is an extract from that excellent work. It is the exposition 21st verse of the iii. chapter, and it gives a clear and scriptural explanation of one of the most important doctrines of the Bible; a doctrine which has been greatly misunderstood, and which has therefore, frequently led to practical abuses, injurious to the holiness becoming the Gospel.

Beligious Entelligence, Fareign and Bomestic.

PROGRESS OF RELIGION IN FRANCE. ·

From Mr. De Pressensé, Paris, Jan. 21, 1845.

The various extracts from the correspondence of our colporteurs, which I have from time to time forwarded to you in the course of the past year, have doubtless proved interesting. It appears to me, that, in these narratives, there is something more attractive than formerly; that one sees with one's eyes more clearly, and touches with one's hands more feelingly-if I may use the expression-the all-powerful grace of our God with which He is pleased to accompany the increasing distribution of His holy word.

Of this the following is a fresh instance, which cannot fail to gratify you:

About eight years ago the mayor of a certain commune had a conversation with one of our colporteurs. The mayor listened to what the other said; making light of it, however, and pretending that what he advanced might do well enough for a set of children or old women, but that it was too ridiculous to be palmed upon any man of sound sense and matured judgment. It happened that his own child, a girl of eight years of age, heard all that her father said; and being anxious to learn what good things were contained in the colporteur's book, that he acknowledged were suitable for children, begged him earnestly to buy her a copy, which, in a kind of joke, he immediately agreed to. The brother of the mayor, who was present at the interview with the colporteur, and in the course of the conversation manifested symptoms of the most deplorable and degrading Infidelity, on seeing the Bible put into the hands of the child became more enraged than before, and would have laid violent hands on the col

porteur, had not the mayor, in order to screen him from the assaults of the other, prevailed upon him to retire. The Bible, however, was left in the house.

I now proceed to relate what subsequently occurred, observing that it rests on the information of a colporteur who visited the Commune eight years after the Bible had found its way into the family of the mayor.

After the colporteur had been dismissed by t the mayor, the two brothers engaged in a serious altercation respecting what had taken place; the Infidel insisting upon the destruction of the Bible, which had been given to the child, and the mayor as strenuously declaring that he would keep it at all hazards, and let his daughter read it. In short, after a long and angry dispute, the two brothers separated, swearing that they would never see one another again. The children, however, did not share in the hostility of their parents, but continued on the same friendly terms of visiting as before. On such occasions the little girl would frequently speak of the book which her father had bought her, and which she reported as being highly interesting; so that at length her cousin, the son of the brother, who had signalized himself in the conversation with the colporteur, by his violence and Infidel sentiments, had his curiosity roused, and borrowed the Bible from his relative. The reading of it produced the same impression on the boy, as it had done on the mind of the girl; and the interest and relish which he manifested for the sacred volume attracted the attention of his father. At a time when he fancied no one saw him he suffered his curiosity to prevail upon him to look into the book against which he had so bitterly inveighed, and which had led to the rupture between himself and his brother. But his curiosity speedily gave way; and he found himself so deeply interested in what he read, that when his son spoke of returning the Bible to his cousin, who was desirous of having it back again, he continually invented fresh pretexts for putting off the restitution of the book.

The little owner of it, however, was at length tired of her cousin's repeated excuses, and complained to her father, earnestly begging him to cause the treasure to be restored to her, which

she could no longer do without. It may be imagined what was the astonishment of the mayor on finding that the Bible was actually in the house of a person who, some time before, had behaved so violently at the mere sight of it; and the first thought which struck him was, that in all probability his brother had obtained possession of it in order to destroy it. He was, however, quickly undeceived, and not a little surprised, to learn that the Bible had not only suffered no injury, but was even being read by his brother. Though no ways favorably inclined to the book itself, his anxiety to get it back increased. "The Bible," he thought, "belongs to me; I should like to read it; and I cannot bear the thought of my brother seizing on my property.' Application was therefore made for the book through a third party, and the immediate restitution of it insisted upon. But it was all in vain; and for a time there was reason to fear that the sacred volume, which in every page breathes peace and goodwill might tend to increase the hostility between the two brothers, by giving rise to a scandalous action at law. Thanks be to God! the result was altogether different.

