conformity to a law which they have violated, and whose curse is denounced against the smallest, as well as the greatest violation; that not to love God every moment, and that with all the heart, is to break the whole law, and to place the man, whoever he be, on a level, in as far as respects his need of free mercy, with the greatest and vilest offenders; and that the holy law of God promises nothing but to the innocent; that, in so far as regards salvation, the law is of no farther use than (where it is admitted to have its proper place in the heartwhere it is apprehended in all its spiritual extent) rigorously to condemn in the conscience the smallest error or deficiency -thus, through the weakness of the flesh, which cannot come up to all its spirituality, by its terrors and denunciations, to be a continual plague, and to compel the wounded and terrified mind to take refuge in that blood which was shed for the remission of sins; that, as many as are of the works of that law, of which the apostle declares the sum to be, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," are under its curse, and debtors to fulfil all its demands; holy, just and good, and suitable to man in a state of innocency, as a condition of acceptance with God, as the law may be; to man in a state of guilt, of even the smallest degree, it is a terror; while as a rule of life—as an exhibition of the eternal law of Heaven, with respect to those who have fled from its terrors, and taken refuge with Christ-it is a continual source of humility; exhibiting to them the extent of the obedience which is due from them, and of that punishment which is due to them; and thus magnifying that matchless condescension and love, by which God purchased the church with his own blood-bare our sins in his own budy -submitted to be made a curse for us, that we might be no longer under the curse of the law; and not only so, but, as this law, which is a transcript of the unchangeable will of God, as moral Governor concerning his creatures, requires a perfect righteousness, on the penalty of certain vengeance, Christ in our nature, as our Head, in our stead, magnified the law, made it honourable, brought in a perfect and an enduring righteousness; and thus was, not only a sacrifice for our sins, but "the Lord our righteousness." I say, it became interesting to me to see whether that people who are so indulgent in matters of faith, would extend their charity to such sentiments. This question I now considered as decided.

To their request that I would make further inquiry, I replied, that I had made long and anxious inquiry; that I was perfectly satisfied on that score, and that what they had now stated convinced me, that they had a different religion, an op posite gospel from mine.

[To be concluded in our next.]

415

GENTLEMEN,

TO THE EDITORS OF THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

WHILE my mind was engaged in the way referred to in my last, I had an offer made me to go out to a foreign country; the climate of which is most unfavourable to Europeans. No particular intimation was given as to permanency of residence; not even the name or place of our destination, nor a single hint thrown out what was the particular object in view, when our services were required in this quarter of the world. Neither was there any particular time specified when these services should be required—all was involved in mystery, and the question simply put," Are you willing to volunteer your services to the coast of ?" and as an inducement, one step in rank, though not in emolument, was promised. Along with some others I cheerfully complied with the terms, and stood in readiness for a voyage, from whence there was but little prospect that I should ever return. These unfavourable hopes were founded upon the frequent conversations we had among ourselves, especially with those who had either declined the service, or sympathised in gloomy apprehensions with the prospect of losing our society and friendship. I must acknowledge, that the prospect of leaving my country and friends made little or no impression upon my mind. This might arise perhaps from local circumstances; being already separated from my family, my little hope of success should I continue at home, or what is more probable, from a subject of far greater importance which at this time began to occupy my mind. Religious feeling had never finally forsaken me. The fears and alarms which are naturally excited in the bosom, from the conviction of hanging as it were betwixt heaven and hell, with a fearful preponderance towards the latter, I was early made, from a course of religious instruction, to experience; and, although frequently silenced, I was never altogether able to escape their influence. At particular seasons, but more especially upon trying occasions, they were frequently withdrawn from their hidingplace, that I might be made to feel the bitterness of sin, and to see that its wages is death. At this time my mind began to reflect upon the probability, if not the certainty, that from certain defects in my constitution, I might fall a victim to some of the diseases peculiar to a tropical climate, and I shrunk with horror from the melancholy prospect of future and eternal mi sery, which my conscience told me I had justly deserved. My sins stood in horrible array against me, and I determined to cast some of the grosser sort off. But recollect, my readers, that this was a resolution formed in the fear and in the

pros

pect of death. I was then communing with myself upon my bed, and all was darkness and stillness around me. The morning light found every fear eradicated, every resolution forgotten, and the same day which found me reflecting upon my character and future prospects as a sinner, saw me endeavouring to render myself still more vile-attempting to fill up the measure of already deserved wrath, by adding iniquity unto iniquity. It is divine grace alone which can restrain the sinner, not a resolution founded upon the slavish fear of punishment, and dictated by the feelings of a selfish and carnal heart. Let the natural man once work himself into the fatal belief that there are no places of rewards and punishments after death-and what species of sinful and impure gratification is there in which blinded passion will not impel him to indulge? If any one less disposed than I am to picture to himself human nature under such a low state of degradation as this, doubt the truth of the above statement, let him read the 1st chapter of the epistle to the Romans, particularly observing what the apostle says in the 28th verse, and I trust he will be brought to acknowledge the testimony of God's word against the natural corruption of his own heart, as well as mine.

