I heard a man hailing us astern. I went immediately to his assistance, and found him quite benumbed from cold, and perfectly delirious. He had to be carried on board, and when once there, all hands being employed in cutting a dock in the ice, I had to do the best I could with him. His feet, and all that covered them, were frozen into one lump. Having cut away the legs and uppers of his boots, I found it necessary to go through the same operation with the soles and stockings. The latter tore away the flesh from the insensate mass. So completely frozen were the poor man's feet, that when he attempted to walk on the deck, the sound (I can compare it to nothing else) was like the knocking of a pair of clamps on the wooden floor. When carried to the fire, he was not satisfied with being near it, but he actually thrust his feet into the midst of it, and it was with the utmost difficulty I could prevail upon him to withdraw them. I had recourse to the usual methods of thawing them, and endeavoured, if possible, to restore circulation. The result was, that after the dead parts were removed, inflammation began, and was succeeded by mortification, till the poor fellow sunk under the weight of his sufferings."

Such facts as these, give peculiar emphasis to the question of the inspired Psalmist, "Who in his cold can live ?" I verily believe, that were it not for the means which were providentially employed to rouse the crew of the View forth into activity, not one of them could have survived the rigour of the tremendous winter which they were doomed to in that inhospitable clime. The cold alone would have proved fatal. But while this consideration should dispose the Christian reader to feel for those who are exposed to that evil, it reminds us of another striking proof of the divine wisdom and benignity. The Polar Sea, which is so formidable to man, is the appointed abode of the greatest and the most valuable of the finny tribe,-the leviathan of the deep. The whale has there his home. There he sports, and thrives, and luxuriates. There, as monarch of the flood, he exhibits his enormous strength, and moves with a majesty which seems to indicate his conscious dignity. The cold and ice, so formidable to his pursuers, affords him a shelter from their attack, while the means of sustenance are found there in abundance; and the hot blood which flows through his veins, fits him for enduring, without pain, all the rigours of the clime. "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints." II. Scarcity of provisions. This was a serious evil. The ordinary length of a voyage to the Straits, including the fishing season, is six months; and as none anticipated a longer period for the Viewforth, the supplies, though ample enough for the usual time, were fearfully inadequate to meet the wants of the crew for eleven months. Accordingly, from the day in which the ship became icebound and when no rational hope of escape, for that season, could be entertained, it became absolutely necessary, for their safety, to practise the most rigid economy. All were put on short allowance. October 1." My mind is made up for a winter in the Arctic Regions. The worst of it is, all the ships are very short of provisions; we are now on one and a-half biscuit a-day, one half pound of beef, and about half a teacupful of meal." November 5.-" We have near one-fourth pound of pork, and one-half pound of beef a-day, and three pounds of bread in the week. Our meal is all done. Five casks of bread yet remain, which will be a great help, if the Lord spare us. The work we are at just now, will very soon wear us out. I have not had my clothes off these four days." December 12." I feel I am really starving." January 16." Three pounds of bread per week,-about a biscuit a-day. I am falling away to a shadow, through cold, and hunger, and thought."

