and have done all in their power to make you happy? But, perhaps, you still ask, "What positive harm does it do?" It shews your parents that their child is unwilling to obey them; and is there no harm in that? It tempts you to disobey in other things; and is there no harm in that? It makes your parents unhappy, for they may fear something has happened if you are not at home at the time agreed upon; and is there no harm in that? Oh! beware how you think it a little thing to disobey your parents. Their happiness is in a great degree in your hands, and everything which you knowingly do which disturbs their happiness is a sin in the sight of God. Selected from Abbot, by H. W. E. PRAYER AGAINST TEMPTATION. "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Genesis xxxix, 9. GOD of Joseph! may thy fear Guard me when temptation's near, Aid me firmly to repel All the subtle wiles of hell. When deceitful sin displays, What! shall I my King offend; Shall I grieve my Heavenly Friend; For a moment's grovelling joy? Teach me, Lord, the thought to spurn; From all evil may I turn; ' Thine approval may I prize, Should a prison be my doom, Abergavenny. H. P. 66 I WELL remember when about nine years of age, returning from school one day with a request to my mother that I might attend a children's ball, which was to take place the next evening. One or two had been held before, at which most of my companions were present; but myself and my sister, who was still younger, had received no invitation, as it was well understood that our mother was very strict," and probably would not permit us to attend. But on this occasion, a note was handed us as we were returning from school, requesting our company for the next evening; and as I entered the parlour where my mother was sitting, my little heart swelled with a desire to which it had, until then, been a stranger. I asked her permission to attend, which she gently but firmly denied, giving me at the same time, some most important reasons for her conduct. I felt the propriety of her objections, and in fact had little inclination to enter upon an amusement with which I was wholly unacquainted; but the dread of the sneer and ridicule of my companions, and their remarks upon the unnecessary strictness of my dear parents, overcame other feelings, and I begged that we might go, at least once, in order to shew them that mother was more indulgent than they supposed. I shall never forget the tone of seriousness my mother assumed, as she spoke of the responsibility of christian parents in training up their children for God. "Your parents," she said, "have engaged with God to train you up for his service. How can I, without a fearful violation of that engagement, permit you to enter a place where everything you see and hear will be calculated to divert your minds from serious things. Would not God be justly angry with me, and could I expect his blessing in my endeavours to train you up for him? Now which do you prefer, that I should displease God or your companions ?" This was enough-we were entirely satisfied, and were able to meet our companions the next day without shame or fear; indeed, shall I say it? we felt a secret pride in the integrity of our dear mother's principles. MISSIONARY OFFERINGS BY SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS. DURING my previous visit to this island, (Aitutaki) I was explaining to the people, one evening, the manner in which English christians raised money, to send the gospel to heathen countries. On hearing this, they expressed their regret at not having money, that they might also enjoy the privilege of "helping in the good work, of causing the word of God to grow." I replied if you have no money, you have something to buy money with. This idea was quite new to them, and they wished to know at once what they possessed which would buy money. I said to them, the pigs I brought to your island on my first visit have multiplied so greatly, that all of you have now an abundance, and if every family in the island were to set apart a pig, for causing the word of God to grow, and when the ships come, to sell them for money, instead of cloth and axes, a valuable contribution might be raised. This idea delighted them exceedingly, and early the next morning the squeaking of pigs, which were receiving a particular mark in the ear for this purpose, was heard from one end of the settlement to the other. In the interim a ship had been there, the captain of which had purchased their pigs and paid for them most honourably; and now to my utter astonishment, the native treasurer puts into my hand £103, partly in bills, and partly in cash. This was the first money they ever possessed, and every farthing of it was dedicated to the cause of Christ. JOHN WILLIAMS. THE MISSIONARY. THOU hast left thy father-land, And the loving smiles of thy kindred band, What hath tempted thee so far Dost thou want the hero's crown To adorn thy noble head? Dost thou sigh for the victor's high renown, Is this the witching spell That hath lured thy feet to roam? No: thine is a holier cause, Rich treasures thou dost bear To the lands of heathen gloom; That shall cause the desert to flourish fair, Light for the darkened soul; A balm for the bleeding breast; For this thou hast braved the storm, What though a tropic sun Burn fiercely on thy path, What though thou dost labour afar, Thou shalt see the heathen bend To Him who hath made the skies; And a crown is laid up for thee, And blissful spirits shall welcome thee Leicester. R. W. |