Sabbath school, to present a book to one of the scholars, who was leaving the school creditably. His address was faithful and affectionate, urging the duty of daily secret prayer and study of the Bible; and while the classes were being dismissed, he sat on the form by her side, with one arm round the child's waist, and with all the tenderness of a father continued to talk with her.

The evening sermon was explanatory of the Lord's Supper. 1 Cor. ii. 26. Amongst other appropriate remarks, he denominated it

"1. A feast of remembrance.

"2. A feast of communion with the Saviour.

"3. A feast of fellowship with believers. "4. A feast of obligation upon all the followers of the Lamb.

"The dispositions we should cherish in approaching the table of the Lord.

"1. A deep sense of our personal demerit, and humble reliance on the all-sufficient propitiation.

"2. Adoring gratitude for the benefits secured and participated. Serious as deathhappy as an angel.

3. Longing desires for larger measures of grace and holiness.

"4. Fervid charity towards all the household of God.

"5. Devout attachment to the cause of our Redeeming Saviour."

The ordinance service held immediately after was peculiarly refreshing, and became the subject of general remark. As we were leaving the sanctuary, I observed two of our members conversing together, and upon inquiring into the subject of their conversation, one of them, after a little hesitation, said, "Why, I was telling Mr. F. I really thought Mr. Pyer was ripening for heaven, for I never heard anything like his heavenly and impressive manner, especially of late." Assenting to the good woman's latter remark, I replied, with a smile, "Oh! I hope many years before that, Mrs. G.," and he was then but three days' journey from the vale so many dread to enter to him the portal of everlasting life!

The following day a united prayer meeting for China was held in the afternoon, which he attended, but did not officiate.

In the evening, at seven, our own missionary prayer meeting, at which he read extracts of missionary intelligence, and selected for reading the 39th Psalm, another remarkable coincidence, as the last act of public worship amongst and with his people. Many clustered around him, as was their wont at the close of these ever-memorable services, which he often designated as most precious to his own soul, and most conducive to his spirituality.

Alas! alas! it was the last look of love; the last manly, true-hearted grasp of the pastor's hand many, most of them shared.

On Tuesday his garden occupied the morning hours, a committee meeting the afternoon, and at six o'clock we dined, and spent the evening with some dear and valued friends in quiet, social converse. Wednesday morning he attended the Western College Committee, in Plymouth, returning, in company with a brother minister (Rev. A. Hampson), to a two

o'clock dinner. Another minister called in the afternoon on a matter of business, and sat with him in his study for half-an-hour. The evening found him again in his garden, and the day closed in the midst of his much-loved books. "Mrs. Schimmelpennick's Memoirs," "Stroud on the Death of Christ," and "Morris's Words for the Heart and Life," were amongst the last he perused, besides his ever daily companion and study-the blessed Bible. On this last evening of his life, another of our Sabbath-school teachers was to have called for conversation respecting union with the church, but was unavoidably detained from coming, greatly to his after disappointment and grief. Two or three other individuals in the congregation, one of whom had been sceptically inclined, had had serious conversation with my dear father only a few weeks before.

Thursday morning, April 7th, he appeared in his usual health and cheerfulness at the breakfast table, talked of several matters connected with our little church, such as arrangements for the social meeting before alluded to, distribution of addresses, and our projected loan tract society. He looked over the leading article in the Nonconformist, as it lay open before him, while sipping his coffee, and then went to the room of my invalid aunt (his only sister), and conducted family worship, all without the slightest intimation or suspicion that anything unusual was about to happen. In a few minutes more he had retired to his study, I to my school-room directly under, where, until twelve o'clock, I was busily engaged with my young pupils. Just at that hour a call at the door took the servant into the study, and revealed the startling, terrible discovery, that the spirit of my precious, noble-hearted father was no longer with us. He was found sitting in his accustomed posture in his arm-chair, with a face calm and unruffled as an angel's-literally "fallen asleep in Jesus." And who can depict the delight and surprise of his disembodied spirit, as evidently, without a dying pang or struggle, he glided into the life which is eternal!

I cannot more appropriately conclude this portion of my sketch, than by quoting the following touching and beautiful lines, which might have been written beside the pallid corpse of him whose departure they so graphically, though unintentionally depict, and to whose closing prayer my sorrowing heart most fervently responds. It is entitled

ONE MORE IN HEAVEN.