On the 15th of November, the Middleton became a total wreck. The crew were divided between the Jane and Viewforth. Twenty-two of them came on board the latter vessel, in a state of utter destitution,a circumstance which materially contributed to diminish the means of supporting life. The consequences were alarming. What with the piercing cold, incessant toil, and scanty food, the most part of the sailors became so weak as to be unable to work. "Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them." The following extracts speak volumes: January 8.-" Many of our men are complaining, mostly of scurvy, and some of them are delirious. Oh! it is a terrible sight to see them in such a state, and wasted away to shadows. Yesterday, witnessed a scene that baffles description. We got a cask of blubber from the Jane three months ago, which we boil for oil to our lamp. I even saw them eating the fins,-pieces of two or three pounds, the very smell of which was enough to sicken one. It shews plainly, that when a human being has not the means of subsistence, he throws off his proper nature, and assumes another more savage and desperate. Under the cravings of nature, and having nothing to appease it, man is quite another being, and will greedily devour what he would have before counted poison." January 11.-" Six of our stoutest men are at present laid up, and can searcely move a limb. Whenever they get any help to crawl out of bed, they swoon away. Their gums are hanging down separate from their teeth.' January 13.-"The people who are not at the pump, are allowed only two pounds of bread in the week, and one biscuit a-day. We are badly off with our three pounds, but I do not know how they live at all. One of them came to me to-day, and said I would do him the greatest favour he ever got in his life, by giving him only a fin of blubber. It is really awful, hunger, cold, fatigue, danger, all upon us at once; and it requires a fortitude to bear up under them, which few cau command." I have been farther informed, that on more than one occasion, when mortality prevailed among the afflicted seamen, so great was the debility to which the survivors were reduced, that the dead and the living were lying side by side for two days, and none able to remove them. These are heart-rending facts. Let the reader ponder them in his mind, and say, what but the power of God could have sustained human life under the pressure of such sufferings. It is the opinion of all acquainted with the case, that were it not for the more than usual quantities of barley and peas, of which they made broth, which they discovered had been put on board, and also an extra portion of coffee and tea with which they were supplied, all must have perished through famine. Only twelve hands had strength to do any thing in navigating the ship when she arrived off Stromness. And had not relief been then afforded, these few would have been soon in the condition of the poor widow of Sarepta, when she told Elijah, that she "had only a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruise, and that she was gathering two sticks, that she might dress it for herself and her son, and die."

III. It was my intention to state and illustrate two other elements that entered into the cup of suffering, which was put into the hands of these mariners, while in the Arctic Regions-I mean darkness and disease. But the length of the article prevents me from dwelling on these subjects. Suffice it to say, regarding the former, that the frightful gloom that so long prevailed, when the sun had almost totally sunk, for weeks together, under the horizon, tended much to depress the spirits of the crew. With regard to the latter, it is mournful to relate that disease also invaded the crew, the case of many baffled all efforts to subdue it. Eleven of the crew of the Middleton, and four of that of the Viewforth, fell victims to it, and were consigned to a watery

grave. Here are a few painful instances: Dec. 4.-"Another awful day, such as I wish I may never forget or again behold. What a helpless creature is man when the king of terrors lays hold of him! Another of our shipmates is gone, the poor fellow that was so ill last night; he slept away so quietly that nobody knew the angel of death had passed over him, till seven o'clock this morning. We sewed him in a piece of canvass, and, after making a hole in the ice, launched the body into the deep. All assembled around the body, 'twixt decks, and I read an exhortation which was very solemn and impressive; instructing us to be also ready, and what an awful thing it is to die without being reconciled to God. After committing him to the deep, we again met in the half deck, for prayer and praise; sung the fiftieth psalm, and read the fifteenth chapter of 1 Cor., which I earnestly hope will leave a lasting impression on us all." Dec. 15." This has been another eventful day, occasioned by the removal of another of the company, into the world of spirits. We committed the lifeless body to the fathomless deep at ten, A.M. We had first to saw a hole in the ice, which was ten feet thick. It was a mournful burial, and dreadful was the angry blast that swept through the confused and icy tackling. The frost was so severe that we could hardly stand on the ice for so short a time as was sufficient to bury him."

CHRISTIAN TREASURY.

Lamentation over Man's lost Innocence.-Here was a stately building; man carved like a fair palace, but now lying in ashes: let us stand and look on the ruins, and drop a tear. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation. Could we choose but to weep, if we saw our country ruined, and turned by the enemy into a wilderness? if we saw our houses on fire, and our households perishing in the flames? But all this comes far short of the dismal sight; man fullen as a star from heaven. Ah! may we not now say, "O that we were as in months past!" when there was no stain in our nature, no cloud on our minds, no pollution in our hearts! Had we never been in better case, the matter had been less; but they that were brought up in scarlet do now embrace dunghills! Where is our primeval glory now! Once no darkness in the mind, no rebellion in the will, no disorder in the affections. But oh, "how is the faithful city become an harlot! Righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Our silver is become dross, our wine mixt with water. That heart which was once the temple of God, is now turned into a den of thieves. Let our name be I-chabod, for the glory is departed. Happy wast thou, O man! who was like unto thee? No pain nor sickness could affect thee, no death could approach thee, no sigh was heard from thee, till these bitter fruits were plucked off the forbidden tree. Heaven shone upon thee, and earth smiled: thou wast the companion of angels, and the envy of devils. But how low is he now laid, who was created for dominion, and made lord of the world! "The crown has fallen from our head: wo unto us that we have sinned." The creatures that waited to do him service, are now, since the fall, set in battlearray against him, and the least of them having commission, proves too hard for him. Waters overflow the old world; fire consumes Sodom; the stars in their courses fight against Sisera; frogs, flies, lice, &c., turn executioners to Pharaoh and his Egyptians; worms eat up Herod: Yea, man needs a league with the beasts, yea, with the very stones of the field, Job v. 23, having reason to fear, that every one that findeth him will slay him. Alas! how are we fallen! how are we plunged into a gulf of misery! The sun has gone down on us, death has come in at our windows; our enemies have put out our two eyes, and sport them-,

