tired life than the one on which he had now entered, had it not been for the consideration that the public services in which he was so frequently called to engage, were evidently the means, under the blessing of God, of doing much good. With this consideration in view, he was willing to spend and to be spent in his Master's service; and thus employed, he often found that the duties of the ministry refreshed, instead of oppressing him.

sand persons, the foundation-stone of which was laid in the month of April 1811.

The congregation becoming anxious for Mr Spencer's ordination, he was, on the 27th of June, the same year, solemnly set apart to the work of the ministry by prayer, accompanied by the imposition of the hands of his brethren; and, on the first Sabbath of July following, he, for the first time, dispensed the symbols of his Saviour's dying love.

Newington Chapel, Liverpool, being destitute of a Every thing went on with the utmost prosperity in pastor, Mr Spencer was appointed to supply the vacancy the spiritual labours of this young and interesting workduring the midsummer vacation, in the year 1810. He man in the Lord's vineyard, and he diligently employed accordingly commenced his labours there about the end himself in the discharge of the multifarious duties which, of June, though his mind was much prejudiced against with all his youth and inexperience, were now devolved the place. Reports of his talents and popularity had upon him. His congregation regarded him with almost previously reached Liverpool, and he no sooner com. idolatrous affection, and while his soul was filled with menced preaching, than an impression was produced, intense desire to lead them to the Saviour, he was per which every additional sermon only tended to strength-mitted, with thankfulness, to see the pleasure of the en. The chapel became crowded to excess, a new Lord abundantly prospering in his hands. Never," life seemed to be infused into the congregation, and says Dr Raffles, was so short a ministry honoured by many, it is believed, were led to take up their cross and the conversion of so many souls.' follow the Saviour.

66

In the midst of all this usefulness, however, and with Not long after his return to Hoxton, he received a bright prospect of still more successful exertion stretchfrom this congregation a pressing and unanimous calling out before him, Mr Spencer's path was suddenly to be their minister, of which, his prejudice against the place being entirely removed, he saw it his duty to accept. At this time there were at least six other congregations anxious to enjoy his stated services.

As his attendance at the academy did not terminate till the end of January, it was arranged that the commencement of his labours at Liverpool should be deferred till that period. The interval, however, was not devoted to relaxation, for he not only persevered in attending to his classical studies, but preached regularly in London, and other places, twice or thrice every Sabbath, besides many week-day services. On the evening of Monday the 28th of January, he delivered his farewell sermon at Hoxton, and, in presence of an immense congregation, took an affectionate leave of his beloved friends, and of the tutors, students, and congregation.

He commenced his ministry at Liverpool, on the 3d of February 1811, having, but a few days previously, attained the twentieth year of his age. The sensation previously excited by his preaching was still more increased, and he quickly rose to a height of popularity which has not often been exceeded. He became the general talk of the town, and it was a matter of no small difficulty to gain admittance to the chapel, from the immense crowds that continued to flock to it. "Many, by no means anxious to conceal their opposition to his principles, were compelled to pay a just, though reluctant, tribute to the fascinations of his eloquence; and many, whom the fame of that eloquence brought beneath the sound of his voice, were savingly converted unto God."

Mr Spencer's appearance in the pulpit was particularly engaging. Possessed of a well formed and graceful figure, his fine countenance full of the bloom of youth, and with a rich and melodious voice, his affectionate appeals and unaffected eloquence, aided by appropriate action,-great fluency of language, and an animated and energetic manner, were every way calculated to excite the interest and command the attention of his audience. A gentleman of much critical skill, and whose taste in preaching it was difficult to please, remarked on one occasion, after hearing him, "I stood the whole services, and I could have stood till midnight. I felt as under the influence of a charm I could not resist, and was rivetted to the spot, intent only upon the fascinating object I saw before me.

It soon became necessary to provide a larger place of worship for those desirous of attending his ministry; and arrangements were accordingly made for the erection of a chapel, capable of accommodating two thou

overcast by the shadows of death, and, in the short space of five weeks after his ordination, his eyes were for ever closed on all earthly things.

