either from the heart or to the heart; the orator and auditory agreeing together to deceive themselves. As the conversion of sinners is neither the effect nor the aim of such florid, unedifying discourses, the business is trans. acted on both sides, as if the preacher had done his part when he had shewn his wit; and as if the hearers thought they had done theirs when they had commended it. ANECDOTE OF THE CELEBRATED VOLNEY. THE late Samuel Forrester Bancroft, Esq. accompanied Mr. Isaac Weld, jun. in his travels through North America, and the two Canadas, a very interesting narrative of which is published. As they were traversing one of the extensive lakes of the northern states in a vessel, on board of which was Volney, celebrated, or rather notorious, for his atheistical principles, which he has so often avowed, a very heavy storm came on, insomuch that the vessel, which had struck repeatedly with great force, was expected to go down every instant, the mast having gone by the board, the helm quite ungovernable, and consequently the whole scene exhibiting confusion and herror. There were many females, as well as male passengers on board, but no one exhibited such strong marks of fearful despair as Volney, throwing himself on the deck, now imploring, now impre cating the captain, and reminding him, that he had engag ed to carry him safe to his destination, vainly threatening, in case any thing should happen. At last, however, as the probability of their being lost increased, this great mirror of nature, human or inhuman, began loading all the pockets of his coat, waistcoat, breeches, and every place he could think of, with dollars to the amount of some hundreds; and thus, as he thought, was preparing to swim for his life, should the expected wreck take place. Mr. Bancroft remonstrated with him on the folly of such acts, saying, that he would sink like a piece of lead, with so great a weight on him; and at length, as he became so very noisy and unsteady as to impede the management of the ship, Mr. Bancroft pushed him down the hatchways. Volney soon came up again, having lightened himself of the dollars, and in the agony of his mind, threw himself upon the deck,exclaiming, with uplifted hands and streaming eyes, "Oh! mon Dieu, mon Dieu; qu'est-ce que je ferai, qu'est-ce que je ferai?" "Oh! my God, my God; what shall I do? What shall I do?" This so surprised Bancroft, that, notwithstanding the moment did not very well accord with flashes of humor, yet he could not refrain from addressing him, "Eh bien! Mons. Volney, vous avez donc un Dieu à present." "Well; Mr. Volney, what; you have a God now." To which Volney replied, with the most trembling anxiety, "Oh! oui! oui!" “O, yes! Oyes!" The ship, however,got safe, and Mr. Bancroft made every company which he went into echo with this anecdote of Volney's acknowledgment of God. Volney for a considerable time was so hurt at his weakness, as he calls it, that he was ashamed of shewing himself in company at Philadelphia, &c. but afterwards, like a modern French philosopher, said, that those words escaped him in the instant of alarm, but had no meaning, and he again utterly renounced them. A REMARKABLE PROVIDENCE. THE Rev. Andrew Duncan was minister of Craill, in Fife; and for his conscientious adherence to the truth of the gospel, was, by order of King James the Sixth, impris oned in the castle of Blackness, and afterwards banished the kingdom. He settled at Berwick; but having several children, and his wife near her time, they were reduced even to want the necessaries of life. For this cause also they were obliged to part with their servant maid. One night the children asked for bread; and, there being none to give them, they wept sore. Mrs. Duncan also was much depressed in spirit; but Mr. Duncan had often recourse to prayer; and in the intervals of it endeavored to cherish his wife's hope, and please the children, till at length he got them to bed. But Mrs. Duncan mourned and grieved exceedingly, on account of the dear children's sufferings, in which she shewed more of the tenderness of a mother than the confidence of a Christian. Mr. Duncan exhorted her to wait patiently upon God, who was now trying their faith and patience; but would undoubtedly provide for them in his own time and way; and added, that he was sure that the Lord would even rain down bread from heaven, but he would send them a supply. They had neither friends nor acquaintance in the place, to whom they could make their wants known. But that very night, a man brought a sackful of provisions, and went away without letting any of them. know from whence he came. When Mr. Duncan opened the sack, he found a small bag with twenty pounds in it, a bag of flour, two loaves of bread, and several other VOL. I. 17 articles of provisions. Having brought the whole to his wife, he said, "See what a good master I serve!" Upon this they took their maid again. In a short time his wife was taken in labor, and was in want of every thing necessary both for herself and the child. But the good Master whom he served, knew and provided for all their wants. While she was in labor in the night, and he knew not where to find a midwife in the town, a gentlewoman rode up to the door, alighted, sent back the servant with the horses, and ordered him to return again at a certain time. She presently had access to Mrs. D. spoke very affection. ately to her; presented her with an abundance of all that she or the child should want of every kind; and also performed the office of a midwife. She dressed the child, and, after having given Mr. Duncan several pieces of gold, she took an affectionate leave of them, adding, that they should never want. The horses were waiting, and she went off; but would not satisfy them who she was, nor whence she came. N.B. They that trust in the Lord shall not want any good thing; and faithful is he that has promised. PROVIDENCE. LORD, are ravens daily fed by thee? And wilt thou clothe the lilies, and not me? |