That great missionary, the late Rev. Mr. Brainerd, being often referred to at our Annual Meetings in May, as an example worthy of close imitation by all embarked in the same divine cause, I solicit the insertion of the following Extract from bis Life in your widely-circulated Magazine.

Woburn.

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M. C.

'I HAVE,' says he (page 193) ever since my coming among these Indians, been favoured with that assistance which to me is uncommon, in preaching Christ crucified, and making him the centre and mark to which all my discourses were directed. I have often remarked, whatever subject I have been upon, after explaining the truths contained therein, I have been naturally and easily led to Christ, as the substance of every one. If I treated on the being and glorious perfections of God, I was then naturally led to discourse of Christ, as the only way to the Father. If I attempted to open the miseries of our fallen state, I was then led to shew the necessity of Christ to undertake for us, to atone for our sins, and to redeem us from the power of them. If I held forth the commands of God, and shewed the relation of them, this brought me in the most easy way to speak of the Lord Jesus Christ, as one who had magnified the law we had broken, and become the end of it for righteousness to every one that believes. I have frequently been enabled to represent the divine glory, the infinite preciousness of the great Redeemer, his fulness to supply the wants and answer the utmost desires of immortal souls; to open the infinite riches of his grace, and the wonderful encouragement proposed in the gospel to unworthy, helpless sinners; to expostulate with them respecting their neglect of one so infinitely lovely and freely offered to them; and this is such a manner, with such freedom, pathos, and application to the conscience, as I never could have made myself master of by the most assiduous application. It is also worthy of remark, that numbers of these people are brought to a strict compliance with the rules of morality, and to a conscientious performance of the external duties of Christianity, without having them fre quently inculcated upon them. God was pleased to give the grand gospeltruths such a powerful influence upon their minds, that their lives were quickly reformed, without my spending time in repeated harangues upon external duties. There was, indeed, no room for any discourses but those that respected the essentials of religion, and the experimental knowledge of divine things. While there were so many enquiring daily, not how they should regulate their external conduct, but how they should escape the wrath to come, my great work was, still to lead them into a further view of their total depravity; but, at the same time, to open to them the glorious remedy provided in Christ for helpless, perishing sinners, and offered freely to those who have no goodness of their own, no work of righteousness to recommend them to God. When these truths were felt at heart, there was no vice unreformed, no external duty neglected. The reformation was general, and all springing from the internal influence of divine truths upon their hearts, and not because they had heard their vices particularly spoken against and exposed, So that happy experience and the word of God, with the example of Christ and his apostles, have taught me that the preaching which is best suited to awaken in mankind a lively apprehension of their depravity and misery, to excite in them earnestly to seek after a change of heart, and to fly for refuge to Christ as the only hope, is like to be most successful towards reformation of external conduct. I have found that close and solemn addresses and application of divine M m

truths to the conscience, strike death to the root of all vice; while smooth and plausible harangues upon oral virtues and external duties, at best do no more than lop off the branches of corruption. I do not intend, by what I have observed, to represent the preaching of morality, and keeping persons to the external performance of duty, as unnecessary and useless at any time, and especially when there is less of divine power attending the means of grace; but what I principally design is, to discover a plain matier of fact, viz. That the external compliance with the rules of Christianity, appearing among my people, are not the effect of any merely rational view of the beauty of morality, but of the internal influence of divine truths upon their hearts.' Page 196.

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AYLMER, Bishop of London, in 1580, took the following method of reproving an inattentive auditory : He took a Hebrew B ble out of his pocket, and began to read it. This immediately awakened his hearers, who looked up to him, amazed that he should entertain them so uaprofitably, when, finding they were awake, and very attentive, he proceeded in his sermon, after admonishing them how much it reflected on their good sense, that in maiters of mere novelty, and when they understood not a word, they should listen so heedfully, and yet be so very regardless of points of the utmost importance.

