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MAY.

THE MONTH.

THE festivals of May are well-nigh coeval with the seasons.

The fifth month, Maius, of the Julian Calendar, agrees with the third moon, Pachon, in the old, and the ninth of the new Egyptian year; and with the ninth civic, and third sacred moon of the Jews, Sivan.

1. The decrees of the synod of Dort, dissolved 1619, are publicly read. This famous Calvinistic convocation was composed of six members from each of the provinces; twelve from north and south Holland, two from Drent, with deputies from London, and ten other foreign cities or republics.

The herdsmen in the Highlands of Scotland perform a kind of rustic charm or sacrifice, by which it is supposed their sheep and cattle are protected from destruction through the year.

The union of England and Scotland is first consummated, 1707.

The rainy season begins now in Abyssinia, when the sun becomes vertical. This is the period of harvest in Palestine, and fruits are ripe at Algiers.

Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, born 1769.

John Dryden died, 1700.

2. Columbus discovers Jamaica. 4. In 1818, a treaty entered into between England and the Netherlands for abolishing the slave-trade. 5. Napoleon Buonaparte died, 1821.

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Dover, 1213, and swears allegiance to the Pope.

16. Dr. Hoadly died, 1776.

18. An extraordinary meteor, called vulgarly, a flaming sword, was first observed at Leeds, 1710. It had the appearance of a trumpet, and moved from north to south with its mouth foremost.

19. In 1671, Sir Matthew Hale was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench. He was justly called a pillar of integrity.

Charles Bonnet died at Geneva, 1793. An earthquake at Antioch, A. D. 526, by which 250,000 persons are said to have perished.

Amerigo, an experienced sailor, set out, in 1499, upon a western voyage of discovery, with Alonzo de Ojeda, but with orders not to touch any part which Columbus had discovered before 1495. He returned to Cadiz the following October, and made it appear that he was the discoverer of the continent in the New World. In consequence of this, Amerigo supplanted the name of Columbus, and America is called after a man who was a gross impostor.

A Florist at Harlaem refuses ten thousand florins for a hyacinth in 1771.

21. It is said that if a storm happen from an easterly point on this or the two preceding days, the ensuing summer will four times out of five be dry. 22. Alexander Pope born in Lombardstreet, London, 1688.-Constantine the Great died, A. D. 337.- John Entick died at Stepney, 1773.

Bishop Jewel, in a private letter to his friend Bullinger, 1559, observes, that " Queen Elizabeth refuses to be called head of the church, as it was a title that could not justly be given to any mortal."

23. The capture of Jerusalem by Pom

pey.-Queen Victoria born, 1819. 25. Dr. Paley died at Sunderland, 1805. 27. John Calvin died, 1564.

THE WORK; AND HOW TO DO IT.

A NARRATIVE.-CHAPTER IV,

SPRING was now considerably advanced, and the country presented a pleasant and lively aspect, after the comparative dreariness of winter; but though our young friends, Charles and Henry, had more to engage them in their worldly callings, they often talked about the future, and devoted what time they could to prepare for it. The result of their deliberations ended in this resolve;-that Charles should give a brief course of instruction on the works of creation, and that Henry should exhibit proofs of human ingenuity and contrivance. The former devoted an hour every morning to the diligent cultivation of his own mind, and directed his enquiries chiefly to natural science, making from time to time such a collection of interesting and useful particulars as might be easily turned to account with children; and before the autumn arrived he had pretty well completed twelve short lectures, accompanied with the best illustrations he could procure.

His range of books was limited, but he borrowed occasionally from friends, The "Penny Cyclopædia" afforded him much help. He had also bought a copy of "Yead's Book of Nature;" and a small publication of much interest, "Observations of Nature," by Mudie. Henry lent him “Dr. Dick's Christian Philosopher;" and these, with a few books belonging to the Religious Tract Society, were sufficient for his purpose.

