A MERRY TALE OF TWO FRIARS.

Luther one day caught a sparrow, and holding it in his hand, said to it, very gravely, "Thou barefooted friar, with thy grey coat, thou art the most mischievous bird." Then addressing himself to the friends that were with him, "I could wish," said he, "that one could write a declamation on a subject that occurred at Erfurt when I was in the monastery there. It so happened," said Luther, "that a preaching friar and a barefoot * wandered at the same time into the thren, and to gather alms.

country, to beg for the breThese two coming together upon one another in their

into the same place, played sermons with unprofitable words. The barefoot, preaching first, said, 'Loving country people, and my good friends, take heed of that bird the swallow; for it is white within, but upon the back it is black; it is an evil bird, always chirping, yet profitable for nothing; and when it is angered it is altogether mad; it pricketh the kine, and when it fouleth, it maketh the people blind, as in the book of Tobit ye read thereof.' This barefoot friar here intended to paint out the preaching friars, who wear white bandillions under a black coat. Now, as in the afternoon the preaching friar came into the pulpit, he played likewise upon the barefoot, and said, 'Indeed, loving friends, I neither can nor will defend the swallow;

* A Dominican and a Franciscan. The out-door dress of the former was a black cloak and hood, over a white cassock; that of the latter was a grey cloak, and they did not wear shoes.

but the grey sparrow is a far worse and more mischievous bird than he, for he robbeth and devoureth all he can get-oats, barley, wheat, rye, apples, pears, cherries, &c.; moreover, he is a loose and licentious bird; the best thing he can do is to cry, Scrip, scrip, &c.' Herewith," said Luther, "one beggar endeavours to hinder another. A good rhetorician were here necessary, to amplify and enlarge this subject, and to explain it. But the barefoot friar ought to have painted out the preaching friar with better colours; for they are the haughtiest buzzards and most complete epicures, who go on in a particular style of pride. Again, the begging or barefoot friars, under the colour of sanctity and humility, are more proud and haughty than kings or princes, and have invented the most and greatest lies."

Luther's Table Talk.

CONSIDERING THE POOR.

It is a story told of Bishop Wilson, that on ordering a coat, he expressly charged the tailor not to make it in the fashion of the gallants of the day, and only to put in two (rows) of buttons; buttons all over being then the fashion. "My lord,” said the tailor, "what then becomes of all the button-makers?" The bishop answers, "Sayest thou so, good master Robert? Then button me all over."

Note to Passages from the Life of the

Rev. Robert Anderson.

LEONARDA DA VINCI.

This great painter appears to have worked with great difficulty. In painting the portrait of Ioconda, he expended four months; that his patience, however, might not be exhausted, he had always some musicians in the room where he was sitting.

His great work is his "Last Supper," formerly in the Dominican convent at Milan. It is reported of this picture, that the artist began with the apostles, one by one, and finished with the figure of their Divine Master; working up his imagination by degrees, till it came to its height in the principal figure. He wrote an excellent treatise on painting, which falling into the hands of Annibal Caracchi at a certain time of life, "I am sorry," said he, "that I did not meet with it sooner; it would have saved me twenty years of labour."

THE METHOD.

Poor heart, lament;

For since thy God refuseth still,

There is some rub, some discontent,

Which cools his will.

Thy Father could

Quickly effect what thou dost move;
For he is power: and sure he would,
For he is love.

Go search this thing:

Tumble thy breast. and turn thy book;
If thou hadst lost a glove or ring,
Woulst thou not look?

What do I see

Written above there? Yesterday,
I did behove me carelessly
When I did pray.

And should God's ear

To such indifferents chainéd be

Who do not their own motions hear?

Is God less free?

But stay! what's there?

Late when I would have something done,

I had a motion to forbear,

Yet I went on.

And should God's ear,

Which needs not man, be tied to those

Who hear not him, but quickly hear

His utter foes?

Then once more pray:

Down with thy knees; up with thy voice;

Seek pardon first, and God will say,

Glad heart, rejoice!

Herbert.

THE GREAT BELL OF THE UNIVERSE.

Argument from miracles for the truth of the Christian doctrines. Surely it is fair to believe that those who received from Heaven superhuman power, received likewise superhuman wisdom. Having rung the great bell of the universe, the sermon to follow must be extraordinary. Foster's Journal.

BLESSING OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE GREAT

AND WEALTHY.

Honour those ever with a double honour, that are great and godly, rich and religious; not because they are rich, but because they are so strong and excellent in grace, as to overcome such great temptations; and to be heavenly in the midst of earthly plenty, and to be faithful stewards of so much. Religious faithful princes and magistrates cannot easily be valued and honoured too much. What wonders are they in the most part of the earth! What a blessing to the people that are ruled by them! Were they not strong in faith, they could not stand fast in such a stormy place. Where is there in the world a more lively resemblance of God, than a holy prince or governor, that liveth no more to the flesh than the poorest, for all his abundance of fleshly accommodations, and that devoteth and improveth all his power, and honours, and interest, to the promoting of holiness, love, and concord?

Baxter.