want Sarahs for its Abrahams, Rachels for its Jacobs, and Deborahs for its Lapidoths. Whilst SAMUELS are wanted at the altar of the Lord, there must be Hannahs in Ramathaimzophim. Even whilst SAMPSONS are needed in Israel, there must be Mothers in Israel, like the wife of Manoah: and all such wives and mothers must bear the yoke in their youth.' God has laid his heaviest yoke on thy young neck; and thou hast not been, as a bullock unaccustomed to it, impatient, or obstinate. Ye can both say, our hearts are not turned back, though Thou, O God, hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.' Ye have both gone astray like lost sheep; but ye both returned to the shepherd of Israel, the moment He employed his guardian crook as a chastizing rod; and now, it is over you as a pastoral crook again, and will soon guide you back in peace,

to all the green pastures and still waters of Zion. This leprosy will give place to health, in thy countenance; and this lowness of spirits, to the joy of salvation. But, my children! let the dawn of this hope, as it brightens unto perfect day, bring all your responsibilities, as well as your prospects, distinctly before you. Ye are about to be blessed again, that, like Abraham and Sarah, ye may be a blessing,' in your house and neighbourhood. Know therefore, and remember, that if ye dare to 'live unto yourselves' again, 'a worse thing will befall' you."

There was no occasion to prolong the con-
Rachel's leprosy was rapidly pass-

versation.

ing away.

The composure and tenderness of Sheshbazzar, had created a crisis in her spirits, which led on her health, as if Lot's angel had taken her by the hand, and whispered a message of peace from the throne, in tones and

terms of heavenly sympathy; for Sheshbazzar closed the evening with prayer. And, what a prayer! Never, since Jacob wrestled with the Angel on Peniel, had such petitions been poured

from the heart, or pressed into heaven. "Whilst he was yet speaking," Rachel was recovering.

No. IV.

VARIETIES, FROM INATTENTION.

Too much importance cannot be attached to a right creed, except when it is put in the room of a holy character, or of a humble spirit. Then, however, there is something equally awful and ominous in orthodoxy. Not that a sound creed itself is a dangerous thing. Far from it! Indeed, there can be no true holiness nor humility, without soundness in the faith, upon all cardinal points. There may be virtues of character, which are intended for holiness; and virtues of temper, which are intended for humility: but, as both holiness and humility have their chief reasons in the revealed character and will of God, the conduct and spirit

(however good) which are not chiefly influenced by these reasons, are not those virtues. She who goes no further than the general principle

-"I ought to be holy because God is holy; and humble because God is great," is certainly wiser than the woman who merely avoids vice and pride because they are vulgar: but still, the former is almost as far from being "wise unto salvation," as the latter. She assigns, indeed, a much better reason than the latter for her conduct and spirit: for it is a scriptural reason. That, however, is not enough, so long as it is her only reason. God has laid down other reasons than his own holiness, why we should be holy; and other reasons than his own greatness, why we should be humble. He enforces these graces of character, by the purifying virtue and design of the blood of Christ, and by the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the sublime perfection of heavenly bliss.