Manga, the highest of the seven principal chiefs, was carried out like a stone. He has been a most wicked, proud, and cruel man, and often was the occasion of sighs and tears. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered, he retired to the Bush (the only privacy of Samoans) to seek for mercy; and, several hours after, was brought in as dead by some who had found him in his place of prayer. Thus mighty is the Word of God. Toa, nearly equal in rank, wept almost the whole time. JEHOVAH, the work is thine, and thine shall be the glory-stay not thine hand! I could go on for pages; but I must refrain. I am watching with who is again quite ill to-night. It is indeed difficult to trust without complaining. Yet it is (I hope I can say) our Father's rod. Oh, that my own mother could see this work! The following day brought no abatement of the influence: the cloud of blessing seemed still unexhausted, and the chapel, if possible, was more crowded than ever, report having brought many persons from a distance; the arrows of conviction flew thick on every side, and multitudes of people were pierced to the heart. Before the close of the service, one-third of the assembly had been led or carried out, men and women being alike affected and overpowered. A curious illustration of a particular state of mind was indicated on this occasion: the pious people crowded round the pulpit, and those that were unconverted, unable to stay away, and yet afraid they should be brought down, withdrew to distant corners of the edifice, as much as might be; but none could escape by simply skulking into corners-they were brought down as with a musket. The narrative states that "the struggles of some of both the sexes were awful." The state of things here indicated perfectly corre sponds, in all its parts, with that which occurred during the last century in many parts of Great Britain and America. The narrative goes on: It is very remarkable, that the blessing has uniformly descended by far most copiously during prayer. Though the passage be the most solemn, and the remarks the most melting or most awful, still all is comparatively quiet till united prayer ascends. And this has seldom failed, since the commencement of this new stage of the revival, to be accompanied with a marked, and sometimes, as stated above, with a wonderful effect. God seems to honour prayer and his own Word, and not to bless the address to the people till he is particularly called on for the blessing. Thus he takes to himself the glory. Manga sometimes writhed under the Word to-day, and had his hitherto dry and haughty eye moistened by a tear, had struggled yesterday, as many did, but held out against fainting. If he I don't believe the people could have removed him, his frame is so herculean. Leato, another of the seven, was car ried out both yesterday and to-day. It is also remarkable how Mr. Murray's strength holds out. Each day he is entirely exhausted at the close of the meeting, and each day new strength comes as it is wanted. "As the day is, so shall thy strength be." The teachers unanimously agree in Mr. Murray had thought to leave toaddressing another meeting to-morrow. morrow, for a day of rest before the Friday meeting, as many seem quite worn out, but the people have no wish food, and so a meeting is determined to go; the new-comers have brought on, that we may not refuse when the Lord waiteth to be gracious. Two women came yesterday for the first time, having just renounced heathenism, and both were carried out. Thus does the Lord depart occasionally from the usual train of preparation. They were in some measure, however, ac quainted with the general plan of the Gospel. Mr. Lundie speaks in terms of the most intense affection for his colleague, Mr. Murray-a man who, it seems, "travailed for souls," and who had preceded this work with much agonizing prayer, the duty of which Mr. Lundie thus specifies: There is surely a great mistake in referring listlessly to God's sovereignty, &c., in regard to revivals. His word is, "Ask, and ye shall receive," and "Ye have not, because ye ask not." The blessing stands indissolubly connected with the appointed means; and we see that when these are used, it accompanies them in the Spirit: the richest and best gift is promised, and it alone is promised without condition, for it alone is always a seasonable blessing. Come, O breath! and breathe into the hearts of those who keep the flock, that they may live anew, and be the instruments of reviving thy work everywhere. We trace the renewed awakening back to the May meeting, and especially to the extra service on the Thursday morning, which I then mentioned. Prayers and cries continue without ceasing still, and it draws towards midnight. This spirit of prayer surely indicates a continued and increasing blessing. Meantime, for my share, "my soul cleaveth unto the dust"-I am quite weak and weary in prayer partly, I am willing to believe, from weakness, induced by watching at nights with Oh, I long to be aroused and quickened! but the exertion it requires is more than I seem able to make. The matter did not end here, but still went on with undiminished power. Special reference is made to old Manga, a great chief-a man of unusual muscular vigour, and yet this man was cut down, and borne out as if dead; and towards the end of the meeting he returned, "looking softened and humbled as a child." Special reference is made to the clearness of the