the income was below 2007. in 48 livings. The Commissioners The Fathers. DIED NO. II.-LIFE OF ST. DIONYSIUS, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA. ST. DIONYSIUS, born of idolatrous parents, and educated in About the year 247, St. Dionysius was ordained to the bishopric of Alexandria, in which he had enjoyed a few years of tranquillity, when there arose a dreadful persecution, during which the Alexandrians, avenging the quarrels of their gods, committed unheard-of atrocities against the Christians. Everywhere pursued by the fire and sword of their relentless tormentors, some of the Christians at Alexandria renounced the faith, in order to escape the danger by which its professors were surrounded. The greater part, nevertheless, resolved to stand by the holy Church, until her warfare should be accomplished, and "loved not their lives unto the death.” * St. Dionysius, still fearlessly exerting himself in the cause of Christ, was not apprehended until some time after the commencement of the persecution. He was at length condemned to death, and removed to a short distance from Alexandria. This sentence, however, was never executed; and, together with some of his friends, the bishop concealed himself until the death of the Emperor Gallus. A renewal of the persecution, under Decius, obliged him to apply for succour to the governor Æmilian: the latter, after a long controversy with *Revelation, xii. 11. the bishop, being satisfied that no argument could daunt his faith, banished him to the deserts of Lybia. In so wild and desolate an abode, however, St. Dionysius again foiled the attempts of his opponents, by making many converts among the inhabitants. It is probable that he re mained in captivity until the year 259, at which time the Emperor Gallienus published an edict commanding the cessation of all persecution against the Christians. A reign with so peaceable a beginning was, notwithstanding, soon darkened by civil war, which obliged the subject of our sketch again to quit Alexandria. After the restoration of Gallienus, the exemplary bishop survived a pestilence which followed, and died at an advanced age, in the year of our Lord 265. THE PEACE OF GOD. As the present is a period marked by a peculiar interchange of courtesy and affection between friends and relations, a few brief thoughts on that sacred blessing, "the peace of God," which can alone ensure any portion of solid comfort, appears a subject most appropriate for a season so solemn, which, noting a fresh epoch in our brief existence, consigns to the silent and secret treasury of the heart past joys and griefs; and though there are too many who never look back with one serious sacred thought, nor forward with feelings chastened and subdued, intent solely on present gratification, yet others there are by whom the flight of time is noticed and improved; and as the Christian offers, to each member of the friendly and social circle by whom he is surrounded, "the compliments of the season," assuredly, if he has their real welfare at heart, he will scarcely fail to utter, as an inward prayer, that "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, may keep their hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God;" for well he knows there is no peace for the wicked, and that the future rises in gloomy darkness where no rays of divine light guides the pilgrim on his way and though the avaricious man, as he adds to his wealth, imagines himself in perfect peace-though the ambitious man, as he rises a step higher in the temple of fame, perceives no void in his mind, while each are content and happy as fortune dispenses the good they covet, still the Christian sees the slippery ground on which they stand, and feels that there is no lasting peace. Should misfortune's withering touch scatter the wealth of the one, and destroy the eminence of the other, where then would be their boasted peace? Buried, most assuredly, in the wreck of their worldly hopes: for this peace, which is of the earth earthy," will scarcely pass through the ordeal of life's common calamities-it is fragile as the summer flower, which takes no deep root, and asks pure skies and gentle breezes, to bloom but for a day; while the peace which springs from above, nurtured by the Sun of Righteousness, and watered by the dew of the Spirit, takes deep root in the heart; and, far from fading beneath adversity's chilling blast, bears the brightest blossoms in the darkest hour. The Christian has trials unknown to the world: while he claims no exemption from life's ordinary ills, he has also unceasingly to contend against an evil heart of unbelief. How well, then, does he appreciate the value of that sacred legacy bequeathed by his blessed Saviour that peace which He gave, not as the world giveth. Happy are they who, in the enjoyment of this sacred gift, can look back without the pang of remorse, and forward in calm reliance upon Him "who they know to be a very present help in time of trouble." As we are solemnly assured it is only the peace of God which can keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of his holy name, how earnestly we should pray to his Holy Spirit to implant this love in our hearts this knowledge in our minds. It is the blessed union of light and grace which makes the Christian shine more and more unto the perfect day. No doubt the present year has dawned in sadness and sorrow upon many who, having followed evil imaginings, have been led captive by Satan: they have strayed from the path of pleasantness and peace, and, mourning in bitterness of spirit over blighted hopes and worldly losses, may be led to exclaim, "Who will show us any good?" To such, the answer of