alarmed. "What you cannot comprehend to-day, you may compre there. Swedenborg beholds spiritual presences in all space, and says, It is everywhere. Words- hend to-morrow; and what you worth lives again through his youth, and replies, "Heaven lies above us in our infancy.' Sage, theologian, and poet, we turn from you all and ask a little blind girl, and she replies, Heaven is where God is. cannot attain to this year, you may arrive at the next. Do not therefore be frightened with little difficulties, but attend to what you do know, and the rest will come in time." 1454. Little Learning.-Lord 1451. Ignorance and Learning. Bacon, towards the latter end of "I used frequently," says Cecil, his life, said that a little smattering "to visit Dr. Bacon at his liv- of philosophy would lead a man to ing, near Oxford; he would fre- Atheism, but a thorough insight of quently say to me, 'What are you it will lead a man back again to a doing? What are your studies?' I first cause, and the first principle am reading so and so.' 'You are of right reason is religion; and quite wrong. When I was young, seriously professes that, after all I could turn any piece of Hebrew his studies and inquisitions, he into Greek verse with ease. But durst not die with any other when I came into this parish, and thoughts than those of religion had to teach ignorant people, I was taught, as it is professed, among wholly at a loss; I had no furniture. Christians. They thought me a great man, but that was their ignorance, for I knew as little as they did, of what it was most important for them to know. Study chiefly what you can turn to good account in your future life."" 1452. John Evelyn's Epitaph."Fell asleep the 27th day of February, 1705-6, being the 86th year of his age, in full hope of a glorious resurrection, through faith in Jesus Christ. Living in an age of extraordinary events and revolutions, he learnt (as himself asserted) this truth, which, pursuant to his intention, is here declared:That all is vanity which is not honest, and that there is no solid wisdom but in real piety."" 1455. Motive of Work.-" Some years ago," writes a gentleman, “I was brought in contact with a coloured man. He was nothing but a cobbler-he said himself he was not a decent shoemaker, and I can testify to that from some experience of his work. But if not elegantly done, it was thoroughly done, and that was the point. He told me that when he became too old and crippled to work in the field and house, he took to cobbling. I said to him, 'My friend, after this cobbling on earth has done, how about that other world? Have you any hope for a better world?' Ah, master,' said he, 'I am nothing, as I told you, but a poor cobbler, but I feel when I sit here and work at my stool, that the good Master is looking at me, and when I take a stitch, it is a stitch, and when I put on a heel-tap, it is not paper, but good leather. It is not the work we do upon earth that makes the whole of life, but it is the way in which we do that work-it is the motive. Thou God seest me.' 1453. Little Difficulties.-When Queen Charlotte, wife of George III., was once visiting her nursery, a most amiable Princess, the Duchess of Gloucester, who was at that time about six years old, running up to her with a book in her hand and tears in her eyes, said, "Madam, I cannot comprehend it." Her Majesty, with true parental affection, looked upon the 1456. Not his own.-It is rePrincess and told her not to be lated of the missionary Henry Martyn, that when at college "he never lost an hour;" but then every moment was spent in seeking honour for himself. When, however, he had obtained the highest honours, he was disappointed in finding that he had grasped a shadow. A friend told him one day that he ought to attend to his studies not to obtain the praise of men, but that he might be better fitted to promote the glory of God. He thought such a demand very strange, and when his sister spoke to him on the subject, and begged of him to give his heart to God, he did not like to listen to her, because he felt that he would have to give up many things if he became religious. At length, however, a great change came over him-a change of heart; and he resolved to "seek first the kingdom of God." His prospects were every day becoming brighter and brighter; but the love of God had entered his heart, and he was enabled to conquer his ambition and love of fame. He became a minister of the Gospel, and greatly esteemed for his learning and amiable manners. He began now, more than ever, to feel that he was not his own, and therefore that he must not live to himself; and although he might have risen to posts of distinction in his native land, he chose rather to be a missionary to the heathen. He sacrificed home, friendship, worldly comfort, health, earthly love, and last of all, life itself, that he might tell the heathen of the true God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to save sinners; for, as he said, "he could not endure life if Jesus were not glorified." He left all that he might follow Jesus. He felt that it was what God required of him, and he acted in the spirit of his Divine Master, who gave himself for the sins of the world. 