Is my brother's health. How is the appetite? Are you hungering and thirsting after righteousness? Do you regularly feed on and enjoy the bread of life? Do you daily drink of the water which Jesus gives? There is bread enough in our Father's house and to spare. Yet we have sometimes to ask our brethren, "How is it, that thou being a king's son, art lean from day to day?" Your Saviour's invitation is, "Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." And the testimony of the prophet is, "There fore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." If you want made dishes, if you must have condiments, if you cannot feed upon and be satisfied with the plain wholesome food of the Gospel, you are not well. How do you rest? Can you lie down on the bed of God's promises, and enjoy the sleep of the labouring man, which is sweet, whether he eat little or much? Can you calmly lay your weary head on the pillow of your Redeemer's peace? Do you rest quietly on your Saviour's finished work for your acceptance with God? Do you rest on God's faithful providence for all your temporal supplies? Is your soul in a state of repose, realising the fact, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee"? Or, art thou tossed and tumbled about with doubts, fears, and painful misgivings? Nothing conduces to health like good settled rest, the sleep of God's beloved ones. Happy is the man that casts all his cares upon his God; that reposes on the Covenant love and faithfulness of the Most High; that carries out David's exhortation, "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not thyself because of the man that prospereth in his way, because of the man that bringeth wicked devices to pass." the head cool? Some professors are very hot-headed, and many others have brain fever. But a cool head indicates health. Can you think calmly and deliberately on God's word? Can you reflect on God's past dealings with gratitude? Can you survey your present ciscumstances with contentment? Can you look forward into the future with a lively hope? Rashness, haste, hurry, confusion of ideas, and perplexity occasioned by the want of careful examination into circumstances, are evidences of too much heat in the head. Don't wrap up the head too much. Some wear a cap five times double, and some thicker still; is it any wonder the head is heated, if covered and compressed in such creed caps as these? Brother, let thy head be fanned by the fine breezes of the everlasting hills, and be occasionally cooled by batheing in that "river, the streams whereof make glad the city of our God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High." How are the eyes? Can you see things that are invisible? Are they often directed to the hills from whence cometh thy help? Do they look not on the things that are seen, but the things which are not seen, because the things that are seen are temporal, while the things that are not seen are eternal? Can they discern between things that differ? Between the law and the gospel? Between the flesh and the spirit? Between the commandments of God and the traditions of men? If the eye is healthy, it will look to Jesus, it will trace out the footsteps of the flock, it will look for, and urge us to hasten to, the coming of the day of God. How is the hearing? Can you hear and distinguish the Shepherd's voice? Jesus tells us, that "when he putteth forth his sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice: and a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers." The church of old could distinguish the voice of Jesus from all others, therefore she cried out, "It is the voice of my beloved, behold he cometh." If the ear is open to God's word, if it trieth words, distinguishing between truth and error, between Christ and antichrist, between the world and the church, it is tolerably healthy. The man in health says, "I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, but let them not turn again to folly." Are the extremities warm? They should be kept so by action. The hands should handle the word of life. They should work for Jesus. The feet should run in the way of God's commandments. One in good health said, "I made haste and delayed not, to keep thy precepts." My brother, cold hands and cold feet show a disordered system. If thy hand is stretched out to help the fatherless, to relieve the widow, and to assist the poor; if thy feet are employed in visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and comforting Christ in his members, they will be kept warm and healthy. Some are so much in this cold world, that they are chilled and frostbitten; and others nurse themselves so much by the fire of self-indulgence, that they are afraid of every breath; and both are comparatively useless, being in a very unhealthy state. Activity is necessary to health. Outdoor exercise is most beneficial. Therefore the Master says, "Son, go work to day in my vineyard." Put thy hand to the plough, look not back. So will the promise be realized, "The youth shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.' They shall be in good robust health. Observe, spiritual sickness is very common. We are like Paul's Corinthians, to whom he said, "Many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep." Numerous spiritual maladies are apparent in God's church. One has the overflowing of the gall, which appears in bitterness, wrath, and clamour; another has the tumour of pride, and swells with conceit and self-will; a third has the vertigo of inconstancy, and mani. fests his giddiness by wandering from place to place, or from creed to creed; another has the pleurisy of envy, and is always in pain because others prosper; another has the cramp of covetousness, and twists into all shapes and forms before he will part with his money; another has the fever of intoxication, and