delay his journey, and therefore put it out of his power to reach the haven of rest in time-he justly deserves the suffering which will follow his negligence. Reader, is it not to be feared that the above is very applicable to many who have set out for the haven of eternal rest, instead of strictly attending to their high calling? They become luke warm, and thus suffer their minds to be too much exercised, and their attentions and affections too much engrossed with worldly matters-with the things of time and sense--and their golden moments still passing rapidly by, and the period fast approaching, when the Master of the house shall rise and shut the door. O, shall I, who had, and have made a fair start for the heavenly Canaan, fall in the wilderness of sin! Shall I appear with that class who shall come after the door is closed, and be denied admittance! O, what anguish and distress of soul, will follow the disappointment of the foolish Virgins! And upon the other hand, what felicity will be enjoyed by those that shall be within!

RELIGIOUS ANECDOTES.

An Awful Judgment.

MELANCTHON records the following account of God's righteous judgment on a company of profane wretches, who in a tragedy, intended to represent the death of Christ on the cross: "He that acted the soldier's part, instead of piercing with his spear a bladder full of blood hid under the garment of him who was upon the cross, wounded him to death; he, falling from the cross, killed him who acted the part of a woman weeping under it; the brother of him who was slain slew the murderer, and for slaying him was hanged by order of justice. Thus did the vengeance of God speedily overtake them, and they were all hung in chains for a warning to all that should dare to trifle with a great and jealous God."

HEB., X., 30, 31.—We know him that hath said, Vengeance belougeth

unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

A Dream of Heaven.

Ar a Wesleyan missionary meeting a few years since, the Rev. Henry Townley said, that a very pious person once affirmed to him that on the previous night he had the following dream: He dreamed that he had died and arrived at the gates of heaven.When he applied to the holy watchmen to admit him within the sacred walls, they inquired, "Whom do you want?" He replied that he had belonged to the Independents, and wished to join them in that place. "There are no such people here!" was the answer that he got. "Well," said he, "I have had some connection with the Baptists; may I join them ?" "We don't know any of that name,' replied the heavenly watchmen. It was in vain that he asked for churchmen-they had never heard of such a term; there were not even any Wesleyans there. He was just going away in despair, when as a last resource, he said. "But I am a Christian.” At this word the gate of bliss flew open, and he was received as a welcome guest.

EPHES.. iv., 4-6.-There is one body and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, oue God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor fiee, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.-Gallations, iii., 28.

"Godliness with Contentment.”

LADY HUNTINGTON states in one of her letters that a Christian minister had often expressed a desire to understand the meaning of our Lord's words in the Sermon on the Mount, blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." But he remained unsatisfied as to its meaning, till one morning having taken a walk of some considerable distance, he was surprised on approaching a very poor cottage, to hear the voice of praise. He drew nearer, and looking in at the window, he saw a woman in the most wretched state of poverty that he ever beheld. She had on a a little stool before her a piece of black bread and a cup of cold water and with her hands and eyes lifted up to heaven, as in a rapture of praise, uttered these words, "What! all this, and Jesus Christ too! What! all this, and Jesus Christ too!"

1 TIM., vi., 6-8.-Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we carry nothing out of it. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.

The Christian Warfare.

AMONG the prisoners taken captive, at the battle of Waterloo, there was a Highland piper. Napoleon struck with his mountain

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dress and sinewy limbs, asked him to play on his instrument, which is said to libtfully in the giens and mountains of Scotland. "Play a pibroch," sau and the Highlander played it. Play a march;" it was done. ----7 a retreat.” "Na, na," said the Highlander, “I never learned to play a retreat!" NO RETREAT! should be the motto emblazoned on the standard of every Christian warrior, as he goes forth to battle, "not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

In a dreadful encounter between the French and the Russians, in which more than fifty thousand perished, both parties claimed the victery. What then has the historian to do? He will doubtless inquire, Who kept the field? And as these were the French, and the Russians withdrew, the former will be declared the victors. So of the Christian warrior; it is the keeping of the field to the last,resisting steadfast in the faith," till all the adversaries are withdrawn, that is to make him more than conqueror through him that loved us.

EPHES., vi., 13-Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.