done by remembering this maxim, "Try again." You would never have heard of the great writers of ancient and modern days, unless this maxim had been care fully attended to; for, depend upon it, those great men could never have attained the knowledge they act quired without "trying again" very often.

Whatever you undertake, be not easily discouraged. If a thing is worth undertaking, it is worth complet ing; and to begin what we cannot finish, is usually either a mark of folly in the attempt, or idleness in the execution. Reflect before you begin, and "try again," till you succeed. If you be afraid to "try again," you will hardly attain to any thing; whereas, if you continue to practise this maxim, there is hardly any thing you may not attain.

Even the immortal happiness of the world to come, which is purchased for us by the merits of our Redeemer, is promised only to those who persevereto those who, with the aid of the Divine Spirit," by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory and honour and immortality."

(See Uncle Newberry's Twelve Maxims.)

V.

ON PRAYER.

IN Prayer, the tongue hath but the lesser part;
Devotion's chiefly seated in the heart;

This with our lips we humbly must express,
And in our lives by serious holiness.
They who on earth, with heart, lips, life, adore
Their God, in Heav'n shall praise Him evermore:
१ Whilst then our Prayers begin, and end the day,
Let's daily live, as strictly as we pray.

leo sved RAWLET.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. MR. EDITOR,

THE object of the following lines, founded in a calamity I have personally and recently experienced, being

to lead us to look to the great First Cause of all events, without whose permission nothing takes place, they may assist to counteract our tendency to attribute His dispensations to the instruments He is pleased to employ, and to whom it is not truly pious that we should give the praise. LAICUS.

LINES

Intended to commemorate the skill of an eminent Surgeon, by whom, under Providence, the writer was relieved from a sudden and dangerous attack of illness.

Behold GoD is my helper: the LORD is with them that uphold my soul." Psalm liv.

WHEN Some frail bark, that gently on her way,
Scarce heaves, responsive to the tranquil sea,
While the soft breathings of a favouring gale,
But just suffice to fill each sleeping sail;
If sudden clouds from adverse points arise,
And whelming tempests sweep along the skies;
The howling blast her bending masts derides,
And angry waves assault her yielding sides;
Perils in varied shapes her frame assail,
And e'en her stoutest hearts begin to quail;
The ready pilot then, with skill endow'd,
Meets, by his care, the dangers as they crowd;
With mind unruffled, and with steady hand,
Seizes the helm, and, keeping firm command,
His anxious labours bless'd with Heaven's support,
In safety guide the vessel to her port.

In the toss'd bark, of me an emblem see!
And in the pilot's skill a type of thee!
While smoothly in the quiet paths of ease,
Unconscious of the ambush of disease
I glided on; health's ever-threatening foe
Aim'd at my life a fell and sudden blow;
When from corporeal ills, expert to save,
Thy dextrous hand withheld me from the grave.
Though much to thee I owe, I higher raise
My grateful strain, and "give to God the praise !”
Alone, who to the swift can grant the race;
Or with the victor's crown the strong can grace;
Who gives and takes away corrective pain,
And without whom thy skill would strive in vain.

The Poor Man's Expositor.

THE POOR MAN'S EXPOSITOR. NO. XIII.

371

Matt. xxv. 1. The parable of the ten virgins points out the manner in which our Saviour will deal with us at the end of the world: the bridegroom is Jesus Christ; the marriage day is the day of judgment; the wise virgins represent sincere and watchful Christians, and the foolish ones those who are negligent and careless in providing for a future state.

Matt. xxv. 9. "Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you." How contrary is this to the Romish doctrine of supererogation; no man's merits can supply another man's defects; for even the best of us, when we have done all in our power, are still unprofitable servants.

Matt. xxv. 14. The parable of the talents represents the different gifts which God bestows upon mankind; and teaches us that we ought always to be prepared to meet our Lord, and to give him a good account of the use we have made of our time, and of the talents, whether many or few, that were entrusted to our

care.

