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in 1536; and subscribing the Articles of Smalcald, in 1537; this active and zealous divine was sent into England, in the name of the Protestants of Germany, to consult on affairs of religion, and on the marriage of the King with Ann of Cleves; but shortened his stay from disgust at Henry's conduct towards the professors of the reformed tenets. On his return, he was engaged with Luther, Jonas, Cruciger, Pfeffinger, Menius, and others, in establishing the reform in the circles of Meissen and Leipsic, on the death of Duke George and the accession of Henry his brother. He addressed a memorable epistle to the Emperor, on the 21st of June, 1539, explaining the changes which had taken place at Leipsic, through the exertions of the Lutheran theologians.

A party of his countrymen were very angry, when the Elector of Saxony, by his instigation, augmented the stipends of the clergy, and the salaries of the parochial schoolmasters; on which he published a tract, dedicated to the electoral council, respecting the

precious ointment poured on the feet of Jesus, and the discontent of Judas. This subject he handled in an allegorical manner, calling on the Elector to take care that the three hundred pence were not alienated to other uses, and animadverting on the covetousness of the objectors*.

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In 1541, he was much reduced by a consumptive complaint; but found such spiritual support that he wrote to Luther, I am sick, not unto death, but unto life;" which so exceedingly pleased him, that he returned an impassioned answer, praying God that Myconius might be spared, and that he himself might be removed. The Superintendant of Gotha was much affected by this earnestness and sympathy on the part of the Professor of Wirtemberg. He survived the

first attack five years, but yielded to a second, breathing his last on the 7th of April, 1546, only seventy-seven days after the decease of his illustrious friend.

* Melchior Adam, Vit. Theol. p. 38.

THE MARTYRED

I SAW, upon a foreign shore,
A prisoner in his cell;
His hands were not imbrued in gore,
Nor could I gather well

What was his crime, save crime it be
To think th' enslaved should be free-

Free to adore the God of heaven-
To know the Saviour-CHRIST;
To love and be beloved, nor riven
From home, as brutes, and priced
By monsters savage as the howl
Of warring winter at the Pole.

His native land he left in youth,

No charm could tempt his stay;
With the words of everlasting truth,
He hied him on his way

To the darkest spot of earth's domain-
The land of the whip and clanking chain.

London, June 9, 1824.

JULY 1824.

MISSIONARY.、

His hand it bore the word of God,
It's spread his only view;

The scorching soil unmov'd he trod,

And drank th' unwholesome dew; Peace from its living page to fling, Balm in the cup of woe to wring. O'twas enough to rouse all hell

To see that blessed book! To mark, beneath its magic spell, The slave no longer look Ay, prone on earth, but, rising, scan Redeeming love proclaim'd to man.

*

I saw,

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the prisoner now no more, His corpse on the pallet bed; His mournful widow bending o'er, Watering with tears his head.

O weep not, he is freed from pain; To him, to live was Christ-to die is

gain!'

MARTIN LUTHER.

2 K

THE COTTAGE IN THE WOOD, &c.-PART IV.
[Continued from Page 94.]

NOON was now approaching, and still the sun was walking in brightness through the firmament. The thunder which had reached us in deep reverberations from behind the mountains had passed away, and its voice was heard no more. Every hill and dale was silent, basking, as it were, a present moment in the effulgence of the cloudless beam. The lake, too, was hushed, and scarce a dimple moved over its quiescent bosom. Some light skiff, perchance, swept along beneath us, bounding over the liquid depth, impelled by the sinewy arm and well-managed oar. Afar, indeed, the cataract was roaring; but not as the sound of many waters did it break upon our ears. Its fall was mellowed by distance, and its rush only murmured through the else undisturbed tranquillity that reigned around. The little tenants of the woodlands were beginning to retire to their leafy bowers, from the noon-tide heats. Their matin songs had ceased. Their incense had gone up with the general chorus of nature, and had been accepted on high, what time the sun went forth of his chamber to run his diurnal race. The busy hum of the children of men-though, withdrawn from human intercourse, happily we caught it not-was spreading wide the clash of interests, each one, alas! seeking his own, and not his fellow's weal; unmindful of the beneficent injunction, "Love thy neighbour as thyself."

As we rose to continue our way, my friend proceeded: "The season of my departure had at length arrived. It had pleased the gracious Dispenser of our innumerable mercies to restore me to a tolerable portion of health, and I was anxious once more to return to that part of the vineyard where my Master had appointed my lot. The

duties of my vocation, as a minister of the welcome tidings, had attractions for me which I could no longer resist. Ever dear to my mind they were, and nothing but the most imperious necessity could have prevailed on me to abandon them, even for the limited period during which my physicians had recommended me repose. My residence amid these enchanting wilds had been remarkably blest, and I was so far reinstated in my usual vigour, that I could no more consider myself authorized in leading the life of comparative indolence in which I here indulged. Relaxation, indeed, did appear requisite; but with the removal of the occasion of it, my heart began anew to burn within me, and I longed again to revisit the few sheep I had fed in the wilderness.

