the regiment, taking a prominent part in them, used to make arrangements for the band when it was invited out, and was always steward at any ball given by the officers.

When I was thirty-four years of age I went home on leave, and was much with a sick cousin, nursing him. He died of consumption while I was attending on him; and it was the sight of his dead body that first roused serious thoughts within me. I had seen death before in different and terrible forms-here was a quiet death, a man dying in his bedbut it was the Lord's time, and I said to myself, "Were I in his place, where should I be now? I know I am a hell-deserving sinner; I should be in hell." I had never prayed, and did not know how; but I went into the next room and howled, crying to God for mercy. I went to the clergyman of the parish and told him what I felt. He replied, "Captain, I'm surprised to hear you give such a character of yourself; I did not think you were such an one as you describe." I said, "I feel I'm a sinner deserving hell." "Well," was the answer, "I'm sorry to hear you say so, I should not have thought it; all I can say to you is, go and sin no more."" I had the sense to say, "But, supposing I can do that, what becomes of my past sins ?" This he could not tell me. Then I went to the curate, and told him the same thing. He said, "I'll tell you what it is, captain, you've been waiting on your cousin, and the confinement of a sick room has made you melancholy. I'll tell you what to de, it's just the height of the season at Dublin; go there and fill up your time with amusements."

I could not take the former advice. I took the latter, and went to Dublin, where I entered into such excess of riot that from January to May I hardly missed one night being out either at a ball or concert. So far did I go, that I appeared on the boards at private theatricals. Then I had to rejoin my regiment, went to H, and during the voyage was in great danger of being drowned. The captain of the vessel was a drunkard. I should have told you that before my cousin died he had given me a Bible, the first I ever possessed, and this I now began to read, and on this voyage, while expecting to go down during the storm, God's eye alone saw me in my berth crying for mercy.

At H- I heard my first Gospel sermon. It was what I may call a fierce Gospel, such as, "You'll go to hell if you don't believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," and so on. Still, it was the truth; and, when I rejoined my regiment, I felt myself a changed man. But there was very little real difference, though my fellow officers were surprised at what they could see. I felt I could not go to a ball, but otherwise I tried how much I could keep of the world and still serve God. I soon found this would not do. God gave me grace to desire to walk uprightly before Him, and before long I had to suffer persecution. I had no Christian friend. There was one officer, a pious man, but he did not help me much. I had only my Bible; but that I read, and light grew stronger. I determined to abide in the calling wherein I was called-I found the centurion did not leave his-but the persecution I endured made those three years a time of great trial to me. It was during these three years that I remained in the that I learned all the doctrines I now preach. I had no teacher but the Great Teacher. I read some of Newton's works; and, finding a chapter on predestination and not understanding it, I had the honesty to leave it, saying, "All I know is that I'm at the foot of the cross; I must wait for the Lord to show me other things." Now I see this doctrine clearly in

army

the Word, but then God gave me grace to leave what I could not understand. I knew nothing at all of sects, had never heard of Calvinists, Arminians and others, and when I returned to England was astonished to find there was so much noise about them. Now, when people come to me and say, "Why, you are so and so," I reply, "Show me a text in the Bible to disprove what I say. I don't care at all about names, the Bible is my standard."

I had waited the Lord's time in the army; now for family reasons I left it. And oh! what happiness and freedom to leave it now that the Lord had opened the way. I retired on half-pay, and went to live with a sister at T- a sister to whom my letters had been blessed by God to her conversion. Of course I was anxious for the salvation of souls, and the curate of the parish, thinking, I suppose, that I could teach the people a little, said, "Now, captain, I will give you a part of the district entirely to yourself, and you shall do what you like with it." He did so, and I used to visit among the people. One day an old bed-ridden couple said, "Captain, couldn't you come and read to us on Sunday evening? We can't go to church, and should be very glad if you would." So I went to them on Sunday evenings, and in about a month six others had joined us. "You won't mind these coming just to listen," it was said. 66 'Oh, dear no," I replied. In about two months two hundred people used to meet in that room; it was a large one belonging to a farm-house.

