TIE M OIR S Ok DR. MORRISON.

Aurnotton his eminence is exaggerated, according to custom, by the religious sections with which he was connected, and though fail- ing in the great object of his travail, the conversion of the Chinese, Dr. Moitursos was a very remarkable num. His early lire affords a striking example of the effects of resolute purpose ; his whole ca- reer display's the power of industry and perseverance in achieving distinction, even when unassisted by shining talents ; and he is en- titled to the high merit of being the first European who, possessing a thorough knowledge of the language and literature of China, re- alized that knowledge in a shape which has rendered it accessible to all future times, by his translation of the Scriptures, and his

Chinese Dictionary,—gigantic undertakings, both in their execu- tion and the preliminary labours indispensable to their execution, which can only be paralleled amongst the scholars of an olden time.

Rolimer .lonniisos: was born near. .lerpetli, in Northumberland, in 1782. His father, a " truly- pious man," originally " obtained a livelihood by agricultural pursuits," but in what capacity is not stated. lie subsequently removed to Newcastle, where lie followed the business of a last and boot-tree maker ; to which his son was apprenticed, after a scanty education.

Iles religious prospects Were better than the secular. In addition to the example of his parents, 'Roamer "enjoyed the cateehetical exercises" of the Reverend J011 N I t: rrox, whose ministry' his pa- rents attended. But, like many shining lights of the Evangelical persuasion, his youth was not considered free from irregularities. "Ilas the eye of God," be subsequently write, in one of his j•.nro:ds, " who- is of spotlers holiness and infallible justice, at tend, d me in my sintid wander- ings ; when I walked according to the emir- :of this world ';'—attend me when I was goi lig in the path illy parents thrbade roc ; in my nocturnal rambles round the town with my wicked companions ?—at tended me on the Ional's-ilay, to the scenes of iniquity ?—in my search of sinful amusements ? I las the ear of God been witnessing all my hateful acts? Ies, y es, 0 my soul ! and more than all this. The car of God has heard my filthy COlIrtTr-aliall. ''There is not a word in my tongue, but lie knoweth it altogether ; Lr umh.rstandeth my thoughts afar off.' Ile, he was there when I stoke litIsely to my Whet. Ile knew when I took his 1101) none in vain, and filled DIV mumdL w it It leasing; Mien 1 joined in the song of the drunkard; when 1 spina the Lord's-day in vain conversation. Ile 11:113 Nritnes,q1 my blasphemous thoughts, my impure notions. These are some Of the things for which my heart co: denims me, and u..1 is greater than my heart, and knoweth all things. 0 what shall I say now couverning the pre- sence of God? Ile attended me in may wanderings, and oli ! eternal thanks to his name, when his eye saw me on the brink of the hot tom le “: pit, his arm was stretched out to pluck me as a brand from the hurtling, and kire,•ented. may

fidling headlong into e crawl perdition. ! hallelujah!'

The exact period is not known, when, in the words of his bio- grapher, " Robert .lorrison became the subject of that great change which the Saviour describes as the new birth." It took place, however, towards the close of 1797, or the beginning of 1798 ; but was heralded by no special eke:an:Lewes, and was unmarked by those ecstatic trances which frequently accompanied the conver- sions ot' the day.* The following is his Or I lin matter, written in 1802, to the Committee of lloxton Academy, when lie applied for admission into what may he called the The,■logical Uni- versity of the Dissenters'. It will be seen that his sins are softened, compared with the extract from his journal.

" lt was, perhaps, about five years ago, that 1 was touch awakened t0 a sense of Sill, thought I cannot recollect any particular eirculo..4atiee which led to it ; utdeqs it were, that at that time 1 grew somewhat loose and profane; and more than one: being drawn aside by wicked company, (even at that early time

of became intoxicated. Reflection upon my conduct became at source

of uneasiness to me, and I was brought to a serious concern about my soul. I felt the dread of eternal damnation. The fiear of ,,00rtned me shout, and 1 was led to cry mightily to 00,1, that he would p;:r.:on Iliy sin, that Ile would grant me an interest in tie: •1.1viour, and that la. w.cild renew me in the spirit or my mind. Sin bccante ci kirden. It was then tIctt 1 ex- perienced it change of life, and, I trust, a change if heart too. 1 broke off from my former careless companion., and gave Inycelf to reading.. to medita- tion, and to prayer. It pleased God to reveal his Son in me; and at thAt time

