodist?" She replied, "Yes, Sir, through the help of God I trust I shall." "Well, then," said he, "you need expect no farther relief from me." She answered, "I am exceedingly obliged to you, Sir, for all past favours; and I heartily thank both God and you, for the great kindness you have so long shown me; and as you certainly have a right to give your broken victuals to whom you think proper, I am perfectly satisfied." The Minister made good his word, and the poor woman returned home, greatly rejoicing, and heartily praising God, for giving her strength according to her day, and for enabling her to confess him, and to avow herself a Methodist. Soon after this a man married her, who supported both her and her children, so that she lived comfortably the residue of her days, and experienced the truth of the Apostle's words: "Godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

PATERNAL OBLIGATION. PARENTS are supposed to be acquainted with the word of God themselves; and that which they thus know they are to commu

nicate to their children; these are to be the first principles instilled into their minds; they are, from their very infancy, to be fed with "the sincere milk of the word, that they

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may grow thereby" in the knowledge and love of the will of God. Never were these paternal duties more solemnly urged than in the chapter that lies open before me. Hear a passage from it: "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life. But teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; especially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, where the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children." One great reason of the awful solemnities of Mount Sinai itself was to impress upon Jewish parents that it was God's specially declared will that they should teach all his statutes and ordinances to their children. The same instruction, doubtless, is

required now: passages in the New Testament, too numerous to be now quoted, prove this. And this method of putting a people

in possession of his revealed truth would have been most efficacious, had it but been properly observed. If all heads of families prayed for the gift of holy and successful teaching, a prayer which God would no doubt answer,-and used those numerous Catechisms which have been drawn up with so much care and attention, God would bless the means which himself has appointed, and knowledge would be increased. this plan been fully adopted, for instance, in our own country, and employed in connexion with the ministry of the word, there can be no doubt but that, by this time, it would have been fully enlightened: then should we see less necessity-if necessity at all-for such institutions as that to which our attention is at present directed-Richard Watson.

Had

THE DUTY OF YOUNG MEN. HEAR then the conclusion of the whole matter: "Fear God, and keep his commandments." Be not satisfied with a mere Christian profession. Be not satisfied with that measure of religious character that shall save you from the discipline of the church, or even secure your salvation so as by fire. Rise up to a vigorous and lofty tone of Christian feeling and action. Let no one mark your daily conduct without perceiving that it is an ever-brightening light. And here, after all, is the hope of the country, the hope of the age. If I could but see the young men of this generation, as a body, baptized with the spirit of true Christianity, and acting habitually under a sense of religious obligation, I should confidently expect to see the clouds that darken our horizon soon pass away. And I should then give myself no concern about the prevalence of one political party or another; for if I could be sure that the mass were acting under the influence of Christian feeling, and that an enlightened and active conscience was in the politics of the nation, I should have no fear that the mistakes incident to human weakness would ever greatly mar our public prosperity. O, if I could feel sure that the young men before me, the young men of the nation at large, would be valiant for the truth and the right, I would defy all the miserable plotting demagogues of the land to ruin my country. I would say to all evil men, whether in high or low places, whether they make part of the constituted authorities of the nation, or of the very refuse and dregs of the mob, I

would say to them, If it must be so, do your best to ruin us, and the nation will live in spite of you. Your mission of evil will not last always. You cannot always utter bitter words, or perform desperate acts; for ere long your voice will be hushed, and your arms folded in death. I pity you, but I fear you not; for these young men, full of faith in God and of zeal in his service, are preparing to undo the wretched labours of your life. Could I but feel an assurance that this would be so, I would go abroad and proclaim it everywhere; I would call upon the rocks and rivers, the mountains and valleys, of my country to rejoice; I would send it across the ocean as a grateful message to the friends of free institutions, and as a wholesome message to the oppressors of mankind; I would entreat every man who loves his country or his race, to fall upon his knees and offer up thanksgivings for such a gracious interposition. O! it is a glorious vision to dwell upon. Young men of this nation, it is for you to decide whether the vision shall go out in darkness, or brighten into a glorious accomplishment.-Dr. Sprague.

SAXON SUPERSTITION.

