"But you have not seen him." "No, but I know him very well, because I judge him by his works." "True," replied the baron, "and in this way I judge of the character of our heavenly Father. I know by his works, that he is a Being of infinite power, and wisdom, and goodness." The Frenchman felt the force of the reproof, and was careful not to offend the good baron any more by his remarks. NECESSITY OF A DUE ALLOWANCE OF SLEEP. Habit influences, in some degree, the amount of sleep that is required. It should be said, however, that it is never well to withhold any of the revenue that is justly due to the drowsy god. A man may accustom himself to take so little sleep, as to be greatly the loser thereby in his waking moments. It may be commonly observed, that those persons who spend less time in sleep than is usually found needful by others of the same age, and strength, and occupation, consume a much larger portion of their days than others do in a kind of dreamy vacancy, a virtual inactivity of mind and body. The hours expended in sleep are not the only hours that might be justifiably deducted from the sum total of the life, as having been lost to it; numbers of moments are daily spent in an absolute inaction of mind and body, and sleep cannot be robbed of its dues without adding largely, and in greater proportion than the time habitually stolen from the sleep, to that which is wasted in such waking reveries. In order that the mind may have the power of undergoing trying and exhausting labour, that it may continue in the full possession of its capabilities, that it may continue to be undulled and unblunted by such wear and such use, an amount of sleep must be allowed, which is proportionate to the severity of such work, to the engrossing and expending nature of the mind's employment. The nights may be robbed of the hours of sleep, and the time so stolen may be devoted to toil of mind or cf body, but the endurance by the system of the undue waste and imperfectly restored balance of the vital force, even if somewhat protracted by the strength of the constitution, or if prolonged somewhat by the energy of a determined will, or by the spur of a great necessity, or by the goal of a great ambition or darling hope, must be short-lived. The system cannot be robbed of its sleep without a corresponding disturbance and derangement of the functions; the power and the equilibrium of the vital forces will become so far affected as to involve disordered action, and thus indirectly, by forming part of the common organism, and directly by the diminished tension of the vital forces which supply the sensorium itself, the mind will become unable to continue its exertions. Many an ardent and hopeful aspirant for collegiate distinctionsmany an anxious labourer for professional eminence, has thrown away his hopes in thus vainly struggling to cheat the system of this great requirement.-Dr. Robertson on Diet and Regimen. PLEASANT WORDS. "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul."--PROV. xvi. 24. "A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up strife."-PROV. xv. 1. 1. How the peace may be kept, that we may know how, in our places, to keep it, is by soft words. If wrath be risen like a threatening cloud, pregnant with storms and thunder, a soft answer will disperse it and turn it away. When men are provoked, speak gently to them, and give them good words, and they will be pacified, as the Ephraimites were by Gideon's mildness (Judges viii. 1-3); whereas, upon a like occasion, by Jephthah's roughness they were exasperated, and the consequences were bad (Judges xii. 1-3). Reason will be better spoken, and a righteous cause better pleaded, with meekness than with passion; hard arguments do best with soft words. 2. How the peace will be broken, that we, for our parts, may do nothing toward the breaking of it. Nothing stirs up anger and sows discord like grievous words, calling foul names, as Raca, and thou fool; upbraiding men with their infirmities and infelicities, their extraction or education, or anything that lessens them, and makes them mean; scornful, spiteful reflections, by which men affect to show their wit and malice, and stir up the anger of others. Rather than lose a jest, some will lose a friend and make an enemy.-Matthew Henry. TRAINING OF CHILDREN. "Train up a child in the way he should go."— PROV. xxii. 6. A great duty enjoined, particularly to those that are the parents and instructors of children, in order to the propagating of wisdom, that it may not die with them. Train up children in that age of vanity, to keep them from the sins and snares of it; in that learning age, to prepare them for what they are designed for. Catechise them, initiate them, keep them under discipline; train them as soldiers who are taught to handle their arms, keep rank, and observe the word of command. Train them up not in the way they would go (the bias of their corrupt hearts would draw them aside), but in the way they should go; the way in which, if you love them, you would have them go. Train up a child according as he is capable, so some take it, with a gentle hand, as nurses feed children, little and often (Deut. vi. 7).—Ibid. CHRIST THE LIGHT OF THE "I am the Light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."