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who is ever breathing out malice and cruelty against the body and members of Christ. Bp. Horne.]

14. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

[We should patiently "Wait on the Lord," till the few and evil days of our pilgrimage pass away, and we arrive at the mansions prepared for us in the house of our heavenly Father; till our warfare be accomplished, and terminate in the peace of God; till the storms and tempests of wintry time shall give place to the unclouded calm, and the ever blooming pleasures of eternal spring. Bp. Horne.]

In this Psalm we are to remark, 1st. That those who fear God and trust in him, are never afraid of men; but are calm and unshaken, even when reduced to the most deplorable condition. 2dly. That the most inestimable advantage, and the greatest .consolation we can enjoy in this world, is, to meet often in the house of God, there to praise and adore him, and to receive the testimonies of his favour. 3dly. That when God does incline our hearts to seek his face, we should improve the mercy, and not slight the gracious invitation. Ostervald.

Because

PSALM XXVIII. Ver. 5. they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall detroy them, and not build them

up.

[5. Because they regard not the works of the Lord,] In a general sense, they are said, (as Isa. v. 12,) "not to regard the work of the Lord, nor to consider the operation of his hands:" who being taken up with other cares, as the ambitious and covetous; or excluding all care from themselves, and therein placing greatest happiness; neither of what happens to themselves, in the course of their lives; nor

what happens unto others, either publicly or privately, thereby to understand the ways of God, and of his providence, make any observation at all; who neither in adversity nor prosperity go beyond nature and common chance: so they live, and so they die. They also more particularly may be charged with those words, who are altogether for the present, and judge of men generally as good or bad, in favour or out of favour with God, from their present condition, and what happens unto them in this world. Whereas it is a mystery of providence, to husband our salvation by contraries; and to let them have their wills in this world most, that have least of God's favour. Ainsworth.]

8. The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. A prayer collected out of the above

Psalm: O heavenly Father, we humbly beseech thy goodness, when we cry unto thee, to hear our supplications; for if thou turn away thine ear, and neglect to give us audience in these our pressures and afflictions, the men of thy hand will prevail against us, and bring down our life into the pit. We acknowledge before thee that our ways have been perverse, our works wicked, and the imagination of our hearts only vain and evil continually: yet, 0 Lord, we desire to be holy; render, therefore, unto us, not according to our deserts, but according to thy great mercies. Bp.

Nicholson.

9. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

[9. Save thy people, &c.] Save us, Lord Jesus, from our sins; bless us, O thou Son of Abraham, with the blessing of righteousness; feed us, O thou good Shepherd of the sheep; and lift us up for ever from the dust, O thou who art the resurrection and the life! Bp. Horne]

Narrative of a young Lady.

[From George Man Burrow's Inquiry into certain Errors relative to Insanity.]

A young lady, aged about 22, not the only member of her family marked by natural genius, but of acutely nervous sensibility and delicacy of constitution, had, from living in a state of affluence, retired with her mother to a modest where she soon engaged herself in every cottage, in a beautifully situated village, pursuit that an ardent imagination and pure philanthropy dictate. She was the instructress of the poor, and the comforter of the distressed. In short, she was an enthusiast in every opinion she adopted, or duty that she undertook. In this frame of body and mind, a minister, not less remarkable for his zeal than for his persuasive powers in enforcing certain theological tenets, settled in the same place. Struck with his discourses, she gradually imbibed his doctrines, though very opposite to those which she had been taught. She grew very disquieted, and although becomingly pious and attentive before, henceforth she devoted herself entirely to theological studies; but without in-. terruption of those good works in which she was ever engaged. Her health, however, soon suffered by the extraordinary ardour she displayed in the

per

formance of the various duties she had now undertaken. To wean her from pursuits which were evidently making as great inroads on her peace of mind as on her corporeal system, she was removed to the sea-side. Here her case was unfortunately mistaken, her health grew worse, and her spirits more unequal. She returned home; and it was at this period she wrote to a physician in a contiguous provincial city, not less distinguished for his private qualities than his love of science, the following letter:

"Dear Sir-The benevolent and persevering attention which I saw you exercise last summer for my unhappy friends, induces me to think that any opportunity of doing good is welcome to you, and that you will not, on account of its length, and the time it may occupy, refuse to read the statement of a case which I think requires a fuller explanation than ordinary.

