wrong representation had been given by the man; and the visitor requested to be informed what sums he had actually received lately, and how much he had been out of work, or at play.' It appeared that he was a steady workman, and was employed as much as possible by the house, more than many, yet the book shewed continual, though short intervals of play,' and the money received, to be but very little. He had just at that time finished a three weeks piece of work, and for that had received 258.--8s. 4d. per week ! to support five persons,—the children hearty, from about eight to twelve years of age,-and to pay rent, &c. But then there had been a fortnight's play previously, so that for the last five weeks, the earnings had only been at the rate of 7s. On ascertaining these particulars, the observation was natural, "What was this for the support of five in a family?' It was replied, “Oh, they were paid beforeband for it, and he was as well off as most ; it was not much certainly!' And this sad want of feeling seemed to arise only from inconsideration ; an inconsideration induced very much, probably from the impossibility of mending things, and from the depraved character of many of the men. This man, there was reason to believe, was of very loose moral principles, though even respectable in his outward appearance; but here was evident need, and that increased, since, by a violent attack of inflammation which disabled him almost entirely from doing the work which he had in hand. In continuing his visits the writer had opportunities of conversation with bim, and obtained some acknowledgment of bis past ungodly life, and of his having despised the Scriptures, if not of baving avowed his disbelief of them. His disposition to infidelity seemed principally to have been strengthened by the inconsistent conduct of a false professor, in whom he had placed much confidence; this, alas, is no uncommon case. His affliction however, had a subduing effect upon his mind, and induced a great disposition to listen to, and well receive, the reading and remarks of the visitor, even since the relief has been discontinued ; and there is hope that prayer with him, and for him, since his illness, has been answered in bringing home a conviction of sin, a conviction accompanied by a distrust of himself.

With regard to the tidy habits of this family, it is certainly a very upusual instance. Many who have fewer children, and perhaps earning more, live more wretchedly, and in much dirt. There are some few who have the disposition and the power to gain a moderately comfortable livelihood, and to keep their children decent in appearance, but these cannot wholly escape the effect of depressed seasons. Such, however, is not the case with the majority; and their depraved and improvident habits keep things far worse than they would be otherwise. Their present bad state is in fact mainly owing to the indulgence of these habits. For it is well known, and acknowledged by the honest and sober amongst them, that when, many years back there was plenty of employment, they often would not work till Wednesday. This, in busy times injured the masters in many cases, which of course re-acted upon the men afterwards ; besides, that making as it did a demand for more hands to get the work done, it left an increased number upon the market, to increase the distress of slack times. This especially applies perhaps to the past or passing generation,-thus “ the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." But un, fortunately, not only do the children thus suffer, but they exhibit the same sad craving for forbidden fruit as their fathers, though happily not to the same extent; and education is now doing much for the fu. ture race.

Another case which has come under the writer's notice, may assist in illustrating these observations, as well as prove interesting in other points. Here was a wife and three children as in the former case,—they had been visited during the course of last year, by a friend, with some tracts, and the woman urged to attend an evening service just at hand. She was not in the habit of going to a place of worship, principally, lately, from the attention required by a very young infant; and also both in her case and her busband's, from their clothing not being so good as it had been. Another motive however influenced him. There was one thing that particularly struck the writer on his first visit and won confidence, the frankness and honesty of both the man and his wife. They were then occupying two rooms, the upper one being the sleeping apartment; but work had been very slack lately, and seemed likely to continue to be so, It appeared on inquiry, that already they had been obliged to pledge their children's best clothing, so that they now did not like to send them to school, and it has been since discovered, that better clothing of their own was also in pledge. On entering into conversation, the man acknowledged, that though he had formerly attended public worship, that he had much neglected it lately. Two years back he used to attend Mr. - who at that time created a great religious excitement in the neighbourhood; but since Mr. had left he bad fallen back, for he found himself suddenly left without a guide, and deprived of that stimulus which had maintained his profession so far.

Many similar instances bave come under observation ; some have been found still steadily pressing on, who were awakened at that time, but others seem to have wholly gone back. This man, though with connections in better circumstances than himself, had been through their habits exposed to much temptation, and acknowledged that when things were better with him, then, like others, he had been accustomed to waste his earnings in drink, and free company. Mr. 's preaching first aroused him, and led him to break away from his companions, and endure the opposition, and forsaking of bis relatives ; and his testimony is, that while he thus continued he was blest. But suddenly, almost, deprived of the means on which he so much rested, he found himself weak to resist temptation, and fell back into his old habits of occasional drunkenness, sometimes to excessive indulgence. Still, conscience was not silenced; he severely suffered in times of reflection, from remorse, and often sighed to return to a religious course. Through all this, his wife had remained much in the same state of feeling, almost always at home, and not being disposed like him, to give way to drink. He was entreated more earnestly to seek the pardon and help of God through Christ, and regularly to attend his public worship. He urged the condition of his present clothing, but that was met by in

