For words without the heart, Lord, teach me what I want, Nor let me e'er implore Thy grace, Yet remember, you who read this, you are not to neglect your prayers because you do not feel inclined to pray; but this little hymn is to show you the wickedness of pretending to pray to the great God, while you are thinking all the time about something else. Before, then, you begin your prayers, you must ask God to give you His Holy Spirit, that you may not draw nigh to him with your lips, while your hearts are from him." Never be in a hurry to say your prayers, but think a little while, what you are about to do before you kneel down. You are going to speak to that Almighty Being "who looketh upon the heart," and who sees whether we think of what we say or care for what we ask.-Ibid. 66 THE CYPRESS TREE. THE cypress tree is only once mentioned in Scripture, in Isa. xliv. 14. It abounded in all the Eastern countries, but does not seem to be the same kind of tree now known in the American forests, unless it be as some writers say, that the male tree branches out horizontally, and the female is upright. The Eastern tree is most commonly described as having its branches growing upright, tall, and straight. The tree that Isaiah knew, is remarkable for its height, strength and comeliness. It is an evergreen. While other trees change as the varying seasons pass over them, the cypress changes not-it is still the same. Its leaves are bitter, and its fruit small and round, about the size of nuts, and of a pale colour, and is not fit to be eaten. The fruit contains small, angular seeds, from which the tree may be raised, but it is cultivated with great difficulty. The ancient Romans considered it a fatal tree, and used branches of it at funerals, and other doleful ceremonies. Pliny says that its shade and its smell are both dangerous; but this does not seem to have been the general notion, as physicians in those days had so high an opinion of the salubrious change it produced on the surrounding atmosphere, by its balsamic exhalations, that they were in the habit of sending their patients to reside for a time in some district where those trees abounded, in the belief that residing there would contribute to their recovery. The wood of the tree was very heavy and very fragrant, and almost incorruptible. It was to be found in almost every situation, but especially delighted in the mountain heights, and was indeed the only tree that grew near the summits of Lebanon, Hermon, and other very elevated mountains. Where the frost and snow, resting almost constantly, stunts and destroys every other tree, the cypress-everliving-continues green as ever. In such situations it is indeed smaller, being more like the size of a small oak than the stately tree which, in more favoured situations, arrests the attention and adorns the forests. But wherever it is, it lives and grows. It is like genuine religion in the soul. Fierce winds may howl round it, and biting frosts lay waste the mountain and the forest, but the cypress retains the principle of life; and though, its fruit may be small and scanty, its leaf is green-it dies not. A Christian may be placed in such a situation that he can bear little apparent fruit. The frowns and the crosses of the world, and the temptations of the wicked one, may fall so thickly upon him and ply him so closely, that worldly men may think that his tender graces cannot live. But "his seed is in him;" and he still lives, and ever grows, under the smile of that Just Being who looks for five talents being employed where five are given; but accepts the feeblest services, and says, "Well done," when He looks upon the slender efforts of the least and weakest of His people. AN INFANT TEACHER. IN a Sunday school in Connecticut, there was an infant class of coloured children under the instruction of a pious young lady. One little girl, in this class, was taught her letters and to read the Bible, so that she could commit three verses a-week for her Sabbath lesson. The teacher told her, one day, that she must try to get as many verses as she could. The little girl said she could not get more than three verses, as she had so much to do. When asked what she had to do, she replied, "I have to take care of the baby, and teach my mother to read." Her teacher was so much interested in this reply, that she resolved to visit the mother. On making a visit, she learned that the mother, who, previous to the instruction she had received from her little child, could not even say her letters, had been taught by that child, so that then she could spell words of one syllable. The lady, finding the mother but poorly clad, kindly made arrangements to furnish her with clothes, so that she could attend public worship on the Sunday; and that mother is now, through the diligence and filial love of her daughter, and the benevolence of her teacher, enjoying, Sunday after Sunday, the privileges of Bible-class in struction. How small a child can do good! How rich the reward that teacher is receiving for all her patient toilings to teach that little one to read.