gay chaplets of flowers, and broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. On the summit he was received by six priests, whose long and matted locks flowed disorderly over their sable robes, covered with hieroglyphic scrolls of mystic import. They led him to the sacrificial stone, a huge block of jasper, with its upper surface somewhat convex. On this the prisoner was stretched. Five priests secured his head and his limbs; while the sixth, clad in a scarlet mantle, emblematic of his bloody office, dexterously opened the breast of the wretched victim with a sharp razor of itztl,-a volcanic substance, hard as flint,-and, inserting his hand in the wound, tore out the palpitating heart. The minister of death, first holding this up towards the sun, an object of worship throughout Anahuac, cast it at the feet of the deity to whom the temple was devoted, while the multitudes below prostrated themselves in humble adoration. The tragic story of this prisoner was expounded by the priests as the type of human destiny, which, brilliant in its commencement, too often closes in sorrow and disaster.*

The most loathsome part of the story-the manner in which the body of the sacrificed captive was disposed of-remains yet to be told. It was delivered to the warrior who had taken him in battle, and by him, after being dressed, was served up in an entertainment to his friends. This was not the coarse repast of famished cannibals, but a banquet teeming with delicious beverages and delicate viands prepared with art and attended by both sexes, who, as we shall see hereafter, conducted themselves with all the decorum of civilized life.' +

*Prescott remarks that Dante in the Inferno, Canto xxiii., unconsciously described the Mexican sacrificial rites. See also Southey's Madoc on all Mexican subjects.

In some years, according to Zumarragua, 20,000 victims were thus sacrificed. The germs of the Mexican rite are to be found in Otaheite (Lang, p. 102), where the unsuspecting victim was despatched by the priest at a single blow, and exposed to putrify in a wicker frame on the branch of the tree, near the Morai (temple) of the god.

"To such appalling uses were these pyramids, now gray with time, applied. I will now proceed to describe one of them, that of Cholula." (To be continued.)

BRAMWELL ON MINISTERIAL DEVOTEDNESS.

Sunderland, April 15, 1808. "MY DEAR BROTHER,-I understand that you are quite satisfied you are in your place-I mean as a travelling preacher,- a work which makes me, even to the present time, tremble in the presence of God. I am still persuaded that nothing can support us but that Almighty power which raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. Yet it is quite possible for you and me to make this a worldly business; that it may become so formal, as to create no more concern than any common business in life. Shall the Lord ordain us to this heavenly calling-shall he endue us with the spirit of zeal and of power— shall he send us forth into this labour, to save sinners from everlasting damnation-and shall we, after all, lose the spirit of our calling? How can we then give in our account? How shall we stand before the judgmentseat of Christ? Nothing less than the improvement of time, talents, &c., can give us the least plea in that day.

"Consider this, my dear brother, and strictly examine yourself. Do you rise about four o'clock every morning? And, in order to this, do you retire to rest as soon as your work, and meals are over; or do you sit and chat with the people? Do you give yourself to reading and prayer? I say, GIVE, give yourself to these. Are you never in company above an hour at once? When in company, do you turn all into profit into religion? Are you a man of God, in spirit, in word, in deed? Do you feel a clear witness of entire sanctification -the cleansing blood? And, do you declare this, and walk in it?

"I want you also to be a preacher; and in order to this, would it not be well to read the Scriptures without comment, to find out the breadth and length, depth and height, by digging,

praying, and receiving light from God! Whoever depends on comments will be very superficial, and never speak with proper confidence. You may sometimes examine a comment after your own labour, to see what difference, &c., but never before it.

"Write something every day have a book for the purpose, and never lose one idea, which the Lord, in mercy gives you. In preaching, never be tedious: the world never did and never will bear it. Let your introduction be a short opening to your sermon. An introduction is to prepare the people for what you have to say. Let your sermon be clear and strong, reaching every heart. Save thyself and them that hear thee.'

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"If you have no end in view but the bringing of souls to God, this will cure almost everything. Strive to bring some home, every sermon. God will be with you, and he will bless you: he will give you the desire of your heart. Be neat and clean in your person and clothes: never foppish, or fine. Have every thing consistent with your Lord Jesus. Set him before you at all times. Never be ceremonious; yet have a good address. Be courteous, be kind; never gloomy, never light or trifling. O my brother, live for eternity! The Lord is at hand. Be ready every moment for glory, and ever as willing to leave this earth as to go to sleep. Pray, pray, pray, and

never cease."

With some little variation, Mr. Bramwell addressed another letter of advice to a junior preacher, from which the following extracts are selected :

"Let souls be near your heart: this will cure everything. It will make you read, study, improve time, preach and labour: it will cause you to rise early, and make you do all you can every day. O the importance of salvation, even to one person! I wonder we are not a thousand times more alive to God. The blessed apostle Paul could talk about his 'serving the Lord with all humility of mind, with many tears; and teaching publicly, and from house to

house,' warning rich and poor. You will find it your province to live today, and leave your future state in this life with God and his church. In this way, you will be always happy, for God will provide. I would advise you to procure Blair's Lectures. Read them much, and if you write extracts it will imprint them more strongly on your mind. 'Shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.' Strive to acquire a pleasing address. Never be ceremonious or awkward, but let love govern the whole of your conduct. Be full of divine love.

