gulated by sound reflection in him, more than in any person of his age whom the writer ever knew. His attention was not likely to be distracted by a variety or vicissitude of objects; for it was uniformly directed to those on which the primary duty of his station fixed his choice and even his intense application to these did not render him forgetful that an occasional change of air, of scene, and employment, was indispensable to his ultimate success. The hope, therefore, seemed not unreasonable that he might long have persevered, constantly have advanced, and signally have excelled, in the career of virtue and of praise which he had commenced.

But whatever might have resulted from his longer continu-. ance in life, the manner in which his short portion of it was spent, and that in which it was terminated, call us forcibly to the most serious reflection. Can we imagine that such a course would have been so cut off, if the Almighty Disposer of all events had not designed it for our instruction? When shall we be prepared to hearken to divine admonition, if not on such an occasion as this? Let us then, in our general circumstances, as readers of this Magazine, and in our particular cases, consider whether we ought not to lay to heart this solemn event.

We have seen that the prime years of Mr. Parken's life were devoted to the establishment of the Eclectic Review. What can be more reasonable than to reflect, Was this, or was it not, an object worthy of the intense application which he gave to it? If the vindication of evangelical truth and piety, from the charges of ignorance and folly, with which it had commonly been aspersed,-if the recovery of science and literature from a monstrous league with infidelity and licentiousness, were objects worthy of important sacrifices, then the life of Parken was well employed, even though its termination might be hastened in such a cause ;-but if so, are we guiltless in the matter? Have we, according to our ability and opportunity, co-operated in so good a work? or have we aggravated its burdens, and diminished (if not frustrated) its success, by a criminal inattention to its support? In the warfare which the Eclectic Review has had to sustain, there can be no neutrals. They who have done nothing to promote its circulation, have been against it. Happily, there is yet room for repentance; and we shall rejoice to discover fruits that are worthy of it: but unless Christians pay attention, in this respect, to their obvious duty, literature must inevitably and finally be surrendered to the enemies of Christ.

The genius which Parken manifested, is a rare endowment; and more desirable, perhaps, for the benefit of others than that of its possessors. His literary attainments are beyond the reach of many; but his industry, his stedfastness, his persevering ardour in the path marked out for him by divine Provi

dence, are capable and worthy of imitation by all. These were the qualities on which his usefulness and eminence were founded. For want of these, such abilities as he possessed have oftener been pernicious than beneficial both to their owners and to others. These qualities, at his time of life, are at once peculiarly important, and deplorably unfrequent. Let our youthful readers, therefore, especially those who aspire to similar acquisitions, learn, from so edifying an example, to guard against an impatience, a volatility and fickleness, natural to their years, but often fatal to their present and their eternal welfare. To all, the subject of this memoir, though dead, most impressively speaks, in the language of one whom long experience had taught,- What thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work or device, no wis dom or knowledge in the grave, whither thou goest.'

THE UTILITY OF SERIOUS REFLECTION.

IMAGINATION sometimes colours the page of Scripture with forced illustrations; and when its descriptive scenes are contemplated in a peculiar state of mind, and the fancy exercises its excursive powers, the tints thrown upon it are ra ther rainbow-hues, reflected and vivid, than clear rays, luminous and distinct. Argumentative theology and soothing devotion are adapted for different hours, distinct perceptions, and varied characters; yet, like the infinitely diversified works of nature, each may maintain its station without interrupting. the harmony and order of the whole. As we peruse the his tory of Moses when he led his flock through the desert, and 'came to the Mount of God and beheld the bush burning with fire but not consumed,'- is it to be considered simply as the record of a fact? a delineation of his peculiar circumstances? or may we venture to seek for spiritual improvement? The Spirit of the Lord, in the dispensation of his providence, often leads his people in a similar course; they wander in the wilder ness in a solitary way, they feel the desert weary their feet and famish their souls; they are arrested by many sights astonishing to the eye of sense, and hence are allured to observation, and prepared for greater discoveries of infinite and eternal importance. The church of God, displayed by the figurative emblem of a bush burning, but not consumed, was the attractive exhibition which induced Moses to say, 'I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not consumed.' We view this as an instructive example. In whatever station divine Providence places us, we are in a state of occupation; and though our employment may be comparatively mean and subordinate, the constitution of our

bodies, the interest of our family, the cares and pursuits of life, constitute a flock, numerous as that which Moses guided. Religion, the religion of the gospel, is a system contrary to nature, confounding to reason, destructive to pride, adverse to worldly pursuits, and frequently exhibits its gracious manifestations with a wonderful mixture of ordinary inferior incidents, and striking accompaniments. A bush must have been a common object to Moses in the desert; a burning bush, no extraordinary phenomenon; a bush burning but not consumed, rendered it marvelious: yet, had he carelessly led on his flock, he would probably have left the bush to bura, concluding, as a matter of course, that it would be consumed; but he turned aside' to see, to reflect, to watch, to enquire why it burned and was not consumed; and during this suspension of active duty and solemn attention, God met him.

