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from the minds of the learners. This should be done in such a way as to stamp them all in the most enduring form on the reasoning and judging faculties, as principles and laws which we cannot evade, and which it is our present highest interest to obey whatever others may do.

There is far more mental labour, both to teacher and learner, in this mode of examination, than in merely listening to, or repeating a task. The latter plan is also considered to give the appearance of greater cleverness to youth, and is sanctioned by long usage in our old seats of learning; yet its having been adopted in an age when mind was far less understood than at present, ought to make us suspect that some change is necessary. We should not continue to light our streets with the dull flickering lamp in an age when, and a country where, gas is known and much used, unless we wished to be laughed at and called "slow coaches."

Memory is only one of the many powers of the mind that require the training culture of the teacher; and may be brought to a high state of perfection, independent of the other faculties, and without producing influence on life and conduct. Reason and modern experience show it to be most usefully cultivated, in close connection with the knowing, reflective, and reasoning powers, as a faithful and systematic registrar of their various acquisitions.

of learners, because they will soon perceive their vast importance to themselves now as well as during their future lives. In using the Catechism, to help them in fixing clear ideas of the physical laws of our nature in their minds, it will seldom be found necessary to ask all the questions, for two or three will sometimes be answered at once; and answers will frequently be given in such a way as to require the next question to be a little modified. The best plan is to have the whole class up, when they have sufficiently studied a given portion; and on any question being asked, each student prepared to answer it should put forth the right hand, when the teacher can select some one from the number; but if the answer given is not satisfactory, a second or a third student may be afterwards called upon for their answer. If this is sometimes done before the rest of the school, many will be inclined to listen, and much good be done thereby, as all are equally interested in the subject of bodily health. You cannot get any class in the school to say it is no good to them. Neither art, science, nor classic language, are a sufficient substitute for it.

TO SELF-TEACHERS.

Those who seriously desire to supply the defects of their early education on this subject, cannot do so by reading a book over, and then considering it "as a tale that is told." When they have finished reading it, they ought to begin again at Lesson First; and before leaving that, or any of the succeeding lessons, they should write answers to each question on them in the Catechism; and till this can be done cor

Knowledge is most useful to its posgessor, when it is stored up in the mind by memory in such a manner that each fact can be drawn forth at pleasure, and instantly used, either with or without any other fact or facts, in the train with which it may be as-rectly, without referring to the text for sociated. An axe is very useful in felling a tree, but there are other means of getting trees down; a skilful workman can do many things with an axe besides cutting down a forest, and this is only one out of many instruments he uses in his trade. So with the value and the application of useful knowledge.

The Lessons, in the first part of "Health made Easy," will be found to excite a peculiar interest in the minds

aid, (supposing, of course, the selfteacher can write,) no lesson should be considered finished or sufficiently learned. The necessity for all this will be obvious, if we reflect a little on the nature of the subject, its importance to ourselves, and the great difficulty of so changing our habits, when our youthful days are past, as to adopt the principles here taught.

Our own ease, comfort, health, and happiness, depend very materially on

our practical acquaintance with the subject, and our observance of the rules and laws it teaches, independent of the great Bible truth and Christian principle, that the laws of nature are God's laws; if any sane mind should, unfortunately for itself, be so destitute of knowledge, sense, reason, or duty, as not to be influenced by such religious views of their organization. If we have a clear and correct knowledge of the peculiar temperament and constitution we inherit from our parents, we may gradually effect a very material mitigation of any diseased tendencies, or even eradicate them, and strengthen all the weak points by early and constantly obeying the laws of our physical nature; and eventually may attain vigorous health, and keep it to a good old age, instead of being, as might otherwise be the case, feeble and sickly during a few years of an unenjoyed life.

The great secret of being able to do this well, lies in man having a right and clear view of his physical and mental state by nature. All that first surrounds and acts upon his pure, spotless, heaven-born spirit, "is of the earth, earthy," to say nothing of more subtile and unfriendly agencies; and their influences are alien to his eternal peace, while they are flattering him with promises, never to be fulfilled, of present happiness. Man is, during several of his earliest years, a mere passive being under these adverse circumstances; and should he be left to move on in the path of life from his own impulses alone, he would, at this period, be more likely to go wrong than right, not as yet knowing how "to refuse the evil, and to choose the good."

The most specious, alluring, and universally-deceptive of all the fallacies that draw man from the path of duty, is that offspring of vanity and pride in his own carnal mind, which is so constantly flattering him, especially in youthful ignorance, by saying, "Cannot I do as I like? To be sure I can," replies vain self-will. "See with how much ease and pleasure I did that and the other good thing, (we try to conceal from ourselves the motive which led us to do any good, if that motive

be a selfish one,) and can do again whenever I please; but surely one ought to have a little enjoyment of life some time. There can be no harm in such and such a thing, it is so very innocent, or it can injure my health so very little; and I am certain, the bare idea of going so far as such-a-body, completely shocks me! Oh, no! I can stop just at this point, or sooner if I like."

