Though experienced mountaineers, they took with them Jenni, the boldest guide in that district. After reaching the summit of the Morteratsch, they started back, and soon arrived at a steep slope covered with thin snow. They were lashed together with a strong rope, which was tied to each man's waist. "Keep carefully in my steps, gentlemen," said Jenni; "for a false step here might start the snow, and send us down in an avalanche." He had scarcely spoken, when the whole field of snow began to slide down the icy mountain-side, carrying the unfortunate climbers with it at a terrible pace. A steeper slope was before them, and at the end of it a precipice! The three foremost men were almost buried in the whirling snow. Below them were the jaws of death. Everything depended upon getting a foothold. Jenni shouted loudly, "Halt, halt!" and with desperate energy, drove his ironnailed boots into the firm ice beneath the moving snow. Within a few rods of the precipice Jenni got a hold with his feet, and was able to bring the party up all standing, when two seconds more would have swept them into the chasm. This hair-breadth escape shows the value of being well shod when in dangerous places. The lesson is specially needed by the young. No boy is prepared for rough climbing, unless he is well shod with Christian principles. Sometimes temptation ices. the track under him; and then he must plant his foot down with an iron heel, or he is gone. A poor boy of my acquaintance signed a pledge never to taste liquor. One day his rich employer invited him to dinner. There was wine on the table, but the lad was not ashamed to say, "No, I thank you, sir. I never touch it!" He Then came on a rich pudding, which the boy tasted, and found that there was brandy in it; so he quietly laid the tasted morsel back on his plate. The employer discovered that the boy had "pluck enough to stand by his convictions, and he will never be afraid to trust him. He is a sure-footed boy. God knows what steep places lie before us. has provided the "shoes of iron and brass" for us to put on. They are truth, and honesty, and faith, and courage, and prayer. A clear conscience will keep the head cool. And up along the hard road there is a sign-board on which is written in large, bright letters "He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely." New Books. WE have received the following books, but can at present only mention their titles: Thoughts and Experiences of a Charity Organizationist; by T. Hornsby Wright (London: Hunt). Our Blue Jackets; a Narrative of Miss Weston's Life and Work among our Sailors (London: Hodder & Stoughton). Elizabeth Gow, a Hidden One Brought to Light; by Rev. J. J. Bonar (Glasgow: Charles Glass). Family Devotion; the Book of Psalms arranged for worship, with meditations on each portion, by the Very Rev. Henry Law, M.A., Dean of Gloucester (London: Nisbet).—Vol. II. The Evangelistic Baptism; by the Rev. James Gall (Edinburgh and London: Gall & Inglis). Carmina Regia, and other Songs of the Heart; by Rev. Edwin Charles Wrenford (London: Hodder & Stoughton). Archæological Remains in Gloucester, relating to the Burning of Bishop Hooper (Gloucester: John Bellows). Illustrated Series. FOUR-PAGES EACH, price 18. per 100, post free. 52. "No More! No More!" During the religious revival in Ireland a young girl found the Saviour, and hurried from the house to tell her father, who was working in an adjoining field, that God had pardoned all her sins, and declared that He would remember them "no more." So to every sinuer the gospel offer of forgive ness is made: when God blots out sin, for Jesus' sake, He remembers it no No. TRACTS FOR THE NEW YEAR. 51. "Hail! Traveller!" (Illustrated). By Rev. James Wells, M.A., Glasgow. 4 pages, 18. per 100, post free. "Salus In'rantibus"—Salvation to the entrants. The inscription on a rock which meets the eye of the traveller at the entrance to a valley in the Thuringian Forest in Germany, is here chosen as an appropriate text for a New Year's tract, and from which to proclaim that another "year of grace" brings renewed offers of Christ's salvation to the weary and siuburdened traveller to eternity. 4031. Peace Assured. 8 pages, 28. per 100. Purposes for the New Year. By the Very Rev. Henry Law, M.A., Dean of Gloucester. 16 pages, Envelope Series, No. 11, 6d. per dozen. In One Shilling Volumes, cloth, or in One Shilling Packets, with enamelled covers, MY FIRST PLACE, and other stories, suitable for THE WANDERING LAMB, and other Stories for Children. Twelve Illustrations." "WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND?" and other Stories for Children. Twelve Illustrations. THE BEATITUDES, a Series of Stories for Children. JOHN MACFARLANE, Manager, OUR LONDON AGENCY.-A complete stock of the Stirling Tracts and other Publications is kept by Messrs. S. W. PARTRIDGE & Co., 9 Paternoster Row. Agent in Melbourne.-Mr. M. L. HUTCHINSON, Book Warehouse, 15 Collins Street West. Agents in Tasmania.-Messrs. J. WALCH & SONS, Hobart Town; Messis. WALCH BROTHERS & BIRCHALL, Launceston. A Religious Paper, suitable for circulation amongst Sabbath Scholars. It is also admirably adapted for mission districts and for general distribution, the illustration lealing to its being eagerly received and read, when a Tart is refu-ed or thrown aside. Its cheapness brings it within the power of almost every one to purchase and circulate. Price One Halfpenny, 3 cop'es for 1d., or 2s. 6d. per 100. 