-JOHN viii. 12. God is light, and Christ is "the image of the invisible God;" God of God, Light of light. The visible light of the world is the sun, and Christ is the "Sun of righteousness." One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ; and there needs no more. the happiness of those who follow Christ, that they "shall not walk in darkness." Follow Christ, and you shall follow him to heaven. It is Biography. DR. PHILIP DODDRIDGE. REMARKS ON HIS LIFE, LABOURS, WRITINGS, AND CHARACTER. AT the Autumnal Meeting of the Congregational Union, held in Northampton, in 1851, it was moved by the Rev. G. Smith, seconded by the Rev. Thomas James, and resolved: "That the Assembly deems this, the occasion of the visit of the Congregational Union to Northampton, in the centenary year of the Death of Dr. Doddridge, a suitable time to endeavour to revive an attachment to his writings, and to perpetuate the memory o that distinguished man, by the republication of his Life, by the Rev. Job Orton,' with his sermon on the 'Sin and Danger of Neglecting the Souls of Men;' and that our esteemed brother, the Rev. Dr. Campbell, be requested to undertake this work, under the auspices of the Union." Such a request, proceeding from such a source, had with us all the force of a law. So soon, therefore, as circumstances permitted, we proceeded to a deliberate and thoughtful reperusal of the work of Orton, and finished with the deep conviction that the celebrity which, in a former age, attached to it, was every way most merited; that Doddridge was one of the most extraordinary men, in his own walk, of any age or country, a model of multifarious excellence; and that Orton was one of the most successful biographers to be found within the whole range of British literature. The pattern presented in the book seemed to us to approximate perfection. We were impressed with a conviction that few things are more to be desired than that it should be the subject of the simultaneous study of every pastor of every denomination in these Islands, and not of them only, but of every church officer, every head of a Christian family, and of all reflecting Christian men. The work we considered as greatly calculated to operate intellectually, morally, and spiritually on all classes and conditions of society. It is an embodiment of qualities such as will be looked for in vain in any other biography of any other minister throughout the Protestant communities of Europe. There are indeed those, and many, who excel him in some one of the many qualities which go to make up his character; VOL. XII. but no one combines such a multiplicity of multiform virtues. It is no wonder that he should have taken such a hold on the mind of the nation; but that hold, by degrees, must be loosened till, at length, lost, unless, from time to time, there shall be a fresh exhibition of the facts of his extraordinary history. Deeply revolving the subject, however, the idea presented itself, that, at the distance of more than three generations, it might by possibility turn out that a memoir, which was all that circumstances then required, or admitted, might not be altogether suited to the present time. Biography, following rapidly on the decease of its subject, must frequently labour under considerable disadvantages. A multitude of facts and documents may then exist, at which it is impossible to come, and which, even when at hand, may not be always available on the ground of delicacy, or for other reasons, during the life of the contemporaneous generation. It seemed highly probable that such, in an unusual degree, would be the case with such a man as Doddridge, who occupied a larger space in the public mind, both amongst Churchmen and Dissenters, than had ever been filled by any previous Nonconformist Author. He was in favour alike with Christians of all sects and parties, and his Correspondence was more extensive than that of any other man of the same class or denomination. Add to all this the almost unparalleled fact, that no fewer than five huge octavo Volumes of Letters were published by his great grandson, John Doddridge Humphreys, Esq., from the Original MS., in 1829, together with his invaluable Diary,mine of moral and intellectual wealth. As a first step, then, we proceeded to examine the said Correspondence; and the result was, a deep conviction that it would be an injustice alike to Doddridge and the Public to issue the volume of Orton as it is, without note or comment. Such, indeed, was the natural inference to be drawn from the language of Mr. Humphreys,—a most P -a competent judge in the case, who in his Preface has thus expressed himself: Mr. Orton's valuable work has been so long held in deserved estimation, that it is only necessary to observe that, as it was his intention to place an example of the Christian virtues before the world, as shown in the character of Dr. Doddridge as a practical divine, he contented himself with a hasty sketch of the domestic incidents of his life, many interesting particulars of which could not indeed at that recent period be mentioned with propriety, while in relation to some others he was without the necessary information. These latter reasons applied with still greater force in the instance of Mr. Stedman's publication, and indeed to such an extent as to preclude him altogether from printing any of the letters of a domestic class, however valuable and entertaining. Among the letters of a theological and critical character, there are also many that it was not then advisable for him to make use of. In the first three volumes of the present publication about thirty from Mr. Stedman's are reprinted, but in most instances from the original