on any occasion, what he did not consider as true and appropriate. At Langrove another form of prayer was always used, which perhaps he selected from time to time.

Being obliged to discontinue his public ministrations, Mr. Jones had his pulpits supplied by the Rev. W. F. Buck, of Ross, and the preaching members of his church, when the Book of Common Prayer was laid aside, free, or extempore prayer, being generally preferred. Mr. Pinne, of Doward Chapel, was also an occasional supply. These were his chief supplies, until the spring of the present year, 1852.

Wishing to have a successor as soon as possible, I was recommended to him by his friend Mr. Hammond, seconded by the recommendation of Mr. Buck, with both of whom I had become acquainted while at Rugeley, near Lichfield. By the good providence of God, I visited Langrove and Ruxton in the beginning of February last, which resulted in my being chosen minister by Mr. Jones and his people, though no Congregational church had been yet formed. I settled here in the month of April, and was received with the greatest cordiality, as will appear from the following passage in a letter which I have recently received from my valued friend, Mr. Buck, written with a view to its being incorporated in this account:

"I had the privilege of being acquainted with the Rev. J. Jones for about four years, during which period I frequently met him, and sometimes shared in the hospitality of his table. I saw in him much to admire, received much kindness from him, and his memory is embalmed in my endeared recollections. He generally evinced great cheerfulness, considering his advanced years, and often in his conversation would refer, with considerable pleasure, to his tutor, the late Dr. Edward Williams, of Rotherham College, whom he held in high veneration, both as a Christian and a theologian. He had a

great dislike to bigotry, in all the various forms it assumes. He loved good men, and Evangelical ministers, of all denominations; and the room in which he usually sat was hung with the portraits of the latter, extending from one of the dignitaries of the Established church to some of the pastors of the Congregational churches. He was a friend to the poor, and appeared to feel much for the necessitous and the afflicted. I have been informed that he never turned away any applicant for relief without affording some assistance, although the applications to him were very numerous, while some, in his immediate neighbourhood, received from him regular aid. If there was one feature in his character that appeared more prominent than another, it was the fervent solicitude which he felt, that the neighbourhood in which he resided might continue to be favoured with an Evangelical ministry. When, from age and infirmities, he was laid aside from the work of the ministry, he was exceedingly desirous that the two places where, for several years, he had laboured gratuitously, might be blessed with a faithful pastor. Indeed, his very heart appeared to be set upon it; and he expressed his willingness to leave his own residence, and give it completely up to him if one could be procured. Greatly do I rejoice that his fervent desires were fulfilled a few months before his decease, by your settlement at Ruxton and Langrove, the places referred to, affording to him a high degree of pleasure. Never shall I forget the joy and gratitude which appeared to fill his heart, when a Congregational church was formed in the beautiful lecture-room which he had erected on his own premises. This happened only four days before his last fatal attack of illness, and only eight days before he left the church militant for the church of the first-born in glory. He connected himself with the little band, and expressed, in strong terms, his thankfulness, that his principal de

After service, he returned to his sitting room, and soon retired to bed. In the morning he came down as usual, but just as he was finishing breakfast, it pleased God to permit a third paralytic seizure, which deprived him of strength and the power of utterance, never again to be restored. After this he passed five days in a state of unconsciousness and difficulty of respiration, reminding us, that though, as in his case, the king of terrors is happily deprived of his sting, hard is the struggle with this last enemy, and that we need to make daily preparation for the close of our earthly existence. We regret that he had lost the power of utterance, but he had before given evidence that he had a hope

which maketh not ashamed,' or, as he frequently said, 'All is right, all is well.'- God only knows the love of God.' On the eighteenth day of the month, his breathing became more difficult, and at five o'clock in the evening his spirit took its flight, without doubt, to join those near and dear to him, who had gone before. Many still remain to say, 'Though lost to sight, to memory dear.'"

With prayers and best wishes,
I remain, dear Sir,
Yours truly,

JOHN BULMER.
Langrove Cottage, near Ross,
Nov. 25th, 1852.

-

EVERY person who thinks and feels correctly, must be sensible, that the beginning of every year is a deeply solemn period, and that it cannot be entered on, under the influence of too serious, or too powerful, emotions, emotions marked by their strength, tenderness, and intensity.

The year ought, invariably, to be commenced in this manner, when we dwell on the changes we have experienced during the last-changes so numerous, so important, so painful, and, in many instances, so agonizing;—when we contemplate the extreme rapidity with which the past year has elapsed-indeed "flown away;" so that it seems to have passed like a dream; to have vanished like "a watch in the night." The year, moreover, should be entered on with peculiar seriousness by every intelligent and reflective being, when we ponder the increased responsibility

Sacred Musings.

imposed by the augmentation of our privileges and blessings, and the number of opportunities of service and enjoyment with which we have been crowned. And should we not, also, begin the year influenced by pensive and chastened feelings, when it is considered, that we are utterly ignorant of that which may take place during the year? We know not what clouds may surround us-what difficulties may encompass us-what enemies may assail us-what vicissitudes may harass uswhat sufferings may be realized by us

what storms may beat down upon us, before the year arrive at a close, and, therefore, it behoves us to commence it with solemn and prolonged meditation -and with most serious and fervent prayer. The beginning of every year is a period when we should look narrowly without and within;-withoutto mark the movements which are tak

ing place; the events which are occurring; and the improvements, intellectual, social, moral, religious, which are being effected both in the church, and in the world—ramifying, indeed, in all the departments of society, in the most wonderful manner:-and we should look carefully within, to see that our principles are sound-that our motives are pure-that our affections are elevated that our aims are high. We cannot scrutinize ourselves too profoundly, at the beginning of the year. It is a sad thing, when any enter on the year strangers to themselves to their true character-their true position -their true prospects.

