notice that gales of influence from above filled his sails, and propelled him on his voyage. The productions which issued from his pen in vindication of the truth of God were quite in keeping with the outset of his Christian career. The "Force of Truth," among the first of these, bespoke the Melancthonian ardour of the young convert, though we mark in it the same singular concentration of intellectual energy which is the distinctive type of his mind. He knew what it was to crucify the flesh by the renunciation of error too well ever to trifle with any theme which he discussed; and in his entire works, accordingly, not only is there to be found, to use the language of the poet, no line which dying he could wish to blot," but not a word which was out of season. This is high praise when the necessities of controversy so often prompt men to the utterance of rash and reckless statements. 66 It is with his "Commentary" that we have now chiefly to do. We subscribe without abatement to the solemn commendation passed on it by Andrew Fuller, in himself worth a host of eulogists,-"I believe that it exhibits more of the mind of the Spirit in the Scriptures than any other work of the kind extant." With a heart as rapt in devotedness to Christ as Henry, and far excelling him in the precision of his statements. with a grasp of truth as firm and tenacious as that with which Gill held to his orthodoxy, and far more sober and judicious than Clarke, Scott has produced an Exposition of Scripture, destined, we firmly believe, to be as enduring in value as it has been extensively circulated. In the mere matter of style, he is decidedly superior to his compeers in exposition, though the quaint cadences of Henry arrest the mind more powerfully. Scott has bestowed care in reconciling the apparent contradictions of revelation, and in the selection of his marginal references. He differs, too, from other commentators in presenting us with the essence of what may be said in exposition of an entire passage or paragraph, instead of indulging in minute comment on verses or clauses. In this respect, he may be more useful as a family expositor. Henry will take possession of the hearts of his readers, and long may he retain his mild and benignant supremacy over our affections! If we wish the sense of a passage obscure or difficult, we will betake ourselves to the sober and solid judgment of Scott. He speaks like an oracle to which we render grateful deference, though on passages affecting ecclesiastical polity and a particular doctrine of gospel we cannot agree with him. He commends himself to the heads of his readers, and we could not frame a better wish for them than that they may read his pages in the same spirit in which he wrote them, under the deep and solemn sense of responsibility to God. W. H. G. EARLY PIETY. THE Sabbath school at F was a most interesting one. The children composing it belonged principally to the middle-class of society. Their parents, for the greater part, were religious people; and the teaching of the Sabbath school being thus supplemented and enforced by home instruction, the result was considerable spirituality of mind and feeling among the scholars, and decorum in the school. The teacher, Mr C, was a most sincere Christian, and devoted to his work. He had been long connected with the school, and much success had followed his labours. His school being considered a model one, it was much visited. Scholars so orderly and attentive as were there, soon attracted general notice, but among them one little girl arrested particular attention. Her name was Alice Ray. Alice was a sweet little girl whom every one involuntarily loved. She was a small, delicatelooking child. Her pale face wore an expression of premature gravity while she attended to the exercises of the school, but when conversing with her fellow-scholars her kind, gentle words were accompanied by sweet smiles. Her dark-blue eye ever beamed with good nature and sparkled with intelligence. She was a lovely little thing, but her beauty seemed too spiritual and fragile for earth. It was not her beauty, however, that made Alice the loved of all. The fairest fruit may not be the sweetest, but Alice had an inward beauty which, unlike mere external_grace, is abiding and of great value. It was her calm, agreeable disposition, her humble unostentatious manner, her love of all that was good and pure, and her simple but earnest piety, that constituted the chief charm. Her parents were in good circumstances, and being Christians, not in name only, but in deed, Alice, with her brothers and sisters, were early taught the truths of the Scriptures. Though Alice was never seriously unwell, she was not strong; and as she grew in years she did not improve in health. As she grew older, however, her mind expanded rapidly, and her love to the Saviour increased. No one thought that Alice would be long on earth. Her parents, who were tenderly attached to her, tried every means in their power of benefiting her health, but without any very favourable result following. Alice frequently spoke about spiritual things to her companions and others. Her views of divine truth were clear and decided. Оссаsional difficulties she experienced, but doubts or fears never troubled her. She spoke of death only as the beginning of eternal happiness, and alluded without reserve to the fears entertained regarding her health, frequently saying she believed her days on earth would be few; and indeed many things about her betokened an early ripening for heaven. throne above." As long as her strength permitted, Alice "Yes, dear mother, you and father taught attended the school regularly; and on theme to love Him, and we shall meet beside His first Sabbath when illness prevented her from attending, both teacher and scholars were sad, when thinking about her, having a presentiment that they would see her there no more. Alice resided in a cottage pleasantly situated, near the side of a broad stream that flowed in calm majesty through