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21 better for the preaching, he replied, " Why, I must confess that he was formerly a drunkard, a liar, and a thief, but certainly he is now a sober boy, and I can trust him with any thing ; and since he has talked about religion, I have tried to make him drunk, but failed in the attempt."

This was an important testimony, such as ought to be borne to the conduct of every professor of religion ; for the grace of God, which hringeth salvation, teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly. It is disgraecful when the profession and conduct are at varianee.

GIDEON.

A converted Indian was one day attacked by a savage, who presented a gun to his head, exclaiming, " Now I will shoot you, for you speak of nothing but Jesus." Gideon replied, " If Jesus does not permit it, you cannot shoot me." The savage was struck with the answer, dropped his gnn, and went home in silenee.

SWEARING.

A profane coachman, pointing to one of his horses, said to a pious traveller, " That horse, sir, knows when I swear at him."-" Yes," replied the traveller " and so does One above." The coachman seemed to feel the reproof, and immediately became silent.

HAPPY DEATH OF AN INDIAN.

A missionary in the East Indies was called to visit one of the native Christians in a dying state. He inquired how she felt, “ Happy ! happy !" was her reply, and laying her hand on the Bible, added, " I have Christ here," and, pressing it to her heart," and Christ here," and pointing to heaven," and Christ there."

HEARING.

A person having returned from pnblic worship somewhat sooner than usual, was asked by another of the family who had not been there, " Is all done?"-" No," replied she ; " all is said, but all is not done."

When we have heard the Word of God preached, we should proceed to the practical influence, and ask, In what respcet does the sermon reprove me ? In what does it instruet me ? What bad tempers does it condemn ? What Christian graces does it inculcate ? Many hearers seem as if they went to the house of God for no other purpose than to criticise the preacher, or to colleet materials for scandal. We to such hearers !