Now this is a rule so absolutely contrary to man's nature, that no human being ever did-does-or can—of himself, act upon it; and when the miraculous power of Divine grace enables some men, in a measure, to appear to act upon it, the many the rns planted in their fleshly nature by previous bad habits, destroy much of their earthly enjoyment. No, no, vain man; with all thy boasted powers, thou wilt never do this, while the effects of thy fall in Eden trammel thy spiritual tendencies; for if this were now possible, it is doubtful if thou could est, by such means, increase thy earthly happiness. Very little reflection is necessary to convince any one that he does not possess this power over himself, if a small portion of honesty is used in self-examination. Let us, however, see if the nature of things is not such as to make it utterly impossible for man ever to attain this power.

It is universally admitted, that in many departments of skilled labour, and especially in most of the professions, that all engaged in them do, or may, continue learning and improving their skill and dexterity during a long life of useful industry. Superior activity, skill, and taste, are not the result of a bare knowledge of facts, styles, or principles; they are attained by constant study, and a thorough love of the whole subject, whatever it may be, combined with long practice, not only of the hand, but the ears, eyes, and mind must be engaged in the work, if eminence in the particular calling be desired. Reason and experience prove this never can be done in a few short months, or by a little occasional study and practice; for in that time and way the mind could not be trained to conceive-the senses to guide-or the hands to execute-the endless va

riety of thoughts, reasons, and actions, which need combining together before any one can justly be said to excel in such employments.

This is more especially the case with common life; and to act our part well in any,

even the humblest station, much knowledge, united with great mental and bodily activity, is necessary. Nor is this all; our mind, if not trained to move in a right direction, may only be active in doing wrong to ourselves and others. A bad mind is constantly employed in gratifying itself; it sees no "sermons in stones," or good in anything; everything being seen, heard, and felt, through a depraved, unnatural medium. Perhaps it may be said with more truth of the mind-its various powers and faculties -than of the hands, that "practice makes perfect," either for good or evil. Hands and mind turn more easily, yea, involuntarily, the way they have been most bent; and it is sometimes almost impossible to get them into any other way than the old one, however much better the new one may be.

A serious error is committed by those who fancy it is quite sufficient if they guard against contracting vicious habits of thinking or acting. Success in life does not depend on our merely avoiding to do wrong, but also on our doing right, and always doing right. Such habits cannot be acquired without thinking right, and that must be based on correct knowledge. The fruits of knowledge grow from its being thoroughly engrafted into the mind, and so completely interwoven with all its passions and feelings, as to form a predominant spring of thought and action; giving an instinctive perception, under all the trying and varied scenes of life, what is best to be done, and when and how to do it. As a general rule, this can only be done in proportion as our knowledge is extensive, [ correct, and readily available, from its constant use, for the active business of real life.

Compare for a moment the immediate, vigorous, cheerful action of an

enlightened mind, long used to depend on its own resources in all cases, with the apathy, hesitancy, or feeble and unsuccessful efforts, under the same circumstances, of the ignorant, the misinformed, or those who have been unwisely trained to depend on other minds to help and guide them. Think how differently the slothful and the industrious view a scene in which they may act a part if they will; or, contrast the debasing passions of a vicious, with the ennobling, virtuous emotions of a good man, on viewing the very same lovely object at the same time and place. Indeed, every common occurrence of life furnishes abundant and conclusive proof, that most of our success depends on our own knowledge, or on its application; and most of our earthly happiness is the result of this being joined with a healthy body and a virtuously-disposed mind.

To illustrate these facts and views still further, and to prove how reciprocally each part of our compound nature constantly acts on the other at all times; let us take four practical cases, falling within the knowledge of those who have even a limited experience, of the effects resulting from a neglect or disregard of the physical and mental laws of our nature. When the body is overworked, and the mind little cultivated or used, we generally find the feelings, passions, and manners partaking most of the animal nature, if they are not also low, indelicate, or base; and when, on the contrary, the mind is overworked, and the body little exercised, mental excitement, irritability, physical weakness, or even disease is the consequence. Should body and mind both be exerted too much, the health and constitution soon give way; and if neither are sufficiently developed or exercised, the highest enjoyment that can be attained, is a mere passive existence during a short life, often diseased, and always useless. Can we still neglect the laws of mental and bodily health, and not feel ourselves guilty?

The Counsel Chamber.

THE MILLER'S BOY AND HIS

BIBLE.

EVERY young man, on being turned to God himself, should set out with a determination, with Heaven's help, of carrying others along with him. Let him take the world for his example, and determine that evil-doers shall not exceed him, in their self-denying and costly endeavours to do evil in his to do good. To encourage such, and present an example, we shall set forth the following authentic and interesting history:

