evening, when taking a little refreshment, he gave thanks, For strength in the time of weakness, for light in the time of darkness, for joy in the time of sorrow, for comforting us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those that are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.""

"On Tuesday (the 21st) his sister read to him several hymns. The last words he heard, and the last he seemed to understand, were those of Cowper's hymn, Sometimes the light surprises the Christian as he sings.' And then the delirium came on.

"At one time during the delirium, he said to his attendant, 'Mind the text, 1 Cor. xv, 58. Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,' dwelling with much emphasis on the last clause, 'forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord! At another time, he seemed to feel himself among his brethren, and said, 'I don't think much of policy in church courts; no, I hate it; but I'll tell you what I like, faithfulness to God, and a holy walk.' His voice, which had been weak before, became very strong now; and often was he heard speaking to, or praying for, his people. be awakened in time, or you will be awakened in everlasting torment, to your eternal confusion!' 'You may soon get me away, but that will not save your souls!' Then he prayed, 'This parish, Lord, this people, this whole place! At another time, Do it thyself, Lord, for thy weak servant! And again, as if praying for the saints, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me!'

'You must

"Thus he continued most generally engaged, while the delirium lasted, either in prayer or in preaching to his people, and always apparently in happy frame, till the morning of Saturday the 25th. On that morning, while his kind medical attendant, Dr. Gibson, stood by, he lifted up his hands as if in the attitude of pronouncing the blessing, and then sunk down. Not a groan or a sigh, but only a quiver of the lip, and his soul was at rest."-Pp. 145, 146.

Thus terminated the life and labors of "a good minister of Jesus Christ." He had labored as a preacher of the gospel a little more than eight years; but during this brief space had made higher attainments in holiness, and been the means of more good to the souls of men, than many, who have had the reputation of good ministers, have done in the space of half a century, but who have been more careful of life and strength, and less zealous for the honor of God and the salvation of souls. It is by no means the longest life that tells the most effectually upon the interests of the world. A Pollok, a Treffry, a Summerfield, or a M'Cheyne, has done more in a few years to bless the church, and save sinners, and make himself a name, than others have done in a period of six times the same length. And why are not such instances regarded as specially favored? The struggle was indeed severe, but it was not long; the battle was hot, but it was soon over, and terminated in glorious victory.

But we, poor erring mortals, are inclined to query:-Why, when men's talents for usefulness just begin to develop, and they exhibit extraordinary endowments, and the state of the church and the world seems to call loudly for such gifts, why are they so often snatched away y? Such are our blind reasonings upon the ways of God. We know not the special reason for these dispensations, but we do know that God is infinitely good and infinitely wise; and the purposes of his goodness and wisdom may be answered in ways and modes far beyond our comprehension. The very measures which we suppose wisest and best might turn out infinitely foolish and fatally injurious. The very brevity of life may, in many instances, be the means of making men instrumental of the greatest amount of good to the universe. "Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." God has purposes to answer in our death as well as in our life. And he does not intend to do all by one instrument or by a few instruments. The work designed for one may be done soon, and that for another may occupy a long period. And we may be assured that for the accomplishment of the great work of the world's regeneration, he has an ample store of instrumentalities left, and he will not remove one of these, not even the smallest, while it is at all necessary to the accomplishment of the grand design. We may suppose that the work will cease when we are discharged from service, or any given number or class of instruments shall be removed: but God may see that those whom we suppose so necessary to the prosperity and progress of his cause would, if longer spared, act as a prejudice, and essentially impede the progress of the car of salvation. We must, however, forbear these reflections.

Our principal object in this paper has been to bring out the extraordinary characteristics of a very remarkable character. This we have done for the purposes of example-of reproof and of encouragement-as occasion may require. We would have the young minister especially to look at the admirable qualities of a faithful and a successful minister, not merely to admire them, but to imbibe and to imitate them. See what a spirit of prayer, of self-denial, of zeal, of faith, of meekness, and of patience, exhibited itself in a comparatively young minister and young Christian. See what a ripeness for heaven and readiness to discard and leave the world, in the midst of a tide of success and popularity, are here presented to our view. See what a pattern of industry, see how time may be improved, and to what valuable account it may be turned. In these two heavy volumes we may see how much a diligent hand can write in the midst of a heavy burden of studies

and pastoral duties. How are idle ministers-drowsy shepherdsgreedy dogs-here put to shame!

Mr. M'Cheyne was an admirable preacher, a good letter writer, and a tolerable poet. Some pretty specimens of his poetry are to be found scattered through these volumes; but we must refer our readers to the book itself. As a theologian we must merely take such exceptions to him as an orthodox Arminian would necessarily take to an orthodox Calvinist. The papers published in these volumes are almost entirely devoted to experimental and practical religion. But occasionally an expression occurs and a theological proposition is laid down, which is not according to our views of gospel truth. We shall, however, introduce no particular instances of this kind, as it would extend this article too far were we to do so, and especially were we to add such criticisms as the occasion might call for.

Occasionally Mr. M'Cheyne agrees with us upon a point upon which many Calvinistic divines do not. We give the following upon the knowledge of forgiveness.

