together to form our finest sewing thread; but that of the spider is smaller still, for two drachms of it by weight would reach from London to Edinburgh, or four hundred miles. In the milt of a cod-fish, or in water in which certain vegetables have been infused, the microscope discovers animalcules of which many thousands together do not equal in bulk a grain of sand; and yet many of these are supplied with organs as complex as those of the whale or the elephant.

The pages of Scripture, like the productions of nature, will not only endure the test, but improve, upon trial. The application of the microscope to the one, and the repeated meditation on the other, are sure to display new beauties, and present us with higher attractives.

Josephus, speaking of the Jewish nation, before its destruction, says, "There never was a more Atheistical generation; they despised the laws of men, and made a mock of the laws of God, and those that published them,-made no difference between good and evil: a sure presage of future desolation."

A strong proof of the protective power of vaccination, and even of its superiority over inoculation, is manifested in a family living in Southgate Street, in this Town. One child, unvaccinated, has had the smallpox; another, who had received the benefit of vaccination, notwithstanding that she has, through all the stages of the disease, slept with her sister, remains quite well. The father and mother, both of whom were inoculated, have had all the severe symptoms which mark the fever preceding the eruption of small-pox. There are numerous other instances to prove the protective power of vaccination.-Bury and Suffolk Herald, February 9.

"Every one," says Addison, "ought to reflect how much more unhappy he might be than he really is ;" and adds, “I like the story of the honest Dutchman, who, upon breaking his leg from a fall from the mainmast, told the standers by, it was a great mercy it was not his neck."

When one of the French Kings solicited M. Bougier, who was a Protestant, to conform to the Roman Catholic Religion, promising him in return a commission, or a government,—“ Sire,” replied he, "if I could be induced to betray my God for a marshall's staff, I might be induced to betray my King for a bribe of much less value."

In the journey of life, as in other journeys, it is a pleasing reflection,

that we have friends who are thinking of us at home, and who will receive us with joy when our journey is at an end.”—Bishop Horne.

"He who seldom thinks of Heaven, is not likely to go thither; as the only way to hit the mark, is to keep the eye fixed upon it."—Ib.

The following curious method of catching fish, which was practised by the ancient Indians of Jamaica, is related by Mr. Dallas in the Preface to his "History of the Maroon:"

"They, (the Indians,) employed the remora, or sucking fish, as falconers employ hawks. This fish, not much more than a span long, was regularly kept, fed, and trained for the purpose. The owner, on a calm morning, carried it out to sea, secured to his canoe by a small but strong line, many fathoms in length. The moment the remora saw a fish in the water, though at a great distance, it started away like an arrow, and fastened upon it. The Indian, in the mean time, let go the line, which was provided with a buoy, that kept on the surface of the sea, and served to mark the course which the fish had taken. This course the Indian pursued in his canoe, until he conceived that his game was nearly exhausted. Then, taking up the buoy, he gradually drew the line towards the shore, the remora still adhering to its prey with inflexible tenacity. 'By this means,' says Ovedo, 'I have known a turtle caught, of a bulk and weight that no single man could support.'"-Vide Preface, p. 83.

One of the main objects of the Editors of "The Family Monitor" being to counteract those erroneous opinions which wicked and designing men are actively engaged in spreading abroad, they beg to call the attention of their readers to a little work entitled "Lectures to the Labouring Classes and their Employers in the County of Sussex, and elsewhere, not by a follower of William Cobbett." They are written in a plain style, and are evidently the production of a man with a sound head and a benevolent heart, and are full of good sense and good old English feeling, exposing, in a clear and happy manner, those wretched arts by which the wicked writers of the day would persuade poor people that their condition may be improved by discontent, rebellion, robbery, and murder.

ERRATUM.

Page 116, line 2, for Rev. Mr. Freeman, read Rev. Mr. Freemantle.

THE

FAMILY MONITOR.

No. V.

MAY, 1831.

VOL. I.

FEASTS AND FASTS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND EXPLAINED.

St. Philip and St. James.

