these two chapters, constituting one prophecy, and the facts in regard to the present state of the country of Moab, we may observe, that we have here an evidence of the genuineness and truth of the sacred record. That evidence is found in the particularity with which places are mentioned; and in the fact, that impostors would not specify times or places any further than was unavoidable.

Mistakes, we all know, are made by those who attempt to describe the geography of places which they have not seen; yet here is a description of a land and its numerous towns, made nearly 3,000 years ago, and in its particulars it is sustained by all the travellers in modern times. The ruins of the same towns are still seen; their places, in general, can be designated; and there is a moral certainty, therefore, that this prophecy was made by one who knew the locality of those places, and that, therefore, the prophecy is ancient and genuine. An impostor would never have attempted such a description as this; nor could he have made it so accurate and true. In the language of Professor Stuart, (Bib. Repos. vol. vii. pp. 108, 109,) we may say, "How obviously everything of this kind seems to give confirmation to the authority and credibility of the sacred records. Do sceptics undertake to scoff at the Bible, and aver that it is the work of impostors who lived in later ages? Besides asking them what object impostors could have in forging a book of such high and lofty principles? we may ask, and ask with assurance that need not fear the danger of being put to the blush, whether impostors of later ages could possibly have so managed as to preserve all the localities which the Scriptures present? Rare impostors they must, indeed, have been-men possessed of more knowledge of antiquity than we can well imagine could ever be possessed by such as would conde

scend to an imposition of such a character. In fact, the thing appears to be morally impossible, if one considers it in the light of antiquity, when so little knowledge of a geographical kind was in existence, and when mistakes respecting countries and places with which one was not personally familiar, were almost, if not altogether, unavoidable. How happens it now, that the authors of the Old Testament Scripture should have possessed such a wonderful tact in geography, as it would seem they did, unless they lived at the time, and in the countries of which they have spoken? This happens not elsewhere. It is but as yesterday since one of the first scientific writers on geology in Great Britain published to the world the declaration, that the Mississippi and Missouri rivers belong to the tropics. Respectable writers even in Germany, the land of classical attainments, have sometimes placed Colo-Syria on the east side of the Anti-Libanus ridge; or even seemed to transfer Damascus over the mountains, and place it between the two Lebanon ridges in the valley."

No such mistakes occur with the sacred writers. They write as men who were familiar with the geography of places named; they mention places with the utmost familiarity; and, after the lapse of about 3,000 years, every successive traveller who visits Moab, Idumea, or Palestine, does something to confirm the accuracy of Isaiah. Towns bearing the same names, or the ruins of towns, all located in the same relative position which he said they were; and the ruins of once splendid cities, broken columns, dilapidated walls, trodden-down vineyards, half-demolished temples, and fragments broken and consumed by time, proclaim to the world that those cities are what he said they would be, and that he was under the inspiration of God.

THE HAPPY COTTAGE.

IF men did but know what felicity dwells in the cottage of a virtuous poor man-how sound he sleeps; how quiet his breast; how composed his mind; how free from care; how easy his provision; how healthy his morning; how sober his night; how moist his mouth; how joyful his heart, they would never admire the noises, the diseases, the throng of passions, and the violence of unnatural appetites that fill the houses of the luxurious, and the hearts of the ambitious.Jeremy Taylor.

HINT TO THE LADIES.

DR. DURBIN, in his "European Sketches," speaks of the high health and fine forms of the French ladies; and attributes them to the fact, that they take so large a share of out-door exercise. Such is the uniform testimony of Americans who have visited Europe; and, if their accounts are to be relied on, the ordinary every-day walks of the French, German, and English ladies, would actually frighten the pale, slender, in-door beauties of our glorious land. Was there ever a person, male or female, living in the

habitual neglect of a vigorous use of the limbs, who enjoyed high health, rosy health? Let those who think a glowing skin, a strong muscle, and an elastic step, signs of vulgarity, enjoy their fashionable dyspepsia and dignified hysterics; but let the lady who expects to be or to make others happy, cultivate high health by out-door exercise. Who ever saw a class of women possessing higher health or handsomer forms than the market women, who ride half-a-dozen miles before sunrise ?-American Paper.

LONGEVITY OF PROFESSIONS IN
AMERICA.

