OLD ELWES, THE MISER.

on the earliest opportunity at their games. the exciseman said, 'if they were there you Challenging the whole field, he competed would be the last to tell me;' and at once for the prize in putting the stone, tossing walked away. As soon as he was out of the caber, and wrestling, and won an easy hearing, and the smuggler could breathe victory. His fame was established at once. freely again, he exclaimed, 'Oh, Mr. LachThe minister was now the champion of the lan, Mr. Lachlan, you were right as usual." district, and none was more ready to defer-From "Days of the Fathers of Rossto him than he whom he had deprived of shire." the laurel. Taking Rory aside to a confidential crack, he said to him,' Now, Rory, I am the minister, and you must be my elder, and we both must see to it that all the people attend church, observe the Sabbath, and conduct themselves properly.' Rory fell in with the proposal at once. On Sabbath, when the people would gather to their games in the forenoon, the minister and his elder would join them, and each taking a couple by the hand, they would drag them to the church, lock them in, and then return to catch some more. This was repeated till none was left on the field. Then, stationing the elder with his cudgel at the door, the minister would mount the pulpit and conduct the service. One of his earliest sermons was blessed to the conversion of his assistant, and a truly valuable coadjutor he found in big Rory thereafter."

HONESTY THE BEST POLICY.

"The minuteness with which he described the feelings and habits of his hearers, and the striking confirmation of his doctrine, often given by the Lord in His providence, gave an extraordinary influence over his people. Preaching, on one occasion, against the sin of lying, he counselled his people to refrain, in all circumstances, from prevarication and falsehood, assuring them that they would find it their best policy for time, as well as their safest course for eternity. One of his hearers, conscious of having often told a lie, and finding it impossible to believe that it could always be wise to tell the truth, went to speak to the minister on the subject. He was a smuggler, and while conversing with Mr. Lachlan, he said, Surely, if the exciseman should ask me where I hid my whisky, it would not be wrong that I should lead him off the scent.' His minister would not allow that this was a case to which the rule he laid down was not applicable, and advised him, even in such circumstances, to tell the simple truth. The smuggler was soon after put to the test. While working behind his house by the wayside, on the following week, the exciseman came up to him, and said, 'Is there any whisky about your house to-day?' Remembering his minister's advice, the smuggler at once said, though not without misgivings as to the result, Yes, there are three casks of whisky buried in a hole under my bed, and if you will search for them there you will find them.' 'You rascal,'

MISERS often succeed in accumulating a great deal of money, only to make themselves wretched, and to die almost of starvation. Here is an account of a well-known miser, and of the little good he got from his

money :

The extent of his property in houses was so great, that it naturally followed that all his houses would not be let at the same time. Some, as a matter of course, would remain unoccupied; and hence it was his custom, whenever he came to London, to take up his abode in the first one he found vacant. In this manner he travelled from street to street; for when any tenant wanted the particular house in which he was at the time, he made no hesitation in yielding it to the applicant, and betaking himself to some other. This was no great difficulty for a man who so little encumbered himself with furniture. A couple of beds, the like number of chairs, a table, and an old woman, comprised the whole of his household appointments. None of these, except the old woman, gave any trouble, and she was afilicted with a lameness that made it no easy matter to get her into motion as quickly as he wished. Moreover, she had a singular aptitude for catching colds, and no wonder, considering what she was exposed to; for sometimes she was in a small house in the Haymarket, then in a great mansion in Portland Place; sometimes in a little room with a coal fire, at others in apart ments of frigid dimensions, with oiled papers in the windows for glass, and with nothing to warm her, save a few chips that happened to be left by the carpenters.

The scene which terminated the life of this poor drudge is not among the least characteristic anecdotes recorded of Mr. Elwes. Nor, strange as it seems, can its correctness be doubted, since its truth comes to us on the authority of Col. Timms, a favourite nephew of the old miser, and one more inclined to soften than to exaggerate his uncle's defects. Mr. Elwes had come to town in his usual way, and taken up his abode in one of his empty houses. The Colonel, who wished to see

him, was, by some accident, informed that the old man was in London, though of his actual whereabouts he could get no tidings. In this dilemma he inquired for him at every place where he was most likely to be heard of-at Hoare's, the banker, at the Mount coffee-house, and at others of his

usual haunts, but to no purpose. At length,

a person whom he met accidentally, recollected seeing the miser go into an uninhabited house in Great Marlborough Street. Thither, accordingly, the Colonel repaired, and to follow up the clue thus obtained, got hold of a chairman; but no intelligence could he get of a gentleman called Mr. Elwes. A pot-boy, however, remembered that he had seen a poor old fellow open the door of a stable and lock it after him; and, upon being further questioned, his description of the stranger perfectly agreed with the usual appearance of Mr. Elwes; and when the Colonel, after repeated knocking, could obtain no answer, he sent for a blacksmith, and ordered him to pick the