manuscripts, for the purpose of restoring passages which had been suppressed under the circumstances before alluded to; and among them some of the valuable letters of Dr. Warburton may be mentioned. It appears almost unnecessary for me to observe that the great mass of matter from which this work has been printed are family documents in my possession. To these, however, have been added a considerable number of original papers, which were the property of the late Rev. Job Orton, and which have been most liberally contributed by my highly esteemed and worthy friend, Henry James Stedman, Esq., who has also obliged me by the use of a transcript, made by his late excellent father, from the first manuscript volume of Dr. Doddridge's short-hand copy of his early letters, and also of the Diary. These paragraphs, by a simple statement of facts, at once settled the question in our minds; and they clearly indicated the course which ought to be pursued with reference to the republication of Orton. A mass of matter, of the highest value, having been brought forth in the progress of time, it became necessary in some way to render it available, either by Annotation, Appendix, Incorporation, or a Supplemental Volume. Facts and circumstances, then, having shaped our course, it only remains to make provision for its accomplishment. That this may be realized in a manner at all worthy of its subject, time and labour will be required to an extent which would have sufficed for an original work. That time, then, we must ask of our friends; and that labour, as Providence may enable us, we shall put forth to the best of our ability; and in due season we hope to issue an edition of Job Orton, increasingly calculated to do justice to Doddridge, honour to his religion, and benefit to the Churches. In the meantime, while prosecuting our silent and solitary labours, it may now be advisable to pioneer the way for its appearance. This is all the more necessary, since after the lapse of a hundred years, and more than three generations, it may be safely assumed that a vast mass of this, the fourth generation, know but little of Doddridge beyond his revered name and character. We, therefore, purpose to send forth a few Articles touching certain points of his character, and more particularly embodying facts and fragments, all calculated to excite attention to his distinguished claims, and at the same time to promote the welfare of our readers. On the present occasion, we shall re-produce the following: MEMORANDUMS RELATING TO A SEASON OF SOLEMN PRAYER, ОСТ. 5, 1750. etc. With great relish did I think of this day before its approach. I was, indeed, hindered in my secret preparation for it last night and this morning by Mr. Lucas's and Mr. Proctor's visit, which made it a matter of duty to take the season for a conversation with both, on matters which I knew not how to postpone. But I spent more than an hour and a half in prayer with, and preaching to my family from Psalm cxix. 9: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way," Through unavoidable hinderances, I could not get to my asylum, the vestry, till a quarter before eleven. I then began with general acts of devotion, by imploring Divine assistance, and reviewing the memorandums of the last month; in which, indeed, I found much cause for thanksgiving, mingled with humiliation, especially for the presence of God in secret, and family prayer in a morning, and assistance in my public labours, which, through grace, have this month been animated and pleasant. But I had reason to be humbled, that I had been very careless in the evening, and that, through so many interruptions, I had dispatched much less business in my study than I could wish to have done. There has also been too great a neglect as to the private care of my congregation; for which I humbled myself before God, while I acknowledged his mercy. I then cheerfully renewed the dedication of myself to God, rejoiced greatly in him, and earnestly begged larger degrees of sanctifying grace. I found particular reason to bless God for the increase of my Academy this month, by the accession of several charming and promising pupils, particularly Rolleston, Scholfield, Holland, Robins, my son, and Smith, with the prospect of some others; for the prospect of success in the youth's scheme; for pointing out Mr. Lucas, when I was disappointed in Mr. Rose as a tutor. I solemnly referred to God the youth's scheme, the Academy, and Family Expositor, the subscription to which is soon to be opened. On all these accounts, I felt a cheerful joy in God; but above all in the views of heaven, and in the hope of appearing with acceptance and a blessing in the presence of my great Judge at last. These meditations and prayers, intermingled, employed me till twenty minutes past one, and left me but one hour more for intercessions, for public and for particular cases, social or personal. With great fervency of spirit did I spend a whole hour in this delightful exercise, pouring out my soul before God, for the World and the Church; losing what was particular in what was general, upon truly Christian and Catholic principles, as God is witness. Yet I was enabled to cry earnestly for God's blessing on my labours, and the church under my care, and on every friend named in my list, whose particular circumstances I spread before God. And now my time was ended; and I saw it with regret. I left the feast with an appetite, and my soul said, it is good to be here. