street, and the adjacent parts, which was also a less profitable place of employment. But here he remained to the end of his life, in a course of useful activity and shining piety. Often did he express sincere thankfulness to God, who had removed his prospects of advancement as to the things of this world, but had given him other advantages, in the ministry of the faithful pastor Woltersdorf, of whose flock he became a member, after his change of abode. From the time of his conversion he had been a frequent hearer of this devoted minister, and had diligently sought the society of true Christians; but he well knew that such were not to be found in all places. Yet even there, where most of his neighbours lived in detached cottages as gardeners and cow-keepers, many of their simple minds had been seriously impressed by the earnest exhortations of Woltersdorf. He remembered that in the grander streets of the other parts of the city, the lofty and well-built houses often hindered him from seeing the stars of heaven, which now shone brightly over the gardens around him. So, in this district he found many souls who were partakers of the same precious faith with himself, and were often ready to join with him in singing and prayer, and with whom he could take sweet counsel, edifying them in return from the stores of his valuable memory. In the evening, when going to his post, he sang the first verse of an evening hymn; a household near him used to answer with the second verse, and so on till the whole hymn was sung. In the morning, he sang a morning hymn in a similar manner. In the hours that passed between, he chose any other sacred songs that he thought suitable. His attention was chiefly directed to houses in which the sick were, who could not sleep; and, by his hymns, he would comfort them, or exhort them to exercise patience, or call them to a speedy repentance. He would at other times sing hymns for the encouragement of the poor and oppressed, or if weddings and baptisms had taken place, the families interested in such events found a spiritual song prepared for their And it was most delightful to hear the notes of praise from this pious man. Frequently he selected for his subjects the Epistles or Gospels of the previous Sunday, or occasionally the sick and suffering would send him a request to sing some particular hymn. In this manner, he became intimately known to all the inhabitants of the district, and, by degrees, so thoroughly won their confidence, that would open many their whole hearts to him, disclosing secrets that they would not use. have told to any beside. From Christian humility he seldom, unless asked, visited any persons; but when invited he was found to be most friendly and communicative, as, indeed, he was everywhere. In this manner, he was made a blessing to multitudes. He would often find occasion to apply select passages of Scripture. For instance, he would remind those who were going on in the ways of sin, that "Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God," or that "adulterers God will judge." At the time of the first French Revolution, a man of decent appearance known to him, came and said, “Father Mende, you sing so much about your God, do you not know that the National Assembly in Paris has given out that there is no God?" "My good friend," he answered, "I hope you are not of this foolish opinion, which, besides, is one of very ancient date." "How so?" said the inquirer, “it is one of the newest discoveries of the philosophers." master, this blasphemy is as old as the devil, who set up his pride against the Most High. And his children are thus described by king David, The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good,'" Psa. xiv. 1. 66 No, Among the many who found the pious Mende a useful neighbour, may be mentioned a manufacturer of the name of D. He was known to say, oftentimes, "It was a happy thing for me that I was led to reside in this district; for here I have not only the admirable preaching of Woltersdorf, but, in the sleepless hours of night, I derive precious advantage from the lips of good Mende. This manufacturer, D—, also enjoyed in secret a privilege which was unknown to all beside. Close under his window was a reservoir of water, to be used, if necessary, for extinguishing fires, and this place Mende used to visit regularly at the end of each of his rounds. In this retired spot, he was wont to bend his knee, and call upon his God; and while he thought himself alone, and unobserved by man, the wakeful ear of D- would catch his whispers, and attentively listen to the silent out-pourings of his earnest and pious heart. Two other anecdotes may be mentioned as showing the results of the nightly songs of Mende. He had been made aware, that in one house there was a man who had not long before lost his wife, whose son was in disgrace, and who was unable to pay his debts, having lost almost all his property by means of a relation, and, in a state of mind approaching to despair, stood much in need of the consolations of the gospel. He therefore chose, when near that house, to sing the German hymn, "Wunder Anfang, herrlich's Ende," "Wonderful beginning, glorious end," probably something like the beautiful English hymn, "God moves in a mysterious way." The verses were now heard, for the first time in his life, by the deeply afflicted man, and it seemed to him as if every line lessened the load of his many cares. It was truly useful to him, and, from that time, he became the constant friend of Mende. Another time he heard of a man who had been led astray by enthusiasm, and who styled his regularly appointed teachers mere servants of this world, and prophets of Baal, setting himself up under pretence of superior holiness, fasting, and such things. Meetings were held at his house at a late hour; so