ODDS AND ENDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7336, 23 May 1885, Page 4 (Supplement)

ODDS AND ENDS.

A plant that will soon flourish in the desert air.—The Suakira-Berbcr Railway plant.

The angler's favourite author cious Hooker."

" The judi-

The old saw, "Fine words butter no parsnips," is now rendered, "Elegant diction oleomargarines no pastinacs ednlis."

A merchant, not over conversant with geography, on hearing that one of his vessels was in jeopardy, exclaimed, "Jeopardy— Jeopardy I —where'* that ?" "I wonder," said a bonnie lassie, "what our Jock sees in the lasses, that he likes them Bae weel. For my part, I wadna gie ao lad for a' the lassies e'er 1 saw." A collier, who bad just finished reading a book, remarked to a friend sitting near, " He maun be a gey clever chap that Finis, bis name's at the end o' very book." " He died on the field," she sobbed, as she stood at his tombstone. ■ " A gallant soldier, no doubt," broke in a sympathiser. "Oh, no, sir ; he was hit by a base-ball bat." A woman scared a burglar away by pointing a hair brash at him. Some men who have been boys can never see a hair brash or slipper in the hands of a woman without wanting to run. After six years of Radical rale, the position of England abroad may be briefly summarised Bullied by Germany ; threatened by Russia; jeered at by Prance; and " chivied" by the Mahdi!

A stump orator wanted the wings of a bird to fly to every village and hamlet in the broad land ; but he collapsed when a man in the crowd sang out, " You'd get shot for a goose before you flew a mile!"

A paper contains an advertisement of an enterprising tradesman, who at the end of it, announces: "Ministers supplied with goods at cost price, if they agree to mention the fact to their congregation." After her grandmother bad given her a good scolding, a little mischief way overheard to say to herself, " Somebody is cross in this room ; 'taint me, and 'taint dolly, and 'taint kitty. I wonder who it is ?"

The following inscription is to be read on a gravestone in Pere La Chaise —" Here lies Grabrielle X., my adored spouse, an angel! I shall never get over her loss 1

Here lies Henrietta X., my second wife, an angel also !"

"Say, Pat, whatever made you goto work for old Unole Dan? He's the meanest man in the country." "Mane, is it said Fat; why, shure an' he's the foinest, aisyestgoing master iver I had, bedad. He gives a man fifteen hours to do a day's work in."

" Edward, what do I hear—that you have disobeyed your grandmother, who told you just now not to jump down those steps ?" "Grandma didn't tell us not to, papa; she only came to the door, and said,*' I wouldn't jump down those steps, boys ;' and I shouldn't think she would—an old lady like her."

Lady (to small boy, to whom she has given a sixpence to console him for the loss of ono he has dropped): Why do you still cry, little boy? There's nothing to cry about now. Boy : Why aoause if I hadn't dropped the other sixpence I should have had a shilling now. (Sobs bitterly.) - Miss Daisy Green has just been introduced to Jones, and the two are conversing. Daisy says, " What funny-looking people one meets out, Mr. Jones; only look at; that frightful girl in the doorway." " I can't help thinklog she is not no bad-looking as the awkward stick who is talking to her," replied Jones. "The awkward stick is my brother!" " That frightful girl is my sister I" Scene Guardians' Meeting, Workhouse Eoy, who had been apprenticed to a small farmer, brought up, as he had run away. Guardian: "Did they beat yon Boy: "No, Sir." Guardian ; "Then why did you run away ?" Boy : " Please, sir, Boon after I got; there, a pig died, they salted it, and we had fur to eat it; then a calf died, and they salted it, and we had fur to eat that; then master's grandmother died, and I seed 'um takiog some salt upstairs, so I run'd away i" There are losses which people suffer unconsciously, like that sustained by the geologist who hired a Scotch gillie to carry his bag of specimens across the mountains., "It wan very heavy load, and just nothing but stones," said Donald, relating his experiences to a friend, " and I was not a fool enough to drag the pebbles a guid ten miles. I just emptied the bag before I started, and filled it at the cairn X last came to, and the gentlemen was just as pleased." The unlucky geologist was doubtless puzzled by the contents of the bag when he came to examine it later,

SUNDAY READING. r : + THE STRANGE FIRE. Sounds of high joy had just been swelling through the holy court. Sure tokens of approving love had rested on the typifying altar. The flame which might not die, and which alone might now be used, witnessed God's smile on the appointed victims. The covenant of grace was sealed anew with the blazing seal. The obedient worshipper had proof that God was near him, with him, for him.

