In order to support their evidence effectually, he presented the Cadi with a long bag containing 500 ducats, When the day arrived for hearing the cause, the poor man told his story, and produced his writings, but could not support his case by witnesses; the other rested his whole case on his witnesses, and his adversary's defect in law, who could produce none: he urged the Cadi there, fore to give sentence in his favor. After the most pressing solicitations, the judge calmly drew out from under his sofa the bag of ducats, which the rich man had given him as a bribe, saying to him very gravely, "You have been much mistaken in the suit, for if the poor man can produce no witnesses in confirmation of his right, I myself can produce at least five hundred." He then threw away the bay with reproach and indignation, and decreed the house to the poor plantiff. Such was the noble decision of a Turkish Judge, whose disinterested conduct was the reverse of that of the unjust time-serving Felix.

Baxter's Industry.

EVERY one must be struck with the magnitude of Baxter's labors as a writer. The age in which he lived was an age of voluminous authorship, and Baxter was beyond comparison the most voluminous of all his contemporaries. Those who have been acquainted only with what are called his practical or spiritual writings, form no correct estimate of the extent of his works. These form twenty-two volumes octavo, in the present edition; and yet they are but a small portion of what he wrote. The number of his books has been variously estimated; as some of the volumes which he published, contain distinct treatises, they have sometimes been counted as one, and sometimes reckoned four or five. The best method of forming a correct opinion of Baxter's labors from the press, is by comparing them with some of his brethren who wrote a great deal. The works of Bishop Hall, amount to ten volums octavo; Lightfoot's extend to thirteen, Jeremy Taylor's to fifteen; Dr. Goodwin's, would make about twenty; Dr. Owen's extend to twenty-eight; Richard Baxter's if printed in a uniform edition, cou'd not be

comprised in less than sixty volumes, making more than from thirty to forty thousand closely printed octavo pages!

On this mass of writing he was employed from the year 1649, when his first work appeared, till near the time of his death, in 1691, a period of forty-four years. Had he been chiefly engaged in writing, this space was amply sufficient to have enabled him to produce all his works with ease. But it must be recollected, that writing was but a small portion of his occupation. His labors as a minister, and his engagements in the public business of his times, formed his chief employment for many years, so that he speaks of writing but as a kind of recreation from more severe duties. Nor is this all; his state of health must be taken into consideration in every estimate of his work. A man more diseased, or who had more to contend with in the frame of his body, probably never existed in the same circumstances. He was a constant martyr to sickness and pain, so that how he found it practicable to write with the composure with which he generally did, is one of the greatest mysteries in his history. The energy of his mind was superior to any discouragement; for though it often felt the burden and the clog of the flesh, it never gave way to its desire of ease, or succumbed under the pressure of its infirmities. He furnishes an illustrious instance of what may be done by principle, energy, and perseverance, in the most untoward and discouraging circumstances.

The Influence of the Bible.

MORE than twelve months ago, says Dr. Gregory of the Royal Military Academy, in an address before a Bible Society in England, I went, pursuant to the request of a poor but benevolent woman in my neighboorhood, to visit an indigent man, greatly afflicted. On entering the cottage I found him alone, his wife having gone to procure him milk from a kind neighbor. I was startled at the sight of a pale emaciated man, a living image of death, fastened upright in his chair by a rude mechanism of cords and belts, hanging from the ceiling. He was total

y unable to move either hand or foot; having for more than four years, been entirely deprived of the use of his limbs, yet the whole time suffering extreme anguish from swellings at all his joints.

As soon as I had recovered a little from my surprise at seeing so pitiable an object I asked, "are you left alone, my friend, in this deplorable situation?" "No sir," replied he in a touchingly feeble tone of mild resignation, (noth ing but his lips and eyes moving while he spoke,) "I an not alone for God is with me," On advancing, I soon found the secret of this striking declaration, for his wife had left on his knees, propped with a cushion for the purpose, a Bible lying open at a favorite portion of the Psalm of David, I sat down by him, and conversed with hin On ascertaining that he had but a small weekly allow. ance certain, I inquired how the remainder of his want were supplied. "Why sir," said he, "'tis true, as you say. seven shillings a week would never support us; but when it is gone, I rely upon the promise I find in this book, "Bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure." I asked him if he ever felt tempted to repine, under the pressure of so long continued and heavy à calamity. "Not for the last three years," said he; "blessed be God for it!" the eye of faith sparkling, and giving life to his pallid countenance, while he made the declaration:for I have learned in this book in whom to believe; and though I am aware of my weakness and unworthiness, I am persuaded that he will never leave me nor forsake me. And so it is, that often, when my lips are closed with locked-jaw, and I cannot speak to the glory of God, he enables me to sing his praise in my heart."

