depends very much upon it. We know some of our best Preachers, who are very deficient in this particular, and who seem to regard it as of no consequence whether their reading communicates the sentiment of the hymn or not. And, on the other hand, we have known those who would produce as much impression by the reading of the hymns as many would produce by a good sermon.

One important object gained by a good reading of them is the preparation of the singers to catch, and give a musical conveyance to, the sense of the hymn. A good reader, preceding the singer, has conveyed to the mind of the singers a true and vivid apprehension of the meaning of the sacred poet; and thus prepared the way for a better expression of the sense in the singing, and for the better effect of the singing on the congregation. So that the whole impression of the services of the sanctuary may be very essentially marred by a careless, lifeless, or monotonous performance of this reading. A good reader conveys tenfold the sense and power of divine thought, of what is conveyed by a bad reading. And the same law holds in the reading of hymns.

The fault to which we allude is very general, and its correction is a matter of public interest.-Puritan.

HINTS ON PUBLIC WORSHIP.
"WORSHIP GOD."-Rev. xxii. 9.
"Come worship at his throne;

Come bow before the Lord."

BE regular in your attendance at the "house of prayer" from a principle of "conscience toward God."

God has promised to meet you there: it is your duty, by forecast, by sacrifice, and by breaking through little things, to go and meet him in his own appointed ordinance.

Your spiritual necessities are pressing and important beyond things temporal, and demand the full use of all the means of both on Sabbaths and weekgrace, days.

Your vacant seats may grieve many, weaken the hands of the Minister, and occasion a loss to the whole congregation. Be punctual attend at the appointed hour.

If unavoidably late, enter the consecrated assembly noiseless, and as unobserved as possible, that you disturb not the devotion of others.

Join your fellow-worshippers with your mind solemnized by the divine presence, and keep it stayed on God.

Hear with a pure intention, with a close attention, with a desire of retention, and with prayer for the Minister and all who hear him.

Avoid the unbecoming posture of sitting during the time of public prayer.

Humbly and earnestly join the Minister in the spirit of prayer, when he is leading the devotions of the congregation; and forget not the duty of adding your audible response. "Let all the people say, Amen."

Let all, even the children, assist in upholding the good old Methodist practice of repeating "aloud" the Lord's prayer after the Minister.

Do not whisper to those near you; nor leave, unless duty compel you, till the close of the service.

So far as you are able, make it a point to assist in the congregational singing.

If your Maker has in any degree given you a tuneful voice, join promptly and heartily in this delightful part of divine worship, with marked attention to the general harmony and the meaning of the words.

Let not the singing fail or become burdensome through want of your assistance; nor let others be inconvenienced by your singing out of tune or out of time.

At the close of the worship, if you salute friends, let your words be few and your tone subdued; return to your dwelling recollected, meditating on the truths you have heard; and, as soon as possible, retire to your closet for prayer.

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John iv. 24.)

keeping, the Christian Sabbath. The fearful contrast is equally well known, that almost every notorious criminal began his dread career by Sabbath-breaking.

Was it ever known that a Christian church was distinguished for spirituality and success in winning souls to Christ, and was at the same time regardless of the Sabbath? Never. But in all times of peculiar energy and successfulness in any church, that church was eminently faithful to the Lord of the Sabbath; regarding and employing it as "a delight, the holy of the Lord, and honourable: not doing their own ways, nor finding their own pleasure, nor speaking their own words," on that day.

Have not the greatest dejections of Christian churches been introduced and characterized by a disregard of the Sabbath? The most ample proof that such has invariably been the case could very easily be produced. Take, as an example, the Romish Church. The introduction of saints' days and festivals jostled the Lord's day out of its place; and ended in reducing the Christian Sabbath to a day of mirth, amusement, and dissipation of every kind, not to mention grosser immoralities. If, therefore, we wish to stay the growing dejections of our time, and to promote a return of vital godliness, we must strive to restore the Lord's day to its unshared supremacy.

When we refer to the corruptions of the Romish Church, we are reminded of a kindred consequence of Sabbath-breaking, which may display the value of the Sabbath to some who cannot equally appreciate a religious argument. Even civil liberty depends for its existence upon the sanctity of the Christian Sabbath. Where there is one day in seven in which man is free to serve his God, alone, he cannot be wholly enslaved. It ought to dash the whip from the hand of the slave-driver, or paralyze his uplifted arm, when on Monday his slave can say to him, "But yesterday I had no master save my God." Nor can a nation lose its liberty so long as it can pause for one whole day, and offer up its undivided homage to the King eternal, the blessed and holy Poten

tate.

