and they fell. They transferred their confidence from God's truth to the devil's lie; and, in losing their confidence, they lost their spiritual strength, their love, their innocence, and their all. As man was lost by unbelief, we see one great reason why he is to be saved by faith. Faith is the restoration of a lost principle, and one essential to our union with God (Heb. xi. 6).

The Consequences of the Fall.-Man came under the curse of the law, and the threatened curse began immediately to be inflicted. The ground was cursed (Gen.iii. 17, 18); man was doomed to excessive labour (ver. 19); his body subjected to disease, suffering, and death (vs. 16-19). The soul lost its spiritual life-the favour of God, love to God, and communion with him. Hence he fled from God's presence-became the subject of guilt, ignorance, fear, and even malignity to his wife (vs. 8—12). Here were the elements of spiritual death all entering his soul at once. To death eternal, also, he became exposed, and he must have suffered it; but this part of the penalty was suspended through the covenant of redemption (Rom. v. 21 and vi. 23).

The Consequences of the Fall are entailed on all Mankind.-This is taught in the chapter before us. The sentence pronounced implies that the consequences of original sin extend to the whole race. Other passages assert it (Rom. v. 12; Ps. li. 5; Eccles. vii. 29; Eph. ii. 3; Ps. xiv. 2, 3). What is thus declared in Scripture is proved by experience and observation. Hence our bodies are subject to toil, disease, suffering, and death. Even infants die. Hence, also, our souls are depraved, the understanding is darkened, and the affections alienated from God. We have no relish for holiness, but are inclined to evil. Sin is our element, because natural to us; holiness is not natural, and can only be restored by a new birth (John iii. 3; Eph. iv. 23, 24). The final consequence of our sin, if unrepented of, will be eternal death; not the ceasing of the soul's existence, but a state of endless woe (Matt. xxv. 46). O Lord, give the dear children thy Holy Spirit to renew their nature, and restore them to thyself. Amen.

In our next we shall notice The First Promise of a Saviour, The Sacrifice and Martyrdom of Abel, The Piety and Translation of Enoch, and Noah and the Deluge.

Biography.

JOHN GOMMERSALL Was born at Adwalton, February 10th, 1842. In 1818 his father and the family removed to Batley, and John, with his brothers and sisters, were sent to our Sunday-school. As a youth he was bold, frank, and cheerful; and, by his amiable and affectionate disposition, won the esteem and confidence of his companions. From his earliest days he

was the subject of gracious impressions, and it was during special services held at the Methodist Reform Chapel that he was fully convinced of sin; and, after days of deep distress, he was enabled to believe on Jesus to the saving of his soul. The change in John was marked and great. It was a change from bondage to freedom-from deep distress to a joy which, for awhile,

was unspeakable and full of glory." | teacher. The means of grace were He at once evinced the reality of diligently attended, and his spiritual the change by connecting himself profiting appeared unto all.

with the church, and by consecrat- In the month of May he was ing himself and his talents to the taken seriously ill. The afflicservice of God. The word of God tion was long and painful, but no now became his delight, and he murmuring words fell from his sought to store his mind with the lips; on the other hand, God's thoughts which are found in other praises were often on his tongue. good books, which were attentively In his moments of severest sufferand prayerfully read. And while ing he would often say, "that he he sought to improve his mind, his was as willing to suffer the will of heart was filled with loving zeal, of God as to do it." During this and he earnestly desired to bring affliction he was to all human apglory to that precious Saviour who pearance brought to the borders of had done so much for him. His the grave; but he was once more spare time was spent in kindly restored, though but for a brief exhorting his neighbours, in show-space of time. Some two months ing kindness to the poor, visiting after his restoration he took cold, the sick, and praying with the dying. which at once fastened on his lungs, As a Sabbath-school teacher he so deeply affecting them that, in loved his work, and carefully pre- three weeks, the doctor said that pared for it. Though young he one lung was totally inactive, and, could communicate instruction in a as a consequence, but little hope of pleasing and manly way, and the recovery was held out. During great end of teaching was always this, his last affliction, his mind kept in view-bringing his scholars was kept in perfect peace, being to Jesus. He was always in earnest, stayed upon God. He was young, doing what he did with all his and his prospects were promising; might; and it is believed by those and no wonder that at times he who knew him best that he did felt a desire to live. On one occanot labour in vain, and that some sion during his illness, when lookof his scholars will be his "glory ing out at the window, he said to a and his joy at the coming of the member of his family," Everything Lord Jesus." looks beautiful; if it is the will of God, I should like to be spared awhile longer; nevertheless," he added, "not my will, but thine be done." Again he said to his deeplyaffected friends, "I love you all community. Though he dearly, but I love God supremely, deeply felt the separation from that and he knows what is best for me." denomination which had been the A friend said to him a day or two instrument of his conversion, and before he died, "John, your friends from some Christian friends to are so fond of you, that they would whom he was much attached, still gladly bear part of your sufferings." he soon found himself at home with He promptly but kindly replied, the members of our church in "If you had to bear my cross, you Batley. He again entered heartily would have to wear my crown; and into the work of the Lord," as a it would not do for you to have two tract distributor and Sunday-school crowns, and I not to have one." On

