populace, that the soul for whom they purchase a pardon. escapes from purgatory as soon as their money tinkles in the chest!" Let not the public be induced to prefer the purchase of Indulgences to acts of charity; for the relief of the poor is among the first Christian duties. "If the Holy Father," he added," knew the exactions of those mercenary preachers, he would rather that the palace of St. Peter should be burnt to ashes, than built with the skin and bones of his sheep."

Such is the outline of Luther's propositions, the publication of which constituted in a manner the first act of the Reformation. They manifest evident marks of a vigorous understanding, mixed, however, with a strong bius. to early impressions. He had attained what was very rare in that age, a correct view of the necessity of sincere penitence to the enjoyment of mental comfort. But in doing justice to him in this respect, as well as to his know!edge of the Scriptures and sacred history, we cannot help being struck with the extent of his faith in the doctrine of purgatory, and in the power of the pope.-His whole career, however, is an example of the slow steps by which the mind, when left to its own resources, is destined to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Known hitherto only in a limited circle as a professor, the publication of his "Propositions," made Luther one of the most public men in the empire. The respect which he showed to the authority of the Fathers, recommended his work to the reflecting and moderate, while the discrimination evinced in his definitions of the power of the Pope was calculated to stagger, in some degree, the belief of those who had hitherto bowed to it as infallible.

In regard to that point, there was indeed cons derable difference of opinion; but there was hardly room for any other feeling than admiration as to another-I mean the necessity of inward contrition and the indecency of selling a general pardon through the medium of an Indulgence.

Alarmed at the interest excited by Luther's" Propositions," Tetzel published soon after two Theses in opposition to them, in which he asserted the Pope's infallibility, and as a necessary consequence, that every thing at variance with their fundamental position must be false.

[To be Continued.]

X.

FOR THE MONITOR.

PRACTICAL SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS.

MR. EDITOR,

In a retired place in the country, there lives an elderly gentleman, whom I frequently visit with much satisfaction and no less advantage. By occupation he is a farmer; a plain, unlettered man, but one who has thought much, and studied the Bible and the ways of God in his providence, vastly more than thousands who in the same situation, and with the same opportunities, neglect them both. From his heavenly conversation and judicious remarks I have derived many an instructive lesson, and have not been a little stimulated to persevere in wisdom's paths; at the same time I could wish that every youth like myself, had before him such an example of humility,

and such a friend to counsel him.

One evening in autumn, when I was visiting at his house, he led me into his garden under a grape vine. The vine, with its winding branches and thick foliage dispersed over the frame which supported it, formed a delightful alcove, and seemed a place peculiarly adapted to the purposes of devotion and religious meditation. It was loaded with clusters and its branches were neatly trimmed and gracefully directed. At first I thought it was his intention, perhaps, to spend a few moments in social prayer, since the time and place seemed so inviting. In this however I was mistaken, for thus be began.

"I am the true vine and my father is the husbandman. Now, how aptly does the vine illustrate the subject which Christ would teach in the parable. Here is the stalk, large and firmly seated in the ground; the head, the source, the life of all the branches; from this they derive all their nourishment, by this they are enabled to bring forth their fruit. Such is Christ, and thus dependant on him are all his disciples. He proceeded; " As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me." How apt again the illustration! Observe these branches; each of them green, vigorous and flourishing, each of them loaded with clusters-it is because they abide in the vine. Cut off one of them like these prunings on the ground, immediately it

withers and dies, it is fit only to be gathered and cast into the fire. Thus it is with the disciples of Christ; if they live near to him, they bring forth much fruit, but without him they can do nothing. Again," Herein is my. father glorified that ye bear much fruit," This abundance of clusters is an honour to the husbandman; it marks the care and attention with which he has prepar ed the ground, watered it, trained up the vine, and pruned the branches. So the disciples of Christ, if they bear much fruit, glorify their Father in heaven."

The vine illustrates another thing. You see the branches are of every size; some are large and long, and wind themselves in endless ramifications, supporting and cherishing innumerable other branches. These are the

aged and experienced in Christ's Church, who, by their prayers their counsel and their example, feed his flock. Other branches, a more numerous class, are smaller and shorter; which may properly represent Christians in the prime of life; while here and there, you see a small tendril eurling its pliant substance around some neighbouring branch for support. These are the babes in Christ, who require to be fostered and treated with gentleness and the kindest affection. But all these branches so various in their size, strength, and extent, are, equally dependant on the stalk, and from it derive all they possess. Thus it is with Christ's disciples." When we returned to the house, my mind was filled with delightful contemplations; and I believe it was then if ever, I prayed that I might be united to Christ as the branch is united to the

vine.

