give up working for his money, will make him very thoughtless about how he spends it; and ruin is the end of this: his place is among drunkards, gamblers, cheats and profligates; and he is often led to downright dishonesty, to falsehood, and thieving, from having first begun with begging, instead of working. It is wonderful what a number of men were ruined by the old method of going a begging to the parish, whenever they wanted help. Their characters were lowered in their own eyes; they had to put themselves in the place of beggars, instead of keeping the character of industrious labourers. It is true that there are many conditions in which there must be a degree of dependence on others; the helpless, and lame, and old, who cannot maintain themselves, are driven to seek for help; and it is a right exercise of charity, for those who are able, to help them. But a fine spirited, right-minded man will take all possible pains to keep himself off from such necessity; and he soon finds the benefit of it, and so do all who belong to him; and he will seek to provide against the time when he may be unable to work. It is no new remark that, when once the habit of begging and trusting to others has been acquired, the condition falls from bad to worse, whilst the industrious independent working man, who earns his own livelihood and manages his earnings well, soon finds that his condition mends, and that his comforts are increasing every day.

EXTRACTS FROM THE PUBLIC NEWSPAPERS, &c.

V.

Cruelty to animals.-The Animals' Friend Society caused J. Hingston to be fined at Epsom, for having driven two small dogs, drawing a cart laden with three or four hundred weight, all the way from Edgeware-road to Epsom, eighteen miles, and having beaten the poor animals very barbarously, their feet having been covered with blood.

The Society also caused the cabman, No. 432, to be fined 10s. and costs by Sir F. Roe, for cruelty to a night-horse.

And Dekins to be fined at Union-hall, for cruelty to a dog.-Globe. Bed-rooms.--Never keep plants in them during the night, as they render the air impure; and there have been instances of persons having been suffocated, as with charcoal in a close room, where there has been a large growing plant.-Labourers' Friend Magazine.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received the communications of N. N.; Caynham; L. S. R. ; A Layman; G. B.; and Y.

THE eighteenth of October is dedicated to the Evangelist St. Luke, author of the Gospel which bears his name, and also of the Acts of the Apostles. He was a native of Antioch, the capital of Syria, a place celebrated for its commerce and learning, and still more renowned by being the first place in which the followers of Christ were called Christians. It is stated, by some authors, that St. Luke, in early life, studied both physic and painting, and in both pursuits had attained much celebrity; but others imagine that the term " beloved Physician," used by St. Paul, in reference to this Evangelist, merely denoted how efficacious his exertions in the cause of Christianity had been, and that his assistance in the heal

VOL. XVIII.

ing and salvation of men's souls had been so great, as to entitle him to be called "Physician of Souls.' We find few particulars in the New Testament concerning him; nor is it clear whether he was one of the seventy disciples it seems most probable that he was converted by St. Paul to Christianity, during the time of the latter's residence at Antioch; and it is certain that he was, for some years, his faithful companion and attached friend. In the Acts of the Apostles, when narrating the travels of St. Paul, he frequently expresses himself as if present; and it is evident that he shared in many of the Apostle's dangers, and remained with him during his imprisonment at Rome. St. Paul's Second Epistle to Timothy, written during his captivity, proves that St. Luke continued faithful to him during his misfortunes; he says, "Demas," (another of his disciples) "hath forsaken me, having loved this present world; only Luke is with me." This speaks highly in favour of St. Luke's courage and constancy; he was not, like Demas, and many others, seduced from his duty by the fear of danger or the love of the world, but, undismayed and unshaken by suffering, or temptation, firmly maintained his post against all assaults; and has thus set us an example of steady adherence to our religion and our friends. It was while in the company of St. Paul that St. Luke wrote his Gospel, which, it is supposed, received that celebrated Apostle's aid and sanction, in the same manner as St. Mark's received that of St. Peter. The Evangelist himself assures us, that he derived intelligence from those "who from the beginning had been eye-witnesses and ministers of the word;" and his Gospel, which seems particularly intended for the use of the Gentile converts, mentions several circumstances not recorded in the other three. The Acts of the Apostles may be considered as a continuation of the Gospels, giving us an inspired account of Christianity after our Saviour's ascension. The Gospels treat of the life and actions of Jesus Christ; but this succeeding history recounts the inspiration bestowed on the Apostles at the day of Pentecost, and their endeavours, after this event, to promote the knowledge of Christ among the Gentiles, (or Heathen nations.) The latter part of the Acts is con

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ST. LUKE.

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fined to the history of St. Paul, and is supposed to have been written about the year 64, at the close of his two years' imprisonment at Rome.

The writings of St. Luke show such peculiar elegance of style, that he is supposed to have received a superior education, and to have profited by the advantages which his early residence in the polished city of Antioch afforded him. Several countries, both in Asia and Africa, are named as the scene of his labours in the cause of Christianity; but we have no particular account of his ministry or death. Some say, that, after successfully preaching the Gospel in Greece, he was attacked, in the 80th year of his age, by a party of infidels, who, being anxious to put him to instant death, hanged him on an olive tree which grew near: others tell us, that, after having endured many trials for the sake of Christ, and having spared no pains, nor declined any dangers, in the performance of his duty, he died a natural death, at an advanced period of life, at Patræ, in Achaia. It is recorded that his body was removed to Constantinople, and buried in the great Church there, erected by Constantine the Great in honour of the Apostles.

In reference to his valuable compositions, he is generally represented as writing with a scroll before him, and a pen in his hand. A winged cow or ox is often placed behind him.

When we reflect how much St. Luke, and other holy authors, have contributed to our learning and improvement, by their inspired writings, we should feel grateful for their labours, and anxious to profit by the opportunities held out to us, of learning those great truths which concern our salvation. The holy Scriptures should be read and heard with attention and devotion; but this is not all we must seek to apply to ourselves the various reproofs, commands, and instructions contained therein. We should remember, "that to whom much is given, from him shall much be required;" and that we must answer before God, if we neglect the blessed means of eternal life, which are offered to us. We should also remember the danger of delay; for "the night cometh when no man can work;" when we shall all be judged according

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to the works done in the body. To those who have studied the blessed Gospel, and embraced the gracious offers of salvation by Christ, and sought to be followers of him, the night of death will be the end of trial, and a blissful rest from labour: but to those who have despised his mercies, and neglected his commands, the close of life will be the end of all hope, and the commencement of an eternity of sorrow; for no more time will be allowed to work out our salvation. Suitable to this is our Lord's admonition," Yet a little while is the light with you." "Walk while ye have light, lest darkness come upon you." Let us hasten then to follow after righteousness, and, like the good ground on which the seed fell, may we, in an honest and good heart, hear the word of God, and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

THE COLLECT.

Almighty God, who calledst Luke the physician, whose praise is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist, and physician of the soul; may it please thee, that, by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ADVANTAGES OF GOOD BRINGING UP.

(A TRUE STORY.)

In the church in London which I usually attend, I have, for a long time, observed a pew occupied by a party of young females, whose attention to the service, and propriety of manner and appearance, particularly struck me. One of them was taller than all the rest, and appeared somewhat older, but not much; and there was a family likeness amongst them, which led me to suppose they were sisters. They seemed as if they belonged to the humble class of the parishioners, though their dress was remarkably neat, and nearly the same in all, as is becoming in sis ters. There was no attempt at finery; no foolish feathers, and flowers, and flounces, and dangling curls,-but all was particularly clean. They seemed to join in the prayers with religious attention ;-and they also took a part in the sing