is always longing for the glass; others have the epilepsy of fear, and are all their life time subject to bondage. But where shall I end? for diseases are almost endless; therefore I may well put the question, "Art thou in health, my brother?" Appearances are often deceitful. What we take for the bloom of health, may be the hectic of disease. Many who are declining fancy they are quite well; others that they are speedily recovering. Multitudes appear consumptive, but alas they know it not. The difficult breathing, the unsteady walk, the irregular appetite, the confidence they express respecting their health, are sad symptoms that they are declining. These are the most difficult to convince of their danger, their own feelings deceive them, so that while others see clearly the danger they are in, they do not suspect it themselves. Health is very important. Important for our enjoyment. Important in order to the performance of our work. Important in every point of view. Therefore we should never trifle with it, but daily pray that we may prosper and be in spiritual health. The neglect of health is dangerous. Taken in time, disease may perhaps soon be conquered; once rooted, the eradication is difficult. Never neglect the health of thy soul, my brother. The physician is at hand. You may apply to him at any time. His advice is gratis. He never administers without necessity. Therefore go to him, whenever you have suspicious symptoms, and cry, "Examine me, O Lord." The remedies are at hand. There is the warm bath of blood, and the cold bath of truth. The leaves of the tree which are for the healing of the nations. 66 The famous balm of Gilead. The true pool of Bethesda. A remedy for every disease. A sovereign catholicon for every disorder. Restoration to health may be enjoyed. There are no incurable cases in God's family. The great physician says of every case, "I will bring it health and cure, I will heal thee of thy wounds, and will restore unto thee the abundance of truth and peace." His advertisement is headed, "COME AND BE HEALED," and it is sent into all the world, and is to be made known to every creature. He cures to-day and to-morrow, and he does all for a name. His advice is gratis. His medicines are gratis. His attendance is gratis. So that no one need suffer long. He says to each of us as to the poor man at the pool, WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE ?" If we appear suspicious, he will put the question, "BELIEVEST THOU THAT I AM ABLE TO DO THIS?" If we are satisfied of his power, but are afraid he is not willing, he says, "BE NOT AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE." And when we cast ourselves upon his mercy, as the poor man did, crying, Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief," he will take us by the hand, lift us up, and heal us. Or if, like the leper, we cry with our whole heart, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean:" he will say, "I WILL, BE THOU CLEAN." Reader, art thou in health? If not, to Jesus, to Jesus, to Jesus at once, he will heal thee perfectly, gratuitously, and for ever. 66 Cheltenham. EARTH AND HEAVEN. There is grief, there is grief, there is wringing of hands, For sorrow hath summoned her group, and it stands Round the couch where the sufferer is laid; And lips are all pallid, and cheeks are all cold, And tears from the heart-springs are shed: Yet who that looks on, that sweet saint to behold, But would gladly lie down in her stead. There is grief, there is grief, there is anguish and strife; See, the sufferer is toiling for breath; For the spirit will cling, oh, how fondly to life, And stern is the struggle with death ; But the terrible conflict grows deadlier still, Till the last fatal symptoms have birth, And the eye-balls are glazed, and the heart-blood is chill, And there is the portion of EARTH! There is bliss, there is bliss, in the regions above, They have opened the gates of the sky; A spirit has soared to those mansions of love, And seeks for admittance on high; And friends long divided are hasting to meet And seraphs are eager a sister to greet, And to welcome a child to its home. There is bliss, there is bliss, at the foot of the throne; And it beams with delight since it gazes alone On the face of a father, a friend: There it joins in the anthems for ever that rise; It is dead to the earth, and new born to the skies, Tales and Sketches. DEACON STANLEY, AND HIS FAMOUS RECIPE BOOK... Deacon Stanley was a man who feared the Lord, and walked in his ways. As the name implies, he was a deacon of a christian church, and he served the office of deacon well. All the New Testament requirements respecting that office were fulfilled in him. He was grave, but not gloomy. He was not double-tongued, but spoke the words of truth and sincerity. He was not given to much wine, but he let his moderation be known unto all men. He was not greedy of filthy lucre, for his purse, like his heart, was ever open to do good. The mystery of faith was held by him with a pure conscience, and he rejoiced in all the Lord's will. His qualifications for the office had long been proved before he accepted it, so that, so far as the diaconal duties were concerned, he was found blameless. He was the husband of one wife, and this wife, like him, was grave, no slanderer, sober, faithful in all things. Both of them ruled their children and their own house well; and at home, as well as abroad, they adorned the doctrine of Christ Jesus in all things. In a word, they purchased to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. Now Deacon Stanley had a Recipe Book, and a famous one it was too, and it contained an infinite variety of most excellent recipes. The recipe book was the deacon's constant companion. At home, in his sitting-room, it was always by his side or within his reach. In