journey, I rose, and found the hausted with fatigue. And, had I morning promised fair for another proceeded on the road I attempted, beautiful and frosty day. The I should have been lost among the woman of the house had heard me hills. Had there been any fall of rising, and requested that I would snow so as to cover the ground, I take some breakfast before I set should inevitably have wandered off; but as I at once declined this from the path, and most probably and seemed intent upon my de- perished; or, finally, had the winparture, she said she would send dows of the cabin been shut, I never her eldest child, a boy of about ten should have observed that fire-light, years of age, to direct me in my which attracting my attention, drew way along the side of the hill. I me toward the place where it was. at first declined the profered kind. On reviewing all these circumness, on the ground that I knew stances, it was impossible not to be my way; but she insisted upon it, struck with the gracious interference declaring, that “ It was na likely of an Almighty Saviour in behalf that I kenn'd my way." I there- of one of his erring children; and fore consented to set out with my I trust I shall ever reflect upon it young guide, and in departing, with the same emotion of gratitude offered an acknowledgment for the as then filled my heart, when I kind shelter I had received, but she offered up to Him my thanks for declined any remuneration, saying, his providential interference in the “ that an act of charity such as hour of danger. that, did not require any reward.” My night's rest, the fineness of She wished me every success in the the day, and the excellency of the rest of my journey, and I returning road, all assisted me to reach her many thanks, left a house, Berwick by three o'clock on Saturwhere I had experienced, I believe, day, Dec. 24. where, with friends, as great an act of true benevolence, whose kindness I shall never fail to and as great a stretch of charity, as remember, I spent the Christmas, could be exercised by any one and experienced all the pleasures situated as she was. My little of affectionate sympathy, and guide soon brought me to the place Christian fellowship.-I have since where, the evening before, I had heard that the house is called the turned from the beaten track to “ Tam House,” meaning “ the descend into the valley towards the heather or lone House,” from its house, and going back to the place situation. I sent to inquire conwhere the path-way divided, he cerning the good woman, through directed me to take the other road. the medium of some friends, and I asked him where that track led embraced the opportunity of sending to, which I had attempted to pur- her a present as a proof of my resue at the time that Providence membrance, Through these friends showed me his mother's house ? I also learned, that two or three He said “ that it would have led days after I had been thus sheltered me into the mountains, and that I and preserved, six persons had been never could have found my way out found dead in various parts of the from them again.” Here I was mountains, having lost their way in made to see more decidedly the the wilds and wastes of the country. hand of the Lord in my behalf. The good woman expressed much Had I been permitted to take the satisfaction in having been able to proper road leading to Longfor- render assistance to a “very bonny macus, there was no shelter what young man,” some time before, ever for five miles further, which and then related the circumstances it is not probable I ever could have of my visit, in answer to the inaccomplished, being too much ex- quiries of my friends. Ioan.

REVIEW OF BOOKS.

Sermons and Miscellaneous Works very extensive, yet few publications

of the Rev. Samuel Knight, A.M. have met with a more favourable late Vicar of Halifax. With a reception than his Prayers for Memoir. Two Vols. 8vo. Pp. Families.

cxxviii,312. and xvi. 434. Hurst. These Memoirs, in addition to Memoirs of the Rev. John Townsend, many other interesting particulars,

Founder of the Asylum for the contain some account of Mr. K's Deaf and Dumb, and of the conduct at College, and the advice Congregational School. 8vo. which he subsequently gave to his

Pp. viii. and 293. Courthorpe. son when residing there, which In proportion as we advance in life,

appear to us deserving of especial

attention. we are the more frequently called to the painful duty of parting with

“ His habits in College were studious,

and rather retired. He cautiously those whom we esteem and love;

avoided every appearance of forwardand wbile we observe the circle

ness and ostentation : but, like a city of our early friends continually built on a hill, he could not be hid. contracting, are often compelled to His affability and vivacity attracted the exclaim, “ Our fathers where are attentions of his fellow-students, and they? the Prophets, do they live

procured for him many invitations ; for eyer ?”

