which I was exposed. At night I examined myself, and found, that though I had not yielded to temptation in telling lies, yet I had sinned against God by putting on pitiful looks, when I did not feel distress. Of this I heartily repented before God, resolving in God's grace to renounce that also.

For several days I met with nothing but discouragement, but my mind was supported by faith in God's providence.

I came to Pontefract. The people of Pontefract and its neighbourhood were very kind to me, so that I obtained more by telling the truth than I had formerly done by telling lies. I spent my next Sunday in this ancient town. It was not so comfortable as the Sunday before. A number of travellers were there, who spent the day in wicked conversation, which now was grievous to my soul. I also had great longings in my spirit to go to the house of the Lord. "As the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." "When shall I come and appear before God?" I had not as yet learnt to confess Christ before men. I strove to conceal religion within my own breast from the notice of others. Yet I could not keep it altogether secret. My care over my words, in refraining from lying in common conversation, and the dislike I showed to all sinful discourse, told me that a great change had taken place in my soul.

From Selby I went to Leeds. I came near to some men that were sitting outside of a public-house. They asked me my trade. I said, "I am no trade, and have been brought up to no occupation. I lived in a workhouse till I was seventeen years of age, when I ran away, and have been travelling ever since." They laughed at me, saying, "You tell a very lame story; you must tell a better tale than that, if you want to get anything." Others said, "I will give you something, for you tell the truth." I stayed three weeks at Leeda, during which time I bought a new shirt and a pair of trou

sers.

I next went to Bradford, stayed a month, and then proceeded to Halifax. A person gave me a coat and waistcoat. The next Sunday I went to chapel, being the first time since I left Beverley. I was glad to go to the house of God. The minister preached a funeral sermon on the death of the Rev. Dr. M'All, of Manchester. Before sermon they sang a hymn of praise :

"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm."

The preacher took his text from the 12th chapter of Hebrews, the latter clause of the 23rd verse, "The spirits of just men made perfect."

He dwelt in glowing terms on the perfection of joy, of love, of knowledge, and of glory, to which the souls of believers attain in heaven. My mind was sweetly refreshed under this sermon. It was the very gate of heaven to my soul.

From this time he became a new creature. His own description of the revolution of which he was the subject is such as will commend it to the hearts of all who have experienced the like teaching

VOL. VII.

from on high. From this time the narrative increases in beauty, instruction, and interest. Never man was found in a condition more at variance with the requirements of the Gospel. Heretofore his right arm, that by which he had excited public compassion, was an arm of falsehood: by this he everywhere opened hearts and homes. The very principle of this vice was now obliterated from his constitution. He had now power over that and every other sin. He now loved the truth, and, at all hazards, spoke it, although he fully apprehended the consequences, as it respected the excitation of public compassion. But the poor fellow wished and hoped to have done with this system. What he now desired was, not charity, but labour, that he might honestly earn his own bread. The difficulty was, till he got such labour to subsist on, how to tell only the truth, and at the same time command sympathy. For to affirm, as he said, that he had been reared up in St. George's Workhouse till he was seventeen years of age, and had no trade, no home, no friends, was a tale soon told, but was little fitted to move the multitude, unless to spurn him. He had, however, now learned to trust in Providence, and he found such trust was not in vain. His path was opened up in a manner that surprised him, and rebuked his temporary fears. The subject of a new nature, he became anxious for the society of the people of God, and to make a public profession of his faith. Circumstances brought him into contact with the ministry of the late Rev. John Arundel, of Union-street Chapel, Borough, Southwark, London. The history of this matter is worth recital:

The day at length arrived when I came to meet Mr. Arundel. I sat in a pew, my heart fluctuating between hope and fear, until it came to my turn to go into the vestry. Mr. Arundel received me with great kindness, and asked me to sit beside him. I told him that I had a great desire to partake of the Lord's Supper, and to join the people of God, but for a long time had been hindered by shame and fear, being such a poor, unworthy character. Mr. Arundel asked me where I lived, and whether I was acquainted with any of the members of the church. I told him that I was quite unknown to any of them. He asked me if any of the neighbours knew me. I told him I was quite unknown to all the neighbours, except the chandler-shopkeeper and the persons with whom I lodged. After some further conversation, he said, "You cannot be admitted to the Lord's table in less than a month, until the necessary inquiries are made. Will that do, Josiah?" I answered, "I wish to be admitted as soon as I can, consistent with

2 E

your rules." He said, "You had better write a letter to me, stating your views and experience in religion:" then, taking me by the hand, said, "Good night, Josiah." The next day I wrote a letter, but so badly wrote and blotted that I was ashamed to send it, so I got a fellow-lodger to copy it, and forwarded it to the minister.

