a youth of the best education and principles quits the paternal roof. A little band in humble life meeting for social prayer, in the parish of Coldingham, attracted the notice of the young scholar, and from their devout exercises he derived so much edification and delight, that he cherished the hallowed remembrance when he had risen to esteem and consequence in the church of God. To a poor mechanic, a member of this fellowship meeting, as it was called in Scotland, David Bogue was in the habit of sending, during many years, small sums of money, which materially alleviated the ills of poverty in advancing life. "To the last, I know," says the Rev. Mr. Maclaurin of Coldingham," that the Doctor retained a lively recollection of these meetings, and great affection for those who belonged to them. I believe he seldom wrote to his relations here, but he sent his regards to Alexander Dickson, blacksmith, who was one of the number; and I never had the happiness of meeting with him, but he made the kindest inquiries respecting the same individual." pp. 9, 10.

But we must follow young Bogue to the University of Edinburgh, where it seems he matriculated in 1762, at the age of twelve. Here he continued nine years, and we doubt not took his degree with respectability-though we must enter our protest against the light estimation in which Greek literature seems to have been held both by Dr. Bogue and his biographer. Dr. Bennett ought never to have admitted such a passage as the following in the life of a man professedly a minister and a scholar. We do not say, that, if such be the fact, it ought to have been concealed or misrepresented, but we must declare our decided conviction that the subjoined quotation will be pleaded by many a careless student in a college or academy, in excuse for his neglect of the richest of all languages, and the study of which in profane authors tends so materially to a correct and critical knowledge of the sacred books.

In languages, his chief attention seems to have been still directed to Latin; for in Greek he rarely indulged himself, except as a Christian divine, in which capacity he was a man of one book, the New Testament. He well understood how little the Greek classics contribute to the understanding of the Christian code, and how much more light is thrown upon it from the Septuagint and Hebrew Bible. p. 14.

If, however, we feel it a duty occasionally to dissent as boldly from Dr. Bennett as he dissents from our Church, we are most happy to commend those parts of the work before us which the Christian student may peruse with advantage. On the character and advantages of a college life, the following remarks

occur.

But if there were few brilliant and delightful associations arising out of his collegiate life, there seems to have been nothing to breathe pollution on his character, or to leave stings in his conscience. He returned to spend his summer vacations at home, with no loss of relish for its simple and innocent pleasures. The student in divinity joined again in the rural prayer meetings, in such a spirit as augured well of the future minister. A college is the crucible of character. Few return thence without showing all that they ever will be.

He who becomes conceited, because the cup of science has just touched his lips, and by conceit is rendered slothful and obstinate, becomes a wearisome teacher, a headstrong ruler, a lounging unprofitable companion, under whom the declining church groans, and perhaps expires. But he that retains the simplicity of his early piety, and, quitting the college humbled that he has learned no more, enters on the pastoral care, exclaiming, "Who is sufficient for these things?" proves himself the man to whom the Sovereign Pastor says, "My grace is sufficient for thee."

p. 15.

By a variety of circumstances young Bogue was led to leave Scotland, and to proceed to London. From the subsequent remarks of his biographer it would appear, that for economy's sake he came by water. Nor are the Scotch nobleman here alluded to, and David Bogue, the only instances of persons arriving in London with very slender pecuniary resources, who have afterwards either risen to affluence themselves, or, what is better, been the means of making others rich and happy.

If we cannot enjoy the interesting record of Mr. Bogue's departure from his rural birthplace, and his arrival in our metropolis, where he afterwards acquired the first of all distinctions, those of eminent usefulness, we may gather from his own pen, towards the close of his days, some hint of this interesting era in his early history. Writing to his son David, and mentioning a Scotchman, who is an eloquent senator, distinguished by title and by office, he speaks to the following effect:-"When I was young, he and I were scribblers together in the English Review. But our history has been very different. He has acquired distinction, and rank, and fame, in the political world. But, mind, I do not complain: I am as well satisfied with my career as he can be with his. But you see in him what diligence will do. He came to London by sea, I dare say, with all his property in a wooden chest. And see where he is now!" Does not this imply the mode in which the writer of these remarks himself came to London? He was running a comparison between himself and his countryman, with whom he was early associated in literary labours; and is it not most probable that the supposition concerning the senator was suggested by the fact which the divine recollected in his own history? But when we contrast his landing with his chest, at Billingsgate very probably, unknown and unpatronized, with the public funeral which the general burst of feeling decreed to this good man, we cannot help applying to himself his own words, "See what diligence will do!" pp. 30, 31.