views which the converts entertained of the Gospel, and the extreme joy with which their hearts were lighted up. It seems this Manga was once "haughty and cruel," and as a chief he had, unhappily, the means of gratifying his passions to the fullest extent; but the power of the Gospel at once turned him into a new creature. One curious feature of this case was the enmity which he had to the Missionary prior to his conversion, which, of course, was completely slain, and turned into an opposite affection of the utmost strength. The question of polygamy was interwoven with his case, and subjected him to a severe trial, which, however, he most honourably sustained. These examples may suffice to illustrate to our readers what is really meant by the Gospel being preached "with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven," and coming to the hearts of men "not in word only, but in power." They will not fail to compare this with the state of things throughout the bulk of the heathen world, and to see the necessity of power descending from on high. They will clearly distinguish between form and vitality, and see that nothing can either make Christians, or preserve them when made, but the constant supply of this Spirit of grace. Such illustrations will enable them to put meaning into words, when they supplicate a heavenly baptism. It is easy, and but too common, to utter the words; but to understand, and with a willing heart to desire what is supplicated, is another thing. Come the day when every locality of our native land shall be distinguished by such movements as those which are here narrated of Samoa! That day will assuredly arrive. God hath willed it, that the whole earth shall be filled with his glory. ARE YOU IN THE WAY TO HEAVEN? the grave and into eternity; and then how wretched are you, if, when you have done with worldly enjoyments, it may be said that you have received your consolation!" Care-worn and deluded mortal, let the spell of your infatuation be broken. Relax your hold on these transient vanities, and grasp the enduring riches. Have respect to the crown of life! and drop your muck-rake. Oh! fly to Jesus; quickly fly! You have no time to lose! Life is almost gone! Death is pressing on your heel, and the judgment throne well-nigh bursting forth to your view. Suffer not a moment's delay. Seek the Lord while he is yet to be found. This night thy soul may be required of thee. WHEN we see our fellow-men around us so intensely occupied in the pursuit of earthly objects, that there is neither time nor disposition left to seek the friendship of Jesus Christ, there is something that whispers to the mind, "Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!" In their insensibility and hardness of heart, they are groping their way like blind men through the darkness, and must inevitably fail of securing their highest interest. However wise their course may be for the attainment of temporal advantages, they are the veriest fools in the sight of God. You who have no better portion than the possessions of this earth, are to be of all men the most miserable. Your treasures must PRESS ON, CHRISTIAN! soon be exchanged for everlasting des- PRESS on, Christian, to your crown; titution, and your present merriment let not Satan throw his delusive veil for the wailings of despair. "How over you; let every temptation of his poor you are," says President Edwards, prove a fresh impetus to draw you "if you have no heaven but this world. near the Saviour, and consider your You have nothing but a little part of eternal rest. Fain would he rob you of this clod of earth; what is it all worth? your God, your Saviour, your Heaven, If you have a little more land than and your all. Let watchfulness and some of your neighbours, or if you are prayer be your mighty weapons, for by in the way to make more money than them, through faith in the Lord Jesus others, and you have more worldly con- Christ, can you come off more than veniences and pleasures than others, conquerors through him that loves or, if you are promoted a little higher you. The road to Heaven may be among men than some others are, what difficult, but the end thereof is peace. a poor portion is this, and how miser- There is no danger of fainting on the able are you who have no better hap-way, relying upon the proper source. piness that you call your own! How The malice of the evil one can do you happy do these things make you? What satisfaction do they yield you? Are such things as these the rivers of pleasure' that you choose for your portion? Oh, how miserable! When a few days are passed, you must go to reach you: its dissolving wreck can no harm, resting upon this stay. Perishable as this world is, and doomed to the fires of the last day, you are safe in the bright one to which you go. Its burning conflagration can never do you no injury. Lift up your bowed To every lukewarm professor the voice head, then; raise your desponding spi. of our Lord speaks in solemn tones rits. Sound aloud your notes of praise, of admonition and warning. What sing your sweetest anthems; tune your stronger evidence can there be of your voices in praise and exultation to Him having "left your first love," than that that sitteth upon the throne. Let the you now feel little concern for the music of your glad hearts ascend to glory of God, in the conversion of your Heaven, and strike the harps of angels. dearest relatives and friends, and a Let