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permitted to break in upon his retirement.

From Flanders he proceeded to Mantua in Italy, where he effected some reforms in the Carmelite order; and here he experienced a foretaste of his impending doom, by exciting a violent opposition among his fellow monks, many of whom were exasperated at his conduct, and became his personal enemies. So much easier is it to be distinguished for eloquence than to be tolerated as a reformer. The great adversary of mankind was ready to surrender all the kingdoms of the world to our Saviour, if he would do him homage for them.* His reign was now threatened by purifying the ministry, and therefore his hatred was manifested. But Thomas had been proof against the more perilous snare of applause, and was not to be daunted by opposition.

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From Mantua he went to Venice, where his powers of preaching produced so remarkable a sensation, that the ambassadors of the republic, who were setting out for Rome, thought they could not oblige the pope more, than by bringing this eloquent friar along with them. He too was glad of the opportunity, as he expected to learn much in the capital of Christendom, having hitherto, observes Milner, no conception of the enormous corruptions of that venal city.' Eugenius IV. was the pope. As soon as Thomas arrived, he began to preach, and his first exhortations were directed against the vanities of dress; but he was soon astonished to find that even the habitation of St. Peter was become a den of thieves; and his zealous spirit was stirred up within him, to give an open testimony to evangelical truth.' He spoke uncompromisingly against the depraved morals of the clergy, and the corruptions of the Romish court, till the pope,

*Matt. iv. 9.

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whose orders to come into his presence he twice disobeyed, caused him to be seized, and appointed a commission of cardinals to try him as a heretic. Being found guilty according to their notions of heresy, he was degraded from the priesthood, and condemned to be burned alive; which cruel sentence was executed on the public place in 1434.† He sustained his tenets with constancyto the last, and suffered the flames with fortitude, trusting in him who shall change our vile body, although destroyed by worms, into a glorious body. Baltista Mantuario, afterwards general of the Carmelite order, wrote his apology, maintaining that he was innocent of any heresy, and that his death was an act of cruelty. Nor should we forget, that this person attempted to reform his order; and when he found his measures thwarted, resigned his post of responsibility, and died in 1516, the time of Luther's appearance: so close are the links of spiritual testimony. The ancient adage, that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church, has been fully verified in the case of Thomas of Rennes.

The pontificate of Eugenius was stormy, for there is no peace to the wicked." Having dissolved the council of Basle, and transferred it to Ferrara, an act of deposition was passed against him by the insulted assembly, in 1439. He maintained his seat however, until his death in 1447; and on his dying bed these words escaped his lips: 'it would have been better for thee to have been neither pope nor cardinal, but to have lived and died in thy cloister, occupied with the duties of thine order.' We cannot but imagine that the doom of Thomas weighed heavily on his mind, for the curse causeless shall not come.+ ST. S-N.

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CHRISTIAN USEFULNESS.

SOME time since a disciple of the Lord Jesus, who like his Divine Master, delights to go about doing good, was called by the providence of God, to visit a sick and aged domestic, in a Parish Workhouse. Here whilst pouring in the oil and wine of the Gospel of salvation, his eyes was struck with the desolate condition of those around him; his heart commiserated their forlorn estate; he cared for their souls, and endeavoured to lead them also to the fountain of living waters, opened for sin and uncleanness. He pointed to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world-to Jesus, the life, the truth, and the way; out of whom there is no salvation; in whom there is no condemnation.

The people heard the Gospel's joyful sound with all readiness of mind. The aged, sick and infirm, hitherto deprived of the ordinances of the Lord's house, now had a means of grace on the Sabbath, and a blessing from the author and giver of every good and perfect gift was humbly sought. Such a day of small things thou, O God, will not despise !

For some time this good Steward went on his way with only occasional help. The spirit truly was willing, but the flesh was weak. The work pressed heavily upon him. Other important duties demanded his attention, for he was also a Sunday School Teacher.

