was established to be a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh; for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh, by the word of the Lord.

See infant Samuel lay his head,
Sleep closes up his eyes;

One calls him, "Samuel," from his bed;

Obedient does he rise.

Nor yet did Samuel know the Lord,
Thoughtless was he and young,
Though often had he read the word,
Had heard, and read, and sung.

The voice calls still; but where, and how
Then Eli bade reply,

Oh Lord, thy servant hears thee now,
Speak, Lord, for here am I.

Ah! happy, when the King of kings

Thus calls in early day;

Ah! happy child, whom Jesus brings
To listen, read, and pray.

CYRIL,

OF CAPPADOCIA,

HAS been particularly noticed amongst those who suffered martyrdom for Christ under the Emperor Valerian. The following account is from Milner's History of the Church of Christ, Vol. I. p. 472.

"At Cæsarea, in Cappadocia, a child, named Cyril, showed uncommon fortitude. He called on the name of Jesus Christ continually, nor could threats or blows prevent him from openly avowing Christianity. Several children of the same age persecuted him; and his own father, with the applauses of many persons for his zeal in the support of paganism, drove him out of his house. The judge ordered him to be brought before him, and said, My child, I will pardon your faults, and your father shall receive you again: it is in your power to enjoy your father's estate, provided you are wise, and take care of your own interest.' I rejoice to bear your reproaches,' replied the child; God will receive me: I am not sorry that I am expelled out

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of our house: I shall have a better mansion: I fear not death, because it will introduce me into a better life.' Divine grace having enabled him to witness this good confession, he was ordered to be bound and led, as it were, to execution. The judge had given secret orders to bring him back again, hoping that the sight of the fire might overcome his remonstrances. 'Your fire and your sword,' says the young martyr, insignificant. I go to a better house; I go to more excellent riches: dispatch me presently, that I may enjoy them.' The spectators wept through compassion. Ye should rather rejoice,' says he, in conducting me to punishment. Ye know not what a city I am going to inhabit, nor what is my hope.' Thus he went to his death, and was the admiration of the whole city. Such an example illustrates well that scripture, 'Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength."

The natural enmity of the human heart to the pure and holy Christianity of the Bible is strikingly exemplified by this anecdote. How great must be the malignity of which human nature, if unrestrained by the providential arrangements of heaven, is capable, when not only the most

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exemplary and valuable citizens could be devoted to death for their attachment to the principles of the Gospel, but when even helpless childhood could be thus also consigned to the same penalties, for the same cause. Nor is this a solitary instance." One city of Phrygia, being generally Christian, was besieged, by armed men, in the reign of Dioclesian, and set on fire. The men, with their wives and CHILDREN, were burnt to death, calling upon Christ, the God over all. All the inhabitants, magistrates, and people, nobles and plebeians, professing Christianity, were ordered to sacrifice, and for refusing suffered in this manner."

If the enmity of the natural man against God is proved by the conduct of the persecutors, the power of the Gospel, and the strength of grace, are most abundantly manifested by the behaviour of the martyrs in general, but more especially of such as were young. What must be the reality and influence of genuine religion, when, for the sake of a crucified Saviour, even children voluntarily and cheerfully encountered the pains and horrors of martyrdom.-Little children, would your love for Christ lead you, in times of per secution, to suffer for his sake?

THE CHILDREN OF MERINDOLL.

DURING the persecutions, which were carried on by the Papists, in the beginning of the sixteenth century, against the Waldenses, the town of Merindoll, in Provence, in which some of them resided, was exposed to the most violent cruelty, and was eventually destroyed, together with the country for 200 miles round, according to a sentence pronounced against them by the high tribunal at Aix, and confirmed by the King of France, 12th April, 1545. While they were suffering under these troubles, the Bishop of Cavaillon visited the place, hoping by subtlety to induce them to abjure their principles. Amongst other proceedings to which he resorted, we learn from Fox, that he called "before him the chil dren, both great and small, gave them money, and commanded them, with fair words, to learn the Pater Noster and the Creed in Latin. The most part of them answered that they knew the Pater Noster and the Creed already in Latin, but they could make no reason of that, which they