his parents. They trained up their sons at home in the knowledge of God, and in the practice of every religious and moral duty. At this time, George H. Forchemius presided over the Academy at Leipsick with the greatest ability and success. He was the instructer of Camerarius, Cruciger, and many others, who afterward became burning and shining lights in the Church, just emerging from the darkness of Papal superstition. To the tuition and care of this great and good man was committed the youthful prince, George Anhalt; and being blessed with uncommon abilities, and an insatiable love of knowledge, he made a rapid proficiency in the study of Grammar, Logic, and the fundamental principles of the Christian religion. Here also he acquired those peculiar habits of devotion, which never afterward forsook him.

By the advice of the venerable bishop of Merseberg, he applied himself, with great diligence and success, to the study of Jurisprudence. And in this he was assisted not only by able teachers, but by an early and an eminent love of truth, and abhorrence of falsehood. He used to say, that God requires us to resemble himself in truth, and that the arts of sophistry and falsehood are an insult on his perfections. Even at this early age, he often was heard to repeat the proverb of Solomon, that "lying lips do not become a prince." He therefore drank deep at the fountains of justice. After spending several years in the improvement of his mind, and entering upon his twenty-second year, he was no longer permitted to linger in the shades of the academy, but was called by Albert, the Elector of Mentz, and bishop of Magdeburg, to occupy a place among the counsellors of his court. Here he had an opportunity of enlarging and confirming his powers, by mingling in the deliberations of government, and discussing the practical principles of jurisprudence. And as he was endowed by nature with a pleasing eloquence, he was often urged by the Elector to argue causes which were proposed for deliberation, or submitted for judgment. At this time powerful contests were agitated in Germany, concerning the doctrines of the Gospel, and Tetzel, the Roman emissary,

who had dealt so largely and shamelessly in the sale of indulgences, and Eccius, and some others, provoked Luther, by their continual writings, and the menaces of the Vatican, to publish many things concerning the fundamental principles of the Christian system. Luther's writings on the difference between the Law and the Gospel, on evangélical repentance, grace, faith, prayer, the sacraments, and on the difference between divine and human laws, and on the ministry of the Gospel, and on political power, were in the hands of the learned and the unlearned. All began to feel the heavy yoke of monkish superstition, the inexplicable subtleties of the schools, and the want of a pure and a simple theology. The doctrines and the exertions of Luther, therefore, met with numerous patrons and advocates among the learned and pious, who hailed the dawn of evangelical truth with enthusiastic delight. But although Prince George read these writings, and desired to worship God in a conscientious and a spiritual manner, and assented to many sentiments on account of their piety, yet he was apprehensive, that through the inexperience of his youth, he might be led into error, and therefore he refrained from declaring an immediate and positive judgment on the subjects in dispute. But at the same time he besought God, by constant and fervent prayers, that his soul might be inclined to the truth; and often, weeping, he exclaimed, in the words of the Psalmist, "Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes." He read with great diligence and attention the prophetical and apostolical writings; and to these he added the history of the ancient Church, and the writings of Augustine, Jerome, and P. Longobard. In these labours, his old instructer, G. H. Forchemius, was his adviser and companion and because he desired to drink the revelation of God at its original fountain, he commenced the study of the Greek and Hebrew languages, and soon made such proficiency, especially in Hebrew, that he became equal to the most learned interpreters. At length; having for a long period weighed the sentiments of all, and judging the confession of the evangelical Churches to be con

formable to the doctrines of the ancient catholic Church of God, delivered in the writings of the prophets and apostles; although he anticipated hatred and dangers, he openly declared his attachment to the cause of the Reformed Churches. Withdrawing himself from the counsels and the communion of the enemies of that cause, of which he now became the avowed supporter, he gave himself wholly to reading and prayer, and sedulously assisted his noble brothers, with whom he ever lived on terms of the most endeared affection, in the labours of government. With the united counsel of his brothers, he rebuilt the churches in their dominions, appointed qualified pastors, commanded that the people should be faithfully instructed, abolished pernicious rites and customs, instituted schools, and established salaries. Thus a reformation was effected, without dissension or tumult; and by the counsels and examples of these pious princes, numbers were inclined to embrace the Gospel, and numbers were established in the truth. He afterward faithfully and usefully served his country in different parts of its government. At length he was called to the superintendence of the Churches in the diocese of Merseberg, A. D. 1545. It will perhaps gratify the curious and the pious if we present them with the testimonial of his ordination, written by Melancthon in the name of all the pastors of the neighbouring Churches.

