experienced the power of the gospel. The first three of these men formed themselves into a society, which afterwards increased to thirteen.

Previous to the battle of the Nile, as many of them as had opportunity, associated for prayer, and committed themselves and each other to God, supposing they might never meet one another again, as they were then in sight of the French fleet. Their ship was in the heat of the action, but they were all mercifully preserved in the day of battle, not any one of them being killed or wounded. Two of their number were placed at one gun, where three of their shipmates were killed by one ball; but they were not injured. Such preservation excited their attention; and the first opportunity, after the confusion of the battle, they met for thanksgiving to Him, who so remarkably answered their prayers. When they came into port, it appeared their conduct had gained the confidence of their superiors: for one half of their number asking for leave to go on shore, thinking it improper for the whole to go at once, the commanding officer, much like a gentleman, when he was informed they wished to spend the Sabbath on shore for the purpose of worship, said, "you may go and take all your party with you." They found their way to the place of worship. It being the day of the administration of the Lord's supper, having shown the rules of their society, and conversed freely with the clergyman of the port, they were cheerfully admitted at the table of the Lord. I found these men, says the clergyman, much better acquainted with droctrinal, experimental, and prac tical divinity, than could have been reasonably expected. But with the Bible in their hands, and the Holy Spirit for their teacher, is it any wonder that they were well taught?

Prayer-a successful means of Correction

A GENTLEMAN once brought his son to Mr. Flattich an aged clergyman in Wurtemburgh, who was famous as an instructor of youth, with the request that he would take him under his discipline and instruction. "I must give you to understand," said the gentleman, when he was alone with the minister, "that my son is a desperate

fad, upon whom hitherto all instructions, all correction have been lost. I have admonished him, I have whipped him, I have shamed him before company, but he still remains a desperate boy, praise and blame are equally unavailing." The minister asked the gentleman, whether he had in this case sought for no other remedies. "Yes," said the father, "I confined the boy to bread and water once for two days together." The minister still asked him, whether he had tried nothing else. "Yes," replied he, "I have exposed him to the cold." Upon being further questioned, he mentioned other measures, which he had resorted to without any good effect. He had in vain sought mild methods to bring him to reason; had, for example, let him go into the company of well behaved children, but the boy would escape as soon as possible into the society of the boys in the street, or else would exhibit rude behavior before the orderly children. Upon this, the old clergyman said, that all these were not the right remedy; he knew for his part a better cure for such desperate cases, and that was prayer. He asked him whether he had diligently and earnestly prayed with his son and for him? The gentleman said he had not done it. "Then," observed the clergyman, "it need not seem strange that all your pains applied have been in vain." Flattich now tried this remedy upon the boy, and it succeeded so well, that as the writer of this communication knows, from a desperate youth, he has become an excellent efficient man.

Colonel B

COLONEL B

ruling over Rum.

was a man of amiable manners, and a well informed mind. Being much employed in public business, which called him from place to place, ardent spirits was often set before him with an invitation to drink. At first he took a social glass for civility's sake. But at length a habit was formed, and appetite began to crave its customary indulgence. He drank more largely, and once or twice was quite overcome. His friends were alarmed. He was on the brink of a precipice, from which many had fallen to the lowest pitch of wretchedness. In

his sober hours he saw the danger he was in. Said he to himself, one day when alone, Shall Col. B. rule? or shall rum rule? If Col. B. rule, he and his family may be respectable and happy. But if rum rule, Col. B. is ruined, his property wasted, and his family made wretched!" At length, said he, I set down my foot, and said, "Col. B. shall rule, and rum obey." And from that day Col. B. did rule. He immediately broke off his intemperate habits, and lived to a good old age, virtuous, respected and happy. Let every one who has acquired, or is acquiring a similar habit, go and do likewise.

Anecdotes of Dr. Payson.

ONE day, he went to visit a mother, who was disconsolate from the loss of a child. He said to her as follows:

"Suppose, now, some one was making a beautiful crown for you to wear; and you knew it was for you, and that you were to receive it and wear it as soon as it was done. Now, if the maker of it were to come, and, in order to make the crown more beautiful and splendid, were to take some of your jewels, to put into it,-should you be sorrowful and unhappy, beause they were taken away for a little while, when you knew they were gone to make up your crown?”

