both as to age and place, it appears probable that some idea must have obtained generally, that it was expedient and acceptable to pray three times every day. Such was the practice of David, and also of Daniel; and as a parallel, tho' as far as connected with an idolatrous system, a different case, we are informed, that "It is an invariable rule with the Bramins to perform their devotions three times every day, at sun-rise, at noon, and at sun-set +."

REFLECTIONS.

As an oath is for confirmation, and is a solemn appeal to an omniscient God, particular care should be taken so to administer it, as to make a due impression on the mind, of its sacred nature and obligation. God himself has, by this means, ratified the most important engagements, and has secured to us the most valuable blessings. By this means, an inexhaustible source of consolation is opened to the heirs of promise. For the enjoyment of these privileges, they should pray without ceasing, ever remembering that it is the command of Christ that men should always pray, and not faint. The returns of prayer, while they reflect praise upon God, convey to the soul the rich blessings of grace and peace; and that sacred intercourse which he maintains with Heaven, will be found powerfully conducive in promoting his meetness for that glo

BETWEEN A COUNTRY MINISTER AND A DAY-LABOURER.

The Minister was walking in the country one evening, when he saw a poor man, who seemingly wished to overtake him. Of course he halted, and the countryman came up, and thus began:

Labourer. Well, Sir, what do you think of these wars now? Minister. Why, my friend, I think God has permitted the war to break out again, because there is so much wickedness in the land we are such a nation of sinners!

L. But don't you think there will be peace soon?

M. No, I am afraid not; and for the same reason.

L. Well, I think you are about the mark; for one cannot go into a public-house without seeing a great deal of wickedness going on.

M. It is surprizing to see how men grow bolder and bolder in their sin. I wish all our churches and chapels were as well filled as the public-houses are. But I hope, my friend, you ge to church or meeting on the Sabbath?

L. O yes! I am forced to go every Sunday.

M. Well, I am glad to find you do go; but it is better to go willingly than be forced to it. God loves that we should serve him with a ready mind: however, I suppose it is your wife that compels you to go?

L. Yes, it is; for you see she always goes herself, and she won't let me stay away.

M. Then, I imagine, your wife loves to go?

L. Aye, I believe she does; she would not miss upon any account when she is well. She has been in this way ever since I knew her.

M. I am pleased to hear you say so, for I know you have a good minister. Mr. is a good preacher; so that I hope you will go cheerfully with your wife; for if you were to mind all Mr. says to you, it would be better for you.

L. But, besides this, my wife goes among the Methodists: she has been of that party many a year.

M. Well, never mind that; if she gets good to her soul, don't you say a word against it. I hope you go with her sometimes; for tho' I am no Methodist myself, I think they are commendable in going about preaching among you country people. L. I have nothing to say against them; but I seldom go,for every one to their own way of thinking.

M. So I say; and I therefore beg you again to keep to your church with your good wife.

L. Aye, she is a good wife indeed; for you see we have been married these 28 years, and she has been a rare wife to me; she is so industrious and careful. Though we have eight children, there are no poor working people, as one may say, better off. My wife is so saving, that she won't let' any thing be wasted. She has hardly ever spent a penny in a public-house since I had her; for I say to her when she goes to market, Why don't you get a sup of ale?' But she says, "No, I can lay out the pence in something for the children." So she goes comes without tasting a drop from year's end to year's end. M. I am very glad, my friend, to hear such a good account of your wife. Now let me ask, Don't you think religion has made her a better wife; and a better mother than if sire had no religion?

L. Yes, I am sure of that.

and

M. Then, if religion has made your wife so good, would it not make you good likewise, if you were to know it, and feel its power?

I. I suppose it would; but you sec one does not mind it as

one should.

M. You speak truth, my friend; and I will tell you how I

account for it-you go to church and hear good instructions; but you are a forgetful hearer. For instance, you hear Mr.

speaking to you about believing in Christ that you may be saved; but you hardly ever ask yourself what it means; for you lose all your good thoughts when you leave the church, He also exhorts you to pray; but you neglect it. Now I am pretty certain your wife prays to God, and perhaps often.

L. Yes, Sir, that she does, every night of her life.

M. I really thought so; and I wish you would do so too, for remember, that a life of prayer in this world, leads to a life of praise in the next.

L. Why, as to that, you sce, one comes home tired at night; and as I have to get up by four o'clock in the morning, there's

but little time.

M. But if you were in good earnest about your soul, you would find time for prayer. Believe me, my friend, that praying people are the happiest people in the world:-ask your wife, and she will tell you the same thing.

L. Why, Sir, I suppose you say true, for my wife is very happy; and I am sure she makes me and the children as comfortable as she can.

M. Very well and now I am persuaded you think your wife is going to Heaven.

L. O yes, I believe she is ; if she don't, I don't know who will. M. Then, ought you not to be thinking how you must get to Heaven yourself? There is but one way; your wife has found it it is a life of prayer, of faith in Christ, of loving God, and serving him sincerely, and from the heart. Now Christ says, "One thing is needful;" that is, true religion. And he also says to us, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life." Yet he does not mean that we should cease to labour for our daily bread, but that we should labour chiefly for the blessing of his grace, which ends in everlasting life. This is the course your wife is pursuing; and when she comes to die, everlasting life will be her portion. But will it not be a dreadful thing if your wife and you should be separated at death for ever?

