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FAITH AND SCIENCE.

CLAD in a robe of azure hue,
Amid the countless globes of day,
Proud Science, radiant to the view,
Rang'd the wide spheres and solar way.'
Her temples wore a mystic wreath,
Yet half unknown to wond'ring man;
Sublime she ken'd the stars beneath,
Way'd her gemm'd wand, and thus
began :-

What Heav'n-born man, what angel
mind,

To these celestial heights can rise?
Or, borne upon the viewless wind,
Trace the vast wonders of the skies?
Thron'd on Day's cherub car I ride,
And govern with my sov'reign word
The rolling stars, with all their pride,
Night's royal Queen, Day's orient
Lord.

The moving plane's as they roll,-
Earth with its wond'rous frame is
mine; -

From sphere to sphere, from pole to pole,

I rule, I govern, all divine!

Who then among the sons of Heav'n,
Or Earth's vast myriads shall compare
With me, to whom that earth is given,
With me,
- the potent Queen of Air?"

The boaster spake;

when lo! there

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GREAT God! how awful is thy voice
When rolling thunders roar !
Thy lightnings flash a vivid flame: —
I tremble, yet adore!

Hark! what tremendous peals resound
Throughout the vault of Heav'n!
Sinners attend! no more deride,

But seek your sins forgiv'n!

That lightning's flash may strike thy head,

And stop thy mocking breath, With all thy guilt, and sins, and crimes, And crush the soul in death!

But lightnings far more fierce and strong,

Will one day burn this world; When God proclaims, that "Time's no more,'

And earth shall be dissolv'd!

Great God! how then shall I appear,
And stand before thy face?
I'll plead the Saviour's pard'ning love,
And trust his sov'reign grace!
J. W

Printed by G. AULD, Greville Street, London,

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EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.

OCTOBER, 1807.

MEMOIR
OF

THE LATE REV. JENKIN LEWIS,

OF LLANFYLLIN, MONTGOMERYSHIRE, NORTH WALES.

-

WE are exhorted "not to be slothful, but followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises." As men in general expect to have Heaven for their eternal home, it would be well for each to examine whether he has the faith, patience, and activity of those who now rest from their labour, and enjoy the promised inheritance. Christ is the only perfect pattern proposed for his people to imitate; but as the lives, labours, and sufferings of good men are recorded in Scripture, we may infer, that it is profitable for us to observe how they believed in and followed the great Captain of their salvation. This is so far from having any tendency to call our attention from the Christian's chief object, that it would make us look more steadfastly to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. And, are we not particularly to follow those whom we have known, with whom we have travelled and conversed,-who have left us behind, and whose course, from the beginning to the end, was such as to remove every doubt from our minds of their having entered into the joy of their Lord? - To those who were well acquainted with the subject of this Memoir, it may be confidently said, Such was our friend. It is the writer's firm opinion, that they never knew a Christian whose uniform conduct has left a deeper conviction in their hearts that he was an Israelite indeed, that he loved Christ, that he naturally cared for the spiritual welfare of his fellow-sinners, that he laboured faithfully and successfully for their good, - and that he finished his course with joy. Without any great advantage from earthly connections, an amiable natural temper, a bright genius, deep erudition, or charming eloquence, he shone. His excellencies were derived from a higher source: he was an eminent Christian; and greatly esteemed for what divine grace did in and by him.

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As he was certainly a burning and shining light in his contracted sphere, to make his character more generally known may be the means of stirring up some ministers to an imitation of 3 K

XV.

him; and of inducing many Christians to pray that God would send a greater number of such labourers into his vineyard.

Mr. Lewis was born in the year 1749, near Neath, Glamorganshire. He enjoyed the privilege of human learning, or of religious instructions, but in a very small degrce in his younger days.

Respecting his first religious impressions, I am not sufficiently informed to say any thing. It is certain that, previous to his becoming a student, he was a member of the congregational church under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Davies, of Alltwen; and remarkable for his integrity, his separating from all vain company, and his frequently retiring to secret places

to pray.

When his father died, his mother was left in embarrassed circumstances: this prevented his having the advantage of learning so early as he wished; for he thought it his duty to see all just debts paid, and the younger children provided for, before he followed his own inclinations. He manifested the same strict regard to honesty while he lived; for, though he never had but a very slender income, he took great care that his expences did not go beyond it. Being inclined to devote himself to the work of the ministry, he wished to have the advantage of spending some time in preparatory studies; but he was backward to me ntion it, until a venerable minister, the late Rev. Lewis Rees questioned him on the subject: then he told him his mind, and was encouraged to proceed. Application was made to the Congregational Fund-Board for his admission into their Academy at Abergavenny, then under the care of the Rev. Dr. Davies; and he entered on his studies in the year 1780. How little he then knew of the English language, he used often to prove by mentioning some common questions which the tutor asked him, and that he could not answer. His mind being in this state, as to human learning, when above thirty years of age, he must have laboured under great disadvantages; but, if men have a taste for learning, and can bear close application, they need not despair. This good man had not only a thirst after knowledge, bat a deep sense of duty to excite him to diligence. The writer became intimately acquainted with Mr. Lewis as soon as he came to Abergavenny; and there is reason to believe that a mutual attachment was then formed, which was never diminished to the day of his death. His diligent application to study was extraordinary; and, when desired to spare himself, he would say, "You know that if I do not strive, I shall get nothing.' He never was known to promote or enjoy any trifling conver sation, so that he lost no time in that way; and he seemed grudgingly to allow nature what was sufficient for sleep, and other refreshments. While awake, his eyes were seldom off his work, but when he retired to seek communion with God. He was not satisfied with spending a few minutes on his kuces at the

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