fering, of disappointment, and sorrow; corporeal infirmities, mental anguish, repeated misfortunes, and departed friends; these have thrown their sad and mournful colouring over the circling months of the departed year. But in the spirit of that Book which alone contains perfect wisdom, "Behold we count them happy that endure!" And if our afflictions (however painful) which come on an errand of mercy, but make us humble before God, and wise unto salvation, their memory will be bright in the page of time, and their record glorious in the volume of eternity.

The Christian is more concerned about his character than about his condition. He mourns at the remembrance of his sins, more than at the recollection of his sufferings; and is learning, "in whatsoever state he is, therewith to be content." The trees of righteousness tremble lest they should" be cumberers of the ground;" for they are aware that every branch in the living vine is a fruitful bough; and they can unite in the sentiment of the quaint but pious Herbert,

"O that I were an orange tree, That busy plant!

Then should I ever laden be,

And never want

Some fruit for him that dressed me." Ye disciples of Christ! you owe it to his intercession that you are spared to enter upon another year, and if ye "bring forth fruit, well." Let us devote it to him whose gift it is; and let his grace sanctify that life which is the purchase of his blood! It is not an easy thing to be a Christian. A great work is before us, and our sufficiency is only of God. We have to keep our "hearts with all diligence;" to make " a covenant with our eyes; to set " a watch at the door of our lips: " to "walk circumspectly; to "make our calling and election sure;' to obtain and to preserve our title to the heavenly inheritance; to get our evidences for heaven sealed, and to keep them so

"

clear from blots that they may be read with ease and pleasure. We have to "resist the devil," to conquer the world, and to subdue ourselves. To attain to such a degree of spirituality as not to endure willingly the impurity of a dream, nor to allow so much anger in ourselves as would ruffle and disturb a child.”

Under what obligations are we laid to others? To our Families, to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. To the Churches, of which we are members. To our Pastors, to pray for them, and

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to esteem, them very highly in love. for their works' sake." To our Brethren, "to provoke them to love and to good works." To the World, "to pray for all men," and to feel the obligation arising from our prayers "to do good unto all men, as we have opportunity, and especially to those of the household of faith."

Ye misters of the Gospel who, on reviewing the labours of the past year, mourn that they have not been more successful, rouse all the powers of your minds in your sacred work, and be instant in prayer, that the new year may be the year of Christ's redeemed. Let every sermon be delivered under the deep impression that you preach for eternity; let the salvation of souls and the glory of Christ be your constant aim; let his bright white throne be ever in your view, and the wonders of his cross be your ever glorious theme. Consider, that before another year shall lift its head from the ashes of the present, many of your people will have sickened in disease and languished in pain, and be then mouldering in the tomb. Because their time is short, let your labours and prayers be unceasing ; and let all the churches know and deeply feel, that comparatively little has been done to fulfil the purpose of the Saviour's heart, and to obey his wise and gracious commands. The field of labour to Christian benevolence and zeal is the world; but what im

mense tracts of country present only a moral waste, a fearful desolation. From millions that were made after the image of God, at this moment dwelling on the earth, the great Supreme has received no tribute of homage, no revenues of glory, and they are every moment crowding the gates of death and passing onwards to eternity, where there is no escape from ruin, no redemption for the soul. It is a mournful fact, that there is not an evil passion of our nature, however mean or vile, nor a human pursuit, however debasing and destructive, nor a mode of false religion, however obscure and cruel, but can boast of more votaries, greater treasures, and more costly sacrifices than ever were consecrated to the Redeemer by those who wear his name and whom he died to save. Let those who have wealth consider this, and pour larger supplies into the treasury of Christian benevolence. Let all the saints "Come to the help of the Lord against the mighty;" "young men and maidens, old men and children." Let" prayer be made for Him continually," that "his enemies may be clothed with shame, and that upon himself the crown may flourish." Give him no rest, and seek no rest yourselves, until your labours are finished, your prayers are answered, your wishes crowned; until superstition is universally attainted and the altars of idolatry are overthrown; and when every knee is bending before him, and every heart is glowing with his love, and every tongue is uniting in his praise, when universal righteousness, peace, and joy, proclaim the kingdom of God, then may we join in the shout of triumph, "Behold the tabernacle of God is with men." Let the young, especially, mark the successive periods of time, and "Remember their Creator in the days of their youth." They are seriously invited to mark the example of one who thus speaks on the commencement of

* A son of the Rev. Dr. Bogue.