In the morning at an early hour, as soon as the devotions at the family altar were ended, having occasion to go into one of his fields for something which required his attention, he invited me to walk with him. The dew was upon the groud, and the sun as it shone serenely, scattered a thousand brilliancies on the drops that studded every blade of grass. All was cheerful; the tribes of animated, nature, were seeking their food from God, and expressing their gratitude to him for his bounty these in songs, and those in playful gambols. Having accomplished the object of the excursion, we prepared to return. He stopped a moment, and looking on the ground hade me observe the dew. "Every spire of grass" he

said "is furnished with a drop of dew; there is a blade which is tall and rank-it has a large drop of dew upon it; and the plain reason why it has a large drop, is, that it is a large blade, and therfore requires a large share of moisture to support it during the heat of the day." Pointing to another he said, "this has a much smaller drop, but still it is proportioned to the size of the blade, it is sufficient for its wants. Look where you will, the same is true in every case; the drop of dew is exactly proportioned to the size and wants of its blade.

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"Here then" he continued "I learn the economy of grace, and here I find explained those passages in the Bible which promise divine assistance, such as My grace is sufficient for thee," But he giveth more grace, 996 As thy days are so shall thy strength be ;" and here also is illustrated those passages in which the influence of the Spirit is compared to dew. The large spear of grass is the Christian who has great and arduous duties to perform, and is exposed to great temptations. God gives him grace proportioned to his duties and temptations; and thus it is with all ranks and degrees of Christians; though they be as numerous and as various as the spires of grass, not one is overlooked, there is not one who has not grace sufficient for his necessities." But here, I observed, is a blade which has no drop upon it. he replied "and you see the reason; it is dead, it stands erect indeed with the rest, but it is dry and lifeless, it needs no dew and therefore it has none. So the false professor; he is numbered in the Church of God, but he shares not in its blessings; he feels not the need of grace,

and he has none.

"True"

After this we resumed our walk, and our course leading us through an orchard of fruit trees enlivened by the birds which we had before observed, he said, "here I spend some of my sweetest moments, and enjoy nearest communion with God. When I look on the trees which compose this grove,and contemplate the wisdom and power exhibited in every branch and leaf that grows upon them; and when I listen to these songsters and hear from each a different note, raised as it were in praise to God, I am elevated above the world, and my heart, melted at the scene, pours itself out in silent adoration and sincerest devotion."

Having finished our walk I bade him farewell. And then, thought I, for such a heavenly mind, I would give more than I would for all the riches and gaudy honours which this world can bestow. They are not worthy to be compared to the pure enjoyment of one such hour. And then I thought again, this is studying the book of nature to some good purpose. How infinitely superior to the empty gaze and contracted ideas of the merely scientific man! I say nothing against science, it is good in its place; only let it be made subservient to a higher object, let it be the medium through which we may look up to nature's God. I have only to add, that the scene here described was a real transaction, and is not merely the workings of fancy. ALPHA.

FOR THE MONITOR.

AN INDIAN TALE.

IT was the fourth hour of the evening. The sun had gone to rest in the great ocean. During that whole day his face had not been hidden by a single cloud. At this the Indians were surprized, for the extreme sultriness of the weather and the bird's prophetic invocation had promised, that the great Spirit was about to remember the parched corn fields of his children. The last gleamings of twilight splendour were still visible, when something dark appeared to rise above the summit of the western mountain. All was silent in the Indian village Mahony. The scream of a sleepless panther had died away on the hills. Struck by the unusual silence, or awed by some instinctive apprehension, the wild beasts were in their coverts. The trees of the forest stood upright. The topmost foliage gave not a sign of motion. Afar off, the waters of the Yalo-Busha were heard gently murmuring over a rocky bed, or gurgling down a little cataract. The storm in all its blackness was now rapidly nearing The thunder's dread voice, and the terrific crinkling of heaven's fire made many an Indian's soul quake within him. But there was one in in that village through whose bosom went emotions intense-indescribable: the gran