The box of ointment bestowed on Jesus by Mary of Bethany, met the censure of more than one of the Apostles, but received the plaudit of their Lord; Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." It has already been echoed through Greece, and Rome, and Egypt, and the British Isles. It is known at Greenland, and in the South Seas; and Missionaries are now carrying it into every degree of longitude or latitude upon earth or sea! THE MORNING STAR OF THE DAY OF RELIGIOUS BENEVOLENCE. WHEN we enter on the researches of Science, or avail ourselves of improvements in the useful and ornamental arts, we take a lively interest in the history of those distinguished individuals, to whom we are indebted for the first discoveries and the earliest inventions; and we are anxious to pay our tribute of respect and gratitude for their talents, their exertions, and their success. If we honour, as benefactors to their species, those who have extended the boundaries of science, and applied the principles of sound philosophy to the multiplication of the comforts and the diminution of the ills of life-how well do they deserve to rank as illustrious men, and to be honoured as true philanthropists, who have devised schemes for the moral improvement of man, and for the dissemination of the knowledge of Him, whom to know is life eternal! With what emotions of interest and delight will be read, by a succeeding generation, the history of the origin of our Missionary Societies, our Bible Societies, our School Societies, our Scieties for Village Preaching, and our Societies for the circulation of Religious Tracts; and with what avidity will be read the Biographi cal Sketches of those benevolent, devoted, and holy men, to whose inventive minds and laborious.exertions the origin of these Institutions may be traced! Never since. the days of the Apostles has there been a period distinguished by so much enterprise, so much ingenuity, so much energy, or so much cooperation in plans of religious be nevolence. Yet it must not be imagined that the spirit of invention and assiduity in schemes of doing good was altogether unknown in the days of our pious forefathers.. Some individuals there have been, at different periods, whose minds projected the bold outlines of plans which could not then be realized, only because there was no kindred feeling, no sympathetic emotion in the hearts of contemporary Christians. These excellent men seemed to anticipate the efforts, and to give pledges of the exertions of a later age, and they deserve to be held in perpetual remembrance. Without adverting to other individuals of exemplary piety and zeal, who were the ornaments of the age in which they lived, it may be edifying and stimulating to take a retrospect of the efforts of one who, more than a century and a half ago, and in an age of intolerance and persecution, was developing the most admirable energies of holy love and holy zeal; and not only by projecting, but by adopting, on a small scale, many of those very plans of enlightened benevolence, which are the glory of the present day. This eminent example of Christian zeal was the Rev. Thomas Brand. He was born in the year 1635. His father was a dignitary of the Church of England, but he was compelled by the dictates of conscience, yet without the slightest admixture of the spirit of party, to expose himself to all the privations and all the perils of a Non-conformist minister. and tracts" of the most awakening, convincing, and practical kind, to encourage serious godliness; and not only did he give publications of small price, such as thousands, (if not tens of thousands) of catechisms, many of them with expositions, but many thousands of larger books.” Among these Dr. Annesley specifies several of Baxter's treatises, and Allein's Alarm to the Unconverted, altering very judiciously the title (lest it should excite pre Mr. We are informed by his pious biographer, Dr. Annesley, that he not only preached himself, with unusual zeal and ardour; but that it would be difficult to fix on any indi- ́judice and diminish its usefulness) vidual, who had accomplished the into A Guide to Heaven.. erection of so many places of wor- Brand united with a few other per ship, and had "contributed so large- sons to defray the expense of a ly to the supplying them with such large edition of this striking and ministers as were workmen that impressive work, for gratuitous disneeded not to be ashamed. He tribution. "He paid down £50 never thought much of any charge, at first, and afterwards more, toso he could but serve Christ and wards an impression of 20,000, to be souls." He greatly encouraged pious distributed through the kingdom." young men of promising talents to enter into the ministry, and educated many at his own expense. He established a great number of schools, in which children were taught to read, and in which the greatest pains were taken to inculcate the great truths of the Gospel by means of catechetical instruction. "He hired some persons in distant places to catechise all children, and others who were willing to learn; and once a month, or oftener, he rode about from place to place to catechise them himself." To encourage the poor to attend, he gave them often more than they could