Reader, this sight is opening Heaven. Who would not ever gaze ? But earth is yet our home. Here a vile foe is always near. He writhes when souls are safely climbing Zion's hill. He saw the joys of Eden, and he flew to mar. He saw the gospel of this Heaven-sent fire, and ho will strive to quenoh. So now he comes. The place iB sacred and the office holy. But he has keys for every gate. No station iB too high for his foul wing. Wo consecrated functions scare him back.

He seeks the side of Aaron's first-born sons. Their calling to be priests is no protecting shield. He can ascend the altar steps. He knows the fit temptation for the holiest place. So now he fosters selfexacting zeal. He lead? to worship ; but the worship must be strange. He prompts an offering, but the offering is not God's. Such was his bait. Mark its success. Nadab and Abihu take each his censor. Was this God's will ? Did He require this act ? Their first step strays. They next add fire. Whenoe was it brought? God had provided what alone He would receive. It was not distant. An outstretched hand might instantly obtain. They madly reason, Wh&t, will no other flame avail? Will this alone causa incense to ascend ? " Impious self will thus reasons into ruin.

Strange fire is seized, and a strange service acted. Oh ! miserable men. Their hands feign holy work, bat rebel feet tread down God's ordinance. Oh 1 terrible result. To despise God is rapid downfall. His frown is withering blight. It arms eaoh creature with destructive sting. Behold a proof. The pledge of flavour inflicts sudden death. The symbol of accepted service now hurls the disobedient into ruin's gulf. The fire thus scorned put forth its mighty strength. It vindicates its sacred purport. They who rejected cannot now cast off. It wraps tbein in its burning arms, and lays tlieir blackened corpses in the dust. Thus Nadab and Abihu perish from the earth. But still the judgment lives. This story stands as a dark beacon on a rocky coast. It cries, beware, to all despise™ of the gospel scheme. It shows that they who stray from God's appointed path fall into quicksands of tremendous wra£h.

Reader, these lines draw near, bringing this counsel to your heart. Listen with humble mind, with earnest prayer, and may the Lord of mercy mercifully bless.

The Bible page stands open. It court your eyes. It craves attention. It wears no dark disguise. It is an azure sky of truth. It writes with an unerring pen the mission and the work of Christ. It tells you that when you were ruined and undone, when condemnation's thunder roared, the Father sent His Son to bear the curse, to die the death, to suffer in the sinner's stead, and save with uttermost salvation. These tidings loudly sound their silver note. The testimony is distinct, Behold the Lamb of God, look to His cross, hide in His wounds, enter the refuge of His merits. Cement yourself by faith to Him, urge Him your all-provailing plea. A train of faithful promises assures that none thus seeking are cast out. But threats re echo, There is none other name; no other sacrifice remains; despise, reject, neglect, and death without a remedy is near, and hell without escape gapes for you.

Header, a question meets you here. Lot honest truth reply. Did the attesting fire on Israel's altar blaza with more brightness than this clear mind of God ? Oh, no. The fact defies denial. Such is the way marked out by God. Here is the door, which mercy opens. Here is the . refuge raised by sovereign love. Here is the cure of all sin's wounds. God (jives, and.God attests, His Son, as full redemption for thfe lost.

How is such wondrous news received? Surely all earth will, throb with one ecstatic pulse of joy. Surely each sinew will be strained to grasp the gift of gifts. But is it so ? Draw back the curtains of man's inmost soul.' Enter the chambers in which hidden imagery dwells. In many corners many Nadaba and Abihus lurk. They hear of Christ, and sneer. They see the cross, and count it a vain thing. The fire of their own hearts is their delight. They rather choose self-kindled sparks.

