blies, composed of both, for prayer and the exposition of the Word of God; and a serious impression, more or less deep and abiding, was spread over a large part of the whole military community. Several became at that period very decided soldiers of Christ. Many others received impressions then, which God has since ripened into manifest and energetic piety. Many more received the seed of the word, in whom, though it seemed to die, it has since, under the continued influence of the spirit, sprung up and brought forth fruit. Some are still in military life. Others have been long since, adorning the christian profession in the ministry of the gospel.

The very first appearance of this work of grace, so remarkably and singularly the work of God, was the coming of a Cadet, alone and most unexpectedly, to introduce himself to the Chaplain, and unburthen the sorrows of a contrite heart. All around him was coldness and scepti-. cism. To speak decidedly in favor of religion, was then so unusual in the Academy, that it made one singular. To converse with the Chaplain on that subject, had not yet been ventured by any, except out of opposition to the truth. That any one would appear there seriously seeking eternal life, even the Chaplain was afraid to hope. But the darkest part of the night is nearest the dawn. A Cadet did venture to come, in open day, to the Chaplain's study, too deeply concerned to heed what would be said of him. He was personally unknown to the Chaplain. His message he tried to utter, but could not. Again he tried, and again; but the heart was too full for speech. At length it was: "Tell me what must I do I have come about my soul. I know not what I want-I am entirely in the dark. What must I seek? where must

I go?

Such was the first declaration of one, who, for some days, had been awakened under the preaching and reading of the truth. A sermon preached on the scriptures, and a tract sent at a venture, from the Chaplain's study to whomsoever it might meet, had been blessed to hi soul. Doubts and cavils were all abandoned. Implicit

The Tract was sent by a Cadet, who, in obedience to the request of a pious father, of whose death he had just heard, had come to introduce him. self to the Chaplain. He was not then of a serious mind in religion. A

submission seemed his engrossing principle. From that moment, the young man appeared to take up the cross, and to stand decidedly and boldly on the Lord's side. The singular and very prominent evidence of the hand of God in this case, was very greatly blessed to others. Bye-and-bye, he professed Christ in the sacrament of baptism, which was administered to him, with others, recently turned to the Lord, in the Chapel of the Military Academy, and in presence of all the corps. After graduating at that institution, and leaving the army, he passed through a regular course of study for the holy ministry, and was successively ordained deacon and presbyter. Many years have since elapsed. The Chaplain has since been called to a higher order in the ministry, and more enlarged responsibilities in the church. The Cadet, meanwhile, after many vicissitudes of active duty and disabling ill health, supposed he had settled himself for the rest of his life, as a preacher and pastor to an humble and obscure congregation of negroes, whom he had collected together from neighboring plantations; to whom, living upon his own pecuniary means, he appropriated a part of his own house for a church, and to whose eternal interests he had chosen cheerfully and happily to devote himself, as their spiritual father, with no emolument but their salvation. But such was just the true spirit, for the highest of all vocations in the church. To be a servant of servants, is the very school in which to prepare for the chief ministry under him, who took on him the form of a servant. The church

needed a Missionary Bishop for a vast field, for great selfdenial, for untiring patience, for courageous enterprise. Her eye was directed to the self-appointed pastor of that humble congregation. With most impressive unanimity

Tract was put into his hand for himself; another, as bread upon the waters, with the direction," drop it any where in the barracks: perhaps I shall hear from it." He smiled, promised compliance, and dropped it, unseen, in the room of his friend, the Cadet above named. That day a week, the Chaplain heard from it, as related in the discourse. But still, he who dropped it was not known to care for his soul. The other, having learned from the Chaplain to what Cadet he was so indebted, put a pious book in his way-(Gregory's Letters.) Soon they were in prayer together in private. Soon, he who was first in Christ presented the other, as one seeking the peace of God, at the place where the prayers of Cadets were then wont to be made, (the Chapain's study.) One of them is now a Bishop; the other, a most beloved minister of the Gospel, well known as the devoted and successful Pist of one of the largest flocks of the Diocese of Virginia.