And let it be well understood and kept in mind that in Christian countries every attempt to reduce the nation to slavery has been begun by an attempt to introduce a systematic violation of the Sabbath. Such was the case when James and Charles issued their infamous "Book of Sports." Such was the case when

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the infidel revolutionists of France abolish

ed the Sabbath entirely. And should Government now introduce a systematic violation of the Sabbath by any means, into this country, the far-famed and loudly boasted fabric of British liberty would speedily disappear, and "leave not a wreck behind."

Is the Son of man Lord of the Sabbath? Then those who violate the Sabbath sanctity and rest are guilty of direct rebellion against his mediatorial sovereignty. When men break the Sabbath, and compel others to break it also, they are virtually saying, "We will not have Him to rule over us ;" and they can justly expect nothing but the wrath of Him whose divine prerogatives they have dared to assault. Surely ever lover of his country and of his race, and every faithful subject of the Lord, will exert themselves strenuously in vindication of the solemn and healing sanctities of the Christian Sabbath.

How miserable is the delusion attempted to be practised on the overtoiled poor by those who tell us that they wish to render the Sabbath a day of recreation for them. A day of recreation! Yes, as men give their horses a day of recreation, that they may be fitter for their toils on the other six days of labour. But has man no immortal soul? and is he to be the heir of no hereafter? Were that his nature, then a day of recreation might meet his physical necessities; but if he be indeed the heir of eternity, then is it to him a matter of even tremendous importance to obtain the due reserve of a portion of time, not to waste in recreation, but to prepare him for his everlasting inheritance.-Free-Church Magazine.

HEAVEN.

If heaven be my home, and Christ my way, I will learn to know my way, ere I haste to travel to my home. He that runs hastily in a way he knows not, may come speedily to a home he loves not. If Christ be my way, and heaven my home, I will rather endure my painful walk than want my perfect rest. I more esteem my home than my journey; my actions shall be led by knowledge, my knowledge be followed by actions. Ignorance is a bad mother to devotion; and idleness a bad steward to knowledge.-Warwick's "Spare Minutes."

JOHN BUNYAN.

MR. JOHN BUNYAN was imprisoned in Bedford jail for the space of twelve years, for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To contribute something towards the support of his family, consisting of a wife and four children, (one of whom was blind,) he employed his time while in prison in making long tagged laces. It is likely that he learned this occupation during his confinement; as Mrs. Bunyan observed before the Justices, when they committed her husband to prison, that she had nothing to support her children, but what she received from charity. This proves both his habitual industry, and his strong affection for his family, which led him to work so many hours for such small earnings as were derived from this employment.

The respectability of his character, and the propriety of his conduct, appear to have operated powerfully on the mind of the jailer, who showed him much kindness in permitting him to go out and visit his friends occasionally, and once to undertake a journey to London; as also by reposing trust in him, and committing the management of the prison to his care.

The following anecdote is told respecting the jailer and Mr. Bunyan. It being known to some of the persecuting Prelates in London that he was often out of prison, they sent down an officer to talk with the jailer on the subject, and, in order to find him out, he was to get there in the middle of the night. Mr. Bunyan was at home, but so restless, that he could not sleep: he therefore acquainted his wife, that, though the jailer had given him liberty to stay till the morning, yet, from his uneasiness, he must immediately return. He did so, and the jailer blamed him for coming at such an unseasonable hour. Early in the morning, the messenger came, and, interrogating the jailer, said, “Are all the prisoners safe?" "Yes." "Is John Bunyan safe?" "Yes." "Let me see him." He was called, and appeared: and all was well. After the messenger was gone, the jailer, addressing Mr. Bunyan, said, "Well, you may go out again just when you think proper; for you know when to return better than I can tell you."-Ivimey's Life of Bunyan.

CANINE SAGACITY.

A FRENCH Soldier, who was on his return from Spain, had put up for the night at an inn, near Toulouse, where he imprudently boasted of the booty which he was carrying home in ready specie. He got up before daylight next morning, and set out on his journey, accompanied by a faithful dog. Before he had left the town half an hour, he was attacked by three ruffians, one of whom stabbed him to the heart. The dog darted at the assassin, seized him by the throat, and worried him. The accomplices of the robber, terrified at the ferocity of the dog, climbed a tree for safety. At break of day the gendarmes, in going their rounds, passed that way. They saw a dog in the act of barking furiously, and two men perched on a tree, soliciting protection, pretending that the dog was mad, and would not suffer them to proceed. The gendarmes ordered them to come down. Traces of blood were discovered, and the robbers pretended that they proceeded from the wounds which the ferocious dog had inflicted on their dead companion. The gendarmes had the greatestdifficulty in preventing the dog, who was docile to them, from attacking the footpads. Within twenty yards of the tree, the gendarmes found two dead bodies: the faithful dog ran up to that of his master, licked it, and began to bark with more violence than before. The gendarmes examined the body of the old soldier, who had been stabbed to the heart with a dagger, which they found covered with blood: the other body bore evident marks of the death being occasioned by a dog. The dog and the prisoners were conducted to Toulouse. The dog was remarkably gentle, and suffered himself to be caressed by any one, and did not appear to be in the least irritated, except on the approach, or in the presence, of the assassins of his master. The two culprits were put upon their trial; and, after a minute investigation of the evidence, which was circumstantial, but so complete that not a single link of the chain was found deficient, the Court pronounced them guilty of the murder, and immediately passed sentence of death upon them. Previously to the execution, the unhappy convicts made a full confession of their guilt.Saunders's News'-Letter.

