conscience. They look upon such earnest and repeated supplications as manifesting a want of reverence, or a want of faith. They remind us of the short and simple, but sublime form which was prescribed by our Lord; all repetitions they think are vain, and they say that we shall not be heard for our much speaking. It must be obvious, however, to every one who will consult it, that the words of our Lord in the passage referred to are inapplicable to the cases which we are considering. Besides, we know that our Saviour spent whole nights in prayer. In the garden, he offered the same prayer three several times, and we are told that then he prayed more earnestly. When we consider, therefore, the example of our Lord himself -when we consider the natural effect of honest and ardent desire upon the frequency and fervour of our prayers and when we think of the encouragement held out to us in Scripture, to pray always and not to faint to ask, to seek, to knock-to watch unto prayer with all perseverance, it cannot be believed that importunate and prolonged prayer is to be condemned as a sin, or pitied as a weakness. On the contrary, if, when we are unusually tried, or when our soul has relapsed into a state of worldliness and sin, we are not stirred up to more earnest and persevering supplication, then we evince an indifference to our spiritual welfare, which is itself a sin, and which will soon manifest itself to be the source or root of many sins.

There are other seasons friendly to prayer which the pious mind will gladly embrace. The retirement of the closet-the day of sacred rest-the solitary walk-the sleepless night-these are seasons peculiarly appropriate to prayer, and these presenting themselves frequently, afford us many opportunities of drawing near to God.

prayer. Not that this duty is to take the place of all other duties. We are not to abandon the world and retire to the seclusion of a cloister, in order to fulfil the commands which we have now quoted. It is, in fact, one great end of prayer to enable us to fulfil all duties, and to glorify God in the sphere which has been assigned to us. On the other hand, the discharge of other duties must not supersede, or interfere with the discharge of this duty. Whatever may be the nature of our worldly calling, however lawful, and however laborious may be the exertions which it requires of us, and whatever be the cares and anxieties which it naturally costs us, we are not to be considered as exempted from yielding obedience to the requirement, that wa should pray always, and not faint. It is not necessary, it is not possible, it is not desirable, that we should be always engaged in actual prayer; but we must have such an abiding sense of our dependence upon God-such a constant reference to him as the Father of Mercies, and the Ruler of the universe, and such a habitual application to him, and such a continual waiting upon him for mercy to pardon, for wisdom to direct, and for grace to help us, that it will be impossible to characterise us otherwise than by saying, that we pray without ceasing. If at every moment we are dependent upon the bounty of God-if every blessing we enjoy cometh down from him-if prayer is an appointed means for obtaining the blessings that we need-if it is not sufficient to sum up all our supplications in one brief and comprehensive petition-if it becomes us to pray for specific and individual blessings, and if there is not an hour of our lives when some particular mercies are not especially required, then it is obvious that no limits should be set to the frequency of our supplications. If it becomes us to receive every blessing as from our heavenly Father's hand, seeing that we are indebted for them to him, then it is fit that we should wait upon him, in the attitude of humble and helpless supplicants for them all. It is in this way, and not simply

But it is not enough to observe the stated and occasional seasons of prayer to which we have referred. We are commanded to "pray without ceasing;" and there are similar injunctions in other parts of the Word of God. Our Lord spoke a parable to this end, "that men ought always to pray and not to faint." "Watch, there-by stated and occasional prayers, that a sense of fore," said he, at another time, "and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." We are commanded by the apostle to continue instant in prayer," " to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and to watch thereunto with all perseverance;" to "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" and again, not to multiply quotations, we are commanded to "be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication to let our requests be made known unto God." From these passages it appears that habitual prayerfulness of mind is required of us. It is necessary, not only, that we should scrupulously and regularly observe certain stated seasons for prayer, and that occasionally, and as our circumstances require, we should be more frequent and earnest at a Throne of Grace, but we must also maintain habitually the temper and spirit of

our dependence will be most effectually maintained, and the riches of God's unwearied benevolence, and the minuteness and tenderness of his paternal care will be most fully appreciated. It is in this way, therefore, that we will be best enabled to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, and to render to him the honour which is due unto his name. The feelings of reverence, and gratitude, and love, and humility, and confident hope, which are called into exercise during the prescribed and periodical seasons of prayer, will thus be maintained throughout life, and the homage which we pay to him will be a perpetual incense. It might also be shewn that prayer is indeed the breath of the Christian's life, and that in order to our continuance and advancement therein, it is essential for us to pray without ceasing.

