God's people now; but, truly, they are of as many minds as there are points in the compass, and we seldom meet with two folks that think alike."

"And why is this, think you, Master Hyford?" said Mr. Basil.

"I do not exactly know, sir," said Hyford; "but I fancy it is because they forget to look at their map to the heavenly country; they keep it in their pockets, and satisfy themselves too much with the opinions and directions of others, and the consequence is, one says one thing, and another something else, and so all get wrong together.' "That the simple Bible is not sufficiently heeded, I perfectly agree with you," said Mr. C; "instead of reading that Holy Book as children feeling their need of direction, men are too apt to make their interpretation of its truths agree with their own preconceived opinions; hence one person interprets a text one way, another, perhaps, totally different, and instead of seeking the teaching of the Lord the Spirit, who alone can unfold its hidden meaning, and thus instruct them both, they begin to dispute and quarrel, and forget they are members of the same family, and branches of the same living Vine. 'Union is strength,' and were Christians to forget the petty differences that subsist between them, and with one heart and one mind unite against every error that is opposed to the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus, how different would be the religious state of our country. If, instead of Churchmen being jealous of Dissenters, and Dissenters of Churchmen, all should unite in the one glorious object of spreading the Gospel, and enforcing its precepts by their example, how would the love and harmony of heaven be anticipated! for surely there are no lines of demarcation drawn to divide one class of believers from another there, but all are one in Christ Jesus.

"The union mentioned in our chapter," continued Mr. C- "soon met with a rupture. Human nature will bring forwards its corruptions, which, though kept under by grace, are never destroyed or cast out as long as we are in the body. We find St. Paul rebuking his Corinthian converts for the very error I have just been speaking of. One declared himself a follower of Paul, another of Apollos, another of Cephas, or Peter, and another of Christ. (1 Cor. i. 12.) And this called forth his just indignation, for, says he, 'Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you?' Oh! my friends, what folly it is!

it is like the children of a large family all pulling different ways, (and we know the consequence of that,) or a nation setting up for itself an infinite variety of leaders, professing to follow one supreme head, but, in fact, all trying to oppose each other, and thus destroying the importance and power of the kingdom at large. Would that it were said of us as of the primitive disciples,-'Behold how these Christians love one another.' Be persuaded to bring every doctrine, every difficulty, to the test of the Bible. What doth God say?' let this be your constant inquiry, and then I need not fear for you, for all will go well both for time and eternity. While the multitude of the disci- ́ ples were thus united by a bond of love and harmony such as never has since existed, they showed it also in their liberality one towards the other, 'for none said that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.' (Verse 32.) "Do you think, Mr. C

said Mr. Martin, "that

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this is recorded for our imitation ?" "I do not," replied Mr. C-- ; we must consider the state of the church at this time; it was in its infancy, its members had all been converted from the darkness of heathenism or Jewish error, and the days of persecution were at hand. Thus did God provide for the coming trials of his people, that by equalizing their possessions the poor members should not fall away by reason of their poverty, or the rich be led astray by their worldly goods, but each assisting the other, should become a mutual benefit and support. It cannot properly be taken for an example or precedent for other ages, because the state of the church, as it existed then, can never again return. Besides, many of the converts who had possessions in distant lands found them of no advantage, as they determined to remain with the Apostles. Barnabas was one of this description; his property lay in the island of Cyprus, and as he became so eminent afterwards as to be named an apostle, (see Acts xiv. 14,) of what use would his property be, when situated so distantly? We can quite understand his selling it, and bringing the money to the Apostles that they might distribute it according to their discretion amongst the poorer brethren. There was another reason, also, why this community of property was particularly appropriate. The disciples never forgot the prophecy on Mount Olivet; they knew that the awful day was fast approaching when the tribulation and wrath

their Lord had foretold should descend upon their country, and that in the universal destruction of property their's also would be swept away; by selling it, therefore, they provided for themselves and others, and became free of the cares and anxieties that would otherwise have overwhelmed them."

"How true it is," observed Mrs. Basil, "that this world's goods often cause more anxiety to Christians than they are worth.

"Too true," answered Mr. C—; "they are the thorns that continually choke the word and render it unfruitful; but the duty and wisdom of the child of God is to sit light to all earthly possessions, to cast his burdens upon the Lord, and to use the world as not abusing it, ready to give it up as soon as he receives his summons to depart and enter into the joy of his Lord. And this reminds me of a beautiful little story I remember reading, of a little boy who had the misfortune to lose his mother, whom he fondly loved. He had visited the chamber where she lay as a corpse, and upon seeing his playthings scattered about, he exclaimed, 'Who will have them? I want them no longer, for I am going to my mother in heaven.' And does not every departing Christian say the same? When he feels his time is at hand, and the desire of his soul about to be realized, he says of all sublunary things, Who will have them? they have long ceased to be valuable in my eyes, and now they are worthless, for I am going to my Father in heaven.'

"What an effect the holy conduct and self-denial of the converts must have had upon the heathen spectators!" observed Mr. Lawrence.

"Yes," replied Mr. C—; "it is the consistency of the true Christian that marks his profession. Many cry 'Lord, Lord,' and yet in works deny him; and it is grievous to see how many there are who are hearers of the wordyes, and talkers also-but not doers."

"I remember," said Mrs. Basil, "when I was quite young, having a great desire to learn the way of salvation. I was alarmed; I dreaded death, and I knew nothing of the way of life. At length a kind friend pointed out to me the finished work of salvation by Jesus Christ alone, and I felt satisfied. But instead of attending to myself and the thousand evils that lurked within, I must needs be troubled about others. I watched with unwearied diligence the words and actions of professing Christians.

Alas! I met with nothing but disappointments, and the worldling appeared far more consistent in his conduct and pursuits than those to whom I looked for spiritual guidance. I mentioned my difficulties to my friend, and truly his reply was worth remembering. What have you to do with others?' he said; 'look at home, and you will find quite sufficient employment in watching over the weeds that from time to time spring up within, to prevent your attending to your neighbours. Guard against falling into their errors, and since you are so quick in observing their inconsistencies, pray earnestly to be upheld that you may keep a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards man, and not bring discredit upon your holy calling.' But I do not wish to speak of myself," added the lady, "except when I think my experience may be of use to others. Before we part, I want to ask you, Mr. C, the meaning of the expression that 'great grace' was upon all the converts."

"I understand it," replied Mr. C, "as intimating, that in conformity with his gracious promise, the Lord Jesus Christ, as Head of his church, poured down upon all those whom he had given to believe in his name and obey his call, such a measure of his Spirit as qualified them for performing those services the peculiar state of the church required. The gift of tongues, the power of working miracles, the disinterested love, the ardent zeal, the abundant charity that all possessed, showed that they were full of the Holy Ghost, and compelled the people to acknowledge their superiority over those whom they had hitherto regarded as their teachers and spiritual guides. "And here," said Mr. C- as he closed his book, we must pause for to-day. May a blessing from above rest upon what you have heard, and may you give all diligence to be doers of the word as well as hearers, that your conduct may be consistent with your sacred profession, and that great grace may be upon you all!"

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R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.