In the year 1860-for reasons which we need not detail, but which were satisfactory to his own mind-he left the Wesleyan Reformers, and became a member of

our own

the Wednesday he tried to sing some of the psalms of David; and when his strength failed him, he referred to the time when he should join in singing the song of Moses and the Lamb for ever. The last day of his life was both solemn and affecting. He suffered much during the day, and towards its close he

wished to shake hands with all who were in the room. He then took a very tender farewell of his own relatives, especially his younger brothers. He then desired a friend to pray, and, after a few lingering moments, his spirit passed calmly away to heaven.

Thus died John Gommersall.

Our Children's Portion.

THE PENITENT SON AND THE PIOUS
FATHER.

is displeased, and you must apply to him for forgiveness."

THE son of a minister had, by some With tears starting in his eyes, means, excited the displeasure of his he said, "Papa, I went to him first. father. His father thought it right I knew, except he was reconciled, I to be reserved for an hour or two; could do nothing." And with tears and when asked a question about now fast rolling, he said, "I hope the business of the day, he was very-I hope he has forgiven me; and short in his answer to his son. An now I am happy." hour or two elapsed. The time had nearly arrived when the youth was to repeat his lesson. He came to his father's study, and said, "Papa, I cannot learn my lesson unless you are reconciled. I am sorry I have offended you. I hope you will forgive me. I think I shall never offend you again."

His father replied, "All I wish is to make you sensible of your fault. When you acknowledge it, you know all is easily reconciled with me."

Then, papa," said he, "give me the token of reconciliation, and seal it with a kiss."

The hand was given, and the seal most heartily exchanged on each side.

"Now," exclaimed the dear boy, "I will learn Latin and Greek with any boy," and fled to his little study.

"Stop, stop!" said his father; "have you not a heavenly Father ? If what you have done be evil, he

His father never had occasion to look at him with a shade of disapprobation from that time to his death.

THE SWEARER CONVERTED BY HIS
LITTLE DAUGHTER.

THE Rev. Mr. Solomon Carpenter
held a religious meeting in Sussex
county, at the house of a man who
was awfully addicted to swearing,
and the minister took occasion to
reprove this and other vices. A little
girl belonging to the family with-
drew, and placing herself behind
the door, began to weep very bitterly.
Her father particularly asked her
the cause of this, and she told him
she was afraid he would go to hell
on account of his swearing. He at
length promised her that if she
would refrain from weeping he
would never swear any more.
The
child was now quiet, and in an ecstacy
of joy afterwards told her mother of
the promise she had obtained from

her father.

The unexpected reproof the father had thus received from his daughter was lastingly impressed on his mind; he became a humble penitent, and lived to be a shining light in the Chrisfan community with which he was afterwards connected.-Old Jonathan.

THE INFIDEL ON HIS DEATH BED. Ix the town of -, upon the bed in his last moments, lay a dying infidel. He seemed to apprehend the near approach of that dreadful hour when, for the "deeds done in the body," his guilty, trembling spirit should be banished from the presence of God and the glory of his power," to be tossed, for ever tossed, upon the black bosom of despair. Like a procession of grim shadows, his past deeds swept along the halls of his memory.

bitter, and the life to come is far sweeter. I will rather die than renounce my Lord and Master." He was met by thousands of people, many weeping to see him in such misery; but he told them "that he was unworthy who refused to suffer reproach or death for the sake of our Lord Jesus, who refused not, for our sakes, to suffer a shameful death upon the cross." He then exhorted them to be steadfast in his faith. Seeing Thomas Drowry, a pious blind boy, the bishop said to him, "Ah, poor boy, God has taken from thee thy outward sight, but he has given thee another sight much more precious: he has endued thy soul with the eye of knowledge and faith." Shortly after, this boy also was burnt. The bishop kneeled down, and continued in fervent prayer for half-an-hour with a joyful countenance. Just at this point the door continued three-quarters of an hour opened; and as the dying infidel re- in the fire, praying and crying out, cognized his former associate, who" O Jesus, thou son of David, have had first taught him to disbelieve mercy upon my soul!" the Word of God, and led him into paths of vice, he said:-"Behold now your work! You have poisoned my existence and directed my soul to hell! You have done this, and now do not in this hour come here to torture your victim!" His face grew pale with rage, and he cried, "Leave me! Begone!"