motives, a due performance of social duties; and it cannot fail, by the beneficial exercise of thought and reflection which it will continually demand, greatly to purify and strengthen the mental faculties.-The natural de

pravity of the heart and the indulgence of sinful habits, as the causes of present misery and destruction; the free mercy and inexhaustible love of God, as the sources of pardon and peace; the righteousness and death of Christ and the operations and gifts of the Holy Spirit, as the only means by which justification and sanctification can be obtained: these, with the eternal ruin of the ungodly, and the everlasting blessedness of the righteous, are the solemn and ennobling truths which you should faithfully and constantly exhibit to your scholars.

Meditate upon these subjects in lock. This being easily accomplished, they private, until your heart is filled with entered the house together, and found all in a sense of their supreme importance; the lower part dark and silent. On as- present one or more of the fundamental cending the staircase, however, they heard doctrines of the Gospel every Sabbath, the indistinct moanings of some one ap- and do it as if you felt the solemn parently in great pain. Following the responsibility of such an employment; sound, they came to a room where, upon inculcate the glorious truths as the a pallet-bed, was stretched out the figure of words of God, rather than as the views the miser, who, to all seeming, was well- of any particular section of the nigh at the last gasp; but upon some Christian church. cordials being administered by an apothe cary hastily called in, he recovered enough your instructions; and, while proMake the Bible the foundation of all to say, that he believed he had been ill for fessedly teaching the doctrines of the two or three days, and that there was an old Christian faith, see that its first prinwoman in the house, who had herself been ill, but he supposed she had got well and resolve that, to the utmost of your ciples are thoroughly understood: taken herself off. At this intimation they ability, every scholar in your class found the old woman, the companion of all his movements, associate of all his journeys, shall clearly understand the scheme of stretched out lifeless on the floor, with no redemption, and the way by which better couch than a mere rug.-Sir Ber-alone salvation can be obtained; whatnard Burke's Vicissitudes of Families. ever truth you exhibit, if it be possible, (Second Series.) make that truth plain before off; for what is not understood cannot leave you be fully believed or perseveringly followed. The saving power of divine truth can only be conveyed to the heart by the Spirit of God; but a knowledge of the truths of revealed

The Sabbath School.

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ON religion is communicated to the under

TEACHING.

A FAITHFUL and constant exhibition of fundamental doctrines will materially assist your efforts in the class. It will tend to withdraw the attention of your scholars from inferior objects, and thereby do much to prevent or remove prejudice; it will enforce, by the most influential and unchangeable

standing, and impressed upon the memory, through the agency of man.

as one book should not be omitted, The presentation of the Scriptures while the inculcation of its essential truths is constantly remembered. The whole Bible should, as far as practicable, be presented; and it is possible to do this, although every part may not be read in the class.

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The sacred volume is often viewed most terrible; and many Sunday as a collection of isolated tracts, pre-School teachers, especially those drawn served by good fortune out of a great from the higher ranks of society, have number of "similar" writings. This, no adequate conception of the dreadful and the like mistakes, should be cor- condition in which multitudes of rected, because the faith which rests human beings are carelessly living. upon an imperfect book, so preserved, must necessarily be very weak. The inquiries of intelligent scholars respecting the "lost" book of Jasher, the 3,000 proverbs, and the 1,005 songs of Solomon, and the details contained in the Books of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel and Judah, should not be treated as impertinent or useless questions; but the opportunity should be embraced to show that these writings were not parts of God's revealed will, as the researches of learned men have so satisfactorily proved.

If their sad state was realised, then definite instruction on the subject of morality would not be so frequently omitted in Scripture-classes; nor would a few outbreaks of depravity on the Sabbath-day drive teachers from their posts; but a more general attention to this necessary part of Christian education would be given, and more devoted attempts would be made to prevent children from falling into open and shameless immorality. The mournful description of the bad conduct of a scholar was followed by a resolution worthy of a Sunday School teacher

But I am determined to fill his mind to the very brim with religious truths; for I am assured that this knowledge will restrain his evil propensities, and make him outwardly moral, if the influences of the truths do not one day burst upon him, and overwhelm the depravity and stubbornness of his heart." Not only form such a determination as this, but make it evident to your scholars, by the suitability and the earnestness of your instructions. Listen not to the well-intended, though fallacious declaration, that nothing is done if the scholars are not made decidedly religious; the restraint from brutal and disgusting vices is something. To preserve human beings from sinking far below the level of brutes, is at least a philanthropic pleasure; for such an act will at least prevent a moral pestilence, if it does not prepare the way for perfect restoration and