1 experienced much of • the kindness of youth, and the love id' nisals;'

wore ad.I t !led my hive to meld know-

and though the first flash of affection

kdge of the Saviour have increased. Shure tlmt time, (soon aticr which I joined in communion with the church under the Reverend John Hutton, my present pastor, mid likewise Ikccame a member of a praying society,) the Lord has been gradually pleased to litunIde and prove me ; and, die eigh I have often experineed much joy and p.m.,. iu brlieving, I have likewise experienced much opposition from the working of indwelling the flesh lust ing against the spirit, and the spirit against the tlrsh ; and those being contrary the one to the other, 1 could nut do the thine: that I would.' 1 have gradually dis- covered more of the holiness, spirituality, and extent of the :firint law, and more of my own vileness and unworthiness in the sight of (I ed„ind the free- ness and richness of sovereign grace. I have sinned as 1 could ; it is' hy the grace or God I am what I am.'" The change was beneficial to him in a moral and worldly as well :Is in a religious sense, for from this time his ardent live of study may be dated. lie began to visit the poor and the Niel;; with whom he prayed, and towards whose assistance he set apart at por- tion of his scanty earnings. In January. 1799 he commenced a journal, seemingly with a view to record his daily progress in * The reader not acquainted with the early literature of Methodism, will find a short account of one of these conversi.ms, in the case of AGILNANDER KILUAM, Spectator, No. 514; 5th May 1;i:is:. literature and the arts of Christian living ; and he divided his day into portions; giving seven hours to sleep, passing of necessity from ten to twelve in manual labour, and " employing the remainder in Christian society and retirement." To facilitate his progress, he learned short-hand; and when at work, a Bible or some other book was placed before him. IIis youthful studies appear to have been extensive, but desultory ; the efforts of a mind burning to ad- vance, but ignorant of the road, and without directions. Botany, arithmetic, and astronomy, were objects of his attention ; but his books were few, and not the best adapted to form the taste, according to this enumeration,—II E R VEY'S Works, ROM A I N Letters, MARSHALL on Sanctification, Alosumm's Ecclesiastical History, and IIENar's Commentary on the Bible ; besides the

Evangelical Magazine, whose Missionary intelligence probably in- fluenced his future life. About the same time, or a little earlier, he appears to have engaged in original composition ; and two juve- nile essays are still preserved,—one on " Whether Self-love prompts to true Piety or not," and the other on " Natural Beauty ;" efforts by so much the more praiseworthy, as he persevered in spite of constitutional headaches, and perhaps debility springing from ill-health, ffir he often complains in his journal of a drowsi- ness which compelled him to desist from reading. At what time he began to entertain thoughts of the ministry, does not clearly appear ; probably earlier than is supposed, though he might not commit his ideas to paper, or communicate them to others, whilst they were mere visions floating beffire his hopes. By 1801, however, he had distinct views that way ; beginning a more systematic course of study, and to learn Latin. " Friday, June 19.—This day I entered with 111r. Laidler, to learn Latin. I paid ten shillings and sixpence, the entrance-money, and tun to pay one uinea per quarter. 1 komv not what may be the end ; God only knows. It Is may desire, if he please to spare me in the world, to serve the gospel of mist, as he shall give opportunity. 0 Lord my God, my whole hope is in thee, and in thee alone. Lord, be mercifol to me a sinner, through Christ may Saviour ; and grant thy blessing with this attempt, if it please thee. Amen."

