THE last class of persons whose case I examined was found to consist of those whose sufferings were hourly teaching them the folly and uselessness of their sins. I am now going to make a few observations about another class of individuals decidedly superior to the last, but whose numbers are in many cases increased by those who though before thoughtless, have been brought by their sufferings to a serious and reflecting state of mind.

There are, happily, a great many conscientious people in the world. They will I think be found to consist of those who have been educated by pious and virtuous parents in the utter abhorrence of all

that is mean and disreputable, and those (as before intimated) who having wanted that most excellent education have been taught by God to abhor and dread sin, from a personal knowledge of the misery it occasions. I trust I need not say that so far as their own individual exertions are concerned, the latter are quite as honourable and praiseworthy as the former.

see,

These persons are desirous of discharging their duties with fidelity, but are constantly oppressed with a sense of their great inability to do so. They with the deepest regret, that their conduct is sadly deficient, and resolve to leave no means untried to improve and rectify it. Feelings like these are highly honourable, and ought to be cultivated with the utmost assiduity, but they are not enough. It is of supreme importance that every man should distinctly see his own unworthiness, and the utter insufficiency of all the exertions he can make, to render himself acceptable in the sight of God, in order that he may be prepared to receive the great doctrine of the atonement, which teaches us that Jesus Christ has borne the penalty due to all sin, has manifested the equity and moral purity of the Almighty, and rendered the entire remission of all past sin, and the entire renunciation of all future obedience as a ground of justification before God safe and honourable. Now it has often appeared to me as an excellent observation, that God desires to cure the moral malady of our race thoroughly, and that he appears to be quite indifferent how much time is spent in preparing the mind for the reception of the gospel, so long as this great work is in fact going on. I cannot but feel astonished sometimes when I hear the melancholy and vain lamentations of Christians over the ungodly, and contrast them with the dignified administration of the Deity respecting such of his creatures as will persevere in resistance to him and his commandments. No haste, no anxiety, no fear, no relapse, is to be found in the whole of his mighty moral machinery. His great work of education goes on as certainly, whatever the conduct of his scholars may be. These apparently wandering reflections will be found to bear with much force upon the observations that I have to make respecting the sufferings of the conscientious class of society, who are to all appearance nearest to the kingdom of heaven, and yet linger the longest at the portals of the heavenly city.

Such persons can plainly see that their external behaviour surpasses that of many of their fellowcreatures. They are conscious of a sincere desire to do their duty, and are naturally unwilling to think that they can be in the wrong, or that they can be enemies of that God whom they respect, and are anxious to obey; and for a while these feelings afford a tolerable degree of happiness and composure of mind. Not indeed that there does not linger many a restless doubt, but these doubts are submitted to, and even cherished, as the lot of mortality, and as inseparable from the present state of things. I can imagine that months and years may pass away in this unsatisfactory state of mind. There will indeed be seasons of sickness and peculiar affliction, when reflection and self-examination will be absolutely unavoidable, and during these salutary but painful periods all the former doubts and suggestions will resume their hold, and present an aspect of a truly formidable character. In the occupations of life and the return of health these feelings will again be partially though less effectually smothered; and there may be moments when the calm aspect of nature, and the lovely scenery of a setting summer's sun, may suggest the hope that under the administration

of the Author of such beautiful and lovely produc- | tions all must finally end well. But it is not enough that a rational being thinks he has reason to hope for final happiness; if he sees sin and misery about him he will never be free from agonizing fears, unless he is clearly and distinctly certified of the way by which, from seeming evil, final and eternal good is to be brought forth. Nature, beautiful as she is, can never allay the anxieties of an enlightened and sensitive conscience. Specious arguments from the manifest goodness of God may be adduced, in order to keep in the back ground the declarations of conscience and common sense, that unqualified indulgence to sinners is not goodness, but merely a refined species of cruelty, inasmuch as it serves to allure men into sin that grace may abound; but every new deviation from duty will but add another weight to the oppressive load that wearies the man who wishes to do his duty, and by doing it to gain the mansions of the blessed,

