tales. I immediately took charge of the child, and committed her to the care of a woman of whose piety and kindness I was confidently assured, and as I watched her faculties gradually expanding, and the feebleness of infancy merging in the innocent pursuits of childhood, I felt every parental feeling kindled afresh within my breast, and could almost think that one of my departed offspring was again restored to call me father.

Two more years had performed their evolutions, and the recollection of the poor woman would have been almost effaced from our minds, had not the presence of the child still preserved it alive; when one afternoon, as I was taking my accustomed walk, a travelling soldier appeared in view; his appearance revealed the hardships he had endured; and a scar upon his right cheek proclaimed that he had fought and bled in our defence. I have always had an intuitive regard for a soldier; and as the defenders of our country, and the protectors of our rights, and privileges, and property, he is surely entitled both to our hospitality and respect. I accordingly prepared to salute the one now before me, but he interrupted me, the reader will suppose how much to my surprise, by calling me by name; it was in short none other than James H-, the very youth whose discharge I had so unsuccessfully laboured to pro

You see, James, that there is no earthly sweet without a bitter, and no earthly pleasure unmingled with a portion of grief. This should convince us of the unsatisfying nature of all creature enjoyments, and teach us to set our affections on things above."

It should so, sir; however, thank God that I am permitted to find my dear mother alive, that I might see her once more."

I now turned to accompany him home, and in the course of our walk he informed me that soon after his departure from D——, he was ordered with the regiment into Ireland, where he continued for a considerable time, in the course of which he was married;-that about six months after his marriage, the regiment was ordered into America, and on account of the ill health of his wife, he was compelled to leave her behind.

"Was she a native of Ireland? I inquired.

No, sir, she was born at Sabout fifty miles beyond D-, but had lived with an aunt in Ireland for some time." Conviction instantly flashed across my mind that it was the poor woman with whom the reader is already acquainted.

"Was her name Sarah?"

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"It was," he replied, looking anxiously into my face; can you tell me any thing of her? and is she still alive? but I fear she is not; " his countenance changing from anxiety to sorrow; " for I wrote to Ireland while I was waiting at Plymouth, and received an answer that they had not heard any thing of her since she left Ireland; so that I almost despair of ever seeing her again in this world."

I now began as prudently as I could, to prepare him for the intelligence of her death; but he appeared to be conscious of my intention, and laying his hand upon my arm, he said with a touching tone and truly pathetic manner, Ah sir, I know it—I know it."

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He then walked on for a considerable way in gloomy silence; till at length the familiarity of the scenes around him, excited his attention, and cast a brighter shade upon his countenance. Every cottage, every field, yea almost every tree was pregnant with some youth, ful recollection; nor could all the scenes of desolation and blood that he had witnessed erase from his mind the remembrance of his home, and the pleasures of his childhood.

At length we entered D, and judging it imprudent for him to repair directly to the cottage of his mother, I prevailed upon him to walk forward to my house and procure some refreshment, while I endeavoured to prepare her to receive him, The old woman was sitting as usual at her reel, while a neighbour's child was reading to her the " exceeding great and precious promises" contained in that blessed volume which was now her only yet unspeakable solace. I told her of the possibility that her son was still alive, but she would not believe it. I told her of the probability of it, but she still shook her head incredulously, adding, "I wish I could think so." I told her that I had heard of him,—and a smile of joy played upon her aged cheeks, and a tear of gratitude glistened in her languid eye. But when I told her that he was then in the village, she jumped up in a transport of joy, and exclaimed, "God be praised, God be praised, lead me to him, let me see his dear face once more, only once more, and I shall die in peace." Just now James himself entered the room; but such was the havoc that the hardships of war had made upon his features that even his mother could scarcely recognize her son.

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What, don't you know me, mother?" cried the sun-burnt warrior; the voice was sufficient. .. Yes, 'tis he-'tis my own sonmy dear James!" She cried as she

threw her withered arms round his neck.

The story of his return ran with amazing velocity through the vil lage, and crowds came running around him to congratulate him on his arrival, and welcome him home. "How changed he is-how yellow his face is-I should not have known him," was repeated by twenty voices at once, while all seemed anxious to testify their joy, and afford some token of their unfeigned delight.

