sorrow, and humility. The word which set me free was this, "Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2 Cor. ii. 14). I quickly beheld the dear Redeemer stooping under the load of misery which was due to me; my eyes began to open; I retired from the dark room to behold the sun again with my natural eye, and the Sun of Righteousness was risen in my heart. So precious now was God's word become to me that I laid it under my pillow all night long; it was my meat and drink by night and day. My health and strength began to return; the Lord began to bless me in my temporal concerns, and whatsoever I did, the Lord made it to prosper, He brought me up out of the depths of the earth and from the lowest hell; joy and gladness were in my heart, and the praises of God were continually on my tongue; the garment of heaviness was taken away, and a garment of praise was given me by my dear Redeemer, and he led me forth to the dances of them that make merry.

I must now conclude, and if you think it will be of any service to one poor, tried, and tempted believer, I will continue with the leadings of my covenant God for twenty years.

Yours, in the Lord,

MARK.

[We shall be glad to receive the account to which our Correspondent refers.ED.]

THE

PORTRAIT.-WALTER ROW.

(Formerly Editor of the Gospel Magazine.)

As" iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

66

We are glad to be enabled, as an accompaniment to the present Number, to furnish our readers with a portrait of their late esteemed Editor, which we are informed, by Mrs. Row and her son, is a correct likeness. For fortyfour years was he engaged in the service of his Lord and Master in connexion with this work-a fact, we should presume, unparalleled in the annals of literature. How far he acquitted himself as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed," is not for us to determine; the recollection of him and his services is too fresh in the remembrance of numbers to need the expression of our opinion though we believe his fellow was scarcely to be found in Britain. It is but little-very little, we have seen of the writings of Walter Row; some few dozen pages comprise the bulk of what we have read as emanating from his pen; yet, from that little, we gather the expressions of a richlystored mind, a highly-cultivated intellect, and a spirit endowed with more than ordinary courage. Privileged with a scrupulous discernment, he would readily discover the least departure from doctrinal truth; and possessing, moreover, a holy jealousy for that truth, it appears that, like a mighty warrior, already accoutred and merely waiting orders, he was ready at an instant, in his Master's service: fearlessly would he draw his sword, and wield it skilfully, in the important office in which he was placed. Mere natural feelings were overlooked-no disposition had he to parley, when the precious truths of God were at stake: whether with cunning artifice they had been invaded with presumptuous power they had been boldly assailed-or, under a mere partially-enlightened judgment they had been encroached uponWalter Row was prepared on the defensive. Here he shone; and vain and futile was every attempt to rebuff him. Discovering, at a glance, the insecurity of his antagonist's position, and the stability of his own, founded, as

it was, upon the precious doctrines of God's most holy word, like an ancient David, courageously would he go forth in defence of the truth, well satisfied that the result of the conflict must be in his favour, and in favour of Him who hath declared, "My word shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please."

Wrought upon, by the Holy Ghost, at a very early age-blessed, as a youth, with an inquiry after truth-he was privileged, during the latter part of the eighteenth century, to sit under the ministry of several eminent divines. Beneath the sound of the voice of a Romaine, a Hervey, a Toplady, and others of their day, was his youthful mind fed, his heart encouraged, and his whole soul strengthened for the important work in which he was about to be engaged. Three different men-champions for truth-would he hear on the Sabbath, and, at the close of the services, would transmit into little volumes set apart for the purpose, the sermons to which he had listened. Thus was his mind gradually brought into an acquaintance with the order of truth, which, subsequently, enabled him, under the gracious influences of the Holy Ghost, to take so calm, deliberate, and scriptural a survey of it. Added to the strength of his mind, the vigour of his argumentative powers, and the intrepidity of his character, it appears that he possessed a strong constitution, and enjoyed almost uninterrupted health. These combined circumstances render it obvious, that they were eminently ordered and overruled of the Lord, to qualify him, in a high degree, for the peculiar position in which he was placed, and the protracted period it was ordained he should occupy that position.

From the particular tenor of his writings-the very different view he took of the general aspects of things in the religious world (so called), to the great mass of religionists of his day, it was not at all likely that Walter Row would be rendered an acceptable writer beyond the circle of those who had been led to view the times in a similar manner. The great bulk of professors would doubtless, regard him and his work as Antinomian, bigoted, selfsufficient; those who were not made savingly acquainted with the depths of depravity of the human heart-who knew not the stubbornness of the will, and the innate opposition to a free-grace-salvation scheme, must, as a matter of course, oppose a man whose productions were intended to sap the very foundation of every flesh-accommodating system. Happily, however, Walter Row was enabled to withstand these oppositions, and to remain unmovedswerving neither to the right hand nor to the left-amid the conflicting opinions by which he was assailed.

