"FREEDOM TO WORSHIP GOD."

A Fragment.

THE history is soon told. It is but one short chapter of the long record of the great struggle between might and right, truth and error, persecution and freedom.

There are few parts of Continental Europe where even recently this warfare has not been waged; and amidst the most lovely scenes, the traveller is reminded that all is no peace and tranquility.

See that glorious structure, its palatial towers rising high up over the slope of the massive rock, and swept at their base by the full swell of that resistless torrent.

Partly a prison, partly a cathedral of the Popes, its walls at the same moment stifle the cry of the dungeon captive, and echo the chorus of sacred song. From this place, early one morning, three emissaries of the Romish Church, bent upon important business, like Saul of old, set forth upon a journey. One, a high commissioner, rode, the others in voluntary humility attended on foot. Their object was secret, and their departure unobserved.

At the same early hour, a little peasant family, lovers of God, and firm in the true faith, knelt together in their humble chalet, buried their Bible beneath a favourite tree, and turned away in tears from their loved and peaceful home.

They were fugitives, and they fled from the power of a tyrannical Church. They had reason to fear for their very lives. Warned, threatened, and fined, they had endured all without murmur; and now expatriation is before them. Their journey was a distant one, still they bore steadily on, committing their way unto the Lord, believing that he would bring it to pass. The sun had risen high as they reached the stream which separated their native district from the margin of another territory, where they had heard that persecution

had no home. Far away from human ear, though beneath the shade of the deep forest bounding the domain of the palace itself, they lifted up the voice of praise, and offered prayer for their enemies, whose power they now no longer feared.

That mountain stream, almost dry in winter, becomes swollen in spring, and sweeps along the valley, restless and tempestuous, covering the fertile plain, from which it throws itself with impetuous force into the mighty Rhone, miles beneath. At the present time, however, the waters had been daily rising up, the people of the upper valley, whence spring those magnificent mountain peaks rising to heaven, had already raised the alarm, and the whole country round waited in terror the sure and sudden inundation which was to follow.

The same moment revealed two hidden dangers to the weary fugitives. Startled by the approaching sounds of the horseman and his guides, the distant boom of an explosion announced the rush of the advancing waters. Fleeing from their persecutors, who, foiled in their purpose at the chalet, had now tracked their victims to the bridge that linked together the lands of liberty and tyranny, they rushed to their only hope of safety.

It was the work of the moment. Putting his wife and child before, Pierre was returning to liberate Clement, who already was within the power of the Ecclesiastic, urging his steed forward on the bridge to secure his coveted prey.

A command had just been given to seize the heretic, when, with an awful bound, those majestic waters leapt up upon the fragile structure where the struggle was going on, and spoke with a louder voice.

In the sudden shock, Pierre was thrown from the bridge; but in falling gained a hold. The noble horse, already advanced too far for retreat, was impelled forward into the boiling surge; the coward priests fled from the scene of destruction, and the rescued brother saved a life which once more gladdened in its humble homestead a family of whom our Lord has said "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake."

F. S. A.

VANITY FAIR.

In this world of ours great changes are continually taking place. Cities once renowned are a heap of ruins, or their memory well nigh forgotten. Not so, however, with the town of Vanity. It is in as flourishing a condition as it was in Bunyan's days, and the Fair which he describes is carried on still. I should think there are few of my young readers who are not acquainted with it, and who have not had many a fairing from its stalls. Still, however attractive, it is a dangerous place; and if you are a follower of Jesus Christ you must pass through it hastily, with this prayer as you go"Turn off mine eyes from beholding vanity."

It is not only from within that the Christian meets with hindrances and temptations, but also from without. We have to meet with "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life." And not unfrequently those who should help and urge us forward persuade us to linger. The spirit of worldly conformity steals upon us and takes us captive before we are aware of our danger. The upholders of Vanity Fair assume false names, and employ a variety of artifices to recommend their goods. Solicitations to worldly pleasure are at first very plausible; you are asked to do something about which it seems hardly worth while to stand out, and nothing, perhaps, absolutely forbidden, but merely inexpedient; and yet it is by these trifling concessions that you are robbed of your spiritual warmth, and lose your relish for superior enjoy

ments.

If we venture on debateable ground; Satan gains advantage over us. If it is our duty to redeem time, to walk with God, to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, to yield ourselves to him and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, then it must be right to avoid those places and companies where everything tends to promote a spirit of dissipation, to inflame and gratify our corrupt and sinful appetites, and to banish serious thoughts and desires from our minds.

Many young persons in this day are fearfully endangered by their connexion with Vanity Fair. At a distance they felt some alarm about it, and expected to be shocked by the gross wickedness and impiety they should witness there; but they do not find it altogether so bad. There are exciting sounds, brilliant fireworks, extraordinary performances, promising speculations, and they see many who have a great name in the religious world, occupying various stations there, buying and selling amongst the crowd-and so the unwary pilgrim begins to

fancy that the times are changed, and that the Fair is wonderfully improved since the days of Christian and Faithful. But tell me, my dear young friends, whether you discover much of the power of godliness among these worldly professors?

Bunyan makes some important observations on the two pilgrims he describes. He notices their dress, their speech, and their spirit. In all these respects they differed from those who were around them. They were not ashamed to confess Christ before men.

So it is now; there are brave and simple-minded Christians whose hearts are right with God, and who live above the frowns and the smiles of men. The voice of the syren has no charm for them. All their affections are centred on the Saviour, and they can say, with perfect sincerity, "My soul followeth hard after God." Such individuals may be outwardly blamed, reviled, and persecuted, but by many they are secretly approved; and those who have not self-denial enough to share their portion here, will still be found joining in Balaam's prayer,-" Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."

We are told that in Vanity Fair there were merchants from Rome. For some years their stall fell into disrepute, and we heard but little of it. Lately, however, their shelves have been replenished, and their signboard gilded afresh. Many young customers have been drawn to their counter for religious tales, crosses, amulets, and sundry articles of vertu and sanctity. A new era has commenced, and the young and the old are alike infatuated. The delicacy of the waxwork and the brilliancy of the scarlet and purple drapery have attracted multitudes. Others have been captivated by specious promises of absolution and indulgence, and have thought to discover some nearer and easier road to the Celestial City than that which Bunyan's pilgrims travelled.

Oh, beware, my youthful readers, of the insidious arts, the music, and the delusions of mystic Babylon. Do not rely

"Let him

Be jealous

on your own power to withstand her allurements. that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." Instead of going as near as may be to the enchanted ground, "Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." of all novelties in religion, and whatever would throw into shade the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel. Determine with the Apostle, to know nothing but Christ, and Him crucified; and when the multitude assail you with cries of "Lo! here, and lo! there," at every turn, take up again the map of your pilgrimage, "inquire for the good old way, and walk therein, so that you find rest to your souls."

E. R.