and both Houses of Parliament at a blow. The scheme was first broached by Catsby, a gentleman of good parts and ancient family, who conceived that a train of gunpowder might be so placed under the Parliament House, as to blow up the king and members at once. He opened his intention to Thomas Percy, a descendant from the illustrious house of Northumberland, who was charmed with the project, and readily came into it. Thomas Winter was next intrusted with the dreadful secret; and he went over to Flanders in quest of Guy Fawkes, an officer in the Spanish service, with whose zeal and courage the conspirators were thoroughly acquainted.

They therefore seized the opportunity of hiring a place under the Parliament House, and bought the coals with which it was then stored, as if for their own use. The next thing done was to convey thither six barrels of gunpowder which had been purchased in Holland, and the whole was covered with coals, and with faggots brought for that purpose. Then the doors of the cellar were boldly flung open, and every body admitted as if it contained nothing dangerous.

Sir Henry Percy, one of the conspirators conceived a design of saving the life of Lord Mounteagle, his intimate friend and companion, who also was of the same opinion as himself, and wrote him a letter to this effect:

"My lord, stay away from this parliament; for God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of the times. And think not slightly of this advertisement, but retire yourself into your country, where you may expect the event in safety. For though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say they will receive a terrible blow this parliament; and yet they shall not see who hurts them. This council is not to be contemned; because it may do you good, and can do you no harm. For the dan ger is past as soon as you have burned the letter."

About midnight, therefore, Sir Thomas Kennet, a justice of the peace, was sent with proper attendants, and just at the entrance of the vault, he seized a man preparing for the terrible enterprize, dressed in a cloak and boots, and a dark lantern in his hand. This was no other than Guy Fawkes, who had just disposed every part of the train for its taking fire the next morning; the matches and other combustibles being found in his pockets. The

whole of the design was now discovered; but the attrociousness of his guilt, and despair of pardon, inspiring him with resolution, he told the officers of justice, with an undaunted air, that had he blown them and himself up together, he had been happy. Before the counsel he displayed the same intrepid firmness, mixed even with scorn and disdain; refusing to discover his associates, and shewing no concern but for the failure of his enterprise. But his bold spirit was at length subdued; being confined in the tower for two or three days, and the rack just shewn him, his courage, fatigued with so long an effort, at last failed him, and he made a full discovery of all his accomplices. Such was the end of a conspiracy that brought ruin on its contrivers, and utterly supplanted that religion it was intended to establish.

November 6.

ISAIAH xliii. 8. And my glory will I not give to another. GUSTAVIUS ADOLPHUS, King of Sweden, died 1632. He was the most illustrious hero of his time, and the great supporter of the protestant interest in Germany. He perished in the midst of a complete victory at Lutzen, in his 38th year. It is said he was remarkable for prefacing his victories with prayer. "The greater the army of prayer is, (he would say) the greater and more certain shall be the victory; he that prays diligently hath already in part overthrown the enemy.

"The persons of the great,' as one observes, "are often admired and adored as God; and therefore God makes them often lower than men. He even smites

good men when they are idolized. Gustavus used to say, that he thought God would take him off, because men too much admired him. When we unduly set men up, God deservedly pulls them down."

On this day also, 1752, the Rev. RALPH ERSKINE died. He could boast of a triumph superior to that mentioned above. It is said of him in his last moments, that though he had been much tired, yet he lifted up his emancipated arm, and cried out "Victory," and then expired.

November 7.

Era. ii. 13. But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Three HOTTENTOTS, who attended the Missionary KICHERER to England, were examined publicly at Miles's Lane Meeting, as to their knowledge of the principles of Christianity. How pleasing to observe, that all who are taught of God, of whatever nation or tongue, adopt the same language as to the way of salvation by Christ. The following are some of the questions proposed, and the answers given, on this occasion, through the medium of Mr. Kicherer as the interpreter. And it is worthy of observation that they had no previous intimation of what was to be proposed to them.