The mother said that no one could conceive of the relief, the soothing, quieting influence which this comparison had on her mind.

On another occasion he went to see a sick person, who was very much troubled, because she could not keep her mind all the time fixed upon Christ, on account of the distracting influences of her sufferings, and the various objects and occurrences of the sick room, which constantly called off her attention. She was afraid she did not love her Savior, as she found it so difficult to fix her mind upon him. Dr. Payson said,

"Suppose you were to see a little sick child, lying in its mother's lap, with its faculties impaired by its suffer ings, so that it was, generally, in a troubled sleep; but now and then it just opens its eyes a little, and gets a glimpse of its mother's face, so as to be recalled to the re

collection that it is in its mother's arms; and suppose that always, at such a time, it should smile faintly with evident pleasure to find where it was,-should you doubt whether that child loved its mother or not?"

The poor sufferer's doubts and despondency were gone in a moment.

A gentleman, who saw and conversed with Dr. Payson in Boston, when he visited this city, towards the latter part of his life, was led, by his preaching and conversation, to a considerable degree of serious concern for his soul. His wife was still in a great measure indifferent to the subject. One day, meeting her in company, he said to her,-

"Madam, I think your husband is looking upwards,making some effort to rise above the world, towards God and heaven. You must not let him try alone. Whenever I see the husband struggling alone in such efforts, it makes me think of a dove, endeavoring to fly upwards, while it has one broken wing. It leaps and flutters, and perhaps raises itself a little way, and then it becomes wearied, and drops back again to the ground. If both wings co-operate, then it mounts easily."

Anecdote of Jeremiah Flate.

"FIFTY years ago," said this venerable teacher, "I was master of the Orphan Asylum, in Stuttgard, and had a whole room full of children to instruct. It was my custom to pray every morning for meekness and patience in the fulfilment of this arduous duty. One day, as I was walking up and down among the children, I observed a boy, about twelve years of age, leaning with both his elbows upon the table; I reproved him for this improper behavior, and walked on. The next time I passed he was doing the same thing; and I was obliged to repeat my desire that he should take his arms off the table. He obeyed me for the moment; but when I returned for the third time, I found him angry and perverse, and could read in his face that he was determined to despise my orders. I was much annoyed, but restrained myself, and prayed inwardly for strength to exercise patience towards

this poor child, even as my God had been patient towards My ill humor vanished immediately, I became calm, and was enabled to continue my instructions. The boy obstinately remained in the same attitude, but I took no notice of him. When school was over, I sent for him into my study, praying, in the meantime, for wisdom and composure of mind. He stamped in, and banged the door after him in a violent passion. Why did you bang the door so violently? I asked. I did not bang it,' he replied. Yes, you did, my boy, said I. 'I tell you, I did not,' was the answer. Upon this I went up to him, took his hand, and asked him in a gentle voice, 'Do you know, my son, against whom you are sinning? It is not against me, but against your Savior, your best Friend! Examine yourself, and try to find out why you behave in this manner.'

"The boy's heart was touched; he burst into tears, and entreated me to forgive his wicked behavior." had determined this morning,' continued he, to teaze you by my disobedience, till you should beat me, thinking you would suffer much more from it than I should. Pray, pray forgive me; I will never do so again in all my life.' I pointed out to him from what a great temptation he had been delivered, and then dismissed him, with the assurance that I had long since forgiven him. He left me, but still appeared almost inconsolable. In the afternoon, having finished my classes, I was sitting alone in my little study, when I heard a knock at the door. The boy came in, his eyes red with weeping, and saying it was impossible I could have forgiven him, for he had behaved towards me like a devil. He begged I would tell him once more that I had forviven him, repeating that he would never vex me again, not even by a look. I again assured him of my full forgiveness, but told him he must ask pardon of his Savior, against whom he had chiefly sinned, and who would certainly hear his prayer, if his repentance was sincere. The boy however left me, still crying.

"I had scarcely risen the next morning, when my little penitent came again, crying so bitterly that I was quite astonished. He said the remembrance of his conduct the day before had prevented his sleeping, and entreated me,