"Never rest till you can say what John says, (1 John v, 19,) We know that we are of God.' The world always loves to believe that it is impossible to know that we are converted. If you ask them, they will say, 'I am not sure-I cannot tell;' but the whole Bible declares we may receive, and know we have received, the forgiveness of sins. See Psalm xxxii, 1; 1 John ii, 12. Seek this blessedness-the joy of having forgiveness; it is sweeter than honey and the honey-comb. But where shall I seek it? In Jesus Christ. God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.' 'He that hath the Son, hath life, and he that hath not the Son, hath not life.' 1 John v, 10.”— P. 213.

We will close this paper with a notice of a sentiment which is contained in one of Mr. M'Cheyne's letters, which seems to chime in peculiarly with our present feelings. It is as follows:

"MY DEAR MRS. T.-You know how glad I would be of some such retreat as Elijah had by the brook Cherith, where I might learn more of my own heart, and of my Bible, and of my God, where I might while away the summer hours in quiet meditation, or talking of his righteousness all the day long. But it is only said of the dead in the Lord that they rest from their labors; and I fear I must not think of resting till then. Time is short, my time especially, and souls are precious; and I fear many are slumbering because I watch not with sufficient diligence, nor blow the trumpet with sufficient clearness."P. 212.

The idea of "rest" is pleasant, but the thing seems to be as far from us as it was from the young Scotch preacher. We have often looked forward for a little relief; but every day has, so far,

brought its toils. At this moment it is possible that some of our friends in the city suppose we are enjoying the luxury of rest. But here we are in the chamber of a little parsonage in the north of Pennsylvania, delving on from day to day at an article, that we may not be deficient when we return and are asked for "copy." This is not just the mode of rusticating that flesh and blood would choose, but it is far better than none. For though we are obliged to absent ourselves from the society of dear friends, and work hard for a portion of each day, yet we have the advantage of pure country air, and cool, refreshing nights, neither of which could we have in New-York. But we must drop this strain lest we should be chargeable with occupying the reader's attention with personal matters. Thus much we hope will be borne without complaint. Waymart, Wayne Co., Pa., Aug. 6, 1847.

ART. VI.-Sketches of Matters and Things in Europe.

OUR object in these papers, as all will at once perceive, is not to give a complete view of the places and interesting objects which came under our observation. The limited time we spent in Europe, and the rapidity with which we were obliged to pass from one point to another, necessarily prevented our seeing all we wished to see, or having as perfect knowledge of what did come under our observation as we desired. Still we hope we may, from what we saw, and the incidents of our travels, furnish our readers with a few pages of sketches which will afford them a little entertainment, and which may, at least to some, be instructive. How far we shall proceed we can now give no pledge. We at present purpose to prepare for our next number a paper upon Scotland, Whether our temerity will be equal to an attempt to present anything further upon England, or to say anything in relation to our visit to the continent, is at present quite problematical. Small as is our undertaking, it is both delicate and hazardous. But we will at least venture on a little further.

We closed our preceding paper with a view of the British Conference which held its session in Bristol. This city, at least, demands a slight notice. Bristol is a very ancient city, as the appearance of many parts of it clearly shows. It was the Caer Brito of the Britons, and Brightstow of the Saxons. It lies upon an elevated peninsula formed by the confluence of the Frome and

Avon. Like Rome, it rests upon seven hills: these with the intermediate valleys give the city a most picturesque appearance. For a long time Bristol was, in commercial importance, only second to London. In this respect it is now far outstripped by Liverpool. The decline of trade, it is said, is owing to the policy of the corporation in relation to the docks. The population of Bristol proper in 1832 was one hundred and four thousand three hundred and thirty-eight. There are many fine specimens of antiquity still to be seen. Among these is a portion of the ancient mall. There is a gateway called "St. John's Gate," containing the grooves of the huge portcullis, the porter's lodge, &c., all in perfection. And on one side are the statues of Brennus and Belinus, with the insignia of royalty in their hands, who are said to have reigned conjointly after the death of their father. It is said that the city was built by Brennus, a prince of the Britons, three hundred and eighty years before the Christian era. It now contains many noble structures, both ancient and modern, which would be well worth description did our limits permit. Among these is the old church of St. Mary Redcliffe, which is said to have been founded in 1292.

This old church is the place in which the famous young poet, Chatterton, professed to have made his wonderful discoveries of ancient records and drawings, and of several of the most splendid poetical productions which adorn English literature, which he ascribed to Rowley and others, but the whole of which he coined out of his own brain, when a lad of fifteen! And here, by the old church, stands his monument, though where his bones are no one knows, as, in consequence of cruel neglect, he committed suicide in London, and was buried among beggars.

Bristol is remarkable for having connected with its history some of the most illustrious names. Among these are Bishop Butler, Southey, Coleridge, John Foster, Robert Hall, and Hannah More. And here Methodism made its first permanent stand. Here Mr. Wesley erected his first chapel, and here he dated the Preface to his Notes upon the New Testament.

We made a most delighful excursion to Clifton, a mile or two below Bristol, and constituting the aristocratic portion of that city. Clifton is situated upon a high cliff on the north side of the Avon. The cliff is terraced and variously ornamented, and presents a most picturesque appearance. At the foot of the cliff are "the Bristol Hot Wells," to which Mr. Wesley resorted when under the influence of a pulmonary affection which greatly alarmed his friends. We ascended the steep, and, from the observatory, had a most enchanting view of Bristol and the surrounding country.