When Mr. Venning last left England, in 1817, in company with a well known and highly estimable Missionary, Mr. Stallybrass, neither himself nor his friends contemplated a long absence from his native country; Providence however so ordered it, that it should be a final farewell. From that time to the day of his death, the subject of this Memoir was far better known to his excellent friends in St. Petersburg, than he could be to those whom he left at home. Their report, added to personal acquaintance, during the last few months of his life, has enabled my beloved Brother in the Christian Ministry, the Rev. Richard Knill, to present to public attention the contents of this interesting Volume. From the occasional correspondence, and from the testimony of writers, it was highly gratifying to us who loved him, to hear of the continued and active zeal and benevolence of our indefatigable friend. We hailed the expected period of his return, and were flattering ourselves, that in his presence and co-operation, we should find additional incentives to every work of faith and labour of Joye.--Alas! It was otherwise ordered by Him

who doeth all things well. The circumstances which terminated in his speedy dissolution are minutely and accurately related in the ensuing pages.

It is my earnest wish and devout prayer, that the perusal of them may be the means of exciting in the minds of many, especially of the young, a holy emulation to follow in the path of piety and benevolence, this enlightened Christian Philanthropist, while his death, at an age not far exceeding that which was attained by the Son of God himself in human nature, tends to impress on the heart that memorable declaration,

must work the works of Him that sent me, while

it is day; the night cometh, in which no man can work."

MEMOIR.

THE fond remembrance of departed worth often conducts us in imagination to the tombs, to renew our converse with the dead, and to place again before the mind those relatives and friends whom we shall see in this world no more. Hence the history of man has generally been considered the most interesting species of writing, and has been read by all ages with greater avidity than any other compositions. The history of a good man has peculiar advantages. It exhibits to us an individual of like passions with ourselves, passing through the various walks of life, enjoying its comforts, enduring its trials, and in all things acquitting himself in his true character. There he teaches us how to live. We follow him from the busy scenes of life to the solitude of the sick chamber. There he teaches us how to suffer. We accompany him to the entrance of the valley of the shadow of death, and beholding his acqui

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escence in the will of God, and with what serenity he commits his spirit into the hands of his Redeemer, we learn the important lesson how to die-and as we retire from a scene so sacred, we are penetrated with the sentiment of the Prophet, and involuntarily exclaim, “ Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his." Such was the life and such the death of Mr. WALTER VENNING. He was born at Totness in Devonshire, on the 15th of Nov. 1781. In that salubrious and beautiful neighbourhood he spent his early days, under the tender care and vigilant superintendence of his pious parents; whose devoted attachment to their youngest son made them ever solicitous to train him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

y His father was engaged in commercial pursuits, and young Walter was educated with a view to the same honourable employment. With the fairest prospects he embarked on the ocean of commerce a source of riches, of treasures, and of cares, unknown to strangers, by which many have risen to the most exalted stations in society, and by their wisdom, prudence, enterprize, and benevolence, have diffused unnumbered blessings to the most distant regions. But while many find the seat of commerce to be the seat of honour, of riches, and of usefulness there are others