every where, and with the full prospect of speedily rising to rank and honours, he had given himself up to an entire thoughtlessness on the concerns of eternity, and to an unceasing indulgence in the vanities of life.

"Health, however, failing him, and at the same time, his fair prospects of rising in the world becoming blighted, he was led to betake himself to the bible and the house of God; and as the ministry of Mr. Brown was well adapted to his state, divine truth soon won its way to his heart, and almost completely engrossed it.

“A person of fine figure and commanding aspect, with a mind well stored with information, particularly with history of all descriptions, and having a taste for conversation the most prepossessing, and abounding in scintillations of unoffending wit, and having also an exquisite relish for the beauties of poetry, together with a capacious memory and a fine-toned voice for their recitation, his company was universally sought, and was found, at times, enchanting. Deep feeling likewise pervaded his mind; and benevolence was not only depicted on his countenance, but displayed, sometimes to an injudicious extent, in his conduct.

"On his becoming affected with the gospel, the beauties of scripture rivetted his attention; and next to them the works of the puritans. In these volumes he discovered such rich veins of thought, and such deep devotional feeling, particularly in the writings of Charnock, Howe, Baxter, Flavel, and a few others, that he preferred them to all other works of divinity. And he had so fully acquainted himself with the history and times of these eminent men of God, that he would talk of them, their writings, their sufferings, their devotional ardour, and their zeal, for hours together; often kindling into enthusiastic admiration as he went along. The very name of puritan seemed to have a charm on his lips, and in his ears, that it had no where else.

"Fearless of what the world either said or thought of him, his religion was always prominent. It mattered not to him what might be the character and rank of his guests; (and his station in life led him to have to do with persons of all characters and of high rank,) the bible was laid, morning and evening, in their presence, on the table; his family assembled, and devotion was conducted by himself, with all the seriousness of a man of God.

"Many persons have been celebrated for a peculiar spirit in prayer; but few ever excelled him. Though simple, he was literally grand. The richness, the variety, and the beauty of his expressions, together with the charming tones of his voice, fascinated every mind of the least piety and taste. The hearer was constrained into communion with God, for he felt himself in the presence of a rare spirit in converse with the Deity. His prayers were accustomed to have such an effect on the amiable Mrs. Gilchrist, that, when dying, she requested he might be called to pray with her. He came, but the slumber of death was upon her. She had ceased to speak, and nearly to breathe. Gazing upon her pale, but calm and beautiful face, his own countenance exhibited feeling of the most powerful kind, he, in one of his irresistible tones, exclaimed, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them ;" and retired to mourn. The effect amidst the breathless silence then reigning among all the attendants of the dying couch was indescribable.

"Calculated for usefulness, by his peculiar talent at conversation, he was not backward to recommend the religion of the Saviour to the thoughtless, and to defend it whenever assailed in his presence by the infidel. And God blessed him in his efforts. He has had souls for his hire. More than one individual will have reason for eternal gratitude that a gracious providence ever brought them into company with Mr. Theobald."

This volume will be read with interest by the younger part of our readers, to whom we strongly recommend it.

A View of the late Momentous Events, as connected with the latter Days; wherein the shaking of Nations, &c. By a Looker vn. 8vo. pp. 116. Palmer.

THE latter day glory-the return of the Jews to their own landthe destruction of the eastern and western antichrist-and the glorious millenium, are subjects which form a prominent feature in the present day, and on which imagination is most fertile, and each adheres with the utmost pertinacity to the particular views he may adopt.

The author of this "View of Events," who signs himself, "a Looker on," has discovered much industry and patient investigation of the various subjects to which he adverts; and we would recommend its perusal to our friends as well worthy their consideration, as that which will tend to throw much light on the subject of unfulfilled prophecy.

That our readers may see the views of the author on the glorious doctrines of our holy religion, we insert an extract from his introductory remarks.

"It is of the highest importance that we keep in view the grand doctrines of grace; i. e. God's free favour. Every mercy and favour, from first to last, is wholly of grace; the doctrines of which are treated with contempt in this our day of great profession: but this is no new thing. What a malicious indignation was stirred up in the hearts of the Jews, when our Lord preached the entire sovereignty of God in passing by the widows in Israel, and selecting one of Tyre and Sidon; in rejecting the Israelitish lepers, and preferring Naaman the Syrian. Their souls seemed to be on fire by this declaration; and being filled with bloody wrath they attempted to destroy the Redeemer; and the heart of man is the same to this day. But no son of Adam shall reign in life with Jesus Christ, but his salvation shall be to the praise and glory of his grace, who hath made us accepted in the beloved. The goodness of the Lord is the rich sovereignty of his grace, expressed in these words, "I WILL be gracious to whom I WILL be gra. cious; and I WILL shew mercy to whom I WILL shew mercy:" by which WILL we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ. The grace which flows boundless in the gospel of Christ, is not the accidental mercy of one class of reasoners, nor the humane benignity of another class, which passes over the failings and imperfections of the well-disposed; but it is that divine, glorious, godlike grace, which says to the chief of defiled and polluted sinners, "I will, he thou clean." Sovereign grace contemns the narrow limits of the thoughts of man; it acknowledges none of her dis tinctions of character: but as the heavens are high above the earth, so it proclaims mercy to the uttermost bounds of the everlasting hills, that none may despair.

"The day is far spent, and the night is at hand, when the sword of vengeance shall pass through spiritual Egypt. And when the grand and final difference shall be put between the Egyptians and the true Israel of God, happy will they be who shall be found under the covering of the blood of the covenant at that important hour.

"We live at a period big with events; and revolutions and convulsions are daily taking place. "The present state of things," says one, (Bicheno) "shews an awful crisis to be at hand." And we have reasons to apprehend that, we live at the very moment that Jesus utters this warning, "Behold, I come as a thief."