-Philadelphia Courier. SENTENCES FOR REFLECTION. 1. When thou art in company of thy betters for sense and prudence, it is much more advisable to hear than to speak, as it is more profitable to reap than to sow. 2. Disappointments and crosses that come not by thy own folly or negligence, are corrections of heaven; and it is thy own fault if they prove not to thy advantage. 3. As it was necessary that God should become like man on earth to purchase felicity for thee, so thou must become like God in heaven before thou comest to possess it. 4. In judging of thyself, if conscience either cannot or will not inform thee, there is a certain thing called selflove that will be sure to deceive thee. 5. The greatest honour thou canst do to God or good men, is to endeavour to be like them; to express their virtues and represent them to the world in thy life. 6. So deliberate that thou mayest resolve; so resolve that thou mayest perform; so perform that thou mayest persevere. 7. Let it frequently come into thy thoughts that death lieth in wait for thee; and may catch thee (as it hath done many others) anywhere, suddenly, and unawares. 8. There is nothing whereby thou mayest sooner discern a man to be wise or foolish, than to see how he behaveth in adversity; and how he reapeth profit by sick ness. HINTS. COMPOSITION that costs little is generally worth little. Easy writing is very hard reading; and for young and unpractised writers to forget or neglect this principle, is to make them ridiculous, and their writings useless. A distinguished author wrote a portion of his great work twenty-one times; and an eminent orator declares, that he wrote his most effective speech twenty-seven times before he felt satisfied with his production. ST. BERNARD'S ADVICE. "MEN's books with heaps of chaff are stored; A PARADOX; OR, AN ASSERTION CONTRARY TO APPEARANCE. I am nothing, have nothing, yet all things possess: I am ever despised, though true honour is mine. I exercise prudence, and mind not the morrow; I nothing can merit, yet look for reward; I am ever for peace, though I fight with a sword. There's a death I much dread, though death is my friend; And though daily I die, my life will ne'er end. The problem you'll solve by the book that's divine: I am Christ's, He has all things, hence all things are mine. JESUS CHRIST. NOTHING is more sure than this: he that does not take hold on Christ by faith, and comfort himself herein, that Christ is made a curse for him, remains under the curse. The more we labour by works to obtain grace, the less we know how to take hold on Christ; for where He is not known and comprehended by faith, there is not to be expected either advice, help, or comfort, though we torment ourselves to death. A GOOD ACTION. THREE things enter into its composition, viz.: a right 66 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. 1 Cor. x. 31. 1 Thess. v. 32. Col. i. 10. John xiv. 21. 2 Cor. vii. 9. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."-Psalm li. 10. RULES FOR CHRISTIAN CONDUCT. BY THE REV. LEGH RICHMOND. "Abhor that which is evil-cleave to that which 1.-Adhere most scrupulously to truth; and labour to preserve the strictest integrity. 2. Engage in no pursuit in which you cannot look up unto God, and say, "Bless me in this, O my Father." 3.-Strive to be as kind, forbearing, and forgiving as you can, both to friends and foes. 4.-Never speak evil of any one, on any pretence what ever. 5. Strive to recommend religion by the courtesy, civility, and condescending character of your conduct. 6. Watch against irritation, positiveness, unkind speaking, and anger; study to promote love. 7.-Mortify lusts, sensuality, and sloth. Rise early. 8.-Never allow others to speak well of you; nor especially permit yourselves to say or think anything of yourself, but as poorly done. Keep down pride; let it not be indulged for a moment, and watch against it. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." 9.-Shut out evil imaginations and angry thoughts. 10.-Let it be your sole business here to prepare for eternity; consider every moment of time in that view. 11.-Remember that you have to contend with a legion of devils, a heart full of deceit and iniquity, and a world at enmity with God. 12.-Pray that you may ever rejoice in the advancement of Christ's kingdom, and the salvation of sinners; and labour in every way to promote these objects. |