this climate. One day we behold a man in the prime and vigour of life; the next he is committed to the silent tomb. It frequently occurs, that there are not four days between perfect health and putrefaction.' These awakening events he had very recently laboured to impress on the attention of his auditory. The city of Kingston was built near the spot where that of Port-Royal had been swallowed up by an earthquake. The awful catastrophe is annually commemorated by a season of public humiliation on the 7th of June. In a sermon which Mr. H. preached on the occasion, having admonished them of the dangers to which individuals are exposed, he added, your "This Anniversary reminds us, also, that the community at large stand in jeopardy every hour. The danger is beneath you as a treacherous abyss you stand and move, as on the crater of a volcano, and know not the terrific moment of its next eruption. Who can avoid the precise spot where the rending ground shall shew a chasm? Who can decide where they shall NOT be engulphed, or buried beneath the shivering rock, the crumbling mountain, or the falling mansion? You may, by immediately, leaving this island, escape the judgments which impend over it; or-your mortal career may be so near its close, that remains may be rocked in the grave, unheeding the shock by the next convulsion of nature. But there is an earthquake approaching, the awful result of which you must each rience in your own persons.' Rev. vi. 12, 17. Let it remind us, also, of that earthquake, which above all others, most awfully announced the detestation God has of sin-an earthquake, the effects of which extended to the canopy of heaven, and shook the centre of hell,-when His agencies, who struck that spark the Sun into being, caused the astonished luminary preternaturally to shroud his beams, exhibiting expe A dread eclipse, without opposing spheres.' No where does justice appear so awful, mercy so wonderful, or transgressions so heinous, as on the darkened mountain of Calvary; when that price was paid for man's redemption, which alone would rescue him from eternal misery.' The preacher applies these and many other solemn admonitions, in opposition to those sins which sit most easily on the people whom he addressed. "A disregard to the sacred institution of marriage, the sin of whoredom, is the most appalling evil, the blackest moral stain on this colony, and it is at this moment exposing us to a fearful looking-for of judgment.' Every flash of lightning that glares over the midnight sky-every slight tremor of the ground, is as the voice of heaven calling to you, 'Break off your iniquities; for this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God-because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience? Having earnestly instructed the seducer and the seduced to escape from their sins, he points out the efficacy of repentance, and takes occasion, in warning his hearers against dependance on a formal humiliation, to plead the cause of the helpless. 'Had the people of Nineveh mocked God by the mere form of a day of humiliation, their destruction, instead of being averted, would have been more awful. But they were sincere in their devotions; they turned from their evil way, and from the violence that was in their hands.' How many poor The fast slaves rejoiced on that day. required of us, (and no other will be acceptable to the Lord, for no other hath he chosen) is, to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free,' &c. From a passage connected with this quotation, he makes a transition to the neglect of the Lord's Day, as another prevailing evil: he remarks 'Much to the credit of the corporation of that city, that THEIR pew is constantly entered; adding most heartily do I pray, that not one of their body may ever have to exclaim, like expiring Wolsey, Had I served my God as I have served my King, he would not have forsaken nie.' No, may the peace of God, through the blood of the atoning Saviour, ever be theirs! As a young man, I should not presume to dictate but as a devoted servant of the altar, I feel myself justified and authorized in asking, "Can nothing more be done to preserve inviolate the sanctity of the sabbath, in this parish and city? Is it impossible to have the hours of divine service preserved from the indecorum of marketing and traffic?' If these peculiarly devoted hours could be preserved from sordid purposes, then, indeed, would many more join with us to deprecate the wrath of God. We complain of our domestics. A lax theology and 'a lax morality go together: we cannot expect better servants, till we have instructed them in the pure religion of Jesus.' We abstain from farther quotation, although there are passages that might be thought to have a yet stronger claim on our attention. These, also, by being detached, and abbreviated, lose much of their original force; but they may suffice to specify the strain of preaching, which, with the advantages of a delivery testified to have been peculiarly impressive, became instrumental, in so short a term, to so great spiritual benefit. When the above-mentioned letter was written, the sermon referred to was passing through the press at Kingston: but the writer made no mention of it. Neither, in adverting to the successful labours of other servants of Christ, did he intimate the public acceptance of his own-nor, in remembering the rapid improvement of morality of late years, did he suggest (what appears to have been simply the fact) that this had been accelerated, beyond all precedent, during the short course of his ministry on the spot. He well knew what pleasure such intelligence would have given to his friend; but he left it to find its way to him by a circuitous and tardy channel, rather than he would bear testimony in any measure of himself. So, the historical writers of the New Testament are usually discoverable, only by the suppressions of their own share in transactions which they record as eye-witnesses. By the evidence of those who could best judge of Mr. Humberstone's private life, he generally walked with God, whom (with a filial reverence) he feared above many:' but they were struck, after joining him at Kingston, with the peculiar spirituality and humility of his domestic devotional exercises and conversation. 