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riencing it, and it would be no extravagant phantasy to believe that the pious author may find it one of the amazements of his future enlarging knowledge, to have a manifestation in some way unfolding itself to him, of even a minor part of the consequences of what he wrote.'

The other works of Doddridge, including his Commentary and smaller productions, have been of great practical utility to the church; and his labours during his life were eminently owned of God. It is interesting then to inquire, how he received his first impressions of religion? and we shall find the answer to be the same as might be given respecting multitudes of other eminent Christians-from his mother.

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By her he was brought up in the early knowledge of religion, And I have heard him relate, says his biographer, that his mother taught him the History of the Old and New Testament before he could read, by the assistance of some Dutch tiles in the chimney of the room where they commonly sat. And her wise and pious reflections upon the stories there represented, were the means of making some good impressions upon his heart, which never wore out. And therefore this method of instruction he constantly recommended to parents.'

He lost both his father and mother when young, but the word of God, sown by them in his heart, had taken deep root, and at an early age, it is

recorded of him, that he was remarkable for piety and diligent application to learning.'

M.

A MOTHER'S LOVE

2 TIMOTHY 1. 5.

BLEST infant! whom his mother taught
Early to seek the Lord;

And poured upon his dawning thought,
The day-spring of the word:
This was the lesson to her son,

Time is eternity begun,

Behold that mother's love!

Blest mother, who in Wisdom's path,
By her own parent trod,

Thus taught her son to flee the wrath,
And know the fear of God:

Ah youth! like him enjoy your prime,
Begin eternity in time,

Taught by that mother's love!

That mother's love! how sweet the name!

What was that mother's love?
The noblest, purest, tenderest flame,
That kindles from above;
Within a heart of earthly mould,

As much of heav'n as heart can hold,
Nor through eternity grows cold;
This was that mother's love.

THE REV. JOHN NEWTON.

It is not surprising that so remarkable a history as that of the Rev. John Newton, of Olney, should have excited a deep and general interest amongst various classes of readers.

It would indeed be difficult to point out a more wonderful instance of the riches of divine grace, manifested towards one of the vilest of sinners, who was destined afterwards to become a burning and shining light in the church of the living God; a preacher of that gospel which he long denied, and of that Saviour whom he crucified afresh by his affections and lusts.

The early impressions made upon his mind by a mother whom he lost in infancy, seem to have been like the seed sown deep in the earth, which,

after long patience,' sprang up, and brought forth fruit abundantly.

How encouraging an example to mothers, to go "forth with weeping, bearing precious seed," claiming the promise of God, that they "shall return again with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them."

The narrative of Newton's early history cannot be better related than in his own words, in a letter addressed to a friend.

'I can sometimes feel pleasure in repeating the grateful acknowledgements of David, " O Lord, I am thy servant, the son of thine hand-maid, thou hast loosed my bonds." The tender mercies of God towards me were manifested in the first moment of my life. I was born as it were in his house, and dedicated to him in my infancy.

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My mother, as I have heard from many, was a pious experienced Christian. I was her only child, and as she was of a weak constitution and a retired temper; almost her whole employment was the care of my education. I have some faint remembrance of her care and instructions.

'At a time when I could not be more than three years of age, she herself taught me English, and with so much success, (as I had something of a forward turn,) that when I was four years old, I could read with propriety in any common book that offered. She stored my memory, which was then very retentive, with many valuable pieces,

chapters, and portions of scripture, catechisms, hymns, and poems.

'My temper at that time seemed quite suitable to her wishes; I had little inclination to the noisy sports of children, but was best pleased when in her company; and always as ready to learn, as she was to teach me.

How far the best education may fall short of reaching the heart, will strongly appear in the sequel of my history; yet, I think, for the encouragement of pious parents to go on in the good way of doing their part faithfully to form their children's minds, I may properly propose myself as an instance.

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Though, in process of time, I sinned away all the advantages of these early impressions, yet they were for a great while a restraint upon me, they returned again and again, and it was very long before I could wholly shake them off; and when the Lord at length opened my eyes, I found a great benefit from the recollection of them.

Further, my dear mother, besides the pains she took with me, often commended me with many prayers and tears to God; and I doubt not but I reap the fruits of these very prayers to this hour.

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My mother observed my early progress with peculiar pleasure; and intended from the first to bring me up with a view to the ministry, if the Lord should so incline my heart. In my sixth

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