by faith upon him, is delightful; but I fear, many who talk of faith, have but little experience of this in their hearts. I can assure you, with the greatest sincerity, you have my fervent prayers that a divine blessing may attend all your studies; and that you may never lose sight of the necessity of divine teaching, to make every attainment truly valuable. It is not because I doubt your sincerity, but because I respect and love you, my dear young friend, that I would exhort you to cleave to the Lord constantly. I know, by experience, the danger of having the drawn off from him for a moment. We are eye only safe when kept by him. May he ever keep you fice from error and sin, and qualify you for much usefulness."

The minds of our readers have been, in some measure, prepared to receive the melancholy account of the death of this truly valuable man. On the 25th of July he had appointed to meet the Rev. M. Wilks, at ilaziemere, to consult about the purchase of a piece of ground, and the erection of a new chapel · there. He set off in the morning, in a single horse-chaise, ac-. companied by one of his congregation, with whom he began. a very animated conversation about eternal things; after which he proposed singing a hymn. They sung the sixty-fifth hymn of the second book of Dr. Watts; and afterwards began the seventeenth of the first book: —

-

"O for an overcoming faith,

To cheer my dying hours,

To triumph o'er that monster, Death,

And all his frightful pow'rs!"

when a part of the harness breaking, the horse was frightened, and ran violently down the hill which leads into Hazlemere. To the surprize of every beholder, the horse turned short round the corner of tire inn-yard without oversetting the chaise; when they all supposed the danger over, and the bitterness of death past. The event proved, that the decree was gone forth to call this highly-favoured servant home. When the horse had nearly reached the top of the yard, the chaise was overturned. His companion was thrown out unhurt upon some straw; but Mr. Densham received a violent blow against the stable, and was taken up speechless. Medical help was instantly procured; and every possible means made use of in vain. A considerable contusion was discovered on the head. He revived a little, but was insensible; and breathed his soul into the bosom of his Lord on the morning of the following day. The distress of his friends may be better conceived than expressed; and was felt like an electric shock by thousands, who tenderly loved him. On the evening before his death, be preached from Ps. xx. 7, " Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;" in which he burst out in the following most pathetic and, as might be thought, prophetic strain:-"My soul bleeds for my beloved country! How will the day of my God be

profaned, the name of my God blasphemed, and other crimes, committed, which will call for vengeance! How many may be called out, never more to return, never to hear another gospel-sermon! I will endeavour to preach every day this week, in some place or other. I never saw so much of the importance of human life as I do at this moment; nor so much of the importance of my own life, which I think near at an end." At the conclusion of the service, contrary to his usual custom, he gave out the parting-hymn, "Once more, before we part," &c. In the course of the preceding week, he was conversing on the subject of death, and expressed a hope, that whenever that event took place, he might be buried in his own chapel. He was accordingly removed over to Petersfield for interment; and lies buried in a vault beneath the pulpit, there to wait for the second appearance of the great God our Saviour, when, we doubt rot, he will also appear with him in glory. May it be his joy to meet many of his dear hearers on the right hand of the Judge! The deepest grief was (and still is) felt by all his flock. A numerous procession of true mourn ers followed him to his tomb,, bedewing it with their tears. There were, however, some few sinners so hardened, as to set the bells a ringing on the occasion: a circumstance which shocked all the decent people in the village; and even one of the ringers was so struck with his own criminal conduct, that' he has attended the preaching ever since, with great apparent seriousness. As soon as the distressing news of his death could be communicated to the neighbouring ministers, they hastened to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory. His pall was supported by Messrs. Bogue and Griffin, Miall and Shoveller, Skemp and Smith. Mr. Wilks spoke over the body, from that striking monition, Prov. xxvii. 1," Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Several funeral-sermons were preached for him in different places: one, particularly at the request of his relatives and friends, at Camberwell, where he first spoke in public, and where he was much beloved, from Acts xi. 24, “ He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith; and much people was added unto the Lord."

Thus died, in the thirty-sixth year of his age, in the prime of life, in full health, and in the midst of uncommon usefulness, the Rev. Richard Densham. Who can refrain from the exclamation of the apostle, on a view of the divine conduct? "O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" What a spur to diligence, O ye ministers of the sanctuary! What a call to Christians! "Be ye also ready." What a warning to sinners!" Prepare to meet your God." What a pattern for students, itinerants, and Missionaries! "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

The singular blessings which crowned the bold and faithful labours of Mr. Denshain, may, and we hope will, animate other zealous young men to pursue the same useful line of iti'nerantcy. How many thousands of our dear fellow-countrymen, in the obscure villages of England, will probably live and die strangers to the necessary truths of the gospel and their saving efficacy, unless men, like minded with him, despising inglorious ease, and equally careless of human censure or applause, will venture without the camp, and endure, for the sake of Christ and souls, the toils of evangelizing these British Heathen! Inglorious as this work may appear to many, it is truly apostolical, so Christ-like, that his blessing and final approbation may be assuredly expected; while good men, of every class, will gladly afford their countenance, their support, and their prayers. May the great Head of the Church, with whom is the residence of the Spirit, anoint many of his chosen souls thus to bear his name to the villagers of England, and render them blessings as extensively useful as "Honest Densham!"

