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in a message, with my name and calling, I intimated that, if not repugnant to his wishes, I would pay a visit to the invalid that evening. The reply indicated a hearty expression of thankfulness and pleasure, and accordingly I proceeded to the lodging pointed out to me. On entering the sick room, I was astonished at recognizing Mr. stretched upon the bed. I was yet more surprised to observe an animated smile light up his wan and faded features, and to see him eagerly stretch forth his hand to welcome me. "Do you then recollect me ?" said he in a faltering voice; "if you do, you will perhaps marvel to hear that you, of all other persons, I have most wished to He added, "You cannot have forgotten the service you conducted some years back at When I remind you that I was present, and assure you that that service left an impression on my mind which has never been effaced, you will easily comprehend the delight I now experience at your visit." This was indeed a delightful assurance to me; and though unwilling to press the invalid beyond his strength, I could not forbear requesting him to give me some further account of the change which appeared to have been wrought in him.

me say see."

His narrative was simple and consistent. He had strolled into the hotel, on the occasion alluded to, from an undefined curiosity; he had quitted it feeling merely that he had listened to the specious argument of a religious partisan. But in his solitary moments the truths then stated returned again and again to his thoughts. The sure consolation of the Gospel in a dying hour had been dwelt upon, when worldly expedients had failed; and he could not avoid reflecting, that if such a refuge were really to be found, it was well worth the effort of securing. And then by degrees a doubt occurred to him whether he had examined with sufficient care the momentous claims of Divine Revelation. He had imagined that he detected inconsistencies in the Bible, enough to overthrow its pretensions to Divine authority. But had he not adopted this notion too inconsiderately? and might there not, after all, be stronger proofs, which he had not fairly and fully weighed? He had now leisure enough, and he would therefore devote it to the in

quiry. Accordingly he procured a Bible, and began carefully to read it. In this perusal of the sacred volume he was struck with the majestic bearing of its contents, which he had never before discovered in it; he was convinced that its descriptions of the deplorable corruption of the human heart were true. He admired the remedy proposed in it for the moral wretchedness of man. And when he considered the character of Christ, his meekness under suffering, the elevated tone and tenor of his instructions, their marvellous adaptation to the actual condition of the world, and the fulfilment of the things predicted of him, the inevitable conclusion of the Roman centurion forced itself on his mind, "Truly this man was the Son of God."

The stern conviction of this great truth prompted him to seek, in earnest prayer, the guidance of God's Holy Spirit, and he endeavoured to become more and more acquainted with what he now felt to be the great power of God unto salvation. But it was long before he arrived at the Christian's state of peace and joy in believing. His conscience, once awakened, terribly condemned his past life, and for a while he was tormented with the apprehension that he had committed the unpardonable sin. It was not, therefore, until after much bondage of spirit, that he was brought into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. But as he contemplated the finished work of Christ upon the cross, he began gradually to perceive that it must be commensurate with the whole extent of human guilt and ruin; and he discovered, therefore, that there was no bar to his reconciliation with God, and his adoption into his Father's family. He perceived that an open door was before him, which no man could shut. He approached the Saviour with a simple faith in the covenanted promises of the Gospel; he found acceptance and salvation,—— and that kingdom of God which is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, was in due course set up in his heart.

And now it had become his study to live to the glory of Him whom he had formerly mistrusted and dishonoured and disowned; and in a meek, unostentatious manner, he was endeavouring to lead a life of holy self-devotedness and active

zeal.

His health having declined, he was advised to make an

excursion for change of air and scene; and it was in the course of this journey that he had met with the accident referred to. The breaking of a rib had aggravated all the symptoms of his disease, and he had been lying for a month where I found him, gradually but surely sinking beneath the ravages of consumption. But as the outward man decayed, the inward man was being renewed day by day, and he was now calmly expecting with blessed hope the period when, absent from the body, he should be present with the Lord.

It may easily be supposed that I did not gain all these particulars at one interview; his weakness permitted him to say but little at a time; and his unaffected humility caused me to infer, rather than to learn from his lips, the advances he had made in vital godliness. It will also be understood that I did not leave him to the care of strangers. I felt it a duty, and I am sure it was a gratification, to tend the few failing hours of his life. I have never witnessed a frame of mind more contrite; I never saw a child-like trust in the Savioùr more beautifully exemplified; I never had a surer hope that the once dead soul was quickened into spiritual life.

