ject, although that little is important.

He says, "Even as the dear and worthy man was wont to exhibit himself on all occasions as a servant of God, he did so likewise at the dinner-table. Conversation, on such occasions, was not of a desultory nature, but he either mentioned some edifying particulars of the blessing and dealings of God in other places, or conversed with us in a manner calculated to incite us to that which is good; or else, for want of opportunity for anything else, directed his beloved grandson to provide each who sat at table, with some edifying passage of Scripture. And thus our meals were sanctified to the glory of God. Calmness, tranquillity, and gentleness reigned throughout the whole house, and there was neither clamour, nor wrath, nor bitterness to be heard; and as I have never seen in his household, any of the faults which Paul reproves in Ephes. iv. 29-31, so, on the contrary, I found all the domestic virtues which are recommended in verse 31. In short, every thing was conducted in the manner Paul requires in the words, “Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Franké found himself so much invigorated by his long journey, from which he had returned in 1718, that he was able to attend to his many and various occupations with the greatest punctuality, until, in 1725, when he had reached his sixty-third year, his customary nightly perspirations began to cease, and he was attacked by the complaint so frequently attendant upon old age, the dysury. This disorder, which tormented him for nearly two years, permitted him however, in the beginning of June 1726, to travel to Altenburg, to visit Count Von Henkel, for the

benefit of his health. In the same month, his faithful friend and assistant, Neubauer, to whom he acknowledged on every occasion that he was so much indebted, was taken from him by an easy death.'

In November, 1726, whilst Franké was still suffering under the complaint above-mentioned, a new one attacked him. A paralytic stroke lamed his left hand. The dysury now indeed disappeared, but the new evil was the greater of the two. Yet in time he even so far recovered from this, that he was able to go about, and perform things of minor importance; and although he continued extremely weak, and his left hand could not be completely restored, yet in the spring of 1727, he felt himself comparatively well and cheerful. His most favourite occupation now was to read or have read to him Philip Nicolai's 'Pleasing Mirror of Eternal Life,' and other authors who wrote on the world to come; and he frequently testified what a sweet cordial their meditations afforded him. He also caused awakening letters to be written to his old friends, in the Latin language, the purport of which was, not to let it be said of them, that whilst they were young they had manifested courage and diligence in the work of the Lord; but that when they grew old, nothing but lukewarmness and slothfulness was evinced by them.

A letter is also particularly remarkable, which he

1 In the writing-desk of the deceased, a note was found, in which was written, "I wish to be buried without any pomp or show, and that no hymns be sung or funeral sermon preached. I was born in the year 1666, at Desdorf, in the province of Halberstadt. This, and the date of my decease, is enough to be known of my life. What little I possess in books, furniture, &c. I bequeath to my aged mother, now ninety-three years old,"

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wrote in the spring of that year, scarcely three months before his decease, to Aulic Councillor Walbaum, who resided at that time in France. He expressed in it his satisfaction at the intelligence sent him by Walbaum, that the pious catholic abbot Ferrus, in Paris, thought highly of him.—“ For although," says he, "I do not desire by this to take any vain honour to myself, yet it is reasonably very pleasing to me, that this esteem rests upon no outward foundation, but solely upon the edification derived by this individual from my writings, and that in particular, he has relished what I have written of Christ. For this latter inspires me with the hope, that God will permit me, at least in some measure, to attain my chief object in the case of this man, which I have not only sought in my writings, but during my whole life, that Christ alone may be glorified. Even as I regard it also as the greatest happiness of my whole life, when God of his grace and mercy vouchsafes to make use of me, although such a poor unworthy creature, as an instrument, were it but to one single soul, to awaken it from the sleep of carnal security, and to bring it to Christ or to living faith in him, and to newness of life which is in him."

Then follows what we have already mentioned respecting the immense number of his spiritual children; after which Franké continues,—“ On reading your account of abbot Ferrus, I have cherished the hope, that God would so graciously regard and answer my intercessions for this individual, which I immediately offered up and shall continue to do, that I may meet him on that day before the throne of Jesus Christ, amongst the number of those, whom he

has granted to my poor prayers, and then be able to say to the Lord Jesus, Here am I and the children thou hast given me,' as also this son from France, whom thou hast given me for a testimony, that thou wilt continue thy blessing to me even in my old age and to the end of my life, that the number of spiritual sons and daughters may be complete which thou hast appointed me, to thine eternal praise and thanksgiving, from entirely undeserved grace and mercy. Therefore give this worthy man the certain assurance of my cordial love, and that I will never cease, as long as I live, to bring his name in remembrance before the Lord Jesus. But tell him also from me, that I exhort him in tender affection, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to pour out his heart in a filial manner before him, and beseech him graciously to bestow upon him his vital knowledge, and the power of his Holy Spirit as a seal of regeneration; and to persevere in this prayer, although he may see no immediate fruit of it; for thus he will experience that Jesus Christ is the Lord, who puts none to shame that wait for him. (Isaiah xlix. 23.) Tell him also, that the words which Jesus spoke to Martha-'If thou canst believe, thou shalt see the glory of God'-have often strengthened me. These words I have pleaded with him times without number, in all my distress and in all my trials; and then I had only to be tranquil, and sooner or later the answer to my prayer very obviously ensued."

He then also requests his friend to relate to the abbot the history of his own conversion, which he likewise repeats with fervent thankfulness to God. Towards the end of the letter, he mentions also to

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his dear Walbaum, how God, at his intercession, had delivered him from the pain of his last disorder.

"I have recently experienced," writes he, "this pleasing proof of answer to prayer; for during the last two years, being always unwell and unable to obtain relief, either from medicine or the use of the baths; I at length adhered firmly to the words, 'If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be granted unto you.' (John xv. 7.) On which I said in faith, 'I therefore request thee, dear and heavenly Father, trusting in these words of the Lord Jesus and in his name, that thou wouldst heal me.' 'Thou hast said," O Lord Jesus, that what we ask in thy name, thou wouldst do for us, after going to the Father. Now therefore do this, for which I have prayed in thy name to the Father, and heal me!' On which I soon recovered; and when shortly after, the two pious physicians, Richter and Junker, came to me, they said, they would pack up their medicines, because they saw that here a superior hand was at work. Afterwards, the passage was presented to me from Isa. lviii. 8,Thy health shall spring forth speedily.' 'This is good,' said I; Lord, fulfil thy word in me!' And it was so. I began, though in my sixty-fourth year, to find myself better in mind and body, than sometimes in the flower of my youth, and this bodily invigoration is daily continued, although I still refrain from preaching, lecturing, and other fatiguing labours; because I think it would be contrary to conscience to destroy again by my thoughtlessness, what God has repaired; and it is also in accordance with Christian prudence to take as much care of myself, after my restoration to health, as I am able, and not