"I am not, I hope, prompted to write to you by the despicable wish to speak of myself, but by a sincere desire to profit by your assistance in avoiding errors, and becoming as useful as the measure of my talents will permit.

"I believe your penetration must have discovered, when my mother consulted you for me, that I concealed some part of my disorder from you; and you probably conjectured the hidden part was a mental disease; since whatever terrors infirmity of body may bring on, weakness of mind, I believe, only can produce an excessive fear of human opi

nions.

"It was early decided by a medical friend of my family, that my constitution was extremely irritable; a sentence which was quite incomprehensible to me till experience too well explained it. In my earliest childhood my spirits were very weak, and I frequently shed tears, though when asked by my mother what was the reason, I could never give any. However, I felt that I wanted something. Perhaps the discipline used for me was not exactly suited; but I know not how it could have been otherwise, since my mother's natural character was as different as possible from mine, so that no experience could lead her to understand

me. My outward appearance was exceedingly calm, so that I resembled more the statue of a child than one alive. My mother thought that so much apparent moderation needed no correction, and she did not know that I wanted all the assistance that the most watchful care could give me. As this was the case I was too much indulged, I believe. As a father, sir, you will comprehend many little things that to another might appear ridiculous, and they will not appear unimportant to you because they are childish.Amongst your children's books there may perhaps be one of Scripture Histo ry, with prints, and amongst them one of Nebuchadnezzar in his state of degradation, very ill executed, and probably ridiculous enough. When I was very. little, perhaps before I could read, my mother found me crying violently over this print; and, on inquiry, found it was because I thought I might, at some time or other, become like this king, She laughed at me very naturally, and I felt much relieved and thought there was no danger. Yet, if I am not mistaken, I had then felt, for the first time, that fear and abhorrence of evil which has never till lately been sufficiently strong in my mind to produce good.

"The clergyman of my native place is a very good man. His doctrines were, in that country, almost universally considered as methodistical; yet they are to be found in almost every page of the Bible, and at this time are preached, I believe, in almost every pulpit, from that of the University to that of the most obscure village, as the doctrines of the Church of England. Opposition had perhaps inflamed his zeal, and induced him to dwell more on faith than on morality; and it was very seldom that we heard him explain and enforce the intimate union between them; his sermons made considerable impression on my mind; but the violence, rather than the warmth of his manner, made it a painful one, and it was not productive of any active effect.

"When I was about twelve years old, my sister, a child of extraordinary talents and virtues, died, at the age of fourteen, with Christian hope and joy. Her death, succeeded as it was by a

train of family misfortunes, very much withdrew my mother's attention from me, and I became most completely at my own disposal. In a year or two I fell into extreme indolence. In this slavery I have remained till within a few days, not without almost constant self-abhorrence, and some severe struggles.

“Your knowledge, Sir, must make it unnecessary for me to describe the debility of constitution, the stupidity of understanding, and the insensibility of heart which are the consequences of sloth. From these assuredly nothing but the mercy of God could deliver me. This I have long resisted, though I have seen it in the beauty of the material creation, heard it from the lips of human genius, and felt it, in the application of the Scriptures, by my conscience. 1

