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The New Zealand Evangelist

Notices Of Books

page 238

Notices Of Books.

The Christian Treasury, 3 vols. for 1845, 6, 7.

In a former number, we promised to call the attention of our readers to some of the books on sale at Mr. Lyon's Depository. The Christian Treasury is one we can cordially recommend. Its object is to exhibit, illustrate, and enforce Bible principles, and the great salvation—to aid in providing a defence against infidelity, which denies the gospel; and Popery, which perverts it; and to exemplify and help forward the visible unity of Christians, and their co-operation on those things on which they are agreed. It was, and still is published in weekly numbers in Edinburgh. It is Evangelical, and non-sectarian. It contains Sermons by the most distinguished ministers of all denominations—Selections from the writings of the most eminent of the old divines—Biographical sketches—Chapters of Church History—Illustrations of Scripture—Topography and Travel—Anecdotes, poetry, and a miscellaneous collection of interesting and instructive reading. Vol. II. contains a series of Notes on Wesley an Methodism, by Dr. Bennet of London, viz., Its Rise and Progress—its Doctrines and Devotional Services—its Ecclesiastical Courts—its Institutions and Funds; and a Series of Papers, entitled Illustrations of Infidelity, in the Life and Correspondence of David Hume. By the Rev. J. G. Lorimer, Glasgow.

The Christian Treasury is a big book, and a cheap book; but the very opposite of a dull book. It is an excellent book for the young. It will be found both a pleasant and profitable companion for wet days and winter evenings; and for that class,

“Who seldom look,
Except on rainy Sundays on a book,”

it would certainly impart a discovery, and teach them that they might find far more time for reading than they ever dreamed of; that as “a praying heart always finds a praying place,” so a wish to read will page 239 always discover a time to read; for “where there is a will there is a way.” We select almost at random the following

Anecdotes.

Providence In A Shower.

A Merchant was one day returning from market. He was on horseback, and behind his saddle was a valise filled with money. The rain fell with violence, and the old man was wet to the skin. At this time he was quite vexed, and murmured because God had given him such bad weather for his journey.

He soon reached the borders of a thick forest. What was his terror on beholding on one side of the road, a robber, who, with levelled gun, was aiming at him and attempting to fire; But the powder being wet with the rain, the gun did not go off, and the merchant putting spurs to his horse, fortunately had time to escape.

As soon as he found himself safe, he said, “How wrong was I not to endure the rain patiently, as sent by Providence? If the weather had been dry and fair, I should not probably have been alive at this hour; the rain which caused me to murmur, came at a fortunate moment, to save my life and preserve to me my property.

Troublous Times.

When Bulstrode Whitelocke was embarking, in the year 1653, as ambassador for Sweden, he was much disturbed in his mind, as he rested at Harwich on the preceding night, which was stormy, whilst he reflected on the disturbed state of the nation. It happened that a good and confidential servent slept in an adjacent bed, who finding that his master could not sleep, at length said, “Pray, Sir, will you give me leave to ask a question.” “Certainly.” “Pray, Sir, don't you think that God governed the world very well before you came into it?” “Undoubtedly.” “And pray, Sir, don't you think he will govern it quite as well, when you are gone out of it?” “Certainly.” “Then, Sir, don't you think you may trust him to govern it properly as long as you live.” To this last question Whitelocke had nothing to reply; but turning himself about, soon fell fast asleep, till he was called to embark.

Remember the Cork.

When Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, was unwell, King James II. sent an Irish priest to convert him to Popery. The Duke apprised of the visit and its object, very courteously received the priest, and expressed great willingness to be instructed. But before they entered upon religious discussion, it was agreed that they should drink a glass of wine together. After they had drank a while, the Duke took the cork out of the bottle, and stroking it with great gravity, asked the priest, ‘How do you like this horse?’ page 240 The priest was confounded and silent. The Duke continued all the while to stroke the cork, and praise his beautiful horse. ‘your grace,’ at length said the priest, ‘has chosen an unseason able time to be merry.’ ‘Merry!’ cries the Duke; ‘Merry! I was never more serious in my life. Does not your reverence see that this is a beautiful horse?’ ‘Your grace,’ replies the father, ‘should compose yourself, and consider.’ ‘Consider?’ answers the Duke, smartly, ‘what must I consider? Don't you see how fine a horse it is?’ ‘Oh,’ said the priest, ‘don't be foolish—it is surely a poor joke to call a cork a horse!’ ‘What! would you persuade me that so fine a courser is nothing but a cork?’ ‘Nothing but a cork,’ says the father. ‘Well,’ replies the Duke, calmly, as if recovering from a dream, ‘I will not be too positive—my illness may have discomposed my mind; but how do you prove that it is not a horse?’ And saying this, he looked as if very insane. The priest, by way of settling the question, replied: ‘My dear Lord Duke, you must see the thing is nonsense. You took what you call your horse out of that bottle a few minutes ago; and if you are not out of your senses, you must know that it is simply a cork.’ ‘Oh, well, well,’ said the Duke, ‘your reverence may be right, I am subject to whims; let us talk no more of the cork, but proceed to the holy business which brought you hither.’ The priest then entered on points controverted between Papists and Protestants, and continued until the Duke said: ‘If your reverence can prove to me the doctrine of transubstantiation, I can easily believe all the rest.’ This the priest commenced to do in the best way he could, and concluded by asking the Duke if he did not think the transbstantiation believed in by the Romish Church both possible and true. The Duke listened very attentively to all he had to say, and answered the question thus: ‘You thought me foolish, perhaps suspected me getting insane, when I spoke of a cork as a horse—your assertion of bread and wine being the actual body and blood of Christ is every whit as absurd, and a little more profane. Out of your own mouth are you condemned. You take a piece of bread out of a box, pronounce a few words over it, and declare it changed into flesh and blood. You must see that the thing is nonsense, if not worse. If you are not out of your senses, it cannot but be evident to you that it is bread still, and nothing else. Remember the cork, father; remember the cork!’