" The expense" of this instruction, says Mrs. Mostarsos, " was to be saved out of his earnings : his manual labour could not, therefore, be diminished. Accordingly, he still went to work at six o'clock in the morning, and continued until the same or a later hour in the evening. Ile attended on Mr. Laidler between the hours of nine and ten in the morning, and redeemed from sleep the time that was necessary for carrying on his studies. His meals were so arranged as to laird opportunity for study. As might be expected, his proficiency corresponded with his ardour and perse-

verance; for when, eighteen months afterwards, he entered at Hoxton Academy, he had acquired not only an elementary. acquaint-

ance with the Latin language, but also the rudiments of Greek and Hebrew." He was assisted by an extraordinary memory ; one in- stance of which is too singular to be passed over. When in his thirteenth year, he repeated one evening the whole of the Hun- dred-and-nineteenth Psalm, Scottish version. To try him, Mr. lluTToN, the " catcchctical" minister, (lid not go straightforward, but took different parts forward and backward : the youth never- theless accomplished tip feat without a single mistake. The Anglican Episcopal Church is perhaps the only establish- ment, depending upon an ever-expanding opinion, which uses no exertions to influence that opinion, either by looking out for intel- lectual champions or by appeals to the selfish interests of the mass. If talent beyond the average can get to the University, it has a good chance, perhaps a certainty, of advancement ; but the English

Church seeks for nothing either amongst the people or the higher classes. How contrary is this supineness to the policy of the

Romish Church, or of the Sectarians ! Mingling continually with the people on a family footing, their ministers notice all the ability produced, and no pains are spared to allure into their church such youth as are adapted for its service ; the class of novices, or lay teachers, in each religion, (differing so widely as they do in all external forms and discipline,) offering an admirable school of probation to try and to train aspirants. This practice of Popery and Dissent has a twofold advantage,—drawing into the respective ministries a fresh and active supply of all the talent in their com- munion ; whilst it connects their flocks directly with the church either in memory, hope, or possession.

ROBERT MOB BISON appears to have been one of the fruits of this policy : within eighteen months after his entrance to the Re- verend Mr. LA I DI. " to learn Latin," he applied in November

1802 to the Committee of Hoxton Academy for admission as a student ; which was immediately granted. On his arrival, he was distinguished for indethtigable industry, but not far brilliant talents;

each of four eminent surviving Ibllow-students bearing testimony to time same effect. " The early development of his mental charac-

ter," says Dr. Fr.wrenna, "was marked by no predominant feature,

except that of intense and continued application." Dr. C IX NI E speaks of his " indeffitigable," Dr. 13ealma of Isis " exemplary dili- gence ;" and the following striking anecdote is told by Dr. PA YNE- " When he entered the house, lie had male sonic proficiency in Latin, but had done very little in Greek. Ile wished to proceed in company with us, who were considerably in ii,IVallee of big; and by potting, forth that power of in- tense application for which he was so prei,mineutly distinguished, and which secured to him in after life such splendid success, lie attained his object. La-

bouring literally night and day, he soon overtook us; and we had the pleasure, as I then felt it, and now feel it to have been a high honour, of enjoying his companionship till he left Hoxton for Gosport."

ROBERT MORRISON had not left home till his mother's death,

and then with considerable reluctance on the part of his family ; his father weeping over him, and only consenting at last, " afraid lest he should be opposing the will of the Lord." Part of this reluctance arose from a more practical motive than affection ; for

the old man's health was feeble, and ROBERT was a mainstay ay 0 the business, so that he had not been absent a mouth when he re. ceivcd " an affectionate invitation to return." his reply to this is not only characteristic in itself, and an example of skilffilly "giving the go-by," but remarkable as showing how soon he had acquired the tone of a teacher.

" February 5.1803.

"Honoured Father, Brother, and Sister—I received your letter of the 19th

ult. The account of my father's leg growing worse nod worse concerns me; but what can I do ? I look to my God, and my fittheis God. He doeth all things well,' and he will make all things work together for good to those who love him. My flatter, my brother, my sisters, I resign you all, and myself, to his care, who I trust careth for us. Are not our days few ? yet I desire, if the Lord will, that he may grant you wherewithal to provide things honest in the sight of all men during the few days of your pilgrimage. I trust he will; and may the Lord bless you with rich C01111111111led ions of saving grace and knowledge. You advise time to return home. l thank you thr your kind intentions; my the Lord bless you for them. But I have no inclination to do so; having set may hand to the plough, I would not look back. It hath pleased the LA to prosper are so far, and grant me throw. in the eyes of this people."

