and while engaged in this work, not once did an idea cross his mind of strengthening his endeavours by any meaner motive than the love and glory of God. To him it was now a matter of indifference, at least on his own account, whether he experienced the praise or the censure of men; he had counted the cost in this world, but not the gains: he had taught himself to expect ridicule and calumny, but had forgotten in his earnest desire of pleasing his heavenly Father, how many there were on earth who would rejoice in his conversion, and magnify his piety; Irwin's

66

eye was single," and therefore "his whole body was full of light."

Nor while acquainting himself with God, did he neglect those lighter studies which drew him closer to man: elegant literature he wisely considered as tending in no degree to impede a Christian's progress, if studied with a constant reference to that divine standard, by which every work of man should be judged the polished gentleman and the accomplished scholar were united in him; but

neither was the character by which he was known: a Christian was the title by which he desired to be distinguished, and it was a title stamped on every word and action of his life.

While thus flying from his former self, Irwin lost none of that cheerfulness which had ever marked his spirit;-aware of the reproach which is brought on religion by the gloom which sometimes shrouds its professors (a gloom for which the Christian less than any man is excusable, since none but the Christian is acquainted with the real source and means of happiness), Irwin strove by a conscientious walk in the path of duty, accom panied with a constant habit of looking to the better side of things, to convince the world that it was possible for a pious man to be happy; though unassisted by any of those pleasures which are usully considered as indispensably necessary to happiness for these he had lost his relish, when he substituted religion in their place: nor did he feel their absence; the sunshine of his own mind

seemed to illuminate every object around him, and he quickly learned to find delight in the simplest objects of creation:

The common sun, the air, the skies,

To him are opening Paradise;

for he saw the trace of his Father's hand upon them all.

But his cheerfulness bore a very different character from that which it had once possessed. In his former days of gaiety he had often felt that "Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness: "but now his most animated pleasures carried with them a solemnity which many would have termed an unnecessary scrupulosity, but which was in reality the unaffected result of that deep consciousness he ever possessed, that God was present in his most unguarded moments, and required a strict account of his most inconsiderable thoughts, words, and actions. Thus, while he was desirous of exhibiting to the world the picture of a cheerful Christian, he was on the other hand careful to avoid that levity

with which many otherwise excellent persons treat the sublime realities of religion: for he felt that the soul is not a toy to be trifled with, but a treasure of incalculable value, to be preserved and improved; and he reprobated with warmth, and opposed by example, the practice which so much prevails, and has become almost a fashion, of treating with a blameable lightness, which, in many cases, it is to be hoped, is affected, subjects of the most awful importance.

Yet no shadow of moroseness tinctured the meek spirit of Irwin, even when he arraigned the follies or the vices of mankind. He could rebuke with that tenderness both of expression and manner which lends an additional weight to the exhortation, at the same time that it deprives it of all asperity. While he remembered that he was reproving a fallen creature, he forgot not that he was a fallen creature himself, in nothing better than another, unless led and strengthened by the spirit of God. "What have I that I did not receive?" was the sentiment that ever dwelt upon his mind;

い

ocasting down imaginations, and every thing" which endeavoured to "exalt itself against the knowledge of God;" and continually reminding him that he was "by nature the child of wrath, even as others."

O! that every one would, like him, "receive the kingdom of God as a little child!" then would this country no longer stand forth a melancholy example of the mercy of God and the ingratitude of man. England has received many and great blessings above any other land, but what is the return her children have made? Alas! it is such as might well provoke the Lord to withdraw the mercies they have abused, and leave them to the delusions of their own imaginations. Has she not been hedged about and planted with the choicest vine?" Wherefore then is she turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine?" and bringing forth little beside wild grapes? Is it not because, like the Israelites of old, the Lord has fed them to the full, that they rebel against him?" Is it not because they have set up an idol in their hearts that "their Maker and he that formed them" is con