their widows; the education of students for the ministry; the support of schools, especially in Wales; and the distribution of Bibles and other pious books among the poor. He left his library for public use, and ordered a convenient place to be purchased or erected, in which the books might be properly disposed; and left an annuity for a librarian. A commodious house was accordingly erected in Red Cross Street, Cripplegate, where the Doctor's collection of books is not only properly preserved, but has been gradually receiving large additions. This is also the place in which the body of Dissenting Ministers meet to transact their business; and is a kind of repository for paintings of Nonconformist Ministers, for MSS. and other matters of curiosity or utility.

In regard to the principles referred to above, let us if favoured with earthly prosperity, remember that the apostolic injunction is binding upon us both as men and as Christians.

"A moderate use of worldly things (says Dr. Bates) is an excellent preservative from the evil of adhering to them. It is a divine blessing to partake of the gifts of God with contentment and tranquility; especially it is sweet to taste his love in them. God gives to a man that is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy. That is, to use temperately and comfortably our outward blessings. But the flesh is the Devil's solicitor, and persuades much, with a freer fancy and looser affection, to enjoy the world, than is consistent with the prosperity of their souls. When Diogenes observed, with the many sick and languishing persons, the consumptive, hydropick, and other diseased, that came to the temple of Esculapius for recovery; and that after their sacrifices, they made a luxurious feast, he cried out, "Is this the way to recover health? If you were sound, it is the speedy way to bring diseases, and being diseased, to bring death to you." It is applicable in a higher sense; the intemperate use of sensual delights, weakens the life and vigour of the soul in a saint, and certainly brings death to diseased souls, that habitually indulge their corrupt affections. The apostle saith of the licentious woman, She that lives in pleasure, is dead while she lives. An allusion to a torch that is consumed by its own flames. C

The affections, however, are not like poisonous plants, to be eradicated; but as wild, to be cultivated. They were at first set in the fresh soil of man's nature, by the hand of God. And the scripture describes the divine perfections, and the actions proceeding from them, by terms borrowed from human affections, which prove them to be innocent in their own nature. Plutarch observes, when Lycurgus commanded to cut up all the vines in Sparta to prevent drunkenness, he should rather have made fountains by them to allay the heat of the wines, and make them beneficial. So true wisdom prescribes how to moderate and temper the affections, not to destroy them."

Jauuary 27.

PSALM Xxxi. 15. My times are in thy hands.

The Rev. ABRAHAM BOOTH, of London, died 1806, in the 72 year of his age. He had been pastor of the Baptist Church in Little Prescot Street, Goodman's Fields, nearly 37 years. The sentiment of the above text was enjoyed by him in his illness. "I am," said he, "in good hands. I think I am more afraid of dishonouring God by impatience, than I am afraid of death; adding, I must go to Christ as a poor sinner, a poor grey headed sinner: I can go no other way.' Afterwards he said, "I have no fear about my state, I now live upon what I have been teaching others. Jesus is a good Master." Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

دو

January 28.

PROVERBS X. 20. The heart of the wicked is little worth.

On this day, 1547, died, after a life distinguished by caprice, violence, and tyranny, HENRY VIII. We cannot reflect on the vices of this prince without being shocked. How were all the appendages of majesty sullied by his cruelties and wickedness; and may we not here remark, that whatever be the external condition of a wicked man, he is loathsome in the sight of God. His lands, his house, his cattle, his estates, may have some value

or worth in them, but he himself is an object of wretchedness and depravity. His mind is dark, his conversation is polluted, his affections are misplaced, his conduct an abomination to the Most High. Yet how many pride themselves in vain shew; spend their time in the pursuit of unlawful pleasures, and continually labour to set themselves off as something in the eyes of men; little thinking, that the attention paid them by their equals or inferiors does not arise from a sense of the excellency of their character, but merely on account of what they possess. Socrates thus delivered himself to one who had a fine house and many splendid things, "What," saith he, "there are many come to see thy house and thy fine things there, but nobody comes to see thee; they know there is a worth in thy fine house, and in thy fine furniture, but they see no worth in thee." How applicable is this to many who, while they attract multitudes to behold their external grandeur and costly retinue, yet have no moral excellency to excite admiration or demand praise.

January 29.

