ADVICE TO A NEW-MARRIED COUPLE.

ous grace of God displayed in your salvation. You, I trust,
have been convinced, by the Holy Spirit of the evil of sin;
and led to the atoning sacrifice and everlasting righteousness
of Jesus Christ, for the pardon of sin, acceptance with God,
a child of many
daily supplies of grace, and everlasting glory.
You, my dear and only daughter, are
prayers, not only in the closet and in the family, but in the
house of God. Our Christian friends have often cried to Hea-
ven on your behalf. Myself and your tender mother have
watched the hand of the Lord. We hope we have seen, with
We have seen
pleasure and gratitude, the rich grace and almighty power of
God manifested in your conversion to Christ.
We have be-
you follow the Lamb in your youth. You have a name and
place among the saints in the church below.
held you with seriousness, prayer, and in the fear of God, en-
ter into a most important connexion for life. You are gone
from under our roof; but your future happiness lies near our
hearts. Your conduct as a daughter has often given us plea-
sure; but, my dear, I am jealous over you and Mr.

--with

a godly jealousy. I have, with sorrow of heart, observed some young persons, who seemed to run well for a time, in the good ways of God, who, after marriage, have waxed cold toward spiritual things, become negligent in their attendance upon the means of grace; and, alas! where are they now?

Accept, therefore, jointly the affectionate advice of a father and a pastor, who is ready to say "I live, if ye both stand fast.

in the Lord."

First, I exhort and solemnly charge you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that you endeavour daily to read, and practically to regard the sacred word of God, and in secret to pour out your hearts before him. Endeavour earnestly to intreat the Holy Spirit to increase your understanding of, faith in, and love to, the heavenly oracles. May they be a lamp to your feet, and a light to your path, from day to day! The Scriptures are clothed with the authority of Jehovah; and they are expressive of his marvellous loving-kindness to his chosen, ransoned, and called people. Never, therefore, suppose for a moment, that you can promote your own present happiness by deviating from divine directions.

Secondly, I beseech you to make conscience of familyprayer in the morning as well as the evening: to this end rise early. Reflect upon the words of the pious Psalmist," My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord! In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." In the day, while engaged in the busy concerns of life, you may be exposed to many snares; and will stand in need of special supplies of grace to enable you to glorify God. How proper then to begin the day with him! Don't aim to be long, nor loud; but beg for the Spirit of prayer, that your hearts may be de

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voted to the God of love. In the evening, attend to familyworship as early as possible, or, after the fatigues of the day, it will become a weariness. Watch, with solicitude, I intreat you, against every thing that may cause discord, distance, or even coolness of affection one toward the other. O how soon will you feel it at the throne of grace! Hence the apostolic exhortation: "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered." Aim, as far as possible, by studied kindness, to promote each other's pleasure and happiness. Some things, apparently trivial, have an astonishing effect upon the human mind. You have each your imperfections, yea, many infirmities, which it will be necessary every day to cover with a mantle of love. Never, no never, mention each other's failings in company, if you wish to pro-. mote domestic felicity. Whenever the slightest circumstance occurs which is unpleasing, it is an honour to that party who is first anxious to remove it, and restore the precious blessing of peace. This honour be solicitous to obtain.

Thirdly, In regard to worldly concerns, my dear children, make a point of being punctual with reference to your engagements with men; and act with strict integrity as in the sight of God. Never promise any thing, if it be at all doubtful whether you can perform. When a man can trifle with his word, his reputation is gone. Be as industrious and frugal as possible; yet guard against a niggardly, covetous disposition, which is contrary to the spirit of the gospel of Christ. Never affect to appear above your real circumstances; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Aim at no more than a reasonable advantage by your business; never ask two prices for your goods. The conduct of some professors in shops is shameful, very unbecoming those who fear God. O consider that your success in your lawful undertakings depends upon the blessing of the Alinighty! Pay the strictest attention, I beseech you, to the Lord's Day. Never let worldly business or conversation infringe on the sacred hours. I know, from the nature of your calling and situation, you will be under temptations with reference to this matter. Beg of the Lord to give you grace and strength to resist whatever inducements may present themselves, from apparent necessity, or the prospect of advantage. Consider the gracious promises of a faithful God: "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, and shalt honour him; not doing thine. own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and

feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord bath spoken it*."

Fourthly, Choose for your most intimate companions those who appear to be the most spiritually-minded and serious in their converation. Shun all levity of spirit, foolish talking, and jesting, which are not convenient. Avoid all political discussions, and practically remember the apostolic exhortation: "That, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty; for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour." Guard against useless visits and idle visitors. Always sup at home, unless the call to be absent be urgent. "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man."

