MR. EDITOR, ROSES. ON reading the article on roses in page 263 of your number for August, I went out to my gardener to ask him what he says to the Cottager's Monthly Visitor about transplanting the rose trees every three years. He disputes it, and almost denies it. 1838.] ROSES. 343 Does V. know, or has he ever heard, that myrtle poisons every other shrub planted near it? Your constant reader, R. G. No. We never heard of this destructive power of the myrtle. As to the advantage, or disadvantage, of transplanting roses once in three years, we have, ourselves, had no experience, and consequently can decide nothing on the subject. We extracted the recommendation from an article on Gardening in a periodical work. Certainly trees do not generally gain strength by being frequently removed. And poor Richard in his Almanack advises his friends to be steady and settled, taking warning from the ill effect that frequent removal has upon trees. "I never knew an oft removed tree, "That throve so fast as those that settled be." It is, however, possible, that, though the strength and size of the rose tree may not be improved by being transplanted, but on the contrary, may be checked and weakened, yet still the flowers produced may become finer. We do not know that this is the case; but, in these days, when there are so many horticultural shows, and where cottagers and others put forth their best exertions to produce a fine flower, it is possible that many experiments have been made, and that the advice given may have. been the result of experience. Whilst we are upon this subject, we cannot help expressing our gratification at finding the interest that is excited among all classes as to the cultivation of gardens, and the culture of fruits and flowers. We ourselves have lately seen a beautiful display of dahliahs, carnations, and other flowers, both from the green-house and the garden. Some of the prizes were gained by gentlemen's gardeners; and others by the class of persons who might be called Cottagers. The pleasure which a garden gives, often keeps a person out of bad and expensive company, and turns the mind from the pursuit of much that is coarse, and cruel, and mischievous. We always rejoice in seeing a cottager fond of his garden; and we generally find that, by it, he is drawn from those vulgar and ruinous habits which disgrace so many of those persons who know not how to employ their leisure hours in any thing that is useful_and peaceful. V. RELIGIOUS REFLECTIONS. (SELECTED.) How few ingenuously confess their own sin! They see not their guilt. They are continually making excuses for their crimes; the strength and subtilty of the tempter, the natural weakness of their own minds, the unfavourable circumstances in which they were placed, and other such things, all pleaded as excuses for their sins;-and thus the possibility of repentance is shut out; for_till_a man take his sin to himself, till he acknowledge that he is guilty, he cannot be humbled, and consequently cannot be saved. Reader, till thou accuse thyself, and feel that thou art responsible for all thine iniquities, there is no hope of thy salvation. As Abram left his own country, father's house, and kindred, took, at the command of God, a journey to the promised land, nor ceased till he arrived in it', so should we cast aside every weight, come out from the workers of iniquity, set out for the kingdom of God, nor ever rest till we reach the heavenly country. How many set out for the kingdom of heaven, make good progress for a time in their journey, but halt before the race is finished! Not so with Abram; "he went forth to go into the land of Canaan, and into the land of Canaan he came." Reader, go thou and do likewise. The religion of the Bible recommends and inculcates orderly behaviour, as well as purity of heart and life. They who, under the sanction of religion, trample under foot the decent forms of civil respect, supposing, that, because they are religious they have a right to be rude, totally mistake the spirit of Christianity: for "love," or charity," (the soul and essence of that religion) “ behaveth not itself unseemly." 1 Genesis xii. 5. 1838.] THE PROmise of comfort to GOD'S PEOPLE. 345 How are we to get the pardon of our sins? The prophet tells us', 1. Let us examine ourselves. 2. Let us turn again unto the Lord. 3. Let us lift up our hearts; let us make fervent prayer and supplication for mercy. 4. Let us lift up our hands; let us solemnly promise to be His, and bind ourselves in a covenant to be the Lord's only: so much "lifting up the hand to God" implies. Day and night proclaim the mercy and compassion of God. Who could exist throughout the day, if there were not a continual superintending Providence? Who could be preserved in the night, if the watchman of Israel ever slumbered or slept? It is no pleasure to God to afflict men. He takes no delight in our pain and misery; yet, like a tender and intelligent parent, He uses the rod, not to gratify Himself, but to profit and save us. God never afflicts us but for our good; nor chastises, but that we may be partakers of His holiness. If a child be brought up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord, we have both reason and revelation to encourage us to expect a godly and useful life. Where religious education is neglected, alas! what fruits of righteousness can be expected? An uncultivated soul is like an uncultivated field, all overgrown with briars, thorns, and thistles. Holiness is the only happiness of man: yea, afflicted holiness is infinitely to be preferred to prosperous wicked ness. G. B. THE PROMISE OF COMFORT TO GOD'S PEOPLE. THERE is a sure support and comfort for the people of God let us ever seek for this; it will sustain and defend us in every difficulty. We have a sure promise that our prayers will be heard, and that we shall obtain the help we seek for, if we are among the number of those faithful ones to whom the promise is held out. The promise is to "God's people;" 'Lam. iii. 40. the comfort is for them. "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith the Lord." How deeply then it concerns us to know who are "God's people!" How all-important it is for us to be sure that we are among that number! "The Lord knoweth them that are his," assuredly. But shall we argue, from thence, that it is useless for us to strive, or to watch, or to pray; for that we cannot alter God's decree? To argue thus, would be indeed to apply a Divine truth to a purpose for which it never was intended, and to pervert it to our own destruction. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." Here is a mark by which Christ's people are to be known: they depart from iniquity; and their souls are devoted to the service of God: and it is through God's grace that they are thus made His people, and that they belong to His fold. But this grace is promised to every one who earnestly seeks it; to every one who comes to Christ in real repentance and true faith, trusting their whole hopes of salvation to His merits, and sincerely desiring and striving to depart from iniquity, and to be zealous and earnest in the service of God. But perhaps we say that we are God's people because we have been admitted into the fold of Christ by baptism. We have great reason, indeed, to be thankful that we are born in a land where the Gospel of Christ is known, and that we have, in our infancy, been dedicated to Him. But there is another question, How are we living now? Are we living up to the vows which are upon us? Have we now the mark which distinguishes the people of Christ? Are we opposed to all ungodliness, and are we daily seeking to grow in grace, and to make progress in godliness? Are we advancing towards heaven? Are we fighting manfully against our spiritual enemies, our sins, our corruptions? Are we now Christ's faithful soldiers and servants? Do we love those who love Him; and, in the company of the faithful, are we seeking to gain the victory over sin, the world, and the devil? Are we thus on the Lord's side," thus His people? Is it so with you, my readers? Then God is with you, and you shall be made more than conquerors through Him that loved 66 you. V. |