"One more to bend with perfect love before the Saviour's feet;

One more that still increasing throng with thankfulness to greet;

One more to swell that thrilling song he practised oft below;

One more in heaven to welcome us, when we are called to go.

"Oh! comfort us with thoughts like these, dear Saviour, in thy love,

When friends have left our hearths and homes, to dwell with thee above;

And let us feel that when to us thy signal shall be given,

We only have to close our eyes, then be 'one more in heaven.""

Over the heart-rending scenes which followed the astounding intelligence of my dear father's sudden removal, a veil must be drawn. No language can describe the poignancy of grief, the utter desolation, the almost despair, the first shock occasioned; stouthearted men wept tears of sympathy, to say nothing of the more tender and impressible portion of the community. But a merciful and gracious God made good His own promise, "As thy day is, thy strength shall be," and is gradually restoring to our failing, fainting hearts a measure of faith and child-like trust. We must believe "He doeth all things well."

I fear already my sketch is too elaborate, or I might give some extracts from numerous letters of Christian sympathy and friendship, all bearing an unvarying testimony to my dear father's high integrity of character, devoted zeal, disinterested and faithful friendship.

I must content myself with an extract from the oration of his friend and brother, the Rev. A. Hampson, delivered to the audience of the crowded and mourning congregation who followed his remains to their final restingplace. I would that I could give it entire; but, for reasons already stated, must risk the disturbance of its beautiful harmony for the sake of brevity.

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* Privileged to labour with him in the 'Kingdom of Christ,' in the same town; honoured by ranking with him under the same ecclesiastical polity; above all, serving, ever with unbroken cordiality, as a son with a father in the Gospel, I desire to lay my tribute of love and friendship on his tomb. Not for me is it to depict the devoted labour, the untiring energy, the sacrificing zeal, or the singleness of aim, the integrity of life, the transparency of character, which belonged to him. Nor yet to enter into the inner sanctuary, and tell of the pure heart, the consecrated purpose, the conscientious and sanctified dedication of intellect-all which shone in his fulfilment of the holy ministry, to which he was given. Nor must I dwell upon the wisdom of his counsels, the steadiness of his friendship, the honesty of his reproofs, the sincerity of his approbation, the

fidelity of his confidences, or the tenderness of his heart, which was displayed in them all. Enough to say, that we recall these things with a grateful, although it be a mournful memory, and rejoice that 'his record is on high.' Most of us, if not all, will have occasion to remember long the faithful friend, the wise counsellor, the brother in the Lord, and the father in the ministry, whose loss we are called to mourn. A truer word has not been spoken-a truer word will not be spoken,-than was said in the public journal of the town: 'In his death, it is not only his family, congregation, and denomination that are mourners; but the inhabitants of Devonport at large have sustained a loss that will not soon be made up to them.' There are few that possess an individuality so prominent and distinctive as his. It seems to remain with us, in its influence, still; and I anticipate your ready assent when I say, that its pre-eminent features were truth and tenderness. In every walk of life, in connection with public and private duty, in relation to works of benevolence or to personal friendship, but especially in the fulfilment of his high vocation, they shone with no dim lustre. Parent, citizen, friend, and ministernever more true than when most tender; never so tender as when he was most true; we magnify the grace of God which was in him. Possessed of the sinful humanity which belongs to us all, yet to him 'to live was Christ,' and 'to die was gain.' Energy unbroken, life strong, activity unimpaired, usefulness still increasing, and he died. The will of the Lord be done." * * * *

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The interment took place on Tuesday afternoon, April 12th, which is thus referred to in the local papers. Seldom, we imagine, in these towns, has such a funeral train been seen; it was composed of nearly thirty vehicles, and a vast number of followers on foot. the weather been fine, it is not too much to say, that thousands would have testified their respect for the deceased, by following his remains to the grave."

Had

"The funeral sermon was preached, the following Friday evening, in Wycliffe Chapel, by the Rev. T. Horton, to a most crowded congregation, and a large number were compelled to leave for want of room; in fact, the largest place of worship in the town would doubtless have been filled."

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."-Rev. xiv. 13.

"Servant of God, well done;

Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master's joy.

"The pains of death are past,

Labour and sorrow cease;
And life's long warfare closed at last,
Thy soul is found in peace."

ON SERIOUSNESS.

NOTHING is so contrary to godliness as levity. Seriousness consists in the matter of what is spoken, in the manner of speaking, in dignity of behaviour, and in weighty, not trifling actions. Some people are serious by nature, some by policy and for selfish ends, and some by grace and from a sense of duty.

