heard the gospel in the year 1839, when he examined its divine claims, believed its declarations, obeyed its commands, and rested implicitly upon its promises. From that period he entertained full confidence in the Saviourlived in the enjoyment of a sense of forgiveness of past sins, by faith in his blood--and exemplified the character of a cheerful, devoted, and useful member of the church. He has left a large family consisting of three sons and five daughters, three of whom, with their bereaved mother, are disciples of Christ, and members of his body the church. The industry and fidelity of our deceased brother in his worldly occupation--his Christian meekness, courage, and steadfastness-his contentment under privation and suffering-will be long remembered as the embodiment of a bright example in the family, the church, and the world. As he lived, so he died, serenely happy. Truly blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. FAMILY CIRCLE. SPECIMENS OF GIVING.-There is in the English language a certain word of unwelcome sound, and unpleasant association. It is the word STINGY, and is of so odious a savour, that no man is willing to have it applied to himself, however much truth there may be in its applicatisn. The more the truth, the deeper the aversion. Liberality is, on the contrary, in high esteem everywhere. No man objects to being thought liberal, whether he is so or not. And of those who fancy themselves so, the number is much greater than those who really are so. Stinginess is not only condemned by all intelligent minds, but it lies under the mute reprobation of nature itself. Nature has been called economical, but she is not stingy; she is liberal, often profusely so. Behold the sun amid his morning glories, his meridian splendours, or his evening magnificence. What a beautiful benefactor to millions of glad recipients! Gaze on the starry firmament amid the "adoring silence of the night." What a profusion of softened beauty is poured on the enchanted vision of him who has a heart to commune with the "poetry of heaven." Think of the atmosphere that surrounds us. How it delights to distribute the rich sun light it receives, to diversify beauty to the eye in all the splendid variety of colors, to assist the voice of man or instrument, in conveying melody to the ear; to help the little flowers-themselves so prodigal of beauty and sweetness-to impart fragrance to the senses; and finally to sustain millions of denizens of the air on their elastic wings, while they revel in mirth and music. How it upholds the mighty masses of clouds, while they drop their fatness upon the needy earth, and teach to man a lesson of unbounded generosity. How softly does it deposit the rich dew on flower and field, while it gives the breath of life not only to the lungs of man, beast and bird, but to those of the host of the vegetable world. These are parts of its ways, but how little a portion of it, as of the Creator, is understood! It is always giving. It gives us the Spring with its tender beauty, the Summer in all its pride and gaiety, the Autumn with all its munificence, the Winter with all its solemn grandeur, and its " like wool." The ocean, too, is not alone sublime in action - beautiful in repose. It is not alone" the image of the invisible," as it creates elevated thoughts and emotions in a contemplative soul. It is vast in its beneficence. It gives in charge to the atmosphere those treasures which are not hoarded, but speedily prepared to enrich the earth. It is not barrier between nations, but the bearer of their bountiful exchanges. From its capacious repositories it furnishes without stint the living millions that supply the wants of man, drawing them to its banks, or sending them at certain periodical seasons up the numerous rivers, to meet the demands of the lord of creation. The earth, too, is giving, always giving, a thousand fold for all it receives. Its teeming bosom is at this moment preparing those imof dependent, ungrateful man. mense supplies, which are to gladden the hearts In a thousand ways does it give. Let but the hand of industry touch it, and quickly as by enchantment, it yields the abundance which, like all the works of God, testifies to his boundless beneficence. To crown all, God gave that gift of gifts, HIS OWN SON, to live, to labour, and to die for man. Shall man then be ungrateful? Shall he alone be niggardly? Oh, covetous man! All that numerable silent monitors that reprove your you see and hear reproves you. There are inselfishness, and command you to be generous. God himself teaches you by his own example, to be benevolent and bountiful; yes, to make some great sacrifice. What, then, wilt thou do this year for the welfare of thy fellow-men, and his glory? D. THE INFIDEL, THE CHRISTIAN AND THE BIBLE.