PSALM. XC. 9. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath; we spend our years as a tale that is told.

The Rev. Mr. M'KILL, pastor of Bankend, of Duresdeen, in Scotland, died suddenly, on the 29th of January, 1794. The manner of his death was very remarkable, and has made an impression upon the minds of his parishioners which will not be soon effaced. He mounted the pulpit in good health, lectured as usual, and it being the last Sabbath in the year, he chose for his text these words, "We spend our years as a tale that is told." He was representing in a very pathetic manner, the fleeting nature of human life, and of all earthly things; when all of a sudden he dropped down in the pulpit and instantly expired. Reader, Prepare. Watch.

January 30.

PSALM ii. 10. Be wise, now therefore, O ye kings. King CHARLES I. beheaded, 1649. Various are the opinions of the character of this monarch. Some con

sider him as a martyr. Mrs. Macauley says, Passion for power was Charles's predominant vice; idolatry to his regal prerogatives his governing principle; the interests of his crown legitimated every measure, and sanctified in his eye the widest deviation from moral rule. Neither gratitude, clemency, humanity, equity, nor generosity have place in the fair part of his character. The want of integrity is manifest in every part of his conduct, and this was the vice for which above all others he paid the tribute of his life. Charles, observes Rapin, acted with so little sincerity in his engagements, that there was no dependence on his word, and this was one of the principal causes of his ruin. He died however forgiving his enemies. It being remarked, that the king, the moment before he stretched out his neck to the executioner, had said to Juxon, with a very earnest accent, the single word, Remember; great mysteries were supposed to be concealed under that word; and the generals vehemently insisted on the prelate that he should inform them of the king's meaning. Juxon told them, that the king having frequently charged him to inculcate on his son the forgiveness of his murderers, had taken this opportunity in the last moment of his life, when his commands, he supposed, would be regarded as sacred and inviolable, to reiterate that desire; and that his mild spirit thus terminated its present course by an act of benevolence to his greatest enemies.

January 31.

GENESIS iii. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired. to make one wise, she took thereof and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her; and he did eat.

The POISON TREE. "There is," says one, “ a tree called the manchaneel, which grows in the West Indies; -its appearance is very attractive, and the wood of it peculiarly beautiful;-it bears a kind of apple, resembling the golden pippen. This fruit looks very tempt ing, and smells very fragrant; but to eat of it is instant death; and its sap or juice is so poisonous, that if a few

drops of it fall on the skin, it raises blisters and occasions
great pain. The Indians dip their arrows in the juice,
that they may poison their enemies when they wound
them. Providence hath so appointed it, that one of these
trees is never found, but near it there also grows a white
wood, or a fig-tree, the juice of either of which, if applied
in time, is a remedy for the diseases produced by the
manchaneel. "Now, when I read this account, I thought
of sin and salvation. Sin, like the poisonous apple, looks
pleasant to the eye, and men desire it,-eat of it,-and
die. We may think there is no harm in such a thing,-
'tis only a little sin; but who would eat even a little poi-
son? The least sin, if not forgiven, will ruin our souls
for ever. This is fruit that must not be tasted; yea, it
ought not to be looked upon, or thought of. It is sin
that gives to the darts of Satan all their fiery qualities;
and to the arrow of death all its bitterness. Now all who
have looked upon the fruit of this tree have desired it,
and have caten of it; and, if not delivered from its fatal ef--
fects, will surely die; but there is a remedy at hand: it
is the precious blood of the Son of God which soothes
the troubled conscience, and cleanses it from all sin.

Not balm, new bleeding from the wounded tree,
Nor bless'd Arabia with her spicy grove,

Such fragrance yields.

ROWE.

Apply, therefore, to this means of cure !-fly to a crucified Saviour!-There is no time to be lost!—the poison works within!—the disease every moment is increasing! -Go to the great Physician without delay, and say, 'Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me whole!"

February 1.

PSALM CXXIV. 4. Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul.

The ABERGAVENNY, East India ship, lost. She sailed from Portsmouth this day, 1805, with a cargo worth 200,000l. and stood down the Channel with a fair wind; but the weather changing, a signal was made for the ships to steer for Portland Road. The pilot, either from ignorance or intoxication, ran this ill-fated ship on shore,