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

Her

MARY BARTLETT was deprived of her parents very early in life. distressed circumstances excited the attention of a friend, who took her under his protection, with a view to placing her in the Bristol Asylum, for Orphans, but, being past the age of admission, his application was of Course unsuccessful. Mary Bartlett was reserved to be one instance, among many, of the vast advantages to be derived from schools founded on the principles of the gospel, and in which vital religion is made the principal, and not an inferior object. On the 9th of Dec. 1806, she was admitted to the Tabernacle Benevolent Daily-School. From the regular order of player here observed, morning and evening, she first became deeply sensible of her guilt, in having lived in the neglect of that import ant duty. To the friend who procured her admission, she said, What shall I do if the ladies should ask me to pray? I have never prayed in my life.' She begged to be taught a player; and one of Archbishop Cranmer's was given to her. When able to read, she chose to use one in the spellingbook given at the Tabernacle Sunday-School; but soon becoming dissatisfied with the constant use of a form, she often expressed a wish that she could pray without one. As serious impressions appeared to increase, her attendance at the school, and to ali its duties, was marked with increasing diligence. Having received, at the Sunday-School, Dr. Watts's Second Catechism, she made several enquiries respecting the question, What did Christ do on earth to save sinners?' and said to her friend, Do you think, Sir, that Christ has obtained pardon for me ?' On the 23d of April, 1807, the Rev. Mr. W- -e visited the school. His conversation with the children, and his prayers for them, were greatly blessed to her. On returning home, she said, 'I did not know tili this morning that I was such a sinner, and what an ignominious death Christ died.' Her desire to read the word of God was, from this time, greatly increased. On receiving the Assembly's Catechism, she began diligently to learn it, and committed eight questions to memory the first week. A friend said to her, "I hope, my dear, the Lord will bless the Catechism to you: - pray over it." She answered, I cannot pray; but I should like to join the children who remain after school-hours for reading and prayer among themselves.' Her permission to do so she considered a great privilege, and derived much ́ad

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vantage from the conversation which passed on those occasions. Her mind was much impressed with the sanctity of the Sabbath. Returning one Lord's Day from the Tabernacle, she was met by a relative, who entered into a conversation not of a religious nature; this, on reflection, made her! very unhappy she felt its sinfulness, and said, I have disobeyed the Lord, who has commanded to keep holy the Sabbath-Day.' From this time, it was observed that she never suffered herself to be engaged in asy conversation on that day, which had a tendency to divert her from its sacred duties. About this time, the 16th and four following questions' of“ the Catechism made a deep impression on her mind, and see was anxious to have them explained. On the 12th of July,' she heard the Rev. Joha W. ~s preach previous to the Lord's Supper, on 1 Cor. xi. 25, &c.; and appears that, at this time, the Lord was graciously pleased to reveal himself to her as he does not unto the world. On her going home, she was observed to retire immediately to her room; and, when she came down, she said, This has been a blessed day to me. God has pardoned my sins, through the blood of atonement! - now I can pray without a book ! — I can use the prayer of the publican! She now requested permission to be at the school by 8 o'clock in the morning, that she might read the Scriptures before the other children came in. She became very watchful:) over her temper, which was naturally rather obstinate, and inclined to petuosity. Her friend exhorted her to pray to the Lord whenever she felt herself inclined to impatience. On being asked oae evening, if she did not feel a secret pleasure in giving up a little dispute which had happened! in the school, she answered, Yes; for I thought on that text, 'He that ruleth his spirit, is better than he that taketh a city. On hearing the hymn, There is a fountain fill'd with blood,' &c. she exclaimed, I can sing the second verse with as much joy as the thief on the cross!' This was in the beginning of September, 1807. A cough, with which she had been sometime afflicted, now became very troublesome; and, in November, prevented her attendance at the house of God. On the first Sabbath of her confinement, she appeared to be grieved; but she sought and obtained * resignation to the divine will; and, during ten weeks of great suffering, she was not heard to utter a murmuring word. When able to speak, the love of God and the preciousness of the Saviour were the constant subjects of her conversation. She felt much concerned for her sisters and brother, and, when able to speak, earnestly exhorted them to seek the Lord. With much anxiety, she begged that her sister might be permitted to take her place in the school, saying, What has been so great a blessing to me, I will pray the Lord to make a blessing to her.' She testified much gratitude to the Ladies of the school, and said, 'I love them for all their kindness; but I love Christ most of all, and thank the Lord for giving them hearts to take compassion on me.' When asked if she had a desire to be restored, she said, 'No: this world is full of sin; and I am afraid I should sin, and make God angry.' To the question, "Are you afraid of death?" — she replied, No: Christ died and rose again; and he hath said, I will be with you, even unto the end.' About three weeks previous to her death, being very ill, her friend said to her, My dear, I think you are going;" said, I think so too; but added, lifting up her hands, I am happy, very happy, and shall soon be in glory! Sometimes, after a sleepless night, she would say, What a wearisome night I have had! but it is apported of the Lord.' On being asked, the evening before her death, if the Lord was still gracious to her, she raised her hands, and looked up with great joy. When a friend took leave of her, she stretched out her hand, and said, 'God is my refuge and strength; we shall meet in glory: I am going.' She said to her brother, 'The Lord may soon afflict you. I pray that he may bring you to a due sense of your sins. I loved my earthly parents; but the Lord Jesus is my heavenly Father,' About two o'clock on the morning of her death, she desired that Isaiah xl. 11, and the 3 last verses,

