hell.

It seems intimated by St. John, and it appears plainly in many passages of Scripture, that there are various orders of evil angels united under one head, chief, or leader, who, from the malignity of his nature, is called Satan and the devil. Hence we read of "Beelzebub the prince of the devils" (Matt. xii. 24); of "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. ii. 2); of" principalities and powers," whom the Redeemer "spoiled," and "against" whom we have to "wrestle" (Col. ii. 15; Eph. vi. 12). So, also, it appears that there are various orders of good angels; hence we read of " the principalities and powers in heavenly places," above which the Saviour is exalted (Eph. i. 20, 21; iii. 10); of" thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, all which were created by him and for him" (Col. i. 16). Accordingly we are told that it is "the voice of the archangel" which shall summon the dead from their graves at the future coming of Christ" (1 Thess. iv. 16). Hence, also, there is express mention made of Michael the archangel (Jude, 9). He is called "one of the chief princes" (Dan. x. 13, marginal reading, the first, i. e. the prince or chief of the angels); and he is described (Dan. x. 21; xii. 1) as "the great prince," which stood up in behalf of the Jewish people, presiding over and defending their inte

rests.

It has been supposed, not without some grounds for the opinion, that by Michael is intended, at least sometimes, the Lord Jesus Christ, the supreme Governor and Defender of his Church, whom all the angels of God are commanded to worship and obey (Heb. i. 6,7).

The name Michael signifies, "Who is like

God?"* The person who bears this name, it is thought, can be none other than the Son of God, equal with the Father, "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person." But what is said concerning Michael (Jude, 9) seems to be attributed manifestly to a created angel; for, "when contending," as we are told, "with the devil about the body of Moses, he said, The Lord rebuke thee." As a created angel, chief among the angels in dignity and authority, the leader of God's hosts, Michael may be considered in the light of a type of Emmanuel, the uncreated Word of God, the Captain of our salvation.‡

There is undoubtedly much that is calcu lated at once to stimulate and to baffle our curiosity in the descriptions which the sacred Scriptures give us of the nature, the different ranks, and the employments of both good and evil angels; but the revelations which are afforded us on these points are not given to please our imaginations, so much as to instruct us in truths of practical importance. And the instructive lesson, which we gather from the representation now before us, is, that the struggle which we have to maintain against sin, the conflict which we have to endure with the corruptions of our own hearts, and the evils of a fallen world-that the spiritual contest which is carried on here upon earth between the servants of God and the slaves of iniquity, is of immense consequence, inasmuch as it interests the inhabitants both of heaven and hell, who are not merely spectators of the contest, but exert also, according to their respective natures, a vigorous influence, either for good or evil, in the concerns of individuals of the Church of God and of the world at large.

That evil spirits concern themselves in human affairs, is plainly taught us. St. Paul declares, "The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor. iv. 4). He expresses his fears for the Corinthians, "lest as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so their minds should be corrupted from the simplicity of Christ;" seeing that for the purposes of deception," Satan himself is (sometimes) transformed into an angel of light" (2 Cor. xi. 3, 14). It is "the prince of the power of the air, which is the spirit that now

"Michael, nomen Hebraicum, quis est sicut Deus?"—

SCHLEUSNER.

+ Compare Deut. xxxiv. 6. Probably the angel was commanded to bury the body of Moses privately; but the devil would have the place of interment discovered, that it might become an object of idolatry. This illustrates the general truth, that good angels are sometimes concerned in limiting the power of devils.

Compare Josh. v. 13-15; Isaiah, lv. 4; Heb. ii. 10; Rev. xix. 13, 14.

worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph. ii. 2); and therefore we are exhorted to "put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. vi. 11, 12). We are "to take the shield of faith, wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Eph. vi. 16). We are advised to "be sober and vigilant, because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom we are to resist, stedfast in the faith" (1 Pet. v. 8, 9).

