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adjusted, but in vain; angry words prevailed, and both parties were so obstinate that they separated more offended with each other than before. When Nicetas was gone, John began to reflect on his own pertinacity, and although his cause was good, Yet," said he, "can I think that God will be pleased with this anger and stubbornness? The night draweth on, and shall I suffer the sun to go down upon my wrath? This is impious, and opposed to the Apostle's advice." He therefore sent some respectable friends to Nicetas, and charged them to deliver this message to him, and no more: "O sir, the sun

is going down!" Nicetas was much affected, his eyes were filled with tears; he hastened to the Patriarch, and, saluting him in the most gentle manner, exclaimed, "Father, I will be ruled by you in this or any other matter." They embraced each other affectionately, and settled the dispute instantly.

24. Two Brothers.-Euclid, a disciple of Socrates, having offended his brother, the latter cried out in a rage, "Let me die, if I am not revenged on you one time or other!" to whom Euclid replied, "And let me die, if I do not soften you by my kindnesses, and make you love me as well as ever!"

BACKSLIDING.

Deut. iv. 9; Psalm cxxv. 5; Prov. xiv. 14; Matt. xii. 45; Luke ix. 62. 25. Declension from Grace.-Mr. salvation of my soul. For several Child, of Bedford, who lived about two centuries since, in early life professed religion, and was for some years zealous in its extension, both by preaching and writing. But, yielding to temptation, and indulging a spirit of pride, he became the avowed enemy of the Gospel, and wrote a book against the truths he had professed to love. After this, he was brought into a very awful state of mind, absolutely despairing of the mercy of God being extended to him. He was visited by several ministers and others, but without any good effect, and at last committed suicide by hanging himself in his own house.

26. Dying in Sin.-An American minister relates the following:When I was travelling in the State of Massachusetts, after preaching one evening in the town of —, a very serious-looking young man arose, and wished to address the assembly. After obtaining leave, he spoke as follows:-"My friends, about one year ago I set out in company with a young man, an intimate acquaintance, to seek the

weeks we went on together, we laboured together, and often renewed our engagement, never to give over seeking till we obtained the religion of Jesus. But all at once the young man neglected to attend public worship, appeared to turn his back on all the means of grace, and grew so shy of me, that I could scarcely get an opportunity to speak with him. His strange conduct gave me much painful anxiety of mind; but still I felt resolved to obtain the salvation of my soul, or perish making the publican's plea. After a few days, a friend informed me that my companion had received an invitation to attend a ball, and was determined to go. I went immediately to him, and, with tears in my eyes, endeavoured to persuade him to change his purpose, and go with me, on that evening, to a prayer-meeting. pleaded with him in vain. told me, when we parted, that I must not give him up as lost, for, after he had attended that ball, he intended to make a business of seeking religion. The appointed

I

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evening came; he went to the ball, conceding and yielding a little and I went to the prayer-meeting. who would be stumbled by his Soon after the meeting opened, it warm and open opposition to the pleased God, in answer to prayer, Church. Bricconet heard, consito turn my spiritual captivity, and dered, his resolution was shakenmake my soul rejoice in His love. he staggered under the cross-he Soon after the ball opened, my stumbled-he fell! The day of his young friend was standing at the recantation was a dark day for head of the ball-room with the France. The great conflict then hand of a young lady in his hand, waging in that country between preparing to lead down the dance; truth and error was sadly affected 66 What his and, while the musician was tuning by the Bishop's fall." his violin, without one moment's enemies represented as the saving warning, the young man fell back- of his country," says the historian, wards dead on the floor. I was "was perhaps the worst of its immediately sent for to assist in misfortunes. What might not have devising means to convey his re-been the consequence if Bricconet mains to his father's house. You had possessed the courage of will be better able to judge what Luther!" were the emotions of my heart,

28. St. John and the Robber

what my grief, when I tell you Captain. When the Apostle

that that young man was my own brother."

John, it is stated, was once on а tour, visiting the Christian 27. Episcopal Apostasy.-Bric- Churches of that day, observconet, Bishop of Meaux in France, in ing a youth of a remarkably inthe sixteenth century, catching the teresting countenance, he warmly spirit of reform at that time per- recommended him to the care of a vading Germany and Switzerland, particular pastor. The young man zealously opposed some grosser was baptised, and, for a time, lived errors and views of the Romish as a Christian; but, being gradually Church. Having been twice am- corrupted by bad company, he was bassador to Rome, a bishop, a rendered idle and intemperate, and noble, an intimate friend of the at length so dishonest as to bereigning and preceding monarch, come the captain of a band of he was looked upon as one of the robbers. Some time afterwards, great pillars of the Reformation. the Apostle had occasion to inquire A change of government comes, of the pastor concerning the young the Inquisition is set up, and Bric- man, who told him that he was conet becomes the first object now dead to God, and that he inof their vengeance. "The poor habited a mountain over against Bishop," says D'Aubigné, "who his church. John, in the vehehad been so sanguine in the hope mence of his charity, went to the to see the Reformation gradually and silently winning its way into men's minds, trembled in dismay when he found at the eleventh hour that it must be purchased by life itself. No alternatives were presented him but death and recantation; and to the latter the minions of the Pope urged him by the most plausible pretexts. They pretended they too were anxious for a reformation, that all was going on by insensible steps, that many would be won over by his

