BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US." "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ,”—Gal. vi. 2. BELOVED READERS,--Among the many 66 liarly preserving hand of God, what, alas! will be the consequences of the thoughtless, the giddy, and the profligate associations of Cambridge? It may, it is true, boast of having sent into the Lord's vineyard some of the most exemplary of men; it may blush likewise at the recollection that some of the very worst have entered upon their ruinous career there! From a babe in arms we remember and were deeply interested in "W." His intelligence was of no common order. As a child, his knowledge of, and love for, his Bible, was most remarkable. It was our privilege to witness the deathbed scene of his godly mother! and never, never shall we forget her dying testimony to us; "This light affliction," said she, "which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Turning her dying eyes to us, "It is," said she, with an emphasis we shall never forget, "an eternal WEIGHT of glory." We had much more of life's journey before us then than now; and the spirit sank in the prospect. How cheering were her words. How appropriate-how powerful! Not very long before, she had been left a widow, with six dear fatherless children; and "W." is one of the only three remaining.* Much our senior in years, she had taken the kindliest interest in us, Here I am with the dear afflicted and in the dear bosom-companion of our family. Poor W- I think, is going earlier days, the never-to-be-forgotten rapidly. Should not have known him in J. D. LANE. "W." he loved and cared the least. Poor fellow! he has just for beyond expression. Dear L. knew been fighting for breath. He knows he what Cambridge was, and what its danis going; talks of it so composedly. Igers to an intelligent, gentlemanly young had but a little talk with him; his weak- man, whose appearance and affability ness is such that he could not bear it. He repeated the whole of the 23rd Psalm this afternoon. But oh, if I could but hear the ground of his hope-hear him speak of a precious Jesus. Ah! my dear D., pray for me, that I may have wisdom given me to say a word faithfully to him. I want you to send me the Magazine; I shall be able to read it to him. Oh, if he had but been with us at Plymouth. "Ever affectionate your "My dearest D. 66 "P.-B.-Aug. 3. , stances. Addressing " W.," she said, "Where * Referring to a paper which appeared in the GOSPEL MAGAZINE in March and April, 1850, entitled, "A FAMILY MEMORIAL," and a great loved and early companion, J. D. L., we find portion of which was taken down by our besome of the dying counsel of the dear Mother of him who is now brought into similar circumwithal shall a young man cleanse his way? even by taking heed thereto according to thy to withstand; but, whenever you are tempted, word! You will have a hundred temptations may you say, How shall I do this great wickedness, and sin against my God? May God call you early by his grace, my dear "W." Willy," at another time she said, "in the Eventful, and, in many respects pain-frantic, if I had not known God's love; not night I was thinking that I should have been ful, has been the career of "W." If only in my mind, that would have been agony, last month we had occasion to speak of but also in body; in my perspirations, my pain a Parisian education, we might say much ings, my struggles for breath, what should I in my side, my constant cough, my long faintalso with respect to a Cambridge course. have done, or what should I now do, without Ah! without the special grace and pecu-member it." "S." 66 my God? Oh, my dear, think of this, and re were such as to lead multitudes of his pardon, and forgive us, individually and far more in earnest, far more spiritual, and far more useful, than ever I have been !" دو But now (as intimated) "W.," this "child of many prayers," inheriting the disease and delicacy of his loved parents, is himself upon the very verge of the grave. Oh, that the Lord may be gracious to him. Oh, that He may manifestively "remember him with the favour that He beareth unto his people." Unctious have been some moments, in years gone by, that we personally have enjoyed on his account. Oh, that they may prove the sweet harbingers of rich, free, and covenant blessing. Dear readers, should this reach you before "W." is hence and no more seen, may his gone case be specially laid upon your hearts also. Why, in a mere world-like modesty, should we keep these particulars from you? Why should we stifle the feeling that prompts us thus to ask your prayers? Are we not brethren-members of one common family? Have we not a oneness of feeling, taste, and desire? Why not, then, thus seek interest, and fellowship, and communion? It is this, in these days, that we want. We want the good old-fashion exhortation, "Brethren, pray for us." We are coming into times and circumstances when we shall need more and more these prayers. It is among our daily desires, that God the Holy Ghost would lay the cases of his dear children increasingly upon our hearts, and ours upon theirs. Oh, for less and less of the strangeness, the shyness, the coldness, and the bickering. The Lord, in mercy, pardon us for any measure of it, and divest us yet more and more of every particle. We are, dear brethren, dying creatures in a dying world; and "the place that now knows us will very, very