All these, and a multitude of similar passages of God's word, teach us as plainly as language can do, that there is the agency of evil spirits employed in tempting men to commit sin, in counteracting and hindering the spread of truth and purity and happiness among mankind. On the other hand, it is as plainly declared in Scripture, that good angels are concerned in human affairs. They are the holy ministers of divine Providence with regard to the welfare of the children of men. "These are they whom the Lord hath | sent to walk to and fro through the earth. These are the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro through the whole earth" (Zech. i. 10; iv. 10). The mysterious ladder that Jacob beheld in the visions of night, angels of God ascending and descending upon it, intimated the perpetual intercourse between heaven and earth, which is kept up by the appointed ministry of angels (Gen. xxviii. 12). These holy and glorious spirits are sometimes the ministers of God's righteous indignation against sinners.*

But in a more especial manner they are employed in ministering blessings to the saints. The Scriptures give us many interesting examples of the important services which they render to the people of God.t They have been the instruments of instructing and edifying the whole Church of God, by shewing to the prophets things which should come upon the earth (Rev. i. 1). And that we might not suppose their interpositions to be confined to some special occasions, St. Paul inquires, "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Heb. i. 14); thus teaching us, that ministering to the saints generally is a standing employment of angels throughout the ages of time. We are assured by our Lord, that his sincere disciples, however low and obscure their con

See 2 Sam. xxiv. 16; 2 Kings, xix. 25; Matt. xiii. 41; Acts, xii. 23; Rev. viii. 6; xv. 1-4; xvi. 5, 7.

+ See Gen. xix. 15; xxxii. 1, 2; Dan. vi. 22; Acts, xii. 7 ; Matt. i. 20; Acts, i. 10; xxvii. 23.

dition in this world, are constantly the charge of angels, who behold the face of our heavenly Father (Matt. xviii. 10). Hence we infer that they render them many and great services. "The Lord giveth his angels charge over the godly man, to keep him in all his ways" (Ps. xci. 11). "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them" (Ps. xxxiv. 7).

Now from these declarations of Scripture, we conclude that the holy angels of heaven, and the apostate spirits of hell, take a deep interest in the affairs of men, and exercise respectively a good and an evil agency in society. society. And from the Scriptures in general, especially from the visions of Daniel and St. John, we learn that there is a continual opposition between these agencies in their designs and proceedings; a contest carried on— we know not particularly in what manner, but the effects of which we certainly experience. We know not how many of our spiritual enemies the angels of light may`oppose and control; how frequently they may prevent the accomplishment of Satan's designs against us; how effectually they may succour and support us to fight manfully the good fight under the banner of our Saviour. We know not the extent of the benefits which they are the means of communicating to the Church of God, or the wonderful purposes of divine Providence which they execute throughout the creation. It is impossible for us to tell what a frightful scene of mingled impiety, and crime, and wretchedness, this earth would present, if the spirits of darkness were suffered to exercise their diabolical influence without opposition or restraint from the angels of light. And, perhaps, we may be allowed to say, that the benevolent wishes and employments of the angels would soon succeed in transforming this our world into a paradise, if they were not counteracted by the perverseness of wicked men and the malice of Satan.

Biography.

THE LIFE OP WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ. [Concluded from No. CCIV.] WHEN Mr. Wilberforce retired into private life he carried with him the regrets and affectionate good faction to you," wrote a brother senator, wishes of men of every party. "It must be a satis"to have observed that the moral tone of the House of Commons, as well as of the nation at large, is much higher than when you first entered upon public life; and there can be no doubt that God has made you the honoured instrument of contributing much to this great improvement. There are, I hope, some young men of promise coming forward; but, alas, there is no one at present who can take your place. Would

that there were many Elishas on whom your mantle might fall! The prayers of thousands, my dear sir, will follow you into retirement." Nor was it only by the more religious that he had been appreciated. As a parliamentary orator, there were few to rival him. This will not be thought the partial exaggeration of friendship, when it is known that Romilly pronounced him "the most efficient speaker in the House of Commons;" and Pitt declared, "Of all the men I ever knew, Wilberforce has the greatest natural eloquence." And, perhaps, his moral influence was never stronger than at the time he ended his political career.

During the former part of his life, Mr. Wilberforce had at different times resided in many different places. Perhaps his unsettled habits in this respect were to be lamented; but having inherited no mansion with his landed estates, he felt himself at liberty to live where his present convenience might seem to require. As it was necessary for him during the meeting of parliament to be near London, for some years he had a house at Clapham; he lived afterwards at Kensington Gore but having now escaped from the burden of public business, he wished to be a little farther removed from the metropolis, and yet not so far as to be cut off altogether from the society of his friends there. Accordingly he purchased a house at Highwood Hill, about ten miles north of London, where he trusted he should spend in repose the remainder of his days.

