opportunity you shall make one, provided you can find materials.' 'I will make you two,' said Mr. Quick,' and that upon the spot.'

"Trudge, the footman, who just now passed by us, in a profuse perspiration, and who last week joined your church, is interested in a certain salvation. The ever adorable Jehovah did, in the exercise of his infinite, sovereign, and immutable grace, appoint him to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who, pursuant to God's eternal purposes died for hiç offences and rose again for his justification. And, in conformity therewith, the Holy Spirit has made him a new creature in Christ Jesus; will effect his perseverance, and meeten him for glory. This, Sir, is the first case, and you see it exactly fits just half your fiddle.

"The other case I shall make out of Turnclod the ploughboy, who you see is just returning home from the seven acres. He has no advantages, neither moral nor intellectual; besides, his habits are depraved, and he is without the pale of a certain salvation. He has been passed by in the exercise of eternal goodness, on which neither himself nor any one beside could have any claim, and is appointed to wrath through the working influence of original and personal guilt; now as the appointments of God must necessarily be immutable, he can no more be saved than the other can be lost. Pray, Sir, in what sense can offered grace be useful to the ploughboy? How is his salvation possible?—This makes the second case. And let me ask again, how it is possible for Farmer Wheatfield's man to obtain eternal glory?' 'O,' said Mr. S. there is plenty of merit in Christ, and plenty of mercy in God, and who can tell but what if they ap'-' Stop, stop, Sir,' said Mr. Quick,' you are disregarding the order of things. There is plenty of light in the sun, and plenty of heat likewise, and who can tell but what it might act in the element of water as it does in the firmament? But then we are sure that the orb of day will never shine in the ocean, because God has fixed its situation by an unchangeable ordinance. It is not what might have been, nor what may be, but what will be, and what from the settled order of things must be. The plan of God is not a fabrication of shredsof may-be's and might-have-been's—of probabilities and uncertainties; no, Sir, the mercy of God, the merit of Christ, and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit are not guided by creature volitions, but by eternal purposes; for sinners are saved and called with an holy calling, not according to their works, but according to his purpose and grace which was given to them in Christ before the world began. I conclude therefore, that possible salvation is all a farce, and that offers and proffers of grace are insulting to the blessed God, and injurious to mankind. Possibly they may offer no absurdity to your intellect, but, Sir, without wishing to be offensive, such manly wisdom is "foolishness with God."

"Thus, Sir, you sec that half your fascinating instrument is left exposed and bare; and permit me to ask, if you conceive it to be either ornamental or useful, although it may be the whimsical taste of the age to render it fashionable? You had better allow me to saw off the discordant half, for off it must come some time or other. Remember, Sir, death has a sharp instrument, and consider how he has wounded some theological musicians, by cutting in two their discordant strings, and by paring away the superfluous material. Be assured, Sir, that nobody ever went to heaven with more than one half of your instrument, for in that happy place, the family and the song are both of grace, rich, free, eternal grace. In heaven, Sir, there are no jarring notes, no discordant strings, nor any superfluous and much more injurious matter. It is true you may contrive to gild with scholastic tinsel the hateful half of your bewitching piece, or you may shroud it in a fine gauze envelope, after having studded it with gems of brightest hue that may glitter through the indulgent drapery, but as for a case to fit it, that is altogether out of the question. I will only add, Sir, that God will certainly throw the idol-half into the fire-may he spare the ering musician! Farewell.'”

In concluding his observations, he gives the following exhortation to believers and ministers of the sanctuary :

