him to his feet. The iniquities of his heels compass him about. His sins, he thinks, are too great to be forgiven. As the lake of Tiberias was driven by the wind and tossed, "so the tempest rolls and thickens" over his devoted head. He trembles at the prospect of immediate and awful destruction. While the storm of wrath howls, and hell threatens to engulph him, he comes trembling to the Saviour. Christ hears. He rebukes the storm-and the sinner is safe. Indescribable peace takes possession of the soul, and he glides on a tranquil sea, to the haven of eternal rest." (See Barnes' Notes.)

All who acknowledge Christ's power over matter-over the seashould make him their friend-come and go at his bidding, and endeavour to promote his glory. The disciples here put to sea, at the command of their Master, who had important work to do at the other side. When they went at his bidding, they might calculate upon his presence. Yet, oh! how many go to sea without Christ! A great number become sailors and soldiers, after they are tired of every honest attempt to do well at home. This is the last act of disobedience to parents and guardians. They have no business to do in the great waters; they have broken the commandments of Christ, and how can they expect that he will make their way prosperous, or give them good success? How dangerous to expose themselves to the opposition of him, whose way is in the whirlwind and the storm! He who saith, "Honour thy father and mother". "Remember the sabbath-day to keep it holy”—“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain"—said to the winds that agitated the sea of Tiberias, " Peace, be still!"--and to its angry waters, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further." With Christ as a friend, in the hinder part of the ship, there is nothing to fear; as the raging wind will either drive his disciples to their desired haven on earth, or to the shores of Emanuel's happy land.

As Christ hath power over mind-devils and men-all should have recourse to him as their Saviour. The former excel in strength, as when they were angels of light. By their fall, their power was not abated: but they became depraved, and not only rebelled against God, but sought and achieved the destruction of man. We live in the air in which the devil hath a principality. The sinner he afflicts in a variety of ways, by God's permission. When men, like the possessed Gadarenes, are exposed to the united power of sin and of the devil, all around them are more alarmed than when the sea rolls mountains high. Aware of the dreadful circumstances in which they are placed, and they become a terror to themselves in the land of the living. But Christ is stronger than Satan. The children of Bethlehem, in the agonies of death, occasioned Rachel inconsolable grief; but over the babe of the manger, the devil had no power. Grown up to manhood, he fought and vanquished him in the wilderness of Sinai; and, after stilling the tempest on the sea of Tiberias, he set at liberty the demoniacs of Gadara. Out of Mary Magdalene, he cast seven devils, and a whole legion from others. Sin, the enemy of man, Christ has also vanquished. He overcame the avarice of Levi, and

brought him from the receipt of custom, to be a preacher of the gospel, the self-righteousness of the persecuting Saul, and made him cry out," What wilt thou have me to do ?" He also subdued the rage, malice, and wickedness of some, who imbrued their hands in his blood,-they looked on him, whom they had pierced, and mourned. Drunkards, thieves, extortioners, murderers, and adulterers have been alike subject to his power. He saves his people from their sins. Let those present, who have been rescued from a watery grave, flee to the blood of sprinkling-to HIM who is mighty to save.

To whom should those always go, who are in danger of perishing by sea? To Christ, who is God as well as man. To pious seamen, the omnipresence of the Saviour affords the greatest consolation. As God, he is every where present-on the lake of Tiberias, the atlantic ocean, and the mediterranean sea. With Him on board, the sailor is safe, whatever storm blows. But confidence in Christ pre-supposes the use of means. Where there is faith, there is courage. Paul was the bravest of all the voyagers to Italy: he would not allow the ship to be abandoned-insisted upon the necessity, and propriety, and advantage, of the timid, weary sailors taking food-gave thanks to God in presence of them all began to eat-induced them to follow his example— lightened the ship-and it came to pass that, by prayer, and confidence, and effort, they escaped all safe to land.

But oars alone will ne'er prevail-to gain the distant coast,

The breath of heaven must fill the sail-or all the toil is lost.

