deceive the soul in a dark body with false imaginations. In such a case then, an Hippocrates is as requisite as a Barnabas, a Physician as a Minister, for, say what we can, it will be with the soul in a melancholy body, as with a candle in a dark lantern, its light will still be dim and dismal; and oh what terrors of strange imaginations, and strong passions, does this distemper work in the whole man! Wherefore, seeing that it is Do natural cause that can calm the soul, nor any spitual remedy that shall cure the body, they must be joined together: the Physician for the body, and the Minister for the soul, and God's blessing for both. Which blessing he vouchsafe through Jesus Christ. Amen.

SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST.

October 18th,

ANTIOCH, the chief city of Syria, renowned for its wealth and learning, is mentioned as the birth-place of St. Luke. He was a Physician, but God designed him for a more exalted office, and called him to be an Evangelist and Physician of the Soul. Of the manner or exact time of his calling we are not informed: some suppose him to have been one of the seventy, and others that he was converted by St. Paul during his abode at Antioch. He wrote the Acts of the Apostles, and the Gospel known by his name. His style of writing bears evidence of a finished education, a refined mind, and a "perfect understanding of all things from the very first," and his praise is in the

Gospel, "for his fidelity, boldness, and love in his Christian office and profession. He attended St. Paul in all his dangers; was present with him on several occasions at Jerusalem; went with him to Rome; ministered to his necessities, and was employed to convey messages to the different Christian Churches. St. Paul thus speaks of him in 2 Cor. viii. 18, "And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the Churches; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the Churches to travel with us," &c. He remained stedfast to the Apostle when others forsook him, "only Luke is with me," 2 Tim. iv. 11, and probably continued with him even to his martyrdom. Of his labors after the death of St. Paul we have no certain record.

From this Evangelist having been a Physician the Church would lead us to pray, that by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by St Luke, all the diseases of our souls may be healed;' our state by nature is repeatedly represented in Scripture as a state of spiritual disease-"our whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds and bruises and putrifying sores ;" the Gospel of Christ is our only remedy; he is "the balm in Gilead," he is the great "Physician ;" "he healeth the stroke of our wounds," he healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." "With his stripes we are healed." Alas, that so few should be disposed to see this great Physician; they feel not their sickness. It is the malignant, deadly, character of the spiritual disease to lull into insensibility. "They that

be whole," that is, in their own view," need not a Physician; but they that are sick." The soul must feel its sickness; must be conscious of its sins; then the remedy will be sought, and will not be sought in vain. "He binds up that which is broken, he strengthens that which is sick;" unto you that fear my name," saith the Lord, "shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings." Reader, dost thou feel thy sickness? If not, "awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Take with thee words and turn unto him, say "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved." He will hear thee, and give medicine to heal thy sickness, so shalt thou " no more say I am sick." K. H. J.

ESTHER REES.

It is much to be regretted that the festivals of our Church should not be more generally observed by the lower orders of society, in the spirit which led our Apostolic forefathers to appoint their commemoration. It well becomes those who are chosen to be "watchmen," " shepherds," and "overseers" of "God's heritage," to adopt some measures to counteract the disposition which obtains among the poor to pervert feasts designed for higher purposes, into occasions of luxury and excess. An effort of the kind was found successful in the parish of -, where a portion of the congregation were in the habit of absenting themselves from the afternoon service, on one of the festival Sundays. To prevent the recurrence of this

desecration, the vigilant Pastor resolved to fix on that day for preaching annually to a distinct class of the community, whose spiritual interests he felt must be specifically met, and whose age and taste rendered them peculiarly liable to yield to the solicitations of their associates, and to desert their accustomed seats in the sanctuary on these occasions. So great an interest was excited by the announcement of the sermon to young persons, that not only the former wanderers were found flocking to the Church, but a concourse of people attracted by this happily directed counterinfluence, were brought under the power of the word; many of whom became, and are now, the living witnesses of its transforming efficacy, and adorn the Gospel by a meek, lowly, consistent deportment. Annual addresses to the aged, heads of families, and servants, were consequently established. From the second chapter of the epistle to Titus, the 9th and 10th verses, the duties of servants, as enjoined by St. Paul, were affectionately unfolded, warm and lively appeals were made to the heart and conscience, the necessity of repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, solemnly enforced, examples of Christian servants were exhibited, and the whole closed with the message of peace, "We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled!" The word was accompanied with signs following. And as in the days of the Apostles there were those present who stood self-accused, pride was wounded, they were "cut to the heart," and on going away," spake against the things that were spoken;" so there were others who were constrained to cry, with the Philippian Jailor, from their inmost souls, "What shall I do to be

saved?" It will not be fully known until "that day when the Lord shall make up his jewels," and the crown of rejoicing is set on the head of those "who turn many to righteousness," to whom the preachof Christ became a sweet savor of life. This, at least, has been ascertained, "There was joy that day in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repented." But the rolling year had nearly completed its course ere the faithful ambassador's praises were mingled with those of the heavenly host, and he was anew encouraged "to triumph in Christ" on behalf of another trophy of redeeming grace. The next sermon to servants contained the blessed intelligence of the new birth, accomplished warfare, and finished course of the humble individual, who from having been a "servant to sin," had from this time her "fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

The following brief and simple outline was communicated to the Clergyman by a Christian Friend, and read by him from the pulpit to his deeply interested hearers

Esther Rees was a young servant of good moral character, but quite destitute of religious feeling, and rarely frequented any place of worship. In November 18th, she was induced by a friend to go to St. Church, to hear a sermon particularly addressed to servants. The truths then brought to her ears forcibly struck her mind, and it pleased God to apply them so powerfully to her heart, by the Holy Spirit, that from this period she became deeply sensible of her sinfulness by nature and practice. After much sorrow and anxiety upon this subject she was led, through a constant attendance upon the same