soon, know us no more for ever." Oh, then, for grace to walk together in love. Oh for grace that we may each and all of us "endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The Lord graciously pass by, "MY DEAR FRIEND, "If you have not used the enclosed, Ever very truly yours, "EDWARD DALTON." The following is one of the precious enclosures referred to :— THE UNANSWERABLE ARGUMENT. SCENE I. THE PASTOR'S STUDY. "Have you conversed with our infidel and scoffing friend, Mr. R—————, on the subject of religion, to-day ?" said the venerable pastor to a neighbour who sat near him. "I have, and at great length, but was unable to make the least impression upon his mind. You know that he is a man of extensive reading, and is a perfect master of all the ablest infidel writers. He regards the fortress in which he has entrenched himself as impregnable. You know his ready wit, and when he finds he cannot talk you down, he will laugh you down. I can say no more to him. He made my errand the butt of ridicule for the whole company." "Then you consider his case hopeless ?" "I do indeed. I believe him to be given over of God to believe a lie; and I expect to see him fill up his cup of iniquity to the very brim, without repentance, and to die a har dened and self-ruined man." "Shall nothing, and can nothing more be done for him ?" And the Pastor arose, and walked the floor of his study, under the influence of deep agitation, while his neighbour leaned over the table, with his face buried in both his hands, lost in silent meditation. It was now a solemn time in the parish. The preaching of the pastor for many Sabbaths had been full of earnestness and power. The church was greatly quickened. The spirit of prayer prevailed. Many were inquiring what they should do to be saved. Many, too, were rejoicing in hope, and the whole community were moved, as with one silent, but mighty impulse. But unmoved, unconcerned, stood the infi del, amid the many changes of heart and mind which were going on around him, proud and able, as he believed himself to be, to resist of his position, and confident in his strength, might be brought to bear upon him. The every influence, human and divine, which pastor had often approached him, and had as often been repulsed. As a last resort, he had requested his able and skilful neighbour, a lawyer of piety and talents, to visit Mr. R- SCENE II.-THE ELDER'S CLOSET. There was a fire blazing upon the hearth in that little room. The wind was howling without, the snow was whirled in eddies, and was swept with violence against the casement. It was a cold night in January. In that secret and retired chamber, where none but God could hear, was poured out a voice from a burdened soul. The elder was upon his knees. His bosom heaved with emotion. His soul was in agony. That voice of prayer was continued at intervals through the livelong night. In that room was a wrestling like that of Jacob. There was a prevailing like that of Israel. It was a pleading with the Most High for an unwonted display of his power and grace, with the confidence that nothing was too hard for the Almighty. It was a night of prayer, of entreaty, of importunity. It was prayer, as a man would pray for the life of a friend, who was on the eve of execution. SCENE III.-THE PRAYER-MEETING. The meeting was still and solemn as eternity. The house was crowded to its utmost capacity. It was a cheerful evening, and the astrals threw their mellow light over the dense assembly. Now the song of praise resounds from all parts of the room, and there is a heart in the utterance which belongs not to other times. Now the voice of one and another ascends in prayer, and such prayer is seldom heard except in the time of genuine revivals of religion. The silent tear steals down many a cheek. The almost inaudible sigh escapes from many a bosom. An intense interest sits on every countenance, and the voice of prayer is the voice of all. One after another arises, and tells the listening company what "the Lord has done for his soul." There stands Mr. R-, once the infidel-now the humble believer in Jesus. He is clothed in a new spirit. His face shines as did the face of Moses when he had seen God face to face. He is a new creature in Christ Jesus. "I stand," said Mr. R--, " to tell you the story of my conversion." His lips trembled slightly as he spoke, and his bosom heaved with suppressed emotion. "I am as a brand plucked out of the burning. The change in my views and feelings is an astonishment to myself; and all brought about by the grace of God, and that unanswerable argument. It was a cold morning in January. The sun was just rising, and sending his dim rays through the fleecy clouds. The fire was burning, and I had just begun my labour at the anvil in my shop, when I looked out and saw Elder B near, I saw he was agitated. His look was full of earnestness. His eyes were bedimmed with tears, He took me by the hand. His breast heaved with emotion, and with indescribable tenderness he said, ' Mr. R————, I am greatly concerned for your salvationgreatly concerned for your salvation,' and he burst into tears. He stood with my hand grasped in his. He struggled to regain self-possession. He often essayed to speak, but not a word could he utter, and finding that he could say no more, he turned, went out of the shop, got on his horse, and rode slowly away. Greatly concerned for my salvation,' said I audibly, and I stood and forgot to bring my hammer down. There I stood with it upraised-greatly concerned for my salvation.' Here is a new argument for the truth of religion, which I have never heard before, and which I know not how to answer. Had the elder reasoned with me, I could have confounded him; but here is no thread-bare argument for the truth of religion. Religion must be true, or this man would not feel as he does. 