Moreover, one whole Chapter of the Bible (2 Cor. ii.) is occupied with asserting that the Christian Ministry is a ministration of the Spirit, a communicating of spiritual life and strength, as the Christian's especial privilege and superiority over the Jew; though, even to the Jewish Priests, the Lord said "On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; and I will bless them." How much more, then, will He ratify His many assurances that His Spirit's presence shall ever accompany the ordained Ministers of His Church.

In the early ages there was visible proof of this in Miracles; Christianity being then in its infancy, and the faith of Christians beset with difficulties. With us Christianity is established: we have the records of all these ancient miraculous proofs of its truth, and the additional and ever accumulating experience of eighteen successive centuries, during which the Church has known by thousands of proofs, the presence of a spiritual and Divine life in her and her children. Let us not then incur our Lord's reproach, "Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe."

THE RESURRECTION.

When I see the heavenly sun buried under earth in the evening of the day, and in the morning to find a resurrection of his glory-Why, think I, may not the sons of heaven, buried in the earth in the evening of their days, expect the morning of their resurrection? Each night is but the past day's funeral, and the morning his resurrection: Why then should our funeral sleep be other than our sleep at night? Why should we not as well awake to our resurrection, as in the morning? I see night is rather an intermission of day, than a deprivation; and death rather borrows our life of us than robs us of it. Since then the glory of the sun finds a resurrection, why should not the sons of glory? Since a dead man may live again, I will not so much look for an end of my life, as wait for my change.-Warwick.

THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER.

BEING on a journey, some years since, to the Western States, I stopped over Sunday with an intimate friend, who was a Clergyman in the diocese of New-York.

When the services of the day were ended, and the last lingering rays of the sun gilded the spire of the little church, my friend proposed a walk to the grave-yard. Casting my eye round this abode of the dead, and observing the stately monuments adorning some of the graves, and the simple mounds of earth which marked the resting place of poorer individuals, I could not but reflect on the equality of condition to which rank and wretchedness, were now reduced. My friend led the way to a corner of the cemetery, where was a new-made grave, scarcely visible, by reason of the tall grass which surrounded it.

"Here," said he, pointing to the spot; "here is the grave of one, whose resting place is humble indeed; but who, I trust, will be numbered among the blessed who have died in the Lord."

Struck by the manner with which this sentence was uttered, I desired to know more of the person of whom he spake. My friend readily complied with my wishes, but proposed that we should return to the house, as the shades of evening were gathering around us. We accordingly made our way back to the parsonage, and having seated ourselves in the study, he thus began:

"The person whose grave we have just visited, was one in whom I took a deep interest; both on account of the ardent piety, which marked every act of his life, during my acquaintanee with him, and the interesting circumstances which were the means of his conversion. In the early part of the last summer, a company of soldiers was stationed in our village, to which James M belonged. The Sunday after their arrival, I observed him at church, but supposing it to be only a casual occurrence, the circumstance was soon forgotten.

But week after week found him still in his place; and being pleased with the interest he took in the services, and his devout attention, I determined to become better acquainted with him. Setting out one evening for this purpose, I went to the barracks and was told, that on account of his feeble health, James now lodged in a little house in one of the back streets. Following

the directions given, I found him busily engaged in working a little garden near the cottage. Hearing some one approach, he looked up and recognized me, took off his hat and thanked me, very politely, for calling upon him.

I did not wish to interrupt his employment; and after a little conversation was about to retire, when he said with a smile, that as night was approaching, he would be glad if I would accompany him to the house.

So saying, he laid by his hoe and shewed me to a small apartment which he called his own. It was furnished with a bed, chair, and table, on which last was lying a Bible, a Prayer-Book, and a few Tracts.

Handing me the chair, he seated himself on the side of the bed, and I remarked that I had been pleased to see him at church; and inquired how long he had been in the habit of attending? He said he had been accustomed to frequent the Church for many years, whenever he was stationed in a situation where access could be had to the services of the sanctuary.

At my request, he went on to give an account of his life, but finding it would occupy too much time that evening, the remainder was postponed until another visit. For convenience, I shall curtail many of the particulars, and give it in my own words.

