example of our Lord himself. Once when a great multitude, as many as five thousand persons were collected round Jesus Christ, listenening to His preaching, having been a long time with Him, they became very weary and hungry: our merciful and gracious Saviour asked what there was for them to eat, and He was told only five Loaves and two Fishes. Jesus said,

"make them sit down" and then He blessed the food and ordered it to be given to every one of them; and while His disciples were handing it about, it multiplied so, that these few loaves and fishes quite satisfied all the five thousand persons. When all was over our Lord said seriously to His disciples "gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." JOHN, vi, 12. They did So, and filled twelve baskets with pieces, which might serve for the dinner of many a poor hungry

creature.

Now why did our kind Saviour think so much about this broken meat? We see that He increased the food by His own power, when and as He pleased: of course He could again supply as many as He liked, without these fragments of

bread and fish. So He could also bring to us every day, all that we want, without any exertion of our own. "He openeth His hand, and filleth all things living with plenteousness." PSAL, cvlv, 15. And if He thought proper, we might receive out of his fulness" directly, and that without sowing, ploughing, reaping, or any labour. It would be as easy to God, if it was as good for us. But our Creator and Redeemer has considered what we are, and what is really for our benefit, when He requires us to work that we may have food and clothing, and lodging. Regular employment is necessary, if it were merely to keep people out of the way of evil. As it is, with themselves and families to provide for, many men and women also, often seem to have too much time upon their hands; and so often they are seen standing at their doors, or lounging about at the street corner; and it would be well if this was all. But the fact is, that "Satan finds some mischief still, for idle hands to do."

It is very seldom after a fair or an holiday, that there is not more wickedness to repent of, and

But,

more sad effects of intemperance to lament over than there was the day before: now this plainly proves, that when people have nothing to do but please themselves, they become their own worst enemies. If every person was truly pious and virtuous, there would be less danger in leaving them to spend all their time as they liked. since Scripture and experience both shew, that there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not," Ecc. vii, 20, and since very many are openly immoral and profligate therefore the best thing that could happen to them, is to be bound down to some regular work, and so kept out of harm's way. There are many poor starving wives and ragged children, that have reason to thank God when their husband and father is employed, and who dread above all things, the pay-day and the idleness that often follows it. By carrying on steady business, which he cannot well leave, a man's mind is kept engaged and is therefore less exposed to temptation. He is also taught to restrain his own inclinations, and to acquire a habit of patience and diligence and submission. All this is very useful for him both as a neighbour, subject, and servant of God.

Whereas, if all the idle people in the world could live without labour, they certainly would not live long; they would first ruin their own tempers and health, and then beggar their children and wives, and then fight, and it would be well if they did not kill their companions. It is difficult enough, even now, when so many are busily employed every day, and thus forced as it were, out of the way of temptation and harm, to preserve even outward order and decency. But if instead of this, all mankind were let loose upon the earth, tearing and drinking, and swearing and gaming, as we see sometimes once a year, when a feastday comes round, this world would be past living in.

The well-disposed and evil-disposed too, have reason every day to bless God, that He has made it a law for man, which no power can alter; "In the sweat of thy face, shalt thou eat bread." GEN. iii, 19, This our merciful Redeemer knows is for our benefit; therefore He first ordered it, and always has continued it to this day: and in like manner He would teach us for our own good, to

D.

be frugal, careful, and economical. When, therefore Christ ordered the fragments to be gathered, He meant to leave us this lesson; that no person, not even the most powerful and the richest, is ever to waste any thing. It is very wrong in all, and particularly foolish in the poor to do so: and most wicked in servants to squander their master's property in this manner. The Scriptures possitively command servants to do their duty, "not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as the servants of God, doing the will of God from the heart." EP. vi, 6.

What then is that "one thing needful," to bring comfort and happiness into all families? We cannot hesitate to say true, simple, and practical religion; as any one would have confessed had they seen the clean, tidy, careful conduct of this good christian. It is delightful to go into a small lowly cottage, and see the clean floor, the bright furniture, all the plates in order; the mug full of flowers, on a little table on the dresser; perhaps some pots of plants in the window; the children, not rolling in the sand, but doing some