He was, too, a man of letters; this enabled him to meet his antagonists upon their own ground, and to detect, the more readily, the insinuation of error, however plausible its garb; and, not being summoned to the field till he had reached, and even passed, the meridian of life, his accoutrements were the more complete, his judgment the better matured, his nerve stronger, and his general principles less likely to be invaded with success. His protracted years gave him, moreover, a clearer personal insight—a more definite observation of men and things. Hence, in an epistle with which a correspondent has favoured us, he says, respecting missions, "I have watched this mania working for now fifty years, but never could see, in one solitary instance, the outstretched arm of God. This I know (he continues), that many of the partizans thereof have done all in their power to put an extinguisher upon the pure Gospel of Christ, and have cruelly used many of the faithful dispensers of the truth, and have done all in their power to bring them into disrepute; and I am apprehensive they have run without being sent. I wish an inscription could have been put over the entrance of every missionary meeting, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.' I am not over

anxious about the work of conversion; being fully persuaded that, in the day when our dear Lord maketh up his jewels, not one will be wanting to deck his mediatorial diadem. Besides, God works in a different manner to our modern projectors, in bringing sinners to himself; it is neither by the whirlwind, the earthquake, nor the fire, but the still small voice-things that are despised-Naaman's little maid-rams' horns—not Abana nor Pharpar, but Jordan-the sling and the stone-not the eloquent man, but him of slow speech and of a slow tongue-to such is said, 'Go, and I will be with thee.'' Really, there is, to us, such a weight and fulness in this language, written, as it was, upon a calm review of life, just seven months previous to the day on which he entered his eternal rest, that any additional remarks of our own seem to dwindle into the utmost insignificance; we would fain have them printed in gold-not in a spirit of rancour and animosity to those who differ from us, but to set forth the dominion, the resistless majesty of our God, whose people shall be willing in the day of his power; yes, and, having published them in conspicuous characters, we would have them occupy the most prominent situations in meetings got up professedly to extend the Redeemer's kingdom (to use the hackneyed phraseology of the day); and, as banners, would we wave them again and again, in a spirit of cautionary reproof, before the gaze of every speaker who dared confront an assembled multitude of never-dying souls, and insult the Majesty of Heaven by seeking to arouse the energies of a free-will, and altogether mistaken, power. Oh, sirs! the contemplation of such a practice makes us tremble! Persevered in, it will leave ye in an awful predicament in a judgment, if not in a dying, hour! God the Holy Ghost enabling us, we will not cease to repudiate the much-talked-of human agency to our latest breath and, quitting time and entering eternity, our watchword shall be-resistless power! free-grace! unmerited love!

h;

Turning again, however, to a brief consideration of the character of Walter Row, we cannot forbear mentioning a circumstance narrated to us by his aged widow and attached son, a few evenings since, so kindly manifesting, as it does, the overruling and graciously-interfering hand of our God, and proving, also, the short-sightedness of even the most favoured of his creatures. How often do they fall short on the very points wherein they are most distinguished! proving, that what they are they are by God, and that their most prominent characteristics are subordinate to his gift and authority. Walter Row, as, doubtless, most of our readers are aware, was engaged in trade; he kept a bookseller's shop in Great Marlborough Street; and, on one occasion -at a time, we believe, when many publications were abroad opposing the Government-an individual (doubtless employed for the purpose) entered the shop, asking the price of a work which he selected from among others. "Mr. Row," said a second person, who had previously been holding conversation with him, "I would not, were I in your place, part with that book "-at the same time catching it out of the other's hand. Finding he could not obtain it, the intended purchaser left the shop; and then the person previously alluded to (an enemy to the truth, though a high professor, by whom Mr. Row was a sufferer) informed him of the seditious nature of the publication, which had, notwithstanding Mr. Row's great shrewdness of character and promptitude of discernment, found its way into his collection. That very day (if we remember rightly) a most respectable bookseller in his neighbourhood, was taken into custody for selling the same work, and imprisoned for two years! So ever-watchful of his poor unsuspecting family is He who "neither slumbereth nor sleepeth," and who, lest any hurt it, keepeth it night and day.

So calm was Mr. Row's mind in the prospect of his dissolution, that some three months before he was removed (we are not fond of the expression

death or dying! it is not death to a believer; it is only falling into a peaceful repose in the arms of Jesus), he had lost a grandchild, and, having purchased some ground in the cemetery at Kensal Green (where his mortal remains were so shortly afterwards deposited), he went over to see it, and deliberately knelt down by the side of the grave, the better to estimate its depth, and give directions respecting it, evidently contemplating his speedy occupation of its peaceful dwelling.