-A Christian gentleman had occasion to travel through a new and thinly settled part of the western country of North America. His travelling companion was a gentleman of intelligence, but of infiidel principles, who was fond of discussion, and tried to beguile the way by urging arguments against the truth of the Christian religion. The thinly peopled section of country through which they were passing was inhabited by people of indifferent character, and it had been rumored that travellers had suffered fatal violence from them when thrown within their power. As regular inns were unknown our travellers were compelled to trust to the hospitality of those of whom they could not but entertain a secret fear. On one occasion, as the evening closed in, they sought a lodging place in a log-cabin, far remote from other habitations. They anticipated but little has brought one man from the bottom of the sea, and carried another in a chariot of fire. What has not prayer done? do not meet with a spirit of piety in your houses DOMESTIC PIETY.-Parents, if your children if, on the contrary, your pride consists in surrounding them with external gifts, introducing them into worldly society, indulging all their whims, letting them follow their courseyou will see them grow vain, proud, idle, disobedient, and extravagant. They will treat you with contempt, and the more your hearts are comfort; and were induced to believe, that it would be a measure of safety to watch alternately through the night. As they were about to retire to their rude bed, their host, whose exterior had excited their distrust, proceeding to a shelf, took down an old and much worn bible. and informing his visitors that it was his custom to worship God in his family, he read and prayed in so simple a manner as to secure the esteem of the travellers. They retired to rest, slept soundly, and thought no more of alternate watching. In the morning the Christian requested his infidel companion to say whether the religious exercises of the precede-wrapt up in them, the less they will think of ing evening had not dispelled every particle of distrust of their host's character, and had not enabled him to close his eyes in the most confident security. He was evidently embarrassed by the question; but at length candidly acknowledged, that the sight of the bible had secured him a sound night's rest. Here was a testimony extorted to the influence of the religion which he sceptically assailed. He could not harbor a fear of violence from one who was in the habit of daily bending his knee before God. The very erection of the family altar rendered the house a secure asylum. THE WONDERS OF PRAYER.-Abraham's servant prays-Rebekah appears. Jacob wrestles and prays-the angel is conquered, and Esau's mind is wonderfully turned from the revengeful purpose he had harbored for twenty years. Moses prays-Amalek is discomfited. Joshua prays-Achan is discovered. Hannah prays Samuel is born. David prays Ahitophel hangs himself. Asa prays a victory is gained. Jehoshaphat prays-God turns away his foes. Isaiah and Hezekiah prayone hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians are dead in twelve hours. Daniel prays the lions are muzzled. Mordecai and Esther fastHaman is hanged on his own gallows in three days. Ezra prays at Ahava-God answers. Nehemiah darts a prayer-the king's heart is softened in a minute. Elijah prays-a drought of three years succeeds. Elijah prays againrain descends apace. Elisha prays-Jordan is divided. Elisha prays--a child's soul comes back. The church prays, and Peter is delivered by an angel. Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God-the doors and gates of the prison were opened and every man's bands were loosed. Prayer has divided seas, rolled up flowing rivers, made flinty rocks gush into fountains, quenched flames of fire, muzzled lions, disarmed vipers and poisons, marshalled the stars against the wicked, stopped the course of the moon, arrested the rapid sun in his great race, burst open iron gates, recalled souls from eternity, conquered the strongest devils, commanded legions of angels to come down from heaven. Prayer has bridled and chained the raging passions of men, and rooted and destroyed vast armies of proud, daring atheists. Prayer you. This is often seen to be the case—but who thereby how great is your sin against God, in is responsible? The PARENTS. May yon learn neglecting the means for influencing their hearts, and bringing them up in the Lord. Nothing is more effectual in doing this, than an example of domestic piety. THE BEREAVEMENT. [The following lines were written on the death My motherless children! I look on you now Of the loss that is yours, and the grief that is mine! Play on, little children, like lambs on the lea, Come rolling before me, awake and asleep. 66 PAYMENT OF PASTORS. THE Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, exhorts them concerning the duty of distributing (koinonountes) to the necessities of the saints; and again, in the letter to the Hebrews, But to do good, and communicate, (koinonias) forget not." Again, in his epistle to Timothy, he says, Charge them that are rich in this world, that they do good, be rich in good works, willing to communicate" (koinonikous.) Again, in his letter to the Philippians, he says, "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound, and how to suffer need; I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me: notwithstanding ye have well done that ye did communicate (sun-koinonesantes) with my affliction. Now ye Philippians, know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church (ekoinonesen) communicated with me, as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only." Now from these passages