minded persons, who have not yet seen their way clear to quit altogether the corrupt communion in which they had been educated. This is very much the system which Lutz taught during his entire ministry at Carlshold (more properly Carlshuld); and it does not seem clear from any thing in his own documents that he had attached himself, even in intention, to the Lutheran or any other existing denomination of Protestants. His year of probation (according to the conscience-grinding laws of Bavaria, and there are similar laws in Austria) would not expire till October or November next; and during that period, a person, whether eleric or lay, who has commenced his course of legal acts in order to be permitted to change his communion, is subjected to many harassing and soul-trying examinations and disputations. We do not know what poor Lutz has had to undergo. Perhaps his case may resemble, in some sort, those of Barnes and Cranmer. We can only suspend our judgment till we obtain complete information, with the documentary papers; but of the general fact above announced there is no doubt; and our earnest prayer is, that he may, in the mercy of God, be brought out of the snare of the tempter, and prove even yet a burning and shining light in the Church of Christ.

In our account of the Confession of Faith of Mr. Lutz's late flock, we adverted to its alleged admission of the doctrine of Purgatory, though with some modification (p. 549 of our last Number). It is now in our power to complete our remarks from the original authority, having before us the work itself, entitled, "Confession of Christian Truth, as it is acknowledged and believed in the Parish of Carlshuld on the Danube-Moss; with some Additions." The last of these "Additions" is a leaf derived from another publication, which also we have been favoured to receive from Germany; "Historical notices concerning the Civil and Religious Circumstances of the Colonist Parochial Community at Carlshuld on the Danube-Moss: published by Joh. Ev. Geo. Lutz, Member of the Royal Bavarian Order of Civil Merit, and late Vicar of Carlshuld." The original article of the Confession is as follows:

state, as upon earth, it is only through the merits of Christ, and therefore of grace by faith in him, that any can be delivered, sanctified, and saved. With respect to

Prayers for the Dead, there is no injunction of Holy Scripture; so that we cannot acknowledge such prayers as commanded, and the subject is left to the private judgment of every individual. 1 Pet. iii. 18-20; Matt. xii. 32."

The following is the portion of the Additions expressly called "Corrections," which relate to this topic. It will be seen that it very materially modifies the original article, and we might have hoped, and still do hope, that Mr. Lutz and his friends would cast off the slough altogether.

"Of the State of Man after Death.-We believe and teach, that those who have lived in the faith upon the Son of God, our Saviour Jesus Christ, enter into blessedness immediately after their temporal death; but that those who have rejected the counsel of God for their salvation enter into the state of damnation immediately after their temporal death. We would not be understood hereby as denying the opinion of some learned and godly men, that there are in the future state some means of deliverance and sanctification, for those who here below had no opportunity of hearing the Gospel of the grace of God in Christ, that they might attain to faith in Christ, and thus be made free from sin, justified, and blessed. We reckon this (from 1 Pet. iii. 18-20; and Matt. xii. 32) as highly probable : but, inasmuch as Holy Scripture does not speak clearly and decidedly upon this point, we by no means declare it to be an article of faith and doctrine; for it is not right to indulge a desire of knowing and maintaining, with respect to Divine and future things, more than the clear light of the word of God shews us thereupon. We are further convinced, that in the world to come, equally as in the present, none can be delivered, sanctified, and made blessed, except through the merits of Christ alone; and that we must not dare to delay the work of our own repentance and faith till that future state; for whosoever here below receives the call of grace and wilfully rejects it, is irrecoverably lost. Matt. xxv. 10, 14-46; Luke xiv. 24; John iii. 14-19; Rev. vii. 9— 17; xxi. 6-8; Matt. vii. 22, 23; xxv. 11, 12; Heb. vi. 4–8; 2 Pet. ii. 20, 22.

WILLIAM LAWRENCE, a Berkshire Shepherd. THE pages of the Christian Observer have preserved many interesting and instructive records, which had otherwise been lost, of faithful servants of Christ in various CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 369.

circumstances of life: some in stations of rank and dignity; some among the middle classes of society; many among the clergy; and some-as, for example, that remarkable man Thomas Hogg-from among the "poor in this world, rich in faith, and

4 L

heirs of the kingdom" of God. To the latter class belonged the subject of the following memorial; which, it is hoped, will not be found uninteresting, or without value, as a record of useful and attainable excellence in humble life; and as exhibit ing the effects of genuine religion in elevating the character amidst scenes of active business, and in supporting the mind under severe and protracted suffering.