Among the rest I had caused to be introduced the child which I now suspected was his own-she immediately caught his attention; he stood gazing at her for some time, and then turning to me, he inquired, with great anxiety, whose child it was. I now informed him of all the particulars which have been already related-his eyes brightened as I advanced-" Yes; 'tis my own daughter! the very image of my poor Sarah," said the rejoicing father, as he clasped her again and again to his affectionate breast. The scene was highly affecting the aged mother wept to embrace her long lost son; the son bedewed with tears the features of a child of whose birth he had been utterly unconscious; and even the child sympathized in their feelings, and mingled her tears with theirs; while many a tearful eye revealed the feelings of the surrounding friends;-such a scene may be more easily imagined than described; it forcibly reminded me of the stanza

"Tis worth an age of wandering, to return To souls that still can feel, to hearts that burn;

'Tis more than worth a common life of

pain,

To hear the whisper, "Thou art mine again;

To see in eyes we love the tear-drop swell,

With more of feeling than the lip can tell.

I could not help observing, "Let

us learn, my friends, from the occurrences of this day, to look forward with stronger hope, and to prepare with greater vigilance, for that rest which remains for the people of God;' for if the meeting of friends upon earth, where alas we may soon be separated again for ever, be calculated to afford such exquisite pleasure as that which we all feel at the present moment, how much greater delight, and still more exquisite pleasure, will that meeting afford which shall unite us in everlasting union, and will be blest by the assurance that the sad farewell' will be heard and uttered no more for ever. But let us remember that we only increase in preparation for that blessedness, in proportion as we hate iniquity, love holiness, live in conformity to the word and precepts of God, and more exclusively to his service and his glory. May it then be our happiness to enjoy his blessing in this life, his support amid the agonies of death, that hereafter we may all be united

in that glorious kingdom, where our sun shall no more go down, neither our moon withdraw herself, but God shall be our everlasting light and the days of our mourning shall be ended for ever.'

By the help of his pension and persevering industry, James Hwas enabled to provide for himself, his child, and his aged mother. But God had still greater purposes of mercy towards him. I had frequently furnished him with religious tracts, especially those of a military nature, and the event exceeded my expectation; the Spirit of God blessed these little tracts to the conviction and conversion of his soul, he enlisted under the banner of the gospel, put on the whole armour of God, became a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and fought the good fight of faith. May some of my readers be influenced by his example, to enrol themselves members of the church militant upon earth, that hereafter they may unite with the church triumphant in heaven.

. II.

If the hearts of our fellow mortals were open to our view, if we were permitted to behold the soul, and to penetrate its deep recesses, few, very few would pass the scrutiny of our observations without testifying that sorrow, bereavement, or disappointment in some shape or other, had been their lot, and left with them visible traces of its power. Sorrow is indeed the portion of all. Who is there that has trod his way through life, till arrived at its meridian, that would not declare himself" born to trouble?" One is called to weep over the grave of a friend, dear to him as his own soul, or perhaps sickness assails him, and mars every enjoyment; another is called upon to part with his. children, and to view the olive

branches around him wither one after another, and become a prey to the "universal conqueror.' Thus affliction cometh alike to all, but the manner in which it is received, its immediate consequences, and its effects, will to an observing eye mark the difference between the righteous and the ungodly, between him who putteth his trust in the Lord at all times, and that unhappy man who being afflicted remains "without hope and without God in the world." To the one, affliction is a blighting and withering principle, it saps the foundation of his happiness, and having stripped him of his pleasures, leaves him as before "with hope only in this life," and consequently "of all men the

most miserable.'

Not so with the

godly; to them the chastening of the Lord is no less grievous, but they know it to be the pruning of a skilful hand, and whilst they bow submissively to the will of their God, His grace and comfort are so present with them, that when sorrowful, they are justly styled "always rejoicing." This is resignation. Perhaps none amongst the Christian graces wears a more lovely aspect, or reflects so clearly the glory of God;-it is the effect of sanctified affliction,-it is a beam from the Sun of Righteousness which illumines the dark cloud of adversity, it is the direct influence of the Spirit, acting upon and rendering our trials blessings in disguise,—it is an emanation from the immediate presence of our Lord.None but those who have passed through the furnace can bear witness to that saving power through which they walked amidst the fire and were not burnt, and who when the flame kindled around them, were enabled through faith

to.

say, "When he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold.”None but those who have passed through the deep waters can testify of that Almighty arm, -which (when they had resigned their all) supported them through the rivers, so that they should not overflow their soul: it is true they may have to look up and say, "all thy waves and billows are gone over me," but they say it in the firm conviction that each tossing wave and rolling billow has brought them a step nearer to the haven where their soul longeth to be, to the port of eternal peace. Such is resignation, when we regard it as the gift and blessing of God, and denied to none who with a true heart seek it through the merits of their Redeemer.