1457. Religion Pure and Undefiled. A gentleman near London went to visit a woman who was sick. As he was going into the room he saw a girl kneeling by the side of the poor woman's bed. The little girl rose from her knees as soon as she saw the gentleman, and went out of the room. "Who is that child?" the gentleman asked. "Oh, sir," said the sick woman, "that is a little angel who often comes to read her Bible to me, to my great comfort; and she has just now given me sixpence." The gentleman was so pleased with the little girl's conduct that he wished to know how she had learned the Word of God and to be so kind to poor people. Finding that she was one of the scholars of a neighbouring Sunday-school, he went to the school and asked for the little girl, who was afraid when she was called to the gentleman; but he was very kind to her, and asked her if she was the little girl that had been to read the Bible to the sick woman. She said she was. The gentleman said, " My dear, what made you think of doing so?" She answered, "Because, sir, I find it is said in the Bible that pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction." "Well," said he, "and did you give her any money ?" "Yes, sir." "And where did you get it?" "Sir, it was given me as a reward." 1458. Robertson and Hume.— Hume wrote an essay on the sufficiency of the light of nature, and Dr. Robertson wrote on the necessity of revelation and the insufficiency of the light of nature. Hume came one evening to visit Robertson, and the time was spent in conversation on this subject. The friends of both were present, and it is said that Robertson reasoned with unusual clearness and power. Whether Hume was convinced by his reasoning or not we cannot tell; but, at any rate, he did not acknowledge his conviction. Hume was very much of a gentleman in his manners, and, as he rose to depart, bowed politely to those in the room, while, as he retired through the door, Robertson took the light to show him the way. Hume was still facing the door. "Oh, sir," said he, "I find the light of nature always sufficient;" and continued, "pray, don't trouble yourself, sir," and so he walked on. The door was opened, and presently, as he went along the hall, he stumbled over something concealed, and pitched down the steps into the street. Robertson ran after him with the light, and as he held it over him, whispered softly, "You had better have a light from above, Mr. Hume;" and raising him up, he bade him good night, and returned to his friends. 1459. Silence Gold.-A courtier in the retinue of Alexander the Great paid a visit to the studio of Apelles, the celebrated painter, and was received with the consideration due to his rank. This excited his vanity and talkativeness, which, unhappily, sallied forth upon the fine art in question, exposing his ignorance in a variety of questions and criticisms. Apelles interrupted him at length in an undertone: "Do you see those boys that are grinding my colours? While you were silent, they admired you, dazzled with the splendour of the purple and gold with which your habit glitters, but ever since you began to talk about what you do not understand, they have done nothing but laugh at you." 1460. Sure Compass.-We read of a country lad who was about leaving his Sunday-school and friends to go up to the metropolis to take a situation, that he was accompanied to his starting-place by a Christian friend, who kindly said to him, "Now, my boy, recollect you are going to launch your craft on a dangerous ocean." "Yes, I know it," said the boy; and, taking a Bible out of his pocket, and holding it up, he added, "but you see I have got a safe compass to steer by." 1461. Three Methods. The celebrated Haydn was in company with some distinguished persons. The conversation turned on the best means of restoring their mental energies, when exhausted with long and difficult studies. One said, he had recourse in such a case to a bottle of wine; another that he went into company. Haydn, being asked what he would do, or did do, said that he retired to his closet and engaged in prayer, and that nothing exerted on his mind a more happy and efficacious influence than prayer. Haydn was enthusiast. no 1462. Town Clerk of Ephesus.— Cotton Mather often quoted the remark of a friend, that there was a gentleman named in the 19th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, to whom we were more indebted than to any other man in the world. This was the prudent town clerk,' who earnestly advised the excited people to do nothing rashly. On all occasions of consequence, or of urgent haste, he would say, 'Friends, let us first advise with the town clerk of Ephesus.' 1463. True Source of Comfort.The following pleasing fact is related of her present Majesty:When King William IV. expired at Windsor Castle about midnight, the Archbishop of Canterbury immediately hastened to acquaint the Princess Victoria of her succession to the throne. Our beloved Sovereign was then residing at Kensington, and on the arrival of the prelate, before daylight, she at once hastily prepared herself for the interview. On receiving the momentous intelligence the youthful Queen became much agitated, but her first words were, "I ask your prayers on my behalf." They kneeled down together, and our Queen began her reign in the spirit of Solomon of old, by imploring from the King of kings "a wise and understanding heart." 1464. Understanding by the Grace of God.-As a specimen of Christian activity in church members, Mr. Fisch, a French pastor, and for thirteen years minister at Lyons, related the following at a festival of Christians of all denominations, held in Barmen. A member of his church, a poor old shoemaker, worked in a place which was more like a large box than a Besides himself, there was only space enough to accommodate one person, who sat upon a board brought in for that purpose, but seldom empty. Generally some person sat there to whom the shoemaker preached room. that seat was the board. The learned man, with Epistle to the Romans. Upon the 1465. Vain Wisdom.