IN the sixth year of the reign of Conan, (ab clife ab amarow'd,) King of Gwinthor, North Wales, (which was about A.D. 946,) there was in the Christian temple, at a place called Horden, (Hawarden,) in the kingdom of North Wales, a rood-loft, in which was placed an image of the Virgin Mary, with a

very large cross, which was in the hands of the image, called Holy-rood. About this time there happened a very hot summer, so dry, that there was no grass for the cattle; when most of the inhabitants went and prayed to the image, or Holy-rood, that it would cause it to rain; but to no purpose. Amongst the rest, the Lady Trawst (whose husband's name was Sytsitht, a nobleman and Governor of Horden Castle) went to pray to the said Holy-rood; and she, praying earnestly and long, the image, or Holy-rood, fell on her and killed her: upon which a great uproar was raised, and it was concluded and resolved to try the said image for the murder of the said Lady Trawst, and a jury was summoned for the purpose, whose names were as follows; namely,

Hincot of Hancot,
Span of Mancot;
Leech and Leach,
and Cumberbeach;

Peet and Pate,

with Corbon of the grate; Milling and Hughet,

with Gill and Pughet;

who, upon examination of evidence, declared the said Holy-rood had wilfully murdered the said Lady Trawst, and was guilty in not

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answering the many petitions; but, whereas, being very old and done, she was ordered to be hanged. But Span opposed that, saying, as they wanted rain, it would be best to drown her but this was fiercely opposed by Corbon, who answered, that as she was Holy-rood they had no right to kill her, but advised to lay her on the sands of the river below Horden Castle, from whence they might see what became of her which was accordingly done. Soon after which the tide from the sea came and carried the said image to some low land, being an island, near the walls of a certain city, called Caer-Leon, (supposed Chester,) where it was found next day, drowned and dead. Upon which the inhabitants of CaerLeon buried it at the place where it was found, and erected a monument of stone over it with this inscription :

"The Jews their God did crucify,

The Hordeners their's did drown,
'Cause with their wants she'd not comply;
And lies under this cold stone."

It is supposed the above inscription caused the low land to have the appellation of Rood Die, or Rood Dee, this being the name given to that river on this occasion: for before it was called the river Usk.-Imperial Magazine.

EARL OF PEMBROKE. HENRY, late Earl of Pembroke, had many good qualities, but always persisted inflexibly in his own opinion, which, as well as his conduct, was often very singular. His Lordship used an ingenious expedient to prevent the expostulations of those about him he feigned himself deaf; and thus, under pretence of hearing very imperfectly, he would always form his answers, not by what was said to him, but by what he desired to have said.

Among other servants, was one who had lived with him from a child, and served him with great fidelity, till at length he became coachman. This man, by degrees, got a habit of drinking, for which his lady often desired he might be dismissed. My Lord always answered, "Yes, indeed, John is an excellent servant." "I say," replied the lady, "that he is continually drunk, and therefore desire that he may be turned off." "Ay," said his Lordship, "he has lived with me from a child; and, as you say, a trifle of wages should not part us."

John, however, one evening, as he was driving from Kensington, overturned his lady in Hyde-park. Though not much hurt, yet she began to tease the Earl. "Here,"

said she, "is that beast John, so drunk that he can scarcely stand; and if he is not discharged, he will one day break our necks." "Ay," said my Lord, "is poor John sick? I am sorry for him." "I am complaining," said my Lady, "that he is drunk, and has overturned me." Ay," replied my Lord, "to be sure he has behaved very well, and shall have proper advice." The lady, finding it useless to remonstrate, went away in a passion; and the Earl, having ordered John into his presence, addressed him in these terms: "John, you know that I have a regard for you; and, as long as you behave well, you shall always be taken care of in my family. My lady tells me that you are taken ill; and, indeed, I see that you can hardly stand: go to bed, and I will take care that you have proper advice." John, being thus dismissed, was carried to bed, where, by his Lordship's order, a large blister was put upon his head, another between his shoulders, and sixteen ounces of blood taken from his arm. John found himself next morning in a woeful condition, and was soon acquainted with the whole process, and the reasons on which it was made. He had no remedy but to submit; for he would rather have endured ten blisters than lose his place. His Lordship

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sent, very formally, twice a day to know how he did, and frequently congratulated his lady upon John's recovery; whom he directed to be fed only with water-gruel, and to have no company but an old woman, who acted as his nurse. In about a week, John having constantly sent word that he was well, his Lordthought fit to understand the messenger, and said he was extremely glad to hear the fever had quite left him, and desired to see him. When John came in, "Well, John," said his Lordship, "I hope this bout is over." "Ah, my Lord," said John, "I humbly ask your Lordship's pardon, and I promise never to commit the same fault again." Ay, ay,"

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said my Lord, "you say right, nobody can prevent sickness and if you should be ill again, John, I shall see it, though, perhaps, you would not complain; and I promise you that you shall have always the same advice and attendance that you have had now." "God bless your Lordship," said John: “I hope there will be no need." "So do I," said the Earl; "but as long as you perform your duty to me, John, I will do mine to you, never fear." John then withdrew, and so dreaded the discipline he had undergone, that he was never known to be drunk afterwards.-Family Circle.

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST AND

APOSTLE.

