Charles, "I must confess I should think it a piece of great impudence in them." "Well, then, how canst thou, a Christian prince, too, do that which thou utterly condemnest in these people whom thou callest savages? Yes, friend Charles, and suppose again that these Indians, on thy refusal to give up thy island of Great Britain, were to make war on thee, and having weapons more destructive than thine, were to destroy many of thy subjects, and to drive the rest away, dost thou not think it horribly cruel?" The king assented to this with marks of conviction. William proceeded-"Well, then, friend THE EPICURE'S PROVERB. "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die."-1 Cor. xv. 32. THIS is the epicure's proverb, begun upon a weak mistake, started by chance from the discourses of drink, and thought witty by the undiscerning company, and prevailed infinitely, because it struck their fancy luckily, and maintained the merry meeting; but as it happens commonly to such discourses, so this also, when it comes to be examined by the consultations of the morning, and the sober hours of the day, it seems the most witless and the most unreasonable in the world. Sentenced persons have but little stomach to feast high. And there is also the same proportion of unreasonableness, that because men shall "die to-morrow," and by the sentence and unalterable decree of God they are now descending to their graves, that therefore they should first destroy their reason, and then force dull time to run faster, that they may die sottish as beasts, and speedily as a fly. But they thought there was no life after this; or if there were, it was without pleasure, and every soul thrust into a hole, and a dorter of a span's length allowed for his rest, and for his walk; and in the shades below no numbering of healths, no fat mullets, no oysters of Lucrinus, no Lesbian or Chian wines. Therefore now enjoy the delicacies of nature, and feel the descending wines distilled through the limbeck of thy tongue and larynx, and suck the delicious juices of fishes, the marrow of the laborious ox, and the tender lard of Apulian swine, and the condited bellies of the scarus; but lose no time, for the sun drives hard, and the shadow is long, and "the days of mourning are at hand," but the number of the days of darkness and the grave cannot be told. Thus they thought they discoursed wisely, and their wisdom was turned into folly; for all their arts of providence, and witty securities of pleasure, were nothing but unmanly prologues to death, fear, and folly, sensuality and beastly pleasures. But they are to be excused rather than we. They placed themselves in the order of beasts and birds, and esteemed their bodies nothing but receptacles of flesh and wine, larders and pantries; and their soul the fine instrument of pleasure and brisk perception of relishes and gusts, reflections and duplications of delight; and therefore they treated themselves accordingly. But then, why we should do the same things, who are led by other principles, and a more severe institution, and better notices of immortality, who understand what shall happen to a soul hereafter, and know that this time is but a passage to eternity, this body but a servant to the soul, this soul a minister to the Spirit, and the whole man in order to God and felicity-this, I say, is more unreasonable than to eat poison-berries to preserve our health, and to enter into the flood that we may die a dry death; this is perfect contradiction to the state of good things whither we are designed, and to all the principles of a wise philosophy, whereby we are instructed that we may become "wise unto salvation."-Jeremy Taylor. THE EXALTING INFLUENCE OF PRAYER. which we are akin to angels and to LORD, SAVE THE LORD, save the children! said a pious man who was engaged in prayer at a revival prayer-meeting. Lord, save the children!! And he repeated the petition a third time, Lord, save the children!!! He was the father of two lovely children, a son and a daughter, who were both present. His prayer awakened many a hearty response, for as often as he cried out, Lord save the children, a host of devout worshippers said amen. Several persons were sincerely seeking salvation at the time, and special prayer was offered to God on CHILDREN. It their behalf. The prayer of faith prevailed, and tears of grief gave place to joy and gladness. On looking round, two dear children were found on their knees, overwhelmed with grief, and crying for pardon. They were the children of that excellent man who had but a few minutes before so emphatically prayed, "Lord, save the children!" With a burdened heart, the boy came up to the penitents' form, and threw himself down before God, imploring mercy. He was evidently sincere. His little heart completely throbbed with grief, and refused to be com 95 66 LORD, SAVE THE CHILDREN. 66 I forted until assured of pardon. Our sympathies were excited, tears flowed apace, and many a devout heart said, Lord, save the child. The feeling parent was at hand, he knelt behind his penitent son, but whether the father or the child felt most it was difficult to tell. For a time we appeared to make no progress; sobs and sighs were all that could be heard. At length an affectionate voice fell on his ear saying, "My dear boy, do you love Jesus?" "Yes," said he, "I do." "Are you sure of it?" "Yes." "And do you believe his word?" "Yes." "Well, Jesus Christ says, I love them that love me. Do you believe that?" "Yes," said he again, “Yes, I do." 