Yet he was unwilling to relinquish a work which promised to be so beneficial. A work from which the happiest effects might follow. "For there is joy in heaven amongst the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

Desirous of obtaining assistance in this labour of love, he applied to a few Christian friends: but for some time no relief was obtained. At length a little Society was

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formed, whose general design was to do good, but with a particular reference to the Parish Workhouse,' which was to be visited every Sunday for an hour between the morning and afternoon services, for the purpose of communicating religious instruction by reading the Scriptures, Prayer, &c. There are eight members, two only are required each Sunday, one for the men's and one for the women's room; the turn coming thus monthly, the task is both easy and delightful.

Quarterly meetings are held for mutual edification and encouragement, the utmost harmony has hitherto characterized all their proceedings; and the result will be seen at the great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed.

With an earnest desire that this plan of Christian usefulness' which had so happy and auspicious a commencement here, may be adopted elsewhere, the writer (who has the happiness to be a member of the little Society alluded to) ventures to solicit a page or two in the Christian Guardian in order to give it extensive publicity; and he would affectionately urge it upon the consciences of the professing people of God, whether the subject be not worthy of serious consideration ; and as they are continually praying, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," would it not be well to inquire what they, individually, are doing to promote it? How are they sustaining the character of 'new creatures in Christ Jesus-of soldiers, servants, stewards-cities set on hills whose light cannot be hid— living epistles seen and read of all men?' How are they 'redeeming the time, the short time that remains, prior to their going down to the tomb ? Is any further stimulus

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needed?' Let them remember him, who has done and suffered so much for them; who left the glories of heaven and came down into a waste howling wilderness! Had not where to lay his head! Endured the contradiction of sinners against himself! Was despised and rejected of men! Came to his own, and his own received him not!" Was tried, "no fault found in him." Condemned though innocent !— "Buffetted, mocked, scourged, and crucified. Drank the cup of wrath to the very dregs. Died and rose again. Did all this for us men, and our salvation." For us sinners His enemies! Can we then ever do too much for him and for each other?

Let us up and be doing; multitudes are perishing for lack of knowledge, Satan the god of this world hath blinded the eyes of millions of our fallen creatures. His iron sway is beheld in the conduct even of our neighbours, friends, and acquaintances. Let us endeavour to be useful in our day and generation. A plan of usefulness is now offered in which private Christians may engage and materially strengthen the hands of their respective pastors. Let us not hide

our talent. As we are redeemed with a price, let us be diligent in the service of our Divine Master. We are exhorted" to do good, and to communicate, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” We are 66 not to be weary in welldoing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." In a word, Christ himself hath declared, "that a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple shall not lose its reward. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

With a humble dependence on his gracious promises, and with a single eye to his glory, "let us cast our bread upon the waters, for it shall be found, though after many days." And, finally, we are assured, " they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Φιλος.

RETIREMENT.

How sweet to rest from busy life,
In still retirement's shade;

And there call in the scatter'd thoughts,
To contemplation's aid.

There sober'd into sense, the mind

Strips off the fair disguise,

From all the flatt'ring scenes that pass'd,

Before its wand'ring eyes.

Man well may toil thro' upland scenes,
And from the summit trace,

Where wisdom, and where virtue led,
To competence and peace:

But it is wise to step aside,
Ere life's declining road,

And in the calm and silent shade,
To commune with our God:

The past to mark, the present scan,
And o'er the future throw

Th' enquiring eye, to learn the end,
Of all things here below.

C.

ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES IN FACTORIES.