Matt. xxv. 26. "Thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not." That is, if it were true, as thou sayest (ver. 24.) that I reap where I sow not, then is there the greater reason that thou shouldest have put my money to the exchangers; therefore" from him that hath not (improved what he had,) shall be taken away even that which he hath, i. e. the principal, the sum which was originally committed to his charge."

Matt. xxv. 30. "Outer darkness." This expression appears to be used in the Scriptures by St. Matthew only. It represents the horrors of hell in contrast to the glorious light of Heaven; for as Heaven is light, so, after the day of judgment, whatever is out of heaven, external, or outer, is darkness.

Matt. xxvi. 25. "Is it I? He said unto him, "Thou hast said." The meaning is, "it is as thou hast

said." This mode of expression in answering questions may seem somewhat strange to us; but it was perfectly understood by those who heard it; thus again in this chapter, v. 64. when our Saviour is asked if he be the Son of God, he says "Thou hast said" that is, " it is as thou hast said." So also Luke xxii. 70."Ye say that I am, i. e. it is as ye say," namely, that I am.

Matt. xxvi. 26. "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it." In this part of our Saviour's history we must carefully distinguish between the Paschal Supper and our Lord's Supper; the former is here celebrated by our Lord and his apostles, having long been established in the Jewish Church; the latter was now first instituted, to be for ever hereafter observed in the Christian Church.

.99 Matt. xxvi. 26. 28. "This is my body this is my blood." That is, "This bread is the representation of my body, and this wine of my blood." In the same manner the lamb is called the passover, being the memorial and sign of it.

161

Matt. xxvi. 39. "If it be possible let this cup pass from me." Our blessed Saviour, though he was the Son of God, was also the Son of man; and, as such, was subject to the infirmities which belong to human nature. Thus, in his human nature, he here seems to shew an unwillingness to suffer, which his Divine nature immediately enabled him to overcome, and to declare, "not as I will, but as thou wilt."

Matt. xxvi. 49. "Hail Master, and kissed him." This was a custom among the Jews, after a long ab sence, as a token of regard; corresponding to our custom of shaking hands.

Matt. xxvi. 63. "I adjure thee by the living God." Our Saviour's example on this occasion fully justifies Christians in taking oaths when required by lawfu au thority.

Matt. xxvi. 73. "Thy speech betrayeth thee." All the apostles were Galileans, and spoke in an ac

Observance of the Sabbath-Day, &c.

373

cent peculiar to that district. Peter's denial of our Lord affords a melancholy instance of the weakness and infirmity of human nature, and teaches a memor+ able lesson to all succeeding Christians not to entertain too high a notion of their own firmness against temptation, but to bear in mind the admonition of St. Paul. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." KIRDFORDIENSIS.

(To be concluded in our next.)

OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH-DAY IN ROMAN * #CATHOLIC AND IN PROTESTANT COUNTRIES. "AT Pouilly we had an opportunity of observing the influence of the Sabbath upon the rustics of France. They appeared to be absolutely indifferent to the holiness of the day. They were buying and selling, treating and exchanging, and pursuing their several occupations. Strings of carts, herds of swine, and droves of cattle were passing and repassing as if it were a market-day. Even the few females whom we saw directing their steps to church, had none of that decent appearance, and Sabbath-day preparation, which we observe in England. How the inseparable connexion between revealed religion and human happiness displays itself at every view! We are commanded to sanctify the Sabbath; but 'the Sabbath was made for man; that is, it is subordinate to, and intended for, his good. Its proper observance imparts enjoyment and gladness of heart, as well as calmness and sobriety to the disposition; and there can be no doubt that the solemnity, the decency, the cheerfulness, and the independent leisure of an English Sabbath, contribute largely to the advantage of the national character: and wherever this day is neglected, we soon see the great injury that is produced on the morals of the people, their sentiments and principles becoming