rebellion and blindness of Jerusalem? Was not Saul of Tarsus, the most bitter and violent of his persecutors, afterwards a chosen and honoured instrument to disseminate his gospel? Oh! doubt not, my father, the love and mercy of the Saviour, even to the chief of sinners!-for he himself says, 'I will forgive their iniquities, and remember their sins no more." 999 She ceased to speak, but her eloquent eyes were still imploringly fixed upon her father. He returned their gaze with a faint smile, and a brightening countenance. She now prosecuted her pious work with hope and gladness; and was daily cheered by the delightful conviction, that her efforts were not in vain. We have all felt the force of affection in subduing prejudice. Silently, secretly, but powerfully, do the opinions of those we love, and with whom we constantly associate, operate in us, and transform our thoughts, our feelings, our tastes, and almost our very looks, into their likeness; while we may be perfectly unconscious of the principle which effects the change. It would be wrong, however, to ascribe to human efforts that which alone proceeds from the wonder-working spirit of our God. In the present instance, the daughter was made the blest instrument to accomplish His high and holy bidding. A stranger almost, as the Jew was, even to the letter of the gospel, he needed instruction in the very rudiments of Christianity. And here Tirzah was the patient, persevering, and delighted teacher. Her spirit never wearied in its task of comparing, expounding, and recapitulating scriptures, for his more perfect satisfaction. But the Heavenly Teacher impresses upon the understanding and the heart a new language, new sight, and new impulses, by one Almighty effort. The language and the love of Heaven seem to be conveyed in a single mysterious lesson. No one knows how, and perhaps not when; but there it is in the heart, to be felt and seen, an unerring badge to mark the child of God. As the Jew became acquainted with the speculative faith of Christianity, this blessed illumination of the spirit was not withheld. With peace of mind came health. He was restored to his Tirzah, not She only for this world, but for the world to come. 'asked his life of God, and he gave long life, even for ever and ever,' to the prayers of the Christian Daughter. P. H. E. A FATHER TO HIS DAUGHTER, ON PRESENTING HER A BIBLE. No diamond bright, nor ruby rare, To grace thy neck, adorn thy hair, My dearest child I give; These are vain toys, that please awhile, But, like the rainbow's transient smile, This sacred treasure, far more dear A father's love presents to thee; What it has been to mine. |