He had not been long at I loxton before he began to preach in the neighbouring villages : and in eight or nine months he decided on becoming a missionary. To this time College was not favourable, as it would rather have kept him at home; but as he remained in the same mind after "consideration and prayer," their consent was given : he was sent to the Missionary Academy at Gosport ; and, after some time spent in preparatory studies, he embarked for New York in January 1807, to be conveyed to China in an American vessel ; this circuitous route being necessary to escape any dill. tieulties the Company might have thrown in his way, adventurers of any kind to Canton, but especially missionaries, nut being at

to their taste.

Passing over his short sojourn ill America, and his voyage, which, though containing matter of a racy nature, are not strictly biogra- phical, we find him housed at the ,1incrican Factory; Canton, in September 1807 ; and here his difficulties as a missionary and his labours as a linguist began. To fillow him in detail during the ensuing twenty-seven years of his life, which, with the exception of a two years' excursion to England, were spent in a sort of free con- finement at Canton or Macao, is beside the purpose of this notice. It will be sufficient if we indicate its leading points ; leaving those who desire fuller infarmation of his viCWS, his difficulties, and his daily thoughts, to consult the volumes. Alter the civil coolness of the few European residents, his first obstacle was the Chinese law of non-intercourse, which would have baffled an apostle with the gift of tongues. To go forth and preach, had the Chinese he picked up in England enabled him, was impossible : a con- gregation ready to his hands could not have met without great danger—even his servants and assistants ran a risk in attending him. But, upon the spot, the sound sense of Roman. Mom; i-;ox soon perceived that the first essent bit of a missionary to a polished and lettered people like the Chinese, was a thorough knowledge of their language, if' he would not expose himself and his mission to critical contempt and ridicule. Ile also saw that, by means of the press, a way was open lbr the circulation of Christian doctrines, more extensive than by preaching, it' not so effective ; but for such a purpose a still nicer acquaintance with the Chinese style was required, less he should misinterpret the sense of the Scrip- tures, or render them ludicrous. At the British Museum he had studied the books of the Jesuits; he had also received some instruction from a Chinese who was in England. But in China, MORE ISON discovered that he had done but little. The dictionary he brought out with him, and "perhaps all in Europe," contained only the words of an old compilation by Tartars, in fourteen volumes, whereas the proper dictionary was in thirty-two. Ilere was a new task, to copy all the additional words : he also applied himself to the common and Mandarin dialects for discourse, and to time learned style for writing. Partly from zeal, partly from motives of economy, he avoided the European society of the place, almost ex- clusively associating with the natives. lie studied, ate, and slept, in a "go-down," that is, a kitchen-floor : he adopted the habits, mode of living, and dress of the Chinese, and took his meals with his native teachers, for the sake of the dialogue ; though he sub- sequcmtly doubted the utility of this, but, as we interpret him, for spiritual purposes. Such was his progress, that in less than two years he was appointed translator to the East India Company, with a salary of 5001.; although on his arrival he had passed ostensibly as an American, lest as an En7lish subject he might have been sent away. Ills mastery of time language and his knowledge of the Chinese character were so great, that the diplomacy of the Celestial officials was often baffled by Dr. MouRISON ; and on one ()cm:1Th the wisdom of the serpent shone more conspicuously in the mis- sionary than in the civil servants, for, being called upon to translate a letter from some fiery captain of the Royal Navy, he refused to do it, for reason, whose validity was at once admitted. Such was his industry, that, its addition to his official duties, an extensive cor- respondence, preaching, praying, attempting to convert natives, and managing the affairs of the Missionary Society in the Indian Archipelago, he found time to translate the greater part of the Scriptures into Chinese, and to labour eight hours it day in com- piling a dictionary of the language, which established his European reputation as it Chinese scholar, whilst the Chinese themselves gave him the title of what is translated as "Le Docteur Ma." Such toils, with anxiety, and much confinement, in a hot climate, wore him out prematurely, as he died when only in his fifty-third year. The immediate disease seems to have been a sort of slow fever, superinduced upon great debility : the exciting cause was the troubles arising feom the headstrong conduct of Lord NAPIER, whose failure he predicted front the first. Dr. Molts'sox was twice married; leaving a family by each wife, to which the East India Company granted pensions. Of the few traits of manner which the volume affords, we may note that his staidness in youth made persons fancy he was in ill-health, and his American landlord de- scribes him as " civil rather than affable." Of his piety there can be no question, and he was probably zealous in season and out of season; for 1)r. C 1.1 • N E states, that when at lloxton, "some people secretly disliked his visits, because he always concluded them with prayer. Of his industry and acquirements his life is a sufficient example ; and in matters not relating to missions in judgment seems to have been remarkably sound, its it was too m all the prac- tical parts of missionary business, failing only in his expectations of future results. Ills talent does not appear to have lain at. all to- wards the imaginative, or even the elevated branches of human letters, but he seems to have had a power of stern or sly repartee.

