sung psalms and hymns, read the Bible, and exhorted one another to fear and love God. The power of the Lord was present to heal: he owned his own work, and gave us prosperity. Many of my old companions were awakened; also my poor old mother, one of my sisters, and one of my brothers, who had been a champion in the devil's cause, but has been an ornament to religion from that time, to this day. The fire now kindled, and the flame spread. I had one invitation after another to High-Spenn, Barlow, Woodside, Prudhoe, Newlands, Blanchland, Durham, Sunderland, and many other places. (To be continued.) THOUGHTS ON THE PAST AND FUTURE. THE old year is past and gone, no more to return. Not a single moment of its time can be recalled, nor bought back again; no, not by all the wealth of all the world. All its wasted misspent hours are fled. All the sins that have been therein committed are recorded in the calendar of eternity. Every opportunity which it afforded for getting or doing good is also gone; and-whether improved or otherwise can in nowise be recovered. During the past year many important changes, in both the church and the world, have taken place. Strange and fierce contentions have been going on. Knowledge has been contending with ignorance, truth with error, and virtue with vice. Nor have the children of men escaped the vicissitudes that are incident to this changing world. Some men in their position or prospects in this life have been lifted up, and others have been cast down. Some have been filled with joy and gladness, others have been almost overwhelmed with sorrow and sadness. Some have flourished in the bloom of health and strength, others have wasted away in sickness and disease. Many an eye that in the beginning of the past year beamed with sparkling beauty and enchanting loveliness, is now closed in the darkness and night of death. Many a tongue that spoke in tones of sweetness, and poured forth words of wisdom, is silent in the undisturbed stillness of the tomb. Many a happy family has been visited with severe affliction, and called to pass through great distress. Many a faithful husband has had to mourn over the sudden and unexpected loss of a dear departed wife. Many a disconsolate widow's heart has been wrung with anguish over the grave of her dearest her only earthly protector. Many an indulgent father has sorrowed greatly because of the early departure of his beloved son," whom he hoped would have been the staff of his declining years, and have smoothed, for his weary feet, the rugged path of life. Many a fond mother has wept bitterly, because the hand of death has torn from her embrace an affectionate and, perchance, only daughter, who was her parent's solace, and her only earthly joy; yes, and as that bereaved mother followed that dear departed one to her final resting place, such was the keen distress of her almost bleeding heart, that she was heard to exclaim, "Oh, my child, my child, would to God I had died for thee!" Such, no doubt, are some of the scenes of sorrow and woe that have been witnessed in the year that is past. The future is impenetrable to mortal vision-unknown to finite man-and can only be seen by the comprehensive glance of the infinite mind of the Eternal Spirit. It is quite certain, however, that in the course of this year unexpected and mysterious events will take place. Many of the human race will be overtaken by adversity-many by affliction-many by death. But who? Ah! this is an important question. That it is important, may be seen and felt, especially when we consider the solemnities, circumstances, and consequences of death. Oh my soul! it is indeed a solemn thing to die. The very idea of having to be consigned to"A land of deepest shade, Unpierced by human thought, The dreary regions of the dead, Where all things are forgot," is calculated to fill the mind with sacred awe, and trembling dread. The circumstances of death are sometimes terrible and alarming. The sudden accident-the raging disease-the slowly beating pulsethe pale cheek-the swimming eye-the quivering lip-the cold sweat are circumstances generally attendant on death, and invest it with an association of ideas, from which the human spirit shrinks as with an instinctive horror! But the consequences of death are by far the most awful. Death is to man the passport or medium out of time into eternity. In effect, it decides his destiny in a future state of being. It elevates the soul to heaven, or consigns it to hell; raises it to immortal bliss, or sinks it in endless woe. Death is also a matter of uncertainty. To us at least its shafts appear to fly promiscuously and at random. It seizes as its helpless victims those whom we thought would not yet have been taken, and takes those whom we supposed would have been left behind. So that we cannot tell, we do not know to whom the summons may next arrive. Hence the uncer tainty there is in this matter: yes, and strange to say, on the very fact of this uncertainty is found unjust cause for daring presumption on the part of mankind. Men presume upon time, and thus procrastinate their attention to the vast concerns of eternity. He who is in