almost say) unexplored, and its mines of intelligence solicit as much as ever the searchings of the student. The contents of it seem to grow with being examined; so that in place of exhausting, we multiply the material by reflection and meditation. Oh! that were a new character indeed in creation, who should need a larger Bible; who could say that there remained nothing for him to examine in Scripture. A larger Bible! which of us will dare to say, that he has so exhausted a single chapter, that he can be confident there is in it nothing more of information, nothing more of exhortation, nothing more of consolation, than he has gathered from it? Who will say, for example, of the sermon on the mount, that he has extracted all the lessons which it was designed to convey, and has no need to reperuse it except for the purpose of refreshing his memory? Aye, and it is so with Christ's actions. Are we never struck, in reading the record of His miracles, with some circumstance that had hitherto escaped our observation? No, no; there is as much in the Bible, as the world can "contain ;" and the world will not have finished the Bible, when the concerns of humanity are wound up, and time dies in eternity.

And with all this, the Bible is a little book. Commentaries are large; but the Bible is a little book. Men of business, if not profound theologians, may at least be well versed in the revelation God has made of Himself. It is a mercy, that the Bible is not larger; we are deprived of the most specious excuse for neglecting it.

The Bible is a little book. But if any will neglect its contents, lo! at the last it will rise, as the "little cloud" from the sea, "like a man's hand," which the prophet's servant saw; and it will spread, till the heavens shall be dark, and the rains shall descend, and the floods shall bear him away, and he shall be overwhelmed in eternal ruin.

THE LIFE AND TIMES

OF THE LATE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON.

(Concluded from page 61.)

WITH Our concluding number for the present year, we resume and close our extracts from these volumes. Passing by (from want of space) the exhibition of Mr. Whitefield and the Countess as slave holders (vol. 2. pp. 264-266)-her Ladyship's interview with George III (vol. 2. pp. 281-285)-her account of the death of Howell Harris (vol. 2. pp. 290, 291)-some particulars of the origin and opening of Surrey Chapel and Sion Chapel (vol. 2. pp. 316-324)—and of Kingswood and Bristol Tabernacles (vol. 2. pp. 357-367, and 378-380)-a short account of Cheshunt College (vol. 2. pp. 520-530)-Lady Huntingdon's settlement of her chapels as death approached, and recommendation of rules for the Societies in the Connexion (vol. 2. pp. 489–496)—to some or all of which topics we may hereafter advert as distinct subjects-we finish this series of extracts with the record of the Countess's own departure from earth to her holy rest :

"A short time before her last confinement, one of the clergymen whom she honoured with her confidence, spending a day with her as he passed through London, she spoke of herself in a strain so remarkably affecting, that he could not but

mention it afterwards.

"The subject of the conversation was the cause of Christ, which she always had so deeply at heart; and that led to the state of her own mind and expectations. "Her expressions were to this effect; but more forcible than these feeble traces of them :

"I see myself a poor worm.'

66 6

Drawing near Him, what hope could I entertain, if I did not know the efficacy of His blood, and turned as a prisoner of hope to this strong-hold?'

"How little could any thing of mine give a moment's rest to a departing soul? -so much sin and self-mixing with the best, and always so short of what we owe!' ""Tis well for us that He can pity and pardon; and we have confidence that He will do so.'

"I confess, my dear friend, I have no hope but that which inspired the dying malefactor at the side of my Lord; and I must be saved in the same way, as freely, as fully, or not at all.'

"The friend said, 'Madam, I cordially join you, and feel with you, that though our lives may be devoted to the work of Jesus, and our deaths the consequence of the service, it is not to these sacrifices we should look for comfort in a dying hour.' She replied, No, verily ;'--and enlarging on the idea of the mixture of infirmity and corruption which tarnished all our best meant services, she added

"That a sinner could only rest satisfactorily on one foundation, and would find nothing in the best works of his best day, that he could dare produce before God for its own sake-sufficiently blessed and secure, if he could but cry, God be merciful to me a sinner, and let me be found accepted in the Beloved, and complete in Him.'

"To these, in the course of a long conversation, were added many like words of truth and grace.

