Missionary donation, a, 171 On the Song of Solomon, 210 Protestants among Papists, 150 Reclaimed drunkard, the, 71 128 Salt springs of Oeynhausen, the, Was the apostle Peter a Papist? Way to be saved, the, 142 What is Protestantism? 201 Samuel Budgett, the merchant, 83 Word in season, a, 103 Sanctified suffering, 186, 207 Sarah, the old Indian, 62 Saved, the, 81 Seek for Heaven, 141 Worldling's choice, 181 Young soldier, the, 30 POETRY: Christian assurance, the, 179 Selfish pool, and what befell it, the, Christian journey, the, 120 29 Smith of the Wick, 122 66 Father, I know, that all my life, 159 Hymn for the Lord's day, 79 Speak, Lord, for Thy servant Hymn on Col. i. 27, a, 236 heareth," 227 Stage-coach incident, a, 134 Stoop, 193 Sure title, the, 2 106, 3 Leaning on Jesus, 139 “Let all the angels worship Him," 100 Psalm xvi. 11, 200 Swearer reproved by a child, the, Sinner and his Saviour, the, 6 Temperance, 45, 170, 191 Temperance brings prosperity, 88 Watchfulness and prayer, 19 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? 219 THE FRIENDLY VISITOR. THE NEW YEAR. ONE more year has passed away, dear Reader, never to return again! One more year has passed away, with all its eventful scenes and histories, which are now all reckoned among the past. What innumerable things have happened during this year! What histories, of nations, and communities, and families, and individuals! The things that you and I have done, and thought of, are enough to fill large books. And what room would it take to record all the bad things which we have done? The sins that we have committed; the duties we have neglected; the ignorances we have been guilty of? Ah, what a thought it is, that all these have been written down in God's book! that all are faithfully registered there. And one day,-it may be no very distant day to you and me, they will all be read out, before ourselves and the assembled world, at the judgment-seat of Christ. Is it not, then, that we have great need of pardon, for all that we have done amiss during the past year? Do we not need that all be washed out of that book by the Saviour's blood; so that it may not appear against us to condemn us at the last? Oh! let us pray earnestly for this. Let us not rest till we are sure that we are pardoned, or we cannot be happy, we cannot be at ease; we cannot be ready to die. Suppose, that, before this year closes, you are taken from this world and put aside along with other things that are past. Are you ready to die? Are you ready to receive B Jesus coming in clouds? Are you ready for the judgmentseat of Christ? year before you. It is merciful of He might have made the Now seek to make this Better in every respect. more that is good. Do Be not so Now you have another God to have given you another. year that is past your last year. year a better one than the last. Think more that is good. Read more that is good,-than you did last year; so that this year may in every respect be the best year you ever spent. Depend more upon Christ. Find out more, how true it is, that "without Him you can do nothing." Make Him more of a Saviour to you. Be more humble, and think more of your own sinfulness and unworthiness. Be more prayerful. Make your prayers oftener, and more earnest. soon satisfied with what you pray; seek to have more full answers. Be more watchful. Against Satan's temptations. Against the world's subtleties. Against your own evil heart and lusts, and your besetting sins. Be more victorious over these than you have been. Be more holy. See that more of the graces of the Spirit flourish within you: and that they flourish more vigorously. And especially, be more full of love. Love your God more. Love your Saviour more. Love your poor fellow-sinners more, and try to do more for their souls. And love the people of God more; and seek their society; and talk more over good things with them. You Do this, dear Reader, and so shall this new year be one of advance. You will be a growing Christian, which is what you ought to be. You will be more ready for death. will be more ready for heaven. year; the happiest you ever had. and will, with hearty confidence a Happy New Year. You will have a happy Purpose this; and I can and sincerity, wish you, THE SURE TITLE. FATHER FLYNN had been lec turing us on the greatness and power of the Church, and commanding us to leave the care of our souls entirely to the clergy, and to be satisfied that what they told us, and nothing else, was right. There was a bold fellow present, one Phil Ryan, a decent farmer, with some small holdings in a place near us. When they were dismissed, all but me and two or three more that were in the priest's confidence, Phil came back, and making his best bow, said: "Plase your reverence, I just forgot how I want to lodge a complaint against Mike Connor; he is so contrary, and scrupulous, and suspicious." "Well, be short, man, it's little I'm likely to do in settling your differences; but I always held Mike to be a decenter fellow nor yourself," says Father