his book on a beautiful summer afternoon, he heard a foot on the gravel, and saw the shadow of a passenger cast on the glossy leaves and beautiful flowers of a China rosebush, which served as his window screen. The servant came to say, that one calling himself an old college acquaintance, was in the kitchen; and there-for he declined to enter the room-in old rusty black, out at the knees and elbows, with his head hanging down, stood a beggar--in whose haggard face he traced the features of one whom he had known as a most accomplished student, the pride of his parents and family, and once the envy of many. Degraded in his own eyes, he would not lift up his head, nor speak, nor stay, but, clutching at the offered charity, he hurried off-a man who might have adorned a pulpit, now a vagabond on the earth, cast off by all his friends, to die by a dyke side, and be laid, with no regrets, in a drunkard's grave.

"But three weeks ago, on going up the High Street, a sudden start and a rapid turning away of a face, called my attention to one who had reached the lowest infamy. In her swollen and bloated features I recognized one whom I had known in better days, and had last seenwhen five years ago I prayed beside her mother's dying bed-in the garret-story of a high tenement of the Cowgate. From her childhood she had been the widow's best earthly comfort—the little ewe lamb of her bosom— and I have heard her mother, who blessed God for the fair opening of that flower, tell, with tears of joy in her eyes, how Mary sang her hymns, and with what power she prayed to God in their lonely home. Happily now for her, the mother lies at rest in the Greyfriers churchyard; but her Mary, who, from the Sabbath School scholar had grown up into a Sabbath School teacher, walks the High Street-another victim added to the

thousands whose first fall often dates from these festival seasons-who begin with a glass, and end with a bottle.

"Our larger towns are becoming a disgrace to Scotland; and our country, with its old character for piety and sobriety, hanging in threadbare rags upon its back, is becoming a disgrace to the empire. We have small hopes from Justices of Peace or Members of Parliament. If this evil is to be stopped-these waters dammed up and driven back-it must be, through the blessing of God, by you the people themselves; and to you, therefore, we presume to make this appeal; the necessities of the case are our apology. We wish you, indeed, a happy new year. We are not the enemies, but, on the contrary, the friends of every recreation and amusement which can exhilarate the spirits, and give a tone of cheerfulness to the mind, and health to the body. These would help our cause instead of hindering it. In innocent sports, expeditions to the country, visits to museums, gardens, picture galleries, public buildings—let such amusements be sought and enjoyed; but against drinking places and customs, let every master warn his workmen-every mistress her servants-every man and mother their children.

"At this season let all be specially on their guard-their motto this:- -Touch not, Taste not, Handle not.' Let the readers of this paper resolve to do what they can, by their example, influence, and advice, to stop this annual debauchery. Offer no spirits-refuse them when offered.

'BE NOT PARTAKERS OF OTHER MEN'S SINS.'

'LET HIM THAT STANDETH TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL."

Societies may receive 24 Sixpenny Packets of Tracts and Hand Bills in any part of London, by a post-office order for 10s. 6d., or 50 packets for 21s., being sent to Richard Dykes Alexander, Ipswich. All Country Booksellers may obtain Tracts through Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., London.

J. M. Burton and Co., Printers and Stereotypers, Ipswich.

TWENTY-FOUR REASONS

FOR

ABSTAINING FROM INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

1. Because Ale, Porter, Beer, Cider, Gin, Rum, Brandy, and Wine, contains a portion of spirit which is calculated to derange the human system: proved by the testimony of thousands of medical men. See Ipswich Temperance Tracts, No. 30 and 79.

2. Because none of these drinks, as an habitual beverage, are ever useful, but always injurious, to persons in health.

3. Because these habits originate in false notions of the harmlessness, or even utility, of alcoholic beverages, of which it is necessary that the public mind should be disabused.

4. Because drunkenness is a besetting sin, and leads to idleness, quarrelling, swearing, fighting, stealing, adultery, murder, and almost every other sin, and finally to ETERNAL MISERY.

5. Because drinking produces poverty, domestic misery, insolvency, bankruptcy, destruction of property, loss of reason, disease, and premature death.

6. Because a great deal of valuable land, time, labour, and capital, are worse than wasted upon making, vending, and using these intoxicating drinks.

7. Because fifty-five millions of money is annually expended upon these in the United Kingdom, which ought to be laid out in food, and the manufactures of the country, and promoting the spiritual welfare of the human family at home and abroad.

