evil for evil prolongs mischief to ourselves as well as to the other party, but that we stop mischief, and make ourselves happy, by a kind and forgiving behavior, there is no reason why we should not prefer the latter mode. The one plan is, in fact, as natural as the other, although with most persons it is not the one first thought of.

3. But is it really best to treat our enemies kindly? This is the great question. We shall endeavor to prove that such is the case. -It is matter of common observation, that, when unloving words or looks are resented by the like, a complete division takes place between the parties. The hatred of the first person is deepened: he becomes a more unpleasant neighbor than he was before. And, because bad words have been used to him, his pride is touched, and he determines to show no symptom of relenting.

4. But if, on the contrary, the object of his antipathy had refrained from angry words or looks, and addressed him in a friendly manner, his first feelings, which were probably of a slight kind, would have given way, and he would have been at once reconciled. Thus the evil would have been cut short at the very first, and those would have been friends who otherwise would be sure to become enemies, perhaps for the remainder of their lives.

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5. An affecting and beautiful example occurs in the history of David. Pursued by Saul in the wilderness of Enge'di, he. was lying concealed with his few followers, in a cave, when the king and his party entered. David might have killed the king if he had chosen, and his friends advised him to do it. But he resolved upon a better course. He only cut off the skirt of Saul's robe. When the king had departed, David followed and called after him. The rest may be told in the language of Scripture.

6. "And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to-day into mine hand in the cave and some bade me kill thee; but mine eye spared theo: and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my Lord; for he is the Lord's anointed.

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7. " Moreover, my father, see; yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee: yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

8. "As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proBeedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. After whom is the King of Israël come out? after whom dost thou pursue? —after a dead dog, after a flea? The Lord, therefore, be judge, and judge between me and thee, and sec, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David?

9. "And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as, when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? Wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day."

1. In the history of persecutions inflicted on the early Chris tians, the cruelties practised under the reign of Se-vērus are

conspicuous Severus was a warlike Emperor of Rome, and his rule extended over a large portion of Africa, as well as of Europe. He published cruel edicts against the Christians, for

bidding them to profess the name of Christ.

2. The reasons for this hostility were various; but the principal cause is no doubt to be found in the calumnies heaped upor. the Christians by Heathen priests, and other defenders of a corrupt and abominable system of superstition. It was laid to the charge of the Christians that they were guilty of secret crimes in their religious rites; and the fury of an unthinking populace was thus excited against them.

3. The city of Carthage, in Africa, about the year 202, was the scene of much sanguinary violence against Christians. Among the distinguished martyrs here was a young Christian woman of noble birth, named Vívia Perpétuä. She was the mother of an infant but a few weeks old, but this circumstance did not save her from persecution. She was seized and impris oned.

4. Is it not almost incredible that men could be found who would thus persecute a fellow-creature whose only crime was a difference in opinion on religious subjects? Alas! let us beware of the first violations of the law of charity; for we know not to what excesses an uncharitable temper, aided by bigotry and superstition, may lead us.

5. Vivia Perpetua had a father, who was tenderly attached to her; but he was a pagan," and eagerly did he strive to make her abjure her faith. For your child's sake," said he, "if not for your father's, O, my daughter, give up your Christian profession." He visited her in prison, and besought her to take pity on his gray hairs, and yield to the state's authority. Sho remained firm, though not unmoved.

6. On the following day she was examined, with other Chris. tian prisoners, before a cruel magistrate, named Hilarian. "Come," said Hilarian, "you have only to sacrifice to the gods for the emperor's prosperity, and you will be released."—"1

See the Exercises under the thirty-second elementary sound, page 41.

7. As her father heard the words which doomed her, he attempted to draw her off from the platform on which she stood.

ilarian commanded that he should be beaten away. The wretched old man received a blow with a stick, whilst the judge condemned Vivia and other Christians to be exposed to wild beasts in the amphitheatre. Vivia's infant was taken away

from her, and she was led back to prison.

8. On the 7th of March, 202, Vivia left the prison for the amphitheatre. She was accompanied by a female slave, named Felicitas, who was also a Christian, and was to suffer with her. When they reached the gate of the amphitheatre, the guard tried to make them put on certain idolatrous badges or robes but Vivia refused, and said that they had come relying on the promise that they should not be forced to do anything contrary to their faith. They were suffered to pass on without them.

9. They entered the amphitheatre. Vivia sang, like one who had already conquered. Another Christian, as they passed before the balcony where Hilarian sat, said to him, "You judge as 187 in this world, but God will judge you in the next." Scourge them!" cried some one in the crowd; and, as they passed along, one of the officers applied the lash to each. 10. Vivia and Felicitas were exposed to a wild cow. was the first attacked. The cow tossed her up; she fell on her back, but soon sat up. Her clothes were torn and disordered, she gathered them around her, then got up, calmly fastened her oosened hair, and, perceiving Felicitas lying on the ground, much hurt, she helped her to rise.

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Vivia

11. They stood up together in the a-re'na, quietly expect. ing the rest. Was not the spectacle enough to melt a heart of stone? Alas! it did not move the hearts of that cruel, heathen people. Of what is not human nature capable, when unsanctified by the grace of true religion?

12. The wild cow was more merciful than the bigoted heathens. She did not renew her attack. But Vivia and Felicitas were led forth into the centre of the arena, to die there by the hand

of man, within view of all. The two heroic martyrs gave each other the kiss of peace, and meekly resigned themselves to their fate.

13. An unskilful gladiator prolonged the torments of Vivia, by inflicting many slight wounds before the final one. Her hand, more steady than his in that awful moment, had to guide to her own throat the sword that was to close her pure and short mortal existence.

14. What is there in human history more noble than the devotion of these women, preferring to die rather than to do what their sanctified consciences forbăde? Vivia Perpetua and Felicitas are amongst the most illustrious of Christian martyrs. For three centuries their venerable relics were preserved in the great church of Carthage. The shrine is fallen, the relics are ost; but the memory of these two noble women still lives.

Osborne.

XXI.

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RECEIVE ALL AS FOR YOUR GOOD.

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1. A MERCHANT was once riding home from the fair, with a knapsack full of money behind him. It rained heavily, and the good man was wet through and through. He was discontented in consequence, and complained bitterly that Providence had sent him such bad weather for his journey.

2. His way led him through a thick wood. Here, with horror, he saw a robber, who pointed a gun at him, and pulled the trigger. The merchant would have been killed, without a chance of escape; but, owing to the rain, the powder had become damp, and the gun did not go off. He put the spur to his horse, and quickly escaped the danger.

3. When he was in safety, he thus said to himself: "What a graceless simpleton I was when I abused the bad weather, and did not rather take it patiently as a dispensation of God! Had the

* According to Walker, the e in the second syllable of this word (as well as of conferrer, conferring, &c.) should have its regular short sound, as in ter ror, herring, &c., and not the short and obtuse sound which we give to the e before r in her, prefer, &c. See paragraph 107, page 44.