BENEVOLENCE OF THE REV. J. FLETCHER. THE Rev. John Fletcher, of Madeley, and his wife, were once earnestly requested to visit Dublin for a few weeks. After his last sermon, he was pressed to accept a sum of money as an acknowledgment for his important services. He firmly refused it, but his friend continued to urge it upon him. He at length took the purse in his hand, and said, "Well, do you really force it upon me? Must I accept of it? Is it entirely mine? And may I do with it as I please?" "Yes, yes," was the reply. "God be praised, then, God be praised," said he, casting his brimful eyes to heaven; "behold what a mercy is here! Your poor's fund was just out: I heard some of you complaining that it never was so low before. Take this purse-God has sent it you, raised it among yourselves—and bestow it upon your poor. It is sacred to them. God be praised! I thank you, I heartily thank you, my dear kind brethren." A PRAYER MEETING IN IT is stated that after the steamer Melville, which foundered at sea on Sabbath, January 8, had sunk, the passengers, being provided with lifepreservers, remained floating for some time near the scene of disaster. While in this terrible situation, just on the brink of eternity, they held a prayer-meeting there in the sea. From the bosom of that wintry sea, praise and prayer ascended to God, till one by one the lips became hushed in death, and the bodies went down to the unknown depths. May we not trust that the unfinished strain was completed amid the chorus of the angels? How could those lingering moments have been better spent? Death was certain. How better prepare for it? And how could there be a better prelude to the eternal song than the voice of praise here? And the question that should come to each one of us is-Am I in a state of preparation to pass from my occupations here to the song and the rapture above? PARENTS, MAKE HOME SOME one writes, both gracefully and forcibly: "I would be glad to see more parents understand that when they spend money judiciously to improve and adorn the house and grounds around it, they are in effect paying their children a premium to stay at home as much as possible and enjoy it; but when they spend money unnecessarily in fine clothing and jewellery for their children they are paying them a premium to spend their time away from home-that is, in those places where they can attract the most attention and make the most display." CHOICE SAYINGS. No man can avoid his own company, so he had best make it as good as possible. It is not the varnish upon a carriage that gives it motion or strength. A silver chain around a dog's neck will not prevent his barking or biting. Let no one overload you with favours; you will find it an unsufferable burden. The intelligence and education of a people are the passports of a country to eminence and prosperity. Grief knits two hearts in closer bonds than happiness ever can; and common sufferings are far stronger links than common joys. Christianity can now point to what it does, as well as to what it is in itself, and say, Behold the fruits which I produce in the hearts and lives of mankind. If study without prayer be atheism, prayer without study is presumption. -Dr. Watts. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.-Jerome. Faith is an active principle; it seizes and appropriates the truth, and lodges it as a living element in the soul.-Turnbull. Poetry. THE MYSTERY OF NATURE. BY THEODORE TILTON. THE works of God are fair for naught, See hidden in the thing the thought The outward form is not the whole, The shadow, pictured in the lake The dew falls nightly not alone To human souls that heed it. The stars are lighted in the skies The waves that moan along the shore, Which men are wise in knowing. The clouds around the mountain-peak, Thus Nature dwells within our reach, Whoever at the coarsest sound, Whoever yearns to see aright Because his heart is tender, Shall catch a glimpse of heavenly light So, since the universe began, The soul of nature, soul of man, |