between two opinions." Like Joshua of old, he had "chosen whom he would serve;" he had avouched the Lord to be his God, and “ Him only would he serve." The service of God he found to be perfect freedom, and he " ran with willing footsteps" in the way of God's commandments." 66 com And not only had he chosen it for himself, but for his household likewise. His resolution in this respect also, resembled that of the Patriarch. It was not merely, "As for me," but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Like Abraham he had learned to mand his children and his household after him that they should keep the way of the Lord; " and doubtless, like Abraham also, he thus drew down upon himself and his family "the blessing of the Lord who made heaven and earth," and who has so earnestly exhorted his true people on this subject; "These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." The words of the Almighty were treasured up first in his own heart, and "out of the abundance of the heart his mouth spake" to all over whom God had given him influence or authority. An extract on this head, from the letter of an intimate connection of Mr. D., may serve aptly to illustrate the truth of what I have just stated. It was written some time after his decease, and is as follows: 6 Every morning after family prayer and reading, it was his invariable custom to assemble his children around him, to read a portion of God's word, which he explained to them as they read; always embracing every opportunity to instil into the minds of his little flock the advantage and blessedness of early piety. I have been witness of his zeal in this respect more than once.' Further extracts bearing upon this subject will be given under another head of this sketch, to which they seem more appropriately to belong. I might, perhaps, here properly dilate upon the various other Christian graces which were most eminently exemplified in the life and character of Mr. D. : but I imagine that they will more naturally and obviously suggest themselves to every attentive reader, in connection with the incidents referred to under the different heads. I would observe, however, that I consider true Christian humility to have been a very remarkable characteristic of my departed friend, as will afterwards become more apparent. Resignation to the will of God, and a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness for the various mercies vouchsafed him, were also very strikingly visible in him. Another extract from his letter to me, of March 12, 1841, may illustrate this : My dear wife has, as you will suppose, been a great deal harrassed by -'s illness, from the effects of which she has not yet recovered. We have likewise had one of our children extremely unwell with a very severe cold; but these are little trials which, with a family, we must expect, and considering our many mercies, we have great cause for thankfulness. Although -'s death was a great trial, yet it was alleviated by a good hope that she was found ready for her great change, resting on the one foundation-Christ Jesus. Our kind friend was a great comfort and blessing to her his kindness was very great, and he had the satisfaction to hear from her dying lips that she attributed very much of the divine consolation she enjoyed to his instructions. She died in great peace, and in simple dependence on her Saviour.' But I turn from this to notice 4. His zeal for the glory of God, as shown in his uncommon energy and unwearied perseverance in doing good to his fellow-creatures, both in a temporal and spiritual point of view. If there was one thing that might be assigned as his preeminent characteristic, it was this. It has never been my lot before or since, to meet with any one who excelled or equalled Mr. D. in this respect. I have frequently contemplated his unwearied diligence and zeal, as he pursued the even tenour of his way, with mingled feelings of admiration, thankfulness and humility; and been enabled, I trust, in some measure, to glorify that God who had bestowed such grace upon his servant. It was evident that "the love of Christ constrained him to live no longer to himself, but to him who died for him and rose again." And while conscious that his "goodness extended not" to that Saviour who was personally absent, he sought to apply it to the saints" of Christ which "are in the earth," and to render a willing obedience to His command, by seeking as he had opportunity, to do good unto all men," and to be instrumental, by every means in his power, in " feeding the sheep and lambs of Christ's flock," as well as in gathering into the fold those who were afar off, "going astray from the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls." 66 His exertions on behalf of the Church Missionary Society, of which he was the lay secretary, can only be estimated by those who witnessed them, and who are aware of the nature of the York Auxiliary Association of this noble Society. That association comprehends