more servants, having already one more than had ever before been in the house. A very handsome christening frock and cap had been given by his godfather; and, except that Charles, and afterwards William, had been baptized in them, they had been kept with the greatest care, and merely shewn for their rare beauty, to any friend who asked to see them: for these things Charles had a sort of veneration; and great was his astonishment, when Catherine declared the frock to be too short, and the cap far too small for her to bear to see her child in them. You must, nevertheless, make up your mind to bear it, Catherine, for none others will I consent to buy; and in this same frock and cap shall this dear babe receive the name of her blessed grandmother. Catherine was very angry, and said so many provoking things, that Charles left the house and returned not to it before late at night. In short, it is now very evident, that Charles's happiness is at an end his wife has not the sense to see the folly of her conduct, and declares she never will give way to a husband who likes nothing but his own odd ways; and very frequent have their quarrels become, although it is little more than a year since their marriage; and the return of New Year's day must now remind poor Charles of the sad consequence of neglecting the advice of his best friend. While William, who had been careful to consult them, and had made a marriage, upon which he could safely ask the blessing of his heavenly Father, sees the return of every day with increased comfort.

And now, my young Cottage friends, the younger part of you more especially, which of these two brothers, think ye, have laid the foundations most likely to bring the happiest new year? You will of course answer, "William." Imitate him then. Remember, it is the command of Almighty God, that you honour and obey your parents. If you keep not this command, God's anger will be upon you instead of His blessing. Do you indeed desire that the new year may be a happy one? Begin it with earnest prayer that you may learn His will, and desire, above all things, to obey it. Live in a state of continual dependance on Him, and dare not to do any thing upon which you cannot ask His blessing. Accustom your

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selves constantly to remember, that, "Thou God seest me." Pray to be kept from evil thoughts, as well as evil actions. Seek to increase in faith. Search the Scriptures, and make their precepts and commands your abiding rule of conduct; so may you hope to increase in humility, as well as in a knowledge of the duty and the happiness of being a Christian in heart, as well as in name. That so you may enjoy this, and many "happy new years," is not only the wish, but the prayer of

December 7th, 1837.

A VERY SINCere and old Friend.

STANZAS FOR THE SEASON.

'TIS Christmas time, the carols are singing
Softly and sweet at the morning hour;
'Tis Christmas time, and the bells are ringing
Joyous and glad from the old grey tow'r.
'Tis Christmas time, and the crowd are wending
With gladsome mien to the house of prayer;
With grateful hearts, and with voices blending
In hymns of praise to their SAVIOUR there.
'Tis Christmas time, yet a mournful feeling
Steals o'er my heart, while those bells ring on:
How many, alas! who heard them pealing
Last Christmas time, are now dead and gone.

I sigh when I hear the kindly greeting

On Christmas morning from all around,
To think how many of those now meeting

Shall ne'er again hear that joyful sound.
Yet will I not grieve for those who are sleeping
In calm repose, mid their kindred dead ;-

I weep for those who are sadly keeping
Their anxious watch by some dying bed.

I grieve o'er many an early blighting

Of promised worth and of days to come,
O'er desolate homes, where all benighting,
The earthly light has been quench'd in gloom.
Alas! like a knell, that peal is ringing
To many a heart, which grief has broke;
Its early days and friendships bringing
Sadly back with each echoing stroke.

Ah! then, while blessings are still surrounding
Our happy paths, and our hearts are gay,
Let us thank that GOD whose love abounding,
Has spared those mercies to cheer our way.
Dec. 23, 1836.

C. M.

1838.]

ON SITTING AT CHURCH.

9

REFLECTIONS ON THE 71st PSALM.

TO THE YOUNG.

THE promises of salvation are made to those who give up all confidence in the world and in themselves, and trust in God alone. For this reason, David so often begins his prayer with declaring his stedfast faith, which is to the soul in affliction what an anchor is to a ship in distress, keeping it in safety. And happy are they who have laid hold on this anchor; they need not fear any of the storms of life; they have a sure refuge always at hand. Especially happy are they who put their trust in the Lord "from their youth up;" who live in the faith and fear of God all their lives long. Should they be cut off, as so many are, when young, they will be removed from this troublesome world to a land of perfect peace and perfect beauty; transplanted, as flowers in the bud, to bloom and ripen in paradise. And, should they live to be old, their grey hairs will be honourable, and they will be blessed with solid comfort and satisfaction in looking back upon the years in which they have walked with God, through the grace of His Holy Spirit. It is a sad thing to be looking for religion in old age, when we ought to be enjoying the comforts of it-to be sowing, when we ought to be reaping. Oh! come to God, ye young people, without delay, or you may never come at all. The world will tempt and court you; but believe it not, it is a wicked flatterer, full of deceit: promising pleasure, but ending in ruin. Would you have true pleasure, would you have true gain? Hear the words of your Saviour, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew vi. 33. -Rev J. Slade's explanation of the Psalms.

