in Christian countries; and it is more than probable, that it was to place them in their true station in society, and to remove all prejudices against them, that we find in the Bible so many instances of women being highly honoured and distinguished by God.

"The interesting employment of the great Redeemer," continued Mr. C, "had so occupied him, that the weariness and hunger he had felt before were gone; truly his meat was to do the will of Him that sent him, and to finish his work,'" (verse 34.) "I don't understand that, Sir," said Hyford. "He alluded," replied Mr. C," to the mighty Father's will, which was, to labour, and teach, and work miracles, in the midst of opposition and difficulties, until all was finished, by his sufferings and voluntary death upon the cross this was his delight; for this he came into the world, and rejoiced in the glorious harvest of souls that would be gathered in the Gospel field, and be the fruits of his unbounded love to fallen man; for it is recorded that 'many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.' Here is encouragement for all: if we have experienced mercy, let us endeavour to draw others too; the weakest and most insignificant are oftentimes the most honoured instruments in the hands of God, who frequently passes by the wise and the learned to employ those whom the world despise, 'that no flesh should glory in his presence.' Those Samaritans who believed on him, longed for further instruction; never man spake as he did: and they were sensible of their privilege; they besought him therefore to tarry with them, and he abode there two days, for none ever appealed to him in vain, or were refused when they entreated his gracious presence.

"The effect of this condescending visit was, that many more believed because of his own word, and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world,' (verse 42.) Here was a plain testimony; his doctrine carried such honour with it, that they felt convinced he must indeed be the Christ, and that not a false one, but He who had been so long expected, and was manifested as a Saviour. It is remarkable to observe how clearly these Samaritans understood his nature and mission; at once they received him as their Saviour, and no doubt informed many of their countrymen of the glorious truths that Jesus had taught them."

"Well, Sir," said Hyford, "great things often rise out of small beginnings: who would have thought that such consequences would have been produced from that poor woman going to a well for water?" "Even so, Mr. Hyford," replied Mr. C, "God is ever carrying on the extension of his kingdom, and will do so until all the redeemed are brought in, and every stone in the great spiritual temple is fitted into its place; and for this purpose He works in various ways: some He calls Himself, by his own mighty irresistible power; others He brings in by means of instruments, frequently most unexpected; others He teaches by the preaching of his word, and the ministry of his servants, who are hereby encouraged, nay, commanded. never to be weary in well-doing; for He says to them, In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good,' (Eccles. xi. 6.) And again, Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days,' (Eccles. xi. 1.)

"These promises, my friends, are very sweet; they are equally applicable to you and me: if you are partakers of Gospel blessings, and enjoy its comforts, impart them to others, and invite them to your Master's house; there is room enough and to spare, and 'now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.' The meat of Jesus was to do his Father's will. May we humbly endeavour to imitate his example; and though we may not be permitted to see any fruit of our labours, still our business is to do our Father's will, and leave the event to Him. Thus we shall employ the talents He has committed to our trust, and be hereafter honoured by hearing him say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,' (Matt. xxv. 21.) May this be your experience and mine, my dear friends," added the pastor, as he closed his book, "and then we shall rejoice together through the countless ages of eternity."

R. CLAY, PRINIER, BREAD STREET HILL.

THE

NEW TESTAMENT HISTORIES.

"OUR subject, when we last met, my dear friends," said the Pastor," was deeply interesting and important; the extreme beauty of the narrative, united with the sublime and heart-searching instructions given to the woman of Samaria, deservedly renders that history one of the most valuable upon record, and a suitable companion, if I may so call it, for that I have selected for our consideration today. According to the order of time, I have reason to believe, the interview of our Lord with Nicodemus was prior to his meeting with the woman of Samaria: for the former dwelt in Jerusalem, and visited him during the time he remained for the celebration of the Passover; the latter saw him as he was travelling from Judea into Galilee; -it is a point of no importance, but to me it adds to the interest of our subject to follow the footsteps of our gracious Redeemer as nearly as we can; to identify ourselves with those who accompanied him; to behold him, by the eye of faith, healing the diseased, and feeding the hungry; and to have the privilege of listening to such instruction as no merely mortal man could give, for never man spake like this man!'

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"Whether we contemplate the gracious dealings of God to his creatures," added Mr. C-, turning to Hyford and his brother farmers, or view him, as you and I have done, choosing Jacob as the lot of his inheritance, having found him in a desert land, in the waste howling wilderness, where he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye,' (Deut. xxxii. 9, 10,) or as the pages of the New Testament present him, ‘Immanuel,'-God manifest in the flesh,- —we are overpowered with the magnitude of our subject, and lost in wonder at our own mysterious existence, and his marvellous dealings towards the inhabitants of the earth. Truly he descended from the mansions of bliss upon such an errand of mercy as we cannot comprehend to its full extent whilst yet in the flesh, those alone who have entered into rest can do

so, for they can look back upon all that path whereby they have been led, and see the goodness that has made them partakers of such a weight of glory as far eclipses the most gorgeous display of Eastern magnificence and pomp. How to attain such exalted happiness was the subject of our Lord's discourse; and, assisted by his gracious Spirit, without whom none can teach with faithfulness, or any listen with profit, we will endeavour to understand those truths which he himself pronounced of infinite importance.

"We have seen that the cleansing of the temple, and the divine zeal Jesus displayed upon that occasion, roused the attention of the Jews, and, indeed, many believed on him, as far as considering him the prophet they were led to expect somewhere about that period; but they carried their faith no farther; his miracles astonished them, but there was no desire to be taught, no feeling of ignorance, no sense of sin; we can consequently easily imagine the conflicting sentiments that dwelt in the bosom of Nicodemus, when his curiosity, on the one hand, made him desire to confer with him, and fear of his brethren deterred him from doing so openly. We are, therefore, told by the sacred historian, that he chose the darkness as the best means of concealing his stolen visit, and came to Jesus by night. Ready to receive the timid inquirer, our gracious Lord, who knew the inmost recesses of his heart, gave him a cordial welcome, and encouraged him at once to enter upon the subject that occupied his thoughts; for when he said to him, 'Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him;' he answered and said, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' (John iii. 2, 3.) Upon this all-important subject, my friends, a vast deal has been written and said; it is not for me, at this time, and in this place, to bring forward and criticise the various opinions with which the religious world abounds, but simply to give that plain, scriptural meaning, which I conceive our Lord himself intended to convey, discoverable by what follows, as well as the different terms used by the Apostles to express exactly the same mighty truth. The Lord of life, who came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them, --the great Judge of all, said to this inquiring Pharisee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God; and he prefaced the solemn declaration with ' verily, verily.' He, the faithful and true Witness, says

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