these however he did not always accept. Such feelings are excited in our

Being naturally of a sociable disposition,

he was fond of society; but that society minds at finding upon our table the

was always select. When in commemorials of two eminent indivi pany he was invariably cheerful, and duals, endeared to us by many the life of the party; but he never recollections, with whom we have transgressed the rules of the strictest been in a greater or less degree, on prudence. He evidently considered terms of personal intimacy and

those gaieties and frivolities in which friendship, and whose labours and

young men are prone to indulge, below

his notice; but when any subject was services, all who knew them, must

proposed either in natural or moral highly appreciate. Such were our science, then his mind was lively, departed friends, the Rev. Samuel vigorous and decisive. He seldom if Knight, and the Rev. John ever allowed any circumstance to interTownsend.

rupt his stated hours of study; and Mr. Knight was born at Halifax,

though he was never an intense Fag,

yet his improvement was regularly in 1759, educated at the Grammar

progressive, until his mental attainments School of Hipperholme in that

did equal honour to himself and his parish, commenced residence at College.”—Pp. xxvi, xxvii. Magdalene College, Cambridge, in “ Soon after we were settled in College 1779, where he was afterwards he proposed to me that we should devote elected Fellow, took orders as

one evening in every week to reading Curate to the Rev. Thomas Adam

the Scriptures and prayer. To this I

most thankfully acceded. The plan of Wintringham, eventually re

was immediately adopted, and strictly moved to Halifax in 1798, was

adhered to, during the whole of our instituted Vicar of that parish in residence in the University. In this 1818, and died January 1827. period we read through the greatest His life was the life of a dili

part of the Bible. In our interviews, gent, patient, and devoted minister ;

after leaving College, we seldom omitted

to acknowledge the mutual advantage for many years he was engaged

we derived from the plan here menin educating young persons, espe- tioned. It was a great means, under cially for the ministry, and though God, of keeping our minds alive to the his labours as an author were not important object we had in view, the MAY 1828.

2 B

ministration of the Word and Sacra- more frequent and laborious efforts, he ments in the Church of Christ. Mr. will find study to be no unsuitable or Knight, at that early period, might be unpleasant relaxation, when he is not truly said to be mighty in the Scrip- actually exhausted. In short, every tures. Many of his remarks and prac- Minister of Christ, who would have his tical observations made an indelible profiting to appear, must give attention impression upon my mind, the benefits to reading as a preparative, under God, of which I have had reason to acknow- to his better administering exhortation ledge to the present day.”—P. xxviii. and doctrine.' As to the precise plan of

“In addition to those particulars reading and study which you should which have been mentioned respecting adopt, I scarcely know what to say. I Mr. Knight, during his residence in would not have you to dismiss the College, as an undergraduate, there is Mathematics, on any account. That one circumstance which perhaps ought kind of study is discipline to the mind; not to pass unnoticed ; and that is, the and I have seldom known those who great interest which he took in a small have thrown it aside, because of its society of his fellow-students that assem- difficulties, make much out in any other bled in each other's rooms alternately, line; they have generally rejected it every Sunday evening, for the sole pur- for its main excellence; viz. that it pose of reading the Holy Scriptures, compels to application. I wish not, on and of religious conversation. A chap- the other hand, to urge you to that ter out of the Old or New Testament attention to Mathematics which may was always fixed upon, among them- make you anxious about an honour, or selves, the Sunday evening before its draw you from, comparatively, every discussion. At the opening of the thing else. Keep in view general immeeting the portion of Scripture was provement, and the particular profession read, and then each person was at for which you are under training ; and liberty to propose any question, or to seek, in devout prayer, the wisdom give his opinion upon any doctrinal, which is from above, to guide and direct practical, or historical part of the passage you."--Pp. xxxi, xxxii. selected, which appeared, to him, to Mr. K's wise and diligentimprovecontain any matter of particular im- ment of his early opportunities at portance. This was found not only a

once fitted him for the tuition of delightful, but a very profitable mode of concluding the Sabbath. Mr. Knight

others, and qualified bim for the never seemed more in his element, nor

work of the ministry; with what did his religious feelings ever appear acceptance he laboured the inhabimore alive, than on these occasions. tants of Halifax can testify, and This little association was calculated to these volumes present many interproduce two valuable effects; and it

esting specimens. They contain may be safely asserted that, under a

Lectures, Sermons, Pastoral Hints, gracious superintendence, it did produce them. It promoted a pious and

Miscellaneous Papers, Family Praydiligent attention to the oracles of divine ers, &c. perhaps the following truth; and it united its members, in extract from his Pastoral Hints brotherly kindness and Christian affec- may not be uninteresting. tion, to each other.”—P. xxx.

