knowledge of the truth. certain order, and the most necessary truths must be sought first. If we occupy ourselves with that which does not immediately concern us, to the neglect of that which does, who can calculate the consequences? Let us first satisfy those inquiries which most solemnly claim our attention, and proceeding in this narrow path we shall in due time be led into all truth."-Have we not here an explanation of a class of recent facts which have perplexed many persons ? A considerable number of intelligent and even learned men have migrated from their intellectual territory-some to popery, others to scepticism. We cannot help asking how is this? And what explanation so natural or so satisfactory can be supplied, as that here set forth? The object with which a man comes to the study of the Bible generally determines what he shall find there. The feelings are a lens through which moral truth is viewed, and as is its purity so will be the value or worthlessness of the impressions produced. Vast and weighty was the instruction conveyed in our Lord's reply to the inquiry of His disciples: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." As it is not philosophy that the Bible teaches, it is not for philosophers, as such, it is written. It demands a child-like teachableness of all to whom it reveals its treasures. A difficult requirement ! Need we wonder it should be mistrusted, misinterpreted, rejected? Human nature is the same now as in the days of the Apostles, and they tell us that Christianity was "to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness." Here is ample encouragement for the docile inquirer: "If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God." And here is solemn warning for

The truth must be sought in a

And

ÆTAT. 23] HE RENOUNCES CALVINISM.

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those who receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved: "God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie."

"My views of things have undergone an entire change since I came here. I shall go back into Yorkshire a very different man. I am thankful to Him who has led me by a way I have not known; and though far from satisfied, I am conscious that I am much nearer truth than I was some months ago; and I am not without hope, that ere long, she will rise with her full-orbed and cloudless lustre upon my poor soul, wearied with a long night of error, doubt, and uncertainty. And of this I dare rest assured, that if I do but know and believe the truth upon those momentous matters which belong to God's glory and man's welfare, my abode on earth, be it long or short, will not be without some profit to the world. Every day let me rise more and more above its vanities, and preserve only so much sympathy with its affairs as will help me to lead it to its highest good."-The change here spoken of relates to certain points in theology. A prayerful and protracted inquiry issued in the conviction that the views of John Wesley were more scriptural than those of John Calvin. He knew well that he should incur the displeasure of some of his friends by avowing this change, and that a new and perhaps gloomy complexion would be given to his outer life, should he be spared. Conscious however of the purity of his motives, and strong in his convictions, he confidently committed the issue to God. The interest excited, and the good effected, by his preaching, induced the trustees, though regretting this change, to desire a continuance of his services, to which he readily consented.

The following remarks are miscellaneous :—

"We are apt to look for the sources of evil in outward objects, whereas they are generally within. If we take

1

cold we blame the air, when the real cause is often a bad state of the body. If we are unhappy, we blame the persons and things around us, tho' the real cause is a discontented heart."

"Persons undergoing a process of moral renovation must often change their sentiments on important subjects."

"It is not well to generalize before gaining acquaintance with a great number of facts. Hence the folly of attempting to teach grammar before there is any acquaintance with the language."

"Evening readings in families may be a great source of enjoyment and benefit. They have not only an immediate influence upon the different members during the time of reading, but must be felt in all their intercourse with each other. Their thoughts will be directed into the same channel, and moulded into a similar form. The enjoyment of friendship arises from the interchange of ideas upon subjects with which friends are mutually acquainted, and the more these subjects can be multiplied the greater is the attraction between mind and mind. How far more delightful is such a scene than the gloomy stillness or the noisy scandal and impertinent chatter which pervade many firesides."

"The hypothetical mode of reasoning is like trying a number of keys to open a lock. The inductive mode is like forming a key from the lock itself. The former may be right, the latter must.'

"The Spirit wanted facts, grand illustrations of truth. The work of Christ supplied them. He now wants not the means of drawing sinners to God."

"Our temporal wants increase in proportion to the care and labour we spend in supplying them."

CHAPTER XII.

AT KIRKBY-STEPHEN. The inestimable worth of loveAffecting view of sin-The importance of frankness -John Wesley -William Carvosso-The power of faith-Condition of Ministerial success-Hemorrhage-Ambition deplored-Gratitude— Latent strength possessed by all-The energy of sacred truthJoins the Wesleyans-On an ornate-style for the pulpit-Returns home-Death.

THE manifest increase of Mr. Hessel's spirituality during the last twelve months of his life, affords his friends unutterable solace and delight. An interesting youth, whose emaciated frame and pallid face and bright but sunken eyes too plainly indicate that consumption has secured a fatal grasp, is an affecting spectacle. But the sadness is unutterably deepened when the victim is unwilling to believe the fact, and is revolving projects that relate only to his own aggrandizement. To pious friends such a spectacle is piercing. The emotions experienced by Mr. Hessel's friends were the opposite of these. It was painful to witness his body daily wasting, and his vigorous intellect becoming gradually shorn of strength, but it was joyous to witness the progressive maturity of the spirit in wisdom and holiness. So visibly was the grain ripening for the heavenly garner that it formed a frequent topic of conversation among his friends. On Oct. 6th he writes: glorious light of the sun breaks into my little parlour through the foliage which overhangs my window. May the Sun of Righteousness break through the tangled boughs of worldliness and unbelief which overhang the entrance of my heart. Nothing in the universe is of any value but love. It is every thing. It contains all good. If I only love nothing has power to hurt me. may experience are supplied by love.

The

Whatever wants I It plants a power in

the soul next to almighty. If I only love, it matters little how much I am hated or despised, for Christ says 'If any man love me he shall be loved of my Father, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.'”—Beautiful sentiments for a wasting man to utter! many a reader will probably exclaim. But are they not important sentiments for a vigorous man to cherish? Is it true that "nothing in the universe is of any value but love?" It is. What can I carry into Eternity but the thoughts and feelings with which my mind and heart are stored? My knowledge, experiences, purposes, and mental and moral habits, I cannot leave behind. But what will all else avail if I have not love? That is not simply the grand qualification for admission to the place we designate heaven, it constitutes its blessedness. God can impart nothing to His most honoured saints so valuable as love. He has in fact no higher blessedness for Himself. Every saint in heaven will be rich or poor just as he possesses much or little love. And is it not so now? Do wealth, social status, or the applause of man make me truly enviable? These are contingent benefits. They may prove an evil instead of a good. Possessed of any or all of these I may be discontented and unhappy. But let love fill and rule my heart, and "I have learnt" one of the most difficult lessons God is desiring to teach me, "in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content." I can bear disappointment, provocation, reproach, contempt, and pain. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Truly, therefore, of all possessions love is the most valuable. What consummate folly therefore are they perpetrating who eagerly pursue other things and neglect this! Reader! act thou more wisely!

"From love we fell. Love only can restore
The glorious image which at first we wore;

And bring earth's wanderers to their home above

In God's similitude; for God is Love."