"PLEASANT FLOATING." SEVERAL years since, three stu- the shore. But, alas, it was too late! The current was too strong; he cried for help, but no help could now reach him. His mind was filled with anguish, and just as he reached the fearful precipice, he threw himself up, with arms extended, gave an unearthly shriek, and then was plunged into the boiling abyss below! How striking an illustration of the conduct and final ruin of thousands of immortal souls, who are floating thoughtlessly on the stream of life, toward the gulf of dark despair. They are warned and entreated with tears, by alarmed and faithful friends. But they float on, mocking the fears of those who love them most, till too late to awake to their danger, and see just beneath them the gulf of eternal ruin. THE AGREEMENT OF PROFESSION AND PRACTICE. How is it that there is too often perceived, amongst the members of a Christian family, a great want of that communion which one would expect to find amongst those who love the same Saviour, who desire the same holiness, and who look forward to the same glory? Here are themes for conversation which would be inexhaustible, topics which would never fail to interest, subjects which ought to fill the heart with joy, and the mouth with praise. They produced this effect upon David, for he said, "My tongue shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long." "I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart. I have declared thy faithfulness, and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy loving kindness and thy truth from the great congregation. And again, "I will declare thy name unto my brethren." He also describes himself as in company with a friend with whom he was in the habit of holding sweet counsel together on spiritual matters. And yet, very often, it is to be feared, that relatives meet at, if a disinclination is felt, on the part of those who have been indulging in them, immediately afterwards to commence a conversation on deeply reli be such a manifest inconsistency about the whole matter, that they would feel they had better be silent, rather than, by giving expression to what may really be the desires and feelings of their heart, lay themselves open to the charge of contradicting by their practice, what they profess with their lips. in this world for social inter-gious subjects. There would course, whilst Christian communion is not enjoyed or entered into by them as it should be. Indeed, there sometimes seems to be a shyness, and a shrinking from it. Now conduct such as this argues a wrong state of things amongst any class of persons, but more especially amongst the members of a Christian family. Are there not some who, whilst reading this, can recall seasons of intercourse with their relatives, when God's dealings towards them His loving-kindness, his faithfulness, the love of a Saviour-his sacrifice-his perfection, the growth of grace in their own souls,-formed but a very small part of their conversations together, though perhaps other topics frequently failed or became exhausted. Now it surely cannot be amiss, if such be the case, to examine into the causes which have led to this very decided defect. And may not one chief cause lie here? Persons dwelling together under the same roof, are brought into such close and continual contact with each other, that every action and word is observable; perhaps inconsistencies and failures in Christian duty and conduct are remarked-perhaps hasty tempers are given way to-it may be sharp words are uttered. Now, with the remembrance of these things fresh in the mind, it is not to be wondered Reader, are you conscious that such a reason as this has ere now caused you to shut your mouth, and to refrain from conversing with those near and dear to you, on subjects which possess a real interest for you, and which, but for this one reason, you would delight in entering upon with them? If so, you will be ready to admit, that things are not as they should be in this matter, and you will surely be anxious to apply a remedy. Well, it lies in your own hands; and if you use it in dependence upon God's help, you will find your difficulties vanish, and that which before was hard, and almost impossible to you, will become easy. First then, seek clearly to know what are your failings and inconsistencies which cause you trouble, and which put a stumbling-block in the way of those amongst whom God has placed you. Is it a hasty, unloving temper, which leads you to be easily provoked, soon annoyed, readily offended? If so, then try diligently to subdue it; watch against it with continual and persevering effort; look upon every temptation to give way to it as an opportunity sent to you by God of gaining a victory over it. If you do this, you will find that your power over it increases, whilst its power over you declines. those of eternity. By faith realize, more and more, the presence of your Saviour-study his character, observe what are his wishes with respect to your soul, and seek for the same mind that was in Him. When your failings and sins are thus being struggled with, and by God's help gradually overcome, and when holiness is daily increasing and growing in your soul, your former difficulty of bringing forward, or taking part in, religious conversation, amongst your home circle, will greatly disappear. All will take notice of you, that you have been with Jesus, Or is it a selfish spirit which harrasses you, and annoys and inconveniences those around you? Resolve that, from henceforth, you will in no single instance "please yourself," when by doing so you displease others. Resolve that you will, with God's help, mor-learning of him meekness, tify your own wishes, if the humility, patience, gentleness, gratification of them would in- and love. All will see, that it terfere with the good or com- is your desire to attend to the fort of others, and be ever on little, as well as to the great the look out to anticipate the things in religion, to be perfect wishes of others. Seek, by