daily use to you. For I would not have a day pass you without singing, but so as, at the same time, to make a melody in your heart to the Lord; besides the part you may bear in hymnis suavisonantis ecclesia: In the sweet-sounding hymns of the church."

Bishop Beveridge observes, that, of all recreations, he found music to be the best, and especially when he played himself. "It calls in my spirits," says he, " composes my thoughts, delights my ear, recreates my mind, and so not only fits me for after business, but fills my heart at the present with pure and useful thoughts." "Music," says Dr. Knox, Dr. Knox," is the most delightful soother of the wearied mind. The heart dances at the sound of the lyre; fresh spirits animate the veins; the clouds of dejection are dissipated, and the soul shines out once more, like the sun after a mist, in the blue expanse of æther." "I have been informed," says the author of Fitzosborne's Letters, "that one of the great lights of the present age never sits down to study till he has raised his imagination by the power of music. For this purpose, he has a band of instruments near his library, which play till he finds himself elevated to a proper height; upon which he gives a signal, and they instantly cease."

Notwithstanding all that has been said above in favour of music, I cannot dismiss this article without observing, that even here we may run into an extreme. It appears to me, also, to be an error in many parents, who bring up their children to this, while things of a more important nature are neglected.

"Almost any ornamental acquirement," says Mrs. H. Moore, "is a good thing, when it is not the best thing a woman has; and talents are admirable when not made to stand proxy for virtues. I am intimately acquainted (she observes) with several ladies, who, excelling most of their sex in the art of music, but excelling them also in prudence and piety, find little leisure or temptation, amidst the delights and duties of a large and lovely family, for the exercise of this charming talent: they regret that so much of their own youth was wasted in acquiring an art which can be turned to so little account in married life, and are now conscientiously restricting their daughters in the portion of time allotted to its acquisition."

THE NEGLIGENT MINISTER REPROVED.

A CERTAIN minister, who was more busied in the pleasures of the chase than in superintending the souls of his flock, one day, meeting with little sport, proposed to entertain his companions at the expence of an inoffensive Quaker, whom he had often very rudely ridiculed, and who was then approaching them. Immediately he rode up briskly to him, saying, "Obadiah, have you seen the hare ?" Why, neighbor, has thou lost him ?" said the Quaker. him! yes, indeed!" "Then," replied he, "if I were the hare, I would run were I am sure thou couldst never find me." "Where the d--is that?" said the blustering son of Nimrod. "Why, neighbour," the other answered, "I would run into thy study."

"Lost

THE NEGRO PREACHER.

[An affecting Narrative.]

IN the island of St. Thomas, in the West Indies, there was a negro named Cornelius: he was enlightened about fifty years ago, and soon began to preach to his countrymen. He was blessed with considerable talents, and was able to speak and write the Creole, Dutch, Danish, German, and English languages. Till 1767 he was a slave. He first purchased the freedom of his wife, and then laboured hard to gain his own liberty; which at last he affected, after much intreaty, and the payment of a considerable sum. By degrees, he was also enabled to purchase the emancipation of his six children. He learned the business of a mason so well, that he was appointed master mason to the royal buildings, and had the honour to lay the foundation stone of six Christian chaples for the use of the Moravian brethren. His gifts for preaching were good, and remarkably acceptible, not only to the negroes, but to many of the whites. He spent even whole nights in visiting the different plantations, yet was by no means puffed up, but ever retained the character of an humble servant of Christ. When death approached (which was in November 1801), he sent for his family. His children and grand-children assembled round the bed of the sick parent: he summoned up all his strength, sat up in the bed, uncovered his venerable head, adorned with locks as white as snow, and addressed them thus :

"I rejoice exceedingly, my dearly beloved children, to see you once more together before

my departure; for I believe that my Lord and Saviour will soon come, and take your father home to himself. You know, my dear children, what my chief concern has been repecting you, as long as I was with you; how frequently I have exhorted you, with tears, not to neglect the day of grace, but surrender yourselves, with soul and body, to your God and Redeemer; to follow him faithfully.-Some

mes I have delt strictly with you in matters which I believed would bring harm to your souls, and grieve the Spirit of God; and I have exerted my paternal authority, to prevent mischief; but it was all done out of love to you. However, it may have happened that I have been sometimes too severe if this has been the case, I beg you, my dear children, to forgive me. O, forgive your poor dying father!"

Here he was obliged to stop, most of the children weeping and sobbing aloud. At last, one of the daughters, recovering herself, said, "We, dear father, we alone have cause to ask forgiveness; for we have often made your life heavy, and have been disobedient children." The rest joined in the same confession. The father then continued: "Well, my dear children, if you all have forgiven me, then attend to my last wish and dying request. Love one another; do not suffer any quarrels and disputes to rise among you after my decease. No, my children," raising his voice, "love one another cordially; let each strive to shews proofs of love to his brother or sister: nor suffer yourselves to be tempted by any thing to become proud, for by that you

may even miss of your souls' salvation; but pray our Saviour to grant you lovely minds and humble hearts. If you follow this advice of your father, my joy will be complete, when I shall once see you again in eternal bliss, and be able to say to our Saviour, Here, Lord, is thy poor unworthy Cornelius, and the children thou hast given me. I am sure our Saviour will not forsake you; but, I beseech you, do not forsake him."

His two sons and four daughters are em ployed as assistants in the mission. By them, he lived to see twelve grand-children, and five great grand-children; being about eighty-four years old. He was attended to the grave by a very large company of negro brethren and sisters, who, being all dressed in white, walked in solemn procession to the burial ground at New Hernhut.

What Christian can peruse this affecting narrative without blessing God, who to our sable brethren hath vouchsafed this abundant grace! and who can refrain from blessing God, who excited the Moravian Church to these labours of love, and who hath so wonderfully succeeded their apostolic efforts! Who that hath tasted the Lord is gracious will refuse the aid of his heart, his hand, his purse, in promoting missionary exertions, so honoured of our God and Saviour!

THE PIOUS NEGRO.

IN one of my excursions,' says one, "while I was in the province of New York, I was walking by myself over a considerable plantation, amused with its husbandry, and comparing it with that of my own country,