when arrangements were making, on Mrs. A. and the Vicar of; fetch a loud sigh, or shake her whilst her brothers and sisters set head in a significant manner by her completely at defiance, railed way of deprecating what was go- at her when she attempted to ing forward. In non-essentials speak, and, perceiving no spirit of she was obstinatę, not to say per- meekness and forbearance in her, verse. Her parents tenderly loved but only what they termed bigotry her, and conceiving that her mind and dissatisfaction with every thing was perhaps somewhat disordered, around her, they became (with one they had removed her, in the first exception) more prejudiced against instance, to the sea-side, and paid religion than ever. her unremitting attention, in hopes Phæbe, on the contrary, had that kindness and change of air profited by the advice she remight restore her to her former ceived on leaving the town of cheerfulness and vivacity; and She had to contend with greater though they were now become more difficulties than Priscilla, inasharsh in their treatment of her, much as her parents were not of they were nevertheless solicitous so affectionate and indulgent a for her health, which was not disposition; and though she was good, but which they hoped by one year older than her friend, yet proper air and exercise might come were her brothers and sisters all round. Priscilla, however, would older than herself, whilst the breconform to neither rules nor regi- thren of Priscilla were her jumen. She spent the chief part of niors. By meekness, however, the day in reading religious books, patience, self-denial, and through instead of endeavouring to put the fervent prayer to God, she was precepts of Christianity into prac- enabled to perform wonders. tice; and, when reasoned with by When scolded and upbraided by her friend Phæbe on the subject, her mother with disobedience (bewould reply, that she certainly cause she would not enter the would obey her father and mother theatre, the assembly-room, the did she conceive herself poorly, card-room, or be at the but that they were quite mistaken races), she was silent, after having with regard to her health, and in the first instance assigned her she was satisfied they could not reasons;-being conscious that seriously mean many things which those reasons were well rememthey said to her, and of her. Thus, bered ; and that, as she could not instead of anticipating their wishes, convince, it would only irritate to and denying herself for their sakes, repeat them. Sometimes, indeed, she never appeared disposed to when she beheld a practical illusput herself the least out of the way, tration of the truth of that saying or to refuse herself any one gratifi- of our Lord, “ I came not to bring cation of a religious nature; and peace but a sword,” (i. e. divioften, by her untimely hours and sion)—and the anger and vexation excess of reading, many needful of her parents was for the moment duties, both of a religious and do- hot, the tear would roll down her mestic nature, were neglected. cheeks, and she has more than The consequence was, her parents once fallen on her mother's bosom gave her credit for great obstinacy and sobbed out, “ Indeed, indeed, and perverseness; charged her I would, dear mother, if I DARE!” (and not without some appearance Her usual practice, however, was of reason) with disobedience; and to take the earliest opportunity of whilst they frequently exclaimed, retiring from the storm, by leaving

Keep me from such religion !” the room, when she thought she threw all the blame of her conduct could do it without appearing to

seen

room.

on

light her parents' reproof; and he let her have her own course, then she would pour out her trou- and placed a confidence in her, bled soul before God for faith and which he did not in his elder chilpatience for herself, and that it dren; asking her advice, and dewould please him to change her pa. ferring to her sentiments when he rents' hearts; and, I may add, did elicit them. Her younger brothat she generally found the storm ther, however, and a sister of hushed on her return to the sitting Priscilla, were moved by the af

Her mother, kpowing that fectionate spirit of Phæbe to seshe was of an affectionate dispo- rious considerations, and soon besition, and that her tenderness was came decided characters. She had easily worked

upon,
would some-

never pressed the subject upon times alter her mode of proceed- them, but she had availed herself ing, and endeavour to soothe and of suitable opportunities to offer a persuade; but, though it gave