scenes of great beauty. A garden adjoined the cottage, on which, and the shining stream beyond, the window of Alice's little chamber looked down. To that chamber Alice was now closely confined. But no murmur or complaint was heard there. Her words, as before, were full of gentleness and trust in God. For some time hopes of her recovery were entertained. It was early spring, and the summer was anxiously desired, when Alice might be removed to another locality more likely to be beneficial. The summer came, but Alice could not be removed, she was hasting away. It was pleasing and instructive to hear the words of the young dying Christian. As though her near approach to the eternal world had brought her religious life to maturity, she spoke with the experience of age. If hopes of her recovery were expressed in her presence, she at once stated her firm conviction that death would soon come, while she spoke lovingly of her friends, and sorrowed for their sorrow. She exhibited a deep interest in the progress of the school, and sent many kind messages to the scholars, but she never desired to be among them again, or to remain with her friends. "I am going home to God," she said, on one occasion, to Mr C—. “I am going home to God, where Jesus is at His right hand." "It is a good hope, Alice;" replied Mr C. "Heaven is the Christian's home, and it is a blessed thought that there we shall be for ever with the Lord. There all those are gone who have been His faithful followers, and there we shall go too, if we love Him steadfastly." Yes," she said, "Jesus loves those who love Him, and He will receive them into heaven. I wish I could love Him better; if I could recall my past life, I would strive to do so." "You may be spared yet, Alice." "No, no! I am sure I shall not; but I am not afraid to die. I know I shall be happier when I am away. Do not cry," she added, turning to her mother, who stood weeping by the bed-side; "you will soon come to Alice; you have all loved me very much, and I love you very much too, but soon I shall have to leave you." Such conversations were frequent, till the effort of speaking became too exhausting for her. She then desired that hymns and passages of Scripture might be read to her, to which she listened with close attention. A special favourite with her, was the beautiful hymn beginning: "When I survey the wondrous cross, And pour contempt on all my pride." It was read to her many times, and she repeated it over and over again. Contrary to all expectation, she still continued in life, though the summer was almost gone. But the end was at hand, and it came suddenly. It was a beautiful day; summer's prime seemed to have come back again, so bright and lovely was the face of nature. Alice had requested that she might be placed on an easy chair, near the window. The exceeding warmth and beauty of the day induced her parents to comply with her request. Her father lifted her carefully, and placed her in the desired position. She looked so well that hope almost rose in his breast as he kissed her, and left to attend his business. Alice seemed to enjoy the charming scene. The garden glowed with bright flowers; the river shone beneath the sun, and the air was filled with the song of birds. Her mother and sisters were beside her, but she seemed unconscious of their presence, nor did she answer when they addressed her. Feeling alarmed, they prepared to remove her to the bed, but a swift change passed over her countenance and arrested them. Her eyelids fell slowly down, her features became fixed as though cut in marble. They heard a few indistinct words, wherein the name of Jesus was alone recognisable. Slowly and gently her hands sank down, her breath became faint, her lips closed, and the calmness of death lay cold and still upon her. Heaven is a glorious place; there is no night there; the redeemed, who cast their bloodbought crowns before the throne of the Lamb are a glorious throng, and many are amongst them who have died in early life. Many live as Alice Ray lived, and many die as she died; and happiness is theirs for ever. Youth is precious. Early piety is a blessed thing. It is best to begin to be religious when the heart is young, fresh and easily impressed. May each of my young readers feel the truth of this; and, like Alice Ray, seek that good part which cannot be taken from them. T. "If it is our heavenly Father's will, Alice, you must," said her mother. "We hoped to READINGS FROM THE BEST DIVINES. have had you longer with us, but His will be done. It is a comfort to us that you have so good a hope, that Jesus is precious to your soul." TRUST IN GOD. TRUST and reliance on God is our duty and privilege. Every being has a necessary de prevision of future evils. Ignorance of future Sit subitum quodcunque paras, sit cæca futuri Let the evils thou preparest surprise us; let pendence on Him for its subsistence; but man, of all the visible creatures, is only capable of affiance in Him, by reflecting upon his own impotence, and by considering the perfections of the Creator, that render Him the proper object of trust. It is the incommunicable honour of the Deity to be acknowledged and regarded as the supporter of all things. To put confidence in ourselves, in the advantages of body, or mind, or estate, as if we were the architects of our own felicity, is a sacrilegious usurpation. Yet vain man foments a secret pride and high opinion of himself, as if by his own prudence and conduct he might acquire a happiness, till experience confutes his pleasing but pernicious error. The truth is, were there no God, whose powerful providence governs all things, and has a Indeed, God has mercifully hid the most of special care and respect of man, he were of future events from human curiosity. For as, all creatures the most miserable. So that, on the one side, by the view of great probesides the wickedness, we may clearly dis-sperity, man would be tempted to an excess cover the folly of atheism, that deprives man of his chiefest comfort at