I have lately had considerable intercourse with a man concerning whom I may safely say that he is strictly conscientious, and discharges his duties with the utmost regularity, and acts towards his fellowcreatures with that kindness and consideration which in a professor of the gospel would indeed be magnified. But he is not a professor of the gospel, nor can he be called a believer in Jesus Christ. I have sometimes endeavoured to draw him into conversation upon the topic of religion, that I might ascertain his sentiments, and the foundation of his hopes in a future life; and though he cautiously avoids the expression of any opinion on religious subjects, I have been able to discover that his mind is perplexed and dissatisfied. He clings to the Divine Goodness as his security from final destruction, but he professes utter ignorance of the dispensations or designs of the inscrutable Providence under which he lives. Now I have no doubt that he is only a sample of thousands who are afraid to reflect or look forward, because the prospect is so uncertain and bewildering. It might be supposed by some of our readers that this is a state of mind which must call forth the sorrows and fears of any Christian spectator; but if the principle upon which these essays are founded be true, so far from being a reason for regret, it should excite adoration of that masterly wisdom which, by sorrows of this description, is preparing the mind of a dearly loved human being to enjoy exquisite satisfaction, when it shall be permitted to behold in Jesus Christ all its doubts and fears removed, the government of God vindicated, and the hopes of the righteous placed upon a foundation against which the gates of hell itself shall not be able to prevail.

and many days of anguish to bring a man to do this, or indeed to bring him to that humble state of mind in which he would be fit to do it; but most undoubtedly it is true that the sorrows of mind under which he labours are the means employed by God to accomplish this great end.

In conclusion, I would address myself to the class of persons whose condition I have attempted to investigate. You are not happy. You cannot allow your thoughts free scope. You feel like a man with a sore part in his body, always fearful lest it should be touched. Now allow me to assure you that whatever length of time you may have continued in this state of uneasiness, it is quite unnecessary for you to remain in it a day longer. Yet let me tell you faithfully that you must bow to Jesus Christ: you can never be happy till you do. Seriously meditate upon the exaltation of his nature, and the manifestation of divine hatred to sin which was displayed when the Son of God hung bleeding on the cross as the surety for an apostate race, and you will find that a light of more than earthly brilliancy beams from Calvary, which will illumine the path of all who strive to walk in it, and will finally irradiate the universe. You ask me to explain the system of Providence, and you tell me of the reasonings of philosophers, and the doubts of the learned, and the uncertainty of all investigations, and the dissatisfaction of your own mind. I reply simply in the words of St. Paul, that whatever may have been the explanations offered by men on the subject, “God has set forth JESUS CHRIST."

GUIDE TO THE BIBLE CLASS.

B. Z.

BY THE AUTHOR OF THE "COMPANION TO The Bible." Continued from page 286.

CHAPTER III.-Inspiration of the Scriptures. Teacher. I hope now, my dear boy, that you have carefully considered our conversation on last Sabbath concerning the history of the Bible.

Scholar. Yes, teacher, I have: and I thank you that I now know a great deal more about the Bible than I did before. I hope also that I shall remember every thing that you then told me about the wonderful history of the Bible.

Teacher. Your evident attention gives me hope that you will remember what I informed you: but there is very much more yet to be learned even about the history of the Bible. All this knowledge I hope you will endeavour to gain, as you may have opportunities of acquiring more extensive information.

Scholar. Indeed I hope that I shall know all about the writers of the different books in the Bible, and how they came to write such wonderful things as they contain.

ings. In reply to this question, I would hope that all uneasiness occasioned by it will be allayed by the reflection that it is the express work of God, and therefore must be the best for the individual. But besides this, I apprehend there is a strong prejudice against religion, which keeps back men from inquiring about it. So many unreasonable tenets have been and are to this hour maintained, and there is so much contention between different sects, that men are really afraid to join any party, for fear they should join the wrong. It would be well indeed if they would be wise enough to investigate the New Testament for themselves; but it takes a long while

the several books in the Bible.

Scholar. I have heard you say that the prophets and apostles were inspired of God to write all the

books in the Bible.

Teacher. Very likely; and I suppose you recollect some passages in the New Testament, that declare the Scriptures to have been written by holy men who were inspired of God.

Scholar. I remember the verses that I heard you explain to the Bible Class in the Sunday-school, and which the apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy. I repeated them to you in our last conversation.

Teacher. Let me hear you again repeat them.

Scholar. "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, in righteousness" (2 Tim, iii. 16).

Teacher. Here you learn the reason why the Scriptures are called "The Word of God"-because they were written under his special and gracious inspiration.

Scholar. I think that I do not clearly comprehend what is meant by inspiration of God; and I wish you to explain its meaning to me clearly.