A STATISTICAL report, recently published by order of the state of Massachusetts, gives the following statement of the comparative duration of life of the members of various professions and occupations in that state :-The average age of the clergy was 64.07 years; of the gentlemen without profession, 66.20; merchants, 55.07; blacksmiths, 51.09; carpenters, 48.94; coopers, 54-21; harness makers, 38; masons, 49.50; painters, 40.25; printers, 32-50; sailmakers, 42.33; shoemakers, 42; tailors, 54.40;

tinmen, 47; labourers, 49; fishermen, 4514; seamen, 48.76; female domestics, 30 60; dressmakers, 29.87; ladies, 70; milliners, 44; seamstresses, 38.83; and tailoresses, 38.71 years. In this abstract no person under twenty years of age is included, as it is supposed that occupations have no particular influence before that time. We give the above statements as we find them in the table alluded to, and they must go for what they are worth.

CARE FOR THE YOUNG. "WHEN," asks Governor Slade, in a recent address at New York, "will the statesmen of this nation-the noble intellects that move senates and give tone and direction to the popular mind -learn that the surest guaranty of our safety and prosperity is to be found in the silent infusion into the minds and hearts of the people of all parties, and especially of the children, who belong to no party, of sound knowledge and true Christian principle.”

HOW THE WAR-SYSTEM SUSTAINS DESPOTISM.

"THE whole energies of Russia," says Alison, "are turned towards the army. Commerce, the law, and all civil employments, are held in no esteem; all the youth of any consideration betake themselves to the profession of arms. Immense military schools iu different parts of the empire, annually send forth the whole flower of the population to this dazzling career."

Here is a receipt for despotism. Make war the chief business of a people; the military profession almost the only passport to wealth, or power, or fame, or social distinction; and we see the natural result in the autocracy and serfdom of Russia. Every army, every military school, the entire war-system is an ally of despotism. The war-system of Europe, transferred to this country, would ere long crush our liberties.

"I DON'T LIKE CONTROVERSY." NEITHER do we like it. We endeavour to shun it on every side. And when we do admit a controversial discussion into our columns, it is to expose and refute error, to prevent evil, and to promote truth and right, and whatsoever things that are of good report. It is not wise for the ministry, or for the press, to avoid taking part in controversy when truth is assailed, and errors are made popular. This remark is illustrated by the facts stated in the following paragraph relative to the course of the pious John Newton. That good man, no doubt erred-we should say, "on the side of safety," if error have any safe side:

"The pious and devoted John Newton had an extreme aversion to controversial discussion. He used to say, and was admired for saying, It is enough to preach the truth, for, that being established, error would fall of itself:' but his course so completely destroyed his influence and usefulness, that he was compelled to leave Olney. And it also opened so wide a door for error and false teachers, that one of the finest churches was scattered and dissipated. While false teachers laboured to carry off his people, they met with no opposition. When Thomas Scott succeeded Newton, he was not able to collect a congregation of 100 persons in a population of 2,500, for the very professors had gone after Antinomians, Arminians, &c. Had Paul been as averse to controversy as New

ton, the false teachers of Galatia and Corinth would have supplanted him, and ruined those flourishing churches."

THE TWO LAWS.

THE operations of grace may be interrupted. As long as there are two laws-one of sin in the members, another of grace in the mind; as long as there are two principles in a grand contest-flesh and spirit; as long as our knowledge is imperfect, and our love but of a weak growth; the operation of both cannot be more perfect than the nature of their principle. The vigour of our gracious actions is often enfeebled by the power of the flesh, that we do many times the evil we hate, and omit that good we love. And we cannot deny but that our acts flow oftener from a corrupt than a renewed principle. Yea, and those actions which flow from grace, are so tinctured with the vapours of the other principle, that they seem to partake more of the impressions of the law of sin than of the law of the mind. So that our perseverance is not to be measured from the constant temper of our actions, but from the permanency of the habit.

LOVE OF COUNTRY.

THE Abbé de Lislle relates of an Indian, who, amidst the splendour of Paris, beholding a banana tree in the Jardin des Plantes, bathed it with tears, and seemed for a moment to be transported to his own shore.

