Mr. Palmer, who preached a sermon on the death of his benevolent friend, says he often and explicitly expressed a cheerful confidence in the grace of God, in a Redeemer for acceptance, renouncing all pretensions to merit by all the good works he had performed, and an humble triumph in the prospect of life eternal, as the free gift of God through Jesus Christ." In exact accordance with these sentiments in which he was known to have lived and died, the monument erected in honour of his memory, bears this short but significant inscription:

CHRIST IS MY HOPE.

Who are they, we ask, that manifest the deepest interest in the circulation of Bibles, and show the tenderest concern for the salvation of their fellow beings in the remotest regions of the earth, who not only give their property, but themselves to the sacred work of converting the heathen? Every one knows they are men whose minds are thoroughly imbued with the doctrines of the reformation."

Seeing then, that these are the truths which teach a man to subdue his inordinate appetites and passions, which render him amiable in the privacies of domestic life, and upright in his dealings with his fellow men, while they inspire him at the same time with a resolution not to live for himself, but for others; let us cling to them as containing the principles of every thing that is ennobling in life, consoling in death, and durable in eternity.

WHY DO YOU NOT GO TO THE PLAY?

ANSWERS.

1st.-Because I should get no good there.

I MUST say, I am not so good but that I want mending: Now I never could find that any body grew wiser or better by going to a play; but I am sure many have become worse: worse husbands, worse wives, worse children, and worse servants. I do not pretend to be more clever than my neighbours, and, therefore, I reckon what hurts others would hurt me.

2nd. Because I can employ my time better. "Time is the stuff that life is made of," and I love life too well to squander it away. I hear some people talk about killing time, but for my part, what with my shop and my family, stepping out to see a friend now and then, and a little useful reading, I find enough to do, without running to the playhouse to pass away my time.

3rd. Because it is throwing away my money.

It takes a deal of money to maintain a family in credit by the time every thing is paid for. And besides, if I have a little spare cash to part with, I had rather by ten times help my poor neighbours, than spend it on the players.

company.

4th. Because I will not be seen in bad If there be any of the bettermost sort of people go to these places, I

am sorry for it; but I know 'tis the very place to meet with the worst. Thieves, pickpockets, gamesters, swindlers, and prostitutes, are sure to be seen there; and I do not wish to keep company with them if I can help it.

5th. Because I should set a bad example.

-

One fool, they say, makes many. If I went to the play, my children, and servants, and neighbours, would want to go too. In this way, I should not only be wasting my own time and money, but tempting others to do the same. If I do not set so good an example as I could wish, I will try not to set a bad one.

6th. Because God Almighty has forbidden it.

Turn to your Bible, my friend, (and nobody need be without one in these days,) and you will see that what I say is true. You will read there," Avoid profane and vain babblings."—" Be not conformed to this world."-" Abstain from all appearance of evil."-" Evil communications corrupt good manners."-"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting."-" For every idle word that men speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment."

7th.-Because I must soon die.

The late Rev. Mr. Hervey once met with a lady in a coach, who was talking very fast in praise of the stage. Among other things she said: There was the pleasure of thinking on the play before she went ; the pleasure she enjoyed when there; and the pleasure of reflecting upon it when in her bed at night. When she had done, Mr. Hervey, in a very mild way, said, that there was one pleasure more, which she had forgotten to mention. She replied: "what can that be? Surely I have included every thing in the enjoyment beforehand, at the time, and afterwards." To which Mr. Hervey answered: " Madam, the pleasure that it will give you on your DEATH BED." She was struck with great surprise, had not another word to say, and the consequence was, she never went any more to the play; but followed those pleasures which would afford her satisfaction on her death bed, READER, GO AND DO LIKEWISE!

For the Christian Herald.

THE FORSAKEN MANIAC.

I.

FAREWELL to the friend who soothed my sorrow,
And left me a stranger to mourn o'er his doom;
No joy will return with the dawn of to-morrow,
But lonely to sit, and weep at his tomb!

II.

How transient the hopes which around me were playing,
When the journey of life I peaceful began!
These visions have flown, and my heart is decaying-
My prospects are blasted-and crushed is each plan!

III.

i cherished a rose, and it bloomed in my bower,

Till the worm now entered the core of its heart;

At fed at its vitals, and withered my flower,

And fragrance no longer will it ever impart !

IV.

The harp that was mine, I touched it with gladness,
I tuned every string, and responsive I sung,
Ere grief had prevailed and clothed me with sadness,
Or the strings of my harp by sorrow were wrung!

V.

But long has my harp now hung on the willow,

And the hopes of my youth have been dashed to the ground: So bubbles may sparkle and burst on the billow,

Nor bubbles nor trace any longer be found!

VI.

But round me a star once burst with its shining,

And broke on my path with the splendour of day;

It seemed like an angel to chide my repining,

And beckon my footsteps, then wand'ring astray!

VII

And I once had a dream that softened my pillow-
Methought me surrounded by all that I love:
It seemed like the bow on the face of the billow,
Which tells of a place that's remembered above}

VIII.

But still a poor stranger I wander below,

And few are the visions which brighten my way;
But I need not the pity this world can bestow,
For soon shall I walk in the glories of day!

T.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FACTS AND ANECDOTES.

