་ they no adequate idea of the preciousness of the de- made idols of gold, and built an house of high posit of which they acted as the willing and trust-places, and consecrated priests which were not of worthy guardians. They may be said to have watched over the sacred treasure, as the miser watches over his accumulated hoards, without the power of participation. They saw not Christ in the prophecies, or they saw him only as a temporal deliverer, and desired him only for the sake of outward benefits. But all Jewish hearts were not thus veiled. A remnant of Zion's true children were taught of the Spirit to exercise a holier discernment, and to cherish a better hope. They regarded their ancient ritual, with all its splendour, as but the shadow of good things to come. To their divinely enlightened eyes the promised Messiah, in his character of the Saviour of a sinful and perishing world, formed the pervading theme of the Sacred Volume, and his dawning radiance as the Sun of righteousness illumined all its pages. SONNET. BY MRS JANE C. SIMPSON, OFT, in a sad and solitary hour, Hath raised the voice of earnest pitying prayer: THE DECEIVED PROPHET; HIS CHARACTER: BY THE REV. ALEXANDER TURNER, Minister of Gorbals, Glasgow. "Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-el; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Beth-el: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father," &c.—1 KINGS Xiii. 11-34. THE narrative contained in this chapter, is at once interesting and instructive, presenting us with an exhibition of human character, which it may be useful to contemplate, and a manifestation, at the same time, of the character of that God with whom we have to do. The events recorded took place very soon after the revolt of the ten tribes from the house of David. Of this revolt, the imprudence of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, had been the immediate cause. He refused the good counsel of the old men who had stood before Solomon, and Israel, impatient of his tyranny, had cast off their allegiance, and made Jeroboam king. The king thus appointed, fearing the stability of his throne, and apprehensive that if, according to God's command, the people should continue to go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, their hearts should be turned again to their former king, the sons of Levi, and placed in Beth-el the priests of the high places which he had made. "So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el, the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense." This outrageous violation of His strict command, Jehovah would not permit to pass without rebuke and punishment. The king, no doubt, was exulting in the success of his expedient. He had flattered the pride of his people, who would not be backward to adopt any scheme, which promised, in point of privilege, to raise them to an equality with Judah, from whom they had so lately separated, and, the authority of whose king they had cast off. He had given them a separate establishment of their own, which proclaimed their independence, and freed them from the necessity of going up to Judah's temple with their sacrifices and offerings. He had now made them a separate and independent kingdom, and removed the chief temptation which might induce them to think of again joining with their brethren. But, alas! he had sacrificed the true service of Jehovah. glory of God had not been looked to in his calculations of expediency. He had made Israel to sin, and exposed them to that curse which rests, in every instance, on that nation and people who will not serve the Lord. The One of the verses before us introduces to us a man of God, who is represented as sitting by the way-side, resting himself under an oak. It is to this man's character and history that we propose at present chiefly to attend. His fate, though he was a good man, is recorded for our warning. It strikingly reminds us of the prophet's words, "The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth." This man of God, as the narrative informs us, belonged to Judah, whence Jehovah had sent him to reprove Jeroboam for his wickedness, to utter a predictive curse, which was fulfilled three centuries afterwards, and to confirm his prediction by an immediate sign. Having accomplished his mission, he was now returning homewards, leaving Beth-el behind a place connected with many hallowed remembrances, but now dishonoured and defiled-and oppressed with hunger and fatigue, he had sat him down to rest under the grateful shade of the spreading oak tree. Let us, for a little, advert to this man's character, as indicated by his present circumstances, by the duty in which he had just been engaged, and the manner in which he had discharged that duty. Of this man of God we have no further intimation than what the record before us furnishes; but from this we learn that he was indeed a true pro phet of the most high God, devoted to his service, And here another trait of the good man's cha and zealous in his cause. The duty imposed upon racter was manifested. To his faith in God he him was arduous and full of