The rebuked wretch drew back and left the room, and the poor infidel raved, swore, and blasphemed till he expired.

I WILL RATHER DIE THAN RE

NOUNCE MY MASTER. HOOPER, Bishop of Gloucester, suffered in that city. When Sir Anthony Kingstone advised him to bmit to the Roman Church, adding, "Life is sweet, and death is bitter," the bishop replied, "But the death to come is more

He

BOYS, NEVER TASTE INTOXICATING
DRINKS.

Nor long ago we heard a letter to
the youth of a Sabbath-school read,
in which the writer told of a good
boy who went to sea; perhaps he
was the cabin boy. One of the
counsels which his pious mother
gave when he left home was

Never taste a drop of rum!"

The sailors used strong drink several times a day. When it stormed, they thought that they must use it more freely, to keep them from taking cold. So they offered it to the boy, for the same reason they drank it themselves; but he refused to drink. During a severe storm they were all very wet; they urged the lad very hard to drinkthey were afraid that he would take cold and die; but he declared that

26

of th he would not. Finally, one of the somehow got into his head tha sailors, who had never tried his hand possession is nine parts at making the little temperance law; and though Toby tried t hero drink, said he knew he could show him the rights of the ques make him take a dram. So he went tion, he was so pig-headed that h to the brave lad, and did his best to either would not or could not under If th induce him to take a little, but he stand. So every night it came t would not touch a drop. He told be 'catch as catch can.' the old sailor of his mother's coun- dog got in first, he would show hi sel-" Never drink'a drop of rum!" teeth, and the other had to lie unde and he quoted Scripture to show the boat, or to find the softest plan that he was doing right, for he had where he could; if the pig wa been a good Sabbath scholar. The found in possession, the dog coul sailor never heard so much Bible in not turn him out, but looked ou his life, scarcely, as the boy poured for revenge next time. One even into his ear. All he could answering, gentlemen, it had been blow was, "Your mother never stood watch on deck." He gave it up, however, as a bad job, and went back to his post. On being asked how he succeeded, "Oh," said he, you can't do anything with him, for he is chuck full of the Bible."

66

A QUEER STORY OF A PIG.
REV. J. G. WOOD, in his "Animal
Traits and Characteristics," thus
speaks of a remarkable pig:-

We are

ing hard all day, and I just ordere
close-reefed topsails, for the gale wa
increasing, and there was a goo
deal of sea running, and it wa
coming to be wet; in short, I said
to myself, as I called down the
companion-ladder for the boy to
bring up my pea-jacket,
going to have a dirty night. The
pig was slipping and tumbling
about the decks, for the ship lay
over so much with the breeze, being
close hauled, that he could not
keep his hoofs. At last he thought
he would go and secure his berth
for the night, though it wanted
a good bit of dusk. But lo and
behold! Toby had been of the same
mind, and there he was safely

"A curious animal is a pig, gentlemen! Very cunning, too-a great deal more sensible than people give him credit for. I had a pig aboard my ship that was too knowing by half. All hands were fond of him, and there was no one on board that would have seen him in-housed. jured. There was a dog on board, too, and the pig and he were capital friends; they ate out of the same plate, walked about the decks together, and would lie down side by side under the bulwarks in the sun. The only thing they ever quarrelled about was lodging. The dog, you see, sir, had got a kennel for himself; the pig had nothing of the sort. We did not think he needed one; but he had his own notions Why should upon that matter. Toby be better housed of a night than be? Well, sir, he had

Umph, umph!' says piggy, as he turned and looked up at the black sky to the windward; but Toby did not offer to move. At last the pig seemed to give it up, and took a turn or two, as if he was making up his mind which was the warmest corner. Presently he trudges off to the lee scuppers, where the tin plate was lying that they ate their cold 'tatoes off. Pig takes up the plate in his mouth, and carries it to a part of the deck where the dog could see it, but some way from the kennel; then, turning his tail towards the dog, he begins to