sinners in general; and if you thought he addressed you, it is because your conscience tells you that you are one of that unhappy class."

The strong man was overcome. The pride of his heart was slain by the sword of the Spirit of God. He wept; he acknowledged his sins, and was amazed that before this they should have seemed such trifles. He now thirsted for knowledge. The most of that night was spent in religious conversation, references to God's word, and prayer. Day after day did he come to that pious friend, and beg him to tell him more about this matter-" this mighty matter of regeneration." He diligently studied the Scriptures, spent much time in prayer, and never again needed any one to invite him to the house of God. Yes, those " trifling sins" he now plainly saw were the outbreaking of the "carnal heart," which "is enmity with God." It was also clear to his mind that all his murmurings and discontent at the ways of God's providence were but the rebellion of the creature against the glorious Creator.

With these views of sin, which a ray from the Holy Spirit alone can give to perverted man, he now scarcely dared ask forgiveness. Yet when the same blessed Spirit "took of the things of Christ and showed them unto him;" when he apprehended something of the depth of mercy in him who so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life," he could no longer withhold from him his heart. He now looked upon the life of pleasure he had loved as a dream of vanity, but the life which he had entered upon as one of enduring pleasure.

The home in which he had been so unhappy, was now delightful as the very verge of heaven. And how did he bless the Lord for directing his footsteps to this sequestered spot, so free from the interruptions of worldly temptation, so fitted for contemplation and the study of the revealed word, and now so hallowed by prayer. He was astonished at his former pride and spirit of revenge, and that God had forgiven his sins.

But he had one trouble that was worse to him than any other. That dreadful habit of profanity, so easily acquired, is one of the hardest of all sins to break off. In a moment of excitement, a slight slip of the foot, or any other trifling circumstance, the profane thoughts, the horrid execration,

from force of habit, would rise unbidden to his mind. And how grieved, how humbled was he that words which he would not now dare to utter had been so often upon his guilty lips! His very thoughts he abhorred, and wondered how he had dared profane that sacred name he now so much revered. Most deeply did he repent this sin, which has not even temptation for an apology; and most earnestly did he pray to be kept from it. In this course of life, our friend remained steadfast until the end. Though many could not at first believe in his conversion, his growth in grace was so apparent that none could deny the mighty power of God. He died in the triumph of faith, blessing God for the marvellous way in which he had been led.

"AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR.”

"The first case,' ""

ABOUT two years ago mention was made in the "Tract Magazine " of the conversion of a very aged man, whose history and character invested it with unusual interest. As Mr. was then living, his case could only be alluded to in the most general terms. He has recently died, and the reports of the missionary who visited him towards the close of his life are printed in the "London City Missionary Magazine" for January. It would be difficult to illustrate more impressively the uncertainty of riches, the deep depravity of the human heart, the special providence of God, the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, or the peace and joy which true religion can give. says the missionary, "is that of Mr. Surely, in his case, we have a delightful instance of the happiness which is to be realized by all those (whatever their circumstances) who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and whose hearts have been renewed by the Spirit of God. In his youth, and even up to old age, Mr. had enjoyed much worldly prosperity. He kept a large establishment both in town and country, and he was possessed of a large amount of influence. But though he was at this time the owner of a large fortune, yet he was not contented with his lot, and, in order to increase his riches the more speedily, he became a speculator on the Stock Exchange. The Scriptures say that those who haste to be rich shall fall into a snare; and thus it was with Mr. for in one speculation he lost upwards of 60,000l. followed, and the result was, that from affluence he was

Other losses

reduced to poverty, and from being the owner of two large establishments, he became the weekly tenant of a miserable attic in one of the most unhealthy parts of London. In this place he remained several years, brooding over his altered circumstances, cursing his past folly, but without any thought of the future that was spread out before him. When he had attained his eighty-fifth year his wife died, and he was left alone. Now came the great day of his trial—no means, no company, no comfort. His family, many years before, had been scattered over various parts of the world, and from some reason or other he had refused to inform them of his altered circumstances. For some considerable time after his wife's death, he wandered about the streets of London like one bereft of his senses.