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from henceforth, even for ever. Amen. AN ACCOUNT OF SEVERAL OF THOSE MAXIMS UPON WHICH I PROPOSE TO PROCEED IN FUTURE LIFE, UNDER THE FOLLOWING VARIOUS CHARACTERS. 1. As to the conduct of every day.-To breathe out my heart to God before I rise; to pray while dressing; to make prayer the first work, if possible, before I read one word; to make the Scriptures the first book; to do something every morning at monthly letters before breakfast; to begin every lecture in time, with the watch before me, and not to run on so far as to preclude those of the junior class; to get out soon in afternoons; to be at home at evening prayer; to expound when I can; not to exceed a limited time at a place; to be animated in conversation, providing useful materials for that purpose; to take notice of children; to keep a register of my visits; to relate religious remarks then made to the elders; to write before supper; to prepare social entertainment, and demand it; to sup moderately; to go to bed before eleven when I can; if the prayer be slightly passed over in the morning, to introduce it again in the evening; never to acquiesce merely in praying with my wife, without some fervent, though short petitions alone; to get a little time for meditation on Friday evenings. 2. As a Husband.-To be more careful to keep up the spirit of religion in conversing with my wife; to avoid pettishness; to make great allowance for the tenderness of her constitution; to reflect often on her distinguished wisdom and goodness; blessing God for her; recommending her to the Divine blessing, and begging the continuance of her life, as one of the greatest blessings that life can afford, and that on which, under God, most of my own depend. 3. As a Parent.-To intercede for my children daily; to converse more or less about religion with each, weekly; to pray with them once a fortnight, and endeavour to dispose them for communion; to endeavour to oblige them; to drop short hints when there is not room for long discourse; also to speak on religious subjects to the servants, at least once a fortnight. 4. As a Tutor.-To maintain a strict inspection; to inquire after each from his respective tutor; to have expositions, prayers, and devotional lectures, as suitable as may be; to exhort and pray with each before the vacation, where it has not yet been done; to get a society of lads established if I can. 5. As a Pastor.-To review the state of my flock if possible, at least in town before the vacation; to visit, exhort, and inquire into family religion, etc.; to inquire after every village; referring to the last visit in the catalogue; to pursue a plan for monthly sermons, keeping four schemes beforehand in the book of such papers. 6. As a Correspondent.-To be exact in the catalogue of letters with regard to dates; to review that catalogue to determine when, and in what order to write; to guard against excessive length; to use as many assistants as I can, to get clear before vacation as far as possible. 7. Miscellaneous Matters.-To draw up a scheme for every week, and then for every day, to be reviewed the next; to make my will; to adjust the account of the lads' society, and to fix on thirty letters at the beginning of the month, to which one hour a day, if possible, is to be given to read over these maxims once a month. Ecclesiastical Affairs. LITURGY OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. THE following article, from the pen of The subject is of sufficient import ance to demand enlargement, but we must, for the present, satisfy ourselves by merely observing that, in social prayer, conducted extemporaneously, the utterance ought to be very deliberate, and properly interspersed with pauses, otherwise the people may be attentive listeners, but they can hardly be joint suppliants. Men ought to address God as subjects address their sovereign: to speak naturally, not to whine, not to sing, not to shout; to speak reverentially, not run, gallop, and rattle on without break or pause, like a declaiming schoolboy, impatient for relief to his burdened memory; to speak rationally, not fanatically, not enthusiastically, not as if judgment were dragged headlong by emotion. A "form of prayer" may, in some circumstances, not be without advantage. We must all have known able and pious men who, though excellent preachers, had not the readiness of thought and easy flow of speech necessary to make an unpremeditated prayer sufficiently edifying for a congregation; and we must have known others, in many respects inferior, but particularly acceptable in this delightful exercise. To cramp such persons as the latter, by keeping them within the narrow limits of a set form, appears undesirable and injurious; while they who are not so gifted may very properly avail themselves of such assistance; and (with some exceptions, to be men. tioned presently) I should have no objection to the Morning and Evening Service of the Established Church, if separated from the great and destructive errors with which it now stands connected in the Prayer-book. I refer especially to the Baptismal Service and the Catechism; in which children are taught that, in their baptism, they were made " members of Christ, children of God, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven;" than which anything more false,-more ruinously delusive, was never invented by the great adversary of God and man! All evangelical clergymen deplore these shocking statements; |