such pretensions to religion and others:-and they gladly believe him. Whether they are amongst the number of those who neglect religion altogether; or who have bid fair for heaven, but stumbled at some cross which was too hard to carry, they seize the opportunity for standing aloof from a parcel of hypocrites (as they call them,) and pride themselves upon their making no professions. Thus they show, as plainly as conduct can do, their unregenerate state, and it is well that they should. Tho' a Minister may mourn at such a time, over some of whom he had hoped better things, it is well for the cause of Christ, that the chaff should be winnowed from the wheat; and that a decided line should be drawn between the godly and the ungodly

On the other hand, there are those who mourn in secret over the falls of professors. They know their Bibles too well to think it strange that such things should be. They know that a Judas was permitted to be numbered amongst the twelve Apostles-that it is written, "they went out from us, because they were not of us"-that an Ananias and Sapphira found their way into the infant church-and that there were false converts, of whom the Apostle Paul told the Philippians, with tears, that they "were enemies of the cross of Christ."

They know that such things must be, instead of thinking the value of Gospel truths, or a Gospel profession, at all weakened by them. And they spend their breath, not in blazing abroad the disgrace, but in supplicating mercy for the offender. They do not rashly construe the fall into an instance of hypocrisy they anxiously watch for the return of a backsliding brother, rather than the open apostasy and desponding horrors of a hypocrite. And

lastly, while they know that "the foundation of God still standeth sure, having this seal-the Lord knoweth them that are his," they are roused themselves to greater watchfulness and care, lest they should fall into iniquity, and come into like condemnation. Thus the sifting-time, which causes many to turn back from following Jesus, only affords them, and their Minister who is watching for their souls, a fresh evidence of their godly sincerity.

To a young person on going to service.

You are about to enter upon a new line of life, and as the minister of your parish, I cannot but feel a deep interest for your welfare. Take this, as the last advice which I may be able to give you; and in your new situation, try to shew, that you have not received "the grace of God in vain."

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Seek for God's blessing on that gospel, which you have been in the habit of hearing; that in your own case, bread which has been cast upon the waters, may be found after many days." Make it your constant prayer, that "your

profiting may appear unto all men ;" and that they may have no just grounds for the enquiry, "what do ye more than others?" Let a sense of the depravity of your own heart, lead you to distrust it.-Let the assurance that God's "grace is sufficient for you," lead you to implore it.-Let a sense of Christ's love to your soul, lead you to "live unto Him, who died for you and rose again." Carry these three thoughts along with you, and they will greatly help you in all that follows.

You are called to glorify God in that station of life, into which he has been pleased to call you ;-in the first place then

1. Let strict honesty mark your character.-Many servants, who avoid the charge of dishonesty, are still guilty of it in the sight of God.-A waste of your time-the wanton injury or destruction of things put under your care-being generous at your master's expense, are most certainly breaches of trust. We find some, who though their consciences would not allow them to steal their master's money, do not scruple to pilfer in a little way. For instance-if the tea-chest be left open, they cannot resist or if they are entrusted with their mistress keys, they will not lose the opportunity. Not living under the conviction, that "all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him, with whom we have to do," they hush their fears by saying, "no man seeth me."

2. Beware of falsehood.-When you are charged with a fault, tell the truth openly. Any master will feel inclined to pardon, where a frank confession is made. But when we are obliged to worm out the truth, and wade through shuffling excuses in order to get at it, the act becomes doubly hateful. If you are known to abhor falsehood, your word will be readily taken, and you will not be subject to those painful suspicions, which would otherwise make your word doubted.

3. Be consistent in your dress.-A love of dress has always been a source of great mischief.—A young woman, with a high recommendation, came to offer her services in my own family; but all good opinion of her fell to the ground, when I saw her in a muslin gown, and a wreath of artificial flowers upon a straw bonnet edged with lace! I need not say, that I did not want a servant of this sort. If she could afford such a dress, she ought to have kept a servant herself; and if she could not afford it, I knew that my property must in some way or other have supported the expense. All soberminded families are of the same opinion;

and therefore a plain stuff, or dark cotton gown, and a black bonnet, are much more likely to recommend you to a desirable place.

4. Beware of gossip.-By gossip, I mean the habit of talking about other people's concerns-retailing to the neighbours, what you hear in the family. By this sort of conduct, servants often make much mischief. They pick up broken sentences, and make good the want by their own invention. No master or mistress will keep such a servant in their house; and you will pay for your imprudence, by the loss of your place.

5. Be daily in the practice of prayer and reading God's word.-Neither rise in the morning, nor retire at night, without studying a portion of the scriptures, and begging pardon, strength, and direction, at a throne of grace. If you omit to do this, you cannot expect to prosper, either in your temporal, or spiritual affairs. At night, examine the actions of the day. Pray for continual renewal in holiness, and that you may "walk worthy of the Lord unto all well pleasing, being fruitful in every good word and work." Rise half an hour earlier, that you may have time for the important work of seeking God and his favour.

Lastly-Never miss an opportunity of speaking a word “in season" to your fellow-servants, or others. Ask them, if they have ever thought, how they are to be saved? Tell them of what Jesus does for sinners; and entreat them to pray to the Holy Spirit for instruction and holiness. Should you find a fellow-servant guilty of dishonesty or other bad conduct, you must not partake of their sin by being silent. Seriously reason with them; and if this has no effect, lose no time in informing your master or mistress. If you fail to do this, your guilt is the same as theirs. There is a great deal of false honour among servants; and they think that if you will not share in their evil deeds, you are bound to be silent: but your principles are no better than theirs, if you can sit by, and see your master or mistress wronged. If you do this, the only motive which keeps you honest, (however you may flatter yourself to the contrary) is a regard for the opinion of the world, and not a desire of doing all things as unto Christ and not unto man." The apostle says to Timothy 1. v. 22. "Be not a partaker of other men's sins."

That God may give you grace to follow these few hints, and profit by them, is the sincere prayer of your true friend and ministerCh. N.

Printed and sold by A. FOSTER, Kirkby Lonsdale,