WILLIAM LAWRENCE was born in the village of Hinton, in Berkshire, in the year 1776. His father was a shepherd, who brought up a large family by his industry, without parochial aid, and trained his son, the subject of this little memoir, to his own occupation. Performing himself, with the greatest ability as well as care, the duties of his employment, he endeavoured to impress on the mind of his son the necessity of diligence; representing that the most minute attention was required in looking after a flock of sheep; as, from the want of such care, his master might sustain severe losses. The hours of leisure afforded him while tending his flock on the downs, young Lawrence spent in reading; and he devoted his winter evenings to writing and arithmetic. Thus, even in boyhood, he advanced far beyond the ordinary knowledge possessed by his equals.

The writer of this memoir hired him for a shepherd in 1797, at the age of twenty-one; and he continued in his service, except the interval of two years, till the commencement of the painful illness, under which he laboured for more than three years, and which terminated in his death, in December 1830, in the 54th year of his age.

The incidents afforded by the life of William Lawrence, which was spent entirely in the humble occupation of a shepherd, or in agricultural labour, can be neither numerous nor important; but his short and simple annals may, perhaps, furnish a useful lesson to those who, in possession of superior advantages, have yet never equalled him in consistency and propriety of conduct. "In the obscurity of retirement, amidst the poverty and privations of a cottage, may be often witnessed scenes of magnanimity and self-denial, as much beyond the belief as the practice of the great;a heroism borrowing no support from the gaze of the many or the admiration of the few, yet flourishing amidst pain and suffering, and on the confines of the tomb."

Lawrence's reserve of character induced him to shun observation; and only those who knew him intimately were aware how much worth and excellence dwelt beneath his modest and unassuming demeanour. His chief defect consisted in a degree of insensibility to the misconduct of others. Although acting, himself, from principles of undeviating rectitude, he was unwilling to administer reproof to

those over whom he might have exercised some degree of controul, and whose improprieties he might have checked by timely remonstrance and correction.

A shepherd, while keeping his sheep in the fields, at a particular time of the year, and with a good dog, has many hours of leisure. These, together with his winter evenings, Lawrence chiefly employed in reading; and thus became very conversant with some of our best authors, both in prose and verse: but he was equally diligent in making and mending his shoes, and repairing his garments, in which he was very skilful. He could repeat pages of Milton's Paradise Lost, in a manner which shewed that he perfectly understood the subject. Having to pass near Stoke with a flock of sheep, whilst they were resting in the lane, observing the mausoleum of the poet Gray in the Park, he was attracted to the spot, and was so pleased with the inscription that he committed the whole to memory, and repeated it correctly on his return. The allusions which he would make to some of the finest passages in Thomson's Seasons, proved that they were not lost upon him. He read with interest Cowper, and Klopstock's Messiah. As a trifling illustration of the happy manner in which he could apply sentiments acquired from the perusal of his favourite poets, it may be mentioned, that, on one occasion, when the intended marriage of two persons notorious for the turbulence and impetuosity of their tempers was discussed in his presence, he instantly quoted from Dr. Watts's Lyric Poems "Nor can the soft enchantment hold Two jarring souls of angry mould,

The rugged and the keen:
Samson's young foxes might as well
In bands of cheerful wedlock dwell,

With fire-brands tied between." The writings of several of our best divines were also a part of his favourite study. So far from the refinement of mind produced by reading incapacitating him for the menial duties of his situation, his employer, together with his fellowlabourers, must bear testimony to the care with which he performed every occupation which devolved on him; and no appearance of conceit evinced his consciousness of superiority to his associates.

