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Matthew xiii. 44.-"AGAIN, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE UNTO TREASURE HID IN A FIELD; THE WHICH WHEN A MAN HATH FOUND, HE HIDETH, AND FOR JOY THEREOF GOETH AND SELLETH ALL THAT HE HATH, AND BUYETH THAT FIELD."

1829. Hid Treasure. This parable may be illustrated by a fact in connection with the much disputed and now celebrated mineral at Torbanehill, near Bathgate, in the county of Linlithgow. A person discovered that a coal or other mineral substance of great value lay in the ground. Without revealing, perhaps not knowing to the full extent the value of his discovery, he forthwith concluded, not precisely a purchase, but a long lease of the ground for mining purposes. When his bargain was securely made he began to bring up the precious substance. As a raw material for the manufacture of gas and oil, it was found precious beyond all precedents. The original proprietor then raised an action for the dissolution of the lease. The action has been several times renewed in various forms, and its fame has resounded through all Europe. Meanwhile the prudent discoverer of the treasure and purchaser of the field is reaping a rich harvest from his transaction.-Arnot, "The Parables of our Lord."

John xv. 2.-"EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARETH FRUIT, HE PURGETH IT, THAT IT MAY BRING FORTH MORE FRUIT."

1830. The Pruning-Knife.-A Parable.—I have a comely fruittree in the summer season, with the branches of it promising plenteous fruit; the stock was surrounded with seven or eight little shoots of different sizes, that grew up from the root at a small distance, and seemed to compose a beautiful defence and ornament for the mother tree; but the gardener, who espied their growth, knew the danger; he cut down those tender suckers one after another, and laid them in the dust. I pitied them in my heart, and said, "How pretty were those young standards! how much like the v parent! how elegantly clothed with the raiment of summer! And each of them might have grown to a fruitful tree." But they stood so near as to endanger the stock; they drew away the sap, the heart and strength of it, so far as to injure the fruit and darken the hopeful prospect of autumn. The pruning-knife appeared unkind indeed, but the gardener was wise, for the tree flourished more sensibly, the fruit quickly grew fair and large, and the ingathering at last was plenteous and joyful.-Dr. Watts.

Psalm xxxvii. 1. -"FRET NOT THYSELF BECAUSE OF EVILDOERS." 1831. Justice will overtake the Wicked.-As one that hath been either robbed himself, or that hath a friend murdered, if he have the party apprehended and laid fast in prison, is not presently out of patience because he seeth not him instantly executed, but is well content quietly to expect the time of the assizes, though it be half a year after, as long as he is sure that he will then have justice against him so ought we not to fly out because evildoers prosper, remembering that all wicked ones are in the meanwhile in this world, as in God's jail, under the chains of a guilty conscience, out of which there is no possible means of escape without judgment.THOMAS GATAKER, 1650.

Proverbs xi. 24.-" THERE IS THAT SCATTERETH, AND YET INCREASETH;

AND THERE IS THAT WITHHOLDETH MORE THAN IS MEET, BUT IT
TENDETH TO POVERTY."

1832. The Liberal Soul made Rich.-Much had been said one evening, at the meeting of a missionary society, on the blessing which always seems to rest on those who gave largely towards the support of Christian missions. The next morning, at breakfast, a lady gave the following account to one of the party who were her visitors on that occasion :

"I had three brothers," she said, "who had been brought up with much care by my excellent father and mother. They had endeavoured to impress upon all their children the duty and the high privilege of laying by and giving even of their little store to the spreading of the kingdom of our blessed Redeemer. It happened that each of these brothers possessed a box, in which he was accustomed to drop any small sum of money that might be given to him. In the confusion of moving from our residence at

to

another house, these boxes were for a time mislaid, and were long looked for in vain. Some time afterwards, the three boxes were unexpectedly found; the boys were delighted at the discovery of their lost treasures, and determined at once to open their boxes. It was rather a curious circumstance that the three boxes contained almost the same sum of money-about ten pounds.

"My eldest brother had long wished to possess a watch; and without hesitation he instantly appropriated the whole of the contents of his box to the purchase of one.

"My second brother was of a divided mind; he accordingly

separated his money into two portions: one he spent for his own gratification, the other portion he gave to some religious society.

"My youngest brother gave up all; he reserved no portion for his own self-indulgence, but freely and joyfully gave the whole to the Lord.

"And now," added the lady, "I must tell you something of the after life of each of my brothers. The dispositions which were then shown in so marked a way proved indicative of the future course of each of these young men. The eldest has been engaged in many undertakings, which seemed to promise wealth, and he has expended large sums of money; but he has failed in everything; and at the close of a long life he is a poor man, and has been for some considerable time dependent on the bounty of his youngest brother.

"My second brother is not poor; but he has never been rich, nor satisfied with his very moderate circumstances.

"I am now in mourning for my youngest brother. He died lately, leaving £100,000, after having freely given away at least as much to missions among the heathen, and to other works of love. God prospered him in everything that he undertook; and he ceased not, throughout the whole course of his life, to give freely of all that God gave to his hand. Freely he had received, and freely and cheerfully did he give."-" The Kingdom and the People."