word in season. When they were Phæbe more pain to refuse her all on the tip-toe, expecting gratiupon these occasions than fication from some new pleasure, others, she nevertheless was not she was silent; but if, as was to be shaken from that which she often the case, she saw them, after considered the narrow path; and the enjoyment of this pleasure, at last her parents, finding their jaded and out of spirits, she would efforts vain, ceased to importune. then venture to hint at the insufAt times, indeed, when some gos- ficiency of all merely human ensiping visitor, unacquainted with joyments, and wish they did but the principles of Phæbe, affected experience that peace which she surprise at her taste and behaviour, had found. Many other opportuthe mother could not forbear say- nities naturally presented theming, “ Yes, Madam, I have a selves for insinuating the truth; strange disobedient daughter; she but I have trespassed too much has picked up some absurd Me- upon your pages to enumerate thodistical notions at school; and them. she has lost all affection for her Finally, she had the happiness parents.” Yet, the heart of her of seeing her beloved mother bemother would smite her whilst re come a worshipper of God in spipeating these very words; for she rit and in truth, and as zealous in could not but be sensible, that the promotion of real fiety as she Phoebe was far more attentive and had formerly been averse to it. dutiful generally than before; and, The process was slow by which at other times, she would even the Almighty brought her parent contradict herself, and say, “I to embrace the truth, and there wish to God that all my children were many struggles with pride were like their younger sister, ex before she acknowledged her concept her Methodism!” Poor wo victions; but I must pass over the man! She little thought, at that circumstances connected with this time, that the very principle which pleasing incident for the same reashe reprobated was the real spring son I have just stated. I have, inand source of all which she ad- deed, trespassed too long, and mired in her,

would apologize, did I not feel asIt pleased God, however, insured that you will be as anxious the course of time, to bless the as myself for these pages to meet prayers and Christian spirit of the eye of Priscilla, and of the Phoebe more decidedly. Her fa- many who are like Priscilla in the ther had long since been, as it present day. were, neutralized. He was not What may hereafter happen in brought over to her opinions; but these two families, I cannot diJUNE 1824.

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vine; but it is a serious considera- Phæbe, by exercising discretion, tion, that, up to the present mo and by attending to the “ mind of ment, Priscilla, from the want of Christ,” has seen numbered with judgment and Christian temper, his flock, a mother, a brother, and has been of no benefit to the church a friend. of God, but has rather prejudi

Yours, &c. ced the interests of religion; whilst

ELIHU.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE LATE

REV. H P. As a warm friend to your truly such a one will feel convinced, that excellent and useful publication, I all learning and all knowledge are take the liberty of offering, for in- vain and useless which are not sertion in one of your Numbers, turned to some account in prothe following extract of a Letter moting the glory of Christ and the from the late Rev. H. P. to a salvation of souls. Such a one will young Friend preparing for the

say,

• What does it avail me to ministry.

spend my strength, and occupy my • I have pointed out to you, in time, and spin out my life, in seeksome particulars, what cause you ing acquisitions and satisfactions have for gratitude and praise; but that do in no way advance the holet me now remind you of your nour of my Saviour (which ought high responsibility, in the privileges to be dearer to me than my life), or and mercies you have enjoyed. the spiritual interests of my own You know, that ‘ you are not your soul and the souls of others (which own ;' that you are bought with ought to have the supremacy of my a price;' and that circumstance regard over every earthly conplaces you under an imperious and cern)? What does it avail me to blessed obligation, to glorify your fit myself to act a mere respectable God and Saviour with your body part in the world, the whole and with your spirit, which are fashion of which passeth away? his.' - None of us liveth to him- I have a nobler object in view, self,' saith the Apostle ; you can and one that is capable of giving not, therefore, maintain the cha- pleasure to an immortal spirit, and racter of a Christian, if you regard affording peace to the mind when only your own improvement and all nature is dissolving around me; gratification. You should place it is to live to the glory of that Sathe glory of Christ before you, as viour, in whom I have found parthe t bject at which you are to aim in don and peace with God, and all the studies you pursue, in all the through whom I look for the gift of inquiries you make, in all the ac- eternal life. I will read and study; quisitions at which you aspire, in I will think and write; I will inall the recreations in which you in- quire and converse; I will investidulge. To maintain the views and gate and pray; I will take every feelings connected with such an possible means of enlarging my object, gives a dignity, decision, knowledge on every subject, that and energy to the character; it un I may be the better prepared to shackles the man from the re effectuate the end I have in view. straints of worldly shame; it sup- I want to hallow the name of Jesus plies him with the most powerful to recommend his holy and motives to personal holiness; it blessed religion--to defend his stimulates him with God-like pur- Gospel-to promote his cause-to poses towards his fellow-creatures : silence gainsayers – to support

them that are weak in intellect and strength from his fulness? Do I in faith to assist them that stand consider each day as lost, in which in need of being taught the oracles I have done nothing for him ? and of God—and to give an answer to each acquisition worthless, which every one that asketh me a reason does not draw me nearer to him, of the hope that is in me.