"Now that I have conquered my sinful habit, and have reason to hope that more grace will be given,' I have still some very painful apprehensions. The weakness of my understanding is such, that a short calculation, or a few moves at chess, gives me a violent head-ache, and a universal trembling. The activity and force of my imagination appear to me such, that if I were left to myself there is no extravagance of which I could not be guilty. I have happily found some little active employment; but when I am doing any thing which is merely mechanical, I feel as if (without having any intention of removing) it were impossible for me to keep my seat. When, at such times, I can find an opportunity of reading a few verses in the Bible, I feel immediately quite calm; but I cannot quite avoid the fear that I should abuse even the medicine of life. I have happily, in my brother, a friend, on whose strength of mind and goodness of heart I can rely with perfect confidence; but he, perhaps, wants some of that peculiar knowledge and experience which may be necessary for me. A sensation of sickness, which accompanies my most impatient feelings, and a degree of restlessness at night gives me some hopes, that, by the aid of medicine, I might be placed in a more secure state.

You will, I hope, excuse the length

of my letter, as I thought it right to give you a true and sincere statement of my course of life, as far as regards this subject.

"I must add that nothing but my belief of your confidence in the sacrifice which has been made for the sins of the whole world, could have induced me to make this disclosure. If I had not this faith, the knowledge of my offences would be death to me; and I cannot endure that any person who does not possess it should know them."

Nothing can so truly delineate the state of a fine but erratic mind, contending against morbid feelings and perceptions, as this simple but elegant appeal; or give a more clear prognostic of what was likely to happen. In fact, about a fortnight after it was written, a severe paroxysm of mania followed. In a short time she was carried to

to be under the care of the physician to whom the letter was addressed.

With all the seeming candour which pervades her statement, some art is apparent. She alludes to the tenets of the clergyman of her native place, which she denies having had when a child, "any active effect" on her, in the very terms which she would, had she had courage, have described the effect of the new doctrines she had recently heard; and which had actually produced on her mind the impression she deprecates..

In about three months the case appearing confirmed insanity, she was removed to lodgings near town, to be under my care. In this stage I first saw her. She was past the sense of all moral attentions: her intellectual faculties were wholly absorbed; consciousness was denied; volition only seemed to be exercised. But in her soliloquies, or rather ramblings, what she said betrayed the inward workings; and that all thoughts were bent on religious subjects. She was, however, eventually cured.

With the restoration of her understanding her religious enthusiasm subsided; and she again resumed all the elegant and lighter accomplishments of which she was mistress, but had long neglected. As a convalescent, she re

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I beg leave to state a fact, which took place some time ago. A young lady, the darling of her parents, and who was brought up in all the follies of fashion, till she was completely imbued with the spirit of the world, was suddenly taken ill. Great alarm was excited. No less than three physicians were called in to rescue this favourite child from death; but alas! all was in vain; their utmost efforts were ineffectual. All aghast at the attack of the fierce invader, an awful silence took place, interrupted only by the sobs of a fond mother, broken hearted and in despair. The physicians agreed in judgment that this young creature must die, and that she could survive the attack but a very short period. Judge what a scene of distress must ensue! See the father's heart agonized to destraction! But what she said before she died, must, if possible, increase the agony of both parents. She was informed that she must now fall a prey to death-that a few hours would terminate her existence upon earth! Judge how this gay young lady must herself feel. Collecting all her strength, she requested that her gay companions might be sent for. They were immediately sent for; and with great anxiety entered this mansion of misery. The dying young lady, on seeing her associates in folly, addressed them to the following effect-I am go

ing to die! How awfully have we nèglected God and religion, and mispent our invaluable time. With my dying breath I exhort you to repent before it is too late;' and then, in the presence of this company of fashionable young people, she thus addressed her own father-You have been the unhappy instrument of my being-you fostered me in pride, and led me in the path of sin; you never once warned me of my danger:-now, now, it is too late. In a few hours you will have to cover me with earth; but remember-while you are casting earth upon my body, my soul will be in hell! and yourselves the miserable cause!'-Here she paused, and presently closed her eyes in death!

