wisdom, power, truth and love, we certainly exhibit more dependance on the word of a creature like ourselves, than on " Him who cannot lie," and whose "promises are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus." Did we indeed believe the word of God, what a different aspect would the Church of Christ present; how simple-minded, how meekly-confident, would its members be! for while the promises of God point the believer to the glories of immortality, to the bright crown and high destiny of the glorified spirit, their chain extends itself down to all the varied blessings of mortality, nor leaves one link unbroken.

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Doubting pilgrim art thou burdened with sin, and almost tempted to despair of health? Look on the suffering Saviour: "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Art thou afflicted? "The Lord loveth whom he chasteneth." Art thou in circumstances of doubt and difficulty? "Commit thy way unto the Lord : " In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Art thou troubled with the many cares and perplexities of mortality? remember the injunction of the Apostle,

Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you." Hast thou been deprived of thy dearest Christian friend?" Sorrow not as others which have no hope," for "those who sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him." Has the sun of life set upon one whom thou lovest, without one ray of the Sun of Righteousness to gild the "dark valley of the shadow of death?" "The Lord doeth all things well." Art thou tempted to distrust the providence of God concerning the future provisions of thy pilgrimage?" No good thing shall he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Dost thou fear the

Israel, shall neither slumber nor sleep: He will not suffer the righteous to be moved." Or does thy last enemy appall thee, and his dark wings cast a broad shadow over thy soul? O pierce beyond, and rest thee on the sacred word, "When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee: though "I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

But where is the limit to the promises of God? they have none, until the ransomed spirit, sustained in its mortal conflict by their power, rests at last in the full fruition of their blest enjoyment. And nothing is wanted now but experimental confidence to make the Christian's life one of real peace and joy our deficiencies do not alter the word of inspiration; the light beams on its pages still, ready to diffuse itself over the path of the pilgrim, as soon as he opens his eyes and heart to receive it: they have comforted thousands of weary travellers through many centuries, until the last link of the chain, sometimes unseen, which bound them to the throne of God was reached in safety, then firmly grasped, nor loosed again for ever. Let us then pray daily for an increase of our weak and wavering faith, and we shall receive an answer of peace.

H. M.

IT is our melancholy duty to announce the death of another valued friend, and occasional correspondent, the Rev. SAMUEL LOWE, M.A. late Rector of Darlaston, Staffordshire.

Mr. Lowe was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge; and displayed during his early residence in that University, a lively, cheerful disposition, combined with considerable talents, and an agreeable address. His company was therefore eagerly sought by many of the higher ranks in society, and especially by those who, though not under the influence of religious principles, and warmly attached to worldly pleasures, were yet mercifully preserved from vicious and disgraceful pursuits. In consequence of his amiable disposition and distinguished attainments, he was elected Fellow of Magdalene College, though a severe illness at the time, when in due course he would have been examined in the Senate House, prevented his obtaining those honorary distinctions to which he might justly have aspired. While resident at Magdalene, and diligently engaged in his official duties as Tutor, &c. his mind became deeply impressed with the importance of religion, and at decided change took place in his sentiments and conduct, which exposed him in some instances to severe trials and undeserved reproach. His principles, however, carried him above all opposition, and his upright conduct and conversation conciliated many who had been once determinately opposed, and induced some to inquire into the nature of those principles which he had embraced, and to follow him as he followed Christ. After some years he left College, and was succeeded in his office as Tutor, by

Mr.

the present Archdeacon of Stafford, the venerable G. Hodson. Lowe then retired to Long Sutton, where he remained some time as Curate, and afterwards to Duxford, and Chesterton, near Cambridge. Having married Miss Marianne Maddox, daughter of Benjamin Maddox, Esq. of Nottingham, he engaged with great activity in his Clerical and Pastoral duties, and found in Mrs. Lowe, who still survives to lament his loss, a zealous and affectionate fellow-labourer, whose benevolent exertions will long be remembered among the sick, the poor, and the young, in the different places where Mr. Lowe was called to minister. About the year 1814, Mr. Lowe was presented by his affectionate friend, the Rev. Charles Simeon, to the Rectory of Darlaston; a large and populous place, containing near 7000 inhabitants, who are chiefly engaged in the low and poor employment of nailers. Soon after Mr. Lowe commenced his residence at Darlaston, in consequence of the disturbance of our commercial relations with America, and the changes which occurred at the cessation of hostilities, vast numbers of these poor people were thrown out of employment, and reduced to very abject distress. Mr. Lowe immediately exerted himself with the utmost activity on their behalf: he visited Cambridge and various other places, where he could obtain access to those who possessed wealth and influence; he appealed to the public through our pages, and those of similar publications, and succeeded in collecting, at different times, above £3000. which he distributed with the most rigid and careful economy, and was thus en

