all filthiness and dirt, even in the fields and in the camp, not to mention the cities: now had swine been permitted, the public places and streets and houses would have been made nuisances."

The prophet Isaiah, lxv. 4, charges his degenerate people with eating swine's flesh, and having a broth of abominable things in their vessels. They had not yet neglected to bring their sacrifices to the altar of Jehovah; but they no longer served their God in sincerity and truth: "He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man: he that sacri'ficeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations." Isai. lxvi. 3. Conduct so contrary to their solemn engagements, so hateful in the sight of the Holy One, though long endured, was not always to pass with impunity. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens, behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord." Isai. lxvi. 17.

In such detestation was the hog held by the Jews, that they would not so much as pronouuce its name, but called it "the strange thing" and we read in the history of the Maccabees, that Eleazer, a principal scribe, being compelled by Antiochus Epi. phanes to open his mouth and receive swine's flesh, spit it forth, and went of his own accord to the torment, choosing rather to suffer death than to break the law of God, and give offence to his nation*.

*2 Maccab. vi. 18, and vii. 1,

It is observed that when Adrian rebuilt Jerusalem, he set up the image of a hog, in bas-relief, upon the gates of the city, to drive the Jews away from it, and to express the greater contempt for that miserable people.

It was avarice, a contempt of the law of Moses, and a design to supply the neigh bouring idolaters with victims, that caused whole herds of swine to be fed on the borders of Galilee. Whence the occasion is plain of Christ's permitting the disorder that caused them to fling themselves headlong into the lake of Genezareth. Matth. viii. 32.

We read. Matth. vii. 6, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend vou." There is a similar maxim in the Talmudical writings. "Do not cast pearls before swine:" to which is added, by way of explanation, "Do not offer wisdom to one who knows not the value of it, but profanes its glory." Another proverbial expression occurs 2 Pet. ii. 22. "It has hoppened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."-This is in part a quotation from Prov. xxvi. 11.-Harris.

MARY ANN, A LITTLE SUNDAY SCHOLAR. Mary Ann- was admitted into the school in February, 1827. She attended the school about eight months, she attracted but little notice, being remarkably quiet and orderly, but far from either a quick or a clever child, It was evident however that she paid great attention to religious instruction. Often 1 have seen the tear in her eyes, while I have

been endeavouring to explain the truths of the Gospel, and to impress on the minds of the children, the necessity of having a personal interest in the Saviour. It was her constant practice to beg her mother to allow her to repeat hymns, &c. which she had learnt at school, and to read the portion of Scripture that had been her lesson for the day, and to tell any remarks which had been made upon it.

At the commencement of her illness, such was her love to the school, that for sometime she would not stay at home, but would often beg to be allowed to come when scarcely able to rise from her bed. The pain she suffered and a dreadful cough prevented her saying much, but from the little she said, it was evident that her thoughts were wholly employed in divine things. Her hymn book, Watts' Catechism, and her Testament were constantly by her, and every interval of ease was employed in reading them Sometimes her father would remove her books, fearing that sitting up in the bed would make her worse, but she would not rest until they were replaced, and generally her Testament was in her hand. When too weak to read, she said, in reply to a question, "Now I am confined to my bed, and am so very ill, I think of all that I learnt at school, I do not think I shall live, but I am not afraid to die, because know I shall be a happy spirit in heaven." She was asked why she could say this? "Because, she replied, "I believe in Jesus, and love him." Her mother said, "my dear, do you wish to leave me ?" She appeared hurt at the question, and answered, "mother, I love you very much, but I love Jesus Christ a great deal better." As her end approached,

I

her sufferings were very great, and the cough and difficulty of breathing rendered it impossible to have any conversation with her: but nothing like impatience manifested itself in this dear child. She appeared grateful for any little kindness shewn her: and here I cannot refrain from noticing a little circumstance that occurred a day or two before her death. A person remarked that she could not have lived so long, had she not had nourishing jellies, &c.

She

raised herself up, and said, " yes, but none that I had have done me so much good as that Miss brought me"-(the lady whose school she attended.) Thus even in death she felt grateful to those who had been the instruments in bringing her acquainted with her Saviour. On Monday February 4th, it was evident her end was approaching. For several hours she held her Testament in her hand, and would not allow it to be taken from her. About one o'clock, her spirit departed; I have no doubt to be joined to the spirits of the just made perfect, and to renew that song she had feebly attempted on earth, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing for ever."

She was born April, 1819, and died Feb. ruary, 1828, aged 9 years.

ANECDOTE OF CHARLES THE FIRST.

When Charles 1st was in Spain, settling his marriage with a Spanish Princess; a Count who had pledged himself never to touch on the Prince's religion, told him, that if he would profess himself a son of the

Roman Church, Spain would yield all his desires, and it lay with himself to be the wealthiest and the most powerful monarch in Europe. The young Prince replied, "my Lord, you have broken your word with me, but I will not break my faith with God!" Israeli's Commentaries.

CC THE LORD WILL COME.

The Lord will come, the earth shall quake,
The isles their fixed seat forsake;

And with'ring from the vault of night,
The stars withdraw their feeble light.

The Lord will come, but not the same
As once in lowly form he came;
The silent lamb to slaughter led,
The bruis'd, the suffering and the dead.

The Lord will come, a dreadful form,
With path of flame, and robe of storm;
On cherub wings, on wings of wind,
The anointed Lord of human kind.

Can this be he, who wont to stray
A pilgrim on the world's highway,
By power opprest and mock'd by pride,
Oh God! is this the crucified !

Go, tyrants, to the rocks complain,
Go seek the mountain clefts in vain;
But faith, victorious o'er the tomb,
Shall sing for joy, "the Lord is come."
Waller Scott.

ALIX.

A. Foster, Printer, Kirkby Lonsdale.