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1852. vinced that, instead of being the work of evil spirits, it was only the result of great ingenuity. A RAT STORY. A neighbour entitled to implicit confi dence, relates a story of the cunning and intelligence of a rat, more remarkable, we think than any we have listened to. lie says, being plagued with rats about his barn, he made various attempts to se cure some of them with a trap, but with out success. The trap used was made of wire, and was so constructed that on a rat entering and nibbling at a bat, the trap would spring aud cage the intruder. The man, upon frequently finding the bait gone, concluded he would watch the trap. Soon half a dozen rats made their appearance, and among them one that seemed to have more years than the oth ers. lie advanced slowly and cautiously towards the trap, and when the others would make a move as if intending to rush to the bait, the old fellow would wag his tail, and they would fall behind him. After viewing the trap closely, the old fellow approached the back part of it, and getting on it, shook the raised part until the trap sprung, and then put a paw through one of the openings between the wires, and taking the bait off, made his retreat it. The same thing was repeated the second time the same afternoon. Our neighbour determined not to be out gen eralled by a rat, and set a common trap in a keg, and covered it with Indian meal. In due time the old culprit entered the keg and was secured. [ Wilkesboerre Advocate. Lesson for Sunday, December 19. THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE CHRISTIAN. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Heb. x. 14. The cross of Christ is an object of the greatest wonder, glory and magnificence, in the world; as we gaze on it, new dis coveries and increasing beauties burst on our astonished view. It is the grand centre of attraction ; and, ere long, all nations shall be drawn to it. It is the sun that illumines the firmament of truth. It is the tree of life in the midst of the garden of revelation. It is a living foun-. tain, from whence issue the streams o f light and joy, peace and pardon, and ali spiritual blessings. Here is A glorious eefect. The sanctifica tion of the Christian. Its nature. To be sanctified, is to be set apart and made holy. Believers are set apart by a holy God, for the accom- ; plishment of holy purposes, and the en joyment of holy privileges. They have a holy nature, holy principles, holy de sires and pursuits. Its degree. Paul does not mean to say, that this perfection of sanctification is attained on earth ; he is drawing a line SOUTHERN LITERARY GAZETTE. of distinction between the two econo mies, the law and the Gospel; and pro ving, that while one could not make perfect, the other could. Read the few 7 verses at the commencemont of the chap ter. Perfect sanctification, or a complete renewal of the soul, is effected by the one offering of Christ, and secured to all be lievers; hut they are not put in posses sion of it, till they arrive in that world where a single spot of impurity can never appear. Sanctification begins with the dawn of grace, and is consummated in the meridian blaze of glory. Its means. The blood of Christ is the procuring cause ; but the work is carrried on by various means instituted for the pnrpose. The word and ordinances are designed for this end, and so are afflic tions : “By these shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his sin.” Its agency. The Holy Spirit works effectually in the heart, and applies to our consciences the blood of the Lamb, lie works as a Sovereign, where, when, and how he pleases. The w hole presents us with a stimulus for the Christian’s future course, onward to perfection ; seek to increase in holiness, and grow in grace; also, a foundation for the sinner’s hope, it is the offering of Christ; he was “once offered,” aud there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin. [The following poem, by the late W. H. Tim rod, has appeared more than once in the papers of this city, but always with some typographical er rors. We deem it not unworthy of another pub lication.] A SOUTHERN SCENE. The scene which most delighted me in youth Was ’round me still. A broad and winding lane, Its natural carpeting, of emerald Broidered with flowers of a thousand hues— The wild rose clustering with the jessamine, In beautiful confusion, quite shut out The world and its entanglements—above The loveliest of the southern forest, framed Meet roof for such a temple, from the oak Rejoicing in its never fading green, And huge fantastic limbs, to the slight myrtle, Studded with brightest blossoms—here and there A lofty sycamore would raise its head Most fearful of the woodland, last to trust To the soft wooings of the smiling spring, And first to cast its foliage to the ground Before the breath of winter—but when high The sun rides in his summer majesty, Proudly the laggard sycamore puts on Its garniture of silvery green, and waves Its crisp leaves to the zephyrs with a sound Like murmurs of far waters. It was summer, A Carolinian summer, —when the eye Shrinks dazzled from the blue of the clear Hea vens, Unless, as now, it falls upon the sight Flickering through waving verdure. Nor did lack Sweet music to the magic of the scene. The little crimson-breasted nonpareil Was there, its tiny feet scarce bending down The silken tendril that he lighted on, To pour his love-notes—and in russet coat Most homely, like true genius bursting forth In spite of adverse fortune, a full choir Within himself, the merry mook bird sate Filling the air with melody—and at times, In the rapt fervour of his sweetest song, His quivering form would spring into the sky In spiral circles, as if he would catch New powers from kindred warblers in the clouds (£& liar’s Drpartmtnt. CHARLESTON: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1852 VALEDICTORY. Dear Readers :—At different periods in th< history of this journal, I have been called upon t contemplate the probabilities of its discontinuance and the consequent dissolution of our pleasant le lationship as Editor and reader. Whether yoi would have regretted such a result more than 1 should or not, 1 will not ask. Cerfai ijlhe Ga zette has been very dear to me by reason of th unremi ting toil, and care, and solicitude, wit. which I have sustained it during the past fiv. years. In all that period I have never thought o leaving it while it continued to exist. It set met to be a part of myself, and I felt inclined to link my fortunes with it —whether for good or tor ill— in perpetuity. We are not, however, the master of our own destinies, and circumstances which i could neither resist nor coutrol to my own will have abruptly broken the chain which bound m< to the Gazette. I have to-day the painful dut) to perform of bidding you all farewell. My con nection of every kind with the Gazette is at ai end. I shall meet you no more in the pleasani walks to which our feet have grown familiar. 1 shall no more spread for you the intellectual ta ble, and bid you to “the feast of reason and the flow of soul,” as I have been wont to do, for a period which though it seems short, is really entitled to be called a long one. If you, dear readers, shall so far honour am reward me for the past as to regret the separatiot which must now take place, I can ask no more My ambition and my heart alike will be satisfied. I have devoted ten years ol my manhood t: the one great task of building up the literature o the South. I am neither modest enough, not blind enough, not to discover some fruits of mj unremitting labour, while I humbly acknowledgt 283