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I had now taken leave of every cabin in the vicinity, on mountain or lowland, where I had reason to believe my little labours had not been in vain, or where hope induced me to think that my presence would not be unacceptable for my Lord's sake-the cottage in the wood excepted. Meanwhile, however, a fellow-labourer, who had a pastoral charge assigned him in the canton of Zurich, came from some distance to bid me adieu, perhaps a last adieu on earth. He was a man whom I highly valued. Zealously affected to the cause in which he had devoted his being, his eminent talents had been indeed efficiently employed. Watered with the dews of heaven, and fostered with the choicest blessings from above, he had seen a little flock grow up beneath his care. To it, his time and thoughts were given; and he seemed not to have a wish beyond the green pastures where it reposed, and the still waters beside which he led its steps. His work

was righteousness and his paths were peace; and sincerely did I love him as one of the redeemed of Him I served. But if we were permitted to spend a few fleeting moments together-and O how we felt the transient nature of all sublunary joy in their rapid lapse!the hour arrived which was to behold us part.

into joy. My friend now took the bridle of his little mule, and we left the peaceful abode-for peaceful it was, though abounding in none of the luxuries, while it was blest with a few of the comforts and conveniencies of life, where we had passed together some happy hours. Intending to accompany him part of the way, I gave him my arm, and we began slowly to ascend the acclivity that overlooked, the Singula dum, capti, circumvectamur, cottage where I resided.

"Sed fugit interea, fugit irreparabile tempus,

amore!"

"But thus while trace we each delightful scene,

In sweet remembrance of what life hath been,

Reckless of all, or joy, or sorrow, gone, On still time flies-irreparably on! “Pleasant was the morning of that day. Without a cloud had it risen upon the hills, tinging their snowy summits with a rich vermilion dye. The winds were quiet on the mountains, wearied, as you would have imagined, with the fury with which they had lately swept their steeps. The turtle we had listened to in his green retreats had been encouraging his timid bride, and the soft echo of his song was sweet. The nighthawk, whose call had alarmed her, had disappeared on the wings of daylight, and all was again tranquil in her sequestered shades. Noon came, and passed; and still were the skies serene. Evening drew on-it was the time determined and now. I was to be separated from my friend.

"The sun, though yet high above the horizon, had considerably declined. The warmth of a summer noon had gradually subsided into the grateful glow of the falling day. All nature about us was lovely, and seemed indeed willing to cheer us with the placidity it diffused over every object we surveyed. We were indeed mourners. But not as the world sorrows, sorrowed we. Their sorrow worketh death; ours, we were deeply persuaded, would be turned

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sum

"With heavy hearts we mounted the hill, on the farther side of which my dear brother was to be shut from my view, it may be for ever in this vale of tears. Discoursing much of that mysterious Providence which had brought us together, and which now moned us with mild but sovereign authority to part; and recounting with gratitude the many mercies vouchsafed us, we insensibly approached the spot which was to witness our farewell embrace. The last moments of that mournful interview could not but be affecting. We had become acquainted with each other by a dispensation peculiar in its nature, though doubtless gracious in its object, and we had been early united in the strictest ties of Christian intimacy and fellowship. We had mutually laboured in each other's folds-mutually desired the welfare of each other's flocks. Mutually had we rejoiced to see the work of the Lord prospering each under the other's care; mutually praised that God who had been pleased to grant the increase, each praying that the other might labour more abundantly than himself. Often had we bowed down in company at the throne of grace, reciprocally imploring blessings each on the other's toil; often had we endeavoured to strengthen each other's hands, and to encourage one another in running with patience the race that was set before us. Often had we directed each other's hopes to that

heavenly country whither we were travelling. Often had we sought each for the other the tenderest compassions of a Redeemer's love; and O how often anticipated, with heart and eyes overflowing, our final re-union in the blissful mansions of his promised rest! And now we were to part. Each was again to return to his separate portion of the vineyard, there to wait his Lord's leisure; fulfilling, as enabled, the arduous duties of his station, and looking forward in tranquil expectation to his removal to a higher sphere.