"To a paper of importance, written a few months before her last illness, were subjoined these words:

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-And as I have always lived the poor unworthy pensioner of the infinite bounty of my Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, so I do hereby declare, that all my present peace, and my future hope of glory, either in whole or in part, depend wholly, fully, and finally, upon His alone merits, committing my soul into His arms unreservedly, as a subject of His sole mercy to all eternity.'

"When the blood-vessel broke, which was the commencement of her illness in November, she said to Lady Ann Erskine, on being asked how she did, ‘I am well; all is well-well for ever. I see, wherever I turn my eyes, whether I live or die, nothing but victory.'

"Towards the close, she, with great emphasis, repeated often, The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Oh! Lady Ann, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh!' Adding, The thought fills my soul with joy unspeakable, whether I shall see His glory more abundantly appear, or whether it be an intimation of my own departure to Him.'

6

"At another time- All the little ruffles and difficulties which surround me, and all the pains I am exercised with in this poor body, through mercy affect not the settled peace and joy of my soul.'

"A day or two before her last illness, just as she had come from her room to her elbow-chair, she broke out in these memorable words :

66

"The Lord hath been present with my spirit this morning in a remarkable manner: what He means to convey to my mind I know not; it may be my approaching departure; my soul is filled with glory; I am as in the element of heaven itself.' They who knew how constantly her conversation was in heaven, will conclude, that those who were around her might fill volumes, instead of pages, with her energetic expressions; but she forbade it, as well as the publication of her papers and correspondence.

"Weakened by complicated disorders, and enfeebled by age, when about a week preceding her departure she was confined on the bed of languishing, it could not but afford surprise to all around her, that the vigour of her mind was unabated, and her intellects as clear as at any period of her life. The same earnest concern for the work of God and the advancement of the kingdom of his dear Son, abroad and at home, occupied all her thoughts.

"Anxious that an attempt to send the Gospel to Otaheite, in the South Seas, should succeed, to a friend engaged in that labour of love, who was sitting by her bed-side, she began to express her earnest desire that it might be accomplished. He with difficulty prevailed on her to drop the subject, lest talking earnestly might interrupt the rest which was desirable for her; assuring her that every means would be pursued to effect so desirable an event; and to-morrow,' said he, 'your Ladyship shall hear what can be done.' And when the next day difficulties were

raised, and the two persons who had engaged to go as Missionaries demurred, unless they could be ordained in the Established Church, which was refused them she said on being informed of it, 'We shall find others, I doubt not;' and gave immediate orders to her Secretary Mr. Best, to write the following note to the person engaged in the pursuit :—

"Sir-Lady Ann has mentioned to my Lady what has passed respecting the young men. She very much approves of what has been done, and what you have determined; and desires me

to say,

، Assure him of my affectionate regard; and tell him, it is impossible for me to express my love and honour for his love and faithfulness.' Two letters are gone by her order to Mr. Lewis and another student, to come up immediately, if they remain in the same disposition they once expressed. I remain, &c.

G. BEST.

"So warmly was her heart interested in this work to her very last moment! "About an hour only before her death, she said to Lady Ann Erskine, who watched her with assiduous attention, and for many nights and days never quitted her room. 'Is Charles's letter come?'* (she had sent for him to supply her chapel in Spafields, when Mr. Jones of Langan returned home.) On being answered, 'It is ;' she said, 'It must be opened, to see if he comes.' When Lady Ann said, I will go and open it'-she added, To know if he comes, that's the point.' So anxiously were the cares of her work impressed upon her dying heart; and often she had added, when speaking of the people in her Connexion, as her children, "I feel for their souls.'