we have furnished the evidence, that the word koinoneo, in both its simple and compound forms, is here used by the Holy Spirit, speaking through a human voice, in the signification of "giving money," or "giving a portion of one's substance.' And the same Holy Spirit, speaking through the mouth of Paul, says, in the letter to the Galatians, “LET him that is taught in the word, communicate (koinoneto) unto him that teacheth in all things." Now since the Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, here makes use of this expression koinoneo, and as the Holy Spirit never contradicts itself, no man can say that the Holy Spirit did not comprehend the meaning of the word it used. Here, then, is a positive command, "Let him communicate;" and by divine law it is established that he who is taught is to impart a portion of his substance to his teacher. Evangelists preached, pastors taught. But some one may say, "Evangelists would teach likewise, when there was need." Very good! Then the command provides both for pastors and evangelists. This principle, then, is enunciated by the Holy Spirit-payment of pastors. Now since the apostle has enunciated this law, he, being infallible, because inspired by God, could not contradict himself. In God's book there is no such thing as a contradictory passage. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to Timothy, says, “LET the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in word and in doctrine" (i. e. as evangelists as well as pastors.) Now the word used here to signify "honor" is timee, which some persons may say, means in this passage, “honour" in its popular meaning of "respect," or "esteem;" but to this interpretation there is one insuperable objection: if it mean "honour" it makes void the law already enacted, namely, that pastors are to share in the substance of the disciples; and as Paul, being infallible, could not contradict himself, it is evident that "honour" is not the meaning-it must mean something else. The word timee, besides its meaning of honour, has another meaning-price or remuneration, pecuniary recompense. We shall furnish proof in the words of the Holy Spirit :-" Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, and they took the thirty pieces of silver, the (timen) price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did (timesanto) value." This passage, in A. Campbell's new version, reads thus :-"The thirty shekels, the (timen) price at which he was valued, I took as the Lord appointed me, from the sons of Israel, who gave them for the potter's field." In the 6th verse of the same chapter, the word time is also used in the sense of price or recompense :-"And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, it is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the (time) price of blood." Again, in 66 the Acts, it is used to signify price, or manded that these elders were to have pecuniary recompense "Neither the double of it. And Paul demonwas there any among them that lack-strated their right to support from the ed, for as many as were possessors of very same passage which he quotes as lands or houses, sold them, and brought an authority for his own support : the timas of the things that were sold," " for," says Paul, "The Scripture &c. Again, in the 5th chapter-"But saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox a certain man named Ananias, with that treadeth out the corn," and "the Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, labourer is worthy of his reward.” and kept back part of the (times) So, then, Paul proves that pastors, as price. But Peter said, Ananias, why well as apostles and evangelists, were hath Satan filled thine heart, to lie to typified by the ox treading out the the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part corn; and as Paul has already proved of the times of the land," &c. Again, from this very passage, that apostles in Acts vii. 16, "The sepulchre that and evangelists are entitled to support, Abraham bought for a sum (times) of he now proves that elders likewise are money." Again, in Acts xix. 19– entitled to support. "And they counted the price (timas) But if a pastor possess the means of them, and found it fifty thousand of maintenance, ought he to receive pieces of silver." Again, in 1 Cor. support from the congregation? No! vi. 20, 66 For ye are bought with a because, as a good steward of God, he (times) price, therefore glorify God," must consider himself paid by that &c. Again, in 1 Cor. vii. 23, "For which God has committed to his care. ye are bought with a (times) price; But some one may ask, why was the be ye not the servants of men.' We word translated honour? We answer have now produced eight passages in that in the time of King James the which the word time signifies remune- First, the word "honour" was used ration or recompense: six of them in a different signification to its comsignify a literal pecuniary remunera- mon one. A single example of this tion-two of them signify price, used is sufficient. "Honour widows that as a metaphor. Now, bearing in mind are widows indeed." This is the that the Holy Spirit, speaking through sage in which Paul orders that widows Paul, has enunciated a law, that pas- be relieved and assisted: if these tors