On Keeping the Sabbath.

179

and ruin, for having trusted to his promises of payment! "Owe no man any thing," my friends, but, depending upon that Divine blessing, which will rest upon your honest and industrious labour, strive to improve to the utmost, what God has in mercy given you:-seek him with your whole heart, then shall you" want no manner of thing that is" really "good" for you:-trust him for your daily bread-be content with what you have, and grateful for all his mercies; and though "poor in this world," you may yet be "rich in faith, and heirs of that kingdom which God hath provided for" all " them that love him."

Droitwich, Dec. 24th, 1830.

ON KEEPING THE SABBATH.

(From a Newspaper.)

AMICUS.

MANY benevolent individuals are at this time actively exerting themselves, in various parts of the kingdom, to promote a due observance of the sabbath; well knowing that the manner in which that sacred day is spent, has a great effect on the conduct of each individual during the week. A well spent Sunday brings a blessing; whereas an ill spent one turns to evil that which was originally appointed for the temporal as well as eternal good of man. We live in times when it is of the utmost possible importance, that the example of every earnest Christian should, in this, as well as every other respect, be a model for the imitation of others; and, if persons possessing influence would add to their example, a friendly word of advice, the best benefits might be expected to be the consequence. And if manufacturers, and masters in general, would kindly arrange to pay their workmen on Friday, instead of Saturday, evening, the poor man would be preserved from one strong temptation to break the Sabbath, while his wife and family would be materially bene

fitted. Although this alteration might at first be attended with some inconvenience to masters; yet would they be amply paid, when they found that from its adoption, permanent good resulted to those, in whose welfare they feel so deep an interest.

I am, &c.

A FRIEND TO RICH AND POOR.

SIR,

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

Ir the following ideas are thought worthy a place in your little book, I shall feel gratified.

Your constant reader, F. L.

ON INDUSTRY.

All mankind wish to be happy; happiness is the grand object of all, but very various are the means by which we try to attain it. We are all very apt to fancy that some one thing which we have not, would make us happy; but in nine cases out of ten it will be found that should we become possessed of this fancied good, we should be still as far removed as ever from the happiness we expected; some new want would be sure to arise when the long-wished for event had arrived. No one can be happy in the neglect of duty: in fact, I cannot believe happiness to be possible without industry. We are all sent into the world with certain duties allotted to us, and in proportion as we perform these, will be our happiness. The poor, who live by labour, conclude perhaps that industry is a duty the higher ranks press upon them, because they are not called on to perform it themselves: but great is the poor man's mistake if he thinks this. The rich are not indeed called on to dig, to weave, to plough; but, heads must work as well as hands, or this world would be but ill ordered; and very great

On the Epistle for the Third Sunday in Lent. 181

diligence is necessary for the making laws, and taking care to execute those already made. The more talents that are entrusted to us, the greater produce does the Lord of all expect to find. The rich and powerful have great need to be active and industrious ;-but they have more temptations than the poor man to idleness; and on that account are farther from happiness.-They who are idle can never be really cheerful,—existence is a burthen to them;-they can never know the pleasure of rest, they can never feel the delightful glow that follows success in any undertaking. The idle are valued by none: no one cares for them. But how is it with the active industrious man? Be his rank what it may, he is respected; his opinion is worth having;-he lives his life. Misfortune may assail

him, (who shall be free from it?) but amidst it all, he has not the bitter reflection that he has brought his miseries on himself; he has a consolation even in the worst of times, of which no outward event can deprive him.

ON THE EPISTLE FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT.

EPHESIANS v. I.

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.” ARE we then styled the children of God? Did Christ indeed purchase us with his own blood? Then are we, if children, heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ? How glorious are these titles! how rich the portion which is prepared for us! no less than "an inheritance incorruptible," "a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Can any of us read these words and refuse to follow, to obey him, who hath given us such exceeding great and precious promises? Can any turn away from him who calleth us his dear children," who has declared that we

shall be his sons and daughters? Would a child that truly loves his fond parent, wilfully do such things as that parent has forbidden? Would one who had received the greatest benefits from an earthly friend forsake that friend, and turn a deaf ear to his advice and reproofs? Should we not call such a person utterly insensible, and lost to every right feeling? Should we not shun and avoid him?-Yet such are all those who live in sin. God is our Father, a parent infinitely more tender than even the fondest of earthly fathers. His Son has been more to us than any earthly friend, for "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend;" yet this hath our Lord done for us sinners; and all he requires of us in return is, that we "walk in love,"-in love to God, and in love to man. "Ye are my friends," said Christ, "if ye do whatsoever I command you," and we know that the end of the commandment is "love, out of a pure heart, and faith unfeigned." Christ did no sin-he was pure from all iniquity. Shall we then continue in it, and expect his favour? No:-" Let it not be once named among us?" "How shall we that have been made free from sin, live any longer therein?" But some ungodly men will say, "Let us continue in sin, that grace may abound."-God is merciful, and will pardon us for Christ's sake. "Be not deceived-God is not mocked. No whoremonger nor unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of God." A disobedient and rebellious son is justly punished by being deprived of the estate and fortune of his father. We have no excuse for sin. On us the glorious light hath shined," teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." Let us "walk as children of the light," in newness of life, bringing forth the blessed fruits of the Spirit, "goodness, righteousness, and truth." Let us shun the company of evil doers, and " reprove them," when obliged to be

A Talk about Tithes, between two Farmers. 183 witnesses of their unholy deeds, with Christian boldness, and Christian meekness. Sooner or later their wickedness will meet its just punishment. The evil deeds which they have done in secret will be made manifest at the great day. And, "O thou that sleepest" in thy sins, and forgettest that, for all these things God will" bring thee into judgment;"-" awake to righteousness:" "cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light." Fear not that the greatness of thy transgressions will shut thee out from pardon. "Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow. "Christ shall give thee light.""He was the true light that lighteth every one that cometh into the world." Look then to him. Seek the aid of his Holy Spirit in fervent, in humble, prayer. He will shew thee the path of life. His grace shall be sufficient for thee. He will guide thee with his counsel, and after that receive thee into glory. The light of his Gospel shall guide thee into all truth while thou sojournest here below, till thou come, through the merits of his precious death, to that heavenly city which hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of the Lord doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.-Rev. xxi. 23. L. S. R.

"A TALK ABOUT TITHES," BETWEEN TWO

FARMERS.

Mr. Ashfield. WELL, Mr. Oldham ; and so it seems there is likely to be some new plan hit upon, as to the way of paying tithes.

Mr. Oldham. I am very glad of it;-the present plan seems to disturb some of the farmers,—and I am sure it must be vexatious to the clergyman too :-but what is the new plan to be?

A. I don't know, but I suppose it will be something that will relieve us farmers.

O. Why, I should be glad of that too, you may be