the church from which he has been taken;-in reference to ourselves, to whom God sends this solemn warning.

1. From his infancy,* his pious and affectionate mother devoted him to the christian ministry, in the Presbyterian church. To see him a useful Minister in that church, she would have esteemed more highly than to have seen him invested with a title, or heir to an estate. His own matured judgment confirmed his parent's choice. After passing through the usual course of collegiate education, begun in the Royal Belfast Insitution, and completed in Edinburgh, he was licensed to preach the Gospel, and shortly after ordained in the Congregation of Kilraughts. While labouring here, faithfully and efficiently, and with a considerable measure of success, the necessities and claims of the Heathen were strongly impressed on his mind. Indeed, the idea of devoting himself to missionary labours, had long been entertained. When the necessities of the Heathen were calling for aid, and saying, "come over and help us," and while the churches were saying, "who will go for us," he devoted his services to the Lord, and said, “here am I, send me." When it was urged, there was enough to do at home, he said there were others who would fulfil his duties

* Mr. Leslie was born in the parish of Derrynoose, County of Armagh, and was youngest son of Mr. Samuel Leslie, of Drumcanver, who died a few weeks after his son's departure for Jamaica. He received his preparatory education at the Ballybay academy, under the late Rev. James Morell. After having obtained a general certificate in arts, in the B. A. Institution, he finished his studies in Church History, Hebrew, and Theology, in Edinburgh. In the year 1829, he was licensed to preach the Gospel, by the Presbytery of Monaghan. On the 29th December, 1830, he was ordained to the pastoral charge of the Congregation of Kilraughts, which he surrendered on the 27th of Jan, last. On the 19th of March, he sailed for Jamaica, where he arrived on the 3d of May, and entered on his labours with vigour and success. On the 31st July, he had to commit to the grave the remains of Mrs. M'Kinstry, his motherin-law, who accompanied him, and who died of fever. While engaged in laying off the ground for her interment, he received the news of his venerable father's death. When marking the spot for Mrs. M'Kinstry's grave, he expressed a wish, that if he himself should be cut off, he might be laid beside her. This was soon fulfilled. In a few days he was ill; and in eighteen days he ended at once his labours and his life. He died at the house of Mr. Grant, about three miles from Lucea, where his remains are interred. Mr. Waddell came to Lucea a few days after his death, and preached his funeral sermon, from Psal. 119, v. 75. The members of his church, among whom his labours, short as they were, have been signally blessed, have sent to Edinburgh for tombstones, to erect a memorial to testify how much they loved and esteemed him, and lament his sudden removal.

here; but none appeared willing to carry to the Heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ. He often put to himself the question, why should not I go? And at length he felt it his duty to obey what he believed to be the call of Heaven.' When the intention was imparted to his amiable and affectionate partner,* she cheerfully agreed to consecrate her services to the Lord. He parted from father, mother, houses, lands, friends, interests, to be the herald of salvation to the degraded son's of Africa. He went forth with his life in his hand, and he knew he was doing so. He has fallen gloriously. He has had the honour of laying down his life in the service of his Redeemer. He scarcely entered on his work, until he was called home to receive his reward. Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.

His affectionate parent wished to see her son a Minister: she saw him one of the highest order, a Missionary. She wished her son in the church on earth; she lived to see him in the church in heaven. His devoted wife accompanied him to the isles of the sea, on his message of mercy: she has now to follow him to the abodes of the blessed. Both must now sorrow, but not as those who have no hope.

That death was gain to him, and better to depart and be with Christ, cannot be doubted. He lived Christ, and is now with the Saviour in whom he trusted, the Redeemer he loved, the Master he served. That must be best for him, which the

In the beginning of July, 1833, he was married to Eliza, eldest daughter of the late John M'Kinstry, of Keady, Esq. This faithful and affectionate woman was as forward to engage in the work of extending the Re deemer's kingdom as her devoted husband, and, like himself, appears long to have entertained the idea of doing so. During her short stay at Kilraughts, she not only taught assiduously in a Sabbath school, but had also a class, which she met and instructed during the week. She cheerfully became the companion of her husband in his missionary labours, sharing his toils and dangers, joys and sorrows. Heavy, indeed, have been the trials which, in brief space, she has been called to endure. First, her beloved mother taken away, and next her affectionate and devoted husband. She is now a widow, with a fatherless infant, in a land of strangers; yet she is neither friendless nor comfortless. God has raised up many

kind and sympathising friends, and given her strength equal to her day of trial. Her letters to her friends, since the death of her husband, indicate an understanding of no common order, and evince the strength of her faith, the consolations of the Holy Spirit, an humble and cheerful resignation to the sovereign disposal of a wise and holy God, under the most heart-rending of all bereavements. She writes, "It is well." will, not mine, be done." She has been enabled to comfort others with these consolations, whereby she herself is comforted.

"God's

love of God hath chosen, the wisdom of God ordained, and the providence of God brought about. From the brief memorials that have reached us, we learn that he met death in calmness and in faith. And though the providences must have appeared strange that was calling him away in the spring of life, at the entrance of his labour, yet he submissively gave up his spirit to God. "In a little time we shall meet again," said his devoted and faithful wife, as she supported his sinking head. “In a little very little time," said he, and the spirit forsook its earthly habitation.

