bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo! I heard from a neighbouring house a voice, as of boy or girl, I know not, chanting, and oft repeating, 'Take up and read! Take up and read.' Instantly, my countenance altered, I began to think most intently, whether children were wont in any kind of play to sing such words: nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So checking the torrent of my tears, I arose; interpreting it to be no other than a command from God, to open the book, and read from the first chapter I should find......... I seized, opened, and in silence read that section, on which my eyes first fell: Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying: but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, in concupiscence. No further would I read; nor needed I: for instantly at the end of this sentence, by a light as it were of serenity infused into my heart, all the darkness of doubt vanished away." All praise to God for His wonderworking grace, and let us remember that He who dido such marvellous things by St. Augustine, and may we not addBrownlow North, is still willing to use us for His glory, and if we give up ourselves to Him with a full, complete, and wholehearted consecration, we never know what God may do by us! THE EDITOR.

AWAKENING OF JUDSON THE MISSIONARY.

N the authority of his biographer, we venture to relate a striking incident in the career of the illustrious American missionary, Adoniram Judson. He was a minister's son, and, very able and very ambitious, was early sent to college. In the class above was a young man of the name of E brilliant, witty and popular, but a determined deist. Between him and the minister's son there sprang up a close intimacy, which ended in the latter gradually renouncing all his early beliefs, and becoming as great a sceptic as his friend. He was only twenty years of age, and you may be sure it was a terrible distress and consternation which filled the home circle, when, during the recess, he announced that he was no longer a believer in Christianity. More than a match for his father's arguments, he steeled himself against all softer influences, and with his mind made up to enjoy life and see the world, he first joined a company of players at New York, and then set out on a

solitary tour. One night he stopped at a country inn. Lighting him to his room, the landlord mentioned that he had been obliged to place him next door to a young man who was exceedingly ill, in all probability dying, but he hoped it would occasion him no uneasiness. Judson assured him that, beyond pity for the poor sick man, he should have no feeling whatever. Still the night proved a restless one. Sounds came from the sick-chambersometimes the movements of the watchers, sometimes the groans of the sufferer-and the young traveller could not sleep. So close at hand, with but a thin partition between us, he thought, There is an immortal spirit about to pass into eternity, and is he prepared? And then he thought, "For shame of my shallow philosophy! What would E so intellectual and clearheaded, think of this boyish weakness?" And then he tried to sleep, but still the picture of the dying man rose up to his imagination. He was a "young man," and the young student felt compelled to place himself on his neighbour's dying bed, and he could not help fancying what, in such circumstances, would be his thoughts. But the morning dawned, and in the welcome daylight his "superstitious illusions" fled away. When he came downstairs he inquired of the landlord how his fellow-lodger had passed the night. "He is dead," was the answer. "Dead!" "Yes; he is gone, poor fellow! The doctor said he would probably not survive the night." Do you know who he was?" Oh, yes; it was a young man from Providence College-a very fine fellow; his name was ." Judson was completely stunned. Hours passed before he could quit the house; but when he did resume his journey, the words "Dead! lost! lost!" were continually ringing in his ears. There was no need for argument. God had spoken, and from the presence of the living God the chimeras of unbelief and the pleasures of sin alike fled away. The religion of the Bible he knew to be true; and turning his horse's head towards Plymouth, he rode slowly homewards, his plans of enjoyment all shattered, and ready to commence that rough and uninviting path which, through the death-prison at Ava and its rehearsal of martyrdom, conducted to the grave at Maulmain.

E

1. What creatures next to the Scriptures are the best books, whereby we may learn to know God and ourselves savingly. Job xii. 7.

15.

2.

3.

4.

What does Solomon say of the cony? Prov. xxx. 24-26.

Who are the wise? Matt. vii. 24-28; Prov. x. 19; xi. 30; xii. 15; xviii.

What are the characteristics of the conies? "Feeble." Give passages encouraging the weak believer? Joel iii. 10; 1 Cor. i. 27, 28; 2 Cor. xii. 9; Heb. xi. 34; Eph. vi. 10; Isa. xl. 29.

5. What animal shows its wisdom in selecting the rocks for its refuge? Ps. civ. 18. What is the refuge of the children of God? Ps. cxliii. 9; xviii. 2; xciv. 22. 6. Mention other passages where the word "but" occurs? 2 Kings v. 1; 2 Sam. xi. 27; Matt. xv. 23, 24-26.

September 14th.

Read 2 Sam. xii. 1–7.

THE LAMB.

Learn John. i. 29.

1. What induced Abraham to say "God will provide Himself a Lamb for a burnt-offering?" Gen. xxii. 8. Of Whom was Isaac a type? Of Christ. How so? Isaac was obedient unto death. So was Christ. Phil. ii. 8. Isaac carried the wood. So Christ carried His cross. John xix. 17.

2. How was the feast of the passover kept? Ex. xii. 3, 8, 19; 1 Cor. v. 7, 8. 3. What was the daily sacrifice of the Israelites? Num. xxviii. 3. What was the design of it? To remind the people that daily sins need daily pardon. John xiii. 10.

