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the sacrifice had taken place, and laid out upon them in a line between two files of the Samaritans. Those dressed in white robes still retained them, with the addition now of shoes on their feet and staves in their hands and ropes round their waists (ver. 11); soon they sat down (a few years since they stood) to eat. The actual feast was conducted in rapid silence (ver. 11). In a few minutes all was gone but a few remnants; these were gathered into the mats, and put on a wooden hurdle over the hole where the water had been boiled; a huge bonfire was kindled; by its blaze, and by candles lighted for the purpose, the ground was searched in every direction, and every fragment of flesh and bone detected was thrown into the burning mass (ver. 10, 46; Deut. xvi. 4). By the early morn the whole community had descended from the mountain, and occupied their usual habitations in the town (Deut. xvi. 7).— Abridged from" Sermons in the East and Notes of Localities visited" by A. P. Stanley, D.D.

JOHN ii. 16, "And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things
hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise."

917. Selling Doves.-Mr. Loftus, in his "Travels and Researches in Chaldæa and Susiana," after recording his description of the beautiful mosque of Meshed Ali, observes,-"It is exceedingly strange to remark how the same observances have prevailed unchanged from early times. We read that eighteen centuries ago our Saviour went up to Jerusalem, "and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting." So in the court of Meshed Ali a constant fair is carried on at stalls, which are supplied with every article likely as offerings to attract the eye of the rich or pious. Among these, white doves are particularly conspicuous."

Pså. xxv. 7, "Remember not the sins of my youth."

918. A Child's Falsehood-a Lesson for Youth.-" A man," says the Rev. Dr. Todd, "who is now a minister of the gospel, gave me the following account. I tell it to you in order to show you what. repentance is. 'I had one of the kindest and best of fathers; and when I was a little white-headed boy about six years old, he used to carry me to school before him on his horse, to help me in my little plans, and always seemed trying to make me happy; and he never seemed so happy himself as when making me happy. When

The next

As I went

I was six years old, he came home one day, very sick. My mother, too, was sick, and thus nobody but my two sisters could take care of my father. In a few days he was worse, very sick, and all the physicians in the region were called in to see him. sabbath morning early, he was evidently much worse. into his room he stretched out his hand to me, and said, "My little boy, I am very sick. I wish you to take that paper on the stand, and run to Mr. C.'s and get me the medicine written on that paper." I took the paper and went to the apothecary's shop, as I had often done before. It was about half a mile off; but when I got there I found it shut, and as Mr. C. lived a quarter of a mile further off, I concluded not to go to find him. I then set out for home. On my way back I contrived what to say. I knew how wicked it was to tell a lie, but one sin always leads to another. On going in to my father, I saw that he was in great pain; and though pale and weak, I could see great drops of sweat standing on his forehead, forced out by the pain. Oh, then I was sorry I had not gone and found the apothecary. At length he said to me, "My son has got the medicine, I hope, for I am in great pain." I hung my head and muttered, for my conscience smote me, “No, sir; Mr. Carter says he has got none!" "Has got none! Is this possible ?” He then cast a keen eye upon me, and seeing my head hang, and probably suspecting my falsehood, said, in the mildest, kindest tone, My little boy will see his father suffer great pain for the want of that medicine!" I went out of the room, and alone, and cried. I was soon called back. My brothers had come, and were standing—all the children were standing round his bed, and he was committing my poor mother to their care, and giving them his last advice. I was the youngest, and when he laid his hand on my head, and told me "that in a few hours I should have no father; that he would in a day or two be buried up; that I must now make God my father, love Him, obey Him, and always do right and speak the truth, because the eye of God is always upon me," it seemed as if I should sink; and when he laid his hand upon my head again, and prayed for the blessing of God the Redeemer to rest upon me, soon to be a fatherless orphan," I dared not look at him, I felt so guilty. Sobbing, I rushed from his bedside, and thought I wished I could die. They soon told me that he could not speak. Oh, how much would I have given to go in and tell him that I had told a lie, and ask him once more to lay his hand on my head and forgive me!. I crept in once more, and heard the

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minister pray for "the dying man." Oh, how my heart ached! I snatched my hat and ran to the apothecary's house and got the medicine. I ran home with all my might, ran in, and ran up to my father's bedside to confess my sin, crying out, “Oh, here, father!" but I was hushed; and I then saw that he was pale, and that all in the room were weeping. My dear father was dead! And the last thing I ever spake to him was to tell a lie! I sobbed as if my heart would break, for his kindnesses, his tender looks, and my own sin, all rushed upon my mind. And as I gazed upon his cold, pale face, and saw his eyes shut, and his lips closed, I could not help thinking of his last words,-" My little boy will see his father suffer great pain for the want of that medicine;" I could not know but he died for the want of it.

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"In a day or two he was put into the ground and buried up. There were several ministers at the funeral, and each spoke kindly to me, but could not comfort me. Alas! they knew not what a load of sorrow lay on my heart. They could not comfort me. My father was buried, and the children all scattered abroad, for my mother was too feeble to take care of them.

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"It was twelve years after this, while in college, that I went alone to the grave of my father. It took me a good while to find with its humble tombstone; and as I stood be back at his bedside, to see his pale face Oh! the thought of that sin and wickedness

it;

but there it was, over it, I seemed to and hear his voice. cut me to the heart. It seemed as if worlds would not be too much to give, could I then only have called loud enough to have him hear me ask his forgiveness. But it was too late. He had been in the grave twelve years, and I must live and die, weeping over the ungrateful falsehood. May God forgive me!'"

2 COR. v. 11, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences."

919. God's Terrors, their Use.—The terror is subservient to love. As a skilful painter fills the background of his picture with his darker colours, so God introduces the smoke of torment and the black thunder-clouds of Sinai to give brighter prominence to Jesus, the Cross of Calvary, and His love to the chief of sinners.-DR. GUTHRIE.

MARK ii. 27, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for

the sabbath."

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920. Physical Evils of Sabbath-breaking.-The Brain Overtasked. A distinguished merchant, who for twenty years did a vast amount of business, remarked to Dr. Edwards, Had it not been for the sabbath, I have no doubt I should have been a maniac long ago." This was mentioned in a company of merchants, when one remarked, “That is the case exactly with Mr. —. He was one of our greatest importers. He used to say that the sabbath was the best day in the week to plan successful voyages; showing that his mind had no sabbath. He has been in the Insane Hospital for years, and will probably die there." Many men are there, or in the maniac's grave, because they had no sabbath. They broke a law of nature, and of nature's God, and found "the way of the transgressor to be hard.” Such cases are so numerous, that a writer remarks, "We never knew a man work seven days in a week who did not kill himself or kill his mind."

Medical Opinion. At a regular meeting of the New Haven Medical Association, composed of twenty-five physicians, among whom were the professors of the Medical College, the following questions were considered :

Is the position taken by Dr. Farre, in his testimony before the committee of the British House of Commons, in your view, correct, that men who labour six days in a week will be more healthy and live longer, other things being equal, than those who labour seven ? and that they will do more work, and do it in a better manner? The vote on the above was unanimously in the affirmative.

PROV. xxviii. 13, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper : but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." 921. No Forgiveness without Penitence.-The Penitent Pri. soner.-A German prince was once visiting the arsenal of Toulon, and was told that in compliment to his rank he might set free one of the galley-slaves. Anxious to use the privilege well, he spoke to many of them, and asked the cause of their punishment. All declared it unjust, till he came to one who confessed his sin and deplored it, saying, "I acknowledge I deserve to be broken on the wheel." The prince exclaimed, This is the man I wish to be

released!"

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