"How beautiful!" she said, "how beautiful! 'Let me to Thy bosom fly.' "Lingering to launch away-to cross the flood-and land upon the shining shore," said the missionary. "I long to go," said she; "I long to go! These parting hours, how sad, how slow!" CLINGING TO JESUS. BY CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF JUST AS I AM." O HOLY Saviour, Friend unseen, The faint, the weak, on Thee may lean; Blest with the communion so Divine, Far from her home, fatigued, opprest, While she can cling to Thee! Without a murmur 1 dismiss What though the world deceitful prove, With patient, uncomplaining love, Oft when I seem to tread alone Though faith and hope awhile be tried, They fear not life's rough storms to brave, Blest is my lot, whate'er befall; What can disturb me, who appal; While as my strength, my rock, my all, NEWS FROM PEKIN. THE REV. Joseph Edkins, of the London Missionary Society, has been for some time at Pekin, the capital of China, and he lately wrote home as follows:: "An encouraging circumstance recently took place here. A countryman, living at a town (Tang-feng-tsun) 150 miles distant, came among our people lately, and stated that more than a hundred persons residing in his neighbourhood were desirous of receiving Christian instruction. They had read books given away at the Church Mission here. After careful examination of the informant, I sent with him to his home one of our schoolmasters, who returned a few days since with the information that he had met with eight respectable persons who might be relied on as sincerely wishing for instruction. One of the eight accompanied him, and is here now, learning the Christian doctrines and examining the Scriptures. His associates very much desire a missionary to go to them, and the matter is now just laid before the Rev. W. C. Burns, who may perhaps consent to accompany one of our preachers to the town, to respond to this apparently providential call from a heathen population. "I will also add, that Dr. Pogajeff went down this week to Ts'aiü, our new country station, twenty-five miles south of Pekin, to spend a day in healing the sick. Dr. P. is medical officer to the Russian Embassy. Mr. Burns was there at the time, and has been residing at the chapel for a month past." A SAFE LODGING. A YOUNG traveller on a lonely journey through a wild tract of country missed his way, and was overtaken by the darkness of an autumn evening before he could regain the right road. He looked round in much anxiety to discover any human dwelling where he might pass the night. It was some time before a feeble glimmer of light across the moor guided him to a solitary, desolate-looking cottage, He knocked at the door, and it was opened by a man whose appearance was far from prepossessing. He did not refuse admittance to the weary stranger; but his manner, and that of a woman, the only other inmate, showed plainly that they had no wish for visitors. The youth told his story, and begged for supper and a night's lodging, which was not refused. But he was naturally rather of a nervous, imaginative disposition: he had never journeyed alone before; he had a good deal of money with him; and somehow all sorts of strange fears and fancies came into his mind, and stories of lonely travellers who had been robbed and murdered in just such places as this appeared to be. He felt no appetite for supper, and when he retired to the small back room where a bed had been prepared for him, although commending himself to God before lying down, he began to think over the looks and manner of his grave and silent host, till he got into so nervous a state that to sleep was impossible. Suddenly he heard low speaking in the other room, from which only a slight partition separated him. He started up. They are plotting how to murder me! I shall listen and learn their plans; perhaps I may be able to escape by the window." He listened attentively, hardly able to breathe from fear. It was the voice of prayer; the low, earnest petition of a humble and sorrowful soul, confession of sin, and supplications for mercy. The young man felt in a moment relieved, and also ashamed of himself, of his fears and suspicions. There could be no fear now; he returned to bed, and soon slept soundly. Yes, the house in which prayer is made is a safe dwelling. Young reader, novor choose to dwell in any other. DIAMOND DUST. THE resolute traveller knows that his journey is long, and the way dirty and dangerous, yet goes on in hope to come home to his house. So let the Christian, though the way to heaven be narrow and difficult, though it be set with troubles and persecutions, yet let him go on till he hath finished his course with joy, for heaven is his home.Ephraem Syrus. Stay not away from Him, though thou be wounded, for He came to heal; though thou be lost, for He came to seek. Let not thy disease affright thee from the Physician, for He cures those that are sick and maimed. If thou die uncured it is thy own fault. His mercy and goodness are open freely to thee, as to Mary Magdalene and the penitent thief.-Ibid. He that will know true love, let him learn to love Christ, for Christ is love.-Basil. Divine love is a never-failing treasure. He that hath it is rich, and he that wanteth it is poor.-Ibid. The Bible is the Physician's shop of preservatives against poisoned heresies; a pattern of profitable laws against rebellious spirits; a treasury of most costly jewels against beggarly rudiments; a fountain of most pure water, springing up unto everlasting life.—Ibid. We have all things in Christ, and Christ is all in us. If thou desirest to be cured of the wounds of sin, He is thy Physician. If thou art in a hot fever of worldly affection, He is thy cooling fountain. If thou art laden with iniquity, He is thy justice; in necessity He is thy helper. If thou fearest death, He is thy life. If thou wouldst shun darkness, He is thy light. If thou seekest heaven, He is thy way. If thou desirest spiritual food, He is thy manna.-Ibid. |