One evening, a man walking home with me said, "Captain, the Lord intended you for the ministry." I said, "I'm quite ignorant and unlearned. I should not think of entering the ministry unless the Lord put me in." However, as the subject had been brought before me, and, thinking it might give me a more extended sphere of usefulness, I wrote to a friend respecting it. The answer came back, "I have spoken about you to the Bishop of, and, if you go to college, he will ordain you." Leaving school at sixteen, I was ignorant of Latin, Greek, and mathematics, but I said, "If I go to college now, I do it to the Lord." So I went to London and read with a man for three months. "Now," said he, "you may go to the university." I went. People thought and said I was too old; but I said, "I shall read and do all to the Lord," and was first in nearly all the classes. When about half way through my college course I heard that the Bishop of could not ordain me; other bishops would not, and he could not be singular. Well, the Lord had shown me the way into this lane; I resolved to go through it, and see whether I shall find the gate shut at the end. So I went on reading, and one day I had a letter from a clergyman in N- a man I had never seen. He wrote, "I do not know you at all, but have heard of you through a mutual friend. I have spoken to the Bishop of ; he will ordain you to my curacy." Here was the way made clear out of the lane, and there I remained till the Lord placed me at N- -, and I stayed at Ntill I was quite pressed for lack of pecuniary means.

My father had died some years before. He did not like my religion, but we were always friendly, and I occasionally visited him. He had been a long time in the army in and had amassed a good fortune.

I was his only son. After his death I went over to to the funeral, and when the will was read I found that all the property had been left to a relative. I was told my father had said " says he lives by faith ; let him try it." Immediately those words were given to me, "The Lord is the Portion of mine inheritance and my cup ;" and He has taken care of

me ever since, and will do so. But when at N—— (I had been married some years and had seven children, and but £- a year) I could not educate them as I wished and pay my debts, and one must be just. While in N--I had been useful to the present Bishop of and he was much attached to me and wished me to go out to him. Friends urged me to do this, but I waited till the Lord opened the way, and then with wife and seven children went to A- The Lord had guided me there I knew; but, strange to say, from the time I landed I was never a day well there. However, I remained three years; would not leave till the Lord removed me. I was archdeacon, examining chaplain, and had to work a parish besides. People said, "You'll never be able to stop;" but I waited till the Lord made the way clear. At last the Bishop said, " you shall not stop here; you're not well; you must go back.” So we returned to England £ richer than I went, and then just waited for the Lord's direction.

It re

After a while a friend wrote to me, "There will soon be a church ready at R- and another at D; keep yourself disengaged." I replied, "I can't keep myself disengaged, I must go where the Lord sends me; it is very probable I shall "" to Wgo Well, I came here, and have been here twelve years. P.S.-I hope, dear J-, this account has not wearied you. It would be much longer were I to tell all that was related to us. freshed us greatly to hear such strong testimony to our Father's care from one who delighted to tell of it, and who was, even then, experiencing it in a marked degree. Mr. said he had much money sent him anonymously, as the Lord saw that he needed it. He had but £a year then, and told his young son each half year that he did not know that he should be able to send him again to school. When we were at R(it was in October) Mr. asked us how much we thought he had had sent to him that year. Of course we could not pretend to guess, and he told us £140. Seeing our surprise, he said that sometimes an envelope came with a ten-pound note inside, "From a grateful hearer;" perhaps £15, "From one who has gained benefit at Church," and so on. You can understand that at such a place as R- living is expensive, said that sometimes they were nearly high and dry. His wife would say, "We must sell the plate;" but help was sure to come. His wife sometimes said, "I wish you would tell the people how God helps us just at the right time," but Mr. said, "The Lord knows what I have, and the Lord knows when I need it; so I say nothing to anyone." At one time some lady at N- sent him £100; it came

and Mr.

anonymously with this inscription: "Others have been lopping at the branches, but you have been hacking at the root." Mr. found out afterwards who sent this, and said, "That lady was not a decided Christian then, nor is she now, but the Lord made her send that to me, knowing I needed it. "I should like very much to have a little nest of my own, it is hard to flesh and blood to live by faith in this way; but the Lord sees the comfortable nest is not good for me.' "And this help is still continued, for this year P- was at R- for a few days when Mr said he had been much pressed and depressed about pecuniary matters, and the next morning showed P- a letter he had just received enclosing £30. All this last was not told us in one afternoon, but his history was; and, in speaking of some who suggested modifications in his decided course of action in public as well as in private life, Mr.

told us he replied, "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth;'" adding, "When some say, 'Why do you not allow your children to do this or that? or to go to such and such a place of amusement? So-and-so does, and sees no harm in it.' Well," I reply, "happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth; I have a Christain character to maintain, and while my children are under my roof we must all seek to live consistently." Ps. xvi. 8, "I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand; I shall not be moved," will always be associated with Mr. in my mind. He seemed to have taken these words as

his motto through life and recommended others to do the same.

M. S. W.

DIARY OF THE LATE MR. HENRY EVE.

(Continued from page 218.)

