What is it for the soul to perish? It is to wither, to fade, to die; like the offspring of some beautiful plant, the bud appears, the beautiful blossom is expected, the sweet fragrance is anticipated, but instead thereof it is blighted, it withers, it falls, it dies. Instead of the soul expanding, perfecting itself, and becoming like the soul of Jesus, it is blighted by ignorance, it is shrivelled by sin, it withers under the curse of God, and is doomed to suffer pain and disgrace for ever. To perish, is to be separated from God, the source of knowledge, holiness, happiness, and honour. To perish, is to be associated with fallen, degraded, and wicked angels; and with the most wretched, miserable, and depraved of human kind. To perish, is to be excluded from heaven with all its light, grandeur, and glory; and to be doomed to dwell in hell, the abode of darkness, gloom, and black despair. To perish, is to be deprived of hope, excluded from mercy, and doomed to dwell with consuming fire, to linger for ever in everlasting burnings. To perish, is what? Who can tell? It is terrible beyond the powers of description,-it is awful beyond the powers of conception. And are souls perishing? Yes, by thousands, by millions, by hundreds of millions. Look into the distance, the heathens perish, and no man regardeth it. Look near home, and in every country, in every city, in every town, in every village, in every hamlet, in every street, almost in every house, souls are perishing. How fearfully common! But will not the Lord spare? Did he spare the angels that sinned? Did he not cast them down to hell? Did he spare the world in the days of Noah? Did he not bring the flood on the world of the ungodly? Did he spare Sodom and Gomorrah in the days of Lot? Are they not set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire? Did he spare Jerusalem, or Nineveh, or Babylon? Why then should he spare sinners now? But why do souls perish? For sin, only for sin. Man has set himself against God, he is at enmity with God, he will not do what God bids, nor believe what God says. He will not apply to God for mercy, nor even think of God if he can avoid it. His law is rejected, his ordinances are neglected, his Sabbaths are violated, and his gospel is treated with contempt. Man could once do all that God required, and in doing it enjoy perfect happiness. But he sinned away his power and became a spiritual imbecile. God pitied the criminal, and devised means by which he may yet be saved, and now, instead of commanding him to do and live, he lovingly invites him to believe and be saved; to come to Jesus and have life, but he is determinedly set against it, and the language of his heart and life is, "I will not come to Christ, that I might have life." Man cannot be saved by the law, because he is weak; and he is not saved by the gospel, because he is unwilling. Those without the gospel perish for violating the law and acting contrary to the voice of conscience within; and those who have the gospel perish because of their unbelief. this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." God has provided means to prevent man from perishing, there is no necessity that he perish, for "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God." "For Reader, is your soul safe? It was in a perishing condition once, and but for the grace of God, and the gift by grace, it would be perishing now. Can you say, "He hath saved me, and called me with an holy calling"? Saved! Oh, what a blessing! Called with an holy calling! Oh, what a privilege! Saved from sin, with all its attendant evils! Saved from hell, with all its endless horrors! Called from darkness to light, from nature to grace, from earth to heaven. Called to inherit a blessing, and called to be a blessing to others. If God saves us, it is that we may be instrumental in saving others. If God calls us, it is that we may convey his gospel to others. Are we then answering God's design? If we are safe ourselves, if our souls are delivered from death, if we know God for ourselves, then we should endeavour to teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, "Know the Lord." The grand end of life should be, to become all things to all men, that we may by all means save some. This leads us to our second question, 2. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO SAVE SOULS FROM PERISHING Yes, for God works by means. He rarely, if ever, saves a soul but by the use of means; and rarely, if ever, are God's means employed specifically for this purpose, but God saves souls by them. No soul can be saved from perishing without the agency and work of the Holy Spirit; but God giveth his Holy Spirit unto them that ask him. No soul can be saved without the gospel; but God has given us the gospel, and has come manded us to make it known unto all nations, for the obedience of faith. God works by the Bible; and we should circulate it. He works by religious tracts and books; and we should distribute them. He works especially by the living voice; and we should use our voices, with this object in view. "Preach the gospel to every creature," is the Saviour's command; and we should tell every person we know, we should speak to every one to whom we can get access, of the glorious good news. Yes, we should personally speak to all about us of their danger, and of the only way of escaping the wrath to come. We should speak to them as if deeply concerned for their welfare, as if we heartily, and above all things beside, desired their salvation. Souls may be saved from perishing, much may be done, and done by us, to save souls from death. God is willing to use us, he has promised to bless us, he has always crowned honest, hearty, and loving efforts with success. If we can do anything to save souls from perishing, and do not, what then? Are we not like Saul at the martyrdom of Stephen? are we not consenting unto their death? Do we not say, "Let them perish, I shall not interfere"? Or, "If they cannot be saved without my efforts, I shall not put myself out of the way to save them"? "But I am shy!" Would that prevent you pulling your neighbour's child out of the water, if it was drowning? "But I am timid; I am such a poor thing! Would that prevent you helping to extinguish the fire, if your neighbour's house was in flames? "But I am a poor illiterate creature!" Would that prevent you telling your fellow-workman, if he was sick, of a remedy that had cured you of the same disease? We