" To the poor the Gospel is preached." The letter to his son is as follows:

These are the persons by whom it is

most generally received ; and, though “I hope this will find you returned not in the letter, yet in the spirit of it, to Cambridge, recruited by your jour best understood. And why? Because ney, and ready to resume your studies, they get their knowledge from the founand make the best of this very important tain-head of Instruction :-they are period of your life. The habit of study taught of God. must be formed and kept up. It is This observation may be applied with essential to the comfort, respectability respect to Faith. What has been and usefulness of a Clergyman. If his written on this subject would amount lot should be cast in the country, and to volumes; and yet many a poor, illiin a small parish, he will be subject to terate Christian has a clearer and juster dulness, and even to danger, if he can- idea of Faith, than all these volumes not make study a substitute for more would be calculated to convey. I speak active exertion. If he is in a large and of that Faith which is so highly celepopulous parish, where he is called to brated in Scripture; by which the elders obtained a good report; by which à We may infer then, that such as sinner is justified; and without which “have not Faith” are neither in the it is impossible to please God.

way to present nor to future happiness, Now this Faith is not a mere act of but just the contrary. This is clear on the understanding; it does not consist Scripture-grounds. For without Faith in giving assent or credit to Scripture we cannot apprehend CHRIST, who is the truths; though most persons seem to only Saviour, and without whom we take it in this sense. You frequently are undone. Faith applies the merits of hear a man called a Believer, who pro Christ, and lays hold on the same. They, fesses to own the Bible as a Divine therefore, who have not this, cannot Revelation, and to consent to the gene- bave “ CHRIST- the hope of glory." ral truth of it. Now admitting such Again, without Faith it is “impossible profession and general consent to be to please God," and therefore impossireal, they may consist with a life of ble to enjoy him.--Our Saviour himself carelessness and sin; and therefore has moreover declared, “ He that believe cannot be that Faith of which the Word eth not is condemned already, because of God speaks in such high terms. At he hath not believed in the name of the the most they amount only to that faith, only begotten Son of God." of which the Apostle James speaks, as Hence it must appear how necessary dead and unprofitable; not the Faith is the inquiry for each individual conof which St. Paul speaks, by which a cerning himself, “Am I in the Faith ? " man is “justified” before God.

On this point let me intreat you to This Faith, of which we now speak, examine and prove yourselves. Does

les not only belief, but trust or any one ask, How am I to know this? reliance. To believe in the LORD Jesus -Í ask in reply, Do you tremble at Christ, is not merely to give credit to God's Word and threatenings ?—then the record which God hath given of his you assent to the Scriptures at least, that Son; but to act upon that principle, they are the Word of God. But I ask to trust in Him as a sufficient and suita- again, Do you cordially seek JESUS ble Saviour, to rely upon him as “able Christ?-then you think it “a faithful to save them to the uttermost that come saying, and worthy of all acceptation, unto God by him."

that Christ Jesus came into the world This Faith is a work of the DIVINE to save sinners.” SPIRIT upon the soul; whereby, from But if all have not Faith-then what discoveries made of the Person, Charac- large scope is left for prayer! Ye who ter, and Offices of Christ, the soul is have it not, but are convinced of your brought to venture upon, and confide in need, pray earnestly for yourselves, that Him, for pardoning mercy, renewing He whose Gift it is may confer it upon grace, spiritual strength, and every you! And, ye servants of the living needful good; having recourse to him, God, if ye have any bowels and mercies, as a man in danger would have to a shew it by interceding for a world so castle or strong-hold; resting upon him, deplorably sunk and corrupt! Let your as an infirm man would upon the staff prayers be as extensive as your charity! which he takes to support his steps; Fear not to intreat the Lord, that it relying upon his atonement and inter may please him to have mercy upon all cession, as an ignorant and embarrassed men.' Ye know not in whose persons dient would upon the abilities and

your prayers may be answered : permanagement of a skilful advocate or haps in theirs, of whom you would least counsellor, in a perplexed and impor expect it ; perhaps in theirs, of whom tant cause; in short, receiving him in you might most particularly wish and all his offices, not only as an atoning desire it. and interceding Priest, but also as a Prophet to teach and instruct, and as a