"I returned," says a Swedish colporteur," through a village where there are several water-mills. A Bible had been purchased from me there, three years since, by a miller's boy, who, not long before, had fallen into the water, and had narrowly escaped being crushed by the mill-wheel. Snatched wonderfully from death, John (this miller-lad) had at that time begun to be concerned about the salvation of his soul. Hence, the purchase which he made of a Bible. He read that sacred book, and was fervent in prayer; the Lord heard his prayers, and he became a staunch confessor of the truth as it is in Jesus. He was not long in becoming the object of persecutions from the miller, the miller's wife, his comrades, and persons who frequented the mill. All were determined to render it impossible for him to read the Bible; but the Lord watched over him. Shortly af terward, Andrew, the miller's son-a young man of twenty years of age, a victim to habits of impiety and dissipation-became likewise a disciple of the Saviour. This happened in the following manner: John was Andrew's assistant at the mill. Originally they were the best friends in the world; but, since John's conversion, Andrew employed all sorts of sugges tions, artifices, threatenings, and even violence, to plunge his comrade into a disorderly life. All his efforts were ineffectual. One day, while John was busy out of doors, Andrew, who was alone in the mill, took John's Bible for the purpose of casting it into the river;

however, just as he was about to throw it in, he opened the Bible mechanically, and this passage caught his eye: Two shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left,' Matt. xxiv. 41. This declaration struck his conscience with the rapidity of lightning; it took possession of his heart; and under the weight of an inexpressible emotion, he placed the Bible again in John's chamber. Dating from that moment, Andrew became a new man; thereafter he showed himself to be a sincere servant of Jesus Christ. United from that time in heart and soul with one another, John and Andrew, young as they were, soon became, in the hand of God, instruments of a religious awakening in the village and the surrounding neighbourhood."

PROPRIETY OF DEPORTMENT. TRUE piety is the only true politeness. A real Christian will no more be rude than foolish-he will not only be a discreet speaker, but a patient listener. On many accounts, the habit of good listening is one well worth acquiring. Such will not only listen to wisdom, but also to folly, although he will not join in it, and he will endeavour to turn even the babblings of the foolish to account, especially using them as beacons to warn. Unhappily many persons, especially if they have suc ceeded to put modesty under the necessary restraints, are, we will not say, endless talkers, but are endless babblers. They seem to think it their duty to be frivolous and witty; and think they have not played their part to any pur pose, unless they have excited much laughter, and, as if to aid the force of their instructions, they are incessantly giggling and laughing themselves. This is very bad, and ought to be avoided. Indeed, it indicates such feebleness and absence of mental discipline, to speak of nothing higher, as to show that the individual who is thus addicted, has work of great moment to be done at home, which must be self-performed.

On the subject of Behaviour in Com

pany, Legh Richmond gives the following excellent advice to his daughters:

"Be cheerful, but not gigglers. Be serious, but not dull. Be communicative, but not forward. Be kind, but not servile. Beware of silly, thoughtless speeches; although you may forget them, others will not. Remember God's eye is in every place, and his ear in every company. Beware of levity and familiarity with young men; a modest reserve, without affectation, is the only safe path. Court and encourage serious conversation with those who are truly serious and conversable; and do not go into valuable company without endeavouring to improve by the intercourse permitted to you. Nothing is more unbecoming, when one part of a company is engaged in profitable conversation, than that another part should be trifling, giggling, and talking comparative nonsense to each other."

A NOBLE EXAMPLE. DECIDED Conversion, accompanied with zeal, will always be attended with the world's scorn; and very frequently, when circumstances permit, it will take the form of practical opposition, perhaps persecution. The young believer should, therefore, be prepared for this; and as a help, we have pleasure in presenting an illustration which occurred some time back in the case of a young convert at Vitry. This city has a population of about ten thousand souls, and has also been evangelized, and contains some converts full of faith and zeal. The following conversation took place between a young servant of Christ and his relatives, (his grand

father and grandmother,) who are bigoted Romanists:

"What are you doing?" they said to him; do you wish to become a Calvinist ?"

"No," replied the young man; "but I desire only to be a serious Christian." "Were you not a Christian before reading the Bible?"

"No, I was not; for I knew not God till I heard and read the Gospel."

"Do you not know, then, that those whom you call evangelical Christians, are Protestants, heretics, condemned by the church?"

"It is possible they may be condemned by the Pope; but they are certainly approved of God; for, so far as I can judge, they admit nothing but what God himself has taught in his holy Word."

"They are lost! they are lost! for they reject the commandments of the church."

"Then I shall be lost, too; for I reject the commandments of the church, because they are commandments of men, which God reproves in his Word, and I am resolved to obey only God."

Seeing the firmness and courage with which he met their objections, his relatives laughed at him, and his grandfather went so far as to say he would not own him for a grandson. Some days afterwards, this young convert meeting the evangelist, the latter said to him that he probably would have to suffer much, and that he would be, perhaps, disinherited. "Oh! sir," replied the faithful Christian, "that is nothing; I have an inheritance which I prize above all things in this world, and I ought, at whatever sacrifice, to strive for the salvation of my soul!"

The Fragment Basket.

DO RIGHT AND FEAR NOT. A VERY respectable linen-merchant in Coleraine, Ireland, offered the late famous Dr. Adam Clarke, when a youth, a situation in his warehouse, which was accepted by him with the consent of his parents. Mr. B- knew well that his clerk was a religious lad, but he was

not sensible of the extent of principle which actuated him. Some differences arose at times about the way of conducting the business, which were settled pretty amicably. But the time of the great Dublin market approached, and Mr. B was busy preparing for it. The master and man were together in

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