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Maker. Let us, then, turn our attention to consider what is implied in this duty, and also what are the motives that should influence us to fulfil it.

First, it implies a perfect strictness in paying to the very time the debts we may have contracted, and very great accuracy that we may know exactly what is due to all, that none may be losers through our means. It implies also great care not to enter into any promises that we cannot keep, or to contract any debts that we have not the means of paying, or even to enter into bail for any person beyond a sum that we can very well pay. A prudent economical arrangement of our income, whether it be much or little, is also necessary, that we may always be ready to pay our way without the danger of contracting debts which we may not be able to pay. It is, moreover, by forethought and economy alone that we can ever be enabled to give any assistance to others. We are exhorted in Scripture" to lay up in store," not to indulge in covetous or selfish feelings, to heap up riches for which there is no use; but to administer to them that are in need. To the fulfilment of this duty it is also necessary that we should not enter into any of those speculations which are likely in the end to lead us into debt. We do not mean to say that every uncertain adventure in business is wrong, but these should certainly be confined within such moderate limits as not to lead to that ruin of our fortune which may not only deprive ourselves of the power of doing good, but may involve others in distress and difficulties.

Secondly, one of our greatest motives to this duty should be the desire of rendering to every man what is his due, and what he has as much just claim to as we have to our property; and another the fear of injuring others by retaining from them what is justly their own; for we may, by a refusal, or by a delay of the payment of a just debt be the cause of much distress to those whom we are thus defrauding of

Hymn from Dr. Watts.

311

their due. What feeling heart can enjoy peace, while thinking that others are suffering from the effects of his extravagance or thoughtlessness?

There is but one debt we may justly owe, that Christian love which is a blessing both to him that gives and him that receives it, love which we ought to feel for every one of our fellow creatures, and which if it reigned in all our hearts as it ought to do, would influence our conduct to each other far more strongly than all the restraints which the law is now obliged to impose upon all those who cannot be influenced by higher motives.

E. E.

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V.

Samuel, the child, was wean'd and brought
To wait upon the Lord;
Young Timothy betimes was taught
To know his holy word.

VI.

Then why should I so long delay
What others learnt so soon?
I would not pass another day
Without this work begun.

I.

QUESTION. Where do we find the best examples of early piety?

Answer. "In the word of truth."

Q. Who was the most blessed example of all? A. Jesus Christ.

Q. What do we acknowledge in our Collect for the second Sunday after Easter?

A. That Almighty God gave his "only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life."

Q. And for what do we, in the same Collect, pray that grace may be given unto us?

A. "That we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life."

II, III.

Q. What example did our Saviour set us with respect to the law of God?

A. He kept it in all things.

Q. And what do we read, in the second chapter of St. Luke, 51st verse, of his conduct towards his earthly parents, the Virgin Mary, his Mother, and his reputed Father, Joseph ?

A. That he was subject unto them.

Q. And how did he shew his tender regard for his mother even in his dying agonies on the cross?

Extract from Jebb's Sermon.

313

A. He commended her to the care of his beloved disciple, St. John.

IV.

Q. How did young children shew honour to their Saviour when he was on earth?

A. By singing hosannas to his praise in the temple of God.

V.

Q. What example do you find in the Old Testament, of one who was early brought to wait upon the Lord?

A. The child Samuel.

Q. And of whom do you read in the New Testament who was taught, in his childhood, to know the word of God?

A. Timothy.

VI.

Q. What does St. Paul say of him?

A. 2 Tim. iii. 15. “From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus."

Q. What is the gracious promise of God to those who remember their Creator in the days of their youth?

A. Prov. viii. 17. "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."

From "Dr. Watts' Hymns for Children, with Questions and Answers." (By a Lady.)

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor.

SIR,

THE following extract from a very beautiful sermon of Bishop Jebbs upon the fourth commandment, may NO. 7-VOL. VII.

P

perhaps suit some of your readers.-Having first explained the universal duty of observing the Sabbath. day, and the religious benefits which we should all derive from attending to the spirit as well as to the letter of the commandment, he next dwells with much feeling on the happiness which those feel in keeping this day holy, who really know" the joy and peace of believing ;"—and, still further to enforce it, makes the following remark :-" In this then," (that is, in our manner of keeping the Sabbath holy) “we have a test by which we may ascertain our religious condition: Do we love Sunday? Do we love it for the prayer, the instruction, the pious thoughts, the profitable words, the charitable deeds, which follow in its train? If we do, we may entertain a comfortable hope, that we are in a state of preparation for the everlasting Sabbath of the blest. In the mansions of our Father, prayer and praise, and holy contemplation, and the society of glorified spirits, and the presence of the great God, and the performance of his good pleasure, and the ministration of mercy throughout worlds and systems unknown and undiscovered, shall constitute the happiness of those admitted to that heavenly rest. Now each returning Sabbath affords a shadow of these good things to come; and it is certain, that unless we find pleasure from the hope of them on earth, we shall never be prepared for the reality in heaven. He, therefore, and he only, is the safe and happy man, who truly calls "the Sabbath a delight."

Let it, at the same time, be constantly remembered, that no man can thus sincerely find the Sabbath a delight, or look forward with happy hope to the dwellings of the blest, but he who loves God with all his heart, and with all his soul; and that our Saviour himself gives us but one way of proving that we love him, when he says, "If you love me, keep my commandments."

M. M.

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