When asked, "Well, Mr. Row, how are you?" "How am I?" was his reply, with the utmost cheerfulness, "why, booted and spurred, and all ready to go.". Does it not warm thy heart, dear aged reader, thus to hear a beloved brother speak of his removal from this time-state? Oh, it is most blessed! Ah! some of you younger ones-full of fear-vainly toiling under a broken law-wondering how any can thus speak of death-will realize the same blessed assurance by and by. Keep a precious Jesus in view; he has the keys of death and hell, remember; and just as soon could they hurl him from his throne of glory, as dislodge those keys from his girdle, or wrench you out of his omnipotent grasp! All glory to his name!

Speaking to his son of this Magazine, he would ofttimes say, "Ah! it has saved me thousands of cares." And, if one that would have gladly sat at his feet, and been a mute observer of the grace that was in him, may be permitted to respond, he would say, "If there are any moments of substantial enjoyment-if any holy freedom-calm repose-blissful anticipation is enjoyed -it is, notwithstanding its weighty responsibilities, in connexion with the GOSPEL MAGAZINE. His wages are fully paid, though in brief periods and at remote intervals."

Some two or three weeks previous to his departure, accompanying his son to Woolwich, for a little change, he said, "This will be the last time, my boy;" and being recognised by a gentleman in that neighbourhood, he expressed himself in similar terms; so confident was he of the near approach of the consummation of his joy.

"You are going to leave me in the midst of trouble," said his life's companion. "But God will never leave you," said he, in instantaneous response. A blessed assurance had he that the aged widow should not be forgotten of him who has so tenderly said, "Leave thy fatherless children, and let thy widows trust in me."

Shortly before his last, his eyes were closed, and Mrs. Row, approaching him to administer to his wants, remarked, "Ah! you said you would always look at me." Instantly, with the most perfect consciousness and pleasing affection, he opened his full eye, and gazed upon her with the utmost composure and satisfaction.

To the last, he retained the same peculiar interest in his labours. The Magazine lay on his bed, which, on his son taking up to read, embracing him as he assisted in turning him round to afford him a little relief, a few minutes before his breath left him, he said, "Ah! my boy, that's your father's Magazine;" seemingly at a loss for the moment to conceive of its future course; and yet leaving it, as he expressed himself upon another occasion, "I know not in whose hands to leave it; but I can leave it with my God."

His last writing, penned on a small scrap of paper, two days before he quitted earth, was as follows:-"Finding that we are on the point of quitting this earthly tabernacle, and knowing in whom we have believed, and now looking and longing with joyful expectation of seeing him whom our soul loveth."

Thus lived-thus peacefully died-Walter Row, on the 13th of July, 1839, in the 84th year of his age. Fain would we linger, in pensive musings, as did one of old, in the contemplation of the removal of one so eminently blessed; anxious for a double portion of his spirit, where that spirit was

brought into sweet subordination to the mind and will of God. With no small degree of reluctance do we retire from a scene so full of interest to one who had so greatly endeared himself by his long and faithful labours among a people scattered far and wide. At all times, from the contemplation of a death-bed scene, we turn with measured steps, but from this-in which successorship gives additional interest-we do peculiarly so; we move with a halting gait; deafened to its misnamed charms, we require a second call to bring us back to earth; having accompanied our venerable friend, as it were, to the water's edge, we are ready to ask the question, "Why, oh why, cannot we pass over too? Why leave us in this cold-hearted, this troublous world ?" And the language of the poet comes sweetly to our relief :

"Oh, could we die with those that die,

And place us in their stead;

How would our spirits long to fly,

And converse with the dead!

Then should we see the saints above

In their own glorious forms,

And wonder how our souls could love
To dwell with mortal worms.

How should we scorn these clothes of flesh,
These fetters and this load;

And long for evening to undress,

That we may rest with God.

We should almost forsake our clay,

Before the summons come;
And long, and wish our souls away
To their eternal home."

DEAR SIR,

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Gospel Magazine.

The following letter having much refreshed myself and others to whom I have shown it, perhaps you can find room for it in your Magazine; which, having been delivered from the endless genealogies and idle fables of apostolical succession, &c., now stands forth in a bold manner to advocate the truth as it is in Jesus. What need is there of that exhortation, to "take heed what you hear," and not to try how much poison our constitution can stand. May you and your readers who have been quickened by the word, be kept and established in the truth, and not be caught by the cunning craftiness of any of those who lie in wait to deceive; but we must remember that they do lie in wait, and do not come fairly forward, and therefore we have need to be on the watch that we be not caught in the snare unawares, and so be bewitched Let us not, then, be frightened by the cry of legalism from exhorting one another daily, considering one another, to provoke unto love and to good works. Believe me, your friend and brother in the one church of the Lord Jesus,

for a season.

J. H. GOWRING.

MY DEAR BROTHER AND FELLOW-LABOURER AND FELLOW-TRAVELLER IN THE TRIBULATED PATH OF THE LORD'S PILGRIMS,

What a mercy it is to be enlisted of Jesus under his banners; great as is your affliction, it does not unfit you for a place in the army of Jesus, the