6

former is perfect freedom,' and the latter, a crown of glory that fadeth not away.' For fourteen days and nights was the little vessel driven up and down, unable to make land; the extreme ignorance of the nations, at that time, of nautical affairs, increased the danger, and the ship having become quite unmanageable, the sailors felt that as they got into shallow water, all they could do was to throw four anchors out of the stern and wish for the day.' (Verse 29.) At last it dawned, the long wished-for land was near, but what it was they knew not,―neither could they depend upon meeting with friends in the inhabitants. The sailors, caring only for themselves, determined to leave the vessel and seek their own safety; but no, they were yet to use the means, the salvation of the passengers was to be of God, but the ship was not to be forsaken until he permitted it. To prevent, therefore, the men quitting it, 'the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, into which they were going, and let her fall off,' (Verse 32.) And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some meat . . . and he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all:

and when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast the wheat into the sea.' (Verses 33-38.) By this time, the day fully dawned, and they were able to see their way; but no sooner had they made towards shore, than they grounded in a place where there were opposite currents; consequently the vessel, unable to bear the continual dashing of the sea over her, gave way and divided. Now the hour for quitting her was come, 276 souls must commit themselves to the deep. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners, lest any might escape, but Julius, for Paul's sake, prevented this; he could not act with such cruelty before one who had spoken and acted as the Apostle; and therefore he determined to run the risk of losing his prisoners, rather than have a man he so justly admired sustain the slightest injury. Thus, as God saved all in the ship for Paul's sake, so does the centurion act likewise. And is no lesson to be learnt from this? was this fact recorded merely for the sake of its historical interest? Oh, no! it speaks to you, my hearers, and to all, for it is mentioned for our encouragement, that as we are told that 'one sinner destroyeth much good,' (Eccles. ix. 18,) so here we are enabled to see what a blessing the true servant of God is, wherever he may go, and with

whomsoever he may associate; his words, his actions, his conscientious discharge of relative duties, his uprightness in worldly transactions, his faith, his unselfish conduct, render him an example to others; and it has not unseldom happened that a holy consistency has been the means employed by God for persons, hitherto careless, being led to consider their own ways, see their deficiency, and ask for grace to enable them to do better for the time to come. May it be thus with you, that in all things you may be Christians, not in name only, but in spirit and in truth.

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.

THE

NEW TESTAMENT HISTORIES.

AMONGST the numerous persons assembled and assembling at the Court, our friend Hyford, on the present occasion, was one of the first. His brow was ruffled, and it was easy to see he was not well pleased: he occupied his usual place, his hat on the floor at his feet, and his head resting on his hands, which were supported by a well polished stout oak stick, rather of club dimensions, and which had upheld the steps of the sturdy yeoman for the last few years. He appeared deep in thought, and it was not until his favourite, Mr. Lawrence, arrived, that he seemed to care to look about him. That gentleman always sat close to him, and thoroughly enjoyed his original remarks, united with sound piety and practical experience. He soon perceived that all was not right, but he waited until the old man would choose to give utterance to his feelings. At last, rather to his astonishment, he abruptly said, "Mr. Lawrence, I don't like this

day."

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Why not?" replied Mr. Lawrence; "it is very fine, the air is delightful, all nature looks cheerful, and why should you quarrel with it, my good friend?"

"Oh!" returned Hyford, "the day itself is well enough; I do not speak of that; but is not this our last day here? have we not come to the end of our chapters? I told Mr. C long ago he was bundling them up too fast, and that they would be finished too soon, and I was right; I looked into the book before I started from home, and I saw that the Acts of the Apostles contain only twenty-eight chapters, and so we have come to the end, and I am sorry, very sorry. It has been very pleasant to

me, Mr. Lawrence, to hear Mr. C treat so fully on the life and actions of Jesus; to listen to his entreaties that we should be his disciples, and follow him even as the apostles did; and now it is all at an end, and our pleasant meetings will cease," added the old man with a sorrowful voice, which proved the sincerity of his regrets.

"I hope not," replied Mr. Lawrence, "it may be Mr. C- will take another subject; the Bible, you know, is an inexhaustible mine. Besides, you hear him constantly on the Old Testament Histories, so I think you may be satisfied, for after all we must not exact too much of him. But here he comes to answer for himself."

The worthy pastor entered the room, and went to his table; he looked round with an affectionate smile upon his friends, saying, "The goodness of God has spared us to see on this day the completion of our New Testament Histories; if any good has been done, or any knowledge in divine things increased, to Him alone be the praise who has sent me to labour amongst you, and put his words into my mouth, enabling me to speak a word in season on his behalf."

"But are our pleasant meetings to be at an end, Mr. C?" said Mrs. Basil.

if

"That shall be as you please," replied Mr. C—; "I am ever ready to act as you wish me, and in such a way as may promote the Divine glory and your advantage. I am not my own, but your servant, for Jesus' sake; and you wish me to continue our meetings, you must yourselves furnish me with a subject. You are aware I have carefully gone through the Gospels, first noticing the parables, next the events of the Saviour's life, and lastly, the Acts of the Apostles, as written by St. Luke, so as to give us the first part of the history of the Church of Christ, after the ascension of her Lord and Master into heaven. With our chapter of to-day we conclude the account handed down to us in the pages of inspiration : from that period we must seek into volumes still extant, wherein the narrative is continued, and whereby we may carry it on even to the present time. But with that we have nothing to do here, though the many accounts written by various excellent and learned men are deeply interesting and instructive.* On the Old Testament Histories I cannot enter; with that I am engaged with a

*For instance, Milner's Church History, Mosheim's Eccles. History, &c.