May 1. THIS festival is celebrated upon a double account; partly in commemoration of the martyrdom of St. Philip, and likewise as a memorial of the death of St. James. St. Philip was born at Bethsaida, a town of Galilee, near the sea of Tiberias; and in all probability was a fisherman; but at the same time, had the honour of being, as some say, the first called to the discipleship. He preached some time in Upper Asia, and afterwards came to the city of Hierapolis, now called Aleppo, where he was crucified, or otherwise killed, for endeavouring to convert the inhabitants of that place from idolatry.-As to St. James the Less, who is styled the brother of our Lord, we have no account of the place of his birth in the history of the Gospel; but it is certain, that he was a person of exemplary piety and holiness, and was highly esteemed for his admirable virtues; for which reasons he was elected Bishop of Jerusalem: but at last, the Scribes and Pharisees, being enraged at the great growth of Christianity in Judea, threw him down from the top of the Temple, and afterwards dashed out his brains with a fuller's club, in the ninety-sixth year of his age.

Ascension Day.

This day is set apart in commemoration of our blessed Saviour's triumphant ascension into heaven, where he is placed far above all angels, and archangels, principalities, and powers, even at the

VOL. I.

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right-hand of God, the Father Almighty. On this day, our blessed Redeemer vanquished all the powers of darkness, and thereby opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. This public ascension was certainly a most striking evidence of his omnipotent power, and a glorious demonstration of his eternal Godhead; and at the same time, an inconceivable advantage to all penitent sinners; for by his prevailing intercession, we may hope for pardon and forgiveness. Let us therefore "look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right-hand of the throne of God."

Whit-Sunday.

This festival is in commemoration of the miraculous descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, in the visible appearance of fiery cloven tongues; for when the apostles were met together in one place, suddenly a sound from heaven, like that of a mighty wind, rushed upon them; after which, there appeared flames of fire, in the fashion of cloven tongues, which sat upon each of them; whereupon they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, which endowed them with all those heavenly powers which were requisite to qualify them for the propagation of the Gospel throughout the world.

This day is called Whit-Sunday, or White Sunday, partly on account of that glorious light which was shed upon the apostles, and partly because the new baptized persons were on this day clothed in white garments, as an emblem of their innocence and purity. This day is likewise called Pentecost, (from the Greek,) being just fifty days from the resurrection of our Saviour; as there were fifty days from the Jews' passover to the giving of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Trinity-Sunday.

This day is set apart in honour of the glorious and incomprehensible Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which the solemn festivals in the foregoing parts of our annual service have gradually made manifest, and led us up to. It is indeed a mystery which exceeds our comprehensions, and infinitely surpasses the ability of man; nevertheless, we are bound to believe

what God Almighty has revealed to us, and gratefully to admire and adore the glorious Trinity in Unity, though we know not the particular manner of the existence of three persons in the divine nature. We must be content to wait for a full and entire comprehension of this sublime truth, till we are advanced to a state of angelic perfection, and are made partakers of everlasting glory. "Let us therefore hold fast the profession of our faith, without wavering;" and "let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Restoration of King Charles II.

May 29. This day is observed as a memorial of the restoration of King Charles II. who having been twelve years banished from his native country, and deprived of his sovereignty by traitors and regicides, was at last, by the Providence of the Almighty, happily restored to his dominions: by which means our ancient government and religion were restored; and the church and monarchy, which were for some time in danger, seemed to have a new resurrection from the grave; therefore this day was appointed to be kept holy, as an acknowledgment to Almighty God for such an inestimable blessing. The king was also born on this day.

JAMES SANDERSON; OR, THE SAILOR'S RETURN.

A TALE OF YESTERDAY.

(Concluded from Page 195.)

"I CANNOT understand how all this came about."

"Why, you know," said Mary, "there was great distress in the country, from some cause or other, since you went away; and a few hard-hearted men met together, and persuaded a good many distressed labourers, that if they went and broke the threshing machines, farmers would be obliged to employ more hands, and give higher wages. I suppose these poor misguided people didn't know, that breaking machines and burning ricks was likely to be a hanging matter; for in no time at all, hundreds of persons in all parts have been going about to the farmers' and gentlefolks