in the year 1634, fou: teen young men were play. ing at foot-ball, on the river Trent, near Gainsborough while thus engaged, in the open violation of God's command, they met together in a scuffle; the ice suddenly broke, and they were all drowned!

When a minister of the gospel was spending a few weeks in Edinburgh, there came, on business, to the house were he was, a man of the worldone of those modern scoffers who are so constantly fulfilling Peter's prediction, 2. Pet. iii 3. He was introduced to the preacher in the following manner: This is Mr.- an acquaintance of mine, and I am sorry to add, though young and healthy, never attends public worship."

I am

almost tempted to hope," replied the minister, "that you are bearing false witness against your neighbour." By no means," said the infidel, "for I always spend my Sunday in settling accounts." The minister immediately replied, “You will find, sir, that the day of judgment will be spent in exactly the same manner.

Q. 63. Which is the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandm nt is, Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Q. 54. What is required in the fifth commandment? A. The ûfth commandment requireth the preserving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.

The judicious Hooker used to say. “If I had no other reason and motive for being religious. I would earnestly strive to be so for the sake of my aged mother, that I might requite her care of me, and cause the widow's heart to sing for joy,"

The danger occasioned by an awful eruption of Mount Etna, many years since, obliged the inhabitants of the adjacent country to flee in every direction for safety. Amidst the hurry and confusion of this scene, every one carrying away whatever he deemed most precious, two sons, the one named Anaphias, the other Amphonimus, in the height of their solicitude for the preservation of their wealth and goods, recollected their father and mother, who, being both very old, were unable to save themselves by flight Filial tenderness overcame every other consideration:---"Where," exclaimed the generous youths, “shall we find a more precious treasure than our pa rents?" This said, the one took up his father on his shoulders, the other his mother, and so madé their way through the surrounding smoke and flame's.

A little boy about seven years old, was on a visit to a lady, who was very fond of him. Although he was a great way from home, he behaved very well, and endeavoured to do every thing that he thought would have pleased his parents had they been present. One day, at breakfast, there was some hot bread upon the table, and it was handed to him; but he refused to take it. "Do you not like hot bread?" said the lady. Yes," replied he, "I am very fond of it." "Then, my dear, why do you not take some ?" Because my papa does not approve of my eating hot bread." I suppose that his father thought, as most people think, that hot bread is not wholesome. But your father," said the lady is a great way off, and will not know whether you eat it or not

You'may indulge yourselffor once. There will be no harm in that,' "No, I will not disobey my father and mother. I must do what they have told me to do, though they are a great way off. I would not touch the roll, if I were sure nobody would see me. I myself should know it: and that would be sufficient. When the lady found him so resolute in doing what was right, she was pleased with him, and commended him: and, no doubt, he felt much happier, in his own mind, than hê would have done if he had eaten the hot roll.

Frederick II. king of Prussia, made it a point to return every mark of respect or civility shown to him in the street by those who met him. He one day observed at table, that, whenever he rode through the streets of Berlin, his hat was always in his hand. Baron Pollnitz, who was present, said, "That his majesty had no occasion to notice the civility of every one who pulled his hat off to him in the streets.' "And why not," said the king in a lively tone, are they not all human beings as well as myself?"

Q. 65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment? A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing any thing against, the honour and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations.

An amiable youth was lamenting, in terms of the sincerest grief, the death of most affectionate parent. His companion endeavoured to console him, by the reflection, that he had always behaved to the deceased with duty, tenderness, and respect. "So I thought." replied the youth, "whilst my parent was living: but now I recollect with pain and sorrow many instances of disobedience

and neglect, for which, alas! it is too late to make atonement."

There was lately a man who had an only son, to whom he was very kind, and gave every thing that he had. When his son grew up and got a house, he was very unkind to his poor old father, whom he refused to support, and turned out of the house. The old man said to his grandson, "Go and fetch the covering from my bed, that I may go and sit by the way-side and beg." The child burst into tears, and ran for the covering. He met his father, to whom he said, "I am going to fetch the rug from my grandfather's bed, that he may wrap it round him, and go a-begging?" Tommy went for the rug, and brought it to his father, and said to him, "Pray, father, cut it in two the half of it will be large enough for grandfather, and perhaps you may want the other half when I grow a man and turn you out of doors." The words of the child struck him so forcibly, that he immediately ran to his father, and asked forgiveness, and was very kind to him till he died.

A certain farmer in England had an only son, to whom he was greatly attached, and never could think of chastising him for his faults. When he arrived at the age of twelve years, he bade adieu to his father's house, and went with a band of gypsies. For nearly twenty years he was never heard of. It happened, however, that the old man was under the necessity of taking a journey a considerable way, with a large sum of money. He had to pass a wood, and as he went on, a man rushed from it, seized his horse, and demanded his money. The old man remonstrated with

him. He would not hear, but again demanded his money. Most reluctantly he gave it up. The robber gazing at him, said, "Do you know me?" 66 No," said the old man. "Do you not know me?" he repeated. 66 No, I do not know

you. Well," said the robber, I am your son!" and, returning his money, added, "Had you corrected me when young, I might have been a comfort to you; but now I am a disgrace to you, and a pest to society!"

The Rev. Mr. Berridge being once visited by a loquacious young lady, who, forgetting the modesty of her sex, and the superior gravity of an aged divine, engrossed all the conversation of the interview with small talk concerning herself. When she rose to retire, he said, "Madam, before you withdraw, I have one piece of advice to give you; and that is, When you go into company again, after you have talked half an hour without intermission, I recommend it to you to stop a while, and see if any other of the company has any thing to say."

Once, at a meeting of ministers, a question was started to be debated among them. Upon the first proposal of it, a confident young man shoots his bolt presently. "Truly," said he, "I hold it so." "You hold, Sir," answered a grave minister, "it becomes you to hold your tongue."

Q. 66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?

A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment.

Frederic, the late king of Prussia, having rung