fold in self-defence. In this manner he endeavours to soothe the minds of his wives by representing the case as one admitting of justification, since he had acted simply on the defensive. Such appears to us the most natural interpretation of the address.

Different expositions have been given of the words before us, which savour of the fanciful rather than the obvious. Some refer them to the first workings of jealousy manifesting themselves in this early example of polygamy. In their opinion, Lamech was the first polygamist; and we are directed to observe, how soon the consequences of departing from the original marriage institution appear. Mark, say they, the risings of a tormenting passion in the patriarch's mind; and how he threatens his wives because of it. I would slay a man, even though I should be wounded by him; and a young man, though I should suffer hurt. I would submit to bodily wounds and injuries, that I might slay the young man who would presume to interfere with my love to you. Beware, therefore, how ye encourage any one. This interpretation is ingenious, but destitute of all probability. It rests on a version of the verb I have slain, which is incorrect. Besides, there is no reason to assume that Lamech was the first polygamist, merely because

he is the first polygamist spoken of by the historian. Some of Cain's wicked posterity prior to Lamech may have had more wives than one. The silence of the record is no proof of the non-existence of polygamy in the world previously.

Another ingenious explanation has been given by Herder, who looks upon the poem as a triumphant song on the invention of the sword and metallic wea

pons.

His son Tubal-cain had discovered the art of working metals, so as to make sharp instruments; and the father breaks out into joy at the thought of being able to inflict vengeance on those who injured him. He had tried the superior efficacy of the newly-invented weapons, and found them such as to please his haughty spirit.

I slew a man who wounded me,
A young man who smote me with a blow.
If Cain shall be avenged seven times,
Then Lamech, seventy times seven.

If Cain by the providence of God was to be avenged seven times, how much more shall I be avenged, by the use of these newly-invented weapons, which I have tried for the first time and found all that I wished?

It is difficult in this case to see the reason why Lamech boasts to his wives; and the whole explanation is too refined to be adopted.

THE word "Home," especially when paternal, conjugal, filial, or fraternal love is developed, and when the fear of God, as the governing and master principle, is

unfolded, is ever associated with images of endearment, tenderness, and affection, of the purest and most exquisite kind, and with scenes of quiet virtue, tranquil

lity, and joy. What can we find, in a world like ours, where there is so much coldness, insincerity, and unmixed selfishness, that is comparatively worth possess ing, or aspiring after, if we proceed beyond our home? How little kindness is experienced from others! How much ingratitude is realized! How often are we deceived! and where we have been reposing almost unsuspecting confidence we have frequently been the most surprisingly and painfully deceived. If, then, we want real friends, friends who will never fail us, friends who will always be the same in sunshine and beneath the cloud, in the day of prosperity and adversity, in health and in sickness, let us seek after them at home. If we are desirous of observing some of the finest mental and moral qualities developed, some of the loveliest features of the Christian character expressed, let us mark them in many of the peaceful, retired, virtuous, and happy homes of our own highly-favoured country, where domestic affection is so much prized, and domestic happiness is so extensively realized.

It was in one of the most beauteous parts of a fair and fertile district of England that we were acquainted, many years ago, with one of these virtuous and tranquil homes. It was always refreshing and delightful to repair to it, and it was never left without regret. Memory, after the lapse of more than twenty years, loves to recur to its scenes, its engagements, and its pleasures; and when recollection is awakened, associations are inspired which are peaceful, ennobling, and happy.

The home to which we allude was situated in a rich and lovely valley, extending in a southerly direction, and forming the bed of a small and meandering river in its course from a neighbouring hill. The meadows which bordered this river were most verdant, and in early summer their richness was most attractive, and the beauty of the scene was augmented by its abruptly terminating in the steep green sides of a range of irregular eminences of considerable

height, uniting into a common level at the summit, and unfolding on every hand the most extended and lovely prospects.

The house to which we were accustomed to repair was one of a cottage-like style, simple and chaste in its construction and all its embellishments. A beautiful flower-garden extended some distance in front, and an ample garden and orchard stretched behind. Over some elegant trellis-work in front "sweet jessamine" gracefully and luxuriantly crept, while small roses and honeysuckle blended their charms and diffused their fragrance. In the early part of June, when this lovely scene was visited, it was like repairing to a little Eden in the desert.

The inmates of this peaceful and sunny home were six in number-the parents, and four affectionate and devoted children; and what rendered it the more delightful was this circumstance, that they were all under the influence of the love of God, and thoroughly consecrated to his service. Indeed, it was the hallowing influence and abiding presence of religion in the family which sweetened all, sanctified all, endeared all, and rendered this favoured abode so enviable and so happy.

The heads of the family were nearly fifty years of age-intelligent, amiable, pious persons, under the influence of the kindest disposition, and devotedly attached to each other. The father was a man of gentlemanly and elegant appearance, and the most bland and prepossessing demeanour. He was very thoughtful and devout, and delighted in the rural and lovely scenery by which he was surrounded. The mother was a woman of quiet and retiring habits, exceedingly ingenuous and affectionate in her disposition, and one who lived very near to God. There were two sons-one about | five-and-twenty and the other about oneand-twenty years of age. There was a marked contrast in their minds as well as in their persons; still they were both alike in one respect, in their love to the Saviour and their desire to advance his

The eldest son possessed a vigorous mind, well-informed and well-disciplined, and he was continually adding to its stores. The youngest was modest and unassuming in his habits, and somewhat pensive in his thoughts and demeanour; still he was accustomed to indulge in excursive reflections and inquiries, and was much addicted to the study of the works of God.

