arteries, at present employed. The truth is that instead of being blood stoppers, they are leeches, blood drawers; for were there no money, there would be no Charmers.

Cornish Friends! Be not then so miserably imposed upon-so grossly deceived-use the sense and reason which God has given you: and resist not only the Devil, but his agents in their impious attempts to blind your eyes. If the Charmers have any power at all (which is greatly to be doubted) they have it through the agency of the Devil, and their cures come with a curse and not a blessing. Thus saith the Lord, "What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and things that do not profit." Jer. ii. 5. 0 ye have not so learned Christ; instead of seeking a cure by unbidden, unlawful, and shameful means, apply unto Him who hath all power in heaven and on earth," who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases."

TRE.

IHS

ON NATIONAL TROUBLES.

Ir will not be denied that we live in a very eventful period. When we consider "the shaking of nations,” both near and remote; the agitations which exist in our own country, and the ravages of the pestilence

that has visited our shores; we cannot but observe those signs of the times, which assuredly deserve our most serious attention. In these circumstances it is the wisdom of every one among us to listen to the exhortation of God by the Prophet, "Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions, so iniquity shall not be your ruin :" and it is incumbent on the children of God to employ their interest with their Heavenly Father, in supplicating the removal of our calamities; and especially in praying that, whether removed or continued, they may promote the spiritual welfare of the inhabitants of this kingdom.

If the "effectual fervent prayer" of one righteous man availeth much, the united supplication of a multitude of the faithful will be yet more availing. We know, indeed, as Daniel felt when he prayed for his country, that it is "for the Lord's sake" only, that any petition addressed to God will be accepted. The interest at a throne of grace which the holiest believers possess, is founded on their relation to "Jesus Christ the righteous." But through such an Advocate with the Father, what may not the humble and persevering believer obtain, whether praying for himself, or seeking mercy för others.

Not a few in the present day would scoff at the suggestion of averting by prayer the judgments which hang over us; and would scornfully inquire, if it can be supposed that the supplications of the saints, as they are contemptuously called, will induce the God of Heaven to reverse his decrees, to accomplish the wishes which they express at his footstool. We believe, indeed, "that He worketh all things after the counsel of his own will;" but we regard this as an

inducement, instead of feeling it as a discouragement in our approaching to God. Did we believe in a Mahomedan predestination, in which the end is supposed to be appointed irrespectively of the means, we should consider it vain to call upon God. But prayer is an instrument which forms part of his plan in accomplishing his gracious designs; and in presenting our supplications to him, instead of attempting to interfere with his sovereign counsels, we only act in conjunction with his merciful purposes by adopting those means which lead to the end which he has appointed. But however the ungodly may neglect and despise them, we are assured that they have often been eminently succesful. Witness the deliverance of Jerusalem from the army of Senacherib, in answer to the prayer of the Prophet Isaiah. Witness the victory obtained by Asa over Zerah the Ethiopian with his thousand thousand men when he committed himself to God for deliverance; and witness the staying of the plague, when Aaron filled his censer, and interceded in behalf of the murmuring Israelites. When Peter was imprisoned by the cruelty of Herod, the disciples of Christ had recourse to the same expedient; "Prayer was made by the Church without ceasing" for his deliverance. Had the unbelieving inhabitants of Jerusalem seen these Christians daily assembling in the house of Mary, and known the object of their meeting, they would have laughed at their proceedings, and treated all their hopes of success with contempt. They would have supposed that a little address employed in the court of Herod, and the cautious distribution of bribes in certain influential quarters, would have produced more effect than

the united supplications to God of the whole body of Christians. But we know the result of those means which they employed; and should not forget the encouragement which it gives us to go and do likewise.

Let Christians therefore, when drawing near to God, either in the retirement of the closet, or at the family altar, or in the solemn assembly, never neglect their supplications in behalf of their country, in the present season of threatening evil. The prayer of faith cannot but succeed. God will grant the blessing sought, or he will give an equivalent, or he will do exceedingly abundantly above all that the humble believer has implored. Should he deny temporal mercies, he will bestow spiritual blessings; if he withhold the inferior good, he will not fail to impart that which is unspeakably more valuable. When Paul besought the Lord to remove the thorn in the flesh, it is probable that this evil notwithstanding continued. But He answered his prayer by the delightful assurance that his grace should be sufficient for him, and that his strength should be made perfect in weakness.

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But we believe that in the present day, as well as in the age of Patriarchs and Prophets, temporal mercies, when submissively sought, are frequently bestowed; and, we trust, that the mention of the following well-authenticated fact, in confirmation of this truth, will not be imputed to a heedless credulity. A few years ago the city of Teflis, when garrisoned by two or three hundred Russians, was attacked by an army of ten thousand Persians. At that time a small band of Christians were resident there. When the Mahometans approached, they threatened destruction to every man, woman, and child within the walls

of the city; and impiously added, that "they defied their King Jesus." The Missionary, who presided over the little company of Christians, took them to their place of worship to implore the help of that Saviour whom their foes had dared to blaspheme. While they were assembled for prayer, it was announced that a Russian army was coming; and soon they arrived, and dispersed all their enemies. Without adverting for a moment to the politics of Russia or of Persia, we cannot but regard such an interposition of Providence, when following, or rather accompanying, the humble supplications of the people of God, as a valuable precedent, to encourage us to approach to a throne of grace, in every season of national affliction. A. Z.

THE NEW TESTAMENT.

In the spring of 1829, Timothy the hawker called at my house with his wares. My servants who recommend the Scriptures whenever they have an opportunity, talked with this man on the value of the New Testament and advised him to buy a copy. "Of what use can it be to me," said he, "when I cannot read ?" "Yes, it may be of great service to you.