forming him of the evening service in a neighbouring school-room, where a few poor people met; he seemed disposed to come, but said, that after his former profession, and his late backsliding, he was ashamed to be seen by his neighbours entering any place, be frankly acknowledged that he was afraid of man, and of being called an hypocrite by his associates. The matter was pressed home by various arguments, and especially by urging our Saviour's warning, “ Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. x. 32, 33.) His wife having already too, attended, was an inducement; and yielding to persuasion, and his own conscience, he at last promised to attend. He did so ; and from that time has continued steady, both in bis attendance and in all his habits. An increasingly improving feeling is manifesting itself in both of them ; in him especially. This was shown in one way soon after, by humbly submitting to the depression of trade; he determined, contrary to the wish of his landlord, to give up the lower room, and make shift with one, till trade got better. Convinced of the danger attendant upon mere excitement, he rather seeks strength in the diligent reading of the word of God and prayer, and attendance upon the faithful preaching of the Gospel, both in the week and on Sunday, and expresses an earnest solicitude to bring others to the truth, for he struggles against, and has by the grace of God, much overcome his natural timidity, which so long kept him from returning to that God, “ from whom he had so deeply revolted.” His wife too, has voluntarily bestirred herself to do everything possible to her room on Saturday, that there may be as little as possible to hinder them on the Sunday from attending the house of God, and passing it in quiet. And now through many anxieties from the state of trade, and through many contending feelings, they seem to be both pressing on towards heaven, looking unto Jesus, as the author and finisher of their faith.

(To be continued.)

A LETTER FROM THE REV. J. G. BREAY,

ADDRESSED TO ONE OF HIS FLOCK WHOSE HUSBAND DIED

SUDDENLY.

Llangellin, Aug 30, 1838. MY DEAR MADAM.—The intelligence of your sudden and intense sorrow has just reached me. I cannot describe to you the effect of it on my feelings. Though unable to remove the stroke, or even to alleviate it, I cannot refrain from offering you the tribute of my sympathy, and attempting to draw your mind to those sources of relief which are to be found only in God; for from his band, and from his only, has this bereavement come. To you it is as mysterious as it is agonizing. You had been looking forward to happiness for many years to come, with the affectionate partner of your life, when suddenly the tie is cut asunder, and he is summoned to the unseen world. You and I am quite unable to see the reasons of this dispensation, but it was all previously arranged in heaven by Him, who, though he giveth none account of any of his matters, doeth all things well, and ex. actly as we ourselves should do them, could we but see the end and bearing of all events as he does. Our obvious duty, therefore, is, under such circumstances “ to be still, and know that he is God ;” and our wisdom, as well as interest is, to endeavour to extract from the dark and heart-rending dispensation, that personal edification which it is intended to convey.

I know well, my dear madam, how much easier it is for me, in the midst of comfort, to suggest consolation, than it is for you, mourning over withered joys to receive it. But I also know that, with God nothing is impossible, and that the same hand by which this heavy blow has been inflicted, can graciously sustain you under it, and make it a blessing to your soul, for which you shall praise him throughout eternity. To him, then, open your afficted heart, and while you pray for grace to be resigned to his will, pray also with earnestness that the vacancy in your affections, which has been created, may be filled by his own spiritual presence.

The uncertainty of all earthly comforts is most strikingly seen in this unexpected disruption of your fondest earthly attachments, but this is not enough. Endeavour to seek those things which are above, those enduring pleasures which are at God's right hand for ever. more. Has earth, with its attractions, had too much of your heart? The Redeemer is now telling you so, and in soft whispers of love inviting you to union and fellowship with him. O listen to his voice. Cast yourself, with all your heavy sorrows-sorrows which no mortal can remove, entirely on him. Call upon him in the day of trouble. I do not advise you not to mourn; you cannot help it, and your God does not forbid it. Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus; but I intreat you to let your tears flow in that channel which leads to the throne of God. Grief like yours wants a Saviour, and blessed be his name, he is near. Give first your soul to him to be renewed by his Spirit, washed by his blood, and sanctified by his grace, and then cast your burden upon him, and he will sustain you. Thus, too, may you hope to be prepared for your own summons, at whatever hour it may come.

To the care and blessing of God I commend you. If I can render you any service, pray let me know. It will be a real pleasure to me, if I can be at all instrumental in assuaging your grief in this the hour of your sorrow. * * To the God of all consolation I again commit you, and be assured that I am, my dear madam,

Your affectionate Pastor,

J. G. BREAY.

Intelligence,

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.