The Rev. Mr. Townsend was King to rule in the heart by the power born in London in 1757, and early of his grace, for the express purpose of impressed by the pious instructions dethroning sin, and subduing iniquity, of an affectionate mother. His

Receiving CHRIST and believing in friends obtained for him a presentahim are plainly mentioned in the 1st tion to Christ's Hospital, where he chapter of St John's Gospel, verse 12th,

continued five years, and then as meaning the same thing: “As many as received him, to them gave he power

left it to engage in his father's to become the sons of God, even to

business. Here, while employed in them who believe on his name."

his worldly calling, he was in the

habit of attending at Tottenham influence of Him who said, Be merciful Court Chapel, and after some years, as your Father in Heaven is merciful. was, inducedwith much besitation to the next morning he waited on Mr. take part in a public service at

Henry Thornton, who discovered that

urbanity of manners and that philanMitcham. This opened the way

thropy of heart, for which he was so to similar calls, and at length he bighly distinguished: but as he had relinquished business, and devoted never seen a deaf and dumb child, he himself to the work of the ministry thought the number would be too small in the Independent connexion. to form the projected Institution. To Mr. T. took an active share in

this was urged the assurance given by

Mrs. C. that she knew several, and had the formation and conduct of the

heard of many: Mr. Thornton then Missionary, Bible, and several other

promised his support, and his banking Institutions; but he is more espe. house was named, with several others, cially known as the founder of the to receive subscriptions. A prospectus Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, was sent to the Times and Morning for which he laboured. travelled. Chronicle, the circulation of which and preached until from smali brought many applications from the

poor, and, what was still more imporbeginnings, it reached its present

tant, a visit from Dr. Watson, who state; showing how much one good

offered himself as tutor, which station and zealous person may, under he still occupies with honour to himself. favourable circumstances, effect. and advantage to the establishment The following extract points out

To prove the activity of Mr. Townsend, the circumstance which led to this

a letter from a poor fisherman, soliciting

attention to his afflicted child, and dated Institution :

so early as June 11th 1792, was found In his ministerial relation, Mr. Town among his papers. At this period Mr. send became acquainted with a lady,

T. was going to visit his brother at whose son was deaf and dumb, and Ramsgate; on the route he distributed who had been a pupil of Mr. Braid the printed notices in the different wood's almost ten years. The youth towns and villages, and gave them to evinced an intellectual capacity which the innkeepers, that travellers might see caused delight and surprise to the good them.-P. 38. pastor, who was astonished at the facility and accuracy, with which ideas The whole account of this inwere received and communicated. Mrs. teresting charity deserves perusa), C. the lady referred to, sympathising and Mr. T.'s exertions in its behalf with those mothers whose circumstances

and in the general cause of religion precluded their incurring the expense of £1500. (which was the sum paid by

and philanthropy, are described herself) pleaded the cause of those

in appropriate and instructive terms. afflicted and destitute outcasts of society, After a life of incessant labour until Mr. T. entered into her feelings and usefulness, the infirmities of of commiseration, and decided with age gradually prevailed, and this her on the necessity and practicability benevolent individual was called to of having a charitable Institution for his eternal rest, Feb. 7, 1826. the deaf and dumb children of the poor. On the Sabbath day, June 1st, 1792,

: The following extract contains a were commenced the subscriptions,

is

just try

just tribute to the memory of a which were to receive additions little distinguished and deeply lamented calculated on, by the small band who individual. gave their first offering to induce their On the 1st of October, 1822, Mr. excellent pastor to begin this noble work Townsend was informed, by letter, of of mercy. Three friends contributed Mr. Owen's death. The sentiment proone guinea each ; Mr. Townsend gave duced was deep and solemn. Not only the fourth. This was, apparently, a was the invaluable and laborious secrefeeble foundation on which to commence tary deplored, but the friend of fifty an undertaking which, even on the most years; with whom associations of early contracted scale, required hundreds ; life had been mingled, which had given, but energy and perseverance can accom- to the more solid attachment of after plish much, when the heart is under the years, a tenderness ever increasing by