THE PORTFOLIO.

Colonist, Issue 99, 1 October 1858, Page 2

THE PORTFOLIO.

The Star of the Evening.—John'the Evangelist was the star of the evening—-with soul so candid— with affections so sanctified and susceptible as to give back all the beams which the Sim of Righteousness 6hed on him—the Hesperus of the gospel history— the near satellite and bright mirror of his Lord, so. that the Polycarp or other primitive christian, who had seen St. John, could only have seen more by seeing Jesus himself. Let us look a moment at him. Dear disciple ! what makes thee so unique? Why is it that when we look to A polios we think of eloquence,. or to Stephen we think of youthful fire and the martyr's crown, or to Paul we think of fervor and the cross, or to Peter we think of impetuous courage ; but we think of love, and we think of Jesus, when we look to thee? Wherefore, like a pearl on flame—so gentle yet so bright—dost thou keep thy matchless station in the deepening sky? How is it that—like an angel nestled in a golden cloud, thoulookest down on a dark world so hopeful, and on a world from which thy brethren all have passed, and where thou thyself art persecuted, so kindly and so little sad? "He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God. That which we have seen of the Word of Life declare we unto you, that.ye may have: fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship ia with the Father, and with his Son; Jesus Christ." Oh yes, this was the secret of it all. John himself was but a clod, but Jesus kindled him into a burning and a shining star. .John was a sinner once, but he laid his-sins on Jesus—trustfully and tenderly he transferred his guilt to. the Saviour, and in doing it felt no fear, for it was not the lion, but the Lamb of God whom he beheld bearing, the ,sin of' the world away; and feeling ever after as a pardoned sinner he let in the love which his Saviour felt for him. He could not account for it. Jesus'had loved him, he could not tell why, but neither could he dispute nor deny it. The" Saviour loved him, and he let in the Saviour's love,—and along with that love the spirit of Jesus entered.. The soul of the .disciple grew at once happy and heavenlyyand the flame was kindled which rapidly consumed. his dross, and left him ibright.-.with that unusual holiness. And so, there is no way, to get inward peace, or give forth visible graciousness, like copying John's implicit faith, his un- ■; hesitating receptiveness. Let in the Saviour's love. We know 'that it is exceeding abundant—let it abound towards us.' Like John, let us lay our heads on Jesus' bosom—not heads muffled and bandaged round by doubts and misgivings and notions of our own, but-applying there a frank and confiding ear, and listening to what Immanuel's heart is saying. What is it saying? "Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven. Come untome and I will give thee rest. Father, I will that this one whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am that he may. behold my glory."—Let us sinners listen, and let in that love. Let us leave our sins with Jesus, and he will answer for us; his blood will wash them all away. Leave our souls with Jesus—he will give good account of them—he will keep them- -safe to heaven. Leave our future lot with Jesus, and he will choose the very .best for usr—that tempering of mercy with trial which will best tend to present isg faultless before the .presence of his gloiy, and all of which, we may accept cheerfully—for it comes from the dear hand of the Mediator. -

JEREMIAH LAST TO MELBOURNE PUNCH. Honored Sir,—Tiirfes are very bad, and profits are not wh^t they were, either in the wholesale or retail trade, but I think they might be mended if we were to take a leaf from the lawyer's bocks, and ornament our accounts with sundries. In that profession, a man does five pounds worth of work for you and makes you pay twenty for it, and all by the assistance of a little ornamental penmanship. Now what is to prevent our embellishing our. bills in the same way, I should like to know?. I have just made a pair of doeskin Wellingtons for Mr. Bilke, of the eminent firm of Bilke, Bubble, and Screw, and I have sent hinr in an account of which the subjoined is a copy. Don't you think the claim is just and equitable? All I can say is, it is modelled after one of their own de* mands upon me.

Yours obediently, Jeremiah Last,

1858. y y - -- . -

J ' .y .-...■■ ' - ', £ s. dJuly 10—Attending you on your calling with - ' instructions to measure you for a -pair of boots.-....■«»..:;.,..,,,-,.*,-. ...0,13 4 Drawing off the old[pair.. 0 6 0 Taking the dimensions of your feet 0" 5 0 ■ Consultation with you as to^the rela- . tive durability of various descriptions of leather, when you- approved of doeskin............ 11 .0. Drawing the old pair on again.... 0 6 0 „' 13—Various interviews with the cutter and the artificers -of the uppers ' y and soles........ ..;. 2,12 6 Leather 1 0 0 , Wax, thread, and bristles........ 0 5 0 „ 14—Attending ydur messenger on his' . calling to inquire if your boots •" ' were done; and conferring there- a on, &c„ &c, and informed him. that they -would;be out of hand in a,few days................. 0 6 8 „ 15—Paid workmen........... 0 15 0 „ 21—Attending you on your calling to •''•■-• 'inform me that the boots were • " Titans," and conferring thereon . with cutter..._....-.-';■......... 0 13 4 Taking your instructions for alteray tions......................... 0 6 8 Consultation on _ the state ofthe. weather, the veracity of Mr. Ire- ' land, the price of potatoes, and '. the probable whereabouts of the Mail.... -....i...■...■' 0 13 4 Attending .you./to the door, and . giving you my opinion .that it ....... was a fine morning.. ........ ■.; 0 6: 8 „ 22—Workmen's charges..-'.'..',...... 0 '7 6 Wax, thread, and bristles........ 0 5 • 0 Attending your meAnger on his calling a second time to enquire if the necessary alterations had: been-made................... 0 6 8 ,,24— Sending your bopts home....;.; 0 5 -0 "'•'■'■■■' ;': --'■'■ £10 14 8