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up all you can, both in public and in private.

Let us all, (as far as we can,) follow St. Paul's example, who "ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." Let us not be discouraged if, in trying to do good, we sometimes meet with ridicule, or even with persecution; and if we do not see any fruit of our labours for a very long time. But let us go on praying and labouring in faith, since God is a hearer of prayer, and has said,

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my word shall not return unto ⚫ me void." "Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." Eccles. xi-1, 6. Let us not despair of even the most hardened, since God sometimes converts such. Poor persons may do much. They can bring up their children rightly. They can speak to their neighbours and many others about their souls, beg them to go to the house of God, to read the Bible, to bring up their children rightly and so on. If any are ill, they can visit them, and get a pious minister or other Christian to see them.

In all our efforts to do good, let love to Christ be our motive. Let us remember that we are not our own, but his, being bought with a price, even with his most precious blood. Our time, our money our influence, all our powers both of body and mind are his, and to be devoted to his service. Surely we ought never to be cold, or slothful, in serving him, the very best of masters. How can we think that we can do, or labour, or suffer, too much for such a friend, "who loved us, and gave himself for us?" Let not a little cold or wet weather, or any other difficulty, ever hinder us from doing his work. When ready to make excuses for sloth or negli

gence, let us remember his love, and fancy him saying to us, "Lovest thou me ?

Whenever we are with any Christians, rich or poor, old or young, let us think, 'what can we say to make them more useful than they now are?' Many opportunities of stirring up others to do good, are, we fear, lost by most of us. Yet many Christians, we hope, would do much more than they do, if they were intreated to do so. Many who do little or nothing for the souls of others, and confine their religion almost entirely to themselves, and who might be very great blessings, do not exert themselves perhaps from not having thought of the subject, from not having had the duty of caring for the souls of others, pressed upon them strongly and earnestly. O, that the Lord may pour out a truly missionary spirit on all his people, that so they may be most earnest and constant in prayer for others, most self-denying and most laborious in trying to do good, most liberal in giving to his cause, willing both "to spend and be spent in his service." Let us think how blessed it will be if we are made the means of turning but one sinner unto Christ; if we meet in heaven but one to whom our labours have not been in vain. This will be well worth all the labour we can take. "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death." James v. 19, 20. " They that turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. xii. 3.

If we feel unfit for the work of doing good, and afraid to speak, let us pray at the time for wisdom, strength, boldness, and love. God can make even the dumb to speak, and can bless even the feeblest and humblest instruments. He

blessed a few words of the Samaritan woman to the conversion of many. Let us remember that it is only he that can bless our labours. Let us pray that he would bless them that he would most deeply impress the great truths of the Bible, and the realities of eternity on our own hearts, so that out of the abundance of the heart, our mouths may speak, that we may speak from the heart to the heart. May this thought encourage us in trying to do good to any, that not only they may get good, but numbers more, through them, so that we cannot tell where the good may spread. If we can do good to one child in a school, he may be " a little leaven leavening the whole lump" of his family, and be the means of turning hundreds to God in after life.

Shall numbers be hastening on in the road to hell, and we stand still as if nothing were the matter? Shall such numbers around us be

as ignorant as heathens of the very plainest and most important truths, and we do nothing for them? Is this to love our neighhours as ourselves? Shall we feel for those who are suffering bodily pain, and not feel much more for those both at home and abroad, who are in danger of the bitter pains of eternal death? Oh, let us awake, and do all we can to win souls to Jesus Christ, following his example, who went about doing good; who, when he sat weary on the well of Samaria, did not make his weariness an excuse, but spoke to the poor woman who came to draw water. "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor. xv. 58. "To do good and to communicate, forget not for with such sacrifices,

God is well pleased." Heb. xiii.

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In speaking to others, especially to children and the poor, we may find it very useful to tell them facts and anecdotes, now and then, and to use very many illustrations and similitudes. These are interesting to them, and therefore likely to be remembered. Let the anecdotes be chosen with judgment, and be really useful, and, as much as possible, to the point on which we are speaking. Let us tell them with a view to do good, not to amuse. A similitude, anecdote, or fact, in a sermon or address, may be often remembered when all the rest is forgotten. Our Lord used the mode of teaching by parables, and indeed there are many facts and similitudes throughout the Bible. Let us think of the value of the soul, the eternity to which we and all around us are so fast hastening, and then say whether we can be too earnest in using every means in our power, that by all means we may save some.