his parlour he had a large copy of it nicely bound. In his bedroom two or three copies of it were to be found. And always when he went from home he carried a small one in his pocket. So that, in going out and coming in, in rising up and sitting down, he had it at hand to refer to as occasion needed. Although he knew many, very many of its recipes by heart, yet, when consulted or giving his opinion, he preferred opening the book and reading therefrom, so that there might not be the least mistake. Now this very famous recipe book of the deacon's was the Bible, and these recipes passages of Scripture. We will give the reader a few specimens of the manner of his applying these remedies for the different spiritual diseases which manifested themselves amongst the members of the church of which he was deacon. Mr. Johnson was a member of this church. At one time he was very active in the cause of God, but afterwards he became cold, very cold, about divine things He was absorbed with the things of the world, and the things of this world damped his spiritual ardour. He was bent upon making riches, and in proportion as he increased in worldly wealth, he declined in true godliness. Like Demas, he loved the world, and had wellnigh forsaken the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth. The deacon met with him one day and took him aside, and read the following Scriptural recipe to him :"Godliness, with contentment, is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us therewith be content. But they that will be rich fall into a temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition; for the love of money is the root of all evil, which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, oh, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold upon eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."-(1 Tim. v. 6-12). At one time the Sunday-school was in quite a ferment. The superintendent had deemed it advisable to make a change in the arrangement of classes and teachers; some he put up and some down. But this did not suit, a spirit of discontent sprung up amongst them. There were evil surmisings, there was evil speaking. Some said one thing, and some another, and many were on the point of leaving the school altogether. The deacon, having heard of these things, felt for the superintendent, felt for the teachers, felt for the school generally, and of course was desirous of harmonizing the general feeling. Well, he went into the school one Sunday after noon, and after the children were dismissed he requested the teachers to remain bebind. He then addressed them, and with fatherly love and sweetness he gave the most judicious counsel-counsel calculated to soften asperities and to lessen pride-counsel well suited to produce harmony, humility, and happiness amongst them all. Neither did he forget his recipe book, but before them all audibly read the following, which he said was one of the best recipes for ill-will and all other similar diseases:-"If there be, therefore, any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other. better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also upon the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Phil. ii. 1-8). Widow Berry was a widow indeed, and a christian woman, yet she was too much accustomed to repine at the Lord's dealings. She had lost her husband, and with him much that contributed to her temporal support; yet not all, for she had enough food to eat and raiment to wear. She had lost some of her children, yet not all, for the greater part remained, and remained, too, to rise up, and call her blessed, and to walk in wisdom's ways. Whenever she was in company she was too apt to repine. She looked at the dark side of things, and not at the bright side. She thought upon what had been taken away from her, and not at what the Lord had mercifully spared. One day the deacon overtook her in the street, and no sooner were they walking together, than she began to talk about her losses and crosses. Presently they came to a retired part of the town, and then the deacon pulled out his pocket Bible, and read the following as a suitable recipe for the repining patient:-"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children. My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure. chastening, God dealeth with you as sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now, no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore, lift up the bands which hang down and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed." (Hebrews xii. 5-13). "There," said Deacon Stanley, "is a stimulant, a cordial, a soother for you, my good woman, all in one dose. Take it, and let it have its perfect work, and you will be comforted with the consolation of God, and be enabled to say from the bottom of your heart, with good old Job, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' I wish you good evening, Mrs. Berry." And we wish the reader farewell for the present, until we shall have an opportunity of taking up the pen again, when perhaps we may communicate something more about Deacon Stanley and his capital' Recipe Book. THE STAMMERING STUDENT. A TOUCHING INCIDENT. Upon the gentle slope of a hill-one of those which stand like sentries along the banks of the beautiful Ohio, and stretch far back into the country-stood a comfortablelooking log-house. A set of bars occupied the place of a gate, in front of. the house, and leaning against them stood a pale-faced boy. He had seen some fourteen summers, but looked as if he might count no more than ten. He was gazing listlessly along the road towards the place where he would catch the first sight of his brothers coming with the loaded waggon from the hay-field. There was no very definite expression on his face, but he looked as if the joyous mis |