We may surely consider it as the wisdom, mercy, and loving-kindness of God; who thus leads His children to abandon self, and lean on Him the Rock of Ages for strength and succour for in infinite compassion

to their infirmities, He tries His children with sorrow till they are strengthened in all patience, He refines them in the furnace of affliction till they are partakers of His purity, and fitted to join the assembly of the Saints in Light. There are

few who have never beheld the goodness of God displayed in some instance of sanctified affliction; in some humble, though eminent Christian who has been enabled to glorify his Lord more in patient suffering than by active service.Oh, my dear fellow Christians, (you particularly who are weak in faith as I am,) we cannot reflect on the calm and waveless surface of the minds just recorded, without emulation exciting our hearts to follow on, and seek earnestly till we are made partakers and subjects of the same grace. To us belongs the humbling conviction, that we have not already attained,-yet courage -still may we follow after, we know in whom we have believed, and we know His Almighty strength proportioned to our day. There are none amongst us who fear His arm is shortened so that it cannot save; it would then be proof of a faithless heart, did we not trust our God to lead us on till we shall wholly abandon self, and live only in His will and for it.

Thus transformed by heavenly grace, we shall find our hearts welcoming affliction, both as the pleasure of the Lord, and as the forerunner and earnest of eternal blessedness;-whilst we lean on the sure and certain anchor of faith, our feeble steps, though weak and tottering, shall never fall from the path of life; clouds may darken this lower sphere, but hope rises brightly on the children of God, and bids them anticipate the day when faith shall be turned into sight,-when their prayers shall terminate in endless praises-and, their conflicts, in quietness and assurance for ever.

MARY ANNE.

The Christian Exodus, or the Deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, practically considered, in a series of discourses. By the Rev. R. P. Buddicom, M. A. F. A. S. Seeleys. Pp. xx. and 450. and xii. and 470. The Book of Genesis considered and illustrated, in a series of Historical Discourses. By the Rev. Francis Close, M. A. Hatchards. Pp. xx. and 458. Occasional Sermons.

By Thomas Mortimer, M. A. Seeleys. Pp. xii. and 336.

THE question is often asked, What is the most useful way of preaching? and widely different answers are given, according to the taste, circumstances, and experience of the parties addressed.

A

master in Israel, some years ago, remarked 'Our method of preaching is not that by which Christianity was propagated; yet the genius of Christianity is not changed. There was nothing, in the primitive method, set or formal. The primitive Bishop stood up and read the gospel, or some other portion of Scripture, and pressed on his hearers, with great earnestness and affection, a few plain and forcible truths, evidently resulting from that portion of the Divine Word. Edification was there the object of both speaker and hearers; and while this continues to be the object, no better method can be found. A parable, or history, or passage of scripture, thus illustrated, and enforced, is the best method of introducing truth to any people who are ignorant of it, and of setting it home with power to those who know it; and not formal, doctrinal, argumentative, discourses.'*

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Observations, however, of this nature must in many cases be re* Cecil's Remains. MAY 1826.

ceived with considerable allowance ; very extensive usefulness is attained by widely differing methods, and the grand point is for each individual to ascertain, and sedulously pursue that peculiar line which his own talents and circumstances render expedient. It is quite obvious that the preacher who is placed among the enlightened and enterprising inhabitants of Liverpool, or the gay and polished sojourners at Cheltenham, may find a very different mode of proceeding necessary, than the same individual would think proper to adopt in addressing the mixed multitudes who attend St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, or St. Olave's, Tooley Street. The preacher must be judged, not merely abstractedly by what he says, but by its appropriateness and applicability to the peculiar classes of his hearers.

At the same time we always feel disposed to judge favourably of

series of discourses on successive

portions of holy writ. There are many points of great importance which are in danger of being comparatively overlooked, while ministers are intent on single texts, and there are some topics from which they are very prone to shrink under the apprehension of being esteemed personal &c. In considering, however, successive portions of sacred Scripture, these topics come forwards, and the preacher may often speak with a plainness and decision, which under other circumstances would not be expedient. We were therefore happy at receiving almost in the same instant, the valuable discourses of Mr. Buddicom, and Mr. Close.

The Christian Exodus is a series of Discourses, in which the history of Israel between the departure from Egypt and the settlement in Canaan is illustrated and applied with reference to the vicissitudes of the

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