On Sabbath the 4th of August, he rose in unused health and spirits, and preached twice from his own pulpit, besides dispensing the sacrament, which, it was remarked, he did in so solemn and affecting a manner, that every eye was fixed, and every heart seemed moved. A friend hinting to him afterwards, that he seemed to be very happy in prayer at the Lord's Supper, he re plied, "Oh yes! I thought I could bave prayed, and prayed, and mounted up to heaven." His sermon is the evening, the last he ever delivered, was addressed to a crowded congregation, hundreds having departed from the Church unable to gain admittance. It w characterised by unusual vigour and earnestness, and was instrumental in producing a "saving change" on many who heard it. He pointed out, to his youthful hearts in particular, the danger of delaying to a future period the consideration of their eternal interests, and solemnly assured them, that he would very soon be a swift w ness against them at the bar of God.

On the evening of the same day, he conducted the family devotions at the house of a friend. "At supper," says his biographer, "the conversation was re and spiritual; such as the book of remembrance in heave? preserves, such as will not easily be forgotten upon cart The subject was sudden death. The countenance Spencer, always animated, was lighted up with holy as he discoursed upon the glory of departed saints. He seemed to realize the scenes he attempted to descri whilst he expressed his own conceptions of the transpor and surprise in which the disembodied spirit will se lost, when first admitted to the immediate presence of God. He spoke much upon the blessedness of putt off the garments of mortality in a moment, and being caught up unexpectedly and instantaneously to b

ven!"

On the Monday morning he received a visit frem young person who had recently been admitted a member of the Church, to whom he gave some seasonable adve Immediately after this, he set out for the purpose of ing, which he had often found improved his health, invigorated him for study, intending on his retu compose a sermon to be preached in the ensuing ve on behalf of the Religious Tract Society in Lo for which purpose he had prepared and folds paper.

On reaching a retired part of the river, he used and entered the water. After swimming about fra short time within his depth, he appears to have ha

exhibits for a moment, while he is hastening to 'make them up amongst his jewels.'

"The writer of this deeply regrets his never having had an opportunity of witnessing his extraordinary powers; but, from all he has heard from the best judges, he can entertain no doubt, that his talents in the pulpit were unrivalled, and that, had his life been spared, he would, in all probability, have carried the art of preaching, if it may be so styled, to a greater perfection than it ever attained, at least in this kingdom. His eloquence appears to have been of the purest stamp, effective, not ostentatious, consisting less in the striking preponder ance of any one quality requisite to form a public speaker, than in an exquisite combination of them all; whence resulted an extraordinary power of impression, which was greatly aided by a natural and majestic elocution. To these eminent endowments, he added, from the unanimous testimony of those who knew him best, a hu

borne by the strength of the tide round a projecting rock situated in deep water. A person of the name of Potter, who was bathing at the same place, was also nearly carried off by the current, and with difficulty reached the shore. On looking about for Mr Spencer, he was alarmed at missing him. In a minute or two, however, he saw the top of his head floating on the water; on which he called out to him, and receiving no answer, immediately swam to his assistance; but before he could reach the spot, Mr Spencer had unfortunately sunk. An alarm was given as quickly as possible, and two boats having been obtained, every exertion was made to find the body, while, by the attention of several gentlemen of the faculty who had hastened to the place, suitable preparations were made for its reception. Fifty minutes, however, had elapsed before it was drawn from the water, and though every expedient that human skill could devise was for several hours attempted for its restoration, all proved unavailing; and the convic-mility and modesty, which, while they concealed a great tion at last forced itself on all present, that while the body lay before them in undisturbed serenity, the living spirit had for ever departed from it.

