Having gone beyond all bounds of order and decency, he was one day tied up, and actually flogged for a breach of the former part of the above-cited Second Article of War. This made him more circumspect in presence of the officers; but it could not reach his heart. He therefore continued in his general conduct much the same, until God himself effectually wrought on his soul, which was done in the following way.

Being one forenoon stationed in the maintop, and having no active duty to employ his time and drown reflection, he opened the chest,* and, to his joy, observed a book. In hope of finding some idle story to beguile his mind, he opened it, and began to read. It was Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul; a subject, above all others, most unwelcome to one in his state; yet he read on, to use his own word, " torturing himself by every line he read." Again and again he wished the book

* In each of what the landsmen call round tops, is a chest for holding muskets, seaman's working-tools, &c. &c. The maintop of a seventy-four gun ship is capable of seating twenty men and at sea there is always a greater or less number of people aloft, in readiness to execute such duty as may be required. It was, therefore, one of my objects to keep a certain number of our library books in the top chests for their perusal.

had been a thousand miles off, or that he had never seen it; yet he told me that "he could not put it away. The reading of it," he said, "pricked him to the heart, but still he read on, drawing all the comfort he was able from the thought, that by and by twelve o'clock would arrive, and then he should be relieved from this post, and obliged to put the book away." Twelve o'clock at length came, and, being relieved, he flew below; but he could not fly from his convictions. Ten minutes were found abundantly sufficient to take his dinner, and having left his messmates to drink both his and their own grog, as they pleased, he again sat down to the tormenting, but irresistible, book. From that day he became a most patient, meek, and humble Christian. He separated from his old iniquitous companions, and passed his leisure hours in hearing, reading, and singing with the wingers, whom he had heretofore so cordially hated and despised. Nor was all the opposition of his former comrades able, in the smallest degree, to shake him.

When I first heard the report, I could not give it credit, until I had sent for Robert A. to my own cabin, and satisfied myself. Indeed, so unexpected and great was the change, that it not only excited general notice, but it actually produced a kind of uproar throughout the sea

men's berths, many of whom, like myself, would not credit what they heard, until they had satisfied themselves. To this end some beset him with arguments, and some with oaths and ridicule; others brought him grog, as a supposed irresistible temptation: and when he steadily refused to drink, they threw it in his face. All this (though of a natural high spirit) he bore patiently, never to my knowledge uttering one unbecoming expression, or doing one unchristian act, from the day in which he found and read the book in the maintop, to the time of my leaving the ship.

Let us then, my discouraged reader, take shame unto ourselves for fainting and growing weary in well-doing. Let the instance of this poor reprobate, Robert A. encourage us to cast our bread upon the waters; fully confident that it will be found in the Lord's good time; that it will be found when it shall most redound to the praise of the riches of his grace in Christ Jesus.

No. X.

"FOR MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS, neither ARE YOUR WAYS MY WAYS, SAITH THE LORD: FOR AS THE HEAVENS ARE HIGHER THAN THE EARTH, SO ARE MY WAYS HIGHER THAN YOUR WAYS, AND MY THOUGHTS THAN YOUR THOUGHTS."

Isaiah, lv. 8, 9.

THERE are few portions of Holy Writ to which my mind turns with more frequency, or with more delight, than to the above, and that in 1 Cor. xiii. 9, 10. 12. "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part, but then I shall know even as also I am known." Indeed, there are seasons when J feel an inexpressible interest in anticipating the fulfilment of the concluding promise, of "knowing even as I am also known;" because my present imperfect vision and limited knowledge but too often gave rise to doubts and fears. Whereever the mind directs its attention, whether to

the past, the present, or the future, how many difficulties present themselves, not to be solved by man! A dark cloud rests on much of the divine proceedings in many events which have been, and on many that now are, and probably on many that may continue to take place on earth. We know that the eternal Jehovah works for the glory of his own great Name, as the ultimate end of all his mighty and gracious operations. (Ezekiel, xx. 9, 14. 22. 44, &c.) Yet the wicked often flourish like a green bay tree, and the righteous are cut off. Sin stalks forth with mighty strides, and fills almost the whole earth with its evils. Here and there we discover a plant of grace; but it is not unfrequent that these are removed by a premature and unexpected stroke, just as the blossom is opening, and we are pleasing ourselves with the thought of the harvest of fruits which they will bear to the glory of God and to the good of mankind. Now, when we recollect that all hearts are in the Lord's hands, and all events under his control; we cannot help exclaiming, with Elihu and Isaiah, "Touching the Almighty we cannot find him out; for his thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are his ways as our ways," &c. He works, indeed, on the left hand, but we cannot fathom his intentions; he hideth himself on the right hand, that we cannot see into the