THE eye of reason, like the eagle, directs itself chiefly to the sun, to a glory that neither admits of a superior, nor an equal. So religion carries the soul to the study of every divine attribute.

Conscience is the great repository and magazine of all those pleasures that can afford any solid refreshment to the soul. For when this is calm, and serene, and absolving, then, properly, a man enjoys all things, and what is more, himself; for that he must do before he can enjoy anything else.

Those that are fond of applause while they pursue it, how little do they taste it when they have it! Like lightning, it only flashed upon the face, and is gone, and it is well if it does not hurt the man.

The pleasure that accrues to a man from religion, is, that it is such an one as is in nobody's power, but only his that has it; so that he who has the property may be also sure of the perpetuity.

He that thinks to expiate sin by going barefoot, only makes one folly the atonement of another.

If men's religion lies no deeper than their skin, it is possible that they may scourge themselves into very great improvements.

With Romanists, it seems, a man cannot be a penitent unless he also turns vagabond, and foots it to Jerusalem, or wanders over this or that part of the world to visit the shrine of some pretended saint, though perhaps, in his life, ten times more ridiculous than them

selves; thus, that which was Cain's curse becomes their religion.

He that denies Christ in his judgment, sins; but he that speaks his denial, vouches and owns his sin; and so by publishing it, does what in him lies to make it universal, and by writing it, to establish it eternal.

It is an easy matter to commend patience, when there is no danger of any trial; to extol humility in the midst of honours, and to begin a fast after dinner.

Rather than Pilate will be counted Caesar's enemy, he will pronounce Christ innocent one hour, and condemn him the next.

He that falls below pity, can fall no

lower.

for the Young. BY REV. J. Kennedy, M.A.

SONGS OF HEAVEN. London: The Book Society, 19, Paternoster-row.

The second maintains, as its title indicates, the scripturalness of a weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper.

In an easy, simple, and affectionate way he examines the six most prevalent "buts;" namely, "My kindred oppose; the consequences are often hard to bear; some of Christ's teachings are hard to

receive, and some of his assumed characters hard to accept; I am so very unworthy; I cannot crucify and abandon all sin; I have time enough yet."

The "Songs of Heaven" is a collection of hymns, thirty-three in all, bearing on some description of the better country found in the Scriptures. The names of a few authors are given. We could wish that all had been appended. THE NEW CONGREGATIONAL

TUNE BOOK. Harmonized for Four Voices, with accompaniment for the Organ or Pianoforte. Instrumental edition, Part 1. To be completed in five monthly parts BY ADAM WRIGHT, Organist of Carr'slane Chapel, Birmingham. VOCAL SCORE EDITION, and TONIC SOL-FA EDITION, by the same author. London, Edinburgh, and New York: Nelson and Sons.

The tune-books are adapted for general use by having each hymn in the three editions printed in full. Mr. Wright promises to give, in addition to the standard tunes, a selection from the great masters, a selection of ancient hymntunes from various sources, and of passages from Scripture adapted for chanting. There are forty-two tunes in the first part. The editor is anxious to make the work as complete as possible, and will be glad to receive suggestions from any person interested in the improvement of Congregational Psalmody. The instrumental edition is published at one shilling a part, the vocal score at sixpence, and the tonic sol-fa at fourpence. We recommend them to the notice of our

choirs and their leaders.

THE FIRST REPORT OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY, FOR AGED AND INFIRM BAPTIST MINISTERS, AND THEIR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS; presented, with the cash account at the annual meeting, held at Cannon-street chapel, Birmingham, Sept. 5th, 1859. Birmingham: Showell, Upper Temple-street.

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Our readers are already acquainted. with the object and claims of this valuable society. The statement made some mouths back in a letter in this Magazine from one of the members, and the cordial vote recommending the society passed at the last Annual Association, are still fresh in their memories. We are glad to find the names of twenty-four ministers of our own denomination among the list of members. We could wish the number were trebled; but the very low range of salaries received by the majority of our pastors-we say it with shame-does not allow of their sparing the sum of three guineas, the very small rate of annual subscription for full members. Why should not our deacons and leading friends take the matter up with spirit, and by one yearly collection, give all the means of uniting with it? From the report before us, we learn that £900 have been received by donations and subscriptions during the past year, and that 162 ministers have become members. The committee advise that the churches generally should take the payment of the annual subscriptions out of the hands of the minister. The correspondence and history of the society during the past year, the committee tell us, have brought this fact painfully into view-that the claims of the ministry are not sufficiently felt. A good opportunity is now given every church of wiping out this foul blot on their fair fame. Never let it be said any longer that Baptist ministers are the worst paid class of the mental servants of the public. Relieve your pastors of their pressing cares as to temporal wants, or at least, as to the future into which few dare to look, and you will speedily receive double return in their cheerful appreciation of your esteem, and the willingness with which they strive to double every talent God has intrusted to them for your highest and best interests.

