taking the means for the end, and neglect the study of the sacred Word, and can be satisfied to go on, from day to day, with a deadened conscience, strangers to a blessed communion with God, by prayer, that communion which is the very life and joy of the real believer. They may be accustomed to the forms of prayer, Oh, that they did but know that the form of godliness, without the power, is of no more value than the casket without the gem. God requires the heart. How can such formalists join in that glorious declaration of the Apostle "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."-Gal. vi. 14. 16.

CHAPTER IV.

You will, perhaps, wonder why I did not go to some Christian church, to hear the preaching of the Gospel? I reply, I was in my father's house-I should have been watcheddetected banished-execrated. I did not at that time possess sufficient faith to enable me to leave all for Christ. I however soon found that there was one Christian here and there that would speak a word for their Lord. I was on a journey for my father, and on board a passage-boat, between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. I was seated by a gentlemen who, by his dress, appeared to be a clergyman. He handed me a book, directing my attention to some verses in it ascribing divine Majesty to Jesus Christ. I returned it to him, and observed, that however highly I might admire the character of Jesus, I could not consent to ascribe deity to him. He replied, “you acknowledge that you admire him, but if you knew him you would love him." The hurry

and bustle of landing separated me from that messenger of God, and most probably we shall never meet again in this life. He could not be aware of the deep impression he was instrumental in making on my mind: his words fastened upon me like a nail in a sure place. Whenever I have subsequently heard the name of Jesus uttered, I have asked myself the question, shall I ever love that name? A name that I was taught from my earliest infancy to execrate. Did I wish to love him then? No. Do I love him now? Yes. And why? Because he first loved me, and gave himself for me, me a wretched miserable sinner, even the chief of sinners, one who formerly was ready to say, "crucify him, crucify him," but I have obtained mercy. My blessed Redeemer drew me to him, at a time when I was living in a state of enmity against him. He had compassion on me, and snatched me from destruction-for me he endured unequalled sufferings, for me he poured forth his precious blood on the accursed tree. Do I not love him? I may suffer all kinds of privation, persecution, perils, or martyrdom, but no circumstance can ever diminish my love to my adorable Saviour.

I became very desirous now to hear the Gospel preached, whenever I could do so, without exposing myself to the observation of Jews. I went to the chapel of the Roman Catholics, because I understood that the forms of worship there were similar to those of the Jewish church, whilst they were generally recognized as Christians. I did not go there a second time, because, like the Jews, they appeared to me, to teach for doctrines the commandments of men, making the word of God of none effect by their traditions.

As I had opportunity, I went to one church or another, but could not gain the information I desired, namely, instruction in the Christian faith. It was chiefly during journeys that opportunities presented themselves of my entering a Christian church, and although I did not gain all the knowledge I desired, yet I learnt enough to alarm me, and to make me eager to know more. On my return to town I could not forbear communicating the substance of the preaching I had heard to some of my Jewish friends. They became alarmed, and united in their efforts to hinder me from hearing any thing more of Christ. Poor deluded people! They thought they were doing

God service in striving to avert my eyes from my precious Redeemer. Every temptation and allurement was laid in my way, in order to turn my attention away from Him; and I had well nigh stopped had not the preserving grace of God held me up. I became an associate of those who would make it appear that a theatre, or a ball-room, or assemblies of a similar kind, are more to be desired than the house of prayer; and the gratification of their senses more to be sought after than the salvation of their souls. All this, however, did not satisfy me; I knew it was all vanity,-I felt it was vexation of spirit. I continued a long time in an undecided state, disapproving of Judaism, and feeling convinced that while I continued to yield myself up to the errors of that persuasion, I was not in a way of salvation, and yet consenting to it by joining in their ceremonials, customs, &c.,-anxious to become a disciple of Jesus, and yet by my conduct. denying him. Satan was now doing his utmost to make me his, and I became connected with Infidels and read some of their blasphemous writings, so that the good seed sown was on the point of being swept away. But through that protecting mercy which has invariably