It may be objected, however, that the maintenance of such a prayerful frame as the Scriptures inculcate,

unguarded words would be repressed before they had obtained an utterance! What an improvement of our time would be made,-what activity and diligence in the discharge of every duty would be exhibited,-with what patience and meek resignation would we submit to every trial,-what nearness to God would be enjoyed,-what fortitude would a sense of his presence inspire,-what an unspeakable happiness would be imparted to the soul! Sin would become exceeding sinful in our eyes, we would grow in a sense of the preciousness of Christ; an elevation of mind would uniformly characterize us, an aspect of sacredness would be imparted to every action which we perform, and God would be all in all.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE REV. HENRY MARTYN, B. D.

will operate injuriously as a constraint upon the mind. It would be a sufficient answer to this objection to observe, that unremitting prayer is enjoined by God, and is essential to our own spiritual welfare. In reality, however, the objection has no foundation in truth. We deny not, that to the ungodly man, habitual prayer would be a constraint, but it is our duty "whatsoever we do to do all to the glory of God;" and if it is our permanent and prevailing desire to glorify God in all that we do, then there is nothing that will more easily and naturally fall in with the general tenor of our thoughts, or contribute more to preserve them in a right direction, than a spirit of sustained prayerfulness. On this subject we might refer to the experience of the people of God; and the testimony they would bear is this, that prayer has often been the means of delivering their minds from constraint, and that never have their thoughts IN our last number, we called the attention of our been more clear, and their minds more active and more under command, than when they were in the most devotional frame. It may be objected by others, that the duty of habitual prayerfulness is impracticable. To perform this duty perfectly may indeed be impracticable while we remain upon earth, but the same objection may be urged in reference to every duty. The mere hopelessness, then, of rendering a faultless obedience to this command, is no reason for refusing to aim at the highest attainable perfection; besides, it is believed that habitual prayerfulness is much less impracticable than is sometimes supposed. The mind is unspeakably active, our thoughts succeed each other with incredible rapidity, and the mechanic in his workshop, and the merchant amidst the hurry of the crowded and busy market-place, may lift up their hearts in secret prayer, and even the student, without sensibly interrupting his train of thought, may ask the guidance of the Spirit of God. And further, when we consider, how many foolish, and useless, and sinful thoughts are entertained by us daily, and which might well be dispensed with, it must be acknowledged, that without being hindered in the discharge of any other duty, abundant scope and opportunity are afforded to us to pray without ceasing.

readers to the brief but interesting career of a faithful messenger of the Lord Jesus, and in doing so, we felt ourselves irresistibly reminded of one who, kindred in name as in spirit, was honoured to be a successful labourer in the Lord's vineyard, not amid the comforts and encouragements of home, but under the unhealthy climate, and amid the darkness and superstition of Eastern countries. If, in the general characteristics of their minds, there was a considerable resemblance between the late pastor of St George's Parish, and the distinguished individual whose life we are about to sketch, in the events of their history they differed widely-so widely, as to present a sufficient variety of incident, amid the obvious similarity in point of disposition and feeling.

Henry Martyn was born at Truro, in the county of Cornwall, on the 18th of February 1781. His father had originally followed the humble occupation of a miner, but by diligent attention to the acquisition of knowledge, he rose from a state of poverty and depres sion to one of comparative ease and comfort, having been adinitted as chief clerk to a merchant in Truro.

Henry's education was commenced at the grammar school of the town, and his progress appears to have been satisfactory both to his master and his parents. His dispositions at this early period of his life are represented to have been of a very amiable cast, tender and affectionate, mild and pliant.

After having remained at school till he was between fourteen and fifteen years of age, he was induced to become a candidate for a vacant scholarship at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. In the competition, howThe blessings bestowed directly in answer to ever, he was unsuccessful, and in after life he adverted our prayers, and their importance to our spiritual to his disappointment as having originated in the wise welfare, will not be known until "the day shall arrangements of his heavenly Father, who had therereveal it." They will, in some degree, indeed be by altered the whole aspect of his future history. After this repulse, Henry returned home, and continued manifest in this world, in our victory over sin, at school some time longer. At length he entered St in our growing likeness to Christ, in our inward John's College, Cambridge, where he studied with the peace and joy. And of this every believer may rest utmost ardour and perseverance. Providentially for assured, that none of his prayers, however short, his spiritual improvement, he had the privilege of the conor however imperfect, are unheard or unheeded inversation and company of a religious friend at College, heaven. Besides, how many, and how important are the indirect advantages which would result from the maintenance of a devotional spirit. If we were to pray without ceasing, what a change would be wrought upon our heart and life! How many vain and frivolous thoughts would be expelled from the mind! How many desires would be crucified, which now are entertained! How many

