a mother one day, weeping, her daughter being about to make a public profession of religion by going to the Lord's table, I will resist no longer. How can I bear to see my dear child love and read the Scriptures, while I never look into the Bible,-to see her retire and seek God, while I never pray, to see her going to the Lord's table, while his death is nothing to me? 'Ah,' said she, to the minister who called to inform her of her daughter's intention, wiping her eyes, Yes sir, I know she is right and I am wrong,-I have seen her firm under reproach, and patient under provocation, and cheerful in all her sufferings. When, in her late illness, she was looking for dissolution, heaven stood in her face. O that I was as fit to die! I ought to have taught her, but I am sure she has taught me. How can I bear to see her joining the church of God, and leaving me behind-perhaps for ever ?" From that hour she prayed in earnest, that the God of her child would be her God, and was soon seen walking with her in the way everlasting. Is this mere supposition? More than one eye, in reading this allusion, will drop a testimony to the truth of it. We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen.' May God bless us, and make us blessings.

affectionate mother, or a kind father? Let no distance hinder you from giving them a large place in your affections. No mighty continents, though they lie between you, should hide from the mind's eye their forms and their familiar countenances. No rolling oceans should blot out the memory of their worth, or the remembrance of their kindness.

CHILDREN BE PROMPT.

NEVER say, when told to do anything, In a minute,' or By-and-by.' This leads to a very bad habit, which, dence in you as you grow up. You if not overcome, will prevent all confiwill then put off duties you owe your neighbour in the same way, and lose his confidence. Many men lose the respect of their neighbours, not so much because they mean to do wrong, as through mere carelessness. Bye-andby.' and 'To-morrow,' have ruined thousands, robbed them of their character, and made them anything but blessings in a neighbourhood. Little confidence can be placed in their word, not because they mean to tell falsehoods, but because of their careless

ness.

it should be. And it is something so No obligation is fulfilled" when in their own affairs. They lose days and weeks, because business is not attended to when it ought to be. A

MOTHER.

SO

NONE love you so much as they: none are so interested in fitting you to act well your part, and none anxious that you should be kept from the evil of the world in which you are, and in which you are to live. If you leave their roof, and go out from their counsels and advice, who will you find to fill their places? Who will love you with a purer or more tender affection? Who will nurse you more constantly when sick? You hear honied words and fair speeches, as you pass along in the sunshine and by pleasant places; but among all the herd who will pity and befriend, and comfort, and sympathise with you, when the sun has withdrawn its shining, and the days of darkness have come, as an

away when done with. Fulfil every promise promptly. Put it not off an hour.

THE LITTLE PRINCESS ANNE.

WHEN the princess Anne, daughter of Charles the First, (who died on the eighth of December, 1640,) lay upon her death-bed, and nature was almost spent, she was desired by one of her attendants to pray; she said she was not able to say her long prayer, meaning the Lord's prayer, but she would say her short one. 'Lighten mine eyes, O Lord, that I sleep not the sleep of death.' The little innocent had no sooner pronounced these words, than she expired. She was not quite four years old.

FRANCIS DE SAN ROMANO was born at Burgos, of respectable parents, but had been educated in all the superstitions and prejudices of the age. He gave himself upto commerce, and gained by his conduct a credit which led eventually to circumstances productive of his conversion and martyrdom. In 1540, some Spanish merchants not having received a sum of money which ought to have been remitted from the fair of Anvers by their correspondents of Bremen, determined to send a confidential agent to recover it. They fixed upon Francis for this employment, and he set out with another Spaniard.

Having arrived at Bremen, he had a desire to go to the church, and without any suspicion entered one, where a preacher named Jacques, formerly prior of the Augustines of Anvers, was preaching. The preacher announced the gospel in its purity. Francis had some difficulty in following a discourse in the German language, but he wished to know the nature and tendency of a doctrine so abhorred by his countrymen. God permitted him not only to have his reason satisfied, but to have his conscience awakened and his heart touched. After the service he went in search of the minister; asked him some explanation of his doctrine; disputed; read; felt his ignorance and his error; and at the end of three days, passed almost entirely in the house of M. Jacques, he was not only convinced, but converted.

