ing one another: while the front seemed regardless of danger, and the rear pressed on so close, that a retreat was altogether impossible. In a month's time they threw off their worm-like state; and in a new form, with wings and legs, and additional powers, returned to their former voracity."-Shaw's Travels.

AN AWFUL PROVIDENCE.

God is greatly to be feared in the Assembly of His Saints. [Eng. Meth. Mag.]

AT Amsterdam, in Holland, occured the following remarkable event in the 17th century. As Mr. Fleming, a pious and godly minister, was preaching on a Lord's day to his congre gation, there was observed amidst the multitude three young gentlemen, whose behaviour, during divine service, was so indecorous and infamous, that it not only attracted the notice of the people, but also excited the attention of the minister, who, after a little time, reproved them in public, desiring at least that they would behave decently while under the sacred roof. This gentle admonition seemed rather to increase than check their misbehaviour, and they most daringly offered still greater contempt to the preaching of the word which they signified by pealing oranges, cracking nuts, making wry mouths at the minister. The serious preacher was moved a second time to admonish them, at which they appeared still more enraged than before, persisting in their shameful and profane practices. He was then so impressed and shocked at their hardened behaviour, that in the midst of the discourse, he made a solemn panse, turned and looked them full in the face for some time, apparently with much agitation in his countenance, and then spoke to the three young meu in the following awful and solemn manner: "I am sorry to be the author of such a dreadful, alarming message to you, and I have begged of the Lord to excuse me from it, but he will not, therefore I must not shrink from the painful duty of declaring the awful and confirmed impression on my mind. I now tell you that you have not a week longer to live in this world.”— This direful sentence, proceeding from the mouth of a man, somewhat excited the doubtful apprehensions of the congrega tion, who thought it proceeded from precipitancy and rashness, and some of his intimate friends were of opinion, that religion would suffer reproach for it, especially if it should not prove true. The minister said, "Let the event prove the truth of it,

for I am persuaded I was moved by the Spirit of God to say what I did, as prophetic of their awful end."

Monday passed, and nothing occured: but on the Tuesday, one of the young men went on board a vessel to prosecute au intended voyage, (as had been fixed previous to the affair,) but in consequence of a violent storm that arose the ship was driven on shore, whereby the poor unhappy wretch was launched into an awful eternity. On Wednesday, another of the young men was concerned in a quarrel with some person, the issue of which was fighting a duel with swords, wherein this unhappy victim fell. On Thursday, the ouly surviving one was taken suddenly ill, at which he begun to be terrified, as two of his sinful companions were already cut off. He then sent for the same minister whom he had ridiculed the preceding Sabbath. When Mr. Fleming arrived at his house, he asked the young man what he wanted him for; the young man begged he would pray with him; when the minister requested to know what he would have him petition for, the other told him, "for his life:" "that is not in my power to do," said he "for I am sure you will die." "Then," said he, "beg or pray for the life of my soul, if you please." The minister so far consented as to kneel down by his bed-side, in which posture he continued for a considerable time, and then arose without speaking a word. He then said to the young man, that he found his lips so sealed that he could not utter a syllable on his behalf, and so took his leave of him, when, soon after, the young man died in horror and despair, which closes the sad and awful catastrophe.

WORKS OF GOD DISPLAYED.

THE INDIAN ICHNEUMAN.

THE Indian Ichneuman is a small creature, whose appearance is not unlike a weasel. It is of infinite use to the natives, from its inveterate enmity to serpents, which would otherwise render every footstep of the traveller dangerous. The proofs of sagacity in this little animal, are truly surprising, and afford a beautiful instance of the wisdom, with which Providence has fitted the powers of every creature to its particular situation on the globe, and rendered them subservient to the use of man. The diminutive Ichneuman attacks without dread, that most fatal of serpents, the Naja, or Cobra de Capello; and should it receive a wound in the combat, instantly retires, and is said to obtain an antidote from a certain herb, (according to Sparmann, the Ophi

orhiza,) after which it returns to the attack, and seldom fails of victory. An experiment was tried at Columbo, to ascertain the reality of this circumstance. The Ichneuman provided for the purpose, was first shewn the snake in a close room. On being placed on the ground, he did not shew any inclination whaterer to attack his enemy, but ran jumping about the room to discover if there was any hole or aperture, by which he might get out: on finding none, he returned hastily to his master, and hiding himself in his master's bosom, could not, by any means be induced to quit it, or to face the snake. On being carried out of the house, however, and laid down near his antagonist, in an open place, he instantly flew at the snake, and soon destroyed it. He then suddenly disappeared for a few minutes, and again returned, as soon as he had found the herb and eaten of it. It has recourse to the herb on all occasions, when engaged with a snake, whether poisonous or not. The snake procured for this experiment was of the harmless kind. It is likewise a great destroyer of the eggs of crocodiles, which it digs out of the sand, and even kills multitudes of the young of those terrible reptiles; it was not, therefore, without some reason that the ancient Egyptians ranked the Ichneuman among their deities.

The description of this little reptile will naturally excite in the mind of the Christian, some profitable reflections. First, we see the great enemy of the Ichneuman is the serpent, and though so exceedingly formidable, is soon conquered by this apparent insignificant animal. The original and great enemy man, is represented as the old serpent, the devil: the vast diversity of stratagems and devices he exercises to destroy human beings, render him awfully formidable; yet, when man resists, the arch foe is soon put to flight. Again-the Ichneuman, by having recourse to a peculiar herb, is enabled to overcome the most dangerous serpent, in defiance of its utmost strength and venom. It is by the Christian having recourse to the throne of grace, where he receives that salutary encouragement My grace is sufficient for thee, that he is not only able to conquer the potent adversary, but to triumph and glory in tribulation Furthermore, when the Ichneuman had not free access to his valuable panacea, he durst not venture to attack his enemy; he was obliged to take refuge in the bosom of his master. What a poor defenceless creature is the christian, at a distance from his divine panacea, and where should the chri «ian find refuge, in the time of danger, but in the bosom of his Lord.