FANCY FAIRS.

(To the Editor of the Christian Lady's Magazine.)

MADAM,

IN the July number of the 'Christian Lady's Magazine,' was a letter from H. A. N. on "FANCY FAIRS," followed by an intimation from yourself, that the opinions of your readers would not be unacceptable. I have been disappointed in not having found any subsequent notice of the subject; and, failing all others, would submit to your consideration some remarks of my own.

The leading question of H. A. N.—“ UPON what PRINCIPLE are these sales conducted?" involves all the rest, because, if the principle be bad, the Christian can have nothing to do with them.

The OBJECT is avowedly to get money for an institution, it may be unobjectionable or even praiseworthy in itself,-a Hospital, or a Dispensary, perhaps, for the relief of the sick poor; the supporters are for the most part Christian people; and the funds are inadequate. A Fancy Fair is decided on, and the countenance and support of the leaders of fashion having been secured, no pains are spared to procure the attendance of their followers. Accordingly, a beautiful spot is selected, bands of music are hired ingenuity and skill are taxed to decorate the scene, and more substantial provision made for personal NOVEMBER, 1844.

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enjoyment by choice and varied means of refreshment. The things offered for sale at high prices are generally fancy articles, or things pretty, perhaps beautiful, or even elegant; seldom useful or of any intrinsic value; and what are not sold are disposed of by a RAFFLE. In other words, the provision made, and all the arrangements, proceed on the supposition, that the bulk of the attendants will be from among the thoughtless and the gay, the lovers of pleasure rather than the lovers of GOD. Every thing is alone to attract and delight them; and, as if to cheat them out of something more than their money, they are taught to think themselves aiding in a work of mercy; whereas nothing is given that does not promise to the giver some little selfish gratification!

The PRINCIPLE, then, is this, that the Christian supporters of a benevolent object, not content with the means placed by the LORD at their disposal, appeal from HIM to the WORLD! they exert themselves to the uttermost to bring together and to please the frequenters of the Theatre and the Ball-room, of the Card-table and the Race course, or indeed of any place where pleasure is to be had: they company with these, and give an apparent sanction to whatever vanity or folly they may indulge in: and I would ask your Christian readers-by what authorit they do these things; they, who are bidden to come out from the world and to be separate? Or, ought they even to be seen in such company, unless it be to do them good, or to witness against them that they are lovers of the world and at enmity with GOD? They surely can only plead in defence what St. Paul deemed a slanderous reproach,-" We do evil that good may come ! "

To sum up briefly, I would reply to H. A. N.'s queries:-1. that the PRINCIPLE is bad: 2. that the wares sold are generally such as money ought not to purchase: 3. that those who provide and those who sell, minister to the folly of those who buy; and 4. that all Christian people who are so engaged, run into unwarrantable temptations, inasmuch as they wilfully mingle with the ungodly and may learn their ways!

I am, &c.

M. D.

THERE is a touching anecdote of one, endowed with rank and fortune, chancing to enter a poor cottage where some six or eight healthy ruddy children were waiting with longing looks to the final distribution of the last morsel of an exhausted loaf,-" Here are the mouths, but where is the meat?" exclaimed the child of luxury in the house of want. Some time after that, the cottage mother having an errand to the noble mansion of her visitor, found the doors and windows closed; silence and sorrow reigned through the splendid hall; the lady had that day lost her only child. The remark in the cottage came into her thoughts," Here is the meat, but where are the mouths," said the child of poverty in the mansion of wealth and splendour.-Sunday Afternoons at Home.

THE BIBLE OUR STRONGHOLD.

As the Lord's vineyard (Isa. v.) was walled in, and hedged round, so also is the believer enclosed by the blessed contents of the word of God, from falling into those sins which so easily beset him. Various indeed are the contents of the Scriptures; but they all tend to one and the same end, the defence -the happiness-the peace of him, who by the power of precious faith, can read, and claim the Bible as his “heritage."

In one instance the believer's security arises from a knowledge of the dangers by which he is surrounded, and by the warnings so repeatedly given when he turns to the right hand, and when he turns to the left. And the more we know of ourselves, and make the word of God our study and meditation, the more must we be impressed with the truth of its divine origin, for we shall see the simple statement, that the Lord knows the heart, and what is in man, fully illustrated in the wonderful and wise adaptation of the bible to our state, and in the completeness of its provisions for those multiform attacks to which we are exposed through the evil workings of our own miserable nature-the temptations of the worldthe subtlety of the devil.

Then again the bible abounds with exhortations to holiness-how does it press a trading with the talents

committed to our care, so that to faith we may add virtue, and to virtue knowledge. 1 Peter i.

We are furnished with this key to the conduct of the Israelites, the sad history we read of their ingratitude and rebellion, was written for our admonition. 1 Cor. x.

God himself gives us the character of his own word, and how richly was the Psalmist blessed with a knowledge of its inestimable value-what an experience had he of its power in casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ;he had gained understanding, through God's precepts, and therefore he hated every false way; the word hid within his heart kept him from sinning. Oh wonderful testimony to the efficacy of the scriptures!—who is it that gives it? One of Adam's fallen race—a man of like passions with ourselves— our temptations may be or may not be identical with his-our trials may be greater or less in measure and degree-but we possess the same inestimable treasure as he did, nay more, we behold the fulfilment of those promises, which he could only behold afar off, but which by faith he was persuaded of and embraced. Heb. xi. And we have the assurance of God, the faithful God, that we shall not be tempted above what we are able, but that a way of escape shall be made; so that we shall be able to bear it.

But it is not in nature's power to draw even from the scriptures resolutions as to leading a holy lifeour heart is full of all uncleanness, God's word is the light which we hate and avoid, we must be taught of God before we can have any love for him or