strongest terms, the happiness they enjoyed when sur rounding the family altar during their days of darkness. "The foregoing general statements might be sufficient to prove the benefit which the insane derive from religious exercises, but a more minute account may perhaps be desired of a field but lately opened through Christian benevolence. To gratify such a wish, the following facts may be stated, illustrative of the conduct of the insane in the chapel, and of the effects produced upon them by the worship of God.

"On one occasion, in the middle of the sermon, a man subject to epilepsy, sunk to the ground in frightful convulsions. If any fear was entertained lest others might have been excited by the distressing spectacle, it was but for a moment; two of his companions, both in general restless and troublesome, voluntarily went to the assistance of the superintendent, and removed the unhappy man. Whenever the door was closed, the rest prepared again to listen with unshaken composure.

"At another time, the boys belonging to the Charity Workhouse, who lead the singing, stopped short in the first line of the Psalm; when one of the most hopeless of the patients immediately raised the tune, discharging in the most becoming manner the duties of the precentor; and, it ought to be added, evidently much to the satisfaction of the congregation. The man in early life had been a precentor, but his conduct on this occasion was so unlike his general behaviour, that it might have caused astonishment, had not instances of equal composure been witnessed every day. Patients, who, during the week, never remain in one position, or even quiet for five minutes at a time, from morning till evening, join, when their Bibles are placed in their hands, in the services of the Sabbath, with a steadiness and reverence, that, but for their appearance and conduct on other occasions, might well cause doubts of their actual insanity to be entertained. "Two sisters were regularly present at worship; the one was intelligent, but easily, or rather at all times excited; the other was a poor hopeless idiot, conscious of little more than mere existence. The attention of the former to the latter, during sermon, was truly affecting; she watched every movement of her countenance, seemng to live for her alone. When any remark was made pleasing to her own mind, if a momentary smile met her inquiring look, she had her reward; the hope of better days visited her; and anxious that others should participate in her joy, her helpless relative was repeatedly led by the hand, at the close of the service, to the She is much chaplain's desk, with the observations, better to-day. Do you not think she is more animated? She understood what you were saying. I hope she will soon be well-as for myself, I am merely stopping here

on her account.

Shortly after the introduction of divine service, one of the managers, who had been repeatedly present at worship on Sabbath, in order to ascertain how far it was possible to secure the attention of the insane to a lengthened address, privately desired a very restless patient to write an account of the next sermon. Upon receiving the paper, the chaplain was not a little surprised to find that no part of his discourse had escaped the notice of his watchful auditor, whose critique was in every respect most minute.

"About two years ago, a patient expressed himself pleased with the view which had been taken of a text, principally on account of the effect which he hoped it would produce upon one whom he described as being in a state of despair. The chaplain, it need scarcely be said, lost no time in conversing with the unhappy man in presence of the friendly maniac, who listened with the deepest interest to every remark, and endeavoured, in the most affectionate manner, to remove the load that pressed upon the troubled mind. The object of his care was soothed, and, it is pleasing to add, finally left the asylum, the child of better hopes.

"Another patient who was visited by severe bodily disease, as well as mental derangement, seemed to be happy only when engaged in the service of God. While strength remained, he was never absent from the chapel, and even after having been confined to bed during the week, the arms of his brethren in affliction supported him to the place where prayer was wont to be made. When that was found impracticable, the accents of praise, and words of resignation on the bed of death, proclaimed the presence of hope blooming full of immortality.

"On another occasion, after divine service, the chaplain was requested to visit an aged woman, one of his hearers, who had been an inmate of the asylum for the lengthen ed term of twenty years. Her case had been a bad one. On the bed of death, however, she was restored to the full possession of reason. After joyfully welcoming her visitor, she expressed in the most grateful terms ber happiness on account of the change that had taken place in the house. Formerly,' said she, the Sabbath was the same as any other day, the joyful message of salva tion never reached us; now we have the Word preached every Sabbath, and even on the bed of sickness I can hear the glad tidings of peace.' (Her apartment was separated from the chapel merely by a thin wooden partition.) This interesting individual lived for nearly three weeks after the interview just described. To the close of life she manifested the patience and holy con fidence of the dying Christian. Only once her mind appeared to be a little disturbed, whether in consequence of a well-known prejudice, or on account of the peculiar character of the house, the writer of this article does not know, as, without asking any questions, he endea voured to banish the painful feeling. The circumstance alluded to was this: Her situation seemed to cause her some uneasiness, for she expressed a regret that the soul was leaving the body in a state of confinement. In a moment, however, she recovered her composure, and exclaimed, how can I complain who have been a great sinner, when I think of the sufferings of my sinless Re

deemer.'

