the practice of rejecting every invitation to action, spend their entire life in asking what they shall do, yet never, as they suppose, receive a reply. Let such as feel this anxiety, and at the same time think that they have not had "the will of God" made known to them, carefully, prayerfully review their life for only the last month, and then ask their conscience if no object of usefulness has been refused by them.

One, a lady, (and we must give the pious portion of the fair credit for excessive timidity in such matters,) replies, "I do remember one occasion, on which I have recently declined accepting a very urgent invitation to engage in (to me) a new operation; but the purest motives actuated me! I felt that I had not the talents. I was to take a specified number of families under my supervision, periodically visiting each, conversing with all the members of the same, on their spiritual necessities, urging upon neglecters of the Lord's sanctuary the necessity of attending the same, and upon children the importance of joining the sabbath-school; then, after becoming acquainted with their condition, I was to bestow upon each a suitable boon, in the form of a tract, a messenger of mercy. After considering, I found other duties growing out of these; certainly it would be the duty of a tract distributor to read the Scriptures to the aged and to the sick, and to pray with them, and this would be a heavy cross. Besides, I was

told I must hand in a written report of my operations! I might have been reasoned out of my objections to the others, but to this last I could not consent, for I have no talent for writing, therefore I refused."

Doubtless others will give as good reasons for refusing other invitations, never dreaming that these are answers to the prayer "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

We would ask such, if, before making the important decision, (for surely a compliance or non-compliance with the demands of Jehovah is important, vastly important,) they in the secrecy of the closet, feeling a willingness, yea, an anxiety to engage in the proposed work, entreated the Lord to direct them; and if this was an answer to their prayers, to give them the ability for the performance of the same. If the lady above alluded to, did so, and then felt that she could not become a tract distributor, (for the love of God is an

all-sufficient talent for this work, if the Lord has given no other,) she has reason to draw one of the two conclusions: that is, either that she has not the "mind of Christ" who "went about doing good," or that the Lord is for a time withholding his approbation, as a punishment for past neglected duty.

DOING ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.

"WHETHER therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." The end which we are to propose to ourselves in our plans, conversation, and conduct, is the glory of our Creator. He is infinitely glorious; and his glory cannot be increased or diminished by any of his creatures; yet I may glorify him both as to myself and others.

As to myself, I glorify God when I plan, speak, and act, under a full conviction of his presence and requirements. I ask myself, "Is this course of proceeding agreeable to the Divine will?" Then I honour God, recognising his authority, subordinating myself to him, and striving to do what pleases him.

I glorify God when I ascribe all excellence and perfection to him; when I view him as the fountain of all good, the Father of mercies, of light and love; when I submit myself to him to be saved by his grace, and to be ruled by his law; in short, I glorify him when I really regard him as my supreme and only good.

As to others, I glorify God when by my good conversation in the world I lead them to glorify him, or to acknowledge his perfections. If I make manifest the excellence of religion in my life, men will see my good works,' and thus they will be led to glorify our heavenly Father. They will own the beneficial influence of religion, and they may be led to study it and to receive it.

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In glorifying God I in fact only acknowledge and declare his glory and this I do, not by fine sentiment and eloquent diction, but by an humble, holy, and obedient life, which demonstrates that I have a vital and practical sense of his matchless perfections.

It is the duty of a Christian to live, in all things, to the glory of God: that is, it is his duty to live to God: for to live to him is to live to his glory, since living to him is fully to admit and regard his perfections and claims, and to lead others,

as far as it may be in our power, to admit and regard them. This rule of con-. duct is opposed to all our selfish_and worldly aims. It is a painful task to examine human nature closely. We have our profession and shibboleth, and are great characters in the estimation of many. But do we live most with a direct reference to the glory of God, or to our own ease, pleasure, credit, and private ends? How does conscience answer this question? Many of our aims and objects are improper: and pride and self-love creep in and mar our best purposes and performances. I am zealous on some occasions, I am eloquent, I am liberal, I am courageous. Many applaud me. I look into my own breast, and then I am ashamed and silent, as I can only say, Poor human nature! how canst thou presume to boast? My wisdom is mingled with folly, and my piety and benevolence with selfishness and pride.

Enthusiasm, sentimentality, mysticism, and fancy, I utterly despise; self-annihilation sounds well in some ears; religion knows it not. Man may regard his interest, credit, and comfort in the world, but let these be only secondary and duly subordinate objects.

The total exclusion of inferior objects is fancy and folly the proper subordination of them is wisdom and piety. I may seek worldly good, but I have something of a higher order to seek first.