"I have

the last year of his life. been enabled to conclude one, and to begin another year of life, in a manner different from any former one; to take a final leave of one by self-examination, and to enter on the other by dedicating myself afresh to God, by resolving, through his grace, to live in future more devoted to him, to seek more conformity to his image, more hatred to sin, more watchfulness against temptations, more reliance on him for strength to resist Satan, more sanctity in heart, speech, and behaviour, more spirituality in divine ordinances, more blamelessness in life and charity towards my fellow-creatures, more zeal for Christ's glory, and more meetness for heaven.

This which I am commencing may probably be the last year I shall spend on earth. O may it be the best! may it be a year to be remembered with joy through eternity!"

R. I. D. H. C.

ADVICE TO PARENTS. NOTHING is more desirable, nothing more attractive and lovely, than domestic peace; yet it is seldom considered how closely this blessing is connected with personal piety. Even those who have acquired tolerably accurate ideas of Christian doctrine, or the grand principles of religion, áre too generally but little acquainted with the admirable manner in which relative duties are opened and enforced throughout the New Testament. "If any provide not for his own, especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." With a reference to this passage, let me here offer a few hints of advice to Parents.

You are called to provide for the temporal support and comfort of your offspring. During the helpless years of infancy and childhood they are entirely dependent; and to whom shall they look for such things as are necessary but to you ? At your hands they claim food and raiment ;

in your habitation rest, maintenance, and protection. Now, in providing for them, be careful to avoid the opposite extremes of parsimony and excessive indulgence. Neither pamper their appetites, nor tie them down to the coarsest and most pernicious fare; neither be lavish in their dress, to foster vanity; nor mean, to render them slovenly and negligent. Many bitterly complain of the difficulty of bringing up and maintaining their children. In some cases good ground exists for such complaints; but in far the greatest number of instances, it will be found to arise from some mismanagement, from erroneous notions or culpable habits. Now, in making temporal provision for a family, these three things, industry, prudence, and frugality, are absolutely necessary.

Be sure you banish Idleness. It is the parent and nurse of the most loathsome and disgusting vices. Away with it. Give it not a pillow, nor a place, nor a single moment's encouragement in your house. "Diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." If this passage is not written as a motto on your walls, let all read it in your plans, and movements, and exertions.

Another important virtue in domestic life is Prudence. Without this you may be all activity, and hurry, and bustle, yet dispatch nothing in the time and manner that it ought to be done. Guide your affairs with discretion. Let every one know and keep his proper post. The effect of a system well regulated and preserved, will be order, harmony, concert, consistency, strength, and prosperity. Let your actions speak more plainly and forcibly than your words, and your words go more by weight than by number.

The third virtue to be recommended is Frugality. Income and expenses are to be fairly adjusted to each other. There is a proverb, "That industry will make a man a purse, and frugality will find him strings for

it." Check the first beginnings of extravagance in your children, in your servants, in all over whom you have either authority or influence. While charity is to be practised and encouraged, see that there be no waste in any part of your dwelling; but remember his words who said to his disciples, "Gather up the frag. ments, that nothing be lost."

But remember you are called and bound to provide for the spiritual wants of your children. They are not only to be lodged, and clothed, and fed, but also to be warned, admonished, and taught. We see many parents exceedingly anxious to rake together a mass of sordid pelf for their families, who are utterly regard less of their best interests. They have wardrobes and well-stored tables, to adorn and regale the mortal part, but they have no concern to supply food, and furniture, and permanent ornaments for the immortal soul.

Think of the importance and value of a good education. Let it be begun early, and conducted with steadiness and perseverance. Far more is to be done at home than at any school. Provide your children the best means of improvement within your reach, and carefully watch over the use of them. Furnish them with valuable books, and let the first place be given to that treasure of truth, the Bible. Take your children to the house of God, teach them to hallow the Sabbath, to reverence and obey the divine commands.

The dictates of nature require you to provide for your own. By a neglect of this, you were worse than infidels, worse than beasts, a sort of monsters in the world.

The commands of God require you to provide for your own, and every part of Scripture turns your attention to the great concerns of eternity. The body is but the casket, the soul is the jewel. "Train up a child while he is young in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from

it. And ye, fathers, provoke not your

SWEARING.

Your personal comfort requires you to provide for your own. What peace or enjoyment can you expect if these duties are neglected. With out industry and order, prudence and piety, your family will be a cage of unclean birds, a nest of vipers, a den of wild beasts.