Jesting and raillery, lightness of behaviour, useless occupations, joy, without trembling and awe of God, an affectation of vivacity and sprightliness, are all contrary to the Spirit of God. "A fool laughs loud," saith Solomon; "but a wise man scarce smiles a little."

Levity is contrary to contrition and selfknowledge-to watching and prayer - frequently to charity-and to common sense, when death is at our heels.

Levity is also destructive of all devotionin our own hearts, and in those of others-by unfitting the company for receiving good, and bringing a suspicion of hypocrisy upon all.

Seriousness is useful to prevent the foregoing miscarriages, to keep grace, to recommend piety, and a sense of God's presence, to leave room for the Spirit to work, and to check levity and sin in others.

And have we not motives sufficient to seriousness? Are we not priests and kings to God-temples of the Holy Ghost? Are we not walking in the presence of God-on the verge of the grave-and in sight of eternity?

All who walk with God are serious, taking their Lord for their example, and walking by Scripture precepts and warnings. "But are we to renounce innocent mirth?" Our souls are diseased. "Are we to be dull and melancholy?" Seriousness and solid happiness are inseparable. "Is there not a time for all things?" There is no time for sin and folly. -John Fletcher.

GREATNESS OF LITTLE THINGS.

Scientific research iterates and reiterates one moral-the greatness of little things, and the importance not only of the minute study of facts, but of the study of minute facts. Öne can imagine the contempt with which the practical men" of the last century listened to the news that a bitter controversy was raging between two Italian philosophers as to the reason why a frog's leg twitches under certain circumstances; and yet therein lay the bud of the electric telegraph and Elkington's plate, and numerous other undertakings, in which the practical man of the present day, though as averse as his ancestors to every investigation whose fruits are not immediately visible, is very happy to invest his money. The study of snow-balls, pie-crust, and squeezed wax has led the physical philosopher to comprehend two of the greatest natural phenomena-the cleavage of rocks and the structure of glaciers. A century ago, the collecting of fossils was regarded as an occupation of about the same dignity as the accumulation of old china. Now, the coal-miner risks his capital upon the strength of the

evidence they afford, and the landed proprietors of some of our eastern counties pocket many thousand pounds every year by selling the phosphatic fossils, whose nature was first pointed out to them by a country clergyman who happened to be a man of science. And not only does the gradual widening and perfecting of our view of nature bring with it a respect for the influence of the study of minute facts on the advancement of knowledge and the bettering man's estate, but it tells us that, apart from all consideration of man and his wants, minute and seemingly most insignificant agents have played a mighty part in the history of our globe.

AUGUSTIN ON SLAVERY.

Augustin protested against treating slaves as things:- The Christian dare not regard a slave as his property, like a horse, or silver, although it may happen that a horse fetches a higher price than a slave, and still more, an article of furniture made of gold and silver. But, when a slave is better educated by thee, or led to the service of God, than he would be by him who wishes to take from thee, I know not whether any one could venture to say that he may be thought of as little value as a cloak; for man must love his fellow man as himself, since the Lord requires of him that he should love even his enemies." Many persons already felt and acknowledged that the relation of slaves, although its pressure would necessarily be relieved by the influence of the spirit of Christian love, was at variance with the general rights of man as called forth into clearer consciousness by Christianitysince man, if not fettered in his inward life by it, yet was hampered in the free development and use of all his powers for the Lord's service; for the apostle, though he says that Christianity imparts true inward freedom even in slaves, also advises, "If thou mayest be free, use it rather." Many persons were moved by motives of piety to give their freedom to slaves of good character, and allowed them to learn a trade, or fit themselves for monks, or ecclesiastics. "I did not suppose," wrote the Abbot Isidorus, of Pelusium, when he was interceding for a slave with his master, "that any one who loves Christ, and who knows the grace by which we are all made free, could keep a slave in his possession."-Neander's Memorials of Christian Life.

EDUCATION AMONG THE CHINESE.