Henry took up the useful arts, and showed how man had gone on improving in civilization. He described the various kinds of dwellings from the period when men dwelt in tents to the erection of houses similar to ours, embracing pyramids, mausoleums, &c. He showed the methods employed for raising water, and conveying it, with pictures of wells, pumps, cisterns, &c.; different methods of grinding corn, and the whole process which it undergoes. Then he was to give a lesson on the mechanical powers, exhibiting the wheel, the axle, the pulley, the lever, the wedge. Then he was to show the different implements used in husbandry at different periods, the method of preparing hemp and flax, and manufacturing them into cloth. One lecture was to be on vessels, from the canoe of the Indian to the modern steam-ship, with a short account of navigation, and the use of the compass and the rudder. Another was arranged on optical instruments, when Henry meant to show them a prism, a microscope, and telescope, with a promise that, if it were possible, they should some day have a meeting of the whole school, and see a magic-lantern,

While these lectures were preparing, Charles and Henry were often together, and, as one might have anticipated, the effect was exceedingly good. A new field was opened to Charles, and his spiritual mind sympathized with the Psalmist in his admiration of the great Creator. As he sought out His wonderful works he felt fresh love springing up in his heart, and approached him with deeper reverence and confidence. Henry was gradually led to prefer Charles'

society to that of his former trifling associates, and under his influence he began a course of Scripture reading, which was most profitable to his personal piety. Once he had been rather disposed to smile at C., as too grave and retiring; now he felt the advantage of his sobriety, and saw the superiority of his principles. It was his desire to be more like him; and insensibly he was drawn into a full and candid acknowledgment of his own unsound condition. He had been religiously educated, and grew up with the reputation of a serious character; but he was more and more convinced that a deeper and a complete change must be wrought in his soul, before he could be a happy and useful Christian. Charles did not build him up with false hopes, and whisper smooth things to quiet his conscience; but, admitting the reality of all he said, and allowing him to think the very worst of himself, he directed him simply to the Saviour. substance of all his instruction might be comprehended in these lines:

"He is able, he is willing

Doubt no more."

The

It was several weeks before Henry could entertain hope, and when he did his hope was feeble, and often overcast by guilty fears. He found it difficult to avoid temptation. His besetting sins pursued him, and he was ready to say, "I shall one day perish by the hand of my enemy;" but Charles was unwearied in pressing upon him the provisions of the gospel. His chief talent seemed to lie in setting forth the gentleness and sufficiency of Christ. This was the only balm he ever applied to the wounded heart, but it was attended with sovereign

power.

One of Henry's first feelings was, that he was not fit to instruct others, but rather that he needed to be taught himself, and must give up his Sunday-class. "No, dear Henry," said Charles, "this would be wrong. Just try to teach your children what the Spirit of God has been teaching you, and look to Him to make your efforts effectual." Henry was persuaded to persevere, though it cost him much. His choice of subjects became different, his tone and manner with the children were changed, and they were not slow to perceive it, and to listen with gratifying attention.

"I do think teacher loves us now," said one of the youngest scholars, as they were walking homeward a month or two after this change. "Yes," answered the other," and I love him better and better every Sunday. Did not you like what he told us about the heart of stone and the heart of flesh? I never understood it before. And that history of Blind Bartimeus crying out so earnestly: I fancied I could see and hear him. Teacher was not always like what he is

now."

"No, he did not use to care for us; and he was so cross, and pushed us about, and called us all manner of names; I did not like school then, but now I would not stay away for anything.”

66 Do you know there is going to be an evening school at our village, but only for boys above twelve, and none are to go but such as have a good character?

My father heard it from Mr. Charles, and he and teacher are to conduct it. There's to be no pay, unless it be for slates and pencils."

"Is it to be a Sunday-school?" said Willy Davis, who had been listening to this wonderful information.

"No; how could it be?" answered the others; "a Sunday-school on a week day! what a joke! but I dare say it will be religious though, for Mr. Charles says nothing should be done without prayer."

"Do you think that's right?" safd Willy; "I should not like so much of it!" "Nor I neither," said John Parrett; "but yet no one can beat Mr. Charles for goodness; he's always so kind like. Mother says he has a good word for

everybody."