the joyful eye and overflowing perishing world around you, exposed bosom proclaim your future prospects. to the eternal wrath of God. How can you expect to escape, in the day of final account, the consequences of that tremendous responsibility which now rests upon you? Will not the blood of souls be found in your skirts? You ought to desire fervently to see a work of Divine Grace commenced and carried on around you, to hear sinners inquiring, "What must we do to be saved?" But the conflict is not yet over, Christian. Unless you are called speedily away, many are the temptations and trials to which you are subject, to prove your faith. Others are watching your progress in the path of righteousness. Angels and devils are gazing with anxious solicitude upon you. The former would raise you to Heaven, the latter pluck you down to Hell; the former would rejoice at your safety, the latter laugh, with a fiendish laughter, at your eternal misery. Press on, your movements are observed from both worlds. The inhabitants of each are gazing, invisible, with intense anx-high calling and profession? Is it not iety upon you. Amid the glories of the celestial world, they are interested, deeply interested for you; amid the torments of the damned, hellish spirits would have you for their prey. Hold out faithful to the end, and eternal glory shall be yours: "Not many years their round shall run, Nor many mornings rise, Ere all its glories stand revealed Has not the season of spiritual death been long enough? Are not some precious souls now weeping and wailing in hell, who might have been won to Christ, had you been faithful to your high time to awake out of sleep? To be up and doing? To call upon God, and "give him no rest" until "He rain righteousness upon you?" Be entreated to think of your own precious soul, if you will not care for the souls of others. Think of that crucified Redeemer, whom you have crucified afresh and put to open shame. Let tears of contrition now flow from your eyes, and let your heart soften with true penitence. Return unto God in "THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST earnest humble prayer for forgiveness, LOVE." "Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove the candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."REV. ii. 4, 5. HOW WILL YOU EXPLAIN IT? In a small town two men had a quarrel, which lasted a long time, and was exceedingly bitter. All attempts to reconcile them were fruitless, for each persisted in defending himself as right, and censuring the other as wrong. At length the breach became so wide as entirely to separate them and their families. They exchanged no kind of civility; they appeared not to know each other. One of them held a public trust, and had occasion to go to the county town during the session of a Court. While there he went in the evening to hear a sermon preached by a minister whom he knew not. The discourse was plain and pointed; and such was its effect upon his mind, that he passed a sleepless night. He saw his sins in a clear light, and felt his guilt in the sight of God. The inquiry was pressed from him, "What must I do to be saved?" He rose several times and endeavoured to pray; but his mouth was closed, and a "horror of great darkness" rested upon his spirit. Something whispered to him, Go and be reconciled to your neighbour." "Oh! I cannot do that," was his reply. "You must do it, or not be forgiven by God," was the rejoinder. Thus he passed the night. evil spirit seemed to say, "Pass him as heretofore; he will insult you if you speak to him." "No," he said to himself, "my soul is at stake; I will persevere." As they met, both spoke, both confessed, and both forgave. Explanations were soon made, from which it appeared that both were awakened at about the same hour-the one under a sermon, the other without any apparent means; that both had passed a night of agony; that both had been alike embarrassed by the recollection of their quarrel; and that both had set out, each in pursuit of the other, for the purpose of confession and reconciliation. They subsequently found peace in believing, and became active, useful Christians. Reader, how will you explain this ? It is not a fancy sketch, but a true narrative. Who wrought the changes in those alienated, embittered hearts? How happened it that the process was simultaneously commenced, and carried forward similarly in each bosom? It subsequently appeared that a few Christians had agreed to pray for those two men. Their prayers had been heard, and God had done the work. THE WORKING MAN'S DAY. MAN was not made for unceasing iabour. Neither his body nor his mind can stand it. We do not need the testimony of physiologists and medical men to prove to us the necessity of periodical repose from labour, and the pernicious results flowing from the absence of it. Experience teaches us In the morning he started for home, resolved to fulfil the requirement. He expected only abuse from his enemy, and would have made any sacrifice short of the eternal life of his soul, to have secured exemption from the interview. But as he advanced, he became firmer in his determination, and felt prepared to do his own duty, what-that man can no more go on smoothly ever should be the consequence. Soon after entering his own town, he saw that very enemy" approaching. An 66 for months and years without the rest of the Sabbath, than he can go on day by day without sleep by night. Some |