the immorality of the married, in the sporting with oaths, in the God-forgetfulness of most of our men in office, in the general licentiousness of the spirit of the age. These punishments will one day become still greater. Most refreshing, it is true, are these expressions: They that be teachers shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever;" but truly crushing, on the other hand, are these words: "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently, saith the Lord. He testifies his abhorrence of negligence by the same expression with which he stamps idolatry, disobedience of children to their parents, heaven-crying unrighteousness, murder, and homicide. He ranks the negligence of his servants in their work entirely alongside of these most heinous sins and transgressions. O that he may not withdraw his hand from us, let us lift up our hands to him and pray for mercy and grace; that he may not one day judge us, let us judge and condemn ourselves; that he may not curse us for time and eternity, let us break the rod over ourselves and our deeds; that we may not forget ourselves on account of others, which is so easy in our calling, let us try, with Doddridge, from time to time preaching to ourselves, partly for our humiliation and correction, partly for our conversion and strengthening. Welcome to us for this end be these days of brotherly convention! The Catholic Church leads her clergy, from time to time, into the cloister, that there, as in a holy refugium, they may collect their thoughts again through self-examination and spiritual exercise. We have not this arrangement-we cannot have it; but we have our annual missionary meetings and pastoral conferences. O we will use them, that there may ever be more purity and clearness among us, and that we may ever hold more firmly together, and stand as one man, in one spirit, and in one soul, and fight for the faith of the Gospel. In former years the three-one God hath richly blessed this week. He will bless it in the present year also; yea, he hath already blessed it, and what he blesses, that is blessed eternally. The more empty we come to him, the richer will he make us; the more unworthy we feel ourselves, the more fit are we to receive his blessing.

Bless us then, Lord, as thou hast already blessed us yesterday and the preceding day. We stand before thee, not on our own righteousness, but on thy great mercy. Together we lament before thee because of negligence, unfaithfulness, wavering, lukewarmness, slothfulness. Ah! Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servants; for before thee is none living

righteous. Ah! Lord, if thou shouldst impute sin, who can stand before thee? The poorest of the poor are we, if thou withdrawest thy hand from us; the weakest of the weak are we, if thy strength is not mighty in our weakness. It is a precious office which thou hast intrusted to us, but it is also a difficult office to feed thy flock, and lead to thee, and keep to thee inmortal souls, which thou hast bought with thy dear blood. Give, then, to us, thy weak servants, strength from on high; baptize us with the fire of the Holy Spirit; let fresh breath of life blow through our whole assembly; guide thou thyself our consultations and deliberations, that in this sanctuary we may think and say, feel and desire, nothing except what is well-pleasing to thee; reform, unite, missionize thou us all, and thy whole Christendom; and perfect us, strengthen us, invigorate us, stablish us, that we may ever be more fully fitted for the work of this office, and that through us the body of Christ may be edified. Three-one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, thou our light and sal vation, thou our comfort and hope, our Alpha and Omega, our beginning, middle, and end, make us vessels and witnesses of thy mercy, and shining stars of the spiritual heaven, and give us all

"For olden truths a love that's new,
And for new life new liking too-
At olden evils new disgust-
Unto our former God new trust;
For ancient war a sword that's new,
In ancient war new triumphs too!"

Amen.

A FEW PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LATE REV. ROWLAND HILL. THE multifarious anecdotes related of Rowland Hill would incline those who had never seen him to pic ture to themselves an individual of facetious and

rather abrupt manners. Nothing could be more unlike than such a portrait. That he did occasionally utter things that would sound strange from other lips is true, but it was done with an effect peculiarly his own, and could not bear imitation. He certainly had his peculiarities, and real anecdotes might be told of him that are not a little singular; but others, he observed himself, were untrue, and indebted to the invention of the narrators.

Mr Hill's appearance was calculated to make a lasting impression. His figure was commanding-his features remarkably fine; and he had a very dignified and graceful manner, well suited to his character, his office, and his worldly station.

His pulpit ministrations were, at the period of which I write (1829), marked by persuasive tenderness, forcibly calling to mind the Apostle Paul's picture of himself in his Epistle to Philemon: "Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged." This may be illustrated by a short note from one of his sermons. "Sinner, are you late in coming to Christ?-pity you did not come sooner, yet we dare', not say it is too late."

Established Church. "No matter," replied George IV., at the same time commanding a sum to be given, "the object is not to make sects, but Christians." Mr Hill spoke very warmly of the Duke of Kent, and of the kind attentions his royal highness had paid to himself. He seemed to have a great affection for his nephew, Lord Hill, and mentioned a pleasing anecdote of him. When appointed commanderin-chief, he went to his venerable uncle and solicited his prayers.