At length October came, and I prepared to fulfil my promise of going down to the opening of the classes. We held one or two preliminary meetings, to draw up a few rules and arrange our proceedings. I had obtained some useful pictures of the educational series from Darton and Harvey's, and others that I had picked up at print-shops and book-stalls; the whole amounting to a mere trifle. I had also an admirable little book, with one just out-“Rhind's Book of Creation." This alone might have supplied materials for a course of instruction such as Charles proposed, and, as it was, he availed himself of it to render his own lessons more simple and religious; for, after all, it was often difficult to bring down his thoughts and language to the capacity of his scholars.

It was a fine moonlight evening when the youthful party were first assembled in the large old kitchen at ——— End. There was a bright log fire, two strong benches, and a small round table for books. Against the wall was a copy of the rules in large-hand, and a picture of the world and the heavenly bodies revolving round the sun. The lads had come in neat and clean; they were desired to wipe their shoes on the mat, to make a bow, and go quietly to their seats. This they did very cheerfully with Henry's assistance, and it then belonged to me to explain the object of their coming, what would be expected from them, and what benefits they might derive from spending two evenings in the week in this pleasant way. I found they could all read, and most of them were able to write, and knew a little of figures, though not much. Of the twelve boys, five of them were from other villages, but each lad bore a tolerable character, and attended regularly at some place of worship. I then offered a short prayer, that the blessing of God might accompany this humble effort, and commended the teachers and children to his Divine guidance.

After rising from our knees Charles came forward. He had a little cane in his hand, not, however, as he told them, to inflict punishment, but as a pointer. His manner was at first rather nervous, and it seemed as if he were at a loss; but, by degrees, he gained confidence, and became perfectly natural and easy. He called upon one or two boys to read out these following passages of Scripture from the board, which the rest repeated after them :-Gen. i. 1-3; Job xxxviii. 4; John i. 1, 2; Heb. i. 10; Col. i. 16; Psa. xxxiii. 6.

The object of the first lecture was to furnish a genuine idea of the globe,

its form, its position in space, the law of gravitation, and the revolutions it performs. He took up the three expressions respecting the earth: that it was without form; that it was void; and that darkness was upon the face of it. He related the opinions of some of the ancients respecting the shape of the world, &c.; told them the anecdote of Sir Isaac Newton and the apple; and gave them Paley's beautiful illustration of the stone and the watch, to prove that where there is evidence of design there must have been an intelligent mind in operation.

He told them the rate at which the earth moved on its axis-a thousand miles an hour, and that it had done this for nearly 6,000 years without deviation. Then he dwelt on the advantages of night and day, and the kindness of God in allowing us a season of repose, to recruit our powers of body and mind. His observations on light and heat were very interesting. He showed the difference of velocity between sound and light, as perceived in a thunder-storm-the light moving at the rate of 190,000 miles in a second; while sound travels at only 13 miles a minute. His closing observations were in the way of appeal to their admiration and gratitude, and the whole was wound up by his opening the Bible at the 104th Psalm, and reading slowly and emphatically the few first verses, with the four last verses of the 102nd Psalm. After this he sat down, and his kind mother distributed some apples and harvest cakes, which she had provided for the occasion. The children were told to come again on the Thursday, and that they would then be questioned on the lessons they had just received. They departed in excellent spirits, and went home to diffuse useful information in their respective circles.

Hackney.

E. R.

THE PASTOR AND TEACHERS.
(Continued from page 116.)

Superintendent.-I thank you, sir, | heard it asserted, and that with an

for these important observations. I plainly see that unbelief is as much rebellion against the wisdom and veracity of God, as injustice and impurity are rebellion against his holiness and authority; and that the rejection of a single doctrine, however profound and incomprehensible, is inconsistent with the reception of the plainest narrative, -since God is the author of both.

B.-I concur in the sentiments so clearly stated; but allow me, sir, to inquire whether there is any inconsistency involved in speaking of revealed mysteries? I have lately

air of confidence, that mystery and revelation are terms incompatible; for it is stated that if a thing be revealed it is no longer a mystery, and if a mystery, it is not a revelation; and though reluctant to admit the truth of this reasoning, I confess I was not able to frame a satisfactory answer, and have been a good deal perplexed and embarrassed in my mind on that subject.

Minister.-Confident assertion is no unusual accompaniment of ignorance and infidelity. The objector seeks to entangle you in a sophism by the abuse of terms. Any object

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