danger, requiring a had added charity. He had learned not to harfirm reliance on Jehovah, and devotion to his will.bour feelings of revenge, but contrariwise, to return It required both faith, and full purpose of obe- good for evil. Jeroboam stood, a spectacle to all dience. He was sent on an ungracious mission, his people, a monument of Jehovah's wrath, a to reprove a king jealous of his newly acquired warning, though, alas, unheeded, to those whom he power, to condemn an act on which, no doubt, he had made to sin. And his proud heart was speedily believed that the stability of his throne depended, subdued. Though he feared not the prophet's which he had resolved on, not without much coun- denunciation, he now felt his power. The altar sel and deliberation, and which, doubtless, he flat- by which he stood was suddenly rent, as the man tered himself, was a most wise expedient for pre- of God had said it would be, for a sign, and his serving the separation of his people from Judah, own hand. with which he had wielded the sceptre and consolidating his kingdom, and securing his of Israel, had become as a withered branch, dried authority. The man of God was sent to a people up and dead, blasted by Jehovah's vengeance. exulting in their new independence, and from When the judgment reaches his own person, and among a tribe which they looked on at present teaches him how frail he is, the proud king bewith a jealous eye. The separation was but re- comes the humble suppliant, his threat is changed cently effected; the enmity of the disputants had into a petition, his command gives place to prayer not yet had time to subside. But shortly before, for the intercession of the stranger, on whom he the Israelites had stoned to death Adoram, whom was about to inflict some ignominious punishment. the king of Judah had sent to demand tribute of The idolater forgets his golden calves. Terror Israel. On such a mission, therefore, this man of forces the conviction, that the Lord he is God, and God had reason to apprehend danger, both from he cries unto the man of God, Entreat now the the prince and from the people. But well had face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me, that this stern prophet executed his commission. He my hand may be restored me again." Had there feared neither the power of Israel's king, nor the been any feelings of revenge in the good man's violence of the idolatrous populace. He was heart, he would have denied his suit. He would strong in the power of Jehovah's might. The have refused to intercede in behalf of him, who, word of the Lord had come to him in Judah, and when vengeance overtook him, was in the very forthwith he took his journey to Beth-el. act of commanding his apprehension. But he had learned to forgive the man that did him wrong. "And he besought the Lord, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before." On a day of high solemnity the stranger arrived, the very day which Jeroboam had appointed for the consecration of his idolatrous altar, and on which he had ordained a feast unto the children of Israel. He came at the very hour when the king, in royal attire, before the multitudes of Israel, stood by the altar, with his censer in his hand, himself about to act as priest, and burn incense to the golden calves. But the sight did not appal the unattended and defenceless stranger. He had a message from the Lord, and he feared not to deliver it, a message at once reproving the wickedness of the king, and containing the unwelcome declaration, that one of the house of David, whose place the usurper occupied, one of that family from whom Israel had rebelled, was to obtain dominion and destroy this fatal emblem of Israel's independence. He said, "O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord, Behold a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name, and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee." As might have been expected, the wrath of Jeroboam was kindled. He determined to punish the audacious man who had ventured thus publicly to reprove him and condemn his wicked deed, and foretell the future overthrow of his kingdom. But weak is the strength of those who would injure him whom God protects. The king's attempt only exposes him to vengeance undelayed. He put forth his hand saying, Lay hold of him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him." The prophet's character was subjected to yet an other test, and it withstood the trial. Jeroboam having received so striking a proof, both of his readiness to forgive, and of his power with God, was now as ready to reward, as formerly he had been to punish him. Presently the ceremonies of the day are discontinued. The king has no heart now to burn incense on the doomed and already fractured altar, he would lavish kindness on the man of God, he invites him to go home with him and refresh himself, and receive a present at his hand. And what forbids his compliance with so courteous an invitation? There were many reasons for his yielding. After his journey he required refreshment, and wherefore should it be refused? He would doubtless receive