Jane, the eldest daughter, was a fine, tall, elegant girl, devotedly attached to her parents and brothers, and exceedingly fond of home. She was regular and uniform in her habits; she greatly aided her beloved mother in attention to domestic duties; but she daily performed the benevolent engagement of visiting the poor and the sick in her neighbourhood, and administering all the kind and Christian offices which she could possibly fulfil.

Ellen, the youngest of the family, was one of smiles and happiness. She possessed a lively and superior imagination, which she daily cultivated. She looked at everything on the bright side. She seemed to live continually in the sunshine, and, what was the best of all, she lived encircled by that light which is communicated by the hope of immortality.

This was the happy family with which we were acquainted; and the remembrance of whose kind spirit, bland and affectionate manners, benevolent, virtuous, and devotional habits, we can never recur to, after the lapse of so long a period, without being sensibly affected. Many and many an evening have we spent in the most rational and improving manner with the inmates of the peaceful abode to which we take our readers. They were all exceedingly fond of reading; and conversations were held on the books perused, discussions pursued on the subjects contemplated, and inquiries elicited which proved invigorating to the mind, and most beneficial to the heart. Often and often have we had an elevation given to our best thoughts, and a

The head of the family was very partial to the works of Flavel, that richly experimental and useful writer. He had an elegantly bound octavo copy of his productions, and he daily and with increased pleasure consulted them. He was accustomed to say, "I never read Flavel without finding myself instructed, encouraged, and benefited. There is always something on which I can dwell, by which I can be fed, and in which I can rejoice." He was wont to observe, "I wish our young ministers would all endeavour to preach and do good to souls like Flavel. There is no tinselno glare; but a scriptural simplicity, ‘an unction from the Holy One,' a tender affection, an impassioned earnestness, most attractive." He was very fond also of the Life of Philip Henry, by his son Matthew. He had this book always near him. "This," he would often say, "is a precious little volume. It is one of my classics. I never consult it without getting good; finding something which I can find nowhere else."

His beloved partner was devotedly attached to Baxter, especially his "Call to the Unconverted," and his "Saints' Rest." The latter volume in her possession was one of the early editions, and so much did she prize it that she had it bound in morocco, and she could not bear it to be out of her chamber.

The eldest son was a great admirer of Hannah More. He appreciated her vigour, her fulness of remark and illustration, her sageness, her Johnsonian copiousness and force. He would read her "Strictures on Female Education," and her "Hints on the Education of a Young Princess," again and again, and would observe: "I never read them without having my information augmented, and my interest increased."

The younger son was an excursive reader of works developing the beauties, the wonders, and the glories of the universe. To the science of astronomy he was peculiarly addicted, and an almost

was pursued.

The youngest daughter was passionately fond of flowers, and she had a choice collection to which she attended, and over which she would assiduously watch. She was an early riser, and in the fine mornings of May, June, and July she would be up with the lark to tend her pinks and carnations, her varieties of the pansy, her tulips and roses, unfolding their beauties and diffusing their odours around. She would often "How much I see of God in my flower-garden! I have always a fresh lesson to learn, and a new beauty to admire."

say,

The eldest daughter, after visiting the poor and sick, would have a little class of children at the house of her father, which she would catechise and instruct in the great principles of religion, and teach them to write and practise arithmetic. She always thought it an honour to do good to a child, and nothing gave her so much pleasure as when any of the children under her care showed that they profited by her unwearied attentions.

This was the happy family with which we were acquainted. This was the home of virtue, religion, and love, where we have spent some of our sweetest and happiest hours-hours which will always be associated with the sunniest period of our existence. But, what changes! what revolutions occur among families and our acquaintances in twenty or three

The parents are both gone to their rest above, dying peacefully and happily in the Lord. The two daughters were very delicate, and a fever removed one, while a cold, too long neglected, was the means of taking away the other to a brighter world. One of the sons died when he was five-and-thirty, and the other, by a singular vicissitude of circumstances, located himself in one of our colonies. So that the walls of this domestic sanctuary are broken down; the fire which used to glow on the altar is extinguished. The peaceful, intelligent, and happy evenings of this engaging family are enjoyed no longer. The flowers are no longer tended by the same hands, gazed at with the same admiring eyes. The poor in the neighbourhood have another visitor, the sick around another comforter, the children another teacher. What changes! what ravages! -how numerous! how sad! how entire! are occasioned by death, the ruthless destroyer, in twenty or five-and-twenty years!

"And parted thus they rest who play'd
Beneath the same green tree,
Whose voices mingled as they pray'd
Around one parent knee.

They that with smiles lit up the hall,
And cheer'd with song the hearth;
Alas! for Love, if thou wert all,
And nought beyond, O Earth."
T. W.

DEAR SIR, It may be useful to lay before your readers, in these times, when Popery seems to threaten us, the views and principles of that great man, Dr. John Owen, upon the above subject. He says, in his sermon on the Use of Faith, if Popery should return upon us, "The second difficulty that we have, or

may have to conflict with, is the return of Popery into this land. Half the talk of the world is upon this subject. I verily believe that those who have the conduct of the Papal antichristian affairs, throughout the world, are endeavouring to bring it in upon us. I remember what holy Latimer said when he came to