Do not, however, expect to do all that is here enjoined by your own wisdoni or worthiness, your native strength, your good purposes and plans, your strict rules and strenuous efforts. There must be a new heart and a right spirit; sincere vital godliness is absolutely needful. This is the root, the pith, the very core of the matter. To train your children in religion, you must know and feel and exemplify the doctrines of Christ. You must commit yourselves and your offspring wholly to Jesus. the Saviour. Oh, search the Scriptures; wait and daily pray for the guidance and grace of the holy Spirit; set the brightest examples, too, before your eyes, and imitate them. Can domestic piety be seen without being loved and desired? How it shelters and shades that dear spot, our home! how it times and tempers all the movements, cares, and concerns of a family! how it softens and supports adversity, gilds and refines prosperity!" Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head of Aaron, that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zien for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

VOLENS B.

Hint to Church-Builders.

WHEN Sir Christopher Wren was building St Paul's Cathedral, he caused the following Notice to be affixed to several parts of the structure; and we would recommend the adoption of it, at the present time, in all cases of Church-building.

others that ungodly custom of swearing "Whereas, among Labourers and is too frequently heard, to the dishonour of God and contempt of authority; and, to the end that such impiety may be utterly banished from these works, which the honour of religion, it is ORDERED, are intended for the service of God and that profane swearing shall be a sufficient crime to dismiss any labourer that comes to the call; and the Clerk of the Works, upon sufficient proof, shall dismiss them accordingly and that if any Master, working by task, shall not, upon admonition, reform the profanation among his Apprentices, Servants, and Labourers, shall be liable to be censured by the it shall be construed his fault, and he Commissioners."

:

DIVIE BETHUNE. Esq. From the New York Observer. DIVIE BETHUNE was born April 4th, A.D. 1771, in the town of Dingwall, the capital of Ross-shire, in Scotland. His parents were both pious. His father was by profession a physician; a magistrate of Dingwall, and an elder in the established church of Scotland. He trained up his children in habits of piety, and poured instruction on their minds, more in the persuasive accents of a friend than with the authority of a father. In this his son resembled him much.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest of four children who reached maturity, and was designed by his father for the ministry; but his father dying when he was only 14 years of age, the plan was relinquished. He pursued his education,, however, and improved his mind by general reading until the age of 18 years. Not wishing to be burdensome to his mother and sisters, and following the example of Highland youths, he determined to seek independence in a foreign country. He parted with his mother and sisters in the year 1789. His mother has been often heard to say, that it was the first time he had ever cost her a pang. His destination was the island of Tobago, where his only brother, eleven years older than himself, practised medicine. Dr. Bethune, on the arrival of his brother, immediately looked out a situation for him on an estate as overseer, in the prospect of his becoming a planter; but the Lord had purposes of mercy towards him, and inclined the heart of a gentleman to procure him a situation in a counting-house, which he much preferred. To this period of his life, Mr. Bethune often looked back with thankfulness, not only that he had never been permitted to traffic in human flesh, but that restraining grace had prevented him from running to the same excess of riot and dissipation, as his companions around him, thirteen of whom were consigned to an early grave, during two years that he remained on the island. He, however, was seized with the fever

of the climate, which so debilitated him that his brother sent him to this country for the restoration of his health. He spent some months in Portsmouth, NewHampshire. The similarity of manners to those of his native country, and the comparative innocence of the habits of the people, made him return to Tobago with reluctance. He wrote a letter to his mother giving an account of the different state of society in the two countries, which soon brought a command to quit the island, and either return to Scotland, or remove to the United States, where he would be under the sound of the gospel, and would not be required to profane the Sabbath, which he was compelled to do in Tobago, it being the greatest day of sale. His brother used every endeavour to prevent him from leaving the island. The gentleman in whose employ he was, offered him partnership at the end of another year provided he would remain.

Mr. Bethune arrived in Portsmouth some time in 1792, and immediately set out for this city. Although he was not at that time decidedly religious, yet he was seriously exercised and felt a horror of profanity and vice. He had been the subject of religious impressions from a very early period in life. As early as at 9 years of age, he was visited with convictions produced by means of a severe fit of sickness, which, however wore away when he returned to health, but not without leaving a tenderness of conscience which served to guard him against many of the snares and vices of youth. His situation as a stranger in a strange land, would naturally induce very serious reflections in the mind of one whose heart had not been altogether corrupted by sinful attachments. Accordingly, such was the effect which it had upon him, and so strong and deep were the impressions which by this means it pleased the Spirit of God to make on his mind, that while waiting for the stage at Norwalk, (Conn.) on the Sabbath, he wandered along the banks of a stream into a wood; he felt himself indeed a stranger in a strange land;