'Well, then, if you love Jesus, and Jesus Christ love you, you must be saved. Oh, how sweet it is to love Jesus!" "It is," said he. "Then you do love him, and can rejoice in him?" Yes," said he again, do!" Scarcely had the last word escaped his lips when a little girl came up to the same form, and threw herself down at his side; it was his sister, his only sister. He appeared quite unconscious that she was there, and no doubt she was too much occupied with the state of her own heart to think about him; but the father saw them both, with feelings which may be conceived, but which no pen can describe. He tried to pray, but was too much affected to proceed. But though utterance was denied the parent, others wrestled with God and prevailed. Questions similar to the above gave that dear little girl to comprehend the simple plan of salvation, whilst the Spirit applied the blood of Christ to her heart, and she was thus enabled to believe to the saving of her soul. Truly, out of the mouths of babes and sucklings God has perfected praise. Brother M. and his little ones rejoiced together. His prayer-"Lord, save the children"-was answered. God magnified his mercy in their experience that very night. They were both saved; and the praying father took home his "new-born babes" to their pious mother with a grateful heart. She knew how to appreciate the blessings they had received, and joyfully pressed them to her bosom as Heirs of the same inheritance, With mutual blessings crowned. Is not this a proof that we have to do with a faithful, covenant-keeping God? He has promised his blessings not only to his servants, but to their seed, and not one jot or tittle of his word can fail. A thousand examples might be cited to verify the truthfulness of Jehovah's promises, and here we have another instance in which they have been fulfilled before our eyes. What an encouragement is this for Christian parents to seek the salvation of their children! They are capable of receiving the grace of God in very early life. It is a great mistake for a parent to suppose that his sons or daughters cannot be saved until they arrive at years of maturity. They may be saved in childhood! And their conversion would be much more easily effected at such a tender age than if deferred to after-life. Then why are not a greater number of children converted? Perhaps our Lord's remark will answer that question, so far as many professedly Christian parents are concerned, "Ye have not, because ye ask not, or ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss." But if children are really capable of receiving the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, should not respect to their safety and happiness induce the parent to seek that blessing for them? Children are heirs of immortality, and a parent's great anxiety should be to train them for the skies. No exertion or sacrifice is deemed too great in promoting their health, and preparing them for respectable stations in life; but whilst that is done, the other should not be left undone. Health, and wealth, and fame, may be dazzling objects in a parent's eye; but they are as the small dust in the balance compared with the salvation of the soul. A parent should be satisfied with nothing less than the conversion of his children. His influence with them is invaluable, and should be always used to their advantage. Teach them the fear of the Lord. Do not be content to leave them in a merely hopeful state, but labour for their conversion. Remember they may receive as clear a sense of pardon as you have yourselves. Therefore, take them by the handtake all of them, and lead them to Christ, in whom they shall find redemption, even the forgiveness of their sins. And, oh! what encouragement does the language of Jesus afford to both parents and children who are inclined to seek him! "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Christian parents, what say you to this? You love your children. You wish to see them saved; and you here see that Christ is ready to receive them. You know the way to his footstool. You have often been there. Well, go again, and take your children with you. Lead them to a throne of grace. Be in earnest for their conversion. Cry out in sincerity, "Lord, save the children," and you shall prevail. The promises are explicit; and, if there is any truth in them, every child that God has given you shall be made a partaker of his grace. The conversion of the children would turn many a wretched home into a paradise. In such a change parents and children are mutually interested, and would eventually rejoice together. It would promote their highest happiness on earth, and prove a delightful prelude to the joys of heaven. God grant that parents and children may be thus prepared to meet around his throne, for Christ's sake, Amen. Liverpool. WM. BAGGALY. ON MOTIVE. "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." -Heb. iv. 13. MOTIVE is to the human mind what the main-spring is to the watch -the impetus