were strikingly exhibited in the expression of his face; but his firmness of soul fitted him for performing a duty which is equally incumbent on ail believers, but which some only can discharge with success: I mean Christian Reproof. With all the affection of a father, with all the sympathies of one conscious that he himself was in the body, would he admonish an erring brother. While the season and the severity of the reproof were regulated by prudence and the nature of the offence, he always displayed his concern for the divine honour, by the earnest desire he discovered to produce adequate convictions of the nature and aggravation of the crime. He was what every Christian ought to be,benevolent. In him the poor and the distressed, during his days of health, found a constant and generous benefactor: he fed the hungry, he clothed the naked, and pleaded the cause of the fatherless and the widow; the hearts of such be has often made to sing for joy ! The generosity and benevolence of his heart were likewise displayed in his liberal contributions, according to, if not beyond his ability, towards the support of the gospel. This feature in his character became, at three different periods of his life, more deeply marked. To three different places he was, with other pious and generous Christians, actively concerned in introducing the gospel: First, To Ceres, soon after the commencement of the Secession; secondly, To St. Andrew's; and, lastly, To Newcastle upon Tyne. Nor did any thing afford him greater pleasure than to hear of the dissemination of evangelical truth. None could give a greater display of attachment to the laws of Christ than be did, in the uniformity of deportment he observed, and in the regularity of his attendance on the positive institutions of grace. As the place of his residence was for many years at the distance of eight miles from Newcastle, be travelled sixteen miles every Lord's Day to hear the gospel; nor did every disagreeable state of the weather prevent his attendance there. When the winds blew boisterously, and rendered his crossing the river Tyne at Shields impracticable, he was not deterred; but, by a circuitous route, he would travel on the south side of the river, and cross it at Newcastle. By this route the journey was lengthened several miles. This practice he continued till he was within three days of 70 years of age; at which time he was struck with the palsy, which affected the whole of his left side, and so totally incapacitated him for engaging in the laborious employs of life. This severe dispensation he bore with much patience and submission to the divine will; and under it made wonderful advancement in the experimental knowledge of his Saviour and bis God. From the violence and severity of the stroke, he partially recovered; and afterwards removed to Newcastle, that he might the more conveniently enjoy the gospel,-the distance between this and bis former place of residence being now too great for his weekly walk.

In 1790 he was visited with a heavy trial.

Upon the 24th of

December his much esteemed partner in life was removed to the unseen world. They had been connected in the marriage relation more than 49 years; which had been passed in the mutual endearments of unfeigned affection,-passed in the exercise of all the Christian and social virtues which adorn human nature, passed in a manner becoming those who were heirs together of the grace of life. Such was the hold that his disorder had on the mind of Mrs. Pringle, that it very much injured her health: her constitution was strong, but her feelings were stronger. After his illness, her strength gradually diminished. The infirmities of age approached with rapid step; and, at the above date, put a period to her toils and sorrows, in the 85th year of her age.

About this time his sight began to fail; and, in about six months afterwards, he was incapable of distinguishing one object from another. This trial also he sustained with becoming fortitude and resignation. It gave, however, a new direction to

his conduct and exercises; an instance of which 1 cannot forbear to mention: After he was deprived of sight, he could not for some time refrain from visiting his old acquaintances. This he found was attended with inconvenience to those who conducted him. At length the thought occurred, that the court belonging to the meeting house was accessible to him. Thither he henceforth often repaired. On the southern side of the chapel, where he enjoyed the genial rays of the meridian sun, he had an excellent walk, without the danger of wandering from the way. Here he had also an opportunity of conversing with his God. When he thought proper, he withdrew into the meeting-house, a door being opened for his retreat, should a change of weather have rendered it necessary. Many a fervent prayer he here preferred to Heaven. Often have his importunate supplications saluted my ears when I have approached the door, with a view to conduct him home. There the condition of his friends, especially those whose state he suspected was unsafe, excited all the sympathies of his soul. Oh, the importunate entreaties he there made for their salvation! The diffusion of Christianity,-the speedy approach of Christ's universal reign, -the efficacy of the gospel where already preached, success to the laudable efforts of the Missionary Societics, and an increase of piety in the rising generation, formed the various subjects of his earnest addresses to the throne of grace. Many were the hours of delightful intimacy which he there, alone and undisturbed, enjoyed with his God!

Upon the 8th of March, 1798, he received a second shock of the palsy; and now his whole body was affected. He was incapable of assisting himself with food; nor could he walk across the room without support. He looked upon this second, stroke as the immediate forerunner of death. His confidence still remained firm, as is evident from what he said to his relations who waited upon him: When I die, you need not grieve on my account, for all will be well; for the Lord is my God!"

When a friend said to him,' You have had in your time many sweet interviews with your Lord,'-"Yes, yes; he is the high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity, and yet, he inhabits the praises of Israel!" Do you recollect what text or sermon was first attended with a divine blessing to your soul?' "I am not able to speak to you now; but I am the resurrection and the life,' was a text of Mr. Fisher's. They were grand gospel-days! it was attended with a blessing then! Aye, aye, the word without the blessing would do nothing!" He was now quite exhausted: I therefore left him to rest. The sermon of Mr. Fisher, late of Glasgow, to which he here refers, I bave often heard him mention with the liveliest emotions of joy. It seems that during the preaching of that sermon, if sinners did not experience the life-giving power of Christ, saints felt its re viving efficacy: for he used to say, Hundreds were engaged all night in praying over that sermon in the church-yard and the adjoining fields; it being preached on the Sabbath evening immediately after the dispensation of the Lord's Supper.'