When a shepherd conducts himself well, it is common to permit him to keep two ewes with his master's flock; and Lawrence was allowed this privilege, as a reward for his diligence and attention. He often obtained from his little flock an annual profit of from six to eight pounds, and sometimes even more. Observing his economical habits, I inquired of him how he disposed of his spare money; and finding that he kept it by him, I called his attention to the means of disposing of his unemployed capital in the public funds, by which interest might be obtained. Savings' banks did not at that

time exist. He promptly brought me twenty pounds, with which Stock was purchased; and he continued to add to his first deposit as circumstances would allow. During the war, draughts were constantly made for men to serve in the m'iitia; and insurance offices being estaFished, to procure substitutes for those who were unwilling to serve personally, on the payment of from seven to twelve shillings, Lawrence constantly availed himself of the opportunity thus afforded of providing against such a contingency. But, in consequence of the repeated recurrence of these draughts, the number of men liable to serve was so much reduced, that those who remained were no longer permitted to effect insurances; and, when the next vacancy was to be supplied, the lot unhappily fell upon him. This was a severe affliction; for, feeling extremely averse to the roving life of a soldier, he was compelled to find a substitute, which he could not obtain under forty guineas, besides some additional and unavoidable expenses. Ten pounds were allowed him by law, and eight were raised for him by friends, who, esteeming his character and admiring his principles, were anxious to assist in relieving him from his difficulties; but twenty-four were still to be paid out of money gained by so much economy and unwearied industry.

In 1808, being then thirty-two years of age, he married Elizabeth Tyrrel, who was cook in his employer's family, and who now survives him. This event he had prudently retarded for a year, in consequence of the loss he had sustained from the before-named circumstance of the militia. His sound judgment and prudence in making provision for a family before he married, is a most valuable lesson to men in his station.

After their marriage, Lawrence and his wife continued in their situations for two years; and their first child was born in their employer's house. At the ex-piration of the two years, with the prospect of an increasing family, they had apartments fitted up for them at a vacant farm-house of their master's, free of rent and taxes, where they continued to reside

The government duty and the ecclesiastical fees on administering to Lawrence's will, recently cost his widow, left with seven children, nearly nine pounds; -a large and lamentable deduction from property accumulated in such a station in life, by a man who had never burdened a parish in any way: and whose long affliction, had he been less provident, would, under ordinary circumstances, have probably cost his parish little less than a hundred pounds. The militia money also pressed with extreme severity upon him, as he had to pay as much as the richest man in the county. Surely such matters ought to be regulated with greater attention to practical justice.

till 1817, when they left his service, to commence business on their own account, This affair terminated shortly after, much to their disadvantage; for, though Lawrence was an excellent servant, he soon found he had not the judgment requisite for a higher post in society. Towards the close of the following year, he returned to me; and after several years faithful and confidential service, during which he considerably increased his little property, I offered him the management of a branch of agricultural labour, over between five and six hundred acres of land, to which he attended, till the distressing circumstance which rendered him unfit for labour. His wife and son afterwards continued this branch of business, till, feeling conscious that his end was approaching, he manifested some anxiety to secure to his only son the means of obtaining, at a future period, his own livelihood, with credit and respectability; for which purpose he placed him as an apprentice, at an expense of about forty pounds, with a very worthy tradesman.

There are, unhappily, but few opportunities for presenting to the notice of the public, persons in the character of labourers who have never had any share in augmenting the burden of the poor rates; when, therefore, such a case does occur, it may be useful to examine the causes which have operated to prevent that rare individual assimilating with his fellows. Lawrence was the son of most deserving parents, who depended entirely on their own energies for the support of themselves and their numerous family. He imbibed the same spirit, and commenced his career with no other independence than diligence and economy. The money thus obtained he duly valued, because aware of the difficulty with which it had been acquired. After his marriage, instead of resorting to the parish, his exertions increased with his increasing family; for he established an evening school for boys, which, while it afforded him a remuneration for his trouble, was very useful to those whom he instructed. Besides this, following up the dictates of a sound judgment and an independent spirit, he employed his leisure in mending shoes for the neighbourhood; he occasionally acted as the village pig-butcher; and he was mole-catcher on the farm, which was quite compatible with the business of a shepherd, the latter affording him a small regular income, while the former services were paid for as they occurred.

No man of reflection can assert that the poor laws, as they have been administered for the last thirty years, have worked well; on the contrary, they have inflicted an evil of the most serious kind, both on the payer and receiver. They have paralyzed the efforts of the labouring poor, and taught them that as much may be gained by spending all they earn,

as by habits of economy. In the exercise of such principles, many men have abandoned themselves to a course of extravagance and profligacy, who, under the influence of a different system, would have been ashamed to have depended on charity in any form.