The commencement of the year, moreover, especially if we are among the disciples of Christ, is a period when we should deliberately and seriously resolve-enter into renewed and earnest determinations-doing nothing from impulse, but everything from enlightened and high principle. And this should be done, pre-eminently, at the present time. There rarely has been a period in our history, whether social or ecclesiastical, which, on every ground, has been more important or eventful, than that in which we live. Indeed, it is inexpressibly interesting and

critical.

Now, it is very apparent to every reflective mind, that we should be, in some degree, prepared for it-fitted for its duties-its discoveries-its progress -its opportunities-its trials-its perils -its peculiar errors. We should be, in a certain sense, fully up to the period in which we exist, and are called to plan and labour.

Men of the age-Christians of the age-are wanting--and wanting everywhere. The family requires such men -the interests of society demand such men-the claims of the church-the necessities of the world-urgently require such men. Let then, ye people of God-ye members of Christian churches the year 1853 be a year of

solemn and fixed resolves; and, by the benediction and kind assistance of Heaven, let your resolves be practically and consistently carried out.

There are Six Resolves particularly, which, at the beginning of the year, you ought to form, and by which you ought to abide. Resolve,

I. That you will live and walk more closely with God during this year, than at any past period.

You must begin the year in this manner; then it will be peaceful, happy, prosperous. You must develop these principles, and exemplify this spirit, then will it be, in every sense, a year of progress. You must form this determination at the commencement of the year, and maintain it vigorously until its close; then it will be a year of holy love-of holy communion-of holy effort-of holy usefulness. There must be this resolve, in entering on the year, to secure a blessing, and from it, during the year, there must be no deviation. This will regulate all-will beautify all-will adjust and preserve all— will sanctify and ennoble all—will harmonise and crown all. Be then resolved, ye professed followers of the Redeemer, to live nearer to your God this year than ever; to walk with Him more humbly and devoutly than ever! Let God see that you are determined, in reliance on his agency-to love his character more-to obey his commands more-to value his presence more— and to breathe his spirit more-than ever! This resolve must be at the foundation of every other, and be that from which every other originates.

Resolve,

II. That you will maintain your great Protestant principles more firmly than you have ever yet done.

These principles are everything to you, and to all. They are, beyond a question, in our judgment, the principles of truth, of liberty, of holiness. They are based on Christianity. They

are identified with the happiness and glory of our country, and with the progress of civilization, morals, and religion, in every part of the world. And there never was a period in the history of nations, when these principles should be more explicitly avowed, or more vigorously and unblenchingly maintained, than at the present hour. Let these great, these truly noble and ennobling principles, at the commencement of the year, be fully recognized by you be acknowledged, in the most unequivocal and cordial manner, to be your principles;-those which you believe come from heaven: which are inseparable from your dignity and happiness-and by which, with the help of God, you are determined to abide. Do not be influenced by one, or dictated to by another, or drawn aside by another-induced to swerve, in the slightest degree, by any party; but let your Protestant principles be regarded by you, as your jewels-as your most precious treasures-and which you are resolved to preserve, at the hazard of all your worldly property-all your earthly friendships and even of life itself. Be characterized by this spirit. Let these sentiments be clearly unfolded. Let there be no mistake, no uncertainty. This is a noble determination to express, at the beginning of the current year.

Resolve,

III. That you will take a deeper interest in the advancement of religion in your families this year, than you have previously manifested.

What, we ask, can be more valuable, more gravely important, than this? Family religion, deep, spiritual, earn-est-is that which is peculiarly needed now, and without which there can be no blessing, in connection with society at large. And the grand reason, perhaps, why we have so little revival of religion in our churches, is, because we have so partial, so superficial, so trifling a demonstration of piety-of the love

of God, in our various families. Do mestic piety is, assuredly, at the foundation of spiritual prosperity in our churches-the latter cannot be realized, unless the former be developed. Now, at the beginning of this year, ye Christian heads of families, dwell upon the point affectionately submitted to you. Let the love of God prevail in your respective households;-let it be at the basis of all your plans-let it regulate all your proceedings. Bring up your children to fear God- to value the Bible-to follow Christ-to sanctify the Sabbath-and to honour the Holy Spi

rit.

Walk with them to the house of

God. Be anxious, together, to serve the Redeemer here, and, unitedly, at last, to meet around 'the golden throne.' Let your prayers in the family, this year, be increasingly serious and fervent. Resolve,

IV. That you will discover warmer solicitude for the harmony and prosperity of the church of Christ, than you have ever yet displayed. In entering on a new era in your existence, and, especially, in your Christian career, you cannot avow a finer determination

you cannot breathe a lovelier spirit. | The church of Christ is the ornament and defence of our country, and the glory of the world, and ought you not, as the days revolve--as the weeks elapse, as the months and years roll away-to take a deeper, a more enlightened and glowing interest in its true happiness and prosperity than ever.

And is there anything, on every ground, which is more desirable and important, than the harmony of the church of God? We want no jealousy-no estrangement-no disruption. We need and desire its tranquillity—its close and unbroken union. We want its members and friends to recognize their oneness in Christ, and ever to develop it. This is most necessary at the present period. The unity of the church has been greatly impaired. We are very anxious that every thing at all calculated to mar its