Full of the ardour of a mind which has just received the truth, he hastened to give attention to his affairs, of which he had nearly lost sight, and then consecrated the rest of his time to conferences with M. Jacques and another Protestant, M. Machabeus. He read and studied different treatises in French and German, and, by the blessing of God, he became capable in a short time, not only of defending his belief, but of teaching others the way of salvation.

From an interesting volume entitled The Reformation in Spain. Published by Ramsay, Ward & Co.

During his residence at Bremen, he wrote letters to his friends at Antwerp, in which he expressed the resolution he had taken of returning to them, and bringing them that light which had become manifest to him, and then to proceed into Spain to bring his relations, should such be the will of God, to the knowledge of the true religion of Jesus Christ.

He wrote also to the Emperor to beg him to reform the religious state of Spain, to put an end to the persecutions to which the protestants were exposed, and to give a free circulation to the Holy Scriptures. Whilst he waited for replies to his letters, he composed some small books in Spanish, in which he explained the different articles of the christian faith, and gave an account of his conversion. The letters which he received from Antwerp were flattering and encouraging; hypocrisy had dictated them. His friends invited him to return, assuring him that his presence would be of signal service. But the monks, advertized of every thing by these perfidious Spaniards, seized him on his arrival, took him from his horse, and conducted him into the house of a Spanish merchant. Once secure of his person, the monks, after having bound him hand and foot, commenced to interrogate him and to dispute. His baggage being examined, was found to contain the works of Luther, Melancthon, Ecolompadius, and other Reformers in French, German, and Latin, ns well as some satirical prints against the Pope. Triumphing in this discovery, the monks returned to the prisoner, and accused him of heresy in the full meaning of the word. Francis, indignant at their hypocrisy and violence, cried out, 'No, I am no heretic; but I profess the doctrine of the Son of God, of whom you are the enemies and the persecutors;-of the Son of God, who died for the sins of the world, and rose again for the justification of all those who shall embrace by faith the mercy offered to us in the gospel. This is my doctrine; I proclaim it aloud. As for your trumpery,

your errors, your depraved doctrine, I abhor them with my whole soul.' There were many partisans of the monks present, who began to insult Romano, who was bound with cords, and entirely at their discretion. If thou abhorrest our religion,' said they to him, that religion which the church declares to be perfect, What is thine? What dost thou believe ?' 'I have told you already,' said Francis. I am a christian; I want no other religion than that of Jesus Christ crucified; I only believe what the true church has believed and taught at all timesthat church whose members are scattered over all the world. This doctrine, so simple and so pure, you have corrupted most grievously, so that it has become pernicious to all who walk in your ways. I believe, I say, in God, who has created all things. I believe in God the Son, in Christ Jesus, who has purchased the human race by his own blood, who hath delivered it from the servitude of sin and of death, and re-established it in the liberty of the gospel. I believe in God the Holy Spirit, who by a secret and divine influence sanctifies believers. I believe that for the love of the Son of God my sins are freely pardoned. I believe that by the sole merit of this Mediator, without any of my own-without any regard to my good works, and without absolution from the pope, I shall enjoy eternal life.'

To their questions on the authority and infallibility of the sovereign pontiff, Francis replied, 'I regard the pope as antichrist-as an enemy of Jesus Christ, who arrogates to himself honours which belong to God only; who, animated by the spirit of the devil, spreads trouble every where to support his deceptions.' It seemed then to the monks that they had heard as many blasphemies as words, and they began to threaten him as a blasphemer, with fire and death. I fear not,' replied he, to die for the glory of our Lord, who has not disdained to acknowledge me. I should esteem myself happy to seal by my blood the doctrine of him who has shed his own for me. I ask you what more can you do than burn this poor and sinful flesh? I have learned to fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. After this

examination the monks burnt all his books before his face. When he saw them cast the New Testament into the flames, he addressed a discourse to all present, which the monks alone heard without emotion. They then transferred him to a town six leagues from Antwerp, and confined him in an obscure cell: but after some months, about the time of the assembly being convoked at Ratisbon, by order of the emperor, he was set at liberty.

