while preparing and partaking of breakfast, I desire to be fed with the hidden manna, and the sincere milk of the word; and as I am busy with the little children, I look to God as my Father, and pray for the spirit of adoption, that I may be his child,-and so on, all day; everything I do furnishes me a thought of prayer." “Enough, enough!" cried the old divine; "these things are revealed to babes, and hid from the wise and prudent. Go on, Mary," said he, "pray without ceasing; and as for us, my brethren, let us bless the Lord for this exposition, and remember that he has said, the meek will he guide in judgment." The essay, as a matter of course, was not considered necessary after this little event occurred. THE ANCHOR. OFTEN from my window on the seashore I have observed a little boat at anchor. Day after day, month after month, it is seen at the same spot. The tides ebb and flow, yet it scarcely moves. While many a gallant vessel spreads its sails, and, catching the favouring breeze, has reached the haven, this little bark moves not from its accustomed spot. True it is that when the tide rises, it rises; and when it ebbs again, it sinks; but advances not. Why is this? Approach nearer, and you will see. It is fastened to the earth by one slender rope. There is the secret. A cord, scarcely visible, enchains it, and will not let it go Now, stationary Christians, see here your state, the state of thousands. Sabbaths come and go, but leave them as before. Ordinances come and go; ministers come and go; means, privileges, sermons, move them not,-yes, they move them; a slight elevation by a Sabbath tide, and again they sink; but no onward, heavenward movement. They are as remote as ever from the haven of rest; this Sabbath as the last, this year as the past. Some one sin enslaves, enchains the soul, and will not let it go. Some secret, unseen, allowed indulgence, drags down the soul, and keeps it fast to earth. If it be so, snap it asunder; make one desperate effort in the strength of God. Take the Bible as your chart, and Christ as your pilot, to steer you safely amid the dangerous rocks; and pray for the Spirit of all grace, to fill out every sail, and waft you onwards over the ocean of life, to the haven of everlasting rest. THE FLY AND THE PRAYER- AFTER sporting about in the sun- with deep solemnity, while he wrestled with God in prayer for blessings on them all: it was the gushing forth of the sincerest desires of the soul like a rich stream of faith embodied in fervent aspirations, and presented with the confidence of simplicity, and with such holy importunity as could not fail to be successful at the throne of heaven. The effect was obviously great on all present, by the deep inward response, the half-suppressed sighs of some, and streaming eyes of others: and I thought the impression could never be effaced, nor its influence forgotten! but in this I was mistaken, for while some exchanged a few friendly salutations, and then went away, some remained behind to have a little further converse with each other: they talked about the uncertainty of time, and the infallible certainty of death: then one of them mentioned the sudden death of some great man, when, almost imperceptibly, all of them, including my friend the widow, entered into an animated discussion respecting his abilities, wealth, his career in Parliament, &c., which, although at another season might not be altogether improper, was nevertheless manifestly injurious in this; for their conversational powers were brought into parrot-like exercise on worldly matters, and its baleful influence was fast destroying the impressions of the meeting; and I had witnessed its effects at other meetings. I turned away in sorrow mingled with feelings of disgust, put my forefeet into my ears, and tumbled into my restingplace, heartily wishing they had been judicious enough to have left when the meeting concluded; for I saw that, to a great extent, they were rendering futile and abortive the very means which ought to be the most efficient for the promotion of religion and piety. Heckmondwike. there was such an air of neatness and A FILIAL SPIRIT. THE judicious Hooker used to say, "If I had no other reason and motive for being religious, I would earnestly strive to be so for the sake of my mother, that I might requite her care for me, and cause her widow's heart to sing for Biography. MRS. JOHN PEACH. MRS. PEACH was the daughter of moral and industrious parents. From her youth, though she did not enjoy the advantages of an early religious education, her course was marked by more than ordinary thoughtfulness, care, and circumspection. She was fond of reading, and during a long and painful affliction, when deprived of the public ordinances of the sanctuary, which she so much loved, this was an occupation which supplied her mind with spiritual food, beguiled the tedious hours, and enlarged her acquaintance with Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. When about the age of sixteen or seventeen, she was apprenticed to Mrs. James Peach, whose excellent practice was, when business permitted, to take along with her her apprentices to the week-night services at Sion Chapel; and here it was, on a Wednesday evening, under the ministry of the late Rev. A. Start, through the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring from on high visited her, to give light to one who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, and her feet were guided into the way of peace. The first sermon she ever remembered making any deep, permanent, and saving impression upon her mind, was preached in the vestry of Sion Chapel, Ashbourne, from Psalm ciii. 3, "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." From this memorable period, when the Spirit of God convinced her of the evil of sin, the wful condition, of the ungodly, and the vast importance of true religion, the forgiveness of sin, and reconciliation to God, through the mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ, she became a sincere, decided, and earnest follower of the Saviour, whose service ever afterwards was to her mind a constant source of rich enjoyment. Our departed friend greatly valued a preached gospel, and in order to enjoy its privileges, she would often rise an hour earlier, that she might be present in the house of God when his truth was proclaimed, and participate in the blessedness of those who know the joyful sound, walk in the light of God's countenance, and are exalted in his righteousness. This careful improvement of religious ordinances is worthy of special notice and universal imitation. Rising an hour earlier in the morning enabled her to take care of the time of her employer, and