the midst of his years, "the prime of life," talks not, thinks not of death, but refers this subject to the decrepit and the aged. He who rejoices in the full vigour of physical strength and activity, forgets "to number his days and apply his heart unto wisdom" he leaves this work to the delicate and infirm, whose heart and flesh are failing." There is much truth in the following words of a great and good man, "Men think all men mortal but themselves." Certain it is, that the vast majority of human kind are living as though they had come to a positive conclusion, that they shall never die : living as if they had no part to act, no position to occupy, but on the stage of this short fleeting life. Judging from their conduct, we might naturally suppose "their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations." Thus they seem to think, thus they appear to act, notwithstanding the many solemn and earnest. warnings they have received, to pursue a contrary course. Warnings ! did we say? yes, where is the man who, during the past year, has not been warned in some way or other? Perhaps it has been by the lightning's flash, the thunder's roar, the pelting storm: or, by the Word, the Spirit, and Providence of God. Thousands of the unconverted and careless have been admonished of their danger, their duty, and their interest. Their neighbours, friends, and relatives have been taken away. They have seen the king of terrors marching abroad in his most ghastly forms, cutting down on the right hand and on the left, and hurrying affrighted mortals to the bar of God. Yes, and in these alarming dispensations of Divine Providence, they have heard a voice, speaking in deep and solemn tones,-tones that they could neither mistake nor misunderstand, saying,-" Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh." For a while these things made impressions, called forth something like serious resolves : but alas! the former are blighted, the latter forgotten, or if not forgotten, disregarded. Regardless of the past, and unmindful of the future, they are ready to say within themselves," Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years: take thine ease; eat, drink, and be merry." They have plunged, or are now plunging deeper and deeper in the sea of earthly care, and are being carried, by the fierce winds of popular excitement or worldly folly, with fearful impetuosity, down the rapid stream of time; and there is too much reason to fear that many of them, wrapt in imaginary ease and fancied security, will not awake to a full consciousness of their awful danger and perilous condition until death suddenly comes upon them: comes at a time when they least expect it, and are most unprepared to meet it. "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end !" I enquire of those who read these remarks, have you pursued, or are you now pursuing a course, similar to what has just been described? If so, you will do well to reflect upon the past, examine the present, contemplate the future. The performance of this duty may not be found the most agreeable; it is nevertheless binding and indispensable. Sins must be called to remembrance, ere they can be repented of and forgiven. Danger must be really apprehended and felt, ere a place of refuge or safety will be sincerely and earnestly sought for. There must be an enlightened contemplation of the future, before a full preparation for the awful realities it will disclose can be effectually obtained. Then shrink not from the task in question. Practical attention to it is your interest, your life. It is possible, nay, it is probable, that in reference to you, the irrevocable decree has gone forth," This year thou shalt die ;" and before its rolling course is closed, you, with millions more who are now living, may be numbered with the dead! If then you have entered upon the last year of your earthly existence; it is not difficult to say, what line of conduct ought to mark the general tenor of your life. It ought to be "Your sole concern, your single care; Remember, that if the last enemy should come and find you unpre pared; the event will be awfully shocking, and its results tremendous; inasmuch as it will involve, not only the dissolution of the body, but also the death of the scul! That punishment which is always progressing, and will never terminate; hence it has been called, "The death that never dies." 66 66 True follower of Christ: perhaps the decree has gone forth, and it has also been said of you, This year thou shalt die." Well, if it be so you have nothing to fear. For you to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Make religion and the momentous concerns of eternity the first and last business of your life. Let it be your care to promote to the uttermost of your power, the glory of God. Labour with renewed zeal, with unwearied diligence in his blessed service. Daily examine your title to heaven. Seek to be made more fully meet, for the inheritance of the saints in light. And since you "know neither the day nor the hour, in which the Son of Man may come," WATCH, therefore: remembering who has said, "Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find