It is a wonder that God did not cut me down in the midst of my course. Most richly did I deserve the lowest place in the world of the lost. In the midst of storms at sea, when the thunders and lightnings were abroad-faint emblems of the wrath of Godand when far upon the mast, or out on the yards, in imminent peril of being plunged into the deep, I have called on God to curse my soul. Thus I went on from year to year, seeing the works of the Lord, and his wonders on the waters, and experiencing his goodness all the while, till the year eighteen. This year I shipped under a pious captain, which I had never done before. He was a good man, and did much for the good of his crew. He read the Scriptures to us, and prayed with us. For a while I was unmoved. After some time, however, I began to tremble. The word of God convinced me of sin and of righteousness, and of judgment to come. I saw my danger, and felt it too. My sins came up before me, and appeared as mountains that must for ever separate me from peace and happiness. I was a miserable man, and thought I must always be so. At last I opened my heart to the captain. He felt for me, and told me of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. With tears in his eyes, he directed me to behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. My heart broke. Tears of penitence ran down my cheeks; my faith took hold on the Son of God, as he reached out his hand to help me. With all my soul I yielded myself up to him. He poured the oil of joy and peace into my broken heart, and bound up my bleeding wounds. Yes, he spoke peace, perfect peace to my soul. I was born again. I felt that I was a new creature. With the cup of salvation in my hand, I called on the name of the Lord. My joy was full, and thus it has been from that time till now. O! that all would come to the waters and drink. Come to the wells of salvation, ye dying children of men." Here he paused. His emotions were too great to permit him to go on. At that time, the writer of this was in his sins. The sailor's words went to his heart. A few weeks after, he was standing before the altar of God publicly professing his interest in the blood of Christ. In the judgment day he hopes to appear as a star in the crown of the pious sailor. STATUE OF ST. PETER AT ROME. LITTLE is it to be wondered at, that a form which addresses itself so strongly to the senses as that of the Catholic church does, should still retain such influence over those who profess it, as to blind them to its errors. It is impossible for a Protestant-nay, even a bigoted one,-to remain coldly insensible to the fascinations of the religious pomp and pageantry so abundantly displayed in the church of St. Peter here. Yet admiration would, perhaps, succeed a different feeling, should he happen to witness that most superstitious reverence paid to the bronze effigy of the apostle himself. This figure is on one side of the altar, and said to be a true likeness of him, who is represented seated in a marble chair, beneath a canopy of metal, holding two keys in his left hand. The foot, which projects a little beyond the pedestal on which it rests, bears ample testimony to the fervour of his devotees, the metal being quite polished by the innumerable kisses and slabbering from their lips. This practical devotionamong a thousand similar instances-seems to contradict the assertion of Catholic writers, who maintain that the "images" or "idols" of their saints, are intended only to excite a religious fervor, and not to be held objects of actual devotion, or possessing in themselves any sanctity. As the sole apology for what is quite indefensible by any argument drawn from Christianity itself, it may be very well for them to put such construction upon it; yet, I ask, do the generality of Romanists-supposing them to be not merely nominally such-limit themselves within these bounds? do they attribute to "graven images" no positive efficacy to the immediate contact of such images? To reply in the negative would just be contradicting daily evidence and experience: why then are not some pains taken to extirpate the error, and abolish this trumpery which has crept into their church. If entirely wrested from its original purpose, the use of images is found to lead to a monstrous and universal abuse, the sooner these, with relics, and other amulets of the kind are abolished the better. According to their apologists, images, at least, are non-essential-nothing further than incentives to spiritual worship-consequently might safely be abandoned, when discovered to occasion some serious error. For most unquestionably it is a serious wrong to suppose that the touch of a piece of metal, "stock or stone," can avail any thing; or that a prayer recited before a senseless statue can be more efficacious, or more acceptable to heaven, than if offered up to the living and omnipotent God, who alone knoweth our most inmost thoughts, and can read the deepest recesses of the heart. Dull and sluggish of mind indeed must those be, who cannot fix their thoughts in prayer without having some sensible object before their eyes. But the error it is to be feared, is not only gross in itself, but has also something more than a merely speculative one. Hardly should we find those who are so openly immoral in their general conduct, that it is impossible to suspect them of hypocrisy, so frequently display their devotion after this fashion, did they not actually believe that the simple mechanical act of religion was an equivalent for their sins, and that upon such easy terms they can keep a fair debtor and creditor account with heaven. No better result is to be expected from a practice, permitted in direct opposition to the express will of the Almighty himself, who has most positively forbidden the use of " graven images," declaring that he is "a jealous God" and claims the whole of our worship.