place, and exposed himself to be taken by the robbers. "Bring me," said he, "to your captain." The young robber beheld him coming; and, as soon as he knew the aged and venerable Apostle, he was struck with shame, and fled. John followed him, and cried, "My son, why fliest thou from thy father, unarmed and old? Fear not; as yet there remaineth hope of salvation. Believe me, Christ hath sent me." Hearing this, the young man stood still, trembled,

and wept bitterly. John prayed, he leave him, till he felt assured exhorted, and brought him back to that he was fully restored by the society of Christians; nor did Divine grace.

BENEVOLENCE AND WELL-DOING.

Prov. iii. 9, xi. 25, xiii. 7; Luke vi. 38; Acts xx. 35; Hebrews xiii. 16.

Is it

31. Freely Given.

29. Disinterested Gift.-The Rev. A poor J. W. Fletcher, of Madeley, once widow contributed to the Dorpatian visited Dublin for a few weeks. Branch of the Russian Bible After his last sermon, he was Society a rouble; and, to the quespressed to accept a sum of money tion whether that sum was not as an acknowledgment for his ser- rather too much for one in her vices. He firmly refused it, but circumstances, she answered, his friends continued to urge it upon "Love is not afraid of giving too him. He at length took the much." purse in his hand, and said, "Well, do you really force it upon me? Must I accept of it? entirely mine? And may I do with it as I please?" "Yes, yes," was the reply. "God be praised, then; God be praised!" said he, casting his brimful eyes to heaven; "behold what a mercy is here! Your poor's fund was just out: I heard some of you complaining that it never was so low before. Take this purse. God has sent it to you, raised it among yourselves, and bestowed it upon your poor. It is sacred to them. God be praised! I thank you, I heartily thank you, my dear kind brethren."

30. Foxe and Bishop Aylmer.When Foxe, the author of the "Book of Martyrs," was once leaving the palace of Aylmer, the Bishop of London, a company of poor people importunately begged him to relieve their wants. Foxe, having no money, returned to the Bishop, and asked the loan of five pounds, which was readily granted; he immediately distributed it among the poor by whom he was surrounded. Some months afterwards, Aylmer asked Foxe for the money he had borrowed. "I have laid it out for you," was the answer, "and paid it where you owed it-to the poor people who lay at your gate." Far from being offended, Aylmer thanked Foxe for being his steward.

32. Fuller's Memory.-Thomas Fuller had once occasion to attend on a committee of sequestration, sitting at Waltham, in Essex. He engaged in conversation with them, and was much commended for his powers of memory. "Tis true, gentlemen," observed he, "that fame has given me the report of being a memorist; and, if you please, I will give you a specimen of it." The gentlemen gladly acceded to the proposal, and, laying aside their business, requested him to begin. "You want a specimen of my memory, and you shall have thought fit to sequestrate a poor a good one. Your Worships have but honest parson in my neighbourhood, and to commit him to prison. The unfortunate man has a large family of children, and, as his circumstances are but indifferent, if you will have the goodness to release him out of prison, I pledge myself never to forget the kindness while I live." It is said that the jest had so good an effect on the committee that they restored the poor clergyman to his living.

33. Generosity of a Merchant.-A Mr. Colstone, of Bristol, who lived a century ago, was remarkable for his liberality to the poor, and equally distinguished for his success in commerce. The Providence of God seemed to smile on the conçerns of one who made so good a

use of his affluence. It has been through several rooms into his said that he never insured, nor private closet, and, having shut ever lost a ship. Once, indeed, a the door, went to his desk, vessel belonging to him, on her and took out a purse and gave it voyage home, struck on a rock, and to the applicant, saying, "There immediately sprung a leak, by is money to pay your debts, and a which so much water was admitted trifle for yourself." The humble as to threaten speedy destruction. petitioner, overwhelmed with such Means were instantly adopted to unlooked-for kindness, dropped on save the vessel, but all seemed in- his knees, and made a stammering effectual, as the water rose rapidly. effort to thank the King, but a flood In a short time, however, the leak of tears prevented him. His stopped, without any apparent cause, Majesty instantly put forth his and the vessel reached Bristol in hand, and, with considerable safety. On examining her bottom, emotion, exclaimed, "Get up, get a fish, said to be a dolphin, was up; thank God that I have it in found fast wedged in the fracture my power to help an honest made by the rock when she struck; man." and this had prevented any water from entering during the remainder 35. Gifts of the Poor.-A misof the voyage. As a memorial of sionary at Kaluaaha, a little town this singular event, the figure of a on Molaki, one of the Sandwich dolphin is carved on the staves Islands, describing his monthly which are carried in procession, on meetings, reports that there were public occasions, by the children seldom less than a hundred persons who are educated at the charity present. "Most of those who schools founded by Mr. Colstone. attend," he added, "have during contributing, for benevolent purthe past year been in the habit of poses, one stick of wood each per month. And I can assure you that it is no uninteresting sight to see men, women, and sometimes children, bringing their humble offerings on their shoulders from the distance of one, two, or more miles. The men go into the mountains, and get the sticks, both for themselves and their wives; but the latter bring and present their own. Though the people are superlatively poor, yet their contributions in one year in this way will amount to not far from five pounds."

