his old age. The father was a childish octogenarian; and the daughter was a chattering gossip: the woman began to talk, and weep loudly; while the father drivelled out babyish tears they had come from the forest to get the particulars of the story, with which Mrs. Collet said everybody was twitting her: they went on in garrulous confusion;-" they would have justice :-they'd take up the body-they'd get the woman hanged," &c., &c., &c.

It took me more than an hour to pacify these poor people; and it was not until I had ordered them both to have a good supper, that I succeeded so far as to induce them to promise to be quiet, until we should see what the magistrate, who had inquired into the case, might think proper to do. I continued throughout the whole of this interview, to avoid committing myself as to any knowledge of Mrs. Mills' secrets; but it was only because they took the whole matter for granted, in spite of my remonstrances against their jumping to conclusions. They both said they had heard the fact of the murder from those who heard it from Mrs. Mills' own lips; and they declared that it was quite sure, because the devil had not waited for the law, but had taken it into his own hands.

It was extremely difficult to manage this conversation in a manner which could satisfy my conscience, either as regards the confidence of ministerial intercourse, or the hope of turning the subject to profit with the people I was speaking to. I endeavoured, however, to repeat over and over again, the short observation, that all sin gave the devil power over the soul; pointing out that they were in as much danger from Satan's devices, as the wretched sinner they spoke of had once been.

PASTORAL SELF-WATCHING.

They watch for souls, as they that must give account.

QUESTIONS.

35. What particular cases do I know of amongst my people, where self-delusion evidently calls for the close and personal application of faithfulness on my part as the minister?

36. What steps have I taken to obtain the confidence of such persons, in order to gain influence with them? and how far have I succeeded?

37. How have I manifested ministerial faithfulness to them? Have 1 plainly told them the condition in which they standtheir danger-and their delusion?

38. Have I been backward in this matter? How do I excuse such backwardness? and how will God excuse it?

PART SECOND.

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PASTOR WITH HIS FLOCK.

THE CALENDAR OF THE PSALMS.

MARCH.

1st. Friday. Psalm lix. Subject-Prayer' in great danger through enemies-their final persecution and ruin in Gog and Magog.

To apply it-Consider the "enemies" spoken of to be the evil spirit and his agents; and suit the expressions made use of accordingly.

2. Sat. Ps. lx. Israel, complaining of God's judgements on her, foretells her future triumphs.

Consider the literal application to the Jews, and pray for its final accomplishment; then, secondarily, use it with reference to the Church.

3. Sun Ps. lxi. Fleeing to God upon experience of past mercies-Christ's eternal kingship.

Remember and acknowledge the help you have received in your spiritual course, and the answers to your prayers; and praise God for them.

4. Mon. Ps. lxii. The soul, waiting upon God, exercises confidence in him.

Observe the repetition of the word "salvation," and of the similar idea in the words "defence"-" rock,"—" refuge;"—ask for confidence in God to be able to apply them to yourself.

5. Tues. Ps. lxiii. Thirsting for God in the wildernessrejoicing in his praise and protection.

Try to make it a Sacramental Psalm: and consider the many motives there are for longing after God, while you are in this "wilderness."

6. Wed. Ps. xiv. Prayer, for preseveration amidst enemies— their malice and recompence.

Consider the attempts which such enemies as the devil, the world, and your own evil heart, may be naturally expected to make to hinder the grace of the Sacrament to you.

7. Thurs. Ps. lxv. God's praise in Zion, and blessings of the millenial earth foreseen.

Consider the first part of it sacramentally; and look forward to the blessedness that is described in the latter part, as one who is to be a partaker in it.

8. Fri.

Ps. lxvi. All lands exhorted to praise God-song of the church redeemed.

Consider your duty to endeavour to bring others really to praise God for his salvation, in order to feel the encouragement of anticipating the time when all shall praise Him

9. Sat. Ps. lxvii. Prophetic prayer of Israel for mercy, as preparatory to the world's conversion.

Consider it literally, as belonging to the Jews; and figuratively, as a call to employ your substance in promoting the spread of the Gospel.

Song of praise, in view of Christ's

it.

10. Sun. Ps. lxviii. i-19. ascension, and the glorious events consequent upon Consider what manner of person you must be to rejoice (verse 3) at the time of the Lord's coming.

11. Mon. Ps. lxviii. 20-35. (See Sunday.)

Consider the terribleness of the power of God if it be exercised against you. 12. Tues. Ps. lxix. 1-18. Christ's complaint-Hymn of the Passion-Enemies denounced.

Endeavour after a lively conviction of sin, in order to make use of the strong expressions with reference to your own sin.

13. Wed. Ps. lxix. 19-36. (See Tuesday.)

Realize your spiritual connexion with Christ, that you may feel his enemies to be yours; and especially consider your sins in that light.

14. Thurs. Ps. lxx. Prayer for speedy help, the confusion of enemies, and joy of the righteous.

Consider the blessedness of the complete salvation at the Lord's coming; and your own difficulty in properly waiting for it.

15. Fri. Ps. lxxi. Prayer of the experienced soul, strong in faith, and zealous for God's glory.

Consider that no experience can enable you to stand in your own strength; and use the Psalm as your own prayer.

16. Sat. Ps. lxxii. Christ the righteous judge-blessing and glory of his kingdom.

Look forward with earnest hope to the time prophesied of; and give praise to God for the prospect.

