number of pious young men of various denominations, who have been the instruments of bringing about a great change in the externals, at least, of our university. We cannot indeed say, that any great moral renovation has been effected; but the machinery, at least, has been erected, which, with the blessing of God, may be the means of effecting it. We have now Sabbath Schools taught by members of the university; and meetings for prayer among the students; and, what is more astonishing still, a University Missionary Society, consisting of about sixty members who meet once a month for the purpose of promoting the objects of the society. In connexion with this last institution, we have formed a small library of missionary books, which have mostly been sent us in presents; and from the circulation of which, I anticipate great good. This is an institution in which I take particular interest, as I have long considered the object which it has in view one of the most important, perhaps, the most important, which can engage the mind of a Christian. And for some time I have even seriously thought of devoting my own life to the cause of missions. I had long wished to find a companion who could enter into my own views on this subject; and such an one I think I have fallen in with this session. His name is Mr. A—; he had been boarded for some time with Mr. Malan, of Geneva, and he seems to have imbibed much of the spirit of that excellent man. We have sometimes talked over the subject of missions together, and I hope we may be yet honored to preach the gospel to the heathen. I am aware of the difficulties to be encountered; and of the danger of rashly forming a resolution of such importance: but even the

desire I have expressed to you, is the fruit of much meditation and prayer. And I have communicated it to you, in order to have the benefit

of your advice. I shall always look to you as one of the best friends I have on earth, and I trust my father in Christ Jesus. I wish you would send me word about the institution at Gosport. I have heard there is a great deficiency in the number of students. I entreat that you will pray for my direction in this matter of so great importance with regard to my spiritual happiness.

I may mention, by the way, that we have a Mr. H- here, a Baptist Minister, from London; of whom, perhaps, you may have heard. He has come to attend Dr. Chalmers, and has been very useful here. He and my friend, Mr. A—, have established several preaching stations in the country round, where the people seem eager to hear the gospel.

I am sorry that I am so, soon obliged to conclude; for I have not told you the half of what I have to communicate. When I heard from home, my friends were well; and the church had given Mr. J

a unanimous call.

Ever believe me,
My dear Sir,

Your most affectionate.

Perhaps I have been too free in still retaining the Hebrew books you were pleased to lend me. I am devoting all my spare time to the reading of the Psalms.

I shall be very much gratified by a letter. Perhaps you may be interested to hear that I preached, for the first time, on Saturday last, to a few of my fellow-students, who have formed

themselves into a society for extempore preaching We meet in the Divinity-Hall. Farewell.

The reader, I am sure, will join me in admiring the beautiful combination of christian principle and brotherly affection contained in these letters. There is no affectation of feeling; but the utterance of it in the simplest and most impressive language. He dwells on the slight indications of religious feeling which his brother could give, with evident delight; and fondly cherished hope as far as the circumstances admitted. The account of the progress of religion and of the juvenile association, is also very interesting. It shows how completely his heart was now engaged; and, from this time, I considered him devoted to the work of God among the heathen, should Providence be pleased to spare his life. I accordingly wrote to him to encourage and cherish, rather than to stimulate him, which, I perceived, he did not require. The sermon to which he refers, as his first essay in this kind of composition, remains among his papers; and would do credit, in point of sentiment and expression, to a minister of some years standing.

Having been the principal means of establishing the University Missionary Society, he appears to have taken a very active part in its management. And as an evidence how much it engaged his mind, and how fully he thought on all the bearings and aspects of the great work, I must here introduce an essay which he read at one of its meetings, held on the 12th of February; a few days before the writing of the preceding letter.

THE

DOCTRINE OF A GRADATION

IN

REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS;

AND AN

ATTEMPT TO APPLY IT TO THE SUBJECT OF MISSIONS.

In all those descriptions of the final retribution which are given us in the Bible, our attention is called to two great divisions of the inhabitants of our world: namely, "Those who shall go away into everlasting punishment; and those who shall go into life eternal.' But, though there be thus one grand classification of our whole species, where the line of demarcation is very broad and very strongly marked; yet in the same description, do we find an account given of minuter sub-divisions, whose bounding lines are not so vivid, but which imperceptibly shade into and blend with each other. And we think ourselves fully warranted to suppose, that there will be different degrees of glory on the one hand, and different degrees of punishment on the other; and that these will be determined by the privileges we have enjoyed on earth, and the degree to which those privileges have been improved or neglected. He that had gained ten pounds was made ruler

over ten cities; he that gained five, over five cities. And again, "That servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes; but he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." But this doctrine of a gradation in rewards and punishments has been thought, by some, inconsistent with the Scripture doctrine of justification by faith; and inconsistent with the free and unmerited nature of that reward which shall be given to those who are thus justified. Were the glory promised a fair return, for our welldoings, there might then be some force in the objection; but when we consider, that, after we have done all that we are commanded, (and, who is there that can boast of having done so?) we are still unprofitable servants; and when we consider that sin mingles with our best services, which cannot, therefore, be pleasing to that God who cannot look upon iniquity but with abhorrence; we shall perceive, that this view of the final retribution far from being at variance with the grand and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, magnifies it and does it honor; inasmuch as it is the imputed righteousness of Christ, which imparts to our actions all in them that is pleasing, and all that is acceptable to God.

The doctrine of the cross is represented in the Bible as the foundation, and the virtuous actions of believers as the superstructure which is built upon it; the latter, deriving all their strength and all their stability from the former: