endeared by all the claims of nature. They are designed also to call upon parents, not to leave their children to a kind of religious chance; or to suppose that divine grace is a thing perfectly independent of rational and pious means, instead of being connected with them, and conveyed by them, and in them. Let the command and the promise be ever in their mind: "Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Not that means are ever sufficient of themselves without the divine blessing (and therefore there is as much need of prayer as of exertion); but when God has appointed the means, and engaged to bless them, our hope is wellfounded; and in the proper use of them we may expect success with as much certainty, as in nature, the sower expects to reap.

Finally. I have no wish to hinder the humbling sense of inferiority, which persons acquainted with themselves will feel in reading these papers. There are certainly degrees of religious excellency. Even the good ground brought forth in the varied proportions of thirty, sixty, and an hundred,, fold. What a difference do we see between Abraham and Lot, with regard to lowliness

of mind, self-denial, and a spirit of conciliation. What a difference between the Centurion, who took our Saviour at his word; and Thomas, who required every kind of sensible evidence. And Christians are in honour to prefer one another. Yet it should be remembered that what is written in such diaries as this, is the fruit of retirement and reflection, and the summary, of the best feelings called forth in the presence of God. And whatever modern Christians think of themselves, I love not for others to view them as a race, very inferior to those who lived in an earlier period. We know who has said, Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this."

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There may be the same degree of religious principle, while yet it is put forth in different ways. Even the constitutional temper will have some influence, as we see in the case of Martha and Mary. There was the same regard to our Saviour in each, but Martha was cumbered about much serving, while Mary sat at his feet to hear his words; and when after the death of the brother, he was coming into Bethany, Martha went out to meet him, but Mary sat still in the house.

Nor should we forget, that the providence of God often diversifies the direction of religious principle.-At one time it peculiarly calls forth the passive, at another, the active, graces of the Christian: at one season it requires more of the private exercises of godliness, at another more of its public efforts: winter leads the sap down into the roots, while summer calls it up into the branches, and displays it in the blossoms and the fruit.

We readily acknowledge, that with regard to the more private and retired influence of religion, they who lived in the days of Mrs. Savage were superior to the generality of modern Christians; but we make no scruple to say, many modern Christians are far superior to them in public spirit and active exertions. If the river spreads wide, or flows in various fertilizing currents, it cannot be expected to roll so deep. How little working comparatively, do we find even in the feelings of many of these worthies towards the cause of God at large! Their own souls, their families, their particular churches, these drew forth their concern, but too much restricted it too. The present day exhibits a very different scene: and from a thousand public assemblies, convened for the very

purpose, and evincing their sincerity and fervency by their efforts and sacrifices, we hear the exclamation, "Let the whole earth be filled with his glory." There is indeed a danger that keeping other men's vineyards we should not be attentive to our own; and that our zeal should expend itself so much abroad, as to be extinguished before it reaches home; on the other hand it is true (though liable to perversion and abuse), that if we mind God's affairs he will mind ours; and that, while doing his work, he that watereth, shall be watered also. In the unprofitableness of those ministers, the barrenness of those churches, and the deadness of those professors, who from their selfishness, or sloth, or any doctrinal restraint, come not up to the help of the Lord, may be found at this hour illustrations of the truth of David's words; "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee."

Had many Christians now living been cotemporaries with Mrs. Savage, they would have devoted that time and attention to religion in its retreats, which seemed not so much called for abroad. And had many who lived in her days been born in ours, they would have sprung forth at the call of those

institutions which we have witnessed; and, following the direction of Heaven, have fallen in with a state of things which demands the utmost co-operation and activity; and which not only allows, but demands that every subject of divine grace should be also its instrument and its agent: and when by teaching poor children and adults to read and write, by dispensing Tracts, by aiding Bible and Missionary Societies, and by endeavouring to evangelize our own dark villages, Christians, as well as preachers, shall be named the "Priests of the Lord; and men shall call them the ministers of our God:" when the promise made to the church shall be fulfilled, "They that be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundation of many generations; and thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.”

This is the glory of our day: and let not Christians be comparatively undervalued because they obey the obvious will of Providence and are workers together with God. The period so long prayed for is arrived; and we are required to rise, even from our devotions, and serve. We could employ the hours in songs of praise; but the voice cries,