AARON MARTIN was born in Leicester, in the year 1779, and was the subject of serious impressions at an early age: wise consideration, deep searchings of heart before God, and humble, fervent prayer for divine help in the strife between two worlds, decided his course for heaven. His first call to expound the Word of God was at some considerable distance

from his native town, and without any previous knowledge that he would have to do so. From that time, however, he began a course of usefulness, and ultimately became the minister of a respectable congregation of Wesleyans in Leicester, serving them in the Lord for eleven years; but in compliance with the pressing invitation of a gentleman in France, he

went to that country, and not forgetting his Divine Master, witnessed there, both to small and great, that Jesus only was Lord and Saviour. Returning again to England, he still declared the same truth. Recognizing and appreciating General Baptist principles, he at length united himself with our body, being baptized at Stoney-street, June 14th, 1835. His "ministrations of the word," both in his own and other denominations in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and elsewhere, were spread over the long period of fifty-eight years. As a man, he had his peculiarities; and where is the man that has not? As a Christian and preacher of the gospel he endeavoured to sustain an unblemished character. Promptitude was a prominent and an abiding feature in his life. His perceptions of truth were clear and scriptural. With his friends, by his own fire side, he was plain and humble as a little child; but, as his own lips have expressed, when in the pulpit, he felt the dignity and great responsibility of his position. His investigation of sacred truth was no small matter with him; his heart was upon it, and his prayer was that he might feel its hallowing influence, understand its import, live its earnest life, and evermore enjoy its promised and perfect blessedness. The Lord was abundantly with him, took great care of him, and in a most wonderful way provided for his declining days. "Trust in the Lord, and do good, and verily thou shalt be fed," was an axiom with him. He was a living proof of it. Mr. B. Walker, of Lenton, for a considerable time previous to the illness of our aged friend, most nobly and cheerfully allowed him a certain weekly sum towards supplying his bodily necessities; and with generous and kindly feeling, when our friend was wholly laid aside, more than doubled that amount until his death (June 13). Besides which, he defrayed the entire expenses of his interment. Of the few last weeks of our aged friend's life much might be told; but suffice it to state that the affliction which he had to sustain, though at times unusually severe, was borne with great patience and resignation. "It is of the Lord," he would sometimes say, 66 and the Lord do that which seemeth him good." "The Lord doeth all things well." "He is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind, and I have no doubt all will be right. I must wait the issue." At other times he would

say, "I have not served the Lord for nought. He has graciously fed my soul from my youth up, and his food has been sweet unto my taste; sweeter also than honey or the honeycomb. I have had so many manifestations of his greatness, goodness, and mercy, these many years, that I must not, cannot believe, he will forsake me now." "His faithfulness endureth for ever." "For ever," he would say, "Ah! for ever. He's a faithful, unchangeable God, praise his name—

O that the world my Saviour knew,
Then all the world would love him too.'

He loved me; he gave himself for me. This is my only plea. My trust, my all is here." Such was the state of his mind, even before it was believed by his medical attendant that death was near. The last days of Aaron Martin afforded a strong proof of the reality of the Christian religion. A friend took his hand, and asked, "You know and feel Jesus, don't you?" and, with a sweet angelic smile, he answered, "Ah! I should think I do. Jesus, yes.

Precious Jesus. Praise his holy name. Praise him." He then expressed a wish to have his head lifted up. It was accordingly done, and brightening in his looks, he said something; but so indistinctly as not to be understood. We laid his head again upon the pillow, and in little more than two hours Aaron Martin was no more. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

FRANCIS FROST was born near the vil lage of Bedale, in the north of Yorkshire, May 5th, 1825. He was brought up among the Wesleyans, and while yet young, was hopefully converted to God. About nine years ago he came to Bradford, and found his way to Tetley-street chapel. On April 4th, 1852, he was baptized, and added to the church. Since that time he has been a devout follower of the Saviour. His death was very sudden. While removing the last luggage truck for the night at the Bradford station, of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, at which place he was porter, he was suddenly crushed to death. He was an affectionate father, a peaceable neighbour, a faithful workman, a devoted Sabbath-school teacher, and an humble Christian. A funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Wood, on October 16th, from Job

xiv. 2.