"MEN OF TRUTH AND GODLINESS-Labour to maintain your ground; gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope unto the end. Look well to your feet-take cautious steps-be patient in tribulation, ready to forgive injuries-revile not when you are reviled-requite evil with goodbless, but curse not. Be united; for in union is strength. This is not the time for discordant themes. The enemy is advancing; be on your guardprepare to give him battle: he is sowing his tares-be wakeful and on the alert. You have much to do-your hands are full; be not weary in well doing, for in due time you shall reap if you faint not. Let every christian man and woman do good as they have opportunity. Let them endeavour to disseminate the knowledge of truth, by teaching it to their children, and to the rising generation. Let them explain and recommend it to their, neighbours and relations-to all with whom they have an opportunity of conversing. Let them encourage the circulation of books and tracts that have for their objects the elucidation and furtherance of the truth of Christ. Let them meet together to refresh each other's minds, and to strengthen each other's hands. Above all, meet frequently in your Father's sanctuary; and around your family altars often bow. Seek the smiles of your gracious Parent, and be content with such things as ye have.-Adorn the doctrines of God our Saviour in all things, and by good conversation put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Honour truth, and conscience will be your friend; support its banner, and heaven will be your home.

MINISTERS OF GOD'S SANCTUARY!-Ye who labour in word and in doctrine, be concerned to exalt Him, who is almost every where spoken against, despised, plundered, and abused. Do the work of evangelists; make full proof of your ministry; rightly divide the word of truth-cut strait your furrows. Talk to your people in language they can understand; go down to them, in order to bring them up to you. Teach them the order, harmony, and beauty of truth. Encourage reading, prayer, and conversation, among the people of your care. Watch for them as those that must give account; look well to the fences, and keep out the wild boar of the wood. Be not discouraged by neither the treachery of friends, nor the violence of foes. Lift up your voices like trumpets, and preach free and almighty grace, till the voice of the taskmaster ceases, and the scourge of legality sleeps. Be not seduced by the terms respectable church,'' respectable people, &c.; let spirituality be the substitute of respectability, and do every thing you can that is likely to produce such a happy state of both mind and society. Endeavour to be at home in your study, and among your friends; remember there is much for you to do; be diligent therefore, that you may be found of him in peace. May the God of Jacob teach your hands to war, and your fingers to fight, make your weapons spiritual, and your conflict victorious. Be faithful unto death-immortal glory will crown your integrity, your patience, and your toil."

Scenes of Idolatry in British India; with Missionary Notices, by Observator. 18mo. pp. 70. Nisbet.

THIS little work is well adapted for juvenile readers; and contains some striking and very touching descriptions of the idolatry existing in British India, illustrated with some suitable remarks by the Author, who it appears was an eye-witness to many of the occurrences. The writer has detailed some instances in which he conceives the missionary exertions in India have been blessed of the Almighty to the con

version of some of the idolaters. We sincerely wish it may be the case; and surely we may indulge the hope, that among the numbers of individuals continually designated as missionaries to the heathen, some may be found who having themselves been truly converted to God, feel a glowing desire to publish the glad tidings to the benighted nations of the world, who have long sat in darkness and in the region of the shadow of death; and as they are the bearers of the inspired volume, we do believe that, at least, they are preparing the way of the Lord. And when we recognize among the list of missionaries such devoted men as Buchanan-Brainerd-Martyn-Brown, &c. we do rest satisfied that the promise of Jehovah will be fulfilled, " My word shall not return unto me void, but shall prosper in the thing whereunto I have sent it." May the time soon arrive when the Lord shall pour out of his Spirit, and the nations now wrapt in pagan darkness, have the light of the glorious gospel shine upon them :Hasten it, O God, in thine own time!

Six Sermons on the Nature, Occasions, Signs, Evils, and Remedy of Intemperance. By Lyman Beecher, D.D. Boston, United States. 24mo. pp. 112. Collins, Glasgow.

THESE Sermons on the sin of Intemperance, depicture in a very able and forcible manner, the evils resulting to individuals, to families, and to society at large, from this growing vice; and as far as a faithful exposure of this sin, with a glowing, and, in some parts, eloquent appeal to the judgment of his hearers, we think the author deserves well. We wish the re-publication of them in this country may be attended with effects as beneficial as, from the writer's account, did follow in the United States, where the formation of a Temperance Society was attended with the happiest results, by the decrease of that vice. Should any means be devised to effect a similar object in this country, it would be indeed a national benefit; for the constant use of ardent spirits, especially among the lower class, is a growing evil, and the christian hails national reform as a great blessing.