-Records of a Route through France and Italy, with Sketches of Catholicism, by Rae Wilson. UNION WITH CHRIST. "I am the vine, ye are the branches," said our Lord to his disciples: "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John xv. 4, 5). Inculcating the same doctrine, the apostle Paul says to the Roman believers, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his" (Rom. viii. 9). Union with Christ then consists in being made one with him: we must be baptized with the baptism of Christ which is the Holy Spirit: we must suffer with Christ, and drink of the cup that he drank of. In a word, we must receive his portion of contumely and scorn from an ungodly world, and bear the sneers of unholy men, even if we are not exposed to their active persecution. Adoption into the family of God is, however, inseparable from union with Christ; and thus, by a vital faith, the believer lives in a joyful security on earth, and is prepared for a blissful immortality. O what a glorious and blessed union! Well might the apostle, in contemplating spiritual wickednesses in high places, as the enemies of the adopted family of heaven, exclaim, not only with regard to himself but each believer, "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. viii. 38, 39). CHRISTIAN LADY'S FRIEND. A GOOD WIFE. S. It is of immense importance to the happiness of the rational world, that the appropriate duties of the husband and the wife be rigidly and conscientiously fulfilled; for as their performance ensures the purest and most solid bliss that this world of sorrow can afford; "the only happiness of Paradise that has survived the fall; so their neglect introduces into the cup of life a bitter poisonous drop, of the most deadly taste, and lasting influence. Indisputable is the truth, that each is bound to co-operate with the other, in drawing tight that bond of union which has connected them together for life; that they are mutually obliged to increase, by every means in their power, the stock of conjugal felicity. But as domestic life is more especially the proper province of the wife; as she is constituted by nature, and commanded by God, to exercise those gentler virtues which have a peculiar reference to home, and a direct tendency to render it the scene of happiness and peace; so her obligation to manifest in her conduct the feminine graces of modesty, tenderness, and piety, presses upon her with peculiar force. Entirely and exclusively the precious possession of her husband, her thoughts must not wander abroad for other conquests, or foreign admiration. Ill does it become her who has solemnly pledged herself to one, to seek, by the arts of coquetry or levity, to attract or captivate the many; to court the public gaze, to be the theme of general conversation, or the object of particular remark. The sacrifice of a matron's modesty may indeed purchase the admiration of the coxcomb, or the flattery of the villain; but transient will be her triumph, and worthless her reward, if for this she have given up the favour of her Maker, and the esteem and affection of her husband. Equally incumbent is it upon her to cherish in her bosom, and to exercise in her behaviour, the grace of tenderness; a sweet solicitude to soothe the cares, and tranquilize the perturbations, of the companion of her bosom; and to perform those thousand endearing offices to her infant offspring, which maternal love alone can properly fulfil. Oh! who can speak the value of this female quality in domestic life? It is the precious cement of its happiness; port of all its charities; whose absence no external circumstance can recompense or supply. Fashion, splendour, and pleasure, may load the married fair one with all they can bestow; but their accumulated gifts will leave a gloomy vacuity in her heart, if her chief solace, refuge, and delight be not in the tranquil joys and tender offices of home. Finally, my sisters, the quality of piety must crown and consummate the character of the exemplary wife. It is essential indeed in every human being, but in the domestic circle (if we measure its necessity by its the sup influence) it is more especially incumbent upon her, whose presence is more frequent and conspicuous there. Who can tell the power of a wife's religious example, in converting an unbelieving, reclaiming a profligate, or fixing an inconstant husband? It seems hardly possible to imagine, that vice should not surrender itself to virtue, when clothed in the attractive form of female loveliness, and seconded by modesty, tenderness, and affection; but should its brutal insensibility be still deaf to the voice of the charmer; she has yet a cause upon her hands of unspeakable importance, which imperiously demands the exercise of female piety-the cause of her children. Nature and custom have entrusted to her the charge of their early education; and if the principles of religion be not instilled into their tender minds by her care, and confirmed by her example, they will grow up without God in the world; they will pass through life without the blessing of Providence; and when they are translated from it will have to attribute