became conscious that somebody was in the room. Supposing that a neighbour had dropped in upon some unforseen errand, Mr. Lee said"What is the matter?" and turned around in his chair. He beheld the grim face of a burglar, who was pointing a pistol at his breast. The ruffian had entered the house by a side window, supposing that all the occupants were wrapt in slumber, and burst upon the presence of Mr. Lee before he was aware that the study contained an occupant. "Give me your watch and money," said he, "and make no noise, or I will fire." Mr. Lee said-" You may as well put down your weapon, for I shall make no resistance, and you are at liberty to take all the valuables I possess." The burglar withdrew his menacing pistol, and Mr. Lee said

"I will conduct you to the place where my most precious treasures are placed." He opened a door and pointed to the cot where his two children lay slumbering in the sweet sleep of innocence and peace. “These,” said he, "are my choicest jewels. Will you take them ?" He proceeded to say that, as a minister of the gospel, he had few earthly possessions, and that all his means were devoted to but one object—the education of the two children that were reposing in the adjoining room. The burglar was deeply and visibly affected by these remarks. Tears filled his eyes, and he expressed the utmost sorrow at the act he was about to commit. After a few remarks from Mr. Lee, the would-be criminal consented to kneel and join with him in prayer; and there in that lonely house, amid the silence of midnight, the offender poured forth his penitence and remorse, while the representative of a religion of peace and goodwill told him to "go and sin no more." Such a scene has few parallels. On the conclusion of the prayer the burglar attempted to take his departure by the broken window through which he had entered.

The man repliedeither you or me."

"Why not go by the front door?" said Mr. Lee. "There are confederates there that would shoot He desired Mr. Lee to take an oath on the Holy Scriptures never to reveal the particulars of this singular interview. Mr. Lee said it was unnecessary, as he had the kindest feeling towards him, and should never divulge anything he had seen or heard. The next day Mr. Lee, while walking in the streets of Waterford, met the man; and also on frequent, subsequent occasions he saw him from time to time.

One of the actors in this singular episode fills an early grave; but by means that we are not at liberty to disclose, that event did not die with him. What must be the feelings of the other party to this mysterious meeting, when he reflects on the lonely parsonage, and the memorable scene that it witnessed on the night before thanksgiving, 1862?—The Presbyterian. Extracted by W. STEWART.

INFLUENCE.

THE word influence signifies a gushing or flowing freely; literally, a flowing in, into, or on, and referring to substances spiritual and too subtle to be visible. As Hooker hath said, "God hath his influences into the very essence of all things." By influence we mean energy, which gives a bias, which acts suasively, which inclines the mind to a particular course. Influence is an ascendant power, an impulsive, directive, or modifying force; this force is exerted by one being or another for good or for evil. Moral influence has been appropriately compared to the atmosphere which surrounds us; it touches us at every point, and is ever pressing on us.

Man is the subject and source of influence. The teaching of science is, that influence pervades every part of the natural world. From the most minute piece of matter to the most huge, all are acted upon by influence. It is said that the fluttering of a tiny insect's wing sends its influence to the most remote orb in the vast field of space. As the influence of every kind of matter acts upon another, so man influences man. The apostle Paul said, when writing to the Romans, "For none of us liveth to himself." Each influences and is influenced; from every heart there proceeds influences, more or less powerful, which radiate and entwine around other hearts. Soul acts upon soul; and the spark which fires a solitary breast is communicated to surrounding bosoms. Every word uttered by man makes its impression; every act is fraught with influences successive and momentous, which may be felt for years to come. The present happiness and future destiny of each individual depends in a great measure on the character and force of external influences acting on his mind from the minds of others. None are free from the touch of this subtle, all penetrating, and ever-flowing element of power. Man carries with him a power mighty in itself, which clings to him, and which it is impossible for him to shake off. Every word and every act is like as many pebbles dropped into a placid lake, creating a series of circles over the whole expanse. Thus the spirit of men who have lived in the past throbs in us, and is become our moral life blood. The power of mind in its action and re-action on other minds, and even on itself, is a fact which every one admits, and of which every one is conscious. For good or for evil, that power is a glorious or a terrible reality. All must have experienced the potency of mind in inducing thought, in evoking passion, in developing talent, in moulding and forming character. True as matter acts upon matter, in the way of attraction, repulsion, pressure, &c, so certainly does mind act on mind

in the way of suggestion, sympathy and moral influence. Sparks do not more certainly follow the blow of the hammer on the white hot iron than the thrill of interest, or the gush of feeling, when the fact, the figure, or the thought, adapted to rivet attention, or kindle emotion, is vividly presented. With very few exceptions, man's nature is deeply susceptible to the influence of his fellow.

Character re-acts upon itself. Each thought, and impression, and act becomes the parent of others bearing the same likeness. The actions of to-day have a great bearing on those of to-morrow. Present life shadows life in prospect. Seeds of thought and feelings now indulged will drop into the soil of character, and reproduce themselves in aftertime. There are some energetic natures we meet with, which seem to us to bear about with them an inexhaustible fund of moral influence. Like the gushing spring, they are ever pouring out their stores, and they never seem any poorer; when in their presence your thoughts, feelings, purposes, and views receive for the moment a tinge and a bias from them almost unconsciously to yourselves. We often think how great the responsibility of such, and how immense the power they have for good if properly applied. Some are like the sun to give out influence, and others are like the moon to receive it; yet even the sun is a recipient, and the moon has an agency of power. So the greatest minds have their susceptibilities, and the most imperishable nations are not destitute of moral force. Every man has an influence; he may not be conscious of it, he may not intend it, but so it is.