Thus were terminated the labours of Spencer, at a period in life when those of most other ministers are only about to commence. The tongue which but the preceding day had been so eloquent in its Redeemer's cause, was hushed in the silence of death; and he to whom so many had then listened with breathless delight, and to whose ministrations, in a more extended sphere, thousands were anxiously looking forward, was, in the bloom of youth, suddenly removed from the interesting work in which he was so ardently engaged. But the change, there is every reason to believe, was a happy one to him. We doubt not that, in the dark and trying hour of death, he felt the blessedness of trusting in Him who has said, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee;" and that his spirit, when emancipated from the ties which held it to the earth, winged its flight on high, to dwell for ever with its Saviour and its God.

The shock occasioned by this affecting dispensation of Providence was, as might have been expected, very great. Those of our readers who recollect the sensation which was created, more recently, by the muchlamented and equally sudden death of a very eminent servant of Christ in Edinburgh, can be at no loss to understand the deepness of the impression which Spencer's untimely end produced in Liverpool. The mournful event spread rapidly, and diffused a gloom over all parts of the city like that caused by some public calamity.

The funeral took place on Tuesday the 13th of August. All the streets through which it passed were densely crowded with spectators, and, amid a seriousness befitting the occasion, Mr Spencer's remains were borne along to the chapel, which had so recently been the scene of his youthful labours. After those present had engaged in appropriate exercises, the body was conveyed to its last resting place, and an impressive address was delivered at the grave by one of the ministers present.

We conclude this sketch of Mr Spencer's life with the following appropriate remarks by the late eloquent Rev. Robert Hall :- "The sensation excited by the sudden removal of that extraordinary young man, (Mr Spencer,) accompanied with such affecting circumstances, has not subsided, nor abated, as we are informed, much of its force. The event, which has drawn so great a degree of attention, has been well improved in several excellent discourses on the occasion. The unequalled admiration he excited while living, and the deep and universal concern expressed at his death, demonstrate him to have been no ordinary character, but one of those rare specimens of human nature, which the great Author of it produces at distant intervals, and

6

part of his excellencies, rendered them the more engaging and attractive. When we reflect on these circumstances, we need the less wonder at the passionate concern excited by his death. For it may truly be said of him, as of St. Stephen, that devout men made great lamentation over him.' May the impression produced by the event never be effaced! and, above all, may it have the effect of engaging such as are embarked in the Christian ministry, to work while it is called today!'"

ON THE THEOLOGY OF THE HEBREWS.
BY THE REV. ROBERT SIMPSON,

Minister of Kintore.

IT has often been alleged, and not altogether without reason, that the people of Israel were inferior, in point of literature and science, to many of the heathen nations of antiquity. For though, in the inspired writings of the Old Testament, we find numerous passages, which, in sublimity of thought, and in beauty of language, as well as force of expression, far transcend anything to be met with in pagan authors; yet, with all their grand and striking imagery, there is but little trace in the sacred books of the Hebrews, of the highly cultivated taste and well disciplined intellect, that mark the classical compositions of the Greeks and Romans. Neither is there to be found in the ancient Hebrew tongue so large a store of literary treasures as might have been expected from a nation that flourished through so long a series of ages.

It may be said, indeed, that any comparison between the learning of the chosen race, and that of western nations, is unfair and improper, inasmuch as the genius of the people and the structure of the language were alike different. Compared, however, with more kindred oriental models, it must still be admitted that it is in natural simplicity of style, and elevation of sentiment, rather than elaborate diction, or the mere graces of human eloquence, that the productions of the Hebrew muse, considered in a literary view, are entitled to a preference.

And while the fact now adverted to shewed a less ardent application to the study of letters, for their own sake, there is, moreover, an almost entire absence of every topic of a complex or abstruse nature from the sacred writings of the Israelites. The Chaldeans had attained considerable proficiency in the knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. The Egyptians were acquainted with many curious devices, unknown even in modern times. But though we may discover proofs in the construction and skilful decorations, first of the tabernacle, and afterwards of the temple, that the peculiar people were, to a certain extent at least, very early conversant with a few of the more ingenious and elegant arts, there is sufficient evidence at the same time to shew, that a practical, not to say a scientific, ac

