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how deep was her concern for the spiritual welfare of the afflicted, or how generously and unostentatiously she ministered to their temporal necessities. Her benevolence was bounded more by her circumstances than her disposition of heart. She scrupulously devoted a tenth of all she possessed to charitable and religious purposes; yet, so expansive was her kindness, that she has, on many occasions, evidenced the deepest regret that her means more commensurate with the wants of the suffering poor, or the claims of the church of God. In how many cases, and how largely, the tide of her liberality overflowed the boundaries which a calculating prudence might perhaps have fixed, was never known till it was seen how universally her death was lamented. The poor of every church around her experienced her bounty; her hand and her heart were alike open to the needy of all religions, whether of the crucifix or the cross; suffering humanity had always claims that, to a heart like hers, were irresistible. Indeed, the character of Mrs. Montgomery was remarkable, not so much for any one particular virtue, as for its beautiful completeness and harmony. One, who has known her long and intimately, and who has seen her in every relation she sustained in life, has stated, that he never knew any Christian who more fully answered to the description of character implied in the language of St. Paul to the Philippians: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

She seemed to have some anticipation of premature removal from this world, as she often gave utterance to that well-known sentiment with a kind of prophetic feeling, "Sudden death is sudden glory!" The last time she met in her class, when speaking of her religious experience, she said, with great feeling and impressiveness, “I am trying to live more for heaven, and more in heaven." In a conversation with one of her Ministers, two days before her death, some allusion having been made by him to the Centenary of Wesleyan Methodism, and gratitude expressed for the great increase of numbers during the past century, and the large proportion of members now living in the enjoyment of Gospel salvation, she exclaimed, with a look of indescribable interest, "You forget those who have gone to the skies: let us take into the account all those now before the throne through the instrumentality of Methodism, and say, 'What hath God wrought!"" The writer of this article had the privilege of her society for nearly two years; but never did he estimate it more highly than during the last week of her life. Her health appeared even unusually good; her conversation, always remarkable for its spirituality, seemed quite "in heaven!" The sacred Scriptures were almost continually before her; prayer seemed

the very element of her being. How often have we been struck with her appearance, as, descending from the Mount, she entered the sitting-room; her eyes sparkling as with more than human light, and her whole countenance beaming as with a "radiancy divine," which told us how she had "beheld, with open face, the glory of the Lord, and had been changed into the same image from glory to glory!" On one of these occasions, she requested us to read her favourite hymn, "The God of Abraham praise." The conversation which followed will not soon be forgotten. It seemed to lift us above the world, and to give us a foretaste of the communion which the redeemed enjoy in heaven.

On Saturday, January 5th, 1839, she was suddenly attacked by an illness, which in a few hours terminated her valuable life. She expressed herself happy in God, and calmly resigned to his will; but neither she herself, nor any of her friends, anticipated the nearness of her change from mortality to life. And when that change did come, it resembled translation rather than death, except that the earthly tabernacle remained behind; but the spirit, in its triumph and its flight, left upon the "sleeping clay" the smile and flush of victory! The occasion of her death was improved, in a very impressive discourse, by the Superintendent of the Circuit, the Rev. Robert Masaroon, from that portion of Scripture, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

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TRUE ZEAL FOR THE CHURCH.

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SACRED zeal has a concern for all the societies of which the catholic church is composed. It knows that they are the heritage of its heavenly Father; that they are the portion that this world will yield to the Redeemer. In them, his spouse, the purchase of his blood, the offspring of his agonies and pangs, the satisfaction of his soul, his interest and glory, are lodged. How dear must the church be to sacred zeal! It will be ready to study her interests, and breathe after her enlargement and confirmation. It will la ment the divisions and distractions of the churches; the dishonour that is thus done to God and the Mediator; the reproach that is cast upon his religion; the stumbling-block laid in the way of the world; the discouragement under which young converts are made to labour. Sad, that the most pacific and cementing religion should be made the occasion and matter of so many implacable feuds and dissensions! But true zeal will turn its lamentations into prayers, that these disorders may be healed; and to prayer, will join its services and attempts. O how happy were the churches did such a zeal flourish amongst them!-John Reynolds. (1716.)

ON THE RIGHT USE OF TEMPORAL BLESSINGS, AS A
BRANCH OF CHRISTIAN DUTY.

(To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine.)