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If all Christians made it the business of their lives, (as far as other duties permitted,) to do good, if all, (as far as they could) were missionaries in spirit wherever they went, if all stirred up others to do their utmost, and to stir up others, so that the flame of zeal might spread from one to another, how much good, by the blessing of God, might be done. And is there any doubt but that if Christians thus laid themselves out to do good, they would be most happy and blessed in their own souls? May God in mercy " stir

up the wills of his faithful people, that they may most plenteously bring forth the fruit of good works,' be blessed themselves, and blessings to others, for Christ's sake.

Amen.

MEMOIR OF AN OFFICER IN HER MAJESTY'S CUSTOMS.

THE subject of the following Memoir was born in the year 1772, in a retired village in Devonshire. His first impressions of a serious nature, were formed by reading a work entitled, Practical Piety,' which impressed him with a relish for divine things, and prepared the way for a more intimate acquaintance with the truth as it is in Jesus." Some time after, a sermon preached in the village by the clergyman from a neighbouring parish, from " All our righteousness is as filthy rags," afforded another step in divine knowledge; and subsequently from hearing another sermon in W- by a clergyman, accompanied by Mr. Glascott of Hatherleigh, he was led to an attendance on the ministry of the latter, though six miles distant from W

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From this time various providential interpositions marked the paths of this young man, who undeviatingly pursued the noiseless tenor of his way: holding fast the profession of his faith, taking the Bible for his rule of life, and adorning the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things, as a member of the Established Church, and as a husband, father, and master. His religion was not confined to his family circle; he was the principal instrument in raising a Sunday School, over which he, with a friend, for many years presided. He was also forward to aid the Bible, Missionary, and Jews Societies, and though he shrunk not from privation and fatigue, and aimed not at faring sumptuously, or wearing costly apparel, he unostentatiously contributed his aid to the cause of truth, or the necessities of the poor, and that in so retired a way, that the extent was JANUARY, 1839.

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not surmised till his hand could no onger dispense the liberality of his heart.

In the month of August 1837, he was seized with a spitting of blood, which continued more or less for several days, but no argument could induce him to withdraw for a season from the duty for which he was remunerated. In much weakness he continued to perform his professional engagements, till June 1838, when the failure of sight, and most oppressive debility, constrained him reluctantly to withdraw from the duties he had performed with the strictest integrity for above thirty years. But the die was cast: neither the bracing air of the sea-side, nor the more salubrious of ADown, produced any beneficial effects on his debilitated frame. During this season of anxiety to his beloved family, perfect peace and serenity marked his progress to the tomb. Often in the silent watches of the night, have his beautiful prayers arrested the ear of his wakeful partner. A sweet solemnity and biblical mode of expressing himself, gave a heavenly tinge to his prayers, at all times felt by those around him, to possess a vital principle of spirituality not frequently met with, even amongst the most eloquent speakers. Through the whole of his illness, never once did a complaint or murmur escape his lips, and never was there a more perfect display of holy peace and confiding faith. On the 19th of August he was heard several times in the night pleading with God in a peculiarly solemn and affecting manner, and commenced the hymn,

Son of God, thy blessing grant,' in a tone of voice almost super

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human. In the morning, on being asked what hymn he would have for family prayer, he was much affected, and tried to express himself, but after many fruitless attempts, said, And weep to the praise of that mercy I've found,' quoting from a hymn in the Countess of Huntingdon's collection. The psalms for the day were invariably read to him, and the book of Daniel, together with Blunt's Lectures on the Life of our Saviour, deeply interested him. On the 26th, he desired the hymn,

Laden with guilt, sinners arise,' to be sung at morning worship, adding, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Being asked if he was happy, he replied, Yes, happy and easy, relying on what the Saviour has done and suffered for poor mortals,' with many other expressions of gratitude and confidence. On the following night he was heard distinctly repeating the Lord's Prayer, and though in great exhaustion and occasional wanderings of mind, a text of Scripture was sufficient to recover him in a moment. At intervals, parts of 1 Cor. xv. was read to him, and he also Psalm.

choose the 34th

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On the last sabbath of his earthly pilgrimage, he selected the hymn, The cross, the cross, be that my theme,' and frequently made beautiful and appropriate remarks on passages of Scripture, which by degrees he turned into prayer, concluding with Sanctify me, blessed Saviour, fit me to be a partaker of thy glorious kingdom: keep, preserve, and strengthen me. Oh, prepare me for an abundant entrance into thy heavenly kingdom;' and concluding, And now we pray thee to hear us, to bless, to keep, and to strengthen us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory.' He then repeated the Lord's Prayer, but not at all in his usual

