premises, that he necessarily excluded himself almost entirely from the consolation of hope. If I may be allowed a theological term-the objective acts of faith; those that related to the grand objects proposed in the Scriptures on the testimony of God, such as the work of redemption, the person of Christ, and the virtue of his blood, remained the same; nay, were ripened and strengthened as his dissolution approached: but the subjective acts of faith, those which respected his own interest in these blessings, and which gave life to the exercises of hope, rose and sunk with his disease. He was precisely like a man oppressed by a heavy weight: as the load was lightened, he began to move and exert himself in his natural manner: when the burden was increased, he sunk down again under the oppression.

Even

"About a year before his death, when his powers of mind had for a long time been debilitated, but still retained some remnants of their former vigor, his religious feelings were at times truly desirable. His intellectual powers were indeed too far weakened for joy; but there was a resignation, a tranquility, a ripeness of grace, a calm and holy repose on the bosom of the Saviour, that quite alarmed, if I may so speak, his anxious family, under the impression that there appeared nothing left for grace to do, and that he would soon be removed from them, as a shock of corn cometh in its season. when his disease had made still further progress, as often as the slightest alleviation was afforded him, his judgment became more distinct, his morbid depression lessened, and he was moderately composed. It was only a few weeks before his dissolution that such an interval was vouchsafed to him. He then spake with great feeling from the Scriptures, in family worship, for about half an hour; and dwelt on the love, and grace, and power of Christ with particular composure of mind. I had the happiness of visiting him at this season. He was so much relieved from his disease, as to enter with me on general topics relating to religion, and to give me some excellent directions as to my conduct as a minister. In reply to various questions which I put to him, he

spake to me to the following purport: I know myself to be a wretched, worthless, sinner,' (the seriousness and feeling with which he spake I shall never forget,) 'having nothing in myself but poverty and sin. I know Jesus Christ to be a glorious and almighty Saviour. I see the full efficacy of his atonement and grace; and I cast myself entirely on him, and wait at his footstool. I am aware that my diseased and broken mind makes me incapable of receiving consolation; but I submit myself wholly to the merciful and wise dispensations of God.'

"One or two other interesting testimonies of the spiritual and devoted state of his heart may be here mentioned. A short time before his decease, he requested one of his family to write down for him in a book the following sentence; ""None but Christ, none but Christ," said Lambert dying at a stake; the same, in dying circumstances, with his whole heart, saith Richard Cecil.' The name was signed by himself, with his left hand in a manner hardly legible through infirmity."

Such was Mr. Cecil. I sincerely regret that some masterly observer did not both enjoy and improve opportunities of delineating a more perfect picture of his great mind. I have, however, faithfully detailed the impressions which his character made on me, during a long course of affectionate admiration of him: nor have I shrunk from intermingling such remarks, as every faithful observer must find occasion to make while he is watching the unfoldings of the best and greatest of men.

CHRISTIAN PARENTS, and particular CHRISTIAN MOTHERS, may gather from the history and character of our departed friend every possible encouragement to the unwearied care of their children. While St. Austin, Bishop Hall, Richard Hooker, John Newton, Richard Cecil, and many other great and eminent servants of Christ, have left on record their grateful acknowledgments to their pious mothers, as the instruments, under the grace and blessing of God, of winning them to himself, let no woman of faith and prayer despair respecting even her most untoward child.

Mr. Cecil's MERE ADMIRERS should feel what a weight

of responsibility his ministry and his character have laid them under. They gave him the ear, but he labored for the heart. They were pleased with the man, but he prayed that they might become displeased with themselves. They would aid him in his schemes, but he was anxious that they should serve his Master. How soon must they meet him at that judgment-seat before which all must appear, to receive according to what they have done in the body whether good or evil!

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His SINCERE FRIENDS are called to imitate his example -to follow him as he followed Christ-to live above this vain world-to sacrifice every thing to the honor of Christ and the interests of eternity-to bear under pain and weariness and anxiety, leaning on Almighty strength; till they join him in that world where weakness shall be felt no more! JOSIAH PRATT.

REMAINS

OF THE

REV. RICHARD CECIL, M. A.

REMARKS MADE BY MR. CECIL, CHIEFLY IN CONVERSATION WITH THE EDITOR, OR IN DISCUSSIONS WHEN HE WAS PRESENT.

"Multa ab eo prudenter disputata, multa etiam breviter et commode dicta memoriæ mandabam, fierique studebam ejus prudentia doctior."— Cic. de Amicit. i.

ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND CONFLICT.

THE direct cause of a Christian's spiritual life, is union with Christ. All attention to the mere circumstantials of religion, has a tendency to draw the soul away from this union. Few men, except ministers, are called, by the nature of their station, to enter much into these circumstantials :-such, for instance, as the evidences of the truth of religion. Ministers feel this deadening effect of any considerable or continued attention to externals: much more must private Christians. The head may be strengthened, till the heart is starved. Some private Christians, however, may be called on, by the nature of those circles in which they move, to be qualified to meet and refute the objections which may be urged against religion. Such men as well as min

isters, while they are furnishing themselves for this purpose, must acquiesce in the work which God appoints for them, with prayer and watchfulness. If they cannot always live and abide close to the ark, and the pot of manna, and the cherubim, and the mercy seat; yet they are drawing the water and gathering the wood necessary for the service of the camp. But let their hearts still turn toward the place where the Glory resideth.

THE Christian's fellowship with God is rather a habit, than a rapture. He is a pilgrim, who has the habit of looking forward to the light before him: he has the habit of not looking back; he has the habit of walking steadily in the way, whatever be the weather, and whatever the road. These are his habits: and the Lord of the Way is his Guide, Protector, Friend, and Felicity.

As the Christian's exigencies arise, he has a spiritual habit of turning to God, and saying, with the Church, "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flocks to rest at noon. I have tried to find rest elsewhere. I have fled to shelters, which held out great promise of repose; but I have now long since learned to turn unto thee: ' Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flocks to rest at noon.'"

THE Christian will look back, throughout eternity, with interest and delight, on the steps and means of his conversion. "My father told me this! My mother