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and receive the favour of heaven. | only be done to show how nobly we "Blessed are the merciful, for they can forgive it, and to convince the shall obtain mercy." But perhaps offender that he may yet become a there is no command, which, in the friend. How much greater is the general, is so little acted upon, and thought, I have forgiven him, than with which it is so difficult wholly to the feelings which cherish a lasting comply, as that which tells us to dislike, from prejudiced notions of "love our enemies." The common right and wrong. Even to treat one voice is, an eye for an eye, and a who is fully and decidedly our enemy tooth for a tooth,--and it is seldom that as an enemy, is unchristian like-how an offence can be committed, without much more so then to withhold the at the same time awakening a wish to hand of reconciliation from him, who, retaliate. To "bless them that curse conscious of his offence, is ready to us, and to do good to them that de- give it. We should always endeavour spitefully use us," is in direct oppo- to keep up that principle of general sition to every human feeling, and it benevolence, which looks not to indiis only when those many frailties that vidual cases, but to the whole human "flesh is heir to" have become chang- family, and should consider ourselves ed by an unearthly influence, that we as placed upon earth to promote the can in any way obey the command. interest and comfort of our fellowHowever, when an injury has been creatures. The world should be lookcommitted, and contrition on the part ed upon as the property of every one; of the offender is evinced, it is then and the various distinctions of state, that we see the disposition of a man in and customs of nation and province, its true state. Few, I apprehend, on ought not to merit consideration. such an occasion, would be hardy The man, who, because he happens enough openly to call for vengeance; to be born in any particular country, and yet how often do we find the ac- views his surrounding neighbours with tion of this same principle in other a sneer, and supposes himself of a channels, how often do we find that superior order of beings, has but a a secret enmity is cherished in the narrow mind, and is unfit for the conheart, and is willing, in any hidden templation of human nature. When way, to seek revenge. This is too Goldsmith said, often the fact; the cold sneer-the proud recollection of the past-and the whisperings of malice, are proofs of the aversion which still rankles in the bosom.

There is a species of pride and pleasure, perhaps of the worst description possible, that is sometimes apparent in a man, when one who has been his enemy becomes suddenly bowed down by misfortune. Such a situation as this will show us both the nobility and the depravity of human nature. To contemptuously smile even upon an enemy struggling with adversity, is despicable: but to step in to bind up his wounds, and to shed a tear over his sorrows, is an act which almost raises man above humanity. The old saying, "I can forgive, but not forget," which we hear so often repeated as a sort of salvo to the conscience, is absurd. We may, and it is right we should, remember it was a friend, a brother, or a relative, that wronged us; but we should only do it to call up in review our own failings, and to feel that we are liable to err, even as others. To recollect an injury, should

Creation's heir, the world, the world is mine, there was a fine feeling of artless philanthropy in his bosom, which it would be well to see more generally in action; and it was a noble saying of that philosopher, who, on being asked what countryman he was, replied, “I am a citizen of the world."

The indiscretions of men, although they call for reproof, seldom meet with that treatment which is fittest for them. Harsh language, and severity of behaviour, are not the most probable means of effecting a reformation in any one. Men are not to be frightened out of their way of thinking and acting, neither will they submit to be catechized with unkindness. There are a thousand ways of convincing a man that he has done wrong, and of inducing him to do better, besides openly and sourly enumerating his faults and their consequences. The feelings of every heart are more inclined to be soothed and sympathized with, than sneered at and condemned; and, if a change is ever to be wrought in any one, it must be by calm and

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friendly advice. The inadvertencies and induce us to cast a shade over of youth are too often exposed, and the frailties of others; and yet we treated in a way that, so far from pro- sometimes find, that even the follies moting good, commonly produces an of the dead are counted over and comincrease of evil. It is not by severe mented upon. It would seem likely, correction, it is not by cool beha- that the simple knowledge of what viour, it is not by a sort of conscious they are, and of what all else must be, distinction marked out between them would forbid an investigation; but it and others, that they will be found to is not so, they are dragged from their lay aside their evil actions, but it is resting places, and exposed to public by a true and friendly interest in their notice; surely this is in no slight dewelfare, and by a way of acting that, gree unfeeling. If the names of the while it seems to overlook their fol- dead are mentioned, let it be with a lies, points out the path in which they consciousness that we are speaking of should tread. A look of tenderness that which is now sacred: and, if the will do more than all the various spe- veil of their offences must be removed, cies of authority that have ever been let it only be done silently to weep practised; the heart catches at such over them. Oh! there is something a proof of regard, and every better in the contemplation of the grave, feeling is awakened, while a distant which breaks down every lofty pretendemeanour, or a hard saying, if it sion, and which destroys every proud does not hurry the offender into idea. It is there that all distinctions deeper crime, will at least serve to are obliterated, and all degrees of lessen his consciousness of guilt. rank unknown. The world is equal Youthful minds generally act from the there. Every ambitious thought, eveimpulse of the moment, and are as ry high-sounding word, every towering quick in their actions one way as an- hope, there meet with one answer. other. They are as ready to confess a The rich and the poor, the wise, the fault as to commit it; and, when pro- ignorant, and the powerful, of this perly treated, are as easily won over world, there mix and mingle together to the right side. Their acts are the in one lowly habitation; and it is movements of nature, unbiassed by while acknowledging this, that we reflections on particular circumstan- feel the whole force of those noble ces; they have a truer conception of lines: the rectitude of any action, and feel more acutely for the performance of any thing blameable, than perhaps is done at any other period of life. If they have their follies, they have usually their hour of repentance, and their day of reformation; and few are there, who, even while they have been partaking of the vanities around them, have not known and felt the truth of those fine and original lines of Burns, where he tells us that