selves with our miseries. Let us then lie down in our shame, and let our confusion cover us. Nevertheless, there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. Come then, O sinner, look to Jesus Christ the second Adam: Quit the first Adam and his covenant; come over to the Mediator and Surety of the new and better covenant; and let your hearts say, "Be thou our ruler, and let this breach be under thy hand:" and let your “eye trickle down, and cease not, without any intermission, till the Lord look down, and behold, from heaven. Lam. iii. 49, 50.-BOSTON'S FOURFOLD STATE.

but those who have a taste for it on earth.-Foster. A Relish for Heavenly Things.-None go to heaven

Virtue-Her Picture.-Papists say images are the books of idiots or unlearned, but the prophets call them teachers of lies, and all know that they are occasions of sin. Let one give you a picture without the offence. Behold an image without sin. It is of Virtue. You know the face. Conceive her a virgin of unspotted shall not sooner see the medals, but you will straight chastity. She has a face white as is heaven mixed with white with her own innocence-ruddy with blushing lovely red. Of her Saviour's complexion, (Song v. 10.) at others' sins. She hath a brow clear as crystal, whereon God has written wisdom. This is her carriage, she may be affronted, she cannot be affrighted. She hath eyes that never sent out a wanton look, those casements were never opened to let in vanity. She is not poring with them on the earth, but directs them to heaven, where they shall one day see her desire, even She hath lips like a thread of scarthe glory of God. let, and her speech is comely. She hath the tongue of angels; when she speaks she ministers grace to the hearers. She discourseth the language of Canaan most perfectly, and never opens, but the first air she breathes echoes with the praise of her Maker. Her ears are like the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. None but the High Priest must enter there. They are stopped to the songs of any siren-open to the mournings of any poor. What gracious words she receives in at those doors, she sends them like jewels to be laid up in the cabinet of her heart.

She hath two hands, one of equity, another of charity, none for injury. She gives every one his due for justice's sake, some more than their due for mercy's sake. She gives, forgives, does that to others which she expects at the hands of Christ. She hath bowels of mercy; the members of Christ are as dear to her, as her most inward vital parts. She feeds them as considering what it were to have empty bowels herself. Her knees were never stiffened with pride; she can easily bow them to give her superior homage, but bows them down at the footstool of her Maker; yet still her heart is lower, and she never rises without a pardon. Her feet are still travelling the ways of piety, and running the race of salvation. She knows this life is a journey, and no time to stand still, and therefore she is shod for the purpose, with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, and never rests until she is gotten within the threshold of heaven. She hath a white silken garment, the snow of Lebanon is black to it, not woven out of the bowels of worms, but out of the side of her Saviour. She is clothed all over with his righteousness, which makes her beautiful in the sight of her Maker. She is girt with the girdle of truth, and sins not, not because she cannot, but because she will not. She hath a crown promised, blessedness. Her Redeemer, even the king of heaven, did bequeath it to her in his will, and she shall wear it in eternal glory. Let every soul that knows and loves her on earth, or hopes to enjoy her reward in heaven, call her blessed.-ADAMS.

Succession. I know but of two uninterrupted successions; first, of sinners, ever since the fall of Adam; second, of saints; for God always had, and will always have a seed to serve him.-TOPLADY,

SACRED POETRY.

JEHOVAH-JESUS.

BY RICHARD HUIE, ESQ., M. D.

