his entrance on the ministry, compiled from a manuscript which was read to his own people at the close of his fiftieth year among them. The latter is well worthy the attentive perusal of ministers of the gospel, as it contains many particulars relative to the exercises of a soul deeply impressed with the great importance of a preparation for the ministry. We copy a paragraph which gives the description of "a wise and good man," as a specimen of the Doctor's views of divine truth.

"A wise and good man contemplates his departure without dismay, and in the enjoyment of a good hope. The terms wise and good are taken in the scriptural sense. By the former is understood a man who has enlightened views of the object of his veneration, confidence, and love— who contemplates with becoming feelings and emotions the majesty, greatness, purity, and glory of God-who admits and recognizes his authority and dominion over him, and his own dependence on him for life, breath, and all things-who is convinced of his own moral degradation and apostacy, and of his many aggravated sins and transgressions-who is stripped of all self-righteousness, and by faith flies for refuge to the hope which the gospel sets before him, viewing the atonement and obedience of the Saviour as the sure ground of pardon and acceptance to everlasting life. By good, is meant one whose heart is changed by the Spirit, and who has repented, confessed, and forsaken sin-who loves God as a reconciled merciful Father in Christ Jesus-who actively serves God, endeavouring to observe all his ordinances and commandments showing from his good conversation, his piety to be sincere, and his faith unfeigned. Such a man having filled up the measure of his days, contemplates his end, not with the doubt, the misgiving apprehensions of conscious guilt, or the forebodings of wrath and misery, but in hope of mercy, and in the anticipation of entering into the joy of the Lord. If he consider life as a journey, he reflects on the stages past, blesses God who has led him so many years, and big with expectation, he views its end. If he regard it as a warfare, he reflects on the combats sustained-on the opposition experienced from his spiritual foes-on the strength and assistance derived from the Captain of his salvation, and on a dying bed he begins to sing the song of victory and triumph: "For 1 am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim. iv. 6-8."

Though we lament so much deficiency of spiritual knowledge in the preacher, we are rejoiced to read the pleasing testimony recorded of the dying moments of the subject of discourse, which is as follows:

"Thus lived our respected father and friend, exemplifying in his general deportment the influence of the grace of God. In his affliction, and under paroxysms of strong pain, he was patient and resigned. Though he passed many restless nights, he observed, that while he lay for hours sleepless, he could meditate on the promises, and had often such views of the person and work of the Lord Jesus, as not only took away the fear of death, but filled him with delight. I have no fear with regard to passing Jordan, (said he) but I long for more of the grapes of Eschol." He said, "I thank my God for having kept me for more than sixty years from being a disgrace to the religion I have professed. I have feared no evil

so much as this; martyrdom itself would have been nothing compared to it." On another occasion he observed, “There is something awful in the bare possibility of having directed sinners to the foundation laid in Zion, and not building upon it myself; but my hopes far more than counterbalance my fears. I can find no rest for my body; but I can for my soul,

in the invitation, " Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." In the same pious, believing manner, he said, "how deplorable would be my condition now, without the consolations of religion. Death, that brings terror to many, is to me the harbinger of liberty, of light, and of eternal life. "Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." "A few days before his end, he said, "Precious Saviour! I want more acquaintance with thee, more conformity unto thee. I shall be like thee, when I see thee as thou art." The last time he requested to have reading and prayer, he said, “We must begin with prayer-go on with prayer— end with prayer. Pray without ceasing." After a fainting fit, he said in a most impressive manner, "Into thy hands I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth! Lord Jesus receive my spirit. He will receive me. There may be great and sore afflictions, but no condemnation."

"The Old Paths." A Sermon delivered in the Parish Church of St. Mary, Stoke Newington, on Sunday Morning, Sept. 3, 1826. By the Rev. John Teeson, B. A. of Clare Hall, Cambridge, &c.

-Hamilton and Co.

So attracting a title,' as that of "The Old Paths," could not fail of exciting our attention; but on glancing at the contents of the sermon we were too soon made acquainted with the disappointment which awaited us: the reverend gentleman not having traced "the good way" after the manner of those scribes who are well instructed into the mysteries of the kingdom.

From the text, Jer. vi. 16. the preacher proposes to enquire after the old paths, in considering successively, the doctrine, the discipline, and the practice of the church of which he is member. And on noticing the first and fundamental doctrine to which the attention of the professor of christianity must be directed," he well observes it is, that of the mysterious and incomprehensible, but clearly revealed, union of Three Persons in that one eternal and omnipotent Jehovah, who is God over all, blessed for evermore.' On which glorious verity he remarks as follows:--

"To overthrow this firm foundation of our hopes and expectations; to induce us to sacrifice the truth and the purity of our faith upon the altar of perverted reason and unhallowed pride; and to lead us to dethrone the God who has revealed himself to us in his word, and to substitute the creature of our own imaginations as the object of our adoration and worship, is the great end of the arch-enemy of our raceas being the most efficient means by which he can counteract the gracious purposes of redeeming love, and hurl us back to that state of ruin to which the transgression of Adam had originally reduced both himself and his descendants. It is to guard you against these insidious and baleful attempts, that the minister of the Gospel would lift up his voice, and adopt the language of the Prophet, and call upon you to "stand in the ways and see." Investigate the grounds of your faith-refer to that sacred word from which it is drawn-and seek therein for the old and safe way, which has been trodden by Apostles and Martyrs, and Confessors, who lived and died in the fear and faith of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; who found in that fear and faith consolation in life, support in death, and happiness in eternity; and who, being dead, yet speak unto you, by the soundness of their profession, and the holiness of their lives, and exhort you to "go and do likewise."

