till I came within a little distance of a middleaged negro, who was tilling the ground. I felt a strong inclination, unusual with me, to converse with him. After asking him some little questions about his work, which he answered very sensibly, I wished him to tell me whether his state of slavery was not disagreeable to him, and whether he would not gladly exchange it for his liberty.

"Massah," said he, (looking seriously upon me), "I have wife and children; my massah, takes care of them, and I have no care to provide any thing. I have a good massah, who teach me to read; and I read good book that makes me happy." "I am glad,” replied I, "to hear you say so; and, pray, what is the good book you read? "The Bible, massah; God's own good book." "Do you understand, friend, as well as read this book? for many can read the words well, who cannot get hold of the true and good sense." "O, massah," says he, "I read the book much before I understand; but at last I felt pain in my heart: I found things in the book that cut me to pieces." Aye !" said I;" and what things were they?" "why massah, I found that I had bad heart, massah; a very bad heart indeed! I felt pain, that God would destroy me because I was wicked, and done nothing as I should do. God was holy, and I was very vile and naughty; so I could have nothing from him but fire and brimstone in hell." In short, he entered into a fuil account of his convictions of sin, which were, indeed, as deep and piercing as any I had ever heard of; and what scriptures came to his mind which he had read, that VOL. III.

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both probed him to the bottom of his sinful heart, and were made the means of light and comfort to his soul. I then enquired of him what ministry or means he made use of, and found that his master was a Quaker, a plain sort of a man, who had taught his slaves to read, but who had not, however, ever conversed with this negro upon the state of his soul. I asked him, also, how he got comfort under all this trial. "O, massah," says he, "it was Christ gave me comfort by his dear word. He bade me come unto him, and he would give me rest; for I was weary and heavy laden." And here he went through a line of the most precious texts in the Bible; shewing me by his artless comment upon *them as he went along, what great things God had done, in the course of some years, for his soul."

THE INTREPID NONCONFORMIST.

MR. HICKS, who, at the restoration of Charles II, was ejected from his living at Saltash, in Cornwall, was remarkable for his courage, faith, and intrepidity. One asking him, about that time, what he would do if he did not conform, having a family likely to be growing, his answer was, "should I have as many children as that hen has chickens (pointing to

that had a good number of them), I should not question but God would provide for them all." He removed to Kingsbridge, in this county, where he had a meeting, and took all opportunities that offered for preaching; but, for many years together, he met with a great deal of

trouble, and was harassed by the bishops' court, so as to be obliged to hide himself; but his great spirit carried him through all with cheerfulness. An apparitor being once sent to him with a citation, was advised beforehand, by some that knew him, to take heed how he meddled with Mr. Hicks, for he was a stout man: he came, however, to his house, and asked for him.

Mr. Hicks coming down,. with his cane in his hand, looked briskly upon him. The man told him that he came to enquire for one Mr. Hicks, gentleman. He replied, "I am John Hicks, minister of the gospel." The apparitor trembled, and seemed glad to get from him; and Mr. H. never heard more of him. In the year 1671 he published a pamphlet, entitled, Asad Narrative of the Oppression of many honest People in Devon, &c; in which he named the informers, justices, and others, who were guilty of illegal proceedings, and particularly Judge Rainsford. Though his name was not to the book, he was soon discovered to be the author, and two messengers were sent down to apprehend him, and bring him up to court. It happened, that, upon the road, Mr. H. fell into the company of these very messengers, not having, at first, the least suspicion of them. He travelled the best part of a morning, and at last dined with them; and they talked with great freedom against one Mr. Hicks, as, an ill man, and a great enemy to government. He bore

with all their scurrilous language till dinner was over, and then, going to the stable to his horse (of which he was always tender), he there gave them to understand that he was the person

whom they had so much vilified; and, to teach them better how to govern their tongues, he took his cane, and corrected them till they begged his pardon: upon which he immediately took his horse, and rode to London. By the means of one whom he well knew (who was then a favorite at court), he got to be introduced to the king's presence. The king told him that he had abused his ministers and the justices of the peace. He replied, "Oppression, may it please your majesty, makes a wise man mad. The justices, beyond all law, have very much wronged your majesty's loyal subjects, the Nonconformists in the west." He instanced in several particulars, and spoke with such presence of mind and ingenuity, that the king heard him with patience, seemed affected, and promised that they should have no such cause of complaint for the future. Soon after this, the Dissenters had some favour shewn them; and Mr. H, thereupon, came up with an address from a considerable number of gentlemen and others in the west, and presented it. The king received it very graciously, and asked him if he had not been as good as his word. An indulgence was granted, and liberty to build places of worship; and, by his majesty's favour, Mr. H. got back a third part of what the Dissenters in those parts had paid in on the conventicle act.

INFLUENCE OF THE PASSIONS.

THE powerful influence of the passions and affections upon the human frame is astonishing.

How many instances are there upon record of sudden death having been occasioned by the hasty communication of joyful tidings? “Like a stroke of electricity," says Dr. Cogan," indiscreetly directed, the violent percussion has probably produced a paralysis of the heart, by the excess of its stimulus."

Pliny informs us that Chilo, the Lacedemonian, died upon hearing that his son had gained a prize in the Olympic games.

Valerius Maximus tells us that Sophocles, in a contest of honor, died in consequence of a decision being pronounced in his favour.

Aulius Gellius mentions a remarkable instance of the effect of accumulated joy. Dia gora had three sons, who were all crowned on the same day as victors; the one as a pugilist, the other as a wrestler, and the third in both capacities. The sons carried their father on their shoulders through an incredible number of spectators, who threw flowers by handfuls on him, and applauded his glory and good fortune. But in the midst of all the congratulations of the populace, he died in the arms and embraces of his sons.

Livy also mentions an instance of an aged matron, who, while she was in the depth of distress, from the tidings of her son's having been slain in battle, died in his arms, in the excess of joy, upon his safe return.

The Italian historian, Guicciardini, tells us, that Leo X died of a fever, occasioned by the agitation of his spirits on his receiving the joyful news of the capture of Milan, concerning which he had entertained much anxiety.