OBEDIENCE AND HAPPINESS. the scene is solemn and deeply affecting-and all seem to feel that it is "the house of God-the gate of heaven." "Sweet the sign that thus reminds me, Sweeter still the love that binds me In its deathless bonds to thee; Oh, what pleasure, Buried with my Lord to be." Having been immersed "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," she ascended the steps of the baptistry with the utmost composure, and with all the ease of a young person, and there remained till the benediction was pronounced. On reaching the vestry, in company with two or three ladies, her heart was so full that she walked up and down the room uttering expressions of gratitude to God who had made her way prosperous, and reminding those present of Simeon, when he said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Although it has been my privilege to baptize a considerable number of persons during the last twelve years, peculiar circumstances gave to this immersion an interest which cannot be expected from ordinary ones; and the impression made on my own mind was so delightful and strong, that it will never be forgotten while life and memory last. Most of the spectators were moved to tears when they saw the venerable woman going down into the water with a firm step, with a heavenly countenance, influenced by the love of Christ, fearless of the world's despising, and having a conscience void of offence toward God and toward man. It was, indeed, an impressive scene to all present, full of godly simplicity, furnishing encouragement to the timid and reproof to the undecided; an example that old disciples might follow, and a confirmation of the divine testimony, "if ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." Her earnest pursuit of christian baptism arose, partly from the conviction that it was necessary to the full manifestation of her love to the Saviour, who said to his followers, "if ye love me, keep my commandments," and partly from the promise of future blessedness to all who do his commandments, by giving them a right to the tree of life when they enter into the gates of that city, whose builder and maker is God. Dear reader! are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you acknowledge his sole and supreme authority in religion? Let me remind you then that baptism is a solemn profession of the christian faith—it is your oath of allegiance to the King in Zion, and a public avowal that the Lord is your God. Have you made this avowal in the presence of your brethren? It may be that you are pleading age as an excuse. May I affectionately entreat you to consider the example that has been set before you in this narrative. Does timidity keep you from doing what you think is right? Give to the winds your fears. Go forward in the path of duty, POETRY. whatever others say or do. Follow truth and leave consequences with God. Do you say that baptism is not essential to salvation? True! whoever maintains the contrary, makes the cross of Christ of no effect, and falls into the deadly error of baptismal regeneration; but it is a necessary part of your obedience to the will of Him who is the Head of the church. Has he not commanded you to be baptized in his name? Did he not set you the example? Is it not an emblemn of your death unto sin, and your resurrection to a holy life? Perhaps you take shelter under the plea that immersion is not customary among the majority of christians in this country? Permit me to say that scripture, not custom, must be your guide in matters of conscience and religion. The bible, the bible alone, is your authority-fathers, councils, catechisms, and confessions of faith, are but witnesses, not authorities, concerning the mode and subjects of baptism-turning away from all the books that have been written by erring men about this solemn ordinance, go at once to the word of God for wisdom and direction how to act. Pray for the teachings of the Holy Spirit, that you may be led into all truth, and be made willing to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Hasten, O Saviour, the time when thy disciples shall have "one Lord, one faith, one baptism," and when their unity shall be like "the dew of Hermon that descended on the mountains of Zion, where the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity! Amen. Poetry. POWER AND GRACE OF CHRIST. THROUGH nature's ample round, we see Thy distant splendors shine; Is there a God compar'd with thee? But clearer rays of heav'nly light, Buried in the baptismal stream, Then seated round thy cheerful board, ANECDOTES, SELECTIONS, AND GEMS. Anecdotes, Selections, and Gems. Stand by that Cross.-Weep over your days of ignorance there. Lament each moment that you lost when you knew not its power and glory; and since you have lived so many years a stranger to it, and without God in the world, adopt, while you acknowledge your present happiness, the words of one of its venerable servants, "I have known thee too late! I have loved thee too late!" Stand by that Cross.