A. 13. The first historical mention of him in the New Testament is, that he went from Jerusalem to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas about the year 44.

Q. 14. For whom and in what year is Mark said to have written his gospel?

A. 14. The Gospel according to St. Mark is supposed to have been written about the year of our Lord 65, under the direction of the apostle Peter, for the use of the Gentiles.

Q. 15. Does it agree with the Gospel of St. Matthew? A. 15. It records most of the things contained in Matthew, with some few additional particulars, but in a concise form.

EXTRACTS FROM BARON'S LIFE OF JENNER.-Vol. II.

"THE Sacred Scriptures form the only pillow on which the soul can find repose and refreshment.

It

"The power and mercy of Providence is sublimely and awfully displayed in lightning and in tempest. scarcely ever happens, during what is called a thunderstorm, but we hear of some human being suddenly losing his life by a flash from the heavens. And when the tempest roars around us, we know that some destruction generally follows. But how beautifully is power here seasoned with mercy! We are shown, that, instead of partial chastisements, it might have been universal. The Almighty arm that struck prostrate a single individual might at the same time have hurled His bolts upon all. He that directed the storm to show His mighty strength by partial destruction, shows every beholding eye, that, at His command, it might have swept away every living thing. But how beautifully is it modified! it goes just to the point, where every thing earthly seems upon the verge of universal wreck, and then mercifully softens into a calm. How sublime, how awful is this display of the power and mercy of God!

"I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee." This is applicable to the subject of improvement in the education of children. The great book of the world is open to all eyes. My wish is, that every human being might be taught to read

1838.]

THE MUSIC OF BIRDS.

373

it. The poor man does not know what a rich library he is in possession of; that he has an equal right with the proudest monarch on the globe to have access to it. A sincere acquiescence in the dispensations of Providence will check discomposure of mind beyond any thing. It will produce a calm in the midst of a storm.

THE MUSIC OF BIRDS.

"First, the robin, and not the lark, as has been generally imagined, as soon as twilight has drawn the imperceptible line between night and day, begins his lonely song. How sweetly does this harmonize with the soft dawning of day. He goes on till the twinkling sunbeams begin to tell him that his notes no longer accord with the rising scene. Up starts the lark, and with him a variety of sprightly songsters, whose lively notes are in perfect correspondence with the gaiety of the morning. The general warbling is now and then interrupted by the transient croak of the raven, the screaming of the jay and the swift, or the pert chattering of the daw. The nightingale, unwearied by the vocal exertions of the night, withdraws not proudly by day from his inferiors in song, but joins them in the general harmony. The thrush is wisely placed on the summit of some lofty tree, that its loud and piercing notes may be softened by distance before they reach the ear; while the mellow blackbird seeks the inferior branches. Should the sun, having been eclipsed with a cloud, shine forth with fresh effulgence, how frequently we see the goldfinch perch on some blossomed bough, and hear his song poured forth in a strain peculiarly energetic, much more sonorous and lively now than at any other time; while the sun full shining on his beautiful plumes, displays his golden wings and crimson chest to charming advantage.

"The notes of the cuckoo blend with this cheering concert in a perfectly pleasing manner, and for a short time are highly grateful to the ear; but sweet as this singular song is, it would tire by its uniformity were it not given in so transient a manner. At length the evening advances, the performers gradually retire, and

the concert softly dies away. The sun is seen no more. The robin again sets up his twilight song, till the still more serene hour of night sends him to the bower to rest; and, now, to close the scene in full and perfect harmony, no sooner is the voice of the robin hushed, and night again spreads a gloom over the horizon, than the owl sends forth his slow and solemn tones. They are more than plaintive and less than melancholy, and tend to inspire the imagination with a train of contemplations well adapted to the serious hour. Thus we see that birds have no inconsiderable share in harmonizing some of the most beautiful and interesting scenes in nature."-Jenner on the Migration of Birds.-Sent by the Rev. G. Bonner.

1838.]

375

INEFFICENCY OF EDUCATION, WITHOUT GOOD RELIGIOUS

PRINCIPLES.

AN account was published some years since of the number of prisoners in a particular prison, distinguishing those educated, and those uneducated. The chaplain of the prison remarks, "It is not the want of education, but the want of principle that leads to crime."

A LETTER FROM A CONSTANT READER,

ON OUR ARTICLE OF THE SERVANT MAID AND THE SAVINGS' BANK.

MR. EDITOR,

I READ your true story in page 300 of your September number. And a 66 true story" it is sure enough, and I am sure the person who put it into your book must have heard it from my own lips. In truth, Mr. Editor, I think I must have been in company with yourself, and that you have booked down my "table talk" for the benefit of your readers. When I am next in company with a" Mr. Editor," I must think of what I am saying, and must remember our old friend poor Burns's caution,

"There's one among us taking notes,

And, faith, he'll print it."

However, Sir, I must tell you that I am not in the least affronted at seeing my story in print; for nothing gives me more satisfaction and pleasure, than to be the means, in any way, of good to my fellow creatures, especially those in the humble walks of society; and, having been an active supporter of saving banks from their first institution, and a friend and subscriber to your work from its beginning, I shall be very glad if the history of my famous servant shall be of any use to others in a like situation. I remember well the words of my prosperous maiden when she left us. "I never expected," she said, to be worth five pounds in all my life: and now, by your good advice, I am worth fifty."

66

I am, dear Sir, Your constant reader, E.

LETTERS FROM HOUNSLOW AND READING.

TEMPERANCE MEETING IN AUGUST.

My sister and myself attended a very interesting, and, I believe, a profitable meeting of the supporters of this

Society's cause. A friend, whose name is William Ashby, signed, for the sake of example. He had a great many persons in his employ who receive good wages; and yet, through this lamentable vice of drunkenness, are absolutely in want of the common necessaries of life. The speaker promised any of his men, who would sign the total abstinence pledge, and conscientiously adhere to it, a shilling per week for six months, not as extra wages, but as a present to enable them to get the comforts of which they were then destitute.

MEETING OF SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

AUG, 8, 1838.-Our Sunday school children had their annual treat this day: they were assembled in our superintendent's orchard; and I assure you, they presented a very interesting spectacle, a sight which you would have been gratified in witnessing. There were 200 children and about eighty visitors. The former partook of ham, beef, and coffee when seated. They then had a little play after which, a minister, whom every body loves that knows, addressed them. They then partook of plum-cake and milk. The children being then sent home, the visitors and teachers were supplied with tea and coffee at the expense of Mr. Seegood, of Kensing ton, linen draper. We were then addressed in an encouraging and affectionate manner by three ministers: the meeting began at two in the afternoon, and concluded about nine in the evening. Having written this on my return, I trust my friend will excuse all faults, &c.Hounslow.

YOUNG MEN'S CLASS.

(PAPER ON INTEMPERANCE.)

IT is truly gratifying to think, that, whilst so many misguided young men meet together for purposes of vice and profligacy, and encourage such practices and such dispositions as must end in their own ruin, there are some who meet together for the purposes of increasing their knowledge of what is good, and of leading others in the same way. A clergyman of Chester meets some young men of his parish once a week at a time appointed; a subject