One afternoon, as I sat by his bed-side, he asked me, "Do you recollect our first interview? You were watching a solitary vessel, trying in vain to stem the opposition of a stormy sea. I know not how it was," he added, "but a thought came then powerfully across my mind, that I resembled that wave-tossed bark. And, indeed, it was so; for I was a lonely being, cast off equally by God and man-a living exemplification of the Scripture declaration, that 'there is no peace to the wicked; they are like the troubled sea, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.' Even in the time of my worldly prosperity I was a miserable man, the prey of disquieting apprehensions. The pleasures I sought after never satisfied me; and I constantly felt an aching void in my soul, which neither rank nor riches could fill up." Then, half-raising himself in his bed, he cried, with unwonted energy, "O, carry forth the testimony of one who speaks from experience-a testimony from my grave, that to seek happiness in the world is to seek the living among

the dead, to spend money for that which is not bread, and labour for that which satisfieth not." He paused, exhausted by his earnestness, and in a few moments continued: "But I obtained mercy. I was driving, a desolate wreck upon the billows; and He hath brought me into the haven, where my soul would be. How can I worthily praise Him for it?"

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He had long been anxious, as far as his means would allow, to make reparation to those whose just claims upon him were unpaid; and he gave me some directions how I might best fulfil his wishes. 'I know," he said, "that God has, for Christ's sake, forgiven me; but I desire, if possible, to undo some of the evil I have done; I desire, at least, to show my hatred of injustice." And the greatest sorrow that he felt was, because his power herein fell short of his wishes.

The closing scene was near. I watched him one afternoon as he slept a quiet sleep. After a time he awoke, and I perceived a marked change in his features. "All is well," he softly said; "the everlasting arms are beneath me." Then turning to me, he uttered a few faltering words: "God repay to you your love to me. I trust to be in the eternal world one part of your joy and crown." He lay silent a few moments, and then breathed forth his humble aspiration, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. I come, most guilty in myself, but washed, I trust, in thy blood, and clothed in thy righteousness." And after one or two convulsive pangs, he passed from a bed of suffering to a throne of glory.

A hillock in the burial ground of the mouldering dust of Mr.

marks the spot where reposes. He lies far from

the splendid sepulchre of his noble ancestors; and in a little while it will be forgotten on earth that such a man has lived. But I love to cherish his memory, and to recall, in gratitude to God, the circumstances of my acquaintance with the Outcast.

J. F. SHAW, BOOKSELLER, SOUTHAMPTON ROW, AND

PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON;

AND W. INNES, BOOKSELLER, SOUTH HANOVER STREET, EDINBURGH, London: J. & W. RIDER, Printers, 14, Bartholomew Close.

JESUS A SAVIOUR, NOT A HELPER.

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ONE Tuesday morning, towards the end of breakfast, some letters were brought to Colonel them, exclaimed, "Oh! from my sister! Lady -say? But, impossible!"

who, taking up one of What does this dear continued he, with

anxiety, after having read the first page; "my sister become a Methodist! Impossible! impossible!"

"What!" inquired the lady of the house; "Lady Methodist! But have you read it correctly ?"

а

The elder children, two sons and a daughter, of between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, now stared at their father, who read aloud, saying, "Listen for yourselves, if I have not read it correctly:

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"Yes, my dear brother, it is the salvation of our souls of which we have to this day been ignorant. Jesus, dear Arthur,yes, the Saviour himself, has been rejected through our hardness of heart; and thus the everlasting grace of the Father has been hidden from us. But, how my soul prizes Him; and may yours do so also! I know Him now; and my heart glories in the precious blood of the Lamb of God, shed for me.' "It is enthusiasm, folly, pure folly !" continued the colonel, rising and approaching a crucifix. "Horrible delusion! My sister, this Lady so intelligent, so well-informed, so above vulgar superstitions; that she should become so insane as to turn Methodist !"

"Come, come," added he, ringing the bell; "for great evils, strong remedies!"

"A carriage immediately!" said he to the footman. "I am going to start!" And indeed the colonel soon set off, and, without stopping, reached the town near which is the chateau of Lord

"Here I am!" said he to his sister, to whom his visit was a complete surprise; "and it is your letter which brings me. My sister, did it really come from you

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giving him her hand. "Was

it less affectionate than usual, dear Arthur ?"

"It astonishes me; and I am come to beg you to return to your senses, and to conjure you not to disgrace our noble family."

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