vive our present minister. But whosoever lives to weep over his grave, will assuredly see another invincible evidence of the reality and energy of vital religion. The sneers and jests of a worldling cannot bar the gates of heaven; and even in this life, wisdom is justified of her children. Detraction and calumny will never permanently injure a consistent and steady character: and though religion may be ridiculed, it cannot be despised. A sarcasm is often the mask of a wounded conscience, and the smile of affected contempt may frequently conceal a sigh.

RURICOLA.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

THE duty of trusting the promises and providence of God in giving to the poor, even when one's circumstances are moderate and precarious, especially on urgent occasions; and the still higher duty of relieving parents in distress, as far as children have it in their power, seem to be generally acknowledged: yet it is to be feared, that few so entirely rely on the promises of God on this subject, as to risk much in obeying his plain commands; and those who do, are often censured by their brethren as imprudent. It is to be feared also, that to expect any remarkable interposition of providence in case of poverty, occasioned by such conduct, however consonant to the divine precepts, would scarcely be exempted from the charge of enthusiasm. I have, however, known several instances, in which these promises of scripture have been literally understood, relied on, and fulfilled, even beyond expectation. The case that follows, fell under my own immediate

observation.

A woman servant, who was past the prime of life, in an inferior station, but much respected for her well known piety and integrity, had saved a little money from her wages, which, as her health was evidently on the decline, and there was reason to think she could not long support the fatigues of her situation, would probably soon be required for her own relief. Thus circumstanced, she heard that her aged parents, by unavoidable calamity, were reduced to extreme indigence, and at the same time she had

She

reason to fear they were strangers to the comforts of true religion. accordingly obtained leave to visit them; and making the best use of the opportunity, both shared her little with them, and used her utmost endeavours to make them acquainted with the consolations and supports of the Gospel, which she did apparently with some success. She was afterwards remonstrated with by a religious acquaintance, who observed, that, in all probability, she would herself soon stand in need of all the little she had laid by. But to this she replied, that she could not think it her duty to see her aged parents pining in want while she had more than was needful for her present use, and that she trusted God would find her some friend if he saw good to disable her for service.

According to her faith, so it proved to her. She continued to assist her parents till their death: soon after which event, she was so entirely deprived of health as to be utterly incapable of labour. But when nothing but a work-house was in prospect for her, God, in a wonderful manner, raised her up friends where she least expected them. For nine years she has now been very comfortably supported in a way she could never have conceived, and circumstances have at length been so ordered, that her maintenance to the end of life is almost as much ensured, as any thing can be in this perishing uncertain world. So remarkably hath God verified to her his gracious word"Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Ps. xxxvii. 3.

T. S.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

In the " Geological Essays" of the celebrated Mineralogist KIRWAN, a work for which the Christian world cannot be too highly grateful, the author has undertaken a professed defence of the Mosaic account of the origin and formation of the world, together with the change which it underwent at the deluge. The first of these essays treats "of the primeval state of the globe;" the second, "of the deluge;" and the third, "of subsequent catastrophes." In the last mentioned of these essays, and that to

which the following observations will be confined, the writer supposes, that, at a distant period, a separation took place between the continents of Asia and America; and that the Baltic, in all its branches, was anciently much more extended than at present; in confirmation of which latter opinion he observes, that the plains of Russia to the south of Petersburg are still a morass. Mr. Kirwan proceeds in his hypothesis, that a communication anciently subsisted between the Caspian, the Lake of Aral, and the Black Sea; but that, by the opening of the Thracian Bosphorus, they discharged their waters into the Mediterranean. This account is rendered highly probable from the circumstance that the adjacent deserts or steppes are covered with shells peculiar to the Caspian Sea. It is farther supposed, that a rupture, similar to that of the Thracian Isthmus, took place in the African, and produced a communication between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. The consequence of this irruption of waters into the Mediterranean was a proportionable increase in its elevation above its former level, and one of the principal effects of this inundation was the separation of Sicily from Italy; a fact, in attestation of which Mr. Kirwan produces the testimony of Pliny, of Ovid, and of Claudian.

This hypothesis, which is far from being irrational, is, I think, capable of being confirmed by much additional evidence. The supposition of the superior elevation, and consequently increased extent of the Euxine, before it broke its way into the Mediterranean, is powerfully corroborated by the observation of Major Rennell, who, speaking of the Palus Mæotis, says, "appearances seem to prove, that the limits of the Mæotis have been much circumscribed; and its bed, of course, in part filled up, by the depositions of the Tanais, Borysthenes, and other rivers." This eminent geographer likewise states it

"that

as the opinion of Herodotus, the Palus Mæotis was nearly as large as the Euxine; consequently" (adds the writer) "in order to get room for it, he must have extended it a vast way to the north, and east, beyond the truth." See Geography of Herodotus, p. 69. note, and p. 54. Scylax and Strabo ascribed the same extravagant extent to the Palus Mæotis. See Cellarii Geog. Plen. tom. i. p. 318.

