his acquisition, and greatly astonished with the kindness and condescension of Dr. Kalley's manner, so very different from that of the higher classes of the Portuguese towards the peasantry. On his return home, Nicolau set himself immediately to redeem the promise he had made. On the part of his mother, the other members of the family, and his neighbours, there was no opposition. The Bible was at that time unknown in these parts, and was therefore neither dreaded nor forbidden, as it is in other Popish countries; and the Spirit of God had a work for that copy of the Word to do. Night after night, when the labours of the day were over, did the neighbours assemble at the cottage of Nicolau's mother, and there, night after night, did Nicolau read to them the Sacred Volume, beginning at Genesis, and reading straight on consecutively. After this had continued some time, Nicolau had occasion, in the way of business, to go to the house of a morgado or landed proprietor; and as it was on a Friday, he was much surprised to see beef on the table. But he supposed that as the morgado was a man of rank, and wealth, and learning, he must necessarily know what was right; and therefore, with a Portuguese shrug of the shoulders, tried to rest satisfied with that solution of the matter. But his mind reverted to the subject; and as in the Bible, so far as he had read, he had found nothing about eating beef on Fridays, he came to Funchal to inquire at Dr. Kalley where the passage of Scripture was to be found which contained the prohibition. It was on the occasion of this visit, we believe, that Dr. Kalley happened to overhear him reading the Scriptures, and remarked the superior manner in which he read, and the evident intelligence which his reading manifested. He, therefore, asked him to become Bible-reader to the people who frequented the hospital. Several patients were lodged in the hospital, and a large number attended every day for medical advice; and these latter required to wait till the turn of each came for being seen by Dr. Kalley. A very favourable opportunity was thus afforded for bringing the Word of God under the notice of a considerable number of persons; and it was to them that Nicolau engaged to read the Bible. Nicolau was naturally of a proud, ambitious spirit, and some of his friends tried to persuade him that this was a degrading employment. A do-nothing life is esteemed by the Portuguese a mark of gentility. The sons of the higher classes usually prefer to go about in idleness, rather than engage in business. And as Nicolau's parents were in very comfortable circumstances, for their rank, it was represented to him that it would be a very disgraceful and degrading thing to become a hired servant, and that, too, for the purpose of attending on the poorest of his countrymen. But Nicolau was now very anxious for instruction in the Scrip-' tures, and therefore desirous to be near Dr. Kalley. He therefore accepted the situation, and became an inmate in Dr. Kalley's house. Here he enjoyed the benefit of the expositions at the doctor's family worship, and on the Sabbaths and festas or saint days; for at that time Dr. Kalley held himself entitled to exercise his own religion within his own premises in the Portuguese language, even when Portu- | guese citizens were present. Nicolau's mind now rapidly opened to the truth. Serious impressions were made on him. He became convinced of the unscripturalness of the Romish Church, and of the superstitions in which he had been brought up. He was led to Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of lost sinners, and, as far as man could judge, was enabled to rely on his finished work, by a faith that worketh by love. H When in this state of mind, Nicolau, along with Francisco Pires Soares, another Portuguese, who had also, by attending the services at Dr. Kalley's house, been led to Jesus Christ, proposed to join in the communion about to be celebrated in the Scotch Presbyterian Church at Funchal. They knew nothing of English, and therefore would not join in the service; but they felt an intense longing to obey Christ's dying commandment, and to partake of the holy ordinance of the supper in a scriptural manner. Though their request was very gratifying to Dr. Kalley, he was so far from having prompted it, that he set before them, plainly and faithfully, what were likely to be the consequences of such a step-how it would irritate against them the Romish priesthood, probably involve them in loss and suffering, and might subject them to a criminal prosecution, however unjustly. But they had both counted the cost. The love of Christ constrained them; and though fairly warned of the trials and dangers which awaited them, they went to the Lord's table with their Presbyterian brethren, and thus sealed at once their renunciation of Popery, and their faith in Jesus Christ as the only sacrifice for sin, and the only mediator between God and man. A young Portuguese female communicated along with them. This was done openly, in the spring of 1843. Proceedings at law were immediately instituted against Dr. Kalley and the two men who had communicated. The doctor was accused of blasphemy (because he had taught Protestant doctrine, though without any particular reference to Popery, or any public or violent attack on its dogmas), of heresy, and of aiding and abetting apostasy. Nicolau and Francisco were accused of apostasy and heresy, and a warrant was issued for their apprehension; but they escaped, and succeeded in concealing themselves. Strenuous efforts were made to discover and capture them, but in vain. At length it was conjectured by the