all times, and his only comfort in the greatest exigencies. For in this mutable state he is liable to so many disasters and wretched accidents, that none can have an assurance of prosperity one day. How frail and uncertain is life, the foundation of all temporal enjoyments! It depends upon so many things, that it is admirable it subsists for a little time. The least vessel in the body that breaks or is stopped, interrupting the course of the blood and humours, ruins its economy. Sometimes in its vigorous consistence, when most distant from sickness, it is nearest to death. A little eruption of blood in the brain is sufficient to stop the passages of the spirits, and deprive it of motion and life. And the changes of things without us are so various and frequent, so great and sudden, that it is an excess of folly, a dangerous rest, to be secure in the enjoyment of them. The same person sometimes affords an example of the greatest prosperity, and of greater misery, in the space of a few hours. Henry the Fourth of France, in the midst of the triumphs of peace, was, by a blow from a sacrilegious hand, despatched in his coach, and his bloody corpse forsaken by his servants, exposed to the view of all; so that, as the historian observes, there was but a moment between the adorations and oblivion of that great prince. "All flesh is grass, and the glory of it as the flower of the grass." Whatever disguises its imperfections, and gives it lustre, is but superficial, like the colour and ornament of a flower, whose matter is only a little dust and water, and is as weak and fading. Who, then, can possess these things without a just jealousy, lest they should slip away, or be ravished from him by violence? And in this respect man is most unhappy; for besides the affliction of present evils, reason, that separates him from other creatures, and exalts him above them, is the fatal instrument of his trouble by the of pride and joy, so on the other (as we are A RETROSPECT OF LIFE. and prevent troubles; or, which is more admirable, make them beneficial and subservient to our felicity. He is a sure refuge, an inviolable sanctuary to which we may retire in all our straits. His omnipotence is directed by unerring wisdom, and excited by infinite love, for the good of those who faithfully obey Him. An humble confidence in Him frees us from anxieties, preserves a firm, peaceful temper in the midst of storms. This gives a superiority of spirits, a true empire of mind over all outward things. Rex est qui posuit metus, Occurritque suo libens Fato, nec queritur mori. What was the vain boast of philosophersthat by the power of reason they could make all accidents to contribute to their happiness -is the real privilege we obtain by a regular trust in God, who directs and orders all events that happen for the everlasting good of His servants. In the worst circumstances we may rejoice in hope, in a certain and quiet expectation of a blessed issue. In death itself we are more than conquerors. "O Lord God of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in thee."-Dr William Bates. TIME'S BOOK. As Time one day by me did pass, Of past days, when sad Heaven did shed Many disorder'd lives I saw, And foul records which thaw My kind eyes still, but in A fair, white page of thin And ev'n, smooth lines, like the Sun's rays, O bright and happy Kalendar! All pearl'd with tears, and may Where through thick pangs, high agonies, As some meek night-piece which day quails, So by one beamy line From thy bright lamp did shine In the same page thy humble grave, Set with green herbs, glad hopes and brave. Here slept my thought's dear mark! which dust But dust I did observe, O calm and sacred bed, where lies In death's dark mysteries A beauty far more bright Than the noon's cloudless light; Sleep, happy ashes! blessed sleep! Weep that I have outlived My life, and urelieved Must, soul-less shadow, so live on, Though life be dead, and my joys gone. -Henry Vaughan. A RETROSPECT OF LIFE.* FROM THE DIARY OF JAMES WILSON OF WOODVILLE. 211 "WHEN a person is actuated by the love of God as well as man, when he applies the Saviour's gracious words 'do this in remembrance of me,' not solely to the partaking of the sacrament of the Supper, but to the performance of whatever he may be called upon to do, however destructive to himself—when he has respect to the recompence of reward, and remembers that the eye of the all-seeing God, for ever sleepless and undimmed, is upon him by night and day, then is he truly steadfast and not afraid, then shall not his youth be joyless, nor his manhood useless, but even his old age, so often desolate, 'shall be clearer than the noon-day. I shall not say that I lived without God in the world, but I often felt God-forsaken, which I surely would not have done had I simply laid myself and all my sins and sorrows at the foot of the Cross, trusting to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel.' I thought, in truth, far more of my sufferings than of my sins, and looked not, at least confidingly, on Him whom I had pierced.' Had I acknowledged the Lord in all my ways, He would have directed my paths, and made my darkness light. O God, may I now say, 'The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?' May that faithful saying be accepted, and deeply engraven on my heart, 'that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners,' to 'blot out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,' to reconcile the world to God, 'not imputing to them their trespasses,' so that I, who was some time 'afar off,' may be made nigh by the shedding of the Saviour's blood, while I confess with my tongue, and believe with my heart, that Jesus is the Son of God, who raised Him from the dead. O holy Father, may it come to pass that in the place where it was said unto us, 'Ye are not my people,' there shall we be called 'the children of the living God.' "The test, as it seems to me, of a person acting upon, or being actuated by the highest principles, is