It must be acknowledged indeed, that the age even of Scylax is much posterior to the date which Mr. Kirwan assigns for the catastrophe, by which the sea in question was reduced to its present limits. On a subject, however, concerning which the means of information in ancient times were so scanty, it is not to be wondered at, that opinions respecting distant and uncultivated regions should continue long after an alteration had taken place in the regions themselves.

For the separation of Sicily from Italy the testimonies of Silius Italicus and Florus may be produced in addition to those mentioned by Mr. Kirwan. See Cell. Geog. tom i. p. 619, who supposes it to be a fabulous tradition, and treated as such by Virgil and Mela. He offers, however, no solid argument for his incredulity. Seneca, in a passage which shall be quoted, and with which these remarks shall conclude, appears very evidently to admit the fact.

But the most important part of the preceding hypothesis is the separation supposed to have taken place between the continents of Europe and Africa, by which the straits of Gibraltar were produced. And this is expressly affirmed by Seneca in the following curious passage:-Sic et Hispanias a contextu Africæ, mare eripuit. Sic hac inundatione, quam poetarum maximi celebrant, ab Italia Sicilia rejecta est. Nat. Quæst. lib. vi. cap. xxix.

CI. Hayley's Life of Cowper.

(Continued from p. 363).

We have continued the review of this work for no other purpose than to in

J. M.

troduce those extracts from it, which were intended to appear in our last number, but which were omitted for want of room. The two following

letters are given as a fair specimen of Cowper's epistolary style, and we doubt not they will prove a gratification to many of our readers.

TO MRS. COWPER.

"I agree with you that letters are not essential to friendship, but they seem to be a natural fruit of it, when they are the only intercourse that can be had. And a friendship producing no sensible effects is so like indifference, that the appearance may easily deceive even an acute discerner. I retract, however, all that I said in my last upon this subject, having reason to suspect that it proceeded from a principle which I would discourage in myself upon all occasions, even a pride that felt itself hurt upon a mere suspicion of neg. lect. I have so much cause for humility, and so much need of it too, and every little sneaking resentment is such an enemy to it, that I hope I shall never give quarter to any thing that appears in the shape of sullenness or self-consequence hereafter. Alas! if my best friend, who laid down his life for me, were to remember all the instances in which I have neglected him, and to plead them against me in judgment, where should I hide my guilty head in the day of recompense? I will pray, therefore, for blessings upon my friends even though they cease to be so, and upon my enemies though they continue such. The deceitfulness of the natural heart is inconceivable: I know well that I passed upon my friends for a person at least religiously inclined, if not actually religious, and what is more wonderful, I thought myself a Christian when I had no faith in Christ, when I saw no beauty in him, that I should desire him; in short, when I had neither faith nor love, nor any Christian grace whatever, but a thousand seeds of rebellion instead, ever more springing up in enmity against him. But blessed be God, éven the God who is become my salvation, The hail of affliction and rebuke for sin has swept away the refuge of lies. It

pleased the Almighty, in great mercy, to set all my misdeeds before me. At length the storm being past, a quiet and peaceful serenity of soul succeeded, such as ever attends the gift of lively faith in the allsufficient atonement, and the sweet sense of mercy and pardon purchased by the blood of Christ. Thus did he break me, and bind me up; thus did he wound me, and his hands made me whole. My dear cousin, I make no apology for entertaining you with the history of my conversion, because I know you to be a Christian in the sterling import of the appellation. This is, however, a very summary account of the matter, neither would a letter contain the astonishing particulars of it. If we ever meet again in this world, I will relate them to you by word of mouth, if not they

will serve for the subject of a conference in the next, where, I doubt not, I shall remember and record them with a gratitude better suited to the subject." (Letter V.)

TO LADY HESKETH.

