EASTER MONDAY. Now the crowds of strangers are preparing to leave the city. The weather is oppressively sultry, and the Superintendent of the Police is busy from morning till evening in attaching his Permit on the passports, to allow the strangers to depart in peace. This season the number of English and Americans exceeded ten thousand persons. The fireworks of the night conclude the whole. This takes place on the Piazza Popolo, where one hundred thousand persons may stand and witness the never rivalled exhibition. A large tent, with seats for thousands, is erected for the elite. I had been invited to take a part of one of the windows of Mr. Lewis, and here again met Dr. Guthrie and family, besides several other clergymen and ladies of the higher orders. Not being versed in the technical phraseology of Pyrotechnicks, I can only say that for variety, splendour, and wondrous colours, changes, and sublime bursts of thundering noises like the discharge of artillery, or the rolling thunders of heaven, all I had previously seen or heard in London, Geneva, and Paris, seemed child's play. The worthy Edinburgh doctor was excited beyond measure, and we all expressed that no previous idea could have been formed of the perfect grandeur of the whole scene. I intimated that the revolving wheels of scarlet and blue, with the strange sounds, reminded me forcibly that they well represented the Papacy-a system of glare and show in constant motion, without intellectual progress, and fitted to excite the wonder of the gaping multitude; and equally, like the fireworks, unsubstantial and useless so far as the highest ends of humanity are concerned. May it, too, as speedily end in smoke and darkness, that the true Christ, the Sun. of Righteousness, may shine on long crushed and degraded Italy with the healing influence of His gracious beams! Paddington, May 18, 1865. Theology. JESUS AT BETHANY. JOHN XII. 1-7. rejoiced whenever the steps of the Master brought him to their neighTHE little village of Bethany, plea- bourhood. On the present occasion, santly situated on the high road he came, it is likely to be, as was his running over the Mount of Olives, wont, the guest of Lazarus; but the some two miles or so from Jeru- evening meal was to be taken with salem, was much endeared to Jesus, friends at the house of Simon. It by his having frequently sojourned might be larger, and more commothere with a beloved and loving dious for the purpose; or in this household. Here lived Lazarus, with way, the two friends might have his two sisters, Martha and Mary. agreed together to divide their attenHere, too, Simon, who had been a tion, and share the honour of receivleper-whom Jesus had miraculously ing Jesus. Martha was busy in cleansed from his leprosy, even as preparation and service; Mary was he had recalled Lazarus from the happy in her listening love. It is grave. Other disciples, no doubt, interesting to notice, in the gospel resided in the village and in the narratives, how every character, once immediate vicinity, who were all introduced, retains, throughout, its own identity; and this, often, under wasted on Him!) and they asked very great alterations of circum-"for what purpose" such waste was? stances. It was perfectly natural They began to calculate the value of that Martha and Mary should just the ointment; they might, perhaps, do what they are here said to have exaggerate it; some thought it might been doing. Martha's occupation is have been sold "for much;" others here described, and Mary's we can fixed on "three hundred pence," readily conjecture. The Evangelists (between £9 and £10) as what it are the most simple, the least arti- might have fetched; while Judas ficial writers in the world,-their asked, "why it had not been sold" preservation of the harmony and for that sum, and "given to the unity of a character was not the poor," that is, given to him,-to him result of design, but itself resulted as the keeper of the bag, to whose from their just recording the truth custody the twelve entrusted their as they knew it. little store; "not that he cared for As the evening proceeded, the the poor," but "because he was a company were startled by a remark- thief," and thought that from such a able incident. Mary, after looking sum he could have stolen largely at the Master as he lay on the couch, without detection. It is really appearing, probably, fatigued and terrible to think how the greatest sad, rose up, went behind him, and virtue and the greatest villany-the taking " an alabaster box of oint- largest and the meanest soul-selfment of spikenard, very costly," sacrificing love and intense selfish"very precious," pound's ness-ineffable goodness and sordid weight," she broke the seal that lust may come together into nearsecured it in the vessel, and then ness and contact in a world like "poured it on his head," and "on this! Only think,-Jesus and Judas his