We pass over the account of the intervening period, and proceed at once to consider Mr. Bogue in his entrance upon the pastoral charge of the Dissenting congregation at Gosport; a charge which he held, with credit to himself and with benefit to the souls of hundreds, for a long series of years. His predecessor was a man whose history may furnish young ministers, and indeed all ministers, with a salutary lesson; and as we recollect that our work is a " Clerical Magazine," as well as a "Christian Review," we shall present our readers with the following exhibition of clerical delinquency and desertion.

Mr. Watson, the former pastor of the church at Gosport, was one of those sons of ministers, who are allured into the sacred calling by the force of early

associations, and by the facility of introduction which their fathers' profession affords. Though he possessed fine talents, they turned to little account; for he would spend his days in visiting, and, on Saturday evening, would start up from the social circle, exclaiming, "I must go and weave." When his hearers, accustomed to far different men and things, expostulated with him on the impropriety of leaving his preparations for the pulpit to that late hour, he supposed he defended himself by saying, " if one man requires a week to do that which another can do in a few hours, are the quick to be bound by the same rules as the dull?" O the deceitfulness of sin! What a total forgetfulness was here betrayed of the grand maxim of God's government, which should live in the memory and heart of every Christian, and especially of every minister, that where much is given much is required! He that gave himself credit for ability to do in an hour what would have cost another man a week, was contented with doing no more than those over whom he affected so much superiority. Had he employed his whole week faithfully, how far might he have surpassed the labours and usefulness of others!

But that which he called weaving, was, after all, merely spreading the thin threads of a fine composition over a given space, to occupy the appointed hour. The adaptation to the characters and necessities of his audience, which forms the strength of the warp, was not thought worthy of regard. But the sacred unction resting on the spirit of the preacher, and communicating a grace, a charm, an authority, to Scriptural thoughts and well-chosen words, can never he hoped for but where the pastor lives much alone with God, at the foot of the eternal throne, pleading for the salvation of the flock. Nor should it be forgotten, as utterly without importance, that the eyes of the church are upon the conduct of its spiritual guide, as well as its ears open to his discourses; and that, if they hear him speak like an angel, they cannot be edified if they see him live like a man.

The consequences that followed might, without any extraordinary spirit of prophecy, have been confidently anticipated. This man of sevenfold powers could not do as much as those on whom he looked down with disdain; for the church which others had gathered and increased in dark and stormy days, amidst persecution and scorn, he could not preserve when all around them smiled. Tired with the unedifying generality of his sermons, and disgusted with the worldly frivolity of his manners, many of the hearers withdrew and formed a separate congregation. pp. 79-81.

It was a maxim with Dr. Bogue, that "what is won by prayer is worn with praise ;" and several instances occur in his life and history which furnish us with examples of its truth. The division which had taken place in his congregation was healed, and Christian unity restored. Mr. Watson had "quitted the ministry of the Gospel for the profession of the law." But the trouble bequeathed by his inconsistencies to his successor, deserves serious attention. Dr. Bennett's remarks on this point are good.

Hard, however, is the labour entailed on him who has to breathe the poisoned atmosphere created by a faithless shepherd. A new minister needs the purifying and invigorating effects of the spirit diffused by a predecessor in whose steps it will be an honour to walk. For, as a young preacher cannot be expected to be an old Christian, he requires the holy influences of the society of persons who have been nourished up to maturity in the best principles and habits of the Christian life. For the mutual action and re-action that are always

like

going on in the world, prevail in the church of Christ. If a minister forms the character of his flock, so that it will be said, "like priest like people;" the flock also will influence the character of the pastor, and we may often say, people like priest." This latter case is most likely to occur when the minister is young; but as he advances in years, and in weight of character, he will give rather than receive the tone. Every congregation, therefore, that receives into its bosom a Timothy—a youthful evangelist—should tremble lest, by a secular or bitter spirit, they blast the buds of hope. They should study and pray that the eminence of their own religion may elevate the character of their minister, and form him for distinguished usefulness, that their posterity may reap the happy fruit. It is a high honour to a church to have perfected the education of its pastor. pp. 95, 96.

Gladly would we dwell on the ministerial life and labours of the subject of these memoirs. Long did he hold on the even tenor of his way, and proclaim with success the love of that Saviour, "whom to know is life eternal." There were times, however, when he could deviate from the usual order of ministerial duty and influence, by an ardent desire for the welfare of immortal souls; could hastily seize on passing circumstances, and, in a way peculiar to himself, turn them to good account. A pleasing instance of this is related by his biographer.