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might be read to her. Some time after, supposing herself to be afone, she was observed to be very earnest in prayer, but so low, that little could be understood, except the following words: Come, dear Saviour, receive me to thyself! After about two hours sleep, she awoke, and exclaimed, My dear Saviour is precious stil!! On being asked how she was, she replied, I shall soon be in glory! Her friend said, "I sometimes have doubts and fears;" she answered, I have prayed to the Lord, and he has taken them all away.' It was remarked, "If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed;" to which she replied, My Saviour has made me free, by shedding his precious blood for me.' This was her last sentence; and she fell asleep in Jesus, January, 1808, in the 15th year of her age.

THE POISONOUS APPLE.

(An Extract from a Sermon to Young Peoplè.)

THERE is a tree, called the Manchaneel, which grows in the West ndies; its appearance is very attractive, and the wood of it peculiarly beautiful; it bears a kind of apple, resembling the golden pippin. This fruit looks very tempting, and smells very fragrant; but to eat of it is instant death; and its sap, or juice, is so poisonous, that if a few drops of it fall on the skin, it raises blisters, and occasions great pain. The Indians dip their arrows in this juice, that they may poison their enemies when they wound them. Providence hath so appointed it, that one of these trees is never found, but near it there also grows a white wood, or a figtree, the juice of either of which, if applied in time, is a remedy for the diseases produced by the Manchaneel*. Now, when I read this account, I thought of sin and salvation. Sin, like this poisonous apple, looks pleasant to the eye, and men desire it, eat of it, and die. You perhaps, my dear children, think there is no harm in such a thing,-'tis only a little sin; but who would eat even a little poison? The least sin, if not forgiven, will ruin your soul for ever. This is fruit that must not be tasted; yea, it ought not to be looked upon, or thought of. It is sin that gives to the daris of Satan all their fiery qualities; and to the arrow of Death all its bitterness. Now you have looked upon the fruit of this tree, have desired it, and have eaten of it, and if not delivered from its fatal effects, you will surely die; but there is a remedy at hand: it is the precious blood of the Son of God which soothes the troubled conscience, and cleanses it from all sin.

Not balm, new bleeding from the wounded tree,
Nor bless'd Arabia with her spicy groves,
Such fragrance yields.

ROWE.

Apply, therefore, to this means of cure! fly to a crucified Saviour! There is no time to be lost! the poison works within!-the disease every moment is increasing ! Go to the great Physician without delay, and say, • Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me whole!'

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DIONYSIUS.

A BOY belonging to a Sunday-School in the country, was asked, when he came in the afternoon, Why he was absent in the morning of that day? The boy artlessly replied, Sir, I could not come in the morning, because Mr. A. B. had not finished my shoes till 10 o'clock; and I was forced to wait till they were done.' How great was the confusion, when it appeared that Mr. A. B. (the shoemaker) who was present, was one of the active teachers of that school.Query. Is it likely that much good will be done in any school where example contradicts precept?

Obituary.

was a living epistle of Christ Jesus, known and read of all men; his name will be eyer dear to the congregation at the Adelphi, and to all his Christian friends. He was well qualified to fill up his place as a manager of a gospel interest;-he manifested an ardent zeal for the Redeemer's cause, and love to precious souls; he was truly evangelical in his views, and steadily

attached to the fundamental doctrines of the gospel; he was, there fore, particularly careful to provide ministers who were likeminded with himself.

A few weeks before his illness, he toid an intimate friend, that he had an impression on his mind that he had not long to live; and, from the beginning of his illness, he was strongly persuaded he should not recover. He mentioned an illness which he had 14 or 15 years ago, and said, That, as he began to recover, the