Yet remember children, you are not to neglect your prayers-because you do not feel inclined to pray; but this little hymn is to shew you the wickedness of pretending to pray to the great God, while you are thinking all the time about something else. Before, then, you begin your prayers, you must ask God, as the Apostles did, to "teach you to pray," and to give you his Holy Spirit, that you may not draw nigh to him "with your lips, while your hearts are far from him," but that his love "being shed abroad in your heart"-you may find pleasure in praying to your Creator, your Father, and Saviour. Never be in a hurry to say your prayers-but think a little while,

before you kneel down, what you are about to do. It is to speak to that Almighty Being, who "looketh upon the heart"-and who has declared that he will be worshipped" in spirit, and in truth.”

A Worcestershire Correspondent.

Simple Pleasures.

211

MR. EDITOR,

SIMPLE PLEASURES.

Ir the following ideas are deemed worth printing, I shall be happy to see them in your publication.— E. F. L.

Those persons who undervalue things because they are easily obtained, make a great mistake; one of the most innocent means of happiness is cultivating a taste for "simple pleasures," to enjoy which, the mind must be in a healthy state.-We live in a beautiful world, and are surrounded by blessings, if we would only value them as they deserve. God has provided most richly for our happiness. There is no comparison between the works of God and those of man

"God made the country, and man made the town."

Cowper. The works of God are free to the admiration of all beholders;—the flowers that deck our fields, and our hedges, are beautiful and fragrant.-Where is there a prettier produce of vegetation than the common primrose? Stores and greenhouses contain nothing more worthy of admiration and for perfume, what shall outvie the sweet violet of early spring, or the honeysuckle of more advanced summer: who shall say it is not a pleasure to gather such a nosegay, or to walk out and regale on such sights and smells?And music too is there nothing can equal Nature's concert ;-the thrush never tired, the blackbird, adding his whistle, the lark at the very gate of heaven hymning praises to his Almighty Maker, all conspire to fill us with admiration,-and with thankfulness too, or we are very dead to the mercies so bountifully showered down on us.-These are all self-evident beauties, but there are innumerable others, the search after which may well amuse and instruct. Bees are

a never-failing source of instruction as well as amusement,—and of profit. Once bought, they cost

very little; and their produce is sure of sale. The glow-worm is not certainly profitable as far as money goes, but in a moral light, it is surely so, as adding another link to the wonders of creation: the silk-worm might afford subject for a volume; and even the common caterpillar teaches a lesson, for, as it, when in a chrysalis state, appears dead, and yet comes out again a living butterfly, so surely shall we, after resting in the grave, rise again at the day of judgment, and enter upon a new life of happiness or misery. In short, we cannot move in any direction without meeting food for thought, and for useful meditation and delight and, could what we call pleasure, be duly estimated, we should, I believe, find that the simplest objects often, nay generally, produce more true enjoyment than those more costly and difficult to be procured. E. F. L.

A SONNET.

MR. EDITOR,

My attention was attracted by a Sonnet written from Folkestone, (in your No. for March, page 124) which pleased me well, except in one instance.

Ought the same word, the word "Bends," to terminate two lines, in so short a composition? I should think not; particularly as, in the last instance, the sense seems to be imperfect * ! But, perhaps the error, if it be one, may belong to the printer alone. At any rate, the perusal of your sonnet has induced me to endeavour at making another, which probably may be inferior as a composition, but certainly is written in an equal spirit of sincerity toward the best of causes. Your humble servant, and steady reader, J. M. O.

West Wickham, Kent,
March 4th, 1831.

* We have not preserved the MS. but probably for "bends" should have been printed "lends."

Verses, by Bishop Heber.

BLEST are those votaries, who, beneath the sway
Of pure devotion, consolation find.

Blest, he who long to God and goodness blind,
On worldly project many a precious day
Had wasted sore,-now hails, with lowly mind
And penitent, of truth the heavenly ray
Beaming on mortals, from a Saviour kind.
Nor, less of comfort has THE WORD assign'd
To him, who firm in faith, the sophist's lore,
And scorner's sneer repelling, both hath tried
By sacred Scripture, test secure and sound
While, raging o'er the earth, in tumult wide,
The floods of Atheism and sedition roar,
And nations, with prophetic fear, confound.

;

213

VERSES.

BY BISHOP HEBER.

I.

WHEN spring unlocks the flowers, to paint the laughing soil, When summer's balmy showers refresh the mower's toil, When winter binds in frosty chains the fallow and the flood, In GOD the earth rejoiceth still, and owns its Maker good.

II.

The birds that wake the morning, and those that love the shade,
The winds that sweep the mountain or lull the drowsy glade,
The sun that from his amber bower rejoiceth on his way,
The moon and stars their Maker's name in silent pomp display.

III.

Shall man, the lord of Nature,-expectant of the sky,
Shall man alone unthankful his little praise deny?—
No, let the year forsake its course, the seasons cease to be,
Thee Master must we always love—and, Saviour, honour Thee.

IV.

The flowers of spring may wither, the hope of summer fade, The autumn droop in winter, and birds forsake the shade; The winds be lull'd, the sun and moon forget their old decree, But we in Nature's latest hour, O Lord, will cling to Thee! Sent by C. S. R.

March 3d, 1831.