near sixty auxiliaries-as they may be termed-or rather, has nearly sixty places in the surrounding country dependant upon and tributary to it. It devolves upon the secretary to provide clergy to preach on behalf of the society, in almost all these various places, and, not unfrequently, deputations also to attend the meetings which are held at several of the adjacent towns or villages. In addition to this, he has to regulate and manage the accounts as deputy treasurer, which every one acquainted with such an office must be well aware, is no light matter. The punctuality and exactness with which my departed friend performed these truly onerous duties, was only exceeded by the cheerfulness with which he addressed himself to the work, and the perseverance with which he carried it through. I can truly say, that I learned many a lesson while I marked with admiring gaze his quiet career of "patient continuance in well-doing." Much the same process, on a smaller scale, was carried on by him on behalf of the Jews' Society, of which he was also secretary and to these might be added several other local societies or institutions, to which he performed the like valuable and important services. In such works of faith and labours of love," he persevered to the end of his life. The last letter which I ever received from him was dated, Aug. 23, 1842, and contained the following announcement with regard to the society above alluded to: 'Our Church affairs go on quietly, and I hope the institution of a Juvenile Church Missionary Society, will prove a blessing to many of our young friends. We have seventy collectors; they raised about £30 the first quarter, and I hope on Thursday, when they meet a second time, we shall receive above £20 more. It is intended to have two or three sermons addressed to the young, preached in about two months' time, and collections for the Society. I trust a good impression will result.' I would only add to this, that perhaps the most truly beautiful part of his conduct in all these matters, was, the unaffected humility with which he would stand aside from anything like an attempt to obtain the applause of man for his truly exemplary services. He was well content to undertake the most self-denying duties, and if necessary, to let others have the credit which might attach to them. This remark is the result of my own observation and experience in more than one instance, when called, in a small measure, to cooperate with him in his useful labours. His gratitude for any service rendered him in this respect, was as great as if a considerable personal kindness had been shown him. His soul seemed to overflow with the feelings which prompted the question of the Psalmist, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?" and the practical answer which he returned to the question might be expressed in the exhortation of the Apostle, "Always abounding in the work of the Lord." THOMAS A. SCOTT. Lincoln, May 12, 1843. (To be continued.) "SEEKEST THOU GREAT THINGS FOR THYSELF? SEEK THEM NOT." Jeremiah xlv. 5. I SOUGHT in pleasure's mazes deep and high Those " great things" which should charm and please mine eye, Deep in the search I heard a plaintive cry "Great things! oh seek them not! I sought in journeying o'er the earth's fair round Not here,-oh seek them not!" In learning's hall, I then would fain have found To Fame's proud temple next my spirit turned, 66 Religion's lamp, then shone upon my way, "In heaven, such great things;-here,-oh seek them not!" L. BORDERS OF THE PROMISED LAND. Surgeon Wildie's Narrative. WE are now upon the borders of the Promised Land, eager to investigate its interesting localities; and, with the Scripture as our guide, to enter upon it with all the fervour and devotion of pilgrims. After a night of the most fearful rolling, owing to a heavy ground swell, we awoke but little refreshed, and landed at an early hour. We were conducted to the English consul, who was exceedingly civil and attentive to us; and he, with Signor Campanelli, procured mules, horses, and guides for our immediate departure for Jerusalem. Our party, which consisted of ten persons, all armed and accoutred, made a very formidable cavalcade as we left the town at about twelve o'clock at noon. For nearly two miles after leaving the town, our road lay through the richest and most beautiful gardens of orange and lemon trees, then covered with fruit and flowers, and tall, waving, cypresses, corals, and fragrant mimosas; intersected with enormous nopals or prickly pears, with the scammony in flower, twining through their invulnerable armour. These productions, as well as their exceeding beauty, have obtained for this verdant spot the appellation of the gardens of the Eastern Hesperides. The inhabitants of Jaffa, who, though mostly Christians, are dressed in the eastern costume, have bowers and summer-houses in these gardens; and as we passed, we observed them enjoying their sherbet, seated in the cool shades of these lovely