abled very materially to alleviate the distress of immense multitudes, a large proportion of whom were deeply impressed with his devoted and self-denying exertions. Lest however he should be exalted above measure with the success which attended his benevolent efforts, some thorns were allowed to spring up; and a few who could not conceive of any one labouring from pure disinterested benevolence, attributed to him views and motives which his soul abhorred, and the very insinuation of which occasioned him for a time deep distress. The principle however of holy love triumphed over every discouragement, and led him to seek with all earnestness for the welfare even of his most determined slanderers ; nor were his labours in vain, for many were added to the church who we trust shall be his crown of rejoicing in that day.

After labouring beyond his strength at Darlaston for some years, he was presented to a lectureship at Walsall, where he resided during the latter period of his life; going over incessantly to Darlaston to preach and visit the numerous flock entrusted to his charge. Nor did he lose sight of the various benevolent institutions which, through God's mercy, are established among us; the Bible, the Church Missionary and various other societies, found him an able advocate, and liberal supporter, and he gladly embraced every opportunity of pleading their cause.

As increasing infirmities curtailed his more active exertions, he delighted to communicate counsel and advice to those amongst whom he resided, and to all who applied to him; nor will the kindness of his manner and the wisdom of his suggestions be easily effaced from the memory of multitudes; and the very last day of his life he exerted himself to the utmost in replying to a friend who desired his advice with respect to entering a son at

College; before that letter reached its destination, the writer had entered into eternal rest.

Mr. Lowe had been for many years a martyr to the gout, which crippled his exertions and enfeebled his frame. In April last, as he was returning with Mrs. Lowe from Darlaston, where he had taken the whole morning service, and administered the sacrament, he suddenly exclaimed The carriage is going over,' and immediately sunk on one side, so that Mrs. Lowe was obliged to support him. After remaining a few moments insensible, he recovered his recollection, and said, This is apoplexy,-a warning to prepare for death.' From this period he never rallied, and though enabled in September to visit some beloved friends and relatives in Nottinghamshire, he was evidently drawing near his end. On his return home, a lethargy made great inroads both on body and mind. About three weeks before his death, he said to his affectionate partner, I cannot read, I cannot think; I feel unequal to any mental effort, all I can do is to rest on Jesus.'

On Sunday, November 9, Mr. Lowe preached at Darlaston for the last time, and concluded his ministry among his beloved people with the words, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." He was very desirous of preaching again on the following Sunday, and left in his Bible more than half a sermon prepared for the occasion, but his medical attendant dissuaded him from the effort. On Thursday the 21st. he visited Darlaston, and conversed with several of his people, and on Friday he was able to write a letter of recommendation for a young clerical friend, who had requested a testimonial from him respecting a Grammar School, for

which he was a candidate. On Saturday the lethargic symptoms greatly increased, and his medical friend informed Mrs. Lowe, that from the altered state of the pulse, dissolution was very near. Still Mr. Lowe remained cheerful and sweetly complacent, and expressed his enjoyment of the portion of Scripture which was read at their morning family worship. On that day he was visited by several friends, and in the evening, a valued friend, formerly his curate, called to take leave, and being greatly agitated, Mr. Lowe complacently put out his hand, and with the greatest composure said good bye.' After supper he observed,

I am sure I am better, you are too anxious about me.' Soon after, he walked up stairs without assistance, and when in bed, immediately fell asleep. Mrs. Lowe watched him through the night, and about four o'clock lay down to rest. Awaking about six, she was startled at not hearing him breathe, and without raising her head from the pillow, gently touched his face-it was cold in death; the spirit had fled, but no struggle had marked the passing moment. The Lord had heard and answered prayer, and his end was peace. Thus died in faith and hope, in the 58th year of his our beloved and valued friend.