66

During the whole of her illness, her pains never made her impatient, but she seemed more concerned about those who attended her, than about herself. She said, tenderly, to Lady Ann Erskine and Miss Scutt, whose long, faithful, and ten. der attachment to her is well known, I fear I shall be the death of you both (alluding to their constant watching with her); it will be but a few days more.^ "She appeared, during the tedious nights and days of pain and sickness, engaged in prayer, and animated with thankfulness for the unutterable mercies which she had experienced; saying, “I am encircled in the arms of love and mercy :' and at another time, 'I long to be at home: oh! I long to be at home.' A little before she died, she said repeatedly, 'I shall go to my Father this night;' and shortly after, Can He forget to be gracious? Is there any end of His loving-kindness?' "Dr. Lettsom had visited her between four and five. Shortly after, her strength failed, and she appeared departing: Alarmed, they summoned up a friend, who was waiting anxiously below; he took her hand-it was bedewed with sweat-he applied his fingers to the pulse-it had ceased to beat-and that instant she breathed her last sigh, as he leaned over her, and fell asleep in Jesus:

"Almost her last words were, 'My work is done; I have nothing to do but to go to my Father.' Thus the vital spark quitted its mortal frame,' to join those, 'who have come out of great tribulation, having washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb: Her Ladyship died at her house, in Spafields, London, next door to the chapel, June 17th, 1791, in the eighty-fourth year of her age, and was interred in the family vault at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Lincolnshire."

STATISTICAL TABLE.

COMPARATIVE ANNUAL MORTALITY IN EUROPEAN CAPITALS:-
There die in London every year—

In London

I in 44

* Rev. Thomas Charles, of Bala.

ON THE HUMAN BRAIN, IN HEALTH AND DISEASE.

"I think it is impossible to look at a skull without emotions of a solemn character; for, although itself insensible, it is capable of reading us a very serious and salutary lesson. 'He, being dead, yet speaketh,' and says to us, with more than living eloquence, 'Prepare!' But there is another lesson which it teaches. That deserted tenement was once inhabited by an immortal guest; that guest has departed, but not for ever. It will one day return, to depart no more. It is here that revelation steps in and penetrates the deepest abyss of the grave, and lights up the darkest recesses of the charnel-house. It puts a tongue and a voice into that fleshless mouth; and we hear it exclaim, in triumphant accents, 'I shall rise again!'"

The foregoing passage is taken from Dr. Rogers's Lectures on the Brain in Health and Disease, recently delivered at the Surrey Chapel Institution. The lecturer first considered the structure of the brain and skull; and the differences between those of man and those of brutes. The following extract gives a condensed view of this department of the subject:

"That important organ, the brain, is of a soft consistence, and is therefore lodged in a bony case, admirably adapted, by its globular form, to resist external injury. This bony case (the skull) has, in its under surface, several small openings, for the transmission of nerves and blood vessels; and one large opening, through which passes the spinal marrow; which is continued through the whole length of the spine; giving off nerves, at each side, to the various organs of the body. In the adult state, the skull is firmly compacted; but it is still capable of being separated into several distinct bones. The inside of the skull is very irregular in shape; there being various depressions and elevations. There are also incomplete partitions, of strong membrane, which prevent the different parts of the brain from pressing on each other. In appearance, the human brain resembles that of the lower animals. According to the most modern view, it is a membrane, which is folded up for the convenience of being packed into its bony case; and the manner in which this is contrived, so as to fill up every vacuity, is worthy of our admiration. This folding gives rise to the appearance of ridges on the surface of the brain; which ridges are called 'convolutions.""

Having thus considered the structure of the brain, Dr. Rogers went on to notice its functions, motific, sensific, and intellectual :

"The functions of the brain are threefold; for it ministers to motion, to sensation, and to intellect. The two first it accomplishes through the medium of nerves; which are either sent directly from its substance, through various small openings in the skull, or indirectly, through the medium of the spinal marrow; the anterior part of which ministers to motion, and the posterior to sensation. It is chiefly, however, as the organ of the mind, that we are now to consider the brain; and it is the anterior part of it, which is supposed to minister to that function. Man exceeds all the brute creation in the relative size of this part of the brain; and in ascending the animal series, the magnitude of this part, when compared with the rest of the brain, is found to be proportioned to the intellectual powers of the animal. In the ape, elephant and dog, for instance, it is very large; while in the sheep it is very small. The ape, the elephant, and the dog, are, as is well known, remarkable for sagacity; while the sheep is proverbial for silliness."

