the Sabbath, it is believed, do read-a large proportion of them, I trust, read the Scriptures-but are there not some even among religious families, who indulge themselves in reading books, which lay no claim to be religious? Some even in such families--and thousands, who belong to families less scrupulous, spend no inconsiderable part of the Sabbath in perusing the newspapers of the week; or in reading History, Biography and Travels; and not a few "steal awhile away," and whirl away the consecrated hours, amid the fascinations of a novel, or romance.

But what would such persons say, should they see a neighbor making preparations for a journey of business, on that morning?or proceeding to his field to dress out his corn?—or, shouldering his musket, and with dog by his side, setting forth on a hunting excursion? Would such employments and recreations, in their view be proper? But where is the difference in the sight of God, between these and reading profane history, or secular biographya book of travels-or some voyage round the world—a newspaper, or a novel? Both, to say the least, are flagrant violations of that divine law, which says, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Yet many moral people would scarcely be disturbed in conscience by reading such works on the Sabbath, while they would be shocked at the impiety of the employments and recreations named above.

But it is urged, that the Sabbath is a long and wearisome day. Not to the true Christian. You hear no such complaints from him. His delight is too much in the worship of God, and in meditation on" the law of the Lord," to make the Sabbath a dull and tedious day. To those, however, who find no enjoyment in spiritual objects and employments, it is wearisome. But are they hence excusable in prostituting the day to secular purposes? By no means. They should possess such a heart as will delight in God's service. and in the performance of all those duties which he has enjoined. They should love the Bible, and so love it as never to neglect it, for any other book, however scriptural, and useful it may be.

The Bible should be read-pondered-improved. But while special attention to that is doubtless all important, the exclusive reading of it is not required. Other works may be profitably perused. But not those, which are of an irreligious tendency, nor even those, which might be deemed of a neutral character.

The works suitable for the Sabbath are such, as falling in with

the Bible, tend to enlighten the mind, and improve the affections -such as illustrate the grace of God-as lead to prayer, repentance, faith, and good works.

Such books introduced into families are safe and useful. The more interest and incident they have, the more attractive and impressive they will be likely to be.

In the belief that ample materials existed for a volume of a religious, but miscellaneous character-well adapted for family reading on the Sabbath--not to the exclusion of the Bible-no, not for a moment-but uniting with its holy influence, and often illustrating its truths, and enforcing its precepts, the author, some time since, commenced the task of collecting, and arranging them. He has gone on, till a large volume has been gathered. His labors are now submitted. Judging from the effects of many of the pieces upon his own mind, he cannot doubt, that they will be found interesting and profitable.

He hopes that the work will do good;-will subserve the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom-the welfare of immortal minds. And, if it shall be the means of impressing one soul with the importance of personal religion-of comforting one heart-of rousing one Christian to watchfulness and prayer-or of increasing benevolent effort for the salvation of a ruined world, he will not have labored in vain, nor have spent his strength for nought.

RELIGIOUS ANECDOTES.

Circulate the Bible.

IT has been related of a British subject of some dis nction, that for some misdemeanor, he was cast into prison, and condemned to death. Friends interested themselves, and procured from the royal clemency a pardon; which was committed to the proper officer to be forwarded. The officer, however, being unfriendly to the prisoner, retained the pardon in his own hands, till the time appointed was past, and the unhappy prisoner was executed. Who does not feel his indignation moved, in view of such unfaithfulness?

The Bible is an offer of pardon from the clemency of heaven, sent down for condemned and perishing sinners, while yet they are "prisoners of hope." Whoever receives it, is bound to communicate the knowledge of it to his fellow prisoners far and near, that they, with himself, may partake the benefit. Every one into whose hands it falls, is, from this very fact, commissioned to publish it. It is made his duty. He is appointed to the office of publishing it." Let him that heareth say, Come!" A responsibility is upon him, from which he can never be free. Suppose then he fail in his duty. Suppose he let the pardon lie by him, till the poor brother for whom it was designed, dies without having heard of it. Is he guiltless? The British sheriff was guilty of a fearful crime. Is it less to hold back the knowledge of heaven's pardon from those for whom it was intended, ull the day of mercy with them is for ever past?

Queen Elizabeth gave to the Earl of Essex a RING, assuring him that into whatever disgrace he might fall, or whatever prejudices she might herself be induced to entertain against him, yet if he sent her that ring, she

would immediately, upon the sight of it, recall her former tenderness. Difficulties at length arose, and he was imprisoned in the Tower. He sent the ring to the Queen, and wondered that he did not receive from her some favorable regard. The ring, however, had been stopped on the way. The Queen, uot receiving it, supposed him obstinate, and signing the death-warrant, the Earl was executed.

Was no wrong done him? Who would be willing to take the responsibility of storping that ring? The individual who did stop it, the Countess of Nottingham, when she came to die, was overwhelmed with remorse. She sent for the Queen, and disclosed to her the fact. The Queen bursting into a furious passion, shook the dying Countess in her bed, crying to her, "that God might pardon her, but she never could." The Bible is much more than that ring. It is the toker of love from God to his creatures. Into whatever difficulties they may fall, if they present to him this, in humble reliance on the grace it reveals, he assures them of his compassion and the returns of his favor. He will remember them in mercy; he will save them. Who will not fear to have this token of Heaven's love stop on its way in his hands? Who will not hasten it to its destination, that every creature may know his privileges, and, by the use of them, obtain eternal life? Neglect may bring guilt, which it will be difficult to forgive. It may fill the soul with angush when it will be too late to rectify the evil.

The Safe Contract.

A respectable merchant in one of our principal cities, was traveling, some few years since, in a county of t State of New-York. He arrived on Saturday evening, a public house, where he had been accustomed to lodge ir traveling that way. After having taken some refresh ment, in connection with a number of travelers, among whom were two or three families removing to the new settlements, he began the distribution of a Tract to each individual, presenting the Tracts in a respectful manner, and recommending them, from the pleasure, and, as he

hoped, advantage, which he himself had derived from their perusal. To the families which were removing to the new settlements, he gave several, to be carried by them to the place of their destination.

Before he had completed the circle of his distributions, he offered a tract to a poor man, who declined receiving it, saying, "It is of no use to give one to me, sir, for I can't read."

"Well," said the merchant, "it is probable you are a married man, and if so, perhaps your wife can read it to you."

"Yes," said he, "my wife can read, but I have no time to hear it read."

"You certainly can hear it read to-morrow," said the merchant, "which is the Sabbath."

"Sir," said he, "I have no more time on the Sabbath, than any other day: I am so poor, I am obliged to work on the Sabbath. It takes me the six days to provide for my family, and on the Sabbath I am obliged to get my wood."

"If you are so poor as that," said the merchant, "you must be very poor."

"I am," said he; and proceeded to mention that he had no cow, and that his family were very destitute.

"It is no wonder you are poor," replied the merchant, "if you work on the Sabbath. God won't prosper those, who thus profane the day. And now," said he, " my friend, I have a proposition to make to you. You, landlord, will be my surety, that my part of the contract will be fulfilled. From this time, leave off working on the Sabbath. If you have no wood, with which to be comfortable to-morrow, get a little for your necessity, the easiest way you can, and then, on Monday morning, provide a supply for the week; and, hereafter, leave off your other labors every week, early enough to provide a full week's store of wood on Saturday. Quit all your work on the Sabbath;-reverence that day; and at the end of six months, whatever you will say you have lost by keeping the Sabbath, I will pay you to the amount of one hundred dollars."

The poor man solemnly confirmed the contract, and the landlord engaged to be responsible for the due payment