8. Because five millions of quarters of good grain are annually destroyed to make these poisonous liquors, and partly on the LORD'S DAY!!! See Tract No. 7.

9. Because intemperance obstructs the progress of civilization, education, the Religion of JESUS, and every useful reform.

10. Because abstinence is sure and safe, but drinking moderately is difficult and dangerous, and has led to all the drunkenness in the country.

11. Because I find that I cannot effectually warn the drunkard, unless I am an entire abstainer.

12. Because I like to join those who are exerting themselves to promote the temporal and spiritual reformation, and happiness of the nation.

13. Because it is important to set a safe example of perfect sobriety to our children, friends, and associates.

14. Because it is our Christian duty to deny ourselves even of lawful things to promote the happiness of others.

15. Because, while millions repent of drinking, not one repents of abstaining.

16. Because, while no blessing is pronounced upon drinking, God's approval is frequently recorded in favour of abstinence. (see Jer. xxxv. Luke i. 15. Rom. xiv. 21. Prov. xx. 1.)

17. Because I think it wrong to touch, taste, or handle, or keep in my house, the article which is filling the land with misery, lamentation, and woe.

18. Because nothing but total abstinence as a human instrument will cure the drunkard, or prove a certain preventive to the moderate drinker from becoming such.

19. Because I find myself, by abstaining, healthier, wealthier, and happier; and am better fitted to perform my duty both to GOD and man.

20. Because total abstinence removes one stumbling-block to the reception of the Gospel of CHRIST in the heart, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

21. Because through the Divine blessing on the means employed by Temperance Societies, thousands have been reclaimed from habits of intemperance.

22. Because our juvenile population will be secured from many and powerful temptations, by being trained to entire abstinence from alcohol and instructed in the reasons for such a course.

23. Because as every man's practice necessarily tends to perpetuate or destroy the drinking customs, it is the duty of every CHRISTIAN PHILANTHROPIST to give the influence of his example to the beneficial cause of total abstinence.

24. Because it will enable me, through grace, to devote more of my property to promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of my fellow-sinners, and the glory of GOD.

N. B.-"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John iii. 3.

"If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new." 2 Cor. v. 17. "If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ?" Luke xi. 13.

"Jesus saith, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." John xiv. 6.

J. M. Burton and Co., Stereotypers and Printers, Ipswich.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

BY A MECHANIC.

THE following remarks, addressed to my fellow-workmen, were suggested to me by an occurrence in my own family on New Year's Day, which led to very beneficial consequences both to me and mine. The last evening of 1850 we were all sitting together around the fire, just after tea, and the young ones talking of New Year's Day, wanting me to give them something if, the next morning, they wished us first "a happy new year;" this was soon promised; but what was the something to be? what would it cost? "Oh, it will not cost much; not more than a pint or two of beer would, papa." "Well, what is it?" "Why, on Sunday, Teacher read to us a story of an Indian child, out of a little magazine, and all the class were so pleased with it; and he said it cost but one halfpenny a month; that he got one every month for his children, and if we liked he would get one for us at the same price, then we could read it at home on Sunday evenings, with our father and mother. Now, we shall want you to give us a halfpenny a month to buy one." Of course I willingly promised, and of course, I was duly first saluted the next morning, and had to keep my promise. Little, however, did my darlings imagine what New Year's thoughts they would put into papa's head. Little did they think of being their father's teacher, or of the consequences that depended upon their pretty wish.

I am a mechanic, in good and constant employ, and am reckoned a tolerably steady man; that is, I keep regular to work, and never lost a day yet from being intoxicated, so that my master could depend on my being at my post, which could not be said for too many of my fellow-workmen. Still I thought it no harm on Saturday night, after giving my wife enough, . as I thought, to join the rest with a pipe and glass for an hour or two at some public-house, where a shilling or two was soon spent, and very often I stopped much too long, could hardly walk home, and when I did get there, I was enough to wear out the patience of my wife, who was already worn out with the Saturday-night work for a little family. I have often wondered she did not reproach me bitterly, but she never did. When I owned my folly the next morning, she often used mildly to tell me of the bad example it was for my children, as, sometimes, some of them would wake up, and wonder what was the matter with their father.

It was the children's remark that the magazine would not "cost more than a pint or two of beer," which set me thinking. I am ashamed to say, it never occurred to me before how many a thing might be procured for my family, by the money I threw away, without thinking of it, for a pint or two of beer. It kept me awake a good deal that night. Why, a shilling a-week, thought I, is £2. 12s. a-year, nearly half the rent of my