In 1827, he made a progress, after an interval of almost twenty years, through his native county. It is needless to say that he was welcomed by his friends with the most affectionate cordiality, when even those to whom he had been politically opposed received him with delight. He regarded with peculiar pleasure a visit which he made at this time to Lord Fitzwilliam. "The cordiality and kindness," he wrote to a friend, "with which I have been received at this place (Wentworth House) has deeply affected me. Lord Fitzwilliam might well have been forgiven, if he had conceived an unconquerable antipathy to me. When I was first elected county member, it was in defiance of his old hereditary interest. I, a mere boy (but twentyfour), without a single acquaintance in the county, and not allowing him the recommendation even of one member, though with Sir George Savile's familyconnexion and name superadded to the Rockingham interest..... Yet in spite of all repelling principles, so strongly has worked the general kindness of his nature, that he, the old gentleman (gentleman, I may truly term him; for a finer gentleman cannot be conceived) has behaved to us with an unaffected, unassuming friendliness, that at times has brought tears into my eyes. It has really brought powerfully to my feelings that better state in which all misconstructions will be done away, and all truly good men will love one another."

One of Mr. Wilberforce's great objects, after having settled at Highwood, was the erection of a chapel among his own cottages, and near his own house. He was three miles from the parish-church; and there were many in his neighbourhood who were almost prohibited from attendance upon public worship." It will doubtless," he wrote, "be an expensive matter; but when I consider that I am living

here in the enjoyment of all the comforts of civilised society, and with the humble hope of a still better portion in a better world, I could not lay my head on my pillow with a quiet conscience, if I were not to have done my best to secure for all my poor neighbours the blessings of Christian instruction, and I hope of pastoral care." But much annoyance to his feelings resulted from this purpose. At a sacrifice of personal convenience, to suit better the chief population of the hamlet, he fixed the site of his intended chapel at Mill Hill. He had the sanction of the diocesan, and of the Church-commissioners; but unfortunately he was met, though not immediately, yet, after a time, with decided opposition on the part of the incumbent. It is not necessary to go into the particulars; it is enough to say, that he bore himself with his usual meekness under the unmerited obloquy attempted to be cast upon him; but so much delay was hence occasioned, that it was not till after his death that his chapel was consecrated. It may be added here, that his attachment to the Church of England grew with his advancing years. He had once not scrupled to enter a Dissenting place of worship; he afterwards, though numbering many Dissenters among his most intimate friends, felt that he could not conscientiously be present at any of their services.

It was in this evening of his days, while his home was at Highwood, that the writer of these lines first was favoured with the personal acquaintance of Mr. Wilberforce. Ile well remembers the veneration with which, even from childhood, he used to regard that revered name, though he had little expectation then of ever being honoured with his notice. In the year 1828, he first saw him. It was on a public occasion, when many of the most distinguished personages of the day were assembled. Through the concourse there walked, or rather was led, a little aged man, whose head was sunk upon his breast, and who had to bend his body back in order to look with penetrating eye and animated countenance on those around him. Every one welcomed his entrance. Princes and peers, statesmen and clergy, seemed equally zealous to do him honour, and pressed towards him eagerly to grasp his offered hand. Though ignorant up to that moment of his person, the writer instantly concluded, as it was immediately after confirmed to him, that that little, decrepit man, so courted and distinguished, could be only William Wilberforce. It was an event to see him-to contemplate his spare, distorted person-to mark the brightness of his eye, and the benevolence of his features-and to read, as it were, in his face the history of mighty struggles for God and man in which he had been engaged. It was a face lighted up with intelligence, and beaming with good-will. No man could behold it without the perfect certainty that he was a good man, the ready belief that he was a great one. The writer is not ashamed to add, that, as opportunity offered, he pressed near to him, and thought it a privilege to have touched that day the skirt of his garment. Soon after, he had the delight of becoming personally known to him; and will ever account it a distinction to have been received beneath "Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter."-TACIT. Vit, Agris.