ON SITTING AT CHURCH INSTEAD OF KNEELING.

To kneel in prayer has been the custom of all ages. Even to their fellow creatures, men are apt to kneel when they ask any great favour with more than common earnestness. And no true worshipper of God will be content with any other posture, (unless he has some bodily infirmity). Many persons attempt to defend their sitting in public worship. It is folly to reason about it at all: they would not sit if their hearts were humble and full

Do they sit in their private prayers to God? When the broken hearted penitent sues for mercy, does he take his chair, or does he fall on his knees?

It is a shame, at least, to be sitting in the church, while the congregation is kneeling.

Rev. J. Slade on the 95th Ps. v. 6.

MORNING THOUGHTS.

WHEN waking from serene repose,
With mind and frame refresh'd,
By healthful sleep and peaceful dreams,
How highly am I blest.

Then let my waking thoughts arise
In grateful incense to the skies.

Thy mercy, Lord, has kept aloof
Each terror of the night;

Thy watchful care has smooth'd my couch,
And given returning light.

My evening prayer to Thee arose,
Thy goodness gave me sweet repose.

I thank Thee, Lord, in humble strain,
For gifts unnumber'd still,

And pray that, through the coming day,
I may obey Thy will.

Each gift Divine may I improve,

And thus requite my Maker's love.

Let me reflect, while I secure
From pain and danger slept :

How many struggled with disease,
Or in affliction wept ?

Then let me praise Thy name, O God,
That spar'd me yet the chastening rod.

I slept secure from storm and strife,
Lull'd by the tempest's sound,
While thousands, houseless and forlorn,
Nor peace nor shelter found.
May I Thy gracious gifts bestow
To aid the hapless sons of woe.

While I amused the wakeful hour
By playful fancy's aid,

How many, plung'd in anxious cares,
On sleepless beds are laid?

Then, when awake, may I employ

My thoughts on God, and heavenly joy.

If health and peace should be withdrawn,
('Twill be in mercy meant)

Oh! let Thy Spirit lead my mind

To patience and content!

For blessings past, I'll thank my God

And bow me to His chastening rod.

The Close of Sarum. Oct. 1837.

E.

1838.] KENSINGTON NATIONAL INFANT SCHOOLS. 11

VISITINGS OF CONSCIENCE.

THE Fort St. George Gazette (India) contains the following official announcement.-Fort St. George, 11th Dec. The accountant general has received a communication of which the following is a copy:- "Sir, the accompanying fifteen bank notes, amounting to 4,500 rupees, are sent to be placed to the credit of the government by one who is thankful for the means of restitution."

In the Gazette of the 19th is another similar announcement of the receipt of 10,000 rupees.

How seldom do people who have done a dishonest action, when they see their error, think it just and necessary to make restitution when they can; yet how many must feel that they ought to do so. D. I. E.

KENSINGTON NATIONAL INFANT SCHOOLS.

It is truly gratifying to see that the advantage of Infant Schools appears now to be so generally felt. The Infant Schools in Kensington have lately been put into union with the National Schools, and they make an excellent preparation for them, the children, on leaving the Infant School, being so far advanced as to enable them at once to receive the full benefits of the education which they will receive at the National School. The object of these Schools, and the principles upon which they are constructed, being in strict accordance with the sentiments expressed by the Lord Bishop of London, in recommendation of such institutions, their character may be best explained by transcribing part of his Lordship's Address to the Parishioners of St. Botolph's, on this subject.

"The object of this Institution is to provide for the care of the children during that portion of the day when, by the necessary avocations of the parents, they are unavoidably separated from each other; to form the children. to habits of obedience, of good order, and attention, and to give them such elementary instruction as may prepare them for entering with advantage into those schools where they may acquire useful knowledge, and be taught the great truths and duties of religion.

"It is no unimportant recommendation of such estab