"The last case which will be mentioned, is that of a converted Jew.

"The expression of this man's countenance indicated perpetual grief. His was indeed a broken and, to all appearance, a contrite spirit. During divine service, his weeping eyes were constantly fixed upon the preacher, not a word seemed to escape him. When the words were those of comfort, or declaratory of God's goodness, and of the Saviour's love to fallen man, a smile of delight proved the grateful feelings of his beart. When any allusion was made, either in the address or prayer, to those from whom he had separated himself, the tear, the uplifted countenance and folded hands, testified bow much he loved his brethren, his kinsmen, according to the flesh, and how strong his desire was that Israel might be saved. To the last, the same affecting tenderness was displayed, until death relieved the broken

hearted sufferer.

SACRED POETRY.

IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE.

METHINKS it is good to be here,
If thou wilt, let us build-but for whom?

Nor Elias, nor Moses appear,

But the shadows of eve that encompass the gloom,
The abode of the dead, and the place of the tomb.

Shall we build to Ambition? Ah! no;
Affrighted he shrinketh away;

For see! they would pin him below

To a small narrow cave, and begirt with cold clay,
To the meanest of reptiles a peer and a prey.

To Beauty? Ah! no; she forgets
The charms which she wielded before:

Nor knows the foul worm that he frets
The skin which, but yesterday, fools could adore,
For the smoothness it held, or the tint which it wore.
Shall we build to the purple of Pride,
The trappings which dizen the proud?
Alas! they are all laid aside,

And here's neither dress nor adornment allowed,
But the long winding sheet and the fringe of the shroud.

To Riches? Alas! 'tis in vain,
Who hid in their turns have been hid;

The treasures are squander'd again;
And here in the grave are all metals forbid,
But the tinsel that shone on the dark coffin lid.
To the Pleasures which mirth can afford,
The revel, the laugh, and the jeer?

Ah! here is a plentiful board,

But the guests are all mute as their pitiful cheer,
And none but the worm is a reveller here.

Shall we build to Affection and Love?
Ah! no; they have wither'd and died,

Or fled with the spirit above,

Friends, brothers, and sisters, are laid side by side,
Yet none have saluted, and none have replied.

Unto Sorrow? The dead cannot grieve;
Not a sob, not a sigh meets mine ear,

Which compassion itself could relieve;

Ah! sweetly they slumber, nor hope, love, or fear,
Peace, peace is the watchword, the only one here.

Unto Death, to whom monarchs must bow?
Ah! no; for his empire is known,

And here there are trophies enow;
Beneath the cold dead, and around the dark stone,
Are the signs of a sceptre that none may disown.

The first tabernacle to Hope we will build,
And look for the sleepers around us to rise;

The second to Faith, which ensures it fulfill'd; And the third to the Lamb of the great sacrifice, Who bequeath'd us them both when He rose to the skies. KNOWLES.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Reluctant Confession of an Infidel. It is stated, in the "Life of Dr Beattie," by Sir W. Forbes, that Mr Hume was one day boasting to Dr Gregory, that, among his disciples in Edinburgh, he had the honour to reckon many of the fair sex. "Now tell me," said the doctor, whether, if you had a wife or daughter, you would wish them to be your disciples? Think well before you answer me; for I assure you, that whatever your answer is, I will not conceal it.' Mr Hume, with a smile, and some hesitation, made this reply: "No; I believe scepticism may be too sturdy a virtue for a woman."

A South Sea Islander.-Mr Nott, a missionary in the South Sea Islands, having read on one occasion the third chapter of the Gospel by John to a number of the natives, some of them appeared deeply impressed. When he had finished the 16th verse, one of them, much af fected, interrupted him, asking, "What words were those you read? what sounds were those I heard? Let me hear those words again." Mr Nott again read the verse, "God so loved," &c., when the poor pagan rose from his seat and said, "Is that true? can that be true? God love the world, when the world not love him! God so loved the world, as to give his Son to die! that man might not die! can that be true?" Mr Nott read the verse again, told him it was true, and that it was the message God had sent to them, and that whosoever believeth in him, would not perish, but be happy after death. The overwhelming feelings of the wondering pagan were too powerful for expression or for restraint. At length he burst into tears; and as these rolled down his dark visage, he withdrew, to meditate in private on the amazing love of God, which had that day touched his soul; and there was every reason to believe, that he was afterwards raised to share the joys of divine peace, the fruit of the love of God shed abroad in his heart.

