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brass, the earth was iron, and I was fast preparing to look up and curse God. Perfectly sensible of my situation, perfectly convinced that I deserved hell, I could not feel regret or humbled. Every feeling of my soul was deep, awakened enmity to the character and government of God.

At length, after struggling with the terrified conscience, and the stirrings of the Spirit of God, I determined to take my own life. It was not the result of a paroxysm of despair, but the cool, deliberate determination of one who dares throw himself upon the thick bosses of the Almighty's buckler.

After coming to this determination, I selected my time and place. Not far from me was a considerable waterfall; thither I went, one beautiful morning, fully resolved to return no more. The waters, dark and deep, gathered themselves together in a narrow channel, and after whirling themselves around several times, as if recoiling from the plunge, they rushed headlong over a time-worn rock, and fell forty feet or more into a large basin beneath. On that rock I placed myself, prepared to do the deed. I looked down into the great basin, forty feet below me, and there the falling waters were boiling and foaming up, as if indignant at being thus cast down-fit emblem, I thought, of the helpless raging of the wicked in the world of despair. But I will now know the worst which God can inflict upon me. I will plunge in, and in five minutes I shall know what hell is, and what is to be my situation for eternity!

I drew myself back to take the plunge. There was no faltering-no shaking of a single muscle-no sensation of fear. But just as I was in the act of leaping, the hand of Omnipotence seemed to be laid suddenly upon me. Every nerve seemed to be paralyzed, and every bodily function to fail.

A

cold shivering came over me, and I had not the strength of a child. I turned my face away; the beautiful sun was shining, and, for the first time, a voice, like that of my departed mother's,

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Before closing this narrative I will add, that this interesting young man lived the life of devoted, consistent, ardent piety. He completed his education, and devoted himself as a missionary to Africa. He was all ready to depart -had taken farewell of his friends, and was, as I believe, on his way to the ship which was to convey him to Africa. He arrived at Richmond, Va., on Saturday night, and was to have preached the next day; but about midnight he was seized with the cholera, (of which he was the first and only victim in that city,) and, after twelve hours passed in indescribable pain, he calmly and sweetly fell into the arms of God's messenger, and was carried to that glorious assembly where the praying mother, we doubt not, welcomed to her everlasting embrace the child of so many prayers.

How mysterious are the ways of God! He raises up pious friends, and leads them to labour, and pray, and go down to the grave, without seeing any good fruit from the plants which they nourish and water with prayers and tears. But, long after they are gone, their prayers are answered, and their labours blessed. Let no praying mother doubt that her prayers will finally be answered. He is mysterious, too, in that he raises up instruments apparently fitted for great usefulness, and then cuts them off just when they promise to be most useful. But his own glorious plans will go on, and he will raise up others to take the places of those who are dead. All shall be for the glory of God! O the blessedness

of belonging to a kingdom which cannot be injured by any changes among such beings as we are! Reader, if you belong to this kingdom, be up, be doing, be vigilant, be faithful. Your crown is near, it is sure. If you do not belong

to this kingdom, come at once and give yourself to the work of serving God. Repent of all sin, forsake all sin, and that same Redeemer who saved the dear youth of whom I have been speaking, shall be yours.

MYSTERIES IN RELIGION. BY DR. CHALMERS.

WE speak of the mysteries of religion, alluding to things which are revealed, and thus using the term as synonymous with difficulties. But, in the New Testament, mystery, means something not revealed; but which, when made known, ceases to be a mystery. Thus, our Saviour spake to the people in parables; but to his disciples it was given to know the "mystery of the kingdom of God," Mark iv. 11; but the parables seem plain enough when made known. The term is also applied to a meaning which lies hid under any symbolical expression or action. Thus the Lord's Supper came to be called a mystery, from its affinity to the Eleusinian mysteries, to which none but the initiated were admitted. It was, beside, an example of a meaning lying hid under a symbolical action. The term has been handed down to the Communion Service of the Church of England. Let me recommend Campbell's dissertation on the word mystery. In the first sense, it may be called a thing unknown; in the second, a thing unknowable.

When Christianity is charged with abounding in mysteries, we must take the statement with this qualification, that the revelations of the gospel, as they stand, have nothing mysterious about them; but they may be rendered mysterious by our attempting to be wise "above that which is written," 1 Cor. iv. 6. It is tantamount to saying, that all has not been told us that we should like to know. There is nothing mys

terious about them as facts; but we land ourselves in mysteries, by an attempt to reach things too high for us. With respect to the doctrine of the Trinity, for instance, there is nothing mysterious in the simple proposition, that the Father is God, that the Son is God, and that the Spirit is God; and that God is one and indivisible; but if we try to find out the ligaments which connect these propositions, it becomes mysterious. Now, in this respect, the volume of revelation and the volume of nature are as one; and when we charge mysteries on either, we must remember, that they may be so in consequence of the limitation of our own faculties.