this, that under similar circumstances we would again follow precisely the same course, altogether irrespective of results. But as I myself would, if I could throw myself back into former times and circumstances, in all probability follow an entirely opposite course from that which I have actually pursued, I conceive there must have formerly been (and may still exist), as great a mixture of pride and folly in the feelings by which I have been regulated, as of true humility and Christian wisdom. "Most people in early life are fond of build *From "Memoirs of the Life of James Wilson of Wood ville." By James Hamilton, D.D. Just published by James Nisbet & Co. ing castles in the air, and are constitutionally careless at that period of their own interests; and my poor castles, however fair and glittering to my own fancy, certainly far brighter and more beautiful than anything I can now conjure up, were in no way founded on filthy lucre. Alas! for 'gorgeous cloudland,' and the world of dreams!" Alas! for the difference now greater than that of light and darkness, between the confiding imaginations of youth and the actual knowledge of after-years! Romance and reality! the peaceful repose of early and undoubting affection, and then-the battle of life. Who can relieve us from the body of sin and death? vain is the help of man; may we look evermore to that Rock which is sure and steadfast, and which, in its serene brightness, overlooks and illumines the darkness even of the valley of the shadow of death (making death itself a shadow), and which the waters of Jordan cannot overflow. Yet in reading the Word of God, although my views of God's providence and scheme of redemption were very dark, I was not without consolation, and I often dwelt with pleasure on such passages as the following :- The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.' The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.' 'He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.' 'Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.' 'To this man will I look, even to him that is of a poor and contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. I fear, I trembled not at the 'word,' though my soul was disquieted within me; though broken down by my sorrows, the burden of sin was not grievous, and I lightly esteemed the God of my salvation. Though weary and heavy laden, I went not to the fountain of living water, I sought not the bread of life (Lord, evermore give us that bread), but endeavoured (a vain endeavour) by a dogged resolution, an obstinate endurance of great discomforts of mind and body, to withstand adversities of whatever kind, instead of looking to Him who redeemeth the soul of His servants, so that 'none of those that trust in Him shall be desolate. For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities.' I had great consolation then from all promises to the downcast and disconsolate, such as Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;' Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted;' and so far this was well. But did I not put my sufferings in front of my faith, and my patient endurance almost in place of it, as if I merited the compassionate love of God, simply, because I suffered, instead of seeking to be justified (solely as well as freely) by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus?' 6 "That the love of God was upon me, I do not doubt, because we know that He first loved us,' and this only shews how great and abounding is the compassionate goodness of Him who calleth sinners to repentance. But that I loved God in return, or that the cross which I took up and bore, was the cross of Christ, I can scarcely believe, when I call to remembrance my anxious, dissatisfied condition, my unmanly depression and discontent, and my entire want of anything that could be called Christian cheerfulness, or actual heartfelt resignation to the will of God. In fact, I brooded over my own sufferings and distresses, instead of rejoicing in that one offering by which He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified-the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.' What marvel, then, that I was so often disconsolate, that I felt so seldom and so slightly the 'joy of believing?' I laboured and was heavy laden and was sore oppressed, with a painful constitution of body and a feeble constitution of mind; I was hedged in by difficulties on every side and surrounded by thick darkness; and yet I refused the call of the Divine Redeemer's love,- Come unto me, and I will give you rest.' Had I accepted of that invitation fully and without reserve, then assuredly I might have been 'troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.' "I therefore come to the conclusion that my sufferings have been greatly imbittered by my sins, and chiefly by my disobedience in not recognising, in almost any of my misfortunes, the chastening hand of a loving Father. But if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled unto God, how much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life!"" A PAULINE CONVERSION. in SOME years ago, in the town of BMassachusets, an aged man might be seen wending his way to the house of God, from Sabbath to Sabbath, the incidents of whose conversion were hardly less wonderful than those attending the conversion of the great Apostle to the Gentiles. "Uncle Christopher," as he was generally called, in early life had been a soldier in "the army of the Revolution" for seven years, and at the close of the war, returned home, with all the vices of the camp upon him, as was too generally the case. For years after he walked in the ways of sin and death, and his steps seemed literally to take hold on hell. Against the Church, and especially against those whom the "Holy Ghost had made overseers," he cherished a deep aversion, and often vented his spirit in scoffing and mockery. At length, under the honoured ministry of the Rev. Dr V-—, the Spirit of God was poured out in that place, |
