presume to conjecture. Omy Lord, into thy hands I commit my spirit! Thou hast redeemed me, thou God of truth: may I be saved by thy grace, and be sanctified to do thy will, now, and to all eternity, through Jesus Christ." His reflection on the following day, the first of that year which was his last in England, carry with them a peculiar interest, as well from their intrinsic excellence, as from the circumstances under which they were indited.-Jan. 1, 1805.-" Hitherto hath the Lord helped me. It is now about five years since God stopped me in the career of worldliness, and turned me from the paths of sin: three years and a half since I turned to the Lord with all my heart : and a little more than two years since he enabled me devote myself to his service as a Missionary. My progress of late has become slower than it had been; yet I can truly say, that in the course of this time, every successive year, every successive week, has been happier than the former. From many dangerous snares hath the Lord preserved me: in spite of all my inward rebellion, he hath carried on his work in my heart; and in spite of all my unbelieving fears, he hath given me a hope full of immortality- he hath set my foot on a rock, and established my goings, and hath put a new song into my mouth, even praises to my God.' It is the beginning of a critical year to me; yet I feel little apprehension. The same grace and long-suffering, the same wisdom and power, that have brought me so far, will bring me on, though it be through fire and water, to a goodly heritage. I see no business before me in life but the work of Christ, neither do I desire any employment to all eternity but his service. I am a sinner saved by grace. Every day's experience convinces me of this truth. My daily sins, and constant corruption, leave me no hope but that which is founded on God's mercy in Christ. His Spirit, I trust, is imparted, and is renewing my nature-as I desire much, though I have attained but little. Now to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, would I solemnly renew my self-dedication to be his servant for ever."

Towards the end of January, a sudden summons to leave England in ten days caused some perturbation in Mr. Martyn's spirits. Short, however, as the notice was, he would instantly have complied with it had he been in Priest's orders, which legally he could not be till the 18th February, when he completed his twentyfourth year.

That solemn and most impressive rite of admission to the function and privileges of a Presbyter of the Church of England, was administered to him, who had well" performed the office of a Deacon," at St. James's Chapel, London, in the month of March after which he received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, conferred upon him by mandate from the University, when nothing remained to detain him any longer at Cambridge.

At the thoughts of his departure, he confesses that the flesh betrayed its weakness, but he did not regret having resigned the world; life he knew was but a short journey-a little day, and then, if faithful unto death, his gracious' reward would begin." Happily for him, such was the divine goodness and mercy, he was, at this moment, more than ever persuaded of his being truly called of God to preach the Gospel to the Heathen. "I rejoice to say, (he wrote to his youngest sister) that I never had so clear a conviction of my call as at present-as far as respects the inward impression. Never did I see so much the exceeding excellency and glory and sweetness of the work, nor had so much the favourable testimony of my own conscience, nor perceived so plainly the smile of God. I am constrained to say what am I, or what is my father's house, that I should be made willing-what am I that I should be so happy, so honoured?" In his Journal likewise, he expresses himself to the same effect: "I felt more persuaded of my call than ever; there was scarcely the shadow of a doubt left-rejoice, O my soul' thou shalt be the servant of God in this life, and in the next for all the boundless ages of eternity." A remarkable spirit of supplication likewise was in

this hour of need poured out upon him, and the sure word of prophecy predicting the glory of the latter times, was as the dawning of the day and the rising of the day-star in his heart. "I could not," he remarks, "help reflecting on the almost supernatural fervour and deep devotion which came upon me, whilst I declared I had rightfully no other business each day but to do God's work as a servant, constantly regarding his pleasure." "My thoughts were full of what God would do for his own glory, in the conversion of multitudes to himself in the latter day. I did not wish to think about myself in any respect, but found it a precious privilege to stand by a silent admirer of God's doings."

To be removed for ever from many dear friends, and from a congregation who "esteemed him very highly in love for his work's sake," would have greatly afflicted one of far less affection than that which animated the breast of Mr. Martyn. As for him, his sufferings on this occasion were most severe. Those of his flock likewise were no less so: they would willingly have renewed the touching scene once beheld at Miletus, "sorrowing as they did for the words that he spake, that they should see his face no more.' One old man, to adduce no other instance of their undissembled regard and poignant regret, could not refrain from coming to him, that he might commend him solemnly to God in prayer: and when he delivered his farewell discourse in Trinity Church, on these words, (2 Sam. vii. 27-29,) "For thou, O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house; therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, O Lord God, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever;" the whole assembly was dissolved in grief-thus testifying by their

tears, that their attachment to him was equalled only by their admiration of his character.

On the 3d of April, the day after he had preached his valedictory sermon, Mr. Martyn quitted for ever the place which had been "the dear abode of his youth"-in which he had obtained no moderate portion of honour and reputation-and in which, had he deemed it right to remain, he might have acquired that ample share of emolument, which talents such as his never fail to secure. At such a moment he would have been glad to have been left to uninterrupted meditation; but many young students happened to accompany him on his journey, and he thought it his duty to enter into religious conversation with them for their benefit." At intervals, however," said he, "I meditated and prayed-the coldness and ingratitude of my wicked heart made me feel loathsome to myself, and I longed but for one thing, which was, to be delivered from all my iniquity."

The day after his arrival in London, other natural feelings were called into exercise; feelings which it is the design of the Gospel to moderate, but not suppress. Some hymns sung in the evening, at the worship of that family where he was most hospitably received, recalling Cambridge to his remembrance, affected him to tears, and as he dwelt with melancholy pleasure on its past delights, all his dear Christian friends in it seemed doubly interesting.

During the two months Mr. Martyn was resident in London, he considered that he could not better employ his time, than by devoting it to the attainment of the Hindoostanee language, and having the advantage of being assisted by a gentleman* eminently competent to direct him, he was incessant in his endeavours to obtain that necessary qualification for an Indian Missionary. In order also that he might correct some defects in his speech, he at the same time deemed it incumbent on him to attend several lectures on pro

* Mr. Gilchrist.

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nunciation for nothing did he disdain which, tending to render his ministry more acceptable, might conduce to the glory of God. In the delivery of the great message committed to him as an ambassador of Christ, he was at this time by no means remiss.-During the short period of his abode in London, he often preached; occupying the pulpit principally at St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row, then under the care of the late Rev. Richard Cecil, from whose holy example and faithful advice Mr. Martyn conceived himself to have derived the most substantial and lasting benefit. Nor was he without another high gratification and privilege-that of being introduced to the aged and venerable Mr. Newton, who, expecting soon "to be gathered to his people," rejoiced to give this young minister, about to proceed on his sublime embassy of love, his paternal counsel and benediction.

An intercourse with such men as Mr. Newton and Mr. Cecil was more than a compensation to Mr. Martyn for his detention in London, and for the uneasiness of that period of uncertainty and delay, which is almost as oppressive to the spirits as the moment of actual departure.-But if he received unmingled satisfaction and abiding profit from the conversation he enjoyed with those eminent Christians, there were others with whom he conferred, who, "seeming to be somewhat, in conference added nothing to him," but on the contrary were the occasion to him of some disquietude. Once indeed, these very persons were in the habit of manifesting great cordiality towards him : but now they began to slight him, and in his presence were continually raising disparaging comparisons between him and certain preachers, whose theological sentiments, if not erroneous, were at least far too exclusive, and whose strain of doctrine, in Mr. Martyn's judgment, was more calculated to produce ill-grounded confidence, than righteousness and true holiness. Interviews of this kind he endured rather than enjoyed : they are to be ranked among his trials, and not placed on the side of his comforts.