94 A VISIT TO A KAREN HEATHEN VILLAGE. "In this sad place no gardens or green spot met our eye. We saw one stalk of flowers, and on going to gather it, were told that that was sacred to the 'Nats.' We inquired what they ate with their rice, and they showed us some decayed fish, from which we were glad to turn away. They said they got, now and then, the roots of bamboo-trees, and some leaves from the forest to cook with them. "We reminded them of their pigs and poultry, but they said they dared not often eat these, for the 'Nats' might call for a feast, and all they could spare they must exchange with the Burmans for betel-nut and rotten fish. "By this time the pig was cooked, and the feast began; each one took a small piece, and with a hasty prayer offered it to the 'Nat,' or spirit, and then dropped it through the floor. Since that time, Mr Vinton has been again to the village, and spoken to the people in their own tongue, and has selected a new site for their dwellings, not so remote from the river, and I believe a few come to his school at Rangoon for instruction. This heathen village offers a contrast, indeed, to the Christian village of which I wrote; but I daresay, if God blesses the efforts which are now being made, these Karens will soon build themselves comfortable dwellings, dig wells, plant gardens, and those voices which only then sang songs to demons, will sing to the praise and glory of the living God." Mrs Vinton had been writing a geography in rhyme for the Karens, knowing that rhyming is so much their custom, and that they sit and sing all their Scripture traditions, and have done so from age to age. So desirous are the native children of "After the meal, which consisted information, that they came to her only of the pig and rice, the young study, and asked to look at the sheet men danced and sang wild native as she had left it. They carried it songs, the girls responding in like out into the verandah, and copied it; manner. Drums and horns were and soon, when only half written, she played at intervals; the fathers and heard it being sung in the jungles. many of the mothers had drank freely They are so quick a race, that Mr from the toddy-jar, and were lying Ingolls knew a boy who learned to down here and there in a state of read and write, and understood all intoxication. Some of the people the rules of arithmetic, in three brought us rice and eggs, but our months. This was at Mergui, during minds and bodies were sick of the the first ten years of his missionary degradation around us, and we left. | life spent among the Karens. LITTLE MISSIONARY PHARISEES. LITTLE MISSIONARY PHARISEES. Nor long ago I saw this ugly title applied to some of our juvenile collectors. It immediately arrested my attention, as I doubt not it will yours. "Missionary Pharisees!" said I to myself. "What can the writer mean? He has coupled two characters together which are entirely different-the one lovely, the other loathsome, in the esteem of the Christian. Little Missionary Pharisees ! Can such hideous creatures exist? And is it at all likely that any such should be found amongst our young friends and supporters? Do our youthful readers think it probable, or even possible? Let us see whether it is so or not." Our blessed Lord tells us much about the Pharisees of His day, and, by considering what He says of them, we may, perhaps, discover whether there are any amongst ourselves. He tells us they were proud; that they thought highly of themselves, and despised others; that they wished to appear righteous before men; that they were not sincere; that whilst their outside was fair and clean, like a white-washed sepulchre, within there was all manner of uncleanness. He solemnly warned His followers to beware of "the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy ;" and told them plainly, that, except their righteous ness exceeded that of the Pharisees, they could not enter into the kingdom of God. Such characters were very common in His days, and we fear that they are not uncommon still. Even in the ranks of our missionary supporters a little reflection will probably convince us that some such may possibly be found. If, for instance, a juvenile collector be proud of his performances, and think highly of himself because he gives more, or gets more, or does more, than others, so far does he manifest the spirit of a Pharisee. If, in engaging in such services, he seeks mainly to appear righteous before men, and covets the praise of men, so far does he resemble the Pharisee. If he professes to love the Gospel, and to desire to send it to others, whilst his own heart is not under its influence, but bad tempers are allowed to lodge there, then he too may be likened to "the whitened sepulchre." And lastly, if he trusts to his own doings, instead of the righteousness of Jesus Christ as the sole ground of his hope before God, so far is he a Pharisee. Juvenile collectors, take heed that no one has any just ground to call any of you a "Little Missionary Pharisee." 96 POETRY-THE TALENTS. Let our young friends and supporters look well to their spirit, as well as to their steps, that the enemies of their Master and His work, who are their enemies also, may have no occasion to apply to them these hard names. Let them see to it that they be "clothed with humility;" that their "eye be single;" that they do not "orish iniquity in their hearts;" that "the love of Christ constraineth" them; and that His merits be the rock on which they build for eternity. Then they will be far from the spirit of a Pharisee; then all shall be well: the Lord will approve, though men may revile.— Juv. Miss. Instructor. A WORD TO BOYS. You were made to be kind, generous, require running. If there is a dull and magnanimous. If there is a boy one, help him to get his lessons. If in school who has a club-foot, don't a larger or a stronger boy has injured let him know you ever saw it. If you, forgive him, and request the there is a boy with ragged clothes, don't talk about rags in his hearing. If there is a lame boy, assign to him some part of the game which does not teacher not to punish him. All the school will show by their countenances, how much better it is to have a great soul than a great fist.—T.'s Offering. Poetry. THE TALENTS. "THOU hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things."— Double Number, price 18. per doz. or 78. per 100; 20 copies sent free by post for 1s. 8d., Published by GALL & INGLIS, 6 George Street, Edinburgh. HOULSTON & WRIGHT, London. paid in advance. |