had any snuff to give him. Of course the interrupter received the merited reproof which was kindly but firmly administered. The term 'Bakwili' is used for the people and the language they speak. These people inhabit the Cameroon mountains, at an elevation of from one to three thousand feet. They do not use tobacco save in the form of snuff, of which they consume a great quantity. Like the majority of the uncivilised on this coast, they are not fond of hard work; but some of them are, nevertheless, expert hunters. With the exception of a 'cloth' around their loins-like the Boobees-they wear no clothing, but they appear to be more intellectual, as they are certainly more cleanly than the aboriginees of Fernando Po. Until the advent of the Baptist missionaries little was known about this tribe, and it was thought that a white man's life would be considered by them as of little value. But since Brother Thomson has lived among them, they have a clearer idea of the missionary's design, and they consequently act in a more friendly spirit towards their paler brethren. We pray that the Divine blessing may continue to attend our respected friend the Rev. Quinten Wilson Thomson in his arduous toil as a pioneer among the Bakwili. DAILY BREAD. SATURDAY. S. GRIFFITHS. The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him, and the Lord shall cover him all the day long.-Deut. xxxiii. 12. As the bird beneath her feathers So the Lord His children gathers, Spreads His wings and hides them there; All their foes they boldly dare. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings.-Psalm xvii. 8. SUNDAY. When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.—Micah vii. 8 Though cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me.-Mic. vii. 9. MONDAY. Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.-Psalm lxiii. 7 His love in time past forbids me to think Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. Lam.-iii. 24. TUESDAY. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.-Hos. vi. 3. I need the influence of Thy grace, To speed me in my way: Lest I should loiter in my race, Or turn my feet astray. No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.-Luke ix. 62. WEDNESDAY, I will look unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.-Micah vii. 7 When I am filled with sore distress For some surprising sin, I'll plead Thy perfect righteousness, Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.-Luke xviii. 1 THURSDAY. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living:-Psalm xxvii. 13. Friend of the friendless and the faint, O God, Thou art my God, early will I seek Thee.-Psalm lxiii. 1. FRIDAY Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.-Isaiah i. 18. For Him who washed you in His blood, Now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.-Eph. ii. 13. Heaven (A Visit To). 217 HEAVEN (A VISIT TO). WHAT a delightful name! What thoughts it brings into the Christian's mind! It is 'His home, his mansion fair, His treasure and his heart are there.' Most likely many of his loved ones are there; but, above all, his Saviour is there; and he knows, if he be faithful to the end, he shall go, too. over, and What a delightful home to go to after the toils, storms, and conflicts of this life! It is indeed a land of rest-real, peaceful, everlasting rest. Cheer up, then, Christian! for the storm will soon be you will cast anchor in that blissful port. Cheer up, Christian! No empty, craving stomachs there; no dry, mouldy crusts there; no hard work there; no parish allowance there. No, thank God! for 'they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more,' for 'the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water.' There are no burning fevers there, no wasting consumption there, nor any loathsome diseases there, for 'Pain nor sickness ne'er shall enter, Grief nor woe my lot shall share.' No! all sorrow, and sighing, and everything that mars our peace on earth, will all be left here with the old body. Nothing shall disturb us there. 'God shall wipe away all tears from their' eyes that enter there. Oh, could we but look-just take one little peep-into that blest abode, all desire for this earth and its fleeting joys for ever would be lost. Methinks: One day, as I stood musing in my garden, inhaling the sweet scents of the flowers and the balmy breeze of the morn, and listening with delight to the choruses of the feathered songsters and the humming of the bees, an angel, clothed in a robe of spotless white, approached me, and said in a melodious, heavenly voice 'Mortal, will you accompany me to the celestial city ?' I quickly consented, and, quicker than the lightning's flash, was conveyed towards the Spirit World by the angel. Up, up, up I went, higher, and higher, and higher, past the planets and their systems, far, far above the ethereal sky, to that fair land of bliss. At last we reached the gates, and standing there were beautiful angel guards who gave us a heavenly welcome. I passed the pearly gates, and lo! the city lay before me— 'Its gates of pearl and streets of gold Did strike my wondering sight; Nothing was amiss, everything looked beautiful: 'Beautiful trees for ever there, Beautiful palms the conquerors show, Beautiful all who enter there.' The beautiful trees were of heavenly green, far lovelier than the leaves of spring. The beautiful fruits are never sour; no, they are sweeter than the honey in the honeycomb. The beautiful rivers and fountains are as pure and as holy as the robes of the ransomed. Listen, Christian! There is a crown laid up for thee, if you work hard for Jesus; and it shall be decked with many stars and heavenly gems. Talk about Queen Victoria's crown glittering with diamonds, and rubies, and pearls; that is nothing when compared with the crown that is laid up for you. They were too dazzling for me to look upon; 'The crowns which the glorified wear' are too much for mortal sight. There is also a robe of spotless white laid up for you, too! far whiter than the wintry snow. Think of this, Christian! Fight on a little longer and you shall win the palm of victory! I asked the angel who conducted me to Heaven to guide me about the city. He did so, first taking me to look at the jasper walls, the pearly gates, and the golden streets; and then I saw a mighty host whose number exceeded the stars in the firmament. The angel, seeing me astonished, said, 'These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.' He then conducted me along the lovely banks of the river, and pointed out to me many dear departed friends who have crossed the Jordan, and who, now, 'Are watching and waiting for me, Heaven (A Visit To). 219 What delightful company they now have !-the good old patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Moses, the prophet Samuel, David the sweet singer of Israel, and all the noble line of prophets; Peter, Paul, and all the apostles. There they can converse with the Wesleys, Whitfield, Clowes, Hugh Bourne, and all the noble army of martyrs who have shed their last drop of blood for their dear Master. At last I came in sight of a beautiful white throne, and Him that sat thereon-I knew at first sight-was my Jesus! There were the prints of the thorny crown still on His forehead, the prints of the nails still in His hands, and still that pierced side. I knew it was my Saviour! It was too much for me; I fell down and worshipped Him, not daring to look upon Him. Hark! what melodious music is that which breaks upon my ear? Where does it proceed from ? I stand as if entranced! The angel, beckoning me, shewed me a holy, harping throng. What a sight I beheld! Millions-yea millions of harpers, a number that no man can number,' with palms in their hands, with crowns on their foreheads, and 6 'Sweetly played they on their harps.' Although there are so many, I do not hear a single note of discord. No! Their harps are tuned to songs Divine.' There are a vast number of children in heaven-yea,— 'Around the Throne of God in Heaven, Thousands of children stand; Children whose sins are all forgiven, A holy, happy band.' Although so many, yet there's room for millions more.' And, now, I must bid adieu to Heaven for awhile; the next time I go to it is to go and remain there forever. 'Sweet Heaven, bright Heaven! Sweet Heaven of rest; How I long to be there, its glories to share, And lean on Jesu's breast.' Dear reader, are you on your way to Heaven? Do you feel your sins are all forgiven and that 'you're marching to Emmanuel's land? If so, fight on; struggle on, you will reach home by-and-bye. But if you feel your feet are running in the downward way to hell, Oh! stop before it be too late; time is rapidly passing along bearing you to your ong home. Oh 'Stop poor sinner, stcp and think Before you further go.' |