He has authority from God as His ambassador (2 Cor. v. 18), to whom is committed the ministry of reconciliation, and in this office he is to teach, baptise, consecrate the holy eucharist, bless and absolve the penitent; and in all these acts of authority, which he does in the Name and Person of Christ, he is to stand. The office which he has received from God, ordains him also to offer gifts and sacrifices to God, to offer up the praise and thanksgiving of the people with their prayers; so we read (Heb. v. 1), "Every high priest [or priest] taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." And to shew this his office, in these services he is directed to stand. By this we may see what gain it is to the people, that their prayers are offered up by a priest. For God having appointed him to this office, will certainly assist and accept him in it. And even should the minister be wicked, or without devotion in his prayers, yet God will only punish this neglect in himself, but will accept his service for the people. From Bp. Sparrow on the Common Prayer. WHEN thou hast thanked thy God for every blessing sent, What time will then remain for murmurs and lament? POETRY. THE PIMPERNEL. THE Pimpernel! the Pimpernel! That little flower loveth the sunshine well! It opens its breast to receive the rays, Whilst the sun sheds down, with benignant power, And the glory which lights heaven, earth, and sea, But, ah! if a cloud should intervene The petals close Of the sensitive flower, For well it knows The coming shower; In its grassy bed, And humbly patient waits awhile Till the sun beams out with his kindly smile, The Christian pilgrim is like that flower; For sorrow he knows is the guerdon of sin, From His erring child; and this will prove M. H. MARTHA AND MARY. NOT all the saints of God are bound In active service to be found. Well doth the bee fulfil her round In summer's fragrant bower; But surely not of less avail Thy tuneful hymns, sweet nightingale, When Martha's roof our Saviour blest, Much love did Martha's cares reveal; That call for her whose blessed station "O Martha, Martha, troubled thou And so, in this wide world of ours, Let no one scorn the lonely cell, THE GUARDIAN ANGEL. From the German. "God hath given His angels charge concerning thee, that they may keep thee in all thy ways.'- How much reverence ought this word to induce in thee; how much devotion bring along with it; how much confidence bestow ! Reverence for the presence; devotion for the benevolence; confidence for the guardianship In every inn, in every corner, reverence thine angel."-S. BERNARD. NEVER canst thou behold the stars When thou, of mirth and pleasure full, Thou canst not hear the angel-guard, Full oft he gives a warning cry, My child, go not that way; Thy mother hath forbidden thee- Laughing, and onward springing Yet, lo! that faithful angel-guard, So in thine onward path of life, Then peace, thou gentle mother- An angel watcheth o'er thy child An angel is his guard. OCTOBER. 18. St. Luke. 28. St. Simon and St. Jude. Robson, Levey, and Franklyn, Great New Street, Fetter Lane. M. "BROTHER," said little Mary Long to her brother James, as they walked home together from school-" Brother, I wish you would not speak as you did just now." "What do you mean, Mary?" cried James. "I said no wrong words, I am sure." "No. But when you were in play, and laughing with Charles and Abel Wildman at the top of yonder lane, you said some sacred words which I am sure it is wrong to say at play." "Oh! I know now," said James, looking very much ashamed. "I am very sorry, but I did not mean any harm." "Still there was harm in saying them," persisted Mary. "Don't you recollect what Mr. Monkton said about the third commandment last Sunday?" "Yes, yes, I know; but I did not swear, Mary; never did, and I am sure I never shall. I would not do such a thing for the world." "I hope not, indeed, dear James; but you know Mr. VOL. II. NOVEMBER 1843. L |