the adder; and with this view provided himself with a cleftstick the next time he ascended the heights of Ballantrae. After a little search, he discovered the reptile lurking pretty near its old den, and seizing it by the middle, with the stick held it up in the air. The reptile coiled and actually wounded bis own tail; and Captain Russel was curious to know the reşult. In less than a quarter of an hour the adder swelled to a great size, to all appearance from having absorbed a portion of that poison, which, though perfectly harmless when concealed within its tusk, is attended with very different effects when communicated to any other part of its own body. The reptile, when killed, measured four feet one inch! and was in other respects one of the largest adders ever seen on the coast of Ayrshire.-Dumfries Courier.

Coroner's Inquest.—An inquest was held on the body of a little boy, who died in consequence of taking a quantity of vitriol, which was administered to him in mistake for syrup of almonds.

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It appeared that the parents of the deceased had put him out to nurse with a family residing in Walworth-common. Tuesday the deceased was taken very ill with a pain in his bowels, whereupon Mrs. G. sent to a neighbouring apothecary's shop for some syrup of almonds, part of which was administered, and tended to alleviate the sufferings of the invalid, and the remainder was put away. The following day the deceased had a second attack of the complaint, when the husband of the nurse, aware of the efficacy of the syrup of almonds, and knowing that a portion had been left, went in search of it, and, finding on the sideboard in the parlour a phial containing a liquid which he supposed to be the medicine, gave the phial to one of his daughters, desiring her to administer the contents to the deceased; the girl gave it to the deceased, who was immediately seized with convulsions. A medical man was sent for, who discovered that instead of syrup of almonds being administered to the deceased, oil of vitriol had been given in mistake. The de: ceased expired in great agony soon after. Verdict-Died in Consequence of taking vitriol in mistake.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received the communications of G. P.; E.M. ; Ț.E.; R.R.R.R.; Amicus; and A.Z.

THE

Cottager's MonthlyVisitor.

NOVEMBER, 1827.

REMARKS ON THE FIRST CHAPTER OF EXODUS.

I HOPE my readers have read the book of Genesis through, with great attention; and I cannot help hoping that my remarks have helped to make some parts plain to them, which they had not understood before, and have led them to notice some things which they had not before remarked. If these remarks have led any one to search the Scripture, and if that search, by God's blessing, has proved a benefit and a comfort to them, I shall think myself well rewarded for having written them. It would give me no pleasure that you had read my remarks, or that you had said you were pleased with them, unless I could believe that you had been instructed and improved by them. It would give me no pleasure to hear that you approved of my thoughts, unless I could believe that you were led, by them, to think for yourselves. And, whilst you read these or any other remarks on Scripture, you must remember, that these are not to be instead of Scripture:they are to lead you to Scripture, not to keep you from it. Read then your Bible, and you may find these remarks of use to help you to understand it; and those who do study the Word of God, with a sincere desire of profiting by it, will find, that the NO. 11.-VOL. VII. Y

help of God, going with them, will turn their studies to their spiritual benefit.

Let us now turn to the book of Exodus. It is called the second book of Moses. He was, as you know, the writer of Genesis; and, in that, he tells us many things which could only be known by express revelation from God: but here, and in the three other books of which he was the author, he gives us, for the most part, a history of events which took place before his eyes, and in which he was much concerned himself. Still, he wrote all under the guidance of the Spirit, for "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God."

The name Exodus, is taken from two Greek words, and signifies, a going out, or departure; because the most important circumstance recorded in it is the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt. But though it bears a different name, we are to look upon it only as a continuation of Genesis.

This first chapter begins with mentioning the names of Jacob's sons, and the number of his family, at the time when he went down into Egypt, which we had more at large in the forty-sixth chapter of Genesis. It then tells us of the great increase of the Israelites in Egypt, and of the vain endeavours of the king of Egypt to crush them.

V. 7-11. How wonderful is the increase described here. "The land was filled with them,”"the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we." But so had the Lord promi sed:"Fear not to go down into Egypt, for I will there make of thee a great nation." Egypt was the nursery where the children of Israel were to grow, and acquire strength, that they might be prepared to overcome the Canaanites, and take pos session of their land. This the king of Egypt seemed to be aware of; and he began to dread lest the children of Israel, taking advantage of the

Remarks on the First Chapter of Exodus. 483

attack of some foreign enemy, should exert their strength in an attempt to "get them up out of the land." "Come on," therefore said he, "let us deal wisely with them." What is dealing wisely? It is choosing the means best suited to bring about the object we have in view. What was Pharaoh's object? To retain the Israelites in his land. Was it by afflicting them, by making their lives bitter to them, that he was likely to accomplish this? Would they be attached to Egypt, or disgusted with it, by being so treated? "Oppression maketh a wise man mad." A very few people have been known to do wonders against a multitude, when rendered desperate by ill-usage. But the king imagined he should lessen their numbers, and so get them completely within his power: we shall soon see how far he succeeded in this. Meanwhile let me ask those of my readers who wish to get on in the world, and who stick at nothing to attain their end, whether they are dealing wisely? "The blessing of the Lord maketh rich." "The face of the Lord is against them that do evil." You perhaps toil all the week, and you make Sunday like any other day for the sake of getting money. Whom are you offending by this? Whom are you robbing of His day? Cannot God easily take away your ill-gotten gain ? If He sends a fever into your family, will not your hard-earned wages melt away, as if you had put them into a bag with holes? (Hag. i. 6.) Or you may lose your substance, which has so often been an excuse for staying from church. Or a wet season may spoil your crop.― God never wants instruments :-He rebuked the prophet who loved the wages of iniquity, by the mouth of an ass; and He can rebuke your covetousness, by blasting your hopes in a thousand different ways. Again, you who desire to win upon the esteem of your fellow-creatures, and, for this purpose, just say whatever you think will please,

are you dealing wisely? Falsehood seldom seems like truth, even at the moment it is spoken; and before long your deceit will be discovered, and you will completely lose the confidence and favour of those for whose sake you have provoked the Lord to anger. If you knew your own interest, even as far as this world is concerned, you would cease to frame deceit ;-how much more when you take eternity into the account!

V. 12. "But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew."-Is it usual for men to thrive by oppression? By no means: the contrary is the case. The Turkish government (which domineers over a part of Europe, Asia, and Africa) is remarkably oppressive to the nations it has subdued; and it is no less remarkable, that nothing flourishes in the countries subjected to its iron yoke-neither trade, manufactures, nor learning; every thing seems at a stand. The wretched people dare not get rich, lest the government should accuse them of some crime, throw them into prison, and seize their property or if they do begin to prosper, they must conceal their gains, lest their oppressors should deprive them of the fruits of their industry--and, under such circumstances, the people rather diminish, than increase in number. And the greater the oppression, the more strikingly does this apply. In those parts of the world where slaves are employed, and ill-used, there is the greatest difficulty in keeping up their number, without bringing more into the country.-But with the favoured people of God in Egypt it was quite different: they multiplied in affliction, they grew under oppression. God had said, "I will multiply thee exceedingly ;" and who could reverse it?"Hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" The zealous and cruel devices of this enemy to God's people, could not prosper. "Shall the throne of iniquity have