'Greatly concerned for my salvation'-it rung through my ears like a thunder-clap in a clear sky. Greatly concerned I ought to be for my own salvation, said I— what shall I do? 6 ་ "I went to my house. My poor pious wife, whom I had always ridiculed for her religion, as I called it, exclaimed, ́ Why, Mr. R--, what is the matter with you?' Matter enough,' said I, ' matter enough'filled with agony, and overwhelmed with a sense of sin. Old Elder B has rode two miles this cold morning to tell me he was greatly concerned for my salvation. What shall I do! what shall I do!' "I do not know what you can do,' said my now astonished wife, I do not know what better you can do, than to get on your horse, and go and see the elder. He can give you better counsel than I, and tell you what you must do to be saved.' "No sooner said than done. I mounted my horse, and pursued after him. I found him alone in that same little room, where he had spent the whole night in prayer for my poor soul, where he had shed many tears over such a reprobate as I, and had besought God to have mercy upon me. "I am come,' said I to him, 'to tell you that I am greatly concerned for my own salvation.' "Praised be God,' said the elder. 'It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, even the very chief;' and he began at that same Scripture, and preached to me Jesus. On that same floor we knelt, and together we prayed-and we did not separate that day till God spoke peace to my soul. I have often been requested to look at the eviapproaching. He dis-dence of the truth of religion, but blessed be God, I have evidence for its truth here mounted quickly, and entered. As he drew laying his hand upon his heart-which no- | bers of his congregation who had been a thing can gainsay or resist. I have often source of great trouble and anxiety to been led to look at this and that argument him, on account of their extreme gaiety for the truth of Christianity, but I could and worldliness. Their opposition to overturn, and as I thought completely demo- him, and those who sympathized with lish and annihilate them all. But I stand him, was very marked. The clergyman here to-night thankful to acknowledge that and his lady at length called upon the God sent an argument to my conscience and heart, which could not be answered or re- of him, we feel assured he had sought parties in question. From what we know sisted, when the weeping elder came to me to tell me how greatly concerned he was for counsel for wisdom and strength from my salvation. God taught him that argument, the only true source of all wisdom. Alwhere he spent the night before Him in though, most gifted in conversation prayer for my soul. Now I can truly say I as well (as before intimated) of am a happy man. My peace flows like a great pulpit ability, upon the occasion river. My consistent, uncomplaining wife, referred to, he was all but absolutely who so long bore with my impiety and unbe- silenced. His wife conversed, but all he lief, now rejoices with me, that by the grace could possibly say was, "May God bless of God I am what I am that whereas I was you!" He repeated this several times. blind, now I see. And here permit me Upon leaving, he felt mortified beyond to say, if you would wish to reach the heart expression. Well," thought he, "I of such a poor sinner as I, you must get your have made a fool of myself indeed. What qualifications where the good old elder did, in will these people think?" He left home, your closet, and as he did, on his knees. So it shall be with me. and, after a time, returned. Among his I will endeavour to first visitors was Mrs. reach the hearts of my infidel friends through (the lady the closet, and by prayer. upon whom and upon whose husband he had called.) Her countenance had undergone the completest change. Instead of lightness, and worldliness, and indifference, there was the deepest possible concern. "Do you remember calling upon me at such a time ?" Yes. "You made no remark except, May God bless you!' When you left, Mr. called my attention to it. He thought it strange, and so did I. I have been most unhappy ever since." Thus "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should "He sat down overcome with emotion, amid the tears and the suppressed sobs of the assembly. All were touched; for all knew what he once was, all saw what he had now become. * * * * * "Time on his noiseless wing, pursues his rapid flight." Years have gone by-and the good old elder has been numbered with the dead. But the converted infidel still lives; an earnest, honest, faithful, humble Chris tian." We are reminded by the foregoing of a circumstance which not very long since occurred in the South of England. A Clergyman of very considerable ability, and much beloved in the extensive sphere in which he was called to labour, was about with his family to leave home for a time. This being the case, he felt it behoved him to call upon certain mem-glory in his presence." EDITOR. SERMONS BY THE “OLD PILGRIM," OF BIRMINGHAM. (Continued from page 365). "The voice of my beloved."