also to secure the benefits of the week-night service. There are many servants, apprentices, and others, who might attend the public means of grace, if they would only adopt a similar practice. Love is ingenious. How much depends on a willing mind! Many difliculties would immediately vanish, if the heart was but right with God. The main cause of a deserted sanctuary is either the absence or decline of religion. When the subject of this sketch was about the age of twenty, she became a teacher in Sion Chapel Sanday-school, and for about fifteen years continued one of the most regular, thoughtful, and devoted. And it ought to be known that, during the former part of this time, she had to walk from two to three miles on the morning of every Sabbath, and was generally at her post earlier than others who had to come but a short distance. She continued in this important and delightful work of faith and labour of love until her weakness of body, and the increasing cares of a little family, rendered it impossible for her any longer to be thus actively engaged. Some months before her death, Mrs. Peach was confined to her house, and a part of the time to her bed. During this period, her meek submission to the will of God, delight in Christian conversation, and cheerful countenance, could not fail to attract the attention of those who visited her, and afford them a pleasing evidence of the reality and depth of her piety. The nature of her disease incapacitated her for much conversation; but from all the interviews which her pastor had with her, it was clear to him that her life was hid with Christ in God, that her foul was resting on the right foundation, and that death to her would be the gate to endless joy. For a few days before she left this vale of tears, when all hope of recovery was gone, when eternity was in full view, and it was evident to herself, as well as to her friends, that the final conflict was rapidly approaching, she was exercised with painful doubts respecting her interest in the great salvation. She feared lest, a promise being left her of entering into the promised rest, she should seem to come short of it. She lamented her past secret declensions; she expressed her fears lest she had deceived herself. There were, in this chamber of death, great searchings of heart. On the Sabbath afternoon before she died she was visited by her pastor, and evinced great anxiety on the subject of her eternal security. Satan tempted her to believe that all her past experience was a delusion. There was no relief to be found by this anxious spirit but in the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. The reality, sufficiency, and design of the one sacrifice for sin made by the sufferings and death of Christ, was the only foundation on which our beloved sister could rest her hopes of heaven. Christ was to her all and in all. This, About an hour before her release from this world of sin, and suffering, and temptation, she requested her pastor to pray that her evidences of interest in Christ might be brighter. of course, was done, and the departing spirit was commended to the power, faithfulness, and grace of the good Shepherd, who never leaves nor forsakes his people, but accompanies every member of his flock through the valley and shadow of death. Between four and five o'clock, August 30, 1848, the ransomed spirit was released from its body of suffering, and entered into the joy of its Lord. Every cloud has now passed away, and the happy spirit is with Christ, which is far better. There are a few traits in the Christian character of Mrs. Peach which it would be well to notice and imitate : the word. She made an effort to attend Sion Chapel, where she had found the pearl of great price, when the state of her health might have justified her in keeping at home. Her soul was a longing soul-it longed for the streams which make glad the city of our God. 3. Her full consecration to God, which was apparent from the commencement of her Christian course. When she discovered her fallen condition, the value of her soul, and the claims of Christ, she did not halt between two opinions, but decided at once on the Lord's side. This choice she never regretted. Decision for Christ eaved her from many evils, and secured her many blessings. 4. Her separation from the world, by a godly, holy, and consistent profession. 5. She was a cheerful and liberal contributor to the cause of the Saviour. When Mrs. Peach was brought to the knowledge of the truth, none of the members of her family were making a profession of the name of Christ. Since then, and at this time, there are several, we have reason to believe, who are yielding themselves to God. Our departed sister has left a husband and three children, and many friends behind her, who sorrow for her loss, but not as those who have no hope. The State-Church. BAPTISM EXTRAORDINARY. Of all the strong and startling things we have met, on the subject of Baptism, the following is among the most remarkable: A FEW WORDS TO PARENTS ON THE BAPTISM OF THEIR CHILDREN. All Christian parents ought to have a hearty and earnest care for the good of the souls of their children, more than for the good of their bodies. The first thing to be attended to should be, that a child be provided with really good godfathers and godmothers, and sent to church to be baptized as early as possible. This should not be put off until the birth of the child, but four or five months before it is born the parents should take great care and pains to get fit persons to be ready to stand for it. As it cannot then be known whether it will be a boy or a girl, two godfathers and two godmothers should be provided, ready to stand if required. A great point should be made, that they be persons of good repute, steady, conscientious, sincerely disposed to religion, and such as will faithfully try to do the duties then undertaken They must be in the habit of frequenting the Church, and no other places of worship, have received Confirmation, be steadfast maintainers of the Church's Creeds and Catechism, and one of them at least should be a partaker of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The Church, in her twenty-ninth Canon, expressly orders, that no parent shall be admitted to be godfather to his own child. It is not necessary (though it is much better when there is no reasonable hinderance) that a godfather or godmother should himself be present at the baptism of the child. If any one is prevented from being present, he should get some one to be there in his place, and to make the answers pro *The Church requires that they should all be communicants; but, unhappily, the number of communicants is too scanty to admit of this. |