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LITERARY BEGGARY.

MADAM,

A FEW words in addition to the remonstrance of your correspondent

.

The time and talents of literary persons are usually their only property, and no one has any right to ask either for the one, or the produce of the other. Time and talents are to an author what merchandize is to a merchant, or his flocks or his corn to a farmer—they constitute his wealth. If a person ask an author for his time, or for a contribution to an Album, it is like asking the merchant for his goods, or the farmer for a sheep, or a quarter of corn. It is asking for money, or rather for money's worth.

Again; a believing Christian will desire to produce the greatest possible good with the least possible expenditure of labour; and by an author whose style is popular, this result is obtained by publication. It becomes therefore a duty to cease from much private intercourse. Many are the occurrences in the lives of Christians, in which this lowering of the ties of the nearest and dearest affections are needful, but when submitted to in a right spirit, and from a right motive, great is their reward.

Allow me to add a few words more on a kindred subject. The eagerness of seeking the acquaintance of celebrated persons is in many cases mere vanity, arising from the desire of having whereof to boast.

And the system of Albums is almost always a still more empty piece of vanity: it is being vain of the talents of others. Yet it is to gratify such empty vanity that the time and talents of useful and amiable persons are to be diverted from rational pursuits!

92.

[While agreeing with our caustic correspondent, that the Album mania is an exceedingly annoying one, we must observe that we have seen it turned to good account, by a person whose autograph was in some request; and who consented to write in these precious little compilations, on condition of the owner depositing not less than half-a-crown for the benefit of a charitable institution. This was a fair tax on a favourite hobby; and a sufficient remuneration for lost time, in the sight of the contributor, who was anxiously collecting for the institution so benefited. -ED.]

THE MURDERED PROTESTANT PASTOR.

The following Stanzas are taken from a touching poem, entitled as above, by the Rev. S. C. WILKS.-Republished from the Christian Observer.

WHY Vest the grave in darksome gloom
For those who sleep in Jesu's arms?

A bridal chamber is their tomb,

And earth's cold vault hath heavenly charms.

Why o'er their ashes fondly weep,

Or rend the air with wild dismay?
They but a little moment sleep,
To wake to everlasting day.

Saviour, who in the grave hast lain,
Our friend but listed to Thy call:
And he shall hear that voice again,

To burst the tomb and rend the pall.

Yes, Thou, who didst ascend yon sky
Celestial mansions to prepare,
Didst once in this dark chamber lie,

And angel guests were present there.

There are they still; and this loved form

Doth slumbering rest in Jesu's place; Nor starless night or wintry storm

It recks, or ice-bound death's embrace.

For said we death's embrace is cold,
The tempest drear, the cave forlorn?
This dark night-chamber shall but hold
Those loved remains till beaming morn.

We lay them down on Jesu's bed,

And bend around with short-lived sorrow; But He the victor-way hath sped

Those mansions shall be their's to-morrow.

Then, ah! why vest the grave in gloom
For him in Jesu's arms who dies?

A bridal chamber is his tomb,
And angels chaunt his obsequies.

Review of Books.

THE TESTIMONY OF THE REFORMERS ;selected from the writings of Cranmer, Jewell, Tindal, Ridley, Becon, Bradford, &c. With Introductory Remarks, by the Rev. E. Bickersteth, Rector of Watton, Herts. First Series.

THIS is not, as some have surmised, a mere book of controversy, confined to the points at issue between Protestants and Roman Catholics. It is of universal application. Wherever God has a church, or Satan a synagogue, this testimony of the Reformers will be found effectual, under the divine blessing, in building up the Christian in his most holy faith, and in pulling down the strong-holds of error, whether they take the form of superstition or infidelity. We have Bishop Jewell's exquisite treatise on the Holy Scriptures, and his famous Apology: Cranmer on Unwritten Verities, and on the Salvation of Mankind : King Edward the Sixth's Catechism: Tindal, on Justification: Becon on Faith in Christ, and on the Coming of our Lord: Bradford on Repentance, and on the Fear of Death: Philpot, on Infant Baptism;

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