The following will afford us an instance of a practical exposition of the above texts in rather an unusual way.

A certain brother came to the convent at Mount Sinai, and finding all the monks at work, shook his head and said to the Abbot, "Labour not for the meat that perisheth;-and-Mary hath chosen the good part." "Very well," said the abbot, and ordered the good brother to a cell, and gave him a book to read. The monk retired, and sat, hour after hour, all the day long alone; wondering much that nobody called him to dinner, or offered him any refreshment. Hungry and wearied out, the night at length arrived: he left his solitary cell, and repaired to the apartment of the abbot. "Father," says he, "Don't the brethren eat to-day ?" "O yes," replied the abbot, "they have eaten plentifully." Then, how is it, Father," said the monk," that you did not call me to partake with them?" "Because, brother," replied the abbot, " you are a sf.iritual man, and have no need of carnal food. For our parts we are obliged to eat, and on that account we work: but you, brother, who have chosen the good part, you sit and read all the day long, and are above the want of the meat that perisheth." Pardon me, father," said the monk, "I perceive my mistake."

January 14.

JAMES IV. 14. What is your life, it is even a vapour.

BISHOP BERKLEY died 1753. As he was sitting in the midst of his family, and just after he had concluded a comment on the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians, he instantly expired without a groan. When he was consecrated Bishop of Cloyne, he said to his few intimates, "I will never accept of a new translation." And it appears he kept his word, for when the Sce of Clogher, of more than double the value of Cloyne was offered to him, he deelined the generous offer; requesting the Lord Lieutenant not to think of him on any other vacancy. How few are to be found so truly disinterested, as this illustrious bishop. Happy they who, when called away by sudden, death, are made meet for a better state.

January 15.

LUKE X. 29. And who is my neighbour?

The Hibernian Society, established 1806. Amidst all the exertions which have been made within a few years, for the dissemination of knowledge, and the principles of divine truth, we must reflect with peculiar satisfaction on the formation of this society. Whoever has considered the ignorant, wretched, and awful state of Ireland, must be constrained to confess that nothing was more necessary. Let the return of this day therefore remind the reader of the importance of this great object, and excite him earnestly to pray and exert himself for its welfare.

According to the last report (1813), the total number of children who, according to their capacity, have free access to the fountain of Christian knowledge, by means of the Hibernian Society, is not less than 4500.

That there is absolute necessity for instructing, not only children but adults, is evident from many circumstances we could bere relate. The following one must suffice: "I conversed (said Mr. with a young man I met with, who was a Catholic, and had learned his catechism; but could not tell me, who was Jesus Christ, why he came into the world, or where he now is? Alas! this poor young man is not singular in his ignorance. I have met with many, very many, who make conscience of all the commands of the priests, equally in gross darkness. I took all the pains in my power to instruct this youth. He listened with great attention, and received with thankfulness the Introduction to Reading which I gave him, and regretted much that it was not in my power to give him a Testament. On my return, the next day, I saw this person at some distance from me in the field. He approached, and most cordially saluted me; telling me he had great delight in the book I gave him, and praying God to bless me."

Let us then take shame to ourselves,' that we have so long neglected this our neighbour, and imitate him who shews compassion on the ignorant and those who are out of the way.

January 16.

JOB xxi. 32. Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

CHARLES V. resigned his crown, 1556,

It must be a mortifying reflection to those who place all their happiness in the present world, when they consider that in a short time they must be dispossessed of all, and descend to the grave. And the greater their pleasures, the more splendid their retinue, and the more numerous their earthly enjoyments have been, the more wretched must they feel in being called to part with all. So that, in this respect, the death of the poor peasant is far more tranquil and easy than that of the most prosperous and wealthy personage in the universe. It was probably a sense of this which caused the Emperor Charles V. on this day to resign his crown, reserving nothing to himself but an annual pension of 100,000 crowns. When the Duke of Venice shewed him the treasury of St. Mark, and the glory of his princely palace, instead of admiring them, the emperor said "These are the things that make men so loath to die. How happy they whose treasure is in heaven; whose inheritance is on high; who are detached from this world; whose sins are all forgiven; and who are rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. Such can reverse the language, and say, "These are the things that make us willing to die." Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, Even so, Lord Jesus. Amen.

