comes sensible of all the evils lurking within, " when the meridian brightness is completed. "Grace, in like manner, shining in its full "lustre, discovers to us more clearly the corruptions of our nature; and while it accom

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plisheth this purpose, it answereth the other "blessed purpose also, which the Apostle con"nects with it, of giving us the light of the "knowledge of the glory of GoD in the face of "JESUS CHRIST.”

AN INN.

Ir became a matter of much satisfaction, I believe, to my fellow-traveller, as well as to myself, to behold the appearance of an inn on the road; for we both needed rest and refreshment, so that without any deliberation we entered the door.

"Can you accommodate us?" (said my friend to the host, who happened to be near the passage as we approached the house.) "Certainly," answered the man, and shewed us into a room.

"You do not forget, my brother," (whispered my fellow-traveller to me) "which it was 66 among the pilgrims passing through this world, "who could not find this accommodation; "there was no room for Him in the inn. How sweetly is it arranged in all the various cir"cumstances of life, to discover somewhat of "His bright example going before us in almost

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every situation; not by way of reproach, but

"of pointing out to us, in numberless instances, "the superiority of our accommodations to "His!"

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"There is something in the very nature of an inn, (continued my friend) which serves, as it appears to me, to promote the sacred purposes of a pilgrimage like ours, more "effectually, than almost any other situation: "and had I my choice on this point, I should "like it, of all others, for my abode in the

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dying hour; for every one is so taken up " with his own concerns, that there is neither "time nor inclination to attend to the affairs "of others: so that here a man might be "free from the troublesome importunity of "attendants, which sometimes becomes a sad "interruption to the soul, in her preparations "for her journey into the invisible world, "while the carriage is at the door."

Our refreshment, consisting of a little teat and bread, was soon served up; which, my friend having first implored the Divine blessing to sanctify the use of it, we really enjoyed.— "Tea is a very pleasant beverage (said my

friend) to my taste; and I should find some σε difficulty to get any thing as a substitute, "were I to be deprived of the use of it. I "have heard many speak of it as pernicious: "but I verily believe, that one great reason why "it proves so is, because it is a graceless meal. "If we do not beg God's blessing over our "food, how can we be surprized, if, instead "of being wholesome, it proves hurtful?"

After we had finished our repast, and like well-fed guests had arisen from the table, blessing the kind Master of the feast who giveth is all things richly to enjoy; we were about to enter upon the perusal of the "word of God," by way of profitably filling up the measure of time till the hour of rest; when a circumstance occurred, which at once arrested the attention of us both:

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THE JEW.

THE instant we arose from the table, as before observed, there crossed the court-yard of the inn, opposite to the room where we were sitting, a Jew (as he appeared to be) with a basket of pens. My friend seeing him, hastily ran to the door to enquire of him, whether he knew a man of the name of Abraham Levi, one of their people. "Yes," (he said) "I know "him very well; but he is not one of my people." "How is that?" (replied my friend) "are not you a Jew?" "No," (the poor man said) "I thank the LORD I am not. I was "once indeed; but, I trust, I am now a lover "of the Lord JESUS." The effect wrought upon my mind by this short conversation was like that of electricity. "Pray, my friend, do "us the favor" (continued my companion) " to "walk into this room. We are both lovers and "humble followers, like yourself, if you are so, "of the LORD JESUS; and we shall much "rejoice, if you will communicate to us the

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""

pleasing information how this change was "wrought." "That I will most readily," (re<< plied the man ;) "for if it will afford you pleasure to hear, much more will it delight "me to relate, a change to which I owe such unspeakable mercies.

"Without going over the whole of my history from my childhood," (he said) “which "hath very little interesting in it, and is un"connected with the circumstances of my "conversion, it will be sufficient to begin it at "that part which alone is worth your hearing. "It is about two years since, that I first began "to feel my mind much exercised with consider"ations on the deplorable state of our people. "I discovered, from reading the scriptures, the "antient love of GOD to our nation. In our

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history, as a people, I saw the many won"derful and distinguishing mercies, with which, "from age to age, the LORD had blessed us. "I remarked also, how, for the disobedience "and ingratitude of our people, the LORD had punished us. But what struck me most forcibly was that prophecy of scripture, That "the sceptre should not depart from Judah, nor "a law-giver from between his feet, until the "SHILOH should come. Whereas I saw very

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plainly, that our nation was without a sceptre, "without government, without temple. I re"marked moreover, that our people were a light, and vain, and worldly-minded people, "who took it not to heart. And if the LORD

* Gen. xlix. 10.

"had punished our fathers for their sins, ours "deserved His displeasure more. Added to all "these considerations, which very powerfully

operated upon my mind, I saw a great mass "of people living around me, who professed "themselves to be followers of the true God; " and who asserted, in confirmation of their "faith, that the SHILOH was come, and to "Him was the gathering of the people, "Distressed and perplexed in my mind, by "reason of these various considerations, I knew "not what to do, and could hardly find power "or inclination to prosecute my daily labour.

"It happened one day, while walking over "the bridge of the city, that, my mind being "more than usually affected, I could not "refrain from pouring out my heart in prayer "to GoD. I paused, as I stood on the bridge, "and, lifting up my eyes towards heaven, I"cried out, O GOD of my fathers, Abraham, 66 Isaac, and Jacob, who hast declared Thyself "as keeping covenant-mercy for thousands; look "down upon me, a poor Jew: vouchsafe to teach "me what I must do. Thou knowest my desire "is to serve Thee, if I knew the way. Thou "art justly displeased with our nation, and with

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our people; for we have broken Thy com"mandments. But, oh! LORD, direct me.

"It was with words somewhat like these" "(continued the poor man) "that I prayed; in "which I wept much. At length I walked on, "and passing by a place of worship, where I "saw many assembled, I found my heart,