ON A CALL TO THE MINISTRY,

IN ANSWER TO A QUERY OF JOANNES, IN OUR LAST, P. 169.

IT cannot be expected that any persons, in the present day, should receive so-remarkable a call to the work of the ministry as did the apostles and first preachers of the gospel; yet, doubtless, the same Divine Spirit, by whom they were raised up and qualified, still furnishes chosen vessels, with suitable gifts; and powerfully influences them to desire this sacred office. As, however, they who are thus designated by the Spirit of God, are not usually certified of it by any extraordinary discovery of the divine will, and may, for a time, remain in much perplexity as to their call, it becomes an interesting enquiry, How may such a call be known to the subject of it? I conceive the following to be satisfactory evidences:

1. True devotedness of heart to God; a desire to live, not for the purpose of self-gratification, but of honouring and glorifying God in every possible way.

2. A deep concern for the immortal interests of men: heartfelt grief on observing the indifference of the greater part of mankind, with respect to their eternal interests; and an earnest desire to be instrumental in rousing them to a sense of their danger, and directing them to Christ, the Saviour of sinners!

S.. Great delight in reading and studying the sacred Scriptures, with a disposition to apply diligently to those pursuits which tend to qualify for the arduous engagement of instructing others.

4. A public spirit in religion; a lively concern for the ad vancement and prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world at large.

5. A steady earnest desire to be engaged in the Christian ministry, in preference to every other employment, accompanied with a deep sense of unworthiness of the honour, and inability for the discharge of the duties of it, without divine

assistance.

6. A sincere endeavour to know the will of God respecting it, making it the matter of earnest prayer, and practising close and repeated self-examination.

7. The approbation of pious and judicious friends, who are competent judges of ministerial talents, and who encourage the person to devote himself to the work; especially the countenance of experienced ministers.

INTERESTING INCIDENT.

B.

Re

ON the evening that the Hottentots were in the Scots Church, in Swallow Street, a negro boy, about fifteen years old, anxious to see the converts to Christianity from his quarter of the world, of whom every body was speaking, pressed through the crowd, and, at length, reached the vestry-door. The service had closed; and the Hottentots were taking a little wine with the minister and friends, who were standing around them. The moment that Mary's eye caught the face of the boy, she flew to him, took him eagerly to her arms, fondled over him with much maternal affection; and Martha having now come forward, they put some questions to him in Dutch, repeated them again and again with great earnestness of manner, and seemed much disappointed at his giving them no answer. collecting, at last, that the lad did not understand Dutch, Mary hastened to her minister, Mr. Kicherer, brought him to the boy, requesting him to put the question to him in English. He did so. The question which they had, with so much concern, been addressing to the negro boy, was, "Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ ?" The poor boy who, may be, had heard little of Jesus Christ, save in the blasphemics of nominal professors, looked blank, confused, and gave no answer. Their mortification was extreme; their countenances fell; they were grieved to find a native of Africa, who had enjoyed the privileges of this country, unacquainted with the Redeemer. Reader, thou hast long enjoyed these spiritual privileges! How stands thy heart affected to the Son of God?-Listen to the following awful words, as if seven thunders uttered their voices: — " If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathems maranatha."

MR. EDITOR,

THE FOLLY OF VICE.

THE execution of that unfortunate young woman, Ann Hurle, the other day, for forgery, brought to my mind that passage of Solomon :— "The way of transgressors is hard *." She found it to be so by sad experience; but leaving her to her Judge, I pursued the reflection, and the following thoughts occurred to my mind:

1. That the way of transgressors is hard," is evident, as it often tends to penury and want. It is true, that many of God's people themselves are poor; but their's is a sanctified poverty. The poverty of the wicked is abject and miserable: it is a poverty often brought upon themselves by their indolence, their love of pleasure, and their wickedness. Religion promotes in dustry, industry gains respect, respect gains recommendation, recommendation gains business, business gains wealth; and thus religion of itself naturally leads to prosperity. But on the contrary, Vice promotes idleness, idleness brings reproach, reproach cuts off recommendation, and want of recommendation stagnates business; and thus a wretched poverty often falls to the lot of the ungodly. Could we enter into the abodes of thousands, and ask, What has clothed their children with rags? What has caused them to part with their furniture? What has painted misery in their countenances, and rendered them destitute of the comforts of life? What, if the truth were spoken, would be the answer? Was it religion? Was it honesty? Was it temperance? Was it industry that did all this? No, it was the want of these. It was imprudence, it was indolence, it was vice that led to these dreadful scenes! Surely, "the way of transgressors is hard!" " A

2. To what disgrace does it often reduce mankind! wicked man, it is said, is loathsome, and cometh to shame!" Sin may promise much; but her steps are marked with infamy: she leads in a flowery path; but the end is briars and thorns :she points indeed to the Temple of Honour; but her votaries return with disgrace. The Divine Being so hates sin, that he is determined no honour shall be attached to that which so dishonours him! Who is he that blushes? Who is he that is ashamed? Who is he that skulks in obscurity, and is doomed to dwell in the shades of infamy and contempt? Who is he that every one distrusts, who is avoided as a walking plague,— as a living Hell? Is it the man of virtue, of probity, of religion? No; it is the sinner; it is he who has offended God, and violated the laws of conscience and of truth. Surely, "the way of transgressors is hard!"