besides enjoying the tender counsels and admonitions of

a sister in Cornwall, who was a Christian of a meek, heavenly, and affectionate spirit. To the latter, particularly, he was indebted for much instruction in that knowledge which alone, by the blessing of the Spirit, "maketh wise unto salvation." In speaking of her frequent conversations with him on spiritual matters, he thus expresses himself:-" I went home this summer, and was frequently addressed by my dear sister on the subject of religion; but the sound of the Gos

apostolic exertions excited in the mind of the youthful Martyn a strong desire to imitate his example. At length, after serious consideration of the subject in all its bearings, and earnest prayer to the Almighty for his direction, he offered himself as a Missionary to the Church Missionary Society, then called the Society for Missions to Africa and the East. His feelings at this important crisis in his history may be drawn from the following letter, addressed at the time to his youngest sister:

pel conveyed in the admonition of a sister, was grating | and labours of David Brainerd, whose ardent piety and to my ears." The first result of her tender exhortations and earnest endeavours was very discouraging; a violent conflict took place in her brother's mind, between his conviction of the truth of what she urged and his love of the world; and for the present, the latter prevailed: yet sisters, similarly circumstanced, may learn from this case not merely their duty, but from the final result, the success they may anticipate from the faithful discharge of it." I think," he observes, when afterwards reviewing this period with a spirit truly broken and contrite, "I do not remember a time in which the wickedness of my heart rose to a greater height, than during my stay at home. The consummate selfishness and exquisite irritability of my mind were displayed in rage, malice, and envy, in pride and vain glory, and contempt of all; in the harshest language to my sister, and even to my father, if he happened to differ from my mind and will; O what an example of patience and mildness was he! I love to think of his excellent qualities, and it is frequently the anguish of my heart, that I ever could be base and wicked enough to pain him by the slightest neglect. O my God and Father, why is not my heart doubly agonized at the remembrance of all my great transgressions against Thee ever since I have known Thee as such! I left my sister and father in October, and him I saw no more. I promised my sister that I would read the Bible for myself, but on being settled at college, Newton engaged all my thoughts.'

Henry's residence at College for more than two years, was productive of much improvement in scientific knowledge, but he still remained ignorant of those truths which are infinitely superior in value to all the learning of the schools. At length, however, in the providence of God, his mind became deeply impressed with a sense of the importance of Religion. The event which seems to have been instrumental in arousing him from his melancholy indifference on this vitally important subject, was his father's death. It was very pleasing to his sister to perceive from his letters, that a decided change had taken place in his views and feelings in regard to divine things. He still continued to exert himself with as much ardour as ever in his studies at college, but the spirit from which he acted was essentially different. He no longer counted secular knowledge the only, or even the chief object of pursuit; and though at the early age of twenty, he succeeded in carrying off the highest academical honours, his reflection on the occasion shews the moderate view which he took of all earthly blessings: "I obtained my highest wishes," he said, "but was surprised to find I had grasped a shadow." And yet, with such subdued feelings, he did not relax in his perseverance to attain an acquaintance with the most important departments of human learn. ing; nay, so great was his diligence, that by his fellowstudents he was designated "the man who had not lost an hour." Christians have the strongest of all motives to be industrious; time acquires with them a peculiar value, as hurrying them onward to that solemn hour when we must each one of us give an account of himself to God."

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After having made a short visit to his friends in Cornwall, Henry returned again to Cambridge, where he studied so assiduously, that in a short sime he obtained a fellowship in St John's College. Shortly before this he had become personally acquainted with the Rev. Mr Simeon, to whose pious and affectionate instructions he, in common with multitudes, felt that he owed much. It was in consequence of a remark made by this honoured servant of Christ, in reference to the benefit which had accrued from the labours of Dr Carey in India, that Martyn was first led to think of dedicating himself to the Missionary cause. This resolution was soon after confirmed by reading the life

