strongly deprecate the practice of many whose chief interest seems to lie far beyond the duty of "beginning at Jerusalem," to the neglect of the immediate sphere in which providence has placed them. If a contribution be solicited in behalf of poor Ireland's numerous needs, is it not often urged that subscribing to a multitude of foreign societies the application cannot be attended to? What continual supplies of fancy works, &c., are yearly poured into India, thereby tending to excite vanity and ambition in the negro mind, while the fair manufacturers of these useless baubles think not of the more imperative duty of clothing the half-naked little urchins of our sister island, or of ministering to the wants of those devoted servants of God, who are proclaiming the gospel of peace in Erin's native tongue, amidst privations and difficulties not to be described.

Would that this principle of beginning at Jerusalem were more minutely applied! "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven;" not seek it for others firstthe domestic circle's individual claims next demand our best energies-neighbouring usefulness, our further concern-then our country's welfare should be perseveringly promoted—and as time and means permit, all nations would share the Christians' interest, and, above all, their prayers. Were we content faithfully and quietly to labour in the path the Lord appoints us, instead of appointing one for ourselves, greater benefit would, I feel convinced, accrue to our own souls, as well as to the objects of our attention. But, alas! the spirit of the age seems generally to lead to the desire of notoriety, even in religious designs. To figure in all the subscription and committee lists of the day, or to become patrons of various

societies, forms a considerable portion of the present business of life. To preside at a well-filled stall, publicly avowed to be exclusively supplied by individual exertion, at a fashionable bazaar, is frequently a pursuit of supreme importance, while the injunction, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth," might never have formed a part of the inspired volume.

Most sincerely do I join with you in feeling that Ireland loudly calls for the employment of our best energies and efforts. Your warm advocacy of this cause, needs not to be seconded by my feeble penbut this I can confidently assure you, that very many of your readers will always hail with peculiar pleasure any suggestion you may kindly make as to the most efficient means of uniting to assist in furthering the spiritual and temporal amelioration of that neglected country. May the Lord in his infinite mercy hasten the time when all shall know Him, from the least to the greatest.

E. L.

THE Spirit worketh joy in discovering and bending the heart to mourn for corruption. For it is the Spirit of grace and supplication which maketh sinners mourn and loathe themselves, Zech. xii. 10, 11. Ezekiel xxxvi. 27: and such a sorrow as this is the seed and matter of true joy; for Joseph's heart was full of joy, when his eyes poured out tears upon Benjamin's neck. As in wicked laughter the heart may be sorrowful, so in holy mourning the heart may rejoice; for all spiritual afflictions have a peaceable finish.-Reynolds.

SABBATH MUSINGS.

No. XII.

IT is generally admitted that women are more devout than men, or I should rather say that the numbers of of the former who are under the influence of religion exceed that of the other sex. It seems in the nature of things that so it should be, and indeed considering the character, disposition, and circumstances of women, it is only wonderful that so few should, like Mary of old, have chosen the better part. I have often, in reflecting on the subject, thought this one of the most striking illustrations of the necessity for the work of the Holy Spirit,-for the new heart produced by its regenerating influence, and the affections for heavenly things, which no natural cause or circumstance, however apparently favourable, can

create.

Humanly speaking, a woman's position in society is calculated to lead her steps into the narrow path, or, at least, to render them less prone to fall into the broad one. First, her home education under a parent's eye, safe and secure from the temptations, snares, and evil example which her brother is early sent forth to encounter in that miniature world, a public school. Then the comparatively retired tenor of her after-life, her seclusion from the active pursuits and engrossing cares, from the bustle and turMARCH, 1838.

moil, and the contact with all sorts of characters which a professional career involves; these are so many obstacles from which woman's path is free. Her dependent condition, delicate frame, and natural helplessness, tend to produce a trusting and confiding disposition, and lead her to look up to those whom providence has appointed as her protectors and guides. This disposition one should think well calculated to fit the mind for the reception of that religion whose first principle is a complete surrender of self, a renouncing of our own strength; which inculcates gentleness, humility, and the meek and submissive spirit that forms so lovely a feature in the female character. Even those who discountenance vital godliness agree that its graceful and softening effects are well calculated to harmonize with a woman's mind; while the conscious mental superiority, the vigour, strength, and lofty independence,-in short, all the bold and energetic qualities that constitute the pride of manhood, present many difficulties in the way of the humbling and subduing doctrines of the gospel.

But the chief reason why religion should come home with an especial welcome to a woman's breast, remains to be noticed. She is peculiarly "a creature of the affections:" the sweet charities of life seem to belong to her. To minister to the enjoyments of those she loves,-to bind up the broken-hearted,-to sympathize with the sorrows of others, and endeavour to mitigate their griefs,-to take her watchful stand beside the bed of pain, and soothe the weary sufferer with a thousand minute and gentle attentions, all these are peculiarly a woman's duties. Who can fulfil them so well as one whose sensitive

feelings and often suffering frame quicken her sympathies, and teach her how to apply the balm to wounds of which she has herself known the smart. And if these be feminine duties, are they not also Christian ones? Surely they are: surely a religion of love, a law of which love is the fulfilling, ought not to be grievous to those whose affections cling so fondly, so firmly, often so blindly to their cherished objects. It would seem no unnatural effort to direct the overflowing sympathies, wasted it may be on fictitious sorrows, and the false tenderness often given to unworthy objects and pampered favourites, into the legitimate channel of Christian benevolence.

So reason pleads, but revelation tells another tale. Yes, woman's heart, fond though it be,-throbbing with anxious tenderness, loving on through evil and good report, and clinging with persevering devotion, even where reason would disapprove,-woman's heart, that can melt at a tale of human woe, and be so easily touched with compassion, and moved to sympathy, is -stone! hard, cold and stony until the Spirit breathe on it with warm and life-giving influence. Natural instincts and tendencies remain however in her breast, and, oh! what exciting reflections should this idea awaken! If nature can, as many touching facts have proved, make her so devoted, so sympathising, so full of kindliness and gentle affections, what ought not grace to effect? Heart-searching and important question! Oh how anxiously should those to whom the Holy Spirit has been vouchsafed, seek to heighten with its divine fruits the feminine graces with which they may have been gifted: "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance," these lovely qualities so formed to adorn