It was in one of these wanderings that he came upon an out-door meeting, conducted by the former missionary of the district. He was convinced of sin, and was soon enabled to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. His delight now is to attend the services of the sanctuary; and though upwards of ninety years of age, he may be seen nearly every evening of the week trudging to various places of worship to listen to the glad tidings of salvation. A few weeks ago, in company with the Rev. Mr. Garratt, I paid him a visit. He had on the Saturday before reached the ninetieth year of his age. His mind was calm, serene, and joyful, and he was looking forward with pleasure to that time when he should for ever be with that Saviour who is now all and in all to him. In the course of our visit, he expressed the deep gratitude he felt towards the London City Mission, as being the instrument of his conversion. He told us that he had enjoyed more real happiness since his conversion, notwithstanding all his loneliness and poverty, than he had experienced in all the years of his worldly prosperity; that he continually blessed God, because, in order to save his soul, he had permitted his riches to fly away; that he had had that day two roast apples for his dinner, and that he would rather have that, and Christ with it, than he would have his former superfluities without Christ. Several times he assured us that he was the happiest man in London, though it was not long since he of all men most miserable.'"

was

Further details are given in a subsequent report.

"The very old man referred to in the last report, who had seen such a reverse of fortune, has this year died. He

was born in the county of Norfolk about the year 1770. He came up to London when twenty years of age for the purpose of seeking employment as a tailor. He succeeded so well, that in a few years he was able to start in business on his own account. Success so attended all his operations that, in the year 1824, he was owner of one of the largest establishments in Regent street, in addition to which he kept an expensive 'seat' in the country. He was now at the height of his worldly prosperity; his income from his business was nearly ten thousand a year, and his capital amounted to more than 100,000l., but he was still unsatisfied, and hasting to be rich. His riches took to themselves wings and fled away.' He became one of the directors of the company which issued the notorious 'Spanish bonds,' and in one year he lost nearly the whole of his fortune. Other losses followed, and from affluence he was reduced to comparative poverty. During the whole of this time, though he attended the services of the established church, and bore an upright and an honourable character as a man of business, yet he was a stranger to saving grace. He lived upon the remnants of his fortune till it had all dwindled away. Fourteen years since he removed from square, and with his wife became the weekly tenant of a miserable attic, in which he resided up to the day of his death. His wife appears to have been a Christian woman, and while she lived there were home comforts which he still enjoyed. Seven years since his wife died, after a lingering illness, and the old man was left alone.

"He was now reduced to receiving a miserable pittance which the parish and some of his relatives allowed him. Overwhelmed with sorrow, without friends, without comfort, and without hope hereafter, he continued to live about three years; till at last his life became a burden and a torment, and he resolved to take it away, and thus bring to an end his earthly troubles. For this purpose, one Sunday evening in 1860, he left his room to go to Lincoln'sinn-fields, there to watch for an opportunity when few persons were about, to commit suicide. It was about nine in the evening when he reached the above square. As he was passing round it, he saw a crowd of persons. He went up to it to see what was the matter, when he found a man was speaking to the people around. This man was the then city missionary of the district; and as Mr.

approached him, he had just commenced reading the account of the conversion of the Philippian jailor.' The words, 'Do thyself no harm,' arrested his attention. He stopped to listen. The missionary read the narrative, and then addressed a few loving, tender, earnest words to poor sinners, inviting them to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture that was read, and the truths that were spoken, were blessed by God to the conversion of the old man's soul; and after a few days of earnest prayers and tears, he was enabled to cast himself on Jesus, and enjoyed peace of mind through believing on the Son of God.

"During the last eighteen months of his life, I generally visited him once a week, and always found him in a happy frame of mind. From the time of his conversion till a few days before his death, he was most attentive to the means of grace. Though he was upwards of ninety years of age, and afflicted with a most painful rupture that caused him great pain, yet almost every evening in the week he was to be found at some meeting or other, listening with a gladsome heart to the story of Christ crucified. During last summer, at our open-air meetings in Lincoln's-innfields, he was a most constant and willing listener; and if by any means we did not make our appearance at the usual time, he did not fail to let us know the sentiments of his mind upon the subject. During the last year of his life some Christian friends interested themselves in his behalf, and, as far as pecuniary help could smooth his last days, it was afforded him, and very grateful was he for the kindness thus manifested towards him. Sunday, November 23, was his birthday, when he completed the ninety-third year of his age. He had proposed to spend that day at my house, but on the day previous he was taken ill and confined to his bed. I saw him on the following Tuesday (for owing to the illness and death of my little boy I could not see him before). He was then happy indeed; the fear of death had passed away, and he was looking forward with joyful anticipation to the time when he would be free from the pains and sorrows of this life, and enter upon a state of endless happiness in heaven. No doubt entered his mind, no cloud rested on his brow; he felt confident that when he should be 'absent from the body' he would be 'present with the Lord.' During most of. Wednesday and Thursday he was insensible, and on Friday morning, November 29, he fell asleep in Jesus."