I had great difficulty at this time in getting a living, but one thing after another turned up. One day, while looking about the City for a job, I saw some coloured bills on a hoarding, printed:" Do, Papa, buy me a Holy day Present at Valentine and Crosby's, 172, Leadenhall-street" A thought came into my head that I would go there and ask for a job. They employed me for five days carrying boards. I then sold a little cotton, and for four days found work in turning a wheel. After this, I found employment at the Warm-baths in New Broadstreet. I received a shilling a day, and contrived, out of this sum, to help my poor fellowlodgers. I tried many experiments of living; at last I settled into one, to live upon sixpence a day. My food was-for breakfast, a halfpennyworth of oatmeal made into gruel, a halfpound of bread; for dinner, a pennyworth of potatoes; a halfpennyworth of pot-herbs for supper; four days a week, twopennyworth of butcher's meat, one half of which I gave away to those who had none of their own. I kept twopence for soap and shaving on Sunday; paid threepence per day for lodging, and so saved sevenpence a week for clothes. Three weeks

passed away since I wrote to the minister, and, as I heard nothing about it, I thought I was rejected, until one Wednesday evening I was invited by two gentlemen to stay after the ser. vice was over. When the people were gone home, one of them told me to sit down, and open my mind freely to them as I would do to a familiar friend. I told them in few words my experience when under convictions; my joy and peace when I was enabled to look to Christ as the Saviour of sinners; the love that I felt to my Redeemer, and growing hatred to all sin, and that God had been very merciful to me. One of them said, that God, in exercising his mercy, had respect to all his other attributes. I replied, that God can and does show mercy to sinners through Christ in unison with all his other great and glorious perfections, holiness, justice, wisdom, and truth. They asked me my thoughts on the Lord's Supper-" Did I think that there was any merit in receiving it?" I replied, "None at all; but I esteem it a duty and a privilege; a duty, because Christ commanded his followers to do it in remembrance of Him; a privilege, because the death of Christ upon the cross, and all the benefits which true believers receive therefrom, are set forth in the symbols of bread and wine, so as to put our faith and love to Christ and his people into lively exercise." After conferring between themselves, they took me by the hand, and said, "We will recommend you to the Church with the greatest confidence." I said, "I hope I shall not do anything that may bring disgrace upon the Church." One of them said, "Trust not in your own strength, but look up to God for the grace of his Holy Spirit, to keep you from falling. You should endeavour to bring others to Christ." We all three knelt down; one of them offered fervent prayer to God for his blessing to rest upon me, preserving me

from all sin, and enable me to adorn the doctrines of God my Saviour in all things, and make me an instrument in bringing others to Jesus. I felt my spirits sweetly refreshed by this interview, and looked forward to the coming Sunday with feelings of delightful expectation. The Sunday came, and I went to chapel. Having rose early for self-examination, meditation, and secret prayer, I entered upon the duty of public worship with feelings of sacred joy. I expected one of the persons that visited me to have come to let me know the decision of the Church; but, after the morning service was over, finding that nobody came to me, I concluded that I was rejected after all. I went home quite cast down. At three o'clock preaching commenced in the lodging-house as usual. I went in, and sat down. While the first hymn was being sung, the landlord came to me and called me out, saying, "A gentleman is waiting for you." I went up, and found Mr. Beal waiting for me. He said, " Did you think that you were rejected?" I said, "I thought I was." He replied, "O no; we never reject any, however poor, if they love Christ." I went with him to chapel, and was shown into a pew with others that were received as members at the same time. On taking my seat among the members, words cannot express the mingled feelings of joy, contrition, and gratitude, which filled my mind. Never shall I forget the kind and affectionate address of the pastor to me. Taking my hand, he said, "Josiah Basset, I give you the right-hand of fellowship, and welcome you to this Christian Church, Your path

has been through the vale of poverty, wanting many of the comforts, and, sometimes, some of the necessaries of life. May God grant you the true riches." While partaking of the Lord's Supper, I thought within myself, Who am I, O blessed Redeemer, that thou shouldest thus look upon me-one who has lived such a life of rebellion against Thee-who has wallowed in uncleanness: that Thou shouldest shed thy precious blood for me-that Thou shouldest look upon me in my lost estate? O, my dearest Saviour, what hast Thou done for my soul! Thou hast redeemed me to God by thy blood. Thou hast opened the way to God and heaven, and given me a place among thy children. Thy love, gracious Saviour, is more refreshing than wine. Thou hast loosed my bonds. Thou hast set my heart at happy liberty. O, my blessed Saviour, keep me from anything that might bring reproach upon thy cause. Shed thy love more and more in my soul.

