reprobate and for ever renounce the religion endeared to his pride, by its assertion, with the triumphs of naional glory-endeared to his affections, by the recollection of his earliest years-and endeared to his tastes, by its splendid ceremonials, its attractive pageantry, and licentious rites, which could not but powerfully recommend it to the passions, at least, if not to the understandings of its vain and voluptuous votaries! The haughty Roman must learn to be ineek and lowly of heart -the conqueror of the world must be content to sit at the Saviour's feet, as a little child. The philosophizing Greek must receive a system, which, to his proud intellect appeared the perfection of foolishness-even that all his hopes for happiness here and hereafter must rest on One, who hung upon a cross-and that for the sake of that crucified One, he must crucify all his sinful appetites and lusts! Oh what a doctrine for the pride of a Stoic, or the sensuality of an Epicurean, to embrace! And what had christianity to offer, to compensate such characters, for all which she required them to forsake? Instead of a magnificient system of religious worship-accompanied with every appendage which could dazzle and delight the senses, and the imagination-Christianity presented a simple spiritual system--divested of all external pomp or splendour---and frowning on every approach to licentious indulgence in its festivals or rites. No gorgeous priesthood processions---No beautiful temples or statues---No consecrated debaucheries---No mysteries of impiety,! Nothing fine to captivate the licentious---or to attract the proud! How, we would again ask the infidel, how will he account for such multitudes of heathen idolators, (and here we would appeal to Pliny, in his celebrated letter to Trajan as our witness), forsaking the religion of their fathers---such as it was, and embracing the religion of the gospel such as it is.

(To be continued.)

The Ancient People of God.

PERHAPS it would be difficult to say which of the three great barriers against the conversion of the Jews, had been their greatest stumbling block-their own blind prejudices; the idolatory of the Roman Catholic worship; or the low standard of profession of nominal Christians.

Of the second it may be said, that as if the cup of her guilt was not full, the Church of Rome must crown all her other iniquity by affording so many obstacles to the conversion of the Jews. One of the most remarkable features in the history of that people, being their proneness to idolatry before the Messiah appeared, and their hatred of it since His coming. Though scatterred in every country on the face of the earth they unite with none in their form of worship; the Temple of the Hindoo, and the idolatry of the heathen African are alike held in abhorrence by them; there can be no surprise therefore that expecting an earthly Messiah, and rejecting the Divine one who has already appeared on the earth, they should to use their own manner of speaking "utterly detest" that religion, which, not only receiving their rejected King, as the Messiah, their forefathers had looked for, and a partaker of the Divinity of the Almighty, but also commands its followers to fall down and worship the images of its own creation; there can be no suprise they should not stop to enquire into the truths of a faith which at the very outset shows openly its devotion to the idols they were commanded to forsake and destroy.

In England, they are not obliged to be spectators of a worship so opposed to their own, but upon the Continent,

and in most countries a Jew can scarce appear among the inhabitants of the same district without having openly proofs sufficient of the idolatry of what he supposes to be the true Christian faith, and having a fresh motive to make him turn to the religion of his forefathers as being the only one where the true God alone is worshipped.

In some countries the Hebrew word which signifies an image generally, has been misapplied, and acquired the signification of a crucifix alone, and Dr. Me‘Caul, relates that after a conference in England, a learned Jew sent him word that the usual Hebrew used to denote the word Cross, was not correct, but that which signified an image was the proper word.

The consequences of the stumbling block which the Church of Rome has been to the Israelites must remain unknown until the great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed. We read of one instance among the many constantly occurring, when not very long since in a Roman Catholic country, ten Rabbies after a diligent search became convinced of the truths of Christianity, and determined to embrace it, but after coming to the decision of publicly confessing it, they were informed of some of the observances of the Roman Catholic faith which inculcate idolatry, when they all immediately rose, exclaim ing "No idols, no idols," and refused to profess a faith so contrary to the true worship of God.