But to proceed-It was not the will of Providence that any of these things should happen me at that time: for after fruitless expectations indulged in for months, an order arrived from the Board, with the names of the persons inserted who were to give an immediate attendance there for further instructions; but mine was excluded from the list. Upon this event I received congratulations of joy, as well as sympathy, from those friends by whom I was surrounded. Some thought I was fortunate in escaping such a voyage, and others that I had been partially dealt with. As for myself, I received the intelligence with an indifference of feeling. Some time previous to this, I had received notice that my name was upon the list for reduction, so soon as that step should be deemed necessary; and my situation being one where every hope of advancement which I had cherished had met with nothing but disappointment, I now began to feel the truth of the wise man's observation, "That hope deferred maketh the heart sick." In short, 1 grew tired of every thing around me, and anxiously looked for the expected intimation that my services were no longer required. The order for my removal at last arrived, and I bade adieu to scenes which I hope and trust I shall never revisit. O that I felt more experimentally the force and the truth of the apostle's appeal to the changed lives and experience of the believers in Christ,-" What fruit had ye in those things of which ye are now ashamed?" &c. Rom. vi. 21. Fruit from them I have reaped none. What shame and contrition I have felt in

the retrospect, I reckon upon as nothing. Eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ.

Thus Providence led the way to my removal from this situation in a manner I had never anticipated. Unconscious of the purpose for which these things were so ordained, I returned home, with my manners more corrupted by this short career of a military life, and religious sentiments considerably weakened in their impression. I proceeded on my journey with one of my old acquaintances, whom I met in the metropolis, who had formerly been upon the same station with myself, but who had been some time removed from it previous to this, and with whom I had kept up an epistolary correspondence. Previous to our separation, he had expressed a warm attachment and friendship for me; and from his friends and influence I expected a good deal, as he had promised that these should not be awanting, if required, for my future establishment in life. But whatever may have been the secondary causes which led to the disappointment I was called upon to experience with regard to this, I now feel myself delivered from every ground calculated to excite a murmur at hopes so easily raised being suffered to fail, either from lack of friendship, or from my anticipating too much. Providence had other views with regard to my future history and adverse as these in the sequel may appear to be, yet if such was the way which he purposed to bring me to himself, it surely was the best which could have been appointed; and every selfish thought which would say, "a less thorny path would have been more agreeable, and equally safe,"-the ignorant imagination is put to silence, by the soul which has felt the benefit of these words, "He hath done all things well." It is indeed true that the Lord is all-powerful for the accomplishment of his own purposes in any way; but, as he effects his designs of mercy through the agency of means, these are ordained and varied in such a way as the particular circumstances of the individual may render necessary. The mind is often gradually prepared for the change of Divine grace which it is to experience, by a continued chain of adverse circumstances in the special appointment of Providence; one of which coming by itself might be apt to overwhelm the soul unaccustomed to experience affliction at the hand of God.

+

In some respects I may say, that this was the case with myself. I had hardly ever known what it was to enjoy flattering prospects, except what a lively fancy might be apt to conjure up; but whenever reflection led me to view the ground upon which I had erected the imaginary building, little as my discernment often proved to be, it never failed in these cases to discover to me the subtilty of the foundation upon which I had reared my hopes of worldly success. Having no wish to press 3 G

VOL. VI.

the fulfilment of a promise voluntarily uttered by a friend, who was well aware of the delicate situation in which he himself had placed me in raising my expectations, but which he now seemed in no haste to realize, my feelings shrunk from the idea of asking any more his advice or assistance; and I therefore began seriously to think of settling myself in the world, with such resources as I was able to muster. By the advice of friends, I took up my residence in a village in my native county, and began to apply myself to the duties of my calling.Perhaps, Gentlemen, I may tire you and your readers with such minute details, but I deem these necessary, as an introduction to more important matter; and I have again to crave your indulgence for the insertion of a few particulars upon the state of that society in which I was now for a time to move. I consider the period when I entered upon this new situation as one, from events which followed, the most momentous of my life. May the lessons which were then taught me prove lasting and beneficial, as it is my wish and prayer that they should do.

Those persons in the neighbourhood to whom I was particularly introduced shewed me every possible mark of kindness. I soon became generally acquainted, and from all I received the best tokens of friendship and family welcome. For them all I feel the warmest affection and regard, and earnestly do I wish that I could recognize every one of them as a brother and sis ter in the bonds of the gospel. But alas! while love and friendship are promoted in that circle where I was once accustomed to move, the one thing needful was, and I am afraid still is forgotten. When I left the place, religion was languishing; no, she had actually expired: for if she indeed beamed with a glowing and rapturous flame in the bosoms of any, their lives must have been hid, as once or twice they may have, but never more, obtruded themselves upon my notice. By this I do not mean to say, that virtuous principles, as these are too commonly understood, were in every case extinguished. No. In general, however, the inhabitants were loose in their morals, although there were not wanting many to lament this degradation of character which so often met their eye. Although at this time I was making no profession of Christianity myself, beyond indulging in sin at one time, and attending upon Divine ordinances, and speculating upon preachers and the nierits of a sermon, at another; yet I was able to discover betwixt an assumed profession of sanctity, and the influence of the gospel upon the heart. Whenever Christian principles, as in the above instance, are found to regulate and form the conduct of no part of a community, properly speaking, example, however commendable in some things, has no general influence over others. It