THE CONSCIENTIOUS RECTOR.

The following instance of Christian thoughtfulness and liberality is deserving of record. The Rev. H. Heap, the present Rector of Bradford, upon his enter ing on his living, sent notice to those of his parishioners who were Quakers, that he should never enforce his right of tithes from them; adding, that what they could not conscientiously pay, he could not conscientiously receive.

Ibid.

A FINE TRAIT IN A NEGRO SERVANT.

A gentleman of respectability, Dr. L. was confined for some time in the King's Bench prison, while his fortune, involved in a Chancery suit, was unjustly withheld from him. During this distressing period, he was obliged by poverty to tell his negro servant, that, however repugnant to his feelings, they must part; his pecuniary difficulties being now such, that he was unable to provide himself with the necessaries of life. The negro, well known in the King's Bench prison by the name of Bob, replied, with affectionate warmth, "No, Massa; we will never part! Many a year have you kept me, and now I will keep you." Accordingly, Bob went out to work as a day-labourer, and, at the end of every week, faithfully brought his earnings to his master. These proved sufficient for their support, until the decision of the Chancery suit, by which Dr. L. obtained an award of 30,000l. It ought to be added, to the Doctor's honour, that he has settled a handsome annuity for life on this faithful negro.

Ibid.

THE NEGROES' THIRST.

On the arrival of two vessels at Demerara from Dominica, with a great number of slaves, some of whom had become Methodists, a female member of the Methodist Society, who had formerly lived on the plantation from whence they came, on hearing of their arrival, went on board one of the vessels. As soon as they saw her, they exclaimed, "Here are we: we came from de word of God; we been hearing de word of God in Dominica; but we no know if we hear de word of God now. Poor we! we no care where dem bring we, so we hear de word of God!" On being told they would find a chapel and missionaries at Demerara, in a moment their sorrow was turned into joy; and, hailing those in the other ship, they cried out, Keep good heart, dere be chapel here."

66

Ibid.

THE NEGRO'S SHORT SERMON.

My country people! suppose you seeking God for true, you can't mind any other palaver (noisy talk.) Suppose man, the time he eat the rice and the fish, one of de bones stick in he throat, he can't laugh and talk. No, he can't eat one spoon more ta (until) he get tha bone out. He can't mind notting more, only to run all about for to ask he friend to pull de bone. All same you suppose you want Jesus Christ to pardon your sin, you can't go laugh along wi wicked people, and talk palaver. No: your rice cum bitter for you; your water bitter for you; your sleep can't good for you; no too much eat, no too much drink, no too much talk,

no more: pray, den, all time that you live in bush, all tha time you live in the pass, all tha time you live in the house, and in de meeting-house, and believe den Christ coming to bless you one time (i. e. directly,) no talk for to-morrow; suppose die (death) come to-night, ah! den to-morrow never! you must believe now." Ibid.

A GRENADIER'S LIFE SAVED BY THE BIBLE.

LATELY died at Blynhill, in Staffordshire, in his eightieth year, John Brotherton, labourer, a native of that parish. During eighteen years of his youth he faithfully served his country in the grenadier company of the thirty-seventh regiment, and fought with that corps in the battle of Minden. Immediately on leaving his native cottage to enter the army, Brotherton took with him a small Bible, determined to make it the constant companion of his marches. Previous to an engagement, he put the book upon his breast, between his coat and waistcoat, a practice to which he once owed the preservation of his life. In an action fought in Germany, while the thirty-seventh regiment was engaged in close quarters with the enemy, he received a thrust from a bayonet, directed against his breast; and the point of the weapon, after piercing his belt and coat, pressed through the cover of the Bible, and perforated fifty-two of the leaves. This book now remains in possession of one of his brothers.

But to how many has the Bible been the means, not only of preserving the body, but saving the soul! Happy for us to live in a day when this divine Book is rapidly circulating through the universe!

Buck's Anecdotes.

HONESTY THE BEST POLICY.

THE following instance of honesty may be properly read, and recommended to the children in the SundaySchools:-A nobleman, lately travelling in Scotland, was asked for alms in the High Street of Edinburgh, by a little ragged boy: he said he had no change; upon which the boy offered to procure it. His Lordship, in order to get rid of his importunity, gave him a piece of silver, which the boy conceiving was to be changed, ran off for the purpose. On his return, not finding his benefactor, who he expected would have waited, he watched for several days in the place where he had received the money, pursuing his occupation. At length the nobleman happening again to pass that way, he accosted him, and put the change he had procured into his hand, counting it with great exactness. His Lordship was so pleased with the boy's honesty, that he has placed him at school, and means to provide for him.

Ibid.

THE JUDGMENT DAY.

JEROME used to say, that it seemed to him as if the trumpet of the last day was always sounding in his ear, saying, "Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment. The generality, however, think but little of this awful and important period.-A Christian King of Hungary, being very sad and pensive, his brother, who was a gay courtier, was desirous of knowing the cause of his sad"Oh, brother," said the King, "I have been a great sinner against God, and know not how to die, or how to appear before God in judgment!" His brother,

ness.

making a jest of it, said, "These are but melancholy thoughts." The King made no reply; but it was the custom of the country, that if the executioner came and sounded a trumpet before any man's door, he was presently led to execution. The King, in the dead of night, sent the executioner to sound the trumpet before his brother's door; who, hearing it, and seeing the messenger of death, sprang into the King's presence, beseeching to know in what he had offended. "Alas! brother," said the King, "you have never offended me. And is the sight of my executioner so dreadful, and shall not I, who have greatly offended, fear to be brought before the judgment-seat of Christ?" Ibid.

GOOD REASONING.

AT Bukapuram, in the Northern Circars, a child, only eight years old, who had been educated in Christianity, was ridiculed on account of his religion, by some heathens older than himself. In reply, he repeated what he had been taught respecting God. "Show us your God," said the heathens. "I cannot do that," answered the child, "but I can show yours to you." Taking up a stone, and daubing it with some resemblance of a human face, he placed it very gravely upon the ground, and pushed it towards them with his foot." There," says he, "is such a God as you worship." But to whom will ye liken me? or what likeness will ye compare unto me, saith the Lord? I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no God.-A just God, and yet a Saviour!

Ibid.