of mere information, but for the moral and religious sentiments which it is calculated to nourish. What is the factious animosity of the petty states of Greece, or even the patriotic zeal with which they repelled the Persian invader,—what is all this to a Christian, in comparison with that holy, patient, and resolute courage with which the first soldiers of the cross met their persecutions, and fought the fight of faith? Why are Christian youths carefully trained in the knowledge of Greek mythology, and expected to know all the stories of the heathen gods and goddesses, yet left in ignorance of the noble deeds of the saints, martyrs, and confessors of the Christian Church? Why taught to admire the unprincipled democracy of Athens, and the proud republic of Rome? why expected to know all the minutest details of the social system raised by the impure Greeks, or by the overbearing rapacious Romans, yet kept in ignorance of the working out of that divine system of discipline and morals which grew up under the eyes of the apostles, and overthrew, by its moral influence, the systems of ancient heathenism and gentile philosophy?

I do not mean to say that the objectionable parts of classical literature are a sufficient reason for neglecting it; on the contrary, it is the best mirror in which youth can learn what the world really is, without being exposed to its contamination; and language, in its purest form, cannot be learned from any other source. But why, I ask, should the holier works of antiquity be discarded? why should we reject only what is Christian? Is it not well worth considering, whether, in the advancement of education which is now taking place throughout the country, it will not be desirable to give a place to this much-neglected branch, in the system of ordinary instruction, and train up our middle classes with

some knowledge of the history of the ancient Church, in order to make them sounder churchmen, and therefore better Christians? *

"What sober man doth not in his thoughts afford a more high and hearty respect to those poor fishermen who, by their heroical activity and patience, did honour God in the propagation of his heavenly truth, than to all those Hectors in chivalry-those conquerors and achievers of mighty exploitsthose Alexanders and Cæsars, who have been renowned for doing things which seemed great, rather than performing what was truly good?"-BARROW's Sermons, i. 87.

IN HIS NATIVE TOWN.

The greater sort crave worldly goods,
And riches do embrace;

But, Lord, grant us thy countenance,
Thy blessing and thy grace.

For thereby thou shalt make my heart
More joyful and more glad,

Than they that of their corn and wine
Full great increase have had.

4th Psalm. Old version.

IT was not without a pang of regret that young Clement bade farewell to his kind parent and left the home of his childhood. He betook himself, however, to his new occupation with so much good will and assiduity, that in a very short time he was perfectly master of all that his situation required. It was not decreed that he should remain many years in the counting-house at Liverpool. His employers being

about to set up a branch-establishment in America, entrusted Clement with a part of the management. It was at a time when England was making great exertions to extend her commercial relations with all parts of the habitable globe; and Clement having shewn his ability and trust-worthiness in the difficult task committed to him, was afterwards employed successively in several other countries, into which his employers were pushing their mercantile operations. His diligence and sound judgment insured success, and his integrity was such as might have been confidently expected in one whose youth had been so well trained. Like Joseph, "the Lord was with him, and he was a prosperous man;' " and the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand."

It is not my intention to follow Clement Walton through all the varied scenes of his life. Suffice it to say, that he returned in middle age, with an ample fortune, to his native town, bringing with him a wife and two infant daughters, having accepted an offer which was made to him to become partner in a flourishing and old-established provincial bank.

It was a good day for Churchover when Mr. Walton came to live there. Upright, experienced, and active, his character was soon appreciated by his fellow-townsmen, and he obtained that influence amongst them which worth like his was sure to command.

Years passed on, and God still continued to bless him with increasing prosperity. At the time when I am about to introduce our citizen more particularly to my readers, he was a hale man of sixty-five, still vigorous and active. He had resigned his personal share in the bank to younger partners, and had recently laid out a considerable portion of his property in the purchase of a landed estate in the neighbour

hood of Churchover, a part of which he kept in his own hands for the sake of amusement, as well as occupation. Soon after he made the purchase, Mr. Walton talked of building a house on his estate, and turning country gentleman; and he had several plans, both Grecian and Gothic, which it amused him to discuss. It was indeed a great temptation. He had on his property the choicest situation imaginable for a house, well timbered, sheltered from the east and north, and commanding a delicious prospect. You had but to throw down a few hedgerows, and replace them by invisible fences, and the grounds would have looked like a nobleman's park: besides, to an active man like Mr. Walton, what a delightful excitement would it be at least in the common estimation—to superintend his workmen and labourers; to see his new mansion gradually rising from the ground; to lay out his gardens and plantations; to plan his hot-houses and ice-houses, cow-houses and conservatories, pineries and piggeries, and all the numerous appurtenances and conveniences in which country - gentlemen of a certain fortune usually take so much delight. Still nothing was decided month after month passed on, and Mr. Walton was irresolute. It was the only instance of indecision which he had ever been known to exhibit.

One morning when he was reading the Scriptures to his family-for this was a duty which he never omitted the following passage occurred, in the first Epistle of St. John,-" Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love

the world, the love of the Father is not in him: for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world and the world passeth away and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." These words sunk deep into the