FACTS, HINTS, AND GEMS. Facts, Hints, and Gems. Facts. OUR POPULATION. The Census of 1851 was a great work. 38,740 persons were employed in as many districts of England, Wales, Scotland, and the islands, who all did their work on one day, March 31. The seven million schedules weighed forty tons, which formed 1,250,000 pages, with twenty millions of distinct entries. The Sum Total presented, 16,921,888 in England, 1,005,721 in Wales, 2,888,742 in Scotland, 143,126 in islands, and 162,490 in ships or in the army-total 21,121,967, beside 33,775 travelling abroad. All in one line, these twenty one millions, allowing ten yards for ten persons, would extend over nearly half the globe, or twelve thousand miles; or if in one solid body, with one square yard for each, an area of seven square miles would be filled up. Ireland is not included in the above. Its population of 6,553,178 added, will make the whole population of the United Kingdom 27,675,145. The Whole Empire may be stated as follows:-India, 100,000,000; Ceylon, 1,500,000; British North America, 1,750,000; the Cape Colony, 200,000; British West Indies, 1,000,000; Australia, excluding natives and Tasmania, 500,000; New Zealand, including natives, 150,000; and 100,000 may be added for minor dependencies. This aggregate, with that of the United Kingdom, makes a grand total of more than 132,500,000 persons under the sway of Queen Victoria. How delightful is the fact that this mighty nation is the land whence issues the Word of Life in such copious streams to bless all the nations with life and salvation! Hints. We usually give about half a score, shall call— but now we only give one, which we "BEGONE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS." In the days of our forefathers, when sun-dials were common, it was agreed to fix one on the walls of the Middle Temple, London, with a motto. The maker of the dial sent his foreman for the motto, who could only find one bencher in attendance, and he was very busy. The foreman was very abruptly asked what he wanted. Please, sir," said the man a little confused at the mode in which he was addressed, "my master sent me for the motto." "Motto, motto-what motto? I know nothing of a motto," said the bencher. "The motto for the sun-dial, please, sir," said the man, "which your honours promised to have ready." "I told you," said the honourable bencher, "I know nothing about any motto, or sun-dial either. You should have been here much sooner. I cannot be delayed by you any longer. Begone about your business.” The man, abashed, at once withdrew, and returned to his master, who was anxiously waiting for the promised inscription. "Well, John," said he, "have you seen the gentlemen?" "Yes, sir," said John, "I saw one very queer gentleman, who appeared to be in a great hurry to get away." "And what did he tell you?" said the master. "Sir," said John, "he first said he knew nothing about any motto, and then in a loud voice told me, Begone about your business;' so I hurried home as quickly as I could." FACTS, HINTS, AND GEMS. "Oh! very well," said the master, who was a bit of a wag: "that will do famously." And on the next day the walls of the Middle Temple were adorned with a first-rate sundial, on which stood out, in large and attractive letters, the sage and appropriate motto 66 BEGONE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS." A capital motto it was too! God has given every man his work, and the time to do it in; and happy are those who can always make the hour and its duty go hand in hand. Gems. Adapted from John Newton, who, from being a depraved sailor, became a pious minister. PROVIDENCE IN LITTLE THINGS. -It may not matter to you which street you take in going home, but in taking one rather than the other, you may come in the way of what will affect all your future life. IMPORTANCE OF MOTIVES.-If I tell a man to fly, I ought to find him wings; and so if I would enforce moral duties, I must furnish sound motives. THE MOST PERFECT MAN.-If an angel were sent to seek him, he would probably not find him compiling a body of divinity; but some poor pauper whom the parish wished dead, but who was bearing all with humble patience. DOORS OPEN OR SHUT.-The Lord sometimes sets before his servants an open door, and sometimes he seems to shut it. John Bunyan would never have done half the good he did if he had gone on preaching. He was shut up in Bedford Gaol for twelve years; but he sent out his Pilgrim to travel over the whole earth to preach to all nations and in all time. IF TWO ANGELS were sent from heaven to do good on earth, they would not dispute which should rule an empire, and which teach a little child. HOPELESS EFFORTS. - I have given over meddling with matters I cannot mend. I have tried to make some rough things smooth until I have made my knuckles sore. I must leave such things to the Lord. Nothing is too hard for him. ASSURANCE of our interest in Christ is a great mercy, but it is best proved by its power to quench sin. If David had talked of his the commission of his great sin, I assurance when he had come from should have set him down as a selfdeceiver or an hypocrite. Poetic Selections. THE SABBATH-DAY. Come thrice welcome Sabbath-day. And gather round the mercy seat. Thus may we all our sabbaths spend, That when our labours here shall end, We too may gain that heavenly shore, Where sabbath-days shall ne'er be o'er. R. C. A SIGHT OF THE CROSS. Look, my soul, at yonder tree! There's atonement made for thee, Which can now thy guilt remove, Make thee pure like those above. Lo! I see the purple tide, Flowing from my Saviour's side; When that blood is once applied, I have peace through him that died. While I stand beneath the cross, Earthly things I count but dross; There the world assumes no charm, Death and hell give no alarm. Here I would for ever sit, At my great Redeemer's feet; And from thence I would arise, To my crown above the skies. J. D 'Twas winter time, and all was fast | And then he started off again In icy fetters bound, And shun the house of prayer. Doth God's word fully prove; A youth one morn with christians met, And heard of Jesus's love. Conviction reached his heart; Which quickly pass away; 140 Soon as these words he spoke; He quickly sunk to rise no more, Had very truly said. His parents were overwhelm'd with grief, When they beheld their son Sinking in death without relief, His precious soul undone. Had he the voice of God obey'd, And walk'd in wisdom's way, Untimely death he'd not have met Upon the sabbath-day. From this sad tale a warning take, And shun the ways of sin; This day at once begin. The Saviour says, "Seek ye my face;" J. F. WINKS, STEAM-PRESS, LEICESTER. J. D. THE CHRISTIAN PIONEER; A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, ISSUED IN NUMBERS, ONE HALFPENNY EACH. EDITED BY JOSEPH F. WINKS. VOLUME VIII. 1854. LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & Co. LEICESTER: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY WINKS & SON. |