ed in the shape of an old man, with a triple crown, and rays about his head! The Son, in another part of the picture, looked like a young man, with a single crown on his head and a ra diant countenance. The blessed Virgin was between them, in a sitting posture and the Holy Ghost, under the appearance of a dove, spread his wings over her. The picture, he tells us, is still to be seen in a prayer book printed in the year 1526, according to the ceremonial of Salisbury. Skippon also tells us, that there is at Padua a representation of the Trinity, being the figure of an old man with three faces and three beards. Henry Sherfield, Esq., the Recorder of Sarum, was tried May 20, 1632, for taking down some painted glass out of one of the windows of St. Edmund's church, in Salisbury, in which were seven pictures of God the Father in the form of a little old man in a blue and red coat, with a pouch by his side. One represents him creating the sun and moon with a pair of compasses; others, as working on the business of the six days' creation; and, at last, he sits in an elbow chair at rest. Many simple people, at their going in and out of church, did, reverence to this window, as they said, because the Lord their God was there. These artists and devotees surely never took for their rule that' passage, "God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth," John iv. 24.

Some of the prints in Quarle's Emblems are curious. One of them, on "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body VOL. III. A a

of this death?" represents a man sitting in a melancholy posture in a large skeleton. Another, on "O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears," &c. exhibits a human figure with several spouts gushing from it, like the spouts of a fountain. "This reminds me," says one, "of an emblem which I have seen in a German author on Matthew vii, 3, in which are two men, one of whom has a beam almost as big as himself, with a pointed end sticking in his left eye, and the other has only a small mote sticking in his right."

PROFLIGATE SONS RECLAIMED.

THE following is related of the famous Mr. John Welch. He was, it is said, a most hope-, less and extravagant youth. He frequently played truant; and, at last, while very young, he left his studies and his father's house, and went and joined himself to the thieves on the borders of the then two kingdoms, who lived by robbery and plunder. After he had suffered many hardships among them, and, like the prodigal in the gospel, began to be in great misery, and no man gave unto him, he took the prodigal's resolution to return home to his father's house. He made Dumfries in his way homeward, where lived a Mrs. Forsyth, his father's cousin: her he earnestly entreated to bring about a reconciliation for him with his father.

He had not been long with this lady before his father came, providentially, to visit her;

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to whom, after conversing a while, she said, "Cousin, have you heard any thing of your son John ?" Oh, cruel woman!" said the father, with great grief, "how can you mention his name to me? The first news I expect to hear of him, is, that he is hanged for a thief." She answered, "Many a profligate boy has become a virtuous man ;" and endeavoured to comfort him, but in vain. At length, he asked her if she knew whether his lost son was yet living. She answered, "Yes, he was yet alive, and hoped he would make a better man than he was a boy;" at the same time she introduced him to his father. The youth came in weeping, and threw himself at his father's feet, beseeching him for Christ's sake to pardon his misbehaviour; earnestly, and with much apparent sincerity, promising future amendment. His father reproached and threatened him; but, upon the importunities of Mrs. Forsyth, he was persuaded to a reconciliation. He then besought his father to send him to college; saying, "That, if ever he misbehaved again, he would be content that his father should disclaim him for ever." His father granted him his request; and, after a little time spent there, not only a thorough reformation, but a saving conversion, took place in him; and he was so diligent a student, that, in much less time than could be expected, he went through all his necessary studies and entered early into the ministry. He became one of the most extraordinary characters of the age.

A minister happening to be some time since at Edinburgh, was accosted very civilly by a

young man in the street, with an apology for the liberty he was taking. "I think Sir," said he, "I have heard you at "You probably might, Sir; for I have sometimes ministered there." "Do you remember," said he, "a note put up for an afflicted widow, begging the prayers of the congregation for the conversion of an ungodly son?" "I do very well remember such a circumstance." 66 Sir," said he, "I am the very person; and, wonderful to tell, the prayer was effectual. I was going on a frolic with some other abandoned young men, one Sunday, and, passing by the chapel, I was struck with its appearance, and we agreed to mingle with the crowd, and stop for a few minutes to laugh and mock at the preacher and people. We were but just entered the chapel, when you, Sir, read the note, requesting the prayers of the congregation for an afflicted widow's profligate son. I heard it with a sensation I cannot express. was struck to the heart; and, though I had no idea that I was the very individual meant, I felt the bitterness expressed of a widow's heart, who had a child as wicked as I knew myself to be. My mind was instantly solemnized: I could not laugh. My attention was rivetted on the preacher. I heard his prayer and sermon with an impression very different from what had carried me into the chapel. From that moment the gospel truths penetrated my heart: I joined the congregation, cried to God in Christ for mercy, and found peace in believing; became my mother's comfort, as I had long been her heavy cross, and, through grace, have ever

I

since continued in the good ways of the Lord. An opening having lately been made for an advantageous settlement in my own country, I came hither with my excellent mother, and, for some time past,' have endeavoured to dry up the widow's tears, which I had so often caused to flow, and to be the comfort and support of her age, as I had been the torment and affliction of her former days. We live together, in the enjoyment of every mercy, happy and thankful; and every day I acknowledge the kind hand of my Lord, that ever led me to the chapel."

THE PROFLIGATE TURNED MISER.

A YOUNG man who in two or three years spent a large patrimony in profligate revels, was at last reduced to absolute want. He went one day out of his house with an intention to put an end to his life, but wandering awhile almost unconsciously, he came to the brow of an eminence which overlooked what were lately his estates. Here he sat down, and remained fixed in thought a number of hours, at the end of which he sprang from the ground with a vehement exulting motion. He had formed his resolution, which was, that all these estates should be his again. He had formed his plan, too, which he instantly began to execute; he walked hastily forward, determined to seize the very first opportunity, of however humble a kind, to gain money, though it were ever so despicable a trifle, and resolved absolutely not to spend, if he could