tion might be the means of his whole family being saved; that he might meet them in heaven. The tender manner in which he talked to his wife, was very affecting. On some of his former companions coming into the house, he wished they might see the necessity of turning to God in their health; telling them he was not talking more than he really felt. "I now feel all I say, (hé remarked ;) I am not deranged nor in any way insensible. I remember a short time ago saying-if the Bible be true, there is nothing but hell-fire for me.-But now I know it is true-I have felt its truths on my mind. Nothing but the Holy Spirit of God could have wrought this change in me. Without comment, any one may be able to understand, if they will diligently and seriously search the Bible, that there is no other way to heaven, but by the atonement of Christ. How could I have got to heaven by any thing I have done or can do!"

He had often wondered, since he has been laid on that bed, how any one could think of standing before a Being who knew the very thoughts of the heart, with nothing but his own deeds to save him. He said, that he had often heard his companions and many people say, that all the Orthodox preachers' doctrine was so dark and mysterious, it only drove people to despair. He wondered at their false assertions, as nothing else seemed so encouraging and clear-all might understand, however ignorant.

This day I found him happy. On entering the room he was by himself. His wife went in with me; he turned himself towards us with tears in his eyes, and said; "I have had another visit from my dear Saviour." He appeared to be growing weaker in body, but happier in mind. Several religious friends of different denominations attended him today, for which he seemed glad. He often expressed his astonishment that they all agreed in their language respecting salvation. He had always thought that there were so many different opinions, it was impossible to know who was right; but now he sa all that had visited him agreed in the grand point; and he wanted to know nothing of their little differHe related his experience in a manner that delighted them; and wished that his conversion could have been printed for the benefit of poor sinners. He thanked God that he had never for a moment lost the use o his reason. He was very happy all this day. On every visit, he hoped his case would be a warning to those who slight the Bible.

ences.

He appeared to be feeling that peace of mind which the world could never give: his pain of body, with a violent cough, seemed almost insupportable. He asked me how he could tell when all his passions and ill-tempers were done away, as he had nothing particular to try them with. His cough was very severe, with extreme pain of body; but he said he felt quite resigned and patient, willing to suffer either long or short, as it pleased God. I earnestly entreated im not to throw away his confidence; when he remarked, that he did retain confidence of being accepted of God through the blood of Christ.

On the afternoon of the same day, he told me the enemy of souls had been permitted to harass him greatly; and that he had had a "proper infidel struggle." His former sins, he said, came, as it were, behind his back, and whispered to him. He still kept praying that the Lord would deliver him from these thoughts.

I read a great deal to him both out of the Scriptures and Friendly Visitor; of such as just described his state. He still talks very much about those people that deride and scoff at the plan of salvation, so clearly revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and frequently prays to God to open their eyes.

He still continues to get worse, and is often harassed by the thought of his former sins. After struggling in prayer to-day, he cried; "Oh what a blessed Saviour! what comfort he bestows in the midst of trouble and pain !"

I never saw a man suffer such extreme pain; but he is as patient as a lamb. He says the pain often hinders him from thinking as he ought; "but, (he added,) I always pray to the Lord to give me patience." His wife said she had asked him, when by themselves, if he thought he should get to heaven; and that he had answered; "Yes, I sincerely believe I shall." The same night, though suffering a great deal, he had told her it was a glorious night; that he felt more love for his Saviour than ever. "I have had (he remarked) faith and a good hope before; but never so much love."

He is still resigned; and says, the nearer he comes to death, the happier he gets. On one occasion, he said to me; "Oh! how wonderful it is, the nearer I come to death, the happier I am." He tells his wife, when he feels any extreme pain, and thinks he is going to die, that he is filled with such love, it is unspeakable.

I had not visited him for several days, being very ill myself. When I went, I found him much weaker, but very happy. "There would soon (he said) be a happy change." His wife said he had been very restless all day. She asked him if he was worse; he said he should not be long here, and wished for some one to pray. I read some Psalms, prayed with him, and then left him.

His sister came for me about twelve o'clock, telling me he was near his latter end. When I went, I found him very ill indeed. He spoke of his feelings, as being just the same as though he was in boiling hot lead; and his restless agony was indescribable: so that his pillow, bed, and hair were as if he had been in the river. I remained with him all the afternoon he prayed much and was very patient. He turned his eyes towards me once, and said; "hell-fire cannot be worse than this; only this is time, and that eternity."

A little before he died, he cried out; "seek the Lord whilst he may be found;" adding, "had I not sought him before this day, I must have been lost for ever." His pain was so great he cou d scarcely think of any thing. He had continually to be lifted up, and he imagined that his skin was coming off. About ten minutes before he died, he had some ease. I frequently asked him if he were happy: he answered, "Yes."

When about to expire, he called for his wife; she came and took him in her arms. He held his hand out to me. I took hold of it-it was cold as death. His speech had nearly left him: I asked him if he were happy; he whispered, "yes"-and expired.

CHO LERA MORBUS AT ASTRACHAN IN RUSSIA,

EXTRACTED CHIEFLY FROM LETTERS WRITTEN BY THE
REV. WILLIAM GLEN.