ST. JOHN was brother to St. James the Great, and, like his brother, was a fisherman in Galilee. They were by our Saviour named Boanerges, "sons of thunder." To St. John our blessed Lord entrusted the care of his mother. He is said to have remained till near the year 66 in Judea. The churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, in Asia Minor, were particular objects of his care. Domitian commanded the Pro-Consul of Asia to send him bound to Rome; where it is said he was put into a caldron of boiling oil, in which he stood for many hours unhurt. The tyrant afterwards banished him to the isle of Patmos. There he wrote his Book of Revelation. After the death of Domitian, St. John left Patmos, and returned to Asia, but chiefly fixed his seat at Ephesus. It is said that when very aged, and unable to preach, he still went to the church, and gave this short exhortation, "Love one another." Coming, it is said, on one occasion, to a place near Ephesus, in his visitation of the churches, the Apostle saw a youth whom he delivered to the Bishop of the place with this charge, "I commend this person to thee to be looked to with all care and diligence, in the presence of Christ and the church." The Bishop received the young man into his house, instructed him, and baptized him. But he fell into bad company; and despairing of all hope of pardon from God, he let loose the reins, and he and his companions became robbers. St. John, returning to the same place, required from the Bishop the pledge

he had left with him: "I mean," said St. John, "the young man: it is the soul of my brother that I require." The old man, with tears in his eyes, answered, "He is dead; that is, he is dead to God; for he is become a robber in the mountains." The Apostle, it is said, immediately called for a horse and a guide, and made haste to the mountains; where, being taken by the robbers, he begged to be brought before the Captain; but the young man, as soon as he perceived it was St. John, ran away. The Apostle, not regarding his old age and weakness, followed; and, when he could not overtake him, exclaimed, "Why, O my son, dost thou fly from thy aged and unarmed father? There is yet hope of salvation for thee." With that the robber stayed, and throwing away his weapons, and shedding many tears, he embraced the aged Apostle, and was restored to the church. Reader! have you any friends or acquaintances, who once zealously practised religious duties, but, having been overcome by the devices of Satan, or the love of sin and the world, now neglect those duties? See here an example: use mild and affectionate means to bring them back to God, and to the way of peace. You may be so happy as to save a soul from death: go, ask the divine blessing, and make the attempt. What an encouragement does this record afford also to those who have fallen to return!

St. John lived till he was near one hundred years old, and probably died a peaceful death, not as a martyr. His Gospel and his Epistles show how much this "disciple whom Jesus loved," loved the Saviour and his fellow-Christians.-Christian Records.

THE CROCODILE.

THIS reptile was formerly an object of religious worship in many parts of ancient Egypt, while at the same time it was considered by thousands of the same nation, as the representative of the evil being, which led to serious feuds between neighbouring towns. Such was the cause of the quarrel of the Ombites and Tentyrites, described by Juvenal; and the same animal which was worshipped at Ambos, "was killed and eaten by the inhabitants of Apollinopolis."

It enjoyed great honours at Coptos, Ombos, and Athribis, in the Thebaid. In Lower Egypt it was particularly sacred at a place called the City of Crocodiles. The animals were there kept in the lake Moris, and were buried in the underground chambers of the famous Labyrinth.

It has been asserted, that in places where they were worshipped, their numbers increased to such an extent "that it was not safe for any one to wash his feet, or draw water at the river; and no one could walk near the edge of the stream, in the vicinity of any of the above-named places, without extreme caution."

Strabo speaks of the great respect shown to these creatures in the city formerly called Crocodilopolis, or the City of Crocodiles. He states, that one was sacred there, and kept apart in a particular lake, which was so tame that it allowed itself to be touched by the Priests. It was fed with bread, meat, and wine, which were brought by those strangers who went to see it. VOL. I.

2 B

Strabo's host, a man of consideration, when showing the geographer and his party the sacred curiosities of the place, conducted them to the brink of the lake, having taken with him from table, a cake, some roast meat, and a cup of wine. The animal was lying on the bank; and while some of the Priests opened its mouth, one put in the cake, and then the meat, after which the wine was poured into it. The crocodile upon this, taking to the water, passed over to the other side and another stranger, having come for the same purpose, made similar offerings to it as it lay there.

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Many naturally ask," says Diodorus, "how an animal which devours men can have been considered worthy of divine honours.

"They answer, that not only the Nile, but the crocodiles, are a defence to the country; for the robbers of Arabia and Africa who would pillage the lands, dare not swim across the river from the number of these animals; and one great impediment would be removed, if they were hunted and destroyed.

"An historical tale relates that one of the ancient Kings of Egypt being driven by his own dogs into the lake Moris, was miraculously taken up by a crocodile, and carried to the other shore. In commemoration of which benefit, the King built the City of the Crocodiles, in that district, ordering divine honours to be paid to them, and assigning the lake for their maintenance."

The towns where it was looked upon with particular execration, were Tentyris, Apol