did she call him away to a work, not indeed of more dignified duty, but of more eminent responsibility; not indeed of more exquisite satisfaction to a christian heart, (for what can give a true christian heart more exquisite satisfaction, than to lead such of the poor to Christ?) but of severer trials, and vastly greater difficulties and hardships. Counting the cost, he has not dared to decline it. Regarding the call as of God, he has embraced the promised grace, and is now ready to be offered. And thus the Chaplain has met the Cadet again, seeing and adoring the end of the Lord in that remarkable beginning; and now, with unspeakable thankfulness to God, for what he here witnesses, may he say to this candidate, the Bishop elect, in the words of St. Paul to his beloved disciple: "Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace, that is in Christ Jesus. Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. And the things thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." I call you son, in affectionate recollection of the past. I call you brother now, in affectionate consideration of the present and the future. Dear, beloved brother, I see plainly in prospect the hardness you are to endure. I mean not hardness to the body. Of this, indeed, you will have no lack in your wide circuits of travel and labor. But this is not the cross I speak of. Hardness to the spirit, I mean: trials of patience, and faith, and love, and meekness; trials of the heart, painful and constant,-such as Jesus knew so acutely, because his spirit was so pure, his heart so tender, his sense of the hatefulness of sin so deep-trials, such as you will feel acutely, in proportion as you attain towards the purity and elevation of the mind of your dear Master. But "God hath not given us the spirit of fear." Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God. "Endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ." Be ever looking unto him, glorious captain of your salvation!-ever considering him, who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself; have in him the simple confidence of a good soldier; show the implicit obedience, the patient watchfulness, the intrepid zeal, the entire devotedness of a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Your strength is all in him. It is enough.

Use it. It waits your call. Draw upon that right hand of power, till you are "strong in the Lord." Carry the spirit of the pastor-of the pastor of that congregation of slaves. the spirit of a servant of servants, into the highest walks of your office. A ruler by commission; be always the servant of all in spirit and in work. Wash the disciples' feet. Do any thing to bring sinners to the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Count all things but loss, that the loss may "win Christ and be found in him." Be yourself an example of the plainest, the most pointed, distinct, earnest and constant preaching of Christ. This, and the raising up and sending out of others to the same work, is the high vocation to which you are called. Strive to surround yourself with a ministry after this pattern; a ministry of men schooled in the experience of the preciousness of Christ; schooled in the mind of Christ; taught of God how to set him forth to the consciences and hearts, to the wants and fears, and woes of this lost and blinded race. "Lay hands suddenly on no man." Aim indeed at a numerous ministry, because absolutely needed. Aim, infinitely more, at a ministry full of the Holy Ghost; knowing Christ, teaching Christ, following Christ; ready to endure all things for Christ, and his kingdom. When difficulties thicken, and helpers are few, and the wilderness is dark and dry, remember that you do not minister to others, without being ministered unto; you have a "Good Shepherd"-out of sight-but always near; ever holding you with his right hand. Jesus ministereth to you. Let him minister. Open your whole soul to the working of his silent, all-subduing ministry. It will lift up your heart, and fill you with peace, and make your wilderness and solitary place to be glad.

Finally, remember, the time is short. The six working days of this short week will soon be over; the everlasting Sabbath will soon begin. Labor hard. The work is great; but what we do must be done quickly. "We must give ourselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word." We look "for the appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." Watch and work! With a father's heart, I pray for you. With a brother's heart, I pray for you; commending you to God

and the word of his grace." The God of peace, who brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Master and his Black Boy.

A POOR black boy, the property of a slaveholder in Africa, having heard of the preaching of the missionaries, felt a strong desire to go and hear about Jesus Christ. For this purpose he crept secretly away one evening, but being obliged to pass under the window of the house, his master observed him, and called out, "Where are you going?" The poor fellow came back trembling, and said, "Me go to hear the missionaries, Massa." "To hear the missionaries! indeed; if you ever go there, you shall have nine and thirty lashes, and be put in irons." With a disconsolate look the poor black replied, "me tell, massa, me tell the great Massa." "Tell the great massa!" replied the master, "What do you mean?" "Me tell the great Massa, the Lord in heaven, that my massa was angry with me, because I wanted to go and hear his word." The master was struck with astonishment, his color changed, and unable to conceal his feelings, he hastily turned away, saying, "Go along, and hear the missionaries."

Being thus permitted the poor boy gladly complied. In the mean time, the mind of the master became restless and uneasy. He had not been accustomed to think he had a master in heaven, who knew and observed all his actions; and he at length determined to follow his slave, and see if there could be any peace for his troubled spirit; and creeping unobserved, he slunk into a secret corner, and eagerly listened to the words of the missionary. That day Mr. Kickerer addressed the natives from these words: Lovest thou me ?" "Is there no poor sinner," said he, "who can answer this question? Not one poor slave, who loves Jesus Christ? No one who dares to con