From this time the Vagrant went on his way rejoicing. For a time, as is not unusual, he thought all sin was gone, as he felt none of its risings; and notwithstanding his still pressing poverty, he was one of the happiest of human beings, being filled with the peace of God, that passeth understanding. Times of spiritual trial, however, as well as other trial, came; but as his day was, so was his strength. He soon threw himself into the ranks of the workmen of the church. Let us hear a tale of tuition :

It being determined at a meeting of Sundayschool teachers to open a school for ragged chil

dren on Sunday evenings, in Redcross-street, I was asked to take a part in teaching. With a deep feeling of my unfitness, I agreed to take the alphabet class. As I sat teaching, one of the boys made signs to the rest, and they capsized me off the form. I thought my presence in the school tended to increase the disorder. Often we were assailed with a shower of peas. After the school was over, the teachers assembled for social prayer. I went home much discouraged. As I came out of the school, a number of big lads knocked my hat over my eyes. I stayed away a few weeks, and then returned, and soon felt a growing delight in the work. As I had received spiritual benefit from Sunday-school instruction, I laboured in the pleasing anticipation that some of my infant charge would become devoted servants of Christ, and labour to extend His kingdom, and so, in a spiritual sense, I should see my children's children, and peace upon Israel. I was much pleased with the unity, love, and devotedness of the teachers, and felt the meeting for prayer a little Bethel. A number of the children stayed with us at the service. In the course of time a great change was seen in the appearance of the children. Some were very intelligent, and I had the satisfaction of seeing some, who were in my alphabet class, read the Bible. I was called upon to address the school, and endeavoured, by the help of God, to bring before their minds the great truths of the Gospel, and especially the love of Christ. The teachers had a meeting on Wednesday evenings for mutual religious improvement. We opened the school two evenings a week, for instructing the youths in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and gave them familiar lectures, in turn, upon natural history, astronomy, anatomy, music, and singing. Being invited to become a visitor of the Christian Instruction Society, I was appointed to visit a part of Harrow-street, Duke-street, Mary-Annplace and court. I found the neighbourhood abounding in vice. I have endured some opposition and ill-treatment on various occasions; but, on the other hand, I had much to encourage me, by seeing several attend chapel, and many children sent to school; the tracts were generally well received, and I was often invited to come in and sit down, and so had frequent opportunities of talking with the most abandoned and depraved on the importance of seeking the salvation of their souls.

A pious, devoted servant of God, at Unionstreet, asked me if I would undertake to stand with a placard, warning people against Sabbathbreaking, and distribute handbills on the subject. I had much opposition, but gave away sixteen thousand papers, and hope that some fruit will redound to the glory of God. I was often called to visit the sick, and have written an account of several very interesting cases, but I must not give them here.

In this way, and picking up a bit of bread as he best could, by various kinds

of honest labour, the Vagrant held on his course, and, by the help of God, continues up to this present time to walk in the truth, and to adorn the Gospel. During nine years he has professed the faith in the church assembling in Unionstreet, now under the care of the Rev. John Waddington, and having for one of its deacons the well-known and muchrespected Benjamin Hanbury, Editor of the "Nonconformist Memorials." His pastor has done excellent service by giving to the public the Narrative, and in the many other kind acts by which the deed has been accompanied, with a view to give it effect for the personal benefit of the poor but interesting and highly-deserving Author. The printers, Messrs. Borwick and Priestley, have acted a part full of generous humanity, which brings to the writer the undivided profits; and two gentlemen have consented to act as trustees on his behalf, to take care of any fund which may flow from the sale of this book, in order to allow him, supported by it, to devote his time to the work of a Scripture Reader. We have doubts as to the success of this part of the business. It contains so much matter, and is sold so cheaply, that unless sold by tens of thousands and by hundreds of thousands, it can realize but little.

Is it not possible that some few hundreds of our readers might be disposed each to contribute a trifle, more or less, from 5s. to £5, to be put in the said trust, for the benefit of the Vagrant? We have no doubt, if this matter were set about in good earnest, that Mr. Waddington could accomplish it; or failing this, could not a few individuals be got to subscribe a small sum annually, to support him in his own humble way, in the capacity of a Scripture Reader? We speak, of course, self-moved in these suggestions; but we are satisfied they are both perfectly practicable. name of the Vagrant, as already stated, is Josiah Basset; and the address of the Rev. John Waddington is 9, Surreysquare, London, where any communications upon the subject, we doubt not, will be gratefully received and carefully attended to.