"As we proceeded on our way, we were reminded of the two disciples journeying to Emmäus, and felt assured that our Master was as present with us in that moment, though invisible to mortal sight, as he was when he joined his afflicted friends, and affectionately inquired, What inanner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk and are sad?' Realizing thus his protection, we slowly approached the scene of our separation and having reached the spot where the road divided, we stood for an instant in silent grief. Then, conscious that it would afford us consolation mutually to commit each other to the care of that guiding and sustaining hand, which had hitherto led us by a way that we knew not, we tied the mule to a bush, and entered the wood. A path which we followed soon conducted us to a recess, which seemed as if purposely prepared for our use. Within a circle regularly formed, and cleared of the shrubs and brambles which grew elsewhere so thick about us, we involuntarily stopped. The trees spread wide over head, and, interlacing their branches, made a tasseled canopy, through which the bright beams of a declining sun darted fitfully, giving it the air of some imaginative fairy scene. Be low was a grassy seat, on which the slanting rays fell, irradiating it

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with a flickering light as the wood
waved in the evening wind. The
fair orb shot through the interstices
of its boughs as they moved, softly
whispering in the dying breeze.
"Be this,' said I,
temple. Within these walls let us
commend one another to God, and
to the word of his grace.'. Let it
be so,' my friend replied, with a
heart as full as mine. Uncovering
ourselves, we then kneeled upon
the fresh sod. My companion, at
my request, commenced; and I
concluded the sweet affecting so-
lemnity. After spending a few
moments in silent prayer-prayer
which language could not utter-
we rose, embraced, and bade a
mutual farewell; in the humble as-
surance, that if we met not again
on earth we should be united in
heaven, thenceforth to part no
more for ever! You will not ac-
cuse me,' said my friend, turning
to me, and interrupting his narra-
tive, of arrogating, in this simple
story, any commendation to my-
self, or to him who worshipped
with me in that tranquil hour. No,
God forbid! If we had one desire
that breathed his praise, one feel-
ing that spoke the value we set
upon his favour, one sentiment that
implored his protection, or one
emotion that manifested a con-
sciousness of our inability to direct
our steps without his preventing
and assisting grace-it was all
alike from him. To Him is the
honour due, and to Him be the
glory given! No, O no! what
has man,
6 wretched, and mise-
rable, and poor, and blind, and
naked,' as he is, to be proud of?
What has he worthy of an applaud-
ing thought? Yet, I recur to that
season at this distance of time, in
grateful reminiscence of the conso-
lations then vouchsafed us; fore-
tastes, as I confidently believe
them, of that blessedness which
eye hath not seen, nor ear heard-
merciful prelibations of those joys
which are at God's right hand-of

those pleasures which are for evermore! Yes, memory revisits that secluded scene, as one which in its sorrows (for it is not without its pain) infinitely surpassed all the accumulated gratifications of the deluded votaries of this unsubstantial and unsatisfying world.

"Qur roads lay in an opposite direction. Often, as I went, did I ascend some eminence to catch, if possible, another glimpse of my beloved friend-but in vain; his path winding beneath rocks and precipices; and the over-arching foliage under which he pursued his route, effectually precluded even a momentary glance. I saw him no more; but he had left with me a deep impression of his talents, erudition, knowledge, piety, and zeal. Yes, my friend and brother, take with thee, whithersoever thy Master may summon thee to attend him, the heart-felt blessings of one who values thy affec tion, and would wish to imitate thy life and conversation. Farewell, farewell! In righteousness mayest thou be established! May thy Lord bring thee to his holy mountain, and make thee joyful in his house of prayer! May thy light break forth as the morning, and thy darkness be as the noon-day! May He whom thou servest guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought; and mayest thou be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not! Often have we taken sweet counsel together on the way to Zion: often has thy voice cheered my spirit when ready to sink under the assaults of the enemy, and the toils of that warfare wherein we are mutually engaged-unalterably allied; and often, often hast thou dealt kindly with me for my Master's sake!?

My companion, as he uttered these words, was evidently much affected, and I requested him to sit down for a little under the shade of a beech tree that overhung our path. He did so; and I

saw him wipe away a tear which had involuntarily started at the melancholy remembrance, melancholy but endeared, of a friend whom, though then he knew it not, save perhaps from the indistinct whispers of some doubtful foreboding, he was never to meet again on this side the grave. Desirous of continuing a narrative in which he was sensible I felt the most lively interest, he, after a while, resumed:

"With a mind thus attuned to seriousness, I advanced towards the peaceful habitation in the wood. As I descended towards it a different scene presented itself. The

sun

was gilding the mountains beyond, and seemed as if he was reposing for a little, surveying his fair image reflected in the lucid mirror of the snows which wrapped them round. Hill and dale, woodland and pasture, flocks and herds, diversified the prospect; while a small stream, that issued from a rock not remote, emitted, as it babbled along its pebbly channel, a degree of mournful music, well calculated to calm the agitation of my heart.

"Absorbed in deep but not unpleasing meditation, I drew near the cottage whither I was destined. Beneath that roof SOjourned the children of peace. Chosen by the same grace, redeemed by the same blood, purchased at the same inestimable price, sanctified by the same Spirit, subjects of the same kingdom, and heirs of the same inheritance of blessedness and rest, I loved them as my fellow-citizens, as members of the household of my God. With sensations similar to those which such contemplations would naturally awaken, I opened the willow gate which completed the enclosure that separated their little mansion and farm from the adjoining fields. As I passed through the garden, the declining orb shed a mild radiance over the quiet and secluded scene.

His

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