Christ alone can still the tempest of grief-the grief of the mourner in Sion; and of those also who shed tears at the loss of beloved relatives of sons and husbands, calling to them in vain for help.* How good and how pleasant it is to have an interest in Christ, when a sudden storm turns the only son or other relations to destruction. The preacher does not conceal his intention of attempting to administer consolation to such mourners.

Are there any who sorrow not as those who have no hope? They have only got the start of you by a tide or two. Their Saviour's voice was heard amid the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves,-" It is I; be not afraid!" I come quickly to take you to myself, far from the strife of tongues, the influence of the devil, the world, and the flesh. Heaven is the port to which they were steering, and now they have entered its fair haven. You will soon follow.

A few short years of evils past,-we reach the happy shore,
Where death-divided friends at last-shall meet to part no more.

Is hope faint? Yet praise the name of Jesus, if there be a single gleam, a solitary ray, to illumine the darkness. The son of a religious education, of many prayers, and tears, and entreaties, may have gone

The crew of the 'Syria,' with the exception of three, went down within sight of thousands of spectators, who could afford them no assistance.

astray-been the dupe of evil companions, and have forgotten the sabbath, the closet, the Saviour, during the season of health and prosperity he may have gone to sea, been overtaken with the storm, or with fever, or accident; and yet have had hours to cry for mercy,"Lord save me, I perish!" And may not the believing parent believe that her prayers were heard and answered-that the seed she had sown in tears came to maturity amid the howling of the storm and the tempest? And if all this cannot be done-if hope do give up the ghost, has she not the satisfaction of having done her duty; and may she not, at the feet of her Saviour, amid paroxysms of parental anguish, appropriate the language of David, when he thought of the fate of his ungodly children," Although my house be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation and all my desire, although he make it not to grow?" 2 Sam. xxiii. 5.

Let all who are delivered from sin and danger give Christ the glory. "Now the man, out of whom the devils were departed, besought him that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him." There are sailors present who have been rescued from a watery grave, during the past week-to you this example is specially held out. See that ye praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works. By a holy life, as well as with grateful lips, publish how great things Jesus has done unto you.

Sunderland.

PHILOPAIS.

THE LOST BOY.

"I am sure, my dear friends. (said the Rev. J. H. STEWARD, in his account of the wreck of the 'Rothsay Castle,') the following incident, related to me by the father of the boy, will deeply affect you. He was near the helm, with his child grasping his hand, till the wave rolled over the quarter-deck, and taking with them several persons who were standing near them, it was no longer safe to remain there. The father took his child in his hand, and ran towards the shrouds, but the boy could not mount with him. He cried out therefore, Father! Father! do not leave me!' But finding that his son could not climb with him, and that his own life was in danger, he withdrew his hand. When morning came, the father was conveyed on shore with some other passengers who were preserved; and as he was landing he said within himself, 'How can I see my wife, without having my boy with me?' When, however, the child's parent let go his hand, his heavenly Father did not leave him. He was washed off the deck, but happily clung to a part of the wreck on which some of the passengers were floating. With them he was miraculously preserved. When he was landing, not knowing of his father's safety, he said, 'It is no use to take me ashore, now I have lost my father.' He was, however, carried, much exhausted, to the same house where his father had been sent; and actually placed in the same bed, unknown to either, till clasped in each other's arms. When we read the interesting fact, regarding this poor ship-boy, let us remember the words of David, "When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord taketh me up."

POOR JACK.

The following account is given by the Rev. Leigh Richmond, as having been related by a minister, in a meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society :

A drunkard was one day staggering in drink, on the brink of the sea. His little son by him, three years of age, being very hungry, solicited him for something to eat. The miserable father, conscious of his poverty, and of the criminal cause of it, in a kind of rage, occasioned by his intemperance and despair, hurled the little innocent into the sea, and made off with himself. The poor little sufferer, finding a floating plank by his side on the water, clung to it. The wind soon wafted him and the plank into the sea.

A British man-of-war, passing by, discovered the plank and child; and a sailor, at the risk of his own life, plunged into the sea, and brought him on board. He could inform them little more than that his name was Jack. They gave him the name of poor Jack. He grew up on board that man-of-war, behaved well, and gained the love of all the officers and men. He became an officer of the sick and wounded department. During an action of the late war, an aged man came under his care, nearly in a dying state. He was all attention to the suffering stranger, but could not save his life.