are to share in the substance of widows had nephews or children they their congregations-that the Spirit, were to be maintained by them, if moreover, cannot contradict itself capable, and not by the church. But that the word time is used in a literal some one may ask-why did Paul say pecuniary sense six times, and in a that the Thessalonians were to esteem metaphorical sense of price in two their pastors very highly in love, other passages-it is manifest by every for their work's sake ?" Why, berational principle of interpretation, cause they ought to do so: the mere that the passage must read as follows: fact of their enabling the pastor or "Let the elders that rule well be pastors to give all their time to the counted worthy of double recompence, instruction of the church, was not a especially they who labour in word sufficient recompense: the duties of and in doctrine." Now, as the elders the office were so arduous, that they that rule well, especially they who were to esteem them " very highly in labour in word and in doctrine, are to love" likewise, in order to cheer them be counted worthy of double pecuniary in their stern combat with sin, false recompense, it is evident to every ra- brethren, and an unbelieving world. tioual mind, that the elders must have The relation between pastor and had some pecuniary recompense, or church was something infinitely beelse the apostle would not have com-yond a mere trade transaction. Again, pas some one will say, why did the apos-fied and important office itself. God tles maintain themselves when they never issues a prohibition against a first preached the gospel ?-did they thing not in existence. When he said require leisure to study before they "Thou shalt not kill," the crime had could preach? No, they did not been committed. Paul evidently gave and why? because there was a divine this law as inspired by the Spirit, in command that they were not to study order that when the members of the -they were to take no thought what churches no longer taught or exhortthey should say, for the Holy Spirit ed by miraculous power, there might would speak through them. If evan- be the means of providing a series of gelists and pastors in the present day pure and intellectual men, who should, preached, taught, and exhorted under through all ages, govern the church, the miraculous influence of the Holy and proselyte the world. Again, Spirit, they would need no time for some one may say, shall we then have study, nor any mental cultivation at men who are to give us three sermons all. Moreover when churches were on the Sunday, and do nothing all the established, Paul commended some rest of the week? No, no one profor enabling him to give the whole of poses it: the pastors and evangelists his time to the work, and imputed of the early churches made the inblame to parties for the contrary. struction of the church, and the conAgain, some one may ask, why did version of the world, a DAILY occupaPaul address the elders of the church tion. The Sunday system of preachat Ephesus in these words, "I have ing is the precious result of a State coveted no man's silver, or gold, or Church. All honour is due to the apparel; yea, ye yourselves know noble-hearted men who labour in secuthat these hands have ministered to lar employment during six days of the my necessities, and to them that were week, and then teach and preach on with me. I have showed you, how the Lord's day; but there is not one that so laboring ye ought to support of those men who does not know that the weak, and to remember the words he could be infinitely more useful, if of the Lord Jesus, it is more blessed he could devote the whole of his time to give than to receive ?" We answer, to teaching and proclamation. Again, that Paul had, nearly four years pre- some one may say-But if the church viously, imparted the Holy Spirit to is very poor, and quite unable to supthe whole church at Ephesus: conse- port a pastor, what then? Why the quently, those who had received it, law propounded does not fall on them; like the apostle, had no occasion for God judges man by the responsibility study or leisure-the Spirit spoke mi- he HAS, not by that which he HAS NOT. raculously to the church through Again, some one may say, why should them; they, therefore, could pursue an elder who fills an evangelist's their accustomed trades, &c. But office, likewise have double remunesome one may observe, did not Paul ration? Because an evangelist's exsay that the pastors were not to take penses are added to those he already office for filthy lucre's sake, but of a incurs: how can he travel to other ready mind? Yes, he did; and the places to found fresh churches, if he very exhortation shows that the pas- has not the necessary means? This tors were lawfully supported by the is why he is to have double support. early churches, because if the pay- Again, some one may ask-why should ment of pastors had not been in ex- an elder that rules well have double istence, there would never have been remuneration? Because, since he is an exhortation not to have sought the to be hospitable and benevolent, to office for the sake of the support, but such a man there is no greater pleafrom an earnest desire for the digni- | sure than ministering to the necessi |