The

important church, and placed beyond the reach of the evil of which he complains.

"I wish the Board would direct their thoughts to a subject of incalculable importance in furthering or retarding the grand object of their contemplation-I mean ministerial support. I do not see how young men can be expected to turn their attention to the ministry, while the vast majority of our congregations make such inadequate provisions for the relief of the Ministry from secular cares. What string to touch to correct the evil I cannot tell; but unless corrected, it will be a miracle if, in the process of twenty or thirty years, a large proportion of the American ministry shall not have become secularized."

Secularized!! Can it be wondered at when a great part of our ministry are actually receiving less for their labours than many classes of mechanics do for theirs, and that too paid more irregularly, and more in the light of a charity than as a just due. The truth is that many of our country pastors and their families suffer more real inconveniences and hardships in the way of support, than our Foreign Missionaries in general do, a statement which I doubt not, would be amply verified, if accurate returns were made of the salaries received by the ministers of the two great sections of the Presbyterian Church.

If Presbyteries would make it an order for every pastor and stated supply to send in annually to the clerk a statement of the amount of their salaries, and let the whole be collected and the result be shown to the church at large, then we should know the real state of the case. Frequent and loud alarms are sounded from almost all sections of the church, of the great falling off in the number of candidates for the ministry. But is there not a cause for this? And whatever may be said of other things as producing this falling off, is it not likely that this may have an important influence in producing not only this, but also the deterioration in point of ministerial talent and efficiency of which some complain? The best interests of the church, I feel persuaded, are deeply involved in this matter, and it requires far more attention than has yet been paid to it.

Again; if ministers are to be dealt with justly, consideration must be had for their families, as well as for themselves they must either have the means of making some provision for those dependent upon them, or that provision must be made through special measures. The New York Evangelist speaks to that point in the following paragraphs:

LIFE INSURANCE FOR MINISTERS.

The fact was noticed in the last Evangelist, that an insurance had been effected on the life of Rev. N. W. Fisher of Sandusky, by his congregation, before his death. This is proof, not less of their wisdom, than of their attachment. It might remind other congregations of an act of duty, and it may not be inappropriate to suggest some reasons why they should go and do likewise.

Ministers generally have only a support from their salaries, and if a portion of that is used in

making provision for those whom the minister loves as his own soul, it must ordinarily be at the sacrifice of comforts which he cannot well spare. If no other provision is made for the support of those who are made dependent on him, it may be his duty to make the sacrifice; but this is a necessity which might be easily obviated by procuring for the minister a life insurance policy.

Such a provision for his family would relieve a minister of much anxiety, which is a great hindrance to his usefulness. Borne down by such solicitude, much of the sympathy that should contribute to his efficiency in his work, is diverted into this channel, opened by the affections, and is lost to the cause of Christ.

It would be greatly for the interest of the churches to relieve their ministers of such a burden and hindrance. Most of the churches can afford to do this. It is not said that every church ought to do it, but most of them can very well raise the small eum necessary to place the family of a minister beyond the reach of want, or of entire dependence on the kindness of friends. Or if it is not expedient for the whole congregation to do this, a few friends may make up an annual subscription that shall meet the

case.

Most ministers are too poor to procure this benefit for themselves; much more are they too poor to do without it. It is one which they will almost certainly need, if they have families. They must die at some time, and it is to be expected that some of their families will survive them, to receive the benefit of the insurance. And what would more effectually attach a minister to his people, or his people to him, than such an act of kindness that affords protection to his dearest interests?

The calamity of leaving a helpless family unprovided for is one of the sorest that can afflict the dying bed of the self-denying minister. His profession closes to him the avenues to wealth, as it does the paths of political ambition. There is scarcely any other method, except that of life assurance, in which he can possibly lay up a competency for his family, after his disease, and often his circumstances almost forbid this. It should be borne in mind that such generosity on the part of their people would remove one of the great temptations to ministers to leave their profession, and seek in remunerating pursuits a satisfactory support, and adequate provision for the future comfort of those most dear to them.

Deacons of the Church of Christ!this is a matter which especially belongs to you. For the most part, you are men of some social position in the Church,taken in the average of the most opulent class, with all the weight attaching to means; and, independently of this, it belongs to you officially to attend to such matters. Whether financial affairs shall be conducted well or ill, will rest with you; and consequently, whether you shall have the means wherewith properly to provide for the necessities of your pastors, will wholly turn upon your administrative capabilities, and the zeal you possess for the interests of the