"Prayer Books and Homilies;" but what had they to do with "Rowland's Kalydor," his "Pearl Dentifrice," or his "Macassar Oil?" To put into the same page "Histories from Scripture," and "Old Hock, fine crusted Port, straw coloured Sherry, and exquisitely sparkling Moselle," seemed a little out of order. What affinity, what possible connexion could there be between "Watts's Psalms and Hymns," and "Imperial Saxony Cloth, Canton Drill Trowsers, and Petersham Great Coats?" These things, to say the least of them, were sadly out of keeping; they were not consistent.

So long as we remain such poor infirm mortals as we are, so long will it be necessary to pay some attention to those things that affect us. I confess I cannot read a pious commentary in a proper frame of mind, after running through a whimsical puff on "Improved Periwigs." Or at once turn, with becoming gravity, to the spiritual food provided by Flavel and Fuller, Boston and Baxter, from a paragraph written in high commendation of "Pickled Gerkins, and Potted Yarmouth Bloaters."

It may be that I am a little fanciful-many old people are so; but every thing that I read affects me for some time after, and therefore it was that the strange mixture of advertisements

on the outside of the magazine, disqualified me altogether from reading the inside with advantage.

Old Humphrey wanted to enter into the marrow of the work; but he was so pestered with the strange medley of "Artificial Teeth," and "Steam Cooking Kitchens;" "Quarto Bibles," and "Insurance Companies;" ;""Fountain Pens," "Tallow Candles,' ," "Beaver Bonnets," and "Sabbath Meditations;" 66 Irish Linens," and "Cheddar Cheese;" "Religious Tracts," and "Cure for the Tic Douloureux;" "Soda Water," "Fire Escapes, ""Sacred Classics," and "Patent Chronometers," that he was fain to shut up the book altogether, till the hodge-podge had subsided in

his mind.

A great deal more might be said on this subject; but, to confess the truth, Old Humphrey himself is often complained of as being sadly out of keeping; sadly inconsistent. He is blamed, and perhaps with reason, for letting too much of the liveliness of his disposition peep through some of his most serious remarks. He goes from a cheerful observation to a text of Scripture too suddenly; and therefore, knowing his own infirmity, he ought not to be severe on the infirmities of others.

He will say no more, then, about the medley of advertisements on the covers of the magazine,

than this, that he hopes what has already escaped him is not out of keeping with good nature and Christian affection, and it may suggest to some whom it may concern, a useful hint on consistency.

ON THE BIBLE.

THE Bible tells us all that we know of God as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All we know of heaven, as a place of joy, and of hell, as a place of torment. Such is the information of the Bible. The Bible is the only book that tells us of the beginning and the end. It is the only book that makes known to us our creation and redemption. None other book is the word of God. Such is the authority of the Bible.

The Bible excites us to kindness, zeal, holiness, and happiness; it upholds all that is virtuous and good, and condemns every thing that is sinful in thought, and word, and deed. Such is the spirit of the Bible.

The Bible tells us that all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and that the wicked shall be cast into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Such are the terrors of the Bible.

The Bible tells us that God has found a ransom; that Jesus Christ, his Son, died upon the cross for sinners; and that all that believe in him shall not

perish, but have everlasting life. hope of the Bible.

Such is the

All who believe the Bible, and live a life of faith in the Son of God, have the promise not only of this life, but of that which is to come. Those who disbelieve the Bible, despise the hope of salvation in a crucified Redeemer, and lead a life of ungodliness, have in this world a life without peace, and a fearful looking for of eternal judgment in the next. Such are the promises and threatenings held forth by the Bible.

Dost thou reverence, love, and practise the precepts of the Bible? the book is a blessing to thy soul. Dost thou deride, hate, and disobey the precepts of the Bible? the rejection of this book will prove thy heaviest condemnation.