year I began to learn Latin; but before I had time to know much about it, the intended plan of my education was broke short. The Lord's designs were far beyond the views of an earthly parent. He was pleased to reserve me for an unusual proof of his patience, providence, and grace, and therefore overruled the purpose of my friends by depriving me of this excellent parent, when I was something under seven years of age. I was born July the 24th, 1725, and she died the 11th of that month, 1732.'

The subsequent part of Newton's life is too well known, to make a repetition of it at length necessary here. He became for many years the captain of a slave vessel, and made several voyages to the coast of Africa, to promote the infamous traffic in human beings. He sunk into the lowest depths of vice; though several times even during this period of his life he experienced remarkable deliverances; and the hand of God, which was graciously extended to preserve him from finally sinking into the destruction he sought for himself, at length gradually drew him out of the mire, and set his feet upon a rock. The truth dawned upon his mind, and from that time he consecrated himself as completely to the service of God, as he had done before to that of Satan.

'Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?' Who shall despond then, however gloomy for a time the prospect may seem, concerning any soul

which has been the subject of the prayers of a Christian mother?

M.

THE REV. RICHARD CECIL.

For

THE REV. Richard Cecil, like the subject of the preceding sketch, was indebted to a pious mother for fixing in his mind those strong and early impressions of religion, which subsequent days of thoughtlessness and sin could never erase. many years he openly professed infidel principles; but so deeply had the truths which he had heard from his infancy sunk into his mind, that there never was a moment in which it could be said, that he really disbelieved them.

He thus writes on the subject. The influence of the parental character in children is not to be calculated. Consistency is the great feature which impresses them. The implantation of principles is of unspeakable importance, especially when culled from time to time out of the Bible. The child feels his parent's authority, supported by the Bible, and the authority of the Bible supported by his parents' weight and influence. Here are data, fixed data; a man can very seldom get rid of these principles. They stand in his way: he wishes to

forget them, perhaps, but it is impossible. Where parental influence does not convert, it hampers ;— it hangs on the wheels of evil.

'I had a pious mother, who dropped things in my way. I could never rid myself of them. I was a professed infidel, but then I liked to be an infidel in company, rather than when alone; I was wretched when by myself. These principles, and maxims, and data, spoiled my jollity; with my companions, I could sometimes stifle them,-like embers we kept one-another warm. Besides, I was here a sort of hero; I had beguiled several of my associates into my own opinions, and I had to maintain a character before them; but I could not divest myself of my better principles. I went with one of my companions to see 'The Minor;' he could laugh heartily at Mother Cole— I could not. He saw in her the picture of all who talked about religion-I knew better. The ridicule on regeneration was high sport to him; to me it was none-it could not move my features. He knew no difference between regeneration and transubstantiation-I did. I knew there was such a thing. I was afraid and ashamed to laugh at it.

6

'Parental influence thus cleaves to a man,-it harasses him,—it throws itself continually in his way. My mother,' he adds, would talk to me, and weep as she talked. I flung out of the house with an oath, but wept too, when I got into the

street.

mother.

a corner.

Sympathy is the powerful engine of a

'When I was a child, and a very wicked one too, one of Dr. Watts's hymns sent me to weep in The lives in Janeway's Token had the same effect. I felt the influence of faith in suffering Christians. The character of young Samuel came home to me when nothing else had any hold on my mind.'

But his convictions did not terminate here; though sunk in the depths of sin, and hardening his conscience by reading books of infidelity, and endeavouring to instil the same principles into others, it pleased God by his Spirit to rouse his mind to reflections which gave a turn to his future life. Lying one night in bed, he was contemplating the case of his mother. I see,' said he within himself, 'two unquestionable facts; first, my mother is greatly afflicted in circumstances, both body and mind; and yet I see that she cheerfully bears up under all by the support she derives from constantly retiring to her closet, and her Bible.

Secondly; that she has a secret spring of comfort, of which I know nothing, while I, who give an unbounded loose to my appetites, and seek pleasure by every means, seldom or never find it. If, however, there is any such secret in religion, why may not I find it as well as my mother! I will immediately seek it of God. He instantly rose in his bed, and began to pray. But he was

soon damped in his attempt by recollecting that much of his mother's comfort seemed to arise from her faith in Christ. Now, thought he, this Christ have I ridiculed. He stands much in my way, and can form no part in my prayers. In utter confusion of mind, therefore, he lay down again. Next day, however, he continued to pray to the Supreme Being; he began to consult books, and to attend preachers: his difficulties were gradually removed, his objections answered, and his course of life began to amend.

'He now listened to the pious admonitions of his mother, which he had before affected to receive with pride and scorn. Yet they had fixed themselves in his heart like a barbed arrow; and though the effects were at the time concealed from her observation, yet tears would fall from his eyes as he passed along the street, from the impression she had left on his mind.

'Now he would discourse with her and hear her without outrage; which led her to hope that a gracious principle was forming in his heart; and more especially as he then attended the preaching of the word. Light broke gradually into his mind, till he discovered that Jesus Christ was the only way, the truth, and the life" to all that come unto God by him.

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'Not long after he became decided for religion he lost his excellent mother; whose death was made of singular benefit to him.