a princely donation from the king, and why should he not accept it? Besides, to what better purpose could his efforts be directed than to confer with the king, one of such influence, and whom all Israel was ready to follow,-in private to instruct and exhort him, and, if possible, win him from the practice of idolatry? And what more favourable opportunity could be given than now, when Jeroboam had witnessed, and himself been the subject of a miracle wrought by God,-when his heart, it might be supposed, was somewhat softened and prepared to receive admonitions and reproof? There were many reasons which might have induced the prophet to whom the narrative introduces to us as sitting yield to the prince's invitation-reasons which, in other circumstances, a good man might have entertained. But he might not do so. He had received a positive command of God, and that command must be obeyed to whatever advantages an opposite course might seem likely to lead. It is not for the man who fears Jehovah to inquire into all the reasons of his Lord's command. It is not for us when a distinct command is given, to shape our conduct which that command should regulate, according to our own ideas of fitness or expediency. This, alas, is too often done when a general and unbending law is made to yield to circumstances, explained away as inapplicable to some particular case, as if the specialties of every case had not been foreseen by Him who made the law and issued the command. If, in any case, no obvious rule is given us for our guidance, we are at liberty, nay, we are bound to act according to our own prudence. But if the command has been issued, if the word of God has decided, then, although in any instance, it might seem to us that another line of conduct would tend more obviously to promote our own advantage, or the good of others, or even the glory of God,-nay, though obedience to the command might, according to our ideas of prudence, and expediency, seem certain to be productive of injurious consequences to ourselves, or even to the cause of Christ, our part is still to yield implicit obedience, leaving all the issues to Him who ruleth over all, and causeth all things to work together for the furtherance of his mighty plans. To do otherwise, is to oppose our wisdom to His-to set up the authority of our own pruhovah, who had so well fulfilled the duty comdence in opposition to the authority of Him to whom all things are naked and open, and who knows the end even from the beginning. It was not so with the prophet of Judah. He did not confer with flesh and blood. He did not attempt to find a reason for disobeying Jehovah's injunction. He resisted all solicitation, and when the king's invitation and promise were made, this was his ready answer: "If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place for so it was charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Beth-el." The command of the Lord was most explicit. He must maintain no intercourse with the apostate Israelites, further than was necessary to deliver his message. They were unclean. Having uttered his prediction, and delivered the message with which he was charged, he must forthwith be gone, as though they were a people infected with some deadly pestilence, with whom it was unsafe to maintain any converse. No feeling of weariness would induce him to remain; he would neither eat nor drink in that polluted and degraded land; no offer, however great, would induce him to halt an instant: so he turned away, and began his journey homeward. Such was the character of the man of God mitted to him, is destined yet to fall. He, whom opposition could not terrify, will yield to stratagem. Although he has begun his journey homeward, his home is never to be reached. He shall not be laid in the sepulchre of his fathers, but shall die dishonoured, a warning to every generation-and be buried far from his home, in a land of strangers, even in Beth-el, from which he is now fleeing as from a place accursed. Fatigued with travel, and faint, perhaps, with fasting, he had cast himself down under an oak by the wayside, not far from Beth-el. He was reflecting, doubtless, on the events of the day, mourning, perhaps, over the apostasy of his brethren of Israel, pleasing himself, probably, with the review of his own conduct, in discharging the difficult duty assigned him, exulting in that he had escaped the dangers and temptations with which he had been beset, and congratulating himself that now all his difficulties were at an end, and all his dangers past. Alas! now he was off his guard, now he had laid himself open to attack. A danger more formidable than any was yet awaiting him. He had begun too soon to fancy himself secure. It is often thus with men in general, it is often thus with the Christian. Satan has many wiles with which to assail him. Many and most various are the dangers of him who has to wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with the powers and He he charms wisely, to shut the eye against his allurements, to detect his falsehood under the veil of truth, his malevolence under the guise of kindness,-to