Mende repaired in that direction about ten o'clock; and, having announced the hour, added a well-known verse by Paul Gerhard, speaking of the blood of Christ as his only confidence. This made a deep impression upon the mind of the really honest shoemaker, who felt the truth of the apostolic statement, 1 Cor. iii. 11, “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Seeing, by the verse which Mende had sung, that he was reproved by the plain word of God, he forsook the separatists, simply saying, that he and his house would stand by this faith, until faith should be changed to sight, nor would they seek or choose any other master. A short time before the death of Mende, he made a visit at an unusual hour to his friend S-, whose abode he entered in a cheerful manner, saying, "My dear S-, I am soon going home to my dear Saviour, and have now come to take a message for your pious parents." S- answered, "You seem to me so active, that I can scarcely believe you are so near going home as you seem to think." "Indeed it is so; my Lord has sent for me, and I shall quickly be with him." Mende made this visit shorter than usual, and took some refreshment that was offered to him. He did not say much; but, on taking leave, he pressed both the hands of S-, and said, with a very earnest tone of voice, "Now, dear Samuel, what should I say to your good parents?" Samuel replied, Say to my dear father and mother, that by the help of God I will follow you. Pray for me." Mende cheerfully hastened home, and, before many days had passed, he fell asleep, having lain down for that purpose after his dinner, in order to gather the strength he needed for his night's watching. 66 This faithful watchman's voice was never more to be heard on earth. He was gone to join the heavenly throng in singing hallelujah before the throne of God. From a German Paper. OUR MERCIES. REFINEMENT. AND is refinement to be classed amongst our blessings? some Christians will inquire with an expression of surprise and alarm. Yes, most assuredly is it replied, and an important blessing too: for what is refinement but the education of the heart, mind, and perceptions in purity, delicacy, and disinterested benevolence? Creation itself abounds with refinement. God has not imparted beauty and grace with a sparing, but with a lavish hand, in order that man might be attracted by the display of so much loveliness, and adore and praise him in his works. Admiration we know awakens praise. How often did David exclaim, "Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" And it is equally a law of nature, that beauty should kindle admiration, and win our regard more than those objects which are less adorned. Everything which proceeds from the Divine hand is wonderful; but some objects are calculated to make a greater impression on our minds than others. Our blessed Lord did not say, consider a blade of grass, though a blade of grass is beautiful, and displays infinite wisdom; but he said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Sir James Smith says, "the fields of the Levant are overrun with a species of lily (Amaryllis lutea) whose golden flowers in autumn afford one of the most brilliant and gorgeous objects in nature." And what refinement is there in the fragrance of flowers wafted to the senses by the air we breathe! what variety in their colours, from the faint blush of the Provence rose to the splendid cactus! What exquisite blending of hues in the plumage of birds! what graceful diversity in their form, what harmony and melody in their song! Surely this provision is gracious. God might have supplied our necessities without ministering delight to the mind; but his goodness added beauty to use, and imparted to our perceptions an enjoyment of the beautiful. And in this appointment there is much wisdom; for whatever exalts man above the dominion of the senses is a blessing. The admiration of a flower, from a feeling of its loveliness, is a step in civilisation, and rarely found in savage life. A missionary in the Sandwich Islands would be astonished were he to meet one of the natives contemplating a flower, and apostrophizing it in the language of the Ayrshire plowman, though ignorant of numbers: "Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flow'r, Thy slender stem; To spare thee now is past my pow'r, Thou bonnie gem. We know it is possible, and we lament that it is so, to have a keen relish for whatever is beautiful in creation, and yet have no love to God: but this proves nothing against the taste itself, against refinement being a blessing. It only proves that which cannot be too much insisted on, that the Spirit of God alone can renovate the affections and purify the heart. But still we should say, refinement, even when it extends no farther than the manners, is a benefit to the world. It is a barrier to vice. Politeness without heart is better than gross selfishness without heart. And the semblance of delicacy and deference is surely preferable to coarseness and a disregard of the courtesies of life, and the feelings of others. Politeness, it is true, pays only an apparent regard, religion a real one. The counterfeit, however, is an unequivocal testimony to the excellence of the reality, as base coin proves the value of the precious metals. Sir Joshua Reynolds says, "the principles of urbanity, politeness, or civility, have been the same in all nations; though the mode in which they are dressed continually varies; the general idea of showing respect being, by making yourself less." This truth, whilst it establishes the inherent pride of man, discovers at the same time the reason why genuine humility is so attractive. It is not valued for its own sake by those who admire it in others, but simply because it does not oppose nor come in compe+ Neighbour. + Wheat. * Dust. |