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be, a picture of the building, let us think on that great philosopher, who has set us so noble an example of self-education; and let us endeavor to educate and improve ourselves in every way, by all the means, and at every opportunity that we can.

POPISH CHEATS.

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NEAR the town Piotrkow, in the village of Renezno, lies a small mountain, called Gora Pocieszna," covered with grass and herbage, surrounded with bushes, having a solitary oak on the summit. For many years there hung, at the top of this lonely oak, a picture of the Virgin Mary, in a frame and glass. It was supposed by the people, to perform many miracles, and in consequence of this belief, numerous offerings were constantly presented by the pious idolators to the image; which was a source of great revenue to the parish priest. Some friend of truth and justice, or an enemy of popish mummeries, transferred this miraculous idol on a certain night, from the top of the consecrated oak, most probably-into the flames of his stove, as the most fitted place for such daubs of Roman workmanship.

This incident put the whole regular adorators into great consternation; when the priest in all reality, lamented mostly the loss of such Roman key to the philosopher's stone-that produced real gold and silver. When, during the following few years, the deluded people waited in vain for the return of the run-away Virgin Mary, the priest told them, that out of horror of their sins, "the holy image" returned to heaven to denounce their wickedness before the throne of the Almighty!

Ten years afterwards this priest died, and another “holy father" succeeded to his living. Greedy, as a priest, he was anxious to restore the revenue yielded by a miraculous idol, which enriched his predecessor; and to this end, he persuaded his organist to join in the execution of the plan he had made to reestablish the run-away Virgin Mary. Gifts and promises bound the subordinate servant of the Romish pagoda to secrecy. Accordingly, the top of the "Gora Pocieszna" or mount of comforts, was bestrewed every night with salt, and when the cattle, which were daily sent out to graze, entered upon this mount, it was observed by those who attended them that they

were unwilling to remove, and rested on their knees to partake of the grass on this spot. The scene being a novelty, the children immediately ran to inform their parents of the circumstance, the parents gave information to the priests; and as the cattle could not be prevailed upon to leave the place, the priests declared that it was a miracle!

The organist, in the mean time, contrived to place a small bust of the Virgin just beneath the grass, at the hill-top. On the evening of Sunday, the priest announced to his congregation that mass would be performed on Monday morning, previous to making a procession up the mountain. Vast numbers of persons assembled in consequence, and the priest, preceded by his attendant, ascended the mountain. On arriving at the summit, something was observed to glitter; the priest advanced, and proclaiming that it was indeed a miracle, exhibited to the surrounding multitudes a bust of the Virgin, at which they all fell on their faces, blessing God for this sight of his power. The priest then gave notice of the miracle to all the bishops, who, repairing thither, pronounced their benediction, and continued for three days amidst the great multitudes attracted to the spot, and collected money to the amount of four thousand florins; besides which, offerings to a vast amount were sent to the priest! A chapel was built on the spot, and the peasants rejoiced at having been found once more, worthy of contributing to the comfort and luxuries of the “holy father," through the medium of the miraculous virgin.

After two years, the organist departed this life; and in his last moments, calling his wife to his bedside, he told her he could not die without first disclosing the trouble which lay heavily on his mind. He then made known the dreadful deceit he had practised on the people, and requested that all might be publicly explained. This being done, the priest could no longer remain. He was compelled to remove; the chapel is now deserted, and the people were taught a lesson they did not forget very easily.— Dr. John Teodor.

MASTERING THE WALL.

A WEEK ago, we met here in connexion with another association, in which I shall ever take the deepest interest, having been permitted to watch it from its birth; I mean the Church of England Young Men's Society, many of whose valued members I see around me now, and whose sympathies, I doubt not, are with this great association. We feel on this occasion, the benefit of practical union—of working together. Let men work together for Christ, and they must love one another. The men who are launching the life-boat over the surf, seeing in the distance the shipwrecked sailor clinging to the rigging, will not stay to talk over little differences, to discuss minor matters; their object is to save life, and in doing so they will forget all subjects of dispute. We believe, that to work together for God, is a certain way to unite us to each other.

