Contents of the Book of Genesis. 117 faults, and, for Jesus Christ's sake, pardon, we humbly beseech Thee, all that we have, throughout this day, done, or said, or thought amiss. Make us to feel the great danger of sin, and how liable we are to be overcome by it. May we daily examine our hearts, and be careful not to let any sin get the dominion over us. Grant that we may diligently endeavour to grow wiser and better, and with humble hearts look to Thee for help and forgiveness. We thank Thee, O Lord, for the comforts which we have this day enjoyed; for our health, friends, food, and clothing. Add to these, Thy mercies, Almighty God! a larger share of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may daily increase in grace, and may at last by Thy great mercy, be accepted, for the sake of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our Father, &c. &c. CONTENTS OF THE BOOK OF GENESIS. To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. SIR, SHOULD you deem the following extracts from Mrs. Chapone's works worthy of a place in your publication, it may be the means of leading some of our Cottage friends to a nearer and more minute survey of the Scriptures than they have hitherto adopted. "The first book of Genesis contains the most grand, and, to us, the most interesting events that ever happened in the universe. The creation of the world, and of man; the deplorable fall of man, from his first state of excellence and bliss, to the distressed condition in which we see all his descendants continue; the sentence of death pronounced on Adam, and on all his race-with the reviving pro wrought for us by our blessed Saviour; the account of the early state of the world; of the universal deluge; the division of mankind into different nations and languages; the story of Abraham, the founder of the Jewish people, whose unshaken faith and obedience under the most severe trial that human nature could sustain, obtained such favour in the sight of God, that he vouchsafed to style him his friend, and promised to make of his posterity a great nation, and that in his seed that is in his descendants-all the kingdoms of the earth should be blessed. This, you will easily perceive, refers to the Messiah, who was to be the blessing and deliverance of all nations. The story of Abraham's proceeding to sacrifice his only son, at the command of God, is affecting in the highest degree, and sets forth a pattern of unlimited resignation, which every one ought to imitate, in those trials of obedience under temptation, or of acquiescence under afflicting dispensations, which fall to their lot. Of this we may be assured, that our trials will be always proportioned to the power afforded us. If we have not Abraham's strength of mind, neither shall we be called upon to lift the bloody knife against the bosom of an only child; but if the Almighty arm be lifted up against him, we must be ready to resign him, and all we hold dear, to the Divine will. This action of Abraham has been censured by some, who do not attend to the distinction between obedience to a special command, and the detestably cruel sacrifices of the Heathens, who sometimes voluntarily, and without any divine injunctions, offered up their own children, under the notion of appeasing the anger of their gods. An absolute command from God himself, as in the case of Abraham, entirely alters the moral nature of the action; since he only has a perfect power over the lives of his creatures, and may appoint whom he will, either angel or man to be the angel of destruction. That Exercise in Geography. 119 it was really the voice of God, which pronounced the command, and not a delusion, might be made certain to Abraham's mind, by means which we do not comprehend, but which we know to be within the power of Him who made our souls as well as bodies, and who can controul and direct every 'faculty of the human mind; and we may be assured that if he was pleased to reveal himself so miraculously, he would not leave a possibility of doubting whether it was a real or imaginary revelation. Thus the sacrifice of Abraham appears to be clear of superstition; and remains the noblest instance of religious faith and submission, that was ever given by a mere man. This book proceeds with the history of Isaac, which becomes very interesting to us from the touching scene I have mentioned and still more so, if we consider him as the type of our Saviour. It recounts his marriage with Rebecca the birth and history of his two sons, Jacob, the father of twelve tribes, and Esau the father of the Edomites the truly affecting story of Joseph and his brethren and of his transplanting the Israelites into Egypt, who there multiplied till they became a great nation." Your constant reader, M. S. H. Cumberland Exercise in Geography. CUMBERLAND is bounded on the north by Scotland and the Solway Firth, on the west by the Irish sea, on the south by Lancashire and Westmoreland, and on the east by Northumberland and Durham. This county comprises every variety of * This word is sometimes written frith, and is of common use in Scotland. Thus the firth or frith of Forth. It is used surface. The mountainous district comprehends more than one-third of the whole county; the old inclosures about one half, and the lakes and waters 8000 acres; the remainder consists either of commons capable of improvement, or lands recently enclosed. The mountainous district is divided into two parts, the one on the borders of Northumberland, the other on the south east part of the county. The former abounds in limestone, slate coal, and lead ore; but is not remarkable for picturesque beauty; the latter is generally sterile*, but contains several rich, though narrow, valleys, wih many fine lakes, (among which Ullswater and Derwentwater, or Keswick Lake, are the most celebrated,) rivers, cascades, and woodlands, which combined, or contrasted in the view, with the gigantic rocky masses around them, exhibit many remarkable scenes of grandeur, desolation and beauty. Black peat earth is the most prevalent soil of the mountainous districts. The celebrated mine of black lead of which pencils are made is situated on the side of a steep mountain in the south eastern district. This mine is the only one of the kind in England. It is only opened occasionally, as the demand may require, and then carefully closed. The northern part of the county is in general flat, and a tract of low land, from 2 to 4 or 5 miles in breadth, winds along the western shore.About half the cultivated land consists of dry loams; the fertile clays occupy but a small portion, but clay, wet and sterile, forms the sub-soil + in many parts. Landed property is much divided in this county, and the farms are in general small. Agriculture is, in most instances, conducted with but little attention to system. Considerable quantities of coal are raised near Workington and Martha and Mary. 121 Whitehaven, which are exported to Ireland and the western coast of Scotland. There are very productive lead mines in the neighbourhood of Ulstone, in the eastern border of the county. The principal rivers are the Eden, the Derwent, the Calder, and the Esk. The Eden rises in Westmoreland, and passes by Carlisle into the Solway Firth; the Derwent and the Calder both rise in the southeastern district of mountains; the vales through which they flow are very beautiful; the former falls into the sea near Workington, and the latter joins the Eden near Carlisle. The Esk rises in Scotland and falls into the Solway Firth. The principal towns are Carlisle, the capital of the county, and the seat of a Bishop; Penrith, a considerable market town, on the borders of Westmoreland; and Whitehaven, Workington, and Maryport on the sea-coast. This county from its great extent of coast and numerous mountains is much exposed to rains; which prevailing, especially in autumn, render the crops very precarious. January 8th. N. C. T. MARTHA AND MARY. Martha her love and joy express'd, The principle in both the same, But Mary chose the better part, Her Saviour's words refresh'd her heart; While busy Martha angry grew, |