quaintance with these was by no means an ordinary attainment. The simple character of their leading pursuits, and the discouragement given, for wise reasons, to foreign intercourse, all tended to impede the progress of mere secular refinement among the children of Israel. All these circumstances, therefore, being duly considered, it becomes a question, not of idle curiosity, but of the gravest importance, How came the Hebrews, amid so many obvious deficiences in other departments of knowledge, to be possessed of notions so enlightened and sublime concerning the nature of God? In that respect, and apparently in that only, were they superior -infinitely superior, to every other people. For while the most polished nations of ancient times entertained opinions in religion at once absurd and debasing, their views of divine things were enlarged and rational in the highest degree. They worshipped, as the God of their fathers, a Being invested with every attribute of perfection calculated to command the reverence, and engage the confiding love of his creatures. While all the kindreds of the human race besides, were bowing down to stocks and stones, and rendering acts of religious homage either to created objects, such as the sun and moon, or to the workmanship of their own hands, they adored and served the one living and true God, the Almighty creator and righteous governor of the universe. Their Jehovah was a pure spirit, whose holy presence pervades all creation, and whose gracious providence extends its care to the meanest of his works.

These statements, though founded chiefly on the testimony of the Old Testament Scriptures, are corroborated by many facts recorded in the pages of authentic history. It is said that the entire absence of every visible object of worship from the sacred rites of the Hebrews, led heathen writers to form strange conjectures concerning the tenets of their religion. Tacitus, in the account he gives of Pompey's profane intrusion into the temple at Jerusalem, certainly mentions, as something scarcely credible, that no statues nor images were found within its hallowed precincts. And the same historian states, that the Jews, in contrast to other nations, by an act of the mind only, that is, in a purely spiritual manner, recognised one supreme deity, eternal and immutable, and deemed it impious to worship any image of the heathen gods. He also relates, that they resisted the introduction of the statue of Caius Cæsar into the house of their God, at the peril of drawing down upon themselves the vengeance of that powerful and vindictive tyrant, till, by his death, the storm was averted. Any sentiments respecting the deity at all deserving of regard, ever known among the ancient heathens, were confined to a few men of deep research, and highly cultivated minds. The great body of the people were utterly incapable either of comprehending or appreciating them. And both the learned and the illiterate were practical idolaters. But how different was the state of things among the Israelites! The humblest peasant throughout their tribes worshipped, as the Lord his God, the self-existent, independent, unchangeable Jehovah, according to a system of ordinances pregnant with spiritual import, and rich in holy consolation. Surely the Hebrews must have derived their religious principles from a source to which they alone had then full access! Repeated communications from heaven must have kept alive among them, rude and uncultivated in various respects as they were, the knowledge of divine things, while the primeval light had been permitted to become more and more obscure in all the surrounding countries! For on what other supposition can we account for their immense and acknowledged superiority in matters of religion?

Their reply to Petronius, the emperor's agent, in the attempt to erect the statue, as related in his Antiquities, was truly noble. The subjoined translation of it is from the version of L'Estrange.

"We are not so mean, said they, as for the saving of a miserable temporary life to hazard the forfeiture of a blessed eternity, by prevaricating with the laws of God. No, no, Sir! let but our laws and our religion be safe, and what becomes of our carcasses and our fortunes we matter not. Our trust is in God; and in the assurance of his providence and protection, we are resolved to abide all hazards; whether we shall rather choose to incur a perpetual infamy by our cowardice, on the one hand, or the wrath of God by our disobedience, on the other, in short, whether we shall obey the voice of heaven, or the voice of Caius, and which of the two be you the judge."

"What!" says Petronius, “and will ye fight Cæsar then, hand over head, without so much as considering either his strength, or your own weakness?" They told Petronius," No; they did not propose to fight, but rather to die themselves than to sacrifice ther laws;" casting themselves down upon the ground, at the same time, as who should say, strike when you will, we are ready for you! They were at this pass," continues the historian, "for about forty days, without either ploughing or sowing, or attending to any office of husbandry, though the season of the year required it; for they were all unanimously agreed upon it, rather to die than to admit the statue.'