In the meanwhile, the brother, who had kept possession of the Bible, continued to read in it diligently. Day after day the scales fell from his eyes; he became more and more sensible of the folly and wickedness of his former Infidelity; and his ardent wish at length was, to yield obedience to the teaching and the commandments of God. In short, a work of grace was begun in his soul without the aid of any human effort, in the most astonishing manner. Under this change of sentiment, being kept at home by reason of sickness, he sent to his brother, requesting him to come and see him, and promising to restore his Bible to him. An interview took place which was truly affecting on the part of him whose heart had been changed by reading the Holy Scriptures. The conversation which he addressed to his brother, which was of a truly Christian character, was abundantly blessed to him, and paved the way to a perfect reconciliation between them: and to render their good understanding the more lasting and beneficial, they both pledged one another to study and to practise what they found written in the Bible; for enabling them to do which they agreed that the copy which had been bought should be their join

property; that whenever they could not read it together they should have it by turns; and that in the meantime they would pray to the Lord to afford them an opportunity of obtaining the précious volume, each for himself. After a considerable interval their prayers were granted; and the colporteur who has furnished the above details, having been directed to visit the district in which the brothers resided, experienced a very different reception from that which his predecessor had met with eight years before. They not only purchased copies for themselves, but also for the two young cousins who had learned to appreciate the value of the word of God, as well as for other members of their respective families, and even for distribution among their poor neighbours.

On reading a fact like this, can we say more than, “Let us, by all means, seek to effect an abundant distribution of the Bible, since it is attended with such happy results ?"

Christian Treasury.

PLEASURES.-I see that when I follow my shadow, it flies me; when I fly my shadow it follows me. I know pleasures are but shadows, which hold no longer than the sunshine of my fortunes. Lest, then, my pleasures should forsake me, I will forsake them. Pleasure most flies me when I most follow it.- Warwick.

A CHRISTIAN.-A Christian is like the firmament, and it is the darkness of affliction that makes his grace shine out. He is like those herbs and plants that best effuse their odours when bruised.

HUMAN LIFE.-Hope writes the poetry of the boy, but memory that of the man. Man looks forward with smiles, but backward with sighs. Such is the wise providence of God. The cup of life is sweetest at the brim, the flavour is impared as we drink deeper, and the dregs are made bitter that we may not struggle when it is taken from our lips.

RULES FOR IMPROVEMENT.-Read not much at a time: but meditate as much as your time and disposition will give you leave; ever remembering, that little reading, and much thinking, little speaking and much hearing, frequent and short prayers, and great devotion, is the best way to be wise, to be holy, to be devout.

W. and R. WOODCOCK, Printers, 6 & 27, Brunswick Street, Hackney Road.

THE

CHRISTIAN WATCHMAN,

AND

Magazine for the Times.

APRIL, 1845.

INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

No. 2.-How are the influences of the Holy Spirit to be secured and perpetuated?

HITHERTO seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord have been of short continuance. Long periods of darkness and declension have rolled over the churches, and wasted the heritage of God. Here and there a shower of grace has descended, and the rain has filled the pools, but it has been soon over, and the church has never, for a long time, enjoyed any thing like uninterrupted prosperity. What then is to be done to obtain for it the continued smiles of heaven? How are divine influences to be continually distilling upon the souls of men, so that instead of the fathers there shall be the children, and the people shall be all righteous, all taught of God.

1. There must be more anxiety to correct our own faults, and a deeper sense of personal responsibility. There is an Achan in the camp, whenever the presence of God is withdrawn, and the hosts of his elect are put to the worst before the armies of the aliens. The purity of the church must