"Yea, the sparrow hath found an house. and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King, and my God."-Psalm 1xxxiv. 3. "The Chaldee," adds the Doctor (and we may say that it only adds to the confusion) "translates thus: 'Even the pigeon hath found a house, and the turtle dove hath a nest, because their young may be offered lawfully upon Thine altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King and my God.' 999 For our part, whatever may be thought of our taste or learning, we prefer the more natural comment of the poor old man at Usworth, to any of those cited from the above high authorities. The difference alleged by the Psalmist appears to be simply that of volition or locomotion, which is allowed to inferior members of the creation, while it is mysteriously denied to man in affliction; and the Psalm being eminently plaintive, there needs no dereliction of piety or patience to be implied, but an excited mind, longing and pining for communion with God in connexion with his ordinances. Our own poet has rendered part of a preceding verse into the well-known and beautiful stanza "With strong desire my spirit faints, To meet the assembly of thy saints." Were not this essay addressed to ready thinkers, it might appear tedious thus to start criticism by the way; but we engage that the Incidents, which are to follow, shall all be related with a becoming brevity. It is impossible to conceive how beneficial the interchange of remarks on the Word of God, with certain members of his flock, may prove even to an experienced pastor. There is a spiritual, as well as a secular elite; and rank, arising from a superior "knowledge of divine things," must be felt by all. By none ought it to be more willingly acknowledged than by a youthful Apollos admitted into the society of an Aquila or Priscilla. Without affecting a family resemblance to the first of these characters, we may confess that we too were at one time studying elocution, and were fond enough of "pencillings by the way." It was in —31, when stationed at Great B, in Lthat we became acquainted with an excellent leader of the name of E O- ; who, after a very consistent career, was called to enter upon an affliction, which was destined soon to take him from "the evil to come." On one occasion, our conversation had gathered, with mutual interest, towards the only support of the weak and weary pilgrim, the word of God; and it lay on the table, like a common "staff," between us. The portion commenced was Psalm xlvi. Oh! how majestic is the first line, 1. "God is our refuge and strength." A mild radiance rose at once into his eyes. We read on, -"A very present help in trouble;" to which he responded, "Yes!" 2. . Therefore, will not we He fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." stopped us now, with a shout of triumph! "Oh!" he cried, "That's the independent gentleman!" Never were we more struck with the simple sublime. "The earth" was indeed removing, as it is every moment from some one; and thousands of the "independent" (falsely so called) were calling to "the mountains, cover us! and to the hills, fall on us!" (Hosea x, 8.); whilst the true believer alone was living, yea, dying, independent! Independent, not only of his fellow worms, but of the fickle, airy, "earth" herself. Passing away!" was written upon "this terrestrial;" and when passed, the "independent" child of God was shown to have fallen into the everlasting arms" of his Heavenly Father, which had been ever (as at a little distance)" round about and underneath" him! "Earth's basis shook confirms our hope; Its cities' fall, but lifts us up, C. WESLEY. It cannot diminish any one's impression of the value of the Bible as the text-book of pastoral converse, to adduce yet another INCIDENT; more especially in these troublous times, through which "the United Societies" of Methodism are, once more, called to walk. They were foretold, as it were, by the parallel |