It was at a morning visit these few remarks were made; he declined at that time invitations to dinner, but walked out that day a considerable distance to breakfast. Notwithstanding his making that exertion, his limbs had become so stiff that after engaging in prayer he had to be assisted from his knees. But how full of holy pleading confidence were his prayers! how warm from the heart they seemed to flow! how earnestly his desires after sanctification were uttered, as he said: "Lord, make us temples of the Holy Ghost! This is a great thing for us to ask, but we are encouraged to ask it, because this thing thou hast promised to do." His petitions for the spread of the Gospel were strikingly earnest: "Send men that will agonize for the salvation of souls; it is not for us to dictate unto thee whom thou wilt send-only send."

Rowland Hill has joined the great company of the redeemed; and now not one remains among us of those who laboured in the great revivals of his early days in the last century. In the course of nature, they are gone to their everlasting rest, and the last survivers must have longed to join their brethren. Every particular of their latter days was invested with interest, and the short opportunity enjoyed of intercourse with this eminent servant of God is a most pleasant recollection. Even then his sportive fancy and warm affections had not forsaken him. Individuals of the party being about to visit a neighbouring country, where they expected to see a minister he highly esteemed, but had not seen for some time, he took the opportunity to send him a message. "Give him my love," he said, "and tell him if I were young I would go to see him, but when my wings grow I shall fly over. I wish," he added, "we had an hundred such ministers."

Peculiar Mr Hill certainly was; but at this late period of his life, his eccentricities seemed to be softened down; the bonds of earth were loosening, and he was gradually preparing for the gentle dismissal that awaited his dying hour, when, in deep humility and self-abasement, but in peaceful, wellfounded security, this active, useful, most devoted, and most successful minister of Jesus Christ, closed his earthly career and entered into his Master's glory.

PROTESTANTISM IN THE WEST OF FRANCE.

SECOND PAPER.

A CHAPTER OF PROVIDENCES.

WHEN Philibert Hamelin rested from his labours, others were raised up to continue them; and the work of evangelization was still carried on. The persecutors who exulted over the death of the martyr, found themselves farther than ever from a victory

over the Protestantism which they sought to suppress. The zeal with which he had been animated was equalled in that of a devoted band of ministers, of whom several had been trained at Geneva, who came, one after another, to reap the precious harvest of this district, undaunted by the rage of persecution. Congregations were gradually formed and organized, though pastor and flock were continually in danger; and their meetings for the worship of God were held with the greatest secrecy, and usually at night.

The immediate consequences of the death of Hamelin were very different in Arvert and in Saintes. In the former place, terror seemed to take possession of the people; and forward as they had previously been in the public celebration of Protestant worship, most of them-all, it is said, but one man-returned to the Church of Rome. At Saintes, on the contrary, such was the effect produced by the spectacle of the captive minister's faith and patience, that the Protestant Church was strengthened. De la Place, the | newly appointed colleague of Hamelin, hastened to Arvert, and at the utmost peril of his life (the bishop being in the town with a numerous retinue), laboured to encourage his brethren to stand fast in 1 the confession of Christ. There he was lamentably unsuccessful; but at Saintes, he shortly afterwards had the joy of seeing the Gospel received by some who had been amongst the most violent opponents of the Reformation.

Amongst the congregations which were organized about this time, was that of Cognac. Its formation was attended with circumstances in which the hand of God very remarkably appeared. A minister had been obtained for the congregation, who arrived on the 1st of November 1558. On the very next evening an image of the Virgin was thrown down which had decorated the portal of the Church of St Leger. | The Protestants were blamed; and four who were espe- ! cially suspected of this sacrilege, or who were otherwise most obnoxious, were cast into prison. But two very unexpected events caused their prompt deliverance. A magistrate named Odet, upon learning that they had been taken, hastened to the prison, and in great fury, proceeded to examine them. He left the prison in a fever, which carried him off in eight days. The prior of St Quentin was the principal instigator of persecution in this place, and swore, in presence of many people, that he would employ both wealth and influence to have the prisoners burned. He also took fever, and three days after he had vowed that vow he died. These two deaths appalled the party of which the magistrate and the prior had been leaders; and acknowledging the judgments of God, they made haste to open the prison doors, and ceased for a time from further proceedings against the Protestants.

The Count de Burie, lieutenant-general of the district, thinking to ingratiate himself at court, began to persecute at Marennes. The Protestant minister was driven from the town, but continued to preach in the environs. The persecution spread over all Saintonge. It was carried on with increased violence by the Parliament of Bourdeaux, acting under special instructions from the king-Henry II.

