forted, and began to bless the day that I came into the world. As Billy used to read, I'd be like one waiting to hear his fate from the mouth of a judge. I could'nt keep from listening, and yet I'd be half afraid to hear his words coming out. But I needn't if I had heard but all: for I now see that the book has in it blessed news for poor sinners.

Thomas.-What do you mean by that, John?

John. What do I mean? why I'll tell you, Tom, I mean that God has sent in that Book good news to sinners.

Thomas.-Well, I've no notion of good news, except a body was to hear that somebody died, and left them a fortune; or that the army one was wishing for, got a great victory; or something or other like that. What do you mean by any other good news?

John.-I mean, Tom, that there is better news in the Testament, than if we were to hear that we were left the largest farm in the world.

Thomas.-Let us hear it, John, for I never thought of such a thing as that; never.

John. The good news, Tom, is, that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1 Tim. i. 15.) Thomas.-Is that all?

John. Is that all! Why, Tom, what better news could a body hear than this? For my part it comes like a cordial to my heart. To know that this is true, gives me more satisfaction than to know that the greatest estate in the world was mine.

Thomas.-Well, John, there's a great difference between us. Let me have the estate, and do you have the

rest.

John.-O, Tom, how little do you know what is good! If you did, it would rejoice you to hear that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for poor sinners. You would be glad to hear him say to sinners, “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out" (John vi. 37). And you would wonder at that love, that made him come down from heaven on such an errand as he came about. If I did not know that he died on the cross, and that his blood takes away my sin, I should be a miserable creature;

but knowing that, I bless God for bringing me into the world, and I hope to bless him for it evermore.

Thomas.-Well, it may be all very good; but what has that to do with your coming to the dance, John?

John.-I'll tell you, Tom. As soon as I began to learn these things, I found that I couldn't do any thing that I thought would displease the blessed Saviour, without feeling a sting in my conscience. Says I to myself, "If he gave his life for my poor soul, mustn't I love and obey him?" Yes, Tom, I thought this quite reasonable; and, to tell you the truth, there's nothing at this present time would give me so much trouble as offending my gracious Saviour. And I have a different notion of pleasure now from what I used to have. I used to think there was no pleasure like going about to the alehouse, and such places; but I'm of another mind now-I think the time pleasant, when I am listening to Billy reading the Testament. And I love to fall down upon my knees, and adore him who shed his blood to save me. And it is a great satisfaction to me to own my sins to him, and to pray to him to make me such a one as I ought to be.

Thomas.-Never a bit can I understand you; but, however, sure you don't mean to tell me that there's any harm in a body's going to the alehouse, to take a sup with a friend, or going to the dance, or such things?

John.-Why, Tom, I told you before, I have no more liking for these things; and if there were no harm in them, I would not go to them, because I have no heart for them. But God has denounced severe judgments against Sabbath-breakers, and some have been known to die in the act of profane dancing. At any rate, Tom, if a person does but read the Testament, and believe what he reads, one must soon see a true Christian is not like the rest of the world. What is it we find there? "Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt. vii. 13, 14.)

Thomas.-Well, John, it doesn't signify talking; I don't understand what you'd be at; but I know the

neighbours will be laughing at you, if you be going on this way.

John.-I expect it, Tom. The blessed Saviour has said, that any man that will follow him will meet with scandal from the world. He says, "Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake." (Luke vi. 22.) Yes, Tom, I know the neighbours will laugh at me; but I'm sorry for it only on their account. They don't know what they are doing. In the day of judgment, Tom, there will be no laughing.

Thomas.-John, I believe you're right enough there, at any rate; but, for myself, I don't like to be thinking about such things. A merry life for me, John;—a merry life for ever.

John. That may do well enough, Tom, while you are young and healthy: but what will you do in the time of sickness? What will you do when you come to die?

Thomas: As for that, I hope I've as good a chance as another; while I have health, I'm determined to make the most of it, and not to think of death, or any thing of that kind.

