munications, that to attempt to make any rejoinder to them was quite out of the question. He appeared to have fallen into the error of supposing that in conversation he had nothing to do but to speak, and that his friends had nothing to do but to listen. Never could I converse with him without wondering that I got so little from a man who spoke so much. Age is said, and I am afraid with too much reason oftentimes, to be garrulous; the greater necessity then is there for those of the gray hair to endeavour to avoid a habit so unlovely: "The tongue of the just is as choice silver," Prov. x. 20. I was well acquainted in years gone by with one who was the very opposite of the character just described. With a heart full of kindness, an ear ever ready to listen, and a mind accustomed to reflect on what he heard, so silent was he, that scarcely could he have been more so, had he wished to show with what few words a man might go through the world. I was once present when two or three light-hearted young men, in a frolic, formed the plot of reading, in the worst way they could, some verses of an irascible poet, whom they knew to be present. Such havoc did they make of his poetry by improper pauses, false accents, leaving out his happiest words, and putting others in their places, that after a vain struggle with his emotions, the bard, to the ungovernable mirth of his tormentors, broke out into the most intemperate indignation. He could not endure the trial of temper to which he was subjected. Our taciturn friend was of a different temperament, for I feel sure that had they tried the same experiment on him, had they even accused him of picking a man's pocket, he would have allowed the accusation to pass in silence, unless a direct appeal had been made to him. I cannot recommend for imitation his extreme silence, but I do recommend that meekness of spirit which enabled him to bear unruffled what would have inflamed most people with anger. In my earlier days I often visited one who, in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, was continually foreboding evil. To one of a hopeful and grateful spirit there was something shocking in this uniform and systematic unthankfulness. That heart must be in a sad state which sunshine cannot enliven, nor mercies melt; but this was the case with hers of whom I speak. In health she felt sure that affliction awaited her. In sickness she was certain she should never recover. No one knew her sorrows. Nobody had half her troubles. In her poverty she looked forward to die in a workhouse; and when property had surrounded her with comforts, the luxuries of her richer neighbours embittered her peace. At times the most cheerful spirit is cast down, and the most grateful heart given to despondency; but hers was an enduring malady of discontent, an inveterate, confirmed, and incurable leprosy of unthankfulness, from which we have all reason to pray to be delivered. One of the rarest qualities to be found among mankind is a submission to, and an acquiescence in, the afflicting providences of our heavenly Father. To read in the book of Job the words, "Shall we receive good at the hands of God, and shall we not receive evil?" Assenting to the reasonableness of the inquiry is one thing; but to act out the lesson under the changeable circumstances of life is quite another thing : Take all the boundless wealth that commerce pours, Or grandeur piles up in its stately towers, The gold that glitters and the gems that shine; But let this priceless Christian grace be mine. And well did I know one who set a bright example of confidence in God, in sorrow and in suffering. Many can see Divine wisdom and love in the afflictions of others, but he saw them in his own. His reliance was the same when he abounded, and when he was stripped bare; when health hurried through his swelling veins, and when sickness brought him low even unto death. His was the submission and abiding faith of a renewed heart, and he faltered not in the trying hour. There is in the characters I have drawn something to imitate and something to avoid; would that I had always seen them in the light in which I now regard them, for then might my youth have derived the advantage my age is now anxious to secure. What a golden harvest of good might be reaped by us all, if, after regarding the characters of those around us, we more frequently than we do contemplated His character who came from the mansions of the blessed, took upon him our human nature, and, knowing no sin, offered up himself a sacrifice for sinners, that they might not perish, but, believing in Him, might have everlasting life. How meek and lowly we might become! how deep might be our self-humiliation! how warm our love, and how ardent our gratitude and praise! CALLINGS AND PROFESSIONS. WITH a thoughtful brow, reflecting on the past, the present, and the future, I regarded the diversified occupations of my fellow men. A kindly spirit came over me, as I followed the children of Labour, Commerce, Science, Law, Physic, and Divinity, in their varied pathways. The sons of labour were unceasing in their employments. Some were seen in the smoke and din of the factory and workshop; sorae toiled in the mine and the mill; some endured the heat of the forge and the furnace; some strove lustily at the hammer and the anvil; some busied themselves amid ponderous wheels, mighty levers, and the stroke of the engine beam; some laboured to the click of the power-loom, and some tended the tearing whirl of the rapidly revolving spindle. What mighty deeds, both in ancient and modern times, has labour performed! Ye sons of labour, take heart amid your toil, And bare your lusty arms, and blithely sing, |