And the following anecdote, from a most respectable Jewish author, places the same subject in a new and i striking light.

"You teach," said the Emperor Trajan to Rabbi Joshuah, "that your God is everywhere, and boast that he resides amongst your nation. I should like to see him." "God's presence is indeed everywhere," replied Joshuah, "but he cannot be seen-no mortal eye can behold his glory." The emperor insisted. Well," said Joshuah," suppose we try to look first at one of his ambassadors ? The emperor consented. The rabbi took him into the open air at noon-day, and bid him look at the sun in its meridian splendour. "I cannot," said Trajan," the light dazzles me." "The art unable," said Joshuah, "to endure the light of c of his creatures, and canst thou expect to behold the resplendent glory of the Creator? Would not such a sight annihilate you?"

The preceding observations, and the facts upon whi they are grounded, suggest a few concluding remarks, by way of inference.

1. Granting, for the sake of argument, that the t of nature could have guided those, who had the rega site talents, and leisure, and strength of principle to follow it, to the knowledge of their Maker, and the obedience of his will, what was to become of the titudes that in every age are obviously destitute of these qualifications? Yet religion, in order to be of any moral or practical benefit, must be brought do to the understanding, as it is necessary to the ha ness, not to say the salvation of every class and order of mankind.

2. The experiment, so to speak, was fully made whether the world, by wisdom, could know God, ?? rather, whether mankind, fallen and depraved, withstand a strong tendency to forget him; and the sult shewed the indispensable necessity of a divine velation. For successful as natural reason was is on other branch of inquiry, its unaided votaries, which r fessing themselves to be wise, in reference to s things became fools, and changed the glory of the corruptible Godhead into an image made like **

The narrative of Josephus, in reference to an incident already alluded to, conveys a very favourable im-ruptible man, or even the inferior creatures. pression of the Jewish character, as to the point in question, even in comparatively degenerate times.

Hebrew Tales, selected and translated from the writings of the ancent Hebrew Sages, by Hyman Hurwitz.

3. But though revealed religion, in its earlier form, | did flourish for a time, apart from any high degree of secular learning and refinement, for the purpose, perhaps, of shewing that it stood not in man's wisdom, there is nothing in it necessarily hostile to the cultivation of human science, but the contrary. And to prove that such is eminently the case under the more perfect yet congenial dispensation of Christianity, we have only to appeal to the history of all modern improvements, and the comparative state of civilization in the countries that enjoy the pure and benign light of the Gospel.

THE HORRORS OF A GUILTY CONSCIENCE
EXEMPLIFIED.

BY THOMAS BROWN, ESQ.,

Author of the " Reminiscences of an Old Traveller.” THE subject of the following memoir I had known intimately for some years, during my residence at one of the continental capitals. I forbear mentioning his name, out of respect for his descendants, some of whom may still be alive; for, at the period of the catastrophe I am about to describe, he left three or four children, all under ten years of age.

This gentleman, after travelling over a great part of Europe, including the whole of Scotland, made his appearance at the capital in question; was an accomplished linguist, of elegant manners, and had all the exterior qualifications necessary for making a conspicuous figure in the best society. He was pleased to profess a great regard for me, and this was not confined to words; for after his marriage to a most amiable and estimable lady, who honoured me with her friendship, I was constantly a guest at his table, and a visitor at his house, which was furnished and kept up in a style of the greatest splendour, denoting, to all outward appearance, the head of the establishment to be a man of much wealth and affluence. Taking a lounge one summer forenoon in a very retired part of one of the public gardens, where I neither expected nor wished for intrusion of any kind, he suddenly appeared before me, with two of his children, almost infants, his face beaming with satisfaction and joy, and I naturally came to the conclusion that he enjoyed as much happiness as ever fell to the lot of a mortal. He seemed pleased at my thus unexpectedly meeting him, that I might be convinced he had no cares, no anxieties to ruffle or impede the course he was pursuing; the most experienced physiognomist, the most able practitioner in the commerce of life, could come to no other conclusion than that this man drew his happiness from a pure and untarnished source; at least, I confess, this was my impression from the moment I made his acquaintance till the day of his death.