I. In the beginning of August 1830, it was reported that the cholera morbus had made its appearance in the suburbs. Immediately the authorities met, and held a consultation as to the best means to prevent its entrance into the city, or, if it came, what should be done to stop its ravages.

Papers were printed and circulated among the inhabitants, informing them of the names and residence of all the physicians; shewing them at the same time what precautions ought to be used, and what might be considered symptoms of the disease. If any poor people were attacked by it, who had not servants to send for a doctor, they were requested to inform the watchmen, who stand

night and day at the watchhouses, and who had received orders to report such cases to the medical attendants. Indeed, every thing was done that promptitude, vigilance, energy, and medical skill could perform; but, alas, it was unavailing-the disease soon entered the city; and it came upon us like a mountain torrent, bearing every thing before it. The shock which it gave the inhabitants was dreadful.

II. About the sixth day of the disease, it entered the mission house. I was transcribing a letter when my wife came into my study, and informed me that Mr. Becker, our excellent young German friend, was attacked. He had been with me just before, conversing about a sermon of Dr. Stennett's, which had afforded him peculiar delight; and he took the book with him to translate the sermon into the German language, hoping that other poor sinners might derive as much advantage from it as he had done. But, ah; in a moment he was laid on the bed of suffering, and all his labours were at an end. I went down stairs to see him, and found him convulsed in a most alarming manner. His groans and screams pierced my heart; but his agonies were quickly over-in a few hours after he expired. Dear young man! he was much' beloved by us for his zealous endeavours to do good, having exerted himself most laudably for the spiritual benefit of the German population, who have been for years destitute of a pastor, and are left as sheep without a shepherd. But he is gone-his tongue is now silent in the grave, and his pen is laid down for ever.

The next person who was seized in our house was good Mrs. Lovets, another of our German friends. She was the wife of the Sarepta Commissioner. The disease rapidly preyed upon her frame, and she sunk into the arms of death. After her funeral, her bereaved husband hastened away, with his three motherless children, in the hope of escaping the contagion; but he carried death with him, and three stages from Astrachan he died, and was buried by the road-side; for such was the fear and horror of the villagers near him, that they would not permit him to come near them while he lived, nor be buried near them after he was dead.

Next, my beloved wife was attacked. Our family physician was at this time also affected by the cholera; but he prescribed for Mrs. Glen, who, after lingering in awful suspense for some time, on the brink of eternity, was mercifully restored. Oh, I cannot tell you how it comforted me, while I stood watching by her bedside, to hear her confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of sinners!

III. Having stated what particularly referred to my own family, I will now give you a more extensive view of it.

In general, business of every kind was at a stand. The Bank suspended its operations. In the bazaar not a whisper was heard. Even the Kabaks-those scenes of iniquity-those moral pests -were abandoned, and a general gloom spread over the counte

nances of the few solitary individuals who were to be seen walking through the streets. This gloom was heightened by their attitude, moving pensively about with handkerchiefs at their noses, perfumed with or containing camphor, so as to counteract the infection with which it was supposed by medical gentlemen that the open air was in a measure saturated.

According to the best accounts, when the disease was at its height, the number of funerals on one particular day was 500, and on another 480. More than 1,000 were buried about this time in a large sand-pit for want of graves, which could not be dug so fast as required, nor at a rate which the poor could afford-25 rubles being demanded for each. (A ruble is 4s. 6d.) Such a time was never before seen in Astrachan.

On the roads leading to the burial grounds, which are out of the city, scarcely any thing was to be seen from morning to night but funeral processions.

During its progress, more than 60 officers-from the Governor, the Admiral of the Fleet, the Rector of the University, and downwards-fell victims to it; and the number of the dead of all descriptions in the city alone (the resident population being not more than 40,000) is calculated at 6,000; besides 1,000, or, as some say, 2,000 of those from the interior of Russia, who were passing the summer here, and who fled to the towns and villages up the Volga in hopes of escaping it. Of these, 40 were found on the road-side unburied, on the three first stages, until notice was given of the circumstance to the commanding officer of the district; but the greater part of the fugitives who fell victims to the disease, met their fate on the Volga. Nearly 10,000 left the city, it is said, in great confusion; and being ill-provided with food and other necessaries, were reduced to indescribable hardships on their passage up the river, as the Calmucks on its banks would have no intercourse with them. It is said, that in one or more of these boats, the people all perished from the cholera; and having none left to man them, were at last carried down the stream with the residue of the dead on board. In other cases, the ravages on board these boats were dreadful.

With such scenes before their eyes, or reported on credible authority, it is almost impossible for the most thoughtless to be altogether unconcerned at the time; yet, alas, it is lamentable to see that (now the danger here is considered as past) many are returning to their vicious practices, like the dog to his vomit, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

From the above it appears, that about a sixth or seventh of our whole population have been cut off. It is supposed that half the adults have been affected by it. Some children have died, but comparatively few. Through the tender mercies of our God, I have been preserved without the least injury; and have been enabled to attend to the sick in the house, and also to render some assistance to our neighbours. Bless the Lord, oh! my soul,