Page:Selection of religious anecdotes.pdf/18

18 draw this conclusion :-The Bible must be given by divine inspiration.

A CHRISTIAN

A Christian is a new creature in a new world ; he has a new heart, is under a new government, serves a new master, observes new laws, is actuated by new fears, influenced by new love, animated by new delights, and is a partaker of new joys.-Luther.

THE STUDY OF SACRED HISTORY.

In studying sacred history, endeavour to get clear ideas of some great epochs or remarkable points of time, such as the creation of the world, 4000 years B.C. Tho deluge, 2948 B.C. The calling of Abraham, 1921 B.C. The departure of Israel out of Egypt, 1491 B.C. The building of Solomon's temple, 1012 B.O. The captivity, 588 B.C. The elose of the Old Testament history, 409 B.O. And the birth of Christ. Other events between these periods will then bo more easily arranged in the mind.

THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST.

" The divinity of Jesus," says Dr. Mason, " is, in the system of grace, the sun to which all its parts are subordinate, and all their stations refer, which binds them in sacred coneord, and imparts to them their radianee, and life, and vigour. Take from it this central luminary, and the glory is departed-its holy harmonies are broken-the elements rush to ehaos-the light of salvation is extinguished for ever."

LORD CRAVEN

Lived in London when the last great plague raged. His house was in that part of the town called Craven Buildings. On that sad calamity growing epidemic, his lordship, to avoid the danger, resolved to retire to his seat in the country. His coach-and-six were accordingly at the door, the baggage put up, and all things in readiness for the journey. As he was walking through his hall with his hat on, his cane under his arm, and putting on his gloves, in order to step into his carriage, he overheard his negro (who served him as a postilion) saying to another servant, " I suppose, by my lord's quitting London to avoid the plague, that his God lives in the country, and not in town." The poor negro said this in the simplieity of his heart, as really believing a plurality of gods. The speeeh, however, struck Lord Craven very sensibly, and made him pause. " My God," thought he, " lives every where, and can preserve me in town as well as in the country : I'll e'en stay where I am. The ignorance of