A msromr.

We

net out together [an American is speaking] to the counting-house of the shipowner, previously to his embarkat ion. I cannot forget the air of sup- pressed ridicule which lurked on the merchant's features, and in his speeeh lid manners towards Morrison, NV110111 he appeared to pity as a. deluded eutIntsia,t, while he could not hit secretly respect his self-denial, devotion, courage, and enterprise. Mloin all business matters were arranged, he turned about from his desk, and, with a sardonic grin, addressing Morrison, (whose countenance was "a book wherein men might rend change things,") said—" And so, Mr. Morrison, you really expect that you will make an impression on the idolatry of the great Chinese empire ?" "\o, Sir," said Morrison, with more than his usual stainless, " I expect Cod w ill."

The liberality with which the Missionary Society supported him throughout, redounds greatly to their credit ; and it is difficult at present to measure the importance of Dr. nut It NON'S labours, till it be seen to what extent the literature and learning of Europe are benefited by accessions from the stores of annals and Celes- tial wisdom. It would be useless, however, to pretend that any ad- vance has been made towards the conversion of the three hundred millions of the Chinese empire. Mr; on U RST, a modern missionary,

seems to despair of success ; an assistant of AleatusoN, only mustered at Singapore a congregation of some dozen ; and the great master himselfnever seems to have been able to assemble many more. It is not merely the scanty numbers, however, that throw doubt upon the probability of missionary success in China ; but the questionable motives of' some converts, and the cool, civil, critical way in which the Doctor's attempts were generally met. Take a few examples.

CH !NESE THEOLOGY.

July 7.—My assistants conversed with me at length this evening on the sub- ject of religion. They there of opinion that the minims of Ihreigners and of the Chinese are very similar in religious ottmerns, l acknowledged that there were many truths cumuli-in to both, part iettlarly respecting the duty olone man to another ; but rcspeeting Gish, our duty to hum, and the way in which a sin- ful creature is accepted of God, they were widely different. I said that they burned candles, offered incen,e, slew sheep, &c. to make God propitious, but Jesus gave hints, If a sacrifice to make atonement for sin. They re- marked, with contempt, that those who abounded in those offerings were bad. people : good people had no oreasion to du so; liung-fin-tsze (Confucius) did not teach it. There was no occasion to worship God daily if the heart were good: many of those who worshipped were bad notwithstanding. That some who worshipped were bad people, was true; but it would not make those good who neglected it. And to speak those who did not worship Cod as having a good heart, was unreasonable; it was like saying that a man was a good son though he neither loved his parents nor obeyed them. They were here rather at a loss tine an answer ; and asked Me if I thought all the men in China were had men ? I said that all the men hi the world had offended Gud ; that a man might fultil many duties to his fellow men, but we owe duties to God, the per- formance of which is necessary to constitute us good men. They asked me why the Chinese had not the doctrines to which I. adhered, and why they were not sent to them of God ? 1 asked them why the Chinese were more civilized and had many temporal blessings which some of the barbarous nations around them haul not ? They could not tell, but they thought Jesus and Confucius were alike—file one intended for Europe and the other for China.

