WHEN people meet it is usual to say something kind or respectful to each other; this is called saluting. Dif. ferent nations have different manners of salutation. The eastern nations were, and still are, very exact in observing all the rules of politeness. We see a beautiful instance of this in Abraham's conduct to the children of Heth, Gen. xxiii. Many texts in the Bible show us, that when people met each other they used kind salutations. Their inquiries respecting each other's welfare, were numerous and particular, and at parting they concluded with many wishes of happiness to each other. When they met they generally said, "The Lord be with thee;" "The Lord bless thee;" and "Blessed be thou of the Lord;" or "Peace (which they considered as including every good wish), be with thee," Ruth ii. 4. Jud. xix. 20. 1 Sam. xxv. 6. 2 Sam. xx. 9. Psa. cxxix. 8.

In the latter times of the Jewish nation, much time was spent in these forms and ceremonies, as is still very much the custom in eastern nations. If a traveller meets many persons on the road, he loses much time in these salutations, while his thoughts are continually interrupted from more important subjects. It was probably for this reason that Christ told his disciples, when

he sent them out to travel, "Salute no man by the way," Luke x. 4. As if he had said, "Do not waste your time in long conversations and useless ceremonies with the people you may meet, but remember the important business upon which you are employed." That it was to guard against the foolish excess to which these customs were carried, and not to forbid them to show proper respect and civility, is plain from his command; Matt. x. 12. when they came into a house they were to salute it, or to say, "Peace be to this house," Luke x. 5. Thus the order to salute no one on the way, would impress them with the importance of attending fully to the duties they were sent to perform. This also explains Elisha's order to Gehazi, 2 Kings, iv. 29.

Thus the apostle Peter wrote in his epistles, "Be courteous," 1 Peter iii. 8. The apostle Paul evidently was so, and as I have heard it said, there can be no doubt but that he was truly "a christian gentleman," though sometimes he earned his bread with his own labor; for these things are by no means inconsistent with each other, Acts xviii. 3. 2 Thess. iii. 8.

In the last discourse of our Lord with his disciples, he alludes, in a very beautiful manner, to the empty way in which the people of the world express their good wishes to one another, and shows how much more sincere are his earnest desires for our welfare. "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you," John xiv. 27.

Oh, my dear reader, pray for that peace which the world cannot give. Worldly pleasures will soon tire you and pass away; but if you really love Christ, then God the Holy Spirit will impart to you peace of mind, for "great peace have they that love the Lord ;" and during all the trials, afflictions, or troubles you may meet with, when none of the toys or vanities of this world can delight, you will have a true sense of peace and comfort within.

Did you ever see a brother, or sister, or companion very ill, and perhaps dying? They were not then able to play or enjoy the pleasures they had formerly been