It is wrong to use the word mystery in the last sense I mentioned, because it is opposite to the Scripture sense. I am convinced, that most people, in reading that verse in 1 Timothy iii. 16, "Great is the mystery of godliness," &c., have their attention addressed to the incomprehensible nature of the connexion between God and humanity; as in "God manifest in the flesh;" whereas it means, that the doctrine was mysterious before it was revealed.

All this does not prove that there are no incomprehensibilities in Christianity; but then there are also mysteries in natural religion; such as the past eternity of God, and the origin of evil under a Being whose wisdom and goodness are not restrained by any want of power.

DISCIPULUS.

HIGHBURY COLLEGE.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

SIK, Whilst it is so generally admitted, that an educated ministry is of essential importance, in this age of intellectual advancement, and that the times in which we live demand men of vigourous mental power, and cultivated genius, to lead on the church in her efforts to subjugate the world to the dominion of Christ, it appears strange that so little comparative interest is taken by the great body of Congregational Dissenters in the prosperity of those institutions where young men are trained for the office of the Christian ministry: a striking corroboration of which fact is exhibited in the report for the present year of Highbury College, a name endeared to most members of Congregational churches, and where about three hundred pastors, at present exercising their talents throughout the country, received a course of instruction preparatory to entering on their ministerial work. Surely these must either have forgotten their alma mater, or, at least, cannot be aware of the institution being 1,2007. in debt to the treasurer, otherwise they never would allow the committee of such a noble institution to record, that " the collections from congregations throughout the country do not amount to

more than 1801., and only four collections have been sent from all the congregations which enjoy the services of ministers educated at the college, viz. Wells (Norfolk), Debenham, Andover, and Dartmouth. Allow me, Mr. Editor, with all regard to their sacred office, respectfully to remind the remaining two hundred and ninety-six bishops and pastors of our churches, that Highbury requires their pecuniary assistance, as well as the exercise of their interest among wealthy professors; and I feel persuaded, that these watchmen on Mount Zion need only be reminded of their duty, to induce them to make a general effort throughout their various spheres, to place the pecuniary resources of this excellent and lasting monument of Mr. Thomas Wilson's zeal for the honour of God on a different footing, so that the next report may contain all their names as annual subscribers, and the promoters of numerous collections for the promotion of one of the most important causes that can engage their attention, as ministers of the gospel.

I am, Mr. Editor,

Yours, very faithfully,

A FRIEND TO HIGHBURY COLLEGE.

FAILURE OF ROWLAND HILL

TO PRACTISE HIS OWN ADVICE, AND HIS COMMENT THEREON.
For the Evangelical Magazine.

It was the custom of this eminently useful minister, at the commencement of a new year, to preach an annual sermon for the "Benevolent Society of Surrey Chapel, for visiting and relieving the Sick Poor at their own Habitations," selecting, at the same time, a few of the most remarkable cases to read to his congregation, that had been

visited during the preceding year. On one of these occasions, he narrated the afflicted circumstances of a lady, formerly of property and respectability, who had been plunged into the depths of poverty and want, in a time of sickness, through having imprudently become security for some relation or friend; and Mr. Hill took this oppor

tunity of publicly warning and entreating all present to be on their guard against committing so fatal an error, "I would advise all my friends," said he, "to do the same as I do myself, when any request of this kind comes to me. I just walk out of one room into another, and consider what I can afford to give, and what I ought to give to the applicant; then I return and say, Here, my friend, I make you a present of this sum, and if you can get a few others to help you in the same way, perhaps you will get over your difficulty.' Then," said Mr. Hill, with emphasis, "I know the end of it, but were I to lend my name, or become surety, I know not how that might end."

