upon personal character or circumstances? These are the trials of a Christian spirit and temper; and these will too often elicit the lurking evil of the heart, when a greater temptation, successfully encountered, might have left the believer in ignorance of what manner of spirit he was. But the beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water," and had not Abigail been sent of God to allay the first risings of anger in his bosom, and keep him back from yielding to the suggestions of his own heart, David's hands might have been embrued with the blood of the innocent, and his soul clouded with that remorse for blood-guiltiness, which, in after years, tinged his whole life with bitterness. There is something remarkable in the nature of the embassy whose well-timed interposition saved David from the commission of a great crime. When Saul the persecutor lay exposed to his mercy in the cave of Engedi, and some bade kill him, David needed no other intercessor than the pleadings of his own generous heart, strengthened by the spirit of grace within him, to induce forbearance and pity towards his defenceless enemy; but between his wrath and the affront that Nabal had put upon him, there needed a mediator, and that mediator was a woman. An incident this of striking import, and worthy of being well remembered by all who bear that name. In the great contentions and discords which aggravate the calamities of the sons of men, man must arbitrate with man, and some daysman must be found" to lay his hand upon both;" but in the thousand petty strifes which are of every day occurrence, who shall preserve the bond of charity unbroken, or skilfully adjust its severed threads when torn asunder, if the daughters of men do not set themselves to the task with a watchfulness that never wearies, and a wisdom that never fails, because replenished daily from the fountain where strength is renewed, and the mine where the treasures of wisdom all lie hidden? Let not the possessor of the one talent deem it withal too mean a thing to be traded with to the glory of God and the well-being of humanity. That is a glorious declaration concerning God, that “he is strong and despiseth not any." He can work by mighty instruments, and shake the pillars of the earth till its broad foundations tremble; but he can also work by feeble means, and make the still small voice of mercy his most potent lever, to move forward the accomplishment of his gracious purposes. "He is the God that maketh men to be of one mind in a house; but in thus keeping together the discordant elements of social life, how often does he employ the weak and feeble members of the human family, to preserve by the all-attractive force of the seemingly unimportant atoms, the whole mass from dissolution. See then, ye stewards of the most High, to whose guardianship is more especially committed the bond of social peace, that ye be not found unfaithful to the trust! See that ye be not make-bates, fanning with the breath of calumny that fire which the "malice of demons has kindled." When you should have been workers together with God in restraining the fierceness of the wrath of man; but rather seek" that wisdom which cometh from above, which is first pure and then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits; for the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." LYDIA. SUNDAY EVENING RECREATION. LAST Christmas I was invited to spend some time with the friend of my youth, in the country. We had been separated many years, and I had never seen her family since they were infants; consequently they were strangers to me, and most likely had forgotten the once lively old friend, who had gambolled with them in their happy season of childhood. My anxiety to see their dear mother, and to witness the result of her unwearied care of them, (for I knew she had educated them all under her own eye,) overcame my reluctance to enter again into society, though I was aware they lived in the closest retirement, and I soon found myself on the road to the picturesque parsonage. As I drove down the avenue, I could perceive, through the fine laurels, which formed round the house an eternal spring, my dear old friend on the steps, awaiting my arrival, surrounded by her lovely children. This pleasing sight reassured me, and I felt that I should not be looked upon as a stranger! After the first greetings were over, I was as much at my ease as if I had never lost sight of their happy faces. I soon found remembrance of me had been kept up in their innocent minds by their mother; for whoever was dear to her was never forgotten by them. Her joys were their joys-her woes their woes! Mrs. Percy was married in early days to a clergy man, whose chief happiness was in the bosom of his family, and in exercising the numerous duties of his large parish. Her eldest daughter, Cecilia, a sweet, fair, gentle girl, (and as musical as her namesake,) was about twenty; her sister Agnes, equally placid and amiable, was seventeen; Arthur, a fine, tall, intelligent youth of sixteen, was at home for the vacation, whose studious habits foretel, with the blessing of God, that he will one day be an ornament to the clerical character. Gertrude comes next on the tapis, with noiseless step and retiring softness; her age thirteen, her talents precocious. Last, though not least beloved,' is Emilie, the lively, volatile, prime pet of the house: she reigns supreme favourite, and there was frequently a grande debate amongst her sisters when we drew round the fire after dinner, who should possess the little darling on their knees she was nearly ten years old, but looked younger, as her rosy face was always decked with smiles. I often claimed the privilege of an amie ancienne to capture the bird, ere she nestled in the arms of her much-loved companions, knowing that they had never left the fostering care of their mother. I was not surprised at the progress they had made in the most useful branches of knowledge. The one thing needful' had formed the basis of everything they learnt; and although elegant accomplishments were not forgotten, they only held a secondary place in their catalogue of lessons. : The two elder sisters regularly attended every day to the instruction of the two young ones, and more attentive pupils could not be found: every hour was filled up, and I never saw grim ennui flap his sable wings over this well-regulated family. It would draw me far beyond the limits of a letter were I to describe the week-day routine of occupations; I will therefore confine myself entirely to the observance of the Sabbath, being struck with the judicious arrangements and cheerful countenances, which marked that" day of holy rest." The various occupations of the servants were so arranged on the Saturday, that no unnecessary work was done on the Sabbath, permitting them time to attend to their spiritual concerns, and of "assembling themselves together," in the temple of the Lord. The parsonage doors were locked, and every individual followed us through the shrubbery, which led into the church-yard; the text of "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" rushed forcibly into my mind, and I sincerely wished that all would "do likewise." The ancient gothic church was decked with holly and laurel branches, by my young friends, to commemorate the joyful day of Christmas. After service, an early and easily-cooked dinner graced the board, and many were the portions placed upon saucers and plates for the sick poor, who looked forward to their daily treat with gratitude. The Sunday-school was next visited, and one of the party went round her district to distribute tracts. When the tea-things, at an early hour, were removed, and the juvenile group arranged round the table, various books covered it, and they attentively repeated what they had learnt during the day, viz. the Collect for the day-Bible and gospel history, hymns, catechism, &c., then a portion of the Bible, or other good book, was read aloud alternately. As there was still an hour to spare ere the servants were called to listen to Mr. Percy, who read and prayed with them, my little |