whom it was originally addressed? and is there good reason to believe, from the acquiescence of the inspired narrators, that this is the meaning which it was intended to convey.

The rule itself, in conclusion, will be found to cut both ways in fixing the true sense of a passage; for, positively, it will be ascertained by the opinions of the hearers as to its meaning, when that opinion is tacitly acquiesced in, or explicitly adopted by, the speakers; negatively, it will be generally ascertained, where that opinion is opposed, corrected, or enlarged by them. For where Christ says, "this is not my sentiment; you have misunderstood me,” the true one is generally unfolded in the same conversation, as the idea which ought to occupy their minds. As when the Jews misunderstood Christ, when he spoke to them of eating his flesh; (John vi.) and the disciples seemed to have fallen into the same error, he not only reproves them for this carnal notion, but in an express and positive manner explained the true doctrine. It is " the Spirit which

quickeneth," &c.

I take this opportunity of mentioning a small book, which will be found a great assistance in reading the New Testament, which, indeed, I had intended to do in connection with the maxims laid down in my last paper, Percy's Key to the New Testament. It has been published some years, but is valuable in matter, and small in compass.

PASTORAL RECOLLECTIONS.

I HAD occasion one morning to visit a district of the parish at some distance from my residence. A poor member of the congregation was lying at the point of death, and earnestly desired the presence of the minister. As I ascended the hill, on my way to the sick man's dwelling, I had to pass the cottage of a small farmer belonging to my flock; and, as I paused for a moment near the door, to look out for my best and nearest path, a female came out and approached me. I immediately recognized the wife of the cottager, but observed with

concern that she was bathed in tears. I was of course prompted to ask her why she wept, and soon discovered that she was not agitated by the pressure of any particular calamity. She was merely under the influence of deep emotion; and she was thus giving vent to a flood of feeling. She told me that our meeting gave her much pleasure; for that a wonderful change had recently taken place in her state of mind, and that she gladly embraced the present opportunity of entering into conversation with me. As her case supplies a remarkable example of a work of grace, it is worthy of especial record. It may be thus described:

held, as tenant at will, a few acres of indifferent land. He was, however, in much more comfortable circumstances than many of his neighbours; for he was careful, provident, and industrious. His wife, the subject of this notice, was a thrifty housekeeper; and her excellent management had contributed greatly to his prosperity. But the thoughts of both were entirely engrossed with their own little concerns; and they were so intent upon the business of accumulation, that they were rather noted throughout their neighbourhood for their excessive worldliness. The Gospel often falls powerless upon such characters, and yet here it was destined to achieve a most signal victory. This couple had six fine children; and a boy about thirteen years of age, who was the eldest of the family, was particularly promising. He had been a diligent attendant upon the Sabbath school—he had enjoyed the tuition of a faithful teacher-the good seed of the Word had been watered by heavenly influences; and he had thus been led to feel the power, as well as to see the importance, of religion. Through the medium of the same agency, a sister, who was somewhat younger, had also been seriously impressed. But it so happened that small-pox, in a very virulent form, made its appearance in the district, and in a few weeks, five of the children of this cottager fell a prey to its ravages. On one occasion two coffins left the house together. The youngest son, an infant in the cradle, alone escaped.

It is scarcely necessary to state, that so melancholy a

providence produced a considerable sensation. Nearly a whole family had been swept away at once; and, as the tidings circulated from house to house throughout the parish, they touched the most tender chords of many a mother's heart. The remains of the elder children were accompanied to their last resting-place by the boys and girls of the Sabbath-school, who testified their respect and sympathy by walking before them to the church-yard in solemn procession. The scholars had requested permission to sing a few verses at the grave; and, as they united in the melancholy dirge, the melting tones of their youthful voices might have moved the most callous auditor. Who can tell the influence of their simple melody? and who can say whether the funeral scene may not have been, to some thoughtless bystander, the crisis of a spiritual resurrection?