For this or enable me to advance those obpurpose my faculties of mind and jects for which my Saviour lived body had need be in their most cul- and died ? I trust, my dear friend, tivated state; and as in the provi- that in penning these thoughts, I dence of God they advance in the am but giving expression to the growth of vigour and power, I best feelings of your heart. O culwill faithfully ask myself, what is tivate a close and undivided comthe application of them I am munion with Christ, and be ambinaking? Do I feel my responsi- tious of doing something for him bility? Do I maintain a sense of ere you leave this world! and in my obligations? Do I abide with this spirit wait in peace for the him in the calling in which his pro- glory which shall be revealed in vidence has placed me? Do I live

Do I live you." in communion with him? Do I

OXONIENSIS. realize his presence, and draw

ODE TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE REV.

JOHN OWEN, M. A.
“ In labours more abundant."-Paul.
BRING me my harp, my harp of woe!

To notes of sorrow strung,
By Grief, with dewy hand, and slow,

Be plaintive numbers flung !
Heard ye the solemn sounds that spoke,
As life's sweet chords asunder broke?
Angel of death! why mov'd thy wing

Where genius, learning, worth,
God's altar by were lingering,

Why swept it them from earth ?--
Thou Angel, clad in mystic robe,
Say, why for Owen mourns the globe ?
If sparkling wit, as good as bright,

Could e'er disarm thy power,
If eloquence, of heavenly might,

Could teach thy wing to cower, -
Then hadst thou made the winds thy car,
And smiled on Owen from afar.
Ye realms of Genius and of song,

Your classic tributo pay,
With tribes of ev'ry clime and tongue,

Who honour Owen's clay ;-
Weep, ye fair isles of ev'ry sea,
With Albion own your sympathy.
Chiefly, Britannia, to his

grave
The darksome cypress bring,
High o'er his urn let willows wave,

To death-winds whispering,
Thy Sacred Pleader shall no more
Be heard like Music on thy shore.

Did witlings e'er assail the cause

Of Bibles and of God,
His bow the mighty champion draws;

Magicians own his rod.
None could his dauntless soul appal,
His foes retreat, or, battling, fall.
How brilliant did his fancy gleam,

With judgment, sense combin'd,
'Midst laureld brows he stood supreme,

With great yet humble mind;
Deep were his reasonings, strong his love,
He sought the man with whom he strove.
What wonder that a heart of fire,

Should its own life-stream drink!
What wonder that the wing should tire-

Which never droop'd-should sink?
Mere mortal powers are powers of clay,
Such Owen's were, but what are they?
Mysterious angel, dark-rob’d Death!

Commission'd thou hast come ;
When Owen yielded up his breath,

His spirit travell’d home:
The harp unstrung to mortal ears,
Its music wakes in brighter spheres.
Then take my harp, my harp of woe,

The lyre of gladness bring,
For why should earth's sad music flow,

While heaven's glad mansions ring ?
Weep not for Owen, rest is sweet,
And Owen’s rest is now complete.
O favour'd one! in realms of light

How thrills thy spirit now,
As travelling onward in its might,

It thinks of toils below ;-
Of toils which wore it to the last,
Of perils, sorrows, watchings past!
Well-pleased, it thinks of cares bestow'd,

Of mortal pains endur'd,
Smiles that it bore the heavy load,

With such an end secur'd ;
And triumphs in the pain and loss
It bore, for Jesus and his cross.
Well might thy spirit love the book,

Which taught its wing to climb
Th' eternal hills, which overlook

The thrones of cherubim-
That book, which read with faith and love,
Conducts to endless life above.
Rest, Owen, rest! but thou hast left

A mournful blank below-
From kindred, friends, and colleagues 'reft,

Tears not unbidden flow;
Yet listen—" I will never leave,”
Saith Owen's God,Can ye believe ?

A MEMBER OF A Bible Association.

.

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