"The great salvation is much neglected amongst us: but preach this at every suitable opportunity. Live in the witness of it, and confess it at proper seasons. You will find some that oppose it; take no notice of them, enter into no debate, but still go on with all patience. • Love your enemies. Do good to them that hate you.' Never be weary in well-doing, and you shall reap."

To the Rev. J. Everett, for whom he had a strong regard, he writes:"I feel you much upon my mind, and must reflect upon you with love and gratitude. I am of the same mind, and convinced that nothing less than the full salvation can make us happy, who live in such great light and privilege. How can we escape if we neglect it? Shall we not fall, sooner or later? The Jews might reach a degree of glory without it, but we are 'exalted to heaven.' I hope you feel the direct witness, that the blood of Christ Jesus cleanses from sin, and that you are pressing into all the glory. Never lose your proper zeal; you may retain the whole of it without the extraordinary labour which I know was frequently above your strength."

Shortly after the date of the above, he again writes: "I am glad you continue strong to labour, and God is with you, sending prosperity. Know your chain, and determine to go its length: but also determine not to break it. He knoweth whereof we are made,' and indeed, 'we are but dust.' 'Be filled with the Spirit.' And yet the Spirit will make you subject to

"MY DEAR BROTHER,-Nothing in this world can equal the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ, especially when the love of God becomes the ruling principle of the soul. To struggle with outward sin is hard work; to fight with the risings of evil nature is hard work; but when the soul receives the all-cleansing bloodwhen the mind enjoys this indwelling God-when he reigns alone-then we find the benefit of the great salvation. All is quiet-all is calm. You stand unmoved. Water, fire, devils, men-all cannot disturb your rest. Besides, you are prepared for every good work, can preach and pray, and leave all to him. Some say, 'It is good' others, 'middling'others, very bad,'-you can still say, 'Glory to God!' and proceed with your work. Happy man! happy work! happy end!

I hope you have not fallen into any decline, or given up any part of your faith, or union with God. Shall such a man flee, and so many souls going to hell? Can you see the world sink lower? It is low enough. We must, by the grace of God, at least have a few brands from the fire. If you gain one in a month, see your crown of glory. And if nothing else will stimulate your soul to perpetuate this blessed work, let the place in the city of God ever stir you to magnify the Lord in your body, whether it be by life or by death. I believe you have not yet received all the promise. I know that all things are so delightful when we enter the country, that we shall be occupied in gazing on the flowers, instead of pressing into all the glory, which you will ever find in the centreGod. To be swallowed up in him is

your glory. Do not stay because others do. Give kind words to all, but tarry with none. Everything you have to do on earth, will now be a step to heaven. Business will smile, with the presence of God. You will see him in all things, and you cannot do anything without him. Live, my dear brother, with Abraham, in believing; with Elias, in prayer; with Daniel, in courage; with John, in love; with Paul, in feeling for the world,-remember this was 'night and day with tears.'

"In general, debates are fruitless; if possible keep from them, though on the purest subjects. Whoever thinks differently from you, be the same kind, affectionate friend to them; bless them who curse you.' The Lord be with you."

The following extracts are taken from a letter addressed to a young preacher and although written some time after those already given, it breathes the same spirit. It is inserted here to show the uniform views which Mr. Bramwell cherished on the all important subject of the ministry.

"I am more than ever convinced of the great advantage we derive from entire sanctification. It preserves the soul in rest in the midst of all the storms of life. It gives such satisfaction in every station, so much approves of the order of God, has such a proper look out for his glory, a full deliverance from self, and such a strong desire for the good of our neighbour in every way! The world is gone - we live above, yea, we 'dwell in God, and God in us;' we can speak when we will, and be silent at our pleasure. Such victory is gained-such salvation is accomplished! We are nothing, and feel it; and we can do nothing without God; hence we give him all the praise of every good thought and

world, and many professors will seek to hinder our success. But pray without ceasing: never be moved, never give the least way. . . . . . If there should be anything extravagant in your manner, always be willing to acknowledge it; but take care that you are not unawares drawn down from the LIFE, and sink into the common mass of DEATH.

"There never was a time when we preachers had greater need to be humble: and Satan's method now is to keep us in the dark. Labour to show yourself approved as a preacher. I would labour sometimes night and day to have good sermons. But

take care that your end, in all your reading and study be, TO SAVE SOULS; keep this ONE END in view. There is too much labour now to be popular. It was said of one man at the Conference, that he 'laboured for an hour to make the preachers think that he knew something'-O poor labour ! Are not numbers thus labouring? I see them, and I see they are now nothing. How shall such give an account to God? A man goes into a circuit with this view: 'I am'determined I will make this circuit know I am somebody!' My dear brother, the salvation of souls, and if possible, a soul brought to God in every day's labour, is of the greatest consequence."

A SINGULAR INCIDENT.

