Where and how to get Riches.

Come, children, listen to my voice

While young in years; oh, make your choice Of wisdom's way,-because 'tis found,

In them true pleasures do abound.

Not all the wealth of Prince or King,

If they into your lap would fling,
Could make you happy evermore,
Although possessed of such a store.

Yea, could you gain this wealthy globe,

And be array'd in royal robe;

What then if you possess'd the whole,
And were, at last, to lose your soul?

Choice gold or rubies, topaz rare,
With wisdom's wealth cannot compare;
And houses, lands, or honors,-fame,

Can ne'er eternal mansions claim.

But search God's word, there you will find,

The best of riches for the mind;

For those who seek the Lord declares,

Shall find-in answer to their prayers.

Thus Solomon the Lord besaught,
And with true wisdom he was fraught;

And Timothy and Samuel too,
In wisdom and in stature grew.

This is the wealth that shall endure,
When time itself shall be no more,
No rust can canker-moth destroy,
Nor is it mixt with base alloy !

G. I. HUTCHINGS.

First Persecution of the Christians.

(From a new work entitled The Lives of the Fathers, Saints, and Martyrs, of the early Christian Church.)

attack upon the

THE heathen world made its first open early Christians under the cruel Nero—a tyrant whose name became proverbial, even among the heathen, før all that was abominable in impurity and fearful in cruelty, -to him belongs the evil pre-eminence of being the first great persecutor of the church. In the year 64, a great fire happened at Rome, which burnt down ten districts out of the fourteen into which the city was divided. Nero was strongly suspected of having caused the conflagration; but he tried to silence the report by turning the fury of the citizens against the Christians. The rapid growth of Christianity raised against it many enemies who were interested in its suppression. It had gained so many followers that such persons began to be seriously alarmed. The Emperor himself cared little about their ancient superstitions, which they dignified by the name of religion, but he cared still less for the sufferings of the Christians, if he could make the

people believe they had set fire to Rome.

The populace, at all times easily excited, were induced to believe this accusation and to demand their blood.

The emperor's gardens were used as a circus for the occasion; and this remorseless tyrant, disgraced himself and human nature, by taking a part in the games, while the Christians were tortured by new and barbarous inventions, to furnish amusement for the spectators. Humanity shudders to hear of these innocent victims being enclosed in the skins of beasts, that they might be torn in pieces by dogs; or covered with pitch and other inflammatory materials, that they might serve as torches to dispel the darkness of the night.

This persecution was not confined to the city of Rome : it spread throughout the empire; and an inscription found in Spain, proves to us at once two important points,— that the gospel had already penetrated that country, —and, that the church there also, at this early period, had her martyrs.

This tremendous persecution lasted nearly four years, for in the year 68, this remorseless tyrant was himself summoned by a dreadful death, before the divine tribunal. St. Peter and St. Paul being both at Rome, were imprisoned. Paul was called upon to make a public defence, but, as might have been expected, all defence was useless, he was ordered to be beheaded; that mode of punishment having been selected out of regard for his being a citizen of Rome. St. Peter suffered martyrdom on the same day with his brother Apostle; but

not being a participator in the privileges of citizenship, he was ordered to be crucified-the common punishment for criminals of the lower orders. But this distinguished Apostle shewed his humility by requesting to be fastened to the cross with his head downwards, as he felt himself unworthy to die in the same manner as his heavenly Master. He was buried on the hill of the Vatican, where that magnificent church now stands which bears his name, St. Peter's, at Rome.

Letters from sister Jane.

NO. V.

GIBRALTAR.

MY DEAR CHILD,

I think the further distance I am away from you, the greater pleasure I feel in writing, and the more I prize the blessing I enjoy in being able to communicate thus with you. I hope you are a good child and improve with your book, for it will be of very little use me writing, if you are unable to read what I have written. I do not know whether you have heard of Gibraltar, if not, you will be surprised to hear that upon a rock which stands in the sea, there is a strongly fortified garrison town, inhabited by people of all nations, and