In the summer season he lived in the country, about ten miles from the capital, where he had a magnificent establishment. One day he invited several of his friends to dinner, every luxury was laid before them, which wealth could procure, and no man ever did the honours of his table in a better style, or with more apparent happiness and joy to himself, than he did on this occasion. Little did his guests imagine what was passing in his mind at the moment. During the dessert he rose from the table, opened a door, and entered a small room behind his chair. There, he had, unknown to every one, prepared the deadly draught, he swallowed the poisoned chalice to the dregs, and rejoined the company, saying to his wife, on his re-appearance, see that there is nothing wanting at your end of the table. In about ten minutes more he desired her to order the carriage, adding, that he must return to town immediately, and that he did not find himself very well; of course, the whole company dispersed, ignorant, at the time, of what had been going on behind the scenes.

This wretched man reached his town residence, and

survived the effects of the poison twenty-four hours.
A constitution naturally strong, and which had never
been impaired by the vice of intemperance in drinking,
(for he tasted nothing but water,) resisted for so long a
time the dreadful means taken to destroy it; no antidote
availed any thing, and he fell, at last, a melancholy
spectacle of human depravity, a memorable warning and
example to his contemporaries and to mankind, of a life
passed in thoughtlessness and guilt, and closed by an
act of self-destruction, in defiance of the laws of his
Creator. A friend of his and mine was at his bed-side
nearly the whole of the time he survived the effects of
dreadful interval between life and eternity.
the poison, who afterwards gave me an account of this

Unprepared for the great change, the self-murderer then, and not till then, began to think of another world. Stretched out on his death-bed, writhing under bodily suffering, and the pangs of remorse for the act he had committed, the scene had very nearly deprived of reason the only spectator of his awful end. At last the vital spark fled, and he was a corpse.

On looking into his affairs, it was discovered that every vestige of furniture, or property of any description, belonged to his creditors, and his family, long accustomed to all the indulgences and luxuries of high life, were left totally destitute. The whole of his life, from beginning to end, had been a system of deception, a studied scheme of artifice, guided by a heart the most depraved. His highly cultivated talents, instead of being useful to himself and to society, were prostituted to the vilest ends. He had managed, from his outset in life, to impose upon the credulity and good nature of mankind, by manners the most insinuating, by conversation the most instructive, by professions apparently the most sincere, and drew them into the vortex of his boundless hospitality, by his never ceasing civilities and attentions. All this was reared on a baseless foundation. A few short years were spent in seeming happiness. They ended in infamy, disgrace, and dishonour. The mask dropped from the impostor and discovered him in his native deformity; his memory was held in detestation by his contemporaries, and his conduct through life became the subject of scorn and execration to all who put a just value on virtue and goodness. Let the young of both sexes, those who are just entering on the threshold of the world, ponder well on the parts they are imperatively called upon to act in it. Let them reflect on the awful scene now described; on the dreadful consequences which, sooner or later, attend a life of immorality and crime. Let them profit by the picture of real life which has been laid before them, and learn early to shun the very semblance of iniquity of every kind, and to try, with all care, while they have a part to act in this world, to steer clear of the rocks and shoals to which we are all of us exposed in our progress towards another, where the weary pilgrim rests from his labours, and the good of all ages enter upon the enjoyment of their everlasting reward.

From the account of the depraved character I have been exhibiting, we are naturally led to consider the different positions which bad men, and those of an opposite description, hold in society, and the consequences which result to them from the parts they have acted on the stage of the world.

In the foregoing instance, we see a man living upon the fruits of the industry of others, imposing upon them by a false exterior, wallowing in wealth not his own, retiring to rest every night, without apparently the least shadow of remorse for robbing the labouring artisan of his honest and well earned competence, and reducing, perhaps, hundreds of well-doing families to want, wretchedness, and misery. Where is the pleasure to be found? What gratification can be expected from a life spent in this manner? The dishonourable, the unjust, and the prodigal, know that a period must