Bridlington.

DAVID AND GOLIATH.

THE rival armies crown'd the heights above;
Beneath them smil'd the cultivated vale.
Alas! that in those hallow'd scenes of love
The sword should o'er the pruning-hook prevail !
But vine and olive, trampled in his wrath,
Must strew the God of War a flowery path.

Yet mightier woes had from the conflict flow'd;
And Israel captive travers'd Pagan lands,
To mourn the insults heap'd on Zion's GOD,

With harp unstrung, or smote by impious hands;
Had not JEHOVAH on GOLIATH's brow

Inscrib'd in blood Philistia's overthrow.

Not from the camp, but from the tented field,
Israel's Avenger to her rescue sprung.

Hands, which the shepherd's crook were wont to wield,
HE, unto whom the shields of earth belong,
First taught to spoil the lion of his prey,
Then roll a nation's dire reproach away.

Shieldless, unarm'd, rush'd forth the ruddy youth,
Fearless that Heaven would guide the destin'd stone;

And by one brilliant miracle for truth

Proclaim, "The battle is the LORD's alone."
Breathless both armies heard its hissing flight,
Then saw GOLIATH's eyelids clos'd in night,

The gorgeous panoply, the glitt'ring sword,
Serv'd but to decorate the mighty dead,
And in the dust their vanity record.-

Th' instructive scene, by hosts assembled read,
Still throws its splendours o'er the sacred page,
To teach proud man Ambition's heritage.

Homeward the son of JESSE bends his way,

Each scene recalls, and hymns JEHOVAH's praise.

Their homage to the Victor rush to pay

Salem's fair daughters, and with rapt'rous lays
Sing, as they hail him safe escap'd the plain,
"Thousands hath SAUL, ten thousands DAVID slain !"

H. S.

ON A DAY IN SPRING.

By BISHOP HORNE.

SWEET Day! so cool, so calm, so bright,

Bridal of earth and sky,

The dew shall weep thy fall to-night,-
For thou, alas! must die.

Sweet Spring, of days and roses made,
Whose charms for beauty vie,

Thy days depart, thy roses fade,-
Thou too, alas! must die.

Sweet Rose, in air whose colours wave, Be wise, then, Christians, while you may,

And colour charms the eye,

Thy root is ever in its grave,

And thou, alas! must die.

For swiftly time is flying;

The thoughtless man, that laughs to-day,
To-morrow may be dying.

Printed by T. Cordeux, 14, City-Road, London.

Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine,

FOR JUNE, 1823.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. BENJAMIN LEGGATT:
BY THE REV. BARNARD SLATER.

In writing Memoirs of deceased and beloved friends, we are somewhat in danger of overcharging their characters by undue colouring,without, however, the slightest intention of misrepresenting one trait. Aware of this circumstance, and conscious of ardent affection to my departed Friend, I would cautiously guard against any mis-statement or exaggeration in reference to the venerable subject of this Memoin MR. LEGGATT was born at a village in the vicinity of Epworth, February 1st, 1761. At the age of two years he lost his father, and was left to the sole care of his mother. By the divine blessing, the natural death of his father proved the spiritual life of the widow he left behind. This awful bereavement led her to God's house. When she heard the Gospel, she "received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh" in all "that believe." She soon obtained a saving acquaintance with divine things; and continued a very pious and upright member of the Methodist Society for upwards of forty years. This amiable and exemplary widow brought up her children "in the nurture and admonition of the LORD." It was her constant practice to take them with her to God's house. MR. L. observed, when speaking of his much-beloved mother, that at the age of six years he was powerfully affected in his mind while hearing the word preached, and while hearing his mother speak to the different members of her class. The advantages arising from a pious education are incalculable. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Instruct a child in his tender years, and the impressions will not ordinarily be erased, but will grow up with him. This was the case with MR. L. His pious mother brought her son to GOD, and diligently imbued his mind with divine truth; and GoD crowned her labours with his blessing. To show the deep interest which this holy woman took in her son's prosperity, and in VOL. II. Third Series. JUNE, 1823.

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the progress of true religion, I will transcribe a few extracts from her letters, addressed to him subsequently to his entering into the Ministry :

"December 14th, 1788.-Always lie at the feet of our LORD Jesus, with humble dependance on him for wisdom to direct in all your undertakings; and pray for more faith, that you may be able to quench the fiery darts of our common enemy. As to my own soul, I bless the LORD he is carrying on his good work. O for more faith and love! I hope we often meet at the throne of grace. O, my soul, praise the LORD for the throne of grace; so free of access, through the REDEEMER'S merits! Your affectionate mother ever prays that God may own the labours of his faithful Ambassadors, and that the earth may be filled with the knowledge of the LORD."

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June 21st, 1789.—I am longing for a full conformity to JESUS CHRIST in all things. My heavenly FATHER has given me his Son, and I trust he will with him give me all things. I trust several of us are ripening for glory. It would rejoice our souls to see the work of conviction and conversion carried on with more power among us. My dear Son, help me to praise the REDEEMER; his love to me is great, though I am the most unworthy of his servants."

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February 13th, 1791.—I am glad to hear of your welfare in body and soul. I am thankful to hear that Satan's kingdom is falling, and that CHRIST'S kingdom is enlarging. O that all may hear his voice, and live! Nothing would rejoice my soul more, than to see sinners flocking to JESUS the Saviour. My own soul is yet hungering and thirsting after full salvation. O, when shall I awake up after his likeness in all things! You may be assured I cannot forget you, unless I were to forget myself. You have an interest in my petitions every day, and almost every hour."

January 10th, 1799.—My dear Son, I received your letter containing an account of the death of your dear wife. O what I felt at this awful providence! But I feel great comfort from those sweet and consoling words, 'I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will GoD bring with him.' (1 Thess. iv. 13, 14.) We shall all meet in glory if we wash our robes by faith in the blood of the LAMB. My dear Son, you may safely cast yourself on the LORD in your present trials. He will help you, as he has helped me, the most unworthy of his followers. When I consider what the LORD has brought me through, and what he has done for me, I cry out, 'Bless the LORD, O my soul!' May the LORD make us all ripe for glory.-I praise the LORD he is perfecting my soul in love. His presence and his love attend me through every day."

December 24th, 1800.-The LORD is greatly reviving his work with us. I experience more of his glorious presence to my soul than ever I did; and he provides all things needful for my body. Glory be to GoD, he is with

me.

'JESUS all the day long is my strength and my song;

O that all his salvation might see!'

You wish me to write a sketch of my life. I have only to say that I fear my life would be of no value; and my hand is now very unsteady, so that I can