feet." All present were taken in the same room! But it is so still; by surprise; and "the house was such sorts of contact can yet occur, filled with the odour of the oint- though not of beings so largely ment." It was an act of love, grati- apart. A delicate, loving, puretude, respect; it required at the minded woman, may have sat in the moment a strong impulse, but it same public carriage with a murderer was not merely the result of impulse. or murderess, reeking with blood, The act had been meditated; she and fleeing from justice! In the had, most probably, saved and hus- same company may be conversing banded that she might make the together, eminent piety and secret purchase; she had "kept" it by her sin! Touching each other, in the for some time; the fitting oppor- same pew, in the Church of God, tunity was at length afforded, and may be one who is "simple conher hoarded treasure and her hoarded cerning evil," and one to whom vice love were poured out at the same has left nothing unrevealed! moment, and in the same act. In spite of her magnanimity and her approving consciousness, Mary was "troubled" by the murmurings "And there were some that had indignation!" Some of his disciples -his, who was thus honoured that arose around her. But they were looked on, not only without approval, silenced, and she was re-assured by but with positive displeasure! They the words of the Master, which were felt indignant;-then they "mur- reproof to them and approval of her. mured," then, what was "within He gave an interpretation of what them" they put into more distinct she had done, above the meaning of and articulate speech, they called her will-and rewarded her by a preit "waste," (as if anything could be diction beyond her feelings of desert. Family Miscellany. AN ARAB STORY. "Because," not?" asked Daher. IN the tribe of Neggedeh, there was a horse whose fame was spread far and near, and a Bedouin of another tribe, by name Daher, desired extremely to possess it. Having offered Struck with shame for it, in vain, his camps and his I have been." whole wealth, he hit at length upon at these words, Daher was silent for the following device, by which he a moment, then, springing from the hoped to gain the object of his horse, returned it to its owner, emdesires. He resolved to stain his bracing him, inviting him to his face with the juice of an herb, to tent, where they spent a few days, clothe himself with rags, to tie his and became fast friends for life. legs and neck together, so as to appear like a lame beggar. Thus equipped, he went to wait for Naber, the owner of the horse, who he knew BLIND ELLA. was to pass that way. When he ELLA W was a dear little girl, saw Naber approaching on his beau- with beautiful brown eyes, and dark tiful steed, he cried out in a weak curling hair brushed smoothly back voice, I am a poor stranger; for from a fair, high forehead. When three days I have been unable to she was about four years of age, she move from this spot to seek food. I suffered severely from an attack of am dying; help me, and heaven scarlet fever, and the medicine given will reward you." The Bedouin to check the disease affected her kindly offered to take him upon his eyes so severely that she soon behorse, and take him home; but the came totally blind. When she first rogue replied, "I cannot, I have no knew the dreadful truth, she grieved strength left." so much, that she would frequently wake in the night, and cry with touching pathos, "Papa! mamma! do you think I shall never, never see again?" Then sobbing piteously, she would throw herself into their arms, and be soothed by their fond words, and loving caresses. But weeks, months, and even years passed, and the beautiful things of earth seemed only as a dream to poor little Ella-no! I will not call her poor, for she is rich, O how rich! Naber, touched with pity, dismounted, led his horse to the spot, and with great difficulty got the seeming beggar on his back. No sooner did Daher feel himself in the saddle, than he put spurs to the horse and gallopped off, calling out as he did so, "It is I, Daher; I have got the horse, and I am off with it." Naber called after him to stop and listen. Certain of not being pursued, he turned and halted a short distance from Naber, who Her father and mother are both was armed with a spear. "You have taken my horse," said the latter, "and, since heaven has so willed it, I wish you much joy of it; but I conjure you not to tell anyone how you obtained it." "And why sleeping the sleep that knows no waking here, and have left her and her sister Minnie to the care of a kind aunt, never forgetting Him who looks with tender pity upon orphans in their affliction, and who himself will be a Father to the fatherless. | and her eyes, beautiful even in their And Ella has found that sweet earthly blindness, must have beheld peace which casts joy over even her wondrous