Evangelicana.

ILLUSTRATION OF 1 SAMUEL XXVI. 12.

So David took the pear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster, &c.

It has been supposed, that the cruse of water here mentioned, was olepsydra, or one of those water-watch measures used by the antients in their camps. The use of clepsydra is of great antiquity: they were invented in Egypt, under the Ptolemics, as were also sun-dials. The Romans generally adopted them. There were several sorts of them; but this was common to all,- That water ran by gentle degrees from one vessel to another, and rising by little and little, fifted upon its surface a piece of cork, which, according to its different altitudes, shewed the different hours. They had two great defects: the one, that the water ran out with a greater or less facility as the air was more or less dense; the other, that the water ran more readily at the beginning than towards the conclusion. They were principally used in the winter. The orators, in their pleadings, were limited to a certain measure of time; and had one of these clepsydre standing by them, to prevent them from running beyond the prescribed length. See Encyclap. Brit. art. CLEPSYDRA and HYDROSTATICS, plate 243, fig. 7, where a representation of one is given. S. B.

Sword-Fish. — A ship sailing from Jamaica to Baltimore, in September, 1809, felt a violent shock about midnight, which astonished all the erew, and which they could not account for. At length it was discovered that she had been struck by a sword-fish, which was unable to extricate itself, being fastened in the timbers. The vessel sprang a moderate leak immediately. The length of the fish was 25 feet, and seven in circumference. It remained fastened to the vessel six or seven hours; and whea broken off, was apparently dead. — This fact has been formally certified at Baltimore, by N. J. Cracklow, captain of the vessel called Sarah Millner. Is a Catholic book, LATELY printed in London, the following is one of the Regulations respecting the proper reception of the Sacrament:

WHEN the priest gives you the blessed sacrament, receive it with the most lively sentiments of devotion. If the sacred Host should stick to the roof of your mouth, you must not put your finger into your mouth to remove it, but gently move it with your tongue, and so convey it down. Abstain from spitting for a quarter of an hour.'

Lions in India. —It has been generally supposed that lions are not known in India; but it appears that, in the beginning of March, 1810, five horsemen, stationed at a village near Hansi, having heard that a pig had been carried away by a tyger, went to the spot on foot, when they found a lion and lioness feeding upon it. The lalier, on the patch of grass being set on fire, went off; but the former advanced slowly, with his main and tail erect; when the mea fired with so good an effect, as induced them to go up and destroy him with their swords; which was accomplished after one man had been severely wounded. The animal appeared to be a full grown lion, in most respects like the African one. A lioness, a few days previous, had been sent in from Hissan, having been killed by a party of korsemen. These facts prove that lions are to be found in India as well as Africa.

A GENTLEMAN Once said to the Rev. Moses Browne, who was by no means in affluent circumstances, Sir, you have a very large family: your have as many children as the patriarch Jacob.' "True," answered the Divine, ** and I have Jacob's God to provide for them."

Ax Arabian once, in a mosque where Ali was present, said his prayers in such an improper manner of pronunciation, as enraged the caliph; who, when he had ended, reproved him; and hurling his slippers at his breast, commanded him to repeat them; which he did, with great propriety of tone and emphasis. After he had done, says Ali, Surely, thy last prayers were better than the former.' By no means," replied the Arab; for the first I said from devotion to God, but the last from dread of thy slippers!"

A Jew said to the venerable Ali, in argument on the truth of their religion, You had not even deposited your prophet's body in the earth, when you quarrelled among yourselves.' Ali replied, " Our divisions proceeded from the loss of him, not concerning our faith; but your feet were not yet dry from the mud of the Red Sea when you cried unto Moses, saying, Make us gods like those of the idolaters, that we may worship them." The Jew was confounded. Oriental Collections, No. IV,

MR. R. Rogers, an old Non-conformist minister, being once in com- . pany with a gentleman of very little seriousness, he told him, Mr.Rogers, I like your company very well; but you are so precise !' Oh, Sir," replied he, "I serve a precise God.”

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MR. Adams, of Falkirk, said, in the prospect of death, I am not anxious either to live or die; for if I die I shall be with God; and if I live be will be with me.'

SELECT SENTENCES.

A REAL Christian, while on earth, has his affections much in heaven; but were it possible for an unconverted man to be in heaven, his affections would still be set on earth.

We are never beneath hope while we are above hell, and never aboye hope while we are beneath heaven.

That the thoughts of a natural man are only evil, see Gen. vi. 5; that his words are such, see James iii. vi. 8; that his works are such, see Ps. xiv. 3; and that his thoughts, words, and works are such, see Rom. iii. 9.

He that hath tasted the bitterness of sin, will fear to commit it; and he that hath felt the sweetness of mercy, will fear to forfeit it.

