command a greater degree of strength than at any other season. It is in a circus, having four gates for the entry of the Directors, the bulls, and horses, and removing the mangled animals. It is open at top, capable of containing 20,000 persons, surrounded with seats in rows like a gallery, which are crowded with both sexes, and a box is fitted up for the Royal Family, as spectators! In this shocking exhibition, every species of torture, by means of fire-works, iron spikes, and other sharp instruments, that the most vindictive imagi nation can suggest, are employed to inflame the passions, and harass and irritate these animals. This entertainment is of so darling a nature, that Spaniards, even to the lowest class, will prefer selling the shirt on their backs to raise money, in order to procure admission, than be deprived of the sight. Next to this is the scandalous practice of cock-fighting, where a competition always ends in the death of one, or both.

"The consideration of these abominable practices leads me to remark, that to any man possessed of the slightest spark of feeling,or reflection,it must be heart-reading to see such total insensibility, to the cries and sufferings of dumb animals. The wanton suffering and violence offered to animals, which render us such essential services, must receive the condemnation of every benevolent mind. The exercise of it exhibits in man a disposition as ungrateful, as it is most cowardly and pusillanimous, which is obviously a passion of the most malignant nature, and calculated to extinguish all those fine feelings of mercy and compassion that ought ever to reign predominant in the human breast towards helpless animalsa continuation of which must, inevitably, lead to a woeful train of outrage and crime. That they should be made the victims of sport and savage barbarity, appear to have been acts strongly reprobated by God himself, both under the Mosaic and Gospel dispensation.

"No men, whose minds have been enlightened by principles of religion, will ever attempt to indulge in such acts of wantonness and brutality.”—From Travels in Spain.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO CORRESPONDENTS. We have received the communications of A Friend to the C. M. V.; Cam.; Daniel Pickearth; A Constant Reader ; W. D.; S. H.; G. G. S. ; T; S. W; Y; and Medicus.

We shall be glad to accept the offer of A Friend to the C. M. V. The communication must be sent in the way proposed. As to the question asked, we shall leave our Correspondent to his own discretion. We have made no positive rule; we cannot say more here.

THE

Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

JUNE, 1825.

REFLECTIONS.

"As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord."

THESE are the words of Joshua, who was the leader of the people of Israel after the death of Moses. When he was old and well stricken in years," and about to "go the way of all flesh," he calls together the people; and, reminding them of the signal mercies they had through a long course of years received at the hands of God, he calls upon them to "choose this day whom they would serve," whether the gods of the Heathen nations around them, or the one true and living God, the Lord of Heaven and earth; concluding with this pious declaration, "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." The experience of a long life spent in the service of his God, enabled him to bear witness to this truth, that "the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe;" and that he alone is safe who "abideth under the defence of the Most High." Let us receive these words of the venerable leader of Israel as addressed to ourselves, for we too are called on to make the important choice which he set before his followers. The gods of the heathen (the pleasures, the profits, and allurements of this world, which are as gods to those who serve not the true God, nor love to re

tain Him in all their thoughts) invite us on the one hand. They promise to their worshippers a life of ease, of self-indulgence, and pleasure. They may tell you, when all around you looks bright and attractive, that "to-morrow shall be as to-day, and much more abundant;" but believe them not. A life of self-indulgence will render you unmindful of your Father's house. It is not "the wicked" only (they who are guilty of great sins) that "shall be turned into hell, but all the people that forget God," -all who forsake His service for that of any other master. Hear too the awful warning which the Apostle holds forth to the lovers of pleasure, "She who liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth"dead to every higher purpose of an existence which was given her to prepare for eternity, to acquire those tempers and dispositions which alone can make us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."" Awake" then" thou that sleepest" this sleep of sensual indulgence, "and arise from the dead" (this death of the soul)" and Christ shall give thee light." In his light only can we see light. It is He who must give us the grace to discern that "the Lord, He is God;" and to resolve in the strength of a renewed will, that "Him only will we serve." Halt then no longer between two opinions-delay not your decision, for delay may be fatal." Choose ye this day" (says Joshua) will serve:"whom ye now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation"-" the night cometh when no man can work.”

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From this day then, from this very hour, begin to serve the Lord. Put away from out of the midst of you the false gods who would usurp His place, and the Lord Himself will then descend into your heart, and, teaching you all things whatsoever He hath commanded you to observe and do, will sanctify. every thought and word and deed to His glory. This is" a living sacrifice" of yourself, "holy,

Question on good Management.

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acceptable unto God, and your reasonable service.” It is a service which you will find as you advance in it, to be indeed "perfect freedom,"-" freedom from doubt, and fear, and sin," freedom from the tyranny of that corrupt nature which, unrestrained and unrenewed by divine grace, is ever seeking to bring us under the bondage of Satan.

It is a service which demands of you no sacrifice of temporal duty whilst it calls on you to be "fervent in spirit" it forbids you to be "slothful in business:"-it requires of you that while you"love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind, and soul and strength, and serve him truly all the days of your life," you should at the same time "learn and labour truly to get your own living, and do your duty in that state of life to which it hath pleased God to call you;" doing all as" unto the Lord and not unto men." Let us then pray to that "God, of whose only gift it cometh that His faithful people do unto Him true and laudable service" that he would grant us His grace "so faithfully to serve Him in this life that we fail not finally to attain His heavenly promises, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord." Amen.

March 12, 1825.

K. B.

JOHN THOMPSON'S QUESTION ON GOOD

MANAGEMENT.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

SIR,

I AM eighteen years of age, I have had a good education for a labourer's son, having been brought up at the National School in our village. I can read, I and can write, and cast accounts. The good books

I

which we were taught to read in our school, and especially the BEST OF BOOKS, has taught me, hope, to look for my happiness in something of more certainty than this world can give. I know that it is a Christian's business" to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world," as a preparation for the happiness which is provided for the faithful in the next. An honest and upright course of conduct certainly must belong to the life of a Christian; but poverty offers so many temptations to discontent, and even to dishonesty, that I cannot but think it well worth a man's while to endeavour to keep himself out of such difficulties by care and prudence. When I look round me, I see some of my neighbours in great distress; and others, in the same station of life, apparently quite comfortable and prosperous; and I cannot help thinking that this often arises from their different ways of managing. Some of them have married very early, and they have had large families, before they have ever been able to lay by any thing to maintain them. I should like to do better, Sir, if I could. Can you give me any advice on this subject in addition to what I have already seen in your book? If you can, Sir, you will much oblige your humble Servant,

JOHN THOMPSON.

P. S. I should tell you, Sir, that I have lately got employment that will bring me in twelve shillings a week.

The following statement, which we have lately read, may serve as an answer to any such prudent young man as John Thompson, who is asking advice about good management." Suppose a man earns twelve shillings a week at the age of eighteen. Half that sum will support him. Let us, however, by way of argument, suppose him to save only four shillings a week; that is more than ten pounds a