The Ethiopian imagines that God made his sands and deserts, while angels only were employed to make the rest of the world.

The Maltese, isolated on a rock, distinguish their lands by the appellation, "The flowers of the world."

The Javanese have such an affection for the place of their nativity, that no advantages can induce them, their agricultural tribes in particular, to quit the tomb of their fathers.

The Norwegians, proud of their barren summits, inscribe upon rix dollars: "Spirit, loyalty, valour, and whatever is honourable, let the world learn among the rocks of Norway."

JESUS AT THE GRAVE OF LAZARUS. We love to see the displays of our Redeemer's intellectual might, in the creation, preservation, and government of the vast universe ;-now he calms the tempest-now he casts out devilsnow he rides on the whirlwind and the storm; -but we love still more to see the heart of boundless compassion move; and the tears of the eye, which scans eternity, flow; and the hand that moves the universe repairing the bruised reed. Weep, Saviour! Tears become the mighty God; they throw a lustre around every perfection; they convince us that "God is love."

Unless on Tabor, or Gethsemane, or Calvary, or the Throne, never does he appear more interesting than at this moment. He is standing near the abode of death-the Jews are lamenting and making a noise-Martha is anxious to distraction-Mary almost breaks her heart;and what is the Saviour's conduct? Does he assume the unfeeling Stoic, and look around unmoved and unmelted on the melancholy scene? Does he censure the weakness that melts those around him to tears, and reprove the grief expressed in lamentations? No! "Jesus wept !" Tender-hearted Redeemer ! Emphatically art thou the "man of sorrows,

HUMBLE CURRENTS.

THE humble current of little kindnesses, which, though but a creeping streamlet, yet incessant flows; although it glides in silent secrecy within the domestic walls and along the walks of private life, and makes neither appearance nor noise in the world, pours in the end a more copious tribute into the store of human comfort and felicity, than any sudden transient flood of detached bounty, however ample, that may rush into it with a mighty sound.

A GENTLEMAN visiting the Deaf and Dumb Institution at Paris, asked one of the pupils, "What is eternity?" and received for an answer, “It is the life-time of the Almighty."

"IF people would accustom themselves to drink water, they would be free from many diseases, such as trembling, apoplexies, giddiness, pains in the head, gout, stone, dropsy, rheumatism, and such like."-Dr. Pratt.

"I repeat it again and again, that alcohol, in all its forms and combinations, whether in the carefully home-brewed, or in the wine that sparkles, is never converted into nourishment."-4. Courtney, R.N., Surgeon.

"Man alone is the only animal accustomed to swallow unnatural drinks, or to abuse those which are natural; and this is the fruitful source of a great variety of his bodily and mental evils."-Dr. Saunders.

"The art of preparing liquors is the greatest ourse ever inflicted on humanity."-Dr. Paris.

"There is neither strength nor nourishment in these liquors; if they produce vigour in labour it is of a transient nature, and is always succeeded by a sense of weakness and fatigue."-Dr. Rush.

"Fermented liquors (well are they denominated intoxicating or poisonous) are hurtful, not merely by deranging functions-they inflict terrible organic diseases."-Dr. J. H. Curtis.

"The nutritious matter of eight pints of ale does not exceed that of one penny loaf."-Dr. Turner. "Under the names of rum, brandy, gin, whiskey, wine, cider, beer, and porter, alcohol is become the bane of the Christian world."-Dr. Darwin.

"In the course of forty years' practice I have never met with an instance of injury arising from having cut at once and entirely with the baneful habit of drinking intoxicating liquors."-Dr. Carrick.

SUPERIOR FIRE-SAFE.

MR. ALEXANDER WELSH, in his characteristic manner, in a late temperance meeting, related a conversation he recently had with a fire-safe man in Water-street. "Walk up," said the safe man, "and look at my fire-safe. Here, mine stood the great fire in Broad-street, and saved all the books and papers in this store and that store, and again in

"Ha!"

the Tribune-buildings." "I thank you," said Mr. Welsh, "but I am in the same business." said the fire-safe man, 66 'opposition." "No, no op position, but my safe is far superior to yours: yours only saves books and papers-mine saves bodies and souls, and saves them from misery too, and I am going to offer it to you; it is the temperance pledge. Sign this, Sir, and you may walk amid the flames of alcohol untouched." And I offer it this evening, to any one who will take it, without money. Come, walk up and sign the pledge, and you shall have the best safe in the world. Who will have one? "I will," said a poor drunkard, and put his name down.-Jour. Am. Temp. Union.