It must ever be cause of great thankfulness, that the Church of England has presented to the Jew a form of worship free from the sin from which they have so severely suffered; and perhaps the time may not be far distant. when by her offering a pure faith to the Israelites, she may receive advantages as incalculable as at present they are little thought of; to the converted Jews she may turn as some of her strongest allies in assisting to defend her from the idolatry and deceits of the Church of Rome; and in the single eye of the Jew, who, hating the whole system of idolatry from the carved image of wood or stone, to the oft blest relic, and the day kept holy for the sainted dead, she may find a strenuous defender of her faith, and look to him, who, having escaped from the trammels of Rabbinical superstition bearing so close an affinity in many points to the Roman Catholic religion especially in prayers for the dead, to assist her in requiring her servants to allow the spirits of her departed followers to remain in the state in which death placed them, and exercising faith in the word of God, that "if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be," to seek not by prayer or fasting to remove them from one sphere into another, in that world whose glories and whose miseries are hidden by a curtain of impenetrable shade.

Once persuaded to enquire into the true form of our faith, and a Jew rarely remains unconverted, and to England very thankfully have many directed their steps, for the pure worship of the Christian faith, and for the protection it affords to all who embrace it; anxiously therefore do the converted look for the establishment of a Protestant Church in the land to which every Israelite turns with veneration and hope; their unhappy brethren in that land may then see that Christianity, far from opposing the laws of Moses is only the antitype of them, the substance instead of the shadow, trusting that when it is seen there that of the several forms of worship claiming the title of Christian, and in all exhibiting more or less of idolatry, the freedom from that sin in the one may induce them to inquire in o its truths. At present when a Missionary entreats an Israelite to examine into the truths of Christianity, he generally receives the reply, "We are forbidden in the laws of Moses, even to enquire after idols:" but when a purer worship is shown them than any they have before witnessed, it may be hoped the effect will be as great as has already been the case with many foreign Hebrews who have come over to England,

The exact spot also on which the Protestant Church is to be built at Jerusalem, is one of peculiar interest to the Jew, being situated upon Mount Zion and opposite to the Castle of David; it is adjacent to that part of the city where the Jews chiefly reside. The service of the Church of England, has already been conducted for almost twelve months in a room appropriated for the purpose on every week day, and on Sunday's there are three services, in the morning in English, the afternoon in Arabic, and in the evening in German; and when the Church is erected it is probable that very many will flock there who are at present deterred from witnessing the service; and most earnestly do the Missionaries at Jerusalem ask for assistance to carry on the great work which has been commenced. Perhaps there never was a time when the assistance of Christians was more loudly called for. What would have been the state of England had the "glad tidings of salvation" never been preached here? how could we have been Christians without having heard the Gospel of Christ? and how can the Jews "believe en IIim of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent?" Never until the last year was the attempt made by Protestants to preach the Gospel to the Jews as a Church, and never until the present one was the erection of a Protestant Church commenced. We speak of the blindness of a Jew, we blame him for his stubborn prejudices, but we forget he knows not what he is to believe save what the Rabbinical comments upon the scripture allow. We say knowledge is open to all in the present day, and he too may read and learn, but we forget he seldom knows the language in which it is written; a century has not elapsed since with rare exceptions even in Europe the Jews began to read the languages of the country in which they reside; and in England it is a common occurrence to find Jews as well as Jewesses who cannot read English, although able to speak it; "how then shall they believe on Him, of whom they have not heard?" but now that Hebrew has been more studied by Christians, the scriptures easily to be obtained in that language, and some of the most valuable works of Christians and converts translated into that, and also into Jewish, the pages of wisdom and knowledge are opened to them. Their affection also for their ancient language will induce them to read many works written in it they would otherwise decline to look at, and versions of both Old and New Testament in Hebrew have been eagerly seized upon by the Israelites scattered in almost every part; and the belief that we now offer them the pure Word of God, makes a great impression upon their minds; and most true has the scripture been found verified, that "the Word of God, is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing assunder of the soul and spirit ;" on searching they cannot but find a great confusion and an impossibility to reconcile the predictions of the Scriptures with the declarations of their Rabbies that they have not been fulfilled respecting the first coming of the Messiah, or with the traditions of their Talmud.

Of the great demand for the Scriptures by the Jews one instance will afford proof. The Rev. Mr. Evalet, writing from Tunis in December, 1838, says, "The Scriptures are still eagerly sought after; not from Tunis for this place is provided, but Jews from other countries call to buy them. Ouly a few days ago, I received five hundred copies from the Bible Society, which have been already nearly bought up.