John.-Yet death will come, Tom.

Thomas. I know that, John; but what's the good of a body's thinking of it beforehand?

John.-Great good, Tom, if it leads a poor sinner "to flee from the wrath to come." (Luke iii. 7.) O, Tom, how terrible it will be in the day of judgment to meet God, and to hear him say, "Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire." (Matt. xxv. 41.)

Thomas.-God forbid, John, that we should ever hear that. But come, we'll have no more of this talk, for I don't doubt, but if I were to listen to you any longer, you'd make me as bad as yourself. I feel myself beginning to be frightened about death and the day of judg ment already, and I don't like to trust myself any longer with you. So good-bye to you, John. While I have a light heart, I'll keep it; and if you will have your own way, I can't help it.

John.-I am very sorry, Tom, to see you make so little of the great salvation of God; and I can only say, that my heart's desire and prayer is, that you may obtain "repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."

Thomas, unfortunately, acted on his maxim, "A merry life for me;" but it was not as he added, A merry life for ever." He continued to visit the alehouse, and frequently engaged in dances, even on Sundays. After one of these parties, at which dancing and drinking had been 'carried to a great excess, poor Thomas was struck "as with a dart through the liver" (Prov. vii. 23), and death suddenly hurried him into the awful presence of the great God, the Judge of the earth. His kind and faithful friend, John, was much affected at this sorrowful event; but it added to his former conviction, that "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. vi. 23), and engaged him more earnestly than ever "to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." (Titus ii. 12.) His path was, therefore, like that of the just, "shining more and more unto the perfect day." (Prov. iv. 18.)

A REFRESHING DRINK IN A FEVER, OR IN GREAT THIRST.

IN cases of fever all appetite for food is generally gone; and this is wisely ordered by a merciful Providence-for, at such a time, there is no power to digest the food, and a great deal of harm would be done if it were taken. Some persons are ill-judging enough to try to persuade fever patients to eat, for the sake of strengthening them. This is a most dangerous attempt; and all the food that could be forced down, would be the means of much injury. In most cases of fever, the less that is taken the better, either of food or drink; but if the case be of a kind which requires a different treatment, this should be ventured upon only under the direction of a skilful medical adviser. The patient, however, generally suffers much from thirst, but strong drink would generally quicken the pulse, and add to the disease; and, in some cases, so increase its power, as to produce death. The drink, then, should be such as will be refreshing, but not heating. Those who

have sat by the bedside of a patient suffering from the thirst of fever, have witnessed the grateful relief which has been experienced when the parched mouth was moistened by a cool and refreshing liquid. A much valued friend, lately snatched away by fever, found so much relief and refreshment from the following simple mixture, that he was very desirous of having it put into our "Cottager's Visitor," for the sake of others. It may be already known to many of our readers; but, as it may be new to others, and was given by a very eminent physician, we are glad to put it into print.

"Peel a lemon very finely; put the peel into a jug with a little white sugar; upon this pour a little boiling water. Let it stand until it has extracted the flavour, and then fill the jug with cold spring water. The peel only is to be used. A wine glass full may be taken every half hour if necessary."

V.

HINTS FOR MAKING A MANURE, TAKEN FROM THE
EXAMPLE OF ALLOTMENT TENANTS.

THE following description of a manure obtained the prize at the last meeting of the Holywood Agricultural Society. As it may be of advantage to cottagers generally, we insert it as it appeared in the Labourers' Friend Magazine.

"To the President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, Committee, and Members of the Holywood Agricultural Society.

"GENTLEMEN,-Having observed, in your published list of premiums for this year, which by some means fell into my hands, one offered by Mr. Harlin, for the best essay on, or description of, a manure or manures which will make the best substitute for that usually prepared in the farm-yard, or procured from towns, I thought I would take a chance for it; and resolved, as I have many opportunities of seeing the crops growing, and of conversing with those who grow them, to cast my eyes about, and seek for information on the different manures by which they are produced. I at last fixed upon a farmer's field