their everlasting ruin (O horrid thought!) to their mother. There is a religion of the HOME, my fair friends, as well as a public worship of GOD a religion over which the wife must preside; whose altar she must serve; whose sacrifices she must superintend; and as the most fatal consequences will follow her omission of it, so the sorest retribution will punish its neglect. ; Such, if we may believe the united voice of reason and revelation, are the appropriate qualities of woman in her unconnected state, and her peculiar duties when she enters upon the married life. They have been recognized as such by prophets and apostles; and the wisest of men has confirmed their representations, by the following animated portrait of an estimable, an amiable, and an exemplary wife. “Her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her; she will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth forth her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. Virtue and honour are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in the time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD she shall be praised."-Warner's Scripture Characters. PIETY OF THE WIDOW OF A COUNTRY CURATE. EXPERIMENTAL godliness is the most precious treasure which any human being can possess, not only as the sure preparation for a glorious immortality, but as the means of solid support and consolation to the mind under the most painful trials. This will be strikingly illustrated by the following paragraph from the diary of Mrs. Hannah More, relating to the funeral of the worthy curate of Cheddar : "Monday, Oct. 17, 1803. After breakfast the Wilberforces departed for Bath, and P. and I for Cheddar, to pay the last sad duty to Drewitt. When I saw the poor widow-no tears, no murmurs, no complaints, it was the most heroic piety and exemplary fortitude. We attended the widow with her three young children, to take her last leave of the body, before it was carried out of the house. She leaned in a praying posture for a long time over the coffin, embracing it-her little ones beside her-but not a groan escaped her, she was solemnly silent, but her heart was praying. "Mr. B. preached a most interesting funeral sermon to above two thousand weeping auditors; and it fell to his hard lot to read the prayers, and to bury the friend of his heart. After sermon, the widow solemnly walked out of her pew, took her babes by the hand, and went to the grave, over which she stood, without indulging any emotion during the last sad ceremony. When all was over, she walked with her children back to the house, to which the mournful procession all returned. The sight and sorrow of R- the beloved friend of her husband, at length forced a flood of tears from this heroic mourner. If I am not the better for her example on this occasion, it will be among the number of my sins. Lord, sanctify to us all, and to me in particular, the solemnities of this day; and grant that the sight of youth, genius, and virtue consigned to the grave, may quicken my preparation for it. Such were the last honours paid to an obscure country curate, whose talents and acquirements would have adorned the highest station; but whose humility and piety eminently fitted him for that which he filled." A LADY'S SOLITARY MUSINGS. To Christ and righteousness inclined? To him who guides and guards me still? Mrs. Hannah More at the age of eighty-one. SIR WALTER SCOTT AND HIS MOTHER. SIR Walter was esteemed by his master who instructed him at the High School, Edinburgh, a remarkably dull boy. His mother entertained the same unfavourable opinion of him, with excessive grief. When between ten and eleven years of age, she saw him one morning in the midst of a tremendous thunder storm standing still in the street, looking at the sky. She called him repeatedly, but he emained looking upward, without taking the least notice of her. When he returned into the house she was very much displeased with him. "Mother," he said, "I could tell you the reason why I stood still, and why I looked at the sky, if you would only give me a pencil." She gave him one, and in less than five minutes he laid a bit of paper on her lap with these lines on it: "Loud o'er my head what awful thunders roll! What vivid lightnings flash from pole to pole! It is thy voice, my God, that bids them fly; Thy voice directs them through the vaulted sky: Then let the good thy mighty power revere, Let hardened sinners thy just judgments fear." His mother was used to repeat these lines as the first effusions of her son's genius, when his fame, through his brilliant writings, had filled the whole country. A LADY'S JUDGMENT RESPECTING THE POLICY OF A WIFE. It is not unfrequent that a wife mourns over the alienated affections of her husband, when she has made no effort herself to strengthen and increase his attachment. She thinks because he once loved that he ought always to love her; and she neglects those attentions which at first engaged his heart. Many a wife is thus the cause of her own neglect and sorrow. That woman deserves not a husband's generous love who will not greet him with smiles as he returns from the labours of the day-who will not try to chain him to his home by the sweet enchantment of a cheerful heart. There is not one in a thousand so unfeeling as to withstand such an influence, and break away from such a home. "MAMMA! WON'T GOD BE YOUR A LITTLE boy six years old, whose father had recently died, had gone to bed one evening, when his. mother sat by the nursery