January 17.

PHILIP. ii. 14. Do all things without murmurings and disputings. BISHOP HORNE died 1792. On the Friday before the Bishop's death, he asked on what day of the week the 17th day of the month would fall? When he was answered, on Tuesday, "Make a note of that," said he "in a book." This proved to be the day on which he died. The bishop was a great enemy to disputations. He remarks, that many persons spend so much time in disputing about the

gospel, that they leave none for practising it; and he displays the folly of this conduct by the following anecdote. Two learned physicians and a plain honest countryman, happening to meet at an inny sat down to dinner together. A dispute presently arose between the two doctors on the nature of aliment, which proceeded to such a height, that it spoiled their meal, and they parted extremely indisposed. The countryman in the mean time, who understood not the cause, though he heard the quarrel, fell heartily to his meal, gave God thanks, digested it well, returned in the strength of it to his honest labour, and in the evening received his wages.

January 18.

MATT. xiv. 23. He went up into a mountain apart to pray, and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

The Rev. WILLIAM BROMLEY CADOGAN died 1797, aged 46. He aimed at usefulness, not applause, and he had the happiness to find that he did not labour in vain ; for few persons in the present day, for the space of time he preached, have been more blessed to the conversion of young and old, rich and poor. He was a remarkable early riser, being mostly in his study by six o'clock, even in winter. What time he spent in secret prayer is only known to his own soul. It is supposed, however, that he was much engaged in this duty. For when he had company, he would often retire from them to his study and there, when most of the family were gone to rest, he has been frequently surprised on his knees by the domestic who usually took charge of the house. Let the ministers of the gospel learn to imitate this good man; the way to be useful in public is to be much with God in private.

January 19.

EPHES. i. 4. The prisoner of the Lord.

The Rev. W. JENKYN, formerly minister of Christ Church, Newgate Street, died 1685, aged 72. He was much persecuted, and at last committed to Newgate. He petitioned the King for a release, and his physicians declared that his life was in danger from his close confinement. But no answer could be obtained but this," Jen

kyn shall be a prisoner as long as he lives." This was most rigorously adhered to, for he died in Newgate. He was, however, greatly supported. He said to one of his friends, "What a vast difference there is between this and my first imprisonment! then I was full of doubts and fears, of grief and anguish; and well I might, for going out of God's way and my calling, to meddle with things that did not belong to me. But now when I was found in the way of my duty, in my master's business, though I suffer even to bonds, yet I am comforted beyond measure. The Lord sheds abroad his love sensibly in my heart; I feel it, I have assurance of it." Turning to some who were weeping by him, he said, "Why weep ye for me? Christ lives, he is my friend; a friend born for adversity; a friend that never dies. Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."

A nobleman having heard of this good man's death, said to the King, "May it please your Majesty, Jenkyn has got his liberty." Upon which he asked with eagerness, Aye, who gave it him." The nobleman replied, "A greater than your Majesty, the King of Kings." With which the King seemed much struck, and remained silent.

The Rev. Mr. Charles, who was in prison for conscience sake, thus writes, "A prisoner for Christ. Good Lord! what is this for a poor worm. Such honour have not all his saints. Both the degrees I took in the University have not set me so high, as when I commenced prisoner for Christ."

Mr. Quicke, though he suffered much from the stone, when a justice told him to what remote prison he would send him, he replied, "I know not where you are sending me, but this I am sure of, my heart is as full of comfort as it can hold."

Dr. Taylor the martyr, rejoiced that ever he came into prison, because he there formed acquaintance with that angel of God, John Bradford, as he called him.

Algerius, an Italian martyr, said, he had rather be in a prison with Cato, than with Cæsar in the senate house. Thus true Christians are of the same mind concerning Christ, and can say as those soldiers did concerning their General Themistocles, that they had rather be in prison, with him than at liberty without him.