17. Sun. Ps. lxxiii. The believer, disheartened at the prosperity of the wicked, learns wisdom in the sanctuary.

Consider in what light you look upon worldly prosperity; and compare it with the assurance of a heavenly inheritance.

18. Mon. Ps. lxxiv. Lamentation for Jerusalem and the sanctuary's desolation-earnest pleading.

Pray for the speedy fulfilment of God's promises to the Jews; and ask for yourself to be assured as interested in the better covenant.

19. Tues. Ps. lxxv. Christ predicts his righteous judgment when he shall receive the kingdom.

Take the title of the Psalm-Al-taschith, or Destroy not"-as your earnest supplication, for Christ's sake, in looking to God's judgment for sin. 20. Wed. Ps. lxxvi. Song of exultation and triumph, prophetic of Christ's reign in Zion.

Pray for meekness, both to suffer and to wait patiently until the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.

21. Thurs. Ps. lxxvii. The soul, discouraged by troubles, is comforted in musing on God's mighty works.

Examine your own heart; and call to mind the past mercies of God towards you personally.

22. Fri. Ps. lxxviii. 1-25. Israel instructed concerning God's gracious dealings towards their fathers.

Consider how great is the knowledge which the Lord has given you; and pray that you may be able to apply it profitably.

23. Sat. Ps. lxxviii. 26–48. (See Friday.)

Consider how liable you are to turn back to the sins from which you have been drawn by chastisement; and pray for stability.

24. Sun. Ps. lxxviii. 49-72.

(See Friday.)

Consider the difference between God's chastisement of his own children, and his wrath against the people of the world; and pray to be benefitted by correction.

25. Mon. Ps. lxxix. Lamentation and prayer for Jerusalem, under the desolating tyranny of the Antichrist.

Consider the actual condition of Jerusalem and the Jews; and pray that the time of their pardon and reception by God may speedly arrive. Apply it also in a secondary manner to supplication for the relief and glorifying of the Church.

26. Tues. Ps. lxxx. Israel's prayer for repentance and salvation-she pleads for the wasted vine.

Pray for a spirit of true repentance for yourself, and for all God's people. 27. Wed. Ps. lxxxi. Call to praise on a festival—God exhorts and reproves Irael.

Pray that you may never be left to follow your own ways; and thank God for the blessings which result from his chastisements.

28. Thurs. Ps. lxxxii. Corrupt judges admonished and exhorted. Pray to be able to act according to the just law of God in all your dealings with your neighbours; and look forward to the time of Christ's just judgment.

29. Fri. Ps. lxxxiii. The church complains of her enemies' conspiracies, and prays against them

Pray for grace to desire that every thing which opposes the power of Christ, and his glory, may be put down.

30. Sat. Ps. lxxxiv. of God's worship.

Longing for the sanctuary-pleasantness

Pray for a true enjoyment of the means of grace, and for the evidence of diligence in seeking them.

31. Sun. Ps. lxxxv. Prayer under a refreshing view of God's

mercies in Christ.

Pray that the Jews may have hearts given them to use it as their own prayer and, in a secondary sense, take it as expressing what ought to be your own spiritual state.

VOL. III.-NO. XXVII.

G

CHRIST OUR PASSOVER.

No. XVIII.

(Continued from page 59.)

TWENTY-NINTH PORTION.

(Read Matt. xxvii. 19-23. Mark xv. 11-14. Luke xxiii. 18-23.)

THE DREAM.

MANY circumstances were made to concur in impressing Pilate with a conviction that Jesus was an innocent man. When he had sat down upon the judgment-seat, a message came to him from his wife, who sent to entreat him not, in any way, to mix himself up with the opposition against Jesus, whom she called "that just one." The reason she gave for this was, that in her sleep that very morning, she had been much troubled by a dream concerning him; which, to the superstitious mind of a heathen, must have been a very great cause of alarm.

While Pilate was receiving this message from his wife, the chief priests and elders of the people were doing all they could to influence the crowd to claim the release of Barabbas, the rebel and the murderer, rather than that of the innocent Jesus: so that when Pilate had heard the warning of his wife, his ears were at once accosted with shouts of, "Away with this fellow Jesus: -give us Barabbas;-let Barabbas be set free."

66

Under the impression just confirmed by his wife's dream, Pilate was still more desirous to allow Jesus to escape; and therefore, without paying attention to their tumultuous cries, he repeated openly the question he had already put, which of the two prisoners he had named would the people desire to have released; he was answered by their shouting out the name of Barabbas. Though their choice had been thus distinctly made, Pilate was still unsatisfied, and asked publicly what then was to be done with Jesus, called both the Messiah and the King of the Jews; at this the whole people shouted out, Crucify him-crucify him." But the governor appealed yet a third time, and asked the people why capital punishment was to be awarded to this man? What had been his crime? As far as Pilate saw, he had committed no crime at all; at least, none that could reasonably be considered deserving of death: he, therefore, proposed to inflict some lesser punishment upon him, and then to set him free, as the prisoner released at the Passover. These words of the governor set the whole people in an uproar; and the crowd rent the air with loud and earnest cries of "Crucify him-crucity him."

REFLECTIONS.

This passage affords us a remarkable instance of the interference of invisible agencies on behalf of the injured Jesus, so far