accustomed to such scenes, shed tears as he presented the fatal cup. Socrates received it without change of countenance, or the least degree of perturbation. Then offering up a prayer, that he might have a prosperous passage into the invisible world, with perfect composure he swallowed the poisonous draught. His friends around him burst into tears. Socrates alone remained

unmoved. He upbraided their pusillanimity, and entreated them to exercise a manly constancy, worthy of the friends of virtue. "What are you doing?" said he to them, "I wonder at you. O! what has become of your virtue? was it not for fear of their falling into these weaknesses that I sent away the women? I have always heard that we ought to die peaceably, and blessing the gods. Be at ease, I beg of you, and show more firmness and resolution." He continued walking till the chilling operation of the hemlock obliged him to lie down upon his bed. After remaining a short time in this situation, he covered himself with his cloak, and expired. Such was the fate of the virtuous Socrates! "A story," says Cicero. "which I never read without tears."

It was not till some time after the death of this great man, that the people of Athens per ceived their injustice, and began to repent of it. Their hatred being satisfied; their prejudices

removed; and time having given them an opportunity for reflection; the notorious iniquity of the sentence appeared in all its horrors. No thing was heard, throughout the city; but discourses in favor of Socrates. The Academy, the Lyceum, private houses, public walks, and market-places, seemed still to re-echo the sound of his loved voice. "Here," said they, "he formed our youth, and taught our children to love their country, and to honour their parents. In this place, he gave us his admirable lessons, and sometimes made us seasonable reproaches, to engage us more warmly in the pursuit of virtue. Alas! how have we rewarded him for those important services !" Athens was in universal mournng and consternation. The schools were shut up, and all exercises suspended. The accusers were punished for the innocent blood they had caused to be shed; and the regard and gratitude of the Athenians towards this excellent man rose to the highest degree of veneration.

MANY other instances might have been given, of heathens, who, by their actions and discourses, appear to have been under the influence of re ligion; but, in paganism, we find light so mixed with darkness, religion and truth so blended with superstition and error, that the minds of Christians will be less edified by examples of this kind, than by those which exhibit piety and virtue, enlightened by the rays of the gospel, and animated by the assurance it gives of a happy immortality: we shall therefore confine ourselves, in the succeeding pages of this work, to instances of the power of religion on the minds of persons who have lived under the Christian dispensation.

It is, however, to the serious and benevolent mind, a source of thankfulness, to believe that the Divine Goodness extends itself towards the upright in heart of every age and every country. All mankind are, indeed the children of one be neficent Parent, who will judge them by the degree of light, and the law, which it has pleased him to afford them. But whilst we indulge this charitable sentiment, it behooves us who, as Christians, are distinguished by pre-eminent advantages, to improve them faithfully, to the honour of the Great Giver, the good of mankind, and he edification of our own souls.

SECTION VI.

STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR.

THIS excellent man lived in the Apostolic age, and was remarkable for his faith, his wisdom, and an eminent portion of the Holy Spirit, which it had pleased God to bestow upon him, Devoted to the service of his Divine Master, and anxious to promote the eternal happiness of men, he laboured fervently to extend the belief, and the blessings, of the Gospel. These endeavours were rendered successful, by the support of his Lord; who enabled him to confirm his Divine mission, by the miracles which he performed among the people.

But the pious exertions of this upright and benevolent man, for the happiness of others, could not secure him from the malice and opposition of his enemies, who were influenced by a far different spirit. When these adversaries of true religion, found themselves unable to resist "the wisdom and the spirit by which Stephen spake," they suborned witnesses to declare falsehoods, and to charge him with blasphemy, before the council. On this occasion, his innocence, and the sustaining power of his Lord and Master, were eminently

conspicuous for whilst "they who sat in council looked steadfastly on him, they saw his face as it had been the face of an angel."

In a speech of great simplicity and energy, and which marked the undaunted firmness of his mind, he defended the sacred cause which he had espous ed. He gave a concise, but comprehensive history of the dealings of God with the Jewish nation; and set forth their repeated provocations, disobedience, and ingratitude, and the unmerited goodness and mercy of their Divine Law giver; and concluded with observing, that they themselves had been the betrayers and murderers of the Just One, the Lord and Saviour of the world. This faithful re monstrance, instead of affecting them with humiliation and sorrow, for their heinous transgression, excited the bitterest resentment against this firm and zealous Christian. "They were cut to the heart, and gnashed on him with their teeth." this moment, Stephen was animated by an extraordinary interposition of Divine power. "Full of the Holy Spirit, he looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God." This miraculous vision he communicated to the counci, and people; which so enraged these unhappy creatures, "that they stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him." Whilst they were employed in this