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1838.]

ON PRAYING, &c.

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same faith, receivers of the same baptism, fellow citizens of the same heavenly country, towards which all true Christians are travelling, it is no less our interest than our duty to be of one heart and of one soul, and to endeavour to promote the welfare of one another. However our outward circumstances or condition in life may differ, there is this one great bond of union which joins together high and low, rich and poor, learned and ignorant. In the world to which we are hastening, all our present distinctions will vanish. The enquiry at the last great day will not be what has been our condition in this life, but whether we have remembered, served, and worshipped the God who made us, whether we have loved, and endeavoured to follow the Saviour who redeemed us, whether we have sought and obtained the help of the Spirit who is promised to all that ask Him. These heartsearching questions will be addressed to all who have professed and called themselves Christians; and, therefore it is, that we are instructed by our Church to pray in words, which too many, it is to be feared, repeat day after day, with their lips only, that all sorts and conditions of men may be "led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life." O that this prayer, (formed from the words of the apostle now before us) may be offered up by all, in spirit and in truth; then may we hope that it will be heard and answered by Him who heareth prayer, and that His grace will always prevent1 and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

L. S. R.

ON PRAYING WITH AND FROM THE SCRIPTURES.
June 10th, 1838.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,
AN excellent little paper in your last number signed
L. S. R., in which we are advised to "pray with and
from the Scriptures:" reminded me, that for a short time,
I had been in the habit of daily writing a prayer from

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the portion of Scripture appointed for the day. I have always found the setting such things down a wholesome exercise to my soul, though so very easy an one :-the selection should be guided by self-examination as to our peculiar spiritual wants, or be the outpourings of a grateful heart for mercies just received, an earnest petition, or a joyful song of praise, as the day finds us in sorrow or at peace. Thus would the habit show us the rich treasures of that blessed book, which containeth healing and balm for all. I will copy out three of my short prayers just as I find them in my note-book; they are poor performances of what others may greatly improve upon. You will judge if they are worthy of your pages.

Your constant reader, N. N.

PRAYERS.

I.

August 18th.-1st St. Peter ch. iii.-This day I implore of Thee, gracious Father, thy heavenly grace to adorn me with that meek and quiet spirit, that chaste conversation coupled with fear, which is in Thy sight of great price. May thine eyes be ever over me, and thine ears open unto my prayers. May Thy face, O Lord, never be against me, or any dear unto me. Holy Saviour, who intercedeth for us ever at the right hand of the Father, offer up my prayer, and send unto me the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, that by His power I may sanctify the Lord God in my heart, praying more reverently daily, with more meekness and fear. Amen.

II.

August 20th.-1st St. Peter ch. v. and last verse of Psalm ciii.-Oh what a promise is here to those who are ensamples to their flocks. Grant unto me, gracious God and Father, so to submit myself to those who teach me in thy word, and administer to me Thine ordinances, that at the great day, when the chief Shepherd shall appear, and give unto these holy men a crown of glory that fadeth not away, I may be near to join in that hymn of praise to Thee, which it will be the blessed privilege of those to sing unto the Lord, who do His pleasure,

1838.]

PICKLING OR SALTING TUBS.

239

who speak good of Him, who fulfil His commandments, and hearken unto the voice of His words. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

III.

Sept. 6th-St. Matthew ch. vii.-Make me to remember, O Lord my God, that the same portion of Scripture (the ever blessed words from our Lord's own lips) which promiseth to them that ask and seek, that it shall be given, and they shall find, saith likewise, that every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire: and that not every one that saith unto thee Lord, Lord, shall enter into thy kingdom: but he that doeth Thy will. Oh grant unto me, Almighty God, to build my house upon a rock-not only to pray to Thee; for words without deeds will glide away as the sands; but give me grace daily to strive to lay such a sure foundation by using all the blessed means of Thy grace-that my life and conversation may be that of a sincere Christian, growing in my love of Thee, my Saviour and Sanctifier. Amen.

PICKLING OR SALTING TUBS.

IT ought to be known, that the vinegar, which some recipes direct to be poured over hams, while they are being salted, or cured, acts upon lead, and produces a deadly poison called acetate of lead. Lead, in various preparations, as in that of goulard (sugar of lead), &c. &c., is an invaluable remedy when applied to the human frame externally; but if taken internally, is one of the most pernicious substances in nature. We are acquainted with two or three persons who have frequently suffered excruciating pains in the bowels, after having partaken of ham for a few successive days. Not being initiated in this wicked mystery of curing the meat, they have concluded that the agony was caused by saltpetre (that mineral being also used in the preparation of salted meat, and a most useless and pernicious ingredient it is, when thus employed), but the pain was doubtless occasioned by the chemical union resulting from the contact of vinegar with lead.-Globe.

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THE PARTHENON AT ATHENS,

THE picture which accompanies this article, represents the ruins of the celebrated temple called the " Parthenon" at Athens. This temple was built in honour of the heathen goddess Minerva. This was a most beautiful building, as may be seen even in its present state of ruin. The heathen nations of old, ignorant as they were of the true God, spared no expense in doing honour to those whom they believed to be gods. In this they are a reproach to many Christians, who profess to believe in the true God, and yet grudge the smallest expense, or the smallest inconvenience, for the sake of honouring and worshipping Him. It is true that "God dwelleth not in temples made with hands ;" and it is a grievous mistake to think that we are offering an acceptable service, when we pay outward worship, "whilst our hearts are far from Him;" for "God is a spirit, and they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth" still, they whose hearts are right towards God, will, besides inward devotion, pay every outward mark of reverence and honour. The temple of Minerva is, every day, become more and more a ruin. Travellers who visit Athens, have all a curiosity to possess parts of this beautiful and noble building; and many of its finest ornaments have within these few years, been brought to England, and are now to be seen in the British Museum. Athens, as our readers know, was once the most celebrated seat of learning, in the heathen world; there, the learned philosophers had their schools, and gave their lectures; it was famous also for its sculptors, statuaries, and architects; and the splendour and cost of the heathen worship gave them great opportunities of displaying the excellence of their art. The celebrated Phidias was employed by Pericles to make a cast statue of Minerva for this temple. Many of the beautiful statues made by these great men remain to this day, and many of the ruins of their noble buildings. We read in the Acts of the Apostles (xvii.) that St. Paul preached at Athens; and that "his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry." The Grecian

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