Teacher. Perhaps you did not attend properly to my explanation of it to the Bible Class; but I think you recollect the answer of a little Sunday-school boy in America, when his teacher asked him how God inspired his servants to write the Scriptures. Scholar. O, yes; it is mentioned in the little book called " Sunday Readings:" the little American boy said, "God made his servants to think them, and then to write them."

Teacher. That was a truly wise and good answer for a little Sunday scholar; and it was very correct: for God certainly made his prophets, evangelists, and other holy men, to think the wonderful things contained in the Scriptures-to feel a desire for their publication to others,-and to form the determination to write their heavenly thoughts for the instruction and salvation of mankind in distant ages and in all nations.

Scholar. Then the prophets and others who wrote the Scriptures must have been very good to us, and we ought to love their memories.

Teacher. Most certainly the writers of the Scriptures were very benevolent in their intentions towards us; and their kindness deserves to be acknowledged with sincere respect for their names: but still we should not fail to remember that all their good desires and pious benevolence came alone from God, by the gracious inspiration of his Holy Spirit.

Scholar. I suppose then that this inspiration of the sacred writers is what is intended by the apostle Peter, when he says, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet. ii. 20, 21).

Teacher. That text which you have just quoted, it will be evident, applies to the ancient prophets, and the ministers of God to his people under the Jewish dispensation of religion: but though it refers principally to the servants of God under the Old Testament, it contains a general rule for us to observe in all things relating to our reading of the Holy Scriptures.

Scholar. But have I not heard you say, that the writers of the Holy Scriptures did not understand English ?

:

Teacher. Very likely for that was the case. Although the apostles were inspired with the knowledge of the different languages of the nations among whom they travelled preaching the Gospel, they could not have been qualified by that heavenly gift to understand our language; because, at that time, there was no such language in existence as the English.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF A PRESENT FROM A LADY TO A MINISTER. MR. EDITOR.-Ministers of the gospel generally have but small incomes with which to maintain their standing in society, as they are subject to a great

variety of expenses, both at home and abroad, to which private Christians with equal means are not liable. Books, postage, necessary travelling, and subscriptions to institutions, form a considerable aggregate in the expenditure of a minister; and by many these various items are felt to be great inconveniences. Generous individuals, however, might often promote the happiness of their pastors by small presents, which could not fail to be highly gratifying to both parties, and in the article of books especially, which are essential to the improvement of even the best educated and the most learned of ministers, who are seldom able to purchase all they desire and really need.

In offering a suggestion on this subject it may be remarked, that it is far better to supply the amount of any particular work for the intended present than the book itself, as ministers are allowed some discount by booksellers.

These remarks have been occasioned by the following copy of verses written by a minister in acknowledgment to a lady for her valuable and most suitable present of a patent candlestick with a supply of candles" for his study. Many, it is hoped, will do likewise. OBSERVER.

66

TO MISS

Thanks, dear friend, for thy rich favours,
Light in darkness much I need;

These how welcome in my labours,
When I write, or muse, or read!

Truth I often seek at midnight,
Worn with care in mental toil;
Ancient seers their souls were upright,
Gain'd God's spirit-holy oil.

Not in vain my weak endeavour;

God accepts and crowns it too; While we taste the truth's sweet savour, May its fruits be reaped by you. Lamps, nor moon, nor sun more glorious, Shall we need in yon bright skies; By the faith of God victorious, We shall to his presence rise. Kent.

CONVERSION OF SAILORS. BRITISH merchant seamen, including fishermen of all classes around our coasts, amount to about 250,000 souls, separated almost altogether, by their peculiar occupation, from the regular administration of the ordinances of Christ. Their temptations on shore are far more to be dreaded than their dangers at sea, though the number of wrecks is annually more than 800 ships. Divine grace, however, is happily poured forth upon many a seaman, and many a hardy mariner is now a true, devoted, and holy disciple of Christ. We have pleasure in giving insertion to the following communication, and pray for the evangelization of our mariners.

EDITOR.

To the Editor,-Sir, your readers will doubtless be rejoiced to read the following account of the power of Divine grace, which has been so remarkably displayed in the conversion of nearly a whole ship's crew, and that too by the instrumentality of a humble individual, who three years ago shipped himself as a common sailor. It is worthy of remark, that this vessel has never received ardent spirits on board for the use of the crew. Yours truly, London, Aug., 1836. J. P.

"Mr. and Mrs. B.

New York, June 29, 1836. (Ship Philadelphia.)

