and speaking of the persecution which would likely arise; with regard to which Mr. Saunders discovered nuch weakness and fear; Pendleton on the other hand, boasted of his resolution, that he would endure the severest treatment, rather than forsake Jesus Christ, and the truth which he had professed. Yet not long after, poor, feeble, faint-hearted Saunders, through the goodness of God, sealed the truth with his bloo, while proud Pendleton played the apostate, and turned papist. A plain countryman, who was effectually called by divine grace under a sermon from Zech. iii. 2. was some time afterwards accosted by a quondam companion of his drunken fits, and strongly solicited to accompany him to the alehouse. But the good man strongly resisted all his arguments, saying, I am a brand plucked out of the fire.' His old companion not understanding this. he explained it thus: "Look ye," said he, there is a great difference between a brand and a green stick; if a spark flies upon a brand that has been partly burned, it will soon catch fire again; but it is not so with a green stick. I tell you, I am that brand plucked out of the fire, and I dare not venture into the way of temptation for fear of being set on fire." 66 The following anecdote may perhaps illustrate the promise as thy days so shall thy strength be." Under the reign of Paganism, a Christian, notwithstanding her pregnancy was condemned to die for her profession. The day before her execution, she fell into labour and crying out in her pangs, the jailor insulted her, saying, “If you make a noise to-day, how will you endure a vio lent death to-morrow?" to this she replied, "To day I suffer what is ordinary, and have only ordinary assistance; to-morrow. I am to suffer what is more than ordinary, and shall hope for more than ordinary assistance." Oh! woman great was thy faith. One night Mr. Newton found a bill put up at St. Mary Woolnoth's, upon which he commented a great deal when he came to preach. The bill was to this effect "A young man, having come to the possession of a very considerable fortune, desires the prayers of the congregation, that he may be preserved from the snares to which it exposes him.". Now if the man, said Mr. Newton had lost a fortune, the world would not have wondered to have seen him put up a bill, but this man has been better taught." Q. 10. What does the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us? A. The conclusion of the Lord's prayer, (which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the poner, and the glory, for ever. Amen. teacheth us, to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him. And in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen. His Alexander the Great had a famous but indigent philosopher in his court. This adept in science was once particularly straitened in his circumstances. To whom alone should he apply, but to his patron, the conqueror of the world? request was no sooner made than granted. Alexander gave him a commission to receive of his treasurer whatever he wanted. He immediately demanded, in his sovereign's name, ten thousand pounds. The treasurer, surprised at so large a demand, refused to comply; but waited upon the king, and represented to him the affair, adding withal. how unreasonable he thought the petition, Alexander heard and how exorbitant the sum. be him with patience; but, as soon as he had ended "Let the money his remonstrance. replied, instantly paid: I am delighted with this philosopher's way of thinking; he has done me a singular honour; by the largeness of his request, he shows the high idea he has conceived, both of my superior wealth and my royal magnificence.' Thus let us honour what the inspired penman styles the marvellous loving kindness fJEHOVAH. "HE that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" 6 6 Mr. John Janeway, when on his death-bed, was employed chiefly in praise: O," said he to his friends, help me to praise God; I have now I have done with prayer and nothing else to do. all other ordinances. Before a few hours are song of over, I shall be in eternity singing the Moses and the Lamb. I shall presently stand upon mount Zion with an innumerable company of angels, and spirits of just men made perfect, and with Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. I shall hear the voice of much people, and with them, shall cry, Hallelujah, glory, salvation, hoAnd nour, and power unto the Lord our God. In this triagain we shall say, Hallelujah!"` umphant manner he expired, about the twentysecond of his age. year A lady, who had just sat down to breakfast, had a strong impression upon her mind that she must instantly carry a loaf of bread to a poor mari who lived about half a mile from her house. by the side of a common. Her husband wished her either to postpone taking the loaf of bread till after breakfast, or to send it by her servant; but she chose to take it herself instantly. As she approached the hut, she heard the sound of a human voice. Willing to hear what it was, she stept She now heard softly, unperceived to the door. the poor man praying, and among other things, he said. "O Lord, help me; Lord, thou wilt help me; thy providence cannot fail: and although my wife self, and children, have no bread to eat, and it is now a whole day since we had any, I know thou wilt supply me, though thou shouldest again rain down manna from heaven." The lady could wait no longer: she opened the door. "Yes she replied; "God has sent you relief. Take this loaf, and be encouraged to cast your care upon Him who careth for you; and when you ever want a loaf of bread, come to my house.” MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES. REMARKABLE CONVERSION. THE Lord has various means to bring about his own gracious purposes; and sometimes condescends to make use of incidents apparently trifling, to accomplish his most important designs. The truth of this remark may be exemplified in the following fact:-A young gentleman of high connexions, and great respectability, was induced by gay acquaintance to accompany them to a ball. Arrived at the scene of dissipation, the festive company proceeded to their amusement. The music struck up, and he among the rest was highly delighted with the diversion. In the midst of their enjoyment as though a messenger had been sent immediately from heaven,-the clock struck one. That striking passage of Dr. Young's instantly rushed upon his mind : "The bell strikes one. We take no note of time But from its loss. To give it then a tongue Is wise in man. As if an angel spoke, I feel the solemn sound. If heard aright, Where are they? with the years beyond the flood: How much is to be done! My hopes and fears 1 |