'No chastening," saith the apostle, "for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Eventually, the wife of the cottager was fully prepared to attest the truth of this declaration. She had always been an affectionate mother; and when suddenly stripped of almost all her offspring, she mourned in the bitterness of her soul. But judgment had been mingled with mercy; for the children had given evidence that they had not attended the Sabbath-school in vain; and the deportment of her eldest son, upon his death-bed, had been most edifying and impressive. When suffering severely from disease, he had frequently invited one of the family to read to him portions of the New Testament; and it was obvious to all around him that he was sustained and refreshed by the manna of the Gospel. He had also taken occasion to speak very seriously to his parents he had pointed out to them the danger of neglecting the one thing needful; and he had reminded them of a variety of instances in which he had witnessed their undue anxiety, in reference to their temporal interests. His words carried conviction to his mother, and led to a complete change in her spirit and character.

Many weeks had elapsed since small-pox had appeared

in the family of the cottager; and though I had meanwhile repeatedly visited the dwelling, I had not discovered until now that the affliction had issued in a result so gratifying. For a time the bereaved mother had struggled to suppress her feelings; but now, as she observed me passing by her door, she hastened to inform me how she had been translated out of darkness into marvellous light. She described her case with much artlessness; and, though her heart was full when she referred to the removal of her children, she was evidently comforted! withal. She had before attended public worship with tolerable regularity; but she now confessed that she had taken very little interest in the services. When sitting under the ministry of the Word, her thoughts had been occupied with her temporal affairs-with her milk and her butter, her house and her cattle; but she now knew what it was to wait upon God without distraction, and to be glad when it was said unto her, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." The Gospel was now the food of her soul, and she now rejoiced in the Sabbath-day as "the best of all the seven,' She discovered an enlightened interest in the spiritual well-being of her relatives, and felt a concern for the progress of religion, which she had never hitherto experienced.

Time demonstrated that the piety of this matron did not proceed from mere excitement. She continued by an exemplary life to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. I can never forget her appearance in the house of prayer; for, after the loss of her children, she might have been distinguished from the rest of the worshippers during the delivery of the sermon by the fixed attention with which she hung upon the lips of the minister. The eyes of her understanding had been opened, a new scene was presented to her view, and she was filled with wonder as the preacher proceeded to unfold, the treasures of the sure and the well ordered covenant..

How mysterious are the ways of Providence! The Lord made breach upon breach in this family, and yet he had a blessing in store for the mourning mother! Truly God's way is in the sea, his path is in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known.

This narrative supplies one of ten thousand instances which might be readily adduced of the good fruits of Sabbath-school instruction; for to this agency we must here trace the conversion both of the parent and the children. We here see a few plain statements delivered by a peasant boy reaching the heart of his mother, and winning her over to the Saviour. We are taught by the incidents here recorded, that every one may do something for Christ. A single word, uttered by a child, may tell throughout all eternity. Blessed, then, are they who sow beside all waters. It is written: "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."

BAPTISM.

EXTRACT FROM A SERMON PREACHED IN ST. CUTHBERT'S CHURCH, CARLISLE, ON THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER LAST, BY THE REV. J. FAWCETT.*

"The Jews, when they had corrupted the law of Moses, held the washing of pots and cups, and made clean the outside of the cup and platter, while within it was full of extortion and excess. They paid tythe of mint, anise, and cummin, and neglected the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and the love of God. They laid great stress, also, on circumcision; so that, when they were converted to Christianity, many of them were desirous of imposing the yoke of it on the Gentiles. The same disposition which led the Jews thus to magnify circumcision, led the Christians to magnify baptism; and very soon, long before the times of Popery, the very administration of baptism was thought to convey the spiritual benefit of regeneration. Popery merely continued this, without adding to it, or making much more of it than many Protestants do at this day. Men love what is mysterious; they love, also, to rest on some outward work or service; and will gladly perform it, if they may be excused the inward washing of regeneration, and

* Published by Seeleys, London.