fire, weeping at the remembrance of her loss. She supposed her son was asleep; but after a little time he raised his head, he said, Mamma, won't God be willing to be your husband?" "Why, my dear," said his mother, "how came you to think he would?" "Because you say, now that papa is gone to heaven, God will be my father, and I don't see why he won't be willing to be your husband too." DR. A. CLARKE CONVERTED BY A WOMAN'S LOAN OF BOOKS. WHEN Adam Clarke (author of the celebrated Commentary on the Bible) was a boy, a pious woman in Coleraine, in Ireland, lent him two books-an abridgement of Baxter's Saints' Rest, and the Life of Brainerd. To these two books he ascribes, under God, the formation of his Christian and ministerial character. Baxter, Brainerd, Clarke, and the woman who gave these books to the Irish boy, are doubtless now together in heaven. A LADY'S CONFESSION. "I BELIEVE I do wrong to judge of others by myself, for I declare to you I have such a constant sense of imperfection in my best thoughts, words, and actions, that I continually need the refuge of a Saviour, and continually petition for pardon through him, and for the purifying and comforting assistance of his Spirit." HANNAH MORE. HINTS FOR THE MORE PROFITABLY READING THE BIBLE. THE following "Hints" were written by a minister of high reputation, for the use of a youth, whose opportunities of reading were few, and limited mostly to the Bible. They will probably be useful to many of the more favoured readers of the Christian's Penny Magazine. "In my last letter, as you had informed me that you had not the Companion to the Bible, I promised you some practical hints for the more profitable reading of the Scriptures; and these I will now put down in a series, that you may frequently refer to them for your spiritual improvement, which, from your letters, I trust you are now making your great concern. I. The Bible is itself a library. This is now published in one volume; but it contains sixty-six books, the last of which was written upwards of 1600 years after the book of Genesis. II. The Bible being a collection of books, written at different and distant times, must have been the work of several individuals, living in ages remote from each other, and independently of each other. III. The several books of the Bible have diversities of style according to the subjects to which they relate, and the characters and circumstances of their several authors. IV. All the books in the Bible are treatises of piety, relating to the dispensations of God towards mankind, giving an account of several things of the utmost consequence to all men according to their various stations in life : 1. The creation of the world and of all things visible and invisible by one Almighty and glorious Being. 2. The fall of man from his original state of holiness and happiness by disobedience to the law of God, and the consequent mortal, depraved, and miserable condition of all mankind. 3. God's gracious visitations of man, promising a Redeemer, revealing his will, and instituting various forms of religious instruction. 4. A succession of God's merciful interpositions in favour of nations, families, and individuals, for the preservation of religion upon earth. 5. A series of prophecies concerning various nations and events, until the appearance of the promised Saviour. 6. A history of the advent, ministry, and death of the Messiah, to accomplish the design of God in the redemption of the world. 7. Records of the first establishment of Christianity in the world, and the state of the earliest churches. 8. Predictions concerning the future glory of the church, in the conversion of all nations to the faith and obedience of Christ-the end of the world-and the eternal condition of mankind, according to their character on earth, either in misery or blessedness. V. The several books of the Bible, though written in different ages, by different men, and under different circumstances, contain throughout, the same harmonious representations of God, of our duty to him, of sin, of the consequences of transgression, of the way of salvation by a Mediator, and of the happiness of serving God. VI. The writers of the Holy Scriptures, treating of many things beyond the reach of human wisdom and knowledge, appear evidently to have been instructed from heaven; and what some of them plainly declare, that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God," is manifest from the contents of the Bible, though some things, as might be expected, may be difficult for us at present to understand. VII. The design of the Bible is manifestly to make us wise unto salvation; giving us satisfactory information concerning the creation of all thingsGod's universal government of the world-the means of reconciliation with him by Jesus Christ-and the way to inherit immortal glory. VIII. The Bible, as designed to make us wise unto salvation, must be read with a humble, believing, and obedient mind-not merely assenting to what it declares-but, as the apostle expresses it, believing with the heart unto righteousness" (Rom. x. 8-13). IX. While all parts of the Bible are profitable, even its histories, the Levitical laws, and its prophecies, yet the New Testament and the Psalms are more especially adapted to promote our edification and consolation, the former as exhibiting to us more fully the way of salvation, and the latter as furnishing us with helps in prayer, expressive of most of the varying states of a serious mind, whether of sorrow or joy. X. As