POETRY.

THE SPIRITUAL MARINER.

A CONSOLATORY THOUGHT FOR THE NEW YEAR.

"And so it came to pass, that they escuped all safe to land."-Acts xxvii. 44.

I'm bound to the land that's far over the ocean,
Where Jesus, my Saviour, triumphantly reigns;
The land of delight, and seraphic devotion,

Where glorified millions enliven the plains;

I leave this dread harbour-'tis doom'd to destruction,
This world and its manners, and favourites too;
And board on the vessel of free-grace salvation,
To sail on securely with glory in view.

Tho' foes may pursue me on deep-rolling waters,

Since Christ is my Captain, what have I to fear;
My soul is secure in the midst of their slaughters,

And Jesus commands me to "be of good cheer;"
My name in the "Lamb's book of life" is recorded,
My safety's insur'd by eternal decree;

And therefore protection is duly afforded,

By Jesus who suffered, that I might go free.

Tho' doctrines of devils are daily abounding,

By which many "vessels of wrath" will be wreck'd;
But walls of salvation my soul is surrounding,

And God is the guardian of all his elect:
"Tis here I find comfort and strong consolation,
While hope is my anchor that's cast in the vail;
My flag bears the motto of "no condemnation,"
To those who with Jesus triumphantly sail.

The great northern comet now deep in delusion,

He spreads his black errors to lead us astray;
While "wandering stars," with their rays of confusion,
Would guide us direct to perdition's dark bay:
The old-fashion'd gospel, this truth it proclaimed,

That Christ was all-perfect, and spotless and pure;
That man was a sinner all over polluted-

And this was God's message I'm certain and sure.

But now 'tis proclaim'd-man's in sinless perfection,
And Christ is a sinner, yea, "devil-possessed;"
Thus turn'd upside down is the Bible direction,

By wand'ring pirates it must be confess'd.
But Christ is my pilot, who gives me direction,
And guides me safe over this perilous main;
His word is my compass-his arm my protection;
Then sure it becomes me to speak of his fame.

But sometimes in darkness I'm quite unbelieving,
When clouds gather blackness and hover all round;
Yet then my Redeemer instruction is sealing,

And teaches me where all my comforts are found;
He breaks on my soul as the light of the morning,
And chases my darkness-dispelling my doubt;
Then onward I sail while the day-star is dawning,
My inward intruders again are turn'd out.
Sometimes I'm beset by the winds of temptation,
Which would, if permitted, my bark overwhelm;
But grace is supplied by the God of salvation,

And Jesus, my pilot, still sits at the helm;
What tho' in my voyage I meet with affliction,
"Tis needful for ballast while onward I sail;
All work for the best under Jesu's direction,

His oath and his promise they never can fail.
O come, thou blest Spirit, and waft me safe over
The billows and surges that dash by my side;
And give me true faith to look up and discover
My Jesus omnipotent, ruling the tide.
Come, Jesus, I pray thee, and guide me to glory,
To join in the chorus with all thine elect;
Then moor'd in the harbour I'll ever adore thee,
That never a "vessel of mercy" was wreck'd.

Orpington, Kent.

THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM.

THE Lord is my Shepherd, I never shall want
Any good, which consists with his glory to grant;
In fresh and green pastures, he makes me repose,
Where the deep and still water of gospel truth flows.

My soul he restores: when I wander astray
My devious foot-steps he guides in the way

Of righteousness; not for my worthiness sake,
But for his great name, me his care he doth make.

And when of death's valley I walk through the shade,
No evil shall hurt me, or make me afraid;
For thou shalt protect me, thy staff, and thy rod
Shall comfort me still, for thou still art my God.

In sight of my foes, thou my table dost spread;
With the oil of thy grace thou anointest my head;
With blessings thou makest my cup overflow:
Say why, my dear Lord, dost thou favour ME SO?

Sure goodness and mercy shall follow me still,
While I love to sojourn on Zion's blest hill;
'Till call'd, by my Lord, to blest mansions above,
To dwell in his presence, and feast on his love.

Westminster.

T. W.*

P.

THE

Spiritual Magazine;

OR,

SAINTS' TREASURY.

"There are Three that bear record in heaven; the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST and these Three are One."

* Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

John v. 7.
Jude 3.

FEBRUARY, 1831.

(For the Spiritual Magazine.)

A WORD OF CONSOLATION TO THE POOR, DISTRESSED, DOUBTING SAINT.

HAVING been a subscriber to, and a reader of, the Spiritual Magazine, for the past five years, and having often been privileged to pluck some of its fragrant flowers, I have frequently felt myself guilty of a great omission in not bringing any seed or roots to increase or perpetuate the store. My conscience has frequently smote me for it, and is now striking me so hard that I can no longer withstand. While I was considering what subject I should take (in humble dependence on the Spirit of all truth) that would prove instructive or comforting to the Lord's little ones, my heavenly Father was pleased to give me one in the experience of my late beloved partner in life, and from it I desire to draw some drops of consolation for those who are tempted to doubt the reality of the work of grace in their hearts, because the Lord hath been pleased to withdraw his cheering and soul rejoicing presence from their souls. My late beloved wife was born in a village in Essex, and when seven years of age, manifested a great desire to attend divine worship at a baptist chapel in the village, and although not requested to do so by any relations or friends, she went as regular as circumstances would permit, and felt a greater pleasure in so doing than she did in any carnal amusement into which she was drawn or forced to join. The convictions she then had never wore off, but as she grew older they became much stronger, and at the age of seventeen or eighteen, VOL. VII. No. 82.

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