Flynn. "Well then," says Phil, "to make short of it, yer honour, I want Mike to rint of me a snug cabin, and a matter of two acres of good land, on a lease." "Well?" "Mike is unreasonable, yer reverence, all out; he wants to see my title, to be sure it's good, and to examine all about the little property, which I take very unkind at his hand, seeing he has my word for it all." 66 Why, man!" says the priest, who had a liking to Mike; "what's got into your head now? Do you suppose any but a natural would take your bare word in a matter where himself, his interest, and his comfort are all concerned? Go, give him the satisfaction he wants, and don't be setting yourself up in the place of law, justice, lease, and all." But Phil did not move. "Plase yer reverence," says he, "I have the head landlord's authority to say that he executed the lease, putting me in possession of these premises, to let as I like; and why should any man stand doubting me, for want of proofs ?" "Get along, sir," says Father Flynn to him again. "Produce your lease, show him the title, satisfy the honest man's mind that his own will be good, or else he's a fool if he has anything to say to you or your holding it's what every tenant has a right to," says he again to us; "and ye know that, boys, very well." 66 But what a change came over Phil! He stood as bold as a lion, and as brisk-looking as a kid; and never moving his eyes from the priest's face, that grew all scarlet and blue as he spoke, he said, 'Why, then, your reverence, will you plase show me your title to grant me an entrance into the kingdom of heaven; and satisfy me that if I take it at your hands I am safe in possession, let who may object to it?” The priest was mad! He made as if he would close in upon him to chastise him; but Phil was a powerful fellow, and not to be trifled with. He stood on his guard firmly, but not disrespectfully, and so went on: "It's but a cabin, sir, and a patch of ground, and the longest possession a man can have of it is but a few years. But in case he don't get it, there's scores of places just as good to the fore; or if he's turned out, he needn't want a shelter to go to; but the place that we're depending on your reverence to engage for us when we leave this world دو into my meaning about the everlasting habitation. I meant you no disrespect, sir; but a poor man's soul is precious, and I | must have better warrant than the bare word of any living man before I hazard it for ever. THE DRUNKARD'S DEATH. A few years ago we had a smart-looking shoe-shop opened in our neighbourhood. It appeared a respectable concern, and a good stock of boots and shoes were temptingly ticketed at the door and in the large bright window. All seemed to go on prosperously for a time; the master of the shop, a civil young man, was very attentive, and his articles gave general satisfaction. At length, however, he was to be seen but seldom, and a quiet-looking woman, who was his wife, took his place in the shop. It was evident too that the stock was lessening, for the customer found it no easy matter to get himself comfortably fitted. Then the window was dirty and ill-arranged, and it was altogether uninviting. What had caused this change? "Is your husband ill?" was the general and reasonable question put to the wife. "Oh no, he is not ill, but-but-he is from home a good deal now," was her usual reply. He was indeed from home a good deal, but he had left that home to spend his days, and a great part of his nights too, at an ale-house. His poor wife did the best she could in the business, and many persons continued their custom from kindly feelings towards her. But she could not wholly supply her husband's place; and besides that, her poor children were of course obliged to be neglected, when her time was taken up with other duties. Some years passed on in this manner, and little notice was taken of the once smart shoeshop, except an occasional remark from some passer by, on its dirty and deserted appearance. But one morning the shutters were closed; and then, either from interest or curiosity, there was a general question as to the cause, and all sorts of reports were circulated. The truth was, the master of the shop was dead; he had died in the previous night. But how? Where did he die? He died drunk, at his own door! At a little past midnight-his accustomed hour of return-his wife had answered his wellknown knock; and dear as he had once been to her, she could not help looking at him with feelings bordering on disgust, as he reeled into the house. It is impossible to do otherwise than shrink from even the dearest relatives when they are in such a condition, for there is something worse than beastly in their manners and appearance. The shoemaker had evidently taken more liquor than usual that night, and he was more than usual stupid and helpless. There were four or five steps from the outer door to the level of the shop, and he contrived to ascend them, though with great difficulty; but on reaching the top, he staggered, |