to view, is insufficient to produce more than a momentary recollection. Hence the necessity of prayer; of such appropriate petitions as those with which David never failed to follow up his own reflections; knowing that otherwise they would be wholly unprofitable to him. And when he prayed that God would not "hide his commandments from him," he surely meant something more than that he might become accurately acquainted with the laws of God contained in his word. There can be no doubt that he was already well furnished with this head knowledge; but he knew there was something more than this necessary, and that much more was promised;" the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him"- even that spiritual understanding of his word and will which is often " hidden from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes."

There are many things concerning the commandments of God which he will hide from us till we beseech him to discover them to us. But there is one mistake which, especially, we are sure to fall into; indeed, it is the grand delusion which we bring into the world with us, and which is the cause of all our misery; namely, that we think "his commandments grievous." And although he assures us to the con trary, and although every day's experience tends to convince us that we are happy or miserable exactly in proportion to the diligence or carelessness with which we observe those commands; yet do we continue to feel and think them a bondage, and to wish to rid ourselves of the yoke and the burden, till Jesus himself, by instilling his grace, and writing his

laws in our hearts, convinces us that the "yoke is easy and the burden light."

The view which our depraved nature gives us of the laws of God is, that they are the arbitrary mandates of a hard master. "I knew thee that thou art an austere man," is exactly the feeling of the heart towards Him naturally; but when we are divinely taught to know God, and to learn his will, then we admire his goodness in this especial respect, that all his commands tend to save us from misery; and that the restrictions which his law imposes are as essential to our happiness and welfare in this life, as they are to our safety and felicity in the life to come.

We prove ourselves to be but strangers in the world, and unacquainted with its true character, by our constant inclination to partake of its "mortal poisons," and to drink of its "dangerous waters," instead of contenting ourselves with the wholesome fruits and pure springs which are provided for our refreshment. Our first parents set us an example in this respect which all their children are prone to follow. But those who are taught of God, learn to discriminate between good and evil; and see it to be as much their interest as their duty to refuse what is prohibited, even though it should appear fair as the fruits of Paradise.

Let it ever be remembered, that when we feel most at ease and at home in this world, when its delights seem to satisfy us, and its ties most closely unite us to it; when we show ourselves to be strangers to its snares, bewildered and endangered by its thorny mazes—we then have most need to say,

--

“Since I'm a stranger here below,
Let not thy path be hid;

But mark the road my feet should go,
And be my constant guide.

XXXVIII.

THE LIST OF NAMES.

A GENTLEMAN who was making a tour through several parts of the country, on a mission of benevolence, on his arrival in a certain town, was, upon inquiry, immediately directed to the house of Mr. W——, a man who was eminently distinguished in the neighbourhood in which he lived; but it was neither for his affluence, his style of living, his party spirit, his conviviality, his connoisseurship, nor his literary taste, that he was distinguished: to none of these things he paid any particular attention, and to some of them he was decidedly averse. But if any stranger in distress, or any one engaged in a good work and labour of love, came to that place, inquiring, according to the apostolic custom, "who in it was worthy;" Mr. W—— was the name that instantly occurred to whoever of his townsfolks chanced to be applied to. And as he was not in the least busy and officious in his benevolence, and as he exercised his judgment and discrimination in every case that was presented to his notice, he was as much respected and esteemed as he was beloved by his neighbours.

The stranger who was now directed to his door, introduced himself to Mr. and Mrs. W-—, and to a young lady who happened to be on a visit of a few days at their house. Having explained the nature of his business, and solicited their advice and cooperation, the stranger requested Mr. W- - to furnish him with the list of names of such of the inhabitants, especially of the young people of the place, as would be most likely to enter into his views, and exert themselves in the cause. Mr. W—— immediately took out his pencil, and set down two or three names at the top of a sheet of paper, without a moment's hesitation. Having so done, he began to rub his forehead, and put himself in the attitude of recollection.

"I fear, Sir," said he, “we shall find some difficulty in filling up our list. There is a good number of young people here, but my dear" (addressing his wife) "what do you think the Miss J- -'s would say to such an application ?"

MRS. W. There can be no harm in putting down their names: as a new thing I think they would be very likely to take it up.

STRANGER. Alas! Madam, we find Miss J- -'s go where we will: the difficulty is to meet with those who are willing to plod and fag in a good cause, when the novelty and éclat are gone by. However, we may be thankful that there are so many, and I trust the number is increasing, of those "hidden ones," who are willing to labour on, without noise and without praise.

MRS. W. And there are Mrs. and Miss P-—.

R

MR. W. Yes; I was thinking of them; but must try and get one or two of the great folks sanction us first, otherwise they would, I fear, be s of the application.

STRANGER, (smiling.) The old story again! meet with many of those Mistresses and Misses w can only venture to do good in good company, with their own party.

MR. W. What do you say to Mrs. F and h daughters?

MRS. W. We must let them have all the manag ment, and all the credit too, or they will not mově finger for us.

STRANGER, (laughing.) As to the credit, they sha be perfectly welcome to that; and as to the managi ment, we find ways of humouring weak persons this description, by giving them some office, or little apparent distinction in the business, withou much inconvenience to the cause. But really, Si these good people in your town seem all to be ol acquaintances of mine.

MR. W. Yes, Sir: as face answereth to faceMRS. W. I was thinking of all the G——'s.

MR. W. So was 1; but the worst of it is, they will never join in it if the J—'s do; it would set them against the thing at once; however, we can call on them first.

STRANGER, (smiling again.) But then will not these J's make the same objection to the G——'s.

MR. W. I think they have rather more sense; they would, at any rate, be ashamed of allowing