In China the way is now open for Christianity to be preached to the Jew, a land which till recently dreaded innovation almost as much as the destruction of life itself; and from this country we may look for an immense multitude of Jews to issue at the great period when they shall be gathered to Jerusalem from every kingdom under heaven.

From the willingness of the Chinese to receive the word of life great benefits are expected to arise to the unhappy Israelites sojourning amongst them; little more thant

thirty years ago nothing whatever had been done by British Christians to improve the spiritual and temporal state of the Chinese, and the Jew there had not the oppor tunity afforded him of learning what were the doctrines of Christianity, much less of witnessing its practical effects in that land of ignorance and superstition; now a very different picture presents itself; Mr. Medhurst, writes, “China is open to the distribution of books, the myriads inhabiting the provinces on the coast are ready to receive the word of life; many thousand copies of Christian books and tracts have been printed in the Chinese and Malay languages hesides Bibles and Testaments, and a copy of the Scriptures, together with a set of Christian publications have found their way into the palace of the Emperor, who has already read the life of the Saviour," and it was but in the year 1814, that Dr. Morrison, baptized the first Chinese covert. All these proofs shew plainly that the day is fast approaching when "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea," and when the chosen people of God, shall be restored to the land of their forefathers.

Mr. Wolff, relates that the Jews of Bokhara. entertain the idea that the ten tribes are to be found in China, and ar round Lassau, but whether correct or not, is not matter of practical import to Christians, certain it is that an immense number of Jews have dwelt in China, and that a large body is now scattered through its land, and how it may be asked of those opposed to Missionary efforts for the Jews, are these unhappy people to discover that the Messiah is already come, unless labourers are sent into so large a vineyard.

If instances are so continually occurring of the willing. ness of great number of Jews to receive the scriptures, what it may be enquired is the responsibility of Christians in seuding them this word? To Christians are now committed the oracles of God, and as from the Israelites we have received mercy, so now must we pay back the debt, that by our mercy, they also may obtain mercy;" and if with eagerness many a wavering Jew asks for the Word which can enlighten him, what is our guilt in neglecting to send it to him; but we need not even go far to find objects for our benevolence, here in England are abundant opportunities for it to be exercised; the present enquiries in our own land from the Jews are at once causes of thankfulness, encouragement, and warning, affording full evidence that great things are e're long to occur for Israel, and much, very much more might be done among them but for the want of means to afford support where their brethern discover they are either enquiring or converted; and what an awful account to be rendered by those, who, in this land blest with so many mercies unknown to any other seek not even in trifles to deny themselves for the welfare of the Jew; if they saw the usual misery of the converts, the complete surrender in most cases of relatives and livelihood, the gradual and extraordinary change from darkness to light as old prejudicies vanish, and belief in the fulfilment of prophecy dawns upon them, and the bitter mental agonies which accompany conversion, they would not refuse to bestow in things important to others what to them are merely trifles.

We may close our eyes to the work going on around us, we may sleep a moral sleep which aids slightly or not at all the sufferings of the enquiring, but we cannot retard the advancement of the great work, it will still go on though we may have no part in it; the universality of Christ's Kingdom will still draw nearer and nearer whether we aid its advancement and desire its approach or not, and when the Son of Man, shall come in his glory," and it shall be said to the negligent servant who refused to relieve the temporal wants of his fellow creatures, "Depart from me-inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these. ye did it not to me," how much will our guilt be increased by denying to them the Word which is to show hem the path leading to everlasting life.

The Russian Tailor. By a Missionary.

"I love a religious tradesman," said a celebrated author, and so say I. Men of this class are among the most honourable of the land; they carry their holy principles into the various duties of life, and shine as lights in the world. Such men must exert a mighty influence on society; and happy for Britain, and for the world, they are greatly on the increase, Much of what is done for the support of religion at home, and for the spread of religion abroad, is done by the hands, and tongues, and purses, and families of religious tradesmen.

Close by the side of those excellent persons, I shall place my Russian tailor. His short and simple narrative has been told to deeply affected multitudes, and not a few have acknowledged the benefit they have derived from his example, I now give it a more permanent form in hope that readers, as well as hearers, may be benefited by it.

