repenting, dying infidel. And what were the truths that fell like healing balsam on this wounded spirit? what the announcements that hushed to perfect peace this tempest of conviction ?-They were these "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." "God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." "Christ died for the ungodly." "The whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him." "By grace are ye saved." "Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely." "Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat, yea come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." "And in that last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." "And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both." "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace." freely justified by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." "And the Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy." 'Sinners, of whom I am the chief." "I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek: he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to comfort all that mourn." "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no

wise cast out."

Being

Did ever sweeter sounds fall on the ear of a poor repenting, dying sinner? Never, never! Here was good news from the court of heaven; that God was gracious, merciful, ready to pardon; that Jesus was a Saviour and a Redeemer; that he came into the world, shed his

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blood, and died expressly to save SINNERS from hell, the vilest, even thechief." That this " great salvation" was "without money and without price;" that this full pardon was "free" to the poor bankrupt sinner, who had "nothing to pay ;" that without one single work of human merit, without aught of worth or worthiness in the poor comer, without a single grain of goodness to recommend him, but with all his vileness, with all his guilt, with all his sins, yea, even with all his scepticism, his infidelity, his unbelief, yet believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, he should now and for ever be saved! What a "hidingplace from the wind," what a covert from the tempest," did this repenting, dying infidel find; an infidel now no more, for he had utterly renounced his infidelity, and had thrown himself as a lost, condemned sinner, at the foot of the cross. What a refuge did this heartbroken sinner now find JESUS to be; just the Saviour that he wanted, just the refuge from the wrath to come that he stood in need of. Oh, how glorious would Christ now appear to his swimming eye, how precious to his believing heart. How would he admire and adore that free, rich and sovereign grace, that had plucked him as a brand from the everlasting burning, and had given him a good hope of eternal glory beyond the grave!

THE OUTER WORLD.

Human Menageries. Another party of O-jib-way Indians has been brought over for exhibition in London. Enticed from their homes that they may learn English vices, and be made a gazing-stock for the simple, they will perhaps be left at last, like poor Joc-o-sot, (see our last vol. p. 430) to die in ignorance and wretchedness, far from their friends and country.

Should our young readers see no harm in such exhibitions, let them for a moment reverse the picture, and fancy a family amongst the middling or better classes of their own countrymen allured by specious promises to the wilds of North America, to dance the Polka for the special gratification of grinning savages! Let them suppose these exiles, compelled to adopt habits, customs, and modes of life altogether opposed to their natural inclinations, gradually acquiring the use of the tomahawk or the scalping-knife; and then, either returning home again to introduce these elegant accomplishments amongst ourselves, or perishing in neglect or misery by the way. We do not think, indeed, that this case would be quite as bad as the other, for we much doubt whether the "children of the forest" have not too much good sense to flock in thousands to see a company of British wild-beast-men.

POETRY.

285

Belper.

BLESSINGS.

FOR thousand, thousand mercies, new
At dawn and vesper hour;

The early and the latter dew,
The sunshine and the shower:
For founts of ever-springing bliss,
For hope's unclouded ray;
For life's thrice blesséd sympathies,
We bless Thee day by day.

For fond affection's richest lore,
For household tones of mirth ;
For melodies that hourly pour
From hearts of kindred birth:
For many a fireside thrill of love,
For many a joyous lay;

For peace that emblems peace above,
We bless Thee day by day.

For untold sympathy that dwells
Enshrin'd in love's fond breast;
For springs that sorrow most reveals,
Thrice hallow'd, and thrice blest!
For waves of blessedness that steep
Our lot in radiant day;

For happiness unknown and deep,
We bless Thee day by day.

For hope of better things above,
Through Him who died for all;
For love Divine,- eternal love,
That raised us from our fall:
For all the Christian's holy dower,
His anchor, hope, and stay;
For victory in the trying hour,

We bless Thee day by day.

ADELINE.

I WILL BE A FATHER UNTO THEE.

My heavenly Father, God Divine,

What love can be compared to Thine!
So ill repaid, so oft forgot,

Yet given, though I sought it not.
When asked for, seldom asked aright,
And oft in joy, forgotten quite.

Yet, when the hour of sorrow came,
Thy love, oh Lord! was still the same.

Hath any shewn such such love for me,
Hath any borne my faults like Thee?
And when my waiting soul drew near,
It ever met a Father's ear;

Whilst thy rebukes, so gently, round

My wayward, wandering heart have wound,
That I have loved thee all the more
For chastening, than I did before.

My Father! early didst thou say
"Give me thine heart without delay ?"
And when I came to thee in prayer,
Thou knowest that my heart was there.
Earth's ties were feeble, and I sought
To let thy claims fill every thought;
But, older grown, the world would come
Between me and my better home;
And, thee forgotten, I would press
With others, for earth's happiness,
Till worldly thoughts half hid that love
I fondly hoped was fixed above.

Father! thy goodness crowns my way,
Thy love alone has been my stay,
And if thy hand, in mercy, bent

Those reeds on which I might have leant,
And pluck'd my life-flowers, 'twas to show
How frail are all things here below;
For with each cross a hope was given
Which stronger, brighter, beamed for heaven.

Let me forget my later years,

Darkened by doubt, and strewn with tears;
And may I, as in days of yore,

A child in spirit be once more!

My long-lost peace once more attain,
And sit at Jesus' feet again!

Still let me be a child to thee,

Be thou a father, Lord to me!

And when earth's specious ties are riven,
Let me behold thy face in heaven.

A SWEET THOUGHT.

WHEN in the temple of our God we meet,
To pour our cries before his mercy seat;

H. D. H.

THE LORD is there!

-Is there, to listen to our feeble lays,
Is there, to answer each who humbly prays;
Is there, to help us with his Spirit's pow'r,
Is there, to soothe us in the troubled hour:
Yes, God is there!

-Is there, to dissipate our anxious care,
Is there, to guard us from each hurtful snare;
Is there, to manifest his glory bright,
Is there, to fill the soul with calm delight:

Yes, God is there!

Is there, to strengthen every grace within,
Is there, to curb the power of rising sin;
Is there, to raise our faith and hope on high,
Is there, to prove that he is ever nigh:

Yes, God is there!
-Is there, to cause our souls to mount above,
Is there, to raise us to himself in love;

Is there, to teach us this is not our rest,

Is there, to show us we shall soon be blest:

Yes! God is there!
-Is there, to tell us, when we cease to pray,
He'll bear our souls to everlasting day-
For God is there!
AMICUS.

Woodchester.