This and much more, did I hear during my first visit; and in my subsequent visits, (for I am not ashamed to say that often, for my own benefit, have I gone to the cottage of this afflicted man,) I generally found him with his Bible on his knees, and uniformly witnessed the like resignation flowing from the blessing of God upon the constant perusal of the Holy Scriptures. He died with a hope full of immortality, and is now gone to the rest that remaineth for the people of God. And gladly would I sink into the obscurity of the cottage, gladly would I languish in the same chair, could I but enjoy the same un

interrupted communion with God, be always filled with the same strong consolation, and always behold, with equal vivid perception sparkling before me, the same celestial crown.

What I would ask, what but the heartfelt influence of the truths of religion, what but the most decided faith of the Gospel, could enable a man to sustain such a continuity of affliction, not merely with tranquility, but with thankfulness? And what can convince an individual of the utility, nay, the duty, of distributing Bibles among the indigent, who does not become persuaded by such an example as this?

An Honest Confession.

THE following remarks of a Christian Negro, may be considered as illustrating the effect of the divine law upon the conscience of the sinner. "Yesterday morning," said he, "when you preach, you show me that the law be our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. You talk about the ten commandments. You begin at the first, and me say to myself, 'Me guilty!' the second; Me guilty the third; Me guilty! the fourth; Me guilty! the fifth; Me guilty; then you say the sixth, I suppose plenty people live here, who say,-'Me no guilty of that! Me say again in my heart, 'Ah, me no guilty of that!' Did you never hate any person? Did you never wish that such a person, such a man or such a woman, was dead? Massa you talk plenty about that; and what I feel that time I cannot tell you. I talk in my heart, and say, me the same person. My heart begin to beat-me want to cry-my heart heave so much, me don't know what to do Massa, me think me kill ten people before breakfast? I never think I so bad. Afternoon, you talk about the Lord Jesus Christ, how he take all our sins. I think I stand the same like a person that have a big stone upon him head, and can't walk-want to fall down. Oh Massa! I have trouble too much-I no sleep all night, and wept much. I hope the Lord Jesus Christ will take my sins from me! suppose he no save me. I shall go to hell

for ever."

Richard Baxter.

DURING Mr. Baxter's residence in Coventry, he, in Company with several of the ejected ministers who resided there, commenced preaching in a house, by the side of a common, not many miles from the city. The time of service being rather early in the morning, Mr. Baxter set out for the place the preceding evening. The night being very dark, he missed his way, and after wandering about for a considerable time he espied a light, on a rising ground, at a considerable distance; to which he immediately bent his steps. On his arrival, he found that it emanated from the window of a gentleman's house. He called and begged to be allowed to remain until morning; at the same time stating, that he had lost his way.

The servant informed his master that a person of very respectable appearance was at the door, and wished to be accommodated for the night. The gentleman ordered the servant to invite him in. The invitation was accepted; and Mr. Baxter met with the greatest hospitality. At supper, the gentleman inquired what was the profession or employment of his guest. Mr. Baxter, from several things spoken by his host, saw it necessary to be upon his guard, and replied-" I am a man-catcher, sir." "A man-catcher," said the gentleman, "are you? You are the very person I want. I am justice of the peace, and am determined to seize upon one Dick Baxter, who is expected to preach at a neighboring cottage to-morrow morning, and you shall go with me, and I doubt not we shall easily apprehend the rogue." Mr. Baxter no longer remained ignorant of the quality of his host, and consented to accompany him. After breakfast the next morning, they accordingly set out in the magistrate's carriage for the place. When they arrived, the people were beginning to assemble outside of the house; but no Dick Baxter made his appearance to preach. The justice seemed to be considerably disappointed; and said to his companion, he supposed Mr. Baxter had been apprised of his design. and would not fulfil his engagement. After waiting for some time in ardent expectation for the approach of the non-conformist, but without effect, Mr. Baxter told the magistrate that it was a pity for so many people to be