cursing and swearing, he'd jump into the river and swim to the other side, sooner nor listen to him.' "He need not go to the other world to learn that,' said my friend; 'the word of God tells us the sin of swearing.'

"That's thrue, Sir; but still Paddy Leary is a good adviser. We have a better adviser, Jack, than Paddy Leary, and we need not go to him to hear of the other world, when God himself has told us in His Book all we can learn about it. Would not you like, Jack, to know what is in the Bible?'-'I can't read, your honour.' But your children can; and if you will come to me, I will give you the Testament both in English and Irish; and do you make them read it for you in the evening.' Jack promised to do so, but it was in a doubtful and reluctant manner, and I greatly fear he had not much intention of keeping his word. He wished us good evening, and passed on. "That man, said my friend, 'believes that wild tale, as firmly as I do the Bible, and he would have told us more particulars, but he evidently feared we were laughing at him.'

None but those who have witnessed it, can believe how strong and deep-rooted are the superstitions of even the better orders of the peasantry : legends, debasing to man, and dishonouring to God, are received by the people, and confirmed by priestly authority. As an instance. In the locality to which I have alluded, St. Fin Barr resided about twelve hundred years since. He was the first bishop of Cork, and founded the Cathedral in that city. Tradition states him to have been a holy and devout man, and he retired to the wilds, leading a life of quiet seclusion. There is now overhanging the side of one of the mountains, a singular flat rock, having two cavities in the upper surface: these are said to

have been formed by the knees of St. Fin Barr, who, when he was tired of the valley, used to ascend here to pray, and never failed to obtain everything he asked for, in this favoured spot. The woman who related this to a clergyman in the neighbourhood, said she was quite certain of its truth, for the priest had assured her it was written in the Bible! Mr. asked her to repeat what she had said, thinking he must have misunderstood her, and she again said "Yes, indeed, Father J. has it written in his big Bible at home !”

This is but a trifling example of the falsehoods which our poor imaginative countrymen are taught to receive as truth; and thus shamelessly do the Romish priests "make the word of God of none effect through their tradition." Popery loves and makes a lie-it debases and enchains both reason and affection, mind and soul; yet is it by our rulers, so to speak, stereotyped in the land. They commenced their educational plans by a negative suppression of truth, they now proceed to a positive diffusion of error. In bitterness of soul we would ask-Must our green valleys, where no venomous reptile may lurk, be overspread with moral poisonand while our mountain breezes blow fresh and healthgiving, must the immortal spirit inhale a vapour worse than the Maremma's tainted air?

M. A. H..

THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS.

OUR Lord said to his disciples, "Ye are the light of the world." How very appropriate, therefore, is a lampstand, or candlestick, to denote a church, as we find the symbol used in the Revelations. A candle is not to be hid under a bushel, but to be placed in a candlestick that it may diffuse light around; thus are churches the instruments of God, for imparting to the world, wisdom unto salvation.

Missionary effort is one sign of a rising or falling church, and will always be extended in proportion as the divine blessing rests upon that church. So likewise is it with individuals, whose spiritual state is indicated by an interest for the souls of others. It is a blessed thing for us in the present age, that we have such multiplied means for causing our light to shine, even to the ends of the earth; and it is happy for us that we belong to the Church of England, which has been an honoured instrument in the Lord's hand, to spread the knowledge of His name, having so widely diffused her light in the last fifty years, and to the shining of whose candle other churches have come for example and instruction. As her members, we are called upon in our respective spheres, to increase her light, and take a part in diffusing it. God is glorified by our church according to the brightness of her shining, and for this we are each responsible. Let us deeply consider this responsibility, that we may per

ceive the duty of unity; not every one seeking his own glory, but the glory of the whole. An isolated Christian is no where supposed in Scripture; if we are one with Christ, we are one with his people, and united especially by peculiar ties to those of his people with whom his providence has cast our lot.

An external church is of great value, because, as a lamp is a means of concentrating and retaining light, so do the ordinances of a church. These are highly useful so far as they perform this office,-but no further. Woe unto those who glory only in the means, and overlook the end; who rest in forms and deny the spirit of godliness! A church has no light except what she derives from Christ; even as a candle has no light in itself. Every spark comes from Him, and all besides and around, is midnight darkness. What then, is the folly of those who take an unlighted candle to guide their trackless way, loving darkness rather than light!

We read in the passage of Scripture to which we have referred, that the candlesticks are of gold. This shows us the preciousness of that holy Church which Christ purchased with his blood; and also, that none but the redeemed belong to it. For there can be nothing precious that has not been sanctified by the Holy Ghost; and those who have not received this baptism of the Spirit, are 66 reprobate silver," rejected of the Lord. The true church is also enduring. As gold that is put into a furnace is not consumed but purified, so is it with the Church of Christ, " against which the gates of hell cannot prevail;" of her members only is it. written, that no man is able to pluck them out of the Father's hand. Professors, therefore, should take good heed that they are the redeemed of the Lord. Let the OCTOBER, 1845.

thy first works. That which ye have already, hold fast till I come. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, which are ready to die. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.”

I know thy works! Does He know all your shortcomings the things you have left undone; opportunities of usefulness neglected; and light hid under a bushel? then be admonished! Consider your ways on which the Saviour ponders, and be stimulated to watchfulness and diligence.

But the Lord also knows thy works for commendation. Such as are performed by the Spirit, glorify and please him, and not one of them is overlooked. He says to thee, “I know thy labour and patience, thy hatred of them that are evil, thy tribulation and poverty, thy faith, thy charity, thy service, that thy garments are undefiled, that thou hast kept my word, and hast a little strength; and hast not denied my name." Here is his gracious approval; for the Lord is not unmindful of your good works, nor will he forget them. This is great encouragement to a soul which is perhaps ready to faint, following hard after God. And, moreover, there are promises to encourage, for He who is in the midst of his Church, says to every member; "To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God. He shall not be hurt of the second death; I will give him to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, with a new name written thereon; and I will give him power to rule the nations; and I will give him the morning star. He shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels; I will keep him from the