Francis then passed some weeks at Antwerp, after which he went to Louvain to confer with Dryander, a native of the same city with himself. Dryander, advised him to be prudent and moderate; not to preach, being only a merchant and able as such to be most useful to the great cause. He exhorted him also not to attach himself to any party, but in all simplicity to follow the word of God. From Louvain he went to Ratisbon, obtained an audience with the emperor, and boldly exhorted him to deliver Spain from the frightful tyranny which oppressed her, and to bestow full liberty to the profession and propagation of the protestant faith. The emperor received him many times, but at last caused him to be arrested. The Spaniards wished to throw him into the Danube, and they would have done it, if Charles the Fifth had not ordered his trial to be proceeded with.

Thrown into prison once more, he was left for a long time without any decision being come to. He was with other prisoners chained to a carriage, and dragged from place to place in the suite of the emperor. 'Do you see these irons ?' said he to some friends astonished to behold him numbered with criminals. 'Do you see these irons ?' said he, lifting up his hands and showing the chains with which he was loaded. Yes, I do see them,' replied one of his friends, and it is with deep sorrow.' Ah! well;' replied the interesting Romano, these bonds, this captivity, so degrading in the eye of man, I suffer for the glory of my Saviour. Although these hands and feet be bound-although my body be so firmly fixed to the cart that I can scarcely move, do not think, my brother, that my spirit is not free-that it cannot rise to the throne of God to contemplate celestial things-to be

comforted and rejoiced by the presence of God.' His friend was so moved, that he had no power; and when his sighs and tears would have permitted him, the carriage went so quick, that he had not time to speak. Francis, thus dragged from city to city according as the emperor travelled, arrived at length in Spain, where he was delivered over to the Inquisition.

Francis was now immured in a damp and deep dungeon, from whence he was brought out from time to time, only to be tormented by the monks, or exposed to the taunts and insults of the populace. Every means were tried to bring him to change his opinion but without effect. He declared boldly, and in public, that it was impossible for man, by his own strength, or by his good works, or by any inherent excellence, to merit eternal life, or to be just before God:-that the Son of God had shed his blood to wash away our filthiness and to appease the wrath of his Father by his sacrifice. A sacrifice once for all and of universal efficacy; that the doctrines of the mass, of purgatory, of expiation, of indulgences, and adoration of images, were so many blasphemies and profanations of the blood of Jesus Christ. There now remained nothing more than to deliver over to the flames a heretic so determined and so impenitent. He was conducted to the scaffold with many others, but he alone was burnt. They led him for execution out of the city in the midst of the curses of the people.

Near the gate was a cross of wood, before which the procession stopped, and which the monks wished Francis to worship; this he refused with as much calmness as firmness. The christians,' said he to the spectators, 'do not adore a piece of wood. I am a christian, and I feel that God is with me. It is to him, and to him alone, that I now with all my heart offer my worship and my adoration. Make haste, I pray you, and bring me to the place where I am to be offered up in sacrifice.'

Immediately the vociferations and violence of an infuriated mob darted forth against him because he would not worship a sign which it venerated ;

but at the same moment the priests endeavoured to persuade the poor creatures that there was a virtue in the cross by which it repelled the adorations of a heretic. Upon this the assistants, satisfied of this miraculous property rushed to the cross and cut off portions of it with their swords, well assured that if they could procure the smallest particle, it would effectually preserve them from all maladies.

wish

Arrived at the place of execution, they tormented their victim anew, in order to draw from him a recantation and confession; but Francis did not belie himself, and, with the same firmness, told them to make haste and finish their work. He was then attached to the stake, and fire set to the pile. When he began to feel the flame, either to avoid the smoke, or for some other reason, he raised his head, his enemies having remarked this movement, thought that they saw a symptom of repentance, and immediately made the inflamed wood be withdrawn before he experienced any injury, Francis, perceiving this sudden change, and fearing some refined wickedness, cried out, Ah! are you envious of my happiness? Do you to hinder me from enjoying eternal glory?' Seeing themselves thus deceived in their expectation, the inquisitors ordered the wood to be replaced, and very soon the intrepid martyr was beyond the reach of suffering-in a few moments his body was reduced to ashes. After this no means were spared by the Inquisitors to blacken and injure the memory of this worthy christian; but his death made a deep impression on many of those who assisted at it, and among others, upon some soldiers. The ambassador of England, who was present, expressed a desire to possess himself of something which had belonged to him as a memorial of his faith and constancy. This action was so offensive to the emperor, that it led to the complete disgrace of that minister at his court.