CHINA MEN ON SACRIFICE.

lily people discoursed this evening about the paper which the Chinese burn with gold and silver leaf ou it. The paper, they say, is to represent raiment, and the gold and silver leaf money ; all which, when sent up in flame, are caught by the surrounding spirits. I asked if they thought the spirits had need of clothes, or were delighted by the offering. The roily was that f Iniy did not know. They laughed at it, but said it was the prevaillitg- custom, and therefore ob- served; Magistrates and the Emperor Idinself ark:tiding to it, and they could not be singular. This reasoning the Chinese said was not good, but the usa:,e was not properly theirs; it was introduced by sorcerers. Conftleins ilia not. inculcate it. The observances were introduced by 11 o-shang, (Emilia priests.) against whom they entered into a long declamation, and inveighed against their Sloth, ignorance,and uselessness.

A HONU MERCHANT AND A COOLIE.

A Hong merchant, to whom I gave the Testament, remarked lately. that it appeared to him that three wee smile 11iiMrs in our siters.d books as Fabulous as in theirs; as, for instance, the ascension of Jesus Christ. Did 1 suppose that there were in Heaven rooms and other conveniences, lin- the material body of Jesus? I have a coolce (i. C. at labonivr, who sweeps the rooms, brings water, &c,) of tolerable integrity, though very ignorant, whom I cannot persuade to come and listen lo my exhortations, or join iii tinnily worship. I think his real motive is a bigoted attachment to what he consider:: properly Chinese; though he says the reason is that he is so poor be laws no heart to worship God.

CIVIL 001.0111cS.

Learning with my two assistants the word "hope," we made two sentences

to exemplify it—" I hope you are well," and " the hope of a future The former, when rendered into English, they learned with all eagerness, but dis- covered an aversion to the latter. I asked them how it came to pass that the affairs of the present life were esteemed so important, whilst those of a future and eternal state were neglected. Without returning an answer, and merely to gratify me, it was with a. sneer that they desired me to teach them the English of the sentence in question.

A HOME QUESTION.

Low-hi:en, in describing- to me the temples of Kung-foo-tsze, and the honours or Worship paid to him, led 'us into a long conversation on the impropriety of pang similar worship to a man that they did to God. We allowed that Kung-tho-tsze, or Confucius as he has been Latinized, was a wise and good man. Low-lii,en insisted that but for him the Chinese must have been mere brutes, and that not to worship him would be the highest ingratitude. We allowed that he should be esteemed and venerated; but then the Almighty, who was the Ctcator of the world, created him, and gave him the wisdom which he posse•sed. Ile was, to say the most that could be said, but the ser- vant of God ; therefore to pay equal honour to him as to God, or worship him instead of God, was altogether indefensible. Low-Hen was in a difficulty here. His next resource was to compare Kung-foo-tsze to the Lord Jesus, and to claim the same honour fbr the Chinese sage that I did for the Saviour. But here again, allowing that Kung-foo-tsze was all that he claimed for him, the character and Claims of Jesus were widely different, and vastly greater. Christ Ovals "God manifest in the flesh." Kung-fho-tsze was a good man, but merely man. Ilc regarded only the Chinese, but Jesus extended his regards to the world. Low-heen interrupted me by asking whom Jesus had sent to Cantim.

The volumes which have furnished this long notice contain a vast mass of particulars relating to Dr. INIoaillsos, and the means of flaming it distinct chronological account of his career, (though their own chronology is lisr from regular,) as well as tracing him in his public occupations and private studies. Some curious and some interesting letters will also be found amongst his rather voluminous correspondence, and anecdotes are told which inci- dentally denote traits of character. But as a whole, the work is deficient in art, and overlaid with trivial details, having neither interest nor character—letters of compliment or business, and long quotations from his diary, which, though exhibiting proof's of his piety, display no nmrks of a piety differing from that of his sect. The work is also wanting in a description of manners, and of those peculiarities Nvhich denote the individual, and (but this was to be looked for) in a critical estimate of his character.