authorities that they SKETCH OF THE LIVES, &c. were concealed in the house or about the premises of Dr. Kalley. We believe that the house of no British subject can be entered or searched by the officers of law in Madeira, unless the British consul be present, or at least have given his sanction to such an act. On the occasion in question, the British consul in Funchal came up to Dr. Kalley's house with the police, and remained there whilst a minute and protracted search was made for Nicolau and Francisco over the whole house and grounds. But the search was in vain, and the Romanists retired disappointed of their prey. 429 young female already mentioned, yearned to partake again of the holy ordinance. Christian friends were doubtful whether it would be safe for them to do so. But they were hungry and thirsty, and thankful to Him who had preserved them hitherto, and it was hard to forbid them. On the morning of the communion Sabbath, Dr. Kalley saw them. When he left them, we asked him, "Well, what are they to do?” "They have gone," replied he, "to pray together, and to ask direction from God; but I think they will go." And so it was. They all three went quietly but openly to the Presbyterian | Church and communicated. Not long after this, Dr. Kalley himself, in the end of July 1843, was thrown into prison, The authorities took no notice of this. Nicowhere he remained upwards of five months. lau now began to appear in public. He occaDuring this period Nicolau found it necessary sionally met the officers of police, but they did to remain in concealment. And even when not molest him. This was in the winter and Dr. Kalley was liberated on bail, on the 1st of spring of 1844. In the beginning of summer January 1844, it was not thought safe for poor Nicolau returned to his home in the Lombo das Nicolau to come forth out of his hiding-place. Fayas. There he employed himself in the usual Meanwhile, there was no shrinking on his part, country labour, and as opportunities were preunder the trials which had come upon him. sented, he spoke to his neighbours of the Lord He was quite firm and resigned, and anxious Jesus Christ as he is made known to us in the to grow in acquaintance with the truth of God, Bible. He also commenced an evening school which comforts and makes wise unto salvation. for the instruction of the lads in the neighbourWhen Dr. Kalley, after his liberation, resumed hood, which was soon numerously attended; his ordinary family exercises and his exposi- for deep interest had begun to be felt in the tions in his own house on Sabbaths and holy Bible throughout that district. Its statements. days, Nicolau durst not mingle with the people and doctrines, which were quite new to the who attended these meetings, nor enter the room people, had become almost the only theme of where they were met; but the writer of these conversation; and a very general and strong sentences has often seen him lingering about desire was felt to learn to read, that they might the window, which was usually open, on ac- peruse the Word of God for themselves. count of the heat, with his Bible in his hand, lau's school soon became exceedingly offensive and trying to catch some portion of the instruc- to the enemies of the truth, and he was accordtions which Dr. Kalley was giving, or devoutlyingly threatened with vengeance if he persisted. joining in the prayer which he was offering up. His soul was hungering for the bread of life; and though his fellow-men did all they could to deprive him of it, his heavenly Father's hand was dealing it out to him. Meanwhile such proceedings took place in Dr. Kalley's case as made it appear that the courts did not consider what had been done by Nicolau as a punishable offence. The Attorney-General at Lisbon, in his argument on the case, expressed himself thus: If these two citizens (Nicolau and Francisco) have apostatized from our religion, however great an injury they may have done to their own souls, they have committed no civil crime whatever for which they can be punished." This opinion he founded on that article of the Constitutional Charter which provides expressly "that nobody shall be prosecuted on religious grounds." When this pleading of the Attorney-General in the Supreme Court at Lisbon was known in Madeira, it seemed unnecessary that Nicolau should remain any longer in concealment. Still there was much apprehension and considerable caution. The period for dispensing the Lord's supper in the Presbyterian Church was at hand, and the hearts of Nicolau, Francisco, and the Nico The school was, notwithstanding, continued, and measures were taken to prevent any sudden surprise when it was met. Things went on in this way till the middle of autumn. On the evening of the 16th of September, fourteen men were despatched from Machico to apprehend Nicolau. They reached his house in the Lombo das Fayas soon after sunset, and went straight to the school, where the scholars were beginning to assemble. They carried a gun, a reaping-hook, and a thick cord.. Their arrival at such an hour naturally produced considerable excitement. They told Nicolau that they were officers of justice, and produced an order from the Administrador of Machico for him to go with them as their prisoner. The Portuguese law provides, "that, in fulfilment of mandates for the imprisonment of those indicated, their houses, and those of persons with whom it is presumed they are, never shall be entered after the setting or before the rising of the sun:" and the Charter declares that "no officer can enter any man's house, for any reason (except in cases of fire, flood, or screams from within), between sunset and