Thus he gave increasing evidence of the power of religion being felt by him; and his mind at length arrived at a state of quietness and assurance. To be in his company was to be in a manner in Heaven upon earth. His countenance ever wore a pleasing aspect; every feature was soft and mild. The tranquillity and joy he felt within might be read in the expression of his face. His discourse made it manifest that Heaven was in his heart: seldom did he utter a word, but it was in commendation of Jesus and his sacred religion; or in addressing the throne of mercy, imploring grace to glorify God in his present condition, and, with becoming resignation to the will of God, expressing a desire to depart and to be with Christ.'

He has sometimes passed the whole night without enjoying sleep. On one such occasion, when asked in the morning how he did, be made this reply: Though I have not slept a wink to-night, my God has been kind to me, in bearing in upon my mind the precious passages of his word, and in enabling me to take comfort from them. That portion of Scripture, Whom having not seen, ye love,' &c. has been a sweet passage to me: I have been thinking on it all the night,' &c,

However surprizing it may seem, it is notwithstanding true, that he has often broke out, during a profound sleep, into the most fervent prayer. At other times, the strains of praise, in honour of his God, have in sleep dwelt upon his tongue. Pains were taken to ascertain the state in which he was when thus employed; and the result was, an assurance of his being fast asleep! The degree of intenseness with which his mind was fixed on spiritual objects, was, we must conclude, uncommonly great; and that his affections were set on things above.

It is impossible to relate all the precious words he spoke, - all the fervent prayers he put up, all the important exhortations he gave to those about him, all his soliloquies on the riches

the freedom, and sovereignty of grace, that are worthy of being noticed. Every day was spent as if it were to be the last :prayer, praise, and devout meditation occupied the greatest portion of the day. Often, during his meditations, he expressed aloud, in strains of rapture, his admiration of redeeming love,celebrating, in a flow of the purest eloquence, the astonishing achievements of divine mercy, wisdom, and power! The precious thoughts of God toward sinful man, filled his breast with gratitude, and moved his tongue to sing!

His last moments were peculiarly interesting. While his strength enabled him to speak, he was frequently engaged in extolling the riches of grace. Ardent supplications were put up by him in behalf of all men, especially his children and grandchildren. Again and again he gave thanks to God for having preserved in life his daughter, with whom he lived, in order, as he expressed himself, to take care of him when he was unfit to take care of himself. Then addressing her, he would say,' You have been a kind daughter to me: the Lord reward and bless you for your kindness! yea, you shall be blessed!' He often expressed an ardent wish for seeing his grandson. A letter was dispatched to him; but had he waited its arrival, he would have been too late to have witnessed the abundant peace of his muchloved dying friend. On the Wednesday evening before his death, he arrived.

-

Hearing that he was come, he said, I am glad Jn is here: hope he will stay and see me laid in the dust.' Next day his young friend repeating several promises, which he conceived to be adapted to Christians in his situation, he lifted up his hand, in his usual solemn manner, and replied, ' And he is faithful that has promised; and he will perform,'-with an em phasis peculiar only to such as have an interest in the faithful word of God. After this, he endeavoured to speak again; and he was heard to say, Sleep, sleep.' He was asked if he was inclined to take rest in sleep.' Then collecting his strength, he made a last effort, when he distinctly uttered these words, 'Sleep in Jesus will God bring -;' but more could not be heard. It was then replied, "Yes; those who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." Thus he exhibited the faith he had of a resurrection, and of his own resurrection to immortal glory and honour. These were the last words of Scripture he was heard to utter indeed, these were the last words (except cold water, when he wished to drink) that he distinctly articulated, though he made frequent efforts during, the 36 hours he survived this display of his victory over death and the grave; but, from the motion of his lips, it was easy to perceive that he was, carrying on a correspondence with his heavenly Father. He thus continued gradually becoming weaker and weaker, till a little after the commencement of Saturday morning, when his soul winged its way 3 F

XVII.

to the celestial regions, to enjoy, thro' eternal ages, uninterrupted communion and fellowship with a triune Jehovah, reconciled in Christ Jesus, after he had passed a life of 88 years, 3 months, and 19 days, in this world of sin and sorrow. May we all follow the steps of his who that are now living the life of the righteous! and may our last end be like his, in peace, joy, and comfort of the Holy Ghost, and to be ever with the Lord! Amen.

PHILOSAGATHON.

ON MINISTERS' SALARIES.

Nor being in the habit of writing for publication, Ì feel reluctant to communicate my thoughts on the above subject; but a humble hope, that what I offer may possibly be the occasion of some worthy ministers and their families being better provided for, induces me to step out of my usual line.

Í apprehend, that the evil complained of arises from various causes; and that if these could be ascertained, a remedy might, in many cases, be applied. One cause, which I do not remember to have seen pointed out, I shall mention : -The want of proper attention in those persons whose particular business it is to attend to these concerns; I mean the deacons of the church, whose duty is not only to see that the wants of the poor are relieved, but also to take care that a suitable provision be made for the minister and his family.

As example is more impressive than precept, and as actual experiment is often more convincing than a long train of argu ments, I shall relate the circumstances of a case which took place within the last 10 years, in one of our churches of the Baptist denomination:

At a private meeting of the deacons, for the purpose of settling the mode of collecting the outstanding subscriptions to the pastor, one of them observed, that he thought the money raised for the minister was too little in these expensive times; nor was it what might reasonably be expected from such a congregation as usually attended; and although the pastor had neither directly nor indirectly made any complaint, yet it was as much the duty of the deacons to attend to this matter, as if an application had actually been made. After canvassing the matter, some proposed to double, others to increase, their subscription: at the same time they agreed, that (previously to private application being made to individuals) one of their number should address the members of the church, and request their assistance in this business. Accordingly, one of the officers waited on the minister the day the church-meeting was to be held, and informed him, That he would be requested to withdraw, as soon as the usual