"I received your letter yesterday, and thank God for the concern you manifest for my spiritual welfare. 0 that we may love each other more and more in the Lord! The passages you bring from the Word of God were appropriate to my case, particularly those from the first Epistle of St Peter, and that to the Ephesians, though I do not seem to have given you a right view of my state. The dejection I sometimes labour under seems not to arise from doubts of my acceptance with God, though it tends to produce them; nor from desponding views of my own backwardness in the divine life for I am more prone to self-dependence and conceit, but from the prospect of the difficulties I have to encounter in the whole of my future life. The thought that I must be unceasingly employed in the same kind of work amongst poor ignorant people, is what my proud spirit revolts at. To be obliged to submit to a thousand uncomfortable things that must happen to me, whether as a minister or a missionary, is what the flesh cannot endure. At these times I feel neither love to God nor man; and, in proportion as these graces of the Spirit languish, my besetting sins-pride, and discontent, and unwillingness for every duty, make me miserable. You will best enter into my views by considering those texts which serve to recal me to a right aspect of things. have not that coldness in prayer you would expect, but generally find myself strengthened in faith and humility and love after it; but the impression is so short. I am at this time enabled to give myself, body, soul, and spirit, to God, and perceive it to be my most reasonable service. How it may be when the trial comes, I know not, yet I will trust and not be afraid. In order to do his will cheerfully, I want love for the souls of men to suffer it-I want humility-let these be the subjects of your supplications for me. I am thankful to God that you are so free from anxiety and care: we cannot but with praise acknowledge his goodness. What does it signify whether we be rich or poor, if we are sons of God? How unconscious are they of their real greatness, and will be so till they find themselves in glory! When we contemplate our everlasting inheritance, it seems too good to be true; yet it is no more than is due to the blood of God manifest in the flesh."

In the following year, Mr Martyn received ordination to the office of the holy ministry, and commenced the exercise of his pastoral functions as curate of Mr Simeon in the church of the Holy Trinity in Cambridge, undertaking likewise the charge of the parish of Solworth, a small village at no great distance from the University. At this place, in the very outset of his ministry, an incident occurred which seems to have made a deep impres sion upon his mind :-" An old man, who had been one of his auditors, walked by the side of his horse for a considerable time, warning him to reflect, that if any souls perished through his neglect, their blood would be required at his hand. He exhorted him to shew his hearers that they were perishing sinners; to be much engaged in secret prayer; and to labour after an entire departure from himself to Christ. From what he said on the last head,' observes Mr Martyn, it was clear that I had but little experience; but I lifted my heart afterwards to the Lord, that I might be fully instructed in righteousness.' So meekly and thankfully did this young minister listen to the affectionate counsel of an old disciple,”

In the early part of the year 1804, Mr Martyn's prospects of going abroad as a missionary were apparently in danger of being frustrated, in consequence of the unThis was to his expected loss of his little patrimony. mind the more distressing, as it rendered his younger sister entirely dependant upon him; and he could not bear the thought of leaving her in actual distress when he himself, by remaining in England, might alleviate or remove it. In these circumstances, he resolved to consult some of his friends, and set out for that purpose to London. Exertions were in consequence made to procure for him a chaplainship to the East India Company, but in vain, and he returned to resume his ministerial labours at Cambridge, resigned to the will of God, and ambitious only to discharge present duty with fidelity, "casting all his care" upon the Lord, knowing well that "He cared for him."

A view of his indefatigable labours at this time may be given in the words of his biographer: — " In the interval which passed between the months of February | and June, he was found earnestly labouring in the service of his divine Master. He preached animating and awakening discourses: he excited societies of private Christians to watch, quit themselves as men, and be strong: he visited many of the poor, the afflicted, and the dying he warned numbers of the careless and prodizate,—in a word, he did the work of an Evangelist. Often did he redeem time from study, from recreation, and from the intercourse of friends, that, like his Redeemer, he might enter the abodes of misery, either to arcuse the unthinking slumberer, or to administer consolation to the dejected penitent. Many an hour did he pass in an hospital or an alms-house; and often, after a day of labour and fatigue, when wearied almost to an extremity of endurance, he would read and pray with the servant who had the care of his rooms, thus making it his meat and drink, his rest as well as his labour, to do the will of his heavenly Father, in conformity to the example of Christ:

His care was fixed

To fill his odorous lamp with deeds of light,
And hope that reaps not shame.

