WHETHER we turn our attention to ancient or to modern times, to barbarous or to civilized nations, the doctrine of the soul's immortality has obtained, as nearly as possible, universal belief; and, unless in solitary cases of the most stupid insensibility, or atrocious vice, or sceptical pride, it has met with the readiest acceptance. An extended proof of this article would carry us beyond the limits of the time assigned to this service. The following passages, therefore, selected from Heathen writers, shall suffice. Homer could sing of

"The wrath which hurl'd to Pluto's gloomy reign,

The soul's of mighty chiefs, untimely slain;

Whose limbs, unburied on the naked shore,

Devouring dogs and hungry vultures

tore.

Xenophon has represented Cyrus as thus addressing his sons, just before his death: "Do not imagine, O my dear children, that when I leave you I shall cease to exist. For even when I was yet with you, my spirit you could not discern; but that it animated this body, you were fully assured, by the actions which I performed. Be assured it will continue the same, though you see it not. I can never suffer myself to be persuaded that the man lives only while he is in the body, and dies when it is dissolved; or that the soul loses all intelligence on being separated from an unintelligent lump of clay; but rather, that, on being liberated from all mixture with the body, pure and entire, it enters upon its true, intellectual existence. At death, any one may discover what becomes of the material part of our frame; all sinks into that from which it arose ; everything is resolved into its first principles; the soul alone is apparent, neither while it is with us, nor when it departs. What so much resembles death as sleep? Now the powers of

the mind in sleep loudly proclaim their own divinity; free and unfettered, the soul plunges into futurity; ascends its native sky. Hence, we may conclude how enlarged those powers will be, when undepressed and unrestrained by the chains of flesh." Cato is represented by the great Roman orator, as thus addressing his young friends, Scipio and Laelius: "Those excellent men, your fathers, who were so dear to me in life, I consider as still alive; and, indeed, as now enjoying a state of being, which alone deserves to be dignified with the name of life. For as long as we are shut up in this dungeon of sense, we have to toil through the painful and necessary drudgery of life, and to accomplish the laborious task of a hireling. The celestial spirit is as it were depressed, degraded from its native seat, and plunged into the mire of this world; a state repugnant to its nature and eternal duration. No one shall ever persuade me, Scipio, that your worthy father, or your grandfathers, Paulus and Africanus, or many other excellent men whom I need not name, performed so many actions to be remembered by posterity, without being sensible that futurity was their right. And if I may be allowed an old man's privilege, to speak for myself, can you imagine that I should have submitted to so much painful toil, by night and by day, in the forum, in the senate, and in the field, had I apprehended that my existence and reputation were to terminate with this life? Were this the case, to have worn out my days with ease and tranquillity, free from labour, and without emulation, were far more desirable. But, I know not how, the soul has always raised itself, and, exerting its native vigour, has still sprung forward into ages yet to come, and seized them as its own. I feel myself transported with delight at thought of again seeing and joining your father, whom on earth I highly

respected and dearly loved; and, borne on the wings of hope and desire, I am speeding my flight to mingle with the honoured society, not of those whom on earth I knew, and with whom I have on earth conversed, but of those also, of whom I have heard and read, and the history of whose lives I myself have written for the instruction of mankind. O glorious day, when I shall be admitted into the assembly of the wise and good! When I shall make an eternal escape from this sink of corruption, and this din of folly! When, amidst the happy throng of immortals, I shall find thee also, my son, my Cato, best, most amiable of men! On thy ashes I bestowed the honour of the tomb. Ah! why did not mine receive them from thy hand. But your spirit, I know it, has never forsaken me, but casting back a long, lingering look to your afflicted father, has removed to that region of purity and peace, whither you were confident I should follow you; and I feel, I feel, that our separation cannot be of long continuance. If, indulging myself in these fond hopes, my young friends,

I am under the power of delusion, it is a sweet, it is an innocent delusion. I will hold it fast, and never let it go while I live. I despise the sneer of the witling who would attempt to laugh me out of my immortality. Suppose him in the right, and myself under a mistake, he shall not have the power to insult me, nor shall I have the mortification of feeling his scorn, when we are both gone to the land of everlasting forgetfulness." These extracts are from one of the most eloquent and valuable works in the English language, "Allin's Discourses on Modern Atheism," &c. A book which has been pronounced to be "a durable monument of the talents and piety of its author, and a solid defence of the best of all causes -the cause of God." The second, a greatly improved edition, was issued a short time since, and may be had of the preachers of the Methodist New Connexion. As the price is low a copy of this book should be placed in every library, and on the table of every family belonging to the Connexion. A. T.

Rochdale.