It also appears, in our less ecstatic view, to possess a graver fault both again.4 good taste and sober religion in its indiscriminate extracts from the private journal of Dr. MonalsoN. The primary use of such a memorial is strictly personal ; serving, first, as a means of indirect self-discipline' by accustoming the individual to take note of his studies, thoughts, and actions, as well as to mark the escape of time ; second, to thrift a key-note to his memory, sug- gesting by a single word, both time and circumstances he might not otherwise have been able to recall; third, affording a channel by which we may record our passing judgments upon what we meet with, whether in books or life. In dealing with such memorials, it may be taken as a rule, that whatever is general—whatever consists of a notice of men or honks, netaphysical or physical topics, or mere speculation—may be safely published, the only point being, " is it worth publication ?" But we cannot conceive a more delicate task than that of dealing with matter purely personal. An individual, though lit tle accustomed to composition, must be well aware how much is written down at the first heat, which, on a sober revisal, he would not have go forth to the world, even though he sat down to write on a general topic and expressly for the world's perusal. How much of delicacy, then, is necessary in a diary, whose very nature renders it private; where the mind is less cautious than at ever can be in l'ormal composition ; and where, when the nakedfact of an event alone is noted down, there must often be a strange jumble of the meanest and most elevated characteristics of man. We have seen, in Dr. MonatsoN's letter to the lloxton Committee, that he spoke differently of his pmtliful irregularities from what he did in his private journal ; and this example of the difference between momentary warmth and calm consideration, should act as a warning- to all into whose hands papers of a similar description may NI Leaving altogether the more enthusiastic passages of the kind we are objecting to, we will take a few samples of the irreverent effect produced by the juxtaposition of carnal and spiritual things; not improper to jot down by the author, but about the publication of which we think he himself would have enter- tained strong doubts.

DR. MORRISON'S AXIOM.

" Mardi 1.—Ittwe at half-past six. Spent the day but indifferently. Was not on ferVent in spirit, and hail nit the peace of milli! I could wish. I lay it down as an axiom, that it is best never to do but one thing at a time."

DE OMNIBUS.

" August 9.—Bose at six. Text, 2 Con iii. 2. At night I went up to Win- Wen with a letter, in which was an account of the ship Duff being taken by a French privateer. () Cod, do thou in mercy deal with us. ()h! may we trust in 'thee!

" August I 7.—Text, Dan. xii, :1Iay I grow in grace, and in the knowledge of God and Christ. May God he mereful to my sins. My mind was pretty well employed to Ilay. 1 felt notch sat istiletion hone the perusal of twollaIisd- sionary Magazines, which I obtained yesterday.. 0 GA, by the running

to and

fro of nettle nu»; him, ledge he increased * * " Fehru;ry Ilme art lialf-past six. Went and took a walk to the Forth ; very misty. Came 'mine and went to prayer in the shop. 0 blessed solit ode, I love thee I 1 am not alone, for Coll is with me. Head a part of Mr. IL0111:11110-S S01111011 on the death of Ale I lereey. Went to the meeting- house, and beard it lecture 011 Sinop Magus. After dinner, I took Jem op into the shop, and prayed wit It him, and then asked him his Catechism. In the afternoon, I 110:11.1 I 11 ,t1'111011 1111 t 111'i Si rrueitird. I took my tea with brother Thomas. C. II. and 1 joined in siogiug, prayer, and reading the scriptures. Text, Psolm xlviii. 14. I ti!u, livset with vain thoughts, and such is my weak- ness, that ' when I would do good, e il is present with me.'" We May note, too, all unconsciously presumptuous habit—a fami- liarity with sacred things, and a disposition to turn common oc- currences into acts of special interference, which, though usual enough with vulgar religionists, we were surprised to see in con- junction with the name of Alosalsos. On reaching the Downs on his voyage out, a violent gale occurred, which incapacitated every vessel, except the one he sailed in, from proceeding on her voyage. Thereupon :Mrs. Mottalsos compares him to Paul in the Adriatic, and remarks—" Surely this was ' the finger of God. IIe gave the winds and the waves a charge concerning his servants; and although they suffered much from sea-sickness, and were not free from fears as to their safety, not a hair of their heads was hurt." On his ap- pointment to the mission, she writes—" May it not be said there was joy in Heaven when the Church on earth said to Morrison, Go to China!" The Doctor himself was not free from this filling. " To-day at noon," writes he, on his voyage, " I had comfortable access to God at his throne." Again, " On Saturday evening, I had some degree of communion with God whilst walking the deck." And the last we need instance, " The fog at this moment cleared off, in answer to prayer."