A CONTRAST.

THERE was a stately mansion on a mountain's swelling side,

And its fair domains encircling lay, outstretching fa and wide;

And the Lady of that princely home stood in he father's hall,

While the radiance of the evening sun lit up the banner'd wall.

There were lovely children playing near, and menials to espy

The glance that spoke each new desire, in her dark and flashing eye;

And friends drew near with smoothest words and soft and silky tone,

Echoing with honied lips the phrase just parted from her own.

The diamond gems were sparkling on her proudlyheaving breast,

But tumultuous passions throbb'd within, that knew no peace or rest;

And the Lady looked from storied walls out on the noble wood,

And her aching heart just whispered, "Who will show me any good?"

In the vale beneath, the slanting beam smiled on a lowly cot,

The desolate abode of one who felt a widow's lot;

A niggard pension doled from out a wealthy kinsman's store,

With her own efforts, just sufficed to keep want from the door.

She stands without the woodbine porch and gazes on the scene

Decked with the mellow sunset-ray, so peacefully

serene;

She looks upon the palace-land like a garden fair outspread,

And the feathered streaks of gold which paint the sky above her head;

She catches the mild fragrance of the honeysuckle's breath,

And her tears spring forth that such a world men's sin has marred with death.

Then raising her sweet face once more, lit up with feeling's glow,

Her thankful spirit gently breathes, "Oh Lord ! how good art thou!"

I. B.

FANCY FAIRS.

"Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not, and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth."-ROM. XIV. 13.

MADAM,

NEVER before having intruded on your pages, you will perhaps allow this letter a place in your next number. I have heard it said of the Evangelical portion of the Church by their self-styled Orthodox Brethren, 'Oh, you only read the Romans to the end of the eleventh chapter, and leave off before the good works are spoken of. Being one of the Evangelical' portion myself, I of course deny that charge, but I do think we are too apt to read only to the end of the thirteenth chapter, and leave off before we come to the very important, fourteenth. I do think we have fallen into a very dogmatizing spirit, and because our own view of a case is clear, determine that it ought to be every other Christian's view also. I will not enter into the question as to whether or not there are things indifferent to us, but surely Paul teaches us that there are things indifferent in themselves, though to us they become sins, or duties, exactly as every man is " fully persuaded in his own mind." That mind of course being guided in its judgment by the Word of God. I wish to lay before your Correspondent who wrote the letter in the last number upon Fancy Fairs, a sincere view of my own

feelings and conduct in the case, not because I think myself a standard of Christian correctness (far from me be the thought) but because (I hope on equally conscientious grounds) they are entirely contrary to her own. I have no wish to bias her: with her views, all patronage of them would be sinful, as "to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclear, to him it is unclean," though I hope she will allow, it may not necessarily be unclean to another. Far be it from me to confound the distinction between what is really in itself right or wrong, but as to me at least, it does not appear clear that 'a beautiful spot,' or what is more common, a convenient room, bands of music, 'ingenuity and skill,'' varied means of refreshment,' or fancy articles' are in themselves sin, or necessary or even probable causes of sin; it does seem that this is one of the questions on which every one ought to be 66 fully persuaded in his own mind" without "judging his brother." It has pleased Providence to make me what is termed a gentlewoman; that is I am above all need of working with my own hands,' but as is generally the case with ladies in their father's or even husband's houses, I have very little actual money to give away. Other talents have, however, been given me. Time is one of them, and as I abound in relatives and connections who stay with us and with whom we stay, I have a great deal of drawing room time on hand, which, if not redeemed to Fancy work, would be passed in idleness, for even Dorcas would perhaps have shrunk from the display of making garments in all companies. 2ndly. And here I smile at having to pronounce my poor little ability a talentI can set my own verses to my own music. 3rdly. I have a very ready pencil and palette. Well then

God has given me these talents. He does not require me to support myself by them. How can I use them for Him? sincerely I ask myself the question, and the Bazaar is the only way I can see open to me.

Again, Fancy Fairs are generally held for some object in special want of funds; with my limited means ten or twenty shillings would be all I could give or ought to give, but as my little income is paid me at stated seasons, I can often afford to spend in materials in the shop a greater sum than I could give direct from the purse, and when my one pound is converted into canvass and wools, or canvass and colours, though I may not be able to say it "hath gained five pounds," still I have the pleasure of contributing to the object a much larger sum than I otherwise could do, and I think a Christian is bound to contrive to do the most he possibly can.

As to "the wares sold being what money ought not to purchase," I regret indeed, the uselessness of much that is offered for sale, but under my anonymous cover, I may venture without vain boasting, to say, that for the last three months I have been enduring a completely worn-out pair of dressing-slippers and have not bought a winter shawl I am in need of, because I know a Bazaar will shortly be held in my neighbourhood, for an object I approve of, where there will be slippers in plenty, and knitted woollen shawls, which, though I do not like them, will do as well, and enable me to contribute to a society which ought to be dear to every Christian's heart, more than I possibly could do in any other way. Your correspondent will perhaps tell me I am defrauding two honest tradesmen, but as I am well aware the one gains more, by making up worked slippers, than he