A DRINKING SONG.

FILL the cup, the bowl, the glass,

With wine and spirits high;
And we will drink, while round they pass,
To Vice and Misery!

Push quickly round the draught again,
And drink the goblet low;

And drink, in revelry's swelling strain,
To Reason's overthrow!

Push round, push round, in quickest time,
The lowest drop be spent,

In one loud round to Guilt and Crime,
And Crime's just punishment!

Fill, fill again! fill to the brim,

To Loss of honest fame!
Quaff, deeper quaff, while now we drink
Our Wives' and Childrens' shame!

Push round, and round, with loudest cheers
Of mirth and revelry,

We drink to Woman's sighs and tears!
And Children's poverty!

Once more! while power shall yet remain,
E'en with its latest breath,

Drink! To Ourselves Disease and Pain,
And Infamy and Death!

*** Reader! mark the moral of these lines!

MEMOIR OF MRS. ANN ELGAR ROWSON.

MRS. ANN ELGAR ROWSON, daughter of the Rev. S. E. Toomer, and wife of the Rev. T. Rowson, of Sandwich, was born at Preston Court, December 28, 1818. During her childhood and youth she was lively, cheerful, and affectionate; and gave many indications favourable to early piety. When about five or six years old she appeared quite delighted at the thought of teaching her sister to repeat her prayers. She received elementary instruction from a pious governess at home. It is recorded for the encouragement of those who are engaged in instructing the young, that only a day or two before her death, she spoke with peculiar solemnity of the deep impressions produced upon her mind by the instructions she received in the nursery. When about ten years old she was sent to the school conducted by Mrs. Elliott, of Devizes; her father having previously set apart a season for special prayer on her behalf. The pious care and instruction of Mrs. Ellis, and the faithful ministrations of the Rev. R. Elliott, were of great advantage to her, and always remembered by her with sincere affection and gratitude.

Shortly after her return to her father's house, her convictions of sin were greatly increased by a sermon preached by the late Mr. James Greey, a pious and devoted layman. She now began earnestly to cry for mercy through a crucified Saviour, and thus she soon found peace with God. Often afterward did she feelingly refer to this important period of her life, and seemed unable to express the gratitude she felt for the goodness and mercy manifested "in calling her 'from darkness' to see and enjoy the 'marvellous light' of the gospel of peace."

In her sixteenth year she was united to the Independent church at Wingham, under the pastoral care of her father; and during her connection with it, was a consistent, devoted, and useful member. She was particularly attached to the sabbath-morning prayer-meeting; and having time unoccupied by secular pursuits, she employed it "in works of faith and labours of love." She became an active and devoted sabbath-school teacher; the Bible, Missionary, and Tract Societies shared in her labours. She

delighted in visiting and praying with the afflicted and poor, many of whom still remember her kind offices with affection and gratitude. About this time she made an engagement with an aged and pious woman to meet once a week, and spend an hour in prayer for the prosperity of the church with which they were connected.

At the death of her grandmother she went to reside with her grandfather, the late S. Toomer, Esq., of Wingham. The holy conversation and example of this aged servant of God greatly aided her in her Christian course, and left an impression upon her which seemed to increase till she was called to join with him in the service of heaven. She was present when he suddenly expired in the pulpit, and was enabled to bear the shock with calmness and fortitude. After his death, while residing with her brother, she pursued her simple and earnest course of piety and usefulness.

In August, 1846, she became the wife of the Rev. T. Rowson, of Sandwich. A wider sphere of usefulness now opened before her, and she was anxious to glorify God therein. How conscious she was of her own weakness; how deeply she felt her responsibility as the wife of a minister of the gospel; how implicitly she relied upon Divine assistance; and how earnestly she sought the fulfilment of the Divine promise;-will appear from her own words in the following_extract from a letter, written soon after her marriage, to her uncle, George Elgar Sloper, Esq., of Devizes, dated

"Sandwich, Sept. 29, 1846.