be prepared for this, as well as for his open and direct assaults,-to be ready not merely to overcome the Philistines, but to resist the se to take unto us "the whole armour of God,"-to become "wise as serpents," as well as "harmless as doves." Surely of ourselves we are not sufficient for this warfare. If we know our own true circumstances, if our eyes are at all open to our danger in this contest on which our eternity depends, our prayers shall not cease to ascend to Him who only can uphold our footsteps, and establish our goings,-to Him who is greater than all that can be against us, and who has promised to be "a very present help in time of trouble." By Him only can we hope to stand. principalities of darkness. Sometimes you may | shut the ear to the voice of his seducings, when have seen the Christian bravely contending with formidable temptations, and maintaining his integrity in circumstances of utmost peril, yet afterwards yielding to an assault, the strength of which you would have thought him ready to despise. If, after having withstood some violent attack, and quenched the fiery darts of his assailant, a man be-ductions of the false Delilah,-verily we had need gin to cherish a spirit of security or self-sufficiency, then it is that his real danger has commenced. His success has put him off his guard, and now the weakest foe may make a prey of him. He must never think himself to have attained. must be ever watchful. His success should make him only the more cautious. He must watch unto prayer, else he will fall. He may, by care and watchfulness, have succeeded in passing safely through some portion of his narrow way, where dangers were most apparent, avoiding the precipices which threatened his destruction, cautiously threading his way under the uncertain light of the early dawn; but if, exulting in his success, and fancying all danger over, now that the sun has risen on his path, and the road begins to widen, and no frightful precipices show themselves, and all seems smooth and void of peril, he become careless, and heed not to choose his steps, and walk incautiously, he is sure to stumble, his danger is tenfold increased, there are a thousand pitfalls ready to receive him, a thousand devious paths to lead him from the right way. Never in any condition should the Christian cease to hear these solemn warnings,-" Trust not in an arm of flesh;" "Watch unto prayer;" "Pray without ceasing" "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." The man of God whose case we are considering, presents a melancholy warning to us all, and urges most strongly the necessity to which we have just referred. Let us fear lest, a promise being given us of entering into rest, any of us should seem to fall short. We have seen this prophet of Judah zealous for the Lord, and, without fear of man, pronouncing his coming judgment; but we have yet to see him seduced and dishonoured by the wiles of a deceiver, brought back again to Beth-el, to hear his sentence pronounced by the very lips which had beguiled him,-to see him put to a violent death for disobeying God. Surely "it is not in man that walketh, to direct his own steps;" surely no man is safe till he hath passed the waters of the Jordan, and his feet have been established on that mountain of the Lord, where there is nothing "to hurt or to destroy." The spot, which the man of God had chosen as his resting-place, to refresh him after his toils in the service of his God, was the scene of his dis God's command. Under this oak tree he was assailed, and fell! Every man has his own peculiar weakness; each has some point on which he is especially open to attack. The man who is ready fearlessly to declare God's message, and whom no threats will be able to deter, may be unable to detect the wiles of the seducer. He who would resist a direct tempta-honour,- where he proved himself disobedient to tion to evil, may become a prey when the lure is hidden under the vague semblance of some good; he who would withstand the devil undisguised, may become his victim when he skilfully clothes himself as an angel of light. The man of courage and firmness of character, whom violence could not force to wickedness, may, especially if withal he possesses kindness of disposition, and unsuspecting generosity of heart, become the easy victim of the crafty deceiver. That charity which thinketh no evil, may, if there be not prudence and caution, dispose to this. It is, indeed, no easy matter to be a Christian. The Christian character, in all its parts, is of most difficult attainment. It is comparatively easy to cultivate certain virtues,-to encourage the growth of certain peculiar graces,but to grow in all grace,—to maintain the due adjustment of all the powers, the nourishment of all the virtues, this is the difficulty. To be ready to meet, not this or that temptation, but all the schemes of the wicked one; not merely to quench his fiery darts, but to resist his lures,-to What remains of this man's history, we must reserve for future examination. Meanwhile, let us be again exhorted to diligence, and watchfulness, and continual confidence in help