and grasp at what they have not. The Scripture rule is, "Be content with such things as ye have ;" (Heb. xiii. 5;) and the Scripture admonition is, "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke xii. 15.) “And the Scripture warning is, "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul ?" (Matt. xvi. 26.) Of all the hard-earned money, truly none is so hardly earned as that which is earned at the expense of a good conscience, and at the risk of grieving the Holy Spirit, and forfeiting heaven and heavenly happiness.

2. Another frequent cause of dishonesty is idleness. Where men are too idle to work for an honest livelihood they are driven to seek a livelihood by dishonest means. And though in many cases even these require some degree of exertion both of mind and body, yet there is an excitement connected with the employment of them, and with the risk attending them, which seems to supply that stimulus, which honest labour in its ordinary course has not. The Apostle's direction in this respect is a very remarkable one, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his

hands the thing which is good," for what purpose? That he may provide a maintenance for himself and his family? Yes, and for something more, beyond this, "that he may have to give to him that needeth." (Eph. iv. 28.)

3. Wastefulness is another frequent cause of dishonesty. People bring themselves to want in this way, and then they are led to have recourse to dishonest practices to support themselves. It is the same sort of thing where people live systematically beyond their means, spending more upon themselves, their eating and drinking, their dress, or whatsoever else they choose to indulge themselves in, than their earnings or their incomes allow. This is the most fruitful source of that particular kind of dishonesty which consists in neglecting to pay debts. If men have any right principle and right feeling, they will rather deny themselves in every thing, short of what is absolutely necessary, than procure what they do procure at such a cost. How can a person take pleasure in fine clothes, or fine furniture, which have neither been paid for nor are likely to be? Or in luxurious living, the expense of which is to be borne by others? Vanity and sensuality are bad enough in themselves, but they are doubly

bad when they are indulged in at other men's charge.

These then are some of the very frequent causes and occasions of dishonesty, and he who would keep himself honest must watch against these and such as these. He must watch against a covetous, grasping spirit, against a discontented, dissatisfied disposition, against a wish to make a show, to dress better, live more expensively than befits his station or his means; against idleness, wastefulness, and the like, all of which, sooner or later, and by steps more or less direct, are sure to bring on dishonest practices of one kind or other. But above all he must remember that honesty, such as God for Christ's sake will own and accept, is a Christian grace, and is to be wrought in the heart by the operation of the Holy Spirit; and therefore he must. seek it from that source, praying God, for Christ's sake, to forgive him, if in any instances his conscience accuses him of dishonesty in his past life, giving proof of his sincerity, by making restitution and satisfaction to those whom he has wronged, to the utmost of his power, and striving for the time to come to yield a ready obedience to the good motions of the Holy

Spirit, and especially to fulfil that great commandment which is the surest preservative against every kind of wrong to our fellow men; "Owe no man any thing but to love one another."

JOHN HENRY PARKER, OXFORD AND LONDON.

JANE SMITH'S MARRIAGE.

"THERE is Jane! I do think I hear her coming now;" exclaimed Sally Smith. "Will you go, father, and open the door for her?" Poor Sally Smith was an invalid, and had left her place to come home and be nursed, so she remained in her easy chair which one of the neighbours had kindly lent her, whilst her father went to the door. Just as he opened it the sound of voices speaking rather softly were heard, but "good night, Jane;" "good night, Bob Wright," were all the words that those inside the cottage were able to distinguish. A look of sorrow could be seen in a moment to darken their faces, but before a word had been said, Jane had crossed the little garden and entered the house. It was Sunday evening and supper was over, but being one of summer's longest and brightest days, there was still a good deal of light remaining. After a few remarks about the lateness of the hour, to which