precept of the Talmud, that no one shall carry a burden on the Sabbath day, not even a prayer-book, or a handkerchief, or a piece of money, except it be within a walled place. How applicable still are the words of Jesus, "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matt. xv. 9.)-Mission to the Jews. EXTRAORDINARY BIBLE. In the library of the late Dr. Williams, at Redcross-street, there is a curious manuscript, containing the whole book of Psalms, and all the new Testament, except the Revelations, in fifteen volumes folio. The whole is written in characters an inch long, with a white composition, on a black paper, manufactured on purpose. This perfectly unique copy was written in 1745, at the cost of a Mr. Harris, a tradesman of London, whose sight having decayed with age, so as to prevent his reading the Scriptures, though printed in the largest type, he incurred the expense of this transcription, that he might enjoy those sources of comfort which are 66 more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold."-Christian Observer. CHINESE PROVERBS. THOUGH a tree be a thousand chang (145,000 feet) in height, its leaves must fall down, and return to its roots. As the scream of the eagle is heard when she has passed over, so a man's name remains after his death. Following virtue is like ascending an eminence; pursuing vice, is like rushing down a precipice. By a long journey we know a horse's strength; so length of days shows a man's heart,—(literally, "well in the centre." See Eccl. xii. 6.) The Enquirer. ANSWER XVI.-Debating Societies. (To the Editor of the Youth's Magazine.) DEAR SIR.-The question of R. B. in your last number, whilst it is highly creditable to the writer, deserves serious attention on the part of all. Societies of the kind to which he refers are now rising up on every side, and have proved in many cases productive of more evil than good: it becomes therefore desirable to distinguish between the causes likely to produce these opposite effects, and to see how far objectionable results are necessarily connected with such institutions. There can certainly be no harm in the object of such societies -the mutual improvement of the members in theology, mathematics, geography, astronomy, &c. &c. The manner of conducting them by "public discussion" is open to serious objection, unless a very judicious and rigid surveillance is insured by the internal regulations of the society, and a constant watch observed by the individual members over the spirit of their own minds. In this instance, as in so many others, the scriptural rule—“ Be slow to speak, slow to wrath," is invaluable. Let every one go up to these meetings to be instructed, and not to teach; much less to dogmatize, or to uphold previous opinions at all hazards. A child-like teachable spirit is particularly desirable on such occasions; and if it be true, as unquestionably it is, that men ought always to pray and not to faint, the unction of the closet should accompany us, even when the subjects for our consideration are not strictly of a religious character. There is no greater enemy to profitable argument than prejudice. We must not cling to opinions, however long or undisturbedly we may have held them, if shown to be inconsistent with facts: there is no reason whatever in the antiquated plea, I always thought so." You are to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. Nor is prejudice inimical only to profit: it excites and disturbs the temper very frequently to a lamentable extent. Guard therefore, in the first place, carefully and prayerfully against prejudice. Vanity and the love of display are also formidable enemies to our growth in useful knowledge. Do not enter upon any discussion for the purpose of producing a sensation merely. Facts constitute the best eloquence. Only look to your words as they express these facts, and the deductions naturally and clearly arising out of them. Never rise to speak without having something to say. Never" make a speech," it will always make itself if you have the materials ready; and if not, it is better left alone. Free and full discussion upon subjects connected with philosophy and science, if prosecuted in such a spirit as I have attempted to describe, so far from being in any way deserving of reprehension, are on many accounts desirable. The outcry raised by many against “infidel pursuits," and "sceptical studies," is most absurd. The Scriptures as the most perfect exposition of truth, cannot be in any way prejudiced by enquiries into those inferior departments of revelation embraced by natural philosophy. God is light; and all that emanates from him bears, though in different degrees, the character of its Divine Author. As well might it be urged that we ought not to enquire into the nature of the stars, for fear the sun of our system should be brought into discredit, as that scientific researches can in any way disparage scripture. The odium too commonly attached to such pursuits as geology, and many others, applies entirely to the spirit in which they are followed out. An infidel will poison any study, or a proud and worldly man endeavor to warp it to his own selfish ends: whilst the humble but intelligent christian will glorify every department of science or philosophy, by letting in upon it the pure radiance of Bible truth. QUESTION XVII.—Meaning of Mark xiii. 32. (To the Editor of the Youths' Magazine.) SIR,-I shall be exceedingly obliged by an explanation of Mark xiii. 32; the text seems to intimate something like an inequality between the first and second persons in the Holy Trinity; inasmuch as it expressly declares, that the Son knoweth not the day or the hour when he shall come to judge the world, but that the Father does. I think it refers to that knowledge which he possessed in his humanity, but still I do not distinctly comprehend how it could be said that that adorable Being was not fully acquainted with every thing which was known by the Divinity. An answer will be thankfully received from any of the pious correspondents of the Youths' Magazine, but especially from R. C., of Penryn, if convenient to him to furnish one. I am, Sir, Your much attached Reader, Σάρρα. POETRY. THE SPIRIT'S MYSTERIES. When steep'd in deep repose, This body tranquil lies, Resting awhile from sins and woes, Freed from her earthly thrall, Oh! does she wing her flight Beyond this dark terraqueous ball, To the blest realms of heavenly light? There, does she raptur'd meet The friends once lov'd and lost, Allow'd to hold communion sweet Or, 'mong those glorious orbs Which hold their heav'n-taught way, Does she seek one whose sphere absorbs The beams of everlasting day? And there in bliss unknown To our sun's meaner rays, Does she expatiate, rapt, alone, Visions like these, I ween, So holy, and so high; Would brighten suffering's darkest scene, But seldom here below Such dreams to men are given; And oft the mourner's tear must flow, Unblest by such foretastes of heav'n, Or, if perchance the soul Is e'er allowed to fly, When, separate from her control, The senses steep'd in slumber lie. 321 -How short her blissful stay! How slight the impression made In vain would we recall The vision to our mind; Its glories, dissipated all, Leave only consciousness behind; -A consciousness how blest! That we're not all of earth; That there's in store some land of rest And oh! when death sets free, No more recall'd from bliss No more perplexing doubts distress, But o'er the heavenly spheres With an untiring wing, She'll range perhaps, thro' endless years, But whether so, or fix'd Her permanent abode; We know 'twill be where joys unmix'd Where every glorious sight, Where every tuneful voice, Imparts an ever new delight; Invites the ransom'd to rejoice. |