can easily make excuses for our negligence, and selfishness, and want of pity for souls, but where are our strong reasons? Alas, we have none ! We could all do something if we would. We could all do much more than the most active of us do. If we admit this, and do not attempt more, is it not irrational? Does not reason say we should ? Is it not inhuman? Does not humanity dictate that we should? Is it not diabolical ? Satan tries positively and actively to destroy souls, and we let them perish from neglect. If we are exhorted to do what we can to save souls from perishing and will not, what then? Is our religion genuine? Have we the Spirit of Christ? Do we imitate the apostles? Can the love of God dwell in us? What, be united to Christ, have the Spirit of Christ, be influenced by the love of God, and let souls perish all around us without an effort, at least a special effort, to prevent it? Is this possible? Can this be? Are we not told to save some with fear, "plucking them out of the fire"? To encourage our efforts, is it not said, "Let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins"? Oh, my friends, how shall we answer for it before God, if we go on sleeping as do others? Will not the blood of souls be found on our skirts? Can we say with Paul, "I am clear from the blood of all men"? Rather must we not now pray with David, "Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation"? But our prayer can scarcely be said to be sincere, if we still refuse to do what we can, all we can, to save souls from perishing. If we have spent twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, or sixty years in the world, without making it our direct aim to save souls from perishing, how is it to be now? Can we justify the past? Shall we pursue the same course in the future? Is it not time to begin in right earnest? Ought we not now to redeem the time, or buy up the opportunity? Our sun will soon go down; our working time will soon be ended; the Master will soon say, "Call the labourers;" can we expect to be greeted with, "Well done, good and faithful servant ? "Well done," for what? For the selfdenial we have practised? For the sacrifices we have made in God's cause? For the efforts we have put forth, in season and out of season, to save souls from death? "Well done," for what? For indulging the flesh, gratifying the natural appetites, consulting our own ease or respectability, and living as if self-gratification was the chief end of our existence? "Good and faithful servant." Good, for what? Good, to whom? Good, when? Good, by what rule? Good, who calls me good? "Faithful,” to whom? Not to God. "Faithful," to what? Not my profession. "Faithful," where? Not in my family, not in the church, not in the world. No, no, Christ can never call me a "good and faithful servant." Must not this be the language of many of us? But to conclude. "Souls are perishing!" Perishing at our very doors. Do we believe it? believe it, and feel so indifferent about it! forth an effort to prevent it! Believe it, what, and profess to be like Christ, say by our conduct, let them perish! Did Jesus feel so? Did he act so? Read his discourses. Observe his conduct. Consult Gethsemane. Ask for an answer at Calvary. Souls are perishing, and can we do anything to prevent it? We can. We can. But shall we? Conscience, say! When shall we? Shall we begin at once, or put it off until it is too late, and they sink into hell, crying, "No man cared for my soul." How shall we? With worldly prudence? With fear of startling the prejudices of some, or disturbing the nerves of others? Or shall we set about it heartily, earnestly, prayerfully, and at once? Spirit of God, convince us of our sin, convert us from our criminal course, for we are verily guilty! Cheltenham. Must it not? Perishing all around us. Can we believe it? What, Believe it, and never put and we who profess Christ, HOPE! Would that to me life's changes Did so with blessings come, That mercies might, like gales of spring, Cause some new grace to bloom; And that the storm which scattereth Each earth-born hope abroad, Might anchor those of holier birth Cales and Sketches. THE FEMALE LABOURERS. No. 1. "We ought to be doing something to extend the cause of God," observed Mrs. Wright to Mrs. Wylie. "Yes, there is no doubt about that," replied Mrs. Wylie. "But what can we do ?" "That is the question," was the reply. "Yes, and we should give it much consideration," rejoined Mrs. Wylie. "I have had it long on my mind," said Mrs. Wright, "but no way seems to open itself." "That has been exactly the case with myself. I feel quite in a strait about it. I know we ought to do something more, but what to do I know not," rejoined Mrs. Wylie. Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Wylie were, as the reader will readily imagine from this conversation, two pious women. They resided in a small country town, and their husbands were shopkeepers. They lived next door to each other, and being much alike in many respects, especially as it regards religion, very often, when they had a half hour to spare, they sat and worked together. On these occasions their conversation generally turned upon spiritual topics, especially when no one else was present, and in this way they edified one another. They knew that Paul had forbidden them to speak in the church, but this did not prevent them speaking often one to another on church and kindred matters at home. And of what they said, we believe Paul would generally have approved, and have commended them, and told them to go on. Whether he would approve of all that is said by our female church members on such matters when they meet with one another is not for us to say. However, if they always bear in mind that one greater than Paul-Jesus, whom they love-is ever present, their speech will be savoured with salt, and they will set a good example to the other sex. "Suppose we send and see whether Mr. Watson is disengaged," said Mrs Wright. "He is never backward in any good work, and is generally ready with good suggestions." "A very good thought of yours," observed Mrs. Wylie, "and it would be well to act upon it." This Mr. Watson was a deacon of the church, and superintendent of the school. He was an active christian himself, and endeavoured to make all about him diligent in every good word and work. The young people in the church and about the church were all stirred up by him, and appointed to some useful work or other in the