tion of my call as at present, as far as respects the in-
ward impression. Never did I see so much the exceed-
ing excellency and glory and sweetness of the work, nor
had so much the favourable testimony of my own con-
science, nor perceived so plainly the smile of God.
am constrained to say, what am I, or what is my father's
house, that I should be made willing,-what am I that
I should be so happy, so honoured?" In his Journal,
likewise, he expresses himself to the same effect: "I felt
more persuaded of my call than ever; there was scarcely
the shadow of a doubt left : rejoice, O my soul, thou
shalt be the servant of God in this life and in the next,
for all the boundless ages of eternity."
The circumstances attendant on his departure arc
thus stated by his biographer:

"On the 8th of July, Mr Martyn left London for Portsmouth; and such was the acuteness of his feelings during this journey, that he fainted, and fell into a convulsion fit at the inn where he slept on the road, a painful intimation to those friends who were with him of the poignancy of that grief which he endeavoured as The next much as possible to repress and conceal. morning, however, he was sufficiently recovered to proceed, and was much refreshed in his spirits at the sight of many of his brethren at Portsmouth, who had come, (several from a considerable distance,) that they migh affectionately accompany him to the ship. Among these was one whose presence afforded him an unexpected To be obliged to give up all hopes of your happiness. accompanying me to Portsmouth,' he had written a short time before to Mr Simeon, is a greater disappointment than I can well describe. Having been led to expect it, I seem to experience a painful privation. However, you will not now have the pain of observing in your brother a conversation and spirit unsuitable to the important work on which he is going. Yet this I believe, that though I have little affection towards heavenly things, I have less towards every thing earthly.' From Mr Simeon he learnt, to his exceeding comfort, that his flock at Cambridge intended on the day of his departure, as far as it could be ascertained, to give themselves up to fasting and prayer; and at his hands he received, with peculiar gratification, a silver compass, sent by them as a memorial of their unfeigned affection."

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And in setting sail, he thus describes his feelings in a letter to Mr Simeon :- ، It was a very painful moment to me when I awoke in the morning after you left us, and found the fleet actually sailing down the Channel. Though it was what I had anxiously been looking forward to so long, yet the consideration of being parted for ever from my friends almost overcame me. My feelings were those of a man who should suddenly be told, that every friend he had in the world was dead. It was only by prayer for them that I could be comforted; and this was indeed a refreshment to my soul, because, by meeting them at the throne of grace, I seemed again to be in their society."

In a short time, the prospect seemed to open up to him of obtaining what had been the anxious wish of his friends, a chaplainship in the service of the East India Company. Fully encouraged to expect that he would not in this case be disappointed, he set out for Cornwall on a visit to his friends. While there, he frequently preached, and both his sisters heard him, the youngest with delight, and the eldest with every appearance of being seriously impressed. "I found," said he, referring to the latter," that she had been deeply affected, and from her conversation I received great satisfaction. In the evening I walked by the water-side till late, having my heart full of praise to God for having given me such hopes of my sisters." At length, after having withstood the most earnest entreaties of his friends to remain in England, he began to make preparations for finally leaving his native shore. To one possessed of such tender sensibilities as Henry Martyn, it was a trial of extreme severity to bid a long, and, in all probability, a last farewell to his country and his friends. But on this, as indeed on every former occasion in his history, he felt that the principles and motives of Christianity are sufficient to triumph over the strongest feelings and the tenderest affections of the human heart. Some months, however, elapsed between the last visit which "January 30.-Rose at five, and began to ascend be paid to his friends and his final departure from England. This intervening period he spent in his mi- Table Mountain at six with S** and M nisterial labours at Cambridge. At length the hour went on chiefly alone. I thought of the Christian life— arrived when he was summoned to embark for India. what uphill work it is-and yet there are streams flowHis feelings on this occasion he thus describes in a lettering down from the top, just as there was water coming to his favourite sister, who could so well sympathize with him in all his spiritual anxieties:-~

" I rejoice to say, that I never had so clear a convic

Unexpectedly, the vessel was forced to put back to Falmouth, where Mr Martyn had an opportunity of spending three weeks with his friends, after which he again embarked, and in a short time the shores of EngDuring the voyage, land disappeared from his view. he spent his time partly in study, and partly in labouring to promote the spiritual interests both of the sailors and of the soldiers on board ship. On reaching the Cape, the following beautiful passage occurs in his Journal :

..

I

down by the Kloof, by which we ascended. Towards the top it was very steep, but the hope of being soon at the summit encouraged me to ascend very lightly. As