"We render thanks to God, the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that in his inexhaustible goodness, even from the creation and restitution of the human race, he hath both instituted, and doth and will preserve, through all ages, even to the resurrection of the dead, the ministry of the Gospel; and that he always raises up faithful and able teachers, and has given his command to his Church to call proper ministers; and promises that through their word he will grant the forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit, life, and everlasting righteousness. And we beseech Him that he would not suffer the light of his Gospel to be extinguished, but that he would now also raise up champions and faithful guardians of the pure, saving, doctrine of the Gospel; and that even now he would, in these regions,

collect for himself a Church, by which he may be glorified through eternal ages. And whereas the most reverend and illustrious prince, Lord George, prince of Anhalt, Count of Ascania, and Lord of Bernberg, &c. superintendent of the Church of Magdeburg, has been regularly and piously called, to set forward and assist the ecclesiastical office in the diocese. of Merseberg, according to the ancient practice of the primitive Church, holy and learned men, who rule over the neighbouring Churches, and whose names are subscribed beneath, are assembled in the Church of Merseberg, that a public testimony of his ordination may be added to his call.

"We therefore, being thus convened, and knowing with certainty that this illustrious Prince George doth rightly understand, and constantly embrace, the pure doctrine of the Gospel which the Churches of these regions profess, with one voice, and one spirit, in unison with the catholic Church of God, and also knowing his excellent virtue and holiness, declare our testimony concerning him, by the apostolical rite, the imposition of hands. And since Paul commanded Titus, that he should ordain elders every where, to teach and rule the Churches, let this ORDAINED know what he is commanded by the apostolic voice in this office, that he is to ordain ministers for the instruction and the rule of the Church; and that he is to inspect their doctrines and conduct: and let him remember what was commanded him by the Son of God, “And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." And since the Son of God sits at the right hand of the eternal Father, that he may be powerful and successful in this ministry, we pray that he would direct and assist this ORDAINED in his whole government, as he hath promised, saying, "If any man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." And we exhort this ORDAINED to support himself by this consolation. For although many and great are the dangers in the government, and although no human wisdom is equal to so heavy a burthen, nevertheless let him know of a truth, that God is pre

sent, and dwells in his Church, wherever the word of the Gos→ pel sounds, and that it is defended and preserved of God. With this assurance the labours of so great an office are to be undertaken, and endured, and carried through.- -Given, the 3d day of August, A. D. 1545, in the city of Merseberg."

In this office he provided for the regular instruction of the people, and presided over the Churches of the whole region of Misnia; and this continued to be his course of life, until at last he was called to the communion of the Church in glory. He lived a single life, of unblemished purity. His bed-chamber was the temple; the portico, the senate. There he prayed, there he read, there he wrote, there he deliberated on the affairs of government; and, like Esdras, he served his country both in the robes of the priesthood, and in the counsels of the cabinet. He instructed and established multitudes by his discourses and his publications. He was never charged with an intentional injury. Many felt his private and his public benevolence. He was a promoter of peace among princes. The causes of controversy fled from his approach. He was abhorrent from all seditious, turbulent, and Alcibiadean counsels. He was the most perfect stranger to ambition. Anger, hatred, or revenge, never impelled him to the commission of injustice, nor the disturbance of the common tranquillity. With unequalled magnanimity, he sacrificed his resentments, together with their causes, on the altar of public peace; and other afflictions he bore with such moderation and evenness of mind as to evince that he was supported under them by calling upon God, and that he rested in God. As an experienced man, he knew the difference between human and divine consolations, and he often repeated these words, "Be submissive to God, and pray to him. The Lord is nigh those who are of a troubled spirit, and he will save the humble in soul." Studies, sorrows, assiduity in business, and prayer, rendered him dead to the pleasures of sense. Next to those consolations which meditation on the promises of God, and the exercises of devotion, brought to his heart, he used to say that he found no greater relief to