When he was quite a young man he visited England, and became a sailor. He first sailed in a Liverpool slave ship, and made no less than six voyages from the coast of Africa to the West Indies. The account which he gives of the horrors of the slave trade is dreadful. He was "in deaths oft," both among the negroes and the white men, but God preserved him. After this he entered "the King's service," and was with Nelson at the battle of the Nile. In this battle he lost an eye, and for which he was discharged; but it is a lamentable fact, that the mortality which he witnessed in the slave ships, and his near escape from death in the battle where he lost his eye, produced no sorrow for sin, no desire to prepare to meet his God. No! the stony heart became like adamant. There was no pious friend near him in either of these situations to warn, exhort, and entreat. No man of God there to direct him to that Saviviour who could "open his eyes, and turn him from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that he might obtain the forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are sanctified," Acts xxvi. 18. deplorable is the state of men so circumstanced! pitable in general is the lot of a sailor! especially the sailor who is long from home, without a sabbath, or a preacher, or any thing to remind him of God. How ought the situation of such men to awaken the zeal of the Church, until "every ship become a Bethel, and every sailor's heart a temple for the Holy Ghost!"

How How

Now being discharged from the navy, and having spent all his cash, he betook himself to his old trade, and a quiet life on shore. For some years he worked as a journeyman in London, and afterwards went to St. Petersburgh, and became a foreman in an extensive business; but he carried so much of "the man of war" into the shop, and at times became so stormy, and swore so horribly, that the master was compelled to give the foreman his discharge. He then commenced business for himself, and entered into the honourable state of matrimony; he became very obliging, and his trade prospered.

My acquaintance with him began in the following manner:-As I was conversing with one of my congregation, he said to me, "I have lately met with a member of the Russian church, who is uncommonly fond of the English. He has been in England, and speaks our language well. If you have any thing to do in his way, I wish you would employ him." "In what way is he engaged :" I enquired. "He is a draper and tailor and has a prosperous business.”

Some months after this, one of my young friends visited England, and on his return brought me a piece of Yorkshire cloth for a coat, and I sent it the Russian tailor to make it for me; this he soon accomplished, and brought it home himself. Just at the moment that he called I had a gentleman with me on business, so I said to the tailor, "Sit down for a few minutes, and 1 will come to you; in the mean time read this little book," and I put a tract into his hand.

66

I soon returned, and paid him his bill, and as he was going away he said, "I hope you are pleased with your coat." Yes," I replied, "I am much pleased with my coat, how are you pleased with my book ? Oh," said he, "I never trouble myself about books." "Do you not? I am sorry for that, sir: you are getting an old man, and if you do not trouble yourself about books, I fear there is something else which you neglect." What is that, sir?" "Why your precious soul! And what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul!" "Ah," said he, "I guess what you mean; you think I ought to becone religious." "Yes, that is it." "Bless you, sir," he replied, "it would be impossible for me to carry on my large business if I were religious." "You astonish me, sir; how would religion interfere with your business?" Why, if I were religious, then I must go to Church on Sunday's." To be sure you would; ay, and you would rejoice when Sunday came, that you might hear something of God and salvation." "I tell you, sir, that would be impossible with my business. I have thirty men, and I pay most of my bills, and receive most of my money on Sunday; it is my busiest day." "What do you never go to church ?" "Never." "This is worse and worse, sir. You say you do not read good books, and you do not go to church; depend upon it you are going to hell. I have long thought that no man would go to heaven merely because he read the Bible, and went to church; but I am deeply convinced that the man who neglects these things, is not going to heaven. How can you live so? Do you believe there is a God ?" At this he looked angrily at me. and said, “ God, sir! God! Have you ever seen God?" At this I trembled to think how far down a man might sink in his iniquity, and I replied, "I have not seen God, but I have seen you, and you are one of God's works." "Very well" said he, "when you meet with any one who has seen God, please to let me know it. Good morning, sir."