the Christian would be, "Seek, in the knowledge and love of God, that peace which passeth understanding." Perhaps there are few, even among real Christians, who sufficiently live up to these privileges. They have a God of love and peace, who bids them ask what they will, believing, and they shall receive. In the Godhead all fullness dwells. The Father so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son as a ransom for sin, through whose blessed mediation the most unworthy may find acceptance at his throne; and God the Holy Ghost breathes spiritual life into each sinful heart, and turns it from the darkness of ignorance and error into the glorious liberty of the children of light. If such are the high and holy results of the knowledge and love of God, can we breathe a kinder prayer for the welfare of those who are nearest and dearest to us than this-" Create in them a clean heart, O God; renew a right spirit within them?" May the year which has just commenced be one blessed to many a wanderer from the heavenly fold! There are few, even among Christian families, who have not to mourn over the spiritual blindness of some dearly-cherished relative or friend. Upon such may the beams of the Spirit descend, and, with heavenly light, point the sinner to his Father's home, to meet, like the returning prodigal, pardon and welcome from above, through the love of Him who suffered to bring sinners near to God. The peace which flows from communion with our blessed Saviour is open to all: his gracious invitation is-"Come, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;" and where there is rest, there is peace: tranquillity abides in every heart where Jesus reigns—a sacred calm, which the world can neither give nor take away. Riches, grandeur, all that earth can bestow, are far less dear to the Christian than this holy peace of mind, though his lot may be cast in penury and toil: this raises him above the cares of life, and enables him to go on his way rejoicing. I would close these remarks with the humble hope that I who write, and all who read, may join in the devotional feeling of the following lines :"The peace which man can ne'er conceive, The love and joy unknown Now, Father, to thy servant give, And claim me for thine own.' GERTRUDE FRANCES. JACULA PRUDENTUM; OR, OUTLANDISH PROVERBS, SENTENCES, ETC., SELECTED BY THE REV. GEORGE HERBERT, 1640. Good words are worth much, and cost little. A diligent scholar, and the master's paid. Where the drink goes in, there the wit goes out. Whose house is of glass, must not throw stones at another. He that riseth first, is first drest. The honey is sweet, but the bee stings. One grain fills not a sack, but helps his fellows. Knowledge is folly, except grace guide it. It costs more to do ill, than to do well. Better spare to have of thine own, than ask of other men. A well-bred youth neither speaks of himself, nor, being spoken to, is silent. The fox knows much, but more he that taketh him. For want of a nail the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost. A man's discontent is his worst evil. Fear nothing but sin. He that labours and thrives spins gold. He that lives well sees afar off. Characters: taken out of the "Holy State." BY THOMAS FULLER, D.D., PREBENDARY OF SARUM. THE GOOD SERVANT. He is one that out of conscience serves God in his master, and so hath the principle of obedience in himself. As for those servants who found their obedience on some external thing, with engines they will go no longer than they are wound or weighed up. He doth not dispute his master's lawful will, but doeth it. Hence it is that simple servants (understand such whose capacity is bare measure, without surplusage equal to the business he is used in) are more useful, because more manageable, than abler men, especially in matters wherein not their brains but hands are required. Yet if his master, out of want of experience, enjoins him to do what is hurtful and prejudicial to his own estate, duty herein makes him undutiful (if not to deny, to demur in his performance); and choosing rather to displease than hurt his master, he humbly represents his reasons to the contrary. He loves to go about his business with cheerfulness. One said, “ He loved to hear his carter, though not his cart, to sing." God loveth a cheerful giver; and Christ reproved the Pharisees for disfiguring their faces with a sad countenance. Fools! who, to persuade men that angels lodged in their hearts, hung out a devil for a sign in their faces. Sure, cheerfulness in doing renders a deed more acceptable. Not like those servants who, doing their work unwillingly, their looks do enter a protestation against what their hands are doing. He despatcheth his business with quickness and expedition. Hence the same English word "speed" signifies celerity and success; the former in business of execution causing the latter. Indeed, haste and rashness are storms and tempests, breaking and wrecking business; but nimbleness is a fair full wind, blowing it with speed to the haven. As he is good at hand, so is he good at length, continually and constantly careful in his service. Many servants, as if they had learned the nature of the besoms they use, are good for a few days, and afterwards grow unserviceable. He disposeth not of his master's goods without his privity or consent, no, not in the smallest matters. Open this wicket, and it will be in vain for masters to shut the door. If servants presume to dispose small things without their master's allowance (besides that many little leaks may sink a ship), this will widen their consciences to give away greater. But though he hath not always a particular leave, he hath a general grant |