My beloved friends, I do with pleasure and gratitude inform you of our safe arrival in the port of New York, on Friday, 17th June, all well. You will be able to see what time we left Canton, and how we had got along on our passage so far as St. Helena (nearly), in the note I wrote a few days before we passed that island.

"I wrote expecting we should go in for water but did not, I shall now send it. Since that time the hand of the Lord has been with us in a remarkable manner. He has not only brought us through various dangers, but to his name be praise for ever, he has brought many of our number from darkness to light, and they are now rejoicing in a sin pardoning God, and telling to all around what a precious Saviour they have found; there is eight out of ten of our sailors who have given up themselves to Christ, and I have no doubt, but the change that has been effected in their hearts, has been effected by the mighty power of Divine grace. We got in the river on Friday, and so far from the men leaving the ship, which is the common practice, all hands remained on board until the following Thursday, when all their work was done; and their services no longer required. Grace changes the whole man and all his habits, their conduct has been consistent in every respect since they have been in port. And those of them who have parted with us (having left New York for home), left us with tears in their eyes, and their hearts filled with gratitude and love. I hope to meet them in the port of glory. Oh! what hath God wrought?

"I now close this scroll by subscribing myself your most sincere and affectionate friend in the bond of Christian love, praise God it is that love which constitutes my happiness now. I have rejoiced since I have been here to see the devil's kingdom tremble, and to see some of the most abandoned sailors falling down before God under the power of conviction. Praise the Lord, we shall see the kingdom of Jesus Christ coming with power.

"BASIL GUNN."

THE LATE QUEEN CAROLINE, CONSORT OF GEORGE II., AND A SELF DENYING YOUNG LADY.

HER majesty one day visiting a celebrated lace warehouse on Ludgate-hill, observed, among many other objects that attracted her attention, one which fixed it. This was, a very elegant young woman; who was carefully employed in looking over different laced-heads (as they were then called), which were alternately offered to her for inspection. After she had admired several, she asked the price of one which seemed to have peculiarly struck her fancy. The price was named to her: it was more than she thought it would have been.-"Could it not be afforded cheaper ?"-" Impossible."-The young lady seemed disconcerted, examined the lace again, took up the head, laid it down, and appeared to part from it with reluctance. However, at length she said the price was too high, chose a much cheaper, which she ordered to be sent home; and went away.

The queen, who had silently observed the different workings of the mind of this amiable young woman as displayed in her countenance, inquired who she was; and upon receiving satisfactory information, ordered the mistress of the shop to pack up the laced head which had so attracted her attention, with the one she had purchased; and send it with a card, sig

nifying that the queen was so well pleased with observing that the young lady who had been charmed with the beauty of the lace, had yet so much the command of her passions as not to suffer them to overcome her prudence, that she therefore, in token of her approbation, desired her to accept the lace which she so much admired, in the hope that she would always persevere in that laudable line of conduct, upon which female happiness so greatly depends.

HINTS, MAXIMS, &c. MATERIALS FOR MEDITATION.

(Continued from p. 288.)

48. One way to prevent wandering thoughts, is to repeat after the minister; we may then not only pray for ourselves, but preach to ourselves.

49. The best Christians, perhaps, are those who serve God under the greatest opposition. The gentleman in his study with every advantage which heart can wish, knows nothing of the opposition and hindrances which the sailor, the soldier, or even the family-man has to contend with these serve God in in the fire comparatively with those. We are all good sailors in smooth water.

50. Do instantly what ought to be done now; the next hour or moment may be too late.

51. We can never judge of men's dispositions better than from the company they keep.

52. A truant becomes a liar, and this is the first step to profligacy and the gallows. Cambridge. L. C.

REVIEW.

66

Scripture Natural History; or, a Descriptive Account of the Zoology, Botany, and Geology of the Bible. Illustrated by thirty-six engravings. By WILLIAM CARPENTER. Author of The Biblical Companion," &c. Sixth edition, revised. 12mo. pp. xviii.-494. London: Religious Book Society. MR. CARPENTER'S attractive volume on the subject of the Natural History of the Bible, has already secured the approbation of the Christian public in Great Britain. This sixth edition, however, is greatly improved by the revision, and not a little by the new division of its several parts, by which it is still more worthy of its title, for general and especially pious. readers of "Scripture Natural History." We wish our young friends to read with special attention the introductory chapter on "Geology," more particularly if any sceptical objections have been laid before against the sacred history of the creation and the deluge by Moses.

As we have on a former occasion given our cordial recommendation of this useful work, we shall only add, that no village, vestry, or Sunday-school library should be without it, so well adapted to shed much light upon many interesting portions of Holy Scrip

ture.