THE WAY TO MAKE CHILDREN SABBATH-BREAKERS.

IT is Sabbath-morning. Let us enter yonder habitation: it is the residence of a

father and mother who make a profession of religion they have three children, who belong to the Sabbath-school. We say belong to it, because their names stand recorded on

its books; though from their occasional attendance it might be inferred that they were only visiters. Here we are at the door. Hark! do you hear a confused running about within? They are scarcely up; and although it is nearly eight o'clock, everything about the house is in confusion. Here they come at last.

As they are all "en déshabille," we will sit in the parlour alone a few minutes, and for once, as the door is left open, will violate the rules of good-breeding, and listen. Hark! Mr. Hawes is speaking: "Shall we go to meeting this morning, Mrs. Hawes ?" "I hardly know what to do. It is very dull over-head, and looks a little like rain." "True, it is a little dull; but I do not think it will rain to-day; and you know, my dear, we did not go out last Sunday."

"Well, never mind. It is now so late, we cannot get ready very well: I guess we had better stay at home to-day. You worked hard all the week, and need a little rest today."

"But, mother," said the eldest girl, interrupting this unchristian conversation, "shall we not go to Sabbath-school?"

"Not to-day, child: we cannot get you ready. You must stay at home until we all go to meeting."

The girl turns away, with a tear standing in her eye. She is disappointed and sad; for

she loves the Sunday-school.

Now, we beg leave to ask those Christian parents what they will say, if those children become habitual Sabbath-breakers? Do they start back at the painful thought? Nay, start not; for you are making Sabbathbreakers of them. Every such scene as the one above-described creates in them a disrespect for that holy day. Your example will make an impression which nothing will ever erase. You are Sabbath-breakers yourselves every time you are guilty of such selfindulgence, and nothing short of the infinite mercy of God will save your children from treading in your steps; and remember, professor, that the steps of the Sabbathbreaker lay hold of hell, whether he violate that day by lounging in idleness at home, or by wandering the streets in pursuit of pleasure.-Sunday-School Magazine.

MRS. WESLEY AND HER
CHILDREN.

MRS. WESLEY was assiduous in teaching her children their duty to God and to their parents. She had nineteen children, most of whom lived to be educated. All these were educated by herself. Their times of going to bed, rising in the morning, dressing, eating, learning, and exercise, she managed by rule. From her the Rev. John Wesley derived all

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that knowledge in the education of children, which he has detailed so simply, and so successfully enforced-no wonder.

Mrs. Wesley had little difficulty in breaking the wills of her children. They were early brought, by rational means, under a mild yoke: they were perfectly obsequious to their parents, and were taught to wait their decision in everything they were to have, and in everything they were to do. They were taught also, to ask a blessing upon their food, to behave quietly at family prayers, and to reverence the Sabbath. They were never permitted to command the servants, or to use any words of authority in their addresses to them. Mrs. Wesley charged the servants to do nothing for any of the children, unless they asked it with respect; and the children were duly informed that the servants had such orders. "Robert-Sarah, be pleased to do so and so," was the usual method of request, from both sons and daughters: and because the children behaved thus respectfully, the domestics reverenced and loved them; were strictly attentive to, and felt it a privilege to serve them: the consequence was, the family had the common fame of being the most kind family in the county of Lincoln. How much evil may be prevented, how much good may be done, by judicious management of children?

In

Mrs. Wesley says, "In order to form the minds of children, the first thing to be done is to conquer their will, and bring them to an obedient temper. To inform the understanding is a work of time, and, with children, must proceed by slow degrees; but the subjecting the will is a thing that must be done at once, and the sooner the better. the esteem of the world, they pass for kind and indulgent, whom I call cruel parents. Some are so stupidly fond, as, in sport, to teach their children to do things which they know must be relinquished. I insist upon conquering the will of children betimes, because this is the only strong and rational foundation of a religious education: when the will is subdued, a child is capable of being governed by the reason and piety of its parents, till its own understanding comes to maturity, and the principles of religion have taken root in the mind.