The character of our day is, the separation of classes for particular objects; indeed, we may say, this is the age of classes for the division of labor, and too often, for evil. We see the combination of men against masters: this society is one for a common Master and his cause, and in this we are sure he will give us his blessing. Of all the agencies at present in the world, we believe that that of young Christian men is the most effective. I mean the agency of those who know God for themselves— those of whom the apostle wrote and said, “I write unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and have overcome the wicked one." Their natural energy; their powers of mind and body; their earnest zeal; the clearness and distinctness with which they see an object; their determination, which refuses to regard difficulties—which is in fact, the very essence of faith—which "Laughs at impossibilities,

And says it shall be done;"

-when all these are enlisted on the side of God, it is a young torrent which sweeps all opposition before it, and must, when turned into the channels of Christian influence, be the means of doing good to an incalculable extent.

At the bottom of the late continental revolutions, young men have been the prime movers; their combinations have been most powerful. In this association we have a combination of Chris

tian young men, their object, means, and principles, distinctively Christian; and therefore we rejoice that such has been formed, and that they possess that peculiar characteristic of our times, the separation of classes; that it is being used by God, and will be to a still greater degree, for the extension of his kingdom, the stirring up and purifying the life-blood of this great metropolis, for pouring into it Christian power and energy; and perhaps it may yet be made the means of our country becoming the focus of Christian light throughout the world.

The object of this association is, first, individual growth. We believe that the young men connected with it are enabled "to grow thereby;" that it is a grand means of drawing them forward. Let us bear in mind that our cause is just what we are ; that one word from the man who acts consistently is worth more than a hundred from one who acts otherwise. Do you not observe in your own mind, that you have your rate at which you value men? You say, "This man I can trust. Every word has its weight, and his testimony goes for its full value;" while with others you make your deductions from what they say, because you know they are not consistent, and therefore not to be depended on. Feeling and impulse may make a man act right in some instances, but unless he is imbued with Christian principle, you never can depend upon him. The man of principle is ever in his place; and though the tide may roll over him, you will find him there, whether it is flowing or ebbing. How important is it that young Christians should strive, as much as possible, to be what they appear to be, and to walk closely and humbly with their God!

Let me remind each member present, that his success in his sphere as a missionary, will be just precisely in proportion to his own close walk with God. Remember, dear brethren, that as our light is, such will be the reflection. “We all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." The word "beholding,” here, has in the original a striking and beautiful meaning. It is catching—“We with open face, catching and reflecting the glory of God like a glass, are being changed the more we look into the same image." Here then, is the Christian's duty and privilege; he has no veil before

him; the more closely he walks with Christ, the more intense will be his brightness. If he turn partly away, he will be like the half moon, half shadowed in darkness; if he turn wholly to him, he will reflect the glory of the Sun of Righteousness. Let us remember, that just according to our consistency will be our influence upon others. I know an admirable man, a minister, who has told me what was the means of his conversion. It was not by the powerful preaching of the truth, it was not by reading the Bible, but his striking words to me were "I watched such an one." That "such an one," whom He watched, is an eminent minister of our own church, and one who walks closely with God; and this young man had watched him—observed and marked his conduct. As it is said, "He that seeth the Son," &c. -the word in the original means, observes, reflects, sees principles brought out into action, and is led to believe-so that man, who is now working earnestly for his Master, was brought humbly to his Saviour's feet, by seeing what his grace had done for another. See, then, the importance of a close walk with God.

Be assured, it is not the bustling efforts of Christians who live loosely, which will influence the world and increase the church. Oh, if all Christians were only what they should be, such an intensity of spiritual light would be poured out upon the world, that sin would skulk into its lurking holes, and the earth would be no longer dark. I say the means used by this society are eminently Christian means, and the objects, Christian objects. I, for one, gladly acknowledge my personal obligation for information, to one of the admirable lectures delivered to your association; and if I desired to know the character of your association, the book published by it would suffice. I most cordially bear my testimony to the Christian candour, and eminently Christian spirit which pervades that book; and I believe, that if such a spirit were poured out upon the church, as is manifestly in it, all contending forms

"-Would lose their power, or cease,

And e'en the dipp'd and sprinkled live in peace.”

The Christian is not afraid to look Science in the face; it is only another ray to lead up to the same source of light, when properly followed. 'Tis true, that Revelation is in advance of all science,

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