-SONG OF SOLOMON II. 8. THIS precious Song, composed by Solo- | being spiritually taught, will say anymon for the Church of God, is only thing to get out of difficulties, when known, as to its value, by those who God's word puzzles them; when it sets feel Christ precious. Some indeed may tell us that it was only written for Pharaoh's daughter. Indeed some men, pretending to preach the Gospel, not forth God's everlasting love to his Church, chosen in Christ Jesus, before the foundation of the world: but they who are taught by the Spirit of God, sufficiency, their own self-righteousness; anything to lull the poor soul, born for eternity; a sleep is welcome; it is all good; he does not spiritually discern, but like some people, fond of noisy music which drowns the softer feelings of the soul, he has no desire, no percep tion of that still small voice, the voice of Jesus. A stranger's voice, or Jesus's, it is all the same to them, because they know Him not: untaught of the blessed Spirit, they wander in boundless mazes, and know not the great Jehovah, as their Father in Christ Jesus, made known to them by the Holy Ghost; they wander on until hurled into everlasting destruction. Not so with God's dear children, taught by God the Holy Spirit, the absolute need of Christ, they hang upon Him; they long to hear his voice, and discern even in the midst of the dismal din of arms, the roarings of thunders, the shutting of the elements—“ It is I, be not afraid." This voice of our Beloved, this voice of Jesus our Lord, is, spiritually to discern, are enabled to look | hearer, "He heareth, even rejoiceth in at the things of God, as far above their it ;" but alas! he is careless and indifnatural reason, which is a truth indeed ferent; any voice building up their own -but the Spirit teaching them, they know that it is only by faith they can, and do know the things that pertain unto godliness. They are willing to believe, that what they know not now, they shall know hereafter. In the first verse of this beautiful chapter, Christ Jesus is set forth as the Rose of Sharon, the altogether lovely, spreading its fragrance (even after it withers) to the eye, in sweet perfume. As the Lily of the valley, fair by its simplicity, humility, elegance, and innocency. In the second verse, the Church is represented in the midst of earthly trials-though tried and persecuted, yet among the daughters of Jehovah, kept in his family; whilst in the following verses, the mercies of the Church, all derived from the great Head ―are sweetly represented in all their refreshing, comforting, and upholding influences; whilst even the overflowing of the Spirit's converse with the soul, needs his support, being more than the believer in his present state is able to bear. Blessed, thrice blessed are they who thus 1st, A voice of power. Behold Maknow Christ in them the hope of glory: nasseh, rolling in sin, wallowing in the looking forward with holy anxiety and filth of idolatry-the mire of iniquitysacred joy, to the moment, when faith but the voice of God was heard by him shall be hurried into sight, and the poor, in affliction. God spake, and Manasseh fearful, often-fainting believer shall be could not resist. Why not? Because enabled to say, "This is our God, and he was a chosen vessel, predestinated we have waited for Him; Holy, holy, therefore to be called-whilst Pharaoh, holy, is the Lord God Almighty." The a reprobate, was hardened, " raised up believer in holy ecstacy exclaims, in the by the Lord for that very purpose, to words of the text, "The voice of my shew forth his glory." Manasseh heard beloved." Ah! they only, who know the voice which the Holy Spirit brought and feel, "He loved me, and gave Him- home to his heart; he humbled himself, self for me," know what this precious and he served the Lord. Behold Christ voice is. 66 My sheep know my voice." on the sea shore-the voice of power Yes, precious Saviour, they know it, by was heard by the two sons of Zebedee: the blessed Spirit in their heart, in all its they heard, and left ship, nets, fish, faawakening, sin-abhorring, self-detesting, ther, and all, and followed Jesus. Matthew, powerful strength-imparting, purifying, sitting at the receipt of custom, heard world-withdrawing, comforting, uphold the voice of power—“ Follow me. He ing, loving, and heavenward-lifting in- arose, and followed Him. Nicodemus, fluences. though following slowly, yet the voice, The text presents us two things. Thou must be born again," spake First, The voice itself. powerfully, and he did follow Christ, Secondly, The Person described. even in the midst of death. And, not 1st, then, "The voice itself." A deaf to multiply instances-Saul, the bloodman can neither hear a voice, or a thirsty Saul, his hands reaking with gore, sound; neither can they hear, who are meditating murder and revenge against spiritually deaf; they hear not the voice the sheep and the lambs of Christ's flock, of Jesus; and what is worse, they know heard his voice, saying, Saul, Saul, not their want of this faculty. But an- why persecutest thou me ?" and, other kind of men, do hear; they seem though others who followed Him, heard alive; they seem to love dearly, hearing it as well as Saul, yet it was not the a voice, but like the stony-ground voice of power to them, but only to the |