from on high. Let us never suppose, that because we may have done somewhat in the service of the Lord, and for the promotion of his glory, we shall therefore be exempt from danger. At the best, we are but "unprofitable servants;" and even when engaged in his service, we are exposed to the onsets of his adversaries: yet, if in him we put our trust, he will make perfect that which concerneth us. If we commit our ways to him, he will uphold us. Trusting in him, let us watch unto the end, and he will make us more than conquerors. We are surrounded with perils,-God only can deliver us; but this is the promise of him who is faithful and true, in whom no one that trusted was ever put to shame: "My grace is sufficient for thee; my strength is made perfect in weakness." "Be ye therefore stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;" and "unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the Father with exceeding joy, to him be glory, both now and for ever. Amen." tor or guide, and of saving it from its mad projects and impoverishing habits. Who can estimate the value of such a monitor? But had I none? Ah, how superior a one had I at all times to what I could now prove! O slighted Bible! I feel, I feel that every deviation from the right way, every foolish and wicked thing which I have said or done, has been owing to a disregard of thy counsel; every misery and mischief into which I TO THE MEMORY OF A BELOVED CHILD.* have fallen has been through a neglect of thy warning! BY DAVID VEDder, Esq., My griefs remain, but thine are o'er,— I weep, but thou canst weep no more,- SHE came, the child of many a prayer,— And she glowed a while, like a ruby rare But the light of the gem was soon o'ercast,- She came like an iris upon the breast Like morn upon a mountain crest, Or the light of a new-born star; But the tempest o'er her radiance past,— She came like a rose on the streamlet's side, To this stormy land of ours; But her plumage was strewn upon the blast,- Her voice was the limpid water's gush Her mind was pure as the morning dew Or the cloudlet, tinged with a sunny hue, That MIND hath soared from our vision dim, Charlotte Gray Vedder, who was born 22d April 1832, died 21st How true is that saying in my own experience, "Oh The sin of neglecting to do good.-The Holy Scripture abounds with denunciations, not merely against activity in evil, but against negligence of good. That slothful servant, who hid his talent in a napkin, is also called wicked. Yet we do not find him charged with profligacy or flagitiousness: he is merely accused of not employing his powers. It is simply as an unprofitable servant, that he is doomed to punishment.-JEBB. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.-Corruption is in thee and it will strive for dominion. Thy sins will sometimes fiercely assault. Their allies the world and the devil will join them with stratagems and force: when the battle is hot, and thou art weak, then it behoves thee to live by faith on Jesus as thy surety, now acting for thee in heaven, as he acted for thee upon earth. He has gone up as thy high priest to carry thy name within the vail. He bears it upon the ephod on his shoulders, and upon the breastplate upon his heart: his power and his love are engaged for thee, now he is in glory. He stands in the presence of God as thy representative. The FaCHRISTIAN TREASURY. ther sees thee in him, and thou art in his sight what Affliction.—O affliction! when sent to instruct thou thy forerunner is. As he stands there, so dost thou becomest a deep and faithful casuist! Of many past stand-righteous as he is righteous-beloved as he is transactions and present habits, I said, "It is nothing," beloved and shalt be blessed as he is blessed. View or "It is settled." Thou bringest the book again be- by faith thy nature in him exalted and glorified, fore me what errors in the account! what blindness and for the joy set before thee in him, take up thy in the adjustment! Poor bankrupt! I said I was "rich cross. It is a heavy burden,-it is a hard warfare. and increased in goods, and behold I am miserable, and True, but consider, who shall lay any thing to thy poor, and blind, and naked." Who is the man that, in charge for indwelling sin? It is God that justifieth health and spirits, abounds in his own sense and in self- thee from it. Who is he that condemneth? If any satisfaction? He may, perhaps, live to learn that his man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus God can make an affliction present such views in one Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for day as a whole life of contemplation and study would sins. In this office he is skilful, and faithful, and never have afforded. I now feel capable of instructing compassionate, and his very glory is so interwoven myself in former periods, as if I were talking to a giddy | with thine, that they are one; yea, the advocate and child. I feel ready to seize the arm of the silly wan- his clients form but one spiritual body, of which every derer on this and that occasion, as one without a moni-member is what the head is. O my God and Saviour |