-Hillel the wise had a disciple whose name was Maimon. In natural gifts he greatly delighted. But soon Hillel perceived that his youthful friend trusted too much in his own wisdom, and wholly discarded the aid of prayer. The youth said in Christ while he was at work. Mr. Fisch once met a learned professor of the University of Paris, a member of the Legion of Honour, at the house of a friend in the country, where they spent a couple of weeks together. In the course of conversation, the professor told Mr. Fisch that he had tried to be satisfied his heart, "Why should we pray? with the religion of Roman Catho- Does the Almighty need our words licism, and again with that of in order to aid and bless us? Then Protestantism, but both attempts is He human. Can man's sighs had only alienated him from Chris- and petitions change the counsels tianity the more. Mr. Fisch ad- of the Eternal? Will not the Allvised him to make a third attempt, merciful of Himself bestow what and recommended to him the read- is good and needful ?" Such were ing of the New Testament, especi- the young's man's thoughts. But ally the Epistle to the Romans. Hillel was grieved in his soul that The professor thought such reading Maimon considered himself wiser was fit only for old women, but than the Divine Word, and he consented to try it. After some determined to reprove him. One days, being questioned as to his day, when Maimon went to Hillel, progress, he replied, "Evidently he found him sitting in his garden, it is not a book for old women. I leaning his head upon his hand, have read the Epistle to the Ro- and he said, “Master, where are mans, and I assure you I cannot thy thoughts?" Then Hillel raised understand a word of it. And if I his head and answered in these cannot understand it, how can words, "I have a friend who lives any one understand it ?" Mr. Fisch upon the produce of his lands, maintained that there were per- which until now he has cultivated sons who understood the Epistle, with care, and has been richly reand offered to introduce the pro-warded for his pains. But now he fessor to them. Half in sport and has thrown aside plough and half from curiosity, the professor | mattock, and no more cultivates accepted the offer, and Mr. Fisch his field. Thus he will soon come brought him to the old shoemaker, to poverty, and lack the necessaries and put him into his box, remain ing himself without, that the professor might have the seat upon of life." "Has a spirit of illhumour seized him, or has he become a fool?" asked the youth. "Neither," answered Hillel; "he is well skilled in all human and sacred wisdom. But he says, 'The Lord is almighty, so that He can easily supply my wants without my bending my head to labour. He is good, so that He will open His kind hand to bless my table.' And how can it be contradicted?" "How!" said the youth; "is it not tempting the Lord God? Hast thou not told him so, master?" Then Hillel smiled, and said, "I will do so now. Thou, my beloved Maimon, art the friend of whom I spake." "I!" said the youth in amazement. Ay," said the old man; "dost thou not tempt the Lord? Is prayer less than labour? and are spiritual gifts less than the 66 fruits of the field? And is He who commands thee to labour for earthly goods other than He who bids thee raise thy heart to heaven to implore heavenly blessings? my son, be humble, believe and pray!" So spake Hillel, and Maimon went away to pray, and henceforth his life was a godly one. 1466. Warnings not to be Despised. A celebrated preacher thus illustrates contempt of God's admonitions: "A very skilful bowman went to the mountains in search of game. All the beasts of the forest fled at his approach. The lion alone challenged him to combat. The bowman immediately let fly an arrow, and said to the lion, I send thee my messenger, that from him thou mayest learn what I myself shall be when I assail thee. The lion, thus wounded, rushed away in great fear, and on a fox exhorting him to be of good courage, and not to run away at the first attack, 'You counsel me in vain, for if he sends so fearful a messenger, how shall I abide the attack of the man himself ?'" the candidates, towards the hour of sunrise, eagerly looked towards the east, but one, to the astonishment of his countrymen, fixed his eyes pertinaciously on the opposite side of the horizon, where he saw the reflection of the sun's rays before the orb itself was seen by those looking towards the east. The choice instantly fell on him who had seen the reflection of the sun. 1468. Word Fitly Spoken.-It is related of a farmer who had long neglected the house of God and indulged in the use of profane language, that he one day lost a bank-note in his barn. He searched for it in vain. At length he said, "That note is in the barn, and Ỉ will search for it until I find it." Accordingly he went to the barn, and carefully moved the hay and straw, hour after hour, till he found the note. A few weeks before this he had been awakened to a sense of his need of a Saviour, and had A earnestly sought to live a better few weeks after he lost the note he life. His anxiety increased. sat by the fire musing on the state of his soul, when he turned to his wife and asked, "What must one do to become a Christian ?" "You must seek for it," she replied, "as you sought for the bank-note." 1469. Young Student.-Gassendi, who flourished in the middle of the seventeenth century, exhibits one of the most striking instances of the precocity of the human intellect. "At the age of four declaim his little sermons; at the "he used to years," says Bernier, age of seven he used to steal away from his parents and spend a great part of the night in observing the stars. This made his friends say that he was born an astronomer. At this age he had a dispute with the boys of the village whether 1467. Wise Choice. When the the moon or the clouds moved. Sidonians were once going to To convince them that the moon choose a King, they determined did not move, he took them bethat their election should fall upon hind a tree and made them take the man who should first see the notice that the moon kept its sun on the following morning. All situation between the same leaves |