age,

The painful intelligence produced a striking effect. His family, his people, the whole neighbourhood, were deeply impressed; and all were anxious to testify their esteem and affection. On the morning of the funeral, the clergy of Walsall and the adjoining parishes, together with many other persons, assembled in mourning, wearing hatbands, &c. and preceded the body on its way to Darlaston, in mourning coaches and other carriages provided at their own expence. On the melancholy procession arriving at Darlaston, every house that possessed a window shut

ter was closed, and curtains drawn before the windows of the poorest cottages. The whole population seemed assembled to testify their mournful respect; and though almost all the inhabitants are of the poorer class, the utmost order and quietness prevailed. The streets were lined with mourning spectators, the children hushed to silence; and one feeling of sorrow and sympathy for the afflicted family seemed to prevail. On the following Sunday, almost the whole congregation appeared in mourning, and even the poorest were anxious, by some crape or black ribbon on themselves or their children, to show that they felt they had lost a friend.

And a friend indeed they have lost; and his family, his parish, his neighbourhood, may well lament the separation; yet still let them not sorrow as those without hope. The servant is removed, but the great Head of the Church is still the same. He who called and raised up, and fitted our departed friend for his work, has still the residue of the Spirit, and if only the afflicted and bereaved fervently unite in prayer to the great Lord of the harvest, to send forth labourers into his harvest, their loss will be supplied, and their afflictions will terminate in joyful praise.

Nor can we close this brief notice of our departed friend without expressing our gratitude to God that he has still spared the life of his eminent and faithful servant the patron of Darlaston, and that our revered friend the Rev. Mr. Simeon has selected one to supply the vacant post, who has already been found a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, and we trust that the inhabitants of Darlaston will find that their new rector, the Rev. Mr. Fisk, is indeed a follower of their departed pastor Mr. Lowe, "in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

T. W. O.

THE eminent services which Christian philanthrophists have rendered to the cause of science and literature, has been very much lost sight of by many who yet have derived important advantage from their labours. It can scarcely be denied that of late years a considerably increased attention has been paid in this country to Biblical research and oriental literature; and we are fully convinced that no small share of this increased attention is to be ascribed to the stimulus afforded by the Bible Society; while the researches of the officers of that institution and of the agents of the different Missionary Societies, have very largely contributed to stores of geographical and historical information; and more especially with respect to some countries to which access has long been difficult and our intelligence very scanty. Among such contributors to the cause of science and literature, both Dr. Pinkerton and Mr. Gobat are justly entitled to be enrolled, and their interesting volumes well deserve attention from all who desire to be acquainted with the existing state of Russia or Abyssinia.

Our

The slightest glance at a globe of any magnitude, shows the enormous extent of territory under the dominion of Russia, while the connexion between the different provinces of that mighty empire, enables each to afford support and protection to another. This imFEBRUARY 1835.

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mense territory is inhabited by a population of FIFTY-FOUR MILLIONS; its army amounted in 1812, to one million three hundred thousand men; it possesses a naval force of about fifty ships of the line, forty frigates, and nine hundred smaller vessels, carrying about six thousand guns, and manned by eighty thousand sailors, while the annual revenues exceed eighteen millions sterling. And this immense empire, with all its vast resources, is placed nominally at least, under the control of one individual, the Emperor Nicholas; we say nominally at least, for even the most absolute autocrat is restrained and influenced to a considerable degree by the mighty chiefs with whom he is surrounded; and the Russian Sovereigns have in various instances met with a sudden and violent transition from the throne to the grave,

Our object however is not to enlarge on the power, or discuss the prospects of this mighty empire. The most powerful states not unfrequently carry within them the seeds of weakness and decay, and the progress of civilization, the emancipation of the slaves, and various other causes may, very possibly, ere long, either divide this immense empire, or interpose such powerful checks on its nominal head, as may prevent any very sudden, violent, or formidable exertion of his power. On these points indeed Dr. Pinkerton touches