"My dear Uncle,-Your affectionate letter of the 23rd instant, afforded me much gratification; the more so as I cannot forget the numerous offices of kindness which I received from yourself and my dear aunt's family during my sojourn at Devizes. I am greatly obliged by the kind concern you express for my welfare; as I doubt not that those good wishes are accompanied with fervent prayers on my own behalf, and for one with whose interests I am now identified.

"We have, indeed, reason to rejoice, that the Lord has so revived his work in this place, that during the two years of Mr. Rowson's residence here nearly fifty members have been added to the church; but, dear uncle, we do not wish to rest

satisfied, though we have reason for deep gratitude, for there is much land yet to be possessed,' great wickedness to contend with, and much indifference to be overcome. You justly observe that the station I now occupy is an important I deeply feel this; and were it not for the promise you so kindly quote,

one.

and for the consciousness that I am in the path of duty, the strong sense of the responsibility which attaches itself to my present duties, would be overpowering. Yet I am glad to tell you that I feel very happy here; the engagements which now demand my attention are not entirely new to me;-in the work I delight, and I do indulge the hope that the blessing of God will not be withheld."

She became strongly attached to the church and congregation; and it is but justice to say, that the attachment was mutual. In addition to other means of usefulness, she took charge of a Bibleclass previously formed; and which, as the winter approached, she found more convenient to meet at her own house an hour before the sabbath evening-service. She spent much time in searching the Scriptures and prayer preparatory to meeting her youthful charge. The interest her young friends felt in her instructions, was often manifested by the tears which they shed while she urged the necessity "of repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." Often, when her husband has been in his study preparing for the evening service, has he been refreshed by hearing her voice in the room below ascend in prayer and praise with those whose welfare she so earnestly sought. The last time she met them the subject chosen was Matt. xxii. 1-14; her earnestness on that occasion was remarkable; but little did she or they suspect that it was the last time they should meet on earth. May they "remember the words which she spake to them," and prepare to meet her above.

It is exceedingly delightful to those who now mourn their heavy loss, to reflect that every feature of her Christian character was prominent and striking. No one could remain long in her society without perceiving that she was influenced by Divine grace. Religion with her was a living reality—it was heart-work.

Her knowledge of the gospel was extensive and accurate, and its influence deeply felt. Deeply convinced of the

total depravity of human nature, she was remarkable for humility and selfabasement. The atoning sacrifice and the work of the Holy Spirit were subjects upon which she delighted to dwell. The faithful preaching of the gospel she esteemed as one of her choicest privileges. The gospel, in all its fulness and suitableness to the wants of the sinner, was to her an ever-welcome sound. Her soul was richly fed with its glorious truths and sacred promises. She continually exalted and extolled the riches of the grace of God. No declaration more truly expressed her feelings than that of the apostle: By the grace of God I am what I am." Her devotional spirit was always manifest. She ardently loved "the house of prayer," and all the social and domestic means of grace. When her husband was absent from home, she always conducted family worship. She enjoyed much of the presence of the Lord, and was oftentimes almost overwhelmed with the sense of Divine good

ness.

Though young and healthy, eternal things always seemed vividly to impress her mind. Her constant and intimate communion with God rendered her the possessor of chastened, cheerful piety, without either levity or gloom. Perhaps the most striking feature of her character was her strong hatred to sin. The conduct of the wicked, and the dishonour done to her heavenly Father, often caused her pungent grief. Often has she wept over the conduct of some who were once sabbath scholars under her care. She was a decided and consistent Nonconformist; yet she ardently loved all true Christians of other communions, and greatly rejoiced when the Saviour's kingdom was extended.

But her devotedness in the Saviour's cause on earth, and the happiness she enjoyed in the society of Christian friends, were soon exchanged for the presence of the Saviour and the service of heaven. The hour of maternal suffering arrived, and it proved fatal. For three weeks previous to her death unfavourable symptoms had appeared. During this time she was patient, calm, and happy; and her Bible was her constant companion. Often when her husband prayed and conversed with her, she expressed her gratitude to God for the comfort which it imparted to her mind. Though doubtful as to the result of her trial, she often said: "Shall not the Judge of the earth do right?" "I know that all will