4. What was foretold of Christ? Isa. xl. 11; and what was Christ's injunction to Peter? John xxi. 15.

5. Whose sin did God bring to mind by the parable of the lamb? 2 Sam. xii. 1-7. In what Psalm did David testify his sincere repentance for his sin? Ps. li. What may we learn from the parable? Not to oppress the poor. Gal ii. 10. What reference do we have to Jesus as the Lamb? Rev. v. 12; vi. 16; vii. 10, 14, 17; xii. 11; xiii. 8; xiv. 4; xix. 7; xxi. 9, 23, 27.

6.

September 21st.

Read Matt. xv. 22-29.

THE DOG.

Learn Matt. xv. 26, 27.

1. In what way does the dog put the Christian to shame? In his love, dependence, watchfulness, and cheerful obedience.

2. Name the best repartee? Matt. xv. 26, 27.

3. Give an instance of God's restraining power on behalf of His people? Ex. xi. 6, 7.

4. Give instances of the term dog being used in contempt? 1 Sam. xvii. 43 ; 2 Kings viii. 13; 2 Sam. ix. 8; Matt. vii. 6; Isa. lvi. 10; Phil. iii. 2.

5. Where have we the enemies of the children of God spoken of under the figure of dogs? Psa. xxii. 16-20, and what will be their end? Rev. xxii. 15. 6. Where do we have professors spoken of as dogs? 2 Pet. ii. 22.

14.

September 28th.

Read Matt. xxv. 31–46.

THE GOAT.

Learn Heb. x. 4.

xxxvi.

1. What were the coverings of the Tabernacle? Ex. xxvi. 7; xxxv. 6;

2. What parable did our Lord utter concerning goats? Matt. xxv. 31-33. 3. Mention two instances in which goat's-hair has been used as a means of deceiving? Gen. xxvii. 9-16; 1 Sam. xix. 13-16.

4. What were the sin-offerings on the day of atonement for the congregation? Lev. xvi. 5-11; 18-27; Heb. ix. 12.

5. Can the blood of goats take away sin? Heb. x. 4. Of what then was, it a figure? Heb. ix. 12—14,

6. What picture have we of the persecutions of the Early Christians? Heb. xi. 37. Show that all Christians must expect persecution? Mark x. 30. 2 Tim. iii. 12; but with it a blessing? Matt. v. 11.

ASSURANCE.

A Sermon preached in Shalfleet Church, on Sunday Morning, August 31st, 1879, by Rev. F. HARPER, Vicar.

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.-2 Tim. i. 12.

HE man who wrote these words was sure of his own salvation. Having committed himself to One able to keep him, he was confident all would be well.

But who did write them? It was "Paul the aged," in his lonely prison at Rome. The Second Epistle to Timothy was the last letter he ever wrote for the time of his departure was at hand, and he was daily expecting martyrdom. Still, the almost friendless man (for only Luke was with him) was neither ashamed to live nor afraid to die. Amidst the darkness around, there were rents in the clouds above, and he had glimpses of the glory which was so soon to burst upon him, while he knew Whom he had trusted, and felt confident that He would deliver him from every evil work, and would preserve him unto His heavenly kingdom.

Dear Brethren, it is a blessed thing to be sure of one's salvation. It was this assurance that made the martyrs of olden time clap their hands in the flames, and lie down on hot burning coals as upon beds of roses.

1. May all persons who, by God's grace, have given themselves to the Saviour, use the language of the Apostle and say, I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day? It has been said that St. Paul knew that he himself would be saved, because God had specially revealed it to him, and that a like assurance is not to be enjoyed by ordinary believers. But note what he says in 2 Cor. v. 1, for we know (not I know, but we) that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Listen to what he says to the Thessalonians, first epistle, first chapter, Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. Hear

VOL. IX.

10

also what St. John says (1 John iii. 14), We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. Also in the fifth chapter, These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life. Now if, as some tell us, we cannot be sure whether we are saved or not till the day of judgment, what means the exhortation in 2 Peter i. 10, Give diligence to make your calling and election sure? The words of the blessed Saviour Himself set the question beyond all doubt, Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My Word and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (St. John v. 24). Now dear brethren, seek to use St. Paul's words. When you can do so truthfully and with childlike faith, you will have a Heaven within you, as well as a Heaven before you. You will have a Paradise below, and when the glass of life is running out, and your own sun setting, you will go peacefully down the valley of the shadow of death saying, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.

2. But I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that many of God's people have never enjoyed this happy assurance of their soul's safety. For example, if you had gone to Olney in Buckinghamshire a hundred years ago, you would have found one of the best of Christians, Cowper the Poet, who had fled for refuge to Jesus only for salvation, but with no assurance whatever of his soul's safety. He had "fightings without and fears within." In his case we clearly see how possible it is to have faith, yet no assurance. But we may well inquire as to why there are so many Christians who cannot honestly use St. Paul's words-I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

Let me suggest four reasons.

First of all, it may be, grace is weak in their souls. They are not strong in the Lord. God's work within them is like "smoking flax." A little candle gives but little light, and so little grace gives but little assurance.

Or, they may be too much taken up with the things of the world. It is very hard for a worldly Christian to get to heaven. Mark what is said of the father of the faithful-Abram was very rich, or as it is in the Hebrew, was very heavy, in cattle, in silver, and in gold (Gen. xiii. 2). The love of money is a great hindrance to the heavenward journey. "Woe to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!"

Or, this lack of assurance may arise from the blessings of + Gospel not being perfectly understood. 'He that believet