18 monthly, 6s. 1er annum; 36 cojis, 128., and upwards, sent 1ost free. THE HALF CROWN PACKET, consisting of one British Messenger, one God Trumpet, and one Good News, sent by post monthly for one year for 2., i ciuding postage. THE FOUR SHILLING PACKET, consisting of two British Messengers, tso Gospel Tru apets, and three Good News, monthly for one year for 4., post free. JOHN MACFARLANE, Manager, DRUMMOND'S TRACT DEPOT, Stirling, N.B. H. Laurie, Esq., MAYBOLE. D. Brown, Esq., Rev. Geo, Porter, Wm. Gray, Esq., Mr. Crawford, Wm. Payne, Esq., D. Craig, Esq., Samuel Cavan, Esq., DUMFRIES & MAXWELTOWN. W. Grierson, Esq., Robert Orr, Esq., G. Henderson, Esq., R. J. Dobbie, Esq., D. M'Ketterick, Esq., D. Sloan, Esq., Mrs. Halliday, Miss Berwick, Wm. Milligan, senr., Esq., Thomas Gordon, Esq., 10000000 8. d. 20 0 2 20 0 Mrs. W. Houldsworth, Thomas Paton, Esq., Provost Steele, 10 0 10 0 Wm. Brown, Esq.,. W. Candlish, Esq.,. 2 10 0 James Lindsay, Esq., Messrs. J. & A. Taylor, W. Howat, Esq., 50 5 0 J. Robertson, Esq., J. Reid, Esq.,. Messrs. Imrie & Son, James Clark, Esq.,. 50 A. Thompson, Esq., 50 20 Robert Cowan, Esq., 26 R. Fotheringham, Esq., 5 2 6 G. Reid, Esq.,. 3 26 J. Johnstone, Esq., 2 G. L. Gillies, Esq.,. M. Gray, Esq.. Miss Adamson, David Campbell, Esq., 2 6 Miss Knowles, Messrs. J. & W. Kennedy, W. Kilpatrick, Esq., 3 0 J. L. Scott, Esq., W. Alston Dykes, Esq.,. Mrs. Dr. Keith, Mr. Archibald, Dr. London, David Nimmo, Esq., W. Naismith, Esq., Bailie Cairus, . J. G. Peat, Esq., COATBRIDGE. 2 6 A Friend 2 6 2 6 2 6 Coltness, 26 0 M. D. Goodwin. Esq., John Colville, Esq., Robert Paterson, Esq., Thomas Duncan, Esq., WISHAW. James Houldsworth, Es, of J. Bain, Esq.,. 50 2 6 2 6 000060000 20 0 5 John Little, Esq., 900 Friends, per Mr. J. Phimister, Balevlair, E. Houghton, Esq., Valletta, Malta, . Graham, Ilkley, in memory of her late husband, Alexander Graham, Esq., Mr. R. Dunlop, Aberlady, 15 2 20 4 1 22 3 3 0 24 Mr. A. Mackay, Inveran, 2 6 THE GRATUITOUS CIRCULATION of the British Messenger, Gospel Trumpet, Good News, and Tracts of the Stirling Tract Enterprise, since its commencement, amounts to more than 36 millions. The number in 1877 alone excceded two millions. The Trustees are anxious to continue and greatly extend this gratuitous circulation, and they invite and would gladly welcome the contributions of Christian friends to enable them to do so. Many applications could be more adequately responde 1 to did funds allow. During the month ending 30th November, 1878, the following quantities were given gratuitously: 8,251 "British Messenger," 9,364 Gospel Trumpet,". 8,795 "Good News," & 122,880 "Tracts," £31 8 0 22 14 9 64 6 11 118 9 29,273 11 6 £29,392 2 as reported last month,....... All applications for Grants, and remittances of money for this object, to be made to JOHN MACFARLANE, Manager, Drummond's Tract Depot, Stirling, N.B. Amount of previous Grants Published and sold by the Trustees acting under a Trust Disposition and Codicils relating to the Stirling Tract Enterprise granted by the now deceased PETER DRUMMOND, Seedsman, Stirling, proprietors in Trust; and all business communications are to be addressed to JOHN MACFARLANE, Tract Depot, Stirling, Manager of said Enterprise. Printed by WALTER GRAHAM BLACKIE (residing at No. 1 Belhaven Terrace, Parish of Govan), at his Printing-Office, Villafield. in the Parish of Barony. FEBRUARY, 1879.-New Series, No. 2. PRICE ONE PENNY. THE BRITISH MESSENGER. Published Monthly by the Trustees of the late PETER DRUMMOND, at the THE WANDERER'S DEPARTURE AND RETURN. IL THE DEPARTURE. "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country" (Luke xv. 13). Not many days after the father had granted his younger son's request and given him his portion, the young man, anxious to make assurance doubly sure, took his departure. He would not be interfered with; he would not submit to any kind of home influence, and to escape this he would go into a far country. He felt quite competent to manage both himself and his affairs: his father's voice or even eye would hinder his progress, spoil his ideals, and mar the enjoyments he had in prospect. Oh, how anxious often are young people to escape from the wise supervision of love, and from those wholesome restraints which preserve the life from destruction, and the heart from sorrow and despair! How many slight the dictates of conscience, as opposed (they think) to present success or enjoyment; until the faithful monitor, wearied of constant neglect, ceases to reprove; and they at last find themselves in the far-off land of utter forget fulness of God, of undisturbed apathy and spiritual death. How many Christians, even, resting upon past experiences of their heavenly Father's love in Christ, and the rich gifts of His grace, begin, under the influence of unconscious spiritual pride and self-sufficiency, to wander from Him in heart, and to enter on forbidden paths; ultimately finding themselves, to their grief and dismay, in an enemy's country, far from the true rest and home of their spirits. They asked God to