with composure, but await its approach with joy; because it will confirm him in holiness for ever, and secure to him, through the merits of Jesus Christ, an uninterrupted enjoyment of the Divine presence and love. Nowhere do we meet with attestations so strong in favour of Scriptural Christianity as those which have been given at the moment when this world has appeared as nothing, and the soul has been absorbed in the future. Then it has been discovered that, however much its truths are questioned by multitudes, and however much the preference denied to these may have given to other systems, nothing-no nothing-but the religion of Jesus can lead the soul into that state for which death has no terrors, and eternity no alarm.

It was with a view to give such a testimony, that a young officer, who fell in the siege of Algiers, sat down on the evening before the engagement, and, in the anticipation of death, wrote three letters, the expressions in which, as far as regarded religion, he wished should be considered by the three individuals to whom they were addressed, as coming from that eternal world into which he had a presentiment he should soon enter. Extracts from two of these letters are subjoined. They were written at a season when a man was not likely to dissemble; when hypocrisy would not guide his pen, nor influence his heart. He was just at that age when the world looks attractive, when hope is lively, and the imagination is busy in picturing to itself scenes of future delight. He was young, and his natural disposition was far from gloomy; but under the influence of real religion he cheerfully resigned the fancied pleasures which arise from the gaieties of this world, for those which are alone to be discovered in the heartfelt service of God. There was a time, indeed, when on these points he thought and acted differently. He had ardently engaged in the pursuit of his professional studies-but had neglected the all-important interests of his soul, until, in the providence of God, he became acquainted with a pious medical officer in the navy. His friend resolved, in the opportunities of conversation, to bring the great truths of vital religion before his mind, and, if possible, to excite attention to them.

They first conversed on the state of man, as an accountable and a fallen being-on his inability to render satisfaction to the Divine law, and his consequent exposure to eternal punishment;-from hence they were led to contemplate the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ-the wonderful and glorious plan of redemption, and the way of a sinner's par

don, justification, and acceptance with God. Various intervals of leisure were improved for the purpose of religious conference;-until, under the influence of Divine teaching, the youth began to perceive the excellency of the gospel, and to be alive to his own state as a sinner; and by his humble inquiries and the eagerness with which he sought information, to prove himself sincerely desirous of an interest in those blessings to which he had hitherto been a stranger. He attended with earnestness to the explanation of saving faith, and of the necessity, nature, and evidences of the Holy Spirit's regenerating work in the heart; in prayer, and the means afforded by God for spiritual improvement, he took delight; the Divine precepts he readily received as the rule of a believer's life, and now he experienced the joy of communion with God.

As the consequence of this alteration in his views in favour of personal religion, he manifested a lively solicitude for the spiritual welfare of others. Many letters attest the depth of this anxiety, but there is one sentiment pervading them all— which cannot be better expressed than in his own language, in a letter to a friend:-" Remember we shall all be lost unless Christ be with us, who says, 'Ye must be born again.' We must remember that God is just as well as merciful, and that his mercy has only one channel, which is through his Son."

But the time arrived when his principles should be put to the test; when he should feel more deeply than he had ever felt the value of that Saviour whom the gospel reveals, and His power to sustain in circumstances when the spirit needs more than ordinary support. On the evening previous to the arrival of the fleet off Algiers, he gained a few moments for retirement, and as the sun went down upon him for tne last time, he took up his pen and wrote the following letter to a friend.

MY DEAR

ETERNITY.

I must date my letter from Eternity, as this will never reach you, unless I am killed in the ensuing fight with the Algerines. But I thank my Creator, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that the terrors of death are taken away by his blessed redemption of poor ruined sinners. Since I left England, having been without the converse of any Christian friend on board, I have been suffering doubts and fears; which, together with some persecution, have brought me very low.

Oh, how I long to talk to a dear friend, of "Christ and him crucified!" but, as the apostle has said, "When I am weak, then am I strong." I pray to be, in the strength of my blessed Redeemer, resigned to what he shall think fit to appoint. If it pleaseth him to take me to himself, I hope to say with Paul, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!" I am by this time far removed from the world and all its giddy scenes; my last wish is, that you would love the brethren, whether of high or low estate; here it is I notice some of the oldest Christians to fail., Remember, that to be a Christian is the highest honour man can possess, and "by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another."