One circumstance connected with our acquaintance I can never forget. I had been preaching for him, one evening, on the words, "Will ye also be his disciples?" and when I sat down, he rose from his seat near the pulpit, and thus addressed the audience: "The last time I stood in that pulpit, my dear friends, I discoursed to you on the same solemn question; and now my brother, without knowing what I had been doing, has come to ask you again, Will ye also be his disciples?' Surely there is some important meaning in this. The gracious Redeemer seems determined ye shall be his disciples, for he is sending to you message after message to the same intent. And can you resist? Where can you find a better master? Who are so happy as his disciples? How will you answer to him when he shall come to judge you, if, after all his entreaties, you refuse to be his disciples? And for what do you refuse? Have you no need of his instructions? What! not to learn the way of salvation? the road to heaven? And who teacheth like him? Oh! surely, if at first you refused, you will comply on this second message, and you also will be his disciples.'

It is unnecessary to say, that this bold and benevolent step, out of the common road, produced a mighty and a happy effect. And why should we confine ourselves so much to a beaten path? Let our deviations from the ordinary course be prompted by pure principle, and conducted by the meekness of wisdom; and then, however bold and startling, or even dangerous, they may appear, we need not dread their results. pp. 131, 132.

We have already informed our readers, that this excellent man was, for some time previous to his decease, engaged in the delightful and honourable task of educating missionary labourers. In that character he deserves our attention. He had himself deep and solid views of the nature and importance of missionary work. In an admirable sermon on this great question he met and answered some of the most common

and plausible objections. The following remarks were not more appropriate to his day than to our own. Should they be glanced at by the eye of affluence, may the God of heaven grant that it may not be in vain!

"When folly and vanity call for support, no lack of money is observed. When an opera house or a theatre are to be erected, is it found impossible to provide funds? And if these haunts of mere amusement can be raised with ease, shall it be an insuperable difficulty to procure a sum of money to convey instruction necessary to the happiness of immortal souls? If the lovers of vanity be thus liberal to gratify a forlorn and depraved taste, shall not we, who profess to love God and Christ, and the souls of men, exert ourselves, and contribute of our substance to attain the highest ends which a creature can possibly pursue the end for which Jesus shed his blood upon the cross? Are thousands of professing Christians riding in chariots, and shall support be wanted for missionaries to travel in the apostolical mode for the conversion of the Heathen? Is it time for you,' says the Prophet in the context, to the Jews of old, to dwell in cieled houses, and this house lie waste?' The same argument would I urge. Many of you dwell in splendid houses, elegantly furnished, and some have more than one; and have you nothing to bestow towards building the house of the Lord of hosts? Others are growing rich through the bounty of Providence ; and have you nothing to spare for Christ and his cause? It cannot be." p. 189.

But Dr. Bogue was ready not only to preach, but to go. Comfortably settled as he was, among an affectionate people, his soul glowed with an intense desire to gather a little flock to Christ from among those countless millions of the Heathen, who were wandering on "the gloomy hills of darkness," without a shepherd or a guide. His wishes, however, were not gratified. The account of the transaction, together with the comment upon it, will be read with interest.

But the whole scheme was frustrated by the inflexible opposition of the EastIndia Company. It was said, at the time, that one of the directors declared he would rather see a band of devils in India than a band of missionaries. Whatever may be said of the impiety of this speech, there is reason to fear that it had too much sincerity. "The things which the Gentiles sacrifice," said the inspired Apostle," they sacrifice to devils, and not to God;" and the interest of the devils in the Heathen world was warmly espoused by men who would have deemed themselves insulted if they had been denied the Christian name. The controversy which soon after arose on this subject, proved that nothing truly Christian could obtain the sanction of the majority of those who then ruled the affairs of India. In pamphlets and periodical works, the most embittered hostility to the propagation of Christianity in India was avowed_by some of the civil and military agents of the British East-India Company. But it was all perfectly natural: for not only were many of those who fought so zealously for Juggernaut and the Lingam, against Christ and his Cross, a disgrace to the Christian name, which they affected to bear, but a leader in their ranks actually wiped off the very name, 66 as a foul blot, from his dishonoured brow," and at an immense price purchased the privilege of becoming a worshipper of Bramah.

The stern refusal which Mr. Bogue and his friends were called to endure, though impolitic as it was unchristian, was overruled by a gracious Providence to preserve the lives of those valuable men. A massacre of the Europeans,