34. George III. and the Poor Man. -In his funeral sermon for George III., the Rev. A. Redford stated that a respectable mechanic, who had the honour and happiness to be personally known to his Majesty, was, through affliction in his family, brought into some pecuniary straits. He was advised to present a petition to the King, stating his circumstances. He did so; and his Majesty was pleased to appoint a certain hour on the next morning, when he was ordered to be in waiting. He went accordingly to the gate of the Queen's lodge, but through diffidence did not ring for admittance. He lingered until the 36. Giving up a Legacy.-One appointed time was past by a few day a friend of the Rev. A. Booth said minutes, when the King came out to him, "I find, sir, that you have with some attendants. He in- lost a valuable member of your stantly observed the petitioner, and Church." "Yes," he replied, "and said, rather sharply, "I desired you she has left me a legacy;" at the to be here precisely at such an same time adding, There are hour: it is now five minutes past those of her own family who stand the time. You know that I am more in need of it than I do." He punctual.' His Majesty conde- then asked his friend, whether, scendingly turned back, saying, under such circumstances, he "Follow me." He proceeded thought it would be right in him to

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only be purchased at a great price, I have cheerfully laboured the whole of my life to procure for them this great blessing; and I direct that the whole of my property shall be laid out in building an aqueduct for their use."

receive it, for that he himself that the poor of Marseilles are ill thought it would not. The legacy supplied with water, which can was nevertheless transferred to him, in conformity with the will of the deceased. Some time afterwards, Mr. Booth went to the Bank of England, and, without saying anything more on the subject to his friend, executed a transfer of the legacy to one nearly related to the family of the deceased, for whose benefit he relinquished it.

suppose, praying with her beggars." The Prince shook his head, and said, "Lady Charlotte, when I am dying, I think I shall be happy to seize the skirt of Lady Huntingdon's mantle, to carry me up with her to heaven."

40. Luther's Joachim. The letter of a traveller in Switzer

39. Lady Huntingdon and "her Beggars."-No sooner did Lady Huntingdon become the subject of 37. Good Prescription.-Gold- Divine grace, than her change of smith had studied physic in his mind was observed by her aristoyouth, and a poor woman, hearing of cratic associates, who endeavoured his great humanity, solicited him in a in vain to turn her aside from the letter to send her something for her path she had chosen. One day, at husband, who had lost his appetite Court,the then Prince of Wales asked and was reduced to a most melan- Lady Charlotte E, "Where choly state. The good-natured is my Lady Huntingdon, that she poet waited on her instantly, and, is so seldom here ?" The lady of after some discourse with his fashion replied, with a sneer, "I patient, found him sinking in sickness and poverty. The doctor told him they should hear from him in an hour, when he would send them some pills which he believed would prove efficacious. He immediately went home and put ten guineas into a pill-box, with the following label: "These must be used as necessities require; land relates the following:-" I be patient, and of good heart.' He sent his servant with this was told a great deal at Geneva about M. Legrand, who lately prescription to the comfortless died there. He W06 a friend mourner, who found it contained of the celebrated Oberlin, very a remedy superior to drugs and wealthy, and remarkable for potions. his simplicity. M. Legrand, while 38. Guyot and his Aqueduct.-holding a meeting one day, and A man of the name of Guyot speaking of the numerous neceslived and died in the town of Mar- sities of the Church of Bohemia, seilles, in France. He amassed a where many of the pastors' wives large fortune by laborious industry go barefoot, made an appeal to the and severe habits of abstinence and liberality of his auditors, and, to privation. His neighbours con- encourage them, he related this sidered him a miser, and thought anecdote: One day, Luther was that he was hoarding up money completely penniless, and neverfrom mean and avaricious motives. theless was applied to for money The populace pursued him, when- to aid an important Christian enever he appeared, with hootings terprise. He reflected a little, and and execrations, and the boys recollected that he had a beautiful sometimes threw stones at him. medal of Joachim, Elector of He at length died, and in his will Bradenburg, which he very much were found the following words :- prized; he went immediately to "Having observed from my infancy the drawer, opened it, and said,