O my soul, what dost thou feel when thou considerest how much thy profession has been about God, and how little thou hast lived to his glory? Be humble and penitent; be also strenuous to improve. Confession is no substitute for improvement. Banish far from thee self-love, vanity, and pride. Let thy inquiry be, "What is pleasing to God? what will promote his glory in the world?" Here is a deep point in spiritual piety; one which enters into thy most secret movements and operations. Remember thou, that God sees the heart, and, as thou wouldst be approved of him, take heed to thyself that thy rule of conduct be the scriptural rule-"Do all to the glory of God." J. J.

CHRISTIANS AWAY FROM HOME. THERE are many such at this season of the year. The steam-boats, and railways, and hotels are crowded with travellers, health-seekers, pleasure-seekers, some flying from business, some flying from themselves. There are Christians among

them, and it will not be amiss to drop a word of caution in their ears.

You have left behind you cares and comforts, but you have not left your character or conscience. Watch well, lest you lose both by the way. Christians are very apt to feel, when they are surrounded by strangers, and are far from the circles in which they are accustomed to move, that their example is of no influence, and therefore they need not be so strict in their deportment. They let down their watch, and conform to the practices of an ungodly world. Under this consideration, Christians who are travelling where they are entire strangers will visit places of amusement in which they would not be seen, for the world, by any whom they know. Yet they are often detected, though they may never know that they were seen. And if they do escape detection, their own conscience suffers. It has consented to evil, and is less sensitive than before. And at fashionable watering places there are many sources of temptation to which the idea that "nobody will know it" will be an inducement to yield. Thus Christians are in constant danger of losing both character and conscience while away from home. It needs watchfulness and prayer, strong resolution and special grace, to preserve the soul from the influence of temptation amidst such exposures.

You have left your closet at home. It is hard to find a place to pray when you are travelling. It is easy to find an excuse for not praying. Hurrying from place to place, want of time and want of room, forgetfulness, distraction, fatigue, one or all will form a pretext for neglecting retirement for communion with God. But we have ever admired the spirit of the pious sailor who was asked where he found a place for prayer at sea. "Oh!"

said he, "I always went to the masthead." And the same was the spirit of the pious soldier who, in answer to a similar question, said, "Where there is a heart to pray, it is easy to find a place."

So it is. It is the want of heart that makes Christians careless of communion with God when their usual habits are interrupted, and they are surrounded by new scenes and associations. Yet the very time when they need prayer most they enjoy it least.

You need not leave your Bible at home. It will take up but little room in your trunk, and will be a blessed travelling companion. Read it daily night and

morning, and make its truths the theme of frequent meditation. Better is the word of God than a charm in the hour of danger; it has saved many a weak disciple from many a sad fall.

You can take a few tracts with you. They are always pleasant and profitable companions; to read when you are disposed to read, and be given away when you can do so without giving offence. Arrows shot at a venture are sometimes Divinely guided to the heart. Scatter them wisely and widely, and seek a blessing from God upon them when they are sent. And in particular take with you a bundle of copies of the PENNY MAGAZINE.

You can find churches, and prayermeetings, and sabbath-schools, and a stranger is always welcome to the company of those who love God. Join yourself to them, and mingle your sympathies, and prayers, and labours with God's people, wherever find them. If you love the house of God when at home, you will find no other place so much like home when abroad.

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Do not be ruffled by trifles. There are a thousand things to annoy travellers, and some people make themselves exceedingly ridiculous by flying into a passion at the carelessness or ignorance of servants, the faithlessness of agents, and the little impositions to which they are often exposed. But getting into a passion is a very poor method of remedying an evil. It is better to be cool and patient. Especially should a Christian exhibit such a temper as will lead even wicked men to say, "He must be a good man; he keeps his temper."

Cherish the spirit of devotion. Remember the character you sustain, and the frequent opportunities of usefulness you will have if you seek them; and wherever you go or stay, let the power of the Christian character be felt in all your words and actions. So will your

path be peace, your journey pleasantness, and God your companion and guard.

USE OF PROPERTY.

CHRISTIANS should aid the truth by devoting their property to sustain the church in extending the institutions of the gospel. It is no new doctrine that for the support of the cause of religion God demands the treasures he has committed to the care of his people. If it was true under the ancient economy, it is especially true under the Christian dispensation, when the property of Christians, from the be

ginning of it, was devoted to the extension of religious institutions. What more beautiful feature of their character than the systematic distribution of their charity to sustain the cause of Christianity, struggling against many adversaries? It is also a striking evidence of the power of the gospel in breaking the bands of selfishness and avarice. Here it is seen that self-consecration to God, on the part of an individual, embraces the earthly substance intrusted to him. The spirit of that consecration compels him to recognise the authority of the command, "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase. On all his gold and silver, houses and lands, it compels him to write, "Holiness to the Lord."