Christian, examine your experience: have you ever turned aside to watch and admire the exhibition of a Saviour's love? have you ever detained your soul in a posture of attention, waiting for manifestations of omnipotent grace? have you ever solicited notice in the audience-chamber of Deity, and listened to hear him address thee. The messages of divine mercy must be individually directed and applied: religion must be a personal principle. The Spirit of God, though universal in his office, is particular in his agency, as every creature whilst subjected to general instincts and general laws, possesses within itself a world of combinations, feelings, and sensations with which no other of its species interferes. So every believer must subject the world of his own mind to the control of God's law; and whilst he is included in the church as the purehase of the Redeemer's blood, his individual soul must be cleansed and purified in the Fountain opened for sin and ununcleanness.' It is important to distinguish between national and personal religion. As a member of the church militant, the Christian enjoys what is called 'the common salvation, the privileges, ordinances, and immunities of his profession; but as he remains individual in his trials, duties, and responsibilities, as he is born alone, lives with indefinable peculiarity, and dies in his own person, it is necessary that he turn aside from the mass, to see the great sight' exhibited in the Scrip tures, why the bush (an emblematical representation of the church and the believer) burns and is not consumed.

To exemplify the similitude beheld by Moses, would demand a review of historical facts, which are familiar to all who study the Bible, and are acquainted with the trials to which the church is exposed. But general ideas are important when put into competition with self-application: -That the Majesty of Heaven is always glorified in his works, as well as shewing forth his glory, is an eternal truth. In the natural world, his sun shines upon the "evil and the good;' his rain

refreshes the wilderness, where no man inhabits.' In the world of grace his Gospel is published, whether the people will hear or whether they will forbear; but when we read that the Secret of the Lord is with them that fear him;' and to those characters he shews his love most: that his works are great, yet passed by unobserved by some, whilst by others. they are sought out, we derive encouragement to turn aside and see this great sight.' The expression implies, that Moses left his flock, and put his soul in a posture of attention and careful observation. How important it is to the private Christian to assort his time with economy, that he may be enabled to hold converse with the Father of Spirits and live! to arrange the duties of his station with a view to gain leisure for spiritual improvement, and to lay aside every weight, and the sin which easily besets him,' when he directs his mind to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of salvation! From the allurements of pleasure, and the baser fascinations of a vain world, we hope all are disposed to turn aside,' when they assort with the Lord's people, and profess to love a preached gospel; but, alas! these are visible dangers, which, like naked Tocks to the navigator, are easily eluded, which are traced in his chart, or distinguished by buoys and light-houses. The Christian's entanglements are hidden; they exist in the crevices of his heart, in the recesses of self-love, in social ties, in closet-duties, in public ordinances; they are chaced from practice, but take covert in principle, and escape correction, though they retain the power to poison the felicities of devotion, and damp the pleasures of holiness. It is no easy duty to command the soul to wait only upon God; to turn aside from human prejudices, and read the Scriptures with a child-like humble spirit, to view self in the microscopic glass of God's law, and behold the Saviour as the altogether lovely,' until fervent faith pants after the appropriation of God's promises, upon his own terms, and for his own glory. Through what a series of painful exercises did Job travel ere he could say, Now mine eye seeth Thee; wherefore I abhor myself. Not the admiration of God in his moral government, nor his wisdom in creative skill, could effect this self-abasement; nor is it reasonable to suppose the believer can command it in the hurry of a life encumbered with cares, or agitated by anxieties, unless he resolves with Moses to leave his flock and turn aside.-The publicity of religious exercises in the present day, renders the necessity of personal holiness and retireBent peculiarly useful: religious parties and religious conversation, and even divine worship in the sanctuary, may be transformed into a species of dissipation. The skill to arbitrate between distinctions in doctrine, essentially differs from lowli ness of mind: the power to lead, from the grace to pursue, We observe, Moses was in a desert, abstracted from human

society, and only guarding Jethro's flock, when he thought it wise to turn aside.. How much more should' we invite reflection, who live in a day of luxury and refinement, perplexed by fictitious wants, and scarcely finding a place wherein to humble the soul, which is not furnished with variety to attract the senses, and allure us to the world.

It appears familiar to the natural understanding to decide why so few excel in science; the present time is the age of Wisdom made easy;' it is adapted to the ornament rather than the stability of the character. We grasp after variety, and, like covetous gleaners, gather straws when we should select grain. Knowledge is not studied in its elements; we act before we reflect, and exercise our craft before we secure a capital to carry it on. Religion has taken the prevailing infection: we profess before we experience, and decide from feeling an impression, rather than from investigation and patient research; and hence arises the defalcation so disgraceful and so frequent.-Alas! Sin mingles with our highest privileges; and whilst many are attracted by the public exhibition of the gospel, as its effects are discoverable in our national character, our extensive charities, our Missionary and Bible Societies, they neglect to regulate the internal economy, to subjugate, to obey!-We feed upon entertainment, and reject discipline; we admit our memory to be laden, but suffer our judgment to remain uncultivated.

We yield our unfeigned commendation to the labours of ministerial exertion, and can say,How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who publish peace!" but we would guard the Christian from supposing the fascinations of public worship are a substitute for secret and private devotion. The religious character must be formed by discipline, examination, self-denial, and meditation; nor is it a mere play upon words to assert,―That the grandeur, the sublimity, the mercy of a covenant of grace is the most important and attractive exhibition the soul of man can turn aside and see.' M. G.

Gloucestershire.

ON MARRIAGE.

Madam,

Letter from the Rev. Mr. Newton to Miss

I HAVE just received yours of Saturday; and lest I should keep you in suspense, I oblige myself to acknowledge it immediately, though I was upon the point of going out; for I am never sure of finding a leisure half hour.

Though I am now old, I once was young. I can feel the difficulty of the case you propose; and it gives me some pain