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THE DRUIDS SACRIFICES.

(See opposite page.)

THE Druids were, the priests of Ancient Britain. They' were a cunning cruel set of men, who tyrannised over the people, and kept them in bondage. On the opposite page you have a picture representing some of their sacrifices. That poor half-naked man, laid on the stone altar, is about to be offered as a sacrifice. You observe the rows of holes in the stone; these were for the purpose of catching the morning dew, which they considered holy, and a cure for many diseases. Between the rows of small holes there was usually a larger one, supposed to be for catching the blood of the poor people they put to death on it, which ran off through an opening at the end of the stone." Prisoners taken in war, and others, were often cruelly killed on these bloody altars.

Up in the corner you will see a sort of cage, which is meant to represent a sort of wicker image, into which they used to put people and burn them for a sacrifice. They would first take all the people they had in prison, whether they deserved to die or not, and next anybody they could catch-men, women, or children. It was a horrible practice-but such was the heathenism of our forefathers, even in Britain. And such might have been our heathenism still but for the influence of God's blessed Bible. It set our father's free-free from the bondage of idolatry and priestcraft. It will set us free too, if we receive its blessed truths into our hearts, and believe, love, and obey them.

MARTYRDOM OF BRADFORD.

THEN was he led forth to Smithfield, with a great company of weaponed men to conduct him thither, the like of which was seen at no other man's burning; for in every corner of Smithfield there were some, besides those which stood about the stake. Bradford then, being come to the place, fell flat to the ground, secretly making his prayers to Almighty God. And he, "lying prostrate on the one side of the stake," and a young man, an apprentice, John Leaf, who suffered with him, "on the other side," they lay flat on their faces, praying to themselves the space of a minute of an hour. Then one of the sheriffs said to Master Bradford, "Arise, and make an end; for the press of the people is great." At that word they both stood upon their feet; and then Master Bradford took a faggot in his hand, and kissed it, and so likewise the stake. And when he had so done, he desired of the sheriffs that his servant might have his raiment: "for," said he, "I have nothing else to give him, and besides that he is a poor man." And the sheriff said he should have it. And so forthwith Master Bradford did put off his raiment, and went to the stake: and holding up his hands, and casting his countenance up to heaven, he said thus: "O England, England, repent thee of thy sins, repent thee of thy sins. Beware of idolatry, beware of false antichrists; take heed they do not deceive you." And as he was speaking these words, the sheriff bade tie his hands, if he would not be quiet. "O Master Sheriff," said Master Bradford, "I am quiet: God forgive you this, Master Sheriff." And one of the officers which made the fire, hearing Master Bradford so speaking to the Sheriff, said, "If you have no better learning than that, you are but a fool, and were best to hold your peace."

THE TWO HEARTS.

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To the which words Master Bradford gave no answer, but asked all the world forgiveness, and forgave all the world, and prayed the people to pray for him, and turned his head unto the young man that suffered with him, and said, "Be of good comfort, brother; for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night;" and so spake no more words that any man did hear, but embracing the reeds, said thus: "Strait is the way, and narrow is the gate that leadeth to eternal salvation, and few there be that find it." "He endured the flame," Fuller observes, "as a fresh gale of wind in a hot summer's day, without any reluctancy, confirming by his death the truth of that doctrine he had so diligently and powerfully preached during his life."

THE TWO HEARTS.

IT is found to be very common for the heathen under conviction, to speak of having two hearts-the bad heart and the good heart. A woman in West Africa, who had been enlightened by the Scriptures, was much distressed, and said, weeping, that she had "two hearts that troubled her so much that she did not know what to do. One was the new heart, that told all things that she had ever been doing. The same heart told her that she must go to Jesus Christ, and tell him all her sins, as she had heard at Church; but her old heart told her, 'Never mind! God no save black man, but only white man, How you know he died for black man?' Her new heart said: 'Go, cry to him, and ask!' Old heart tell me, do my work first, fetch water, make fire, wash, and then go pray. When my work done, then me forget to pray, I don't know what to do." The missionary read and explained to her the seventh chapter of Romans, and when he came to the verse, "O, wretched man that I am, &c.," she

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A GREAT WONDER.

said, “Ah, massa, that me-me no know what to do.' He then added the words of St. Paul, "I thank God through Jesus Christ," and explained to her the love of Christ. She was deeply affected, and has continued to love the Saviour ever since.

A GREAT WONDER.

THE Rev. Mr. Guthrie, an eminent minister in Scot-. land of the olden time, was one evening travelling home very late. Having lost his way on a moor, he laid the reins on the neck of his horse, and committed himself to the direction of Providence. After long travelling over ditches and fields, the horse brought him to a farmer's house, into which he went, and requested permission to sit by the fire till morning, which was granted, A Popish priest was administering extreme unction to the mistress of the house, who was dying. Mr. Guthrie said nothing till the priest had retired; then he went forward to the dying woman, and asked her if she enjoyed peace in the prospect of death, in consequence of what the priest had said and done to her. She answered that she did not; on which he spoke to her of salvation through the atoning blood of the Redeemer. The Lord taught her to understand, and enabled her to believe the message of mercy, and she died triumphing in Jesus Christ as her Saviour. After witnessing this astonishing scene, Mr. Guthrie mounted his horse and rode home. On his arrival, he told Mrs. Guthrie he had seen a great wonder during the night. "I came," said he, "to a farmhouse, where I found a woman in a state of nature; I saw her in a state of grace; and I left her in a state of glory.”

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A GREAT WONDER.

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There's not a name beneath the skies, nor is there one in heaven

above,

But that of JESUS can suffice the sinner's burden to remove. Sweet name! when once its virtue's known, how weak all other

helps appear!

The sinner trusts to it alone, and finds the grand specific there.

Reader, are you in a state of nature or in a state of grace? If in a state of nature, you are "condemned already," "dead in trespasses and sins," and "in danger of hell-fire." Neither Popish priests nor Protestant ministers can translate you from nature to grace. None but Christ can do it; but He is both able and willing, "Ye must be born again," for "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." "By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Do you know what it is to be "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus ?" If you do not experience "the new birth," you must die "the second death." You must pass from nature to grace now, if you would be found in glory hereafter. "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Whatever you do, do it willingly. A boy that is whipped at school never learns his lesson well. A man that is compelled to work, cares not how badly it is performed. He that pulls off his coat cheerfully, strips up his sleeves in carnest, and sings while he works, is the man for me.

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