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without such an investigation as may lead to a full conviction, that no object of human effort is so important as that which fully engages the divine mind. In any imagin able case of a reasoning person, the decision must be, no course of life can promise such valuable results as one of entire devotion to the service of God."

Thirdly. This employment of our various powers of being, will be found the most congenial of all to the original constitution of our souls. Concealed under the ruins of our nature in its present condition may still be found the elemental parts of a constitution in the image of our Maker. All sin does violence to that constitution-the struggle is misery; a discord that can only be removed by our return to the original purposes of our existence. This topic, however, can only be made intelligible to those who have experienced the beginnings of a new and spiritual life; others must take those upon trust who affirm, that harmony between ourselves and the other portions of the universe, moral or natural, can only be restored by our union in action with our Creator and God.

Fourthly. Connected with the preceding argument, but in some measure distinct, as we are situated in a world of sin, is the remark that happiness in this life is chiefly attainable in the service of God. ... Gratification, passing pleasures, may be found elsewhere; but no permanent happiness. No intelli gent creature can be permanently happy while a rebel against his Maker. "There is no PEACE to the wicked." But the Christian has great peace, for he delights in the law of his God, in all the ordinances and acts of divine Providence. He is required to rejoice evermore. It may indeed

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pass for little with many, but it is nevertheless true, that the servants of God are by far the happiest of human beings: Should any one object that all this depends upon the taste of individuals, thereby intimating that in his own case this argument is vain, allow me to ask, is he willing to cultivate a taste or set of dispositions that will not allow enjoyment in the service of God? The happiness of which I speak is in kind that of heaven; it must be found happiness here, or it can never be shared hereafter.

Fifthly. "The love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead; and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again." If you live, it is in consequence of the Saviour's death, and hence any course of life that he would not approve must be palpable ingratitude,-in reality, sin of the most malignant kind. To continue in such a state of mind would be inconsistent with salvation from sin, so that any life, except one of devotion to the service of God, must, in reality, prove that you are the enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ. But are you willing to continue his enemy who died for you? Considering, too, that he alone could save you by his death? Will you not at once yield to the constraining influence of his sacrifice of himself for ruined sinners! If not, vain would be the effort to remonstrate upon the wickedness or folly of your conduct. All other arguments must be lost upon the heart that is not moved to actual gratitude by the consideration of a Saviour's dying love, all other motives 'must fail to secure its possessor to the cause of redeeming grace.

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MY DEAR FRIEND, Let me express a hope, that you are going forward in the way to heavenenjoying prosperity of soul yourself, and seeking to take many others with you to the kingdom'

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this is a great honour, and the distinct prospect of it should make Ius prompt, prayerful, diligent and persevering in endeavours to do good in the world. Ah, dear friend, are we indeed doing all the good we can? Are we labouring to the extent of our abilities and opportunities for the good of If you and I were called this night to give an account of our stewardship,' how would it be with us? Would it be said, 'She hath done what she could?' or, would it appear to our shame and disgrace, that we had concealed the one talent, because we had not five or ten? it is worth while for us to investigate this matter, and to see whether we are loiterers or labourers in the Master's vineyard-the great uncertainty of our lives should be a powerful motive to promptness ; and diligence, and this returning season should be regarded as an enforcement of the command, 66 Go, work to-day in my vineyard." Many years has the great husbandman borne with us; yes, with our short-comings, lukewarmness, and indifference in his service- he has "had long patience" with us; year after have we beheld the year moral desert covered with thorns and briars; but how little we have done towards rooting up these, and planting the seed, the incorruptible seed of the kingdom in its place. Oh, this should fill us with sorrow, deep sorrow, for while we have been neglecting to do this, neglecting to plant the gospel in the wilderness, the enemy hath been "sowing tares," which have again increased the fruits of evil,