sunrise." Nicolau knew this law; and, therefore, objecting to the men the illegality of their ings, he declined to accompany them. He expressed a suspicion that there was a design to destroy him in the dark road, in the absence of witnesses. He remarked that he had been at work openly on the road-side all day, and that had they apprehended him then, all would have been fair. He told them that if they chose to wait till sunrise, he would go with them; and that in the meantime he would give them their supper, and such accommodation as the house could afford. The men were not satisfied with this reasoning, and manifested some disposition to proceed to violence. One of the scholars, on observing this, sounded a buzio, or spiral shell, with which | the country people are wont to make signals to one another, and this called out the inhabitants of the neighbouring cottages to see what was the matter. They were unfurnished with weapons of any kind, but they were in considerable numbers, and, they openly expressed their indignation at the officers for coming at such an hour, and accused them of intending to murder Nicolau if they had him once on the road alone. The officers were overawed, and retired without any attempt to secure their prisoner. Not the slightest violence was offered to them. On the contrary, as by that time it was very dark, and the paths through the yam beds were narrow and difficult, Nicolau's step-father furnished them with straw torches to light them on their way. When they were fairly gone, some of the lads raised a shout of triumph, but this was immediately checked by Nicolau; and on his invitation, they all knelt down and gave thanks to God for having mercifully prevented violence, and so far graciously protected them. We may mention that this attempt to seize Nicolau was, in every respect, illegal. The person signing the order was incompetent to do any such act; the person who was intrusted with the execution of the order was the church beadle, and not an officer of police at all; and the time at which it was attempted to be put in force was an illegal time. Dreadful consequences followed the transacfons of that evening. During the immediately succeeding week, reports began to be circulated that soldiers were to be sent up and billeted on the inhabitants of the Lombo das Fayas. The proprietors of the lands are paid in kind, and some of them who had cattle and grain in the hands of the people of that district, had them removed. The landlord of a part of the grounds possessed by Nicolau's family sent for the portion of grain and potatoes which belonged to him, though in former years he had allowed them to remain till February or March; and there is reason to believe, that the authorities gave the hint to their friends to secure their property, in the prospect of what was about to take place. On the evening of Monday the 23d of September, Judge Negrao, and the public prose cutor, Senhor Mascarenhas, left Funchal for Santo Antonio da Serra, with fifty-six soldiers and three officers. Negrao and Mascarenhas remained with the priest at the Church of St. Antonio; whilst the soldiers, guided by the church officers, pushed on about three miles farther to the Lombo das Fayas, which they reached about four o'clock in the morning, whilst it was yet dark. Some of the inhabi tants, roused by the barking of the dogs, and alarmed by the tread of feet, hastily rose, and fled into the thicket. Among these was Nicolau. From about twenty families, the soldiers took thirty prisoners, men and women." Many of these they inhumanly beat; almost all of them they bound, and drove them off to St. Antonio, where the judge was waiting for them. There they underwent a sort of examination and much ill treatment: eight were discharged; twenty-two, of whom five were women, were retained as prisoners. All access was denied to them. They were known to be suffering from hunger, and provisions were sent by two English families residing in the neighbourhood, but were repeatedly refused, by order of Negrao. On Thursday the 26th, these twenty-two individuals were put on board the Portuguese frigate Diana, and conveyed to the jail of Funchal. After an im prisonment of more than twenty months, these poor people were brought to trial in June last (1846), and found not guilty, but were sent back to jail till they should pay some prison-dues. After the soldiers had conducted their prisoners to St. Antonio, on the morning of the 24th, they were sent back to be billeted on the cottagers in the Lombo das Fayas. There they perpetrated every atrocity that licentiousness, cruelty, and rapine could prompt. They stripped the dwellings of everything valuable, consumed and destroyed the provisions and cattle, beat and maltreated the aged to make them discover where their money was kept, and grossly abused the women. Infamous females from Funchal were loaded with the spoil, which they carried openly by day down to the city; and when the Hon. F. Scott, M.P. for Roxburghshire, Dr. Kalley, and another English gentleman, visited the Lombo das Fayas, on Monday the 30th, after the soldiers had left it, they found it presenting all the appearance of a sacked village-locks forced open-doors broken-the wreck of furniture strewed about the floor-empty chests, &c. In the cottage of Nicolau's mother everything had been either carried off or destroyed; the very floor had been torn up in search of property, or out of wanton mischief. Whilst this was going on, Nicolau and several others were concealed among the furze and brushwood which abound on the Serra of St. Antonio. He did not dare to seek shelter in any human habitation, though suffering from both cold and hunger. Occasionally, and with MARIA, OR DUTY DEFERRED. 