retreats. On the broad sandy track that winds through this fertile spot, we passed numbers of pilgrims hastening towards Jerusalem; with the wild Arab of the desert seated on his camel, and wrapt in the folds of his voluminous burnoose, looking down with disdain upon the richly caparisoned and glittering accoutrements of the Egyptian officer. From hence to Ramlah our way lay through one of the most fertile and extensive plains we had yet beheld in the east. Although not a sixth part of this plain is cultivated, yet where it was tilled, the crops of corn which were about a foot high, looked most luxuriant. I do not think we passed a dozen head of cattle of any kind; but the monotony of the plain is occasionally relieved by groves and clumps of aged and magnificent olives, which gave it quite the appearance of a well-laid-out English park or demesne. Most of these olives must be centuries old, from their great size and proverbial slowness of growth; and are, probably, the lineal descendants of those we read of in David's time, which were so plentiful in the low plains, that Baal-Hanan the Gadite, was placed as overseer over them. Numbers of tall white storks paced about through the groves, like so many spectres enjoying their solitary grandeur amid the scenes of other days. The day was delightful; a light breeze refreshing the traveller and the weary pilgrim as he journeyed to the Holy City; the fields were decked with thousands of gay flowers; the scarlet anemone, and a beautiful specimen of small red tulip, intermingled with the white cistus, the pink flox, and the blue iris, and with crimson and white JUNE, 1843. 2 E asters, asphodels, and lilies, forming an enamelled carpet that perfumed the air, and offered a scene replete with everything that could gratify the eye or charm the imagination. This plain of Sharon is about fifteen miles broad, and nearly twice as many long, bordered on the one side by the blue waters of the Levant, and the rugged hill country of Judæa on the other. How writers could have described this goodly land' as so unfertile as to warrant the assertion of Voltaire, that he would not receive a present of it from the Sooltan, I know not, as the appearance of this plain would alone refute so gross a misrepresentation. It was not the appearance of the plain alone that struck so forcibly our minds. It was the recollection of where we were-the holy ground whereon we trod, and the wondrous scenes which the land had witnessed since the creation. To our right lay the plain of Ascalon, where the soldiers of the cross achieved so glorious a victory over the Mooslim, and made, doubly impressive by the remembrance of a Saladin and a Coeur-de-Lion. How many a proud knight of European chivalry careered across this plain; his tall crest waving in the breeze, his shield emblazoned with the bearings of our proudest barons, his arm bound with the scarf of his lady-love, and his heart beating in the cause of holy warfare-where are they now. Their flesh has fed the kites and ravens, and their bones have whitened those very fields, once crimsoned with their blood. But those scenes have passed away, and the land looks as smiling as when described by the prophets of old; and the lark that sung above our heads seemed to welcome us to the land of promise. 'We rode over the lovely vale of Sharon, still producing those roses, whose beauty and fragrance have been described by Solomon in the sweet strains of Hebrew poetry. Around us was an atmosphere such as can only be perceived and breathed in the East-no palpable sky-no cloud traversing a canopy definite in extent, but an ethereal expanse about and above us-terminating only where the powers of vision fail-and creating the thought that we looked into the regions of boundless space. No detached houses, and but two villages are within view on this part of the plain. One of these, Gazoor, and another called Betafafa, are but a few cottages standing upon low hills; as the few rising grounds on this immense plain would be always made use of in a country so long the seat of war. The former was originally fortified, and some of the works still remain standing. It has a pretty mosque, and by the road-side a handsomely-constructed fountain, containing the clearest water. Beside the fountain, is a chained cup for the traveller's use. 'After two hours' ride we got a view of Ramlah, marked by its high tower; and a few miles to the left lay Lyda-the scriptural Lidda the minaret of whose mosque may be seen at a great distance. Ramlah, the ancient Arimathea, is about twelve or fourteen miles from Joppa, or about three hours' ride, distance being measured in this country by hours. It is pleasantly situated, surrounded by thick groves of olives and some palms: fine crops of corn, beans, and most luxuriant tobacco bordered the suburbs: the enclosures are divided by the impenetrable nopals. It was the Christian Sabbath, and numbers of the inhabitants were lying in groups among the plantations, |