It appears that in early life, he had a great desire to go to sea; and though his parents at first strongly opposed his wishes, they at length consented. He made several voyages to distant lands, in a merchantman, and afterwards entered as a sailor upon a ship of war, sent out by the United States to protect her commerce. Although constantly exposed to sufferings and dangers, and having continually before his eyes the wonders of the Lord on the deep; yet he was entirely unmindful of the God, his Sav iour, and day after day blasphemed His holy name. The just vengeance which his wickedness deserved, seemed to be delayed to afford him space for repentance; but mercy appeared to wait in vain. Weeks and months passed away, and James grew worse and worse, became more forgetful of his Maker as his day of probation was lengthened out.

About this time, one of the crew was seized with a fatal disease; and though unprepared for death, was suddenly called to his last account. Gloom at once spread over the ship, and the

scoffer and the profane were for a season hushed. All hands assembled on deck to attend the funeral obsequies of their late messmate; the solemn burial service of the Church was per formed, and his remains committed to the deep.

James seemed to pay devout attention during the whole ceremony, and when, in the concluding prayer, the Almighty Father is besought to 'Raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that when we depart this life we may rest in Him, and at the general resurrection, in the last day, may be found acceptable in His sight,' he was deeply affected, and, clasping his hands together, breathed out a fervent-Amen.

From this time he became an altered character, and ever after cherished an attachment for that Liturgy, the solemn language of which had first aroused his slumbering conscience. He ceased to be the unprincipled man he once was, and endeavoured to point out to his companions the error of their ways.

Some time after this, war was declared by the United States against Tripoli, and James was transferred to that ill-fated vessel, which having ploughed her way safely through the stormy sea, was captured by the enemy when the desired haven had been reached.

According to the custom of the Barbary States, the officers were considered as prisoners of war, and the sailors treated like slaves.

The poor seamen found their situation suddenly changed, from the comparatively comfortable condition on a man-of-war, to one of hardships and sufferings among cruel and unrelenting enemies. Every indignity their merciless captors could heap upon them they were compelled to undergo, and all this without any prospect of speedy relief. James determined to bear this heavy cross with christian resignation; but months passed away, and his sufferings became so intolerable, he resolved to attempt his escape. The time was accordingly fixed upon and prepara

tions made.

He had succeeded in getting out of the room, where he was confined for the night, scaled the prison walls, and was directing his hasty steps towards the wharf, when his flight was discovered, and the guards, scattering in every direction, soon overtook him. For this attempt he was doomed to die, and knowing that his fate was inevitable, his few remaining hours were spent in devotion.

At length the awful moment came, and surrounded by guards, and followed by an immense crowd of curious spectators, James was led to the place of execution. Having reached the spot, the prisoner was bound to a post, the soldiers prepared their deadly weapons, and the multitude looked on in breathless silence.

Already the guns were raised; the prisoner, with uplifted eyes, was committing his soul into the hands of his Merciful Creator,' and the signal about to be given, which was to cut short his earthly existence, when a cloud of dust appeared in the distance, and soon a horseman came galloping along the beach, and put an end to the execution.

After addressing a few words to the guards, the messenger ordered the crowd to disperse, and James was conducted back to prison. It appears that General Eaton, whose name shines forth among the brightest and best,' had made an attack by land upon the dominions of the Bashaw, and so alarmed the Tripolitans, that proposals for peace were instantly made and gladly accepted.

When James found himself thus speedily rescued from death, his first act was to render devout thanks to his Almighty Preserver, who had saved him from the hand of the enemy. Soon after peace had been concluded, he returned to the United States, and as soon as he could be spared from the ship, went to visit his parents. They were rejoiced to see him, and could scarcely persuade themselves that it was, indeed, their long lost son. Several of their neighbours having improved their fortunes by removing to Ohio, the old people had resolved to make trial of that promising land.

Although they were what the world calls clever people,' they knew nothing of Christ and his salvation. It was the first wish of James, on returning home, to point out to them the danger of their situation; and he entreated them, with tears in his eyes, while they were studying to improve their condition here, not to fail to obtain an interest in a better.

When the day for his departure arrived, James presented his father with a Prayer-Book; instructed him how it was to be used, and left home once more, secretly praying that it might be the means of conducting his parents into the way of truth.

Leaving the old people to pursue their journey to Ohio, we shall follow still further the course of our hero in our next chapter.