Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-10-10
9TRDAT READING.

The following extract on the literary
attraction OF the Bible, is from an elo-
quent tract by the Rev James Hamilton,
Minister Of a Scotch Church in London,
which was sent by Mr. Lawrence, our
Minister in England, for reprint and cir
culation in the United States. The tract
has been published by the American
Tract Society in New York.-Pet Int.
But in giving that Bible, its divine
author had regard to the mind of man.
He knew that man has more curiosity
than piety, more taste than sanctity and
that more persons are anxious to hear
some new, or read some beauteous thing,
than 10 read or hear about God and the
great salvation. He knew that few
would aver ask, What must | do to be
saved till they came in contact with
the Bible itself; and therefore he made
the Bible not only an instructive book,
enticing. He filled it with marvellous
incident and engaging history-with sun
ny pictures from old world scenery, ard
affecting anecdotes from the patriarch
times. He ~replenished it with stately
argument and thrilling verse, and sprink-
led i! over with sententious wisdom and
proverOial %pungency. He made it a book
oflofty thoughts and noble images a book
of heavenly doctrine, but withail of earth
ly adaptation. In preparing a guide to
immortality, infinite wisdom gave not a
dictionary or a grammar, but a Bible-a
book which, in trying TO catch the heart
of man, should captivate his taste and
which, in transforming his affections,
should also expand his intellect. The
pearl is of create price but even the
casket is of exquisite beauty. The sword
is of ETHEREAL temper, and nothing cuts
so keen as its double edge but there
are jewels on the hilt, and fine tracery
on the scabbard. The shekels are of the
purest ore ; but even the scrip which
contains them is of a texture more curl
Gus than the artists of earth could fash
ion it. The apples are gold and even
the baskets silver.
HIRED TO KEEP THE SABBATH.-An
eminent minister In Wales, hearing of a
neighbor who followed his calling on the
Lords day, went and asked him why he
broke the Sabbath. The man replied
that he was driven to it, by finding i
hard work to maintain his family. Will
you attend public worship said Mr.. P.
if pay you a week days wages? Yes
most gladly, said the poor man. He atten
4 ded constantly and received his pay
After some time, Mr.. P. forgot to sen'
] the money !; and recollecting it, calle'
5 upon the man and said, I am in you
debt.'-'No, sir he replied, you ar
S not How So said Mr.. P; I have nc
paid you Of late True answered tn
man, but [ can now trust God for
have found that he can bless the work
$ six days for the support of my family
d Just the same as seven Ever after tn;
b he strictly kept the Sabbath, and foun
e that in keeping Gods commands there
no loss but great reward.
WANTED ABovE.-A distinguish
q physician of Chester county gave tt
following beautiful story in a letter to
friend
. "At the commencement of my pra
tice ] was called to see an Itishman
Is child who was laboring under a We
severe attack of pneumonia. The po
little fellow grew worse and worse f
ID several days, until on n of my visits
n found him very low, his breathing We
II difficult, aud the extremities almost col
The family saw clearly and felt deep
the danger. When l left the house t
he father came out of the door, and when
of mounted my horse, he said,
CHI "Docther, dear, de We think little Je
nv will come out Of
I'D 1 replied, the case is very doubt
ed but there is some hope"
he "Shure, docther, an have no he
at all, none in the world, SO | havn't
of His mother an me have often been s.
in kin about him, SO we have, and we n
lys err expected to raise him. Such child
ear can't be raised, I doubt they never S
emit long"
"Why?" said I.
ing "Ah, docther, he's so crafty.
- wudn't believe what takin' airs he
my weth'im-he'S vanted above among the
Sod !?'
the