Proverbs vi. 6. "GO TO THE ANT, THOU SLUGGARD; CONSIDER HER WAYS, AND BE WISE."

1833. Ants in Brazil.-The following illustration will show the industry and activity of the ant, though in a somewhat different direction from that referred to by Solomon:-"So numerous were the ants, and so great was the mischief which they committed, that the Portuguese called this insect the King of Brazil; but it is said by Piso, that an active husbandman easily drove them away, either by means of fire or of water; and the evil which they did was more than counterbalanced by the incessant war which they waged against all other vermin. In some parts of South America they march periodically in armies, such myriads together, that the sound of their coming over the fallen leaves may be heard at some distance. The inhabitants, knowing the season, are on the watch, and quit their houses, which these tremendous but welcome visitors clear of centipedes, forty-legs, scorpions, snakes, every living thing; and having done their work, proceed upon their way.”—Southey's -"Brazil."

James ii. 15, 16.-"IF A BROTHER OR SISTER BE NAKED, AND DESTITUTE OF DAILY FOOD, AND ONE OF YOU SAY UNTO THEM, DEPART IN PEACE, BE YE WARMED AND FILLED; NOTWITHSTANDING YE GIVE THEM NOT THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE NEEDFUL TO THE BODY; WHAT DOTH IT PROFIT?"

1834. Practical Benevolence.-We read of king Oswald, that as he sat at table, when a fair silver dish, full of regal delicacies, was set before him, and he ready to fall to, hearing from his almoner that there were great store of poor at his gates, piteously crying out for some relief, did not fill them with words, as, "God help them!" "God relieve them!" "God comfort them!" but commanded his steward presently to take the dish off the table and distribute the meat, then beat the dish all in pieces and cast it among them.-HOLDSWORTH, 1630.

1 Kings xxii. 34.

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A CERTAIN MAN DREW A BOW AT A VENTURE." 1835. The Turning-point in a Life.- William Jones.-This excellent man, who was for many years secretary of the Religious Tract Society, and previously a member of the Sunday School Union Committee, records a striking instance of the leadings of divine providence in early youth, and which ultimately led to his decision for Christ and entrance upon active service in the Church. "During my attendance at Surrey Chapel I was frequently alarmed by the discourses I heard, and led to reflect on the danger of an unrenewed state. The appeals of the Rev. Mr. Potter, one of the occasional preachers there, much affected me. I was continually under deep convictions of sin, though these solemn impressions died away as soon as I was exposed again to the influence of worldly associations.

"About the year 1812 I was the subject of peculiar temptation. The faithful preaching of the gospel became distasteful to me. I then thought that I would leave Surrey Chapel, and go to some place where the preaching was less alarming. I fixed on a church in the vicinity of my parents' residence in Westminster. I attended the service both morning and afternoon, and then prepared to spend the evening in so-called innocent recreation. Here let me gratefully, most gratefully, record the lovingkindness of the Lord. He did not forsake me, though I intended to forsake Him. He led me by a right way, but I knew it not. He controlled me by His Spirit.

I quitted my home for the first time to leave Surrey Chapel, not being willing again to attend an evening service there. I passed over Westminster Bridge, intending to go to Vauxhall. I walked on; my mind was very unhappy; and, instead of passing on to Vauxhall, I found myself almost involuntarily advancing towards Surrey Chapel. I felt constrained to enter. I determined to take a seat close to the front door, that I might leave early. I found that the Rev. John Sibree, of Frome, was to preach. After prayer he rose. The thought at that moment entered my mind, ‘I would rather that he were about to close the service than to commence his sermon.' Judge my surprise when the preacher began his discourse in these words :-' Perhaps there may be present tonight some person who has said to himself, "I would rather hear the minister pronounce the benediction than give out his text." I was riveted by the remark. I got further into the chapel, and am not aware that I ever had a temptation to leave the chapel afterwards. Surely this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. The preacher pulled his bow at a venture; perhaps he never thought of his first words until he had pronounced his text-'A word spoken in season, how good it is!'"

Genesis xxvii. 2.-"I KNOW NOT THE DAY OF MY DEATH."

1836. The Uncertainty of Life.—I have read a parable of a man shut up in a fortress under sentence of perpetual imprisonment, and obliged to draw water from a reservoir which he may not see, but into which no fresh stream is ever to be poured. How much it contains he cannot tell. He knows that the quantity is not great; it may be extremely small. He has already drawn out a considerable supply during his long imprisonment. The diminution increases daily, and how, it is asked, would he feel each time of drawing water and each time of drinking it? Not as if he had a perennial stream to go to,-"I have a reservoir, I may be at ease.” No; "I had water yesterday, I have it to-day; but my having it yesterday and my having it to-day is the very cause that I shall not have it on some day that is approaching."

Life is a fortress, man is the prisoner within the gates. He draws his supply from a fountain fed by invisible pipes, but the reservoir is being exhausted. We had life yesterday, we have it to-day, the probability-the certainty-is that we shall not have it on some day that is to come.-R. A. WILMOTT.

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