Great revolutions in human society have been brought about through the influence of a few individuals. In the annals of the world, the names of but a few hundreds have been strewr. along the path of about 6,000 years. Often have we read in the pages of history of obscure and untitled boys, who have ripened into manhood, and who have been raised by the frantic devotion of their fellows to the pinnacle of universal honour, and who by their personal influence over the minds of their fellow men were as spells, potent and tremendous. In other departments of human thought and action the same characteristics prevail. Mental impressions are forcible, but moral impressions are far more forcible. Moral impulses are infectious; none are separate from their race; all are linked and connected together by some means or other. The closer the contact of men, the greater the impression for weal or for woe, for good or for evil. Thus the principles and practice of parents, Sabbath-school teachers, ministers and members of Christian churches tell most powerfully upon the character and conduct of those in their charge, and by whom they are surrounded, in shaping their character in this life, and influencing their destiny in the life to come. This

influence and responsibility man cannot escape. If he lives he must aet and move, and if so he sheds an influence, and makes an impression which must tell on the immortal interests of all souls around him. Man, as a responsible being, is a witness either for or against truth. He treads on cords that will vibrate to all eternity, and every time he moves he touches keys whose sound will echo over the plains of glory, and through all the dismal caverns of hell. Men who are morally good carry with them a light in their every day lives, which flashes upon the corrupt heart of society and causes it to blush. As night must give place to dawning day, so vice cowers and blushes under the radiant eye of virtue.

Good men are moral mirrors reflecting the divine likeness of God. They are lights throwing their radiance over every object within the sweep of their influence. Their conversation, their spirit, their conduct, and their whole life scatters such a light on the moral eye of men as to bring God and eternity near to them.

Men who are morally bad are responsible for the moral contagion which they communicate.

History and experience combined teach us that numbers have been ruined by the infusion of poison by men of evil influence. The emissaries of Satan are seeking the gratification of their own gross and depraved appetites, and thus plunging souls into perdition by the fatal influence of their wretched principles and ruinous example.

The influence and spread of moral corruption demand the most serious consideration of those who avow that they belong to Christ. The command of the Saviour ought to be obeyed by all. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." How careful ought all to be, and especially those whose social influence, opinions, and conduct are the guide and impulse of the masses of society. "Be ye holy, for I am holy." "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ." If we wish to be a blessing to our families, ourselves, and the world, we must be holy. Sanctified influence. It wields the greatest power, sheds the clearest light, sends forth the sweetest fragrance, makes the most lasting impres sions, and it accomplishes the highest good. It is not position that gives influence, but character; the power which men wield over others is not determined so much by where they are as what they are. It is the highest object and purpose of man's being to be holy. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. EDWARD CAIRNS.

THE STRAIT GATE.

BY REV. J. VAUGHAN.

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Luke xiii. 2.

"SHALL not be able."

Not because of any difficulty arising from

the straitness of the gate. That is wide enough for all to enter who are willing to comply with the required conditions. God is "no respecter of persons," and is "not willing that any should perish." But in order to enter the kingdom of heaven sin must be parted with, and those who will not give it up will find it impossible to enter. Men would gladly enter if the gate were wide enough to allow them to take their sins in with them, but it is not. How many would enter if they could carry in their gold and silver, their houses and lands, their dogs and horses, their dice and cards, their cups and glasses, their lusts and passions, and their selfishness and evil dispositions. But no! Heaven is not a rendezvous for all characters, a sort of Noah's Ark, a recepticle for the clean and unclean. No drink-seller with his hands stained with the life-blood of poor drunkards shall enter there. No man whose wealth has been obtained by trickery and fraud, under the name of "trade custom," shall find a home there. No rich landlord, whose wealth has been wrung from poor half-starved tenants, from broken-hearted widows and fatherless children, shall set foot there. No unjust judge who has received bribery, oppressed the innocent and spared the guilty, shall pass through the strait-gate. No hypocrite with lying lips, masked face, and varnished character shall be found there. No proud, conceited worldling, whose god is his belly, and his glory is his shame, shall find a resting place there. Dunkards, liars, Sabbath-breakers, swearers, and all unjust and unholy persons, shall find no entrance there. Many of them "will seek to enter," but "shall not be able." Their presence would mar the happiness of the pure and holy, and turn heaven itself into a second Sodom. All the saints and angels would rise and oppose the entering of such characters. With united voice the redeemed would exclaim, "We were vexed with your filthy conversation and filthier deeds when we were with you on earth, but we will have none of your company here: here the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." No unholy feet shall tread the pavement of the celestial city; its atmosphere shall never be polluted with the filthy songs of the licentious, and no blasphemer shall belch out his oaths and curses there. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people; a home for the pure and holy, and none but the blood-washed shall enter there. "I would