CLOTHING IN THE EAST. The Arabs of the Desert commonly clothe themselves in manufactures of camel's hair; and the article most prized by them is the haik (hyke), or cloak of that material; it is either black or white, with or without broad stripes; it consists of a square piece, with holes for the arms, and has no seams. The Druses of Lebanon and the people of Mesopotamia, not only wear a coat which is without seam, but of many colors, having variegated stripes proceeding to a point downwards from the shoulders, like a reversed pyramid; this is believed to be of the same description as that bestowed by Jacob on his favorite child. We are informed, that our Saviour also wore "a coat without seam, woven from the top throughout;" and that in the wilderness, St. John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins. The sackcloth of the Scriptures was a similar manufacture, but of the roughest and coarsest kind, like that which is worn by dervishes and reputed saints; it is still used for sacks and tent covers. We can easily understand the necessity for a girdle: no persons in loose flowing robes can engage in active operations, without first "girding up his loins," that is, taking up a portion of their dress out of their way. Some lay aside their outer garment for a time; others prepare to put forth their strength by fastening a belt or girdle round the waist, and by laying bare the arms to the shoulder. Thus Elijah "girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to Jezreel;" and the sacred writings abound in passages which, like these, illustrate the habits of those who wore the Oriental costume.-Yates' Egypt. THE CAPTURE. EVERY reader of the New Testament must admire the energy of St. Paul's language,-so characteristic of that fearless and determined advocate of the truth of Christ. Those individuals, indeed, who have read his epistles only with a critic's eye, and entirely unmoved by the spirit which breathes through them, have acknowledged in many instances the force and majesty of his diction, and his defiance of the tame and frigid laws which govern the measured periods and smoothly-turned phrases of those who have not learned to speak out of the abundance of the heart. How his words burn, for example, in that manly confession which he makes in writing to the Philippians:"I follow after; if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." The figure is that of a willing captive following his victor, who, though he will not loose his hold, loves him with an everlasting love, and is jealous over him only with a godly jealousy. He has been seized as a rebel; but he feels so strange and sweet an influence urging him forward, that he has only one wish,-to be still a prisoner. "Draw me, I will run after thee," is the language of his heart. "I follow after with the most joyful haste, desiring only to know more of that reclaiming love which has apprehended me with the mysterious gentleness of Omnipotence! I am Christ's prisoner. O for my Master's zeal to make others captive!" He does not say, "I want to lay hold of those things for which I was laid hold of by my Saviour;" but the resistless power and energy of the grasp are still upon him; and he is impelled forward every moment by the unseen hand which had at first snatched him from the burning. He is a perpetual capture; and his language and his life exclaim alike,-"Hinder me not, I must be about my Saviour's business; I AM apprehended of Christ Jesus." SINGULAR MODE OF CARRYING BURTHENS. THE blacks in the West Indies have a strange propensity for carrying every thing upon their heads. Even the smallest household utensils, such as knives and spoons, are thus borne about; and it is not unusual to see the children hurrying along with a hen's egg in a similar position. This practice seems to be of very remote antiquity among the African races, not excepting the more civilized Egyptians. Even in the dreams of Pharaoh's chief-baker, explained by Joseph, this manner of carrying burdens is alluded to; and the earliest profane writers speak of it, as a peculiarity in which the Egyptians differed from European nations. SOCINIANISM. Socinianism is the half-way-house to infidelity.-Wilberforce. The Enquirer. ANSWER XIV. Worldly Conformity. As your correspondent "Dubitans" does not specify the peculiar "customs in dress, &c.," to which he objects, his question will admit only of a general answer. In the first place, he is not bound to conform to the practice of others, even where there is reason to believe them sincere Christians; the Bible is to be his only rule of faith and practice, and if he be quite sure that his " painful scruples" are based upon the fear of disobedience to the Divine command, he may safely venture to render himself singular in the eyes of all. It is no justification of the most trivial sins, to plead that they are "matters of course." It is quite another thing, however, to urge that they are "quite lawful.” In the latter case, a reason should be asked; and if one in accordance with Scripture can be given, the question is at an end. There are many minor points of the kind referred to by "Dubitans," respecting which the Scriptures give no express directions. In such cases it is well to follow the opinions of judicious and pious friends, if perfectly satisfied that they are so, and always remembering that their recommendations are only opinions after all. The grand principles developed in the Bible have reference generally to the spirit, rather than the manner in which every thing is to be done, as in the text quoted by Dubitans, forbidding conformity to the world. The transforming power of the Spirit, so pointedly contrasted with it, is to operate, not on the dress or demeanour, but on the " mind;" and where no offence indictable by Scripture attaches to that, I do not see that your querist has any cause for disquietude. If, however, on the other hand, the practices alluded to by Dubitans, in any way minister to his, pride, conceit, jealousy, or unsanctified desires, they are unquestionably wrong, and however ridiculous the doing away with them may seem to others, he is bound to renounce them at once and altogether. In conclusion, Dubitans has no need to fear the charge of being "legal." No Christian was ever too legal as regards consistency of practice or deportment. The faintest whispers of the Holy Spirit are to be most studiously, prayerfully, devoutly, attended to. If Paul could resolve-"I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend;" it ill becomes the puny Christians of our own day to exclaim, "I will do no such thing, lest my stronger brethren brand me as a pharisee or a legalist." To the Editor of the Youths' Magazine. D. DEAR SIR,-The question of "Dubitans," is, I think, too vague and indefinite to enable your correspondents to furnish an accurate or full reply. He refers to "the propriety of certain customs in dress, &c." I conceive that the apostle's direction, (Phil. iv. 5,) “Let your moderation be known unto all men," is perfectly sufficient to guide Christians in all their intercourse with mankind. The happy medium is an object at which all should aim. Avoiding extremes is the surest path under all circumstances. Not different food, or different dress, The opinion of "advanced believers," is, I think, worthy of attention; and to differ from them, generally, is to imagine ourselves possessed of more light and purity than they have received. Dubitans refers to the text-" He that doubteth is condemned if he eat." The principle here inculcated is of vast importance, that a good conscience toward God can be maintained only, by acting in every thing, especially in religion, in faith; or, as the word denotes here, in full persuasion that what we do or neglect is according to the will of the Lord of life and death. Whatever is expressed in the sacred writings as the will of God, is to be strictly observed. There are many things in the present mode of dress, which do not certainly become Christians. Such things should be avoided, as savouring too much of loving the world. Dubitans has no doubt some judicious and pious friends whose opinions are entitled to his respect; at all events, he may consult his minister, who will, doubtless, hear his case, and give him the best advice on the subject, and if he wish to state his question more fully by a private letter, the writer of this will be happy to forward a reply. I remain, Dear Sir, Yours truly, Jamaica. POETRY. THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. (Suggested by the flower so named.) Bright flower! upon the green-sward fair Mid the rich hyacynthine air In gorgeous light upspringing, Thoughts hallowed by high mysteries Meek emblem of the star that shone The God unglorified! Thou tellest of the love that gave "The Saviour to the cross and grave." And fancy in her solemn flight Rests upon Judah's hills, Where 'neath the starry sky of night, By murmuring, gushing rills, While visions of the world of light, That flashed upon their gaze: The angel throng,-the splendour bright, The bursting, seraph lays; The music of a thousand lyres, Fill the rapt heart with heavenly fires. Oh! 'mid the gloom of earthly woe, Be love the guiding star, 141 ADELINE. |