To those who consider universal education and reading, coupled with the general use of printing, as an infallible security against the abuses of despotism, the example of China is in an especial manner worthy of attention. There is no country in which learning has so long prevailed, or been so generally diffused. At a period long anterior to the literary celebrity even of the Greeks and Romans, the Chinese were far advanced in several branches of knowledge, and institutions to bring it home to the great body of the people were generally established. A collection was begun,

En

In

in the last century, of their "chosen works," and it soon reached 180,000 volumes. cyclopædias, popular libraries, and general collections have been established among them from time immemorial; and nowhere does this possession of education so immediately and exclusively tend to elevation and success in life. The use of gunpowder, the compass, and the art of printing were common in China long before they were known in Europe. the year 932 of our era, before the Norman Conquest, a beautiful edition of the best Chinese authors was printed at Pekin, for the use of the students at the Imperial College. Artesian wells, balloons, artificial fireworks of the finest description, have been familiar to them from time immemorial. Education and the power of reading and writing are diffused to an extent scarcely known in any country of Europe; and the multitudes of the lettered class who have not been able to pass the examinations for public offices spread themselves over every province, town, and village, and earn a livelihood by teaching the young, which alone opens to all the career of success in life. Yet, with all this, China is the most despotic country in the world, and the one in which the absolute authority of the Emperor and his inferior functionaries is most universally and willingly obeyed, and in which the spirit of the people seems most thoroughly and irrecoverably broken by a long course of servitude.-Alison's History of Europe.

FAITH AND LOVE.

These are twin graces. To believe in the truth, and to love it, are great achievements. In these is the church what it should be? Has it a pure faith and a love that leads to a holy practice? We do not merely say, Has the church held fast to scriptural symbols, for great as is this achievement, it is not the only point. These symbols may be preserved intact through traditional prejudice, while their true value is not appreciated. They may be guarded by jealousy, and not by love. They may be maintained externally as a form from which the life has departed. Our inquiry is, are the objects of religious faith clearly apprehended and cordially received in relation to God, eternity, and our own souls? From a profound and settled conviction of their importance, are they admitted into the heart as objects of elevating and enduring affection? Surely there is no greater danger than to regard faith as a merely intellectual act with which the affections have no concern. A right faith is an endeared and obedient faith.

GRAND PECULIARITY OF THE
GOSPEL.

Dr. Duff, in referring to the baptism of a Mahometan, says: "A few days before his baptism, I asked him what was the vital point in which he found Mahometanism most deficient, and which he felt that Christianity satisfactorily supplied? His prompt reply was- Mahometanism is full of the mercy of God; while I had no real consciousness of inward guilt as a breaker of God's law, this satisfied me; but when I felt myself to be

guilty before God, and a transgressor of His law, I felt also that it was not with God's mercy but with God's justice I had to do. How to meet the claims of God's justice Mahometanism has made no provision, but this is the very thing which I have found fully accomplished by the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross; and therefore Christianity is now the only adequate religion for me, a guilty sinner.'"

GOING TO A "BETTER COUNTRY."

A Christian does not turn his back upon the fine things of this world, because he has no natural capacity to enjoy them, no taste for them; but because the Holy Spirit has shown him greater and better things. He wants flowers that will never fade; he wants something that a man can take with him to another world. He is like a man who has had notice to quit his house, and having secured a new one, he is no more anxious to repair, much less to embellish and beautify the old one; his thoughts are upon the removal. If you hear him converse, it is upon the house to which he is going. Thither he sends his goods; and thus he declares plainly what he is seeking.

A GODLESS UNIVERSE.

A man may, for twenty years, believe in the immortality of the soul; in the one-andtwentieth, in some great moment, he for the first time discovers, with amazement, the rich meaning of this belief. No one in creation is so alone as the denier of God; he mourns, with an orphaned heart that has lost its Great Father, by the corpse of Nature, which no world-spirit moves and holds together, and which grows in its grave; and he mourns by that corpse till he himself crumbles off from it. The whole world lies before him, like the Egyptian sphinx of stone, half buried in the sand; and the all is the cold, iron wash of a formless eternity.-Jean Paul.

MAKING A PROFESSION.

It is very plain that God requires professions, though some men do not like them. Of one thing I am sure. The hour is coming, when, however they may not now like to confess Christ before men, they will then like to have Christ confess them before His Father. They may not like to call Him now the beloved of their souls, but they will like to have Him call them, on that day, the blessed of His Father.-Nevins.

HOPE FOR THE VILEST.

Never call a man a lost man until he is hurled into a hopeless grave. No man is lost upon whom any influence can be exerted; no man is lost to whom the offers of the Gospel may be brought. It is but a few weeks since I sat by the side of one of the purest and loveliest of females, who once was degraded, but who now is at the head of a family, highly respected and beloved. We are never to be discouraged. There is no man or woman so vile but God may bring them washed to His kingdom.-Dr. Tyng.