As a man, he possessed much that was amiable. All who knew him, will admit that he combined, in an eminent degree, the characteristics of the gentleman and the Christian. His Christian attainments were very great. The doctrines icon*tained in the standards of our church, he firmly held and faithfully preached. Some may have exceeded him, in the graces of delivery; but in the excellence of his matter, clearness of arrangement, affectionate earnestness of delivery, he was surpassed by few. His leaving all to follow Christ, and extend his kingdom, proves the extent of his zeal, the strength of his faith, the ardour of his love, his entire devotedness. For Christ he was willing to live, or to die....

Cold and calculating men may blame him for exposing his life to danger; but it is because they are strangers to his principles, his faith, his love. Paul was thought mad, when he preached the words of truth and soberness-beside himself, when the love of Christ constrained him. If an Apostle were thus estimated, well may one who so nearly resembled him. But though a cold and calculating world may blame him-call his faith fanaticism, his zeal madness, yet the church shall have him in everlasting remembrance. His name shall appear in the pages of her history, along with the names of those holy and apostolic men, raised up by the spirit in the latter day, who were willing to die or live, spend and be spent, in the service of the Redeemer. And now that he hath ascend. ed, O that he would leave his mantle behind, that the spirit of Elijah might rest on many Elishas, monotes gift to grince

2. On the church, his death would appear to have an aspect dark and inexplicable, did we not walk by faith, rather than by sight, and know that the Lord reigneth,loob sul f

How inexplicable! When the labourers were so few, and the harvest so great, and the churches calling and praying for more labourers, the youngest should be called away: that when our church, after long slumber had produced one Mis

sionary, he should be withdrawn: that, when his going to the Heathen was expected to encourage others to follow, and be his fellow-workers, his death, sudden and unexpected, should stand like a lion in the way! We fear there may be something of a judgment in this, and that God is thus rebuking our eburch for her lukewarmness and indifference. Most assuredly, there is some lesson to be learned from this apparently mysterious providence. Reproof, probably, for the past; and, for the future, a call to greater zeal, more earnest prayer, and more humble and entire dependence on God alone.

That he who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own wise and holy will, will make this event work for good to his church, we doubt not. He who calls one Missionary out of the field, will call others into it; and by enabling them to overcome discouragements, purify their zeal, and manifest the triumphs of his own grace. He can make the death of a Missionary convert more than his life, as he has already made the blood of the martyrs the seed of the church. Why should the church be discouraged? Frail man! indeed his days are like the grass. Our fathers, where are they? The prophets do not live for ever. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, for ever, and he is the church's Head, Husband, Foundation. Were not our hearts cold, lifeless, faithless, there would be no discouragement at all. The falling of thousands in battle, never prevents others from enlisting; the wreck of a ship, others from putting to sea. When Africa became the grave of so many travellers, others were not deterred from pressing on, and hazarding life for the solution of a geographical problem. And shall the death of a Missionary deter our church from sending forth the messengers of salvation? Nor let the sudden and unexpected removal of this Missionary be interpreted as indicating the disapprobation of God on his undertaking, or his work. Apostles were exposed to multiplied sufferings, and violent deaths; yet God did not disapprove of them or their work. The early, Christians were exposed to many successive persecutions; God did not, therefore, disapprove of the extension of the Gospel. When the fires of death were kindled so frequently around the Reformers, it was not because God disapproved of the work in which they were engaged. The death of this Missionary is gain to himself; he is now resting from his labours, numbered with the blessed dead; and though the event appear dark and inexplicable, it will, in God's own way and time, prove for the furtherance of the Gospel. His ways are not as our ways. The footsteps

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of his providence are in the great deep. But, though clouds and darkness be round about him, just and true are all the ways of him who is King of saints.

3. To ourselves, what is the language of this providence? Be ye also ready. Keep your loins girded and your lights burning, and yourselves like to those who are waiting for the coming of their Lord. To myself, this event conveys an impres→ sive lesson. I never expected to engage in the melancholy duty I am this day striving to fulfil to improve the death of my dear departed friend. How much more likely he should have fulfilled that duty for me. The younger is taken, the older left. If he, only twenty-seven years of age, full of life and strength, his constitution never undermined by a single irregularity, has been thus suddenly called, what security have any of us? O beloved, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, while the day of life lasts. Time is passing→→→ death at hand-eternity urging on-no repentance in the grave-no coming back to earth to make a new choice. Let us, who must die so soon, die daily. Let us "live Christ," and "death will be gain.' If we are dead to the world, to sin, and our lives hid with Christ in God, when He who is our life shall appear, we also shall appear with him in glory. Death, which separates friends now, will finally reunite them in a better world, never to be separated more.

[The following Letters have been received, by the Parent Society, on the subject of Mr. Leslie's death]:Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Waddell, dated Cornwall, September 1, 1835.

1.

"I WROTE to you only a fortnight ago. The occasion of my writing so soon again, is of the most painful description. A dear brother and fellow-labourer has been suddenly called away; sooner, I doubt not, than even himself wished, from the important work on which he had just entered in this island, to the rest which remains for the people of God. Mr. Leslie has departed this life. He died on the evening of Tuesday, the 18th of last month. The intelligence of this unexpected and distressing event reached me the following evening, when I immediately rode to Hampden, to confer with Mr. Blyth what should be done, and it was agreed that I should, without delay,

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