this world as not abusing it, remembering that the fashion of it passeth away! But, no! In vain the wise man tells us of the things we seek, that "all is vanity and vexation of spirit." In vain an apostle exhorts us "to set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth." Disbelieving the assertion of the one, and disregarding the exhortation of the other, we still, like children, run after bubbles, that lose their brightness the moment they are possessed.

Old Humphrey is ashamed to think how keen a relish he has for the very things which have deceived him again and again. The glittering will-o'the-wisps that surround him, look so like friendly tapers in hospitable dwellings, that he still follows them, till the bogs they lead him into convince him of his mistake. We may safely conclude that "all is not gold that glitters," nor all pure that looks like snow.

But while we thus complain that things are not what they appear, are we ourselves what we appear to be? Though I have been speaking of other matters, this is the question that I wanted to come to. This question brought home to our hearts, is like cutting the finger-nail to the quick; taking a thorn out of a tender part; or, indeed, touching the apple of the eye: but it is worth while to put it, for all that. Other people may pose us, but the

closest method of questioning is, to question ourselves. Are we, then, what we appear to be? For if we are either ignorant of the evil of our own hearts, or railing against others when we are more guilty than they are, it is high time that such a state of things should be altered.

Were the Searcher of all hearts to put the inquiry to you, and to me, Art thou what thou appearest to be? would not the reply be, "If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth." Job ix. 20; xl. 4.

PART OF A LETTER,

COPIED OUT BY

OLD HUMPHREY.

ON Monday last I received a long epistle from my zealous friend Gideon, and as I think a profitable hint or two may be taken from one part of it, that part I will now copy out for your perusal. It is as follows:

"In the days of my youth, I once saw a man, blindfolded, dancing in the midst of some eggs, laid at different distances from each other on the ground; and this he did without breaking them. A minister that I heard yesterday, who denied the Divinity of Jesus Christ, put me in mind of him. I thought that he was as much blindfolded as the other; and I am sure that he took as much pains to avoid certain texts of Scripture, as ever the dancer did to avoid the eggs.

"Oh, what a blessing it is, Humphrey, with a single eye to his praise, to have a clear view of

the Lord of life and glory, both in his Divine and human nature!

"There are many, who, though neither Jews, Turks, infidels, nor heathens, can hardly be said to be Christians; that is, they do not worship the God of the Christian Bible; the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost of Holy Scripture. If Christians were at liberty to accept one part of Divine revelation, and reject another; if, at pleasure, they might add to, or diminish from, the attributes of Almighty God, as set forth in the pages of Holy Writ, then soon would there be gods many, and lords many, among Christian professors; but we have not this liberty with holy reverence we are bound to believe, to love, to honour, and to obey our Leader and Lord as he has made himself known in his word.

"When the true God is not worshipped, it matters not what idol we set up in his place; whether it be the sun or the moon, a brazen serpent or a golden calf, a crucifix, a god of our own making, or our own unrighteous selfrighteousness, it matters not the value of a straw. Whom or what we glorify, when we rob God of his glory, is not worth a consideration. It matters not whose subjects we are, if we renounce allegiance to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

"I trust that some day or other, through mercy,

the bandage will be taken from the eyes of the preacher I have heard, that he may read the whole of his Bible, to the praise of the Redeemer, and the good of his own soul; and then among other texts of Holy Scripture he will find the following :-- There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour,' Isa. xlv. 21, 22. 'I and my Father are one,' John x. 30. 'Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption,' Eph. iv. 30. We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols,' 1 John v. 20, 21."

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