made a proper use of it. Every word, he said, went to his heart. He was convinced from it (to use his own expression) that he had never, in all his life, been to the house of God; that though he had gone to church regularly all his life, yet, as he had never made a proper use of the prayers there, and had never gone in a proper spirit to worship God, it had not been the house of God to him. Hence he saw, that he was not a fit person to join the devout and holy worshippers in the temple of God in heaven. This produced a deep conviction of his state as a guilty sinner. I never saw any person in as great distress of mind. He said to me, "It is a miracle that I am here: it is marvellous that I am out of hell: but I am now on the brink of hell: I am just stepping into it."He wept much :—and then added "I think very little of my bodily complaint: it is a wounded conscience that is my distress; it is said, 'a wounded spirit who can bear-who indeed can bear it?—I can often sit in such a posture, that I get relief to my pain of body: I am in one now while I am speaking; but I can get no relief to my mind." I directed him to the Saviour, who receives and saves sinners, who come to him in penitence and faith. But he replied," the Saviour will not receive me! He has given hope that he will receive sinners at the eleventh hour; but I am at the twelfth: he will therefore never receive me. Our Lord said that some had hid their talent in a napkin; but I have done worse. I have wasted mine: I have had privileges and opportunities of getting good to my soul, but I have neglected and abused them. I have loved the world: my whole heart was in it; it was my all in all."-Every now and then during this conversation, he prayed most earnestly and fervently. The next day being Sunday, he said,

"O! how many sabbaths I have wasted." He often repeated the words, "O! that I could say, my Saviour-my Saviour."

On my return to him after a week's absence, I found him in a happy state of mind. He said he had gradually been enabled to rely on Christ for salvation; that one difficulty after another had been removed, which prevented him from doing so.-He now praised and magnified the Lord his Saviour. But while he thus rejoiced in Christ, he shewed the same indignation against himself for his whole sinful life, as he did while he was almost despairing of ever obtaining pardon. It was thus evident, that his former convictions did not arise from a sense of terror, or the approach of death. He had an earnest wish, to bring every sin to his remembrance from his infancy, that he might repent of it separately. He said he wished "both to weep and rejoice."He observed-"I have fought against God all my life; as long as He gave me weapons, I fought against him and even after he took them away, I fought against him. O how I now hate the world, which was once my all. I had what I wanted: I wished for the world, and I had my wish. I deserve to be made a spectacle to all men: I ought to have been hung up with this inscription-there is the deceiver!" but instead of this, I am spared: the Lord has removed my guilt; he comforts me; and I hope to dwell with him for ever. I have been the greatest rebel. O glory to God: how full is his grace! you see how full it is; for it came to me when I was fighting against him. I wish to praise him day and night: I ought not to indulge sleep, that I may praise my God. O that I had more

faith and more love! God's love to me has been greater than to any one.- I see no reason to fear death my Saviour will go with me through it."

The pains and sufferings of his complaint were dreadful beyond all description; but he was patient and resigned under them. He shewed great anxiety for the spiritual welfare of his relations and acquaintance. He sent for one and then another of them, to warn them of their danger. To those who were at a great distance, he wrote letters; and exhorted them in the most earnest manner, to seek the Lord while he may be found. He had looked up to some of his worldly acquaintance as patterns of every thing good; he now saw their awful condition, and warned them; and prayed for them that God would open their eyes and touch their hearts. On the other hand, his love and affection for some of his relations, who had often in vain attempted to do him good; and against whom he had been much prejudiced, was very striking.

Having to return home a great distance, I saw him only once more after this period before his death, which took place some months afterwards. From the accounts I received from those about him, he appeared to grow daily in grace and holiness, 'till his departure out of time into eternity. His end was peaceful and happy: and I trust he is joined to that blissful company, who are singing salvation to the Lamb for ever.

We may learn from this account the solemnity and importance of public worship. My uncle thought he had never been to the house of God, because he had not worshipped God in spirit and in truth there; and that therefore it had not been the house of God to him. We ought to think of this every time we enter a place of worship. Let us solemnly inquire, whether that place be the house of God to us: whether we go thither in a proper frame whether we worship God there with holy worship: whether we use the liturgy according to

its design and importance: and whether we are fit to join in the worship and employments of the heavenly host.

We may also learn from this account, how much sin there may be in the soul, though not perceived, and though the life may be outwardly moral.-We have seen that there was nothing openly profane, in my uncle's character, before his change: yet what strong expressions he used in speaking of his guilt! How humiliating his language! All this sin was in his soul, but he never before perceived it. O, let this lead my readers to inquire, whether they have had a proper view of their own sinfulness; and been brought to real grief and humiliation on account of it: and let all learn, never to trust in mere outward morality, without the life of God in the soul.

PRAYERS

PUBLISHED IN QUEEN ELIZABETH'S REIGN.

No 4.

A PRAYER TO BE SAID IN AFFLICTION.

Most merciful Redeemer, who art always full of compassion, thou art always our preserver, whether thou send us adversity, or prosperity. For great is thy mercy, in that thou healest the inward man by outward afflictions, as it were by bitter medicines : and preparest us for everlasting joys by temporal troubles. And forasmuch as thou thyself hast traced us out this true way to happiness by thine own footsteps, grant that I may patiently and obediently drink this cup, which thou reachest unto me.

Grievous indeed are these things unto my nature; but thou hast suffered more grievous things for me: and I have deserved far more grievous things, for I

have deserved hell-fire. Thou knowest the frailty of man's state, and therefore, like the merciful Samaritan, thou pourest wine into our wounds, which maketh our vices to smart: but yet, thou allayest it with the oil of thy comfort, to the end we should endure the things, which otherwise would be intolerable. If thou think fit to increase my griefs, increase thou also the gift of patience; and grant that these afflictions may turn me to the amendment of my misdeeds. Or, if thy fatherly loving-kindness think this thy chastising of me to be sufficient, let this storm pass into calm weather; that I may thank thee in both respects; as well, that thou hast amended thine unprofitable servant by gentleness, as also that thou hast put away the bitterness of my affliction, by the sweetness of thy comfort: having, in the one case, respect of necessity, and, in the other, being mindful of our infirmities. To thee, therefore, be praise and thanks for ever.-Amen.

A WARNING

TO THE DRUNKARD AND THE PROFANE.

I have been much struck with some of the very affecting anecdotes contained in the Friendly Visitor, which exemplify the awful judgments, that sometimes overtake the daring transgressor, even in this life: whereby the Almighty Governor of heaven and earth makes it evident, that though gracious and merciful to the repentant sinner, yet he will not always let the presumptuous offender escape with impunity here below. These awful events are designed to alarm those among whom they occur; to convince them, that verily there is a God that judgeth the earth; that he, who can make men monuments of his righteous vengeance in this world, will assuredly at last cause every impenitent sinner to reap the due reward of his crimes in the world to