Instruction as to the design of the different parts of the Bible, and their intimate connection with each other, should also be imparted; because these branches of biblical knowledge are but imperfectly understood by many young persons: indeed the mean opinion often formed of some parts of the sacred volume, even by more advanced Christians, in consequence of the want of a more correct knowledge of its unity and perfection, is most lament able. The Bible should, therefore, be constantly presented to the scholars in the scripture-classes, as the entire and complete revealed will of God; and the importance of those genealogical and ceremonial details, which are considered by some persons almost useless, should be occasionally shown. For, while the wisdom and goodness of God, as manifested in the revelation of his will, are the themes of many recited hymns, a distinct perception of the value and the unity of the precious future blessedness. book is not an ordinary attainment among Sunday School children. Let the present consequences of sin, as not precise instruction on this point, therefore, be neglected; because a just appreciation of the source from whence our knowledge of the will of God is derived, and a clear perception of its authenticity and completeness are most desirable, if they be not absolutely necessary, to ensure intelligent reverence and constant obedience.

A thorough determination to make scholars strictly moral should be manifested, as an essential feature in the instructions of every Scripture-class. The state of morals among the poor is

Let your scholars, therefore, know

well as its future punishment; show to them, again and again, its immediate effects, in the destruction of happiness and character; its remote consequences, in the loss of health and friends; and prove to them, by facts with which they are familiar, the truth of all your statements: tell them of the blessings which flow from honesty, temperance, industry, and prudence; use your influence to make their characters lovely as well as honourable; and let them be thoroughly persuaded that, as far as your devoted exertions can effect such

a result, you are determined to make them strictly and invariably moral.

must be inculcated as an imperative duty, and a life of elevated piety shown to be the only path of security and peace.

But, influential and permanent, as well as immediate and exalted results, must also be sought; such results as

and miserable Christianity, or, rather, its idle and selfish substitute, which so An unconquerable desire after the fearfully obstructs the progress of the immediate conversion of every scholar, Gospel, may, in no small degree, be and the advancement of the whole class ascribed to the indolent, grovelling, or in eminent piety, is the secret power bigoted conduct of professed leaders. by which all the machinery of the Remember, it is not enough though Scripture-class is to be propelled. your whole class embrace the offers of Without this unceasing and powerful mercy, and abstain from the commission influence, ultimate failure is almost of known sins; a high standard must certain; although some present advan- be set before each scholar, and each tages may be gained, and though many must be continuously invited and enbeneficial results may incidentally couraged to reach it; advancement follow every motive, therefore, that has been urged to induce attention to the minor parts applies with tenfold force when the mainspring is the object of concern. In your instructions, aim at the immediate conversion of each scholar; whatever can be done should be attempted at once, because a like will lead the souls entrusted to your favourable opportunity may never charge to "run in the way of God's again occur. "Now is the accepted commandments." Iny your instructions, time." "Teachers sometimes live and therefore, not only tell all your teach, as if they hoped (and the hope is scholars to go forward, but go first a faint one) that hereafter, some time yourself, and lead the way; show them hence, the truth of God is to make an by your conduct, as well as by your impression, but that this result is not words, that present attainments, howto be expected at present. Is this ever great, are as nothing when comright? Do we pursue other ends in pared with what may yet be acquired; the same way? Can the minister of encourage them by the prospect of the the Gospel preach so as to interest, present, as well as the eternal reward; cheer, alarm, or move his audience, if and so lead them onward, to an entire he goes on any other supposition than consecration of themselves to the serthat he must labour for the conversion vice of God. Thus, striving with unof his hearers at the present time? conquerable zeal, by the diligent use When can the conscience be reached, of appointed means, to accomplish the if not in childhood? When has God great object of your labours, you may promised that the soul shall find him, confidently hope that your whole class if not when he is sought early? When will, early in life, be converted to God, will the Holy Spirit impress the heart and steadily advance in holiness; that which you are labouring to soften and they will be prepared for times of subdue, if not when it is the heart of a difficulty and sorrow; and being fitted child Impressions may soon fade by eminent piety for important stations away, but they are easily renewed; and in the church, that they will abundantly every time they are renewed, the soul glorify God in the world, become the is preparing to have them abide longer instruments of widely extending his and longer.' kingdom; and prove, at last, in heaven, your crown of rejoicing" for evermore.-R. N. Collins.

That the religious impressions produced in childhood and youth are easily renewed, when they are not resisted or wilfully effaced, is a fact which should animate you amid apparent discouragements, and call forth your untiring efforts to promote the spiritual advancement of your whole class; by careful instruction, and an inspiriting example, you may greatly

assist in the formation of that robustness of character which is essential to eminent youthful piety. The dwarfish

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"He made his grave with the wicked, and with the Jesus is all we need. He offered up him