IN Morrice's Memoirs of the first Earl of Orrery, it is related, that upon the ruin of the royal family, and the death of the king, his lordship retired to Marston, his seat in England, which his father had bought of Sir John Hippisley, and which was formerly part of Edmund Earl of Cornwall's estate.

The parish church of Marston is very near to the mansion-house : Lord Orrery never failed to go thither on a Sunday; but one Sunday, having sat there some time, and being disappointed of the then qualified minister, his lordship was preparing to return home, when his servants told him a person in the church offered to preach. His lordship, though he looked upon the

proposal only as a piece of enthu siasm, gave permission; and was never more surprised or delighted than with the sermcn, which was filled with learning, sense and piety. His lordship would not suffer the preacher to escape unk nown, but invited him to dinner: and inquiring of him his name, life, and fortune, received this answer: 66 My lord, my name is Asberry; I am a clergyman of the Church of England, and a loyal subject to the king; I have lived three years in a poor cottage under your warren wall, within a few paces of your lordship's house. My son lives with me, and we read and dig by turns. I have a little money, and some few books, and I submit cheerfully to the will of Providence."

This worthy and learned man (for such Lord Orrery always called him) died at Marston some years after; but not till his lordship had obtained him an allowance of £30 per annum.

As a memorial of the above transaction, the cottage in which Mr. Asberry lived, with a little garden adjoining it, was taken by the Earl into his own garden; and the house, which consisted but of house and chamber, kept furnished as much as possible in the style the clergyman left it.

THOMAS A KEMPIS.

THE Author of "The Christian's Pattern-or a Treatise of the Imitation of Jesus Christ," in four books, lived to nearly the age of 92. Rosweid says:

"This Thomas was called à Kempis from a little village of that name, in the diocese of Cologne, where he was born in the year of our Lord, 1380. His parentage and fortune were mean; at thirteen years old he began his studies, and about nineteen betook himself to a monastery of Augustine monks; about five-andtwenty he took the habit of that house and order. There he continued for the space of seventy years particularly eminent for his piety, humility, diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, austerity of life, moving eloquence in discourse, and extra

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ordinary zeal in prayer. For his person, he was of a middle stature, of a strong brown complexion, a lively piercing eye, and a sight so

good, that though he laboured much under other infirmities of old age, yet he was never reduced to the use of spectacles. He died, July 25, 1471.

JOHN COOK.

THE subject of this brief sketch was born at Fishlake, in the county of York, in the year 1819. The family name of our friend has been associated with the history of our community since the commencement, in 1797. His pious grandfather, Samuel Cook, in connexion with my own parents, were the first to invite and receive into their houses the preachers of the New Connexion; and here they alternately preached for some years, until a comfortable chapel was erected for divine worship. There was a broken link in the chain, for piety is not hereditary. The father of our friend walked not in the way of his predecessors. This was a grievous thing on his own account, and must have been a great disadvantage to his family.

A Sabbath - school having been formed in the village, about the time when John was capable of attending one; he was admitted into it, and although nothing particular for good was observed by his teachers then in after life he spake with grateful feelings of the impressions made upon his mind in that season of childhood; and a recollection of his own ignorance and waywardness, and the patience and affection manifested towards him, induced him to practise the same virtues when he became a teacher in the school. At a proper age, our brother was put apprentice to learn the trade of a shoemaker. How interesting and important that period of life! It is well when both parties feel their responsibilities, and pay proper attention to those duties connected with their respective interests. It was happily so in this case; and it is alike creditable to both parties that throughout life the one was looked up to almost as confidingly as to a father, while the other was cared for with little less interest than that of a son.

It was during the early part of his apprenticeship that the most important event of his life took place-we mean

the

his conversion to God. There was nothing very particular or striking either as to the means or manner of his conversion. He was not born again amidst scenes of excitement, nor did he pass suddenly from the densest gloom and deepest agony to delightful and rapturous enjoyment of God's favour. The light which shone upon his mind was like the going forth of the morning, and he could not say at what precise moment the night had passed away and the day had begun. The operation of divine grace upon his heart was like leaven, secretly and silently, but effectually working its way and spreading its influence through the entire man.

That our brother's conversion was genuine, though not so strongly marked as some, he gave the most satisfying proof. He brought forth fruits meet for repentance. He confessed and forsook his sins. Feeling himself guilty and hell-deserving he embraced the hope of the Gospel; and by believing in Jesus he obtained peace and joy, and went on his way rejoicing. Believing it to be his duty and privilege to unite with the church, he sought admission into its fellowship, and in his sixteenth year, making one more of the little band, he said with all the energetic decision and pious feeling of Ruth, "this people shall be my people, and their God my God." And from this purpose he never drew back. Having put his hand to the Gospel plough he looked straight onward. He gave himself to reading and meditation, sought for instruction and improvement from varied sources, and endeavoured to improve a very defective education. The result was, he grew in wisdom and in love, in favour with God and man, until he was accounted worthy to sustain some of the most important offices in the Church of God. After his apprenticeship expired, for the sake of improvement and other reasons, he went to reside at Leeds. Here he united with us, and formed friendships with members