The doctrine of the atonement, and of sanctification are also referred to, and many observations thereon are scriptural and excellent. But when speaking of discipline, and practice, the author does not meet our approbation: for here we conceive, he has gone out of "the way;" or, rather, disregarded the command of the Lord to his ministers- 166 prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people." We need not particularize: but, notwithstanding, we are pleased that the discourse contains such a paragraph as the one quoted.

The Life and Conversion of George Bowden, formerly a Player; written by himself.-Palmer.

This is the attempt of a humble disciple, without the advantages of education, to speak well of the ways of the Lord, and to tell to those who are greatly tried in providence and by the exercises of their souls, of the great things the Lord had done for him. The common error of such writers is displayed in this narrative with unusual plainness; the author having in the account of his life entered into certain minutiae, which many may blame, without incurring the charge of fastidiousness. As it appears the writer was "pressed from time to time" to publish his life and conversion, we hope the kindness of his friends will prevent his sustaining any pecuniary loss, and, also, that it may be made useful to his readers.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

HABERDASHER'S HALL CHAPEL, Staining Lane.-On Sunday, November 5th, 1826, the above chapel will be opened for public worship, by the Rev. JOHN HOBBS service to commence in the morning at eleven o'clock, and in the evening at six o'clock.-A Lecture also on Monday evening.

Shortly will be published, The Authority of Jehovah Vindicated, or a Scriptural Plea for the Seventh day Weekly Sabbath, as the only sabbath ever given by God to man. By J. B. SHENSTON.

Memoir of the Rev. J. B. JEFFERSON.-This publication which has been delayed by reason of some severe domestic affliction, may be expected in the course of the present month.

ON THE BURIAL OF A BELIEVER:-A SONNET.

Though "dust to dust concludes the noblest song,"

And the frail tenement no more retains

The late inhabitant in fleshly chains;

Yet, O believer, time will not prolong

Beyond the appointed season, that blest hour

When, re-commenced, the blissful chords shall roll,

'Midst harmony divine. The ransom'd soul,

Join'd to a glorious body, then shall soar
Far, far above all earthly praises; where,
With heavenly accents, all the church must share
In the "new song" before the great I AM,
Each note attun'd to-" Worthy is the Lamb!"

K

POETRY.

THE REAL CHRISTIAN BLESSED IN AND BY HIS LORD.

YET HOPING.

Apply the balm of comfort,
In this my time of need.
To thee, Almighty Jesus!
In humble hope I fly;
Should'st thou not yet relieve me,
Still at thy feet I'll lie.

I'll plead thy word and promise,
To all who're thus distress'd:-
"Come near ye heavy laden

DESIRE.

THE BELIEVER'S
"One thing have I desired of the Lord."

ONE thing, O Lord! I long have
sought,

With heavy heart and anxious mind;

And still I seek, yet find it not,

But fear lest I should never find. This one thing is, by faith to see

The sufferings of the Son of God; To gaze upon the sacred tree,

And count each drop of his rich blood;

Halsted.

To see Jehovah's vengeance pour'd
Upon the Surety of the sheep;
To own the Sufferer as my Lord,
And there with sacred sorrow

weep.

Let me but shed such tears as these,

Let me this soft compunction
know,

And then to weep I'd never cease,
But be "a man of sorrows" too.
S. F. B.

MINISTERS OF THE SPIRIT, TAUGHT AND SENT BY GOD.

Romans x. 15.

COMMISSION'D by the Lord,
True gospel heralds are,
To preach his faithful word,-

His cov❜nant to declare;
To feed his flock with food receiv'd,
And part the vile from Israel's seed.

Then how can they, unsent,

This wond'rous task perform, Who have not fed, nor learnt,

Nor prov'd Jehovah's arm?
Blind leaders of the blind are they,
Shepherds who lead their flocks
astray.

With these the world abounds ; —
Content without the pow'r,
They run their formal rounds,
And rest therein secure:

They preach salvation part of grace,
And shun imputed righteousness.
Not so, those sent by God,
They're men who're girt with
truth,

Can prove their calling good,

Are grounded in the faith: Their plague of heart they feel and shew,

The Spirit's work contend for too.

How lovely are the feet

Of these on Zion's hill;
To those who hear how sweet,
The tidings they reveal!
O happy few! go on, succeed;
The Lord will be with you indeed.
A SOJOURNER.