To be able, clearly and distinctly, to mark the hand of an Almighty Benefactor in the reception of temporal blessings is a high and valuable attainment; but of still greater importance to the soul, and its advancement in holiness, is the manner and spirit in which these are received and appropriated.

This point in Christian experience will bear more solemn and prayerful meditation than is generally bestowed on it. Were such blessings received by minds well disciplined and vigilantly secured against self-sufficiency and vainglorying, more blessed results would follow the good things of this life, and more correct models of the purity, the dignity, and the humility of Christ would be exhibited amongst those of his followers who are placed in an easy or affluent condition.

The mind of man is naturally buoyant and subtle, and it is not an easy matter for him to receive a crowd of earthly blessings as they ought to be received, retaining and using them in such a manner as will render them truly profitable to himself and his fellow-creatures. To human nature it is certainly flattering and pleasing to walk abroad in the streets, to move amongst friends and neighbours, to transact the business of life, under the sunshine of temporal prosperity; but to maintain a chastened frame of mind, a proper equilibrium of temper, a heart free from the specks and blemishes of arrogance and haughtiness, of pride and display, is a difficult, and yet an awfully momentous, duty.

Such seasons of temporal brightness, though enviably inviting to those who look only on external appearances, bring with them a train of perils which have strong tenden

cies to check the growth of vital godliness. They are apt to enchain the thoughts, the desires, and the affections to the world; they lead to self-confident boasting, or improper levity; there is often manifested less simplicity, less watchfulness, a more lofty bearing, and a larger share of assurance in acting.

Too frequently a spirit of worldliness stealthily encompasses the soul, and renders it more impervious to the pure radiance of Christian holiness; the out-goings of thought wax lighter and freer, and less frequently aspire after the solemn realities of eternity.

Temporal advantages, to be rightly received, require a large preponderance of special grace. This must be the unceasing aim of the recipient, or they will never be real blessings to him. They must have blended with them a proportionate increase of spiritual-mindedness, and of deep, fervent, humble piety: if this be not the case, the soul will decline in holiness and purity, and be found committing various errors in straying from that point-Calvary-on which the eye of the Christian must be fixed if he would "grow in grace," and in "the love of Christ."

Hence there was a stern necessity, that each rising of the soul, each avenue of the thoughts, each excursion of the wishes, be vigilantly guarded, lest earthly enjoyments and pleasures, earthly fashions and allurements, earthly successes and prospects, be found usurping dominion in the kingdom of the heart, where the Deity ought to reign supreme and unrivalled.

One of the great sources of internal security possessed by the Christian, is the evidence faith affords him of being under the special guidance and protection of a superintending Providence; and when peace

is within his walls, and prosperity within his borders, he marks the hand which hath been stretched out in his behoof, and with gratitude acknowledges the "tender mercy" of the Giver.

But such ascriptions of gratitude must also be accompanied by open and practical results, or they neither can nor will be well-pleasing in the sight of Him from whom they have been received. Bare acknowledgments are not sufficient; they must have a tangible and visible form in the life, so that the world may take knowledge of them," and thus be able to profit by them.

In bestowing gifts on friends or acquaintances, we look for more substantial proofs of gratitude than mere acknowledgments: we look for a return, if not in kind, at least in quantity; we love to see that the grateful recollections are graven on the memory, and virtually acknowledged in the subsequent behaviour, character, and speech of the recipient; and also regard these grateful returns as beautiful traits of a noble and rightly-disciplined mind.

Much more does He, whose omniscient eye scans every peculiarity, marks every thought, and registers every action, look for a right return and use of those blessings He has been pleased to bestow. How necessary, therefore, that Christians should earnestly and prayerfully endeavour to make "those returns his love requires," when, in his tender mercies, overlooking previous waywardness and rebellion in the wilderness, he turneth them into green pastures, and leadeth them beside the still waters, raineth down manna around their path, and causeth gushing streams to flow at their feet! How ought they, beneath such an accumulation of benefits, more strictly and solemnly to guard the conduct, lest they be found guilty of ingratitude or forgetfulness!

Gifts from earthly friends are generally the reward of merit; but on this ground man, in the sight of his Creator, as inherently estranged from him, has no title. Temporal prosperity is often found to be the

VOL. XX. Third Series. MAY,

result of human ingenuity and skill; yet mortals have no right to arrogate to themselves credit on that ground; such capabilities are the gifts of God; and if he has been pleased to bestow them on his creatures, and has opened a field for the exercise of their exertions, and permitted attending successes, can He not, as the controller of events, as easily baffle the schemes of men, and take away their capacity to act, as he can prepare and enlarge the theatre of their exertions, and permit them to taste the sweets arising from successful results in their performances and speculations?