A Rabbi. When the late Rev. Claudius Buchanan was travelling in India, he obtained from the Jews in the interior of that country a very singular copy of the translation of the New Testament into Hebrew, made in the sixteenth century. The translator was a learned Rabbi, and the translation is, in general, faithful. The design of the translator was to make an accurate version of the New Testament, for the express purpose of confuting it, and of repelling the arguments of his neigh bours, the Syrian, or St. Thomé, Christians. But behold the providence of God! the translator became himself a convert to Christianity: his own work subdued his unbelief; and he lived and died in the faith of Christ. This manuscript is now in the public library at Cambridge.

Princess Anne. When the Princess Anne, daughter of Charles the First, who died the 8th of December, 16-10, lay upon her death-bed, and nature was almost spent, she was requested by one of her attendants to pray: she said that she was not able to say her long prayer, meaning the Lord's Prayer, but she would say her short one, "Lighten mine eyes, O Lord, that I sleep not the sleep of death." The little creature had no sooner pronounced these words, than she expired: she was not quite four years of age.

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VOL. I. No. 16.

ON THE ADVANTAGES TO BE DERIVED BY THE
CHRISTIAN FROM THE STUDY OF
NATURAL SCIENCE.

BY THE REV. JAMES BRODIE,
Minister of Monimail.

Ir is generally allowed in the present day, that
the advancement of education is the best means
of promoting the happiness of man. The public
attention is turned to the erection of schools and
other seminaries of learning; the labours of the
ingenious are employed in facilitating the acquisi-
tion of knowledge, and the resources of wealth
and influence are engaged in promoting the in-
struction of the young and of the labouring classes
of society. And the mind must be dark, that does
not approve of the object proposed; and the heart
must be hard, that does not wish it success.
While, however, all unite with Solomon in say-
ing "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get
wisdom;" very
different opinions are entertained
with respect to the kind of knowledge that should
be disseminated. Some earnestly urge the esta-
blishment of schools in which the various branches
of human learning may be taught, while religious
education is excluded from their scheme. Others
are zealous for the diffusion of Gospel truth, who
look with suspicion on human learning, and regard
the study, more especially, of natural science with

distrust.

The study of science, that is, the examination of the works of nature, is one of the most delightful employments that can engage our attention. There are in it subjects suited to every peculiarity of intellect ; facts, for the observer to discover, and general laws, for the philosopher to elucidate. It lifts the soul above the grovelling pleasures of sense, by giving a taste for higher enjoyments. It expands, refines, and elevates the mind.

It is true, that when improperly engaged in, the pursuit will not prove beneficial. If knowledge puff up instead of edifying, then the study of

PRICE 1d.

science will be injurious, and the study of Scripture may prove a curse. If we examine the wonders of the material universe while we continue unmindful of Him who made them, our reasonings may lead to infidelity or deism; but if we are careful to trace the hand of God in all his works, we will rise from the examination of the creature, filled with admiration of the great Creator. When we look up unto the heavens, and consider the moon and the stars, which God hath ordained, we will, like David, exclaim, "How excellent is thy name in all the earth!" and, "What is man that thou art mindful of him!" When, in conformity to our Saviour's counsel, we "behold the lilies of the field, how they grow," and "consider the fowls of the air, how they are fed," by them we will be taught the workings of providence, and learn to trust in our heavenly Father's care.

But while the acquisition of useful knowledge is thus beneficial, an acquaintance with the Bible is better far. In it we have subjects more varied, more delightful, more exalted; subjects suited to the weakest powers, yet more than sufficient to exercise the mightiest mind. A knowledge of Gospel truth raises the heart from earth to heaven, and extends the view from time to eternity. The Scriptures alone, point out the path of duty and the way to peace. They only exhibit Jehovah as he is. The character of God is but dimly shewn in the works of nature, while all the brightness of the divine perfections is manifest in the work of Christ. "By the Church is made known" even "to principalities and powers the manifold wisdom of God." He who reads the Word of the Lord in humble dependance on the blessing of the Spirit, is thus enabled to know Him,-is necessarily led to love and adore Him, and is prepared for seeing Him face to face, and for being made like Him in the world to come. The time will arrive when human learning shall prove utterly vain, when science shall vanish, and the very elements about which it is conversant shall melt in the flame; but, amid the wreck of worlds, the Word of God shall remain unchanged, and its followers unmoved.

If the advantages resulting from the study of science be contrasted with those that are derived from a kuowledge of the Bible, we cannot, for a