HOULSTON AND STONEMAN, 65, PATERNOSTER ROW;

JAMES BIGG AND SON, 53, PARLIAMENT STREET, WESTMINSTER.

1854.

270.C.45.

PREFACE.

The title of this little book is a faithful index of its character. It contains " Gleanings from a stock of good things, which have been accumulating in a Christian "Pastor's Portfolio" for several years. The reader may perhaps ask whence they originally came. The gleaner cannot answer further than this,—that he has casually found them in different parts of the great field of truth. Many of them are old, but he ventures to think, as good as they are old; others are new, and, in his estimation, are as valuable and interesting as those which have been known and admired for years.

Should the "Gleanings" meet with the favour which some who have seen them kindly predict, the Pastor promises, at some future day, to open his treasures again.

London, May 12, 1854.

Gleanings from a Pastor's Portfolio.

MIND THE DOOR.

Did you ever observe how strong a street-door is ? How thick the wood is,-how heavy the chain is,— what large bolts it has,—and a lock! If there were nothing of value in the house, or no thieves outside, this would not be needed; but as there are precious things within and bad men without, there is need that the door be strong, and we must inind the door.

We have a house. Our heart and mind is that house. Bad things are for ever trying to come in and go out of our mind and heart. I will describe some of these bad things to you.

Who is that at the door? Ah, I know him, it is Anger. What a frown there is on his face! How his lips quiver! How fierce he looks! I will hold the door, and not let him in, or he will do me harm, and perhaps some one else.

Who is that? It is Pride. How haughty he seems ! He looks down on every thing as if it were too mean for his notice. Ah, wicked Pride, I will hold the door fast, and try to keep you out.

Here is some one else. I am sure from his sour look his name is Ill Temper. But it will never do to let him in, for if he can only sit down in the house, he makes every one unhappy, and it will be hard to get him out again. No, sir, we shall not let you in, so you may go

away.

Who is this? It must be Vanity, with his flaunting strut and gay clothes. He is never so well pleased as

B