by the name of such, who were enemies to the cross of Christ. Chrysostom, a godly Father, saith, 'In this thing, that is, in the naming of their children, both the godliness of the parents and also their great care for their children is declared. And how have they forthwith and from the beginning taught the children which were born unto them, giving them warning by the names wherewith they call them, that they should practise virtue ? They did not give names at adventure, and without reason, as is used now-a-days; for now men say, Let the child be called after the name of his grandfather, or great-grandfather. But our old fathers. did not so; they took all heed to call their children by such names which should not only provide them to virtue which carried the names, but should teach all others much wisdom, whatsoever should remain many years after them.' Again he saith, 'See how great understanding they of old time had, that even the women named not their children rashly or by chance, but called them by names that forshewed such things as might happen after.' And of Leah, Jacob's wife, he maketh a special commendation. 'See how she nameth not her children simply, nor at adventure; she called him Simeon, because, (saith she,) the Lord hath heard.' Therefore he saith, 'Let not us therefore give names unto our children that are common names, or because they were the names of our grandfathers or great-grandfathers, or of such who have been famous for their parentage; but rather let us call them by the names of such as have excelled in virtue, and have been most faithful towards God.' Let them carry the names of the Apostles, of the Prophets, of the martyrs, of such who have been constant in the faith, and have suffered death for Christ's sake; that so they may be taught by their name to remember whose name they bear, and that they neither speak nor do any thing unworthy of their name. As if any be called John, that he pray for grace, and desire to be filled with grace; that he give witness of Christ that he is the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world; that he rebuke vice boldly, as John did in Herod, though he were a mighty prince. Or if he be called Paul, that he so become a follower of Paul, as Paul was of Christ, and say with Paul, (Gal. ii.) "That I might live unto God, I am crucified with Christ. Thus I live, yet not I now, but Christ liveth in me;" and hear Christ speaking unto him, as did Paul, and fall down and say, "Lord, what wilt thou that I do?" (Acts ix.) So let him that is called Thomas touch the bosom of Christ, and handle his wounds, and make a good confession, as Thomas did, and "" say, My Lord and my God." Let Matthew forsake his custom, even the deceitful gains of the world, and follow Christ. Let Daniel remember Daniel; and though he should be thrown into the den of lions, or be burnt in the fire, or suffer any cruel torments, yet let him not therefore forsake God, but put his whole trust in him. Thus should our names teach us, that whether we write them, or utter them, or hear them spoken, they may put us in mind of Christian duty and godliness. SACRED REFLECTIONS. No. 5. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," 1 Tim. i. 15. THESE are words of inexpressible sweetness and comfort to the believing soul. We must experience before we can understand either. In the first hours of penitential sorrow for sin, how consolatory the thought that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!" Again, are we bowed down under a sense of indwelling corruption, and are ready to exclaim in the language of the Apostle, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death." Still let us remember with true thankfulness of heart, that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." His name is "Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." Let us reflect too on that other sweet portion of Scripture, Our Saviour Jesus Christ" gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Once more, we dismayed by the prospect of death, and do we shrink from the darkness of the grave? Still it is written for our encouragement and consolation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save his believing ones from the terrors of the last and most formidable enemy! Christ hath in his own person "abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light." He assumed our nature that " through death, he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through are fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage. Those who are interested by faith in the Redeemer's merits have no cause of alarm in the final hour. There is a voice which gently whispers in their ears, “Fear not, for I have redeemed thee: when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee!" The language of David is their language, and bespeaks the calm serenity of their souls; "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." They can also break forth into the triumphant challenge of the Apostle, and say in the full assurance of faith and hope, "O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 'Death wounds to cure; we fall, we rise, we reign; When shall I die? When shall I live for ever?' Young. SACRED REFLECTIONS. No. 6. In the boundless variety of created objects I have always contemplated the Ocean as the finest and most magnificent emblem of Eternity. The apparently unlimited expanse, and the unceasing roar of its waters, convey to the mind two very striking images of a never ending existence beyond the grave. Whilst walking on the solitary shore, how often are we overwhelmed by a sensation of solemnity and grandeur ! It would be difficult, perhaps impossible, to analyze the feeling, and much more to express it. When we gaze on the Ocean with its mighty waste of billows, let us never forget to adore the Creator of such a stupendous work, and deeply ponder on the Eternity of happiness or misery which awaits us in the world to CHARLES. come. TALE OF LAKE HURON. In the winter of 1832, I was led, partly by business and partly by the novelty of the enterprise, to walk from the Indian establishment at Coldwater, on Lake Huron, to the Sault St. Marie, or the river Severn, |