Contention in religion is never more hot than when the love of professors is most cold.

Formality in prayer is content with only asking; but Faith will pot he well satisfied without hope of receiving.

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

MARY GALE.

In the year 1804, a few friends taking into consideration the manner in which the poor children of Hammersmith spent their Sabbath-days, opened another Sunday-School,-that of the Establishment not being large enough to admit the vast number of children in that populous village. Accordingly, 50 children were admitted members of the Sunday-School at Mr. Fryer's Meeting; of which MARY GALE, the subject of the following account, was one. She was the daughter of profane, irreligious parents; and her natural disposition was extreme reserve, Great difficulty was experienced in reducing her to discipline, which no private

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means could effect; and she, with six more, were publicly reproved from the pulpit. The affectionate address she received, and the sense of the public shame melted her rebellious spirit, and she ever after became iractable and attentive.

For the first two years of her being in the school, there were no particular evidences of any serious impressions on her mind; but shortly aiter, losing the use of her limbs during a severe winter, her love to the means of grace began first to appear, by her being so anxious to be brought to the place of worship before she could well walk. From this time until her death, she was the Child of Affliction. One of her little playmates, upon her complaining of cold, her mother being from home, got her some shavings and chips, and set light to them, that she might warm herself; and intending to frighten her only with the fire, unhappily set fire to her clothes, and burnt her dreadfully; from which time she was never, properly speaking, well; and was observed to be very thoughtful. A Christian friend pitying the state of the child, and knowing the character of her parents, has had many interesting conversations with the girl, and was highly pleased therewith. The school at this time increasing so fast, one room was found insufficient to hold them; and another place being hired, Mary was allotted to the upper room; which being, as well as the lower, divided into classes, the writer knew but little of her conduct until the following winter; when she again was brought to the school-room at her own request, to sit and hear the children catechised, examined, and the Scriptures read. At one of these opportunities, the person who generally examines the children every three months, speaking to them of the importance of prayer, turned to her, and said,Do you ever pray, Mary?" Yes." And what do you pray for? Blessed Jesus, I desire to be one of thy lambs." In the spring of 1809, she again lost the use of her limbs; and has suffered almost a martyrdom from the surgical operations, which she endured with Christian patience and fortitude, having at the same time her peace disturbed by the profane language of her family. On the Saturday night before her death, she heard her father swearing at her mother; which she entreated him to leave off, telling him she should shortly die, and be out of the way of it; but begged him to consider where she should then be, and not swear at her mother any more. She was continued to be visited by the lady to whose class she belonged. Being visited at her own request by the person who had questioned her respecting prayer, on the day before her death, after some conversation respecting her illness, the visitor said, 'You are very bad, Mary? To which she replied she was very bad. And should you like to die?" "Yes." Why so?"To go to God." How do you know you shall go to God?' "Because I love God." But you can only go to God through Jesus Christ, as a sinner.'" I know that; but in one of my hymns I read,

• Remember all the dying pains

That my Redeemer felt;

And let his blood wash out my stains,

And answer for my guilt.'

She wished to repeat three of her favourite hymns; but was too weak. One day, upon her weeping, she enquired for her book: her mother said, She is everlastingly wanting that book, never satisfied without she has it by her; and then began to murmur at her path in life: working so hard, yet always being pulled back by something or other; — when she replied, Pray don't murmur, mother; but be thankful to see me as I am! She continued patient until Tuesday night, August 1, when, I doubt not, she left this world for the mansions of bliss. Her death was improved the Sunday foliowing, from Isaiah xl, He shall gather the lambs in his arins,' &c.

C.

MR. JAMES PULTON,

Obituary.

I have much pleasure in presenting some account of Mr. James Puiton, of Launceston, who died in the Lord, on Sunday, the 24th of July, 1810, aged 21.

Previous to the last 12 months of his life, his conduct was wild and profligate; and although in the habit of attending frequently the preaching of the word, yet he walked according to the course of this world,' and was influenced by the spirit which worketh in the children of Disobedience.' It pleased God, however, in August, 1807, to impress his mind very powerfully, under two discourses, from Isaiah xxvi. 20,⋅ Come, my people, enter into thy chambers,' &c. From that time he became evidently concerned for the salvation of his soul. In a conversation which I had with him about a fortnight after, he repeatedly expressed his fears that all was not right, and his earnest desires that it might be so. He made a rapid progress in the divine life, serious and profane marked the change that had taken place: he applied himself diligently to reading, meditation, and prayer, regularly attended all the means of grace, and wholly renounced his former vain companions. The pleasures he once 'loved lost all their relish, the song, the toast, the card table, were deprived of their enchantments; and he gloried only in the Cross!