visions which God doth shadowed path. prepare for them that love him. One of the last services her mother Yes: the peace which passeth all was able to perform, was to stand in understanding is impressed upon God's house, to see her blind daugh- the youthful features, and Ella is ter consecrate herself to the service doing a noble work, if she can thus of Him who will never leave nor teach others, by her sweet docility forsake. O how happy must have and patience, to be content with been the mother's heart, to feel that what a kind Heavenly Father has she should not leave her child alone, been pleased to appoint. but that Jesus would be that child's loving Saviour and Comforter, when she herself should have passed away. Could you see Ella now, you would think, with me, that she must be rich in heavenly riches, if not with those which perish with the using. Her smile is one of the sweetest; Dear children, when tempted to murmur at your lot, remember the cheerfulness with which Ella W———— now seeks to make life pleasant to those about her, and do not repine while your eyes are still permitted to behold the lovely works which God has so lavishly scattered about us. Poetry. BE NOT IDLE. BE not idle; there is work enough for all, To arouse earth's slumbering throng; For throughout her fields are springing weed and thorn, That the good seed, waking to the light of morn, May rejoice the harvest moon! Broken hearts there are to bind, and wounds to heal; Lonely orphans to console, And make happy with heart-sunshine, till they feel Strengthened to attain life's goal; Faint and weary ones there ever are, who need Some kind word and helping hand; Lambs are wandering from the fold, for some to lead To the shepherd-tended band: Then, oh, be not idle, but awake to life; Make an impress in the world; Fighting for the right in every scene of strife, 'Neath heaven's banner wide unfurled! And for seed thus late and early sown, Thou shalt see the springing grain, Which for thee, when for the heavenly garner grown, General Correspondence. THE SCHEDULES AND MINUTES the recognized institutions of the de OF THE ASSOCIATION. MR. EDITOR Dear Sir,-With your permission, I beg to call the attention of the churches to the following matters in relation to the forthcoming Association. Should any church fail to receive a schedule, one may be obtained on application to Messrs. Winks & Son, Leicester. It is very desirable that each church should return the schedule as directed, with the statistics and contributions accurately stated. Both expense and trouble will thus be avoided. It is also important that the full number of copies of "The Minutes" likely to be required should be ordered at or before the Association, as only limited number will be printed. I am, my dear sir, THOS. BARRASS. EXTENSION OF THE DENOMI- MR. EDITOR a nomination, we should soon have a very different state of things. Our venerable and respected brother whom the late Rev. W. Pickering the late Richard Ingham, and with sympathized, endeavoured to obtai vain. It was thought, I believe, by the recognition of this principle, but i some, a violation of Christian liberty hence we are where we are. The first named brother, in his earnest zeal for IS IT NOT TRUE? Dear Sir,-The stirring remarks of Nil Desperandum on the present state and progress of our denomination, one would have expected to have called forth a response from some quarter or another. At present, however, such does not appear to be the case. may be, perhaps, that the waters which MR. EDITORhave been a little disturbed by the strokes of Nil Desperandum have again become quiescent, and as we are at peace amongst ourselves, we ought to be satisfied and wait our time. It Dear Sir, I beg to bring under the notice of the readers of the General Baptist Magazine the following quotations. They are startling indeed. If all poorness of spirit was acceptable to God, the General Baptists would stand high in his esteem, for most of them, as far as zeal and activity are concerned, are poor enough. I like the zeal of the Methodists."-J. G. Pike. I have no doubt the views and feelings of Nil Desperandum are largely sympathized with by many in our connexion. The root of the evil is the want of earnest piety, and also combination and union of effort in the body. found that, as a Connexion, we have been "We think, brethren, that it will be Our union, as a religious denomination, is without strength, because we have more tardy in stretching out our hands to send the gospel abroad, than other no binding regulations to keep us denomination of evangelical Christians together. Were the General Baptist while, at the same time, our professed body to agree, as a condition of union, principles seem to lay us under the highest that each church should render some obligations to preach the gospel to every aid, however small that might be, to creature."-W. Pickering. any |