"I sent you, my dear, a melancholy letter, and I do not know that I shall now send you one very unlike it. Not that any thing occurs in consequence of our late loss more afflictive than was to be expected, but the mind does not perfectly recover its tone after a shock like that which has been felt so lately. This I observe, that though my experience has long since taught me that this world is a world of shadows, and that it is the more prudent, as well as the more Christian course, to possess the comforts that we find in it as if we possessed them not, it is no easy matter to reduce this doctrine into practice. We forget that that God who gave it, may, when he pleases, take it away; and that, perhaps, it may please him to take it at a time when we least expect it, or are least disposed to part from it: thus has it happened in the present case. There never was a moment in Unwin's life, when there seemed to be more urgent want of him than the moment in which he died. He had attained to an age, when, if they are at any time useful, men become useful to their families, their friends, and the world. His parish began to feel, and to be sensible of the advantages of his ministry. The clergy around him were many of them awed by his example. His children were thriving under his own tuition and management; and his eldest boy is likely to feel his loss severely, being, by his years, in some respect qualified to understand the value of such a parent, by his literary proficiency too clever for a schoolboy, and too young, at the same time, for the university. The removal of a man in the prime of life, of such a character, and with such connexions, seems to make a void in society that never can be filled. God seemed to have made him just what he was, that he might be a blessing to others; and when the influence of his character and abilities began to be felt, removed him. These are mysteries, my dear, that we cannot contemplate without astonishment, but which will, nevertheless, be explained hereafter, and must in the mean time be revered in silence. It is well for his mother, that she has spent her life in the practice of an habitual acquiescence in the dispensations of providence, else I know that this stroke would have been heavier, after all that she has suffered upon another account, than she could have borne. She derives, as she well may, great consolation from the thought that he lived the life, and died the death, of a Christian. The consequence is, if

conformable to that construction confirmed, or militated against the rule in question. All these passages we shall now produce; and when our readers discover that they all, without a single exception, concur in establishing the rule of Mr. Sharp, that in every such case an individual is the subject, we doubt not but they will feel a portion of the same conviction and the same pleasure, which opened upon our own minds, on so favourable a result of our enquiry.

The Epistle of BARNABAS stands first in order among the Apostolic Fathers; but in that piece we have not been able to find a single passage of the construction required.

Concerning the Greek fragments of the Pastor of HERMAS, we are in the same predicament.

With CLEMENT our materials begin. The genuineness of his first epistle is undisputed; and though it should be, as some are disposed to think, interpolated, this circumstance, with persons who understand the nature of the present argument, will have little or no effect. In this epistle we have observed the following passages, agreeably to the construction of Mr. Sharp's rule.

1. Ο μέγας δημιεργος ΚΑΙ δεσποτης, &c. Sxx. quoted by Mr. Wordsworth.

2. O dixTippur Kara Tavтa K[AI] YETINGS WATNE EX, &c. § xxiii.

3. Αυτός γαρ Ο δημιεργος, ΚΑΙ ε[εσποτης] των ἁπάντων, &c. f xxxiii.

4. Ο δημιυργός ΚΑΙ πατηρ των αιώνων, &c. § XXXV.

5. Ιησεν Χρίστου, τον αρχιερέα των προσφο - ρων ἡμῶν, ΤΟΝ προς την ΚΑΙ βοηθον της ασ θένειας ήμων. xxxνί.

6. [ὁ ποιή]σες ήμας ΚΑΙ δημιέργησας, [uonyJayev, &c. § xxxviii.

7. [To ovoju TOY anne KAI (ove [9], &c. § xliii.

8. Ο παντεπόπτης Θεός, [ΚΑΙ] δεσπότης των pawv, &c. § lviii. quoted by Mr. Words

worth.

9. Δια ΤΟΥ αρχιερέως, ΚΑΙ προσωτε ήμων Ιησε Χριςε. Ib.

The second epistle, whose authority is more questionable, affords no instance. It may just be observed, that the martyrdom of Clement supplies four, which may be found, sect. ix. xiv. xx. and xxv.

We proceed to IGNATIUS. The Epistles of this Father, which we believe to be genuine, are divided into the greater and the less, the original and the abridged, as Mosheim seems inclined to believe, (Com. de Reb.

p. 69.

12, 13. Τον υιον του αληθινό Θεό ΚΑΙ Петрос, Ιησεν Χρισον εκείνον ζητώ, ΤΟΝ ὑπερ ήμων αποθανόντα ΚΑΙ αναςάντα. ad Rom. iu Vossius, but not in Le Clerc. This pas sage is likewise in the greater Epistle.",

In the greater Epistles are found the following instances:

14. Ιησε Χρισε, του αληθινοι ποιμένος ΚΑΙ διδασκαλε. ad Eph. § vi.

Ib.

15. Ο κύριος ήμων ΚΑΙ θεός Ιησές Χριστος. xv.

16. Το θεν ύτος, Ὁ προ αιώνων γεννηθεις, ΚΑΙ τα πάντα γνώμη τε πατρός συςησάμενος, &ε. Ib. xviii.

17. ΤΟΝ ένα ΚΑΙ μονον αληθινον θεον.. ad Mag. xi. This section affords another instance, but the article and copulative

are too far distant.