Leaves from my Sketch-Book, comprising Miscellaneous Pieces in Prose and Verse, on a Variety of Interesting Subjects. By Thomas Wallace. 18mo. pp. 138. Baldwin.

66

THE Miscellaneous Pieces in this volume have very little attraction; those in prose are of a very humble description, and those in poetry, in most instances, are mere doggrel. The author has introduced a little religion-a little morality-and, perhaps he would say, a little entertainment. He informs us in his title, that they are written on a variety of interesting subjects:"-we observed one on the Rev. Edward Irving, which we think tolerably correct; another on the Rev. Mr. Jay, of Bath, which extols that gentleman's abilities and powers very highly; but we could not discover any of them "interesting." We have taken this brief notice to oblige a friend; but justice compels us to say, we saw nothing in the volume to commend.

POETRY.

June 14, 1830.

THE PENITENT BACKSLIDER.

Of all the sons of Adam's race,
Sure none are sunk in such disgrace,
Nor half so vile as I;

A bold backslider from my God,
A base transgressor of his word,
Who would, but cannot die.
What blessedness I once enjoy'd,
When walking by my Saviour's side,
And leaning on his breast:
When he assur'd me of his love,
And rais'd my spirit far above

All that could me molest.

Not all the charms of earth nor sin,
Could then my warm affections win,
Nor wean me from my love:
In him alone I found delight,
At home, abroad, by day, by night,
Nor did I wish to rove.

To know his will was my desire,
His love alone did I require,

To ease my panting breast:
Compar'd with Christ and his dear cross,
The joys of earth were purely dross,-
In them I could not rest.

Since then, what strange events I've seen,
How barren has my spirit been,

How dark hath been the road:
Sure none were ever in my case,
So plagued with sin, so vile, so base,
So burden'd with my load.
Where can my soul for refuge fly?
Lord! hear a poor backslider's cry,
Compassionate my case:
Restore thy love to my poor soul,
Emancipate from sin's control :
O save me by thy grace!

Lord! save me from the prowling bear,
Teach me to shun his wily snare,

Lest he my soul devour;
Lead me beside the gospel stream,
And let me feed in pastures green,
Protected by thy power.

In paths forbidden I have trod,
How then can I escape the rod,

So justly due to me;

Stern justice frowns on acts so base,-
But, mercy meets my wretched case,

And sets the pris'ner free!

T. W H.

THE BRIDEGROOM AND THE BRIDE.

Written after a Sermon preached by the Rev. Thomas Reed, of London, at Sion Chapel, Orpington, Kent, from John iii. 29. "He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom."

Orpington, Kent.

OUR heav'nly Bridegroom is the Lord,

The spring of bliss and joys divine;

Who doth eternal peace afford,

To all who on his breast recline.

He lov'd his church-his chosen Bride,
In fixed decrees ordain'd of old,
She then was seated near his side,
Her name was in his heart enroll'd.

The wheels of purpose roll'd along,

And pure and spotless she was form'd,
In Eden's vale she tun'd her song,
And sweet devotion there perform'd.

But Satan, our infernal foe,

Admittance gain'd-then down she fell,
A rebel fit for endless woe,

Yet lov'd by our Immanuel.

She try'd to force the gates of hell,
But could not gain admittance there;
For Jesus lov'd her when she fell,
And held her by his guardian care.

O heights and depths of love divine,
His heart was fix'd to save his Bride!
He paid the cost of every crime,

With blood that trickled from his side.

His Bride was black as hell we know,
And naked too from head to foot;
Yet Jesus wash'd her white as snow,
And cloth'd her with a broidered suit.

He deck'd her neck with chains of gold,
And put his bracelets on her hand;

He makes her spotless to behold,
And in his presence fit to stand.

Yea, now she's one with Christ her Lord!
This union never can be broke;
His precious blood hath seal'd the word,
Which nothing ever can revoke.

She's justified in robes of white,

Not angels can with her compare;
She's destin'd now for glory bright,
And God's engag'd to bring her there.

T. W.*