WHEN the cholera was raging last year, and carrying away thousands of immortal beings to their final destiny, I met a man one day, who laughed at the alarm which the fear of death inspired in the minds of many who were unfit to die. He professed to be a disbeliever in the existence of a God and of a future state. And, to show his profanity in his bravado of death and eternity, exclaimed, "If there is a God, I wish he would send me the cholera, and send me to hell!" It was an awful wish, and the daring impiety with which it was uttered made me shudder. Little did the poor man think how soon his sinful wish would be answered. In a few weeks after, I was called upon early in the morning to visit him. He had been seized during the night with cholera, and

66

immediately desired his friends to send for me. When I entered the sick man's chamber, he cried out as soon as he saw me, O Mr. Wpray for me! pray for me!" I complied with his request, but his groans interrupted my pleadings. Death was upon him, the eternal future was opening before him, and he dreaded to meet the God whom he had so impiously denied. He feared the hell at which he had laughed, and now in, despair he cried for mercy. In this state of anguish he died the same night.

I leave him in the hands of a holy and righteous God. O may you, my dear reader, never trifle with eternal things, but fly for refuge to him who now offers you pardon and a meetness for heaven.

66

IN visiting a house in which eight families resided, I was requested to see a poor woman in the front room on the second floor. I found but a shadow of a human being, disease had reduced her to a skeleton. "How long have you been in this condition, Mrs. G. ?" I inquired. "Four years, sir," was the faint and feeble reply. And do you think you will get better?" I asked. "O no, sir; I know, I feel I shall die!" "And are you prepared for death?" She burst into tears at this question, and exclaimed with more than usual energy, "No, sir, I dare not think of death. I feel I am a great sinner. I have prayed again and again for mercy, but I cannot get peace of mind. I am afraid God will not pardon me; I have sinned so much, and so long against him." I explained to this poor distressed woman the willingness of God to accept her, read to her many pre

LEGEND OF ST. ANTHONY.- One day, as the anchorites around him were communing together, there arose a question as to which of all the virtues was most necessary to perfection. One said chastity, another humility, a third justice. St. Anthony remained silent until all had given their opinion, and then he

cious promises, and prayed that he who died for sinners would give her peace. I continued my visits for a short time. Her mind was gradually opened to see the fulness of grace in Christ, and his ability to save unto the uttermost. The Holy Spirit graciously imparted the grace of faith, and she found at last ". peace with God." A few days before she died she took hold of my hand; her countenance was bright, tears rolled down her sunken cheeks, sobs of joy choked her utterance, as she exclaimed, "O my dear sir, I bless God you ever visited me! I feel so happy. I shall die in peace!" I need not attempt to describe the emotions which filled my soul at that moment. None but such as have felt the luxury of joy and gratitude, with a consciousness of doing good by God's blessing, can tell what I felt. May my last end be like hers. Paddington. S. W.

spoke. "Ye have all said well, but none of you have said aright: the virtue most necessary to perfection is prudence, for the most virtuous actions of men, unless governed and directed by prudence, are neither pleasing to God, serviceable to others, nor profitable to ourselves.-Mrs. Ames.

NOTES, CRITICAL, EXPLANATORY, AND PRACTICAL, ON THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH, WITH A NEW TRANSLATION AND INTRODUCTORY DISSERTATION. By the Rev. ALBERT BARNES.

Reprinted verbatim from the Author's revised Edition. Edited and carefully corrected by Rev. INGRAM COBBIN, M. A., in two volumes. London: Partridge and Oakey, Paternoster Row.

This work is well got up, and sold at a price so remarkably low that one almost startles at its announcement. Its cheapness, however, is not its only recommendation. It embodies such an amount of information, philological, historical, geographical, and critical, as in former times could not have been published for five or ten times the amount. Every scho

lar in examining these volumes on Isaiah, must feel that the author has bestowed much labour and anxiety to render his work a faithful exposition of the sacred text, and has generally succeeded well in his design. Sometimes we have thought that he has introduced authorities and their conflicting opinions, where they had been better spared for the sake of the general reader; and we have thought that, here and there, evidence of evangelical doctrine palpably offered itself, which he has declined to use. But as a whole, the excellence and the cheapness of the work renders it an important boon to the church of God.

THE CLASS OF A THOUSAND AND ONE: Sunday School Memorial. By the

author of "Important Truths in Simple Verse," "Rhymes worth Remembering," &c. London: Partridge and Oakey.

This book presents us with a manifestation of true and unostentatious philanthropy. We have here a gentleman of education, of superior parts as an author, and occupied for six days in the week as an extensive publisher in London, engaging on the Sabbath day in the toils of an alphabet class. For twelve years he perseveres in his arduous duties, and finds at the expiration of that period, that the numbers who have been brought under his tuition, amount to no less than 1,001. Most of these had passed from his hands to higher classes, and some had been called away by death. Not content with Sabbath labours, he explores the lanes and alleys where the members of his juvenile class reside, and becomes personally acquainted with their parents. Here he exercises Christian sympathy among the sons and daughters of affliction and distress, and scatters the seeds of truth among the ignorant and profane. The little volume before us presents the scenes he witnessed in his God-like pursuits. The work is one of thrilling interest. We most cordially recommend it to our readers, and wish it an extensive circulation.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' CLASS REGISTER AND DIARY FOR 1851. London: Sunday School Union.

Very well planned for its purposeconducive to good order, punctuality, and efficiency, in the work of Sabbath School Instruction.