all in the minute points of Chrismeans, to expel your selfish tian conduct, looking upon nospirit, and to cultivate that thing as little which increases spirit which "looks not on its the glory of God, or the holiown things, but also on the ness of your own character, things of others." but striving to have more of the mind of Christ in every thing. "Your moderation will be known unto all;" then your words will be received more readily, and will come with more weight to all. They will see that your practice and your profession do not disagree, and it may be, and will be, with God's blessing, that, admiring the holy consistency and purity of your walk and conversation, they will be led to follow your example, and to go and do likewise. Or is it a light and trifling spirit which distresses you, and is unbecoming to you as a professed follower of Christ? Whatever your failing be, find it out, wage war against it, and do not rest satisfied till you have overcome it. Then, by meditation, faith, and prayer, and by the continual exercise of all Christian graces and virtues, seek for a more spiritual mind; endeavour to be less absorbed with the things of time, but more with M. M. CHRISTIAN COURAGE. Who is it that shall be the boldest and the most fearless man? Surely he whose soul is safe with his God, and who therefore would not fear what man can do to him. To him sudden death is sudden glory. While he lives, he lives with Christ; and when he dies, he goes to be for ever with Christ. Surely such a man must not fear death. Hear the testimony of the correspondent of the Times newspaper in China. Speaking of an officer out there, who fell in the assault upon Canton, he says: "A storm of balls and rockets from the wall were being hurled all around this spot, and no one could cross the foot-way to the village, without imminent danger. It was necessary, however, that some one should cross that open path of death, and look down into the ditch, to see where the best point for placing the ladders would be. Captain Bate at once volunteered to go, and Captain Mann accompanied him. Bate was one of the most scientific of our naval surveying service; a right good officer, and a popular commander. He was, moreover, an eminently religious man. My pluck,' I once heard a very gallant officer say, some weeks before this event,-'My pluck is quite a different thing from Bates'. I go ahead because I never think of danger; Bate is always ready for desperate service; he is always prepared for death.' "Bate had ran across the open patch of ground, and was looking down into the ditch, when a shot traversed his body, and the stricken man never spoke again." PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. YOUNG Christians are often embarrassed to pray, because they think, if they begin, they must make a long prayer, and spend at least some minutes in the exercise. But prayer is not a form of words: "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, Unuttered or expressed." It is not necessary, then, to pray aloud. He need not even move his lips. He may pray by a look turned toward heaven. Persons in great peril, in deadly battles, or in danger of ship wrecks, often find their spirits composed by one moment's lifting their thoughts to the Giver of life. Such prayer can be offered anywhere, as well in company as alone. Whenever a Christian is exposed to sudden temptationwhen, in company, he finds himself going too far, that he is running into frivolity or scandal, let him stop one moment, let him keep silence, and think how God looks on such ascene. When tempted to speak evil of a neighbour, let him pause, and say within himself, "God, deliver me from envy, and hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness." When about the house, a sister or daughter finds that she is growing fretful with many domestic cares, let her sit down at once, and try to calm her mind, and pray to God to forgive her, and to compose her fevered, fluttering spirit. Thus may she preserve the sweetness of a Christian temper all the day. Indeed, one of the best rules, as to times of devotion, is to pray whenever the heart feels the need of prayer. When it is so full of joy that it overflows with happiness, let it be lifted in gratitude to the Creator. When gladness wings the hour, do not forget to whose kindness you owe all. And when the heart is heavy and oppressed, go to God for consolation and relief. When wounded by the ingratitude or treachery of men, bury your weeping face in his bosom. In every hour of danger and distress-when weighed down by poverty or sickness-when, deserted by the world, you are ready to cry out in the bitterness of your soul, that all things are against you,-pray. When standing over the dead body of a friend, when at every turn you miss some familiar face, when your spirit is 66 haunted by a tone -pray. Especially when bowed with a sense of guilt to God for forgiveness. We say, then, to any man, If you wish to be a Christian,-pray. This is the first step to take. And when it is announced of you, as of Saul, "Behold he prayeth!" it will be the signal to heaven that the work of salvation is begun. Pray, then, without ceasing. At all times, in all circumstances, commune with God. When the morning sun first shines in at your window, waking you to a fresh existence, raise your opened eyes to heaven. When the sun, sinking in the west, tells you that another day has joined the past eternity, drop your head in silent prayer. When the clock tolls the hour of midnight, fall on your knees before your Creator. Long as you live,-pray. And in your last hour on earth, let your lips still murmur words of prayer: and when those lips cease to move, then shall we know that at last life's long prayer is accomplished. ROBERT FLOCKHART. ROBERT FLOCKHART was born near Glasgow, in 1777. Early in life, he enlisted, and was sent to India, where he shared in many battles and hardships. He once passed through Delhi in pursuit of Holkar, a rebel chief, who, after being chased |