From the brain in health, the Lecturer passes on to the brain in disease; observing that the latter was capable of a twofold division; according as it affected the influence of the brain on the body, or deranged its functions as the organ of the mind.

He restricted his attention to the latter division, as comprehending the only diseases interesting to a non-professional audience. He then entered into the rich field opened by mental derangement to the philanthropist as well as the physician; and remarked on the difficulty of defining insanity, and of drawing the boundaryline between eccentricity and madness. Of this the following anecdote, condensed from Dr. Abercrombie, furnishes a good exemplification

"A clergyman in Scotland, after showing various extravagancies of conduct, was

brought before a jury, in order to have it decided whether he was capable of managing his own affairs, or whether he should be placed under the care of trustees. One of the acts of extravagance alleged against him was, that he had burned his library. When asked by the jury, what account he could give of this part of his conduct, he replied in the following terms :- In the early part of my life, I had imbibed a liking for a most unprofitable study-controversial divinity. On reviewing my library, I found great part of it to consist of books of this description; and I was so anxious that my family should not be led to follow the same pursuit, that I determined to burn the whole.' Another strange act was that of digging up and destroying a fine orchard; but he pleaded that digging was good for his health, and that he preferred a garden to an orchard. He gave answers equally plausible to questions which were put to him respecting other parts of his conduct; and the result was, that the jury found no sufficient ground for declaring him insane. Time, however, soon left no doubt on the subject; for a fortnight afterwards, that man was a raging maniac. This anecdote proves the incorrectness of the position which is sometimes laid down-that an insane person reasons correctly upon incorrect premises; for here the premises were sound and consistent; namely, the clergyman's opinion of the unprofitable nature of controversial divinity, and his desire that his family should not prosecute it. His insanity consisted in the rapid and partial view which he took of the means necessary for accomplishing his object -those of burning his own library. Had he sold his library, or that part of it which consisted of controversial divinity, the measure would have been in correct relation to the object he had in view; or if we suppose, that in going over his library, he had met with some books of an immoral tendency, to have burnt these, in order to prevent their falling into the hands of any individual, would have been the act of a wise and a virtuous man; but to burn his whole library, in order to prevent his family from studying controversial divinity, was the suggestion of insanity; entirely distorting the true relation of things; and carrying an impression, in itself correct, into consequences which it in no degree warranted."

Having given this example of incorrect reasoning on correct premises, the Lecturer gave others of correct reasoning on incorrect premises. The metamorphoses of madmen, who fancied themselves teapots and glass bottles, afforded an amusing passage; as did also the "sayings and doings" of the dead, in their own imagination. The rest of the lecture was taken up with that species of insanity, in which the mental aberration was confined to one point; while on other subjects the individual is perfectly sane. In some cases, this one point was unfounded hatred: in others, unfounded jealousy. One person fancied that he corresponded with a princess in cherry juice; and another with ladies and gentlemen in the planet Saturn.

In the second lecture, Dr. Rogers proceeded to the consideration of some of the other phenomena of this interesting mental state; and thus concluded the whole : "It has been well observed, by a writer on this subject, that insanity, like Janus, has two faces, a melancholy and a ludicrous one. You have had glimpses of both; and while you have sympathised with what is sad, you have been amused with what was amusing. I have endeavoured, indeed, to keep the cheerful face towards you as much as possible; because no good could have resulted to the sufferers from making you suffer along with them, and because your own mental health requires that your hours of relaxation should not be harassed with unavailing distresses. But there is an hour-the hour of sacred retirement, when your sympathy will not be unavailing; and when you shall have exchanged this scene of pleasurable excitement for that 'quiet chamber where the Christian sleeps,' remember them that are in mental bonds, as bound with them ;+ and intercede for them with Him, who has power to break those bonds, and let the prisoners go free. Here you can do nothing; but there you can influence that Almighty energy, which directs the minutest affairs of the little globe of the world. Waste not your energies in unavailing grief, but reserve them for the time when they may prove effectual in the relief of our afflicted brethren. Forget their sorrows in your cheerful moments; remember them in your prayers! !"

* The Author of " Passages from the Diary of a late Physician."
+ Hebrews xiii. 2,