before me. I must have a scheme of prayer; also the names of missionaries marked on the map. I ought to intercede at large for the above on Saturday morning and evening from seven to eight. Perhaps also I might take different parts for different days; only I ought daily to plead for my family and flock. I ought to pray in every thing. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication, make your requests known unto God.' Often I receive a letter asking to preach, or some such request. I find myself answering before having asked counsel of God. Still oftener a person calls and asks me something, and I do not ask direction. Often I go out to visit a sick person in a hurry, without asking his blessing, which alone can make the visit of any use. I am persuaded that I ought never to do any thing without prayer, and, if possible, special, secret prayer.

66

In reading the history of the Church of Scotland, I see how much her troubles and trials have been connected with the salvation of souls and the glory of Christ. I ought to pray far more for our church, for our leading ministers by name, and for my own clear guidance in the right way, that I may not be led aside, or driven aside from following Christ. Many difficult questions may be forced on us for which I am not fully prepared, such as the lawfulness of covenants. I should pray much more in peaceful days, that I may be guided rightly when days of trial come.

"I ought to spend the best hours of the day in communion with God. It is my noblest and most fruitful employment, and is not to be thrust into any corner. The morning hours, from six to eight, are the most uninterrupted, and should be thus employed, if I can prevent drowsiness. A little time after breakfast might be given to intercession. After tea is my best hour, and that should be solemnly dedicated to God if possible.

"I ought not to give up the good old habit of prayer before going to bed; but guard must be kept against sleep; planning what things I am to ask is the best remedy. When I awake in the night, I ought to rise and pray, as David and John Welsh did.

"I ought to read three chapters in the Bible in secret every day, at least.

"I ought, on Sabbath morning, to look over all the chapters read through the week, and especially the verses marked. I ought to read in three different places. I ought also to read according to subjects, lives, etc."

This paper, which we have quoted at large, he left evidently unfinished. Some parts of it might not be deemed, under all circumstances, expedient for other minBut in its general spirit, it is very valuable; and, as a guide to the devotional, we cannot do otherwise than recommend it.

We have omitted to mention that, at an earlier period, he was engaged in a mission of inquiry, set on foot in Scotland about the year 1838, in respect to the spiritual condition of the Jews in Palestine and elsewhere. The

design of this mission was to learn what doors were open for the important service of introducing true Christianity among this ancient, though now miserable and degraded people. Mr. McCheyne had been compelled, by decaying health, to take a temporary furlough from his duties; and, the confidence and esteem of his brethren having called him, though so young, to the responsible work of a tour of exploration among them, he embraced the opportunity thus offered him; having not only the hope of doing good in this cause, but also the additional hope of invigorating his constitution by the recreation of a protracted journey, and the healing influence of the air of more genial climes.

This tour gave occasion for some of the most interesting portions of the present Memoir. The spirit of devotion to his ministerial work kept his attention always alert during his wanderings. He seized every opportunity for observing the Biblical illustrations, ever bursting upon the eye of the traveller in the interesting countries where once trod the feet of apostles and of the Son of God. In this tour also originated the "Familiar Letters" to his friends,--an interesting account of his observations abroad; these "Letters" are included in the present volumes. They have also been printed separately in a small 16mo volume.

This journey occupied Mr. McCheyne from March to Nov. 1839. He returned to his charge, invigorated in body and advanced in religion. After his return, he labored in his accustomed manner, though perhaps with more of confidence, energy, faithfulness and zeal. As if he foresaw that his remaining work must be performed within a very brief compass, he was incessant in his efforts to do good. In the beginning of the year 1843, the state of his mind indicated that he was rapidly ripening for heaven. Flying like a seraph from point to point, wherever he could be useful in his Master's cause, he carried the spirit of his celestial home with him every where. His preaching was with unusual solemnity. One said of a sermon. preached by him at Collace, in January, 1843, from the text in 1 Cor. 9: 27,-" a castaway,"-that "it was like a blast of the trumpet that shall awaken the dead." His letters showed that he was breathing after glory. In one of them he wrote,-"Often, often, I would like to depart

and be with Christ-to mount the Pisgah-top and take a farewell look of the church below, and leave my body and be present with the Lord. Áh, it is far better." Again, "I do not expect to live long. I expect a sudden call some day-perhaps soon-and therefore I speak very plainly."

His last illness was short. On Sabbath, March 12, he preached three times,-twice to his own people, and once at an out-station. Early in the same week, he exhibited signs of restlessness and fever; sometimes he was oppressed by despondency, and sometimes filled with an exulting faith.

"On the following Sabbath, when one expressed a wish that he had been able to go forth as usual to preach, he replied, My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord ; and added, I am preaching the sermon that God would have me to do.'

"On Tuesday, the 21st, his sister read to him several hymns. The last words he heard, and the last he seemed to understand, were those of Cowper's hymn, Sometimes the light surprises the Christian as he sings.' And then the delirium came on.

6

6

"At one time, during the delirium, he said to his attendant, Mind the text, 1 Cor. 15: 58, Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,'-dwelling with much emphasis on the last clause, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.' His voice, which had been weak before, became very strong now; and often was he heard, speaking to or praying for his people. You must be awakened in time, or you will be awakened in everlasting torment, to your eternal confusion.' You may soon get me away, but that will not save your souls.' Then he prayed, This parish, Lord, this people, this whole place.' At another time, Do it thyself, Lord, for thy weak servant.' And again, as if praying for the saints, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me.'

