blaspheme it. Your tables are unblessed.

At your

banquets, intemperance reigns, and modesty is put to the blush. The parlours I have been describing are types of heaven, where due returns are made to God for his bounty.

12. Ye are deluded by what you call rational amusements. Like children, you divert yourselves in foolish play, night after night, wasting your time and substance.

And the God in whose hands your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified." Any thing that is serious and useful to your souls, you will not once hear, much less will you hear it repeated. "And what will ye do in the end thereof ?" Ō that ye were wise, that ye would consider your ways, and at last make some returns of gratitude to a gracious God for all his benefits bestowed upon you !

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE FAMILY OF THE NARROWSOULS; THEIR ORIGIN AND MANNERS.

AN ALLEGORY.

MR. Narrow-soul, the father of the family, was the immediate descendant of Mr. Love-self and Mrs. Saveall. Though an only son, he had not the advantage of a liberal education, as his mother had a particular aversion to public seminaries. She often used to say, That it would cost more to maintain one child at a boardingschool than to bring up three at home: whatever they might learn at those places, they were never taught the value of money; which, in her estimation, was of more importance than all the learning in the world besides this, she insisted upon it, that their heads were filled with notions which made them unfit for business, and that they acquired habits of extravagance under the idea of liberality, which were extremely prejudicial to heir interests.

2. Thus circumstanced, poor Narrow-soul had no opportunity of obtaining any useful knowledge, beyond what he could pick up at a little day-school in the

neighbourhood; a dd to this, that he had naturally a very great aversion to reading, in which disposition he was unhappily encouraged by both parents; for it was grown into a proverb with them, That people would never get forward in the world who were always poring over books, excepting only those books which were necessary in keeping accounts ;-and these, they admitted, could not be inspected too often, or examined too closely.

8. When Narrow-soul arrived at years of maturity, it so happened, that he fell in love with Party-zeal. She was the eldest daughter of Superstition, a descendant of the ancient family of the Bigots, who, for many years, had their principal residence at Rome. His parents made no objection to the match; only his mother was rather fearful, lest the object of his attachment, who was of a quick and lively turn, should lead him into expeuses, which were not quite compatible with her views of economy. She did not, however, oppose the union; which accordingly took place, and proved the source of a numerous progeny.

4. Their descendants have also multiplied to that degree that there are few families which may not be traced to one or other of them, though they are seldom willing to own the extraction. They are indeed of various denominations, and called by different names; yet a fami ly-likeness may be observed in them all. They particularly resemble old Love-self; and those who possessed an intimate acquaintance with that gentleman, would find no difficulty in discovering the lineaments of his face in his numerous posterity.

5. Though descended from the same original stock, they are often at variance with one another, as they are divided into distinct classes or tribes, who regard each other with the greatest antipathy; so that the world has frequently been disturbed, and whole nations desolated, through the attempts that have been made by one

or other of the tribes to exterminate the rest.

6. Some, perhaps, may be ready to inquire what religious sentiments they profess. It would be very difficult to give a satisfactory answer to this question, since it might easily be proved, that there is no sentiment in

religion, either true or false, which has not been fiercely contended for by some of their tribes. It may be remarked, however, that let the particular denomination be what it may, the distinguishing characteristics of that denomination, have always been considered by them as fitter objects of religious zeal than the fundamental truths of the gospel, or the common interests of Christianity; and they would rejoice more at the success of their efforts in making a proselyte from one tribe to another, than in converting a sinner from the error of his ways: nor would the news of a whole nation of heathen embracing the gospel, give them so much pleasure as to hear of the spread of their own peculiar sentiments, and the increase of their party.

7. This being the case, we need not be surprised that Missionary efforts have never met with their cordial approbation. As the principal promoters of such benevo Jent attempts utterly disclaim all party-views, they present nothing that can appear sufficiently interesting to Narrow-souls; some of whom go so far as to say, that the gospel ought not to be preached to sinners at all; in direct opposition to the commission of our Lord, and the example of his apostles.