THE important influence which females have in society is admitted by all mankind, therefore it must be the duty of all to secure an education and character to this interesting part of creation which shall tend to make them blessings in the earth. That this has been lost sight of in the kingdoms of this world, to a great extent, there can be no doubt; and the author of this paper humbly submits it to the consideration of the readers of this work, whether inattention to the female character be not one of the sources of the evils in society of which he hears universal complaint. With an open Bible before him he cannot but admit the absolute necessity of being born of the Spirit of God before there will be a permanent principle of good in either man or woman; and while he wishes never to forget that this is the work of the Almighty, the history of religion is one continued proof that God accomplishes all his gracious designs by suitable means, and if we expect success to attend our endeavours to do good, the means we use must be lawful. Then let us calmly look at the manner in which tens of thousands of females are employed in this country during the most important period of life-the period of youth; when a character is formed which generally stamps the individual for this life; aye, and the life to come. The author alludes principally to the factories of the united kingdom, and the promiscuous manner in which the children of both sexes are trained up together in these places. Viewing, however, nature as it is, how can it be otherwise than as we behold it. And who does not constantly see what fills his heart with sorrow, and his eyes with tears? The modest beauty of the female character is lost, and either through thoughtlessness,

or the love of money "which is "the root of all evil," we have so exposed the loveliest part of this lower creation that they are almost compelled to be vicious in selfdefence, and these crowds of females so brought up, are to be the mothers of our future generations, though their bodies are emaciated by improper confinement, their minds corrupted by dwelling in a polluted atmosphere, and they are in various respects totally unfitted to make good housewives. If it should be said in reply that the morals of those females are no better where there are no factories; it may be answered, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." The commercial districts of the land have caused their preponderating influence to be felt in every direction, and the writer would therefore in the most respectful manner call the attention of all classes in society to this momentous subject. To fathers he would say, Give your daughters a Christian education, and send them to schools where girls only are taught; except in the case of Infant schools. When they leave school, if you must send them to some business, be religiously careful, that it be such as is quite consistent with female delicacy and useful improvement in those things which shall fit them for future domestic situations. Let masters be concerned for the health and morals of those who serve them, as much as for success in trade. None can do well eventually, unless the whole community be prosperous; and whatever is an evil to the servant, will prove calamitous to the employer. If it be absolutely necessary (which is very doubtful) to employ females in factories, let every prudent and modest plan be adopted for their sakes. Boys and girls should be employed in separate estab

lishments, or at any rate in distinct apartments, and the hours of coming to work and leaving should not be the same.

Ministers of our holy religion, you are called upon to make use of your influence in this sacred cause, it is the cause of chastity and justice, and a proper sphere for your labour. Let Christian philanthropists appeal to the legislature of the country on behalf of the daughters of the land. Inquiries are now on foot respecting overworking the children employed in factories, which must rejoice

every feeling heart: and while some of our worthy representatives are so engaged, it would do honour to them to inquire whether girls ought to be employed in these dangerous places at all; and whether after a given period, it might not be enacted that the practice shall cease for ever. A distinguished statesman has recently observed, on this point, that it is undoubtedly a subject which well deserves the attention of an enlightened and Christian legislature.' May that regard be paid to it which it so justly demands. G. G.

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ON THE CONDUCT OF BELIEVERS.

Ir cannot but be matter of regret to those who are anxiously enquiring their way Zion-ward, that whilst the votaries of time are so united in their prosecution of the interests, and pleasures, the hopes and fears of this transitory world; those who are emphatically styled "Branches of that "Vine" which is Christ Jesus the Lord, should oft-times be found so lax, and so cold, in the great duty of aiding and assisting each other in the spiritual race; so backward and so unwilling to express the dealings of God towards them. David knew the importance of this, when he said, "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." Ps. lxvi. 16.

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scandal on that Gospel, which is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. i. 16. The servants of Christ should, notwithstanding, exhibit a modest and unshrinking firmness in the cause of their Divine Master, for if worldly men behold them afraid, or ashamed to speak of those things, which they profess to believe of surpassing import; is it surprizing that they should lightly esteem and contemn, that, which a consistent conduct might have induced them at least to respectthe declaration of our Lord on this head is very explicit, whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with his holy angels."Mark viii. 38. Attention to this is doubly important at the present time, when it is considered how much the professors of the Gospel are brought into association with the world.

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There are also many inquirers, on whom the "light of life" has shone, who look up to those whom they esteem more advanced in the Divine life than themselves, for a word of guidance and direction;

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