vineyard of Christ. They were his young soldiers, he said, training for future usefulness, and he could easily get them to work, and easily manage them when at it. However, it was otherwise with some more advanced in years. We do not mean old people, but such as were middle-aged, or approaching to it. These he found it more difficult to harness, or even if they were in harness there was a tendency to rid themselves of it, and sit still and do nothing. "I have married a wife," he found an objection with some to diligence in seeking souls, as it is with some, according to the Saviour's parable, to seeking the salvation of themselves. Mr. Watson, with his usual promptness, came, and showed as usual that readiness to help and serve which had made him to be looked upon as the servant of all for Christ's sake. The good women made known their perplexity, and he was at once prepared with good advice, and guided them into a way to do good. "You both have tongues," said he, smilingly, "and you both love Jesus Christ, and desire to serve him. Now, you can do so in this way. At the other end of the town there are about twenty cottages. Many of their inmates never go to a place of worship, and they live careless about good things, and are very ignorant of them. And I am sorry to say that the christian people of the town are very careless about them too. Now, I would have you take ten of these cottages each, one taking the east end, and the other the west end. Go and talk to the inmates in a suitable, interesting way about suitable matters, and, of course, do not forget to speak of Jesus. Tell them to go to him,-to believe in him, so that they may receive forgiveness of their sins. Invite them to chapel, and tell them that you will see that they are provided with comfortable sittings. Request them to send their children to Sunday school, and do what you can to show them the advantages of religious education. Take tracts and little books with you, to lend or give away to them. Read a portion of Scripture to them, and other suitable works," "Oh, dear, Mr. Watson," exclaimed Mrs. Wright, "you are finding us plenty of work to do." "So I think," remarked her companion; "when do you think that married women with families can find time for all that you say ?" "I do not say," proceeded Mr. Watson, "that you are to do all these things at once or at one time. No, no; I know something of married life myself, and of the many claims that married women, especially with young families 1ke yourselves, have at home. But as there is the desire to do some good to those out of the way on your part, I think you will not have much difficulty in the matter. Where there is the will, they say, there will sure to be the way. So I have found it with myself and others. So you will, I doubt not, find it respecting my suggestion. I say, do not attempt to do all this at once, but only as you have opportunity. Take only two or three houses at a time, say once a week or once a fortnight, and you will be surprised how easy and pleasant it is." The two good women thanked Mr. Watson for his plans and advice, and promised to do what they could to put them into execution, and he left them pondering over all that they had heard. However, I should have informed the reader that before he said good afternoon, he spent a few minutes in prayer, and specially asked for spiritual strength to enable them to fulfil the desires of their hearts. In this matter, as well as in others, he set an example worthy of imitation. In everything we are commanded by prayer and supplication to make known our wants to God, and to solicit his benediction on all our attempts, especially for his cause and glory. The reason why there are so many failures in not carrying out good plans, is because there is little or no prayer in the matter. The reason why good labours are not blessed to a desirable extent, is because there is not enough pleading with God,not enough earnestness and faith when we come before him. At an appointed day, Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Wylie sallied forth to make a beginning. The weather was not at all tempting. It was a wintry, wet day,-cold, damp, and dirt abounded. But this did not deter them. They had fixed the time, and they thought that it would never do to delay the matter; for to them it appeared that already they had delayed it too long, and if this opportunity was passed by, when should they be sure of another, and when should they begin? In this frame of mind they made their way to the cottages. Instead of each of them going to different ends of the row of cottages, as suggested by Mr. Watson, both of them made their calls together. This they thought would be the better plan, especially at first, because they could help each other, and supply what the other lacked, until they became more accustomed to their work. They made five calls that afternoon, and met with a welcome reception by all. As far as they could they carried out Mr. Watson's sugges tions. What they said and read was listened to with attention, and some prom ises made which they hoped would be fulfilled. They found that much poverty, filth, and wretchedness abounded, and what was worse, but what is generally the case, that wickedness was at the root of it all. Drunkenness reigned there, especially amongst those who were husbands, who, when in an intoxicated state, not only squandered money, but returned home to beat and abuse their wives. Alas, for this evil; it destroys much good, it causes much evil, and doth eat, as doth a canker, at the very core of domestic comfort and happiness! Although it was such a dull day, and although so much wretchedness appeared before them, the two women felt quite interested in their work, and would have gone to many more houses, but five o'clock came round, and they thought it was high time to be at home. First, because they had promised to be there by that time; and a promise when made ought to be fulfilled, if possible, especially by women and others professing godliness. Secondly, because they knew that their husbands would like to have their presence at the teatables of their respective homes. This is as it ought to be. And women in all their labours of love should never forget their home duties. No, no, that will never do. If they do so, they will do more harm than good, and had better abide to the letter of the apostolic injunction-that women be keepers at home. They, therefore, returned home, and |