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His disposition, which before his conversion was haughty and passionate, became soft and gentle. So careful was he of falling into any old sin again, that he avoided the appearance of evil. When he spake el himself, it was with the greatest

the

modesty and diffidence; and re-
peatedly intimated his desire, that
his hopes might be built
right foundation; and his fear lest
he should deceive himself.

upon

The dying experience of this dear young man was highly satisfactory. 17, he replied to a question I put to On visiting him, Wednesday, July him, that he felt his mind quite comfortable in the prospect of death; and that all his hopes centered in the Lord Jesus Christ. Dur

ing his confinement to his bed, he have enjoyed more pleasure during remarked to different persons, ‘I the last year than I did all my life before.

religion I have for all the world! I would not part with the. I shall soon lose my company; but I am going where there is plenty of good company. Speaking one day of God, he said, It is true, I cannot upon the incomprehensible nature explain God's nature; but I know

that in heaven

There sits my Saviour, crown'd with light,

'Cloth'd in a body like our own!'

On the following Sabbath he breathed his spirit into the hands of God, and entered into the joy. of his Lord, to celebrate the riches of that grace which had plucked him as a brand from the burning.

His funeral-sermon was preached to a crowded and attentive audiPsalm xxvii. 37, The end of that ence, by the Rev. R. Cope, from man is peace;' and there is reason to hope, that many young por sons were then impressed with the importance of vital godliness.

May the youth who read this religion upon my late young friend, sketch of the power and efficacy of be concerned to seek the same grace, that they may hereafter enjoy the same glory! IGDALIA.

DAVID CROWTHER.

THE following narrative relates to D. Crowther, of Morley, near Leeds, who died in the 21st year of

his age.
His parents considering
the salvation of their children of
vast importance, were careful to in
struct him in the best things; so
that, like Timothy of old, from a
child he was acquainted with the
Scriptures. In the early part of life his
mind was affected with these divine
truths, and he had some knowledge
of his fallen state; but hath often
since said he was then a stranger to
the grand scheme of salvation by
grace, thro' a Mediator. While other
children of his age, however, were
engaged in the pursuit of Vanity,
his leisure time was spent in reading
the Scriptures, prayer, &c.

In his addresses at the throne of grace, he was not only concerned for the peace of his country, and the prosperity of religion at home, but that the Missionaries in foreign parts might have success, and sinners be converted to the Saviour. Though his knowledge and experience exceeded many; yet he was jealous over himself, knowing that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; and while others admired his conduct, he was sensible of his own imperfections. He hath left several sheets in writing respecting his experience and views of divine truths. I shall transcribe a brief passage, which may be of use to others: I have often been distressed, fearing I have not scen into my own vileness and the evil of sin, as real Christians do because I never had such terrors of nind as many have felt. I find my heart very hard and careless, and am far from knowing myself as I ought; but I think sometimes the Lord has given me to see and feel something of my inbred corruptions gradually, and so discovered anto me the way of pardoning mercy, with the suitableness and sufficiency of Christ as a Saviour, in order to keep me from despair and such deep distress as others have experienced. IfI look to myself for something to recommend me to God, I may well be discouraged, for I have nothing of my own, but what would fit me for everlasting misery; yet in Jesus there is every thing I cau need! Oh, for the faith

of God's elect, that I may be enabled to receive and entirely rest upon him for salvation. His blood and righteousness are precious to be lievers; and I hope they are spiritual food for my soul!'

In 1805 he was taken into the church, and his mother at the same time. His progress in divine things made those who were acquainted with him judge, that the Lord designed him for the ministry: his life and conversation endeared him to all with whom he was connected; and by well-doing, he put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: but the expectations of his friends and relations were soon blasted, by afflictions which proved the harbingers of death, under which he laBoured a long time, with much pa tience, and without murmuring. — Some time before his death, through the temptations of Satan, and the remains of indwelling sin, his mind became embarrassed, and he could not think, or be persuaded, that a work of grace could consist with what he felt; and was led to conclude himself nothing but an empty professor, and destitute of those marks which are peculiar to the children of God; but the Lord, who will not suffer his people to be tempted above what they are able to bear, was pleased, in his own good time, to send deliverance, and enabled him to rest upon an all-sufficient Saviour for complete salvation: he enjoyed in his mind the peace of the gospel, while his cry was, An unworthy sinner saved by grace, through Jesus Christ!

What now seemed to affect him most, was the pain he should experience at death; but our heavenly Father is often better to us than our fears; and so he was to him. There were many prayers offered up at the throne of grace, that strength might be granted equal to his day; which the Lord was pleased to answer. He departed this life without much pain on October 28, 1808; and so slept in Jesus. A sermon was preached, according to his request, by Mr. Cloutt, from Heb. ix. 27, 28, And as it is appointed unto men once to die,' &c.

T. C.