The aged stranger was dying, and thus addressed this kind young officer: "For the great attention you have shown me, I give you this only treasure that I am possessed of―(presenting him with a Bible, bearing the stamp of the British and Foreign Bible Society.) It was given me by a lady; has been the means of my conversion; and has been a great comfort to me. Read it, and it will lead you in the way you should go." He went on to confess the wickedness of his life, before the reception of his Bible; and, among other enormities, how he once cast a little son, three years old, into the sea, because he cried to him for needed food!

The young officer inquired of him the time and place, and found here his own history. Reader, judge, if you can, of his feelings, to recognise in the dying old man, his father, dying a penitent, under his care! And, judge of the feelings of the dying penitent, to find that the same young stranger was his son-the very son whom he had plunged into the sea; and had no idea but that he had immediately perished. A description of their mutual feelings will not be attempted. The old man soon expired in the arms of his son. The latter left the service, and became a pious preacher of the gospel. On closing the story, the minister, in the meeting of the Bible Society, bowed to the chairman, and said, "Sir, I am poor Jack."

WONDERFUL EFFECTS OF TEMPERANCE IN IRELAND. 'Smithfield Penitentiary' is closed, there being abundant room for all the prisoners in Richmond Bridewell.

....

The number of male drunkards committed, to 12th Nov., 1838
To 12th November, this year

.....

11,028 4,207

The following is the return of the number of public-houses closed within the district of the Metropolitan Dublin Police: it has been furnished by Major Browne, one of the Commissioners: :

Return of the number of public-houses closed within the Metropolitan Police District, since 1st January, 1840:

HISTORICAL SKETCHES.

No. I.-ST. PETERSBURG.

[By the Rev. E. E. ADAMS, A. M. Seamen's Chaplain, Cronstadt.]

ST. PETERSBURG-the capital of Russia, is situated at the mouth of the river Neva, partly upon islands and partly on the main land. Its site was once only marshy ground. The city is built upon piles. It was founded by Peter the Great, in the beginning of the eighteenth century—some say in 1703, others in 1704. It is now one of the most splendid cities in the world, containing nearly 500,000 inhabitants. Its churches are exceedingly beautiful, and richly decorated within. Some of their spires are gilded, presenting to the stranger, as he approaches the city up the Neva, a beauty and delicacy of architecture to be seen in no other city. This metropolis is distinguished for its superb palaces and lofty dwellings. The public buildings constitute nearly a fourth part of the whole. The conveniences and beauty of the city are enhanced by the numerous canals by which it is intersected. Its gardens and public walks are truly elegant and tasteful; although by reason of the flatness of the ground, they cannot possess that variety of scenery which characterises English gardens and pleasure grounds. The gardens at Parvlofsky are exceptions, presenting the most lovely union of hill and vale, of fountain and cascade, which, together with the rich verdure of trees, the profusion of flowers, and melody of birds, afford to the lover of nature, a soothing, chastening happiness.

In the vicinity of Petersburg are many small islands, formed by the Nevka, or little Neva. On these islands, are houses of gentlemen, who prefer, in summer, these cool and woody retreats, to the bustle of the town. The birch and pine are the chief trees. Their boughs, in consequence of their rapid growth and tenderness, are pendant, labouring under their weight of leaves. In winter the scene is equally beautiful, from the snow-wreaths that glitter in the sunbeams, and the crystals of frost that sparkle in the keen air. St. Petersburg is not destitute of proofs, that the Emperor and Empress are patrons of benevolent institutions. There is one hospital under the patronage of the latter, in which were 400 patients at the time of my visit to it. Everything in the arrangement of this establishment, is perfectly neat and convenient. I could but think whilst passing from room to room, and seeing so many of the sick recovering, and manifesting their gratitude by smiles, of the happiness of God in seeing his fallen, dying creatures, restored to moral life, and spiritual health.

St. Petersburg is not destitute of monuments of the first order. One of these is an equestrian statue of Peter, cast in bronze, by a French artist. The pedestal is red granite; it was taken from a