and God has been dishonoured, souls ruined, and the regions of misery have received additions of victims, who went to "that place of torment" unwarned, unreproved, uninvited, uncared for, by us, though we have borne the name of Christ, and have avowed our love to him before the church and the world. Ah, dear friend, such things ought not so to be. No, we should strive with both hands earnestly to pluck sinners as brands from the burning-we should exhort our perishing neighbours to flee from the wrath to come; we should invite them, yea, beseech them, to go with us to hear the gospel ; we should address to them affectionate letters of intreaty and invitation; urge the gospel on them for their acceptance, and by every means in our power,

try to save some.'-Yes, to save some, and to be instrumental in seeking to save the meanest or the vilest, will be an honour indeed ; and acknowledged before an assembled world when the honours of this present state, and the opinion of our fellow-creatures, will be forgotten and unknown for ever. Oh, let us not be wearied in doing good; and if our efforts should call forth reflections from our friends, or attract the finger of ridicule or scorn, let us remember that the opinion and favour of God is of more importance than that of the whole world beside. The Redeemer who suffered for us, was not ashamed to suffer singular reproach, contempt, and scorn. Our obligations to him are inexpressibly great, and if he was not ashamed to suffer "even the contradiction of sinners against himself," for our sakes, we should shrink from the thought of denying him before an ungodly world. Rather let us be stimulated to imitate him, "who went about

doing good;" and who "hath left us an example that we should follow his steps." Let us aspire to the honour of being "labourers together with God," and of sharing with those who turn many to righteousness the splendour of shining as the stars for ever and ever." Let me draw your attention to the little tracts I enclose. I have read them with deep interest, to a circle of praying friends, and hope you will circulate them to the extent of your influence; the price is small; and the distribution of them may become a great blessing. They may stir some up by way of remembrance, and draw forth their efforts for the divine glory and good of souls. This will be a good work to close the year with, and if it should please

God to spare us to enter on another, our hearts may thereby be warmed, and our faith and zeal increase, and our holy fruits and active labours bring increased glory to him, "whose we are, and whom we serve.

P. S.-In the tract on the influence of pious women, you will see just what I wish you to attempt to engage in, namely, reading to those who will not come to the sanctuary. I hope the fact here stated, with its delightful effects, if a blessing to so many, will do you like service. The other on the claims of our unconverted relations, is alike solemn and edify-: ing; may we, dear friend, read to profit, that the world and the church may be the better for our having been in it,

to the East India Company. By the Lavington. 8vo. Pp. xii. and 334.

BIOGRAPHY may be regarded in a two-fold point of view, either as affording a memorial of a departed friend, or an example deserving of general attraction and imitation. It is possible indeed to conceive of a third case, where the life of an abandoned profligate is published by way of warning; but the compilers of such records usually defeat their professed intention, by presenting the supposed object of aversion in a favourable point of view, and clothing him with adventitious excellencies, until (as is known to every reader of the Newgate Calendar, Rob Roy, and Eugene Aram) the housebreaker, freebooter, and murderer, become objects of interest, lively compassion is excited on their behalf, and the young, instead of detesting their crimes, are only led to commiserate their melancholy end, and lament that so feeling, spirit, and manly decision, should be terminated by the vile hands of a public executioner. While those who judge more correctly, can only regret the mischievous effects of the misapplication of such talents as those of the late Sir Walter Scott, in embalming the memory of the disgraceful, and exhibiting vice and immorality under an attractive aspect.

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what is honourable, to esteem that which is vile and base; to call evil good and good evil; to put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Whereas the productions of the late Rev. Mr. Sargent--the lives of Martyn and of Thomason are calculated to promote in no mean degree the cause of religion, of peace, of piety and happiness, both in this life and a future. Morality and religion would sustain no loss were every line of Sir Walter's works sunk in ocean's depths, while the annihilation of the memoirs of Martyn and of Thomason would be deeply deplored by every Christian who is acquainted with their contents.