431 those who live under British law possess, and embracing such opportunities of usefulness as are placed within his reach. MARIA, OR DUTY DEFERRED. IN the early part of my life I was attending a board- Her natural. Our principal laboured with us all faithfully. She strove to impress upon those of us who were professors of religion, the duty of seeking earnestly the salvation of our dear companions. She reminded us, not only of our duty to converse with them, and pray for them and with them, but that we ought constantly to exhibit our principles, and live religion before them. the utmost caution, and for a few minutes, he ventured into the houses of friendly individuals in the neighbourhood; but, like our own persecuted forefathers, he had to make his bed at a distance from human habitations, and snatch a hasty and precarious meal where and how his heavenly Father provided it for him. The friends of the Gospel had looked forward to Nicolau being of use among his countrymen, in teaching them to read, in reading to them and with them the Word of God, and in making them acquainted with the things which belonged to their peace. But it was now felt that all hopes of this kind were at an end. He was personally and thoroughly obnoxious to the authorities; they were on the alert for his capture; he could not appear in public without the certainty of being apprehended; it was extremely difficult to conceal him for any length of time; and such concealment would be very irksome to himself. In these circumstances, he could be of no use to the cause of truth in Madeira. It was thought desirable, therefore, that he should be got off the island, and, if possible, conveyed to some place where he might be in safety, and serve the cause of Christ. This, however, was a matter of no small difficulty. But it providentially happened that a vessel bound for one of the British West India possessions called at Madeira; and it was ascertained that the master was willing to receive Nicolau, if he could be put on board. Friends undertook to manage this. Boatmen were engaged, who, without being told who the individual was, were promised a handsome remuneration if they succeeded in putting a person on board the ship in question after she had cleared out from Funchal. At a late hour, Nicolau and a brother went on board the open boat at a retired part of the coast, and put out to sea. Their movements were not so secret as to escape the notice of some of the custom-house or police employées, who are always on the She was frequently absent from the table on acoutlook for smugglers, or for persons leaving count of ill health; and on one such occasion I obtained the island without passports. They gave chase, permission to carry her some light food, and sit with but were unable to come up with the boat her while the family were at tea. When I entered which carried Nicolau. The period of the the room I found her alone, and very sad. She apchase was one of intense anxiety to the poor peared grateful for my attention, and it seemed to fugitives; but the chief boatman bade them be me a favourable opportunity to direct her thoughts of good cheer, and, laying his hand on his to the Saviour, and to dwell upon the realities of pocket, said, that he had there a pistol which eternity. But I felt reluctant to commence the conwould secure their liberty. He referred to a versation, and allowed the time to pass by without supply of dollars, with which he made no saying one word on the subject which was weighing doubt he would be able to bribe their pursuers, so heavily upon my heart. After tea was over some should they be overtaken. At length, after gay young ladies came in, and I withdrew. A few days. having been some hours in the open boat, they after this she left us, and returned to her parents, sick. reached the vessel, which had lain-to for them,We frequently heard that she still remained feeble; and she then spread her sails, and soon carried poor Nicolau far from his persecutors, and in a few days landed him safe under the protection of British power. He is now living in one of the British possessions, enjoying that liberty of conscience which, through God's goodness, But after a season this special religious interest died away, and among those who were left unconverted was Maria. Her health was always delicate, and towards the close of the term it began materially to decline. She appeared uniformly gentle and amiable, and with a spirit somewhat subdued. I often thought I ought, in some way, to manifest the desire which I still felt for the salvation of her soul; and resolved, repeatedly, that I would entreat her to consecrate herself to the service of God, and become a sincere friend and follower of the Saviour. But as no very favourable opportunity occurred for a long time, I continually delayed what I felt to be an important duty. but we heard nothing of the state of her mind. The close of the term was rapidly approaching, and with it the excitement of the coming examination, sorrow that we must so soon be separated, and joy at our anticipated meeting with our beloved families and friends. Soon we were all scattered, and I returned to my home, far away from all my school-fellows. I occasionally heard from one and another of them, with much interest; but nothing from Maria; until at length a paper was sent me, and in the list of deaths was the name of Maria B. My pen would vainly attempt to describe my feelings on beholding it. A remembrance of my unfaithfulness came over me with crushing weight. She had gone into