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of affection, will you lay aside this paper without resolving to do something for the relief of yonder aged sufferer, whose morsel of meat is consumed, or that poor sickly Greenland mother, whose children are about to bury her alive!

BE WISE TO-DAY.

TO the person who realizes the worth of the soul, nothing is so painful as to see the indecision of a great part of mankind with regard to subjects of everlasting moment. When told that they are sinners, and exposed, every instant, to the wrath of an angry God; when invited to the arms of a Saviour and the eternal joys of heaven, their language is, not that they intend to neglect the subject wholly, but that they cannot attend to it now. Thus they delay, and their souls are lost for ever.

It is not my design, in these few lines, to enter into a particular discussion of the subject of procrastination; but I shall merely relate an anecdote, which may serve as a warning to those who cannot be prevailed upon to make their peace with God now, but are waiting for "a more convenient season."

Mr. B, a Missionary, was travelling in one of the Western States; and being under the necessity of calling at a mill to shelter himself from a fall of rain, entered into conversation with the miller; and having observed that he should that evening preach a lecture at a neighbouring house, asked him if he would not attend? The miller replied, "my business is very urgent, and I must work all night; but," rejoined he, "As to-morrow is Sunday, I will then attend with pleasure." With an emphasis solemn as death, Mr. B. answered, "To-morrow is not yours! To-morrow is not yours!" "I am not afraid I shall die before morning," said the other, and added, "I shall not leave my work to attend to religion." Finding his efforts vain, Mr. B. took him by the hand and said, "In the hands of a merciful God I leave you. I have cleared my garments of your blood, and if you perish, you perish wilfully." Saying this, Mr. B. rode off. He had not, however, proceeded far, before a flood came, (there being at that time a freshet) and swept the mill down the stream, and the man into eternity!!

Dying sinner! read this, and awake to your alarming situation. Your ETERNAL ALL is at stake, and by a moment's delay you may sink, to rise no more. By a moment's delay, you may lose happiness, God, and heaven. "O that you were wise! that you understood these things, that you would consider your latter end!”

HONEST CONFESSION.

IN the month of May last, the Rev. Mr. ***** informed me, that he was sent for to visit one of his parishioners, who, for a short time,

had been inquiring what he should do to be saved? He informed the minister, that for several days he had been trying to commence family prayers; a duty which he had neglected all his life; and that after much opposition from his own heart, he had taken up this cross and had begun the path of duty." And," said he, continuing the conversation," one of my daughters lately ceme home on a visit, and is now under deep convictions. Two nights ago, about ten o'clock, I heard a noise up stairs, in the room where the boys slept; and supposing that one of them was unwell, I went up and asked what was the matter? I was told no one was sick, and came down again. I heard the noise a second time, and enquired, who made the noise ?" "It was I, father," said my son, about twelve years of age. "And why did you make it?"" "Because I am such a great sinner, father; I do not know what to do; what shall I do, father ?" "And," said the father to the minister, "I was such a great sinner myself, that I could not tell him what to do."

A.

ORIGINAL ANECDOTE.

you.

THE Rev. Mr. B. being on a visit to the Springs in the western part of the State of Pennsylvania, was going one sabbath to a neighbouring town to preach. It was on the great public road that leads from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, which is constantly thronged with large baggage wagons. Observing one of these before him, travelling the same way, he thought he would reprove the driver for travelling upon the sabbath. Riding up to him in great haste, he earnestly accosted him thus, Push on my friend, push on with all your might, there is a messenger after you and will soon overtake The Rev. Mr. B. by this time had passed him and was going on. The waggoner was very much surprised, and requested him to stop. He checked his horse a little, and repeated the same words. The waggoner, much agitated, ran after him and told him that he had not been stealing, and wished to know what messenger was after him? Stopping his horse at this time, he addressed him in the following impressive manner: " Yes, you have been stealing: You are now encroaching upon the Lord's day, and violating his commandments. This is the day the Lord hath made: these are the hours he calls his own. He has commanded you to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work: And here you are, attending upon your worldly business, stealing the time in which you ought to be engaged in worshipping God. The messenger of Death is after you, and will soon overtake you, when you will have to give an account of the manner in which you have spent this day." This timely reproof took effect. The waggoner was sensible of his guilt, and promised never again to travel upon the Sabbath.

EXHORTATION AGAINST EXCESSIVE SORROW.

LET not your thoughts dwell continually upon your distresses and afflictions. Suffer not the chambers of your soul to be ever hung round with dark and dismal ideas; chew not always the wormwood and the gall; but remember the many temporal mercies you enjoy, and the rich treasures of grace in the gospel. Survey the immortal blessings of pardon of sin, and eternal life; the love of God, and the hope of heaven. Look sometimes on those brighter scenes; suffer not your sorrow to bury all your past and present comforts in darkness and oblivion. Thankfulness is one way to joy.

Remember, if you are a Christian indeed, the springs of your grief cannot flow long; the hour of death will dry them all up. The last moment of this mortal life is a certain and final period to sorrow. Converse much among the mansions and joys of the invisible world, and your hope which is laid up there: the very gleamings of that glory will brighten the darkest providences, and relieve the soul under its sharpest pains.