THE BIBLE CLASS MAGAZINE FOR 1850. London: Sunday School Union. A MISSILE FOR PAPISTS. A few Remarks on the Papacy: By the Ghost of Harry the Eighth's Fool. London: Partridge and Oakey.

A good thrust at the man of sin.

THE MOTHER'S FRIEND. A monthly Magazine, to aid and encourage those mothers who have little time to read, and little money to spend on books. Edited by Ann Jane. Vol. III. London: B. L. Green.

Unpretending in its professions, but excellence in its performance.

PUSEYISM UNMASKED; or the Jesuit Abroad. By ANTI-VATICAN. 12mo. pp. 160. London: Partridge & Oakey. A faithful delineation of Puseyism, in its doctrines, rites, and sinister purposes. The author has drawn copiously from various authentic sources to furnish the reader with a full length pic

C

ture of the monster now rampant in the Established Church. It is the opinion of the author that "Jesuits swarm in our universities, are numerous in the Established Church, and have up their position in force among the Tractarians." To those who wish thoroughly to understand the principles, practices, and aims of Puseyism, the work will prove exceedingly valuable.

"A

THE CONVERSION AND DEATH-BED EXPERIENCE OF MRS. LITTLE OF GLASGow, who died in January, 1842, at the age of eighteen. To which is added Guide to peace with God." By JOHN LITTLE. Thirty-seventh Thousand. 32mo., pp. 188. London: J. Snow.

A well written manifestation of the grace of God, in the soul's salvation. The fact that it has passed through editions, extending to thirty-six thousand, proclaims its popular acceptance, and its general adaptation to usefulness.

THE UNION SPELLING AND READING Book; containing Lessons chiefly extracted from the Holy Scriptures, us Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names, with their Pronounciations and Explanations. London: Sunday School Union.

We have here two books in one-the former well adapted to conduct the learner gradually forward to proficiency in the art of reading, and of spellingthe latter to a correct pronounciation of Scripture names, and a knowledge of their etymological meaning.

THE CRISIS. A Prize Essay on Senior Classes in Sunday Schools; their Necessity, Importance, and the best Method of conducting them. Illustrated by several encouraging facts. By HENRY HALL, Of York Street Chapel Sunday School, Walworth. 18mo., pp. 112. London: B. L. Green.

A book which well comports with its title. Distinguished by good sense and devoted zeal for the best interests of youth, and full of practical and useful suggestions

A DICTIONARY OF SCRIPTURE PROPER NAMES, WITH THEIR PRONOUNCIATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS. 12mo, pp.46. London: Sunday School Union.

A neat and useful manual. Every Sunday school teacher of the Bible and Testament classes should possess this excellent little work.

JANE CLEGG.

"The righteous is taken away from the evil to come."

HAPPY Would it be for all those who profess to be the followers of the Lord, did they possess that meekness and calm resignation to the will of God, which were manifested in the life and death of Jane Clegg, of Buckley, near Rochdale, who departed this life on the 2nd of June, 1850, in the thirty-second year of her age. She was born at Crow, near Littleborough, on the 24th of July, 1818. Her parents were poor, but industrious. At the age of thirteen, Jane was admitted into the Methodist Sabbath School at Smallbridge, in which she was taught to read the Word of God, and instructed in the way to heaven. She was respected and beloved by her teachers, and she showed her attachment to them by her attention to the instructions given, and her regular attendance at the school. She possessed a calm and serene temper, and was always obedient to the commands of her parents. The spirit of God strove with her from being a child, but it was not until the month of June, in the year 1838, that she saw and felt herself a sinner in the sight of God. At that time she attended an open air service, when Mr. Wholstenholme was preaching at Smallbridge, when the Word came with power to her heart, and she clearly saw and felt herself a sinner in the sight of God. She now began to seek the Lord with all her heart, and determined not to rest till God, for Christ's sake, had set her soul at liberty. She sought the Lord

in private, and while at her daily occupation, she breathed her desires and wishes to God till he in his great mercy spoke peace to her soul, and she was enabled to rejoice in the sweet forgiving love of God. For some time previous to her conversion she felt a desire to attend a class-meeting. But no one taking her by the hand, she had remained a stranger to them up to that time. But now, having tasted that God was gracious, she went to the house of God, and joined with those who were walking in the way to heaven. She received her first ticket in December, 1838, and was regular in her attendance at the means of grace. It was her delight to meet with God's people. She loved the communion of saints, and frequently spoke of meeting her friends in heaven, where parting would not be known. In the year 1840, she was scized with an affliction which baffled all the efforts of medical men. But she continued to follow her employment until Whitsuntide in 1841, when her affliction became so severe, that she had to leave her work. This was a great trial to her; and, what was still more trying, she was unable to meet with her companions in the means of grace. Although she was thus deprived of attending her class, she maintained her confidence in God; God was the strength of her heart, and her portion for ever. During her affliction, which lasted for ten years, she never lost her evidence, but always enjoyed sweet communion with her Saviour. She bore her affliction with Christian