Inherent merit man has not; all earthly blessings, of whatever nature they may be, whatever guise they may assume, however they may act on those who receive them, are primarily derived from the beneficent hand of the Almighty; and it is in this light the Christian mind contemplates and receives them, and is called on to improve them.

It is, therefore, to the right use of such temporal blessings, and the effects they are intended to produce on the Christian,-in his experience, his character, and actions, whilst passing on in his pilgrimage through this world of allurement and noise, of suspicion and detraction, that these remarks have more special reference.

So much is the world governed by appearances, that when what is termed "Fortune" smiles, or seems to smile, on man, a thousand excellencies and meritorious properties are discovered, which would, in all probability, have remained hidden or unappreciated, had his circumstances been of a contrary character; talent and capabilities are brought into conspicuous observation; he is often drawn into public offices, and public honours are bestowed. The same principle is carried on in the church, when one of its members appears to be blessed by Providence, when the Lord seems to command "a blessing on his storehouses, and in all he setteth his hand unto;" "when he maketh him plenteous in goods and cattle;" more especially if these he accom1841. 2 D

panied with talents for public usefulness; then he begins to occupy a different station in the regards of his fellow-men; their opinions of him become more elevated; he is invited forward into more active service, where the affairs of the church are concerned; he is considered eligible for holding various prominent and responsible situations; duties devolve on him, and performances are expected from him; and, as he is thus involved in the interests and responsibilities of that section of Christ's church of which he is a member, the eye of observation is raised to him; his character seems to have become public property, and men unceremoniously perambulate its boundaries, survey it in all its length and breadth, and make measurements and calculations accordingly. His mode of acting, his style of living, the amount and manner of his benefactions, his observations, his opinions, his dress and equipage, are made the subjects of public cognizance, too often unnecessarily and censoriously. It is also a truth that persons of this class are frequently the objects of envy and misrepresentation amongst those of their brethren and fellow-labourers whose path is less prosperous; unjust and unchristian analogies or comparisons are drawn, and past and present circumstances contrasted. Illiberal and foolish remarks are passed regarding their conduct; occurrences and deeds are brought out and dilated on, and frequently magnified into gross acts of inconsistency, or imprudence, or arrogance, which really in themselves were natural and unintentional.

Distortion is so perpetually wandering abroad amongst all classes of society, that Truth is seldom seen, and facts rarely appear in their native colours. So much are they by the detailer draperied and enveloped in the fantasies of the imagination, that, to form right opinions, and to come to just conclusions from observations made, and statements exhibited, respecting character and conduct, is extremely

difficult. Amongst human beings, generally, how recklessly and unceremoniously are comments made, facts magnified, and observations, in themselves harmless and unintentional, enlarged upon without the least sympathy!

It is therefore highly necessary that the conduct of those thus raised, by the mercy of Providence, somewhat above the generality of those with whom they are connected, should be marked by caution and prudence, and that their character should have stamped on it, broadly and prominently, the image of the meek and lowly Jesus.

Temporal blessings are talents; and it is intended they should produce as large an amount of interest as any other gifts. Perhaps few talents can so readily be brought into practical and visible exercise. There is less exertion of intellect required; the path is bright, and broad, and plain to the possessors of them; the world is their circuit; its occupants are the subjects of their care; those who dwell more immediately within the range of their personal knowledge or connexion, are to be benefited by them, temporally and spiritually. Wherever an opening offers for disinterested benevolence, there they are to act. They are left guardians of the lonely widow and desolate orphan. They are required to be the assistants of that honest, yet harassed, Christian, who has so often to work his way amid the obstacles and difficulties of pecuniary embarrassments: such a one it is their office to benefit and console by their advice and patronage.

How many sincere professors of the religion of the lowly Saviour would shine out brilliantly before the world, were they in their temporal affairs aided by the disinterested exertions of their richer brethren in Christ! But, too frequently overlooked and contemned, the pious poor man prefers to seek assistance from the worldling, and cheerfully receives from him those favours and bounties which, from a brother in Christ, would not be bestowed without many suspicious and

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