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Strange as it may appear, he was waited on a few months after this, by one of the members of the church, soliciting his kind assistance in procuring him a lucrative situation, then vacant in that parish and district, viz. a collector of the king's taxes; the person urged, that it would be the making of him and his family, but that he must have two bondsmen for one thousand pounds each. Mr. Hill said, he would consider of it. This petitioner was well known to Mr. Hill: he had long held a confidential situation in his chapel, and was, besides, in a good trade and connexion of business, with his friends. There was no reason to doubt his integrity; and he was one that Mr. Hill was desirous to oblige. The result was, he became one of his securities, and prevailed on a gentleman at Clapham to be the other; and the situation was obtained. Alas! alas! for poor Mr. Hill and his brother bondsman ! three or four years, the collector was

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a defaulter to the amount of thousands. The securities were obliged to pay. It was well known among Mr. Hill's friends, that, in consequence of this severe reverse, he countermanded an order he had recently given for a new carriage. On the ensuing Christmas-day of the same year that this misfortune had occurred, the writer of this was present at the communion service, and heard the following preparatory address of Mr. Hill to the assembled members of the church

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My beloved friends,-You know that I always make a collection at the communion, on Christmas-day, for the poor of Surrey Chapel, and as you know this, you have brought money with you, I am aware, for this purpose; but I want to ask a favour of you all. I do not know how it is, but I assure you, I have double the number of applications this Christmas I ever had before, so that I want double the usual amount to distribute; I have, therefore, to request that you will kindly assist me in this business; you that meant to give one pound give two this time; you that meant to give ten shillings, give a pound; you that meant to give five shillings, give ten; you that meant to give two-and-sixpence, give five shillings; and you that meant to give one shilling, give two. Double it throughout this time, for I really want it for the poor; and you know-what is the use of keeping your money? God will send some thief or other. You know how I have been served this year! We had better send our money going among the Lord's poor people, and then we shall be sure to be right!"

PRIDE OF INTELLECT WISELY REBUKED.

THE admirable variety that appears in all the Creator's works is seen also in the diversity of human minds. It is a rare, if not an impossible thing, to find two minds exactly alike, in their natural capacities, tendencies, and preferences. Close inspection will discover

disparities. It may, however, be sufficient for the present purpose to state what is well known, viz., that some men have a surprising quickness and expertness of understanding, that readily receives and retains useful knowledge, while others are as remarkably dull

and slow of apprehension, and must have reiterated communications ere their stupidity can be dispelled. While the late Dr. R. was theological tutor of the college for ministers in S. C., B., it came to his knowledge, that there was one student under his care, who had the misfortune to be of the latter description, and was treated with much scorn by all the others, being made a kind of butt for their arrows. The doctor was much grieved at their ignorant rudeness, and want of Christian feeling towards a brother, whose undoubted piety entitled him, at least, to respectful consideration.

He re

solved to deal out to them just and faithful reproof. He first made a tour of inquiry to all the stations where the students alternately preached, and then, when the whole were present before him, he said to them very pointedly, "I have lately visited the circuit of your public sabbath labours, and I have thereby ascertained, that four per sons have received benefit under the ministry of Mr. H. (the despised one,) and are now under serious concern about their eternal salvation, which is more than I have heard of all the rest of you put together!"

THE ELEVENTH HOUR.

SOME years since, a gentleman, well known for his liberality and zeal, was passing through an obscure alley in London, on the sabbath morning, distributing religious tracts as he went along. A woman with whom he left one of the little publications, informed him that she had a lodger in an apartment in the house, who appeared to be very ill, and who, she thought, would feel pleased and grateful, if the gentleman would pay him a visit. He instantly complied with the request, and was introduced to a room almost destitute of furniture, where, upon a miserable bed, he perceived the ruins of a fine young man, in the last stage of emaciation and decay. The gentleman, with his accustomed kindness and fidelity, entered into conversation with him, and was pleased to discover that the unhappy sufferer was not only fully prepared to receive his instructions, but that he appeared to be truly impressed with the character of his state, acquainted with the system of salvation through the crucified Saviour, and manifesting those dispositions of repentance and of faith which are so essential to the safety of the soul. He confessed he had been brought up in respectability, that he had received a religious education, that he had fallen

a victim to the multiform seductions of

vice, that he had abandoned his parental home, that his constitution had been ruined by excess, and that his present condition had resulted from his own depravity. He then proceeded, in broken language, and with exhausted strength, to describe how, in his misery, like the prodigal son in the parable, he had come to himself; how all the impressions of early life had been revived by an influence from above; how earnestly and penitently he had cast himself before the throne of grace; how hope had animated him while dwelling upon the love and mediation of the Redeemer; and how, at last, he was enabled to indulge in some expectations of final forgiveness and acceptance beyond the grave. When the gentleman kindly inquired if he could do any thing for him, the young man, with considerable hesitation, but yet with absorbing earnestness, said, “I hope I have obtained the forgiveness of God: would that I could receive that

of my father!" The gentleman, whose feelings were very strongly excited, offered his services, and inquired the parent's address; and it was with some astonishment that he heard the name of an individual whom he knew to be occupying a station of respectability and reputation.

As the situation of the young man

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