The old man then took his leave, and I saw him no more until I met him at the funeral of the friend who had introduced him to me. This excellent man was seized with typhus fever and died; aud great lamentation was made over him. The funeral was numerously attended, and I addressed the congregation from that beautiful verse, "They took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus." Many wept, and among them I saw the Russian tailor with the tears rolling down his aged cheek, but I could not tell whether it was any thing I said, or clse it was the death of my friend that so deeply affected him. On the following sabbath I saw him present again; on the second Sabbath again, and on the third sabbath again. This was very strange to see, yet I was afraid to call upon him, lest he might take the alarm and keep away altogether; but I said to one of my friends, "Did you see Mr. B:" "Yes," said he, "I can tell you something very interesting about that old man." "Indeed! what, sir?" "He has purchased an English Bible, and says he is determined to read it; yes, and to read it all through, to see whether what you say is true or not." "Then," said I, "there is hope of him. There is always hope of a man, when he begins to read the Bible with attention."

I now found him a constant attendant on week-days as well as Lord's-days, and I often saw his countenance lighted up with joy, but I never spoke to him until one Saturday night. I was sitting in my study, when my wife entered, saying, "There is a stranger inquiring for you." "Who is it ?" "I do not know, but I think it is the Russian tailor." So I walked out and there I saw him. He began: Saturday night is not just the time to call on you, Mr. but I have little business." "What business,

sir "

"One of your hearers wished to present you with a new coat, and I have brought it; I hope you will not be angry." I answered, "I am not in the habit of being angry with any person, but especially with one who would

was."

give me a new coat; pray what kind friend has done this ?" "Ah!" said he, "that is a part of the business; he will not tell you his name." "Is it a young man ?” He answered, "No." "Is it an old man?" "Yes, an old man with a grey head." There he stood by my side with his hair as white as milk, but I had no conception that he was the man. 66 Perhaps, sir, you will tell my wife who it "Yes, I am not bound to keep it from Mrs. -;" so I left them, and he told my wife that he was the person who had given me this coat. Of course I soon knew it; and very peculiar were the feelings produced on my mind by the transaction. A few days afterward I met him in the street, and said to him, "Now, do I know who my benefactor is, and I am greatly obliged to you for this kindness, but do tell me what induced you to give me the coat ?" At this he burst into tears, and said, “Ah, sir, if God had not changed my heart, I never should have thought of giving you the coat." "Thank you," said I, "for this explanation, and if it be connected with a change of heart then the coat is invaluable." He then gave me a striking proof that his heart was changed indeed. He began to consult me about the spiritual good of his people. I want to ask you, sir, what I should do for my men; I feel very much about their souls. What do you think I should do for them? should I give them copies of the Testament !” I was delighted to behold this mark of spiritual life in his own soul, and urged him by all means to give them the Scriptures. This encouraged him. His youth seemed renewed like the eagle's. He ran home and called his men together, and said to them, "I have something to propose to you, my lads;" then turning to one he said, "Can you read ?"" "Yes, sir, I read Swedish." To another, "Can you read?"

"Yes, sir, I read German." To a third, "Can you read ?" "Yes, I read Finnish." To a fourth, "Can you read?" Yes, I read Russ." Having ascertained how many of his people could read, and in what languages, he came to me again, saying, "Now, sir, so many books in so many languages; for I am resolved that no man shall remain in my employ who is able to read, witho t a copy of the blessed New Testament.

Reader, think what a great moral reformation it would produce in this world, if all our manufacturers, and merchants, and tradesmen, were to imitate this example!

The inquiry he thus made led to another discovery. He not only found out who could read, but he also found out who could not read, and for them he bought spelling-books, and set the readers to teach them; for he also resolved that every man and boy in his works who could not read should be instructed.

In addition to all this, he usually spent half an hour in the evening with them in reading and expounding the Scriptures. The sight was at once novel, amusing, and affecting. The old man would fix upon a chapter, then they would all read the same verse in their different languages, and then the master would give them a short exposition of it in the Russian language, which they all understood. By this means his house passed through as great a change as the master. Instead of being polluted with worldly occupations on the Lord's day, now every day was turned into a Sabbath. Prayer, and praise, and religious instruction, were carried on daily. The voice of joy, thanksgiving, and praise, was heard in the tabernacle of the righteous.