-Since you have found that it is the true source of greatness, sacrifice all false glory. Sacrifice joyfully that pride produced in you by the superiority of mind, or knowledge, for which you are eminent; in another, by your elevated place in society, or your extensive reputation; in a third, by the wealth you possess, or by the mode of life for which you are distinguished; in a fourth, by the admiration of which you are the object, by the splendour which surrounds you, or by the flattery you receive. But how shall I enumerate all the sources of that puerile pride which you should sacrifice to the cross? Stand by that Cross. Stand by it in your trials. Be comforted; the cross has saved you; your redemp, tion is accomplished; eternal life awaits you; not all the tempests of the world can disturb the peace acquired for you. Think but little of the burden you bear, in view of the punishment which the Holy One and the Just endured; and rejoice that you are led through the path of suffering by which Jesus went to glory. Stand by that Cross.-And when sin is aroused in your members, when the world calls you, when the evil one spreads his net, when your soul begins to stagger like a drunken man, then look to Jesus. Let the sight of what he suffered for your sins fill your soul with a sacred horror, and revive in your heart the dying flame of love. Stand by that Cross.-And even if all things unite against it, if it be again surrounded by those who revile it and wag their heads, still, let it be your glory to confess it boldly before all men, for," whosoever shall confess me before men," saith the Lord, "him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven: but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." The day is drawing nigh when the veil which conceals that cross will be drawn back, and it will diffuse its light and glory on those who shall not have been ashamed of it. May God give you strength to be confessors of the cross of Christ during life. May God give you strength to be confessors of the cross of Christ in death. "I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life," saith the Lord. D'MERLE AUBIGNE, Oh, THOMAS HALYBURTON. 66 blessed be God that I was born," said this holy man when dying. "I have a father and a mother, and ten brethren and sisters in heaven, and I shall be the eleventh. Oh, blessed be the day that I was ever born! Oh, that I were where he is! And yet, were God to withdraw from me, should be weak as water. All that I enjoy, though it be miracle on miracle, would not support me without fresh supplies from God. The thing I rejoice in is this, that THE FIRESIDE, OR POOR MAN'S FRIEND. If God is altogether full; and that in the Mediator, Christ Jesus, is all the fulness of the Godhead, and it will never run out. Study the power of religion. 'Tis the power of religion, and not the name, that will give the comfort I find. there be such a glory in Christ's conduct towards me now, what will it be to see the Lamb in the midst of the throne! My peace hath been like a river." Soon after, one of those about him having said, "You are now putting your seal to that truth, that great is the gain of godliness;" he replied, "Yes, indeed." Then said another, "And I hope you are encouraging yourself in the Lord?" On which, not being able to speak, he lifted up his hands, and clapped them; and quickly after, went to the land where the weary are at rest. BISHOP BUTLER.-When this eminent prelate lay on his dying bed, he called for his chaplain, and said, Though I have endeavoured to avoid sin and please God to the 66 66 utmost of my power, yet, from the consciousness of perpetual infirmities, I am still afraid to die." "My lord," said the chaplain, "you have forgotten that Jesus Christ is a Saviour." "True," was the answer, "but how shall I know that he is a Saviour for me?" 'My lord, it is written, 'Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out."" "True," said the bishop, "and I am surprised that, though I have read that scripture a thousand times over, I never felt its virtue till this moment; and now I die happy!" THE RAINBOW. WHEN on the vernal plain And sunbeams with the glitt'ring rain Spring's genial showers descend Their golden radiance blend; The covenant rainbow springs to view, Deep glowing with her sevenfold hue. Thus when the sinner's tears From deep repentance flow, A gladd'ning sunshine o'er his fears The smiles of Jesus throw; The bow of promise shines in heavenHe looks, and sees his sins forgiven! The Fireside, or Poor Man's Friend. TO RECOVER THE APPARENTLY DROWNED. LOSE no time, but do things quietly and orderly. Avoid all roughness, hurry, and