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tone of voice. At one time he said, The Lamb will be there,' and "The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed me, and lead me to fountains of living water, and God shall wipe away all tears from my eyes." Turning to one of his family, he said, Supply all your need," and then, as though suddenly recollecting he had prescribed an impossibility, he looked upwards, and said, 'My God, thou can'st supply all their need." On inquiring who were those standing around his bed, and the names of his children being mentioned, he continued, “The Lord bless us, and keep us; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and give you peace, always and by all means. The Lord be with you all, and give you an interest in that sacrifice, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, through Jesus Christ our Lord."... He would here go on, but when repeating, "through Jesus Christ our Lord," he rose up in bed, and bowed his head at the name of his Saviour, but the effort was too much, and he fell back exhausted. At another time he attempted to rise, and being asked why, he said he wanted to pray, but added, • We must have our song and the music first,' and then gave out," Not all the blood of beasts, &c." and waiting a little, he enquired, My dear, why don't you begin?' On another occasion he was heard, saying, 'Jesus, my deliverer, I shall share in thy triumphs; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord Jesus has been the strength of my heart, and will be my portion for ever.' Again, looking up, he exclaimed, Glorious, glorious, all glory, the Lord is my righteousness.' About two o'clock in the afternoon of this day, he started up, and looking wildly towards the foot of the bed, he exclaimed, He wants me, he wants me, he shall not have me,'

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and turning with a terrified imploring look to one who at that moment entered the room, said, A murderer, a murderer.' It was replied, No murderer dare approach you, no "weapon formed against a servant of God, can prosper; and every tongue that riseth in judgment, God will condemn," &c. Upon which he recovered his composure, and added, • He is my strength, and my shield, my Saviour will not let me go.' This fearful struggle did not last above ten minutes, but left an indescribable solemnity on all present. He soon after joined his feeble voice with those around in singing, “Not all the blood of beasts,' and the following verse. After a night of great restlessness, he gradually became more calm, and holy peace and hope shone brightly from his languid eye. To one standing near and looking sadly on his pale and sunken features, he said, You may live some years, but I shall go to appear before God: God who is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever and being urged to take some nourishment, he remarked,

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I am not unmindful of the Lord's mercies towards me. On one occasion, the hymn, There is a fountain filled with blood,' &c. was repeated to him, during which he evinced much delight, frequently lifting up his hands and and when, on concluding the last verse,

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eyes,

To sound in God the Father's ears no other name but thine,' it was said, no other name, not yours, not mine. Oh no, he added, No other name but thine,' continuing

'His powerful blood did once atone,

And now it pleads before the throne; This name the sinner hears, and is from guilt set free,

'Tis music to his ears, 'tis life-'tis liberty.

No adequate description can be given of the holy triumph and joy that sat on his beaming counte

nance, all gathered round, if they might but catch a drop of his joy. He frequently expressed in a most humble manner, his thanks to those who attended him, and to one most dearly loved, he said,

Those hands have for many years ministered to my necessities, and I wish to express my gratitude for all the unwearied attentions I have received.'

As the hour of separation advanced, he was asked if he was sure of its approach, he replied he was, death had no terrors for him, he felt no pain; though Jordan must yet be crossed, he feared no evil, his Saviour was with him, his rod and his staff they comforted him. The beautiful hymn,

Our Saviour and friend,' was repeated, and much affected him, he repeated with strong emphasis;

'Nor repents, nor revokes of the grace that he gives,

Thy likeness to wear, Thy impression to bear,

Be this our ambition, our study and prayer.'

In such beautiful and holy exercises of mind, the last hour drew nigh, after alluding to the Psalm, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear." &c. He spoke but little as the flickering pulse receded from its duty, but it was evident he was in the

full possession of his mental faculties, though the voice could no longer articulate its usual expression of prayer. About a quarter before two on the 13th of September, the redeemed spirit passed the portals of mortality, without even a sigh, the calm countenance assumed the hue of death, and as he was supported in the arms of his dear children, it was justly observed

"Without a sigh his fetters broke,
We scarce could say 'he's gone,'
Before the ransomed spirit took
Its station near the throne.'

Within the hallowed walls of

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