THE Voice, which spoke in Sinai's thunders,
Assuag'd Tiberias' raging sea;

The hand, which form'd the sky's bright wonders,
Bestow'd its instinct on the bee:

The power, through which the ocean flows,
Perfumes the woodbine and the rose.
Creation's vast extent ne'er cumbers

The mind which countless orbs obey;
And he, th' angelic hosts who numbers,

Sustains the sparrow on the spray:
While worlds on worlds his bounty share,
The smallest insect feels his care.
Ah! why, in hours of tribulation,

Should I to fear or faintness yield?
The grace, which wrought my soul's salvation
Remains my fortress and my shield.
Amidst the storm, a still small voice
Shall bid my aching heart rejoice.
From Calv'ry's mount, sweet mercy beaming,
Illumes the darksome path I tread ;
And strains of joy, from Sion streaming,
Breathe grateful music round my head:
That mercy bids my sorrows cease,
That music softly whispers peace.
O let me, then, myself a stranger,
Account all earth's concerns but dross,
For Him who, cradled in a manger,
Pour'd out his soul upon the cross:
And day by day the Saviour call,
My life, my treasure, and my all!
My all? Amen! A full surrender

I make, of body, mind, and will;

And he, with love most sweet and tender,
In turn will this rapt bosom fill:
And give me here, in sin forgiv'n,
A glorious antepast of heav'n!

THE BALM OF GRIEF.

BY CHARLES MOIR, ESQ.

WHEN pitiless misfortune's night
Frowns darkest o'er the head,
Where will we find a gleam of light

To dissipate the dread?

Fear not! the Christian's help and stay
A lively hope has given,

To all who truly seek the way

That leads through earth to heaven.

The friends that cluster'd round our home
In fortune's sunny hour,

May cold, estranged in heart become,
When sorrow's tempests lour;
Then let religion's placid sway
Each rising fear subdue;
Albeit the trials of life's day
Are fearful and not few.

The star that in the times of old
Rose on the Christian's night,
Shall to the darkened heart unfold
Its pure and steady light

To cheer us on:-when fear is fled,
And cleared the thorny road,

We'll bless the cause through gloom that led
The wanderer back to God.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Justin Martyr.-This great man, who lived in the second century, was born and educated among the heathen. He was intent on the acquirement of knowledge and happiness. After trying various systems of philosophy, he gave himself to retirement. At length he was introduced to the knowledge of God, and acquired the information which led to his conversion in the following remarkable manner. The account is given by himself:-" As I was walking near the sea, I was met by an aged person of a venerable appearance, whom I beheld with much attention. We soon entered into conversation; and upon my professing a love for private meditation, the venerable old man hinted at the absurdity of mere speculation from practice. This gave occasion to me to express my ardent desire of knowing God, and to expatiate on the praises of philosophy. The stranger, by degrees, endeavoured to cure me of my unmeaning admiration of Plato and Pythagoras. He pointed out the writings of the Hebrew prophets, as much more ancient than any of those called philosophers; and he led me to some view of the nature and evidences of christianity. He added, Above all things, pray that the gates of light may be opened to you: for they are not discernible, nor to be understood by any one, except God and his Christ enable a man to understand.' He said many other things to the same effect, directed me to follow his advice and left me. I saw him no more; but immediately a fire was kindled in my soul, and I had a strong affection for the prophets, and for those men who are the friends of Christ. I weighed within myself the arguments of the aged stranger: and in the end, I found the Divine Scriptures to be the only sure philosophy."

Rev. George Wishart.-The name of this good man is well known as an eminent reformer in Scotland, and one who was a constant object of the hatred of the popish party. On more than one occasion Cardinal Beaton formed plans to take away his life. At one time he procured a letter to be sent to him as from an intimate friend, in which he was requested to come to him without delay, as he had been seized with sudden illness. In the meantime the cardinal had provided sixty men to waylay him, and deprive him of life. The letter having been delivered by a boy, who also brought a horse to convey him on his journey, Wishart set out, but suddenly stopping by the way, avowed to the friends who had accompanied him, his strong conviction that God did not will that he should proceed, for that there was treachery in this business. They went forward without him, and discovered the whole plot, by which means his life was preserved.

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