of you which takes the pains in his calling which some of the rich and independent men in the nation have taken, and are taking, to promote what they deem to be a point of great concern to the interest of humanity, by which neither they nor theirs can ever gain a shilling; nor will those to whom they are devoting their time, ever know of their trouble, or ever thank them for it. I only mention this to show that the wise, when they are at liberty to act as they please, show by their conduct that a life of employment is the only life to make happiness. Another advantage which persons who are not in high stations possess, is the greater ease with which they can provide for their children. All the provision which a poor man's child requires is contained in two words-" Religion and industry." With these qualities, though without a shilling to set him forward, he goes into the world prepared to become a useful, happy, and virtuous man. Nor will he fail to meet with a maintenance equal to the habits with which he has been brought up; and this is a degree of success sufficient for a person of any condition. These two qualities every parent can hope to give his children without any expense, because he can give them by his authority and example; and they can be given, I believe, by no other I call this a serious advantage way so well. of humble life, because in what we reckon the superior ranks, it is very difficult to place a child in a situation which may support it in the habits in which it has been brought up in its father's house; and many are the parents who are obliged to part with their children to distant and unwholesome climates, because they cannot support them in their own country; and many are the young men who are obliged to remain single all their lives, because they cannot gain enough to support a wife and family.-Paley.

PROVERBS. No. III.

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. WOULD you like to have every thing you wished for? There is one sure way of obtaining this-Wish only for things that you may have. But you may ask, How am I always to know what things I may have? There is an answer to this question which may be gathered from the Proverb. You must recollect that nothing which is worth

having, can be got without trouble. This truth is expressed up in man's curse for sin, "In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread?" (Gen. iii. 19.) You must work for what you want. When your thoughts set you upon wanting any thing, small or great, you go to work, to get it, and you wish for success in your work, that you may obtain it. Suppose a carpenter wanted to build a cottage, or make a table; he has got a marked rule, with which would measure the different parts, as he cut them out; and he would never doubt but that his work would succeed; because, by the help of this rule, he would work them so exactly, that when the pieces of his work come to be put together, they would all fit one to the other, and he would have his cottage, or his table, which he wanted. He chooses also proper things by the rule; if a beam is too large, he cuts it, if too small, he lays it aside. If he had not committed every thing to the rule beforehand, all his work would have been in vain, and his thoughts of having a cottage, or a table, would be disappointed. Apply this to your own wants. The Lord can do every thing for you, and give you all good success in whatever He likes. You can do nothing to get good success, if He does not like to give it you. He has given you a rule by which you may measure your works and thoughts, according to what he likes. Whatever you set about, lay it to the line of His Word. See whether it suits and fits with what God has said in the Bible that He will bless. If it does not, then make it fit by changing and correcting your thoughts; or, if they will not do at all, lay them aside, as the carpenter would the beams and planks that are too short for his work. And as he would use his saw and his plane, in fitting those that might be made to you, you must use self-denial and prayer, as the tools to make your thoughts suitable to the Lord's will. This is committing your works unto the Lord; and all the thoughts that are thus committed to Him shall have good success. Do this, and you shall always have whatever you desire.

CHRISTIAN CHARITY.

From "Six Sermons" by the Rev. John Jackson.

It is not, indeed, that charity can take the place of faith,

without which, in truth, it cannot really exist; still less can that, which is often so falsely called charity, a careless, easy disregard of truth and duty, which counts all creeds well-nigh alike, and is content to let error and sin go unreproved for the sake of peace, and which men would make their substitute for piety, and their apology for worldliness. But true faith has charity necessarily, for its fruit "worketh by love;" and, therefore, without it, is as worthless for all purposes of our justification and salvation, as a barren tree, or a body without a soul.

So essential, indeed, is this grace, that our Blessed Lord makes it the distinguishing feature of His followers. Christians are they who would believe in Christ, and are baptized into His name. But who can tell whether they really believe or not? God can read the heart where faith dwells; but man cannot. How, then, are they to be discerned, as far at least as such discernment is at present necessary? By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Nor is it to others only but to ourselves also, that charity is the test of true religion. If there are many hypocrites in the visible Church of Christ, there are at least as many self-deceivers; and every age has its delusions, which Satan throws like mists over the broad and beaten track, till it is confidently followed as the narrow way which leadeth unto life. Is there no charm to break his spells; no touchstone to distinguish gold from dross; no means to try whether the zeal which warms our breasts, is the energy of a true and living faith, or the fever of a vain enthusiasm? Yes. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes."

Sent by a Correspondent.

SAVINGS BANKS.

A PARLIAMENTARY paper has been printed containing accounts relating to savings banks. It appears that savings

banks and friendly societies commenced on the 6th of August, 1817, from which period to the 20th of November last, the gross amount of sums received and credited with interest on account of savings banks was 49,276,5767. 16s. Id., and on account of friendly societies, 2,709,3017. 16s. 4d. -making a total of 51,985,8781. 2s. 5d. An account is given of the stock purchased and the money paid. On the 20th of November last the amount of stock standing in the names of the commissioners on account of savings banks and friendly societies, was 32,318,6437. 19s. 4d., besides exchequer-bills. Military savings banks were established in September last, and on the 5th of January last the commissioners had purchased stock for them to 14,9447. 3s. 4d., having received 14,8497. 1s. 11d. as deposits from soldiers in a very short period.

CONSOLATION IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

"WHATEVER way I turned," says Mungo Park, in one of his travels, "nothing appeared but danger and difficulty. I saw myself in the midst of a vast wilderness, in the depth of the rainy season, naked and alone, surrounded by savage animals, and men still more savage. I was five hundred miles from the nearest European settlement. At this moment, painful as my reflections were, the extraordinary beauty of a small moss irresistibly caught my eye. I mention it to show from what trifling

circumstances the mind will sometimes derive consolation; for though the whole plant was not larger than the top of one of my fingers, I could not contemplate the delicate conformation of its roots and leaves without admiration. Can that Being, thought I, who planted, watered, and brought to perfection in this obscure part of the world a thing which appears of so small importance, look with unconcern upon the situation and sufferings of creatures formed after His own image ?-Surely not. I started up, and disregarding both hunger and fatigue, travelled forward, assured that relief was at hand; and I was not disappointed."

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received the communications of W. Griffin; G. F. H.; J. S. Buckingham; T. S. L.; E. A.; A Layman.

ON SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITIES.

ONE of the worst features of the times in which we live is the want of this Christian grace. A spirit of pride and independence has taken its place in the mind of the age, and driven out before it that humble and lowly temper which is the foundation-stone of true religion in the heart, and without which it is impossible to please God and serve Him. We have the misfortune continually to behold the truth of this remark, but it cannot be seen without great pain by any who know what true Christianity requires. It is seen in the very altered manner in which people regard their position, as subjects towards their sovereign, as servants towards their masters, as children toward their parents. Once there was greater reverence and submission; now there is barely sufficient to keep the framework of society together. The child too often thinks it a burden and an injustice that it has to obey its parent in any thing, for

VOL. XXVI.

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