Hints to Girls on Dress. Especially intended for Scholars in Daily and Sunday-schools. By a Female Teacher. 18mo. stiched, pp. 52. London: Religious Tract Society.

"LOVE of dress in girls," is a prevailing passion, by which thousands have been ruined. Great Britain is not the only country which is distinguished by those young persons who love finery: it seems to have been a prevailing propensity in the minds of

females in every age and in all countries: but the prosperous circumstances of our country, and the facilities for procuring rich and elegant articles of clothing, which almost every one possesses, serve as the occasion for many to covet things far beyond their station.

Female servants and Sunday-school girls are greatly in danger of being led away by the temptation to dress in finery; and the tract before us is admirably adapted to be extremely useful in counteracting the evil. It is written by one who is well acquainted with the workings of the minds of those for whom it is designed; and we have no doubt but many young persons will have occasion to bless the writer for the admonitions, cautions, and instructions which are here so wisely and kindly given. We wish a copy of it were given to every young female who may be first going out to service, as it would be likely, under the Divine blessing, to contribute to the happiness of families as well as their domestics.

THE BEATITUDES.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righte-
ousness for they shall be filled."-Matt. v. 6.
HARK! for I hear some heavy burden'd soul
Exclaim, "Sin o'er my heart has sad control;
I sought for ease in this alluring world,
Whose banners flowing were to me unfurled;
I find them call but to an empty void,
Delusive pleasures by long griefs alloy'd;
Yet the dear Saviour, ever blest has said,
Let him who thirsts and faints be not afraid."
For, resting high on Calv'ry's holy mount,
Shall he behold the pure life-giving fount,
Which will its waters bounteously bestow
On each lorn pilgrim wandering here below;
Jesus there stands the cup of life to give,
"All ye that thirst," he says,
come, drink and

live;

66

"Ye too that hunger shall have manna giv'n, "Sent down by me, the Bread of Life, from heav'n." "Oh! precious food," the anxious sinner cries, "In which alone all real nurture lies,

"No gold will buy it-this rich gift is free,

Bright orient pearl of boundless price-'twas he "Who gave himself a ransom for us all, "That each who lives on this terrestrial ball, "As he felt hunger'd, might be freely fed, "And to the well of life for drink be led." The journey o'er he comes to Jordan's brink, Its waters swell, and he at last shall sink; Ah! not for ever shall his soul lie there, But rise in heaven's triumphal joys to share; The promise is fulfilled which Jesus gave, A mansion now is his beyond the grave. Time shall no longer show his running glass, Since he to bless'd eternity shall pass, Where every seraph tunes his grateful lyre To join the host with the bright heavenly choir; No longer see him chilled with servile fear, His Saviour Jesus will his spirit cheer; The chains he wears are those of filial love, And he becomes an heir with Christ above. Now justified and clothed in vestments white He sees the sun in full resplendent light, His glory dimm'd by no dense passing cloud But clearly seen by all th' admiring crowd; He still sends forth his bright refulgent ray O'er brighter scenes and an eternal day! St. James's Park,

M. B. W.

strewn,

And loud were the plaudits that rung to my name, Oh! would that those plaudits I never had known; For oh! I had pains I had felt not before,

All were not my friends who fell down at my shrine; I grasp'd for fresh glory, still panted for more, And panting I fell in the moment of prime. I bent at the feet of the noble and proud,

I courted the fair, and the gay, and the brave; For a moment I shone in the eyes of the crowd, And then I sunk down as a shade to its grave. I sought in the pleasures of friendship to rest, (Sweet friendship where spirit with spirit can blend,)

But, oh! 'twas in vain that I sought to be blest,

A frown sometimes darkens the brow of a friend. Oh, then from earth's joys and enchantments I turned, (Our fathers had warned from its pleasures to flee) For the joys of religion my spirit now yearned,

For the land where the soul of the bondman is free. I laid myself down at the foot of the cross, I found in the Saviour of sinners my all; The enjoyments of time I have counted but dross, And now at the feet of redemption I fall. Here, here would I rest, since true pleasure is found, No longer the phantom, earth's pleasure pursue; For what though we wander the universe round, Unbless'd by its smiles they recede from our view: If thou, oh! my God be the spring of my joys, Contented on earth as a stranger I'll roam, Far, far from my mind will I banish its toys, And joy in the prospect of pleasure to come. E. P. H.