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things to all men, and to seek, and perhaps to find, a degree of popularity which may interfere with the simplicity of our work. Rutherford says, that the Christian in society must be like "the fresh river that keepeth its own fresh taste in the salt sea.'

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We are not without bright examples of the practicability and the importance of such a work. One there was, who lately belonged to our own times, but who now belongs to the times of heaven; her spirit like the sandal tree was fragrant as well as fruitful, and though the life has departed from the stem, the fragrance yet lingers, and the fruit yet remains. Fifty years ago a lovely spot in Wiltshire received the name of Barley Wood. Situated on elevated ground commanding picturesque and beautiful views, its lawns and its gardens bore the marks of graceful and constant cultivation. So retired and so peaceful was its aspect, that when told it was the abode of a Christian lady, the passer-by might think that she had taken wings like a dove, according to the wish of the Psalmist, and flown away from the busy world. Barley Wood, however, was in one sense a world in miniature. Rank and wealth and fashion found their way there, to sun themselves in the smile of a graceful and courteous hostess. Men of taste and literature sought the dwelling of Hannah More. The afflicted, and the ignorant, and the perplexed, went for help and instruction. There was besides another world of correspondence to be dealt

with,—a large system of schools to be superintended, the most arduous literary tasks to be performedwhile the woman called to these conflicting claims and duties was no longer young, and bowed down by sickness and bereavement. How then do we find her performing her social work under such trying circumstances? We are told by the biographers of Hannah More, that when first introduced to worldly people, she did not immediately enter upon the subject of religion, but tried to use the charm of her influence to do away prejudice, and to prepare the way for more personal dealing; if, however, she knew that she might not again have an opportunity, she used to come to the point at once. Peculiarly sensible to her influence, many youthful hearts were thus led to Jesus, and in the midst of the most worldly society, she never forgot to confess her Master before men. It was said of her that whatever was the party and the topic, "upon her tongue was the law of kindness; there was never a word to offend, or wound, or grieve, but always something to instruct and improve.' Her thoughts were always given to the business of the moment with concentration and energy; nor was any duty too small to be performed with care. and prayerful diligence, if it was large enough to affect the comfort, the feelings, and the interests of those around her. Along with the marvellous testimonies to her Christian and social graces, which greeted this mother in Israel on all sides, there was

one, which, although simple and homely in its expression, requires many, and various, and rare qualities-she was pronounced to be "a person most easy to be lived with."

Wilberforce was another great and striking example, of religion carried into the social sphere without injury to his own spirituality. When he went into society, he used to prepare what he called "launchers," or questions and subjects for discourse, suitable for introducing the spiritual conversation, which he endeavoured to make useful to a class of whom Wesley said, in a message to Hannah More, "Tell her to make that her sphere-they will not listen to us." Lord Bacon makes the following striking observations in his Essay upon goodness:-" If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shews he is a citizen of the world, and that his heart is no island cut off from other lands, but a continent that joins to them; if he be compassionate towards the afflictions of others, it shows that his heart is like the noble tree, that is wounded itself when it gives the balm; if he easily pardons and remits offences, it shows that his mind. is planted above injuries, so that he cannot be shot; if he be thankful for small benefits, it shows that he weighs men's minds, and not their trash; but above all, if he have St. Paul's perfection, that he would wish to be an anathema from Christ, for the salvation of his brethren, it shows much of a divine nature, and a kind of conformity with Christ himself."

Without multiplying examples and quotations, however, we shall only farther cite an often read, often lauded, often forgotten, yet faultless code for social manners. Were its sublime precepts to be fully observed, the wilderness might blossom as the rose, the lion might lie down with the lamb, and there might be nothing to hurt or destroy in the holy mountain. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."-1 COR. xiii. 4-7.

V.

HOME WORK.

"Howbeit Jesus suffered him not; but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee."-MARK V. 19. "And Moses verily was faithful in all his house."-HEB. iii. 5.

"Poor indeed thou must be, if around thee

Thou no ray of light and joy canst throw,
If no silken cord of love hath bound thee,
To some little world through weal and wo.

If no dear eyes thy tender love can brighten,
No fond voices answer to thy own,
If no brother's sorrow thou canst lighten,
By daily sympathy and gentle tone.

Daily struggling, though enclosed and lonely,
Every day a rich reward will give,

Thou wilt find, by hearty striving only,

And truly loving, thou canst truly live."

HARRIET WINSLOW.

THERE is a safe and easily applied test by which to determine whether the Christian in society is indeed working for God or for himself. If the social work is not carried into the home, finding there a narrower, though not less difficult sphere, there ought to arise a suspicion, that excitement and love of popularity may have somewhat to do with our social zeal. That Church which sent forth its whole strength in missions to far lands, and left its home thousands

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