the Bible was given, in its various books, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, those who read it with most attention and saving profit, pray for the illumination of their minds by his gracious influences; and these influences are promised to all who seek them to enlighten, invigorate, and comfort their minds, revealing and applying to their souls the doctrines and blessings of Christ and his salvation. These holy, comforting, and indispensable influ ences, let me charge and intreat you to seek by constant prayer, that you may receive and enjoy all the blessings of God's new covenant in Christ Jesusexhibit all the fruits of the Spirit in your temper and behaviour and finally inherit everlasting life in the kingdom of God. For your special meditation of this subject, I refer you to a few passages of Scripture, that you may more clearly understand and enjoy the promised blessing and I would recommend you to consult them in the order in which they are written. : Rom. viii. 9-16; v. 5; 1 Cor. ii. 10-14; xii. 13; Gal. iv. 6; v. 22; Eph. i. 13, 17; iii. 16–19; iv. 30; Luke xi. 13; John xvi. 13, 14; Psal. li. 10, 12. REVIEW. Heaven Anticipated; or, the Present Time Influenced by the Prospect of Future Felicity. By JOSEPH FREEMAN. 18mo. cloth, pp. 240. London: J. Ward and Co. MR. FREEMAN's former volume of "Heaven Unveiled," we felt pleasure in commending to our readers, as adapted to promote their spiritual edification and consolation. The present volume is, perhaps, still better adapted for that purpose, at least as regards those who are conscious of drawing near to the world of spirits, having unshaken faith in the sure promises of God in Christ Jesus. Whether Mr. Freeman is correct in his apprehensions of a deficiency in the ministers of the Gospel in relation to their exhibition of the glory and blessedness of heaven, may admit of a question. He says, "To those who are engaged in the office of Christian instruction, the author submits whether a greater prominence should not be given to the subject of immortal life and blessedness than that which it usually receives, and whether, instead of endeavouring to force the thoughts of men to the subject of death, from which they will start away at the first opportunity, greater efforts should not be made to fix them on heavenly things, which, when vividly, powerfully, and affectionately exhibited, can hardly fail to interest the thoughts and engage the affections of a rational and intelligent being." Mr. Freeman has given eight papers on his attractive theme, as follows:-Heaven anticipated in the Season of Youth-in the Activities of Life-in Adversity-in Bereavement-in the Decline of Lifein the Period of Dissolution-Necessity and Influence of Faith in anticipating Heaven-Concluding Remarks. The Young Servant; or, Aunt Susan and her Nieces. 18mo. cloth, pp. 208. Religious Tract Society. DOMESTIC Comfort is one of the greatest of our earthly blessings; for without this, however ample the fortune and numerous the friends, the possessor of the most convenient, elegant, and delightfully situated habitation is truly miserable. Domestic comfort arises from many sources, which wealth and friends are unable to procure: but the enjoyment of no inconsiderable degree of it certainly depends on the character, principle, and temper of female servants. To promote the improvement of this class of the community is a service of no trifling importance; and nothing that has fallen under our observation is equally adapted to this end, with this very interesting volume. It is full of the wisest practical directions, illustrated by examples drawn from the life in a peculiarly attractive style, by one who richly deserves to be regarded as the FRIEND OF YOUNG SERVANTS. THE RECLAIMED DRUNKARD'S ADMONITION. MR. EDITOR.-It is particularly requested that the enclosed lines may be inserted in your useful Magazine. They are the production of one labouring under affliction, whom it has pleased the Lord to convince of the enormity of this prevailing sin, and who feels anxious to warn others; and humbly trusts they may meet the eye and convince the soul of some who may be indulging in this destructive temptation. May the Holy Spirit seal the conviction in their hearts, as he has mercifully on his. "They also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way."-Isaiah xxviii. 7. Dash, dash the wine-cup to the ground, Deluded suicide! Let not the mocking fiend of hell Vaunt o'er thee in his pride. Cast the dread potion to the earth, And crush the guilty bowl; Oh! spare thy health, thy wealth, thy fame, Oh! murder not thy soul. Mock not old man, and you gay youth, Suppress that idle laugh; And let the voice of reason plead Ere you the poison quaff. That hell-stirred draught may fire thy brain, And then the drunken hour May lead to deeds of saddest hue, To crimes unknown before. The prince of darkness on this earth Bound in the spell the victim dies, Oh! shun those glittering palaces At a gorgeous bar he holds his court, Oh! think to wake athirst in hell There you may madly rave for wine, List to the touching parable The holy Saviour told, Of wicked Dives cast away From feasting, drink, and gold; Oh! listen to the voice of one Let him not plead in vain. Asking forgiveness of our God Thro' blood the Saviour spilt. Yes, come to living waters now In an accepted time, And drink of the life-giving stream That flows from heaven sublime. Take now salvation's proffered cup And when death close thine eyes, March 27, 1836. S. B. |