have earned during the time of their attendance. He excelled so much in the easy and perspicuous manner of proposing questions, that little difficulty was found by persons of ordinary capacity in giving suitable answers; and "when he preached in neighbouring congregations, they waited for his catechising as earnestly as beggars for an alms." He was constantly employed in distributing gratuitously books "But above all his stratagems to disperse good books, I cannot," ❞ observes Dr. Annesley, "but prefer his device for the spreading of the Bible; I cannot say how many hundreds, if not But he found thousands he gave away. this would not reach his end; many would rather be without Bibles than put him upon the charge of giving them. Therefore he took this course, which succeeded to his heart's desire: By himself, or friends, he sold Bibles at eighteenpence a Bible, to all that desired them for themselves, or their children, or servants, provided they were not to sell them again. And by this mean, very many who refused them gratis, caught at them at this underrate, whereby they were furnished with Bibles, and something was returned towards the buying of more, and this is the only trade he ever drove with books." He was not only liberal in his own donations and contributions for the cause of Christ, to the utmost extent of his resources, but he was exceedingly solicitous to prevail upon others to subscribe certain sums annually towards some good work, such as "the education of a youth, or the relieving of some minister, or something that might promote the Gospel. Towards the close of his life, when his strength was reduced, and his labours were necessarily contracted, he often said, that "If he were younger, he would fix at no one place, but go about the country where he found most need, and there preach the Gospel, catechise the younger sort, distribute good books, rect places for divine worship, and fix ministers at them. His zeal for doing good was so transporting, that he could as soon cease to live as cease to attempt it; a double instance of which was, that there was one place where he was contriving to settle a minister, and another place where he was endeavouring to build a meeting house when he died." A little while before his death he often said, "What is the world! 'Tis not worth a straw! Oh, my God, I would be with thee; Oh, how I long to be with Christ, my dear Redeemer! Oh, my God, bring ine to thyself! Oh, I long for heaven! Oh, welcome death!" The best improvement of this sketch of Mr. Brand's admirable character and course is suggested by Dr. Annesley in the funeral sermon which he preached for him-"O my soul, here is an employment worthy of thyself! Here is a minister of Christ indeed! Here is one whose body, and soul, and estate, and interest, were all vigorously laid out for Christ! Is not this example worthy thy imitation? God's giving me notice of such a person is a talent I must account for!" H. F. B. AN EXTRAORDINARY CONVERSION IN AMERICA. THE REV. Dr. M- was, some time since, requested to visit a lady in dying circumstances, who, together with her husband, openly avowed infidel principles, though they attended on his ministry. Ön approaching her bedside, he asked her if she felt herself a sinner, and the need of a Saviour? She frankly told him she did not; but that she believed the doctrineof a Mediator, to be all a farce— "Then," said the Doctor, "I have no consolation for you;-not one word of comfort.-There is not a single passage in the Bible that warrants me to speak peace to any one who rejects the Mediator pro-vided for lost sinners. You must abide the consequences of your infidelity." So saying, he was on the point of leaving the room, when some one said, "Well, but Doctor, if you cannot speak consolation to her, you can pray for her." Το this he assented, and kneeling down by the bedside, prayed for her as a guilty sinner just sinking into hell; and then arising from his knees, he left the house.. A day or two after, he received a message from the lady herself, earnestly desiring that he would come to see her, and without delay! He immediately obeyed the summons. But what was his amazement, when, on entering the room, she held out her hand to him, and said, with a benignant smile, "It is all true,-all that you said on Sunday is true. I have seen myself the wretched sinner you described me to be in prayer. I have seen Christ to be that all-sufficient Saviour you said he was; and God has mercifully snatched me from the abyss of infidelity, in which I was sunk, and placed me on the Rock of Ages. There I am secure --there I shall remain.