Oh, what a blessed, indescribable joy do I feel now in my Justifier before an offended God! Now, in a moment when the worldly boaster trembles, I can stand unappalled, and point with faith to my Redeemer. I wish to manifest my love for all who are servants of Christ. I have left the fashionable vain world, and therefore speak without its ceremonies. I speak, as it were, from that place where "neither moth nor rust doth corrupt." I have this day been reading the book which gave you so much comfort, "The Life of Colonel Gardiner." It requires all my prayers to keep me spiritually-minded, amidst blasphemy and sin, and to be looking to Christ for the peace which he alone can give his saints. The H-s is in the fleet; I went on board of her when we called at Gibraltar, and refreshed myself with the conversation of our Lord's servants. Think well of the privileges you enjoy of being amongst them, and conversing with them. I wish all Christians would love one another; but worldly pride draws the mind from these celestial delights. May the Saviour of mankind send his Holy Spirit on you all!

I am, with sincerest prayers for the welfare of your dear family, Your's in Christ.

The next letter is addressed to his mother,- -a son's last affectionate farewell. Sons will read it as their own language: mothers will feel it addressed to them. The words of a child to a beloved parent are likely to be the utterance of undisguised affection. It is no easy thing for one whose mind is susceptible of every tender emotion, to sit down and tell a mother, "It is probable I shall never see you more." Under such a feeling, the sentiments expressed

have a stamp of sincerity. The letter evidently discovers a hurried state of mind-a rapid transition from one subject to another a hovering of thought between self and the beloved object before the imagination. He utters in this the same expressions of lively confidence as in the preceding letter, with a constant reference to the same truths as the ground of his support; sudden glances at the littleness of this world, and the grandeur of another; at the pains of this life, and the glories of a better. But its principal feature is a tender anxiety, an ardent concern about the eternal interests of his mother and of others dear to him; the pleading eloquence of the heart, that strives to prevail, but seems embarrassed by the importance of its subject. He alludes to every truth, and uses every consideration, to make them bear on the great subject of salvation by Christ alone; while he strives, if possible, to heal the wound and dry the tear which were to be a mother's lot, when he had passed far beyond the boundaries which enclose sorrow and sighing, pain

and death.

By the side of such a scene, the cold unsatisfied indifference of the dying infidel looks inconceivably pitiful-the blasphemy of a dying profligate indescribably wretched. Contemplating such a spectacle, the believer should be encouraged, remembering that he who imparted to this young officer strength equal to his day, is able to make all grace abound towards him, and enable him to say, as he did "I die trusting."

MY DEAR MOTHER,

ETERNITY.

I arrived with the fleet in the Mediterranean, and anchored at Gibraltar; but finding no conveyance to Malta, where Captain resides at present, I remained on board this ship. We are off Algiers, and shall attack it immediately. If I do not live to see you any more, you will receive this, as I leave it in my desk for you. It is expected this will be a most tremendous fight; and the Albion, from her situation, will receive more fire than any other in the squadron. I am stationed on the forecastle, having a gun there under my charge. As this letter will not reach you, until I am launched into eternity, know, my dear, dear mother, that I have hope in my Redeemer's sufferings, to be justified before the face of my God. While writing this, I pray that my fall may have the effect of pointing you to

Him who only can save; and this He can do to the very uttermost. I should indeed dread to die; but I trust that if I do, I am only sent to sing the sooner the praises of that Redeemer who has sent his grace into my heart.

I have left the things of this, for those of another world, where I hope my Saviour will receive me as one of his blessed-blessed with having his precious grace.

May He send this grace into all your hearts, and draw you to himself! Remember that this world is of little consequence to me at this moment. "All is vanity!" Oh, deceive not yourselves, but look to the Redeemer's sufferings for you! If you ask for his grace while on this earth, you shall have it. God coming on this earth to die for such worms! I survey this plan of redemption with wonder, and love Him who died for me. Remember, O mother, that my last wish is, that you pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit, and for the saving grace of Christ, which alone can make me happy at this time. By the time you receive this, I shall long have been gone, I hope, to heaven. Don't grieve for me, for by that time I shall be with the Redeemer; but be concerned for your own souls, which are liable to be required of you each day, each moment. Look that you be ready, if they be required of you. I feel quite resigned to all that can happen to me, as I know I am under the direction of a loving Father. My last prayer is, that you may all know Christ, and Him crucified. Learn to think yourself a sinner by nature, and that all your charities are as dust before God, unless you have and feel a love to Christ surpassing all other love. If you have not this love, pray earnestly that you may feel it, and that immediately; for see how I am cut off in the prime of youth. If I knew that you had obtained by faith an interest in Christ, I could depart into another world with delight. Oh, embrace Christ, who alone can save! Let these words strike on your hearts with treble force. Read especially the New Testament, the Epistle to the Romans, and Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. Know that these things are now what I rest on. Silver and gold are of no consequence to me now: Christ is the only refuge from the wrath to come. Remember that if by the time you receive this I am in heaven, it is not by mine own works, but through Christ, who was the only one that ever kept the law. He is our justification before the pure throne of heaven. The God that dwells there "is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity;" therefore He will not behold us except through a blessed Mediator, Christ;