Of Martyn's life it is not our intention to speak. Ten successive editions in the course of a few years have rendered our commendation of it of no importance. Nor is it our intention to institute a comparison between the memoirs of Martyn and Thomason, or to assert that the latter is equal to the former; but we must maintain that both Martyn and Thomason were eminent in their day and generation

were distinguished for piety, talents, and attainments-and have left behind them memorials which may not only gratify a weeping friend, or soothe the sorrows of a bereaved relative, but which are calculated to instruct, console, or edify every attentive reader.

The Rev. Thomas Truebody Thomason was born at Plymouth, June 7, 1774, and having lost his father when only a year old, was, by the affectionate care of his mother, who still survives, placed at school in Greenwich, where he continued till the age of thirteen, when he was removed to Deptford,

the second, one hundred; for the third, he shall be whipped, his goods confiscated, and he banished. If a coloured person

A youth between fifteen and sixteen (says his biographer) in the West Indies, could want no topics of excitement by day or by night. The wonders of another hemisphere would not allow his curiosity and surprize a moment's slumber. Cocoanut trees and humming-birds by day, fire-flies and musquitoes by night, were either his pleasure or torment. But these obtained the least portion of his regard. Matters of higher interest rivetted his attention, and awakened his concern.

Dr. Coke and his young interpreter visited the Caribbs in St. Vincent's, and then sailed for Dominica.

Here (says Mr. Sargent) the sight of the slave population called into painful action the passions of pity and righteous indignation in one to whom scenes of oppression being new, were therefore the more revolting. He thus winds up his comments on the state of his degraded fellow-creatures. There is, it is true, some alleviation of their misery: they are not sensible of their unhappy condition; but this insensibility increases, or ought to increase, our compassion. How came they to be insensible of their condition? they were born so-How came they to be born so?. Their parents were slaves : and so the genealogy proceeds till at last the unhappy creatures are found to have been torn from their native country, and deprived of friends and happiness.'

The following exhibition in Antigua proved a balm to Christian feelings wounded deeply by the wrongs of humanity.

By noon we arrived at our destined place, where was a congregation of 1200 blacks. They were seated on benches on a small declivity. The Doctor stood on a chair under a shed, and preached to themon Phil. iii. 20. The negroes wept much." Visiting the Dutch island of Eustatius, they encountered an edict worthy of the days of Dioclesian. This was its tenor:++ If any white person shall be found pray ing with his brethren, for the first offence he shall be fined fifty pieces of eight; for

offence he shall receive thirty-nine lashes; for the second, he shall be fined, whipped, and banished: but if a slave, he shall 'be' whipped every time.

Notwithstanding this atrocious law, it is delightful to know that the party were received into the house of one who was/ willing to risk his character and means of subsistance, out of love to his Saviour, and to those who appeared in his name. 'Surely,' said one of those who were received under his hospitable roof, 'the Lord will prove his rock and shield, and will abundantly reward him in the day of account at the end of time. To the blacks who crowded about the house a sermon was delivered, on the text, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ;" but the preacher was soon obliged to quit the island.-P. 9, 10.

The party then visited St. Kitt's, Saba, and Jamaica. At this latter island

A sight was witnessed from the recital of which, making as it does part and parcel of a system of atrocity, one turns for relief to some ordinary wickedness."

"We breakfasted at the plantation on balm tea and Indian bread, a repast at the best not very agreeable. But how was my appetite lessened by what happened during the meal! The overseer had ordered a slave to walk our horse till we

went away. He did so, and permitted, him now and then to crop a mouthful of grass. The overseer observing him, called the under-overseer, and ordered him a dozen lashes. Detestable cruelty! how did it shock my feelings! I could hear the whip resounding from afar, whilst the miserable sufferer gave à loud and heartrending groan in the intervals of striking. I hastened to leave the hated spot, and my return was attended with as much melancholy as my departure was attended with pleasure.'-Pp. 11, 12.

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We quote these passages as illustrating the actual state of West Indian slavery above forty years ago, while the slave trade till existed, and when the efforts for its abolition had scarcely com