Compare your miseries with your sins, and then you will think them lighter. You will learn then to bear your burdens with a more serene and peaceful mind, and turn your sorrows into repentance for sin. But, alas! we aggravate our sufferings, and extenuate and excuse our sins: whereas sufferings would appear lighter, if we did but consider how much heavier evils we have deserved from the hands of a holy and offended God.

Doctrine of the Passions.

THE MAN OF HUMILITY.

EUDOXUS is a gentleman of exalted virtue and unstained reputation; every soul that knows him speaks well of him: he is so much honoured, and so well beloved in his nation, that he must flee his country, if he would avoid praises. So sensible is he of the secret pride that has tainted human nature, that he holds himself in perpetual danger, and maintains an everlasting watch. He behaves now with the same modesty as when he was unknown and obscure. He receives the acclamations of the world with such an humble mein, and with such an indifference of spirit, that is truly admirable and divine. It is a lovely pattern, but the imitation is not easy: I took the freedom, one day, to ask him, how he acquired this wondrous humility, or whether he was born with no pride about him? "Ah! no, (said he, with a sacred sigh,) I feel the working poison, but I keep my antidote at hand; when my friends tell me of many good qualities and talents, I have learnt from St. Paul to say, What have I that I have not received? My own consciousness of many follies and sins constrains me to add, What have I that I have not misimproved? And then reason and religion join together to suppress my vanity, and teach me the proper language of a creature and a sinner-hat then have I to glory in?"

Miscellaneous Thoughts,

Extract of a Letter to the Editor, dated New-York, April 20th, 1822.

"SABBATH before last I spent in New-York. It was a precious day to many souls; sixty were added to Dr. Spring's church, on profession of their faith; twelve by letter, making an acquisition of seventy-two. At the Rev. Mr. Cox's, Spring-Street, I attended; it was a solemn season; the whole afternoon was taken up in receiving the new members, baptising, and administering the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Thirty-six, on profession of faith, seventeen by letter and certificate were received. Ten of those were baptised: one Roman Catholic, one Methodist, were of the number. In the Rev. Mr. Baldwin's congregation a work of grace is going on. Eight were received last communion; several are rejoicing in hope, and many under serious impressions. Great is the grace and pure the word of him who hath promised to give his Holy Spirit to them that ask in faith, nothing wavering. Christians are only to blame. The glorious work of revival and reformation would be going on in every place, if christians were faithful to God, to their own souls, and to those around them."

Extract of a Letter to the Editor, dated Philadelphia, April 17th, 1822.

"The thick gloom of this region seems to be broken, and I hope the darkness which has so long covered the people, is about to be driven back by the powerful light of the Sun of Righteousness.

In Mr. Patterson's congregation many are anxious, and forty or fifty have recently found peace, as we hope, in Christ.

In Mr. Skinner's, and in Mr. Chandler's congregations, also, there are hopeful appearances."

THE Rev. Mr. P, travelling in a neighbouring State, put up one night at a public house in the town of S, where were a number of young gentlemen assembled, who were unusually profane. He inquired of them if the laws of the State did not prohibit profane swearing? The reply was, they did not know. He then observed to them that he concluded the laws of God were binding. It is hardly necessary to observe that this gentle reproof had the desired effect.

Answers are solicited to the following Questions.

HOW far ought christians of different denominations to extend the hand of fellowship, according to the Word of God?

What course of conduct and exertions has God most usually blessed, in promoting revivals of religion?

TO THE PILGRIM,

PILGRIM, burthen'd with thy sin,
Come the way to Zion's gate;
There, 'till Mercy let thee in,

Knock, and weep, and watch, and wait.

Knock, He knows the sinner's cry;
Weep, He loves the mourner's tears;

Watch, for saving grace is nigh;
Wait, 'till heavenly light appears.

Hark! it is the Bridegroom's voice,
Welcome, Pilgrim, to thy rest;
Now within the gate, rejoice;
Safe, and seal'd, and bought, and blest.

Safe from all the lures of vice;

Seal'd by signs the chosen know;
Bought by love, and life the price;
Blest the mighty debt to owe.

Holy Pilgrim! what for thee,

In a world like this remains?

From thy guarded breast shall flee

Fear, and shame, and doubt, and pains.

Fear, the hope of heaven shall fly;

Shame, from glory's view retire;

Doubt, in certain rapture die;

Pains, in endless bliss expire.

FOR THE PILGRIM.

SABBATH SCHOOLS.

AMONG the benevolent institutions, which have so highly distinguished the present age, that of Sabbath Schools ranks with the highest. This, like the vernal overflowing of fertilizing streams, assures the hope of a fruitful harvest.

It is deeply to be regretted, that an institution of such promising utility, should be destitute of a regular system of operation. Those Societies which have taken the lead in converting the world, owe the triumphs of their success, under the divine blessing, to the influence of united efforts, while Sabbath Schools have laboured under all the embarrassments resulting from the want of such combination. Notwithstanding this improvement has been so frequently suggested to the public, yet, with few exceptions, no effectual system has been brought into operation. I would now ask, what objection can there be against a Sabbath School union, composed of several towns each; and that delegates from each society or town, by appointment, meet at least twice a year to consult the best way for managing the Schools, to awaken interest, accelerate improvement, and to seek

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