Q. What did you know of God before the Missionaries came? A. We knew nothing at all of Him; we did not know there was any God. Q. What did you then think of yourself? A. I thought I was like a beast; and that when I died there would be an end. Q. What have you since learned of yourself? A. I have learned that I am a poor wicked creature. Q. How is it possible that such a wicked creature can be brought into friendship with God? A. By the blood of Jesus Christ. Q. But why should the blood of Jesus Christ bring you into that state? A. Because it was the appointment of the Father that he should bear our sins; and he rose again from the dead, to prove that his death was accepted; so that now God will pardon all our sins for his sake. Q. Did you first seek Christ; or, did he seek you? A. O! I should never have sought him if he had not sought me. Q. Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? A. O yes, I do! but not half enough; I want to love him much more. Q. Is sin hateful to you? A. Yes, I hate it in my heart; and yet, for all that, I do sin every day. Q. Do you love the commandments of God? A. Yes; I love them much in my heart; but there is something within me that keeps me from doing them as I would: Jesus Christ has done so much for me, I grieve that I cannot do more for him. Q. What now are your chief desires? A. I wish to give up my heart entirely to Jesus Christ. Q. Are you thankful to the Missionary Society for sending missionaries

into your country? A. I am desirous to thank God for inclining them to do it; and I would thank them too, but I know not how to do it, for want of words. Q. Do you think that Christ will correct his children when they offend him; or will he cast them quite away? A. He will correct them, but not throw them away. He who loved me from all eternity, knew before how bad I should be; but that did not hinder him from loving me; and it is now impossible he should cease to love me. Q. What will you do when you go back to Africa? A. I will tell all the people in my country what a great many friends there are in England who love them; and how much they do pray for them. Q. Have you any thing to say to the unconverted people in this congregation? A. Yes, I would wish them to run to Jesus immediately. Oh! it would be a pity, if they who hear of Christ every day should neglect him; and if they should see us poor heathens who have run to Christ admitted into heaven, and they themselves be thrust down into hell! O it would be a sad pity."

These Africans were also publicly examined in many other places, to the admiration and astonishment of great multitudes. What arguments are these for missionary exertions, and what reason is there for gratitude that Ethiopia is beginning to stretch out her hand unto God.

On this day, 1790, expired the benevolent JOHN THORNTON, Esq. of Clapham. He was not only one of the greatest merchants in Europe, but one of the most distinguished Christians. His liberality was unbounded; and his exertions to do good will ever be remembered with pleasure. See my Anecdotes, vol. i. article BENE

FICENCE.

November 8.

MATT. iv. 4. But he answered and said, It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The great MILTON died 1674. His application of the above passage, in relation to his blindness, is truly worthy of notice. "I have made up my mind," says he, " to my

case, as one evidently beyond the reach of cure; and I often reflect that, as many days of darkness, according to the wise man, are allotted to us all, mine, which, by the singular pleasure of Deity, are divided between leisure and study, are recreated by the conversation and intercourse of my friends, are far more agreeable than those deadly shades of which Solomon is speaking. But if, as it is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," why should not each of us likewise acquiesce in the reflection, that he receives the benefits of sight not from his eyes alone, but from the guidance and providence of the same Supreme Being. Whilst He looks out, and provides for me as he does, and leads me about, as it were, with his hand, through the paths of life, I willingly surrender my own faculty of vision in conformity to his good pleasure." See Dec. 9.

November 9.

LUKE XXII. 30. That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.

This is the day fixed for the inauguration of the chief magistrate of the city of London, on which occasion a grand procession is made, and a civic feast provided. Let the Christian be reminded of a higher privilege than that of enjoying an earthly banquet. He is invited to a better table, and shall partake of greater honours than the world can bestow. Intercourse with his God is his richest feast, and the anticipation of future blessedness his highest joy.

It is said of Ingo, an ancient king of the Draves, that on a certain occasion he made a stately feast; and appointed his nobles, at that time Pagans, to sit in the Hall below, and commanded certain poor Christians to be brought up into his presence chamber to sit with him at his table, to eat and drink of his kingly entertainment; at which many wondering, he said, "He accounted Christians, though ever so poor, a greater ornament at his table, and more worthy of his company, than the greatest peers unconverted to the Christian faith; for when these might be thrust down to hell, those might be