8. "As well," they will say, " may you preach to the dead in the church-yard as to those who are dead in trespasses and sins:" as if carnal reason should be attended to rather than the command of Christ, who has positively said, "Preach the gospel to every creature" Thus do they err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God, who can and will, when it is his pleasure, give efficacy to his own word, and cause the dead in sin to hear the voice of the Son of God and live.

9. In commercial concerns, there are none who have met with greater success than the Narrow-souls. Among those who have acquired large fortunes from small beginnings, there are many who belong to this family; nor is it to be wondered at, for the powers of the mind, like streams of water confined within a narrow compass, and directed to a particular object, exert themselves in pursuit of that object with a force and impetus which is not to be expected in those whose views are more enlarged, and the objects of their attention more diversified.

10. There being so many various classes of Narrowsouls, it is impossible to give a particular description that would exactly suit them all; for, in many instances, they materially differ from each other, yet, in the gene. ral outline of their character, there is a very striking resemblance. As for example, they are universally contracted in their views, selfish in their aims, mean in their pursuits, and miserable in their tempers; unhappy in themselves, and the source of unhappiness to all about them, especially their inferiors aud dependents.

FREE THOUGHTS

ON THE PROPRIETY, IMPORTANCE, AND ADVANTAGES OF FAMILY-MEETINGS.

IN the morning of this world's existence, it was declared by Infinite Wisdom, who is perfectly acquainted with the constitution of human nature, "It is not good that man should be alone," the Divine benevolence provided him with a help-meet; and, in proportion as the family of our primitive parents increased, in that degree there was wider scope given for the exercise of the social affections. Man multiplied, new families were established, they spread, separated, and peopled the eastern continent.

2. In process of time, when the maintenance of a large family became arduous, the younger branches arriving at years of discretion, went forth to procure their own livelihood. To shew, however, that they gladly embrac ed opportunities of a general family-meeting, I exhibit a particular model. Job had three sons and seven daugh ters; and the sacred historian tells us, that "they went and feasted in their houses, every one in their day."

3. The expediency of such associations, not only ap pears from their occasionally collecting the scattered members of dispersed households together, but also from the opportunities they give of mutual congratulations on auspicious events. There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; the domestic circle assembled at a festival, and Jesus graced it with his presence.

4. In a parabolic representation of the conversion of a younger son, such was the joy of the father and the rest of the relations, that they killed the fatted calf; they ate and were merry; no member of the family, who could conveniently attend, was allowed to be absent; for the elder son was upbraided, on account of his delay in not appearing among the guests at the appointed time. The best robe and ring adorned the restored relative; the paternal roof resounded with "duleet music ;" and to the harmonies of the tabret and the pipe, was added the vocal song of "This my son was dead, but is alive again; was lost, but now is found.”

5. Interviews of this kind, sanctioned by the high authority of Scripture, and by the legitimate rules of expediency, have their peculiar advantages; for,

1st, Distance engenders coolness, even between loving friends; and more particularly when it is authorized by an act of the will. On the contrary, communion strengthens the ties of affectionate union; whether between man and wife, parent and child, sisters and brethren: and,

2dly, An occasional family-meeting shews to all around, that its members are firmly bound together by the endearments of domestic charity. I love to bear it said by others, Behold, how good, and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Pagans exclaim, See how these Christians love one another!

3dly, These meetings furnish those who attend them, and who are engaged in active life, with a favourable opportunity for free and unreserved discussion on plans of private comfort and public usefulness.

4thly, They may be termed "Heaven's remembrancers." In that house where there are many mansions, a most numerous, noble, and final family-meeting will take place; the elder brother who, like Joseph, has been absent for a season, and is exalted to regal honours in the court of the King eternal, immortal, and invisi⚫ble, shall then publicly declare his alliance.

5thly, There will be a banquet, whence the guests shall never rise; a desert fresh gathered from the Tree of Life, the wine of the kingdom to regale the joyful kindred, and this jubilant anthem shall be sung to the Saviour's praise: Thou hast redeemed us out of all kindreds, and nations, and tongues, and people, under heaven.