eternity! and all further opportunity to beseech her to come to a merciful Saviour was gone for ever. I might have besought her once, but now it was too late. I eagerly examined the few words which were said of her, to catch, if possible, some ray of hope that she had, in her last days, made her peace with God; but I only found a notice of the sweetness of her disposition and of the general loveliness of her character, while nothing was said of a change of heart, or repentance for sin, of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, or of hope of salvation through the efficacy of his atoning blood. I took the paper and retired to my chamber, to weep and pray over my neglect of duty, to seek forgiveness from God, and implore his assistance to enable me in future to obey, without hesitation, the voice of conscience and of his word. For a long time the day of judgment was vividly before me. The mild eye of Maria seemed resting upon me, with a look unutterably expressive-a look which pierced my heart with anguish; for it seemed to say, "You saw my danger, but you warned me not. You knew the way of life, but you directed me not to walk in it. You had experienced the love of the Saviour, but you invited me not to come to him. Now it is for ever too late." The record of my unfaithfulness was in the book of God, and my sin was continually before me. I did not attempt to relieve my overburdened heart by expressing its anguish to any one, but to my God. I felt that through his mercy he might forgive me, and grant me grace to be more faithful. That he would do so, for the Redeemer's sake, was my earnest prayer. Oh! if we lived with eternity constantly in view; if we felt at all times the infinite value of the soul, we could not be so negligent and unfaithful as we are prone to be; but should work while it is day, knowing that "the night cometh when no man can work.". American Messenger. GIVE THANKS. IN everything does it become the Christian to give thanks, even for those trials which call into exercise, and thus strengthen his graces; for though "no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby." The Christian can, therefore, "glory in tribulation," well knowing, that when he comes to the end of his course, and looks back on all his blessings, and on all his trials, when he sings of mercy, he will see reason to sing of judgment too. But when we drag on heavily, as if there were disheartening difficulties to be met, and heavy penalties to be endured at every step, we bring up an evil report upon the good land; and make the world believe bat we serve a harsh master, who demands much while he gives little; and confirm the too readily adopted notion, that religion is a dull and gloomy thing, the death of all pleasure, and the grave of all duty, as if there were a "lion in the way," and go to enjoyment. And if we go to the discharge of every meet trial and temptation with feelings like those with which Saul went from Endor to Gilboa, what but discomfiture can we expect, when we engage under the depressing influence of anticipated defeat? -Dods on the Incarnation. THE FAULT OF MANY PRAYERS. WE are invited to come, and that even "with boldness, to the throne of grace." And why should we not do so? If, indeed, we depended for obtaining the petitions that we ask upon our own merits, and might ask nothing but what we deserve, then it would be useless to go to a throne of grace, or to, take the name of God into our lips at all, since we have deserved only wrath. But if our petitions be founded on the merits of Christ, then we can ask nothing that he has not deserved, and nothing that, if it be really good for us, he is not willing to bestow. In this case, to come to God with fear and hesitation -to limit our petitions to small matters, because we feel that we have no claim to ask larger-or to make our own merits, in any degree, the measure of our acceptance-or to ask, as if God would grudge what he bestows-in all this we are just dishonouring our' great High Priest, and living far beneath the privileges which he bestows upon us. To consider religion as being our business, but the world as the source from which we must draw our pleasures--to approach God in prayer as a duty which it is right, and proper, and profitable to perform, but w' hout any notion or feeling of its being a privilege which it is delightful to enjoy to come to him as a judge, whose good-will it is our interest to conciliate, without being able to look upon him as a Father, whose power, and riches, and kindness, it gives us pleasure to contemplate and celebrate, and whose approving smile, the light of whose countenance, is a greater treasure than corn, and wine, and oil-is to take a view of that communion to which God calleth us, and of the privileges which he has conferred upon us. that must greatly mar both our peace and our progress in the Christian life. While, therefore, everything approaching to presumption, or to that affected familiarity with God which some appear to mistake for filial confidence, is to be guarded against with the most sedulous care; with equal care ought we to guard against that distrust of our High Priest, which makes us dread to exercise and to enjoy, with the most perfect confidence and freedom, the privileges which in Christ Jesus we possess.-Ibid. CUNNING OF SATAN. SATAN would seem too mannerly and reasonable. making as if he would be content with one-half of the heart; whereas God challenges to all or none, as indeed He has most reason to claim all, that made all. But this is nothing but a crafty fetch of Satan; for he well knows, that if he get any part, God will have none.-Hall. |