6

"Thus he continued most generally engaged, while the delirium lasted, either in prayer, or in preaching to his people, and always apparently in a happy frame, till the morning of Saturday the 25th. On that morning, while his kind medical attendant, Dr. Gibson, stood by, he lifted up his hands as if in the attitude of pronouncing the blessing, and then sank down. Not a groan, or a sigh, but only a quiver of the lip, and his soul was at rest.

This solemn, yet interesting scene strongly reminds us of the ascension of our Lord, who lifted up his hands and blessed his disciples, "and while he was blessing them he was parted from them, and a cloud received him out of their sight." So did this youthful and devoted minis

ter of Christ. May the mantle of his piety rest upon the young pastors who survive.

The Memoir covers 148 pages of the first volume. The letters, addressed to various persons, chiefly on religious topics, form the next division of the volume, and embrace 108 pages. Many of these letters are examples of what has been said, that he scarcely wrote to any individual, for any purpose, without seasoning his epistle by some savory remarks on heavenly things. Many of the letters are entirely filled with exhibitions of religious truth. They are written with great simplicity, clearness and earnestness, and are worthy, in many respects, to be exhibited. as models of religious letter-writing. Ten of the letters are denominated "pastoral letters," having been written by him, during his journeys, to his absent flock. The editor has placed over each of the letters a title, describing the prominent subject, and giving the reader the means of discerning at a glance the topics treated on every page. Many of these titles have a touching interest, and will readily secure the perusal of the serious and devout reader. We shall present a few extracts from these letters, both as specimens of his correspondence, and for the just and beautiful spirit they breathe, and for the truths embraced in them. They are a true exhibition of the manner and spirit of their author.

The first is a letter to a parishioner, and entitled,— "Riches of Christ-resemblance to him."

"I am sorry to leave town without seeing you; but I find myself obliged to do so. A long and interesting meeting of Presbytery took up the greater part of my time. I am delighted to hear that you are still keeping a little better, and fondly hope the Lord may restore you to us once more, to help us by your prayers in these trying, but glorious times. I would like to have seen you once again before going back; but I must just content myself with casting you on the Lord, on whom you believe. Precious friend and unchangeable priest is Christsweeter to you than honey and the honey-comb. How great is the goodness he hath laid up for them that fear him! Just as the miser lays up money, that he may feast his eyes upon it, so Christ has laid up unsearchable riches, that he may supply all our need out of them. Unfathomable oceans of grace are in Christ for you. Dive and dive again; you will never come to the bottom of these depths. How many millions of dazzling pearls and gems are at this moment hid in the deep recesses of the ocean caves! But there are unsearchable riches in Christ. Seek more of them. The Lord enrich you with them. I

have always thought it a very pitiful show when great people ornament themselves with brilliants and diamonds; but it is the truest wisdom to adorn the soul with Christ and his graces. 'Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.' You see my pen runs on, though I fear you will hardly be able to read what I write. The Lord Jesus give you out of his fulness, and grace for grace. In a mirror you will observe that every feature of the face is reflected-both the large and small features. Now our soul should be a mirror of Christ; we should reflect every feature. For every grace in Christ, there should be a counterpart grace in us. The Lord give you this; then I can ask no more for you. Your times are in his hand, Ps. 31. May you have the blessing of Asher, As thy days, so shall thy strength be.'"

The next extract is from a letter to a parishioner on a sick bed. It is entitled, "How cares and troubles sanctify."

"I may not see you for a little, as I am not strong; and therefore I send you a line in answer to your letter. I like to hear from you, and especially when God is revealing himself to your soul. All his doings are wonderful. It is, indeed, amazing how he makes use of affliction to make us feel his love more. Your house is, I trust, in some measure like that house in Bethany of which it is said, 'Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.' They had different degrees of grace. One had more faith, and another more love, still Jesus loved them all. Martha was more inclined to be worldly than Mary, yet Jesus loved them both. It is a happy house, when Jesus loves all that dwell in it. Surely it is next door to heaven.

66

The message of Martha and Mary to Christ, (John 11: 3,) teaches you to carry all your temporal, as well as your spiritual troubles to his feet. Leave them there. Carry one another's case to Jesus. Is it not a wonderful grace in God to have given you peace in Christ, before laying you down on your long sick bed! It would have been a wearisome lie, if you had been an enemy to God; and then it would have been over hell. Do you feel, Rom. 5: 3, to be true in your expeence? You cannot love trouble for its own sake; bitter must always be bitter, and pain must always be pain. God knows you cannot love trouble. Yet for the blessings that it brings, he can make you pray for it. Does trouble work patience in you? Does it lead you to cling closer to the Lord Jesus-to hide deeper in the rock? Does it make you be still and know that he is God? Does it make you

'Lie passive in his hand,

And know no will but his ?'

Thus does patience work experience-an experimental acquaintance with Jesus. Does it bring you a fuller taste of his sweetness, so that you know whom you have believed? And does this experience give you a further hope of glory—another anchor cast within the veil? And does this hope give you a heart that cannot be ashamed, because