All the biographical accounts of this great and excellent man are very scanty. The fact is, that such virtues as his, contentment in all conditions, candour in doubtful cases, moderation among differing parties, knowledge without ostentation, are more suitable subjects for eulogium than narrative.

The commencement of Barrow's career as a scholar was most unpromising. He was at once indolent and pugnacious. But he soon saw the evil of these habits, and entered upon a different course. He became one of the most amiable of men, and an example of diligence and application. For his unbending loyalty, his upright life, his sound scholarship, and his useful writings, he has been amply rewarded by posterity. Few authors are more esteemed and respected. His works are free from intolerance and the bitterness of party-spirit; and are therefore read with equal interest and delight by Christians of all denominations. They are the genuine effusions of a pious and generous heart; and present a wonderful example of a copious and well-disciplined intellect. Those students who wish to see the strength and majesty of the English language will read his sermons with great advantage. They will also derive equal instruction from a careful study of the arrangement of Barrow's sermons. Every argument is in its proper place; and while the subject of every discourse is exhausted, all the topics are arranged in such exact order, that they appear to the greatest advantage. This habit was the result of the author's profound acquaintance with logic and the mathematics. He died at an age when learned men in general are only beginning to excite attention; and then, as he was one of the best men, he was one of the most profound scholars in England.

Happy the youth who, like Dr. Barrow, having grievedand distressed his affectionate parents by folly and indiscretion, renounces the paths which lead to misery and dishonour, and makes it the entire business of his subsequent life to adorn his Christian profession, and to make the world wiser and better. It was by unremitting diligence that Dr. Bar

tain an admirable treatise upon the Pope's supremacy; full of sound learning and argument; in which the claims of His Holiness—as he is called in courtesy, though his more appropriate title is, "The man of sin”'-are completely disproved. But his principal writings are his sermons, which were composed with great care. They are mostly upon subjects of Christian duty, which they treat with a copiousness of expression, a force of argument, and a redundancy of thought, which no other author perhaps ever equalled. He was said to be the most unfair Preacher that ever occupied a pulpit, because he left nothing for any that came after him to say. His sermon on bounty to the poor is said to have occupied three hours in the delivery. It is reported that King Charles sometimes refused to hear him, unless he would first show him his manuscript, that he might judge of the length of the discourse.

He possessed great personal courage. Being once at the house of a friend in the country, and going out in the morning when a fierce and powerful mastiff was at large, the animal flew upon him in the most ferocious manner; but the Doctor seized his assailant by the throat, and, after much struggling, bore him to the ground, and held him there till some of the family rose and parted the combatants. He suffered no other injury beside the straining of his hands, the pain and inconvenience of which continued for some days.

His conduct was marked by uniformity and a constant tenor. He is said to have been always one by his exact conformity to the rule of a virtuous and prudent conversation. He steered by the same compass, and to the same port, even when the storms forced him to shift the sails. His fortune on some occasions partook of the unsettledness of the times in which he lived; and to fit himself for the several works he was to do, he entered upon studies of various kinds, so that he could not devote himself to one; which in his apprehension would have been more for the publie benefit. General scholars he thought please themselves most; but those who confine their attention to particular

All the biographical accounts of this great and excellent man are very scanty. The fact is, that such virtues as his, contentment in all conditions, candour in doubtful cases, moderation among differing parties, knowledge without ostentation, are more suitable subjects for eulogium than narrative.

The commencement of Barrow's career as a scholar was most unpromising. He was at once indolent and pugnacious. But he soon saw the evil of these habits, and entered upon a different course. He became one of the most amiable of men, and an example of diligence and application. For his unbending loyalty, his upright life, his sound scholarship, and his useful writings, he has been amply rewarded by posterity. Few authors are more esteemed and respected. His works are free from intolerance and the bitterness of party-spirit; and are therefore read with equal interest and delight by Christians of all denominations. They are the genuine effusions of a pious and generous heart; and present a wonderful example of a copious and well-disciplined intellect. Those students who wish to see the strength and majesty of the English language will read his sermons with great advantage. They will also derive equal instruction from a careful study of the arrangement of Barrow's sermons. Every argument is in its proper place; and while the subject of every discourse is exhausted, all the topics are arranged in such exact order, that they appear to the greatest advantage. This habit was the result of the author's profound acquaintance with logic and the mathematics. He died at an age when learned men in general are only beginning to excite attention; and then, as he was one of the best men, he was one of the most profound scholars in England.