These details were furnished by an eye witness, and attested, besides, by persons worthy of credit.*

* Actes des Martyrs, &c, par J. Crespin,

NINEVEH: its Rise and Ruin; as illus- | trated by ancient Scriptures and modern discoveries. A course of Lectures, delivered at Claremont Chapel, London. With additions and Supplemen tary Notes. By the REV. JOHN BLACKBURN, Pastor. Partridge and Oakey. 18mo. pp. 244.

THE discoveries of modern and enterprizing travellers have opened for the reading public, new stores of profound interest. Nineveh, which has been buried beneath its own ruins for some three thousand years, which was known to us from profane historians only by vague and indistinct allusions, and from the sacred writings by early references in the book of Genesis, and by the books of Jonah, Nahum, &c., and which has even been denied to have had an existence at all by some of the German myth-mongers, who have resolved the whole history into a mere fable-Nineveh, we say, has been brought to light by the persevering labours, and excavations of Dr. Layard, an enterprizing Englishman, and others-its halls, covered with rubbish and ashes, have been penetrated, the carved slabs of marble with which their walls were covered have been removed, and many most interesting specimens have been deposited in the British Museum. We have read Dr. Layard's volumes with profound interest, examined his sketches, drawings, plans of buildings, &c., with delight, and felt while doing this, as if the city of Nimrod-the fabled wonder of the past, was standing before us, in its pristine splendour. The colossal figures-the carved slabs-the various inscriptions, are in wonderful preservation; and this, resulting from the peculiar materials of which the walls were constructed, gives a kind of freshness to the idea which is seldom realized when contemplating ruins of very much later date. It seems as if the providence of God uncovered them, that they might be discovered to rebuke the folly and unbelief of a sceptical age. We recommend all our readers, who may have the opportunity, to peruse Dr. Layard's volumes, and to visit the British Museum. We

have reason to hope that the various inscriptions contained on these slabs, which appear to be the chronicles of kings, &c., will in due time be deciphered, and then we shall have some important additions to our historical knowledge of this once Queen of the East.

Mr. Blackburn, the talented pastor of Claremont chapel, was so interested by the perusal of Nineveh and its Remains,' and the illustrations and confirmations the work suggested of many parts of the Old Testament scriptures, that he pursued his enquiries, and determined upon giving a course of lectures on this subject. These are mentioned at the head of this article. We have been much gratified by the perusal of them, and we doubt not that to every intelligent christian who reads them they will be a source of instruction and edification. It is within the proper sphere of the christian ministry to lay hold on every discovery in science or in antiquity that tends to illustrate and establish the true meaning and divine authority of the inspired writings, with a view to the edification of christians. Mr. Blackburn's mind seems to have a peculiar adaptiveness to exercises of this kind. Hence these six lectures. The first is on 6 Ithe foundation of Nineveh, and the earlier notices of the old Assyrian monarchy.' Here is noticed the first overthrow of this mighty city, and the confirmation of it by the excavations of Dr. Layard. The second lecture is devoted to Nineveh in the days of the prophet Jonah its extent, wickedness, and humiliation.' These topics are well unfolded. The third, notices' The invasion of Israel by the Assyrians, and the captivity of the ten tribes.' In this the lecturer shows how the sculptures and engravings discovered by Dr. Layard, illustrate the cruel treatment of the captives, and the description of the city by Nahum, chap. iii. 1, ii. 12, 13. The fourth shews 'the siege of Libnah by the Assyrian army, and its signal overthrow,' and here is noted the identity of Nisroch the eagle-headed divinity, with the discoveries of Dr. Layard. The fifth, is

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