During the next two years, I do not know any man who read his Bible so much as Mr. B. and his pleasure in this sacred exercise at times arose so high, that it might be called "joy unspeakable and full of glory." His religion made him a happy man. From this time, I watched the progress of his piety with intense interest. His conversion was no common event, and my heart has often been cheered by the grand and glorious views which he had of he Lord Jesus Christ. He was a stranger to the conflictng opinions of men on religious subjects. He had drawn

his religion directly from the Bible, and thought that all men must think and feel like himself; but one evening he found his mistake. In walking home from Divine service with an Englishman who was half a Socinian, a conversation began about the sermon. "What do you think of it?" said my friend. "Think of it," said the Englishman, "why I think there was rather too much about Christ in it." This startled him. He stopped, and exclaimed, "Too much of Christ, sir! you alarm me. Too much of Christ, sir! He is every thing to me---wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Too much about Christ! why I shall sing his praises for ever."

The next day he called on me to inquire if there were many persons who held such degrading views of his Savioure and I told him, "Yes." "Alas!" said he, "that men, should be so blind. By professing themselves to be wise, they become fools. No wonder they are not happy."

This shows us the secret whence his happiness proceeded. God had given him strong consolation and good hope through grace, and he went on his way rejoicing. He could not but be happpy: and I sincerely believe that Christiaus in general would be vastly more happy than they are, if they thought more of Christ, and of the claims which Christ has upon them.

He

But although he was so happy, yet he was not satisfied. This may appear a paradox; I will explain it. believed there were heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths, in the love of Christ, which he had not yet known, but which he felt anxious to know; therefore, like one who runs a race, he was ever pressing towards the mark for the prize, Hence he was most diligent in religious duties, whenever he had an opportunity. For a short time in the summer I had retired with my family nine miles into the country, and held service on a week evening in a room. On one of these occasions, just before the service commenced, I saw my friend arrive. I said to to him, "This a long way for you to come, sir; I hope God will meet with you and bless you." "O, sir," he replied, "God met me on the road, and came with me, so that I have been well paid for coming already." This was the way he lived; so that at home and abroad in the house and by the way side, he seemed to enjoy a constant sense of the Divine presence.

I have often thought, when meditating on the wonderful conversion of this man, that in him was exemplified the language of the poet,

Persons who have known him only a few years, can hardly conceive what he was when he angrily said to me, "Have you ever seen God?" but men of no religion who knew him in his unconverted state, have been exceedingly struck with the change. One instance will suffice. A gentleman who had left Russia to reside in England, returned one summer to see his old friends. The ship in which he sailed was commanded by a praying captain, who had the worship of God daily in his cabin. The gentleman passenger could hardly avoid being present at prayer time, though he was not fond of it, indeed it often led to a controversy, when the gentleman tried to laugh the captain out of his religion. At last the voyage ended, and the gentleman went in a steamer to Petersburgh.

Mr. B. had formerly worked for him, and he called and talked about the fashion, and swore, etc. etc. Once his was just the thing which pleased my friend, but now he had lost his relish for such talk. It was not only distasteful, but offensive. The grace of God, which bringeth salvation, had appeared, and tanght him to deny ungodli ness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, and righte ously, and godly in the world, and he frankly told the gentleman so, and proposed to read a chapter to him, which he could not resist. Then he proposed to pray with him, which he could not resist. The scene filled

him with astonishment. He could not laugh now. He was so impressed that he sought out the captain, and rehearsed the whole matter, and said, "Now I know that there is a reality in religion. Before I saw the Russian tailor, I thought you religious folks were all hypocrites; but I can think so no more. You must go with me, and see the man. To this the captain consented, and afterwards told me what pleasure he felt in the good old man's society. Oh what a mercy it is to be able to bear such a faithful testimony for God! What a mercy to be able to lodge such a witness in the bosom of an nucouverted man! What a comment on that verse, "Let your light so shine before men, that they, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father who is in heaven!" His growing acquaintance with the Bible brought him into a new world. He had lost his relish for "the pleasures of sin, " but the discoveries which he made in his Bible often filled him with rapture. I imagine that persons who have been acquainted with the Scriptures from their infancy, have no idea of the pleasure, and wonder, and astonishment which burst upon the mind of a man, who for the first time in his life hears the affecting history of our Lord and Saviour. This was the cause with my friend. He was born again when he was old, and with his new birth he began to read the Bible; and he frequently called on me to relate the glorious discoveries he had made; and having related them, he would ask me with a childlike simplicity, "Did you ever hear any thing so delightful before?" Dear old man! It was all new to him, and he thought it must be all new to me also! when alas! my comparatively unfeeling familiarity with the subjects often made me tremble. Oh how happy should we be if we could retain the freshness of first impressions!