But to the payer, also, their effects have been most injurious; for how many sober and industrious persons are to be found in every parish, with large families, and small means, who are, nevertheless, compelled to contribute their share to the common stock, out of which the wants of the idle and dissolute are to be supplied. Should any man be found with a master mind, and with nerve sufficient to decry this evil; and should he have the opportunity of remedying the defects in the administration of laws, which were framed by our ancestors for the benefit of the poor, but which have been most shamefully perverted, he would find himself placed in difficulties, between the clamours of the poor for relief on all occasions, and the urgency of those who, from mistaken motives of humanity, would plead for a more liberal distribution of the funds entrusted to his care, than in his judgment and conscience he could allow. That man may be considered the best friend to the poor who is most strenuous in denying them what they term their unalienable right-assistance from the poor-rates. If it be asked, what then are the poor to do? the answer instantly suggests itself;-let them be fairly paid for their labour, and then let them depend on their own resources, which, if brought into operation, would exceed in amount any sum that could be afforded from parish funds. The poor man, thus deprived of all extraneous aid, will naturally devise plans, by which he may secure to himself and his family a comfortable maintenance; and he will be induced to adopt various means to accomplish this end, of which the pauper would have been totally regardless. The example of Lawrence illustrates this principle.

This question, of the evils of pauperism, and the duty of making the poor look to the blessing of God upon their own industry, and not on parish bounty, deserves to be seriously pressed upon the consideration of all, but especially of those charitable and well-meaning persons who are so unremitting in their efforts to alleviate the privations of poverty. How beneficially might such persons exert the influence which their benevolence affords them over the minds of the labouring classes, in impressing upon them the disgrace which should attach itself to the condition of a pauper, and the obligations they are under to endeavour to liberate themselves, by the utmost frugality and energy, from so degraded a situation. But mistaken compassion too often dictates a different line of conduct; and the charitable and

humane have been often known to stipulate, that their assistance should not supersede parochial aid; while they have actually urged the poor to enforce their claims on the parish funds, and have passed a severe censure on the conduct of the overseer, for what they termed his hard-heartedness. Yet, after all, it will be found, that the clamorous for relief are, usually, the least deserving of commiseration; and that were the profligacy and extravagance of those who resort to parish vestries laid open to the view of their philanthropic advocates, disgust would be too apt to take the place of pity. But rags and squalid poverty make successful appeals to the tender and compassionate: while the neatness, frugality, and good management of a well-conducted poor family, are rewarded with a cool commendation; and, frequently, such a family are not considered suitable objects for the exercise of that bounty which is so liberally bestowed on the wretched victims of vice and prodigality; it being little considered, or wholly overlooked, that this appearance of comfort and respectability is only maintained by the most persevering industry, economy, and selfdenial. In every village, and sometimes even under the same roof, may be observed two families, possessing equal external advantages, and yet one will appear to be under the influence of the darkest frowns of penury, while the other will exhibit a pleasing picture of order and happiness. This contrast will be often found to originate in their different persuits on the Sabbath day. The family who attend the worship of God, will wish to appear there in decent and respectable attire. This induces a spirit of frugality and good management, which will not be found in others, who, regardless of the consecrated nature of the day, rise in the morning with no other object in view than to indulge in excesses which are alike forbidden by religion and morality.

But to recur to the subject of this narrative. The period of his active industry was suddenly brought to a close, by a load of oat sheaves falling on him, which so severely injured his spine, as to bring on a series of incurable and protracted sufferings, from which death alone could effectually relieve him. In addition to constant wearing pain and debility, he had now to endure the weariness felt by an active and industrious spirit, amidst the cessation of that habitual employment which, in the wise dispensations of Divine Providence, becomes so continued a mitigation of continued toil. He was altogether laid aside. That he at times acutely felt this, was evident; yet be bowed submissively to it; and received with a cheerful smile the observation one day made to him by a casual visitor, who had heard of his taste for Milton's poetry, that not only among the angels they honour God who "At his bidding, speed,"

but they also no less acceptably serve him, who wait in patience for his commands, and yield themselves to his disposal. As, however, it had been his honour and happiness to "abide with God in his calling," amidst active duties, so now, amidst disability and suffering, "patience had her perfect work." So exemplary was this, and so admirable a termination did it afford to his honourable course, that, as his condition became known, not a few of the higher, and some among the highest class of society, not only took pleasure in personally ministering to his comfort, but in witnessing, by their visits to his cottage, the instructive calmness and humble dignity of one, whom an Apostle would have called a brother of low degree, exalted" by principles of the highest and noblest tendency.