Do not raise your expectations of present happiness too high. All creatures are but cisterns, broken cisterns, which can hold no water. The blessed God himself, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is the never-failing Fountain of present comfort and everlasting felicity. To this Fountain may you be led by the Holy Spirit, day by day! On the everflowing fulness of Im manuel, may you constantly live! Remember, for your en couragement, that, amidst all the changing scenes of human life, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever! Do not cease to pray for your affectionate parents.

* Isa. lviii. 13, 14.

Mr. Editor,

sin.

NOTHING LOST BY SERVING GOD.

I REMONSTRATED with a poor old woman, who kept a huckster's, or chandler's shop, for selling on Sundays. I had every reason to believe she was pious, though guilty of this She acknowledged it was wrong, and that conscience often reproved her; but pleaded that she was a poor, infirm, old widow, without any support, excepting that which she derived from her shop; that her business on the week days would Not maintain her; and that she took as much money on the Sabbath as on the other six days together. I told her, nothing was gained by sin, nor any thing lost by obedience; that she had trusted God with her eternal concerns, and surely might trust him with her temporal; and that he had promised to provide for his people; but, by breaking the Sabbath, she took her affairs out of his hands: no wonder, therefore, if she suffered distress.She acknowledged the truth of my remarks,

and determined to shut her shop on the Lord's Day, which she accordingly did. Sometime alterwards I asked her, Whether she was poorer since she left off selling on Sundays? "No," said she," God has shewn me (blessed be his holy name) that he can provide for me abundantly; there is nothing got by sinning."

Many people suppose it is the easiest thing in the world to believe; and that, if we can be saved by faith alone, none will be lost. They are little acquainted with the human heart who talk thus. To believe the Gospel is as difficult as to obey the Law; so that nothing short of the irresistible power of the Holy Ghost can make us believers. When our worldly interest runs parallel with the Commandments, it is indeed easy to keep them; but when duty and interest are in opposition to each other, it is quite the reverse. Faith says, "Leave your concerns in the hand of God, and be calm; rely on his promises, and he will provide." Unbelief objects, "I do not see how he will provide; therefore, I fear he has forgotten me:"and if Unbelief does not prevail so far as to make a person use unlawful methods to supply his wants, it is well indeed if it does not prevail sufficiently to disturb his peace, and harrass him with impatience, doubts, and fears. If it be so hard to trust God with our temporal concerns, how much more is it difficult to trust him with our souls, renouncing every other dependence besides. W. W. Birmingham.

THE AGREEMENT

BETWEEN THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS
AND THAT OF THE APOSTLES.

IN modern times, a distinction has been made between the doctrine of our Lord and that of his apostles; from what motives, and for what purposes, is well known. Some truly respectable divines may have given too much countenance, however, to this idea; on which account it may deserve investiga tion. A comparison, therefore, is here attempted, between the fundamental principles contained in the Gospels and those in the Epistles.

The Apostles call God, emphatically, "The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;" and Jesus says, repeatedly, and with equal emphasis, when speaking of God," My Father."

The Apostles tell us, that " God spared not his own Son; but delivered him up for us all" and Jesus says, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son."

The Apostles call Jesus, "The Lord from Heaven;" and Jesus says, "I came down from Heaven."

DOCTRINE OF JESUS AND THE APOSTLES.

The Apostles say, that Jesus is "the Lord of Glory ;" and Jesus prays, "O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.'

The Apostles teach, "That in Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" and Jesus saith," All things that the Father hath are mine."

knee The Apostles teach, "That at the name of Jesus every shall bow ;" and Jesus tells us, "That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father."

The Apostles call it, "A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners" and Jesus says, "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

and Jesus says, "I lay In reference to the death of Jesus, the Apostles say, "That God delivered his Son up for us;" down my life of myself: this commandment have I received of my Father."

The Apostles say," Christ loved us, and gave himself for us;" and Jesus says, "I lay down my life for the sheep."

The Apostles attest, "That Christ hath obtained eternal redemption for us ;" and that "He gave himself a ransom for all:" and Jesus says, "The Son of man came to give his life a ransom for many."

The Apostles declare, "That the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, cleansetn us from all sin ;" and Jesus confirms it, saying, "My blood is shed for the remission of sins."

The Apostles say, "We are justified freely by his grace, thro' the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation for sin, through faith in his blood;" and Jesus says, " As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoso◄ ever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

The Apostles affirm, "Neither is there salvation in any 66 No one other; for there is no other name under Heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved:" and Jesus says, cometh unto the Father but by me."

'The Apostles declare," God hath made us accepted in the beloved; and Jesus, "He that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father."

The Apostles say, we are to "believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; that believing, we might have life through his name:" and Jesus testifies, "He that believeth in the Son of God, is not condemned."

The Apostles declare they were "confident that he who had begun the good work would carry it on ;" and that he would "keep what had been committed unto him until that day:" and Jesus says, "I give unto my shcep eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any one pluck them out of my hands."