But it was not from the Bible alone that he derived instruction. He was a spiritual bee. He gathered honey from every flower. Take the following as a specimen. Once when I was preaching to young people, I recommended them to treasure up in their memory that beautiful hymn which begins with

The old man took the hint, and learned it, and then called on me, saying, "I have learned the hymn." "What hymn?” "Why that hymn which you recommended to the young people; and I thought if it is good for them, it must be good for me also. Shall I repeat it?" "If you please." So he began and proceeded very courageously with the first and second verses, but in repeating the third his voice faltered, was repeating the fourth,

and when he

"My soul looks back to see,

The burdens thou didst bear, When hanging on the cursed tree,

And hopes her guilt was there,”

This

he burst into tears, and could proceed no further. was to me an overpowering sight: his hoary head, his tremulous voice, his blind eye, his flowing tears, his holy zeal, all combined to make it one of the most interesting spectacles I had ever witnessed.

I should wish now that my reader beheld him engaged in the hallowed work of circulating Divine truth. It is ften said that charity begins at home, but it does not oop there.

This was the case with Mr. B. Hisfirst are was to give all diligence to make his calling and lection sure. Next came his household, then came the ongregation, and then came all within his reach.

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meet the last class, he employed himself a good deal in the distribution of tracts and portions of the Bible, and was ingenious in finding out ways for their circulation.

On certain days it is usual for the trades in the imperial city to meet at the Guildhall to transact the affairs of their various guilds. These were harvest days for the good old man. A day or two previous to the meetings, he would come to me, saying, "I want some tracts in different languages. We are going to have a great day at the Guildhall, and I wish to improve the opportunity. Let me have as many tracts as you can for an imperial," (about a guinea.) Then, after the business was over, he would come to me and report: "Dreadful work yesterday, sir, at the Guildhall." "What was it?" Some people took tracts and tore them in pieces, and trampled upon them before my eyes. Others took the tracts and threw them in my face, saying, What have you to do with my religion? while some threw them into the fire: but I am not discouraged, sir. I will try it again next meeting. I will never give up. O no! There is not one of them who has been so great a sinner as I have been. And if the Lord Jesus Christ could condescend to take hold of such an old rebel as I am, and change my heart, do you think I'll be discouraged, sir? No. I will work for Christ till my dying day!"

Was not this apostolic? He knew that the same mercy which had been bestowed on him was sufficient to soften the hardest heart, and to purify the most polluted heart; therefore he was never discouraged. Indeed he became quite an auxiliary for the Tract Society, and for the Bible Society also.

His kindness towards me was great and unabated. He invariably made me an annual present of a new coat, and the last he gave me was accompanied with this remarkable expression, There, Sir, take it as a token of my love; and remember it is as much a trophy of the grace of God, as the idols which were sent home from Tahiti."

Oh with what joy will the Tahitian converts meet this good old Rusian tailor before the throne of God! With what rapture will they unite in singing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. For he hath redeemed us to God by his blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation!"

How many lessons may be learned from the short history of this good old man!

I. It affords encouragement to those who are endeavouring to lead aged sinners to repentance. To convert a sinner from the error of his way, and thus save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins, is a great work, but there are formidable difficulties in the way. Can the Ethiopian change his skin? Can the leopard change his spots? Can those who have long been accustomed to do evil, learn to do well? Can the habits of threescore years be entirely changed, and the old man become a new creature? Oh what a work! who is sufficient for these things? To all who see these difficulties I would say, "Take courage.” Behold this aged sinner, and go forward in your endeavours, nothing doubting. You cannot find a man more unlikely to become a devoted Christian, than he once was. Think of the hardness and blindness of his heart, when he said to me, Have you ever seen God?" and then view him instructing his workmen, combating the Socinian, and trying to convert hundreds at once, and say, is anything too hard for the Lord? Oh no! Therefore seek out the very worst characters in your neighbourhood, and point them to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. Remember that the worse any man is, the more he needs your help: and the more aged a sinner is, the more need there is of immediate help. If you were to see a man sinking in a river, you would perceive that if you wished to do him good, you must do it quickly, or it would be too late. it is with aged sinners. It is now or never. They will quickly be gone.

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