individuals, to whom he had brought letters of recommendation, were of the most gratifying kind. To Mr. J. Chabonell, on the Keyser's Graft, whose house, on his arrival, at the particular request of that gentleman, he made his home; to Mr. Daniel Crommelin and his sons; to Mr. Van Haerlingen; and to Mr. Anthony Van Rensselaer, with whom he afterwards abode whenever he visited Amsterdam, he felt himself much indebted. The kindness of these generous Hollanders, especially of the family of Mr. Van Rensselaer, he could never forget.

Almost immediately upon his arrival, he endeavoured to learn where he could most advantageously settle himself, to pursue his theological studies. This was naturally a primary subject of inquiry, as he had left his native land in quest of the best instructers; and the information given him by the intelligent persons with whom he conversed, very soon determined the question in favour of the University of Utrecht. The universities of Leyden and Groningen had a high reputation; but the preeminence in public opinion, he found, belonged to the one at Utrecht. Here was a man who, in the department of theology, had no compeer in the country-Professor G. Bonnet. For piety, eloquence, and learning, he was decidedly the most

distinguished professor in Holland; and, when Mr. Livingston became satisfied of the fact, he did not hesitate to fix upon Utrecht as the place of his future residence.

In all the Universities of Holland, it is customary to have a long vacation (from May to October), and it being now the season of the vacation, he did not proceed immediately to the University, but tarried a few weeks in Amsterdam, cultivating an acquaintance with a number of godly persons. The time was well spent. He was introduced into just such society as suited his taste-that of warm-hearted and intelligent Christians, and he derived from it important spiritual benefit. These strangers proved, indeed, helpers of his faith and joy. They received him with much Christian frankness and love, and their conversation was pleasing, spiritual, and instructive.-But it will readily be supposed that, unaccustomed to speak the language, he would be unable to maintain a conversation in it. This was the fact at first. He had a friend, however, who could act the part of an interpreter, that accompanied him in his visits for a while; and having often heard the Dutch spoken in America, he soon acquired a knowledge of it sufficient for a little pious discourse.

In a village called Tienhoven, not far from Amsterdam, there lived a venerable servant of Christ, whose name was Schorelenburgh, greatly beloved, and much talked of as a person of more than ordinary experience in religion. He had been more than fifty years the minister of that place, and such was the respect in which his character was held that, from far and near, many who were asking the way to Zion, or walking in spiritual darkness, came to him for counsel.

Mr. Livingston had a great desire to see this aged and celebrated disciple; and, one day, Mr. Frans Van Haerlingen, the interpreting friend alluded to, went with him to Tienhoven, and introduced him to Mr. Schorelenburgh.-He was highly gratified with the excursion.-The judicious, agreeable, and affectionate conversation of the matured saint, who seemed prepared to depart at any moment, "with hands fastened on the skies, " had a happy influence upon his mind, and he left him with mingled emotions of veneration and love, feeling that he had found a father, to whom in seasons of gloom and dejection he could freely repair for advice and comfort.

At a suitable time, he went to Utrecht. Upon his arrival here, he was introduced to an American

gentleman, Mr. Henry Peterson, an established and respectable merchant of the city, who politely invited him to his house, and hospitably entertained him until he could provide himself with convenient lodgings.

Professor Bonnet gave him a very friendly reception. This distinguished person, with official dignity, appears to have united great suavity of manners; and his deportment to the young stranger was so condescending, so kind, so paternal, that it excited in him much filial affection and confidence.

Mr. Livingston regarded his professor as a sincere friend, which he truly was; and, having such a friend to consult, he evinced, at the very commencement of his university career, a prudence that is rarely met with in a youth but twenty years of age. He would form no intimacies;-nay, he carefully avoided all advances made to him for acquaintance, until he had the advice of the Professor, or knew from him the character of the persons who sought his company. This was a wise precaution. It had the effect which he desired it should have. It kept him a stranger to those whose companionship could not fail to injure the character of a stranger; and it was the means of leading him

into some of the most respectable society, both of the city and of the university. The prudence dis covered in this fact, constituted in after-life, as all who knew him will acknowledge, one of his most prominent characteristics.

While he was preparing to attend the lectures of the approaching session, a circumstance occurred, which, as it shows how the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and how the smallest incidents, though deemed scarce worthy of notice when they happen, are often subsequently, under the Divine blessing, connected with the richest and happiest experience of the Christian, must not be omitted.

During his voyage and stay in Amsterdam, Mr. Livingston had enjoyed a very comfortable frame of mind. His spiritual exercises had been lively and pleasant, and he had cherished a confident hope that the Lord would preserve his health, and enable him to pursue, with vigor and diligence, the studies upon which he designed to enter. But, a short time previous to the commencement of the lectures, he became much dejected, owing to the return, with some severity, of the old pain in his breast. Finding himself again afflicted with a complaint, which had once menaced him with an early