-I know in whom I have believed." All this was like a dream to him; but she proceeded, and displayed as accurate a knowledge of the way of salvation revealed in the Gospel, and as firm a reliance on it, as if she had been a disciple of Christ for many years. Yet there was nothing like boasting or presumption; all was humility, resignation, and confidence. She charged her husband to educate their daughter in the fear of God: and, above all, to keep from her those novels, and books of infidel sensibility, by which she had been brought so near to ruin! On the evening of the same day she expired, in fulness of joy and peace in believing. The account which the Doctor received from hér attendants was, that the prayer he offered up by the bedside, fastened upon her mind; and, shortly after he had left her, she became alarmed about the state of her soul. Indeed, at one period, her agony was such, that, (although on Sunday her voice was so feeble she could scarcely be heard) her cries were distinctly heard from the second story to the cellar of the house, and that at length, she found peace in believing. "Effectual, fervent prayer prevails, When every other method fails." SELECT SAYINGS, Adapted to those who exercise the Christian ministry, or are preparing for it. I." HE that rushes into the Christian ministry without right motives and scriptural qualifications, will sooner or later disgrace that ministry, and dishonour himself."-Anonymous. The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient (or forbearing;) in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.-2 Tim. ii. 24, 25. II. "Study without prayer is Atheism Prayer without study is presumption."-Bp. Sanderson. Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them.-1 Tim. iv. 15. Study to shew thyself approved unto. God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.-2 Tim. ii. 15. We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.-Acts vi. 4. III. "That preacher who has not been called to his office by Jesus Christ, and who does not preach his Gospel faithfully, cannot justly be denominated the minister of Jesus Christ."-Anonymous. The Prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.” Jer. xiv. 14. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconcilia-. tion. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.-2 Cor. v. 19, 20. IV. " Every faithful minister of Jesus Christ should keep in recollection, that every preaches, it is likely he may have some persons present who have also some who will never hear it never before heard the Gospel, and again."-Rev. David Brown. time he Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say to the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die, &c. &c.—Ezek. xxxiii. 7, 8 V. "The vinegar of sharp reprehension must be allayed, and tempered with the oil of consolation."-Cudworth. Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.-Titus i. 13. Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? 1 Cor. iv. 21. Ye know how we exhorted and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. 1 Thes. ii. 11. VI. "We must not only use the corrosives of the law, but withal we must apply the cordials of the Gospel."Anonymous. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him."-Isa. iii. 10, 11. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath re◄ We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.-2 Cor. iv. 5. VIII. “Some ministers preach so well in the pulpit, it is a pity they should ever leave it and when out of it live so ill, it would be well if they never entered it again.”—Anon. The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.-Mal. ii. 7, 8, 9. IX." It would be well if they (the clergy) would put Christianity into their sermons, and keep morality for their lives."-George III The grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.-Titus ii. 11, 12. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped; who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.-Titus i. 9-11. X. "A minister of Jesus Christ should neither be the monkey nor the fiddle of any company; but study propriety and purity, both in conversation and conduct."-Anon. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemed; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."-Titus ii. 7, 8. Nor foolish talking, norjesting, which are not convenient.-Ephe. v. 4. HINTS TO PREACHERS. REV. SIR, THE following hints, with slight alterations, were lately addressed to a worthy minister, whose exertions in the pulpit appeared to the writer to exceed very far the bounds of moderation and utility Perhaps the remarks may not be wholly inapplicable to some other esteemed labourers in the vineyard. Yours, &c. MEDICUS. REV. SIR, WILL you permit a friend, with the kindest wishes for your personal comfort and continued usefulness, to offer a salutary caution relative to your pulpit labours? Having heard you, Rev. Sir, on the last Sabbath, I could not but regret that so faithful and instructive an address should have been delivered, apparently, at the expense of so much bodily exhaustion. I felt persuaded that no individual of ordinary strength could support, without the risk of permanent injury, one such service, much less two or three of the same kind, within the short space of ten hours. The high excitement of (may I not say, over) impassioned feelings, with a very considerable degree of vehemence of utterance, and occasional deep and rapid inspirations, almost amounting to convulsive efforts, must, I apprehend, make such serious demands upon your physical and mental energy, as gradually to exhaust the powers of the system, and, in all human probability, materially shorten the period of your usefulness. Without assuming the office of a dictator, may I, Rev. Sir, be allowed to remark, that when the fervour of a minister evidently rises to a painful effort, a hearer of |