watching." T. SWALLOW. A REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF THE POWER OF DIVINE GRACE. ONE of the most extraordinary examples of what the grace of God can effect, in changing the heart and conduct of notorious sinners, which ever came under my notice,-during a more than thirty years profession of religion, I became acquainted with some few weeks ago. The new creation effected in the subject of these remarks was so thorough and complete, its reality so unquestionable, and its effects so delightful, that I feel compelled to do what I can to give the facts a more extensive and permanent record, than mere conversation on the subject could possibly effect. Considerably more than a quarter of a century ago, there existed, in a populous neighbourhood in England, an organised gang of robbers, who by their daring acts of plunder became a terror to the community, extending over a large district of country; and these robbers for a long period defied all attempts at apprehension. They proceeded from one step in crime to another, until having committed extensive forgeries upon a local bank of issue, two of them, father and son, were detected in the act of putting off the spurious paper, and committed to the jail of the county town. I remember now, very well, being in that town during the assizes at which the two unhappy men were tried; and hearing of the peculiar and extraordinary case, of father and son being about to stand at the criminal bar of their country together; and their exploits being the general topic of conversation, for these and other reasons, I resolved if possible, to be present at the trial. I recollect distinctly, having succeeded in obtaining a seat in court, and remaining nearly the whole of the day during which the investigation was going on; and it is equally within my remembrance that the jury, after a patient consideration of the case, pronounced the dreadful word " Guilty," in reference to both the wretched culprits. The judge then proceeded to pass sentence upon the criminals, and-it being at a period when men were hanged equally for murder and forgery, or for comparatively the small offence of secreting a bag of wool from their creditors *-the father was sentenced to die upon the scaffold, which sentence was shortly afterwards carried into effect, and the son was sentenced to transportation for life. Soon after that period, until within a short time back, the case had to a considerable extent escaped my recollection, saving that, on two distinct occasions, in the mean time, I had been reminded of it by the fact, that two other sons of the executed man had been somewhat similarly charged, and on conviction had also been expatriated from their country. A few weeks ago I was much surprised at hearing, that the person whose trial I had myself witnessed so long since, and which had resulted in his transportation for life, had come over to his native country, on a visit to his relatives. It was stated that, owing to good conduct, he had, many years since, by the favour of the government, obtained his freedom, had entered into business, in which he had been very successful, had married, and had become the father of eight children, most of whom had arrived at maturity. But the most extraordinary and interesting part of the statement made was, that this man, who had been an outcast from his country, a midnight robber and thief, had been converted to God several years before in Van Dieman's Land, had united himself to the Wesleyan church, and for a succession of years, had been an honour and ornament to the religion of which he had made profession. It was added also, that his visit from the new world, to the neighbourhood in which I write, had been influenced solely by an unconquerable desire to be instrumental in the conversion of an only sister, who is married, and who has long resided here; so that in fact he had travelled about sixteen thousand miles, for the sole purpose of endeavouring to promote the salvation of a single soul! I may now state, that I had several opportunities during the stay of this extraordinary man-for such I think he may properly be designated of seeing, hearing, and conversing with him; and it was the impression I received of his high Christian character-of his simplicity, and power of faith-of his deep and genuine piety-his ardent zeal in the cause of Christ and love for souls, which induced me to resolve upon this slight sketch. He attended the preaching at our chapel, on several occasions, as well as at the Conference chapel, and was present at some of our prayer meetings; and I must say that, for devoutness of demeanour, and apparent abstraction from all external objects, during the services, I never witnessed a more striking exhibition than in his whole conduct. Every word of the preacher, for I sat opposite and had a distinct view, appeared to be devoured by * A professional gentleman told me lately, that he knew a case, which occurred about thirty years ago, in which a bankrupt was charged with defrauding his creditors out of a bag of wool, and for which he was tried, convicted, and executed!! |