crowding; and observe to regulate the heat and strength of all remedies. Let one intelligent person alone direct, while the necessary assistants implicitly obey. Send for medical aid, in the meantime act as follows: 1. Convey the body carefully, with the face upwards, and the head and shoulders a little raised, to the nearest house or tavern. If to a distance, especially in summer, previously remove any wet clothes, rub the body dry, and wrap it in a blanket, or the garments of bystanders. A covering, such as a dry coat, even over wet clothes, will check further chilling from evaporation. A door or stretcher forms the best conveyance, and a folded jacket might be placed under the head. 2. The body being removed to a warm room, near a fire, strip and rub it dry, and then lay it on a warm blanket or carpet, the loose sides of which are convenient to cover it, with a warm pillow for the shoulders, and two for the head, arranged on a table or mattress. 5. Let six active persons only be in the room-namely, one on each side of the body, to rub it all over diligently, but not too roughly, especially near the heart, with warm dry cloths, or a flesh-brush; a third to apply warmth; a fourth to attend to the breathing; a fifth to the head, THE FIRESIDE, OR POOR MANS FRIEND. by constantly cleansing the mouth and nostrils, and turning it aside on vomiting; and the sixth to help generally, and give directions. 4. To restore warmth and circulation. Move a heated warmingpan, properly covered, several times over the stomach, heart, and spine. Apply warm flannels or a hot pillow across the stomach, and any heavier hot articles, such as bags or stockings of sand, salt, bran, or grains, bottles or bladders of water, bricks or oven shelves covered, &c. to the armpits, sides of the body, between the thighs and legs, feet and hands. strong hartshorn, or other stimulating embrocations, or turpentine, rubbed over the chest and spine, is highly useful. Fomentations and means for a warm bath should be got ready, but from frequent mismanagements, they had better be left to medical superintendence; as also the burning of cotton wool, or paper soaked in strong spirits or turpentine, on the pit of the stomach, and the use of electricity or galvanism. On an alarm of drowning, the neighbours should freely prepare for the event: sand can be quickly warmed in a frying-pan, and pillows, towels, &c. in an oven. 5. To assist or restore breathing. -When beginning, or very weak, imitate it by alternately pressing the belly rather upwards, and the ribs downwards, about fifteen times in the minute, and occasionally hold some sharp scent to the nostrils, and irritate them with a feather dipped in vinegar, hartshorn, or mustard. If suspended, gently in flate the lungs with common or dust bellows, having the pipe introduced into one nostril, whilst the other and mouth is closed by an assistant, who should afterwards release them, and compress the chest for expiration; at the same time the upper part of the windpipe should be slightly depressed, and rather pushed back against the gullet, to allow a more certain access of the air. (A bent tube for direct communication with the larynx, having one end fitted by India-rubber to the nozzle of a bellows, should be kept by every medical man.) A more ready plan, especially for children, but defective, from the air being less pure, is managed by a person taking a deep inspiration, and instantly blowing through the mouth or nostrils of the body, either at once by applying the mouth, or by a tube, closing whichever is free with one hand, whilst the windpipe is handled as above stated with the other: thus continue, now blowing into, and afterwards compressing the chest, until natural breathing is restored, or the case appears hopeless. 6. Nothing should be given inwardly, by the mouth, unless the power of swallowing exists, and then only small quantities of warm ginger tea, spiced negus or ale, or weak spirit and water occasionally. A stimulating clyster, consisting of turpentine, mustard, pepper, ginger, with or without spirit, to half a pint of warm water, is advisable, and might early be administered. 7. Means of recovery should be persisted in for at least two hours; and if any signs of life have appeared, to even double that time. When recovery seems established, rest should be enjoined; but a strict watch kept for several hours, as sinking is apt to happen from subsequent neglect. Caution.-Never shake the body, nor hold it up by the feet, or roll it it on casks, as it is a mistaken belief that much water is swallowed. Never rub with salt or spirits, nor inject the the smoke or infusion of tobacco. Never bleed, or inject drinks, but by medical advice. Our "PENNY POST" box is empty. We invite our poor friends to tell us their troubles or joys-temporal or spiritual. |