A TEACHER, in the Methodist Female Adult School, observing to one of her scholars how very attentive she was to her book, her reply was, "O yes, I bless God I am never so happy as when reading my Bible. I have experienced the pardoning love of God for many years past; but as I was not able to read the word of God myself, I never experienced that real enjoyment of its contents. I can now read and realize its precious promises for my own comfort; I can take its precepts for my rule through life."

On asking another poor woman, who appeared much in earnest for the salvation of her soul, how she felt the state of her mind, she said, "Glory be to God, I think I shall now go to heaven; I am happy, quite happy." Another time whilst reading the Bible, she was asked VOL. IX.

38

if she understood what she read, she replied, which warms my heart."

A little boy about seven years of age, when in bed, was heard to say to his young sister, "Religion's a good thing, but I can't pray.' No," replied his sister, " we cannot pray as we should, and some folks say there is not a God, but there is a God sure enough."

Another little girl hearing her brother pray in a careless manner, said, "William, if you dont mind how you pray, God will not hear you; my teachers tell me so.”

One boy, although daily employed at his trade, from six o'clock in the morning until seven o'clock in the evening, has committed to memory, since the commencement of the school in 1819, four thousand nine hundred verses of God's word, besides Catechism, &c.

Another boy, twelve years of age, has committed to memory during the past year 700 verses of the Sacred Scriptures; and four of the girls have also treasured up in their minds 1625 verses of the Scriptures; 63 hymns, and Dr. Watts' Catechisms. Our hearts are frequently animated and encouraged by hearing infants repeat such large portions of those Scriptures which" are able to make them wise unto salvation."

A young woman who was one of our first scholars, left the school four or five years ago, and went to service. A short time since she engaged at a shopkeeper's, where they kept open shop on Sundays; she saw the impropriety of such conduct, and gave notice to leave the place. Her master and mistress, finding her a faithful and honest servant, would not agree to part with her, and she would not continue unless they shut up their shop on the Sabbath; and more than this, her agreement was, to have family-prayer constantly, which she conducts herself. The happy result is witnessed; and although there is much persecution for not selling as usual, yet the shop is closed on the Sabbath, the house of God attended, and the mistress and servant joined to the same religious body.

A little boy, belonging to one of the schools, being requested by his father to fetch some money owed him, desired the boy to say he wanted to pay for something he had purchased, the child said, "No father, I won't tell a lie, it would be very wrong, for my teacher says, God knows every thing we say." Another little child, five years old, asked her mother if she had done something which she desired the child not to do, the mother said, "No," when the child replied, "Oh fie, mother! do you know it is very wicked to tell a lie! for God knows it and is very angry? We cannot see God, mother, but He can see us always, and knows what we do." A little girl in one of the schools, lately appeared deeply concerned about serious things, tears were frequently seen to trickle down her cheeks, when spoken to about the salvation of her soul; on being asked if she prayed, her reply was, "Yes, often, as well as I can, but sometimes I find it very difficult." One day, being on her knees, and finding no utterance, she cried, "Lord teach me to pray," and said, that when she came to a throne of grace again, she could pray much better.

Within the past year, one of the teachers has been removed to the

church triumphant; when 17 years of age, she was admitted into the school as a scholar, and on the first Sabbath of her attendance the instructions given were made a blessing to her soul. Her last moments were lighted up by the rays of the Sun of righteousness; and the little she was enabled to articulate deeply affected those who were favoured to be with her. She has left an undoubted evidence, by her pious life, her patient suffering,-and peaceful death, that her happy spirit now realizes that promise, or rather declaration of the Scriptures, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." By her persuasion, two of her brothers were led to attend the school, by which means both of them were converted to God. Their mother too, seeing the change effected in the hearts and lives of her offspring, was convinced of her need of like precious faith. She sought the blessing, and not in vain; on her death bed she was frequently visited by the superintendents of the school, to whom she expressed the liveliest gratitude that her children had been received into the school, attributing to that, as the instrumental cause, her conversion to God. Her death, as well as that of her two sons just mentioned, was truly happy, and in reference to one of the young men, even glorious.

One of the children, when on her dying pillow exhorted her father to turn from the error of his ways, and seek salvation through the merits and intercession of a crucified Redeemer. Conviction seized the father, and every reason appears, whereby we may hope this Sunday scholar will be instrumental in the salvation of her parent; he was a drunkard, now attends the prayer meeting, and his home, (to use the language of his wife,) is, comparatively speaking, like heaven. She was constantly engaged in prayer and praise. On the 16th of June last, the day before she died, she called aloud; "Come sweet Jesus, come sweet Jesus, and take me to thyself;" on being asked if she was not afraid to die, she said, "No, I feel an assurance that my sins are pardoned, and that I am going to Jesus;" these were the last words she distinctly uttered.

REVIEW.

The Life of the Rev. THOMAS SCOTT, D. D. Rector of Aston, Sandford, Bucks; including a Narrative drawn up by himself, and copious extracts from his letters. By JOHN SCOTT, A. M. Vicar of North Ferriby, and Minister of St. Mary's, Hull. Boston.-S. T. Armstrong and Crocker and Brewster: New-York,-John P. Haven. 1822. 12mo. pp. 454.

(Concluded from page 238.)

THIS Biography teaches more instructive lessous, than any one we remember to have read. What a specimen have we, for instance, of the gracious Providence of God; which fitted his servant for eminent usefulness, and led him in a way which he knew not, to the highest position which uninspired man can occupy in the oversight of the Church of Christ. The Episcopoi of his time had a circumscribed diocese, in comparison with the Rector of Aston, Sandford,