the roof of Highwood. He has now the circumstances of that time vividly before his eyes. It was a bright sunny day in winter, when Mr. Wilberforce took him out into his grounds; and, refusing an offered arm, walked gaily and nimbly forward-adorning every | topic he touched on from the sparkling treasures of a rich imagination and pious heart-stopping sometimes when very earnest in conversation, and then bounding on to catch the full advantage of the pure atmosphere and the gleams of the February sun. The writer will not easily forget the kindness which welled up from Mr. Wilberforce's heart as he shewed him into the room he was to occupy-the room of one of his sons. He spoke of that beloved son; pointed to his favourite books; repeating again and again, as he talked of him, with almost faltering voice and glistening eye, "Yes, is a dear boy." Never was there a more beautiful exhibition of paternal tenderness. After dinner he slept for an hour and half, and then rose with fresh vigour for the evening. It would have been a painter's study to watch him then, as he knelt by his secretary, who read to him; and to see how (it was a book in which the slavery of the United States was noticed) his eye would flash, and the wonted fire kindle in his breast, at the recital of the sufferings or indignities of the degraded black, as he exclaimed, "Mark that! mark that!" and sometimes rose hastily from his knee, and walked a pace or two, unable to repress his strong emotions. Then came the hour of prayer; and the little congregation assembled first in the music-hall to sing God's praise to the organ, and passed afterwards into the library beyond, where he, the priest of his household, simply instructed them from the Scriptures, and led their worship to a throne of grace. After that, he would seem to wake up again to new life. Midnight, instead of lulling, called out more vividly the activity of his mind; and he walked backwards and forwards in his drawing-room, conversing long with untired animation. No person could be in Mr. Wilberforce's society without being struck with his large benevolence. stances occur to the writer's mind, where, when the name was mentioned, or character animadverted on, even of those who had wronged him, he threw in every mitigating circumstance, and shewed how he delighted, like his divine Master, to bind up, rather than to aggravate a wound. It was the unaffected humility and the glowing gratitude that filled his heart on a review of the mercies bestowed upon him, which so much tended to produce this happy temper. This will be illustrated by some reflections of his own, at a period somewhat prior, indeed, to that under review, but which may, perhaps, be best here introduced, as throwing a beautiful light on his domestic character:

In

"When I do look back on my past life, comparing especially the numerous, almost innumerable, instances of God's kindness to me with my unworthy returns, I am overwhelmed, and can with truth adopt the language of the publican, God, be merciful to me a sinner.' Every one knows, or may know, his own sins, the criminality of which varies according to his opportunities of improvement, obligations and motives to obedience, advantages and means of grace, favours and loving-kindnesses, pardons and mercies. It is the exceeding goodness of God to me, and the

almost unequalled advantages I have enjoyed, which so fill me with humiliation and shame. My days appear few when I look back; but they have been any thing but evil. My blessings have been of every kind, and of long continuance; general to me, and to other Englishmen; but still more peculiar from my having a kindly natural temper-a plentiful fortune; all the mercies of my public life-my coming so early into parliament for Hull; then for Yorkshire; elected six times; and... only ceasing to be M.P. for Yorkshire, because I resigned the situation. Then my

being made the instrument of bringing forward the abolition; my helping powerfully the cause of Christianity in India; my never having been discredited, but being always supported on all public occasions. There would be no end of the enumeration, were I to put down all the mercies of God. My escape from drowning by a sudden suggestion of Providence. My never having been disgraced for refusing to fight a duel. Then all my domestic blessings. Marrying as late as thirty-six, yet finding one of the most affectionate of wives. Six children, all of them attached to me beyond measure. And though we have lost dear Barbara, yet, in the main, few men ever had such cause for thankfulness on account of the love of their children towards them. Then my social blessings. No man ever had so many kind friends; they quite overwhelm me with their goodness, and shew the wisdom there has been in my cultivating my friendships with men of my own rank; above all, the wisdom of selecting religious men for friends. . . . Then my having faculties sufficient to make me respectable— a natural faculty of public speaking; though the complaint in my eyes sadly hinders me in acquiring knowledge, and in writing. Then, almost above all, my having been rendered the instrument of much spiritual good by my work on Christianity. How many, many have communicated to me, that it was the means of their turning to God! Then all this continued so long, and in spite of all my provocations. These it would be wrong to put down; but my heart knows and feels them; and, I trust, ever will. And it is a great mercy that God has enabled me to maintain a fair, consistent, external course; so that I have never brought disgrace on my Christian profession. Praise the Lord, O my soul. And now, Lord, let me devote myself more solemnly and more resolutely to thee,— desiring, more than I ever yet have done, to dedicate my faculties to thy glory and service."

It was on principles such as these that Mr. Wilberforce's character was formed; and hence his unvarying kindliness and contented affection. Hence it was that those who saw him for the first time with some prejudice against him, soon found their prejudices melt away beneath the charm of his conversation and conduct. To say that he had imperfections, is merely to say, that he shared the universal lot of men; but his infirmities were often those which sprung from the very amiability of his temper. They were on the side of "hesitation, delay, indecision, discursiveness and vagrancy of mind; the allowing himself to be imposed on-disorder in his papers and correspondence-irregularity of hours-his library a perfect Babylon-letters, thousands upon thousands lying heaped aroundhalf a morning often lost in recovering some import