During the period of his long and painful illness, he lived in a little hamlet called New Town, in the parish of Hitcham, Bucks, adjoining a lane leading from the church to the Bath road. Although the place was so obscure, a carriage was frequently to be seen at his door, the distinguished owner of which was within the cottage, conversing with the sufferer, whose intelligence and consistent piety attracted much attention. He felt very grateful to his benefactors for the kindness evinced towards him during his long and painful illness; and would often say,

To think that God should raise me up so many friends, who furnish me with such numerous comforts, and from whose sympathy I derive much consolation; especially so many ladies and gentlemen of rank and influence, who might never have heard of my situation!" Tears trickled down his cheeks while he acknowledged this, together with the obligations he was under to the medical gentlemen, whose attentions to him were unremitting and gratuitous.

A few brief notices of his conversations during his illness, will illustrate his religious character.

One distinguished feature of his mind was submission to the Divine will. He had learned, in whatsoever state he was, therewith to be content. He was asked, when suffering very acutely," Would you exchange this scene of affliction for wealth, ease, and worldly enjoyment?" He replied: "Not on any account: it is the will of God that I should suffer, and therefore it is best for me."

On one occasion, when a kind friend was conversing with him, after dwelling with great delight on that text, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," he said, "How the Apostle labours to express the wonderful glory! he calls it a weight of glory;' as much as can be heaped upon the believer." Another day he said, "The right way to look on our blessings, is to

consider them all forfeited by sin; and then we shall receive those which God gives us back, with thankfulness, as his gifts." "How striking," he added, "is that expression of the Psalmist, I have seen an end of all perfection; but thy commandment is exceeding broad!' Who can tell what it extends to? The natural heart sees nothing of its spirituality; it looks only to the words: but Christ shews how it extends to the thoughts and desires, Matt. v. 28. I was brought up in a very decent and moral way; and I do not think any man could say he ever heard me swear in my whole life; I prided myself on not doing it; and some used to call me a 'Methodist,' though I had not much right to the name: 1 thought myself in a fair way for heaven, and was working my way there as fast as I could; when it pleased God to bring me under the sound of the Gospel

I heard Mr. *****, and then I saw I was all wrong; and that I wanted a better righteousness than my own for justification: I endeavoured to seek that 'which is of God by faith."" He then continued, "I have been thinking of the nature of true repentance: it leads a man to wish all his sins undone. He would undo them if he could, because they have offended God." A person was then referred to, in whom it was hoped a favourable change had taken place; for he had been persuaded to go to church, and to read his Bible. "Yes," said he, "that looks well; it promises fair; but many make a sort of outward reformation for a time, without a real change; 'reformation is not regeneration,' as an old author says: when there is a real change of heart, there will be an abhorrence of former sins." "How self mixes itself with every thing!" said he, one day; "it is our grand enemy, the desire of being thought well of by others." It was once observed to him, "what a blessing affliction had often proved to them who were exercised thereby." Yes," he replied, "but of itself it has no power to do good. I have seen many persons brought into it and go out just the same as before. If it induces reflection, it is a great blessing; but there must be the sanctifying Spirit." At another time he said, "Sometimes uneasy thoughts will come, but I am prevented from dwelling on them. A ship at sea may be kept out so long, that all the store of provisions may be exhausted before it reaches the harbour; so my store of provision may become less and less, till it is gone. I know of no promise which says that the Christian shall not die in a workhouse. But I am able to put these thoughts from me." It being asked "whether he had any uneasy feeling about death;" he replied, “I have no doubts or fears respecting it, for I find Christ to be a sure foundation."

The closing scenes of his life presented him consoled and supported amidst all his