'We thought,' says one of them, that there never appeared so holy a mortal mind; and but for our hope that the Lord had placed him in Kingston for extensive and continual usefulness, we should have apprehended him, during the last four months of his life, to be at the verge of heaven.' In a printed Memoir which his sister hastily drew up at the request of his lamenting friends, she says, It was his small domestic circle alone that truly knew him. At home his superiority shone forth with a simplicity, grace, and benignity peculiar to himself, there he was the delight (and, perhaps too much, the indeed for us to know the bounds of It was difficult idol) of every heart. affection, when we beheld him setting none to his endearing solicitude for our minutest comforts,' &c. Mr. Humberstone's prospects and plans of usefulness imply that this striking spirituality of mind arose from no habitual presentiment of his near approach to eternity: yet, on the 1st of August, in a sermon, he expressed his expectation of this event so strongly, as very much to draw the attention of his hearers. His health appeared then to be firm; and the notes which he had prepared for his use in the pulpit implied no design of giving such an intimation. It seemed, therefore, to be the effect of a momentary impression; and this he might probably have resisted had his family been present; but his sister, being attacked by fever, had been removed to the hills, where Mrs. Humberstone attended her. One person who had never before heard him preach, (the principal portrait painter in the island) came to church that day, solely with the intention to catch a favourable likeness of so popular a minister: but he heard to so much better purpose as to forget that for which he came; and he returned lamenting that he had mis-spent so many sabbaths; and declaring, that never again, by his choice, would he be absent when Mr. Humberstone should preach. The resolution, alas! was formed too late-at least for opportunity to act upon it. Neither the preacher nor the hearer entered the church again! They expired within a few hours of each other. 'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might!' On the 4th of August,' says his sister in the printed Memoir, he had proposed to join Mrs. H. and myself in the mountains, but clerical duty disappointed him. That afternoon he was attacked by the fever, which proved the agent of death and immortality. In the course of the evening, after a second copious bleeding had in some measure relieved his head, he said to a person who was kindly attending him, a person who was kindly attending him, that his work was nearly done on earth, but he should die in his Saviour's arms. Then praying that God would be gracious to him to the end, he expressed his full resignation and willingness to die; and his strong faith in Christ, through whose propitiation he was humbly confident that a mansion was prepared for him in heaven. He had,' he said, but one anxiety on his mind his wife.' The next morning Mr. W. kindly came to inform us of his illness; and of course Mrs. H. immediately re turned to Kingston. He was much rejoiced to see her, but expressed & desire for my arrival also, if able to remove. On Friday the 6th, I reached this once happy, now mournful home. For some time after my arrival he held my hand in his, fixed his eyes tenderly on me, but spoke not.-Fell as is the nature of the yellow fever, God mercifully spared us the anguish of witnessing those symptoms which gave it horror. He continued perfectly calm, other words than it was his only and often smiled; but articulated no son,-which he uttered with accents of solemn joy, evidently contemplating the love of God to mankind in the unspeakable gift of Christ. He knew, and shewed appropriate marks of the tenderest affection to those around him, especially his wife and sister, whose hands he joined together, expressively of resigning, and committing them to each other, and to God. He gently expired about half past two o'clock on the ensuing Monday morning. About four in the afternoon of the same day, his body was conveyed to its tomb.' It may be doubted whether testimonies of public and private regret for the loss of a minister ever were, or ever can be, stronger than on this occasion. The former strongly resembled what we have recorded (p. 190) of Dr. Kollock's funeral. Of private attestations, the number and diversity wholly preclude the insertion, and their poignancy renders abridgment or description impracticable; a correspondence from which very impressive extracts might otherand evinces the permanency of Mr. wise be given, multiplies the proofs H.'s usefulness. In addition to what has already been adduced, we cannot forbear to notice that some Jews had become his constant hearers; and that, for several weeks before his death, the priest of a Roman Catholic Chapel always closed his public service in time to hear Mr. H.'s sermon. Neither can we abstain from remarking that his negroboy would not quit the corpse till it was interred; replying, when urged to take rest, No, no: me tand here; me tink of masse's say; me tink of masse's prayers.' At the grave his distress became insuppressible: and for more than a week after he daily met several other blacks who had attended Mr. H.'s ministry, in the room, and at the returning time of his dissolution, spending even hours together in prayer for that salvation which he had zealously preached to sinners of every class. Happily the strange prejudice which, in some of the United States, forbids persons of different colours from joining to worship HIM 'who has made all nations of one blood,' does not prevail at Jamaica! Otherwise, perhaps the