The martyrdom of Peter Arondeau is worthy of the more particular record which it has obtained. He

was a zealous and active member of the Protestant congregation at Rochelle, though his condition was humble that of a pedler. He fell under suspicion of heresy; and certain priests, who had watched him very closely for some time, one day advanced to him and asked him whether he would go to mass. He replied that, to his great regret, he had long gone to mass, but that God had now opened his eyes, and that he knew the mass to be an invention of Satan. This was reported to the public authorities, and a warrant was issued for his apprehension. He was aware of his danger, but did not attempt to escape. He was taken and cast into prison. There he was visited by many members of the Protestant Church, who came to condole with him; and he improved the opportunity to urge upon them the duty of faithfulness. The priests who had denounced him were importunate for his condemnation, the authorities were willing to gratify them, and Arondeau was called upon to declare whether he had uttered the words laid to his charge. He hesitated not to avow them. Pardon was offered him if he would retract. He replied that he was ready to retract at once, if it could be shown him from the Holy Scripture that he was in error; but not otherwise. He was therefore condemned; whereupon he blessed God for this grace of dying for his name's sake. It was only on the entreaty of his friends that he consented to appeal against the sentence pronounced upon him. His chief employment was that of singing the praises of the Lord. Having appealed, he was sent to Paris; his removal from Rochelle being conducted secretly, for fear of a rescue by the Protestants, who had become numerous in that place and neighbourhood. His sentence was confirmed, and he was burned alive at Paris, in the Place de Grève, on the 15th of November 1559; continuing to manifest to the end the utmost firmness and patience.

The persecution continued to rage, till the unexpected death of Henry II. produced some relaxation on the part of the Parliament of Bourdeaux, and gave the Protestants a breathing-time. But, notwithstanding persecution, their number continued to increase. Compelled to hold their meetings by night, they were exposed to new reproaches upon that account from the unreasonable malevolence of the Papists: latterly they found it necessary to abstain from meeting even by night, except in small companies of twenty or thirty; but their ministers were full of zeal, and notwithstanding all disadvantages the hand of the Lord being with them-many were turned unto the Lord. In May 1559, a new minister arrived from Switzerland, Michael Mulot, a man of sixty years, but singularly energetic and active, who settled at Soubise, a town where the Seigneur, or feudal lord, had himself been for some time diligently employed in making known the doctrines of the Bible. Often exposed to much danger, he laboured with abundant success, and ere long, the greater part of the inhabitants of Soubise and its neighbourhood had renounced the errors of Rome. About the same time Charles Léopard came from Geneva to Arvert. He soon became one of the most eminent ministers of the district; and it is interesting to observe how the Protestants of Arvert had now become bold and resolute in the confession of Christ. At the very time when

487

| Léopard entered on his ministry amongst them, the feudal superior of the town was engaged in the work of persecution, and found some, at least, ready to suffer rather than to recant. The death of this persecutor relieved them in some measure, but it was not long till they were again exposed to the same trials; and such was the eagerness of the people to hear the Gospel, that their meetings could not be conducted with the requisite secrecy, and the pastor, though reluctant, was compelled to consult his own safety and theirs by withdrawing for a time. He sought refuge in the house of one of his deacons; but in this concealment he did not remain long. At family worship, whilst he conducted prayer, he gave expression to the grief which he felt at being constrained to inactivity; he was compelled to pause, but soon recovering himself, went on more calmly, and the prayer being concluded, he forthwith left the house, committing himself to the guidance of the Lord, expressing his confidence that he would be led to some sphere of usefulness, and declaring that he would not be idle if he should only find a swineherd to whom he might preach. Passing through a suburb of Saujon, he was recognised by Matthew Monroux, who had heard him preach at Arvert, and who now gladly invited him to his house. But before tasting the food which was set before him, Léopard inquired whether there were any in that place who cared to hear the Word of God. Monroux found six persons willing to hear, but such alarm had been excited by the persecution, that not one would venture to give the use of his house for the meeting. Léopard led them forth to a a wood, and there they prayed together, and he preached the Gospel. The blessing of the Lord was on that meeting-they separated to employ themselves in advancing the Protestant cause, and became the founders of several congregations in that neighbourhood.