Reader, draw near, and mark some leaders of this blinded troop. Self-righteous pride claims foremost place. It is a bold, unblushing rebel in earth's camp. It lifts a daring head, and wears a helmet plumed with nutnre's gaudy crest. Its mouth abounds with self-invented pleas. What are they ? Fancied innocence of grievous ill, a fancied treasury of virtue's deeds, a train of duties towards God, a train of charity towards man. It views this household lime, and fondly asks, What lack I more? Ah, the rash madness ! Ah, the wreck of soul! Take nature's best, what is it but a noxious plant, rooted in filthy mire, laden with poison berries, plucked by polluted hand ? Uplift self's purest clothing to the light of Heaven. It is a tattered rag. No thread is clean, no part is whole. But still for this God's well-beloved Son is scorned; for this His righteousness is put aside. What is the end ? The judgmont comes. The great white throne is set. How will these Nadabs and Abihus stand ? He, who alone can save, is now the Judge. Where is the blood which once flowed near? There was a plea which might have fully saved, but this was cast behind. Can a rejected Jesus soreen rejecting foes Can a refused shield ward off death-blows ? Vengeance descends, and human merit takes its own wages with the lost.

Others confess the evil of their early years. When they look back, the traversed path seems foul. They readily allow that vile transgressions coiled their hands, their feet, their hearts. But they now flee all flagrant fault. They have sown reformation seeds and gathered reformation fruits, and, Cainlike, bring the produce of their fields. Here Nadab and Abihu re-appear in a patched garb. Amendments pile their censers high. This is the fire of their choice. But it is strange. God's altar gave not such supply. Reader, think not that reformation iB of little worth. You must be born again. None but new-born can enter Heaven, or be happy there. But outward changes are not always grace. Lot's wife left Sodom, but she perished by the way. A new dress may be from without new heart. A painted surface will not purify a tomb. A Herod m»y reform without new birth.

Besides, where grace is real, ib is no covering for past offence. This year's honesty has no receipts for last year's debts. Again, a trust in change of life is evidence of unchanged heart. The Spirit leads not to such rotten ground. He never prompts to such arrogant conceits. The saintliest man increasingly sees evil cleaving, as the bark to trees, as feathers to the fowl. He knows no hope but Jesu's life and Jesu's death. This is the fire which God prescribes. And this alone the child of God will bring.

Some Nadabs and Abihus come with streaming eyes. Sin has brought loss. Some worldly prospect has been crushed. Thus Esau weeps. Conscience is sometimes quick to see the misery of guilt. Saul's flowing tears own this. So, too, the Gospel's melody will often melt. It falls as tender dew upon a moistening soil. Feelings relax, as ice beneath the Bun. In these relaxing moments Satan whispers, There is merit here. The mourning spirit fondly hopes that mourning can bay peace. The tearful eyes seen virtue in its drops. Thus signs of penitec ce are offered as a ransom price. Doubtless no heart loves Christ which hates not self, and bitterly bewails its grievous state. Doubtless »the arms of penitence twine tightly round the cross. But seas of grief cannot wash out soul stains. Sorrow, when brought as pardon's price, is but strange fire. And all strange fire calls vengeance down.

The class of formalists may not be overlooked. They crowd God's courts. Each attitude, oach look, is studied reverence. Their lips drop holiest words. Ther bands touch holiest symbols. Their souls'seem rapt on devotion's wing. If services discharged, if rites observed, if outward show were Christ, their oup of safety would be full. But these are only means. In their right place, they are most salutary helps; but, decked as saviours, they impose, mislead, destroy. To use them as meek handmaids of the Lord is piety's delight; to trust in them as reconciliation's price, is superstition's blind conceit. Then they become strange fire. These worshippers reject

the substanoe and repose on signs. Bat ritual services have in themselves no saving power. ,Such planks span not the gaping gulf. Such ladders reach not to the throne I of God. Their office is to lead to Christ, and witness of bis love. They are the channels of His grace. Bat they wash out no Bin, they satisfy no wrath, they stay no vengeance, they have no key of Heaven, they snatch not from the grasp of Satan, they are no plea for pardon, they hold no title deeds of glory's kingdom. Christ is, salvation—Christ alone. Such is the work \ which God commissioned Him to work. j He undertook it. ' And He gloriously i achieved. The mighty truth is ever true, "I have finished the work which Thou gaveat Me to do." They, then, who now present another sacrifice, like Nadab and Abihu sin, like Nadab and Abihu die.