"Pleasures are like poppies spread, We seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or like the snow-falls on a river,

One moment white, then melts for ever." But there is one consideration, which, supposing there were none other, should ever incline us to live in charity with all men, and to regard their worst deeds more "in sorrow than in anger," and that is, the consciousness of our common doom-that we are all hastening to that place where every strife is quieted, and every grief forgotten. Did this recollection more frequently arise within us, it would humble our pretensions,

The glories of our earthly state

Are shadows, not substantial things;
There is no armour against fate,
Death lays his icy hand on kings.
Sceptre and crown
Must tumble down,
And in the dust be equal made
With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
SHIRLEY.

Let us then cherish those feelings,
that incline us to pity and forgive the
frailties of others, and that direct us
to the contemplation and practice of
those actions which are virtuous and
praiseworthy. So shall we
through life, enjoying and giving
happiness, and be conducted to the
very threshold of death, fitted to die
smilingly.
G. M.
Derby.

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TRANSLATION OF AN OLD CHARTER.

THE following is a translation of an Old Charter, originally written in the Saxon language, and granted by William the Conqueror to the inhabitants of London (communicated by J. D. B. of Bilston, Staffordshire.)——

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Rev Claudius Buchanan D.D.

Late Vice Provost of the College of
Fort William in Bengal-

Published by Henry Fishe. Caton London 1522

"WILLIAM, King, greets William, Bishop, and Godfrey Portgrave (the same in office as Lord Mayor) and all the Borough of London, French and English, friendly. And I now make known to you, that you are worthy to enjoy all those laws and privileges which you did before the decease of King Edward. And it is my will that every child be his father's heir after his father's decease. And I will not suffer any man to do you wrong. “God you keep."

MEMOIR OF THE REV. CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN, D. D. LATE VICE-PROVOST OF THE COLLEGE OF FORT WILLIAM

IN BENGAL.

With a Portrait.

FEW ministers of the gospel, who have appeared in modern days, are more entitled to the notice of the biographer than Dr. Claudius Buchanan. His visiting the Syrian Christians, his history of Juggernaut, and his entrance into the Inquisition at Goa, are circumstances that cannot easily be forgotten. His Christian researches in India can hardly fail to immortalize his name.

Claudius Buchanan was born at Cambuslang, near Glasgow, on the 12th of March, 1766. He was the son of Mr. Alexander Buchanan, a man of respectable learning and of excellent character, who was highly esteemed in various parts of Scotland, as a laborious and faithful teacher, and who, a few months previous to his death, was appointed rector of the grammar school of Falkirk.

His mother was the daughter of Mr. Claudius Somers, one of the elders of the church of Cambuslang. This gentlemen was awakened to a deep and lasting sense of real religion by the preaching of Mr. Whitefield, in the year 1742. His piety was solid and lasting; and his spirit seems to have been imbibed by his daughter, the mother of young Claudius, who, at an early age, was awakened to the importance of religion, and on whom, as he advanced to maturity, the spirit and mantle of Elijah fell. By his pious parents he was carefully trained up in religious habits; and though naturally of a lively disposition, his mind was susceptible of serious impressions, which it received from the No. 37.-VOL, IV.

devotional exercises of his parents, and from the kind, but serious admonitions of his grandfather, from whom he derived his baptismal name.

In 1773 young Claudius, at the age of seven years, entered the grammarschool of Inverary, in Argyleshire, of which his father was then master, and under whose instruction he made a considerable proficiency in the Latin and Greek languages. He continued at Inverary until some time in 1779, when, spending his vacation with a schoolfellow near the island of Mull, he attracted the attention of a Mr. Campbell, of Dunstafnage; and on the following year, though only fourteen years of age, he received an appointment to become the tutor of his two sons, one of whom, in the year 1803, was the captain of the "United Kingdom" East Indiaman. In this situation Mr. B. continued nearly two years; and it is probable that he would have remained longer, had it not interfered with a necessary attention to his own education. While in this employment, his serious convictions again returned, an account of which he communicated to his pious grandfather, who did all in his power to cherish them both by his advice and his payers. But these continued only for a season: his association with a dissipated companion soon quenched the kindling spark, and several years elapsed before he was permanently led to seek that God whose invitations he had so ungratefully disregarded.

In the year 1782, he left the family of Mr. Campbell, and proceeded to the University of Glasgow, where he remained during that and the following year, diligently pursuing the various studies for which he afterwards became so distinguished. In the year 1784, he left the University, and went to the island of Islay, for the purpose of becoming tutor to the sons of Mr. Campbell, of Knockmelly. In 1785, he removed to Carradell, in Kintyre, and performed a similar office to the sons of Mr. Campbell of that place. In 1786, he again returned to the college at Glasgow; and a certificate from the Professor of Logic testifies, that he regularly attended the public lectures, and that, at the examination, he gave commendable proof of attention, diligence, and improvement, in Ꮮ

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