L Aye, if that does take place, it will be dreadful indeed! M. Well, I firmly believe your wife is going to Heaven; but where are you going? She chuses to go there; but you seein not to wish to go with her. If the grace of God does not prevent, and you should die in your present state, you will certainly go to Hell at last. O consider how awful it will be, if, after having lived so many happy years with your wife, you must be parted for ever! Think seriously of this, my friend; and I sincerely wish that you, your wife and children, may all meet in Heaven together.

Here the minister and his companion parted; the latter apparently struck with what he had heard; and the former lifting up his soul for a divine blessing to attend the interview. R.

Sir,

EXTRACT FROM DUBOSC,

To the Editor.

If the inclosed translation of Dubosc, merits a place in your Evangelical Magazine, you will, by an insertion, oblige

Yours, &c. &c.

EPSILON PI.

TAE bunch of hyssop, used under the Jewish œconomy, was composed in a remarkable manner; the directions given by God, were, that it should be hyssop, tied with wool and died in purple, and fastened at the end with a twig of cedar; from which we perceive three things expressly marked and prescribed; namely, the Bunch of Hyssop, the Scarlet Wool, and the Twig of Cedar, typical and emblematical of the way in which the blood of Jesus is sprinkled upon the conscience of a sinner: for God produces in us repentance, faith, and incorruption, which correspond with the hyssop, scarlet wool, and cedar; repentance represented by the hyssop, faith by the scarlet wool, and incorruption by the cedar. And repentance is certanly an effectual hyssop; it humbles the sinner before God, it shows him his misery, his nothingness, and his vileness; obliges him to cast himself in the dust, where, covered with confusion, he confesses his guilt and pollution, and implores the divine mercy. It is a hyssop whose sap is sharp and poign ant, exciting piercing sensations in the conscience, deeply wounded with remorse for his sins; it is a hyssop of a bitter taste, producing anguish and conviction in penitent souls; it is a byssop of a sweet taste, for it imparts the agreeable flavour of conversion and reformation in sinners: it is a purifying hys sop, cleansing the soul from the phlegm of sin, and administering comfort to the disordered conscience. Faith is the purple wool, because faith embraces and applies the righteousness of the Son of God, which is the red wool of that divine Lamb who bore the sins of the world; wool dyed in the purple stream of his blood, to serve as a covert for our sins, and conceal them from the view of eternal justice. Lastly, the incorruption of the soul was most admirably prefigured by the cedar, which is not subject to decay or rot. Thus God applies the blood of Christ, and efficaciously sprinkles us when he produces in us the hyssop of repentance, the scarlet wool of faith, and the cedar of incorruption, to render us partakers of the merits of the Redeemer. By repentance we must seek this divine Saviour; by faith we must embrace him; by incorruption we must follow and boldly tread the steps he trod. Repentance draws us near him, faith unites us to him, and incorruption establishes and builds us upon him, and by it we become partakers of all

REVELATION CONFIRMED BY NATURE.

Rev. Sir,

To the Editor.

In a day like the present, when all the artillery of infidelity is levelled against Revelation, as to its authenticity, its necessity, and its tendency, --any remarks which appear calculated to confirm or explain "the good word of God," will be, doubtless, acceptable to those who wish to know the "certainty of the words of truth :" and as infidels are how tauntingly saying, "Where is the promise of his coming?" &c. if you conceive the following passage likely to shew the possibility, yea certainty of that declaration, "That the heavens and earth which are, now, are reserved unto fire," and "that the earth and all the works that are therein fhall be burned up," your inserting it will ⚫blige

Westminster.

Your sincere friend,

S

"WE come next to speak of that provision which is made in nature for that universal conflagration which shall one day consume the earth, and cause the "elements to melt with fervent heat."*

"God has, ever since the creation of the world, made use of natural causes and means to execute his designs; he has already employed the agency of the winds and waters to destroy the earth, for the punishment of that wicked race of men who were its first inhabitants; and will, in like manner, depute the fire to be the minister of his vengeance on the second earth, and to consume those wicked persons who shall disgrace it by their ungodly lives. It is, therefore, very probable to suppose, that, instead of creating new fire for this purpose, he will employ that which is already laid up in nature's store-house; the fire is in readiness under our feet and over our heads, and only waits the word of command, to obey the orders of the Almighty! But, as in the antediluvian world, men did not consider what vast reservoirs of water were kept in store above in the heavens, and also in the great deep, underneath in the earth; and therefore looked upon those warnings and premonitions that were given them of the approaching deluge, as fables and idle dreams; so the men of this generation, not seeing the fire that does actually surround them on every side, give no credit to what is told them of the universal conflagration of the last day.

"All nature is replete with that active principle or element which we call Fire, and which nothing but the hand of God re