"I cannot yet dismiss the subject. As selfwill is the root of all sin and misery, so, whatever cherishes this in children, ensures their after-wretchedness and irreligion: whatever checks and mortifies it, promotes their future happiness and piety. This is still more evident, if we farther consider, that religion is nothing else than doing the will of God, and not our own will; that the one grand impediment to our own temporal and eternal happiness being this self-will, no indulgence of it can be trivial, no denial unprofitable; so that the parent who studies to subdue it in his child, works together with God, in the renewing and saving a soul.

The parent who indulges it, makes religion impracticable, salvation doubtful."

a

So wise, judicious, and affectionate mother, was worthy of those illustrious,

sainted, sons, the influence of whose learning and piety will bless mankind to the latest posterity! Dr. Clarke's Memoirs of the Wesley Family.

LIVES OF THE FATHERS AND MARTYRS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

IN bringing a short account of the lives and deaths of some of these excellent men before my readers, it may be needful to make some few preparatory remarks, to guard against some of the greatest evils that have, in the present day, troubled one section at least of the church of God. There have been those who, either forgetting or overlooking the sin of giving to the creature the glory due only to the Creator, have elevated these early Christian teachers into a position which they would have most strenuously denied to themselves,-a position above humanity: making their works, and thoughts, and opinions of nearly, if not quite, equal authority with the word of God; and thus, as nothing human is perfect, giving rise to a multitude of vain, often absurd and even sinful, opinions and usages. Another part of the mistake, making it still worse in effect though not in principle, is that they have not restricted the name and, consequently, the authority of the Fathers to the devoted men of the really primitive church, many of whom had been privileged to hear the word of truth from our divine Redeemer, or from his chosen Apostles, but they have extended it to all the writers who professed Christianity and wrote on its doctrines and duties for the first six hundred years; during a period in which more heresy, and false doctrine, and vain superstition entered into the church than has been known in any other age. For it is allowed by most writers that the Nicene age, the latter part of the third and the fourth centuries, was more corrupt than even the darkest period of the Roman apostacy. I am not, then, about to give the lives of these so-called Fathers, but of some of those who might well deserve the name; who, far from propagating such errors, Jewish or Pagan innovations, (for such have been the origin of most of the Roman Catholic heresies,) have preached against them with their lives, and many of them sealed their protest with their blood.

Having premised thus much, I shall begin with one of the earliest and most distinguished.

IGNATIUS, first Bishop of Antioch, was about twelve years of age at the time of our Lord's crucifixion: he had, therefore, been privileged to see Christ in the flesh,

He was probably one of the little ones whom our Saviour took in his arms and blessed; and is believed by Nicephorus and others to have been the identical little child whom Jesus took and placed in the midst of his disciples, to teach them the great doctrine of humility. What a delightful thought this must have been to Ignatius in after-years! But though we cannot be thus privileged, we may remember that Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;" and when he prayed, it was not only for those around him, but for all those who should believe on him through their word. His kind expostulation," Suffer little children to come unto me," extends therefore to ourselves; and the youngest and feeblest among us may go to him in full confidence that He who carries the lambs in his bosom will indeed take us in his arms, and bless us. Ignatius also

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informs us that he saw Christ after his resurrection. Truly," he says in one of his epistles, "I did see him after his resurrection in the flesh, and do believe that it is he." Probably he was one of the five hundred by whom St. Paul says, in the 15th chapter of Corinthians, he was seen at once. And we too shall be privileged to see him in his resurrection-body, when he shall come in the glory of the Father and of his holy angels.

Ignatius is said to have succeeded St. Peter as Pastor of the church at Antioch: it will be remembered that the disciples were first called Christians in that city. There were, doubtless, many there who, under the teaching of the spiritually-minded Ignatius, adorned the doctrines of God their Saviour.

In the year 107, Trajan, the reigning Emperor, who was preparing to engage in a war with the Parthians, commanded sacrifices to be offered in every city through which he passed, in order to propitiate the Pagan deities whose aid he ardently desired. And this conduct, however sinful in itself, since it was offering praises to those who were no gods, but the work of men's hands, might well put to the blush many so-called Christian conquerors. How often have victories, almost in our own day, been celebrated by illuminations and feastings, riotings and drunkenness! How few thank-offerings have there been to the one true God, who teacheth our hands to war and our fingers to fight! Is not this a national sin, and likely to bring own God's judgment on us as a nation?