to action. Hence it appears of supreme importance when we reflect on man's accountability to his Maker for "the deeds done in the body," that our motives originate in purity of intention, and that they spring from a divine source. Under the mosaic dispensation it was requisite that the animal offered up in sacrifice should be "without blemish." Lev. i. 3. And in like manner our motives, in order to render our works acceptable to the "searcher of hearts," must be pure in his sight; consequently, our deeds of charity must be unostentatious, our worship spiritual, our profession of Christianity sincere, our zeal discreet, our love ardent, our conduct upright, our conversation circumspect; in short, we must have a single eye to the glory of God in all we think, and say, and do. Actions which are apparently good in the sight of men, but which in reality are but the offspring of either selfishness or pride, or some equally hateful motive, are but as "smoke in His nostrils," who is "a quick discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," and are comparable to base and counterfeit coins, which, though very highly gilt, are intrinsically worthless. How needful, therefore, is it that we should give good heed to the proverb, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." Prov. iv. 23. The Scribes and Pharisees drew down upon themselves denunciations of " woe," and expressions of the utter detestation of the impurity of their motives and the abominable hypocrisy of their conduct, from the holy Redeemer, when he indignantly exclaimed, "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but within are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." Matt. xxiii. 27, 28. Stepney. T. WHITE. 97 THE INQUIRY. WHY ARE THERE NOT MORE SOULS CONVERTED IN OUR CONGREGATIONS? "I speak as unto wise men, judge ye what I say." THE inquiry of the three thousand sinners on the day of Pentecost, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" was preceded by the inquiry of the hundred and twenty inquiring saints. It is a general opinion that inquiry belongs exclusively to sinners. Not so. Do we not read in Ezekiel, xxxvi. 37, "Thus saith the Lord God-I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel to do for them"-that is, by his people, by his Church. God requires and expects his covenanted people to Inquire!" True it is, that the saints do not make the same inquiry as sinners the latter ask "What must I do to be saved?" the former, "Wilt thou not revive us again?" It is a blessed state of things when the people of God are inquiring; it is good for themselves, and it has a most benign influence on others. God hears the prayer of faith-the Divine Spirit is poured down, souls are converted, God is glorified, and his children are revived. May God send the inquiring spirit into all our Churches. Again, whenever religion does not flourish amongst us, whenever our Churches are in a cold, lifeless condition, the principal reason GOODLY 1. Of the many things wanting at this time to the forcible expression of Christian life, no one thing is required so much as that we should be converted to our own opinions. 2. The rock followed the Israelites. Every believer has Christ at his back, following him with strength as he goes, for every condition and trial. 3. Let us learn to run up all the mercies we are partakers of to the proper spring-"who loved me, and gave himself for me." 4. As at the Deluge the waters AFFLICTIONS.-As the snowdrop comes amid snow and sleet, appearing as the herald of the rose, and the harbinger of summer, so religion is, the saints are not inquiring. The inquiry-meeting (the prayermeeting) is neglected, or if not neglected, the petitions are cold, formal, and spiritless; there is not the earnest, importunate, wrestling prayer for God to fulfil his promise to do so for them-to give the new heart and the new spirit. Hence the language of the Church is, “Has God forgotten to be gracious?" No, my Christian brethren; the fault is our own, we wonder and lament that sinners are not converted. Are we inquiring? We wonder they do not feel. Do we feel? How can we expect a heart of stone to feel when a heart of flesh does not? Why should we be surprised that sinners sleep when we sleep beside them? May God arouse us to a sense of our duty, to shake ourselves from the dust, to more earnest inquiry; and as sure as our inquiry is more importunate and more believing, so sure shall we have sinners not only roused to a sense of their danger, but we should have souls added to the Church daily, such as are saved. Again I repeat the prayer, May God send the inquiring spirit!" FRANCIS WHITE, London. PEARLS. 66 covered the highest mountains as well as the lowest hills, so pardoning mercy cancels the greatest sins as well as the least. 5. Real religion consists in a pure and heavenly mind, a purged and peaceful conscience, and gospel affections going out after the dear Redeemer. These thou canst not enjoy unless thou maintainest a close union and communion with Christ, which communion is kept up by living faith and fervent prayer. Collected by C. W. comes amid the blight of affliction, to remind us of a perpetual summer, where the sun never retires behind a wintry cloud.-Temple. H |