On that same day Léopard was induced, by the hope of meeting with a brother minister, to call at the Castle of Rioux. Here, too, a special providence was very manifest. It would seem that he did not find the minister whom he expected, but he found at the castle an opportunity of great usefulness. The Seigneur of Rioux, like some others of his class, had been brought to the knowledge of the truth; and having been denounced as a Protestant, was in danger of being arrested and of suffering forfeiture of his estates. Two gentlemen, his relatives, had come to reason with him, that they might bring him to a recantation, in order to save his property and his life. His lady, who loved this world, joined her importunities to theirs. When thus so beset and in perplexity, a visitor was announced, who had called at the gate of the castle, said that he was from Arvert, and desired to speak with the Seigneur in private. This was Charles Léopard, who had not ventured to make known his name to the servant. On recognising him, the Seigneur lifted up his hands, and blessed God, who had sent his servant to him at such a critical time. He led Léopard to a grove close by, stated his great distress, and asked advice. Difficulties were cleared away-wavering faith was strengthenedand the Seigneur returned to his relatives accompanied by the Protestant minister, to announce his

resolution of adherence to the Protestant cause. The Popish gentlemen went away dissatisfied, but Léopard remained for some days, during which the hall of the castle was converted into a chapel, and the Gospel was preached to many, even of the higher classes of the neighbourhood. The Lady of Rioux was converted. She afterwards gave very strong proofs of the reality of her faith.

"IT IS NOT DEATH."

BY MRS SOUTHEY.

Ir is not death-it is not death,
From which I shrink with coward fear;
It is, that I must leave behind

All I love here.

It is not wealth-it is not wealth,
That I am loath to leave behind;
Small store to me (yet all I crave)
Hath fate assigned.

It is not fame-it is not fame,
From which it will be pain to part;
Obscure my lot, but mine was still
An humble heart.

It is not health-it is not health,

That makes me fain to linger here;
For I have languished on in pain
This many a year.

It is not hope-it is not hope,
From which I cannot turn away;
Oh! earthly hope has cheated me

MAOLDON-GREEN ACTÆON,

1

BY THE REV. D. LANDSBOROUGH, STEVENSTON. IN a little rocky pool of sea water near the base of Maoldón betwixt Brodick and Corrie, I discovered, in July 1844, an alga, which seemed new to me. I laid hold of it, and found it no easy matter to detach it from the rock to which it firmly adhered. It turned out to be Codium tomentosum, not rare, I believe, in either England or Ireland, but so rare in Scotland that I have heard of its being found only by Dr Curdie, in the island of Gigha, off Cantyre, and by W. Thomson, || Esq., Belfast, in a rock-pool near Ballantrae, in Ayrshire. On taking it out of the water, I observed a !, greenish gelatinous animal on it, which, without examination, I cast into the pool again, that it might continue to enjoy life. I afterwards saw on the Codium two more of the same species, but considerably smaller; and observing that they were beautifully mottled with azure spots, I deposited them in my cas culum, among the branches of the Codium. When, on reaching home, I put them into a tumbler of seawater, I saw that I had got a rare and beautiful | mollusk, discovered by Colonel Montagu on the Devonshire coast, and described by him in "The These Transactions of the Linnæan Society." "Transactions" I had not in my possession; but I found as much as answered my purpose in "The History of British Animals," by my philosophical friend, Dr John Fleming, now, I am happy to say, Professor of Natural Science in the Free Church College, Edinburgh, whose most valuable works should be in the hands of every British naturalist. As I kept the Actaon for nearly a week in the tumbler, where it seemed to browse with great satisfaction on the woolly beard of the Codium, I had good opportunities of observing it, and I found it even more beautiful than I could have supposed. The excellent description found in the "British Animals" is as follows: The fore part of the body is like a common Limax (slug'), tentacula or feelers two, flat, but usually rolled up, and appear like cylindric tubes; at a little distance behind the tentacula, on each side, is a whitish mark, in which is placed a small black eye; the body is depressed, and spreads on each side into a membranaceous fin, but which gradually decreases from thence to the tail. This membraneous part is considerably amorphous, but is usually turned up on the back, and sometimes meeting, though most times the margins are reflected. This, as well as the back, is of a beautiful grass-green colour, marked on the superior part of the fins or membrane with a few azure spots, disposed in rows; the under part with more numerous but irregular spots of the same. The fore part of the head is bifid; the lip marked by a black margin.* With these, my observations in general agree. Its colour is green-betwixt grass-green and bottlegreen; but in certain lights it has a considerable shade of rich puce-colour on the finest velvet. It is beautifully dotted with azure and with gold. The azure spots are small and numerous on all parts of the body and of the fins, and are precisely of the same brilliant azure as the lines on Patella pellucida. The golden spots were confined to the upper parts of the body. They were few in number, but consider

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