The present economy of Christian effort in behalf of the truth demands the practical application of the spirit of the gospel in regard to property. It is an economy adopted as the result of study, of wisdom, and experience. Perfection is not claimed for it. But as to cheapness, efficiency, and success, it has been so far tried in its different departments as to command the confidence of the wise and good. Its results are certainly such, if we look no farther than our own land, as must gladden the hearts of all the friends of truth, and prove to them that God has given them abundant reward for every coin they have cast into his treasury. Many sons of sorrow and of want have been blessed by their liberality, the voice of whose gratitude they will never hear in this world, but whose song in heaven will witness to it through eternity.

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This work of propagating the truth is still dependent on the liberality of Christians. Withhold it, and you say, concerning the associations organized to promote the truth, Let them be disbanded. Let the missionary to the Gentiles, if he go at all, go at his own charges. Let the people who need the ministers of Christ procure them as they can. the press be stopped which is furnishing the Bible and a Christian literature for the world. Let the feeble bands of Christ's disciples, who cry for help amid their struggles and trials, cry in vain. Withhold your property from this hallowed enterprise, and you say to the destitute, the stricken, and afflicted, We have no compassion for you. Let ignorance, error, and darkness still reign. Let the angel of mercy, who has gone forth publishing salvation to the nations, be arrested in his flight. Let generation

after generation of immortal men still move on with dark and rapid tread to the grave, unvisited by the truth. Let the church stop the wheels of her vast machinery, and tell the world she can no more lift her hands for its recovery. To this it must come if Christians withhold the gold and the silver, without which the enterprise of propagating the truth cannot be sustained. And is there a man rejoicing in the knowledge of the truth, to whose heart it has come with the light, and love, and glory of the cross, but who is not yet visited by the spirit of a cheerful giver, who is not startled by such an interpretation of his illiberality? It is a sound interpretation, and one which the light of the next world will confirm.

J. B. C.

THE END OF THE WICKED.

"HE that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy," Prov. xxix. 1. Sinful habits and presumptuous neglect of the soul frequently characterize the advocates of false sentiments and scoffers at true religion. Such may enjoy worldly prosperity for a season, but even the prosperity of the wicked shall slay them; and while the forbearance of Jehovah is mistaken for his favour, or used as an argument against his word, they ridicule the faith and zeal of the pious by exclaiming with unbelievers of old, "Where is the promise of his coming?" Yet sudden destruction often prostrates the hopes and confidence of vain cavillers. God, in order to vindicate his word, to strengthen the faith of his people, and to deter bold transgressors, comes out in judgment against them, and cuts them off with a stroke.

J. Bwas a man of powerful frame -past the meridian of life-of intemperate habits, and an advocate of universal salvation; a refuge which he probably sought to quiet conscience and shield himself from the reproofs of the righteous. Living near the place where the people of God often assembled for religious worship, he was never seen in their meetings. He passed for a decided Universalist, and a confirmed unbeliever in experimental religion. His pious wife had prayed year after year for his conversion, and God had waited long to be gracious; but mercies and blessings failed to affect his obdurate heart. Infinite wisdom therefore saw fit to employ severer means to show him the falsehood of his

sentiments and the guilt of his life; to bring him to repentance, or at least to confess his folly, that others might be warned, by his example, to shun the rock on which thousands have wrecked their souls. While absent from home on a visit to a neighbouring city, in the act of drinking his accustomed draught of alcoholic poison, he accidentally broke the glass, a fragment of which penetrated his hand. In a few days he returned home, with his hand and arm much swollen. He was soon reduced to a sick bed, and suffered extreme pain. His affectionate wife, ever solicitous for his temporal and spiritual welfare, being alarmed at the ravage which disease was making upon his robust constitution, sent to the writer, informing him of the state her husband was in, with a request that he, together with the deacon of the church, a faithful, godly man, would watch the ensuing night with the sick man, evidently that we might have a favourable opportunity to converse with him upon the concerns of the soul.

We found him suffering much physical pain. In the course of the night the subject of religion was introduced, and the remark made that as life was uncertain to all, especially to the sick, reason dictated the importance of being in constant preparation for such an important event as our exit from time into eternity. He briefly replied, that as in Adam all died, so in Christ all should be made alive; plainly intimating that he understood the passage as proving the salvation of all men. We could but pray that God would open his eyes, and bring him to speedy repentance.

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The next day the physician pronounced his case hopeless, and requested a minister of the gospel to visit him, and inform him that what he did in preparing for eternity must be done quickly. Promptly and faithfully the servant of God delivered his message to the dying man. ceived it as the first intimation that he was dangerously ill, and as a summons from the eternal God to answer at his bar for the deeds done in the body. The foundation on which he had built his hopes of heaven now appeared like the shifting sand; the illusion was dispelled. He saw himself a guilty, ruined sinner, exposed to the just displeasure of his final Judge, and began to cry earnestly for mercy. He lingered a few days, in extreme suffering from disease, and still more from the remorse of a guilty conscience. He could be heard distinctly