"Sunday, May 22nd.-It is part of the pilgrim's lot to be harassed and wearied by the way, to feel hungerings and parchings and dry barren deserts; but Thou, dear Jesus, art a river ever flowing through the deserts Thy children are called to pass through; and, when enabled to partake of that life-giving stream, how sweet and comforting it is! But there are times when we cannot see Thee; then how disconsolate we go about; we think Thou hast forgotten us. I tremble in the contemplation of the undertaking for to-morrow. If I take things upon my own head, I shall soon fail; but if Thou, Lord, art ordering my way, I shall stand, though all earth and hell oppose. Oh, that I may be enabled to do things for the best!

"Sunday, June 5th.-Two years and three months since the Lord has proved Himself to our family as the 'Father of the fatherless,' and a Husband to the widow. I feel that it is in mercy, and through mercy, I am spared. I am at a loss to know how to utter the Lord's goodness; it seems too great to be believed. I was reading to-day about Thomas, and thought it was just like me, for I have been a long time stumbling at the simplicity of the Lord Christ and His Gospel. I have been and am just as unbelieving as he was; for he could not comprehend his crucified, but now risen, Lord, until Christ afresh opened his eyes and his heart, and made him to have a personal acquaintance with Him. It seems as though Thomas had much creature-prejudice to contend with; and so have I. Oh, that the heaven-born mercy may be mine to say, as He said, 'My Lord and my God!'

"Sunday, July 3rd.-My birthday is past; twenty-two years has the Lord borne with me in the wilderness. Wonder of wonders, that I am a monument of His saving grace. It is wonderful to trace the Lord's dealings in and with the soul of a poor broken-hearted, sin-condemned sinner. When condemned by the holy law of God, by Satan, by sin, by self, by the world; then does the Lord shine in as the 'Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings,' dispelling the darkness, sadness, doubts, and fears.

*The above undertaking was the taking an apprentice.

"Sunday, July 31st.-Weak in body and in mind. Thou, Lord, hast said, 'My grace is sufficient;' make it to be so in me, though I am helldeserving. May I be enabled by the Spirit's drawing to 'cast all my care upon the Lord,' for He careth for His children, and very tenderly too. Dear mother is away in London for a few weeks; may the Lord bless her and bring her back in safety to us.

"Sunday, August 7th.-Still creeping along, with thorns and briars hedging up my path. Not much in the preaching for me to-day; but the Lord has given me a little help by the way. Oh, that in all the ups and downs of life I may be enabled to discern the Lord's hand, guiding me by grace and providence. Business is still very trying; but, if a poor unworthy worm can praise the Lord, may I, for His loving-kindness and mercy shown towards us. We have proved, since our dear father's death, that the Lord does not utterly forsake His children, and that He will not lay upon us more than we are able to bear.

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Sunday evening, Sept. 4th.-At

The Lord can bless me here as well as at home. Oh, that He would give me one gracious thought, one sigh, one longing after Himself, who is my Life, my Stay, my Hope. Sunday, Sept. 25th.-The Lord has been gracious to me to-day, causing gladness and joy to enter my soul; and I have found it a Sabbath indeed. Mr. G. D. Doudney preached in our church, instead of Mr. Doudney, and very blessedly the Lord led him to speak of His great name. Whatever may come in my path during the coming week, oh, may the Lord give me strength and patience to bear it. How to get the bread that perisheth,' occupies much of my time, and too much of my thonghts and attention, for my comfort and spiritual edification. Oh, that the Lord would give me to feel that, as He has promised, He will 'supply all my need according to His riches in Christ Jesus.'

"Sunday, Oct. 9th.-Gracious and heavenly Father, prepare my mind for all events of life, make me to feel and know that this world is nothing but disappointment and distraction, and, the more I depend upon it, the more am I disappointed and deceived. What can I say to the Lord's great name? it must be all in kindness and mercy. And, though I feel the strokes very bitter, yet there is an eternal sweetness mixed therewith. 'The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.' Oh, that I may realize the preciousness of this promise!

"Sunday, Oct. 16th.-The Lord is still making me to feel the yoke, but He has said, in His Word, 'It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.' Oh, that the Lord would make my way plain, and prepare my mind for all discouragements and disappointments that, in His infinite wisdom, He sees fit that I shall pass through. Yet, Lord, when hast Thou given me more than I was able to bear? And, when Thou hast sent trouble, Thou hast shortly sent consolation also. It is not because a man prospers in the world that he is a Christian, for Thy children are oftentimes chastened ten thousand times more than the worldling, "for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." Give me grace for the hours, for the days, of the coming week, for surely trials and troubles will come; these are Thy great lessons.

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Sunday, Oct. 23rd.-During the past week my mind has been plunged into much trouble; I seem to sink into despair. My mind is impatient to trust the Lord. My natural self says, 'My will, not Thine.' Instead of peace within, the Lord has made war; so my self-will and feelings rise up in rebellion against Him. Yet His judgments are true