Header, now view your censer; now say what are .its contents, Surely you hold some offering in your hands. Surely some confidence keeps conscience still. What is it ? God has sent forth His Son, the only way, the only truth, the only life, the only ransom price, the only atonement for all sin. Is He the rock on which you rest ? Is He the centre of your hopes? Is He the one foundation of your trust ? Is He your only argument for mercy ? One sun illuminates the world. One ark delivered from the flood. One Joseph fed in times of famine. One brazen serpent he&led the poison's sting. One fire came down for tabernacle use. One Saviour saves the saved. One Christ is first and last to merit life. God sends, anoints, accepts, proclaims Him. If you plead Him in real faith, you cannot faiL To grasp another is to grasp a straw.

Hark, Abel and all saints of old, and all believers of all times, and the one shout around the throne tell that eternal safety is beneath His wings. Hark, the wild wails of Cains, and Nadabs, and Abihus warns that other fire kindles a quenchless flame. Christ by God's will is Heaven's gate. Strange offerings are hopeless hope. And hopeless hope mast plunge in black despair.

THE PRISONER OF GLATZ. „ In a cleft of a njountain range in Upper Silesia, through which the wild and raging Neisse forces its passage down to the Oder, stands the impregnable Prussian fortress of Glatz, a natural fastness, almost unequalled in the world, begirt by mountain peaks like walls, and fortified yet more by human skill. The valley itself is shut out from the rest of the world; and one who is enclosed by the massive walls and gratings of the castle is an exile from the wovl'', as if buried alive. Woe to the man imprisoned in Glatz! Everything calls out to him, "No hope remains for thee 1 no hope 1" Here, in the second decade of this century, lay the Count of —, hitherto petted and thronged, now hopelessly immuied behind bolts and bars. By treason against the realm, and especially by personal violence offered to Frederick William 111., "of Prussia, he had drawn down the rage of that monarch on his head, and was condemned to solitary imprisonment for life. For a whole year he. lay in his frightful, lonely cell, without one star of hope in either his outer or inner sky, for he was a sceptic. They had left him only one book, a Bible ; and this for a long time he would not read, and, if forced to take it up to kill time and relieve his consuming weariness, it was only read with anger and gnashing of teeth against the God it reveals.

But sore affliction, that dreadful and yet bltssed agent of God, that has brought back to the Good Shepherd many a wandering sheep, was effectual with the Count of M— The more he read his Bible, the more he felt the gentle pressure of the hand of God on his forlorn and hopeless heart.

On a rough and stormy November night, when the mountain gales howled around the fortress, the rain fell in torrents, and the swollen and foaming .Neisse rushed roaring down the valley, the Count lay sleepless on his cot. Tho tempest in biß breast was as fearful aa that without. His whole past life rose before him ; he was convicted of his manifold shortcomings and sins; he felt that the source of all his misery lay in his forsaking God. lor the first time in his life his heart was soft, and his eyes wet with the tears of genuine repentance. He rises from his cot, opens his Bible, and his eyes fall on Psalm 1. 15 : "Call upon Me in the day of trouble ; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." This Word of God reaohes the depth of his soul, he falls on his knees for the first time since he was a child, and cries to God for meroy, and that gracious and compassionate God, who turns not away from the first movement of faith towards Him, heard the cry of this sufferer in the storm-beaten dungeon of Glatz, and gave him not only spiritual, but temporal deliverance.

The same night, in hiß castle at Berlin, King Frederick William 111. lay sleepless in bed. Severe bodily pains tormented him, and in his utter exhaustion he begged of God to grant him a single hour of refreshing sleep. The favour was granted and, when he woke again, he said to his wife, the gracious Louise, God has looked upon me very graciously, and 1 may well be thankful to Him. Who in my kingdom has wronged me most I will forgive him." "The Count of M—," replied Louise, "who is imprisoned at Glatz." "V ou are right," said the sick King ; " let him be pardoned." Day had hardly dawned over Berlin ere a courier was despatched to Silesia, bearing to the prisoner in Glatz pardon and release. The prayer of penitential faith had been heard, and deliverance was granted by the providence of God. *

And the God of our fathers still lives ; He hears the cry of His children, and many times He answers, even before we rightly call upon Him. Let us make Him our refuge in time of trouble and confide in His Sower with an abiding and unshaken trust, rod is just as 'reedy, just an able, to save a penitent prisoner from his sins to-day as He was fifty years ago.