Streamlet-when the mountain flood, With its cares and griefs turmoiling, Streamlet-from thy troubled bed Gems upon thy rippling current ;- Pass the floods of care and sorrow, For a night the storms abide, Sweetly smiles the rising morrow. Streamlet-in thine onward course Health and fertile fields bestowing ;- Streamlet-since thy waters came On its changeless current leading, Streamlet-since the days of yore, Rest or respite never knowing; Ah me! for how many a throng Adam's death-doomed sons and daughters- Hast thou pour'd the dirge along, In thy softly murmuring waters. Streamlet-on some distant coast, With the waste of waters blending? Streamlet-o'er thy sky-bright wave, Taintless as its waters, bringing. River pure of endless life, Ample "river of God's pleasures," E'er pollutes the flowing treasures; Sin and death approach thee never; Only stream that flows for ever! THE MARTYRDOM. In the In the present sketch we see Faithful in the flames exposed to all the cruel pangs of martyrdom, and the Bible tells us plainly, that "those who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution." present day there is less of outward suffering than in former times; but there is the sword of the tongue, the venom of hatred, the tooth of envy, the shaft of ridicule, the heavy hand of oppression. In one way or another we must show the martyr spirit, and make it apparent that we are willing to follow our Master without the camp, bearing his reproach. Are you, my young friend, so timid that you shrink from acknowledging your convictions? Are you afraid to recom mend religion to others? Would you blush to be found reading your Bible or uniting in social prayer? Do you find it difficult to decline an invitation to a place of public amusement, though your conscience tells you you ought not to be there? Oh, think what you would have done if you had lived in the days of Queen Mary, or the times of King James! Rest assured, religion is the same in all ages. Daniel, and the three Hebrew youths who were cast into the furnace, are only bright examples of that spirit which actuates the true disciple of Christ wherever he may live, and in whatever period his lot may be cast. Let me urge you to study the noble character of Stephen, and the nature of that support which he experienced when, looking up, he saw "heaven opened, and Jesus standing ready to receive him." You often lament, perhaps, the feebleness and fickleness of your character; you say to yourself, Oh, that I had more real elevation, more moral courage, more true dignity. Is it so? Then go to your Bible, and ponder over the 11th of Hebrews. There you will discover the mighty secret of what faith can do, and what faith can suffer. Nothing short of this divine confidence can enable you to act your part nobly and manfully in a world where everything must be tested. To come out, and to stand separate from the careless and ungodly multitude, to confess Christ by joining his people, and doing open homage to him as your Lord, may cost you something even in these days when Religion is said to walk in silver slippers; but if you cannot bear this trifling persecution, what would you do if the Star Chamber were revived, and another St. Bartholomew were to dawn upon our land? There is a danger of something like effeminacy amongst young Christians nursed in the lap of outward prosperity and indulgence, and yet the probability is that this calm will not continue long. We shall hear in the camp the alarm of war. The watchword will be sounded, "To your tents, O Israel," and then those who have not learnt to "endure hardship as good soldiers of Christ," will tremble and fall back. Oh! that you may take the hint, and "gird on the armour." Quit you like men-be strong." Remember you are still in Vanity Fair, although you may find it much changed since the times of Christian and Faithful. 66 THE LEITH SMACK; OR, A SABBATH It was before the days of railway travelling; and even steam navigation, though risen from its infancy, had not entirely put down the custom of voyaging between England and Scotland in a sailing-vessel. The London and Leith smacks were renowned for their swiftness and safety. Their captains were men of ability and experience; and the loss of one of these craft had hardly been known. The voyage was usually made in about five days; but in tempestuous weather, with head-winds, it sometimes occupied a fortnight. This has been my fate more than once. After steamvessels were introduced, some persons still preferred the old mode of sailing; they were accustomed to its undulating motion, which differed much from the tremulous movements produced by the steam-engine. Besides, when a person was not hurried for time, and wished for a short sea-voyage, this was a pleasant and inexpensive mode of obtaining his desire. Under the influence of the last-named reason, I made my final voyage in a smack. It was summer; the weather was beautiful, and the wind fair; and we expected to reach the "land o' cakes" in three or four days. There were more passengers than could obtain berths; so that some had to lie on the table and the floor of the cabin, which were, on some accounts, the preferable places whilst the ship was pretty steady. The company seemed a jovial one, like many other parties where inward bitterness is concealed by temporary excitement or fictitious smiles. Oh! could one unmask the masquerade, and see the wretched hearts that lurk under splendid dresses, and the aching heads that throb under wreaths of feathers and diamonds, those gay places would lose their attractions for those who are in search of happiness. We speak from knowledge and experience. Whilst |