greater number of those to whom Mr. Humberstone's labours were made most effectual, might never have heard the joyful sound of the Gospel! May what is here recorded, excite us to follow him as he followed Christ! It certainly exhibits nothing disheartening to persons who are inclined, like him, to hazard a threatening climate, in our Lord's service, whether among nominal Christians, or Heathens. Who would decline such a close of life as his? Short as was his labour, he may have done, or laid a foundation for greater good, than if he had spent forty years more in England. It may surely be hoped, that a people who know so well how to value the Gospel, while it was addressed to them, will not be left destitute for the future, of its inestimable benefits. A memorial like the preceding (as a living coal from the altar) may touch many a lip, that will reply, 'Here am I, send me!' No one needs to put off the happy season, when he may say, with the subject of this Memoir, 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, THE spirit with which the recent Anniversaries of various Religious and Benevolent Societies have been kept up year after year, is highly honourable to the state of religion in this country, and promises the most beneficial effects, both to the Church and to the world. Having witnessed some of these, and having read the accounts of others, I beg leave to offer to your readers a few reflections, with a view of improving the privileges which we so lately have enjoyed. The first circumstance which attracts my attention is the unity of design which pervades these societies namely, the spread of religious knowledge. Whether there be Bible Societies, Missionary Societies, Tract Societies, or School Societies, all have this great and important object-to enlighten mankind in the knowledge of salvation, and to spread the great fundamental truths of the Gospel. Every work of God commences with shedding down light, and is continued by its diffusion. 'God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." And it is by the preaching of the word of God, attended with a Divine power, that he hath 'shed forth this which we now see and hear.'+ Our duty is in every way to diffuse knowledge: it is God's work to reflect that knowledge internally on the heart, and that from the face of Christ, who is the 'Sun of righteousness.'‡ * 1 Cor. iv. 6. + Acts ii. 33. says, 2. I would remark the extent and diversity of operations' carried on by these Societies. It is not by one means, but by all means' that they seek to save some'-to save allif it were possible. Thus one Society gives the Scriptures-another How readest thou?' And if the answer be, I am not learned,' I cannot read-the teacher presents a spelling-book-sits down by his pupil, and patiently deals out to him the first elements of knowledge. He now begins to read, and another messenger of mercy puts the question, Understandest thou what thou readest?' And if the answer be, 'How can I, except some one teach me?' then he begins at the same text, and preaches to him Jesus.' Or, perhaps, this benevolent man has not the tongue of the learned,' then he puts into his hand a religious tract, and this dumb interpreter points out to him the way of eternal life. Or, it may be, the order is inverted: A Missionary goes forth with the Bible in his hand, and shews it to the heathen translates it into their language-impresses its truth upon their conscience - and exhibits Him, who is promised to be, not only the glory of Israel,' but 'salvation to the ends of the earth'. 3. I observe the harmony of principle among them. Their object is not to make proselytes to a sect not to serve a party-nor to spread a favourite sentiment, but to support and propagate primitive Christianity-the simple, but important truths of Scripture. With this view the Bible Society rejects every note and comment-the School Societies confine their instructions to the Bible-the Tract and Missionary Societies avoid every controversy on which evangelical Christians are divided. 4. I would notice the variety of objects to which the public benevolence is directed. Some confine their benevolence to their own country-others push their exertions to the antipodes. Among the former some direct their attention to children, others to adults-some seek the conversion of sailors-others carry instruction to the army-and yet others penetrate the asylums of human misery, and the abodes of crime-'to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to bind up the brokenhearted. In foreign countries the objects of mercy and benevolence are no less varied-the sophisticated Hindoo, the degraded Hottentot, the oppressed Negro, the long-neglected Jew-all, all become in turns, and to different Societies or individuals, the object of the kindest sympathies -the most benevolent and disinterested exertions. Among other countries I cannot but rejoice that considerable exertions are directed to the instruction of neglected Ireland, and to the Highlands and islands of Scotland, where, till lately (though our immediate neighbours) the inhabitants had so much reason to complain'No man careth for my soul!' 5. I remark the connexion of most of these Societies, and the re-action which takes place between them. It is very true that their pecuniary interests may sometimes interfere; but the manner in which they stimulate and assist each other is far more remarkable. It was the Bible Society which first taught Christians to be generous on a large scale-to do good by wholesale: but for this it is not likely so much would have been done for missions. Missionary Societies have stimulated each other. Churchmen, Methodists, Dissenters, have 'provoked each other to love and to good works.' But there were some Christians whose scruples happily prevented their engaging in missions,-I their scruples (however unreasonable they may appear) happily prevented them from uniting with their fellow-Christians, because by this means new paths of Christian cha say |