give them the richest gifts of His love, and an assurance of interest in His favour, and He granted their request. But, in the sublime intoxication of the joy obtained, they ceased to watch and pray; they relied upon their own strength, upon the gifts more than on the Giver-and fell. Ó! beware, reader, lest even a God-given joy should betray thee into any subtle form of self-trust; lest the very munificence of God's gifts tempt thee to pride, to false security, to love of ease, to sin. The younger son, left to himself, soon manifested his real character: he abandoned himself to "riotous living." This was not perhaps what he had intended. It is possible that when he left his father's house, he had a far different ideal from this. But one false step leads to another. Having started in self-sufficiency and pride, whom had he to correct and help him when he began to go wrong? Away from home, his father (it may be) forgotten, he found no wise counsellor and helper in that strange country to which he came. The result was that he gave himself up to luxury and sin-to extravagance, intemperance, and the company of harlots; he became utterly bad. It was thus that he realized himself and all that he was apart from his father-as many sons have done since. the preference for worldly enjoyments above the fellowship of the holy God. "Then when sin pursues its course unrestrained, it sinks, in its generally rapid course, into ever darker and more hopeless depths, and the depth which the sinner may at last reach is quite incalculable beforehand. Divine grace alone can prevent him from reaching the goal of unconquerable devilish enmity against God and all goodness. Sin is always pressing on to this ultimate goal-where the man, who has departed from God, at length sets himself in conscious opposition to God, and consciously fights against Him. This last stage, at which sin discloses its full terrible result, will certainly be reached in eternity by every one who does not turn in true repentance here." W. POOLE BALFERN. assume the duties of manhood. The man of business greater unwisdom than that-he wasted the precious minutes of a whole summer in doing nothing but iniquity. Short as life is, we strangely desire each period of it abbreviated. The child longs to be full grown. The youth at school wishes for the day when he will lives in hope of the time when he shall retire. It is marvellous how men waste their present moments. I have heard of a fool lighting his cigar with a bankLet us take heed lest we mistake libertinism for note of some value. The same man committed liberty. God's will is better than our own. ever better for us to stay at home, and live God's prose and be happy and safe, than to realize the world's poetry, and be destroyed. O how prodigal Short as life is, it is the seed-time for eternity. men often are, both of conscience and of strength, in Whatsoever a man sows here, he shall be reaping to the pursuit of their own objects! Conscience they all eternity. If he sows the wind, he shall reap the stifle, strength they waste, until moral and temporal whirlwind. If he sows to the flesh, he shall reap ruin is the result. How mournful is this pictureHow mournful is this picture-corruption. If he sows in righteousness, he shall that of men abusing the very gifts of God-natural reap in mercy. If he sows to the Spirit, he shall or bestowed--to His dishonour, and to their own reap life everlasting. This life is the day of grace, destruction! the season of mercy, when enduring riches may be secured. Many have seized the moments as they passed, and become immensely rich in faith, in good works, in bright hopes, and in a blessed inheritance beyond the skies. - Most men's lives are full of toil and care. Many are full of sorrow and disappointment. But, thanks be to God, all men's lives abound in opportunities of gaining and of getting good. Nor ought any to object to the divine arrangement, which fills up a great part of life with duties and responsibilities. A certain recent author, writing of the commencement and progress of a course of sin, says: "As fellowship with God leads by immediate consequence to holy resemblance of nature and character to Him, so the breaking up of this fellowship for the sake of worldly enjoyments leads to the destruction of all goodness. Conscience indeed remains in the man; but being separated from God, in whom and from whom is all good, any moral purposes existing in him want strength; they come in fits, but they do not rule the life, and at length they give place to im- To every man life is the beginning of endless, morality in its endlessly varied forms. Falsehood, shoreless, fathomless, inconceivable happiness or by which a man represents himself otherwise than misery. To the wicked the end of life is the end of he is; natural and unnatural lusts, which destroy the all sinful mirth and pleasure. To the righteous the bodily strength and faculties; dishonesty, which ig-end of their earthly existence is the end of all doubt nores the principles of justice, whether from a desire of luxurious indulgence or from weakness; sloth, with its squandering of the time and talents bestowed by God-all these and other forms of sin flow from "The man and pain. There is no middle course. |