What think you of this fact? Are you a parent? what must these parents feel on hearing this charge, these accusations of their own child in her dying moments? Would not the chamber become to them a scene of indescribable distress?-Would not the mother be dew her dying pillow with her tears, and try to bring back the departing spirit by her frantic shrieks? Ah! what a scene was this! How petrifying to the feelings of a humane heart!

Parents, can you contemplate this scene without feelings of the deepest melancholy? O, had she been your daughter! In these last complicated agonies, no comforter at hand—no messenger of peace who should say, 'Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.' Alas! all was silence.

Young people, had you witnessed this scene, what impression would it have made on you? Would you have resolved to renounce the world, to read the scriptures, to believe in Christ, to walk with God? By his grace go and do so now: for now, and now only is the accepted time.' T. H.

(From the same) The observation of the Lord's Day remarkably rewarded; an anecdote taken from a Tract printed at Bristol, by the Bristol Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge. No. 117.

THE writer remembers hearing of a Barber, who lived at Bath in the last

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century: passing a Church or Meeting one Sunday, he peeped in just as the minister was giving out his text, 'Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy,' Exodus xx. 8; he listened long enough to be convinced that he was constantly breaking the laws of God and man, by shaving and dressing his customers on Sunday. He became uneasy, and went with a heavy heart to his Sunday task. At length he took courage, and opened his mind to the minister; who advised. him to give up Sunday dressing, and worship God. He replied, beggary would be the consequence; he had a flourishing trade, but it would almost all be lost. He told him he must not confer with flesh and blood; but trust God, who requires from us no more than is for our good-never asks us to make any sacrifice, but he will abundantly compensate; the command being absolute, admits of no relaxation.

He could not bring his mind to it at once; sounded his customers, and soon found they would employ another. At length, after many a sleepless night spent in weeping and praying, he was determined to cast all his care on God; as the more he reflected, the more his duty became apparent.

He discontinued Sunday dressing; went constantly and early to Church or Meeting, and soon enjoyed that selfgratulation which is one of the rewards of doing our duty, and in due time that 'peace of God which the world can neither give nor take away.' The consequences he foresaw actually followed: his genteel customers left him, as he was nicknamed a Puritan, or Methodist. He was obliged to give up his fashionable shop; and, from various gradations in life, in the course of years he became so reduced as to take a cellar under the old Market-house, and shave the farmers!

One Saturday evening, between light and dark, a stranger from one of the coaches asking for a Barber, was directed by the hostler to the cellar opposite. Coming in hastily, he requested to be shaved quickly, while they changed horses, as he did not like to violate the Sabbath!-This was touching the poor Barber on a tender chord: he burst into tears, asked the stranger to lend him

a halfpenny to buy a candle, as it was not light enough to shave him with safety. He did so, revolving in his mind the extreme poverty to which the poor man must be reduced, before he could make such a request.

When shaved, he said-'There must be something extraordinary in your history, which I have not now time to hear. Here is half-a-crown for you; when I return, I will call and investigate your case. What is your name?'

'William Reed,' said the astonished Barber.

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'Had he any brother ?

"Yes, Sir; one, after whom I was named; but he went to the Indies; and as we never heard from him, we suppose him to be dead."

'Come along, follow me!' said the stranger. 'I am going to see a person who says his name is William Reed, of Kingston, near Taunton. Come and confront him. If you prove to be indeed him whom you say you are, I have glorious news for you; your uncle is dead, and has left you an immense fortune; which I will put you into possession of, when all legal doubts are removed.'

They went by the coach, saw the pretended William Reed, and proved him to be an impostor. The stranger, who was a pious attorney, was soon legally satisfied of the Barber's identity, told him he had advertised him in vain; Providence had now thrown him in his way in a most extraordinary manner, and he had great pleasure in transferring a great many thousand pounds to a worthy man, the rightful heir of the property.

Thus was man's extremity God's opportunity.-Had the poor Barber pos sessed one halfpenny, or even had credit for a candle, he might have remained unknown for years; but he trusted God, who never said-Seek ye my face in vain.' He had read in the BIBLE (that

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