Happy the youth who, like Dr. Barrow, having grievedand distressed his affectionate parents by folly and indiscretion, renounces the paths which lead to misery and dishonour, and makes it the entire business of his subsequent life to adorn his Christian profession, and to make the world wiser and better. It was by unremitting diligence that Dr. Bar

1

same means that any one can hope to rival the extent of his

acquirements.

The following is a translation of the epitaph of this truly great and excellent man :

ISAAC BARROW, D.D.,

A man almost divine; and truly great,

if integrity, consummate learning, equal modesty, and kind, venerable manners possess any greatness.

He was the Gresham Lecturer on Geometry in London, and Professor of Greek & Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. He was an ornament to these offices, to the Church, and to the nation. As Master, he conferred honour on Trinity College,

and enlarged it by founding a princely library.

Born for nobler objects, he did not despise wealth, honour, and ambition, but left them to the world.

He especially imitated that God whom he had worshipped from infancy, in having few wants, and in doing much good even to posterity; to whom, being dead, he yet speaketh. Other traits in his character, and nobler than these, are to be found upon record.

Go, Reader, and imitate him.

He died on the Fourth of May, 1677,

Aged forty-seven years.

His friends have erected this monument.

LETTERS TO A YOUNG CHRISTIAN.

LETTER VIII.

It was not my intention to extend my remarks to so great a length on the nature of prayer; but I have been insensibly led along, by my anxiety to impress upon your mind the importance of the subject. By personal experience, I have, I trust, learned its value. I have been able to trace every spiritual declension to the closet. When the enemies of my soul have triumphed, I could distinctly see that my armour had not been furbished by prayer. When the serenity of conscious forgiveness, a calm sense of divine favour, has departed, and the restless tumult of passion has succeeded, the Spirit, I knew full well, had not, with fervency,

As well might we expect vegetation to spring from the earth without the sunshine or the dew, as the Christian to unfold his graces, and advance in his course, without patient, persevering, and ardent prayer. The throne of grace must be your home, your dearest, happiest home. If unavoidably detained from your accustomed visits to the sweet retreat, O may you feel, like the dove that fluttered anxiously around the ark, that, on earth, there is nought that is stable, on which to rest your weary foot. And, when you again find the consecrated spot, may your tears of joy mingle with those of penitence, as you throw yourself anew into the arms of your Father and your Friend.

In my last, I spoke of praying with faith in the promises; so that I have now glanced at the three important particulars, necessary in acceptable prayer.

The second inquiry, for what you should pray, needs, it appears to me, but little consideration, if you have been taught of the Spirit. The Apostle says, "We know not what we should pray for as we ought," but "the Spirit helpeth our infirmities." It would not, therefore, become me, to enumerate the particulars which should form the subject-matter of your prayers. If the Holy Spirit has wrought in your soul a deep conviction of your depravity, you will wrestle with God for its removal. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." If you are suddenly betrayed into sin, and your conscience feel the heavy load, you will exclaim, “O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great.” If your heart be sluggish in duty, you will, of course, and from necessity, pray, "Quicken me, O Lord, and I will run in the ways of thy commandments." If you love the kingdom of Christ, you will pray earnestly, and with faith, for its coming. If you feel for the perishing condition of sinners, you will commend them, with tears, to the mercy of your God.

But your prayers will not be thus general. If you ever, as I trust you will, become a noble and devoted Christian, your prayers will often be protracted and particular. You will pray for blessings on your own soul, on your parents,